Mineralogy and petrology of the diabasic rocks in a differentiated olivine diabase sill complex,Sierra Ancha,Arizona

The Precambrian Sierra Ancha sill complex, more than 700 feet thick, is a multiple intrusion with a central layer of feldspathic olivine-rich diabase, and upper and lower layers of olivine diabase derived from a high-alumina basalt magma. Minor rock types include albite diabase and albite-diabase pegmatite. Deuteric alteration was extensive. Principal primary minerals are plagioclase (An₇₂ to An₁₆), augite (Wo₄₃En₄₄Fs₁₃ to Wo₄₀En₃₈Fs₂₂), olivine (Fo₇₄ to Fo₅₄), orthopyroxene (En₇₇ to En₄₄), magnetite (Mgt₆₆Usp₃₄ to Mgt₈₉Usp₁₁), and ilmenite (Ilm₈₆Hem₁₄ to Ilm₉₆Hem₄). Ilmenite formed by reaction-exsolution from magnetite_ss is consistently different in compositon from primary ilmenite. Primary ilmenite became enriched in Mn and depleted in Mg as crystallization proceded. A systematic Fe-Mg partition between contacting olivine and orthopyroxene suggests that equilibrium prevailed on an extremely local scale during crystallization. Albite-diabase pegmatite contains a mineral assemblage including augite, ferrosalite (Wo₄₉En₂₈Fs₂₃ to Wo₄₉En₁₄Fs₃₇), albite (An₂ to An₀), and iron-rich chlorite. Altered diabase and albite diabase also have unusually calcium-rich pyroxenes. The calcium-rich pyroxenes, which occur in assemblages like those characterizing some spilites, are richer in calcium and lower in aluminum and titanium than basaltic augite.Contribution No. 1712 of the Division of Geological Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California.     

Northwest Africa 773: lunar mare breccia with a shallow-formed olivine-cumulate component, inferred very-low-Ti (VLT) heritage, and a KREEP connection

Lunar meteorite Northwest Africa 773 (herein referred to as NWA773) is a breccia composed predominantly of mafic volcanic components, including a prominent igneous clast lithology. The clast lithology is an olivine-gabbro cumulate, which, on the basis of mineral and bulk compositions, is a hypabyssal igneous rock related compositionally to volcanic components in the meteorite. The olivine-gabbro lithology exhibits cumulus textures and, in our largest section of it, includes some 48% olivine (Fo₆₄ to Fo₇₀, average Fo₆₇), 27% pigeonite (En₆₀Fs₂₄Wo₁₆ to En₆₇Fs₂₇Wo₆), 11% augite (En₅₀Fs₁₇Wo₃₃ to En₄₇Fs₁₃Wo₄₀), 2% orthopyroxene (En₇₀Fs₂₆Wo₄), 11% plagioclase (An₈₀ to An₉₄), and trace barian K-feldspar, ilmenite, Cr-spinel, RE-merrillite, troilite, and Fe-Ni metal. The Mg/Fe ratios of the mafic silicates indicate equilibration of Fe and Mg; however, the silicates retain compositional variations in minor and trace elements that are consistent with intercumulus crystallization. Accessory mineralogy reflects crystallization of late-stage residual melt. Both lithologies (breccia and olivine cumulate) of the meteorite have very-low-Ti (VLT) major-element compositions, but with an unusual trace-element signature compared to most lunar VLT volcanic compositions, i.e., relative enrichment in light REE and large-ion-lithophile elements, and greater depletion in Eu than almost all other known lunar volcanic rocks. The calculated composition of the melt that was in equilibrium with pyroxene and plagioclase of the cumulate lithology exhibits a KREEP-like REE pattern, but at lower concentrations. Melt of a composition calculated to have been in equilibrium with the cumulate assemblage, plus excess olivine, yields a major-element composition that is similar to known green volcanic glasses. One volcanic glass type from Apollo 14 in particular, green glass B, type 1, has a very low Ti concentration and REE characteristics, including extremely low Eu concentration, that make it a candidate parent melt for the olivine-gabbro cumulate. We infer an origin for the parent melt of NWA773 volcanic components by assimilation of a trace-element-rich partial or residual melt by a magnesian, VLT magma deep in the lunar crust or in the mantle prior to transportation to the near-surface, accumulation of olivine and pyroxene in a shallow chamber, eruption onto a volcanic surface, and incorporation of components into local, predominantly volcanic regolith, prior to impact mixing of the volcanic terrain and related hypabyssal setting, and ejection from the surface of the Moon. Volcanic components such as these probably occur in the Oceanus Procellarum region near the site of origin of the green volcanic glasses found in the Apollo 14 regolith.     

