Chemistry of glass inclusions in olivines of the CR chondrites Renazzo, Acfer 182, and El Djouf 001

Glass inclusions in olivines of the Renazzo, El Djouf 001, and Acfer 182 CR-type chondrites are chemically divers and can be classified into Al-rich, Al-poor, and Na-rich types. The chemical properties of the glasses are independent of the occurrence of the olivine (isolated or part of an aggregate or chondrule) and its composition. The glasses are silica-saturated (Al-rich) or oversaturated (Al-poor, 24% normative quartz). All glasses have chondritic CaO/Al₂O₃ ratios, unfractionated CI-normalized abundances of refractory trace elements and are depleted in moderately volatile and volatile elements. Thus the glasses are likely to be of a primitive condensate origin whose chemical composition has been established before chondrule formation and accretion, rather then the product of either crystal fractionation from chondrule melts or part melting of chondrules. Rare Na-rich glasses give evidence for elemental exchange between the glass and a vapor phase. Because they have Al₂O₃ contents and trace element abundances very similar to those of the Al-rich glasses, they likely were derived from the latter by Ca exchange (for Na) with the nebula. Elemental exchange reactions also have affected practically all olivines (e.g., exchange of Mg of olivine for Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Cr³⁺). Glasses formed contemporaneously with the host olivine. As the most likely process for growing nonskeletal olivines from a vapor we consider the VLS (vapor-liquid-solid) growth process, or liquid-phase epitaxy. Glasses are the possible remnants of the liquid interface between growing crystal and the vapor. Such liquids can form stably or metastably in regions with enhanced oxygen fugacity as compared to that of a nebula of solar composition.     

Nitrogen microanalysis of glass inclusions in chondritic olivines by nuclear reaction

Measured were the abundance and distribution of nitrogen in glasses of glass inclusions in olivines of CV3, CO3, CR, C4, CH3, and LL chondritic meteorites by means of the ¹⁴N(d, p)¹⁵N nuclear reaction. Similar to what was observed with carbon, nitrogen is present in low concentrations (<20 ppm) in the structure of olivines but can by stored in variable amounts in glasses of glass inclusions. These primitive glasses, characterized by a Si-Al-Ca-rich composition, have highly variable nitrogen contents (30 to 1500 ppm) and highly inhomogeneous nitrogen distribution. Nitrogen contents are independent of the chemical composition of the glasses. The heterogeneous distribution is a common feature of all studied inclusions, as is evidenced by the variable contents of nitrogen in glass inclusions occurring in the same olivine grain. Nitrogen heterogeneity is suggestive of trapping of solid nitrogen carrier phases during formation of the constituents of chondrules. However, part of the originally trapped nitrogen appears to have been lost, possibly, by ulterior oxidation and subsequent transformation into volatile species.     

Petrogenesis of angrites

The recent discovery of two new angrites, Sahara 99555 and D'Orbigny, has revived interest in this small group of achondrites. We measured trace element abundances in the individual minerals of these two angrites and compared them with the three Antarctic angrites, LEW 86010, LEW 87051 and Asuka 881371. Trace element variations in four of these meteorites (LEW 87051, Asuka 881371, Sahara 99555 and D'Orbigny) indicate rapid crystallization under near closed system conditions, consistent with their mineralogical and textural features. All four appear to be closely related and crystallized from very similar magmas. Discrepancies between their bulk REE compositions and melts calculated to be in equilibrium with the major phases may be due in part to kinetic effects of rapid crystallization. Prior crystallization of olivine and/or plagioclase may also account for the elevated parent melt composition of clinopyroxene in some of the angrites such as Asuka 881371.LEW 86010 also crystallized from a melt and represents a liquid composition, but trace element trends in clinopyroxene and olivine differ from those of the other angrites. This meteorite seems to have crystallized from a different source magma.     

D’Orbigny: A non-igneous angritic achondrite?

