An overview on geochemistry of Proterozoic massif-type anorthosites and associated rocks

A critical study of 311 published WR chemical analyses, isotopic and mineral chemistry of anorthosites and associated rocks from eight Proterozoic massif anorthosite complexes of India, North America and Norway indicates marked similarities in mineralogy and chemistry among similar rock types. The anorthosite and mafic-leucomafic rocks (e.g., leuconorite, leucogabbro, leucotroctolite, anorthositic gabbro, gabbroic anorthosite, etc.) constituting the major part of the massifs are characterized by higher Na₂O + K₂O, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, Mg# and Sr contents, low in plagioclase incompatible elements and REE with positive Eu anomalies. Their δ ¹⁸O‰ (5.7–7.5), initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7034–0.7066) and ɛ _Nd values (+1.14 to +5.5) suggest a depleted mantle origin. The Fe-rich dioritic rocks occurring at the margin of massifs have isotopic, chemical and mineral composition more close to anorthosite-mafic-leucomafic rocks. However, there is a gradual decrease in plagioclase content, An content of plagioclase and X_Mg of orthopyroxene, and an increase in mafic silicates, oxide minerals content, plagioclase incompatible elements and REE from anorthosite-mafic-leucomafic rocks to Fe-rich dioritic rocks. The Fe-rich dioritic rocks are interpreted as residual melt from mantle derived high-Al gabbro melt, which produced the anorthosite and mafic-leucomafic rocks. Mineralogically and chemically, the K-rich felsic rocks are distinct from anorthosite-mafic-leucomafic-Fe-rich dioritic suite. They have higher δ ¹⁸O values (6.8–10.8‰) and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7067–0.7104). By contrast, the K-rich felsic suites are products of melting of crustal precursors.     

Genesis of massif-type anorthosites — the role of high-grade metamorphism

The genesis of massif-type anorthosites in general is discussed on the basis of data obtained on the Capivarita massif, a labradorite-type anorthosite from Southern Brazil. Massif anorthosites are thought to have originated by fractional crystallization of magmas of suitable compositions (essentially high-alumina basalt and andesite melts) that underwent extremely slow cooling under high-grade metamorphic conditions. Plagioclase is the dominant liquidus phase in the melt only over a very restricted temperature interval (10–20 °C) in which water pressure (PH₂O<P total) is maintained more or less constant at a critical value. Plagioclase accumulation by gravitational sinking is operative only under a set of critical conditions that are statistically unlikely to occur or to be maintained for any length of time. Hence, anorthosites would be relatively rare. The possible influence of the total pressure on anorthosite composition is discussed.At present, Chief Research Worker of the Brazilian CNPq.     

Geology, petrology and isotope geochemistry of massif-type anorthosites from southwest Madagascar

