Quartz-dominated Cenozoic gravels in southeastern Australia: where did all the quartz come from?

Upper Cenozoic fluvial gravels in the Canberra region are quartz-dominated (>95 vol% quartz), whereas modern bedload sediments contain less than 50 vol% quartz and a range of lithologies that broadly reflect the catchment geology. Potential reasons for the compositional difference include changes in catchment geology, sediment transport distance, post-depositional weathering and regolith history. Breakage of unsound clasts during transport does not explain the difference because sediment transport distances in the Cenozoic were similar to today. Post-depositional weathering of less resistant clasts is ruled out because the Cenozoic gravels are clast-supported and preserve original bedding. During much of the Cenozoic, rainfall was significantly higher than the present, and rainforest species were present in the local and regional vegetation. Weathering regimes were likely very different from today, and deep weathering of catchment lithologies may have favoured the supply of quartz-rich gravelly sediment to the river systems.     

OH defects in quartz in the system quartz–albite–water and granite–water between 5 and 25?kbar

The incorporation of OH defects in quartz from the systems quartz–water, quartz–albite–water and granite–water at pressures between 5 and 25?kbar and temperatures between 800 and 1,000?°C was investigated by IR spectroscopy. The two most important OH absorption features can be assigned to hydrogarnet defects (absorption band at 3,585?cm^?1) and coupled substitutions involving Al³⁺ (Al–H defects, absorption bands at 3,310, 3,378 and 3,430?cm^?1). Al incorporation in quartz is controlled by mineral/melt partitioning (D _Al ^Qz/Melt ?=?0.01) and exhibits a negative pressure dependence. This trend is not clearly reflected by the concentration of Al–H defects, which shows positive deviations from the theoretical 1:1 correlation of Al/H for some samples. In contrast to the Al–H defects, formation of hydrogarnet defects appears to be positively correlated to pressure and water activity, and may be used a petrological indicator. The overall water concentration exhibits only minor changes with pressure and temperature, but a clear correlation of water activity (controlled by various amounts of dissolved salts) and hydrogarnet substitution could be established.     

The effect of Dauphiné twinning on plastic strain in quartz

We present an electron backscatter diffraction analysis of five quartz porphyroclasts in a greenschist facies (T = 300–400°C) granitoid protomylonite from the Arolla unit of the NW Alps. Mechanical Dauphiné twinning developed pervasively during the incipient stage of deformation within two porphyroclasts oriented with a negative rhomb plane {z} almost orthogonal to the compression direction (z-twin orientation). Twinning was driven by the anisotropy in the elastic compliance of quartz and resulted in the alignment of the poles of the planes of the more compliant positive rhomb {r} nearly parallel to the compression direction (r-twin orientation). In contrast, we report the lack of twinning in two porphyroclasts already oriented with one of the {r} planes orthogonal to the compression direction. One twinned porphyroclast has been investigated with more detail. It shows the localization of much of the plastic strain into discrete r-twins as a consequence of the higher amount of elastic strain energy stored by r-twins in comparison to z-twins. The presence of Dauphiné twins induced a switch in the dominant active slip systems during plastic deformation, from basal <a> (regions without twinning) to {π} and {π′} <a> (pervasively twinned regions). Dynamic recrystallization is localized along an r-twin and occurred dominantly by progressive subgrain rotation, with a local component of bulging recrystallization. Part of the recrystallized grains underwent rigid-body rotation, approximately about the bulk vorticity axis, which accounts for the development of large misorientation angles. The recrystallized grain size piezometer for quartz yields differential stress of 100 MPa. The comparison of this palaeostress estimate with literature data suggests that mechanical Dauphiné twinning could have a potential use as palaeopiezometer in quartz-bearing rocks.     

