A Metamorphosed, Early Archaean Chromitite from West Greenland: Implications for the Genesis of Archaean Anorthositic Chromitites

An early Archaean (>3·81 Ga) chromitite–ultramaficlayered body from the Ujaragssuit nunât area, west Greenland,may represent the Earth’s oldest chromitite. The layeredbody occurs as a large xenolith (800 m x 100 m) entrained withintonalitic gneisses and preserves primary igneous layering andtextures. New Re–Os and Pb–Pb isotope results supportthe view that it has been metamorphosed twice, in the earlyand late Archaean at 3·75 Ga and 2·8 Ga. Mineralchemistry and textures indicate that the chromite compositionspreserve two different evolutionary trends. There is a mainmagmatic trend in which Cr/(Cr + Al) ratios remain relativelyconstant but in which there is strong enrichment in Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺and Ti with progressive differentiation. This trend is a compositeof magmatic-liquidus, magmatic-cooling and subsolidus re-equilibrationprocesses. A second trend is defined by chromites from harzburgitesin the upper part of the layered body. These chromites showmagmatic replacement textures in which Fe-rich chromites arealtered to aluminous chromites. Chromites showing magmatic replacementtextures are thought to have formed by reaction with a late,interstitial melt during the solidification of the layered body.The close association between the Fe³⁺–Cr-chromites ofthe main trend and Al-rich chromites of the type found in otherArchaean megacrystic anorthosites suggest a magmatic-geneticrelationship between the two types of chromite. We propose thatanorthositic chromites form in an Fe-rich basaltic melt derivedfrom a komatiitic, boninitic or basaltic parent magma throughreaction between the melt and early-formed Fe-rich chromite. KEY WORDS: chromite; anorthosite; Archaean; Greenland; Re–Os     

Crystallization of Chromite and Chromium Solubility in Basaltic Melts

The equilibrium between chromite and melt has been determinedon four basalts at temperatures of 1200–1400?C over arange of oxygen fugacity (f_o2) and pressures of 1 atm and 10kb. The Cr content of chromite-saturated melts at 1300?C and1 atm ranges from 0?05 wt.% Cr₂O₃ at a log f_o2= –3 to1?4 wt.% at a log f_o2=–12?8. The Cr²⁺/Cr³⁺ of melt increaseswith decreasing f_o2 and is estimated by assuming a constantpartitioning of Cr³⁺ between chromite and melt at constant temperature.The estimated values of Cr²⁺/Cr³⁺ in the melt are at f_o2 valuesof 4–5 orders of magnitude lower than the equivalent Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺values. The Cr/(Cr+Al) of chromite coexisting with melt at constanttemperature changes little with variation of f_o2 below log f_o2=–6.Five experiments at 10 kb indicate that Cr₂O₃ dissolved in themelt is slightly higher and the Cr/(Cr + Al) of coexisting chromiteis slightly lower than experiments at 1 atm pressure. Thus variationin total pressure cannot explain the large variations of Cr/(Cr+ Al) that are common to mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) chromite. Experiments on a MORB at 1 atm at f_o2 values close to fayalite-magnetite-quartz(FMQ) buffer showed that the Al₂O₃ content of melt is highlysensitive to the crystallization or melting of plagioclase,and consequently coexisting chromite shows a large change inCr/(Cr + Al). It would appear, therefore, that mixing of a MORBmagma containing plagioclase with a hotter MORB magma undersaturatedin plagioclase may give rise to the large range of Cr/(Cr +Al) observed in some MORB chromite.     

Pumpellyite-Actinolite Facies Schists of the Taveyanne Formation near Lo?che, Valais, Switzerland

Electron microprobe analyses are presented for new-formed mineralsfrom a small exposure of semi-schistose Taveyanne Formationof the pumpellyite-actinolite facies near Lo?che, Valais. Comparisonsare drawn with minerals of other low-grade metamorphic areas,especially in southern New Zealand. Sphene shows considerablesubstitution of Ca(Al,Fe)SiO₄(OH) for CaTiSiO₅. Epidotes aresharply divided into early pistacitic (Ps = 0.28–0.37)and later clinozoisitic varieties (Ps = 0.11–0.19). Pumpellyitesrange from pumpellyite-(Fe) to pumpellyite-(Al) and are generallyless Fe-rich than those of zeolite and prehnite-pumpellyitefacies. Pumpellyite inclusions in albitized plagioclase areparticularly low in Mg. Actinolites are low in A1₂O₃, TiO₂,and Na₂O, essentially identical compositions being nucleatedon detrital augite, hornblende, and in the matrix. Phengitesare also extremely low in Na₂O and TiO₂. Chlorites are ripidolites.Albitized clastic plagioclase has the composition An0.7–1.6and albite in clinozoisite-calcite-albite-phengite-chloriteveins An2.1–2.3. Calcites carry minor Mn > Fe ? Mg.New-formed iron oxides are absent, whereas pyrrhotite and minorpyrite occur in one rock, buffering fs₂ and indicating low fo₂. Ratios Mg: Fe^* (Fe^* = total Fe) in coexisting chlorites andA1, Na-poor actinolites vary sympathetically both in the Lo?cheand southern New Zealand rocks here considered, giving K_D =(Mg/Fe^*) _actlnolIte/(Mg/Fe^*)_chlorle = 1.72. Mg/Fe^* ratios inpumpellyites tend to vary sympathetically with those of coexistingchlorites and actinolites but are more variable. Substitutionof (Fe, Mg)Si for A1₂ in phengitic micas and chlorites variessympathetically in the same suites between mafic volcanic andmore pelitic extremes. Various minor elements also behave ina consistent fashion, indicating an encouraging tendency towardsequilibrium. Variable (though small) A1₂O₃ contents of actinolite,Fe: Al ratios in epidotes and pumpellyites, and Mg: Fe^* ratiosin phengites, even within a single grain, are evidence of short-rangedisequilibrium; metamorphic equilibration is evidently easierbetween some crystal structures and structural sites than betweenothers. In phase rule analysis of assemblages in such rocks it is commonlynecessary to treat Fe²O₃, FeO, and MgO as separate componentsand it may also be necessary to regard CO² as an inert componentand/or to interpret observed assemblages as of low variance.The presence of the Ca-Al silicates and sphene indicates verylow X_co2 in the metamorphic fluids in all rocks examined exceptan albite-chlorite-calcite-quartz-anatase assemblage. But higherAn in albites than in isofacial and in greenschist facies rocksof southern New Zealand can be ascribed to significantly higherXco₂ at Lo?che, especially in the veins, than in New Zealand. Pumpellyite and epidotes of the pumpellyite-actinolite faciestend to be lower in Fe and richer in Al than those of lowergrade facies. Important reactions include those of the formpumpellyite-(Fe³⁺)+chlorite+quartz+H₂=pumpellyite-(Al)+actinolite,and pumpellyite+chlorite+quartz- ‘epidote’+actinolite+water.Careful selection of pumpellyite and chlorite compositions isrequired for experimental and chemographic analysis of pumpellyitestability. In the absence of critical data, temperatures ofabout 250–350? and pressures of several kilobars are provisionallysuggested for the Lo?che metamorphism.     

