Evaluation of phase chemistry and petrochemical aspects of Samchampi-Samteran differentiated alkaline complex of Mikir Hills,northeastern India

The Samchampi-Samteran alkaline complex occurs as a plug-like pluton within the Precambrian granite gneisses of Mikir Hills, Assam, northeastern India and it is genetically related to Sylhet Traps. The intrusive complex is marked by dominant development of syenite within which ijolitemelteigite suite of rocks is emplaced with an arcuate outcrop pattern. Inliers of alkali pyroxenite and alkali gabbro occur within this ijolite-melteigite suite of rocks. The pluton is also traversed by younger intrusives of nepheline syenite and carbonatite. Development of sporadic, lumpy magnetite ore bodies is also recorded within the pluton. Petrographic details of the constituent lithomembers of the pluton have been presented following standard nomenclatorial rules. Overall pyroxene compositions range from diopside to aegirine augite while alkali feldspars are typically orthoclase and plagioclase in syenite corresponds to oligoclase species. Phase chemistry of nepheline is suggestive of Na-rich alkaline character of the complex. Biotite compositions are typically restricted to a uniform compositional range and they belong to ‘biotite’ field in the relevant classification scheme. Garnets (developed in syenite and melteigite) typically tend to be Ti-rich andradite, which on a closer scan can be further designated as melanites. Opaque minerals mostly correspond to magnetite. Use of Lindsley’s pyroxene thermometric method suggests an equilibration temperature from ∼450°–600°C for melteigite/alkali gabbro and ∼400°C for syenite. Critical assessment of other thermometric methods reveals a temperature of equilibration of ∼700°–1350°C for ijolite-melteigite suite of rocks in contrast to a relatively lower equilibration temperature of ∼600°C for syenite. Geobarometric data based on pyroxene chemistry yield an equilibration pressure of 5.32–7.72 kb for ijolite, melteigite, alkali pyroxenite, alkali gabbro and nepheline syenite. The dominant syenite member of the intrusive plug records a much higher (∼11 kb) equilibration pressure indicating a deeper level of intrusion. Major oxide variations of constituent lithomembers with respect to differentiation index (D.I.) corroborate a normal magmatic differentiation. A prominent role of liquid immiscibility is envisaged from field geological, petrographic and petrochemical evidences. Tectonic discrimination diagrams involving clinopyroxene chemistry strongly suggest within plate alkaline affinity for the parental magma which is in conformity with the regional plume tectonics.     

Are Majhgawan-Hinota pipe rocks truly group-I Kimberlite?

The diamond bearing pipe rocks in Majhgawan-Hinota (more than four pipes) occur as intrusives in sandstones of Kaimur Group. These Proterozoic (974 ±30-1170 ±20 Ma) intrusive rocks, occupying the southeastern margin of Aravalli craton, were called as ‘micaceous kimberlite’ in tune with the reported kimberlite occurrences from other parts of the world. Judging from the definition of kimberlite, as approved by the IUGS Subcommission on Systematics of Igneous Rocks, it is not justified to call these rocks as ‘micaceous kimberlite’. Rather the mineralogical assemblages such as absence of typomorphic mineral monticellite (primary), abundance of phlogopite cognate, frequent presence of barite and primary carbonate mostly as calcite coupled with ultrapotassic and volatile-rich (dominantly H₂O) nature and high concentration of incompatible elements (such as Ba, Zr, Th, U), low Th/U ratios, low REE and no Eu-anomaly clearly indicate a close similarity with that of South African orangeites. Thus orangeites of Proterozoic age occur outside the Kaapvaal craton of South Africa which are much younger (200 Ma to 110 Ma) in age.     

