Melting Relations in Part of the System CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-Na2O-H2O under 5kb Pressure

In the system CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-Na₂O-H₂O under 5 kb pressurethe invariant equilibrium forsterite-orthopyroxene-Ca-rich clinopyroxene-amphibole-plagioclase-liquid-vapourhas been identified at 960?12 ?C. A similar invariant assemblagewith spinel replacing Ca-rich clinopyroxene exists at 950?8?C. The liquid in the former equilibrium contains 16.5 per cent(wt.) normative quartz and 3 per cent Na₂O; the plagioclaseis more calcic than An₈₇; the pyroxenes contain about 3 percent Al₂O₃ and the amphibole is hypersthene-normative. Two anhydrousthermal maxima, the olivine-Ca-rich clinopyroxene-plagioclaseand the orthopyroxene-Ca-rich clinopyroxene-plagioclase dividezones are not encountered in this system, and nepheline-normativeliquids may crystallize amphibole?olivine?Ca-rich clinopyroxeneto produce quartz-normative residual liquids of andesite-typecomposition. A thermal maximum involving amphibole-olivine-Ca-richclinopyroxene-liquid-vapour exists for liquids containing approximately11 per cent normative nepheline and liquids more undersaturatedthan this will crystallize these phases to produce extremelynephelinitic liquids. Phase diagrams are presented which facilitate the predictionof crystallization sequences and liquid evolution paths forany basic or intermediate composition under the conditions employedhere.     

Mineralogy, Petrology, and Geochemistry of an Ultrapotassic Basaltic Suite, Central Sierra Nevada, California, U.S.A.

Ultrapotassic basaltic lavas erupted 3.4–3.6 m.y. ago(K/Ar) in the central Sierra Nevada and originated by partialmelting of a phlogopite-enriched, garnet-bearing upper mantlesource. Ultrapotassic basanites (K₂O: 5–9 per cent), whichare spatially related to contemporaneous potassic olivine basalts(K₂O: 3–5 per cent) and alkali olivine basalts (K₂O: 1–3per cent), contain the K₂O-bearing minerals phlogopite, sanidine,and leucite as well as olivine, diopside, apatite, magnetite,and pseudobrookite. The presence and modal abundance of theK₂O-bearing minerals closely reflects the east to west increasein K₂O throughout the basaltic suite. Many lines of evidence support the derivation of the ultrapotassicbasanites and the related basalts from an upper mantle source:TiO₂ in phlogopite phenocrysts and groundmass crystals, 2–3and 7–9 per cent respectively, support phlogopite phenocrystcrystallization at high pressure, whole rock Mg values (100Mg/Mg + 0.85 Fe) range from 66–78, phlogopite-rich pyroxeniticand periodotitic nodules are included in some flows, and geobarometriccalculations indicate depths of generation at 100–125km. Also, model calculations show that the major, rare earth,and trace elements, except for Ba, Rb, and Sr, can be accuratelygenerated by 1.0–2.5 per cent melting of a phiogopite-and garnet-bearing clinopyroxene-rich upper mantle source. Partialmelting occurred after a general upper mantle enrichment beneaththe Sierra Nevada, the phlogopite- and clinopyroxene-rich sourceof the ultrapotassic lavas being the extreme result of the enrichmentprocess. Clinopyroxene enrichment of the upper mantle probablyoccurred by introduction of a partial melting fraction intothe upper mantle source areas. Enrichment of the upper mantlein the alkali and alkali-earth elements was not accomplishedby a partial melt, but resulted from influx of a fluid phaserich in Ba, K, Rb, Sr, and, probably, H₂O The continuous rangein K₂O of the erupted lavas implies that the upper mantle enrichmentis a cumulative process. The inverse relationship in the SierraNevada between uplift and the K₂O content of the erupted basaltsimplies that a critical relationship may exist between upliftand upper mantle enrichment.     

