A note on the petrology of some lava types from East New Guinea

Quaternary and upper Tertiary lavas from the volcanic islands along the north coast of east New Guinea consist of pyroxene andesites, andesitic basalts, and basalts; many contain accessory olivine. The lavas of Mts Lamington, Yelia, and Victory, in southeast Papua and New Guinea, are rather more acid hornblende and lamprobolite andesites. Peralkaline obsidian and rhyolite occur at Fergusson and Dobu Islands, east of the Papuan mainland. Chemical analyses show that most of the lavas are of calc‐alkaline type, although some from Karkar and Long Islands appear to have tholeiitic tendencies.     

The petrology and geochemistry of the Azores Islands

Forty lavas from the Azores Islands have been analyzed for ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, major elements, first transition series metals, and LIL elements. The samples belong to the alkali basalt magma series but range from transitional hy-normative basalts from Terceira to basanitoids from Santa Maria. Differentiated lavas include both typical trachytes and comenditic trachytes and comendites. Major and trace element concentrations define smooth trends on variation diagrams, and these trends can be related to phases crystallizing in the rocks. Systematic interisland differences are also apparent in these variation diagrams. LIL element concentrations in island basalts are roughly twice as high as those in tholeiites from the adjacent Mid-Atlantic Ridge which transects the Azores Plateau. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios in lavas from 6 of the 9 islands range from 0.70332 to 0.70354, a range similar to that found in tholeiites from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge transect of the Azores Plateau. This suggests that lavas from these islands and this portion of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge may be derived from a similar source. However, lavas from the islands of Faial and Pico have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios up to 0.70394 and ratios in Sao Miguel lavas range up to 0.70525, suggesting basalts from these islands are derived from a chemically distinct source. Differences in the average LIL element concentrations of the least fractionated ridge tholeiites from the Azores Plateau and alkali basalts from the islands result from differences in extent of partial melting and residual mineralogy. The alkali basalts are derived by roughly half as much melting as are the tholeiites. Trace element concentrations in Azores peralkaline lavas preclude their derivation by partial melting of peridotitic mantle or basaltic crust; rather the data suggest they are produced by fractional crystallization of a basaltic parent.     

青藏高原西部蛇绿岩类型:岩石学与地球化学证据

对青藏高原西部地区的班公湖蛇绿岩、狮泉河蛇绿岩、雅鲁藏布江西段蛇绿岩和普兰—当穷蛇绿岩带中代表性岩体的地质学、岩石化学、稀土元素、微量元素、Pb、Sr同位素地球化学研究表明,青藏高原西部地区4条蛇绿岩中的地幔橄榄岩主要为方辉橄榄岩和少量纯橄岩,岩石化学成分具有富镁、贫铝、钙、碱的特点;论述了地幔橄榄岩轻稀土元素富集是由于先经历了较强的部分熔融,后经历了俯冲消减过程中的流体交代的二次过程;微量元素中大离子亲石元素Rb、不活动元素Nb、Zr、Hf和放射性生热元素Th等元素的丰度较高,以及Ti、Sm、Y、Yb等强不相容元素亏损的特点,与交代地幔岩特征类似;Pb、Sr同位素组成具有明显的壳源组分混入的特点,说明青藏高原西部的蛇绿岩曾受洋壳俯冲消减过程中的流体交代作用,蛇绿岩产于SSZ构造环境。对比青藏高原东部、三江、西昆仑地区以及形成于典型的SSZ环境的Troodos蛇绿岩中的地幔橄榄岩,就岩石化学富MgO、轻稀土元素富集而言,它们具有与青藏高原西部基本一致的地质地球化学特征,结合与俯冲岩浆作用有关的玻安岩和埃达克岩产出,说明可能包括三江、西昆仑库地在内的青藏高原不同时代蛇绿岩都主要形成于俯冲消减环境,属于SSZ型蛇绿岩。     

