Experimental petrology and the upper mantle: simulating peridotitic sources and mantle heterogeneities

Experimental petrology provides a direct means of constraining mineral phase stability and primary magma compositions across a wide range of pressure – temperature (P-T) conditions. By precisely controlling parameters such as pressure, temperature, and oxygen fugacity (fO2), researchers can test both synthetic and natural compositions under specific regimes. Given the direct inaccessibility of the Earth’s mantle, such experimental investigations are essential for interpreting deep Earth processes, including phase equilibria and melt generation. This paper reviews the fundamental principles of experimental petrology and critically reviews experimental studies on dry, hydrous, and carbonated mantle systems, as well as peridotite – eclogite hybrid sources.