Four massif-type anorthosite bodies 25–100 km² in area occur within high-pressure granulite facies supracrustal gneisses in southwestern Madagascar. Two of these bodies (Ankafotia and Saririaky) appear to have been pulled apart by 40 km in a ductile shear zone, but structural features such as sub-vertical stretching lineations indicate an origin by intense west-directed flattening and pure shear. Country rocks (Graphite Series) include abundant graphite schist (some with >60% graphite), marble, quartzite, and minor amphibolite and leucogneiss. Comagmatic granitoids (e.g. charnockites) are conspicuously absent. The anorthosite bodies are dominated by coarse grained anorthosites and leuconorites (feldspars typically 3–5 cm, up to 1 m); minor norites and oxide-rich ferrogabbros occur near the margins, but ultramafic rocks are absent. Typical mineralogy of the anorthositic rocks is: plagioclase (An_41–54) + orthopyroxene (En_38–66) ± augite (Mg♯ = 32–68) ± ilmenite ± magnetite ± apatite. High-alumina (to 6.1 wt% Al₂O₃) orthopyroxene megacrysts are widespread; most have exsolutions of calcic plagioclase (An_72–85) but some contain garnet lamellae. Metamorphism has produced abundant recrystallization and sporadic coronitic garnet (Mg ♯=12–36) + clinopyroxene assemblages. Rb-Sr isotopic analyses of whole-rocks and minerals reveal no meaningful age relationships. The age of late Neoproterozoic metamorphism is best constrained at 559 ± 50 Ma by a 6-point Sm-Nd mineral isochron (whole rock, plag, pyx, ilm, apat, gar) from a Saririaky oxide-rich gabbro. The igneous crystallization age of the anorthosites is estimated at 660 ± 60 Ma by a 19-point combined whole-rock and mineral Sm-Nd isochron for samples from both the Ankafotia and Saririaky bodies. Initial isotopic ratios calculated at 0.66 Ga among 13 whole rocks are: _Nd=+2.6 to +5.2 (mean=+3.7) and I_Sr=0.70328–0.70407 (mean=0.70347), indicating derivation of the Malagasy anorthosites from a depleted mantle source, and little, if any, contamination with Archean crustal material. One anorthosite sample with _Nd=−1.4 and I_Sr=0.70344 (calculated at 0.66 Ga) probably reflects the effects of assimilation of Early to Middle Proterozoic crustal basement, but typical surrounding graphite schist (_Nd=+0.3, I_Sr=0.70636, both at 0.66 Ga; T_DM= 1131 Ma) represents only a minor potential contaminant for the anorthosite bodies. T_DM model ages of the Malagasy anorthosites (797–1280 Ma; mean of 14 samples=949 Ma), as those of most other massif-type anorthosites, are older than the true crystallization age, because of crustal contamination effects. Our isotopic data, together with recent U-Pb data from the anorthosites and surrounding country rocks, are consistent with emplacement of the Malagasy anorthosite bodies at or before the start of a protracted, high-grade metamorphic event or series of events between about 630 and 550 Ma. This period coincides with the collision between, and amalgamation of, East and West Gondwana. Received: 19 December 1997 / Accepted: 12 June 1998     

Strontium isotopic constraints on the origin of proterozoic anorthosites

The Proterozoic Giles Complex, central Australia contains an almost complete range of anorthosite types from minor or major layers in gabbronorite intrusions to large anorthosite-troctolite bodies to small orthopyroxene anorthosite massifs; each type has a distinctive Sr isotopic signature. Anorthosite-dominated masses have a regular relationship between ferromagnesian mineralogy, initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and anorthite contents in plagioclase: anorthosite-troctolite bodies have significant olivine, relatively low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7038–0.7043) and An_50–69; orthopyroxene-dominant anorthosites have relatively high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.7045–0.7063) and An₄₅₋₆₀. The pattern is found worldwide. Detailed study of one intrusion demonstrates that contamination by wall-rock granulite produces the higher ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values, anti-correlation between ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and An, and determines olivine/orthopyroxene proportions. Olivine-bearing anorthosites form from a primary aluminous tholeiite magma with plagioclase dominating the liquidus; progressive contamination of this parent magma produces a gradation to orthopyroxene anorthosites.     