Tectonic evolution of the South Tianshan orogen and adjacent regions,NW China: geochemical and age constraints of granitoid rocks

Geochemical and geochronological evidence was obtained from granitoids of the South Tianshan orogen and adjacent regions, which consist of three individual tectonic domains, the Kazakhstan–Yili plate, the Central Tianshan Terrane and the Tarim plate from north to south. The Central Tianshan Terrane is structurally bounded by the Early Paleozoic ‘Nikolaev Line–North Nalati Fault’ and Late Paleozoic ‘Atbashy–Inyl’chek–South Nalati–Qawabulak Fault’ zones against the Kazakhstan–Yili and Tarim plates, respectively. The meta-aluminous to weakly peraluminous granitic rocks, which are exposed along the Kekesu River and the Bikai River across the Central Tianshan Terrane, have a tholeiitic, calc-alkaline or high-potassium calc-alkaline composition (I-type). Geochemical trace element characteristics and the Y versus Rb–Nb or Y versus Nb discrimination diagrams favor a continental arc setting for these granitoid rocks. SHRIMP U–Pb and LA-ICP-MS U–Pb zircon age data indicate that the magmatism started at about 480 Ma, continued from 460 to 330 Ma and ended at about 275 Ma. The earlier magmatism (>470 Ma) is considered to be the result of a simultaneous southward and northward subduction of the Terskey Ocean beneath the northern margin of the Tarim plate and the Kazakhstan–Yili plate, respectively. The later magmatism (460–330 Ma) is related to the northward subduction of the South Tianshan Ocean beneath the southern margin of the Kazakhstan–Yili–Central Tianshan plate. The dataset presented here in conjunction with previously published data support a Late Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the South Tianshan orogen, not a Triassic one, as recently suggested by SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating for eclogites.     

阿拉善宗乃山岩体东南缘花岗岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄与地球化学特征

阿拉善宗乃山岩体东南缘分布多种类型的花岗岩,本文主要采用岩相学、激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子体质谱(LA-ICP-MS)锆石U-Pb定年、岩石地球化学等技术手段,对宗乃山岩体东南缘岩石类型、年代学、源岩特征以及构造背景进行了研究。结果表明:岩石类型主要为碱性-钙碱性准铝质花岗岩和闪长岩;单颗粒锆石分析获得黑云母斜长花岗岩年龄为236.8±1.9 Ma~249.7±2.6 Ma,片麻状花岗岩年龄为268.1±1.1 Ma,岩体成岩时期主要为华力西晚期和印支期早期,具有多期侵入的特征。该岩体岩石源岩为I型花岗岩,源于地壳火山弧区和同碰撞区,表明由于洋壳俯冲作用,在宗乃山东南缘形成了岛弧花岗岩侵入体。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年技术为洋壳俯冲提供了年代学约束,确定了研究区碰撞时间为早于236.8±1.9 Ma。     

Nature of alkalic volcanic rock series

The alkalic rocks are here regarded as a category in a classification of igneous rock series (rock associations) and not as a class in petrographic systematics. The alkalic series as a whole are characterized by higher Na₂O+K₂O content than the subalkalic series in the alkali vs. SiO₂ diagram.At least three different trends (types) of differentiation appear to exist in large-scale alkalic volcanic associations. One (here designated as the Kennedy trend) starts from weakly nepheline-normative basalt and shows increasing normative nepheline with advancing fractionation to reach a phonolitic composition. Another (here called the Coombs trend) starts from hypersthene-normative basalt and shows increasing normative hypersthene and then normative quartz with advancing fractionation to reach a comenditic composition. Besides these two trends, it seems that many alkalic associations exist which show a differentiation trend starting from nepheline-normative basaltic composition and leading to hypersthenenormative, and then to quartz-normative compositions (here designated as the straddle-B type).Alkalic rocks of these three trends are higher not only in Na₂O+K₂O but also in Rb, Ba, Sr and Zr than subalkalic rocks. The alkalic basalts as a whole are characterized by higher contents of such elements and not by any degree of silica undersaturation. It is widely believed that alkalic rocks are characterized by the presence of normative nepheline as well as by the absence of orthopyroxene and pigeonite. Indeed such a relationship holds for the Kennedy trend, but it is not always valid for other types of alkalic associations. Some alkalic rocks of the Coombs trend and straddle-B type have quartz (or other silica minerals) and orthopyroxene and pigeonite.     

