Electrical conductivity,thermopower and <Superscript>57</Superscript>Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy of aegirine (NaFeSi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>)

DC and AC electrical conductivities were measured on samples of two different crystals of the mineral aegirine (NaFeSi₂O₆) parallel () and perpendicular () to the [001] direction of the clinopyroxene structure between 200 and 600 K. Impedance spectroscopy was applied (20 Hz–1 MHz) and the bulk DC conductivity _DC was determined by extrapolating AC data to zero frequency. In both directions, the log _DC – 1/T curves bend slightly. In the high- and low-temperature limits, differential activation energies were derived for measurements [001] of E_A 0.45 and 0.35 eV, respectively, and the numbers [001] are very similar. The value of _DC [001] with _DC(300 K) 2.0 × 10^{–6 –1}cm^–1 is by a factor of 2–10 above that measured [001], depending on temperature, which means anisotropic charge transport. Below 350 K, the AC conductivity () (/2=frequency) is enhanced relative to _DC for both directions with an increasing difference for rising frequencies on lowering the temperature. An approximate power law for () is noted at higher frequencies and low temperatures with () ^s, which is frequently observed on amorphous and disordered semiconductors. Scaling of () data is possible with reference to _DC, which results in a quasi-universal curve for different temperatures. An attempt was made to discuss DC and AC results in the light of theoretical models of hopping charge transport and of a possible Fe²⁺ Fe³⁺ electron hopping mechanism. The thermopower (Seebeck effect) in the temperature range 360 K < T <770 K is negative in both directions. There is a linear – 1/T relationship above 400 K with activation energy E 0.030 eV [001] and 0.070 eV [001]. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy was applied to detect Fe²⁺ in addition to the dominating concentration of Fe³⁺.     

The tholeiite to alkalic basalt transition at Haleakala Volcano,Maui, Hawaii

Previous studies of alkalic lavas erupted during the waning growth stages (<0.9 Ma to present) of Haleakala volcano identified systematic temporal changes in isotopic and incompatible element abundance ratios. These geochemical trends reflect a mantle mixing process with a systematic change in the proportions of mixing components. We studied lavas from a 250-m-thick stratigraphic sequence in Honomanu Gulch that includes the oldest (1.1 Ma) subaerial basalts exposed at Haleakaka. The lower 200 m of section is intercalated tholeiitic and alkalic basalt with similar isotopic (Sr, Nd, Pb) and incompatible element abundance ratios (e.g., Nb/La, La/Ce, La/Sr, Hf/Sm, Ti/Eu). These lava compositions are consistent with derivation of alkalic and tholeiitic basalt by partial melting of a compositionally homogeneous, clinopyroxene-rich, garnet lherzolite source. The intercalated tholeiitic and alkalic Honomanu lavas may reflect a process which tapped melts generated in different portions of a rising plume, and we infer that the tholeiitic lavas reflect a melting range of 10% to 15%, while the intercalated alkalic lavas reflect a range of 6.5% to 8% melting. However, within the uppermost 50 m of section. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr decreases from 0.70371 to 0.70328 as eruption age decreased from 0.97 Ma to 0.78 Ma. We infer that as lava compositions changed from intercalated tholeiitic and alkalic lavas to only alkalic lavas at 0.93 Ma, the mixing proportions of source components changed with a MORB-related mantle component becoming increasingly important as eruption age decreased.     

Entwurf einer Mikrogefüge-Einteilung von Marschböden

Zusammenfassung Die üblichen Bodengefügeeinteilungen nach dem Grad der Aggregatbildung waren für die Anwendung an Marschböden unzureichend. Es wird ein Entwurf einer Mikrogefüge-Einteilung besprochen, die auf dem Gehalt an Matrix (Kornanteil < 6. geschätzt) wie auf ihrem Ausrichtungsgrad basiert. Der visuell beurteilte Ausrichtungsgrad der Matrix wird als sehr schwach, schwach, mäßig, stark und sehr stark eingestuft, der geschätzte Matrixgehalt in hoch ( > 40%), mittel (23–40%), gering (5–23%), und sehr gering (0–5%) unterteilt.     