斜长岩体中Fe-Ti-P矿床的特征与成因

岩体型斜长岩为由90%以上斜长石组成的岩浆岩,具变压结晶的特点,仅形成于元古宙(2.1～0.9Ga),常赋存有Fe-Ti-P矿床。Fe-Ti-P矿体既呈整合层状也呈透镜状和席状等不规则形式产出;矿石类型有块状和侵染状,前者矿石矿物含量>70%,后者矿石矿物含量为20%～70%;矿物组成上,不同矿床稍有差别:部分矿床的Fe-Ti氧化物以钛磁铁矿为主、钛铁矿次之,而其他矿床则以赤钛铁矿为主、磁铁矿次之。一些矿床磷灰石含量较高,出现仅由Fe-Ti氧化物和磷灰石组成的铁钛磷灰岩。研究表明,Fe-Ti-P矿床由富Fe、Ti的岩浆演化形成,其母岩浆是在深部岩浆房中大量结晶斜长石后的残余岩浆。部分学者认为不同矿石经正常的结晶分异作用并堆晶形成,但该机制很难解释呈不规则状产出的矿石;其他学者则认为不混熔作用对矿石的富集(尤其是脉状、席状的铁钛磷灰岩)有重要作用,但该机制缺乏岩相学和地球化学方面的证据。河北大庙Fe-Ti-P矿体呈透镜状、席状等不连续地分布于斜长岩中,矿体不发育明显岩浆分层,但仍出现不同矿石的相带。依据详细的岩相学、矿体中矿物含量和成分的变化规律以及全岩地球化学特征,我们判断大庙矿床中不同矿石为堆晶矿物和晶隙流体的混合产物,它们由铁闪长质岩浆经结晶分异和堆晶作用形成,与不混熔作用关系不大。矿体不规则状产出的特点可能与岩浆动力分异作用有关,并伴随有小范围的亚固相迁移。     

The crustal tongue melting model and the origin of massive anorthosites

Recent detailed field studies in several anorthosite complexes have shown that anorthosites are frequently associated with weakness zones in the crust which may have favoured their emplacement at mid-crust levels. Recent experimental data have shown that the parent magma compositions of various anorthosite massifs lie on thermal highs in the relevant phase diagrams at 10–13 kbar, indicating that these magmas cannot be derived by fractionation of peridotitic mantle melts but by melting of gabbronoritic sources in the lower crust at 40–50 km depths. In the Sveconorwegian Province terne boundaries have been traced in deep seismic profiles to Moho offsets or to tongues of lower crustal material underthrust to depths higher than 40 km. In Southern Norway, we suggest that a lithospheric-scale weakness zone (the Feda transition zone?) has channelled the Rogaland anorthosites through linear delamination, asthenospheric uprise and melting of a mafic lower crustal tongue.     

The origin of ferroan and magnesian anorthosites in the lunar crust

<正>1 Introduction The widely accepted standard model for the lunar feldspathic crust is:the early Moon was wholly or mostly molten,forming Lunar Magma Ocean(LMO).Olivine and pyroxene crystallized first from that magma ocean and sank     

Multiphase inclusions in plagioclase from anorthosites in the Stillwater Complex,Montana: implications for the origin of the anorthosites

Multiphase inclusions, consisting of clinopyroxene+ilmenite+apatite, occur within cumulus plagioclase grains from anorthosites in the Stillwater Complex, Montana, and in other rocks from the Middle Banded series of the intrusion. The textures and constant modal mineralogy of the inclusions indicate that they were incorporated in the plagioclase as liquid droplets that later crystallized rather than as solid aggregates. Their unusual assemblage, including a distinctive manganiferous ilmenite and the presence of baddeleyite (ZrO₂), indicates formation from an unusual liquid. A process involving silicater liquid immiscibility is proposed, whereby small globules of a liquid enriched in Mg, Fe, Ca, Ti, P, REE, Zr and Mn exsolved from the main liquid that gave rise to the anorthosites, became trapped in the plagioclase, and later crystallized to form the inclusions. The immiscibility could have occurred locally within compositional boundaries around crystallizing plagioclase grains or it could have occurred pervasively throughout the liquid. It is proposed that the two immiscible liquids were analogous, n terms of their melt structures, to immiscible liquid pairs reported in the literature both in experiments and in natural basalts. For the previously reported pairs, immiscibility is between a highly polymerized liquid, typically granitic in composition, and a depolymerized liquid, typically ferrobasaltic in composition. In the case of the anorthosites, the depolymerized liquid is represented by the inclusions, and the other liquid was a highly polymerized aluminosilicate melt with a high normative plagioclase content from which the bulk of the anorthosites crystallized. Crystallization of the anorthosites from this highly polymerized liquid accounts for various distinctive textural and chemical features of the anorthosites compared to other rocks in the Stillwater Complex. A lack of correlation between P contents and chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) ratios of plagioclase separates indicates that the amount of apatite in the inclusions is too low to affect the REE signature of the plagioclase separates. Nevertheless, workers should use caution when attempting REE modelling studies of cumulates having low REE contents, because apatite-bearing inclusions can potentially cause problems.     