东南亚新生代两类埃达克岩的分布、成因和含矿性

东南亚的巽他群岛-巴布亚新几内亚是新生代埃达克岩和类埃达克岩发育的地区。这些中酸性岩浆岩广泛见于印度尼西亚几内亚岛、苏拉威西和巴布亚新几内亚, 零星见于苏门答腊、班达岛弧、西爪哇和中加里曼丹等地。本区埃达克岩和类埃达克岩岩石类型分别属于岛弧拉斑钙碱性系列和高钾钙碱性系列, 以重稀土元素Y, Yb含量低(分别为Y ≤19 ×10-6和Yb ≤1.8 ×10-6)和高Sr值(＞355 × 10-6)为特征。微量元素蛛网图上有明显的Ba、K、Sr正异常峰和负的Th、Nb (Ta)异常谷。大离子亲石元素(LILE)和高场强元素(HFSE)相对富集。本区埃达克岩和类埃达克岩的构造位置为新生代缝合线附近的大洋岛弧和陆缘造山带, 可划分为两种成因类型:第一种为岛弧拉斑/钙碱性系列, 其REE配分模式属于大洋岛弧型, 见于现代大洋岛弧, 称为岛弧型(O-型)埃达克岩; 另一种为高钾钙碱性系列, 其REE配分模式属于大陆型, 产于大陆板块边缘造山带, 与弧-陆碰撞和后碰撞构造环境有成因联系, 见于大陆边缘, 称为大陆型(C-型)埃达克岩。 研究结果表明:大陆型(C-型)埃达克岩和类埃达克岩分布区域与世界级斑岩铜-金矿分布相一致, 而大洋岛弧型(O-型)主要与浅成热泉金矿和喷气型有成因联系。      

Petrogenesis of the mafic igneous rocks of the Betic Cordilleras: A field, petrological and geochemical study

Mafic igneous rocks are widespread in the Nevado-Filábride Complex, the lowermost metamorphic unit of the internal zones of the Betic Cordilleras. They form intrusive, small, discontinuous bodies, predominantly dikes with subordinate small lava flows. The entire complex underwent alpine compressional metamorphism during the Paleogene continental collision, resulting in eclogites and blueschists in the mafic bodies and high-pressure assemblages in the intruded metasediments. Locally, weakly metamorphosed or completely unmetamorphosed igneous rocks with the same textural features occur as patches surrounded by eclogitized igneous rocks. The bulk rock chemistry of unmetamorphosed and completely metamorphosed mafic igneous rocks is consistent with an alkaline to transitional tholeiitic magmatism with typical within-plate geochemical characteristics. All but a few samples are nepheline normative and display REE and trace element characteristics typical of continental, rift-related magmatism. This conclusion is strongly supported by the mineral chemistry of the major constituents, in particular the calcic Ti-rich character of clinopyroxene, the lack of orthopyroxene, and the occurrence of kaersutitic amphibole. Incompatible trace element abundances and Sr and Nd isotopes support the provenance of these magmas from a variably metasomatized previously depleted sub-continental lithospheric mantle source. Received: 5 July 1999 / Accepted: 28 February 2000     

Fenitisation around the Monchique alkaline complex, Portugal

Intrusion of foyaite magmas into Carboniferous pelites at Monchique has produced localised fenites of highly variable texture and composition. The principal element introduced was sodium, together with minor iron and chlorine; potassic, oversaturated and strongly peraluminous sediment compositions were thus transformed into nepheline-bearing sodic rocks of foyaitic aspect. A comparison with other fenite sequences in the literature shows that: (a) Alkaline magmas produce much narrower fenite zones in pelitic country rocks than in crystalline basement; (b) Regardless of the type of country rock, the most undersaturated fenites around carbonatite complexes are pulaskitic (<10% normative nepheline) and normally peralkaline (normative acmite) in character, while those around non-carbonatite complexes are more undersaturated (10–20% nepheline) and normally peraluminous.     

Weathering impact on the colour of building stones of the ‘Gateway of India’ monument

To understand the effect of monsoon and marine environment on the colour of building stones of the ‘Gateway of India’ monument, 133 samples from different areas were assessed. Colour changes were evaluated using Microflash 200d colour spectrophotometer over a period of 1 year. The alteration in the stones effecting the colour change was studied by petrographic thin section, which shows that the colour change is associated with weathering of the feldspars.     