Mineralogy,petrology, and trace element geochemistry of the Johnstown meteorite: a brecciated orthopyroxenite with siderophile and REE-rich components

The Johnstown meteorite is a brecciated orthopyroxenite (diogenite) containing coarsegrained centimeter-sized clasts of cumulate origin that have undergone subsolidus recrystallization. The brecciated portion is dominated by subangular fragments of orthopyroxene (Wo_2–3En_72–74Fs_23–25) in a variably comminuted matrix of the same material. Minor and accessory phases include plagioclase (An_82–90Ab_10–18Or_0–1), diopside (Wo_44–45En_46–47Fs_9–10), olivine (Fo_71–72), tridymite, troilite, metallic Ni-Fe (~3% Ni), and chromite (Cm_71–80Hc_1–8Sp_11–19Mt_2–4Uv_1–3).The clastic component is parental to the brecciated matrix which contains no foreign lithic or mineralogic components. Siderophile trace element studies, however, reveal the presence of meteoritic (chondritic) contamination in the brecciated portion using unbrecciated clasts for indigenous values. Rare earth element abundances show a wide range of values for the light REE in different samples, although all samples exhibit a strong negative Eu anomaly, indicative of earlier plagioclase fractionation. Two pairs of adjacent brecciated and unbrecciated samples from different portions of the meteorite show, respectively, the most enriched and the most depleted light REE patterns. The variability in La content is over a factor of 100. However, in each case the REE pattern for the brecciated portion is very similar to that of the unbrecciated portion. These differences are attributed to sampling of variable amounts of residual, REE-enriched, trapped liquid. The most representative REE pattern for the bulk meteorite has an intermediate composition and was obtained from the largest sample. The data presented here indicate that Johnstown is a monomict breccia, in contrast to several other diogenites which may be considered to be polymict on the basis of their mineral compositions and/or clast populations.     

Mineralogy and partial melt textures within an ultramafic-mafic body,Greece

Ultramafic-mafic rocks from Makrirrakhi, Central Greece exhibit features of an original ophiolite sequence which contains depleted mantle material, ultramafic containing partial melt textures and possibly the mafic pluton which resulted from the coalescing of these partial melt segregations. Considerable mineralogical variation exists: unzoned olivine crystals range in composition from Fo_78–84 (mafics) to Fo_88–92 (ultramafics), plagioclases An_64–79 (mafics) to An_80–90 (ultramafics) and spinel varies from a chromian spinel (ultramafics) to a more aluminous-titaniferous spinel (mafics). Pyroxenes from the ultramafics display a limited range: En_89–92 Fs_9–8 Wo_0–2 (orthopyroxene) and En_48–54 Fs_1–10 Wo_38–50 (clinopyroxene). Mafic rocks display a greater range being richer in ferrosilite En_36–65 Fs_3–20 Wo_33–51. Pyroxenes from within the partial melt segregations have chemical affinities with those from the gabbrotroctolite series. A model of partial melt within the upper mantle, and, a set of criteria to distinguish partial melt textures from cumulate textures, are developed from analytical data and textural evidence.     

A pyroxene-bearing meta-ironstone and other pyroxene-granulites from Tonagh Island, Enderby Land, Antarctica: further evidence for very high temperature (> 980°C) Archaean regional metamorphism in the Napier Complex

