The fate of subducted basaltic crust in the Earth's lower mantle.

Describes research that investigates what happens to mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB) when it is subducted beneath the Earth's lithosphere. The lack of uniformity in ocean floor subduction; Differences in chemistry, density, and melting temperature between basalt and peridotite; Results of the transformation of basalt into a perovskitite lithology when it melts; Relation of pressure to temperature for perovskite and peridotite; Which would sink under certain conditions; Figures; Methods and equipment in testing.