Prehnite--Epidote Phase Relations in the Nordre Aputit?q and Kruuse Fjord Layered Gabbros, East Greenland

Layered gabbros at Nordre Aputit?q and Kruuse Fjord were emplacedduring extensional tectonism that led to the formation of theNorth Atlantic basin in the Early Tertiary. Sub-solidus reactionsbetween the gabbros and hydrothermal fluids formed superimposedalteration assemblages in fractures, cavities, and the adjacentgabbros. The earliest secondary minerals are Ca-Al amphibole+ clinopyroxene + biotite ? plagioclase that form thin veinsor porous pegmatitic masses. These minerals are crosscut, overgrownor partially replaced by one or more generations of prehniteand epidote bearing assemblages associated with filling of thefractures and cavities, and with extensive wall rock albitization. Wide variations in the partitioning of Fe³⁺ and Al between coexistingprehnite and epidote solid solutions occur in these alteredgabbros. The partitioning data define distinct clusters in termsof associated mineralogy and paragenetic relations. This, togetherwith prehnite and epidote compositions from active geothermalsystems, are used to evaluate the thermodynamic properties ofthe intercrystalline exchange reaction:When compared to thecompositions of prehnite and epidote in the Nordre Aputit?qand Kruuse Fjord intrusions, it is concluded that the latestand lowest temperature generations of prehnite and epidote displaydisequilibrium partitioning of Fe³⁺ and Al, manifested by theoccurrence of prehnite that is relatively enriched in Fe³⁺ Thermodynamic analysis of phase relations in the system Na₂O-CaO-Al₂O₃-Fe₂O₃-FeO-SiO₂-H₂O-HClis used to determine local equilibrium constraints on Fe³⁺-Alsubstitution in prehnite and epidote. It appears that parageneticand compositional relations of prehnite and epidote are sensitiveindicators of local fluctuations in fluid composition and temperature.The complex magmatic and structural history of the gabbros atNordre Aputit?q relative to Kruuse Fjord is considered to beresponsible for the differences in mineral paragenesis and compositionsof prehnite and epidote within these intrusions.