Abstract A suite of granulites including a meta-ironstone, pyroxenites, and spinel-lherzolites from East Tonagh Island, Enderby Land, Antarctica, preserve exsolution-recry-stallization features consistent with a shared metamorphic evolution that involves marked cooling from initial metamorphic temperatures of nearly 1000°C. Reintegrated pre-exsolution and pre-reaction grain compositions in the meta-ironstone indicate the former coexistence of metamorphic pigeonite (Wo₁₂En₃₈Fs₅₀) and ferroaugite (Wo₃₅En₃₁Fs₃₄) at temperatures in excess of 980°C for pressures of 7 kbar (0.7 GPa) using pyroxene quadrilateral thermometry (Lindsley, 1983). Intra-grain lamellae relationships indicate the exsolution of a second pigeonite (Wo₁₂En₃₅Fs₅₃) from the ferroaugite at temperatures in the range 930–970°C, prior to the c. 720–600°C exsolution of orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene (100) lamellae and later partial recrystallization at similar temperatures. Although pyroxenitic and iherzolitic granulites preserve a much less complete history, reintegrated porphyroclast compositions in these yield temperature estimates which approach those inferred from the metaironstone. Pyroxene thermometry based on neoblast compositions suggests that recrystallization post-dating a late, low intensity, deformation phase (D3) occurred at temperatures greater than 600°C. These results are consistent with the independent evidence obtained from studies of metapelitic and felsic rock types for very high temperature metamorphism throughout the Napier Complex followed by near-isobaric cooling and later deformation under lower-grade granulite facies conditions. Comparison with similar pyroxene data from Fyfe Hills (Sandiford & Powell, 1986) demonstrates further the regional significance of these high temperatures, and implies broadly isothermal metamorphic conditions over a large area (～ 5000 km²) and thickness (6–9 km) of lower crust at c. 3070 Ma.     

Petrography and geochemistry of the chassignite Northwest Africa 2737 (NWA 2737)

We report on the petrology and geochemistry of the Northwest Africa 2737 (NWA 2737) meteorite that was recovered from the Morrocan Sahara in 2000. It is the second member of the chassignite subclass of the SNC (Shergotitte-Nakhlite-Chassignite) group of meteorites that are thought to have originated on Mars. It consists of black olivine- and spinel-cumulate crystals (89.7 and 4.6 wt%, respectively), with intercumulus pyroxenes (augite 3.1 wt% and pigeonite-orthopyroxene 1.0 wt%), analbite glass (1.6 wt%) and apatite (0.2 wt%). Unlike Chassigny, plagioclase has not been observed in NWA 2737. Olivine crystals are rich in Mg, and highly equilibrated (Fo = 78.7 ± 0.5 mol%). The black color of olivine grains may be related to the strong shock experienced by the meteorite as revealed by the deformation features observed on the macroscopic to the atomic scale. Chromite is zoned from core to rim from Cr_83.4Uv_3.6Sp_13.0 to Cr_72.0Uv_6.9Sp_21.1. Pyroxene compositional trends are similar to those described for Chassigny except that they are richer in Mg. Compositions range from En_78.5Wo_2.7Fs_18.8 to En_76.6Wo_3.2Fs_20.2 for the orthopyroxene, from En_73.5Wo_8.0Fs_18.5 to En_64.0Wo_22.1Fs_13.9for pigeonite, and from En_54.6Wo_32.8Fs_12.6 to En_46.7Wo_44.1Fs_9.2 for augite. Bulk rock oxygen isotope compositions confirm that NWA 2737 is a new member of the martian meteorite clan (Δ¹⁷O = 0.305 ± 0.02‰, n = 2). REE abundances measured in NWA 2737 mineral phases are similar to those in Chassigny and suggest a genetic relationship between these two rocks. However, the parent melt of NWA 2737 was less evolved and had a lower Al abundance.     

Crystallization, melt inclusion, and redox history of a Martian meteorite: Olivine-phyric shergottite Larkman Nunatak 06319