Chemistry of Kornerupine and Associated Minerals, a Wet Chemical, Ion Microprobe, and X-Ray Study Emphasizing Li, Be, B and F Contents

Kornerupine and associated minerals in 31 samples of high-graderocks relatively rich in Al and Mg were analysed by wet chemistry,ion microprobe mass analyser, electron microprobe and X-raypowder diffraction. For 11 samples of kornerupine and threesamples of biotite (F only) analysed by both wet chemical andion microprobe methods, the best agreement was obtained forB₂O₃, whereas the ion microprobe Li₂O values were systematicallysomewhat higher than the wet chemical values. The wet chemicalmethods give Li₂O=0–0?19 wt.%; BeO=0–0?032 wt.%;B₂O₃=0–4?01 wt.%; and F=0?07–0?77 wt.% in kornerupine,whereas ion microprobe analyses on other kornerupines give valuesup to 0?35 wt.% Li₂O, O066 wt.% BeO, and 4?72 wt.% B₂O₃. Thesum B+Al+Fe³⁺+Cr is close to 6?9 atoms per 22 (O, OH, F) or21?5 (O) in kornerupine. In general, Li/Fe ratios decrease as follows: kornerupine ?sapphirinebiotite> Crd (Na<0?03 per 18 oxygens)>tourmaline, garnet,orthopyroxene. However, for cordierite with Na>004, Li/Fedecreases as follows: cordierite>kornerupine. Sapphirineand sillimanite are the only associated minerals to incorporatesignificant boron (0?1–0?85 wt.% B₂O₃) and then only whenthe single site for B in kornerupine is approaching capacity.Sillimanite B₂O₃ contents increase regularly with kornerupineF. Fractionation of fluorine increases as follows: kornerupine<biotite<tourmaline,and K^krn-BtD=(F/OH)^Krn/(F/(OH)^Bt (assuming ideal anion composition)increases with biotite Ti. Kornerupine B₂O₃ content is a measureof B₂O₃ activity in associated metamorphic fluid, whereas sillimaniteB₂O₃ content increases with temperature, exceeding 0?4 wt.%whenT=900?C at very low water activities. New data on 11 kornerupines and literature data indicate thatthe unit cell parameters a, c, and V decrease with increasingB content and b, c, and V increase with increasing Fe³⁺ content.In Fe³⁺-poor kornerupines, b increases with Mg and with (Mg+ Fe²⁺) but the effect of Mg on b via the substitution ^VIMg+^IVSi=^VIAl+^IVAloverwhelms the effect of Fe²⁺=Mg substitution.     

Structure and Petrology of the Alpine-type Peridotite at Burro Mountain, California, U.S.A.

The alpine-type peridotite at Burro Mountain is a partiallyserpentinized harzburgite-dunite body approximately 2 km indiameter. It lies in a chaotic mélange derived from theFranciscan Formation (Upper Jurassic to Upper Cretaceous) ofthe southern Coast Ranges of California. The peridotite is boundedon the east by a vertical fault in the Nacimiento fault zonethat brings sedimentary rocks of Taliaferro's (1943b) AsuncionGroup (Upper Cretaceous) into contact with the peridotite. Theperidotite appears to be one of a number of tectonic lenses,having a wide range in size, that make up the mélange.These lenses include metagraywacke, metachert, greenstone, amphibolite,and blueschist, as well as ultramafic rocks, and represent awide range of pressure-temperature environments. The outer shell of the peridotite is a sheared serpentinitezone 10–15 m thick. The peridotite was tectonically emplacedat its present level as a cold solid mass and had little effecton the mineral assemblages of the Franciscan Formation. Localdevelopment of lawsonite and aragonite in shear zones may berelated to the peridotite emplacement. Foliated harzburgite forms approximately 60 per cent of theperidotite. It is a lithologically uniform rock that has anolivine: orthopyroxene ratio of approximately 75:25. Accessoryclinopyroxene and chromian spinel generally make up less than5 per cent of the harzburgite. Dunite, composed of olivine,accessory chromian spinel (< 5 per cent), and trace amountsof pyroxene, makes up approximately 40 per cent of the peridotiteand occurs as dikes, sills, and irregular bodies in the harzburgite. Olivine and pyroxene show small but significant compositionalvariations and chromian spinel shows a large range in the cationratio Cr/(Cr+Al+ Fe³⁺). The compositional variations in theseminerals are related to original differences in bulk chemicalcomposition. The following compositional ranges were determinedfor minerals in the harzburgite: olivine, Fo_91.1–Fo_91.4;orthopyroxene, En_89.8–En_91.1; clinopyroxene, Ca_47.0Mg_50.0Fe_3.0–Ca_48.7Mg_48.2Fe_3.1;chromian spinel, Cr/(Cr+Al+Fe³⁺) 0.37–0.55. The pyroxeneshave a range in A1₂O₃ content of 1.3–3.0 wt per cent.Olivine from dunite ranges from Fo₉₁ to Fo_{92 7} and the chromianspinel has a range in the Cr/(Cr+Al+Fe³⁺) ratio of 0.30–0.75.Although all the dunites are lithologically similar, three distincttypes are recognized on the basis of composition of coexistingolivine and chromian spinel. Structural relations between thethree types of dunite suggest three periods of emplacement (possiblyoverlapping) of dunite into harzburgite. The evidence indicatesthat the dunite, and probably also the harzburgite crystallizedfrom an ultramafic magma, probably in the upper mantle. After the magmatic episode and crystallization, the peridotitewas subjected to a deep-seated plastic deformation and recrystallization.The first phase of the deformation produced a pervasive, planarstructural element (S₁) that crosscuts many harzburgite-dunitecontacts. It is probable that some of the dunite sills wereemplaced during this deformation. The foliation, S₁, is definedby layers of different orthopyroxene content in harzburgite,and by discontinuous layers of chromian spinel in dunite. Flowor slip along S₁ produced slip folds in harzburgite—dunitecontacts with axial planes parallel to S₁. At a later stage,isoclinal folds developed in S₁, and the present olivine microfabricwas probably formed by recrystallization in the stress fieldthat produced the isoclinal folding. In the olivine microfabric,X tends to be perpendicular to the axial planes (S₂) of theisoclinal folds and Y and Z tend to form double maxima in S₂approximately 90° apart. Mg–Fe²⁺ distribution betweencoexisting mineral pairs yields a calculated temperature offormation of approximately 1200 °C. Although this temperatureis only a nominal value, it indicates that the mineral pairsequilibrated at a significantly high temperature. In view ofthe deformation and recrystallization, the calculated temperaturepossibly represents subsolidus re-equilibration of the mineralsduring this event. The deformation and recrystallization probablyoccurred shortly after crystallization while the peridotitewas still at a high temperature. A later deep-seated deformation produced small scattered kinkfolds in S₁ that tend to disrupt the major olivine microfabric.The kink folding was accompanied or followed by the developmentof kink bands in olivine that reflect intragranular glidingon the system T = [Okl], t = [100]. The kink bands probablyformed at a minimum temperature of 1000 °C. Following the deep-seated deformation, which probably took placein the mantle, the peridotite mass was tectonically detachedand moved upward to its present level in the crust. Cleavages,joints, and faults provided channels for water to pervade theperidotite and allow alteration of the primary minerals.     

