Geochemical and Petrographic Analyses Of

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Geochemical and Petrographic Analyses Of GEOCHEMICAL AND PETROGRAPHIC ANALYSES OF THE BASALTS OF THE DARWIN PLATEAU, INYO COUNTY, CA; EVIDENCE FOR MULTI-DIMENSIONAL VARIATION GOVERNING THE PRODUCTION OF VOLCANIC FIELDS IN THE OWENS VALLEY By Matt Lusk Geological Sciences Department California State Polytechnic University Pomona, CA Senior Thesis Submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the B.S. Geology Degree 1 Table of Contents ABSTRACT ………………………………………………………………….1 INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………….2 Generalized Geology of Southern Inyo Mountains ………………….3 Late Cenozoic Geology of Adjacent Fields ………………………….5 Tectonics ………………………………………………………….6 PETROLOGY ………………………………………………………….9 SAMPLE PREPARATION FOR XRF ………………………………….13 GEOCHEMISTRY ………………………………………………………….14 DISCUSSION ………………………………………………………….18 CONCLUSION ………………………………………………………….26 REFERENCES CITED ………………………………………………….28 APPENDIX A (Basalt Sample Correlation map and Figures) ………….31 APPENDIX B (Hand Sample Description) ………………………………….33 APPENDIX C (Table of Major Oxides) ………………………………….35 APPENDIX D (Table of Trace Elements) ………………………………….37 APPENDIX E (Table of Normative Mineralogy) ………………………….39 2 ABSTRACT The Darwin Plateau lies between the Inyo Mountains to the north, and the Coso Range to the south. A series of basaltic flows and cones were emplaced on the plateau from 8 Ma to 4 Ma. The Coso field (2 Ma-Pres.) lies 50 km to the southwest and the Ricardo volcanics (10-8 Ma) 100 km to the southwest. Sixty samples from basalt flows and cones of the Darwin Plateau were analyzed for major, minor and trace elements. On a Le Bas diagram the basalts show a considerable range in composition from basalt and basaltic andesite, to trachybasalt and basaltic trachyandesite; straddling the alkaline-subalkaline boundary line. Major element and trace ele- ment geochemistry are remarkably consistent within individual flows, but vary non- systematically between adjacent flows. When plotted on a basalt tetrahedron the Darwin basalts again show considerable variation in composition, however the majority are olivine tholeiites. This is in marked contrast to the Ri- cardo volcanics which are quartz-normative tholeiites and the Coso volcanics which are alkali basalts. Petrographic examination of Darwin basalts reveals only small amounts of partially altered olivine, unlike the complete olivine replacement by iddingsite in the Ricardo field and large, unaltered phenocrysts of olivine in the Coso volcanics. These differences may be related to evolutionary trends for the volcanic fields of the southern Owens Valley. Older Ricardo volcanics are quartz normative, Darwin is neither quartz nor nepheline normative, and Coso is distinctly nepheline normative. This can be attributed to variation in the thermal regime represented by differing degrees of partial melt or depth of melt- ing, and/or dissimilarity in water content and oxygen fugacity of the magma. 1 INTRODUCTION The Darwin volcanic field sits atop a horst known as the Darwin Plateau. It is located in the southwest portion of the Great Basin within the Inyo Mountain Range (Fig. 1). The Darwin Plateau sits approximately 1,670 meters above sea level. It displays a relatively moderate to- pography when compared to the steep escarpments of the Panamint Valley to the east and Owens Valley to the west. Local flora is characterized by sage brush, alkali grasses, and sev- eral cacti species that are able to sustain existence in the high desert environment. The Darwin Plateau basalt flows and cones were sampled in June and July of 2006. Volcanic rocks of the Darwin Plateau and adjacent Pinto Peak (Nova basalts) have been ana- lyzed by past researchers (Coleman and Walker, 1990; Schweig, 1989); however a comprehen- sive study of Darwin Plateau has not been undertaken and