Extraction of melt from veined mantle source regions during eruptions

Harzburgite is the predominant type of peridotite in the mantle sections of ophiolite complexes. The residual character of harzburgite suggests that the magma extraction is efficient, and that harzburgite form a residual layer above a subsequent mantle source. This residual layer form an upper lid for subsequent magma accumulation. A theoretical estimate of the depletion rate of a veined mantle source region show that it is possible for a veined source region to become nearly completely depleted for melt within a year. This period of time is comparable to the durations of abyssal and subaerial volcanic eruption episodes, which varies from a few months to a few years.