Three-dimensional shape analysis of miarolitic cavities and enclaves in the Kakkonda granite by X-ray computed tomography

Abstract

Three-dimensional shape analysis of miarolitic cavities and enclaves from the Kakkonda granite, NE Japan, was performed by X-ray computed tomography (CT) and image analysis. The three-dimensional shape of the miarolitic cavities and enclaves was reconstructed by stacked two-dimensional CT slice images with an in-plane resolution of 0.3 mm and an inter-slice spacing of 1 mm. An ellipsoid was fitted to each reconstructed object by the image processing programs. The shortest, intermediate, and longest axes of the ellipsoids fitted to miarolitic cavities had E–W, N–S, and vertical directions, respectively. The shortest axes of the ellipsoids fitted to enclaves were sub-vertical to vertical. Three-dimensional strains calculated from miarolitic cavities and enclaves have E–W and vertical shortening, respectively. The shape characteristics of miarolitic cavities probably reflect regional stress during the late magmatic stage, and those of enclaves reflect shortening by later-intruded magma or body rotation during the early magmatic stage. The miarolitic cavities may not be strained homogeneously with the surrounding granite, because the competence of minerals is different from that of the fluid-filled cavities. Although the strain markers require sufficient contrast between their CT numbers and those of the surrounding minerals, this method has several advantages over conventional methods, including the fact that it is non-destructive, expedient, and allows direct three-dimensional observation of each object.