Dissolution–precipitation reactions in hydrothermal experiments with quartz–feldspar aggregates

Batch and flow-through experiments were performed on quartz–feldspar granular aggregates at hydrothermal conditions (up to ≈150 °C, up to 5 MPa effective pressure, and near-neutral pH) for up to 141 days. The effect of dissolution–precipitation reactions on the surface morphology of the mineral grains was investigated. The starting materials as well as the solids and fluids resulting from the experiments were characterized using BET, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron microprobe analysis, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The electrical conductivity of fluid samples was used as a proxy for the evolution of the fluid composition in the experiments. The chemical analyses of the fluids in combination with hydrogeochemical simulations with PHREEQC suggested the precipitation of Al–Si-bearing solid phases. Electron microscopy confirmed the formation of secondary amorphous Al–Si-bearing solid phases. The microscopic observations are consistent with a process of stoichiometric dissolution of the mineral grains, transport of dissolved ions in the fluid phase, and spatially coupled precipitation of sub-μm sized amorphous particles on mineral surfaces. These findings shed light onto early stages of diagenesis of quartz–feldspar sands and indicate that amorphous phases may be precursors for the formation of crystalline phases, for example, clay minerals.     

Trace elements and cathodoluminescence of igneous quartz in topaz granites from the Hub Stock (Slavkovský Les Mts., Czech Republic)

Summary ¶Igneous quartz of the late-Variscan topaz-bearing granites from the Hub Stock (Slavkovský Les, Czech Republic) was investigated by cathodoluminescence (CL) and electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) to demonstrate the intra-granular heterogeneity of growth patterns and trace element distribution in quartz. We show that EPMA is well suited for the in situ study of Al and Ti in zoned quartz, because of its high spatial resolution down to 5µm in conjunction with the ability to combine spot analyses with CL imaging. In the quartz phenocrysts of the topaz granites high Ti is associated with blue luminescent growth zones. High Ti (>40ppm) in quartz indicates a high crystallisation temperature and pressure. The groundmass quartz of the granites which is almost free of Ti, has higher Al than the phenocrysts which may reflect an increase of lithophile elements and water content in melt during the late magmatic stage. The occurrence of similar quartz phenocrysts in most of the late-Variscan granites and rhyolites of the Kruné Hory/Erzgebirge which intruded over a period of about 40Ma points to a similar crystallisation environment and origin of the quartz phenocrysts in the lower to middle crust.Received November 6, 2001; revised version accepted January 30, 2003 Published online June 2, 2003     

Application of cathodoluminescence to magmatic quartz in a tin granite – case study from the Schellerhau Granite Complex, Eastern Erzgebirge, Germany

A model of the cooling history of tin-bearing granitic magma forming the Schellerhau granites (Eastern Erzgebirge, Germany) is shown on the basis of quartz textures. Similar grain size, similar grain habit and correlatable growth textures of phenocrysts in different granite varieties give proof of a common crystallization history before the melts of the Schellerhau granite varieties were intruded. Four nucleation events occurred during crystallization in different crustal levels between about 20 and 1 km depth. The parental melt of the Schellerhau granites is interpreted to have contained<2.5 wt% H₂O originally. The water content of the melt during the subvolcanic intrusion stage amounted to more than 5 wt% and characterizes highly evolved residual melts that enable the formation of tin deposits. This study contributes to a better understanding of the development and behaviour of fractionated tin-bearing granitic melts, and links quartz cathodoluminescence (CL) with microanalytical studies. Received: 28 October 1998 / Accepted: 18 August 1999     

Variability of the health effects of crystalline silica: Fe speciation in industrial quartz reagents and suspended dusts—insights from XAS spectroscopy

We investigated the speciation of Fe in bulk and in suspended respirable quartz dusts coming from ceramic and iron-casting industrial processes via X-ray absorption spectroscopy, with the aim of contributing to a better understanding of the variability of crystalline silica toxicity. Four different bulk industrial quartz powders, nominally pure quartz samples with Fe contents below 200 ppm, and three respirable dusts filters were selected. Fe speciation was determined in all samples through a coupled study of the X-ray absorption near-edge structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure regions, operating at the Fe–K edge. Fe speciation revealed common features at the beginning of the different production processes, whereas significant differences were observed on both respirable dusts and bulk dusts exiting from the production process. Namely, a common pollution of the raw quartz dusts by elemental Fe was evidenced and attributed to residuals of the industrial production of quartz materials. Moreover, the respirable samples indicated that reactivity occurs after the suspension of the powders in air. The gravitational selection during the particle suspension consistently allowed us to clearly discriminate between suspended and bulk dusts. On the basis of the obtained results, we provide an apparent spectroscopic discrimination between the raw materials used in the considered industrial processes, and those that are effectively inhaled by workers. In particular, an amorphous Fe^III oxide, with an unsaturated coordination sphere, can be related to silica reactivity (and health consequences).     