Ferric Iron in CaTiO3 Perovskite as an Oxygen Barometer for Kimberlitic Magmas I: Experimental Calibration

A method to estimate the oxygen fugacity (fO₂) during the crystallizationof kimberlites is developed using the Fe content of CaTiO₃ perovskite(Pv), a common groundmass phase in these rocks. With increasingfO₂, more Fe exists in the kimberlitic liquid as Fe³⁺, and thuspartitions into Pv. Experiments to study the partitioning ofFe between Pv and kimberlite liquid were conducted at 100 kPaon simple and complex anhydrous kimberlite bulk compositionsfrom 1130 to 1300°C over a range of fO₂ from NNO –5 to NNO + 4 (where NNO is the nickel–nickel oxide buffer),and at Nb and rare earth element (REE) contents in the startingmaterials of 0–5 wt % and 1500 ppm, respectively. Thepartitioning of Fe between Pv and kimberlite liquid is influencedmostly by fO₂, although the presence of Nb increases the partitionof Fe³⁺ into perovskite at a given T and fO₂. Multiple linearregression (MLR) of all the experimental data produces a relationshipthat describes the variation of Fe and Nb in Pv with fO₂ relativeto the NNO buffer:

(uncertaintiesat 2, and Nb and Fe as cations per three oxygens). Over therange of conditions of our experiments, this relationship showsno temperature (T) dependence, is not affected by the bulk Fecontent of the kimberlite starting material and reproduces experimentaldata to within 1 log fO₂ unit. KEY WORDS: kimberlites; oxygen fugacity; perovskite; ferric iron; magma     

The Nature and Origin of Ultramafic Lamprophyres: Aln?ites and Allied Rocks

Ultramafic lamprophyres (UML) are rare but widespread, hypabyssalrocks, rich in K, Mg, Cr, Ni, Sr, Ba, REE, and volatiles, containingless Si and more Ca than other silicate igneous rocks, and gradinginto carbonatites. They carry phenocryst combinations of olivine(Fo_92–72), phlogopite (rich in Ti, Fe³⁺ , Ba or F), Al-Ti-(Fe³⁺and richteritic to eckermannitic amphiboles. Groundmasses includeCa-Fe-Mg-carbonates (?partly primary), feldspathoids, Ca-Fe-Ti-Zr-garnets,soda-melilite, monti cellite, Mg-Mn-ilmenite, perovskite, serpentine,Fe- Mg-Ti-Mn-Cr-Al-spinels ? glass. Megacrysts include (?cognate)salitic pyroxenes, phiogopites or Ti-hastingsites, and morerarely, xenocrystic Cr-Ti-pyrope, orthopyroxenes and diopsides.Xenoliths include spinel and/or garnet-lherzolites, dunites,and phlogopite?amphibole-bearing pendotites. UML are readilydistinguished from kimberlites by petrological association (e.g.with ijolites), geochemistry (e.g. lower Mg, higher Ca, P),texture (e.g. lack of two olivine generations) and mineralogy(e.g. presence of groundmass feldspathoids ? melilite). UMLare distinguished also from melilitites by lower Si, Al, Na,higher Ca, K, P; more abundant primary carbonate, phiogopiteand amphibole; and by lack of groundmass olivine and phenocrystmelilite. Closer extrusive equivalents of UML may however occuramong ankaratrites. The most common UML types are aln?ite (melilite-rich)and aillikite (melilite-free, carbonate-rich). Aillikites arecompositionally closer to carbonatites than alnOites. Rarertypes include poizenite (melilite + feldspathoids), ouachitite(feldspathoids + carbonates) and damkjernite (feldspathoids+ carbonates+ < 10 per cent alkali feldspars). UML form localizeddyke-swarms or diatreme-clusters, mainly related to continentalrifting, and may represent parent magmas for coeval carbonatitecomplexes. Their additional occurrence in an oceanic setting,their mantle xenolith content, and their high mg, Cr and Ni,together suggest that many of them are primary, mantle-derivedmagmas, generated at depths between those of melilitites andkimberlites (c. 100–150 km), but at higher CO₂ pressuresthan melilitites. Other UML, however, have been extensivelymodified from primary compositions by fractionation, accumulation,or interaction with alkali+volatile-rich fluids.     