detailed maps with ages of individual cones and flows does not exist. The goal of this research was to generate a sample population that could possibly delineate indi- vidual flows (based on similar bulk and trace element chemis- try); provide an accurate basis for overall composition of the Dar- win volcanic field; and identify any variation therein. Sample data could then be compared to other volcanic fields within and near to the Owens Valley. Sam- ple localities and a generalized chemical composition map, cor- relating flows, is presented in Appendix A. Figure 1. Location of Darwin Plateau as well as other volcanic fields of the Owens Valley. 2 Generalized Geology of Southern Inyo Mountains Devonian, Pennsylvanian, and Permian marine sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks make up a large volume of the basement rocks within and adjacent to the study area (Fig. 2). These rocks are intensely folded; the folds best exposed in the areas of Keeler and Rainbow Canyon. The Paleozoic rocks have been intruded by post-kinematic Mesozoic granites (Taylor, 2002). Devonian rocks consist of the Lost Burro formation which is comprised of light-gray dolomite, (prominently striped with nearly black limestone and dolomite), interbedded light-and dark-gray dolomite, quartzite, and sandy or cherty dolomite. The Stewart Valley Formation is comprised of dark-gray limestone, cherty limestone, sandstone, quartzite, and conglomerate (Death Valley Sheet, California Division of Mines and Geology, 1974). Pennsylvanian units are exposed to the north and south of Darwin Plateau. These in- clude the Bird Spring Formation, Keeler Canyon Formation, Lee Flat Limestone, and Rest Spring Shale. The Bird Spring Formation consists of pebbly sandstone, coarsely bioclastic limestone, sandy limestone, limestone, dolomite, and chert nodules. Keeler Canyon Formation contains bluish-gray limestone, shaly limestone, black siliceous shale, pink fissile shale, and limestone breccia. Lee Flat Limestone is comprised of white to light-gray marble, light-brown dolomite marble, dark-gray limestone, and chert lenses. The Rest Spring Shale consists of ovine-gray to olive-brown argillaceous shale and siltstone (Death Valley Sheet, California Divi- sion of Mines and Geology, 1974). Permian marine rocks contain sections of the Owens Valley Formation; gray, brown, red, and yellow conglomerate, quartzite, sandstone, siltstone, shale, limestone, and limestone breccia. Triassic marine sedimentary and metasedimentary rocks make up a small part of the southern Inyo Mountains; they are comprised of limestone and shale (Death Valley Sheet, Cali- fornia Division of Mines and Geology, 1974). To the northwest of the Darwin Plateau, a section of the Inyo Mountains has been deemed the Inyo Mountains Volcanic Arc Complex by Dunne and others (1998). These arc- flank rocks consist of marine and non-marine units interspersed with periods of volcanism that lie unconformable atop the Paleozoic metasedimentary strata. The complex was intruded by the Jurassic French Springs Formation; U-Pb dating gives an age of 148 Ma for the French Springs 3 Figure 2. Stratigraphic column of the Darwin Plateau geology. 4 Granite (Dunne et. al, 1998). The Volcanic Complex is comprised mostly of epiclastic and py- roclastic rocks; ranging from rhyolite tuff to basalt as well as sandstones, mudstones, conglom- erates, and fluvial/debris flows. The Paleozoic/Mesozoic basement rocks are overlain unconformably by the two domi- nant rock types exposed on the plateau; Miocene-Pliocene volcanics (basaltic rocks age 4-8 Ma) and alluvial/colluvium fanglomerates and stream deposits (Schweig, 1989; this study). Late Cenozoic Geology of Adjacent Fields The Coso volcanic field is located approximately 50 km south-southwest of the Darwin Plateau. Two major periods of volcanism have occurred; the first approximately 4 to 2.5 Ma and the second 1.1 to 0.04 