The System Na2O-Al2O3-Fc2O3-SiO2 at 1 Atmosphere, and the Petrogenesis of Alkaline Rocks

Equilibria involving acmite, albite, nepheline, quartz, anda liquid phase constitute the petrologically important partof the system Na₂O–Al₂O₃–Fe₂O₂–SiO₂, and theunivariant and invariant relations provide useful analogiesfor a wide variety of alkaline igneous rocks. These relationsare dominated by the incongruent melting behaviour of acmite,which does not appear on the liquidus of the join acmite-nepheline-silica;instead, a broad field of hematite is present and acmite crystallizesonly from liquids containing potential sodium silicate. Consequently,the oversaturated and undersaturated eutectics, correspondingto granitic and nepheline syenitic liquids, are rich in sodiumsilicate and distinct from those found in Petrogeny's Residuasystem: the temperatures of the eutectics are 7285C and 7155C, respectively. Survival of peralkaline granite in the aluminouscontinental crust can be explained by the strongly peralkalinecomposition of the oversaturated eutectic. Magma of this typemay be the primitive granite of the non-orogenic zones. Theubiquitous alkali metasomatism around alkaline complexes canalso be interpreted in terms of residual liquids enriched inalkali silicates. Transition from undersaturated to oversaturatedliquids is possible by fractionation of hematite and a new processfor achieving the reverse transition has been found. This dependson the substitution of Fe³ for Al³ in feldspar and suggestsa more important role for syenite in any scheme of petrogenesis. Each of the two eutectics is linked to a corresponding peritecticat which hematite reacts to give acmite. The liquid at the undersaturated,quaternary reaction point is of ijolitic type, providing thefirst intimation that ijolite may represent a low-melting fractionin nature. The system Na₂O–Al₂O₃–Fe₂O₃–SiO₂thus constitutes the peralkaline residua system and on thisbasis a coherent picture of stable continental magmatism canbe constructed. Ijolite is seen as the low-melting fractionfrom a range of peralkaline compositions and from rocks suchas melilite basalt, while the frequently associated carbonatiteis considered to be the volatile-rich, fugitive material fromthe mantle. Such a relationship is consistent with the dualassociation of carbonatite with either ijolite or kimberliteunder different tectonic conditions. The more common syenite,nepheline syenite, and alkaline granite of the non-orogenicregions are regarded as low-melting fractions from basalticmaterials in the deep crust. Most of this activity, involvingmagmas of residual type, could thus be explained in terms ofpartial melting in the deep crust and upper mantle. A possiblemechanism for this would be arching of the rigid continentalcrust, the consequent relief of lithostatic load giving riseto melting, and the concentration of fugitive constituents,in the underlying zones.     

Partially Fused Granite Blocks from Mt. Elephant, Victoria, Australia

Petrological and chemical evidence is presented to show thatsmall patches of brown glass found in blocks of granite eruptedin basaltic scoria at Mt. Elephant are the result of the partialfusion of biotite and quartz. The glass has moderate SiO₂ (63–66per cent), high AI₂O₃ (17.5–19 per cent), high FeO (3.8–5.2per cent) and very high K₂O (7.0–7.8 per cent) relativeto Na₂O (3.3–3.7 per cent) and is similar in compositionto many high K alkali syenites and trachytes.     

Experimental Study of the Composition Join NaAlSiO4-CaCO3-H2O and the Genesis of Alkalic Rock--Carbonatite Complexes

Phase equilibrium studies have been carried out on the compositionjoin NaAlSiO₄-CaCO₃-H₂O with 25 wt per cent H₂O at 1 kb pressurein the temperature range 600–960 °C. Liquid, in equilibriumwith crystalline phases and a sodic, aqueous vapor phase persistsacross the join down to temperatures of about 600 °C. Fractionalcrystallization of a carbonated nepheline-rich liquid in equilibriumwith vapor is capable of generating successively the crystallineassemblages (1) nepheline, (2) melilite+nepheline, (3) hydroxyhaüyne+melilite,(4) cancrinite+melilite, and (5) calcite+cancrinite+melilite.Late-stage liquid fractions are rich in CaCO₃, whereas the vaporphase is enriched in Na. The experimental assemblages are strikinglysimilar to rocks in alkalic rock-carbonatite complexes in generaland in the Oka, Quebec, complex in particular. The successionof assemblages at Oka and at other melilite rock-bearing complexesmay be interpreted as the products of fractionation of a carbonatednephelinite magma by analogy with the experimental results.The sodium-bearing vapor phase of the experiments may be analogousto the fenitizing agent of some carbonatite complexes.     