D’Orbigny is the sixth and by far the largest angrite known. Its bulk chemical and mineral chemical compositions, rare gas abundances and oxygen and rare gas isotope compositions fit the compositional ranges known from other angrites. It is, however, peculiar with respect to three features: the abundance of hollow shells, the presence of abundant open druses and the abundant presence of glasses.The shape, structure and texture of D’Orbigny and its mineral and bulk chemical compositions indicate an unusual genesis under changing redox conditions. In our view, data and observations are incompatible with an igneous origin of this rock but are suggestive of a complex growth and metasomatism scenario. The sequence of events apparently began with the formation of spheres of a phase which later vanished and therefore is unknown but could have been CaS. On top of these spheres (sizes from < 1-30 mm) olivine-anorthite intergrowths precipitated forming compact shells and fluffy protrusions. Aggregation of these objects plus occasional large plates made of the same intergrowths led to formation of a highly porous object with abundant large open space between the olivine-anorthite intergrowths. The aggregate also included previously formed olivines, olivinite rocks and Al-spinels. The latter carry highly porous decomposition rims of Cr-enriched Al-spinel and record mildly oxidizing conditions prevailing very early in D’Orbigny’s history. Conditions changed (with falling T?) and became oxidizing causing the phase(s) that constituted the spheres to become unstable. Their breakdown liberated large amounts of Ca and trace elements which at least in part re-precipitated by reacting with Si and Mg from the vapor to form augites that grew into the open space thus forming augite druses. Also, some of the preexisting olivine was converted into augite, which is very rich in refractory lithophile trace elements (abundances ∼ 10 × CI). Augites grew mainly under oxidizing conditions leading to atomic Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios of about 0.44. Finally, conditions became highly oxidizing and strongly mobilized Ca from a source that apparently became unstable. The high partial pressures of Ca and Fe (and also Ti) led to precipitation of Ca-olivine and kirschsteinite (∼Fo1La20 and ∼Fo1La33, respectively) and of titaniferous aluminous hedenbergite—atomic Fe/(Fe+Mg) ∼ 0.97. Ulvöspinel and sulfides were also precipitated. Because the original phase(s) forming the early spheres vanished during these oxidizing events, the shells remained empty.In this scenario, D’Orbigny provides us with a record of changing conditions ranging from extremely reducing to highly oxidizing and with a record of the formation of an achondritic rock from a chondritic source. Angrites bear many similarities with CAIs, texturally, mineralogically and chemically. Possibly, they can be seen as CAIs, which grew larger than the ones we know from carbonaceous chondrites. Thus, angrites may bear a record of rare and special conditions in some part of the early solar nebula. They reproduce most of the textures and structures of CAIs: crystallized liquids (Asuka 881371, LEW 87051), metasomatic granoblastic rocks (LEW 86010, Angra dos Reis?) and aggregates (D’Orbigny). In addition, all angrites record metasomatic alterations, subsolidus processing after formation, also similar to what is recorded by most CAIs. Obviously, they missed the alkali metasomatic event recorded by many CAIs but they record a siderophile—lithophile element separation event that is not recorded by CAIs.     

Rare earth element geochemistry and petrogenesis of miles (IIE) silicate inclusions

An ion probe study of rare earth element (REE) geochemistry of silicate inclusions in the Miles IIE iron meteorite was carried out. Individual mineral phases among inclusions have distinct REE patterns and abundances. Most silicate grains have homogeneous REE abundances but show considerable intergrain variations between inclusions. A few pyroxene grains display normal igneous REE zoning. Phosphates (whitlockite and apatite) are highly enriched in REEs (50 to 2000 × CI) with a relatively light rare earth element (LREE)-enriched REE pattern. They usually occurred near the interfaces between inclusions and Fe host. In Miles, albitic glasses exhibit two distinctive REE patterns: a highly fractionated LREE-enriched (CI normalized La/Sm ∼15) pattern with a large positive Eu anomaly and a relatively heavy rare earth element (HREE)-enriched pattern (CI-normalized Lu/Gd ∼4) with a positive Eu anomaly and a negative Yb anomaly. The glass is generally depleted in REEs relative to CI chondrites.The bulk REE abundances for each inclusion, calculated from modal abundances, vary widely, from relatively depleted in REEs (0.1 to 3 × CI) with a fractionated HREE-enriched pattern to highly enriched in REEs (10 to 100 × CI) with a relatively LREE-enriched pattern. The estimated whole rock REE abundances for Miles are at ∼ 10 × CI with a relatively LREE-enriched pattern. This implies that Miles silicates could represent the product of a low degree (∼10%) partial melting of a chondritic source. Phenocrysts of pyroxene in pyroxene-glassy inclusions were not in equilibrium with coexisting albitic glass and they could have crystallized from a parental melt with REEs of ∼ 10 × CI. Albitic glass appears to have formed by remelting of preexisting feldspar + pyroxene + tridymite assemblage. Yb anomaly played an important role in differentiation processes of Miles silicate inclusions; however, its origin remains unsolved.The REE data from this study suggest that Miles, like Colomera and Weekeroo Station, formed when a molten Fe ball collided on a differentiated silicate regolith near the surface of an asteroid. Silicate fragments were mixed with molten Fe by the impact. Heat from molten Fe caused localized melting of feldspar + pyroxene + tridymite assemblage. The inclusions remained isolated from one another during subsequent rapid cooling.     