Sedimentary provenance of Mid-Devonian clastic sediments in the Teplá-Barrandian Unit (Bohemian Massif): U–Pb and Pb–Pb geochronology of detrital zircons by laser ablation ICP-MS

Summary The provenance of the Mid-Devonian clastic sediments in the Teplá-Barrandian Unit (TBU) of the Bohemian Massif was investigated by laser ablation ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating, bulk sediment geochemistry and mineralogical study of the heavy mineral fraction. In contrast to the island arc provenance of the TBU Neoproterozoic sediments, the Early Palaeozoic sediments contain significant amounts of differentiated crustal material. The detrital zircon populations in the Barrandian Mid-Devonian siltstones and sandstones show ages ranging from Archaean (3.0Ga) to Early Palaeozoic (0.39Ga). Major age maxima are at 2.6Ga, 2.0–2.25Ga, 0.62 and 0.51Ga. The youngest identified zircons so far correspond to Lower and Mid-Devonian ages. The extensive mechanical abrasion of zircons having Archaean (3.0, 2.8 and 2.6Ga) to Paleoproterozoic ages (2.25–2.0Ga) suggest their provenance from recycled old sedimentary sequences. The relatively large number of zircons with ages between 2.0 and 3.0Ga may indicate the presence of relicts of the Archaean/Paleoproterozoic crust in the source areas of the studied Mid-Devonian sediments. The absence of detrital zircon ages between 0.9 and 1.2Ga and the presence of zircon ages of 2.0–2.25 and 0.5–0.8Ga correspond to the zircon age pattern from the Gondwana-related North African, rather than Gondwana-related South American and Baltic terranes. The material was entering the basin predominantly from the west and consisted primarily of detrital material of Cambrian granitoids and recycled material of Neoproterozoic meta-sedimentary sequences.     

Petrology of ultramafic nodules from West Kettle River,near Kelowna,Southern British Columbia

A basanitoid flow of Miocene age, exposed near the West Kettle River, 25 km southeast of Kelowna, British Columbia, contains abundant ultramafic and mafic nodules. The subangular nodules are 1–20 cm across and typically show granular textures. A study of 250 nodules indicates that spinel lherzolite (60%) is the dominant type with subordinate olivine websterite (10%), websterite (7%), clinopyroxenite (4%), wehrlite (4%), pyroxene gabbro (4%), dunite (2%), harzburgite (1%) and granitic rocks (8%). Ultramafic nodules are of two types. Most of the wehrlites and clinopyroxenites belong to the black pyroxene (aluminous clinopyroxene) series, whereas the other clinopyroxene-bearing nodules belong to the green pyroxene (chromian diopside) series. Some spinel lherzolite nodules have distinctive pyroxene- and olivine-rich bands. Microprobe analyses of the constituent minerals of more than thirty nodules from the green pyroxene series indicate that grain to grain variations within individual nodules are small even when banding is present. Olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and spinel in spinel lherzolite have average compositions of Fo₉₀, En₉₀, Wo₄₇Fs₅En₄₈, Cr/(Cr+ Al+Fe³)=0.1 and Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺)=0.8. Equilibration temperatures, which were calculated using the two pyroxene geothermometer of Wells (1977), range between 920–980° C. Based on published phase stability experiments, pressures of equilibration are between 10–18 kbar. In summary, the upper mantle beneath southern British Columbia is dominated by spinel lherzolite but contains some banding on a scale of cm to meters. The temperature in the upper mantle is 950° C at a depth of 30–60 km.On leave from the Geological Institute, University of Tokyo, Japan     

Contact metamorphism/hydrothermal alteration of Tertiary basalts from the Isle of Skye,northwest Scotland

Alkali olivine basalts from Skye were simultaneously contact metamorphosed by Tertiary gabbro and granite intrusions and altered by the hydrothermal convection system that the plutons induced. Four metamorphic zones were mapped around the plutons. Furthest from the intrusions, in the primary olivine zone, metabasalts are composed of combinations of igneous olivine, augite, plagioclase, titaniferous magnetite, ilmenite, zeolites, gyrolite, sulfides, and chlorite-smectite intergrowths. Closer to the plutons, in the smectite zone, saponite and carbonate appear, primary olivine and gyrolite disappear, and zeolites decrease dramatically in abundance. Still closer to the plutons, in the amphibole zone, actinolite, edenite, chlorite, sphene, epidote, andradite, and quartz appear and saponite and chlorite-smectite intergrowths disappear. Along parts of the contact between gabbro and basalt, in the orthopyroxeneolivine zone, orthopyroxene, metamorphic olivine, and biotite appear and amphibole, chlorite, sphene, epidote, andradite, carbonate, and quartz disappear. Whole-rock chemical data indicate only minor change in the major-element chemical composition of the metabasalts during progressive metamorphism/hydrothermal alteration. Two-pyroxene eothermometry and various mineral-fluid equilibria suggest the range of peak temperatures attained in the metamorphic zones: orthopyroxene-olivine zone, 900°1, 030° C; amphibole zone, 400°–900° C; smectite and primary olivine zones, < 400° C. Mineralogical and oxygen isotopic alteration of the metabasalts were closely coupled: Basalts from the primary olivine zone with nearly unaltered igneous mineralogies have normal or near-normal wholerock ¹⁸O>+5 (SMOW); mineralogically more altered basalts from the smectite zone have whole-rock ¹⁸O=+2 to +5; still more mineralogically altered basalts from the amphibole zone (with one exception) have ¹⁸O<+ 2; completely recrystallized hornfelses from the orthopyroxene-olivine zone have ¹⁸O<0. The principal mechanism of isotope exchange between basalt and metamorphic/ hydrothermal fluid probably was heterogeneous mineralfluid reaction.Metabasalts from the orthopyroxene-olivine zone are mineralogically fresh pyroxene hornfelses that record crystallization temperatures > 1,000° C yet have highly altered whole-rock oxygen isotope compositions, ¹⁸O<0%. The hornfelses chemically interacted with metamorphic/hydrothermal fluids either at very high temperatures or while they were heated to > 1,000° C or both. Their mineralogy, however, rules out significant water-rock interaction after they cooled below 900° C. Hydrothermal convection on Skye was a two-stage process: (a) fluid flow through wall rocks initially was pervasive while they are heated; (b) fluid flow after the thermal peak in the wall rocks was sufficiently channelized that rocks such as those in the orthopyroxeneolivine zone were isolated from further fluid-rock interaction during all or almost all of the cooling history of the hydrothermal system.     