Reactions Leading to the Disappearance of Pumpellyite in Low-grade Metamorphic Rocks of the Sanbagawa Metamorphic Belt in Central Shikoku, Japan

The major mineral assemblages of the metabasites of the Omoiji-Nagasawaarea in central Shikoku are hematite+epidote+chlorite+actinolite,riebeckitic actinolite+epidote+chlorite, epidote+chlorite+actinolite,and pumpellyite+epidote+chlorite+actinolite. The constituentminerals are often heterogeneous and assemblages in the fieldof a thin section sometimes do not obey the phase rule, butif grains apparently in non-equilibrium with others are excludedand domains of chemical equilibrium are appropriately chosenthe assemblages approximately obey the phase rule. The stability of hematite, pumpellyite, and epidote associatedwith chlorite and actinolite can be dealt with in terms of aternary system with appropriate excess phases. By fixing theFe²⁺/(Fe²⁺ +Mg) ratio of chlorite, it is dealt with in termsof stability relations in the system Ca₂Al₃Si₃O₁₂(OH)–Ca₂AlFe₂Si₃O₁₂(OH)with excess chlorite, actinolite, quartz, and controlled P_H2O.The maximum and minimum Fe³⁺ contents of epidote in this modelsystem are determined by hematite+epidote+chlorite+actinoliteand pumpellyite+epidote+chlorite+actinolite assemblages. Themaximum Fe³⁺ of the three phase assemblage epidote+chlorite+actinoliteis insensitive to temperature, but the minimum Fe³⁺ contentof epidote is sensitive to temperature and can be used to definethe metamorphic grade by a continuous quantity related to temperature.The phase relations expected for the model system are in goodagreement with the parageneses of the Sanbagawa terrain in centralShikoku and offer an explanation to the rule of Miyashiro &Seki (1958a) that the compositional range of epidote enlargeswith increasing temperature. The model also makes it possibleto estimate semi-quantitatively the temperature range in whichthe assemblage pumpellyite+epidote+chlorite+actinolite is stable.The possible maximum range is about 120 ?C, but the assemblageis stable in metabasite only for about 90 ?C. The higher temperaturelimit of the pumpellyite-actinolite facies defined by the disappearanceof pumpellyite in metabasite corresponds to the temperatureat which epidote with Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺ +Al) = 0.10 0.15 coexistswith pumpellyite, actinolite, and chlorite. The compositions of epidotes in the metabasites of the Omoiji-Nagasawaarea cluster around Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺ +Al) = 0.33. The grade of thisarea is close to the lower temperature stability limit of thepumpellyite+epidote+chlorite+actinolite assemblage.     

The Crossite Content of Ca-Amphibole as a Guide to Pressure of Metamorphism

A correlation between the crossite component (NaM₄) in Ca-amphiboleand pressure of metamorphism has long been recognized (Shido& Miyashiro, 1959), but only recently has the reaction beenidentified which buffers this aspect of amphibole composition(Brown, 1974): Ca-amphibole+iron oxide+albite+chloriteI+H₂O (±stilp,qtz) = crossite+epidote (±muscovite, qtz). The exact stoichiometry of the reaction depends on compositionalvariables in the minerals, especially Fe²⁺/Mg and Fe³⁺/Al. Ca-amphiboleshould have fixed NaM₄, at any given T and P, where it coexistswith iron oxide, albite, and chlorite. Comparison of Ca-amphibole composition with mineral assemblage,in rocks from Otago, N.Z., and elsewhere, supports this hypothesis.In any terrane NaM₄ is nearly constant at a particular metamorphicgrade where amphibole exists in the buffering assemblage, butvaries widely outside of this assemblage. Variations in Fe²⁺/Mgand Fe³⁺/Al in the amphibole have relatively little effect onNaM₄, but in high pressure amphiboles NaM₄ varies inverselywith Al^iv. Ca-amphiboles from high pressure areas have substantially moreNaM₄ (Otago, 0.6 of 2.0) than those from lower pressure areas(Sierra contact aureoles, 0.1). These relations suggest thatin the buffering assemblage, the NaM₄ content of Ca-amphiboleshould be a useful relative barometer for low to medium grademetamorphic rocks.     

Petrology of the Blue Mountain Complex, Marlborough, New Zealand

Blue Mountain is a central-type alkali ultrabasic-gabbro ringcomplex (lxl7middot;5 km) introducing Upper Jurassic sediments,Marlborough, New Zealand. The ultrabasic-gabbroic rocks containlenses of kaersutite pegmatite and sodic syenite pegmatite andare intruded by ring dykes of titanaugite-ilmenite gabbro andlamprophyre. The margin of the intrusion is defined by a ringdyke of alkali gabbro. The plutonic rocks are cut by a swarmof hornblendebiotite-rich lamprophyre dykes. Thermal metamorphismhas converted the sediments to a hornfels ranging in grade fromthe albite-epidote hornfels facies to the upper limit of thehornblende hornfels facies. The rocks are nepheline normative and consist of olivine (Fo_82–74),endiopside (Ca₄₅Mg₄₈Fe₇–Ca₃₆Mg₅₅Fe₉), titanaugite (Ca₄₀Mg₅₀Fe₁₀–Ca₄₄Mg₃₉Fe₁₇),plagioclase (An_73–18), and ilmenitetitaniferous magnetite,with various amounts of titaniferous hornblende and titanbiotite.There is a complete gradation between endiopside and titanaugitewith the coupled substitution R_y⁺²+Si;;(Ti⁺⁴+Fe⁺³+Al⁺³ and asympathetic increase in CaAl₂SiO₆ (0·2–10·2percent) and CaTiAl₂O₆ (2·1–8·1 per cent)with fractionation. Endiopside shows a small, progressive Mgenrichment along a trend subparallel to the CaMgSi₂O₆–Mg₂Si₂O₆boundary, and titanaugite is enriched in Ca and Fe⁺²+Fe⁺³ withdifferentiation. Oscillatory zoning between endiopside and titanaugiteis common. Exsolved ilmenite needles occur in the most Fe-richtitanaugites. The amphiboles show the trend: titaniferous hornblende(1·0–57middot;7 per cent TiO₂) kaersutite (6·4per cent TiO2) Fe-rich hastingsite (18·0–19·1per cent FeO as total Fe). Biotite is high in TiO₂ (6·6–7·8per cent). Ilmenite and titaniferous magnetite (3·5–10·6per cent TiO₂) are typically homogeneous grains; their compositioncan be expressed in terms of R⁺²RO₃:R⁺²O:R₂⁺³O₄. The intrusion of igneous rocks was probably controlled by subterraneanring fracturing. Subsidence of the country rock within the ringfracture provided space for periodic injections of magma froma lower reservoir up the initial ring fracture to form the BlueMountain rocks at a higher level. Downward movement of the floorof the intrusion during crystallization caused inward slumpingof the cumulates which affected the textural, mineralogical,and chemical evolution of the rocks in different parts of theintrusion. The order of mineral fractionation is reflected by the chemicalvariation in the in situ ultrabasic-gabbroic rocks and the successiveintrusions of titanaugite-ilmenite gabbro and lamprophyre ringdykes, marginal alkali gabbro and lamprophyre dyke swarm. Aninitial decrease, then increase in SiO2; a steady decrease inMgO, CaO, Ni, and Cr: an initial increase, then decrease inFeO+Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, MnO, and V; almost linear increase in A1₂O₃and late stage increase in alkalis and P₂O₃, implies fractionationof olivine and endiopside, followed by titanaugite and Fe-Tioxides, followed by plagioclase, hornblende, biotite, and apatite.Reversals in the composition of cumulus olivine and endiopsideand Solidification Index, indicate that the ultrabasic-gabbroicsequence is composed of four main injections of magma. The ultrabasic rocks crystallized under conditions of high P_H2Oand fairly high, constant     