Ma. Basalt, rhyodacite, dacite, andesite, and rhyolite were erupted with rhyolite being the most voluminous rock type (Groves, 1996). Rhyolite flows and domes are all high-silica rhyolite; xenocrysts of basalt and mafic inclusions are present however rare. Slightly alkalic basalts were erupted during the same time as the rhyolite, however the basalts were always derived from vents peripheral to the rhyolitic fields. Coso, today, continues to be associated with a high heat flux and hydrothermal activity (Bacon, 1982; Groves, 1996). Big Pine volcanic field lies approximately 80 km north-northwest of Darwin Plateau, stretching from Independence to Big Pine, CA, a distance of about 20 km. The field lies along the flank of a graben, proximal to oblique range-front faults. The field ranges in age from 1.2 Ma to 500 ka and shows a trend of decreasing age to the northwest (Bierman et al., 1991). The rocks of the field vary from subalkaline basalt and basaltic andesite to alkaline basalts, trachybasalts, and basaltic trachyandesite. One rhyolite dome/flow is present within the Big Pine field (Varnell, 2006). The Ricardo volcanics are located approximately 100 km south-southwest of the Darwin Plateau. These are the oldest Cenozoic volcanics in the region at 10.1 to 8.2 Ma. They consist of approximately twenty-three individual flows ranging from basalt to andesite as well as two notable rhyolite flows. The volcanics are commonly interbedded with fluvial/lacustrine sedi- ments. Basaltic rocks are dominantly tholeiitic and believed to be derived from a shallow, lithospheric source (Anderson, 2005). 5 The volcanic rocks of Pinto Peak (Nova basalts) are located on the eastern side of the Panamint Valley, adjacent to the Panamint and Hunter Mountains. They are Miocene-Pliocene in age, range from basalt to rhyolite and are characterized by high total alkalis. It has been speculated,
Recommended publications
  • Derivation of Intermediate to Silicic Magma from the Basalt Analyzed at the Vega 2 Landing Site, Venus
    RESEARCH ARTICLE Derivation of intermediate to silicic magma from the basalt analyzed at the Vega 2 landing site, Venus J. Gregory Shellnutt* National Taiwan Normal University, Department of Earth Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan * [email protected] Abstract a1111111111 a1111111111 Geochemical modeling using the basalt composition analyzed at the Vega 2 landing site a1111111111 indicates that intermediate to silicic liquids can be generated by fractional crystallization and a1111111111 equilibrium partial melting. Fractional crystallization modeling using variable pressures (0.01 a1111111111 GPa to 0.5 GPa) and relative oxidation states (FMQ 0 and FMQ -1) of either a wet (H2O = 0.5 wt%) or dry (H2O = 0 wt%) parental magma can yield silicic (SiO2 > 60 wt%) composi- tions that are similar to terrestrial ferroan rhyolite. Hydrous (H2O = 0.5 wt%) partial melting can yield intermediate (trachyandesite to andesite) to silicic (trachydacite) compositions at OPEN ACCESS all pressures but requires relatively high temperatures ( 950ÊC) to generate the initial melt Citation: Shellnutt JG (2018) Derivation of at intermediate to low pressure whereas at high pressure (0.5 GPa) the first melts will be intermediate to silicic magma from the basalt generated at much lower temperatures (< 800ÊC). Anhydrous partial melt modeling yielded analyzed at the Vega 2 landing site, Venus. PLoS mafic (basaltic andesite) and alkaline compositions (trachybasalt) but the temperature ONE 13(3): e0194155. https://doi.org/10.1371/ journal.pone.0194155 required to produce the first liquid is very high ( 1130ÊC). Consequently, anhydrous partial melting is an unlikely process to generate derivative liquids. The modeling results indicate Editor: Axel K Schmitt, Heidelberg University, GERMANY that, under certain conditions, the Vega 2 composition can generate silicic liquids that pro- duce granitic and rhyolitic rocks.
