Pyroxenes of the Khibiny alkaline pluton, Kola Peninsula

Seven pyroxene varieties were identified in nepheline syenites and foidolites of the Khibiny pluton: enstatite, ferrosilite, diopside, hedenbergite, augite, aegirine-augite, and aegirine. Enstatite and augite are typical of alkaline and ultramafic rocks of dike series. Ferrosilite was found in country quartzitic hornfels. Diopside is a rock-forming mineral in alkaline and ultramafic rocks, alkali gabbroids, hornfels in xenoliths of volcanic and sedimentary rocks and foyaite, melteigite-urtite that assimilate them, and certain hydrothermal pegmatite veins. Hedenbergite was noted in hornfels from xenoliths of volcanic and sedimentary rocks and in a hydrothermal pegmatite vein at Mount Eveslogchorr. Aegirine-augite is the predominant pyroxene in all types of nepheline syenites, phonolites and tinguaites, foidolites, alkaline and ultramafic rocks of dike series, fenitized wall rocks surrounding the pluton, and xenoliths of Devonian volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Aegirine is an abundant primary or, more often, secondary mineral in nepheline syenites, foidolites, and hydrothermal pegmatite veins. It occurs as separate crystals, outer zones of diopside and aegirine-augite crystals, and homoaxial pseudomorphs after Na-Ca amphiboles. Microprobe analyses of 265 pyroxenes samples allowed us to distinguish ten principal trends of isomorphic replacement and corresponding typomorphic features of pyroxenes. Compositional variations in clinopyroxenes along the sampled 35-km profile from the margin of the Khibiny pluton to its center confirm the symmetric zoning of the foyaite pluton relative to semicircular faults of the Minor Arc and the Main (Central) Ring marked by Devonian volcanic and sedimentary rocks, foidolites, and related metasomatic rocks (rischorrite, albitite, and aegirinite). Changes in the composition of pyroxenes are explained mainly by the redistribution of elements between coexisting minerals of foyaites in the process of their intense differentiation under the effect of foidolite melts that have intruded into the circular fault zones.     

江西九瑞矿集区南港成矿远景区煌斑岩中辉石矿物成分特征与岩浆演化过程

九瑞矿集区隶属于长江中下游铜-铁-金成矿带,该矿集区内主要发育有武山、城门山、洋鸡山、丁家山等大中型铜金多金属矿床。区内的南港成矿远景预测区位于横立山-黄桥向斜的南翼,地质条件与该向斜北翼的武山铜矿基本一致。本文以南港地区发现的煌斑岩为研究对象,对其中的辉石进行了详细的岩相学和电子探针成分分析工作,来探讨煌斑岩的演化过程及岩石成因。测试结果显示,南港煌斑岩中的辉石,具有高Ca、高Mg,低Ti,贫Al、贫Fe的特点。斑晶中的辉石属于透辉石和普通辉石,基质中的辉石则属于普通辉石。辉石斑晶的viAl和Na2O含量很低,指示其形成压力较小。由早到晚从斑晶到基质,辉石向着富铁富钙的方向演化。辉石发育有反环带及韵律环带,显示在岩浆房中可能受到过岩浆混合作用的影响。辉石的矿物化学特征指示南港煌斑岩属碱性岩石系列。     

The crystallization of pyroxenes and amphiboles in some alkaline rocks and the presence of a pyroxene compositional gap

Ca- and Na-rich pyroxene-amphibole compositions and textures from a range of felsic alkaline rocks have been studied in detail. The data indicate that in a single sample, when amphibole crystallizes, a gap is observed between Ca- and Na-rich pyroxene compositions. This break in composition is analogous to Aoki's (1964) immiscibility gap between Ca-and Na-rich pyroxenes and can be overlooked when considering pyroxene compositions from a suite of rocks. The role of volatiles in governing the stability and composition of amphiboles is discussed. The presence of late crystallizing Na-rich pyroxene is related to the development of peralkinity in the late-stage melts.On extrusion, many alkaline rocks lose their volatiles and amphibole is absent. In these rocks complete zoning from Ca-rich to Na-rich pyroxene compositions are observed within the one sample.     

