The Geology of the Great Dyke, Zimbabwe: Crystallization, Layering, and Cumulate Formation in the P1 Pyroxenite of Cyclic Unit 1 of the Darwendale Subchamber

The P1 layer of the Great Dyke is an 200 m thick pyroxenitesuccession in Cyclic Unit 1 and, as the topmost lithology ofthe Ultramafic Sequence, represents the transition from ultramaficto mafic rocks. Of critical importance to this part of the stratigraphyis the strong lateral environmental change from axis to marginas a result of the flared structure of the Great Dyke. Duringthe formation of the P1 layer the axial zone was underlain bya great thickness of hot ultramafic cumulates whereas the samelayer in the marginal zone progressively offiaps the lower ultramaficlayers and is in close proximity to the underlying wall/floorrocks. Heat loss through the floor was therefore much greaterin the marginal zone than in the axis. Major lateral variations are observed, with all lithologicalunits and layers thinning towards the margins of the subchambertogether with a progressive change in the form of the cumulates.Discordant relationships towards the margin between layer types(modal, cryptic, and form) are a feature of the P1 unit whichhas also been recognized in other parts of the Great Dyke (Prendergast,1991). Pyroxene compositions show significant variations withinan overall fractionation trend and decoupling occurs betweenmajor and minor element components of bronzite, suggesting strongcompositional heterogeneity of the magma. This type of crypticlayering has not previously been described and is informallycalled ‘cryptorhythmic’ layering. Pyroxene compositional variation is related to reaction andmodification by trapped intercumulus liquid, and few mineralspreserve liquidus compositions. A similar situation must existfor most layered intrusions. The strong dependence of pyroxenecompositions on incompatible element content in the whole-rockshows that the original liquidus compositions were modifiedby postcumu-lus overgrowth and reaction with the trapped intercumulusliquid. Well-constrained data arrays indicate that most cumulatesin the P1 layer behaved as a closed system with little or nomigration of intercumulus liquid. Liquidus compositions cantherefore be deduced and the residual porosity and degree ofpostcumulus formation were modelled using a computer program.Residual porosity is shown to be between 1 and 13% (by mass).Rocks in the marginal facies have a relatively large proportionof discrete postcumulus phases but instead of representing crystallizationof trapped liquid these are shown to be mainly heteradcumulusphases, i. e., interstitial minerals that have grown largelyby adcumulus processes in equilibrium with the main body ofmagma. The heteradcumulus component can be as high as 27%. Thesephases occur as oikocrysts which give rise to a well-developednodular pyroxenite (the ‘potato’ reef). The formationof the nodules caused local redistribution of primary sulphideliquid. The liquid layers which gave rise to cumulates in the marginalfacies are shown to be enriched in iron and incompatible elementscompared with the axial zone, indicating that the P1 pyroxenitelayer formed by crystallization of a magma which was eithercompositionally stratified or exhibited a strong lateral compositionalgradient.