Geochemistry and origin of elements in some UK coals

Twenty-four UK coals ranging in rank with 4.6%–37.6% volatile matter were analysed for 46 major and trace elements. The samples were obtained from the UK Coal Bank and are representative of the major UK coal fields. The major element distributions are interpreted in terms of the mineralogical variations—quartz and kaolinite are largely responsible for the Si and Al, carbonates for Ca and Mg and pyrite for Fe. Also exerting an influence in some samples are siderite, Al-phosphate minerals and illite. Based on statistical relationships with the major elements, Rb, Cr, Th, Ce, Zr, Y, Ga, La, Ta, Nb and V are thought to be mainly present in the clay minerals, and As, Mo, Sb, Tl, Se and Bi and Pb are probably present in pyrite. Strontium and Ba are concentrated in a restricted number of samples related to the phosphate minerals. Germanium is the only element for which a major organic association can be demonstrated. Elements with an indirect association with the organic matter are Na, Cl, and Br in porefluids and possibly Te. The ash content is controlled mainly by the detrital input and the trace elements related to the ash content are therefore those elements associated with the clay minerals. Variations with rank would appear to be mainly related to the moisture content (porefluids). The trace elements associated with the quartz and clay minerals are thought to be dominantly detrital in origin. The non-detrital elements, essentially those contained in pyrite, are thought to have been incorporated in the depositional environment from waters with enhanced salinities through seawater ingress, hence there are positive relationships between S and trace element concentrations.     

Geochemistry and origin of saline groundwaters in the Fennoscandian Shield

Chemical and isotopic analyses of water from drill holes and mines throughout the Fennoscandian Shield show that distinct layers of groundwater are present. An upper layer of fresh groundwater is underlain by several sharply differentiated saline layers, which may differ in salinity, relative abundance of solutes, and O, H, Sr and S isotope signature. Saline groundwater can be classified into four major groups based on geochemistry and presumed origin. Brackish and saline waters from 50–200 m depth in coastal areas around the Baltic Sea exhibit distinct marine chemical and isotopic fingerprints, modified by reactions with host rocks. These waters represent relict Holocene seawater. Inland, three types of saline groundwater are observed: an uppermost layer of brackish and saline water from 300–900 m depth; saline water and brines from 1000–2000 m depth; and superdeep brines which have been observed to a depth of at least 11 km in the drill hole on the Kola Peninsula, U.S.S.R. Electrical and seismic studies in shield areas suggest that such brines are commonly present at even greater depths. The salinity of all inland groundwaters is attributed predominantly to water-rock interaction. The main solutes are Cl, Ca, Na and Mg in varying proportions, depending on the host rock lithology. The abundance of dissolved gases increases with depth but varies from site to site. The main gas components are N₂, CH₄ (up to 87 vol.%) and locally H₂. The δ¹³C value for methane is highly variable (−25 to −46%), and it is suggested that hydrothermal or metamorphic gases trapped within the surrounding rocks are the most obvious source of CH₄. The uppermost saline water has meteoric oxygen-hydrogen isotopic compositions, whereas values from deeper water plot above the meteoric water line, indicating considerably longer mean residence time and effective low temperature equilibration with host rocks. Geochemical and isotopic results from some localities demonstrate that the upper saline water cannot have been formed through simple mixing between fresh water and deep brines but rather is of independent origin. The source of water itself has not been satisfactorily verified although superdeep brines at least may contain a significant proportion of relict Precambrian hydrothermal or metamorphic fluids.     