Metamorphism of Proterozoic agpaitic nepheline syenite gneiss from North Singhbhum Mobile Belt, eastern India

Sushina nepheline syenite gneisses of Early Proterozoic North Singhbhum Mobile Belt (NSMB), eastern India suffered regional metamorphism under greenschist-amphibolite transitional facies condition. The Agpaitic Sushina nepheline syenite gneisses consist of albite, K-feldspar, nepheline (close to Morozewicz-Buerger composition), aegirine, biotite, epidote, piemontite, sodalite, cancrinite, natrolite and local alkali amphibole. Accessory phases include zircon, hematite, magnetite, rare pyrochlore and occasional eudialyte and manganoan calcic zirconosilicates. Mineral chemistry of albite, K-feldspar, nepheline, aegirine, alkali amphibole, natrolite and zirconium silicate minerals are described. The detailed textural features together with chemical data of some minerals indicate metamorphic overprint of these rocks. A new reaction is given for the genesis of metamorphic epidote. Metamorphic piemontite suggests greenschist facies metamorphism under high fO₂ (Hematite-Magnetite buffer). Up to 15.34 mol% of jadeite component in aegirine suggests that the metamorphic grade of the nepheline syenite gneiss reached at least to greenschist-amphibolite transitional facies or higher. Nepheline geothermometry suggests temperature of metamorphism <500 °C, which is consistent with greenschist facies metamorphism of surrounding chlorite-biotite-garnet phyllite country rock.     

The Stability of Sodalite in a Synthetic Syenite plus Aqueous Chloride Fluid System

Natural feldspathoidal syenites may be approximated by assemblagescontaining some or all of the phases sodalite, nepheline, oneor two alkali feldspars, and aqueous chloride fluid in the systemNaAISi₃O₈-KAISi₃O₈-NaAISiO₄-KAISiO₄-NaCI-KCI-H₂O. The stabilityof sodalite in these assemblages was studied in the range 500–700°C and 600–2000 bars fluid pressure. Sodalite appears to be a stable phase on the vapor-saturatedliquidus in this system over a wide range of pressure. At or near the vapor-saturated liquidus minimum in this system,three distinct types of sodalite-bearing syenite can crystallize.Nepheline-sodalite-one alkali feldspar rocks, nepheline-sodalite-twoalkali feldspars rocks and sodalite-analcime-bearing rocks crystallizebelow 1600 bars, between 1600 and 2750 bars and above 2750 barsfluid pressure, respectively. The effects of closed-system cooling on the assemblage sodalite-nepheline-twoalkali feldspars-aqueous fluid are different and distinguishablefrom the effects of metasomatism. Closed-system cooling resultsin replacement of K-feldspar by albite, feldspathoids remainingnearly unchanged, while metasomatism generally results in sismultaneousenrichment or impoverishment in sodalite plus K-feldspar.     