Enigmatic association of the carbonatite and alkali-pyroxenite along the Northern Shear Zone, Purulia, West Bengal: A saga of primary magmatic carbonatite

The Purulia carbonatite, ‘carbonatite’-‘alkali-pyroxenite’-‘apatite-magnetite rock’ association, is located at Beldih area of Purulia district, West Bengal and falls within the 100 km long Northern Shear Zone (NSZ). Published literature suggests that the Purulia carbonatite was formed by the process of liquid immiscibility from under-saturated silicate parent magma. However, no silica under-saturated rocks like ijolite, nepheline-syenite etc. is known from the area. The trace element geochemistry (Ba/La, Nb/Th, Nb/Pb and Y/Ce ratios in the present study) also does not support this view. Present study indicates that the Purulia carbonatite is enriched in ΣREE and incompatible elements but the carbonatite is also poorer in Nb, Th and Pb compared to the world average of calicocarbonatites. The lower value of Nb is characteristics of carbo(hydro)thermal carbonatite where carbonatite is associated with alkali-pyroxenite and suggests probable origin of the carbonatite as carbothermal residua evolved from an unknown parentage. However, the field, petrographic and geochemical data indicate the genesis of this carbonatite from a primary carbonatitic magma of mantle decent. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of the carbonatite and apatite separated from the carbonatite (∼0.703) implies primary magmatic derivation of the Purulia carbonatite. Close similarity of the apatite of the apatite-magnetite rock with the mantle apatite (of type Apatite B) indicates that they are also of primary magmatic origin. The present work portrays a unique example where primary magmatic carbonatite is associated with the alkali-pyroxenite.     

Origin and timing of the post-Variscan gabbro–granite complex of Porto (Western Corsica)

The post-Variscan complex of Porto consists of metaluminous to slightly peraluminous A-type biotite granites mingled with gabbro-dioritic rocks, and late dykes with basaltic to trachyandesitic composition. U-Pb zircon dating by LA-ICP-MS on two mafic intrusive samples constrains the time of the gabbro–granite crystallisation at 281 ± 3 Ma and 283 ± 2 Ma. Hornblende ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar ages from a late trachyandesite dyke date the dyking event at 280 ± 2 Ma, which is within error the U-Pb zircon ages of the intrusives. Biotite granites show variable major and trace element compositions and similar initial ε_Nd (−0.3 to +0.9). Whole rock chemistry variations and trace element compositions of plagioclase and allanite indicate that the granites are genetically linked, essentially through fractional crystallisation of feldspars and minor allanite. On the basis of whole-rock chemistry e.g. initial ε_Nd +4.9 to +1.7 and trace element clinopyroxene compositions, we have ascertained that the mafic intrusives and basic dykes formed from isotopically depleted mantle source-derived melts with similar trace element signature. These basic melts experienced slightly different evolutionary histories, controlled by fractional crystallisation and crustal contamination, mainly by the acid magma that gave rise to the associated biotite granites, but also by the enclosing older Variscan granitoids. U-Pb zircon data suggest that the Porto complex was affected by hydrothermal fluid circulation at 259 ± 9 Ma.     

Melanite garnet-bearing nepheline syenite minor intrusion in Mawpyut ultramafic–mafic complex,Jaintia Hills,Meghalaya

Mawpyut igneous suite in Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya plateau comprises differentiated suite of ultramafic–mafic rocks. The complex differs from other ultramafic–alkaline–carbonatite igneous emplacements of Shillong plateau and Mikir Hills like Jesra, Sung, Samchampi complexes, by the absence of alkaline–carbonatite rocks as major litho-units. Melanite garnet-bearing nepheline syenite, occurs as late phase minor intrusion in Mawpyut igneous complex, posseses alkaline character and shows inubiquitous relation with the host ultramafic–mafic rocks. On the other hand, this alkaline intrusive bodies of the Mawpyut igneous complex shows chemico-mineralogical resemblance with garnet-bearing nepheline syenite, ijolite litho-members of Jesra, Sung, Samchampi complexes of the region. It is interpreted that melanite garnet-bearing nepheline syenite intrusion in Mawpyut is contemporaneous with Jesra, Sung, Samchampi ultramafic–alkaline–carbonatite complexes and the host rocks of Mawpyut complex is an earlier magmatic activity possibly from a comparatively least enriched source.     