Geochemistry and origin of the Mirny field kimberlites,Siberia

Here we present new data from a systematic Sr, Nd, O, C isotope and geochemical study of kimberlites of Devonian age Mirny field that are located in the southernmost part of the Siberian diamondiferous province. Major and trace element compositions of the Mirny field kimberlites show a significant compositional variability both between pipes and within one diatreme. They are enriched in incompatible trace elements with La/Yb ratios in the range of (65–300). Initial Nd isotope ratios calculated back to the time of the Mirny field kimberlite emplacement (t = 360 ma) are depleted relative to the chondritic uniform reservoir (CHUR) model being 4 up to 6 ɛNd(t) units, suggesting an asthenospheric source for incompatible elements in kimberlites. Initial Sr isotope ratios are significantly variable, being in the range 0.70387–0.70845, indicating a complex source history and a strong influence of post-magmatic alteration. Four samples have almost identical initial Nd and Sr isotope compositions that are similar to the prevalent mantle (PREMA) reservoir. We propose that the source of the proto-kimberlite melt of the Mirny field kimberlites is the same as that for the majority of ocean island basalts (OIB). The source of the Mirny field kimberlites must possess three main features: It should be enriched with incompatible elements, be depleted in the major elements (Si, Al, Fe and Ti) and heavy rare earth elements (REE) and it should retain the asthenospheric Nd isotope composition. A two-stage model of kimberlite melt formation can fulfil those requirements. The intrusion of small bodies of this proto-kimberlite melt into lithospheric mantle forms a veined heterogeneously enriched source through fractional crystallization and metasomatism of adjacent peridotites. Re-melting of this source shortly after it was metasomatically enriched produced the kimberlite melt. The chemistry, mineralogy and diamond grade of each particular kimberlite are strongly dependent on the character of the heterogeneous source part from which they melted and ascended.

     

Geochemistry and origin of Chupa pegmatite range (North Karelia)

The existence of a close geochemical relationship between the composition of host rocks and pegmatites is demonstrated by means of data on the contents of zirconium and hafnium dioxide, and the contents of rare earths of cerium and yttrium groups. -- E. A. Alexandrov.     

河南嵩山地区新太古代斜长角闪岩的地球化学特征与成因

嵩山地区登封群是华北克拉通南部古老结晶基底的重要组成部分,由一套火山-沉积成因的表壳岩系组成,形成于新太古代.斜长角闪质岩石广泛发育于登封群表壳岩中,同时,也以包体形式普遍存在于TTG片麻岩体内部.二者主量元素差别不大,SiO_2含量为45%～63%,富Fe_2O_3、Al_2O_3、CaO,TiO_2(0.5%～1.11%)含量较低,原岩为亚碱性玄武岩、安山岩.二者的微量元素特征稍有差别,登封群斜长角闪岩REE配分形式平坦,轻重稀土基本无分异((La/Yb)_N=0.99～2.07),基本无Eu异常(δEu≈1);Ti负异常,Nb、Ta、Y负异常不明显,Ba、Sr呈现正异常,显示洋中脊和岛弧拉斑玄武岩特征;在Cr-Y、Ta/Yb-Th/Yb、Zr/Y-Nb/Y图解中位于洋中脊向岛弧玄武岩的过渡区域;ε_(Nd)(t)=4.43,显示源岩来自亏损地幔.而TTG片麻岩中斜长角闪岩包体的LREE富集,Eu负异常明显(δEu)=0.46～0.87);大离子亲石元素Rb、Cs、Ba明显高于登封群中的斜长角闪岩,除了Ti含量稍低外,Zr、Nb和Y含量范围和登封群斜长角闪岩相似,Nb、Ta和Y呈负异常,具有岛弧玄武岩特征;ε_(Nd)(t)=2.56和4.08,显示源岩来自亏损地幔,反映有地壳物质的混染.登封群斜长角闪岩及斜长角闪岩包体原岩的源区物质有所不同,在汇聚板块边缘洋壳俯冲条件下,前者是地幔楔部分熔融的产物,形成于弧后盆地环境;后者可能是随着俯冲作用的进行,小部分板片熔融开始发生,形成的熔浆混染亏损地幔部分熔融形成的熔浆.地球化学特征显示登封群形成的地球动力学背景是汇聚板块边缘洋壳的俯冲,反映当时陆壳以水平方式增生.     

