Petrology-based modeling of mantle melt electrical conductivity and joint interpretation of electromagnetic and seismic results

The presence of melt in the Earth's interior depends on the thermal state, bulk chemistry, and dynamics. Therefore, the investigation of the physical and chemical properties of melt is a probe of the planet's structure, dynamics, and potentially evolution. Here we explore melt properties by interpreting geophysical data sets sensitive to the presence of melt (electromagnetic and seismic) with considerations of petrology and, in particular, peridotite partial melting. We present a petrology-based model of the electrical conductivity of fertile and depleted peridotites during partial melting. Seismic and magnetotelluric (MT) studies do not necessarily agree on melt fraction estimates, a possible explanation being the assumptions made about melt chemistry as part of MT data interpretation. Melt fraction estimates from electrical anomalies usually assume a basaltic melt phase, whereas petrological knowledge suggests that the first liquids produced have a different chemistry, and thus a different conductivity. Our results show that melts produced by low-degree peridotite melting (< 15 vol %) are up to 5 times more conductive than basaltic liquids. Such conductive melts significantly affect bulk rock conductivity. Application of our electrical model to magnetotelluric results suggests melt fractions that are in good agreement with seismic estimates. With the aim of a simultaneous interpretation of electrical and seismic data, we combine our electrical results with seismic velocity considerations in a joint model of partial melting. Field electrical and seismic anomalies can be explained by ∼1 vol % melt beneath Hawaii and ∼1-8 vol % melt beneath the Afar Ridge.