Granulite-Facies Metamorphism at Molodezhnaya Station, East Antarctica

Granulite-facies quartzofeldpathic gneisses metamorphosed 1000m.y. ago are exposed around Molodezhnaya Station (67°40'S,46°E) in East Antarctica. In addition to quartz, K-feldspar,and plagioclase, the fourteen samples studied in detail consistof the assemblages biotite-orthopyroxene-magnetite, biotite-garnet-orthopyroxene-ilmenite±magnetite, biotite-garnet ± ilmenite ± magnetite,biotite-garnet-sillimanite-ilmenite ± rutile, and biotite-garnet-cordierite-ilmenite-(sillimanite-rutile).Garnets are pyrope-almandine (13 to 34 mol per cent pyrope).Biotite (X_Fe = 0.33 to 0.57) is rich in TiO₂ (4 to 6.3 wt percent) and its Al₂O₃ content depends on the mineral assemblage.Orthopyroxene (X_Fe = 0.45 to 0.60) contains 1.5 to 3.0 weightper cent Al₂O₃. By and large, the minerals are chemically homogeneousand compositional variations are systematic, which indicatecrystallization under equilibrium conditions. On the basis ofthe compositions of coexisting garnet-biotite, garnet-cordierite,garnet-plagioclase (with sillimanite), and garnet-plagioclase-orthopyroxene,temperatures and pressures during the granulite-facies metamorphismare estimated to be 700°C ± 30°C and 5.5 ±1 kb. Water pressure apparently was significantly less thantotal pressure. Alteration during events following the granulite-facies metamorphismhas resulted in chemical zoning in garnet, in which grain edgesare more iron-rich than cores, heterogeneous biotite compositions,and anomalous trends involving MnO. Temperatures based on biotiteand garnet-edge compositions range from 410 to 580°C. Differences in the chemical potential (µ) of water andoxygen in the fluid phase can explain compositional variationsamong the three sillimanite-bearing samples and the relativelyiron-rich compositions of garnet and biotite associated withcordierite. Apparently, the water released by the formationof cordierite remained in the rock, forcing µH₂O to increaseas cordierite formed. Buffering of fluid phase composition bythe mineral assemblage suggests that water was not removed fromthe Molodezhnaya rocks by flushing with CO₂-rich fluids duringmetamorphism, a hypothesis evoked to explain ‘dry’mineral assemblages in other granulite-facies terrains.     

Contrasting Sodic and Potassie Glassy Inclusions in Apatite Crystals from an Ijolite

Electron probe analysis of isotropic to weakly birefringentglassy inclusions in apatite crystals within the Usaki ijoliteof western Kenya, indicates that two contrasting compositionsexist. These inclusions are thought to represent samples oforiginal silicate melts. One is rich in K₂O(6 weight per cent),poor in Na₂O(0.3 weight per cent), and oversaturated with respectto silica; and the other is rich in Na₂O(6–14 weight percent), poor in K₂O(0.2 weight per cent), has an antipatheticrelation between Na₂O and CaO (together they usually total 15weight per cent) and is undersaturated with respect to silica.One inclusion shows these two compositions co-existing, apparentlyin an immiscible relationship. Other inclusions show compositionsintermediate between the Na-rich and K-rich types, and theyare interpreted as the result of reduced immiscibility. Thepresence of halides and calcium phosphate is considered to enhancethe immiscibility process. The parental composition, estimatedon a volatile-free basis is: SiO₂ 54.9, Al₂O₃, 27.4, CaO 7.3,Na₂O 3.4, K₂O 6.9, which corresponds to a lime-rich aluminoussyenite.     

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.     

Quantitative Electron Microprobe Analysis of Silicates Using Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometry

The advantages of using a lithium-drifted silicon X-ray detectorinstead of conventional Bragg spectrometers in microprobe analysisinclude simplicity and speed of operation. Also electron beamdamage to minerals can be almost eliminated, owing to the lowprobe current required. A procedure for quantitative analysisis outlined here, and its scope and limitations are discussed,with special reference to silicate analysis. Analyses of 34silicates independently analysed by chemical methods and conventionalprobe analysis are given. Above about 0?2 wt. per cent (element)systematic differences between energy-dispersive and conventionalprobe results are hardly significant. There are some discrepanciesbetween probe and chemical data, probably mostly due to errorsin the latter (e.g. high Al₂O₃ and low FeO). Concentrationsbelow 0?2 per cent but above the theoretical limit of detectionare sometimes not recorded. This is presumed to be due to slightover-correction for background, which could be rectified bya more complicated background correction procedure.     