A parameterized model for REE distribution between low-Ca pyroxene and basaltic melts with applications to REE partitioning in low-Ca pyroxene along a mantle adiabat and during pyroxenite-derived melt and peridotite interaction

Low-Ca pyroxenes play an important role in mantle melting, melt-rock reaction, and magma differentiation processes. In order to better understand REE fractionation during adiabatic mantle melting and pyroxenite-derived melt and peridotite interaction, we developed a parameterized model for REE partitioning between low-Ca pyroxene and basaltic melts. Our parameterization is based on the lattice strain model and a compilation of published experimental data, supplemented by a new set of trace element partitioning experiments for low-Ca pyroxenes produced by pyroxenite-derived melt and peridotite interaction. To test the validity of the assumptions and simplifications used in the model development, we compared model-derived partition coefficients with measured partition coefficients for REE between orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene in well-equilibrated peridotite xenoliths. REE partition coefficients in low-Ca pyroxene correlate negatively with temperature and positively with both calcium content on the M2 site and aluminum content on the tetrahedral site of pyroxene. The strong competing effect between temperature and major element compositions of low-Ca pyroxene results in very small variations in REE partition coefficients in orthopyroxene during adiabatic mantle melting when diopside is in the residue. REE partition coefficients in orthopyroxene can be treated as constants at a given mantle potential temperature during decompression melting of lherzolite and diopside-bearing harzburgite. In the absence of diopside, partition coefficients of light REE in orthopyroxene vary significantly, and such variations should be taken into consideration in geochemical modeling of REE fractionation in clinopyroxene-free harzburgite. Application of the parameterized model to low-Ca pyroxenes produced by reaction between pyroxenite-derived melt and peridotite revealed large variations in the calculated REE partition coefficients in the low-Ca pyroxenes. Temperature and composition of starting pyroxenite must be considered when selecting REE partition coefficients for pyroxenite-derived melt and peridotite interaction.     

Morphology and internal structure of the Kola Alkaline intrusions,NE Fennoscandian Shield: 3D density modelling and geological implications

The Kola Alkaline Province in the northeastern Fennoscandian Shield comprises the world’s biggest agpaitic region consisting of the Khibina and Lovozero agpaitic complexes in addition to numerous carbonatite intrusions. Gravity data were used to create 3D models of the deep structure of these alkaline complexes down to the upper crustal level. Computer modelling was used for data analysis and presentation.The obtained data give strong evidence for the different internal structures of the Khibina and the Lovozero complexes. Both complexes at deeper levels are suggested to be composed not only of agpaitic nepheline syenites, but also of alkaline ultramafic rocks. The total volume of peridotite, foidite and melilitic rocks which form the lower zones of these two plutons range from 20 to 30% of their total volume. The Khibina and the Lovozero complexes have no common magma conduits within the uppermost crustal levels.Carbonatite intrusions of the Kola Peninsula form (i) subvertical lens-shaped igneous bodies, (ii) lopolith-like subsurface bodies with thin conduits, (iii) subvertical concentric bodies widening downwards which are suggested to represent the upper parts of large alkaline ultrabasic intrusions. The results support the idea of the uniform vertical zonality of carbonatite intrusions which may have had initially uniform magmatic reservoirs. Originally, the shape of the magma chambers for the carbonatite intrusions was close to a lens-like symmetric stock body 16–18 km in height with a vertical length/maximum diameter ratio close to 2:1. Differences in the on-surface structure of the carbonatite intrusions mostly depend on the level of erosion of the magma chambers. Comparative analysis of the morphology and internal structure of carbonatite intrusions have shown varying levels of erosion in different parts of the Kola Peninsula. This leads to the conclusion that the Precambrian crust, together with enclosed carbonatite intrusions, has undergone nonuniform erosion since the time of late Devonian alkaline magmatism. The southern part of the Kola basement appears to be the most eroded portion of northeastern Fennoscandia whereas the western and northwestern shield areas experienced less uplift since the time of the late Devonian alkaline magmatism.     

Distribution of REE and other trace elements between phenocrysts and peralkaline undersaturated magmas, exemplified by rocks from the Gardar igneous province, south Greenland

Partition coefficients for iron-rich olivine and pyroxene, sanidine, nepheline and apatite are reported from peralkaline trachytic to phonolitic dyke rocks and the agpaitic Ilímaussaq intrusion. Partition coefficients for many elements in olivine and pyroxene decrease with increasing peralkalinity and undersaturation of the magma, i.e. with decreasing polymerisation. The REE partition coefficients for olivine and pyroxene also show dependence on the mineral chemistry, i.e. the iron content. Probably due to the larger lattice sites in the iron end-members the heavy REEs enter the small six-coordinated lattice sites with increasing ease as the iron content of the mineral increases. La and Ce partition coefficients for apatite increase with increasing peralkalinity; this condition seems to stabilise a Na-REE-phosphate component in the mineral.     