Geochemistry and origin of basaltic lavas from Marquesas Archipelago,French Polynesia

The Marquesas Archipelago, a volcanic chain in French Polynesia (south-central Pacific Ocean), is predominantly composed of alkalic, transitional and tholeiitic basalts. The variation trends in these intraplate basaltic rocks imply that the magmas were derived from different upper mantle sources. Model calculations using the total inverse method show that the peridotite source of most Marquesas basalts was enriched in incompatible elements compared to a primordial mantle and had higher than chondritic ratios of several elements such as La/Yb, Ti/V and P/Ce. A metasomatic enrichment event is suggested by the sequence of element enrichment in the source relative to the primordial mantle (Ba>Nb>La>Ce>Sr>Sm>Eu> Zr>Hf>Ti>Y>Yb). On the other hand, some lavas including tholeiites of Ua Pou and alkalic basalts of Hiva Oa, were probably derived from relatively depleted upper mantle. In some islands such as Hatutu, the different types of basalts were generated from sources with rather similar compositions. The residual phases of the Marquesas magmas included garnet. The sources of these magmas were similar in trace element chemistry to the oceanic mantle below Hawaii.     

Geochemistry and possible origin of petroleum in Palaeozoic reservoirs from Halahatang Depression

The Halahatang Depression in the Tabei Uplift of the Tarim basin is an active exploration area because it has substantial reservoir potential and contains or is near to many commercial oil fields. Geochemical analysis indicates that Halahatang oils were derived from marine carbonate source rocks deposited under anoxic reducing conditions. The maturities for Halahatang oils are corresponding to the peak of the oil window and slightly higher than the neighboring Tahe oils. The Halahatang oils feature low Pr/Ph, C₂₁/C₂₃ tricyclic terpane and, C₂₈/C₂₉ sterane ratios, high C₂₉/C₃₀ hopane and C₃₅/C₃₄ hopane ratios, a “V” shape in the distribution of C₂₇–C₂₈–C₂₉ steranes and light carbon isotope ratios, similar to the Tahe oils and correlate well with the Middle-Upper Ordovician source rock. However, some source-related biomarker parameters imply a more reducing source organofacies with more zooplanktonic contribution than that for the Tahe oils.     

Geochemistry and origin of granitic rocks,Scourian Complex,NW Scotland

Concordant granite sheets from the granulite facies Scourian Complex, N.W. Scotland exhibit the following features:

1. a common planar fabric with their host pyroxene granulites;
2. the presence of an exsolved ternary feldspar phase;
3. a low-pressure, water-saturated minimum composition;
4. K/Rb ratios (450–1,350) distinctly higher than most upper crustal granites but similar to the surrounding granulites;
5. low absolute concentrations of the rare earth elements (REEs), light REE enrichment, and large positive Eu anomalies.

It is proposed that the granite sheets have originated by anatexis of gneisses undergoing granulite facies metamorphism — gneisses that were already essentially dry and depleted in incompatible elements. Their unusual trace element chemistry may be explained by either disequilibrium melting and/or sub-solidus reequilibration of the granite sheets with the surrounding gneisses. Isotopic and trace element data suggest that cross-cutting, potash-rich pegmatites represent reworking of the granite sheets during a later amphibolitization.     

