Theory
Bowen's Reaction Series
Bowen's Reaction Series arranges the silicate minerals in the order that they crystallize from magma. The minerals at the
top of the series crystallize from the melt at higher temperature than those lower down. It contains a continuous series, (right hand limb), a
discontinuous series (left hand limb), and the residual phases, which are listed in their relative sequence of crystallization. The discontinuous
series describes the sequence of minerals that crystallize as the temperature of the magma decreases. The discontinuity of each of the
crystallization sequences reflects the different melting/crystallization temperatures of the minerals, and the change in composition of the
residual magma, as the early crystallizing phases are being fractionated from the melt. The continuous series always crystallizes plagioclase,
but the composition of the plagioclase changes from more calcic (i.e. anorthite) at higher temperatures to more sodic (i.e. albite) as the
temperature decreases. The compositional change during mineral growth can be recorded in compositional zoning of plagioclase
crystals. The minerals at the bottom of Bowen’s reaction series crystallize last and are more stable,
and less susceptible to weathering. Thus, Bowen's reaction series also predicts the stability of minerals in the
low pressure conditions at the Earth's surface.
It should be noted that all reactions do not start crystallizing olivine/anorthite-rich plagioclase and continue through until they
crystallize quartz. Which minerals actually form, depend on many factors, such as the chemical composition of the melt, temperature,
pressure, and amount of fractional crystallization. For example, basalts form from the crystallization of
olivine,
pyroxene and
calcic plagioclase, meaning that crystallization stopped without the series progressing. If more fractional crystallization
were to occur, more intermediate and felsic minerals can crystallize.