Geochemistry of Early Cretaceous Alkaline Ultramafic-Mafic Complex from Jasra, Karbi Anglong, Shillong Plateau, Northeastern India

An early Cretaceous alkaline ultramafic-mafic complex is emplaced within the Proterozoic rocks of Shillong plateau at Jasra, Karbi Anglong district of Assam. It is associated to the fracture system of Barapani-Tyrsad shear zone, Kopali faults, and Um Ngot lineaments and mainly comprises pyroxenite, gabbro and nepheline syenite. Few small mafic dykes, emplaced within pyroxenitic and granitic plutons, are also reported. No such dyke is reported to cut gabbros or nepheline syenites. Nepheline syenites occur either in the form of small dykes in pyroxenites or as differentiated bodies in the gabbros. Mineralogical and chemical composition of pyroxenite and gabbro clearly indicate their affinity to the alkaline magmatism. Syenitic samples show miaskitic character (agpaitic index <1), also indicates affinity with alkaline-carbonatite magmatism. Calcite is encountered in a number of pyroxenite samples. From the presented petrological and geochemical data it is difficult to establish any significant genetic relationship through simple differentiation process between these rocks. These data probably suggest that these rocks are derived from a primary carbonatite magma, generated by the low-degree melting of a metasomatized mantle peridotite. CO₂ released by this process also progressively metasomatizes the lherzolite to an alkaline wehrlite and melts derived from alkaline wehrlite (ultrabasic alkaline silicate magma) may be responsible for crystallization of Jasra alkaline ultramafic-mafic rocks.     

Geochemical Evolution and Unusual Pyroxene Chemistry of the MD Tholeiite Dyke Swarm from the Archaean Craton of Southern West Greenland

The MD dyke swarm is composed of four generations of large basictholeiite dykes which cut the entire Archaean craton of southernWest Greenland. The four successive generations (MD1, MD2, MD3a,MD3b) are characterized by their orientation and cross-cuttingrelationships and by their mineralogy, texture and progressivelyevolved tholeiitic chemistry. Rare-earth element (REE) abundancessuggest that the dykes may have a fairly complex petrogeneticevolution. The suite varies from early (MD1) heteradcumulatenorites to ophitic and sub-ophitic gabbroic and doleritic rocks(MD2 and MD3) and the youngest generation (MD3b) comprises plagioclase-phyricdolerites. The pyroxene chemistry parallels the geochemical evolution ofthe dykes showing an overall Fe-enrichment trend. However, theclinopyroxenes are enigmatic in that, although they occur predominantlyas part of medium and coarse-grained holocrystalline textures,they are chemically highly variable and calcium-poor, many plottingin the metastable field in the system MgSiO₃ (En)-CaSiO₃ (Wo)-FeSiO₃(Fs). Many individual grains are extremely complex and may beregularly or irregularly zoned. Along with more typical pyroxene forms, the MD1 dykes containpyroxene dendrites poikilitically enclosed by plagioclase. Thedendrites vary compositionally from hypersthene bases to branchesof pigeonite and subcalcic augite and terminate in augite branchtips. The MD2 and MD3a dyke pyroxenes are the most complex.The majority of them are sub-ophitic grains, many with successivezones of orthopyroxene, pigeonite, subcalcic augite, augiteand ferroaugite. However, Ca-enrichment or Ca-depletion, Fe-enrichmentor Fe-depletion and apparently opposing zoning trends can occurin neighbouring grains. Even small interstitial pyroxenes showa very wide range of compositions. Morphologically unusual andcomplex clinopyroxene ‘cylinders’ occur in someof the MD3a dykes. They are chemically relatively uniform andare normal tholeiitic augites. The MD3b rocks have small concentricallyzoned sub-ophitic pyroxenes which show Ca-enrichment with arelatively constant Fs component (29 to 39 mol. per cent). Themost extremely zoned grains have hypersthene cores with successivecoronas of pigeonite and subcalcic augite and have margins ofaugite or ferroaugite. The present ‘coexistence’of such compositionally widely variable pyroxenes and the extremeand often irregular nature of their chemical zoning make thedetermination of true original coexisting pyroxene phases andthe use of a two pyroxene geothermometer very difficult andof limited significance. The presence of a wide variety of pyroxenes of apparently bothstable and metastable compositions in these holocrystallinedykes suggests that these rocks have undergone a complex andrather unusual cooling history. The principal genetic factorswhich could have influenced their crystallization are (1) supercooling,(2) the evolution of discrete interstitial liquid cells, (3)augite-pigeonite peritectic reactions and (4) plagioclase growthand delay of pyroxene nucleation during supercooling of liquidto below the basalt liquidus.     