    [Show full text]
  • Chemical and Isotopic Studies of Monogenetic Volcanic Fields: Implications for Petrogenesis and Mantle Source Heterogeneity
    MIAMI UNIVERSITY The Graduate School Certificate for Approving the Dissertation We hereby approve the Dissertation of Christine Rasoazanamparany Candidate for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY ______________________________________ Elisabeth Widom, Director ______________________________________ William K. Hart, Reader ______________________________________ Mike R. Brudzinski, Reader ______________________________________ Marie-Noelle Guilbaud, Reader ______________________________________ Hong Wang, Graduate School Representative ABSTRACT CHEMICAL AND ISOTOPIC STUDIES OF MONOGENETIC VOLCANIC FIELDS: IMPLICATIONS FOR PETROGENESIS AND MANTLE SOURCE HETEROGENEITY by Christine Rasoazanamparany The primary goal of this dissertation was to investigate the petrogenetic processes operating in young, monogenetic volcanic systems in diverse tectonic settings, through detailed field studies, elemental analysis, and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf-Os-O isotopic compositions. The targeted study areas include the Lunar Crater Volcanic Field, Nevada, an area of relatively recent volcanism within the Basin and Range province; and the Michoacán and Sierra Chichinautzin Volcanic Fields in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, which are linked to modern subduction. In these studies, key questions include (1) the role of crustal assimilation vs. mantle source enrichment in producing chemical and isotopic heterogeneity in the eruptive products, (2) the origin of the mantle heterogeneity, and (3) the cause of spatial-temporal variability in the sources of magmatism. In all three studies it was shown that there is significant compositional variability within individual volcanoes and/or across the volcanic field that cannot be attributed to assimilation of crust during magmatic differentiation, but instead is attributed to mantle source heterogeneity. In the first study, which focused on the Lunar Crater Volcanic Field, it was further shown that the mantle heterogeneity is formed by ancient crustal recycling plus contribution from hydrous fluid related to subsequent subduction.
    [Show full text]
  • Basalt-Trachybasalt Samples in Gale Crater, Mars
    Open Research Online The Open University’s repository of research publications and other research outputs Basalt-trachybasalt samples in Gale Crater, Mars Journal Item How to cite: Edwards, Peter H.; Bridges, John C.; Wiens, Roger; Anderson, Ryan; Dyar, Darby; Fisk, Martin; Thompson, Lucy; Gasda, Patrick; Filiberto, Justin; Schwenzer, Susanne P.; Blaney, Diana and Hutchinson, Ian (2017). Basalt- trachybasalt samples in Gale Crater, Mars. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 52(11) pp. 2391–2410. For guidance on citations see FAQs. c 2017 The Authors Meteoritics Planetary Science https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Version: Version of Record Link(s) to article on publisher’s website: http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1111/maps.12953 Copyright and Moral Rights for the articles on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. For more information on Open Research Online’s data policy on reuse of materials please consult the policies page. oro.open.ac.uk Meteoritics & Planetary Science 52, Nr 11, 2391–2410 (2017) doi: 10.1111/maps.12953 Basalt–trachybasalt samples in Gale Crater, Mars Peter H. EDWARDS1, John C. BRIDGES 1*, Roger WIENS2, Ryan ANDERSON3, Darby DYAR4, Martin FISK5, Lucy THOMPSON 6, Patrick GASDA2, Justin FILIBERTO7, Susanne P. SCHWENZER8, Diana BLANEY9, and Ian HUTCHINSON1 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Leicester Institute for Space and Earth Observation, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK 2Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA 3USGS Astrogeology Science
    [Show full text]
  • Lunar Crater Volcanic Field (Reveille and Pancake Ranges, Basin and Range Province, Nevada, USA)
    Research Paper GEOSPHERE Lunar Crater volcanic field (Reveille and Pancake Ranges, Basin and Range Province, Nevada, USA) 1 2,3 4 5 4 5 1 GEOSPHERE; v. 13, no. 2 Greg A. Valentine , Joaquín A. Cortés , Elisabeth Widom , Eugene I. Smith , Christine Rasoazanamparany , Racheal Johnsen , Jason P. Briner , Andrew G. Harp1, and Brent Turrin6 doi:10.1130/GES01428.1 1Department of Geology, 126 Cooke Hall, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260, USA 2School of Geosciences, The Grant Institute, The Kings Buildings, James Hutton Road, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH 3FE, UK 3School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE1 7RU, UK 31 figures; 3 tables; 3 supplemental files 4Department of Geology and Environmental Earth Science, Shideler Hall, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, USA 5Department of Geoscience, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154, USA CORRESPONDENCE: gav4@ buffalo .edu 6Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 610 Taylor Road, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854-8066, USA CITATION: Valentine, G.A., Cortés, J.A., Widom, ABSTRACT some of the erupted magmas. The LCVF exhibits clustering in the form of E., Smith, E.I., Rasoazanamparany, C., Johnsen, R., Briner, J.P., Harp, A.G., and Turrin, B., 2017, overlapping and colocated monogenetic volcanoes that were separated by Lunar Crater volcanic field (Reveille and Pancake The Lunar Crater volcanic field (LCVF) in central Nevada (USA) is domi­ variable amounts of time to as much as several hundred thousand years, but Ranges, Basin and Range Province, Nevada, USA): nated by monogenetic mafic volcanoes spanning the late Miocene to Pleisto­ without sustained crustal reservoirs between the episodes.