Kiglapait Mineralogy I: Apatite, Biotite, and Volatiles

Electron microprobe analyses show that Upper Zone apatites inthe Kiglapait intrusion are fluorine rich and contain minorchlorine and hydroxyl (calculated). Apatite from the Outer BorderZone has a higher Cl content. The refractive indices of UZ apatites have the following ranges: = 1.6345–1.6379, = 1.6326–1.6352, and B = 0.0020–0.0028.The birefringence is low for apatites with these refractiveindices. Some Outer and Upper Border Zone apatites have higherindices of refraction and normal birefringence. Fractional crystallization of the basaltic Kiglapait magma producedcumulus apatite beginning at the 94 per cent solidified levelwhen P₂O₅ reached saturation in the liquid. The amounts of P₂O₅and modal apatite decreased gradually from the 94 per cent tothe 99.99 per cent solidified level as the liquid was depletedin P₂O₅. F and Cl appear to be equally partitioned between theliquid and apatite because no fractionation trends are notedbetween the two halogens. There is a slight decrease in thecalculated ratio OH/F in apatite which suggests possible depletionof OH in the liquid with fractionation. Kiglapait apatites appear to be stoichiometric, based on microprobechemistry, refractive index, and unit cell dimensions. However,infrared absorption analyses show no detectable water, whichleaves approximately 11 per cent of the monovalent anion siteunaccounted for. Anion deficiencies in apatites from low-H₂Oenvironments may be explained either by substitution of O forF, or domains of tetracalcium phosphate. Non-cumulus biotite occurs in minor quantities in the intrusion.Electron microprobe analyses of Upper Zone biotites show thatthey contain an average (by weight) pf 0.4 per cent F, 0.07per cent Cl, and 4.0 per cent H₂O (calculated). The volatile chemistry of the Kiglapait intrusion is calculatedfrom apatite and biotite chemistry. The intrusion contains anestimated 900 ppm P₂O₅, 166 ppm F, and 12 ppm Cl. There is amaximum of 68 ppm H₂O using calculated H₂O from microprobe data,or a minimum of 8 ppm using H₂O from infrared analysis. It isproposed that the anhydrous basaltic Kiglapait magma was a secondpartial melt of amphibole-bearing mantle rock.     

Fusion of Torridonian Sandstone by a Picrite Sill in Soay (Hebrides)

Up to 92 per cent of the original minerals were fused duringprogressive metamorphism of Torridonian sediment by a picritesill. The liquid precipitated microlites of tridymite, cor-dierite,hypersthene, and magnetite until that remaining quenched toa glass. Stages of fusion were determined by petrographic methods.After decomposition of sericite and reduction of haematite,liquid developed by fusion of feldspar and quartz. The compositionof liquid in a fused xenolith at various stages was calculatedfrom chemical and modal analyses. The chemical analysis indicatesthat fusion occurred in the presence of excess water-vapour.The melting and crystallization processes compare closely withthe behaviour of similar compositions in the system NaAlSi₃O₈-KAlSi₃O₈-SiO₂-H₂O.Liquidus temperatures corresponding to the calculated liquidsprovide temperature estimates. An upper pressure limit is givenby the quartz-tridymite PT curve. It is estimated that the liquidcrystallized between 1,025?C and 935?C at a water-vapour pressureof 430 kg/cm². Reaction between picrite and fused sediment indicatesthat maximum fusion occurred when crystallization of the picritewas almost completed. The estimated picrite intrusion temperatureis at least 1,175?C.     