Iron- and manganese-rich minor intrusions emplaced under late-orogenic conditions in the proterozoic of South Greenland

Three small intrusions in Ketilidian gneisses near Julianehaab comprise sheets and veins of olivine-magnetite-grunerite or magnetite-amphibole rocks partly surrounded by garnetiferous hornblende-biotite granitoid rock. The latter skin locally widens out into diffuse bodies of fayalite-orthopyroxene-quartz syenite or monzonite and biotite granite, which show layering similar to that resulting from gravity settling of crystals. Near the intrusions the country rocks lose their foliation and have been partially melted. Intrusion probably occurred at the close of regional metamorphism 1,750–1,780 m.y. ago, just prior to emplacement of the rapakivi granite suite of South Greenland. The mafic minerals of the intrusions are markedly enriched in iron and, in the case of olivine, orthopyroxene, grunerite and garnet, in manganese as well: olivine Fa₉₀Te₅Fo₅; orthopyroxene (inverted pigeonite) Ca₂Fe₇₇Mn₆Mg₁₅; calciferous amphiboles are typically hastingsitic; biotites generally have Fe/Fe+Mg ratios of 0.8; garnets are almandine-grossularite-spessartine mixtures; essentially pure magnetite is the dominant oxide mineral and ilmenite is only moderately manganiferous. Crystallization of the mafic rocks appears to have followed the trend of the quartz-fayalite-magnetite buffer curve from perhaps 800°C to <550°C at pressures, calculated from thermodynamic considerations, of 4 to 5 kb. However, the presence of Mn makes estimates of pressure and temperature uncertain. Comparison with other late- to post-orogenic intrusions—the South Greenland and Finnish rapakivi granite suites, the Labrador adamellite complex and the Pikes Peak batholith of Colorado—reveals both similarities and differences, particularly with respect to mineral parageneses, depth of emplacement and manganese enrichment.     

Sr-Nd isotopic constraints on the petrogenesis of the Central Bohemian Pluton,Czech Republic

The Sr-Nd isotopic data for selected granitoids of the Central Bohemian Pluton show a broad negative correlation with the total range of (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)₃₃₀ = 0.7051–0.7129 and _Nd ³³⁰ = +0.2 to –8.9. The older intrusions have more depleted Sr-Nd compositions and calc-alkaline geochemistry (Sázava suite), whereas the younger intrusions shift towards K-rich calc-alkaline (Blatná suite) and shoshonitic rocks (íany and ertovo bemeno suites) with more evolved isotopic signatures. The distribution of the data is interpreted as reflecting a diversity of sources and processes, rather than a single progressive crustal contamination trend. The Sázava suite could have originated by partial melting of metabasites, or of a mantle source with an isotopic composition close to bulk earth, or by hybridization of crustally-derived tonalitic and mantle-derived magmas. Variation within the Blatná suite is modelled by mixing between a moderately enriched [(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)₃₃₀ 0.708, _Nd ³³⁰ –3] mantle component with either an isotopically evolved metasedimentary component, or with more evolved magmas of the suite. The íany suite was most probably produced by partial melting of peraluminous lithologies, possibly of the adjacent Moldanubian unit. The ertovo bemeno suite evolved from strongly enriched mantle-derived magmas [(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)₃₃₀0.7128, _Nd ³³⁰ –7], either through closed-system fractional crystallization or interaction with magma corresponding to leucogranites of the Central Bohemian Pluton.     

