Fe3+-rich augite and high electrical conductivity in the deep lithosphere

Abstract

Research Article| February 01, 2012 Fe3+-rich augite and high electrical conductivity in the deep lithosphere Xiaozhi Yang; Xiaozhi Yang * Bayerisches Geoinstitut, Universität Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany *E-mail: xiaozhi.yang@uni-bayreuth.de. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Catherine McCammon Catherine McCammon Bayerisches Geoinstitut, Universität Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Xiaozhi Yang * Bayerisches Geoinstitut, Universität Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany Catherine McCammon Bayerisches Geoinstitut, Universität Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany *E-mail: xiaozhi.yang@uni-bayreuth.de. Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 08 Aug 2011 Revision Received: 05 Sep 2011 Accepted: 13 Sep 2011 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2012 Geological Society of America Geology (2012) 40 (2): 131–134. https://doi.org/10.1130/G32725.1 Article history Received: 08 Aug 2011 Revision Received: 05 Sep 2011 Accepted: 13 Sep 2011 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Xiaozhi Yang, Catherine McCammon; Fe3+-rich augite and high electrical conductivity in the deep lithosphere. Geology 2012;; 40 (2): 131–134. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G32725.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Magnetotelluric soundings have detected high-conductivity zones in some regions of the deep lithosphere, and these conductive areas were usually interpreted to reflect the presence of hydrous phases, silicate/carbonatite melts, or water incorporated in olivine. Augite megacrysts are the most abundant single-crystal mantle samples entrained by volcanic basalts/kimberlites in a wide variety of tectonic environments, and are usually characterized by higher Fe (∼5%–12% in total FeO), Fe3+ (∼25%–45% in Fe3+/Fetotal), and H2O (∼200–1800 ppm) contents. Based on experimental work, we show that Fe3+- and H2O-rich augites have electrical conductivities that are several orders of magnitude higher than those of dry olivine. High conductivities in at least some regions of the lithospheric mantle can be explained by the presence of small amounts of augite (and other pyroxenite analogues, e.g., ∼10% to even less depending on composition, temperature, and models used for the estimation), which may ultimately indicate the infiltration of silicate melts and their subsequent crystallization and interaction with wall rocks in the deep lithosphere. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.