    [Show full text]
  • Petrology of Volcanic Rocks from Kaula Island, Hawaii Implications for the Origin of Hawaiian Phonolites
    Contributions to Contrib Mineral Petrol (1986) 94:461-471 Mineralogy and Petrology Springer-Verlag 1986 Petrology of volcanic rocks from Kaula Island, Hawaii Implications for the origin of Hawaiian phonolites Michael O. Garcia 1, Frederick A. Frey 2, and David G. Grooms 1 * 1 Hawaii Institute of Geophysics, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA 2 Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA Abstract. A compositionally diverse suite of volcanic rocks, visited the island by helicopter courtesy of the U.S. Navy. including tholeiites, phonolites, basanites and nephelinites, Abundant unexploded ordnance, bird nests (total bird pop- occurs as accidental blocks in the palagonitic tuff of Kaula ulation >45,000) and steep cliffs surrounding the island Island. The Kaula phonolites are the only documented made sample collection hazardous. phonolites from the Hawaiian Ridge. Among the accidental Kaula Island consists of approximately 160 m of well- blocks, only the phonolites and a plagioclase basanite were bedded, palagonitic tuff (Fig. 2). The tuff contains acciden- amenable to K-Ar age dating. They yielded ages of tal fragments of light gray (phonolite) and dark gray (ba- 4.0-4.2 Ma and 1.8 ___0.2 Ma, respectively. Crystal fraction- salt) volcanic rocks, coralline material, coarse-grained ultra- ation modeling of major and trace element data indicates mafic and marie xenoliths (including spinel pyroxenites, that the phonolites could be derived from a plagioclase garnet pyroxenites, spinel peridotites and dunites) and me- basanite by subtraction of 27% clinopyroxene, 21% plagio- gacrysts (augite, anorthoclase, olivine, Al-spinel and titano- clase, 16% anorthoclase, 14% olivine, 4% titanomagnetite magnetite).
    [Show full text]
  • Petrology on Mars†K
    American Mineralogist, Volume 100, pages 2380–2395, 2015 INVITED CENTENNIAL ARTICLE REVIEW Petrology on Mars†k HARRY Y. MCSWEEN JR.1,* 1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Planetary Geoscience Institute, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-1410, U.S.A. ABSTRACT Petrologic investigations of martian rocks have been accomplished by mineralogical, geochemical, and textural analyses from Mars rov- ers (with geologic context provided by orbiters), and by laboratory analyses of martian meteorites. Igneous rocks are primarily lavas and volcaniclastic rocks of basaltic composition, and ultramafic cumulates; alkaline rocks are common in ancient terranes and tholeiitic rocks occur in younger terranes, suggesting global magmatic evolution. Relatively uncommon feldspathic rocks represent the ultimate fractionation prod- ucts, and granitic rocks are unknown. Sedimentary rocks are of both clastic (mudstone, sandstone, conglomerate, all containing significant igneous detritus) and chemical (evaporitic sulfate and less common carbonate) origin. High-silica sediments formed by hydrothermal activity. Sediments on Mars formed from different protoliths and were weathered under different environmental conditions from terrestrial sediments. Metamorphic rocks have only been inferred from orbital remote-sensing measurements. Metabasalt and serpentinite have mineral assemblages consistent with those predicted from low-pressure phase equilibria and likely formed in geothermal systems. Shock effects are com- mon in martian meteorites, and impact breccias are probably widespread in the planet’s crustal rocks. The martian rock cycle during early periods was similar in many respects to that of Earth. However, without plate tectonics Mars did not experience the thermal metamorphism and flux melting associated with subduction, nor deposition in subsided basins and rapid erosion resulting from tectonic uplift.
