If pure olivine melts at 1890°C and pure pyroxene melts at 1390°C, and peridotite is a mixture of the two, which of the following is a likely melting temperature for peridotite?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since peridotite is a mixture of both olivine and pyroxene, it would be expected to melt at a temperature lower than the melting temperature of pure olivine (1890°C) and higher than the melting temperature of pure pyroxene (1390°C). Therefore, the most likely melting temperature for peridotite would be around the middle of these two temperatures, which is approximately 1270°C.

If Pure Olivine Melts at 1890°C and Pure Pyroxene Melts