Petrology of the Blue Mountain Complex, Marlborough, New Zealand

Blue Mountain is a central-type alkali ultrabasic-gabbro ringcomplex (1?1?5 km) introducing Upper Jurassic sediments, Marlborough,New Zealand. The ultrabasic-gabbroic rocks contain lenses ofkaersutite pegmatite and sodic syenite pegmatite and are intrudedby ring dykes of titanaugite-ilmenite gabbro and lamprophyre.The margin of the intrusion is defined by a ring dyke of alkaligabbro. The plutonic rocks are cut by a swarm of hornblende-biotite-richlamprophyre dykes. Thermal metamorphism has converted the sedimentsto a hornfels ranging in grade from the albite-epidote hornfelsfacies to the upper limit of the hornblende hornfels facies. The rocks are nepheline normative and consist of olivine (Fo_82-74),endiopside (Ca₄₅Mg₄₈Fe₇-Ca₃₆Mg₅₅Fe₉), titanaugite (Ca₄₀Mg₅₀Fe₁₀-Ca₄₄Mg₃₉Fe₁₇),plagioclase (An_73-18), and ilmenitetitaniferous magnetite, withvarious amounts of titaniferous hornblende and titanbiotite.There is a complete gradation between end-iopside and titanaugitewith the coupled substitution R_y^+z+Si(Ti⁺⁴+Fe⁺³)+Al⁺³ and asympathetic increase in CaAl₂SiO₆ (0?2-10?2 percent) and CaTiAl₂O₆(2?1-8?1 per cent) with fractionation. Endiopside shows a small,progressive Mg enrichment along a trend subparallel to the CaMgSi₂O₆-Mg₂Si₂O₆boundary, and titanaugite is enriched in Ca and Fe⁺²+Fe⁺³ withdifferentiation. Oscillatory zoning between endiopside and titanaugiteis common. Exsolved ilmenite needles occur in the most Fe-richtitanaugites. The amphiboles show the trend: titaniferous hornblende(1?0–5?7 per cent TiO₂)kaersutite (6?4 per cent TiO₂)Fe-richhastingsite (18?0–19?1 per cent FeO as total Fe). Biotiteis high in TiO₂ (6?6–7?8 per cent). Ilmenite and titaniferousmagnetite (3?5–10?6 per cent TiO₂) are typically homogeneousgrains; their composition can be expressed in terms of R⁺²RO₃:R⁺²O:R₂⁺³O₄. The intrusion of igneous rocks was probably controlled by subterraneanring fracturing. Subsidence of the country rock within the ringfracture provided space for periodic injections of magma froma lower reservoir up the initial ring fracture to form the BlueMountain rocks at a higher level. Downward movement of the floorof the intrusion during crystallization caused inward slumpingof the cumulates which affected the textural, mineralogical,and chemical evolution of the rocks in different parts of theintrusion. The order of mineral fractionation is reflected by the chemicalvariation in the in situ ultrabasic-gabbroic rocks and the successiveintrusions of titanaugite-ilmenite gabbro and lamprophyre ringdykes, marginal alkali gabbro and lamprophyre dyke swarm. Aninitial decrease, then increase in SiO₂; a steady decrease inMgO, CaO, Ni, and Cr: an initial increase, then decrease inFeO+Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, MnO, and V; almost linear increase in Al₂O₃and late stage increase in alkalis and P₂O₃, implies fractionationof olivine and endiopside, followed by titanaugite and Fe-Tioxides, followed by plagioclase, hornblende, biotite, and apatite.Reversals in the composition of cumulus olivine and endiopsideand Solidification Index, indicate that the ultrabasic-gabbroicsequence is composed of four main injections of magma. The ultrabasic rocks crystallized under conditions of high PH₂Oand fairly high, constant P_O2; P_H2 and P_O2 increased duringthe formation of the gabbroic rocks until fracturing of thechamber roof occurred. The abundance of euhedral amphibole inthe latter injection phases suggests that amphibole accumulatedfrom a hydrous SiO₂ undersaturated magma when an increase inP_O2, stabilized its crystallization. Plutonic complexes similar to Blue Mountain are found withinand beneath the volcanic piles of many oceanic islands, e.g.Canaries, Reunion, and Tahiti, and those intruding thick sedimentarysequences, as at Blue Mountain, e.g. the pipe-like intrusionsof the Monteregian Hills, Quebec.     

Coexisting Amphiboles from Blueschist Facies Metamorphic Rocks

Four pairs of associated calcic and sodic amphiboles from blueschistfacies metamorphic rocks were analyzed with the electron microprobeand studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques.Except for ranges in the ratios Mg/(Mg+Fe) and Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺+Al+Ti),the sodic amphiboles are similar in chemical composition. Theamount of calcium in the M(4)-site ranges only from 0·18to 0·21 ion per formula unit. The calcic amphiboles,in addition to a range in Mg/(Mg+Fe), vary in Na/(Na+Ca) ratio(0·29–0·48). Three of the calcic amphibolescontain less than 1·5 calcium ions per formula unit,indicating a significant solid solution of sodic amphibole componentsin the calcic amphibole phase. The a and b unit-cell parametersof the calcic amphiboles decrease with increased content ofthe sodic component.     