Neoproterozoic alkaline magmatism at Sivamalai, southern India

The Sivamalai alkaline complex lies at the southern margin of the Cauvery Shear System that separates the Archaean and Proterozoic domains of the Southern Granulite Terrain in India. U–Pb TIMS dating of zircon from a pegmatitic syenite sample in the complex yields a concordant age of 590.2 ± 1.3 (2σ) Ma which is interpreted to date the intrusion of the alkaline rocks. A lower concordia intercept at 168 ± 210 Ma defined by two grains with high common lead may indicate post-magmatic disturbances due to recrystallisation which is also evident in the CL images of the zircons. EPMA dating of monazite from a post-kinematic pegmatite which intrudes the crystalline basement hosting the alkaline rocks yields an age of 478 ± 29 (2σ) Ma and provides a lower bracket for the main phase of tectonism in this part of the Southern Granulite Terrain. The Pan-African high-grade metamorphism and ductile deformation has thus most likely affected the alkaline rocks. This is supported by the presence of a metamorphic foliation and extensive recrystallisation textures seen in the rocks. The major and trace element concentrations measured on selected samples reveals the presence of both enriched and depleted rock types. The enriched group includes ferrosyenite and nepheline syenite while the depleted group has only nepheline syenites. The trace element depletion of some nepheline syenites is interpreted to be a result of fractional crystallization involving the removal of accessory phases like zircon, titanite, apatite and allanite.     

Experimental and major element constraints on the evolution of lavas from Lihir Island,Papua New Guinea

The major element chemistry of SiO₂-undersaturated arc lavas from Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea, and 1 atmosphere experiments on an alkali basalt from this island show complex polybaric fractionation affected this suite of lavas. Low Ni and MgO are typical of these arc lavas and result from olivine fractionation, probably at high pressure. Fractionation at low pressure (<5 kb) produces two evolutionary trends. Separation of clinopyroxene, plagioclase and minor olivine from the primitive lavas results in increasing normative nepheline contents and major element trends similar to those of the experiments. In contrast, addition of magnetite and amphibole to the fractionating assemblage in the evolved lavas results in decreasing normative nepheline and major element trends which are markedly different from those of the experiments. The composition of experimental glasses and 1 atmosphere liquid lines of descent, derived from anhydrous melting experiments run at the fayalite-magnetite-quartz (FMQ) buffer and at higher oxygen fugacities, are displaced from the lavas on oxide-oxide plots. HighfO₂ produces high Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ and the early crystallization of abundant magnetite, and high H₂O contents are responsible for crystallization of amphibole. Crystal fractionation of these phases and the high Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ are responsible for the displacement of the lavas and experimental glasses in mineral projection schemes from the 1 atmosphere olivine-clinopyroxene-plagioclase saturation boundary of Sack et al. (1987).     

Intergrowths of nepheline-potassium feldspar and kalsilite-potassium feldspar: A re-examination of the ‘pseudo-leucite problem’

