Agri Care Hub

Melt Fraction Calculator

Melt Fraction Calculator

About the Melt Fraction Calculator

The Melt Fraction Calculator is a scientifically precise tool for determining partial melting degrees (F) in mantle and crustal rocks using trace element geochemistry. Based on peer-reviewed batch and fractional melting equations from Shaw (1970) and Gazel et al. (2022), this calculator enables geologists and petrologists to quantify melt production during magmatic processes. Hosted by Agri Care Hub, it provides accurate results for igneous petrogenesis studies, volcanic hazard assessment, and geothermal resource evaluation, ensuring compliance with established geochemical methodologies.

Importance of Melt Fraction Calculator

The Melt Fraction Calculator is indispensable for understanding magma generation processes that shape Earth's crust and influence volcanic activity. By quantifying the degree of partial melting (F = 1-30% typically), it reveals mantle source characteristics, melting conditions (pressure, temperature), and magma evolution pathways. In volcanology, accurate F values predict eruption styles—low F (<5%) produces viscous, explosive magmas, while high F (>15%) yields fluid, effusive eruptions. For geothermal energy, F determines melt connectivity and permeability, crucial for resource assessment.

In agriculture and environmental science, as explored by Agri Care Hub, melt fraction analysis of volcanic soils quantifies nutrient release rates from fresh basaltic glass, impacting fertility management. The calculator's use of validated equations ensures reproducible results, bridging academic research with practical applications in hazard mitigation and sustainable land use.

User Guidelines

Follow these steps for optimal use of the Melt Fraction Calculator:

  1. Select Trace Element: Choose from REEs (Yb, La, Sm) with pre-loaded partition coefficients per mantle mineralogy (olivine, opx, cpx, garnet).
  2. Enter Source Concentration (C₀): Input estimated primitive mantle or source rock concentration (ppm) from literature (e.g., Sun & McDonough, 1989).
  3. Enter Melt Concentration (C): Input measured concentration in your basalt/andesite sample (ppm) from ICP-MS/XRF analysis.