Petrology of the Ejected Plutonic Blocks of the Soufriere Volcano, St. Vincent, West Indies

The ejected blocks of the Soufrière volcano consist ofthe mineral phases anorthite (An₉₆-An₈₉; average An₉₃), olivine(Fo₇₉-Fo₆₇; most frequent interval Fo_74-71), salite con taining5–6 per cent Al₂, O₃, hastingsitic amphibole, and magnetitecontaining 6 per cent A1₂O₃, 4 per cent MgO, 7 per cent TiO₂.The minerals occur in various proportions and textures. Theyare virtually unzoned and represent material which has beenejected at, and quenched from, a high temperature. The interstitialscoria present among the mineral grains in the blocks has thecomposition of a saturated sub-alkaline aluminous basalt, andis believed to represent the liquid phase with which the mineralswere in equilibrium at depth. The high-temperature mineralogy,the textures and structures of the rocks support the view thatthe blocks represent crystal cumulates which have crystallizedunder high water-vapor pressures from a fractionating basaltmagma at a depth approximating 6 km. The bulk composition ofthe blocks is such that the resultant liquid fractions are enrichedin silica. Fractional crystallization may be an important factorin the evolution of some calc-alkaline suites.     

The origin of fassaitic augite in the alkali basalt suite of the Hocheifel area,Western Germany

Fassaitic augite (augite 3) occurs in clinopyroxenite fragments with cumulus textures or as anhedral crystals in alkali basalts and nepheline basanites of the Hocheifel Area. Rimming of augite 3 by phenocrystic augite (augite 2) followed by groundmass augite (augite 4) defines the sequence of the clinopyroxene crystallization. Fassaitic augites from other alkali-basalt series reveal clinopyroxene crystallization trends of increasing ferri Tschermak's molecule and concomitant acmite as fractionation proceeds. This trend appears to be much more common than previously assumed.Dedicated to K. Jasmund in honor of his sixtieth birthday.     

Corundum-Fuchsite Rocks in Greenstone Belts of Southern Africa: Petrology, Geochemistry, and Possible Origin

Unusual corundum-fuchsite rocks with Al₂O₃ contents up to 89per cent and Cr₂O₃ values up to 2.8 per cent were investigatedfrom two localities in Zimbabwe and Transvaal. They form lenseswithin volcano-sedimentary series of different metamorphic gradesand are closely associated with metamorphic ultramafics. In Zimbabwe the corundum contains up to 3.8 wt. per cent Cr₂O₃,and fuchsite up to 3.7 per cent Cr₂O₃. Coexisting minerals areandalusite (2 per cent Cr₂O₃), chlorite (3.2 per cent Cr₂O₃),complex margarite solid solutions, tourmaline (4.9 per centCr₂O₃), dispore (1.1 per cent Cr₂O₃), and rutile (1.9 per centCr₂O₃); gersdorffite (NiAsS), wehrlite (BiTe), and native bismuthare occasional opaque accessories. The minerals from the Transvaallocality are generally poorer in Cr₂O₃. Important parageneticdifferences are the lack of diaspore, tourmaline and margarite,the occurrence of kyanite (0.9 per cent Cr₂O₃) instead of andalusite,exsolution bodies of complex CrFeAl-oxides in rutile, and theappearance of biotite and plagioclase. Both biotite and fuchsitemay be rich in Ba. Critical mineral assemblages indicate that the Zimbabwe rockswere metamorphosed at temperatures not greatly exceeding 400°C and at pressures below 3.5 kb, those from Transvaal near600 °C at or above 5 kb. The textures suggest that the extremeAl-enrichment did not occur during metamorphism but essentiallyprior to it or at least in its early stages. Major and minor element analyses of the rocks from both localitiesshow that they are strongly enriched in the elements Al, Cr,B, V, and As, and locally also in K, Rb, Ni, Sb, Bi, and Te,whereas they are depleted in Si, Mg, Fe, Mn, Na, Ca, S, Cu,Zn, Ga, Sr, and Y. During their formation a strong Al/Ga fractionationmust have taken place leading to exceptionally low Ga/Al ratios. Three modes of primary origin are discussed. (1) Formation ofa low-iron bauxite in a reducing Archaean atmosphere is consideredunlikely, ly on geochemical grounds (very high B-contents; aberrantCr/Ni ratios; low Ga and Y), partly because similar rocks arefound in a non-Archaean formation of New Zealand. (2) Metasomatismin connection with early metamorphic serpentini-zation of theultramafic country rock does not seem impossible but would haveto be utterly different from the commonly observed rodingitizationand other metasomatic zones surrounding serpentinites. (3) Amodel is proposed for premetamorphic postvolcanic exhalativealteration of ultramafic komatiitic lavas, during which theelements B, K, Rb, As, Sb, Bi, Te were deposited from the solutions,while Al, Cr, Ni, and V were concentrated as immobile remaindersof the original rock, and Mg, Si, Fe, and Ca were largely dissolvedand transported away. The mineralogy of these alteration productsmay have been governed by aluminous sulphate minerals like alunite,KAl₃[SO₄]₂ (OH)₆, which, during subsequent regional metamorphism,broke down to form, with the remaining silica, fuchsite andAl₂SiO₅, and without silica, diaspore and corundum, while sulphatewas carried away by the metamorphic solutions.     