The Larkman Nunatak (LAR) 06319 olivine-phyric shergottite is composed of zoned megacrysts of olivine (Fo_76-55 from core to rim), pyroxene (from core to rim En₇₀Fs₂₅Wo₅, En₅₀Fs₂₅Wo₂₅, and En₄₅Fs₄₅Wo₁₀), and Cr-rich spinel in a matrix of maskelynite (An₅₂Ab₄₅), pyroxene (En_30-40Fs_40-55Wo_10-25,), olivine (Fo₅₀), Fe-Ti oxides, sulfides, phosphates, Si-rich glass, and baddeleyite. LAR 06319 experienced equilibration shock pressures of 30-35 GPa based on the presence of localized shock melts, mechanical deformation of olivine and pyroxene, and complete transformation of plagioclase to maskelynite with no relict birefringence. The various phases and textures of this picritic basalt can be explained by closed system differentiation of a shergottitic melt. Recalculated parent melt compositions obtained from melt inclusions located in the core of the olivine megacrysts (Fo_>72) resemble those of other shergottite parent melts and whole-rock compositions, albeit with a lower Ca content. These compositions were used in the MELTS software to reproduce the crystallization sequence. Four types of spinel and two types of ilmenite reflect changes in oxygen fugacity during igneous differentiation. Detailed oxybarometry using olivine-pyroxene-spinel and ilmenite-titanomagnetite assemblages indicates initial crystallization of the megacrysts at 2 log units below the Fayalite-Magnetite-Quartz buffer (FMQ - 2), followed by crystallization of the groundmass over a range of FMQ - 1 to FMQ + 0.3. Variation is nearly continuous throughout the differentiation sequence.LAR 06319 is the first member of the enriched shergottite subgroup whose bulk composition, and that of melt inclusions in its most primitive olivines, approximates that of the parental melt. The study of this picritic basalt indicates that oxidation of more than two log units of FMQ can occur during magmatic fractional crystallization and ascent. Some part of the wide range of oxygen fugacities recorded in shergottites may consequently be due to this process. The relatively reduced conditions at the beginning of the crystallization sequence of LAR 06319 may imply that the enriched shergottite mantle reservoir is slightly more reduced than previously thought. As a result, the total range of Martian mantle oxygen fugacities is probably limited to FMQ − 4 to − 2. This narrow range could have been generated during the slow crystallization of a magma ocean, a process favored to explain the origin of shergottite mantle reservoirs.     

Vermicular orthopyroxene-magnetite symplectites from the Wateranga layered mafic intrusion,Queensland, Australia

Orthopyroxene-magnetite intergrowths (symplectites), partly or completely surrounding olivine, are described from the Wateranga layered mafic intrusion, Queensland, Australia. The texture occurs in unmetamorphosed plagioclase-rich norites, olivine gabbros and troctolites in which the primary minerals are olivine (Fo_63–69) orthopyroxene (En_66–72), clinopyroxene (Wo₄₂En₄₂Fs₁₆), plagioclase (An_49–65), hornblende, ilmenite, magnetite and sulphides. Symplectites range from incipient fine grained developments around corroded olivine grains to intricately formed pseudomorphs after olivine and slow a consistent orthopyroxene/magnetite ratio. Orthopyroxene in symplectites is commonly in optical continuity with surrounding magnetite-free orthopyroxene rims. Later intercumulus hornblended has replaced orthopyroxene. There is marked chemical similarity between primary and simplectite, orthopyroxenes and magnetites. Textures similar to those described here are considered elsewhere to have formed at a late magmatic stage or by solid state reactions involving subsolidus oxidation of olivine. In the Wateranga intrusion textural relations, the chemical similarity between primary and symplectite phases, and the consistent volume proportions of magnetite and orthopyroxene in the intergrowths suggest that they developed during late magmatic crystallization.     

Fertile Lithospheric Mantle Beneath the North African Plate: Evidence from Gharyan Lherzolite Xenoliths (Northern West Libya)

The late-stage basanite (～12–1 Ma) of the NNW-SSE extending Gharyan Cenozoic volcanics (Northern West Libya) contains numerous fresh lherzolite xenoliths. These xenoliths display magmatic protogranular and porphyroclastic textures. Chemistry of olivine (forsterite content –90–91, NiO = 0.26–0.39 wt %), orthopyroxene (Mg# = 0.91–0.92, Cr# = 0.03–0.07, Al₂O₃ = 3.64–4.43 wt %), clinopyroxene ((Wo_{45.59–48.61}, En_{45.89–48.80}, Fs_4.47–5.81), Mg# = 0.82–0.92, Al₂O₃ = 5.14–6.58 wt % and Cr₂O₃ = 0.5–0.95 wt %) and spinel (hercynite–picotite–Al-rich chromite spinels with Cr# = 0.08–0.11) refer to the fertile nature of Gharyan peridotites. Mantle source region was close to the primitive composition with low degrees of melting and depletion in melt (1.5% in average). However, it underwent metasomatism as illustrated by formation of secondary clinopyroxene (Wo_{37.96–44.77}, En_{47.44–54.18}, Fs_7.59–8.03) with high contents of Na₂O, and enrichment of the Al-spinel in TiO₂. The estimated pre-eruptive temperature ranges from 1066 to 837°C. Despite the Gharyan peridotite is similar to mantle components in many districts in Saharan belt of North Africa, it represents juvenile mantle source with minor refractory residues. This compositional heterogeneity is mainly attributed to the local effect of the interaction of the Gharyan mantle with the host basanite magma that may be related to the Cenozoic rifting of the Pan-African basement.     