The composition of the mantle of the eucrite parent body and the origin of eucrites

Previous estimates of the composition of the EPB have tacitly assumed chondritic abundances of refractory LIL elements. A model is presented here which utilizes refractory element ratios instead. Consideration of these ratios and of known olivine-liquid partition coefficients for Sc, Mg and Si imply that the EPB mantle may be accurately modeled as a simple mixture of 25% eucrite + 75% olivine. The model also implies that eucrites such as Juvinas and Sioux County were derived by large degrees of partial melting (20–30%). Comparison of the model EPB mantle to known meteorite classes indicates a similarity between the element abundances of the EPB and C3 chondrites.     

Petrogenesis of a basalt-rhyolite tephra from the west-central Afar,Ethiopia

The Cindery Tuff is an unusual tephra fall deposit that contains evidence for the mixing of basaltic and rhyolitic liquids prior to eruption. It contains clear rhyolitic glass shards together with brown basaltic glass spheres and a broadly bimodal phenocryst assemblage. Brown glasses are ferrobasaltic in composition and are similar to the voluminous Pliocene tholeiites of the surrounding west-central Afar volcanic field; both are enriched in the light rare earth and incompatible elements and possess higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and lower ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd than MORB. Rhyolitic glasses are subalkaline and, compared to the basaltic glasses, are strongly depleted in the compatible elements and enriched in the incompatible elements. Both glass types have similar incompatible element and isotopic ratios, and with the rhyolite glass showing a 2-fold parallel enrichment in rare earth element abundances over the basaltic glass. These observations suggest that the two glasses are genetically related.Rare glasses with intermediate compositions occur as phenocryst melt inclusions, as mantles on phenocrysts and as free pumice clasts. Their major element contents do not point to an origin by simple hybrid mixing of the basaltic and rhyolitic melts. Rather, major element mixing calculations indicate formation of the intermediate and rhyolite melts by fractionation of the observed phenocryst assemblage, using a starting composition of the observed basaltic glass. Model calculations from trace element data, though lacking from the intermediate glasses, support fractional crystallization. The bimodal mineral assemblage argues against an immiscible liquid origin for the contrasting glass compositions.     

Integrated Models of Basalt Petrogenesis: A Study of Quartz Tholeiites to Olivine Melilitites from South Eastern Australia Utilizing Geochemical and Experimental Petrological Data

