Primary fractionation and secondary alteration within an Archean ultramafic lava flow

Abstract

Fifteen samples across a 4 m thick komatiite flow from the Val d'Or region in the southeast portion of the Abitibi greenstone belt have been analysed for major oxides and trace elements including the rare earth elements (REE). The flow has been subjected to low grade regional metamorphism: virtually all primary mineralogy (olivine and clinopyroxene) has been obliterated although primary textures are well preserved. Compositional differences between the upper, spinifex textured portion and the underlying massive portion of the flow are largely consistent with the primary fractionation of approximately 30% olivine with a composition close to Fo92.