Observation of reactions in synthetic Ca-poor pyroxene single crystals at elevated temperatures by X-ray diffraction

Diffuse streaks in diffraction patterns of synthetic pyroxene single crystals at elevated temperatures are used to determine which reactions are initiated and how they proceed. The samples investigated are a) a host orthopyroxene (Wo₄En₈₃Fs₁₃) containing oriented pigeonite (Wo₆En₇₈Fs₁₆) parallel to (100) and b) a pigeonite (Wo₈En₇₅Fs₁₇). The maximum temperatures were 820° C and 1,015° C, respectively. No partial melting occurs at these temperatures, all reactions are in the subsolidus. In case a) augite is formed parallel to the (001) plane of pigeonite, but the augite is not exsolved by the pigeonite. This is proved by the absence of the obligatory streaks between corresponding reflections in highly resolved precession photographs. Instead, there are streaks from augite to the corresponding reflections of the host orthopyroxene. Example b) demonstrates that the temperature of the high-low transformation of pigeonite is very sensitive to the Ca content and clearly depends on the exsolution of augite. This augite is oriented parallel to (100) of pigeonite, not to (001). Both the high and the low pigeonite are present over a range of ～150° C, while the exsolution of augite continues. Simultaneously, orthopyroxene is also formed sharing (100) of pigeonite. There seems to be an indication that only low pigeonite inverts to orthopyroxene.     

Geothermometry of exsolved augites from the Laramie Anorthosite Complex,Wyoming

Exsolved augite pyroxenes from the ferromonzonite border facies of the ferrosyenite in the Laramie Anorthosite Complex have been studied with the transmission electron microscope and the electron microprobe to determine their exsolution histories. The Lindsley and Andersen (1983) geothermometer gives initial crystallization temperatures of 1000° C for the bulk augite crystal (Wo₃₂ En₂₂ Fs₄₆). Exsolved lamellae are predominantly pigeonites with very low calcium contents (Wo_1–3 En_23–24 Fs_71–74) and have formation temperatures estimated to be in the range of 600 to 975° C. The uniform compositions of lamellae and hosts, despite the range in lamellar size and orientation, suggest that either 1) the ferromonzonite experienced an extended plateau in cooling or a reheating event at 600 to 650° C or 2) the pyroxenes recorded a blocking temperature. Two-feldspar geothermometry on exsolved feldspars also records 600° C and suggests that these low temperatures are not blocking temperatures.     

Clinoeulite (magnesian clinoferrosilite) in a eulysite of a metamorphosed iron formation in the vredefort structure,South Africa

A unique clinopyroxene (En₁₉Fs₇₈Wo₃), clinoeulite, space group P2₁/c, $${\text{(Fe}}_{{\text{1}}{\text{.48}}} {\text{Mg}}_{{\text{0}}{\text{.37}}} {\text{Mn}}_{{\text{0}}{\text{.08}}}^{{\text{2 + }}} {\text{Ca}}_{{\text{0}}{\text{.05}}} {\text{Al}}_{{\text{0}}{\text{.01}}} {\text{)}}_{{\text{1}}{\text{.99}}} {\text{ [Si}}_{{\text{2}}{\text{.01}}} {\text{O6],}}$$ contains sharp exsolution lamellae of ferroaugite (En₁₇Fs₄₃Wo₄₀) from which the former presence of a ferropigeonite near En₁₇Fs₇₀Wo₁₃ can be calculated. This two-pyroxene intergrowth is the main component of a eulysite containing also magnetite, olivine (Fo₉Fa₈₆Te₅), quartz, oligoclase-K feldspar inter-growth, and retrograde cummingtonite with about 76 % grunerite end member. The occurrence of this most unusual rock type in the center of the Vredefort structure is attributed to a period of high-temperature metamorphism (at least 800 °–850 °C) which was followed by hot deformation of the rock during the Vredefort event thus probably preventing the common formation of orthopyroxene through pigeonite exsolution and inversion upon cooling. After this tectonic deformation, the rock recrystallized within the low-temperature stability range of clinoeulite to yield fine annealing textures. Late-stage equilibria at temperatures well below 500 °C include the complete unmixing of a former high-temperature anorthoclase, a Mg/Fe redistribution in the clinoeulite and olivine and, with the introduction of water, the partial formation of cummingtonite through reaction of clinoeulite, olivine, and quartz. During weathering the olivine was transformed to a nearly opaque, anhydrous ferrisilicate which, except for the change of Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺ and the oxygen introduction, largely retained its original chemistry.     