Experimental constraints on depths of fractionation of mildly alkalic basalts and associated felsic rocks: Pantelleria,Strait of Sicily

Pantelleria, Italy, is a continental rift volcano consisting of alkalic basalt, trachyte, and pantellerite. At 1 atm along the FMQ buffer, the least-evolved basalt (Mg #= 58.5% norm ne) yields olivine on the liquidus at 1,180° C, followed by plagioclase, then by clinopyroxene, and by titanomagnetite and ilmenite at 1,075°. After 70% crystallization, the residual liquid at 1,025° is still basaltic and also contains apatite and possibly kaersutite. A less alkalic basalt shows the same order of phase appearance. Glass compositions define an Fe-enrichment trend and a density maximum for anhydrous liquids that coincides with a minimum in Mg#.During the initial stages of crystallization at 1 atm, liquids remain near the critical plane of silica-undersaturation until, at lower temperatures, Fe-Ti oxide precipitation drives the composition toward silica saturation. Thus the qtz-normative trachytes and pantellerites typically associated with mildly ne-normative basalts in continental rifts could be produced by low-pressure fractional crystallization or by shallow-level partial melting of alkali gabbro. At 8 kbar, clinopyroxene is the liquidus phase at 1,170° C, followed by both olivine and plagioclase at 1,135°. Because clinopyroxene dominates the crystallizing assemblage and plagioclase is more albitic than at 1 atm, liquids at 8 kbar are driven toward increasingly ne-normative compositions, suggesting that higher-pressure fractionation favors production of phonolitic derivatives.Natural basaltic samples at Pantelleria are aphyric or contain 1–10% phenocrysts of plag olcpx or ol>cpx, with groundmass Fe-Ti oxides and apatite. The lack of phenocrystic plagioclase in two of the lavas suggests that crystallization at slightly higher PH₂O may have destabilized plagioclase relative to the 1-atm results, but there is no preserved evidence for significant fractionation at mantle depths as clinopyroxene is the least abundant phenocryst phase in all samples and contains only small amounts of octahedral Al. The liquid line and phenocryst compositions match more closely the 1-atm experimental results than those at 8 kbar.Although major-element trends in natural liquids and crytals reflect low-pressure fractionation, minor- and trace-element concentrations preserve evidence of multiple parental liquids. Scatter in variation diagrams exceeds that attributable to crystal accumulation in these phenocryst-poor rocks, and the large range in concentrations of P and Ti at high MgO contents cannot be produced by polybaric fractionation nor by mixing with coexisting felsic magmas. Sr and O isotope ratios rule out significant interaction with crystalline upper crust, Mesozoic shelf sediments, or Tertiary evaporites. Positive correlations of compatible and incompatible elements suggest that the basalts are not simply related to one another by closed-system fractional crystallization of a single parental magma. Increasing Ce/Yb with Ce suggests that these relations are not a product of mixing within a replenished magma chamber, nor of mixing with more felsic members of the suite, which have smaller Ce/Yb ratios. Low-pressure fractional crystallization of ol+cpx+ plag±oxides from slightly different parental magmas produced by varying degrees of melting of garnet-bearing peridotite is a possible scenario.Small and infrequently replenished magma reservoirs in this continental rift environment may account for the strongly differentiated nature of the Pantellerian basalts. There is no correlation between Mg# and eruptive frequency, in part because concentration of volatiles in residual liquids offsets the effect of Fe-enrichment on melt density, such that strong Fe-enrichment is no hindrance to eruption.     

An experimental investigation of olivine morphology

Olivine crystals can adopt ten types of shape. Experimental crystallization of eight rock melts shows that there is a systematic change from polyhedral or granular olivines hopper olivines branching olivines randomly oriented chain olivines parallel-growth chain olivines chain+lattice olivines plate or feather olivines, with increase in cooling rate and with increase in degree of supercooling. This sequence involves changes from complete to progressively less complete crystals and from equant habit to elongate bladed habit (c>ab) to tabular habit (ac b). The sequence is not affected by the phase relations of the melt. The larger the olivine content of a melt the slower the cooling rate at which a particular olivine shape grows, whereas the lower the melt viscosity, the greater the cooling rate. Irrespective of the melt composition, comparable crystal shapes grow at the same degrees of supercooling. By comparison of the shapes of olivine crystals in experiments with those in rocks of similar composition, it is possible to deduce the cooling rate through the olivine crystallization interval and the approximate degree of supercooling at which the olivine crystals nucleated and grew in the rocks. The various shapes of skeletal olivines in many picrites, olivine-rich basalts and the Archaean spinifex rocks are not due to rapid cooling, but to rapid olivine growth caused by the high normative olivine content of the magma.     