The alkalic ultramafic Batbjerg intrusion of East Greenland contains rocks in which nepheline and leucite are important constituents. In addition, there are vermicular, finger print intergrowths of nepheline with potassium feldspar, and patchy to micrographic intergrowths of kalsilite with potassium feldspar. The history of the pseudoleucite problem is reviewed, and it is suggested that the term pseudoleucite be restricted to intergrowths of nepheline with alkali feldspar that appear to be pseudomorphs with the crystal morphology of leucite. It is further suggested that flame-like or feather-like finger print intergrowths of nepheline with alkali feldspar, that are either interstitial to the other minerals of the rock or have grown perpendicularly on relative large and often euhedral nepheline grains are an entirely different problem and are best explained by late-stage magmatic crystallization within the system NaAlSiO₄-KAlSiO₄-SiO₂-H₂O.In the Batbjerg intrusion the early crystallization of nepheline was followed by the co-crystallization of nepheline with leucite, or in some cases by nepheline and a silica-rich leucite. Although the magma was essentially dry, as indicated by the dominantly pyroxenitic character of the rocks, water pressure rose toward the late stages of crystallization as indicated by the presence of phlogopite and occasionally both amphibole and zeolite. Shrinkage of the leucite stability field attendant upon this rise in left the liquid that was crystallizing nepheline and leucite stranded on the nepheline-alkali feldspar cotectic. Shrinkage occurred too rapidly for the liquid to remain at the reaction point of the system, and leucite, therefore, was not resorbed. The remaining liquid crystallized rapidly as flames of vermicular intergrowth of nepheline with potassium feldspar (composition Ne 24.0, Ks 45.9, Qz 30.1), a texture that might be attributable to supercooling. Silica-rich leucite compositions (Ks 68.8, Qz 31.2) decomposed to intergrowths of kalsilite with potassium feldspar but reaction kinetics, or possibly variations in throughout the intrusion, prevented the breakdown of leucite.     

Mawpyut intrusive complex of Jaintia hills district,Meghalaya, northeastern India: A case study for magmatic differentiation

The petrological details of the ultramafic-mafic-alkaline complex related to Sylhet Trap occurring near to Mawpyut (25°25′N:92°10′E) of Jaintia hills district Meghalaya, northeastern India, are poorly known. Field investigations indicate that the Mawpyut body occurs as a pluton distinctly intrusive into adjacent low grade metasedimentary Shillong Group of rocks. This body reveals development of two broad lithotypes namely ultramafic (olivine clinopyroxenite, clinopyroxenite and plagioclase bearing ultramafic) and mafic (mostly gabbro, orthopyroxene gabbro, olivine gabbronorite, mela gabbro and mela-gabbro-norite) with minor presence of later syenitic veins. Though, in general, the pluton shows mineralogical variations, the field boundaries among those petrographic types are not discernible. Careful consideration of major and trace element chemistry of the constituent lithomembers clearly suggest progressive insitu fractionation of a common parent magma.     

Oceanic potassic magmas: An example of the Atlantic Ocean

Statistical study of volcanic rocks from oceanic islands and seamounts in the Atlantic Ocean based on approximately 6000 analyses (data from the authors’ databank) makes it possible to recognize rocks close to the parental melts (approximately 2000 analyses). This set is demonstrated to include a unique group of high-potassium (K₂O/Na₂O > 1) rocks, whose K₂O/Na₂O ratio is several times higher than in the mantle and calls for the explanation of the mechanism that increased the K₂O concentration during the melting of the mantle and for the identification of an additional K₂O source in the mantle and a process responsible for K and Na differentiation. A new model is proposed to account for the genesis of high-potassium melts-fluids, whose ascent brings about extensive mantle metasomatism. The genesis of high-potassium fluid is related to solid-state reactions at deep mantle levels.     

Abyssal tholeiites from the Oceanographer Fracture Zone

Unusual effects have been discovered in the major element phase relations of basalts from the Oceanographer Fracture Zone (OFZ) which suggest that magma mixing of primitive basalt with the differentiation residue of a previous batch of primitive magma has occurred. These effects include a reversal in mineral crystallization sequence which cannot happen during normal differentiation processes or be explained by any plausible change in physical conditions. This unusual effect is encountered as a result of curvature in composition space of the liquid-line-of-descent equilibria involving olivine, plagioclase, and high-calcium clinopyroxene. Mixing of magmas at different stages of their evolution produces mixtures that do not lie on the curved liquid-line-of-descent. Observation of such anomalous compositions in the OFZ suite supplements accumulating petrographic and trace-element geochemistry evidence that magma mixing is an important petrogenetic process. Mixing of fractionated residual liquids can produce mixtures which are either superheated or supercooled depending on the sense of ‘thermal curvature’ of the liquid-line-of-descent. Both senses are encountered in the tholeiitic system, and this effect may exert a qualitative control on the crystallization texture of the mixture. A comparison of approximately 2,000 abyssal tholeiite compositions to the experimental liquid-line-of-descent reveals that erupted differentiates which would be expected from advanced fractionation are scarce. Just this sort of phenomenon (the ‘perched’ steady state) was proposed by O'Hara (1977) as an earmark of the operation of a continuously fractionating magma chamber into which fresh magma is periodically remixed.     