Compositional dependence of the coexisting pyroxene iron-magnesium distribution coefficient

Iron-magnesium distribution coefficients for coexisting ortho- and clinopyroxene in 22 amphibolites from the New Jersey Precambrian Highlands range from 1.40 to 1.90. No systematic areal variation of the distribution coefficient is discernable within a 700 mi² area. The distribution coefficient is, however, systematically related to pyroxene composition. The distribution coefficient tends to increase with increasing pyroxene weight % FeO (Fe as FeO) and decrease with increasing MgO and Al₂O₃. Data from other workers indicates that the distribution coefficient versus pyroxene composition trends found in the Highlands amphibolites are also present in both igneous and metamorphic rock suites from several other areas. Possible influence of pyroxene CaO on the distribution coefficient is also indicated. The Highlands amphibolite type trends are, however, directly opposite to those previously reported for Australian granulites. Both types of trends are apparently valid since both are present in at least one instance in metamorphic rocks from a relatively small area. The causes for the development of the two types of trends are imperfectly understood. Data presented indicates, however, that the New Jersey amphibolite type trends are apparently more characteristic of Fe-poor pyroxenes, whereas, the Australian granulite type trends are more characteristic of Fe-rich pyroxenes.The distribution coefficient in the Highlands amphibolites is also systematically related to bulk-rock composition due to the sympathetic variation of pyroxene Fe-Mg content with total rock MgO/FeO(Fe as FeO). The observed range of the distribution coefficient in the Highlands amphibolites may, consequently, mostly reflect variation in bulk-rock composition and not variation in crystallization temperature.     

Quantitative Untersuchungen mit der Elektronen-Mikrosonde an Pyroxenen aus Basalten und Peridotit-Einschlüssen

The chemical composition of the pyroxenes and olivines of 12 basaltic rocks and 5 lherzolite nodules was determined quantitatively by electron micro-probe analysis. The composition of the pyroxenes depends on the type of basalt in which they occur. Tholeiitic basalts with normative quartz contain three pyroxenes: orthorombic pyroxenes, pigeonites and augites. All pyroxene phases are zoned and do not show any exsolution. Their Ti and Al contents (Ca-Tschermaks and Ti-augite molecules) are small. All pyroxene phases were formed under disequilibrium with each other and with the melt because of rapid quenching. The sequence of crystallization: orthopyroxene—pigeonite—augite could be established by their Cr content.The alkali olivine basalts undersatured in SiO₂ and the olivine nephelinites are characterized by Ti and Al-rich clinopyroxenes. The distribution of Ti and Al in the pyroxenes of the alkali olivine basalts shows a differentiation trend from the cores of the phenocrysts to their outer zones and to the crystals of the ground mass. Thereby the Ca-Tschermaks molecule is being replaced more and more by the Ti-augite molecule. The Ti content of the pyroxenes of the olivine nephelinites decreases in the last stage of differentiation because simultaneously increasing amounts of titaniferous magnetite crystallize.The pyroxenes of lherzolite peridotite nodules are characterized by high Al and low Ti contents which differ according to the type of basalt (alkali olivine basalt or olivine nephelinite) in which the nodules occur. The homogeneous distribution of the elements within the single grains indicates crystallization under equlibrium conditions. The conditions of their formation are comparable to those of Al-pyroxene peridotites in the upper mantle. The composition of pyroxenes of early accumulates of alkali basaltic melts differ from those of peridotite nodules. Therefore lherzolite nodules can be taken as residues of deeper peridotite masses.     

