The Fe2O 3/FeO ratio of basalt analyses: an appeal for a standardized procedure

Abstract

Due to the importance of the oxidation state in the classification of basaltic rocks many procedures have boon adopted for the adjustment of this parameter to minimize the effects of secondary oxidation. An appeal is made here to standardize this procedure and a case is made for the adoption of a value for the Fe203/Fe0 ratio of 0.15. It is probable that this is close to the original value in nature, at least for tholeiites.