The Tertiary to Recent basalts of Victoria and Tasmania havemineralogical and major element characteristics of magmas encompassingthe range from quartz tholeiites to olivine melilitites. Abundancesof trace elements such as incompatible elements, including therare earth elements (REE), and the compatible elements Ni, Coand Sc, vary systematically through this compositional spectrum.On the basis of included mantle xenoliths, appropriate 100 Mg/Mg+ Fe₊₂ (68–72) and high Ni contents many of these basaltsrepresent primary magmas (i.e., unmodified partial melts ofmantle peridotite). For fractionated basalts we have derivedmodel primary magma compositions by estimating the compositionalchanges caused by fractional crystallization of olivine andpyroxene at low or moderate pressure. A pyrolite model mantlecomposition has been used to establish and evaluate partialmelting models for these primary magmas. By definition and experimentaltesting the specific pyrolite composition yields parental olivinetholeiite magma similar to that of KilaeauIki, Hawaii (1959–60)and residual harzburgite by 33 per cent melting. It is shownthat a source pyrolite composition differing only in having0.3–0.4 per cent TiO₂ rather than 0.7 per cent TiO₂, isable to yield the spectrum of primary basalts for the Victorian-Tasmanianprovince by 4 per cent to 25 per cent partial melting. The mineralogiesof residual peridotites are consistent with known liquidus phaserelationships of the primary magmas at high pressures and thechemical compositions of residual peridotite are similar tonatural depleted or refractory lherzolites and harzburgites.For low degrees of melting the nature of the liquid and of theresidual peridotite are sensitively dependent on the contentof H₂O, CO₂ and the CO₂/H₂O in the source pyrolite. The melting models have been tested for their ability to accountfor the minor and trace element, particularly the distinctivelyfractionated REE, contents of the primary magmas. A single sourcepyrolite composition can yield the observed minor and traceelement abundances (within at most a factor of 2 and commonlymuch closer) for olivine melilitite (4–6 per cent melt),olivine nephelinite, basanite (5–7 per cent melt), alkaliolivine basalt (11–15 per cent melt), olivine basalt andolivine tholeiite (20–25 per cent melt) provided thatthe source pyrolite was already enriched in strongly incompatibleelements (Ba, Sr, Th, U, LREE) at 6–9 x chondritic abundancesand less enriched (2.5–3 x chondrites) in moderately incompatible(Ti, Zr, Hf, Y, HREE) prior to the partial melting event. Thesources regions for S.E. Australian basalts are similar to thosefor oceanic island basalts (Hawaii, Comores, Iceland, Azores)or for continental and rift-valley basaltic provinces and verydifferent in trace element abundances from the model sourceregions for most mid-ocean ridge basalts. We infer that thismantle heterogeneity has resulted from migration within theupper mantle (LVZ or below the LVZ) of a melt or fluid (H₂O,CO₂-enriched) with incompatible element concentrations similarto those of olivine melilitite, kimberlite or carbonatite. Asa result of this migration, some mantle regions are enrichedin incompatible elements and other areas are depleted. Although it is possible, within the general framework of a lherzolitesource composition, to derive the basanites, olivine nephelinitesand olivine melilitites from a source rock with chondritic relativeREE abundances at 2–5 x chondritic levels, these modelsrequire extremely small degrees of melting (0.4 per cent forolivine melilitite to 1 per cent for basanite). Furthermore,it is not possible to derive the olivine tholeiite magmas fromsource regions with chondritic relative REE abundances withoutconflicting with major element and experimental petrology argumentsrequiring high degrees (15 per cent) of melting and the absenceof residual garnet. If these arguments are disregarded, andpartial melting models are constrained to source regions withchondritic relative REE abundances, then magmas from olivinemelilitites to olivine tholeiites can be modelled if degreesof melting are sufficiently small, e.g., 7 per cent meltingfor olivine tholeiite. However, the source regions must be heterogenousfrom 1 to 5 x chondritic in absolute REE abundances and heterogerieousin other trace elements as well. This model is rejected in favorof the model requiring variation in degree of melting from 4per cent to 25 per cent and mantle source regions ranging fromLREE-enriched to LREE-depleted relative to chondritic REE abundances.     

Reaction between slab-derived melts and peridotite in the mantle wedge: experimental constraints at 3.8 GPa

Laboratory experiments on natural, hydrous basalts at 1–4 GPa constrain the composition of “unadulterated” partial melts of eclogitized oceanic crust within downgoing lithospheric slabs in subduction zones. We complement the “slab melting” experiments with another set of experiments in which these same “adakite” melts are allowed to infiltrate and react with an overlying layer of peridotite, simulating melt:rock reaction at the slab–mantle wedge interface. In subduction zones, the effects of reaction between slab-derived, adakite melts and peridotitic mantle conceivably range from hybridization of the melt, to modal or cryptic metasomatism of the sub-arc mantle, depending upon the “effective” melt:rock ratio. In experiments at 3.8 GPa, assimilation of either fertile or depleted peridotite by slab melts at a melt:rock ratio 2:1 produces Mg-rich, high-silica liquids in reactions which form pyrope-rich garnet and low-Mg# orthopyroxene, and fully consume olivine. Analysis of both the pristine and hybridized slab melts for a range of trace elements indicates that, although abundances of most trace elements in the melt increase during assimilation (because melt is consumed), trace element ratios remain relatively constant. In their compositional range, the experimental liquids closely resemble adakite lavas in island-arc and continental margin settings, and adakite veins and melt inclusions in metasomatized peridotite xenoliths from the sub-arc mantle. At slightly lower melt:rock ratios (1:1), slab melts are fully consumed, along with peridotitic olivine, in modal metasomatic reactions that form sodic amphibole and high-Mg# orthopyroxene.     