Formation of Ni–Cu–Platinum Group Element sulfide mineralization in the Sudbury Impact Melt Sheet

Summary The Ni–Cu–Platinum Group Element (PGE) sulfide deposits of the Sudbury Structure have provided a major portion of the worlds total nickel production and their host rocks have been the subject of numerous research studies, yet a number of perplexing problems remain to be solved. On the one hand, studies seeking to explain the formation of the Sudbury Structure have now converged on a genetic model which proposes that the Main Mass and Offset Dykes of the Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC) were produced by crystallization of an impact-generated melt sheet. On the other hand, these models have yet to be fully reconciled with the production of the very large volume of magmatic Ni, Cu, Co, and PGE-rich sulfide mineralization and the associated mafic rock types. This paper explores this problem using new precious metal data from the Main Mass and Offset Dykes. These data are used to understand the relationships between these rocks, and to provide constraints on how the Ni–Cu–PGE sulfide ore deposits fit into the geological evolution of the Sudbury Structure.In the two drill cores selected for study in this project, the Mafic Norite has 1–5 modal percent pyrrhotite plus chalcopyrite, and elevated Ni (40–1000ppm), Cu (40–1140ppm), and PGE (1.9–7.8ppb Pd, 1.8–7.3ppb Pt); this is overlain by Felsic Norite that contains pyrrhotite, and has a wide range in concentration of Ni (13–257ppm), Cu (7–328ppm), and PGE (<0.01–6.4ppb Pd, <0.01–5ppb Pt). For a similar range of MgO, the upper portion of the Felsic Norite unit has 5–10 times lower Ni and Cu abundances than within-plate basalts and local crustal rocks, and PGE abundance levels are mostly below analytical determination limits. Stratigraphic studies of other compositional profiles around the SIC demonstrate that this depletion signature of Ni, Cu, and PGE is widespread and developed not only above mineralized embayments and offsets, but also above barren sections of the lower contact of the SIC.The depletion of the upper part of the Felsic Norite in Ni, Cu and PGE is presumably due to equilibration of the magma with magmatic sulfide, and accumulation of this dense sulfide liquid. Results of modeling indicate that the parental magma giving rise to the Mafic and Felsic Norites had initial Ni and Cu contents of 210 and 110ppm, respectively. In addition, Ni, Cu and PGE tenors calculated in 100% sulfide from the Copper Cliff Offset average 13% Cu, 6% Ni, 18ppm Pd, and 19ppm Pt indicating that these sulfides had formed by fractionation from magmas that contained 310ppm Ni, 310ppm Cu, 18ppb Pd and 19ppb Pt. These values are factors of 3 to 5 higher than the Ni, Cu, Pd, and Pt contents of the Onaping Formation with average values of 55ppm Ni, 48ppm Cu, and 4.9ppb Pd as well as the marginal sulfide-poor phase of the Worthington Offset quartz diorite, which has average values of 61ppm Ni, 59ppm Cu, 2.8ppb Pd and 4.0ppb Pt. Both the Onaping Formation and the marginal quartz diorite are believed to represent the initial composition of a large component of the melt sheet. There is therefore a fundamental problem in reconciling the initial metal contents of the SIC magma as indicated by the marginal phases of the Offset dykes and that of the Onaping Formation with the composition of the SIC magma at the times of formation of the sulfides as indicated by their Ni, Cu and PGE tenors.It is proposed that because the SIC melt sheet was initially superheated with a temperature of 1700°C, it was able to dissolve 5 times as much S as it could at its liquidus temperature of 1200°C. It was also initially composed of an emulsion of mafic and felsic melts (Marsh and Zieg, 1999), which may have formed discrete magma cells. As the temperature of the melt sheet decreased, some of these magma cells became S-saturated and the resultant Ni–Cu–PGE sulfides settled downwards and on reaching magma cells lower in the melt sheet were re-dissolved thereby raising the Ni, Cu and PGE contents of the lower magma cells. It was from these enriched magma cells that precipitation of the ore-forming Ni–Cu–PGE sulfide melts eventually took place.The mineral potential of Offset and embayment structures appears to be empirically linked to the thickness of the overlying noritic rocks; for example, the most heavily mineralized embayments and Offset Dykes are located in areas where the Felsic Norite is thickest. It appears unlikely that the entire 1–3km-thick melt sheet was convectively mixing throughout its lateral extent, and so the heterogeneity in sulfide distribution was retained after crystallization and cooling.     

