Plagioclase in the Skaergaard intrusion. Part 1: Core and rim compositions in the layered series

Abstract

The anorthite content of plagioclase grains (XAn) in 12 rocks from the layered series of the Skaergaard intrusion has been studied by electron microprobe (typically ∼30 core and ∼70 rim analyses per thin section). Mean core compositions vary continuously from An66 at the base of the layered series (LZa) to An32–30 at the top. On the other hand, crystal rims are of approximately constant composition (An50 ± 1) from the LZa to the lower Middle Zone (MZ). Above the MZ, core and rim compositions generally overlap. Profiles across individual plagioclase grains from the lower zone show that most crystals have an external zone buffered at XAn ∼50 ± 1. The simplest explanation for these features is that during postcumulus crystallization in the lower zone, interstitial liquids passed through a density maximum. This interpretation is consistent with proposed liquid lines of descent that predict silica enrichment of the liquid associated with the appearance of cumulus magnetite.