Siderophile element constraints on the formation of metal in the metal-rich chondrites Bencubbin, Weatherford, and Gujba

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to measure abundances of P, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ga, Ge, As, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Sn, Sb, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, and Au in metal grains in the Bencubbin-like chondrites Bencubbin, Weatherford, and Gujba to determine the origin of large metal aggregates in bencubbinites. A strong volatility-controlled signature is observed among the metal grains. The refractory siderophiles Ru, Rh, Re, Os, Ir, and Pt are unfractionated from one another, and are present in approximately chondritic relative abundances. The less refractory elements Fe, Co, Ni, Pd, and Au are fractionated from the refractory siderophiles, with a chondritic Ni/Co ratio and a higher than chondritic Pd/Fe ratio. The moderately volatile siderophile elements Ga, Ge, As, Sn, and Sb are depleted in the metal, relative to chondritic abundances, by up to 3 orders of magnitude. The trace siderophile element data are inconsistent with the following proposed origins of Bencubbin-Weatherford-Gujba metal: (1) condensation from the canonical solar nebula, (2) oxidation of an initially chondritic metal composition, and (3) equilibration with a S-rich partial melt. A condensation model for metal-enriched (×10⁷ CI) gas is developed. Formation by condensation or evaporation in such a high-density, metal-enriched gas is consistent with the trace element measurements. The proposed model for generating such a gas is protoplanetary impact involving a metal-rich body.     

L'Olivine dans les howardites: origine,et implications pour le corps parent de ces météorites achondritiques

Electron microprobe analyses have been performed on 300 olivine grains found in 11 howardites. The olivine compositions almost continuously range from Fa 8 to Fa 89 with two prominent populations at Fa 13 and Fa 30. The tail of the fayalite contents distribution may correspond to the succession of several small clusters of Fe-rich olivine grains. Most howardites have olivine populations in common that would result from the fragmentation of different rocks of the howardites parent body. The distribution of the olivine grains between several groups of different $\text{FeO}\text{MnO}$ ratios indicates olivine crystallization from distinct magmas. The chemical characteristics of the olivines of the pallasites, diogenites and mesosiderites are found among the olivines of the howardites and suggests a common parent body for these different types of meteorites. The differentiation model of the eucrites parent body proposed by Stolper (1977) is extended to the partial fusion of distinct assemblages silicates + metal which could proceed from recrystallizations, under different oxidation-reduction conditions, of a primordial chondritic material depleted in volatile elements.     

Silicate inclusions in group IAB irons and a relation to the anomalous stones Winona and Mt Morris (Wis)

Silicates are found in many group IAB irons; in some cases as abundant angular cm-sized inclusions and in other cases as smaller fragments or single grains in troilite or graphite nodules. The mineralogy of the silicates is chondritic—olivine, pyroxene, albitic plagioclase—as is the bulk composition. The degree of oxidation of the olivine and pyroxene is intermediate between E and H chondrites (Fa 1–8, Fs 4–9). IAB inclusions have ages of about 4.5 Gyr, I¹²⁹-Xe¹²⁹ formation intervals in the ranges of chondrites and contain planetary-type rare gases.Samples of San Cristobal, Campo del Cielo, Mundrabilla and Woodbine were examined by microprobe and bulk inclusions from Campo del Cielo, Copiapo, Landes and Woodbine were analyzed by instrumental and radiochemical neutron activation analysis. Nonvolatile lithophilic and siderophih'c elements in Copiapo, Landes and Woodbine have approximately chondritic abundances. The chondritic level of lithophiles indicates the inclusions have not undergone igneous differentiation while the chondritic levels of siderophiles is evidence the metal is native to the inclusions and not matrix metal injected into the silicates. The two Campo del Cielo inclusions analyzed have roughly chondritic abundances of lithophiles but have fractionated rare earth patterns and widely varying amounts and abundances (relative to Ni) of siderophiles. These inclusions appear to have experienced some partial melting. Siderophile ratios for the inclusions have some differences when compared to matrix metal. One Campo del Cielo inclusion contains kamacite (5.5% Ni) with over 1000 μg Ge.Three-isotope O analyses by Clayton and coworkers of parts of the same or neighboring inclusions to those analyzed chemically place the inclusions slightly below the terrestrial fractionation line of clayton et al. (1976) and rule out the possibility of the inclusions being trapped fragments of one of the ordinary chondrite groups.The IAB silicates formed probably in a similar manner as chondrite groups but in a different region of the nebula and they record the O₂ fugacity and O isotopic composition of that location. They later became trapped in the metal-rich matrix probably as the result of collisions producing the breccialike texture. The relationship of the silicates to the kamacite-taenite structure of the metal requires that the metal-silicate mix have been heated to over 1000 K for an extended period.Two anomalous stony meteorites, Winona and Mt. Morris (Wis), are similar to IAB inclusions in mineralogy, bulk composition, $\text{FeO}\text{(FeO + Mg)}$ ratio of the silicates, and chromite composition and are possibly related to the IAB silicates. Winona also has an age of 4.6 Gyr and contains planetary-type rare gases. Microprobe data are reported for the major minerals of these anomalous meteorites. Although attempts to detect IAB levels of Ge in the metal phases were not successful, the weight of the evidence favors a relationship between these meteorites and IAB     

