The origin and source of intra-plate anorogenic basaltic magmas has been the subject of discussion for several decades. The generation of basaltic magma has been ascribed either to decompression melting triggered by lithospheric extension or to addition of heat supplied by an upwelling mantle plume. These magmas could have been produced from lithospheric or asthenospheric mantle source and also could represent mixing between both sources. The lithospheric mantle is too cold to be considered as a source of alkaline basaltic magmas and only under special conditions (steep geothermal gradient)...