Evolution and Genesis of Magmas from Vico Volcano, Central Italy: Multiple Differentiation Pathways and Variable Parental Magmas

Vico volcano has erupted potassic and ultrapotassic magmas,ranging from silica-saturated to silica-undersaturated types,in three distinct volcanic periods over the past 0·5Myr. During Period I magma compositions changed from latiteto trachyte and rhyolite, with minor phono-tephrite; duringPeriods II and III the erupted magmas were primarly phono-tephriteto tephri-phonolite and phonolite; however, magmatic episodesinvolving leucite-free eruptives with latitic, trachytic andolivine latitic compositions also occurred. In Period II, leucite-bearingmagmas (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_initial = 0·71037–0·71115)were derived from a primitive tephrite parental magma. Modellingof phonolites with different modal plagioclase and Sr contentsindicates that low-Sr phonolitic lavas differentiated from tephri-phonoliteby fractional crystallization of 7% olivine + 27% clinopyroxene+ 54% plagioclase + 10% Fe–Ti oxides + 4% apatite at lowpressure, whereas high-Sr phonolitic lavas were generated byfractional crystallization at higher pressure. More differentiatedphonolites were generated from the parental magma of the high-Srphonolitic tephra by fractional crystallization of 10–29%clinopyroxene + 12–15% plagioclase + 44–67% sanidine+ 2–4% phlogopite + 1–3% apatite + 7–10% Fe–Tioxides. In contrast, leucite-bearing rocks of Period III (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_initial= 0·70812–0·70948) were derived from a potassictrachybasalt by assimilation–fractional crystallizationwith 20–40% of solid removed and r = 0·4–0·5(where r is assimilation rate/crystallization rate) at differentpressures. Silica-saturated magmas of Period II (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_initial= 0·71044–0·71052) appear to have been generatedfrom an olivine latite similar to some of the youngest eruptedproducts. A primitive tephrite, a potassic trachybasalt andan olivine latite are inferred to be the parental magmas atVico. These magmas were generated by partial melting of a veinedlithospheric mantle sources with different vein–peridotite/wall-rockproportions, amount of residual apatite and distinct isolationtimes for the veins. KEY WORDS: isotope and trace element geochemistry; polybaric differentiation; veined mantle; potassic and ultrapotassic rocks; Vico volcano; central Italy     

Low-Pressure Experimental Constraints on the Evolution of Komatiites

Melting experiments were performed on a komatiitic basalt with17 wt% MgO from Munro Township, Ontario, at I-atm pressure andan oxygen fugacity controlled approximately to the fayalite-magnetite-quartzbuffer. The experiments showed that olivine appears at 1344±5°C,spinel at 1334±6°C plagioclase at 1185±5°C,augite at 1176±5°C and pigeonite at 1154±6°C.Compositionally, olivine varies from Fo₉₀ to Fo₇₄ and displaysan average K^Fe/Mg_D (ol/liq) of 0•32. The spinels are chromitesand chromian spinels with Mg/(Mg + Fe²⁺) ratios between 0•66and 0•;32, which show a marked correlation with meltingtemperature. The pyroxenes show an average K^Fe/Mg_D (px/liq)of 0•26, identical for augite and pigeonite. Plagiodaseranges compositionally between An₈₂ and An₇₂ Plotted in thepseudo-quaternary basalt phase diagram, the liquid line of descentis similar to that observed for quartz tholeiitic magmas. Therefore,the low-pressure, late-stage evolution products of komatiiteand basaltic komatiite parental magmas will chemically and mineralogicallybe ferrobasaltic quartz tholeiites. High-temperature and high-pressuremodeling suggests that the main observed compositional variationof Munro komatiites can be explained by low-pressure crystalfractionation and accumulation of olivine into komatiite liquidswith below 21•5–23•5 wt% MgO and eruptive temperaturesbelow 1435–1465°C for oxygen fugacities between thefayalite-magnetite quartz (FMQ) and iron-wiistite (IW) buffers.The maximum magnesium content of liquid komatiites, assumingequilibrium Fo₉₄ olivine, is 27–29 wt% MgO and eruptivetemperatures are between 1515 and 1540°C. KEY WORDS: komatiites; experimental petrology; Munro Township; Ontario     

Transition from the Zeolite to Prehnite-Pumpellyite Facies in the Karmutsen Metabasites, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

The upper Triassic Karmutsen metabasites from northeast VancouverIsland, B.C., are thermally metamorphosed by the intrusion ofthe Coast Range Batholith. The amygdaloidal metabasites developedin the outer portion of the contact aureole show a progressivemetamorphism from zeolite to prehnite-pumpellyite facies. Thesize of an equilibrium domain is extremely small for these metabasites,and the individual amygdule assemblages are assumed to be inequilibrium. Two major calcite-free assemblages (+chlorite+quartz)are characteristic: (i) laumontite+pumpellyite+epidote in thezeolite facies and (ii) prehnite+pumpellyite+epidote in theprehnite-pumpellyite facies. The assemblages and compositionsof Ca-Al silicates are chemographically and theoretically interpretedon the basis of the predicted P-T grid for the model basalticsystem, CaO-MgO-A1₂O₃-Fe₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O. The results indicate:(1) local equilibrium has been approached in mineral assemblagesand compositions; (2) the X_Fe³⁺ values in the coexisting Ca-Alsilicates decrease from epidote, through pumpellyite to prehnite;(3) with increasing metamorphic grade, the Fe³⁺ contents ofepidotes in reaction assemblages decrease in the zeolite facies,then increase in the prehnite-pumpellyite facies rocks. Suchvariations in the assemblages and mineral compositions are controlledby a sequence of continuous and discontinuous reactions, andallow delineation of T-X_Fe³⁺ relations at constant pressure.The transition from the zeolite to prehnite-pumpellyite faciesof the Karmutsen metabasites is defined by a discontinuous reaction:0·18 laumontite+pumpellyite+0·15 quartz = 1·31prehnite+ 0·78 epidote+0·2 chlorite+ 1·72H₂O, where the X_Fe³⁺ values of prehnite, pumpellyite and epidoteare 0·03, 0·10 and 0·18, respectively.These values together with available thermodynamic data andour preliminary experimental data are used to calculate theP-T condition for the discontinuous reaction as P = 1·1±0·5 kb and T = 190±30°C. The effectsof pressure on the upper stability of the zeolite facies assemblagesare discussed utilizing T-X_Fe³⁺ diagrams. The stability of thelaumontite-bearing assemblages for the zeolite facies metamorphismof basaltic rocks may be defined by either continuous or discontinuousreactions depending on the imposed metamorphic field gradient.Hence, the zeolite and prehnite-pumpellyite facies transitionboundary is multivariant.     