On the nature and origin of isolated olivine grains in carbonaceous chondrites

Many carbonaceous chondrites contain discrete olivine fragments that have been considered to be primitive material, i.e. direct condensates from the solar nebula or pre-solar system material. Olivine occurring in chondrules and as isolated grains in C3(0) chondrites has been characterized chemically and petrographically. Type I chondrules contain homogeneous forsterite grains that exhibit a negative correlation between FeO and CaO. Type II chondrules contain zoned fayalite olivines in which FeO is positively correlated with CaO and MnO. The isolated olivines in C3(0) chondrites form two compositional populations identical to olivines in the two types of porphyritic olivine chondrules in the same meteorites. Isolated olivines contain trapped melt inclusions similar in composition to glassy mesostasis between olivines in chondrules. Such glasses can be produced by fractional crystallization of olivine and minor spinel in the parent chondrule melts if plagioclase does not nucleate. The isolated olivine grains are apparently clastic fragments of chondrules. Some similarities between olivines in C3(0), C2, and Cl chondrites may suggest that olivine grains in all these meteorites crystallized from chondrule melts.     

Metasomatism in mantle xenoliths from Gees,West Eifel,Germany: evidence for the genesis of calc-alkaline glasses and metasomatic Ca-enrichment

 We have investigated new samples from the Gees mantle xenolith suite (West Eifel), for which metasomatism by carbonatite melt has been suggested. The major metasomatic change is transformation of harzburgites into phlogopite-rich wehrlites. Silicate glasses are associated with all stages of transformation, and can be resolved into two major groups: a strongly undersaturated alkaline basanite similar to the host magma which infiltrated the xenoliths during ascent, and Si-Al-enriched, variably alkaline glass present exclusively within the xenoliths. Si-Al-rich glasses (up to 72 wt% SiO₂ when associated with orthopyroxene (Opx) are usually interpreted in mantle xenoliths as products of decompressional breakdown of hydrous phases like amphibole. In the Gees suite, however, amphibole is not present, nor can the glass be related to phlogopite breakdown. The Si-Al-rich glass is compositionally similar to glasses occurring in many other xenolith suites including those related to carbonatite metasomatism. Petrographically the silicate glass is intimately associated with the metasomatic reactions in Gees, mainly conversion of harzburgite orthopyroxene to olivine + clinopyroxene. Both phases crystallize as microlites from the glass. The chemical composition of the Si-Al-enriched glass shows that it cannot be derived from decompressional melting of the Gees xenoliths, but must have been present prior to their entrainment in the host magma. Simple mass-balance calculations, based on modal analyses, yield a possible composition of the melt prior to ascent of the xenoliths, during which glass + microlite patches were modified by dissolution of olivine, orthopyroxene and spinel. This parental melt is a calc-alkaline andesite (55–60 wt% SiO₂), characterized by high Al₂O₃ (ca. 18 wt%). The obtained composition is very similar to high-alumina, calc-alkaline melts that should form by AFC-type reactions between basalt and harzburgite wall rock according to the model of Kelemen (1990). Thus, we suggest that the Si-Al-enriched glasses of Gees, and possibly of other suites as well, are remnants of upper mantle hybrid melts, and that the Gees suite was metasomatized by silicate and not carbonatite melts. High-Mg, high-Ca composition of metasomatic olivine and clinopyroxene in mantle xenoliths have been explained by carbonatite metasomatism. As these features are also present in the Gees suite, we have calculated the equilibrium Ca contents of olivine and clinopyroxene using the QUI1F thermodynamical model, to show that they are a simple function of silica activity. High-Ca compositions are attained at low a SiO₂ and can thus be produced during metasomatism by any melt that is Opx-undersaturated, irrespective of whether it is a carbonatite or a silicate melt. Such low a SiO₂ is recorded by the microlites in the Gees Si-Al-rich glasses. Our results imply that xenolith suites cannot confidently be related to carbonatite metasomatism if the significance of silicate glasses, when present, is not investigated. Received: 2 March 1995 / Accepted: 12 June 1995     