鲁东晚白垩世玄武岩及其中幔源包体的岩石学和地球化学研究

山东胶莱盆地大西庄的王氏群玄武岩属于高钛碱性岩系列,全岩40Ar-39Ar年龄为73.2±0.3Ma,形成于晚白垩世岩石富N2O,Mg#值为63-66,(Ne-Hy-Q)值为6.03-10.05,轻稀土富集,(La/Yb)N比值为11.18-12.56,重稀土有一是程度的分异,富集大离子亲石元素,Tb显著正异常,Zr轻微正异常,具有与大陆板内碱性玄武岩类似的特征。εNd(T)值为7.08-7.55,87Sr/86Sr(T)比值为0.7035-0.7038,反映了玄武岩浆来源于亏损的地幔源区,在上升过程中几乎没有受到地壳物质的混染,原始玄武岩浆由软流圈和新生岩石圈地幔分别部分熔融产生的熔体相混合而形成,起源深度为50-70km。玄武岩含有幔源包体,岩石类型为尖晶石二辉橄榄岩。包体的温压估算结果为T=1010-1140℃,P=20kb。包体的矿物相与平衡温压估算值以及玄武岩浆起源深度估计值表明,胶州地区晚白垩世时岩石圈厚度大约为60-70km,岩石圈地幔具有新生的性质。因此,中国东部岩石圈减薄发生在125-73Ma之间。此后,中国东部进入了统一的以拉张为主的动力学背景之下。     

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

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

Pallasite meteorites—mineralogy,petrology and geochemistry

Pallasites are highly differentiated meteorites and provide a unique sample from the deep interiors of solar system parent bodies. They contain evidence of the former existence of one or more residual melts. Olivine is a major phase. Its primary shape is rounded; the angular crystals in many pallasites are secondary. Tubular inclusions are widespread. They perhaps are the residence of CO₂, released during laboratory heating experiments. Phosphoran olivine, a new variety of olivine containing 4–5 wt% P₂O₅, occurs in a few pallasites. Its Fe/Mg ratio is apparently independent of the host olivine composition.Pyroxene (not previously described from pallasites) occurs in symplectic intergrowths in seven meteorites. Compositionally, it lies in the gap between pyroxenes in chondrites and most irons. There are two groups: Fs_{11.6 ± 0.2} and Fs_{16.7 ± 0.2} The pyroxene contains exceptionally low Ca (< 0.1–0.2 wt%) and there is an indication of an inverse relation between Fe and Ca.Modal analyses and density measurements were made on all available specimens and bulk compositions were calculated. The ‘average’ pallasite contains 65 vol. % olivine and 50.5 wt % total Fe. Many of the densities of pallasites cluster around that calculated for close-packed olivine.Pallasites are exotic cumulates. Their textures resemble terrestrial cumulates, as does the presence of olivine and chromite. The metal texture resembles a solidified intercumulus liquid. Those pallasites containing olivine in excess of close-packing were subjected to adcumulus growth, thereby also explaining the widespread mutual borders.There is abundant evidence of deformation. For olivines this includes their fragmental shape and kink banding. Troilite formed a eutectic-like melt with kamacite: pieces of spalled olivine and schreibersite were injected into and captured by this melt. Troilite polycrystallinity resulted from the deformation. This deformation occurred while the pallasites were still deeply buried, resulting in incipient spheroidization of olivine fragments, including the formation of elongate, rounded crystals. A later, lower temperature deformation disrupted plessite.Pallasites formed in multiple parent bodies by processes that recurred in several places within the solar system, as shown by the mineralogical and textural similarities between pallasites that differ in their isotopic and trace element compositions. Type IIIB irons still seem the most likely associated meteorites.Two new pallasites, Dora and Rawlinna, are described briefly.     

The petrology and geochemistry of the Medicine Lake Volcano,California

The Medicine Lake shield volcano is part of the Oregon high alumina plateau basalt petrologic province, as defined by Waters (1962) and Higgins (1973). The early eruptions are basaltic andesites and they constitute a significant portion of the shield-forming lavas. These lavas are characterized by a mild iron enrichment trend produced by fractionation of plagioclase and olivine, together with lesser amounts of clinopyroxene. Siliceous andesites of less areal extent form the shield-capping lavas. Their formation is initiated by the appearance of titanomagnetite as a liquidus phase which prevents further iron enrichment. Additional fractionation of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, and minor olivine continued during this interval.An origin for the basaltic andesites which involves the derivation of a liquid by partial melting of lithosphere composed of low Sr⁸⁷/Sr⁸⁶ material previously subducted along the continental margin is favored. This magma subsequently fractionated under low pressure conditions, a conclusion supported by least squares mixing calculations.     