Mineral chemistry and petrogenesis of granular ejecta from the Alban Hills volcano (Central Italy)

Summary A suite of lithics (ejecta) collected from the latest erupted pyroclastic products of the Alban Hills volcano (Central Italy) has been studied to determine their mineralogical composition and to investigate their genesis. The ejecta commonly have granular texture and consist of coarse-grained crystals often associated with a fine- to medium-grained matrix. The mineralogical composition is variable and consists of both typical igneous minerals and contact metamorphic phases. Garnet, clinopyroxene K-feldspar are almost ubiquitous, whereas leucite, wollastonite, sodalite-group minerals, phlogopite, nepheline and phillipsite are present in most of the ejecta; minor and accessory phases include cuspidine, amphibole, pyrrhotite, magnetite, apatite, uranpyrochlore, sphene, kalsilite, and melilite; anorthite, zircon and fluorine-bearing Ca, Zr silicate phases, larnite, and baryte are found sporadically. Ca, REE, Th silicophosphates occur in many samples generally disseminated along interstices and fractures of main minerals. Calcite is present as discrete crystals sometimes enclosed in other minerals, as granules in the fine-grained matrix and as late microcrystalline veins. It shows high oxygen and low carbon isotope ratios with δ¹⁸O = + 17.96 to + 27.19, and δ¹³C = −4.74 to −19.57. Clinopyroxene ranges from diopside to compositions strongly enriched with both Ca-Tschermak’s and esseneite components. Feldspars are generally potassic even though Ba and Sr are found in significant concentrations in some samples. K-feldspars from wollastonite-bearing ejecta are often rimmed with elongated felty crystals identified by X-ray diffraction analysis as leucite. These feldspars show a depletion in Si, and enrichment in Al and K from core to rim. Significant compositional variations are also shown by various other phases such as nepheline, apatite, Ca, REE, Th silicophosphate. The occurrence of igneous and contact metamorphic minerals, as well as the chemical variations of clinopyroxenes and feldspars in the investigated ejecta reveal complex genetic processes related to the interaction between potassic magma and wall rocks. The Ca-rich composition of most phases points to a carbonate nature for the wall rocks. Textural evidence suggests that coarse-grained rocks formed at the margin of the magma chamber were invaded by a late, volatile rich potassic liquid which crystallized as a fine-grained matrix and produced disaggregation and reaction of early formed minerals. Fluid phases percolating through the rocks generated infiltration metasomatism and deposited some uncommon phases rich in Ca, REE, Th, U, which are found along cracks and at the margins of early crystallized minerals. Overall, the all spectrum of the minerals found in this study are also typical of carbonatitic rocks. Their presence in the Alban Hills ejecta demonstrates that their genesis can be related to interaction between ultrapotassic melts and carbonate wall rocks, in addition to precipitation from carbonatitic melts. Received February 20, 2001; revised version accepted September 23, 2001     

Alkaline basic intrusives of Elchuru,Prakasam District,Andhra Pradesh,India

The igneous alkaline rocks at Elchuru start from a parent ijolite-melteigite association to basic malignite, melalusitanite and shonkinite followed by nepheline syenites and then biotite lamprophyres (as dykes) at the waning phase of the evolutionary course of the complex. The distinct alkalinity of the rocks is manifested by the development of modal nepheline and calcic amphibole (kaersutite). For both the basic rocks,i.e. alkali gabbro and biotite lamprophyre, the percentages of normative nepheline are always higher than modal nepheline, indicating silica deficiency and alkali enrichment of the mafics. It is evident from detailed petrological and geochemical studies that the two basic members are very much akin to each other and there is no major deviation in their bulk chemistry.