闽西南红山含黄玉浅色花岗岩地球化学特征和成因

红山花岗岩体主要由钾长石、石英和自形的钠长石组成,次要矿物包括原生铁锂云母、黑云母和黄玉等;岩石具有高SiO2、K2O、Rb、Nb、Ta、Th、U含量,低CaO、P、Ba、Sr、Zr、Hf含量以及富Al(ACNK＞1.1)和强烈Eu亏损(Eu/Eu·＜0.15)等地球化学特征,属于富F低P花岗岩亚类.但是,相对高的TiO2、MgO含量,K2O/Na2O比值以及成分偏离低共熔点表明红山花岗岩不是强烈演化的产物;而相对低的F含量(＜O.56%)、K/Rb＞50、Nb/Ta＞5、低的REE四分组效应以及Y/Ho比值仍处于球粒陨石范围也指示,尽管在演化晚期岩浆富集了一定的流体,但红山花岗岩没有进入典型的流体分离阶段.分离结晶模拟显示从早期到晚期红山花岗岩发生了20%～30%以钾长石 斜长石为主和黑云母次之的分离结晶作用,同时伴随锆石、独居石和磷钇矿等的分离.红山花岗岩具有高的(87Sr/86Sr)i(0.723)和低的εNd(t)(-9.8～-12.5),Nd模式年龄介于1.64～1.92 Ga之间,不同于中元古界桃溪岩组和震旦纪变质围岩的同位素组成.结合部分熔融模拟,认为中、新元古代的变质围岩可能不是红山花岗岩的源岩.同位素和地球化学的特征暗示红山花岗岩的源岩很可能是类似于古元古代麻源群的变质岩.花岗岩的原始岩浆是在850℃以上由泥质变质岩为主的岩石经30%以上的部分熔融产生;岩浆主要结晶于780～700℃之间.红山花岗岩属于构造后花岗岩,它最终结晶于燕山早期(189 Ma)的拉张构造背景.     

On the classification of the West Greenland anorthosites

In his recent classification of anorthosites,Berrange(1966) has interpreted the West Greenland anorthosites as orognic-plutonic types. However, recent work has shown that in the central high-grade region of Fiskenaesset nearly all the anorthosite horizons have intense chromite layering. The anorthosites have been metamorphosed under granulite facies conditions and subsequently downgraded. The conclusions are made that the West Greenland anorthosites as a whole should be classified as pre-orogenic stratiform types and that most of the present features are of secondary origin and should not be confused with those of the orogenic-plutonic association.

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Zusammenfassung In seiner neuesten Klassifikation der Anorthosite hatBerrangé (1966) die west-grönländischen Anorthosite als orogen-plutonische Typen interpretiert. Neueste Studien haben jedoch gezeigt, daß in den zentralen, hochmetamorphen Gebieten von Fiskenaesset fast alle Anorthosite zahlreiche Chromiteinlagerungen aufweisen. Die Anorthosite sind unter Granulit-Fazies metamorphisiert und anschließend diaphthoritisch überprägt worden. Man kann daraus folgern, daß die west-grönländischen Anorthosite im Ganzen als präorogene, schichtige Typen zu klassifizieren sind und daß die meisten der heutigen Merkmale sekundären Ursprungs sind, und nicht mit den orogen-plutonischen Anorthositen verwechselt werden dürfen.

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Résumé Dans sa classification récente des anorthosites,Berrangé (1966) a interprété les anorthosites du Groenland occidental comme appartenant au genre orogénique-plutonique. Des récents travaux ont cependant montré que presque tout les horizons d'anorthosite dans la région centrale gneissique de Fiskenaesset possèdent de nombreuses intercalations de chromite. Les anorthosites ont été métamorphosées sous des conditions de faciès granulitique et par la suite ont subi un métamorphisme rétrograde. Pour conclure, il semble que les anorthosites du Groenland occidental en général doivent être classifiées comme étant du genre pré-orogénique stratiforme, et que la majorité des caractéristiques actuelles sont d'origine secondaire et ne doivent pas être confondues avec celles des associations orogéniques-plutoniques.

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