The crystallization temperature of vein quartz estimated from the concentration of the titanium paramagnetic center in quartz: A case study of the Peschanka porphyry copper–molybdenum–gold deposit,Western Chukchi Peninsula,Russia

The concentration of the Al and Ti paramagnetic impurity centers in pre-ore and ore-stage quartz at the Peschanka porphyry copper–molybdenum–gold deposit in the Western Chukchi Peninsula, Russia were determined using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). The [AlO ₄ ^- /h⁺]⁰ concentration in pre-ore and ore-stage quartz varies from 29 to 124 and from 13 to 101 at. ppm, respectively. The contents of the [TiO ₄ ^- /Li⁺]⁰ and [TiO ₄ ^- /H⁺]⁰ centers reach 20 and 6.3 at. ppm, respectively. Pre-ore quartz associated with the formation of biotite–potassium feldspar–quartz alteration and ore-stage quartz associated with the formation of quartz–sericite rocks followed by the ore deposition differ considerably in the Ti center content, especially the [TiO ₄ ^- /H⁺]⁰ center. The [TiO ₄ ^- /H⁺]⁰ concentration is much higher in the pre-ore quartz (>2 at. ppm) than that in the ore-stage quartz related to copper mineralization (<2 at. ppm). The [TiO ₄ ^- /Li⁺]⁰ concentration also decreases from pre-ore to ore-stage quartz. Taking the data we obtained into account, the formation temperature of pre-ore and ore-stage quartz estimated from a titaniumin-quartz geothermometer is 590–470°C (weighted average 520°C) and 510–310°C (weighted average 430°C), respectively. The obtained temperature range of 590 to 310°C is similar to that determined from homogenization of fluid inclusions in quartz.     

Tourmaline from quartz lenses of the Urtui granite pluton,Strel’tsovka orefield,Ttansbaikal krai

Quartz-tourmaline lenses, around which host granite is impregnated by uraninite, have been found among porphyritic granite with large phenocrysts of the Urtui pluton in the Ttansbaikal krai framing the Strel’tsovka volcano-tectonic structure. Two generations of tourmaline are distinguished. Most individual crystals belong to the first generation attributed to “fluor-schorl”; tourmaline-II attributed to schorl occurs as thin rims overgrowing tourmaline-I. The major type of cation isomorphic substitution in both tourmalines is Fe²⁺ → Mg. The Fe³⁺/Fe_tot value and Li content in the average sample are 2% and 80 ppm, respectively. The high F content, comparatively high Li, low Fe³⁺/Fe_tot value, and character of cation isomorphic substitution indicate that the tourmaline relates to greisens. The combination of these features allows one to distinguish greisen-type tourmaline-bearing rocks. The impregnated uranium mineralization in granite of the Urtui pluton, one of the probable sources of uranium in economic U ore of the Strel’tsovka deposit, is suggested to be caused by greisenization and the formation of quartz-tourmaline lenses.     

Osumilite and a spinel + quartz association in garnet–sillimanite gneiss from Rundvågshetta,Lützow-Holm Complex,East Antarctica

This is the first report of osumilite occurring as fine isolated inclusions within garnet porphyroblasts, as observed in garnet–sillimanite gneiss from Rundvågshetta, Lützow-Holm Complex, East Antarctica. The osumilite is characterized by high Si content (10.60 and 10.95 atoms based on 30 oxygens per formula unit), low Al content (2.99 and 3.82), a high content of M site-occupying cations (2.51 and 3.03), and high X_Mg values (about 0.81). We also report a spinel + quartz association found as inclusions within garnet porphyroblasts. Spinel grains, which are in direct contact with quartz and are spatially associated with sillimanite, show extremely high Zn contents (X_Zn^Spl = 0.33 ? 0.46) and high X_Mg values (0.45–0.54). The garnet is rimmed by sillimanite, K-feldspar, plagioclase, and quartz. Biotite and cordierite are found only as inclusions within garnet porphyroblasts, where biotite coexists with spinel–quartz or with rutile. Porphyroblastic garnet contains rutile needles and has low X_Mg values (about 0.36). The sillimanite contains a high Fe content (about 1.2 wt.% Fe₂O₃).The occurrence of osumilite and spinel + quartz indicates a clockwise pressure–temperature path of ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism, involving the following events: (1) the Rundvågshetta granulites suffered prograde metamorphism within the kyanite and sapphirine + quartz fields; (2) subsequent retrograde metamorphism, involving near-isothermal decompression, occurred in the orthopyroxene + sillimanite + quartz field; (3) the granulites passed through the garnet + cordierite + sillimanite + quartz field during decreasing temperature; (4) the granulites entered the osumilite stability field at around 8 kbar and 950 °C; and (5) the granulites retain a final record of retrograde metamorphism within the biotite + sillimanite + K-feldspar and quartz field at 6.1 kbar and about 830 °C.     

