The two branches of Bowen's reaction series are the continuous ...

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The two branches of Bowen's reaction series are the continuous series and the discontinuous series. In what ways do the minerals in the discontinuous series differ from each other? And the minerals in the continuous series?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

How will mantle-derived magma change when it ponds against crustal rocks?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[thall411]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: Minerals in the discontinuous series differ from each other in both chemical composition and crystalline structure. For example, olivine is an independent silicate, pyroxene is a single chain silicate, and amphibole is a double chain silicate. Minerals in the continuous series only differ from each other in chemical composition. For example, all minerals in the continuous series are plagioclase. However, they start out as calcium-rich plagioclase and slowly convert to a more sodium-rich plagioclase.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Crustal rocks at the crust-mantle boundary are already close to their melting point. Contact with the hotter mantle-derived magma will result in melting of the crustal rocks. The two melts will mix, producing a magma that is more silica-rich and lower in density.

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[thall411]

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