Regional variations in spinel compositions: An important key to the Cretaceous/Tertiary event

Abstract

Research Article| June 01, 1986 Regional variations in spinel compositions: An important key to the Cretaceous/Tertiary event Frank T. Kyte; Frank T. Kyte 1Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jan Smit Jan Smit 1Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Frank T. Kyte 1Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024 Jan Smit 1Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1986) 14 (6): 485–487. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1986)14<485:RVISCA>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Frank T. Kyte, Jan Smit; Regional variations in spinel compositions: An important key to the Cretaceous/Tertiary event. Geology 1986;; 14 (6): 485–487. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1986)14<485:RVISCA>2.0.CO;2 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 Spinel found in spherules from Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary sediments exhibits a wide range in composition and is distinguished from typical igneous spinel by high Mg, Al, and Ni, relatively low Ti and Cr, and high Fe2O3/FeO. Solid-solution compositions range from nearly pure magnetite to magnesioferrite to relatively pure MgAl2O4 spinel. The Ni-spinel trevorite is also a common component. A regional variation in composition is also observed: spinel from two North Pacific sites has higher Mg and Al and lower Ni and Fe than spinel from two European sites and one South Atlantic site. The most probable source of the spinel is crystallization from molten silicate droplets produced from a major impact event. The regional variations may provide a key to locating the impact site(s). First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.