    [Show full text]
  • The Boring Volcanic Field of the Portland-Vancouver Area, Oregon and Washington: Tectonically Anomalous Forearc Volcanism in an Urban Setting
    Downloaded from fieldguides.gsapubs.org on April 29, 2010 The Geological Society of America Field Guide 15 2009 The Boring Volcanic Field of the Portland-Vancouver area, Oregon and Washington: Tectonically anomalous forearc volcanism in an urban setting Russell C. Evarts U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefi eld Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA Richard M. Conrey GeoAnalytical Laboratory, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA Robert J. Fleck Jonathan T. Hagstrum U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefi eld Road, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA ABSTRACT More than 80 small volcanoes are scattered throughout the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area of northwestern Oregon and southwestern Washington. These vol- canoes constitute the Boring Volcanic Field, which is centered in the Neogene Port- land Basin and merges to the east with coeval volcanic centers of the High Cascade volcanic arc. Although the character of volcanic activity is typical of many mono- genetic volcanic fi elds, its tectonic setting is not, being located in the forearc of the Cascadia subduction system well trenchward of the volcanic-arc axis. The history and petrology of this anomalous volcanic fi eld have been elucidated by a comprehensive program of geologic mapping, geochemistry, 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, and paleomag- netic studies. Volcanism began at 2.6 Ma with eruption of low-K tholeiite and related lavas in the southern part of the Portland Basin. At 1.6 Ma, following a hiatus of ~0.8 m.y., similar lavas erupted a few kilometers to the north, after which volcanism became widely dispersed, compositionally variable, and more or less continuous, with an average recurrence interval of 15,000 yr.
    [Show full text]
  • Package 'NORRRM'
    Package ‘NORRRM’ March 11, 2015 Type Package Title Geochemical Toolkit for R Version 1.0.0 Date 2015-01-29 Author Renee Gonzalez Guzman Maintainer Renee Gonzalez Guzman <[email protected]> Imports ggplot2,SDMTools Description CIPW Norm (acronym from the surnames of the authors: Cross, Iddings, Pirrson and Washington) is the most commonly used calculation algorithm to estimate the standard mineral assemblages for igneous rocks from its geochemical composition. NORRRM (acronym from noRm, R lan- guage and Renee) is the highly consistent program to calculate the CIPW Norm. Depends R (>= 3.1.1) License GPL (>= 3) NeedsCompilation no Repository CRAN Date/Publication 2015-03-11 21:49:49 R topics documented: NORRRM-package . .2 AdjRock . .3 Andes . .4 AtomWeight . .5 CIPW............................................6 CIPW.trace . .7 MinWeight . .9 OxiWeight . 10 TASplot . 11 TestTAS . 12 Index 13 1 2 NORRRM-package NORRRM-package Geochemical Toolkit for R Description According to the IUGS (International Union of Geological Science), Subcommission on the Sys- tematics of Igneous Rocks, the primary classification of igneous rocks must be based according to their modal mineral composition, expressed in volume percent. Nevertheless, where these data are not available or can not be determined owing to fine-grained mineral assemblage, glassy content or changes in the original mineralogy, then other criteria based on chemical bulk composition may be used. Computed from the chemical composition, the normative mineralogy is an alternative approach for mineralogical classification and useful for set up the naming of igneous rocks (as parts of the TAS classification, TASplot). The CIPW Norm is the most commonly used calculation algorithm to estimate the standard mineral assemblages for igneous rocks CIPW, generated over more than a hundred years ago and thereafter modified by some authors to the passage of the years (e.g., Verma et al., 2002).