Calibration of Al/Si order variations in anorthite

New single crystal diffraction data for natural and heat-treated anorthite crystals (Angel et al. 1990) allow the determination of their states of Al/Si order in terms of a macroscopic order parameter,Q _OD , for the transition. Numerical values ofQ _OD obtained from estimates of site occupancies are shown to vary with the scalar spontaneous strain, _s , as _s Q _OD ² , and with the ratio of the sums of typeb (superlattice) reflections and typea (sublattice) reflections asI _b/I _a Q _OD ² . An empirical calibration for pure anorthite is obtained giving varies between 0.92 and 0.87 in samples equilibrated at T1300° C, but then falls off relatively rapidly with increasing temperature, reaching 0.7 near the melting point ( 1557° C). The observed temperature dependence does not conform to the predictions of the simplest single order parameter models; coupling ofQ _OD withQ of the transition is suspeeted.     

Late Hercynian U-vein mineralization in the Alps: fluid inclusion and C,O, H isotopic evidence for mixing between two externally derived fluids

Late Hercynian U-bearing carbonate veins within the metamorphic complex of La Lauzière are characterized by two parageneses. The first is dominated by dolomite or ankerite and the second by calcite and pitchblende. Fluids trapped in the dolomites and ankerites at 350–400° C are saline waters (20 to 15 wt % eq. NaCl) with D –34 to –49. In the calcite they are less saline (17 to 8 wt % eq. NaCl) and trapped at 300–350° C with D –50 to –65. All fluids contain trace N₂, CO₂ and probably CH₄. The carbonates have ¹³C –8 to –14. and derived their carbon from organic matter. Evolution of the physico-chemical conditions from dolomite (ankerite) to calcite deposition was progressive.H and O-isotope studies indicate the involvement of two externally derived fluids during vein development. A D-rich ( –35) low fO₂, saline fluid is interpreted to have come from underlying sediments and entered the hotter overlying metamorphic slab and mixed with more oxidizing and less saline U bearing meteoric waters during regional uplift. This evidence for a sedimentary formation water source for the deep fluid implies that the metamorphic complex overthrusted sedimentary formations during the Late-Hercynian.     

Strontium isotopic and selected trace element variations between two Aleutian volcanic centers (Adak and Atka): implications for the development of arc volcanic plumbing systems

Major and trace element concentrations and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of lavas from the Aleutian volcanic centers of Adak and Atka have been used to study the evolution of their respective lithospheric plumbing systems. The centers are within 150 km of one another and show similar overall silica ranges (47–67%), but Adak (40 km³) is smaller than Atka (200 km³). Adak's lavas are chemically and isotopically heterogeneous (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr:0.70285–0.70330) and two units contain lithospheric xenoliths. The lavas of the much larger Atka, on the other hand, have much less variability in major and trace elements as well as ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70320–0.70345). We suggest that these characteristics are a measure of the relative maturity and cleanliness of the lithospheric plumbing systems that supply magma to these centers. Because Aleutian volcanic centers often remain fixed for relatively long periods of time (5 m.y.), once established, magmatic passageways are repeatedly used. Young plumbing systems are relatively cool and contain large amounts of wallrock contaminant, and ascending magmas undergo contamination as well as concurrent crystallization and fractionation. With time, however, heat and mass transfer between ascending magmas and wallrock produce thermal and chemical boundary layers that insulate subsequent magmas. In effect, the plumbing system matures. The chemical heterogeneity displayed by young, dirty systems (like Adak) reflects not only the magma source but also the wallrock encountered during ascent and possibly the effects of extensive crystal fractionation. Thus, it is the petrologic data of mature, clean systems, like Atka, that yield the most direct and unambiguous information on the ultimate origin of the lavas and their near surface evolution.     

Evaluation of biotite-garnet geothermometers: application to the English River subprovince,Ontario

In recent years, there have been numerous calibrations of the biotite-garnet Fe-Mg exchange geothermometer. The Eastern Lac Seul region of the English River subprovince, Ontario, provides an excellent field area in which to compare these calibrations.Trend surface analysis using the temperatures obtained from garnet cores and matrix biotites-showed almost identical trends in the eastern Lac Seul region regardless of the calibration used. The absolute temperatures and the precision of each calibration do, however, show large variation. Geothermometers based solely on lnK_D were found to give more precise results than the calibrations that attempt to incorporate non-Fe-Mg components. The Perchuk and Lavrent'eva (1983) thermometer yields the most precise and accurate results. If a sufficient number of samples are collected over a region, it can be used to estimate metamorphic temperature trends to ±30° C. Metamorphism and migmatization of the English River subprovince occurred during the Kenoran orogeny, 2.68 b.y. ago. Our results show that a thermal anticline has been preserved, with temperatures of 600° C at the north and south contacts with Uchi and Wabigoon Greenstone belts, increasing to 725 °C at the center of the subprovince. A garnet-cordierite in isograd occurs at 650° C and an orthopyroxene in isogradat 700° C.     

