Insights into the chemical evolution of sub-arc magmas from the high-pressure electrical conductivity of basaltic and andesitic magmas

Abstract The continental crust is rich in aluminosilicates and formed by the crystallization of arc magmas. However, the magma produced at sub-arc depths is often silica-poor. The chemical evolution of sub-arc magma from silica-poor to aluminosilicate-rich is perplexing. Magnetotelluric (MT) observations in subduction zones and complementary laboratory-based constraints of electrical conductivity (σ) are crucial to understanding this chemical evolution. The σ of a magma is sensitive to pressure (P), temperature (T), and chemistry (X). To date, laboratory-based measurements on the σ of silicate melts have helped to interpret MT observations at P ≤ 2 GPa. Yet, the melting in subduction zones could occur deeper, at P ≤ 6–7 GPa. The σ of melt at such pressures is poorly constrained. To address this, we performed experiments at P ≤ 6 GPa to examine the σ of basaltic to andesitic melts, which are common in subduction zones. We constrained the effects of silica, alumina, alkali, alkaline, and water (H2O) contents on the σ of melt. The activation volume of σ increases with silica contents. Hence, the σ of basaltic melt is overall greater than that of an andesitic counterpart. The σ of basaltic magma is also less sensitive to P than andesitic magma. Water lowers the activation energy and enhances σ for all melt compositions. Our results help constrain how the electrical properties of a magma change with an evolving composition in a subduction zone.