Submicron-sized fluid inclusions and distribution of hydrous components in jadeite,quartz and symplectite-forming minerals from UHP jadeite–quartzite in the Dabie Mountains,China: TEM and FTIR investigation

Fluid inclusions and clusters of water molecules at nanometer-to submicron-scale in size have been investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in jadeite, quartz and symplectite aegirine–augite, albite, taramite and magnetite corona minerals from ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) jadeite–quartzite at Shuanghe, the Dabie Mountains, China. Fluid inclusions from 0.003 μm to 0.78 μm in size occur in jadeite and quartz crystals, and a small number of fluid inclusions from 0.001 μm to 0.25 μm have also been detected in symplectite-forming minerals. Most of the fluid inclusions have round or negative crystal morphology and contain aqueous fluids, but some contain CO₂-rich fluids. They are usually connected to dislocations undetectable at an optical scale. The dislocations represent favorable paths for fluid leakage, accounting for non-decrepitation of most fluid inclusions when external pressure decreased at later stages, although there was partial decrepitation of some fluid inclusions unconnected to defect microstructures resulting from internal overpressure. Non-decrepitation and partial decrepitation of fluid inclusions resulted in changes of original composition and/or density. It is clear that identification of hidden re-equilibration features has significant implications for the petrological interpretation of post-peak metamorphic processes. Micro-FTIR results show that all jadeite and quartz samples contain structural water occurring as hydroxyl ions (OH⁻) and free water (H₂O) in the form of clusters of water molecules. The H₂O transformed from OH⁻ during exhumation and could have triggered and enhanced early retrograde metamorphism of the host rocks and facilitated plastic deformation of jadeite and quartz grains by dislocation movement, and thus the H₂O released during decompression might represent early-stage retrograde metamorphic fluid. The nominally anhydrous mineral (NAM) jadeite is able to transport aqueous fluids in concentrations of at least several hundred ppm water along a subduction zone to mantle depths in the form of clusters of water molecules and hydroxyl ions within crystals.     

Diffuse pollution from livestock production in China

With economic development and living standard improvement, livestock and poultry production has grown up rapidly, also has become the leading source of pollution in vast rural areas in China.The estimated annual loss amount of COD, BOD, NH3-N from manure in 2001 is 7.28 million ton, 4.99 million ton and 1.32 million ton, respectively. The COD loss amount from manure is close to the sum of COD from industrial and domestic wastewater. Because animal waste and wastewater can enter water bodies from spills or breaks of waste storage structures ( due to accidents or excessive rain) , and non-agricultural application of manure to cropland, this contamination has resulted in quality degradation of surface and underground drinking water supplies. Areas with concentrated livestock operations are showing elevated nutrients and organic pollutant contents in surface waters. This widespread contamination of water has prompted governments at various levels to adopt regulations and measures to control the spreading of livestock pollution.     

K-feldspar–quartz and K-feldspar–plagioclase phase boundary interactions in garnet–orthopyroxene gneiss's from the Val Strona di Omegna, Ivrea–Verbano Zone, northern Italy

