岩浆岩石学Ch 12 Layered Mafic Intrusions.ppt

Large or particularly well-studied LMIs exposed in continents (many in flood basalt provinces) The form of a typical LMI Layering layer: any sheet-like cumulate unit distinguished by its compositional and/or textural features uniform mineralogically and texturally homogeneous Uniform Layering Layering layer: any sheet-like cumulate unit distinguished by its compositional and/or textural features uniform mineralogically and texturally homogeneous non-uniform vary either along or across the layering Graded Layers Layering (or stratification) Addresses the structure and fabric of sequences of multiple layers 1) Modal Layering: characterized by variation in the relative proportions of constituent minerals may contain uniform layers, graded layers, or a combination of both Layering (or stratification) 2) Phase layering: the appearance or disappearance of minerals in the crystallization sequence developed in modal layers Phase layering transgresses modal layering 3) Cryptic Layering (not obvious to the eye) Systematic variation in the chemical composition of certain minerals with stratigraphic height in a layered sequence The regularity of layering Rhythmic: layers systematically repeat Macrorhythmic: several meters thick Microrhythmic: only a few cm thick Intermittent: less regular patterns A common type consists of rhythmic graded layers punctuated by occasional uniform layers Rythmic and Intermittent Layering The Bushveld Complex, South Africa Marginal Zone: the lowest unit, is a chill zone about 150 m thick Fine-grained norites from the margin correspond to a high-alumina tholeiitic basalt Stratigraphy Basal Series Thin uniform dunite cumulates alternating with orthopyroxenite and harzburgite layers The top defined as the Main Chromite Layer Critical Series Plagioclase forms as a cumulate phase (phase layering) Norite, orthopyroxenite, and anorthosite layers etc Stratigraphy Basal Series a thin (50-150 m) layer of norites and gabbros Ultramafic Series base = fir