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SPINEL, KALSILITE, CLINOPYROXENE AND OLIVINE by

SPINEL, KALSILITE, CLINOPYROXENE AND OLIVINE by

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II. Geological background<br />

San Carlos Volcanic Field is comprised of several vents, one of which, on Peridot<br />

Mesa, has been studied the most. The vents erupted pyroclastic tephra and lava flows of<br />

basaltic composition. The age of the flows has been dated as 0.58 ± 0.21 Ma <strong>by</strong> the K-Ar<br />

method (Bernatowicz 1981). The flows are generally thin (less than 10 m) and overlie<br />

Tertiary lake beds. Xenoliths are found in the flows and bombs around the vent. In<br />

addition to the xenoliths, megacrysts of black clinopyroxene, spinel, magnetite,<br />

amphibole, and plagioclase are found around the vent area.<br />

Since Ross et al. (1954) first examined, in great detail, xenoliths in basaltic rocks<br />

from many localities, these xenoliths have been the subject of many studies. Wilshire and<br />

Shervais (1975) classified ultramafic xenoliths in basalts from the western United States<br />

into two groups: Cr-diopside group and Al-augite group. These groups correspond to<br />

Group I and II, respectively, in Frey and Prinz (1978), who reported the petrology and<br />

major- and trace-elemental chemistry of San Carlos (SC) samples. Group I xenoliths are<br />

characterized <strong>by</strong> high Mg content (Mg/(Mg + ∑Fe) = 0.86 to 0.91) while Group II<br />

xenoliths are more Fe rich (Mg/(Mg + ∑Fe) = 0.62 – 0.78). Olivine-rich peridotites<br />

classified as lherzolite and dunite, containing Cr-rich diopside and spinel, dominate<br />

Group I while clinopyroxene-rich peridotites such as olivine clinopyroxenite and wehrlite,<br />

containing Al- and Ti-rich augite and Al-rich spinel, dominate Group II (Frey and Prinz<br />

1978). Group I xenoliths are reported to contain olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene<br />

and spinel, while those of Group II contain clinopyroxene, olivine, orthopyroxene, spinel,<br />

kaersutite, and plagioclase. Neither Group I nor II contains garnet, which sets an upper<br />

20

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