Clinopyroxenes and Coexisting Mafic Minerals from the Alkaline Ilimaussaq Intrusion, South Greenland

The Ilímaussaq intrusion consists of an augite syeniteshell and a central cumulitic series of layered peralkaline(agpaitic) nepheline syenites with both roof and bottom cumulates.Microprobe analyses of the strongly zoned mafics show that thepyroxenes range from ferro-salite through hedenbergite to aegirine,the amphiboles from hastingsite through katophorite to arfvedsonite,and the olivines from Fo_16.8 to F_O0.2. Aenigmatite analysesare also presented. The crystal chemistry of the pyroxenes isdiscussed in detail. The behaviour of the various elements isdiscussed in relation to the conditions in the coexisting magma.The relation between oxygen fugacity and silica activity andthe stability of fayalite and Na-poor pyroxenes in over-andundersaturated magmas is considered. The persistent stabilityof these minerals in the strongly undersaturated Ilimaussaqmagma shows that the oxygen fugacities in Ilímaussaqwere lower than in any other known alkaline suites. Based onthe compositional development in the mafic minerals it is inferredthat the intrusion formed from at least three separate pulsesof successively more differentiated magma: (1) an augite syenitemagma congealed inwards from the sides, (2) a peralkaline undersaturatedmagma gave rise to the roof cumulates which congealed successivelydownwards. The differentiating magma was water-undersaturatedand underwent depletion in Mg and enrichment in Zr and Na. Thecontemporaneous bottom cumulates are hidden beneath the nowvisible bottom cumulates which possess a still more differentiatedliquidus mineral assemblage and are ascribed to a third separatemagma pulse.     

The Zoned Clinopyroxenes of the Shiant Isles Sill, Scotland

The zoned clinopyroxenes in samples from a near-vertical sectionthrough the main Shiant Isles sill have been studied using theelectron microprobe. In terms of Ca: Mg: Fe the over-all fractionationtrend is much greater than had been believed from bulk pyroxeneanalyses and is of a distinctive calcic augite-hedenbergitetype. In this respect it differs from both the augite-ferroaugiteand salite-aegirine trends generally regarded as typical oftholeiitic and alkaline basic magmas respectively, and it isproposed that this trend represents a third major type typicalof mildly alkaline basic magmas. The Al, Ti, and Na contentsof the pyroxenes are dependent on the degree of fractionationas represented by Mg/(Mg+Fe) and it is suggested that the Aland Ti contents are controlled by the Ti content of the liquidand the crystallization of titaniferous magnetite whereas theentry of Na into the pyroxene as aegirine is dependent on theactivity of Fe³⁺ in the liquid. To provide a basis for discussion of the crystallization ofthe zoned clinopyroxenes the existing petrogenetic hypothesesfor the Shiant Isles sill are reviewed and a new model proposedfor its emplacement and differentiation. It is concluded thatthe differences between the pyroxenes of the mildly alkalineShiant Isles sill and those of more strongly alkaline basicmagmas result from fundamental chemical differences in the magma.The lower Ca contents of the early pyroxenes are due to theslightly higher Si activity of the magma and the subsequenttrend towards hedenbergite rather than aegirine is due to crystallizationunder conditions of relatively lower oxygen fugacity, probablyas a result of lower initial H₂O content of the magma.     

Pyroxene geothermometry of some granulite facies rocks

Wood-and-Banno temperatures for the coexisting pyroxenes of equilibrated metamorphic rocks in the hornblende granulite subfaoies fall in the range 780–860° C. Minimum temperature estimates for granulites include 760–790 °C, from the dehydration of hornblende to an orthopyroxene assemblage, and about 800 °C, from other evidence. The pyroxene temperatures are generally consistent with these temperature estimates, and are certainly not too low or more than 50 ° too high. Pyroxene temperatures for the three subzones of Broken Hill granulites increase away from the orthopyroxene isograd and are sufficiently precise that the difference between the lowest and intermediate gubzones is statistically significant. Temperatures for pyroxenes in pyroxene-granulite subfacies rocks are greater than 860 °C. The internal consistency, precision and apparent accuracy of the Wood-and-Banno pyroxene geothermometer in the metamorphic temperature range make it an important tool.     

Pyroxene in enclaves and syenites of the Red Hill complex,New Hampshire: an ion and electron microprobe study