Petrology and geochemistry of Tertiary volcanic rocks from the İkizce (Ordu) area, NE Turkey: Implications for the evolution of the eastern Pontide paleo-magmatic arc

Tertiary volcanism in the İkizce region at the western edge of the eastern Pontides paleo-magmatic arc is represented by basaltic and andesitic rocks associated with sediments deposited in a shallow basin environment. The basaltic rocks contain plagioclase (An_58–80), olivine (Fo_82–84), clinopyroxene (Wo_44–48En_35–42Fs_7–17), hornblende (Mg# = 0.68–0.76) phenocrysts, and magnetite microcrysts, whereas the andesitic rocks include plagioclase (An_25–61), clinopyroxene (Wo_46–49En_38–43Fs_11–13), hornblende (Mg# = 0.48–0.81), biotite (Mg# = 0.48–0.60) phenocrysts, titanomagnetite, apatite, and zircon microcrysts.Geochemical data indicate magmatic evolution from tholeiitic-alkaline transitional to calc-alkaline characteristics with medium-K contents. The geochemical variation in the rocks can be explained by fractionation of common mineral phases such as clinopyroxene, olivine, hornblende, plagioclase, magnetite, and apatite. The trace elements’ distributions of the volcanic rocks show similarities to those of E-Type MORB, have a shape that is typical of rocks from subduction-related tectonic setting with enrichment in LILE and to a lesser extent in LREE, but depletion in HFSE. The rocks evolved from a parental magma derived from an enriched source formed by subduction induced metasomatism of basaltic rocks, the latter formed through clinopyroxene ± olivine controlled fractionation in a high level magma chamber. The andesitic rocks developed through hornblende ± plagioclase controlled fractionation in shallow level magma chamber(s).     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987113000893

Two petrologically distinct alkali feldspar syenite bodies （AFS-1 and AFS-2） from Chhotaudepur area, Deccan Large Igneous Province are reported in the present work. AFS-1 is characterized by hypidio-morphic texture and consists of feldspar （Or55Ab43 to Or25Ab71）, ferro-pargasite/ferro-pargasite horn-blende, hastingsite, pyroxene （Wo47, En5, Fs46）, magnetite and biotite. AFS-2 exhibits panidiomorphic texture with euhedral pyroxene （Wo47-50, En22-39, Fs12e31） set in a groundmass matrix of alkali feldspar （Or99Ab0.77 to Or1.33Ab98）, titanite and magnetite. In comparison to AFS-1, higher elemental concentra-tions of Ba, Sr and PREE are observed in AFS-2. The average peralkaline index of the alkali feldspar syenites is w1 indicating their alkaline nature. Variation discrimination diagrams involving major and trace elements and their ratios demonstrate that these alkali feldspar syenites have a shoshonite affinity but emplaced in a within-plate and rifting environment. No evidence of crustal contamination is perceptible in the multi-element primitive mantle normalized diagram as well as in terms of trace elemental ratios. The enrichment of incompatible elements in the alkali feldspar syenites suggests the involvement of mantle metasomatism in their genesis.     

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 spinel lherzolite xenoliths from Youkou volcano,Adamawa Massif,Cameroon Volcanic Line: mineralogical and geochemical fingerprints of sub-rift mantle processes