Melt inclusions in olivine from the boninites of New Caledonia: Postentrapment melt modification and estimation of primary magma compositions

Melt inclusions were investigated in olivine phenocrysts from the New Caledonia boninites depleted in CaO and TiO₂ and enriched in SiO₂ and MgO. The rocks are composed of olivine and pyroxene phenocrysts in a glassy groundmass. The olivine phenocrysts contain melt inclusions consisting of glass, a fluid vesicle, and daughter olivine and orthopyroxene crystals. The daughter minerals are completely resorbed in the melt at 1200?C1300°C, whereas the complete dissolution of the fluid phase was not attained in our heating experiments. The compositions of reheated and naturally quenched melt inclusions, as well as groundmass glasses were determined by electron microprobe analysis and secondary ion mass spectrometry. Partly homogenized melts (with gas) contain 12?C16 wt % MgO. The glasses of inclusions and groundmass are significantly different in H₂O content: up to 2 wt % in the glasses of reheated inclusions, up to 4 wt % in naturally quenched inclusions, and 6?C8 wt % in groundmass glasses. A detailed investigation revealed a peculiar zoning in olivine: its Mg/(Mg + Fe) ratio increased in a zone directly adjacent to the glass of inclusions. This effect is probably related to partial water (hydrogen) loss and Fe oxidation after inclusion entrapment. The numerical modeling of such a process showed that the water loss was no higher than a few tenths of percent and could not be responsible for the considerable difference between the compositions of inclusions and groundmass glasses. It is suggested that the latter were enriched in H₂O after the complete solidification of the rock owing to interaction with seawater. Based on the obtained data, the compositions of primary boninite magmas were estimated, and it was supposed that variations in melt composition were related not only to olivine and pyroxene fractionation from a single primary melt but also to different degrees and (or) depths of magma derivation.     

Chemical evolution of basalts from 23°N along the mid-Atlantic ridge: evidence from melt inclusions

The chemical compositions of melt inclusions in a primitive and an evolved basalt recovered from the mid-Atlantic ridge south of the Kane Fracture Zone (23°–24°N) are determined. The melt inclusions are primitive in composition (0.633–0.747 molar Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺), 1.01–0.68 wt% TiO₂) and are comparable to other proposed parental magmas except in having higher Al₂O₃ and lower CaO. The primitive melt inclusion compositions indicate that the most primitive magmas erupted in this region are not near primary magma compositions. Olivine and plagioclase microphenocrysts are close to exchange equilibrium with their respective basalt glasses, whose compositions are displaced toward olivine from 1 atm three phase saturation. The most primitive melt inclusion compositions are close to exchange equilibrium with the anorthitic cores of zoned plagioclases (An_78.3-An_83.1; the hosts for the melt inclusions in plagioclase) and with olivines more forsteritic (Fo₈₉-Fo₉₁) than the olivine microphenocrysts (the hosts for the melt inclusions in olivine). Xenocrystic olivine analyzed is Fo₈₉ but contains no melt inclusions. These observations indicate that olivines have exchanged components with the melt after melt inclusion entrapment, whereas plagioclase compositions have remained the same since melt inclusion entrapment. Common denominator element ratio diagrams and oxide versus oxide variation diagrams show that the melt inclusion compositions, which represent liquids higher along the liquid line of descent, are related to the glass compositions by the fractionation of olivine, plagioclase and clinopyroxene (absent from the mincral assemblage), probably occurring at elevated pressures. A model is proposed whereby clinopyroxene segregates from the melt at elevated pressures (to account for its absence in the erupted lavas that have the chemical imprint of clinopyroxene fractionation). Zoned plagioclases in the erupted lavas are thought to be survivors of decompressional melting during magma ascent. Since similar primitive melt inclusions occur in olivine microphenocrysts and in the cores of zoned plagioclases, any model must account for all phases present.     

Concentration of ore elements in magmatic melts and natural fluids as deduced from data on inclusions in minerals

Based on intergration of the published data on composition of inclusions in minerals and quenched glasses, the mean concentrations of 24 ore elements have been calculated for magmatic silicate melts formed in main geodynamic settings of the Earth and in natural fluids. The mean glass compositions normalized to the primitive mantle correlate with the partition coefficient between olivine and the basic melt. It is established that the degree of enrichment in ore elements depending on geodynamic setting is controlled by various contribution of fluids to the element transfer and accumulation. The ratios of element contents in each geodynamic setting to the mean concentrations of elements over all settings in the Earth have been calculated.     