西准噶尔克拉玛依岩体的成因:年代学、岩石学和地球化学证据

西准噶尔地区克拉玛依岩体主要由闪长岩和花岗岩组成,锆石SHRIMP法给出的岩体结晶年龄为(315.5±2.8)Ma,为晚石炭世侵入岩.克拉玛依岩体具岛弧岩石的元素地球化学特征:总体上岩石富钠.A/CNK=0.57～0.84,富集LREE,(La/Yb)N=4.7～6.1,Eu显示弱负异常(δEu=0.76～0.91),...     

Application of organic petrology and geochemistry to coal waste studies

Coal wastes produced during mining activities are commonly deposited in nearby dumps. These wastes mostly composed of minerals and variable amounts (usually 20-30%) of organic matter start to weather immediately after deposition. Oxidation of the organic matter can lead to self heating and self combustion as a result of organic and mineral matter transformations. The degree of alteration depends on the properties of the wastes, i.e., the maceral and microlithotype composition of the organic matter and its rank.Alteration of wastes also depends on the heating history, i.e., the rate of heating, final heating temperature, duration of heating, and the degree of air access. Although air is probably necessary to initiate and drive the heating processes, these usually take place under relatively oxygen depleted conditions. With slow heating, color of organic matter particles changes, irregular cracks and oxidation rims develop around edges and cracks, and bitumen is expelled. As a result, massive and detritic isotropic and strongly altered organic matter forms. On the other hand, higher heating rates cause the formation of devolatilization pores, oxidation rims around these pores and along cracks, vitrinite-bands-mantling particles, and bitumen expulsions.Organic compounds generated from the wastes include n-alkanes, iso-alkanes, alkylcyclohexanes, acyclic isoprenoids, mainly pristane, phytane and, in some cases, farnesane, sesquiterpanes, tri- and tetracyclic diterpanes, tri- and pentacyclic triterpanes, and steranes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (mostly with two- to five rings, rarely six rings), and phenols. The compounds formed change during the heating history. The fact that phenols are found in dumps where heating has not yet been completed, but are absent in those where heating ceased previously suggests the presence of water washing. The organic compounds formed may migrate within the dumps. However, when they migrate out of the dumps, they become a hazard to environment.This paper is a review on transformations of organic matter (both maceral composition and reflectance and chemical composition) in coal wastes deposited in coal waste dumps. Immediately after deposition the wastes are exposed to weathering conditions and sometimes undergo self heating processes.     

普朗斑岩铜矿岩浆混合作用：岩石学及元素地球化学证据

普朗斑岩铜矿花岗闪长斑岩中存在大量的随机分布的镁铁质微粒包体,包体与寄主岩存在渐变接触关系。包体成分为闪长质,具有岩浆结构,存在针状磷灰石,显示了快速冷却结晶的特征。包体内可见具有暗色矿物镶边的眼球状石英,表明存在岩浆混合作用。寄主岩岩体规模较小,呈岩枝状产出,包体和寄主岩均为似斑状结构,说明两种岩浆侵位和发生岩浆混合作用的深度较浅。元素地球化学特征显示包体与寄主岩的之间有成分交换。包体和寄主岩强不相容元素均富集,高场强元素Nb、Ta、Ti均表现出显著的负异常,具有典型的岛弧岩浆岩的微量元素特征,包体和寄主岩Mg＃较高,在同等Si条件下比玄武岩部分熔融体富K2O和MgO,意味着源区必须有幔源岩浆的贡献。普朗斑岩铜矿蚀变矿化模式反映了其成矿环境偏基性,暗示镁铁质岩浆的加入对成矿具有贡献。     

The petrology and geochemistry of Miller Range 05035: A new lunar gabbroic meteorite

