Petro-geochemical characteristics and origin of the quartz in the lower oceanic crust, example from IODP-Hole U1473A

Abstract

IODP-Hole U1473A was drilled on the summit of Atlantis bank, Southwest Indian Ridge recovered large amounts of gabbroic rocks including mainly olivine gabbro. Felsic rocks are minor, approximately 1,5% of the total volume, which are comprising significant amount of quartz in some samples. The Ti concentrations and the estimated temperatures of the quartz in veins are relatively high, ranging from 30÷130 ppm and 540÷7000C, coupled with the myrmekitic textures in some veins are unambigeous evidence for the late magmatic origin. In addition to the crystallization mechanism in free spaces, such as crack/ fracture systems during the penetration of SiO2 - saturated magmas; the quartz is also formed by re-precipitation process at the same location leaving behind after the previous olivine in the host gabro has been dissolved.