Petrogenesis of olivine-phyric shergottite Yamato 980459, revisited

Primitive magmas provide critical information on mantle sources, but most Martian meteorites crystallized from fractionated melts. An olivine-phyric shergottite, Yamato 980459 (Y-980459), has been interpreted to represent a primary melt, because its olivine megacrysts have magnesian cores (Fo84-86) that appear to be in equilibrium with the Y-980459 whole-rock composition based on Fe-Mg partitioning. However, crystal size distribution (CSD) plots for Y-980459 olivines show a size gap, suggesting a cumulus origin for some megacrysts. Because melting experiments using the Y-980459 whole-rock composition have been used to infer the thermal structure and volatile contents of the Martian mantle, the interpretation that this rock is primitive should be scrutinized.We report major, minor and trace element compositions of Y-980459 olivines and compare them with results from melting experiments (both hydrous and anhydrous) and thermodynamic calculations. Cores of the olivine megacrysts have major and minor element contents identical to those of the most magnesian olivines from the experiments, but they differ slightly from those of thermodynamic calculations. This is probably because the Y-980459 whole-rock composition lies near the limit of the range of liquids used to calibrate these models. The megacryst cores (Fo80-85) exhibit minor and trace element (Mn-Ni-Co-Cr-V) characteristics distinct from other olivines (megacryst rims and groundmass olivines, Fo < 80), implying that the megacryst cores crystallized under more reduced conditions (∼IW + 1).Y-980459 contains pyroxenes with orthopyroxene cores mantled by pigeonite and augite. We also found some reversely zoned pyroxenes that have augite cores (low-Mg#) mantled by orthopyroxenes (high-Mg#), although they are uncommon. These reversely zoned pyroxenes are interpreted to have grown initially as atoll-like crystals with later crystallization filling in the hollow centers, implying disequilibrium crystallization at a moderate cooling rate (3-7 °C/h). The calculated REE pattern of a melt in equilibrium with normally zoned pyroxene is parallel to those of glass and the Y-980459 whole-rock as well as other depleted olivine-phyric shergottites, suggesting that Y-980459 was derived from a depleted mantle reservoir.Considering the CSD patterns of Y-980459 olivines, we propose that the olivine megacrysts are cumulus crystals which probably formed in a feeder conduit by continuous melt replenishment, and the parent melt composition was indistinguishable from the Y-980459 whole-rock with 0-2 wt% of H₂O and 0-5 wt% of CO₂. The final magma pulse entrained these cumulus olivines and then crystallized groundmass olivines and pyroxenes. Although Y-980459 contains small amounts of cumulus olivine (<∼6 vol%), we conclude that the Y-980459 whole-rock composition closely approximates a Martian primary melt composition.     

Timescales of convection in magma chambers below the Mid-Atlantic ridge from melt inclusions investigations

Closed hopper and complex swallowtail morphologies of olivine microcrysts have been described in the past in both mid-oceanic ridge basalts and subaerial tholeitic volcanoes and indicate fluctuations in magma undercooling. We describe similar morphologies in a Mid-Atlantic ridge pillow basalt (sample RD87DR10), and in addition we estimate the duration of temperature fluctuations required to produce these textures as follows: (1) Pairs of melt inclusions are arranged symmetrically around the centre of hopper crystals and each pair represents a heating–cooling cycle. Using the literature olivine growth rates relevant to the observed morphologies, and measuring the distance between two successive inclusions, we estimate the minimum time elapsed during one convection cycle. (2) The major element composition of melt inclusions (analysed by electron microprobe) was found to be in the range of the boundary layer measured in the glass surrounding the olivines, irrespective of their size. Several major elements demonstrate that this boundary layer results from rapid quenching on the seafloor, and not from crystal growth at depth, implying the inclusions had the same composition as the surrounding magma when they were sealed. Using diffusivity of slow diffusing elements such as Al₂O₃, we estimate the minimum time required for inclusion formation. These two independent approaches give concordant results: each cooling–heating cycle lasted between a few minutes and 1 h minimum. Thus, these crystals probably recorded thermal convection in small magmatic bodies (a dyke or shallow magma chamber) during the last hour or hours before eruption.