| The first isotopic data and concentrations of helium are reported for the Pacific-Antarctic ridge between 52.5 degrees S and 41.5 degrees S. The He-4/He-3 ratio is extremely homogeneous over more than 1200 km, with a mean ratio of 99,275 (R/Ra = 7.29) and a standard deviation of 2719 (0.19), which is the lowest dispersion observed for the global mid oceanic ridge system. Moreover, the Menard T. F. is a frontier between two mantles with slightly different helium isotopic ratios (96,595 +/- 1520 and 100,347 +/- 2330). No difference in the helium concentration between the two ridge segments defined by the Menard T. F. can be observed, as well as no significant difference in the U and Th contents suggesting that the difference in helium isotopic ratio is old... |