The Red Hill complex, New Hampshire, contains both silica-undersaturated and silica-saturated to oversaturated syenites. Ion microprobe analyses of pyroxene from the Nepheline Sodalite Syenite (NSS) and its enclaves reveal that the REE abundances increase in a systematic manner from low values in the enclave pyroxenes to higher values in the NSS host rock pyroxenes. This variation is interpreted to have resulted from differentiation and coupled with previously published mineral and bulk-rock compositions, suggests that the enclaves represent samples of NSS parental liquids that intruded into residual, syenitic liquids in a zoned magma chamber. Pyroxene analyses of the Garland Peak Syenite (GPS) and its enclaves indicate that the enclaves are of several populations: some may be related to the GPS, others are not. The GPS itself is heterogeneous and pyroxene trace element zoning is difficult to explain by fractionation processes. The silica-oversaturated Outer Coarse Syenite (OCS) contains pyroxenes with trace element characteristics that are distinct from the NSS. The low V concentrations suggest that the OCS exprienced magnetite fractionation prior to pyroxene growth. It is proposed that high f O₂in the OCS magma caused Fe-Ti oxide crystallization, which in turn, influenced magmatic silica activity. The chondrite normalized REE patterns of OCS pyroxenes are also suggestive of titanite crystallization, another indication of high f O₂. In contrast to the influence of magnetite crystallization, the high and rimwardly increasing Y and Yb concentrations in both the NSS and the OCS pyroxenes suggest that amphibole fractionation was not the major influence on silica activity. Therefore, it is unlikely that the OCS was derived by amphibole fractionation from a NSS precursor magma.     

Garnet and pyroxene compositions in some diamondiferous eclogites

Analyses are reported for garnet and pyroxene from 17 eclogites that contain diamond. The garnets contain small but significant contents of Na, Ti and P and the pyroxenes contain traces of K. The diamond-bearing eclogites do not constitute a unique compositional group but show a range of mineral compositions consistent with a very high P-T environment.     

A Combined Transmission Electron Microscope and Electron Microprobe Study of Bushveld Pyroxenes from the Bethal Area

Ca-rich and Ca-poor pyroxenes present in the Bushveld rocksof the Bethal area display well developed exsolution texturestypical of slowly cooled mafic intrusions. This gave rise topoor reproducibility in electron microprobe analyses of thesame pyroxene grain, as well as results which departed fromthe bulk composition of the original homogeneous mineral. EMMA-4was used together with the electron microprobe to establishthe composition of the constituent phases in exsolved pyroxenes.The data showed that microprobe analyses carried out with adefocused beam were equivalent to the bulk composition of thepyroxenes. Microprobe analyses obtained using a focused beamwere found to approach closely the bulk composition of pyroxenesonly when the exsolution density reached 90 lamellae per millimetre. Transmission electron microscope examination of microstructuresin ion-thinned samples of pyroxenes at 100 kV and 1000 kV showedthat the exsolution mechanism in Ca-rich and Ca-poor pyroxeneswas one of heterogeneous nucleation. Subsequent growth tookplace by means of the migration of ledges along the (100) plane.Pigeonite inversion was also shown to occur in iron-rich Ca-poorpyroxene exsolution lamellae in augite. Fractionation trends established for the Bethal pyroxenes frommicroprobe analyses indicated an overall range from Fs₁₄En₈₄Wo₂to Fs₆₀En₃₁Wo₉ in the Ca-poor pyroxene and Fs₇En₅₀Wo₄₃ to Fs₃₆En₂₇Wo₃₇in the Ca-rich pyroxene. Comparison of pyroxene fractionationtrends from the western, eastern and Bethal areas of the Bushveldsuggests that crystallization took place under different conditionsof pressure and temperature.     

Petrology of the unbrecciated eucrites

Twenty-nine unbrecciated eucrites have been thoroughly characterized in terms of the petrologic factors that affect their spectra, such as mineral chemistry, modal adundances, grain sizes, and textures. We have conducted a combined petrologic and spectral study designed to provide insight into the petrogenesis of the basaltic crust of Vesta and the variety of rock-types that exist within it, as well as aid in the petrologic interpretation of spectra to be collected by the Dawn orbiting spacecraft. This paper details the petrology part of the study. Unbrecciated eucrite samples were selected to avoid the complications of lithologic mixing in the accompanying spectral study. A wide variety of textural types are seen within the basaltic eucrites, encompassing quenched, coarse-grained, and granoblastic samples. Zoned pyroxenes in eucrites and those that preserve a history of initial rapid cooling are rare. Nearly all eucrite samples have been thermally metamorphosed and would commonly be classified as equilibrated; however, this term reflects only the quadrilateral (Mg, Fe, and Ca) compositions of pyroxenes, and considerable variations are seen within the minor elements (Al, Ti, and Cr) in pyroxenes as well as plagioclase compositions. Determination of both pyroxene and plagioclase compositions together with pyroxene geothermometry provides a better estimate for the relative degree of thermal metamorphism a eucrite has experienced. The petrologic differences observed here might allow different eucrites to be distinguished spectrally. This is especially true for the varying pyroxene compositions as the spectra of eucrites are dominated by absorption features attributed to pyroxene.     

