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For the first time, high-alumina mineral assemblages including rare minerals of the rhönite–kuratite series were found in postcaldera lava flows of the Kudryavy and Menshiy Brat volcanoes (Kuril Islands). These lava flows consist of olivine-bearing basalts and andesite-basalts of the calc-alkaline series. Partially crystallized olivine-hosted melt inclusions in these rocks contain high-alumina daughter phases. Residual glass with up to 25 wt % Al2O3, Al-pyroxenes, and spinel with minerals of the rhönite subgroup were identified. The rhönite–kuratite series minerals are characterized by strong variations in Al, Fe2+, Fe3+, Mg, Si, as well as very low Ti, which makes it possible to call it a low-Ti Fe2+ analogue of rhönite with the formula (Ca,Mg,Na)4(Mg,Fe,Fe, Al,Ti,Mn)12O4[Si8.2Al3.8O36]—(Ca,Na,Mg)4(Fe,Mg,Al,Fe,Ti)12O4[Si6.78Al5.22O36]. It is assumed that high-alumina daughter phases form in olivine-hosted inclusions via water accumulation in trapped melts during crystallization of the host olivine on the walls of melt inclusions. Water-rich melts can inhibit early crystallization of plagioclase, which promotes enrichment of the residual melt in Al2O3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative techniques are required for the in situ investigation of the surfaces of planetary bodies when landings are planned. Raman spectroscopy turned out as an excellent tool for fast mineralogical analyses on space missions. Contribution from a photoluminescence signal is not unexpected and is likely to be even more pronounced on celestial surfaces with a dilute or absent atmosphere exposed to strong space weathering, for example, micrometeorite bombardment. Such signals were found, for example, in Raman analysis of the probes from sample‐return missions. While photoluminescence is generally considered as an accompanying undesired product in the Raman spectral measurement, our studies show that some analytical information can be derived from this signal, and even more, due to the specific correlation of luminescence intensity with space weathering products. Therefore, we investigate the Raman spectra alteration of characteristic rock‐forming mineral mixtures (olivine, pyroxene and plagioclase) by micrometeorite bombardment, which is simulated by nanosecond‐pulse laser irradiation. The changes in the minerals are strongly dependent on the composition and structure. They range from disappearing changes in the minerals with simple chemistry and structure to complete amorphization of minerals with relatively low melting enthalpy. With Raman spectroscopy, we found out that the photoluminescence signals show resonant or anti‐resonant changes to specific mineral phases and amorphization. Furthermore, ablation‐induced iron nanoparticles of minerals containing Fe are detectable by Raman spectroscopy due to their alteration into iron oxides. Trapped volatiles in the matrices are analysed due to the formation of the compounds containing them. This broad spectrum of results indicating specific change phenomena due to space weathering can be effectively used for in situ Raman analysis in planetary missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate ten of the most recent tephra-fall deposits emplaced between ≤21 and 2 ka from the Pacheco stage of Misti volcano, Peru, to elucidate magma dynamics and explosive eruption triggers related to magma storage, recharge, and remobilization. Whole-rock, glass, and mineral textures and compositions indicate the presence of broadly felsic, intermediate, and mafic magmas in a chemically and thermally stratified magma storage system (Zones 1–3) that interact to differing extents prior to eruption. Intermediate magmas are defined by plagioclase + amphibole + two-pyroxenes + Fe-Ti oxides and phase equilibria indicate they formed at ~300 to 600 MPa and ~950°C to 1000°C. Intermediate magmas dominate the Pacheco stage and either erupted alone as hybridized magmas or mingled with minor volumes of cool felsic magmas (~800°C) in which only plagioclase + Fe-Ti oxides are stable. Felsic magmas do not exclusively comprise any tephra-fall deposit emplaced during the Pacheco stage but were remobilized by recharge and mixing with intermediate magmas in order to erupt. Furthermore, felsic-hosted amphibole cognate to the intermediate magmas are reacted despite the felsic magmas being water saturated, which suggests they are staged above the amphibole stability limit (≤200 MPa). The cryptic presence of mafic magmas is indicated by high-An plagioclase cores (An74–88), rare anhedral olivine (Fo77–80), and possibly high Mg# augite and amphibole (up to Mg# 84 and 77, respectively). The dearth of basalt to basaltic andesite melts recorded in erupted glasses and exclusivity of high-An plagioclase to crystal cores signals mafic magmas are staged deeper in the crust than the intermediate magmas. Periodic interactions between these magmas tracked via glass compositions and crystal exchange reveal an alternation between the production of mingled magmas and their eruption shortly after a recharge event, followed by a period of homogenization and eruption of hybridized magmas. As such, we identify magma recharge as a key mechanism by which half of the explosive eruptions were triggered in the Pacheco stage. A >100°C increase in Misti's fumarole temperatures from 1967 to 2018 coincident with changes in fumarolic gas compositions is consistent with degassing of a mafic recharge magma, signaling that Misti could produce similar explosive eruptions in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Allalin gabbro of the Zermatt-Saas meta-ophiolite consists of variably metamorphosed Mg- to