Miller Range (MIL) 05035 is a lunar gabbroic meteorite. The mineralogy, Fe/Mn ratios in olivine and pyroxene, bulk-rock chemical composition and the bulk oxygen isotope values (δ¹⁷O = 2.86-2.97‰ and δ¹⁸O = 5.47-5.71‰) are similar to those of other mare basalts, and are taken as supporting evidence for a lunar origin for this meteorite. The sample is dominated by pyroxene grains (54-61% by area mode of thin section) along with large plagioclase feldspar (25-36% by mode) and accessory quartz, ilmenite, spinel, apatite and troilite. The bulk-rock major element composition of MIL 05035 indicates that the sample has a very low-Ti (VLT) to low-Ti lunar heritage (we measure bulk TiO₂ to be 0.9 Wt.%) and has low bulk incompatible trace element (ITE) concentrations, akin to samples from the VLT mare basalt suite. To account for these geochemical characteristics we hypothesize that MIL 05035’s parental melt was derived from a mantle region dominated by early cumulates of the magma ocean (comprised principally of olivine and orthopyroxene). MIL 05035 is likely launch paired with the Asuka-881757 and Yamato-793169 basaltic lunar meteorites and the basaltic regolith breccia MET 01210. This group of meteorites (Y/A/M/M) therefore may be a part of a stratigraphic column consisting of an upper regolith environment underlain by a coarsening downwards basalt lava flow.     

The Varre-Sai chondrite,a Brazilian fall: petrology and geochemistry

The Varre-Sai meteorite fell along the border of the states of Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; on 19 June 2010 at 5:40 pm. Petrography and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) indicate that the rock is an L5 S4 chondrite, with blastoporphyritic texture that has not been previously described. Geochemical data based on major and rare-earth elements (REEs) show that Varre-Sai is highly similar to the other L chondrites. In Harker diagrams, Varre-Sai, L, and LL chondrites form a single group, suggesting no significant chemical differences between them and contributing to the long-standing debate of whether LL chondrites form a distinct group or whether they are a subset of the L group. Harker diagrams also define a trend from E to H and L/LL chondrites, similar to the cosmochemical trends suggested by other authors. The behaviour of Fe₂O_3t and NiO indicates a relationship with Fe-Ni alloys, and their trend in the diagram suggests some chemical differentiation in the ordinary chondrite parental bodies. The REE content in Varre-Sai, normalized to C chondrites, falls in the field of L chondrites and others, but with slight REE enrichment. The chemical differences in chondrites, mainly in REEs, Fe₂O_3t and NiO could be alternatively interpreted as variations in the inherited agglutinated materials as chondrules, Ca–Al-rich inclusions and Fe–Ni nodules.     

Organic petrology and geochemistry of the Carboniferous coal seams from the Central Asturian Coal Basin (NW Spain)

This paper presents for the first time a petrological and geochemical study of coals from the Central Asturian Coal Basin (North Spain) of Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian), mainly of Moscovian, age. A paleoenvironmental approach was used, taking into account both petrographic and organic geochemical studies. Vitrinite reflectance (R_r) ranges from 0.5% to 2.5%, which indicates a high volatile bituminous to semianthracite and anthracite coal rank. The coal samples selected for paleoenvironmental reconstruction are located inside the oil–gas-prone phase, corresponding to the interval between the onset of oil generation and first gas generation and efficient expulsion of oil. This phase is represented by coals that have retained their hydrocarbon potential and also preserved biomarker information. Paleodepositional reconstruction based on maceral and petrographic indices points to a swamp environment with vitrinite-rich coal facies and variable mineral matter content. The gelification index (GI) and groundwater influence index (GWI) indicate strong gelification and wet conditions. The biomarkers exhibit a high pristane/phytane ratio, suggesting an increase in this ratio from diagenetic processes, and a high diterpanes ratio. This, in turn, would seem to indicate a high swamp water table and a humid climate. The maximum point of coal accumulation occurred during the regressive part of the Late Moscovian sequence and in the most humid climate described for this period of time in the well-known coal basins of Europe and North America.