    [Show full text]
  • A-Type Granites: Characteristics, Petrogenesis and Their Contribution to the Growth of the Continental Crust
    A-type granites: characteristics, petrogenesis and their contribution to the growth of the continental crust Nelson Eby University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA 01854, USA [email protected] The A-type Granitoids Defined by Loiselle and Wones (1979) A stands for Anorogenic or Anhydrous or the first letter of the alphabet. The last choice removes the necessity of debating the meaning of A. Magmas are emplaced in post-collisional or within plate settings, i.e., an extensional environment. Characteristics of A-type Granitoids 1. Non-orogenic setting 2. Subaluminous to peralkaline, sometimes peraluminous 3. For rocks of intermediate silica content, A-type granitoids generally have higher total alkalis and lower CaO than other granitoids. 4. High FeOT/MgO 5. A characteristic mineralogy consisting of iron-rich mafic silicates (annite, ferrohendenbergite, ferrohastingsite, fayalite), and in peralkaline suites alkali-rich mafic silicates (aegirine, arfvedsonite, reibeckite) and perthitic feldspars The Alphabet Soup – is A-type granitoid a useful classification? • Classifications are useful to the extent that they help us organize our observations/ideas. • Classifications are a short-hand that can be used to convey a general description of geologic observations. • One can define a group of granitoids, in terms of geologic setting and chemistry, that are distinct from other granitoids. In this instance the A-type classification is useful. • However, a classification should not lead to rigid thinking. • As geologists we still need to maintain our world view of multiple working hypotheses/processes. • A-type granitoids, while similar in many respects, can apparently arise via different petrogenetic pathways. The challenge is to elucidate these pathways.
    [Show full text]
  • Basaltic Glasses from Iceland and the Deep Sea: Natural Analogues to Borosilicate Nuclear Waste-Form Glass
    Basaltic glasses from Iceland and the deep sea: Natural analogues to borosilicate nuclear waste-form glass. MicliMlJ.J«rcinovfc and Rodney C.Ewing D«c«mb«r,1987 BASALTIC OLACSBI FROM ICBLAHD AVD THE DB» SBA: ITOBAX. AMALOGUBf TO BOROflLICATB MUCL1AB WMT1-F0RM GLASS Michael J. J«rcinovic and Rodn«y C. Ewing D«c«mb«r, 1987 D«parta«nt of Geology Th« University of New Mexico Albuquerque, New Mexico USA 87131 11 list of Tables iv list of Figures vi Suenery xiii Abstract xvi 1 introduction 1 1.1 Alteration 6 1.1.1 Palagonitizaticn 6 1.1.2 Palagcnitizaticn Rates 9 1.1.3 Secondary Mineralization 13 1.2 Samples 21 1.2.1 Iceland 21 1.2.2 Dredge Sanples 26 1.2.3 Drill Core Samples 26 2 Techniques 29 2.1 Thin Section Preparation 29 2.2 Scanning Electron Microscopy 31 2.3 X-Ray Diffraction 31 2.4 Electron Microprobe Analysis 32 2.5 Analytical Electron Microscopy 34 3 Results 35 3.1 Icelani 35 3.1.1 General cements 35 3.1.2 Fresh Mater Alteration 36 3.1.2.1 Pleistocene Snhjiftrtnl Volcanic» 37 3.1.2.1.1 Palagonite 37 3.1.2.1.2 Cssentation 42 3.1.2.2 Tungufell 55 3.1.2.2.1 Palagcnite 55 3.1.2.2.2 Oawntation 68 3.1.3 Seawater Alteration 72 3.1.3.1 General Conomts 72 3.1.3.1.1 Palagcnite 76 3.1.3.1.2 Cementation , 92 11.' 3.2 EKedge Sau&m 107 3.2.1 ROagonite 107 3.2.2 OsasntiiHin 117 3.3 Erill Om Saaples 128 3.3.1 ffelagcnite 128 3.3.2 t 3.4 Analytical Electron Microscopy 144 3.4.1 Saaple Description 144 3.4.2 Analytical Ilectrcn Micxceoopy 147 3.4.2.1 OSMI 113521-69 147 3.4.2.2 UGM1 113715 153 3.4.3 conclusion* 156 4 Discussion 158 4.1 ROagonite 158 4.2 Secondary Mineral Authigenasis, Solution Concentrations, and Mass Balance 180 4.3 Alteration Rates 200 5 Conclusions 206 5.1 Corrosion Machanisn 206 5.2 Alteration Products 207 5.3 Mass Balance 209 5.4 Alteration Rates 210 Acknowledgements 212 213 iv Table 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Evolution Stages and Petrology of the Kekuknai Volcanic Massif As Reflecting the Magmatism in Backarc Zone of Kuril–Kamchatka Island Arc System