Mineralogy and Petrogenesis of the Deccan Trap Lava Flows around Mahabaleshwar, India

Electron microprobe analyses of minerals of thirteen DeccanTrap lava flows at Mahabaleshwar have been carried out in thepresent study. All of these flows have tholeiitic bulk compositionsand all, except one (represented by MB-81-17 of Mahoney et al.,1982) contain olivine, plagioclase, two pyroxenes, and Fe-Tioxide minerals. Olivine and plagioclase appear as distinct phenocrystsin all but one flow, and Ca-rich pyroxene joins as a phenocrystphase in the younger flows. Pigeonite and Fe-Ti oxide minerals(titanomagnetite and ilmenite) occur in the groundmass. Olivineoccurs as both groundmass and phenocryst phase in MB-81-17 (whichis the only flow without low-Ca pyroxene phase); in all otherflows olivine appears only as phenocryst phase. In all but one(MB-81-17) flow olivine is completely altered. MB-81-17 olivinegrains are only partly altered, and in this rock the cores ofphenocrysts are rounded and have a composition of Fo₇₇ whereastheir euhedral rims have a composition around Fo₆₇. The groundmassolivine grains in MB-81-17 are Fo_41–32. Substantial Fe-enrichmentand zoning trends are shown by the pyroxenes in individual rocks.The cores of Ca-rich pyroxene phenocrysts of some of the flowshave as much as 4 wt. per cent A1₂O₃ and may have crystallizedat higher (crustal) pressures. Pigeonite thermometry (Ishii,1975) suggests an average of 1050?C for crystallization of thegroundmass pigeonite (eruption temperature?). Fe-Ti oxide mineralsare mostly altered in the older flows. In the younger flows,coexisting unaltered titanomagnetite and ilmenite yield maximumtemperature estimates for the crystallization of these phaseof about 1025?C and an oxygen fugacity of 10^–11.5 atm.The T-fo₂ path followed by these flows seems to have been consistentlysomewhat lower than that defined by the 1 atm. fayalite-magnetitequartz curve. All of the lavas examined have experienced extensivefractional crystallization of olivine and some clinopyroxeneat relatively higher pressures. These lavas were saturated orclose to being saturated with olivine+plagioclase+clinopyroxeneduring eruption. Plagioclase accumulation, although it appearsto have occurred, has not been significant. It is suggestedthat MB-81-17 magma was contaminated by a calcite-rich rock(limestone?) whereas the lower Group 1 magmas may have beenselectively contaminated by quartz-bearing contaminant. Alternately,parental magma of MB-81-1 (with the highest Mg-number and 8= -16) may have been produced in the upper mantle into whichminor masses of old crust was well mixed. Magma mixing, crystalfractionation, and contamination processes of Mahabaleshwarbasalts and possible genetic relationships with other DeccanTrap lavas are discussed.     