A detailed study based on textural observations combined with microanalysis [back scattered electron imaging (BSE) and electron microprobe analysis (EMPA)] and microstructural data transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been made of K-feldspar micro-veins along quartz–plagioclase phase and plagioclase–plagioclase grain boundaries in granulite facies, orthopyroxene–garnet-bearing gneiss's (700–825 °C, 6–8 kbar) from the Val Strona di Omegna, Ivrea–Verbano Zone, northern Italy. The K-feldspar micro-veins are commonly associated with quartz and plagioclase and are not found in quartz absent regions of the thin section. This association appears to represent a localised reaction texture resulting from a common high grade dehydration reaction, namely: amphibole + quartz = orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + plagioclase + K-feldspar + H₂O, which occurred during the granulite facies metamorphism of these rocks. There are a number of lines of evidence for this. These include abundant Ti-rich biotite, which was apparently stable during granulite facies metamorphism, and total lack of amphibole, which apparently was not. Disorder between Al and Si in the K-feldspar indicates crystallisation at temperatures >500 °C. Myrmekite and albitic rim intergrowths in the K-feldspar along the K-feldspar–plagioclase interface could only have formed at temperatures >500–600 °C. Symplectic intergrowths of albite and Ca-rich plagioclase between these albitic rim intergrowths and plagioclase suggest a high temperature grain boundary reaction, which most likely occurred at the start of decompression in conjunction with a fluid phase. Relatively high dislocation densities (>2 × 10⁹ to 3 × 10⁹/cm²) in the K-feldspar suggest plastic deformation at temperatures >500 °C. We propose that this plastic deformation is linked with the extensional tectonic environment present during the mafic underplating event responsible for the granulite facies metamorphism in these rocks. Lastly, apparently active garnet grain rims associated with side inclusions of K-feldspar and quartz and an exterior K-feldspar micro-vein indicate equilibrium temperatures within 20–30 °C of the peak metamorphic temperatures estimated for the sample (770 °C). Contact between these K-feldspar micro-veins and Fe-Mg silicate minerals, such as garnet, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene or biotite along the interface, is observed to be very clean with no signs of melt textures or alteration to sheet silicates. This lends support to the idea that these micro-veins did not originate from a melt and, if fluid induced, that the water activity of these fluids must have been relatively low. All of these lines of evidence point to a high grade origin for the K-feldspar micro-veins and support the hypothesis that they formed during the granulite facies metamorphism of the metabasite layers in an extensional tectonic environment as the consequence of localised dehydration reactions involving the breakdown of amphibole in the presence of quartz to orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, plagioclase, K-feldspar and H₂O. It is proposed that the dehydration of the metabasite layers to an orthopyroxene–garnet-bearing gneiss over a 4-km traverse in the upper Val Strona during granulite facies metamorphism was a metasomatic event initiated by the presence of a high-grade, low H₂O activity fluid (most likely a NaCl–KCl supercritical brine), related to the magmatic underplating event responsible for the Mafic Formation; and that this dehydration event did not involve partial melting. Received: 15 February 2000 / Accepted: 26 June 2000     

Surmounting luminescence age overestimation in Alaska-margin Arctic Ocean sediments by use of ‘micro-hole’ quartz dating

Because of several difficulties with the application of radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dating to Arctic Ocean sediments, numeric dating techniques are needed that can complement, supplant and reach beyond the ¹⁴C method. However, large age overestimates (often >7 kyr) for near-sediment-water-interface horizons from Arctic Ocean cores have been almost universal when luminescence dating has been applied to multigrain aliquots of fine silt (4–11 μm) quartz and feldspar grains. Here micro-hole quartz-grain photon-stimulated-luminescence (PSL) dating is applied to the 0.5–2.0 cm horizons of multicores from high-sedimentation-rate sites spanning depths from 87 m to 1140 m at the Alaska margin of the Arctic Ocean. Expected near zero ages (0–200 a) result when grains larger than ～11 μm are used, demonstrating that fine-silt age overestimations here and perhaps elsewhere in the Arctic Ocean are a function of grain and aliquot size. At the 87 m site, the micro-hole PSL approach revealed no significant gradient in age estimates over the 1–26 cm horizon range, implying that bioturbation reached to at least 26 cm. Micro-hole PSL dating of 25–62 μm quartz grains from trans-ocean sea-ice sediment also produced expected near zero ages, in contrast to earlier reported long-bleach multigrain PSL results from 4–11 μm fractions of the same samples. The micro-hole PSL approach thus surmounts the age overestimation problem associated with the use of multigrain silt fractions, and overcomes limitations of the ¹⁴C method in this region. Finally, results unexpectedly suggest the potential of micro-hole quartz PSL for use in provenance studies of Arctic Ocean sea-ice sediment.     

