26.03.2013 Views

TEXTURAL AND MICROANALYSIS OF IGNEOUS ROCKS: TOOLS ...

TEXTURAL AND MICROANALYSIS OF IGNEOUS ROCKS: TOOLS ...

TEXTURAL AND MICROANALYSIS OF IGNEOUS ROCKS: TOOLS ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

asalt at Site 1185 of ODP Leg 192 [91]. Although the magma chamber system<br />

may have been thinner along the margins of the plateau, variations in magma res-<br />

idence time in the system did not preclude formation and eruption of Kwaimbaita<br />

magmas along the OJP margins. Differences, however slight, in the densities of<br />

Kroenke, Kwaimbaita, and Singgalo magmas would have lead to different rates<br />

and patterns of magma ascent, pooling, and crystallization en route to the surface.<br />

2.7 Summary and Conclusions<br />

Anorthite-rich (An80−86) portions of plagioclase crystals from cumulate xeno-<br />

liths and phenocrysts in host basalts were formed primarily by crystallization in<br />

shallow (low pressure, 2-7 km depth) regions of the OJP magma chamber system<br />

from more primitive magmas than those basalts sampled from the OJP that were<br />

low in H2O and at relatively high temperature (liquidus temperature near 1200 ◦ C).<br />

Evidence from this study shows that the role of H2O-rich evolved boundary layer<br />

interstitial melts in the formation of An-rich plagioclase was, at best, minor. Par-<br />

ent liquid compositions derived from OJP xenolith and phenocryst plagioclase<br />

crystals contain a wider compositional record of magma evolution than that re-<br />

vealed by OJP whole-rock basalt data. Cumulate xenoliths and phenocrysts gen-<br />

erally are pieces of disrupted solidification fronts. Solidification fronts would have<br />

been ubiquitous throughout the OJP magma chamber system. The OJP magma<br />

chamber system was composed of interconnected dikes and sills and consisted of<br />

regions dominated by liquid (magma chamber interior) and regions dominated by<br />

crystal-liquid mush (along magma chamber floors and walls, within dikes and con-<br />

duits). Crystals and crystalline debris were extensively recycled throughout the<br />

OJP magma chamber system. This recycling accounts for the wide compositional<br />

84

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!