The basaltic maar of Youkou, situated in the Adamawa Volcanic Massif in the eastern branch of the continental segment of the Cameroon Volcanic Line, contains mantle-derived xenoliths of various types in pyroclastites. Spinel-bearing lherzolite xenoliths from the Youkou volcano generally exhibit protogranular textures with olivine (Fo_89.4?90.5), enstatite (En_89???91Fs_8.7?9.8Wo_0.82?1.13), clinopyroxene, spinel (Cr#_Sp?=?9.4–13.8), and in some cases amphibole (Mg_#?=?88.5–89.1). Mineral equilibration temperatures in the lherzolite xenoliths have been estimated from three–two pyroxene thermometers and range between 835 and 937 °C at pressures of 10–18 kbar, consistent with shallow mantle depths of around 32–58 km. Trends displayed by bulk-rock MgO correlate with Al₂O₃, indicating that the xenoliths are refractory mantle residues after partial melting. The degree of partial melting estimated from spinel compositions is less than 10%: evidences for much higher degrees of depletion are preserved in one sample, but overprinted by refertilization in others. Trace element compositions of the xenoliths are enriched in highly incompatible elements (LREE, Sr, Ba, and U), indicating that the spinel lherzolites underwent later cryptic metasomatic enrichment induced by plume-related hydrous silicate melts. The extreme fertility (Al₂O₃?=?6.07–6.56 wt% in clinopyroxene) and the low CaO/Al₂O₃ ratios in the spinel lherzolites suggest that they could not be a simple residue of partial melting of primitive mantle and must have experienced refertilization processes driven by the infiltration of carbonatite or carbonated silicate melts.     

Mineralogical variations in the Delakhari sill,Deccan trap intrusion,central India

The Delakhari sill (maximum thickness cf. 200 m) is the most extensive Deccan Trap instrusion which occurs in central India, between longitutdes 78°3835 to 78°2240 and latitudes 22°26 and 22°2230. Based on petrographic examination, the sill is divided, from bottom to top, into (1) the Lower Chilled Zone (LCZ), up to 8 m thick, marked by abundant interstitial glass and an overall fine grain size, (2) the Olivine-Rich Zone (ORZ), 27 m thick, enriched in olivine (relative to the other zones in the sill), (3) the Central Zone (CZ), 70 m thick, marked by depletion in olivine and overall coarse grain size, (4) the Upper Zone (UZ), 55 m thick, marked by the presence of two chemically and morphologically distinct olivine types and abundant interstitial granophyre, and (5) the Upper Chilled Zone (UCZ), 10–25m thick, marked by abundant interstitial glass.Compositions of the pyroxenes and olivines show an overall increase in Fe/Mg with crystallization, but extensive interzonal and intrazonal variations and overlaps exist. Olivine ranges from Fa₂₄ (ORZ) to Fa₉₅ (UZ). In the UZ and inner UCZ, an equant (Fa_44–50, called type-A olivine) and interstitial skeletal olivine (Fa_70–95, called type-B olivine) occur together. Compositions of the Ca-rich and Ca-poor pyroxenes fall in the range Wo₃₈En₃₄Fs₂₈ to Wo₃₃En₈Fs₅₉ and Wo₁₄En₄₁Fs₄₅ to Wo₁₆En₁₉Fs₆₅, respectively. Overall, the two pyroxene trends converge with Fe-enrichment except for one anomalous sample from the UZ which contains a Ca-rich (Wo₃₄En₈Fs₅₈) and a Ca-poor (Wo₁₀En₁₈Fs₇₂) pyroxene well within the Forbidden Zone of Smith (1972).Compositions of coexisting oxide minerals indicate that the sill crystallized at oxygen fugacities from 10^–10 atm (ORZ) to 10^–13 (UZ). The magma prior to intrusion appears to have been derived from a more primitive melt from which a considerable amount of olivine and plagioclase have fractionated out. A model of open, interrupted fractional crystallization in the sill is proposed to explain the compositional variations exhibited by the major mineral phases.A previous study (Crookshank 1936) concluded that the sill is actually a multiple intrusion and has given rise to the lowermost (flow I) and the topmost (flow III) lava flows in the neighboring area around Tamia (78°4015, 22°2035). The olivines of flows I and III have compositions Fo₈₇ and Fo₈₈ respectively, and are much more Mg-rich than the maximum Mg-rich olivine (Fo₇₆) of the Delakhari sill, refuting the possibility of the sill being the feeder of the lava flows I and III.Geosciences Department, University of Texas at Dallas Contribution No. 338     

Petrology of the Kurancali Phlogopitic Metagabbro: An Island Arc-Type Ophiolitic Sliver in the Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex

The Kurancali metagabbro occurs as an isolated body in the central part of the Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex. It has been emplaced along a steep S-vergent thrust-plane onto the uppermost units of the Central Anatolian Metamorphics. The main body of the Kurancali metagabbro is characterized by distinct compositional layering. The layered gabbros comprise pyroxene and hornblende gabbros. Phlogopite-rich, plagioclase-hornblende gabbro occurs mainly as pegmatitic dikes intruding the layered gabbro sequence. The layered gabbros, in general, consist mainly of diopsidic augites, brown hornblendes, and plagioclase. Secondary phases are phlogopitic mica, brownish-green hornblende replacing clinopyroxenes, and fibrous, greenish actinolitic hornblende partially or completely replacing brown hornblende. The primary dark micas are phlogopitic in the range of phlogopite_(57-70) and annite_(30-43). The analyzed pyroxenes are diopsidic (En₃₂Fs₁₉Wo₄₉-En₃₅Fs₁₈Wo₄₈).

The whole-rock geochemistry of the gabbros indicates the presence of two distinct groups of rocks; a less pronounced group of phlogopite gabbro with island-arc calc-alkaline affinities, and a dominating layered gabbro sequence with island-arc tholeiite characteristics. They are extremely enriched in LILE, indicative of alkaline metasomatism in the source region, and display geochemical features of transitional backarc-basin basalts (BABB)/island-arc basalts (IAB)—and IAB-type oceanic crust. Based on their geochemical similarities to modern island-arc basements, we suggest that the Kurancali metagabbro may represent the basement of an initial island arc, generated in a suprasubduction zone setting within the Izmir-Ankara branch of Neotethys.     

Lamellar exsolution systems in clinopyroxene

Exsolution systems in synthetic pyroxenes were studied by transmission electron microscopy. An iron free sample En₈₀Wo₂₀ was prepared by devitrifying glass at 1300°C. Samples with bulk composition En₅₀Fs₃₀Wo₂₀ and En₃₅Fs₃₈Wo₂₇ were given various but well-defined heat treatments. The exsolution systems observed cannot unambiguously be related to the heat treatment. Periodic lamellar exsolution was observed parallel to (001) and (100) with sharp satellite reflections in the diffraction diagram. In more complex exsolution systems coarse (100) lamellae were found together with fine lamellae parallel to (001) and (100). An unusual phenomenon occurs at a (100) twin boundary where both individuals display exsolution lamellae parallel to (001). Pigeonite lamellae in one twin meet augite lamellae of the other individual at the twin boundary and vice-versa. The precise matching is achieved by a change in width near the boundary. Smoothly curved phase boundaries are developed in the obtuse angle of crosshatched (100) and (001) pigeonite lamellae in augite, whereas the boundaries in the acute angle are straight with sharp edges. This is consistent with elastic energy constraints.     

Age,Mineralogical and Geochemical Features,and Tectonic Position of Gabbroids of the Dzhigdinskii Massif,Southeastern Environ of the North Asian Craton

Complex mineralogical, geochemical, and geochronological studies of the gabbroids from the Dzhigdinskii Massif located in the western part of the Dzhugdzhur–Stanovoy Superterrane are performed. It is established that the age of the rocks from the Dzhigdinskii Massif is Middle Triassic (244 ± 5 Ma), rather than Early Archean, as was previously assumed. The age of the Dzhigdinskii Massif is close to the age of the formation of the other Triassic gabbroid massifs, such as the Amnunaktinskii (~240 Ma), Lukindinskii (~250 Ma), and Luchinskii (~248 Ma) in the southeastern environ of the North Asian Craton. One of the stages in the formation of the Selenga–Vitim volcanoplutonic belt falls in this period as well. This indicates that the Selenga–Vitim volcanoplutonic belt, along with the granitoids and volcanic rocks, is composed of ultrabasic–basic and basic massifs and that this belt is superposed on the structures of the Selenga–Stanovoy Superterrane, as well as on the western part of the Dzhugdzhur–Stanovoy Superterrane. The gabbro, gabbro–diorite, and series of gabbro and gabbro–diorite with high sodic alkalinity from the Dzhigdinskii Massif show obvious geochemical features of duality, including combination of intraplate and super-subduction origin. In this relation, we can assume that the origin of the gabbroids of the Dzhigdinskii Massif is related to the detachment of the oceanic lithosphere and its subduction into the mantle with the formation of an “asthenospheric window.”