Contact interaction of agpaitic magmas with basement gneisses: An example of the Khibina and Lovozero Massifs

Data on processes that occurred at contacts of large agpaitic syenite intrusions and basement gneisses obtained by the authors by studying and sampling profiles across the contacts and involve the composition of minerals, analysis of mineral assemblages, isotopic dating of the processes, and analysis of the behavior of major, volatile, and trace elements in rocks near the contact. The contact zones of the massifs were determined to consist of products of contact interaction during the early and late magmatic stages and provide a record of successive stages of a continuous process of gneiss transformations, starting with the filling of the magmatic reservoir with melt and ending with late- and postmagmatic processes related to the development of a system of alkaline veins and pegmatite bodies in the gneisses. Early alkaline metasomatic processes in the Khibina Massif were local, controlled by diffusion, and were induced by the immediate thermal and chemical effect of alkaline melts on the gneisses. In the Lovozero Massif, metasomatism was related predominantly to the development of postmagmatic veins at 359 ± 5 Ma, was controlled by infiltration, and proceeded immediately after the consolidation of the main intrusive series. The metasomatic transformations during the early and late magmatic stages under the effect of agpaitic melts on gneisses predetermined different closure conditions and, correspondingly, different behaviors of the Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isotopic systems during the contact processes: while the interaction of agpaitic melts with gneisses has modified the (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_{(T = 370 Ma)} ratio via the enrichment of radiogenic Sr in the host Archean rocks, the Sm-Nd isotopic characteristics of the syenites in the inner contact zone and veins preserved their mantle values, which corresponded to the average ones for rocks in the central parts of the intrusion. Experimental data, model simulations, and natural observations testify that Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and REE were mobile in the contact interaction zone with agpaitic melts. With regard for data on the fluid regime of the agpaitic melts and the concentrations of volatile components in the contact zones, we believe that the main role in the transfer of REE and HFSE during contact metasomatism could be played by their ligands with F⁻, Cl⁻, and SO₄²⁻.     

Pyroxenes from the Beaver Bay gabbro complex of Minnesota

Although the Beaver Bay ferrogabbro is a small-scale layered intrusion, Ca-rich pyroxenes show a strong iron enrichment during fractionation, ranging from augite (Mg₃₈Fe₂₄ Ca₃₈) to ferrohedengergite (Mg₁₀Fe₄₈Ca₄₂). Ca-poor pyroxenes from intermediate pigeonite (Mg₃₉Fe₅₀Ca₁₁) to ferriferous pigeonite (Mg₂₇Fe₆₅Ca₈) occur as intercumulus minerals. The pyroxenes from the non-layered Beaver River gabbro are included in the overall pyroxene fractionation trend of the Beaver Bay gabbro complex. The pyroxene trend of the Beaver Bay gabbro complex is similar to those of the Skaergaard and Bushveld; however, there is a slight difference in that the Ca-rich pyroxenes of Beaver Bay (having Mg content over 30%) are slightly richer in Ca than either the Skaergaard or Bushveld augites.     

Mg,Fe2+ site occupancies in coexisting pyroxenes

The separate distributions for MgSiO₃ and FeSiO₃ in coexisting pyroxenes from the Skaergaard and Bushveld intrusions and charnockites, which were introduced in an earlier communication, indicate directly that significant amounts of both Fe²⁺ and Mg were present in the M(2) site of the Ca-rich pyroxene at the temperature of final intercrystalline equilibration. The calculated Fe²⁺ M(2) site occupancy in the Ca-rich pyroxene increases markedly with decrease in total MgSiO₃ content but the corresponding Mg site occupancy appears largely independent of MgSiO₃. The mean value of the distribution constant for intracrystalline exchange in the Ca-rich pyroxene decreases, away from unity, with decreasing temperature of equilibration. Occupancy of Mg and Fe²⁺ in the M (2) site of the Ca-rich pyroxene effectively compensates for the expected variation in K _D with composition resulting from intracrystalline partition in Ca-poor pyroxene, and this largely accounts for the difference in K _D between igneous and metamorphic pyroxenes. The variation of the augite limb of the pyroxene solvus within the pyroxene quadrilateral is developed as a possible geothermometer.