The origin of pseudoleucite in tinguaite,Ghori, India: a Re-evaluation

Pseudoleucite occurs as large megacrysts (giant phenocrysts) in tinguaite at Ghori which is located in the Panwad-Kawant carbonatite-alkalic complex, India. In thin sections the pseudoleucite crystals show mainly an oriented intergrowth of nepheline and orthoclase with additional minerals phases such as white mica, analcime, sodalite and cancrinite. From mineralogy and geochemistry it is inferred that the scheme involving subsolidus breakdown of leucite and subsequent reaction with Na-rich fluids can satisfactorily explain origin of pseudoleucite crystals in tinguaites.     

The System MgO-CO2-H2O at High Pressures and Temperatures

The system MgO-CO₂-H₂O has been studied up to 1,400? C and 4,000bars pressure using the sealed-capsule quenching technique.No melting was observed. At 1,000 bars pressure magnesite dissociatesat 780? C, and brucite at 635? C, to periclase and vapor. Theunivariant reaction MgCO₃?Mg(OH)₂ MgO + V proceeds at 630?C, at 1,000 bars and at 700? C, at 4,000 bars. Solubility measurementsshow that, at 1,000 bars and temperatures up to 1,000? C, lessthan 1.5 weight per cent MgO is dissolved in the vapor phase.Brucite is unstable in the presence of vapors containing morethan a small amount of CO₂. The maximum percentage of CO₂ ina vapor that can coexist with brucite increases with decreasingpressure and with increasing temperature: 6 weight per centCO₂ is the maximum at 630? C, 1,000 bars, and 4 weight per centat 700? C, 4,000 bars. The phase relations in the isobaric TXprism for 1,000 bars pressure are described. The results illustratetwo dissociation reactions, decarbonation and dehydration, occurringin the presence of a vapor phase containing two volatile components,H₂O and CO₂. Applications to metamorphism are briefly discussed.     

Sillimanite and Ilmenite from High-grade Metamorphic Rocks of Antarctica and Other Areas

Sillimanite from a variety of high-grade metamorphic rocks containsfrom 0.13 to 1.82 weight per cent Fe₂O₃ and less than 0.1 weightper cent TiO₂. The iron is trivalent and substitutes for Alonly. Ilmenite associated with the sillimanite contains no morethan 0.4 weight per cent Al₂O₃, SiO₂, CaO, and MnO; and MgOdoes not exceed 1.6 weight per cent. It ranges in compositionfrom Ilm₉₉Hem₁ to Ilm₈₅Hem₁₅. A least squares fit of precision unit cell data on 10 analyzedsillimanites gives the following cell dimensions for iron-freesillimanite: a = 7.4830 Á, b = 7.6708 Á, c = 5.7694Á and V = 331.15 Á³. The projected increase incell volume with substitution of 10 mole per cent Fe₂SiO₃ is1.66 per cent. A regular increase in the Fe₂O₃ content of sillimanite withincreasing Fe₂O₃ content of associated ilmenite in 15 of 21samples analyzed suggests that sillimanite and ilmenite crystallizedin equilibrium in the 15 samples. The compositions of the tensillimanite-ilmenite pairs analyzed by the author fit the followingempirical curve (sol;(X_Fe2O3)Il = 1.110 x 10^–3. This regularincrease in Fe₂O₃ contents fits a model of Fe³⁺ substitutionfor Al on two independent sites in sillimanite and a coupledsubstitution of for Fe²⁺ Ti on two sites in ilmenite. Sillimaniteand ilmenite are behaving as ideal solutions over the compositionalrange 0 < X_Fe2SIO3 < 0.013 in sillimanite and 0 < X_Fe2O3< 0.15 in ilmenite. Equations have been derived for expressing the variation inFe₂O₃ content of sillimanite associated with quartz and ilmeniteor hematite as a function of pressure, temperature, and Fe₂O₃content of the oxide minerals. For example, the Fe₂O₃ contentof a sillimanite with 1.5 mole per cent Fe₂SiO₃ coexisting withTi-free hematite is calculated to decrease 11 per cent witha 5 kb increase in pressure. The rate of increase with temperatureof the Fe₂O₃ content of sillimanite is greater in hematite-bearingassemblages than in ilmenite-bearing assemblages.