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Institute of Volcanology and Seismology FEB RAS Repository ISSN 07420463, Journal of Volcanology and Seismology, 2011, Vol. 5, No. 5, pp. 312–334. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2011. Original Russian Text © A.V. Koloskov, G.B. Flerov, A.B. Perepelov, I.V. Melekestsev, M.Yu. Puzankov, T.M. Filosofova, 2011, published in Vulkanologiya i Seismologiya, 2011, No. 5, pp. 17–41. Evolution Stages and Petrology of the Kekuknai Volcanic Massif as Reflecting the Magmatism in Backarc Zone of Kuril–Kamchatka Island Arc System. Part 1. Geological Position and Geochemistry of Volcanic Rocks A. V. Koloskova, G. B. Flerova, A. B. Perepelovb, I. V. Melekestseva, M. Yu. Puzankova, and T. M. Filosofovaa a Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Piipa boulevard, 9, PetropavlovskKamchatskii, 683006 Russia email: [email protected] b A. P. Vinogradov Institute of Geochemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Favorskogo, 1A, Irkutsk, 664033 Russia email: [email protected] Received October 25, 2010 Abstract—The evolution of the Quaternary Kekuknai volcanic massif (the western flank of the Sredinnyi Range in Kamchatka) has been subdivided into five stages: (1) the precaldera trachybasalt– basaltic andes ite, (2) the extrusive trachyandesite–trachydacite, (3) the early trachybasalt, (4) the middle hawaiite– mugearite (with occasional occurrences of basaltic andesites), and (5) the late trachybasalt–hawaiite– mugearite (with occasional andesites) of areal volcanism. On the basis of petrologic data we identified the island arc and the intraplate geochemical types of rocks in the massif.
    [Show full text]
  • Sorting out Compositional Trends in Sedimentary Rocks of the Bradbury
    PUBLICATIONS Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets RESEARCH ARTICLE Sorting out compositional trends in sedimentary 10.1002/2016JE005195 rocks of the Bradbury group (Aeolis Palus), Key Points: Gale crater, Mars • Curiosity obtained bulk chemistry for sedimentary rocks in the Bradbury K. L. Siebach1,2 , M. B. Baker1, J. P. Grotzinger1, S. M. McLennan2 , R. Gellert3 , group 4 2 • Coarse-grained rocks are enriched in L. M. Thompson , and J. A. Hurowitz plagioclase 1 2 • Geochemical trends are consistent Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA, Department with mineral sorting during transport of Geosciences, SUNY at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, USA, 3Department of Physics, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, 4Planetary and Space Science Centre, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada Supporting Information: • Supporting Information S1 • Table S1 Abstract Sedimentary rocks are composed of detrital grains derived from source rocks, which are altered Correspondence to: by chemical weathering, sorted during transport, and cemented during diagenesis. Fluvio-lacustrine K. L. Siebach, sedimentary rocks of the Bradbury group, observed on the floor of Gale crater by the Curiosity rover during its [email protected] first 860 Martian solar days, show trends in bulk chemistry that are consistent with sorting of mineral grains during transport. The Bradbury group rocks are uniquely suited for sedimentary provenance analysis because Citation: they appear to have experienced negligible cation loss (i.e., open-system chemical weathering) at the scale of Siebach, K. L., M. B. Baker, J. P. the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer bulk chemistry analyses based on low Chemical Index of Alteration Grotzinger, S.
    [Show full text]