Cr-Saturation Arrays in Concentrate Garnet Compositions from Kimberlite and their Use in Mantle Barometry

The spinel–garnet transition in Cr/Al-enriched peridotiticbulk compositions is known from experimental investigationsto occur at 20–70 kbar, within the pressure range sampledby kimberlites. We show that the Cr₂O₃–CaO compositionsof concentrate garnets from kimberlite have maximum Cr/Ca arrayscharacterized by Cr₂O₃/CaO 0·96–0·81, andinterpret the arrays as primary evidence of chromite–garnetcoexistence in Cr-rich harzburgitic or lherzolitic bulk compositionsderived from depth within the lithosphere. Under Cr-saturatedconditions on a known geotherm, each Cr/Ca array implicitlydelineates an isobar inside a garnet Cr₂O₃–CaO diagram.This simplification invites a graphical approach to calibratean empirical Cr/Ca-in-pyrope barometer. Carbonaceous chromite–garnetharzburgite xenoliths from the Roberts Victor kimberlite tightlybracket a graphite–diamond constraint (GDC) located atCr₂O₃ = 0·94CaO + 5·0 (wt %), representing a pivotalcalibration corresponding to 43 kbar on a 38 mW/m² conductivegeotherm. Additional calibration points are established at 14,17·4 and 59·1 kbar by judiciously projecting garnetcompositions from simple-system experiments onto the same geotherm.The garnet Cr/Ca barometer is then simply formulated as follows(in wt %):

if Cr₂O₃ 0·94CaO + 5, then P₃₈ (kbar) = 26·9+ 3·22Cr₂O₃ – 3·03CaO, or

if Cr₂O₃ <0·94CaO + 5, then P₃₈ (kbar) = 9·2+ 36[(Cr₂O₃+ 1·6)/(CaO + 7·02)].

A small correction to P₃₈ values, applicable for 35–48mW/m² conductive geotherms, is derived empirically by requiringconventional thermobarometry results and garnet concentratecompositions to be consistent with the presence of diamondsin the Kyle Lake kimberlite and their absence in the Zero kimberlite.We discuss application of the P₃₈ barometer to estimate (1)real pressures in the special case where chromite–garnetcoexistence is known, (2) minimum pressures in the general casewhere Cr saturation is unknown, and (3) the maximum depth ofdepleted lithospheres, particularly those underlying Archaeancratons. A comparison with the P_Cr barometer of Ryan et al.(1996, Journal of Geophysical Research 101, 5611–5625)shows agreement with P₃₈ at 55 ± 2 kbar, and 6–12%higher P_Cr values at lower P₃₈. Because the P_Cr formulationsystematically overestimates the 43 kbar value of the GDC by2–6 kbar, we conclude that the empirical Cr/Ca-in-garnetbarometer is preferred for all situations where conductive geothermsintersect the graphite–diamond equilibrium. KEY WORDS: Cr-pyrope; chromite; P₃₈ barometer; mantle petrology; lithosphere thickness     

Composition of chromites from kimberlites of the Botuobinskaya pipe in Yakutia

A representative collection (138 analyses) of chromites from kimberlites of the Botuobinskaya pipe in Yakutia was studied. With allowance for the Cr, Ti, and Al contents, the chromites are subdivided into the low-Cr aluminous group A and the high-Cr and high-Ti group B. The chromites of group A with their compositional variations controlled by the Al³⁺-Cr³⁺ isomorphism are not related to kimberlite in composition and reveal attributes of restites. The chromites of group B with heterovalent Ti⁴⁺ + Fe²⁺ + Fe³⁺-3Cr³⁺ isomorphism vary in their composition in line with the compositional variations of kimberlites, thus demonstrating their primary magmatic origin. The chromites of the second group crystallized simultaneously with olivines from kimberlites, and both minerals could have formed nodules of spinel dunite.     

Formation of Wollastonite by Chemically Reactive Fluid Flow During Contact Metamorphism, Mt. Morrison Pendant, Sierra Nevada, California, USA

Quartz–calcite sandstones experienced the reaction calcite+ quartz = wollastonite + CO₂ during prograde contact metamorphismat P = 1500 bars and T = 560°C. Rocks were in equilibriumduring reaction with a CO₂–H₂O fluid with XCO₂ = 0·14.The transition from calcite-bearing, wollastonite-free to wollastonite-bearing,calcite-free rocks across the wollastonite isograd is only severalmillimeters wide. The wollastonite-forming reaction was drivenby infiltration of quartz–calcite sandstone by chemicallyreactive H₂O-rich fluids, and the distribution of wollastonitedirectly images the flow paths of reactive fluids during metamorphism.The mapped distribution of wollastonite and modeling of an O-isotopeprofile across a lithologic contact indicate that the principaldirection of flow was layer-parallel, directed upward, withany cross-layer component of flow <0·1% of the layer-parallelcomponent. Fluid flow was channeled at a scale of 1–100m by pre-metamorphic dikes, thrust and strike-slip faults, foldhinges, bedding, and stratigraphic contacts. Limits on the amountof fluid, based on minimum and maximum estimates for the displacementof the wollastonite reaction front from the fluid source, are(0·7–1·9) x 10⁵ cm³ fluid/cm² rock. Thesharpness of the wollastonite isograd, the consistency of mineralthermobarometry, the uniform measured ¹⁸O–¹⁶O fractionationsbetween quartz and calcite, and model calculations all arguefor a close approach to local mineral–fluid equilibriumduring the wollastonite-forming reaction. KEY WORDS: contact metamorphism, fluid flow, wollastonite, oxygen isotopes, reaction front     

A Clinopyroxene Paragenesis of Albite--Epidote--Amphibolite Facies in Meta-Syenites from the South-East Tauern Window, Austria

Mineral assemblages and textures are described from clinopyroxene-bearingmeta-syenites and related rocks from a small area in the PenninicBasement Complex of the south-east Tauern Window. Evidence from mineral textures, mineral compositions and geobarometryindicate that the clinopyroxene, a sodic salite, crystallizedas part of an equilibrium albite-epidote-amphibolite faciesparagenesis in the 35–40 Ma meso-Alpine metamorphic event.Phase relations in co-facial quartz + albite + K-feldspar +sphene-bearing meta-syenites and meta-granites are examinedusing a projection from these minerals onto the plane (A1₂O₃+ Fe₂O₃)-CaO-(MgO + FeO + MnO). The projection demonstratesthat salitic clinopyroxene can only be a stable phase in suchrocks if the bulk-rock Al/Na + K ratios are low. This is confirmedby comparing the whole-rock analyses of clinopyroxene-bearingmeta-syenites with those of clinopyroxene-free meta-syenitesand meta-granites. Mineral assemblages in a variety of lithologies from the south-eastTauern Window are used to construct a generalized AKM diagramfor magnesian albite + epidote + quartz-bearing rocks of thealbite-epidote-amphibolite facies. Thermochemical calculations indicate that the meta-syeniteswere metamorphosed at temperatures close to 500 C and at a pressureof 6+2 –4 kb. Fluids in equilibrium with meta-syeniteand meta-granite mineral assemblages had X_H2O values of 0–95,assuming X_H2O + X_CO2O= 1.0.     