An analcime mugearite-megacryst association from north-eastern New South Wales: implications for high-pressure amphibole-dominated fractionation of alkaline magmas

An analcime-rich mugearite near Spring Mount in north-eastern New South Wales contains dominant kaersutite, lesser anorthoclase and rare Ti-rich mica megacrysts, and also rare Group I peridotite xenoliths and granitoid inclusions. Mineralogical, experimental and Sr and Nd isotopic data are interpreted to indicate that the megacrysts are cognate with their host and that megacryst precipitation occurred at pressures in the vicinity of 1 GPa. Isotopic and other data indicate minimal crystal contamination of the melt. The generation of this evolved lava (100 Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺), M55; differentiation index DI52–56) by high-pressure amphiboledominated fractionation of a mantle-derived hydrous alkali basaltic parent (M70) is inconsistent with observed megacryst abundances (<3%) and absence of Group II cumulates, and with the magnitude of the crystal extracts (45% crystals) indicated by crystal fractionation models. These data suggest the mugearite is not a high-pressure differentiate of a hypothetical primary parental magma (M70). Alternatively, its composition might approximate that of a primary magma derived from a relatively Fe-rich amphibole lherzolite mantle source.     

Macrocryst Fe - Ti oxides in olivine melilitites from Namaqualand-Bushmanland South Africa

Ilmenite macrocrysts in olivine melilitites from Namaqualand-Bushmanland, South Africa, have decomposed by subsolidus reduction to form oriented Mg-titanomagnetite along {0001} ilmenite planes. Residual ilmenite contains 10–11 wt% MgO, 1 wt% MnO, and 0.1 wt% Cr₂O₃. This macrocryst assemblage is mantled by an annulus of Mg-titanomagnetite, followed by an overgrowth of radiating magnetite + perovskite. Terminal compositions of these magnetites are similar to groundmass spinels, and to the outermost margins of magnetite macrocrysts that have very high Fe³⁺ core contents. The assemblages are remarkably similar to oxide intergrowths in kimberlites and an upper mantle derivation is proposed for ilmenite macrocrysts in these melilitites. Oxidation states in the source regions are also very similar, whether on-or off-craton, being slightly above FMQ (NNO), but reduced to FMQWM with the onset of decompression, volatile loss, and carbonate immiscibility. In the case of the melilitites, late stage, low pressure crystallization above NNO precipated abundant magnetite + perovskite. The oxide fO₂ data are consistent with, and refine the fO₂ estimates obtained previously for the behavior of Fe/Mg and Ni contents in olivine from the same suite of samples.     

Quantitative P-T paths from zoned minerals: Theory and tectonic applications

An analytical approach to the analysis of zoning profiles in minerals is presented that simultaneously accounts for all of the possible continuous reactions that may be operative in a given assemblage. The method involves deriving a system of simultaneous linear differential equations consisting of a Gibbs-Duhem equation for each phase, a set of linearly independent stoichiometric relations among the chemical potentials of phase components in the assemblage, and a set of equations describing the total differential of the slope of the tangent plane to the Gibbs free energy surface of solid solution phases. The variables are the differentials of T, P, chemical potentials of all phase components, and independent compositional terms of solid solution phases. The required input data are entropies, volumes, the compositions of coexisting phases at a reference P and T, and an expression for the curvature of the Gibbs functions for solid solution phases. Results derived are slopes of isopleths (dP/dT, dX/dT or dX/dP) which can be used to contour P-T diagrams with mineral composition.To interpret mineral zoning, T and P can be expressed as functions of n independent composition parameters, where n is the variance of the mineral assemblage. The total differentials of P and T are differential equations that can be solved by finite difference techniques using the derivatives obtained from the analytical formulation of phase equilibria.Results calculated from Zone I and Zone IV garnets of Tracy et al. (1976) indicate that Zone I garnets grew while T increased (T+72° C) and P decreased sharply (P–3 kb). Zone IV garnets zoned in response to decreasing T (T–17° C) and P (P–1 kb). A P-T path calculated for a zoned garnet from the Greinerschiefer series, western Tauern Window, Austria, also indicates growth during decompression (–3kb) and heating (T+15° C). A P-T path calculated for the Wissahickon schist (Crawford and Mark 1982) indicates growth during cooling and compression (T–25 C, P+2.2 kb). The calculated P-T paths differ according to structural environment and can be used to relate mineral growth to tectonic processes.     

