Mineral Modes Research Articles

MINERALOGY AND CHEMISTRY OF THE ASHMORE CHONDRITE

The Ashmore olivine‐bronzite chondrite is a group H, type 5 stone which differs from other H5 chondrites mainly in its higher proportion of chromite (0.9 wt %) and in the relatively lower iron and higher magnesium content of the chromite. The modal proportions of opaque phases were obtained by point‐counting in reflected light, and the modal proportions of nonopaque silicate phases in the matrix were estimated from traverses of a selected small area by electron microprobe. The consistency between the bulk chemical analysis and the chemical composition calculated from the modal mineral proportions implies that the bulk silicate composition of the chondrules is very similar to that of the silicate matrix and suggests a common source for both chondrules and matrix.

Nature and origin of Palaeozoic volcanic rocks of the Seeberg area (Karawanken/Austria)

In the Seeberg area (Karawanken/Austria) intermediate to acidic pyroclastic rocks of Palaeozoic age are found. These rocks are partly of upper Ordovician age and partly as yet undated. 12 complete chemical analyses of these tuffs and their corresponding modal mineral content are presented. The tuffs differ chemically from the average composition of intermediate to acidic volcanic rocks by their lower alkali and higher H2O and CO2 values. It is assumed that the originally glassy parts of the tuffs took up H2O and CO2 and lost alkalies and possibly also SiO2 during diagenesis and tectonic stress. In addition, two other complete chemical analyses of a basic dyke which cuts across Devonian limestones are given. The dyke has a spilitic mineral content which is of secondary origin.

Quantitative Determination of some Carbonate Minerals in Greenschist Facies Meta-volcanic Rocks

X-ray powder diffraction methods, successful in quantitative determination of silicate minerals in fine-grained rocks, have been applied to the determination of calcite, dolomite, and magnesite in greenschist facies meta-volcanic rocks. Internal standard graphs employing two standards (NaCl and Mo) have been determined.Carbonate mineral modes (calcite and dolomite) for 6 greenschist facies meta-volcanic rocks obtained by the X-ray powder method have been compared to normative carbonate mineral contents calculated for the same rocks. This comparison showed a maximum variation of 7.7 wt.% between the X-ray modes and the normative carbonate mineral contents of the rocks. Maximum standard deviation for the X-ray modes of these rocks was equivalent to 4.4 wt.%.

Zonal structure of the Perth Road monzonite, Grenville Province, Ontario

The Perth Road pluton is a lenticular, grossly conformable body emplaced in metasedimentary rocks of the Grenville series during a period in which the enclosing gneisses deformed by plastic flow. The body is zoned and from the center outward comprises gabbro, diorite, monzonite (the dominant rock-type), quartz monzonite, and granite. The change from one rock-type to the next is gradual and the progressive acidification toward all the contacts, without regard to the type of enclosing gneiss, is taken as an indication of cogenesis of the plutonic assemblage; modal mineral variations of quartz, alkali-feldspar, plagioclase, and color index demonstrate this mineral progression.The enclosing crystalline metasedimentary rocks have been metamorphosed to the hornblende granulite facies, and although recrystallization has kept pace with deformation some cataclasis pervades all rocks. The pluton occupies a flattened crestal position of a doubly plunging fold, and all folds show a combination of fold-styles depending on the relative competence of the various rock-types. Flow models demonstrate that the early magmatic precipitates collected in regions of maximum velocity of the magma during folding of the enclosing envelope of gneisses and that syntectonic differentiation in this manner obtains for the Perth Road and other plutons in the area.

Untersuchungen an spilitischen Gesteinen der variskischen Geosynkline in Nordwestdeutschland

21 samples of spilitic rocks of Devonian to Carboniferous age from NW-Germany have been analyzed for major elements, a large group of minor elements and the modal mineral composition. Their major element and mineral composition is comparable to Recent spilites from oceanic ridges. Major emphasis has been given to the absolute and relative abundance of the lanthanides and yttrium. Their pattern, which is most probably not altered during processes of spilitization is that of tholeiitic basalts occuring on the continents and in oceanic islands.

Mugearites and Their Place in Alkali Igneous Rock Series

Mugearite as a petrographic and petrogenetic unit is reviewed in the light of new analyses of the type and new data on the composition and optical properties of its feldspar solid solutions and clinopyroxene phases. The feldspar studies reveal lime anorthoclase as a prominent modal mineral. The place of mugearite in igneous rock series is discussed especially in relation to its development in Hebridean and Hawaiian volcanic successions.