Melting and Thermal Reconstitution of Pelitic Xenoliths, Wehr Volcano, East Eifel, West Germany

Pelitic xenoliths derived from amphibolite grade basement rocksoccur within a Pleistocene, trachytic, pyroclastic unit of theWehr volcano, East Eifel, West Germany: With increasing temperatureand/or prolonged heating at high temperature, quartz-plagioclaseand micaceous layers of the xenoliths have undergone meltingto form buchites and thermal reconstitution by dehydration reactions,melting and crystallization to form restites respectively. Thexenoliths provide detailed evidence of melting, high temperaturedecomposition of minerals, nucleation and growth of new phasesand P-T-f_o2 conditions of contact metamorphism of basement rocksby the Wehr magma. Melting begins at quartz-oligoclase (An_17·3Ab_82·3Or_0·4-An_20·0Ab_78·1Or_1·9)grain boundaries in quartz-plagioclase rich layers and the amountof melting is controlled by H₂O and alkalis released duringdehydroxylation/oxidation of associated micas. Initially, glasscompositions are heterogeneous, but with increasing degreesof melting they become more homogeneous and are similar to S-typegranitic minimum melts with SiO₂ between 71 and 77 wt. per cent;A/(CNK) ratios of 1·2–1·4; Na₂O < 2·95and normative corundum contents of 1·9–4·0per cent. Near micas plagioclase melts by preferential dissolutionof the NaAlSi₃O₈ component accompanied by a simultaneous increasein CaAl²Si²O⁸ (up to 20 mol. per cent An higher than the bulkplagioclase composition) at the melting edge. With increasingtemperature the end product of fractional melting is the formationand persistence of refractory bytownite (An_78–80) in thosexenoliths where extensive melting has taken place. Initial stage decomposition of muscovite involves dehydroxylation(H₂O and alkali loss). At higher temperatures muscovite breaksdown to mullite, sillimanite, corundum, sanidine and a peraluminousmelt. Mullite (40–43 mol. per cent SiO₂) and sillimanite(49 mol. per cent SiO₂) are Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂ rich (up to 6·1–0·84and 3·6–0·24 wt. per cent respectively).Al-rich mullite (up to 77 wt. per cent Al₂O₃) occurs with corundumwhich has high Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂ (up to 6·9 and 2·1wt. per cent respectively). Annealing at high temperatures andreducing conditions results in the exsolution of mullite fromsillimanite and ilmenite from corundum. Glass resulting fromthe melting of muscovite in the presence of quartz is peraluminous(A/(CNK) = 1·3) with SiO² contents of 66–69 percent and normative corundum of 4 per cent. Sanidine (An_1·9Ab_26·0Or_72·1-An_1·3Ab_15·9Or_82·9)crystallized from the melt. Dehydroxylation and oxidation of biotite results in a decreaseof K₂O from 8·6 to less than 1 wt. per cent and oxidetotals (less H₂O + contents) from 96·5 to 88·6,exsolution of Al-magnetite, and a decrease in the Fe/(Fe + Mg)ratio from 0·41 to 0·17. Partial melting of biotitein the presence of quartz/plagioclase to pleonaste, Al-Ti magnetite,sanidine(An_2·0Ab_34·9Or63·1) and melt takesplace at higher temperatures. Glass in the vicinity of meltedbiotite is pale brown and highly peraluminous (A/CNK = 2·1)with up to 6 wt. per cent MgO+FeO_{(total iroq)} and up to 10 percent normative corundum. Near liquidus biotite with higher Al₂O₃and TiO₂ than partially melted biotite crystallized from themelt. Ti-rich biotites (up to 6 wt. per cent TiO₂) occur withinthe restite layers of thermally reconstituted xenoliths. Meltingof Ti-rich biotite and sillimanite in contact with the siliceousmelt of the buchite parts of xenoliths resulted in the formationof cordierite (100 Mg/(Mg+Fe+Mn) = 76·5–69·4),Al-Ti magnetite and sanidine, and development of cordierite/quartzintergrowths into the buchite melt. Growth of sanidine enclosedrelic Ca-plagioclase to form patchy intergrowths in the restitelayers. Cordierite (100 Mg/(Mg+Fe+Mn) = 64–69), quartz,sillimanite, mullite, magnetite and ilmenite, crystallized fromthe peraluminous buchite melt. Green-brown spinels of the pleonaste-magnetite series have awide compositional variation of (mol. per cent) FeAl₂O₄—66·6–45·0;MgAl₂O₄—53·0–18·7; Fe₃O₄—6·9–28·1;MnAl₂O₄—1·2–1·5; Fe₂TiO₄—0·6–6·2.Rims are generally enriched in the Fe₃O₄ component as a resultof oxidation. Compositions of ilmenite and magnetite (single,homogeneous and composite grains) are highly variable and resultfrom varying degrees of high temperature oxidation that is associatedwith dehydroxylation of micas and melting. Oxidation mainlyresults in increasing Fe³⁺, Al and decreasing Ti⁴⁺, Fe²⁺ inilmenite, and increasing Fe²⁺, Ti⁴⁺ and decreasing Fe³⁺ in associatedmagnetite. A higher degree of oxidation is reached with exsolutionof rutile from ilmenite and formation of titanhematite and withexsolution of pleonaste from magnetite. Ti-Al rich magnetite(5·1–7·5 and 8·5–13·5wt. per cent respectively) and ilmenite crystallized from meltsin buchitic parts of the xenoliths. Chemical and mineralogic evidence indicates that even with extensivemelting the primary compositions of individual layers in thexenoliths remained unmodified. Apparently the xenoliths didnot remain long enough at high temperatures for desilicationand enrichment in Al₂O₃, TiO₂, FeO, Fe₂O₃, and MgO that resultsby removal of a ‘granitic’ melt, and/or by interactionwith the magma, to occur. T °C-f_o2 values calculated from unoxidized magnetite/ilmenitegive temperatures ranging from 615–710°C for contactmetamorphism and the beginning of melting, and between 873 and1054°C for the crystallization of oxides and mullite/sillimanitefrom high temperature peraluminous melts. f_o2 values of metamorphismand melting were between the Ni-NiO and Fe₂O₃-Fe₃O₄ buffer curves.The relative abundance of xenolith types, geophysical evidenceand contact metamorphic mineralogy indicates that the xenolithswere derived from depths corresponding to between 2–3kb P_load = P_fluid. The xenoliths were erupted during the latestphreatomagmatic eruption from the Wehr volcano which resultedin vesiculation of melts in partially molten xenoliths causingfragmentation and disorientation of solid restite layers.