Cell parameters of thermally treated anorthite. Al,Si configurations in the average structures of the high temperature calcic plagioclases

Thermal treatments of anorthite carried out at up to 1,547° C show that the unit cell parameter changes as a function of the treatment temperature. The best fit curve found by non-linear least squares analysis is: =91.419-(0.327·10^-6)T ²+(0.199·10^-12)T ⁴-(0.391·10)T ⁶. The results obtained support significant Al,Si disorder (Al0.10, where Al=t ₁(0)-1/3 [t ₁(m)+t ₂(0)+t ₂(m)], Ribbe 1975), in anorthite equilibrated near the melting point and confirm a high temperature series differentiated from the low temperature series for calcic plagioclases in the An₈₅–An₁₀₀ range also. In the plot vs. An-content the high and low temperature curves intersect at An₈₅ composition and progressively diverge in the An₈₅–An₁₀₀ range. The trends of the high and low temperature curves in this range are interpretable on the basis of the degree of Al, Si order in the average structures of calcic plagioclases.     

Untersuchungen am Meteoriten von Borkut und anderen Chondriten über Form,Aufbau und Entstehung der Chondren

Zusammenfassung Durch Ausmessung der Chondrenquerschnitte an Anschliffen van sechs Chondriten und Messungen an isolierten Chondren von Borkut ergab sich:Die Häufigkeitsverteilung der Chondren ist symmetrisch, das Maximum liegt bei einem Durchmesser von 0,6–0,8 mm. Chondren Bind Rotationsellipsoide oder allgemeine Ellipsoids und zum geringen Teil Kugeln (etwa 12%). Kleinere Chondren sind kugelähnlicher als große. Die ellipsoidischen Chondren zeigen bei Borkut and Bluff sine deutliche Einregelung.Der Chondrit Borkut besteht aus Bronzit, Olivin, Nickeleisen, Troilit, Chromic und Glas mit Feldspatmikrolithen. Er enthält Pyroxen-, PyroxenOlivin-und Olivinchondren. Des Orthopyroxen ist ein Bronzit mit 24,5 Mol.-% FeSiO₃, der Olivin enthält 31 Mol.-% Fe₂S0₄.Das spezifische Gewicht ist 3,609 g/cm³, das Porenvolumen beträgt 19,06%.Der Gesamtmeteorit und die Chondren wurden getrennt chemisch analysiert. Nach Chernismus und Mineralbestand gehört Borkut dem L-Typ der Chondrite an.Die Pyroxenchondren von l3orkut bestehen aus Lamellensystemen nach (100) oder (101) and einem Feldspatglas mit Mikrolithen. Sie haben sich ebenso wie gemischte and Olivinchondren als Tröpfchen aus einer Schmelze gebildet, die schnell abgekühlt wurden. Die verschiedenen Chondrentypen können dadurch entstehen, daß ein Magma mit bereits ausgeschiedenen Olivinkristallen zu kleinen Tröpfchen zerrissen wurde, wobei Tröpfchen mit Olivinkristallen (gemischte Chondren) und solche ohne Olivin (Pyroxenchondren) entstanden.

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Measurements of cross-sections of chondrules in. sections of 6 chondrites and measurements of isolated chondrules from Borkut yielded te following results:The grain size distribution of chondrules is symmetrical, its maximum being at a diameter of 0.6 to 0.8 mm. Chondrules are rotation ellipsoids or ordinary ellipsoids, a minor part are spherules (some 12%). Smaller chondrules form more perfect spherules than bigger ones. Elliptical chondrules in Borkut and Bluff show an evident orientation.The chondrite Borkut consists of bronzite, olivine, nickeliron, troilite, chromite, and glass with microlithic felspar. It contains pyroxene chondrules, pyroxene olivine chondrules, and olivine chondrules. The orthopyroxene is a bronzite containing 24.5 mol.-% FeSiO₃, the olivine contains 31 mol.-% Fe₂SiO₄,Its specific gravity is 3.609 g/cm³, its porosity amounts to .19.06%.The whole meteorite and the chondrules had been chemically analyzed separately. According to its chemical composition and mineral content, Borkut has to be classified under type L of chondrites. The pyroxene chondrules of Borkut consist of systems of lamellae parallel (100) or (101) and of felspar glass with microlithic crystals. They, as well as mixed chondrules and olivine chondrules, originated from a melt as droplets, which cooled down rapidly. The different types of chondrules may originate, when magma containing already crystallized olivine is disrupted to droplets; the result is then either droplets containing olivine crystals (mixed chondrules) or droplets without olivine (pyroxene chondrules).