Generation of hydrogen ions and hydrogen gas in quartz–water crushing experiments: an example of chemical processes in active faults

To understand the fundamental chemical processes of fluid–rock interaction during the pulverization of quartz grains in fault zones, quartz grains were crushed within pure water. The crushing experiments were performed batch style using a shaking apparatus. The crushing process induced a decrease in pH and an increase in hydrogen gas with increased shaking duration. The amount of hydrogen ions generated was five times larger than that of the hydrogen gas, which was consistent with the amount of Si radicals estimated from electron spin resonance measurements by Hochstrasser and Antonini (1972). This indicates that hydrogen gas was generated by consuming most of the Si radicals. The generation of hydrogen ions was most likely related to the presence of silanols on the newly formed mineral surface, implying a change of proton activities in the fluid after pulverization of quartz.     

Point defects and pre-dose requirements for sensitization of the 300°C TL peak in natural quartz

This paper discusses the structural features required to stimulate a strong thermoluminescence (TL) glow peak near 300°C in clear natural quartz. For that reason, fresh TL data taken from several specimens prepared from five single crystals with known impurity content are shown. The TL emission was measured with a test dose of 10 mGy of γ-rays in the readout intervals 50–160 and 160–320°C. The readings were carried out prior and after the administration of a pre-dose of 175 kGy of γ-rays followed by heat-treatments at 400°C. For each single specimen, the OH content and the population of inclusions were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy and optical microscopy, respectively. The darkening induced by high γ dose was evaluated by optical spectroscopy. It was observed that the absorption at 475 nm and TL responses decrease with increase of the OH. It was shown that both smoky darkening and TL signals were better explained in terms of Li/Al and Li/OH content ratios rather than the absolute values of aluminum and alkali concentrations. The sensitization with high γ dose and heating is essential to create and stabilize a class of defects sites with Li⁺ ions dislodged from [AlO₄/Li]⁰ and Li-dependent OH centers. It is suggested that the defect sites formed with Li⁺ act as electron traps during test dose irradiation, whereas electron-hole recombination occurs essentially at [AlO₄]⁰ centers during the TL output near 300°C.     

Composition of Kerogen in Kupferschiefer from Southwest Poland

Thirty-seven Kupferschiefer samples from southwestern Poland were analyzed by microscopy, Rock-Eval approach and instrumental neutron activation analysis to understand the geochemical and morphological characteristics of kerogen present in the samples. The analytical results indicate that there are two different types of kerogens. One type was only subjected to thermal alteration processes, and the other was further oxidized after deposition of the sediment.In the oxidized samples migrabitumen was transformed into pyrobitumen. Rock-Eval analyses show a significant decrease in HI values in the oxidized samples and an increase in OI values in relation to the samples that were not influenced by oxidation. Variations in S2 versus Corg contents indicate a change in kerogen from Type II to Type III with progressing oxidation. The presence of pyrobitumen and the depletion of hydrogen in the altered kerogen allow one to conclude that the kerogen was used as hydrogen donor for thermochemical sulfate reduction(TSR).     

Dauphiné twinning and texture memory in polycrystalline quartz. Part 3: texture memory during phase transformation

Samples of quartz-bearing rocks were heated above the α (trigonal)–β (hexagonal) phase transformation of quartz (625–950°C) to explore changes in preferred orientation patterns. Textures were measured both in situ and ex situ with neutron, synchrotron X-ray and electron backscatter diffraction. The trigonal–hexagonal phase transformation does not change the orientation of c- and a-axes, but positive and negative rhombs become equal in the hexagonal β-phase. In naturally deformed quartzites measured by neutron diffraction a perfect texture memory was observed, i.e. crystals returned to the same trigonal orientation they started from, with no evidence of twin boundaries. Samples measured by electron back-scattered diffraction on surfaces show considerable twinning and memory loss after the phase transformation. In experimentally deformed quartz rocks, where twinning was induced mechanically before heating, the orientation memory is lost. A mechanical model can explain the memory loss but so far it does not account for the persistence of the memory in quartzites. Stresses imposed by neighboring grains remain a likely cause of texture memory in this mineral with a very high elastic anisotropy. If stresses are imposed experimentally the internal stresses are released during the phase transformation and the material returns to its original state prior to deformation. Similarly, on surfaces there are no tractions and thus texture memory is partially lost.