Fe-Ti-gabbros, troctolites, and anorthosites, which are crosscut by basaltic dykes. Field relationships of the various rock types and petrographic studies together with bulk rock and mineral chemical composition data allow the reconstruction of the complete geological history of the Allalin gabbro. With increasing magmatic differentiation, the incompatible element content in clinopyroxene increases (e.g., REEs and Zr by a factor of 5), whereas the Mg# decreases (from 86.4 to 74.6) as do the compatible element contents (e.g., Cr and Ni by factors of 3.5 and 5, respectively). Exhumation to shallower depths led to subsolidus ductile deformation and cooling of the gabbro followed by the intrusion of fine-grained basaltic dykes, which display chilled margins. Bulk rock data of these dykes reveal strong similarities in fluid-immobile trace element patterns to tholeiitic pillow basalts of the Zermatt-Saas and nearby meta-ophiolites. The recalculated REE patterns of the melt in equilibrium with igneous clinopyroxene is very similar to the REE patterns of the mafic dykes, indicating a cogenetic origin of pillow basalts, dykes, and gabbros. Together with the previously determined Jurassic intrusion age of the gabbro, our observations demonstrate that the Allalin gabbro intruded as a tholeiitic magma in a slow spreading MOR environment of the Piemonte-Ligurian ocean of the Alpine Tethys. Subduction of the Allalin gabbro resulted in different eclogitization extents of the Mg-gabbros as a function of variable hydration degrees. Metagabbros with low extents of hydration record incomplete eclogitization; the magmatic mineralogy (olivine + clinopyroxene + plagioclase) is preserved together with disequilibrium textures in the form of reaction coronae surrounding mineral boundaries. Metagabbros with high extents of hydration are completely eclogitized and display pseudomorphic replacement textures of magmatic minerals by eclogite-facies mineral assemblages, which required significant major to trace element transport across mineral domains. The locally variable extents of hydration took place near the sea floor, as recorded by the presence of Cl-apatite (6.28 wt% Cl), and an increase in B concentrations of minerals pseudomorphically replacing olivine (e.g., chlorite with 0.20–0.31 µg/g B and omphacite with 0.22–0.25 µg/g B) compared to magmatic olivine (0.12–0.16 µg/g B). Moreover, the chemical zonation pattern of metamorphic garnet coronae is different in completely eclogitized gabbros and gabbros with relic igneous minerals, in agreement with a main hydration event prior to subduction. The Allalin gabbro therefore represents a classical example of an oceanic gabbro formed in a slow spreading setting in the mid Jurassic that experienced heterogeneous hydration near the sea floor. Paleogene subduction of the gabbro to 70–80 km depth produced variably equilibrated gabbroic eclogites. In eclogite-facies Mg-gabbros, the water-rich minerals chlorite, talc, and chloritoid pseudomorphing magmatic olivine remained stable to these depths, revealing the potential relevance of hydrated Mg-gabbros as a fluid source at subarc depths in subduction zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studied Miocene volcanic rocks are observed in the Örenköy, Fındıkköy, and Kızılkaya Tepe regions in and around the Kütahya area. The Örenköy volcanic rocks consist of augite basalt, basaltic andesite and andesite, and show hyalo-microlitic porphyritic and cumulophyric texture, and contain plagioclase (An70-82Ab17-29Or1-2), clinopyroxene (Wo40-44En41-52Fs6-16), orthopyroxene (Wo1-4En64-71Fs27-34) olivine (Fo86-90) and Fe-Ti oxide. The Fındıkköy volcanic rocks include augite trachybasalt, augite basaltic trachyandesite and trachyandesite, and show hyalo-microlitic porphyritic and intersertal texture, and generally contain plagioclase (An58-88Ab12-38Or1-5), clinopyroxene (Wo44-48En38-47Fs8-17), olivine (Fo41-63) and Fe-Ti oxide, while the andesitic ones also contain biotite. The Kızılkaya Tepe volcanic rocks contain augite basalt, augite basaltic andesite and trachyandesite, and exhibit hyalomicrolitic porphyritic, vesicular, intersertal and trachytic texture, and include plagioclase (An53-85Ab14-44Or0-3), clinopyroxene (Wo39-46En41-52Fs8-16), orthopyroxene (Wo2-3En73-75Fs21-25), olivine (Fo52-82) and Fe-Ti oxide. In addition, the pre-eruptive crystallization conditions of the volcanic rocks were estimated using mineral chemistry analyses and thus it was determined that the magmas of the volcanic rocks have evolved by fractionation in magma chambers of the upper continental crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work reports on the results of the mineralogical and petrographic study of the Borodino meteorite (H5). For the first time, meteorite minerals were described and their chemical compositions were given. The following were found in the Borodino meteorite: olivine (Fa 18.16 ± 1.15), Ca-poor pyroxene – (clino)enstatite (En 81.37 ± 1.73, Wo 1.18 ± 0.31), Ca-rich pyroxene – augite (En 57.23 ± 1.57, Wo 39.38 ± 2.68), diopside (En 51, Wo 45), pigeonite (En 69, Wo 6), plagioclases – oligoclase (An 12.16 ± 1.24, Or 5.68 ± 2.12), andesine (An 48.23 ± 1.84, Or 1.23 ± 0.12), anorthoclase (An 0, Or 36) and sanidine (An 0, Or 40.00 ± 1.1), and poorly crystallized glasses of the feldspathic composition, merrillite and chromespinelide. The obtained data made it possible to estimate a degree of terrestrial weathering of the meteorite as W0 and the stage of impact metamorphism (S1-2), which suggests good preservation of the meteorite material. The composition of olivine and Cr-spinel, determined by the Electron Probe Microanalysis, was used to estimate the peak temperature of thermal metamorphism at 720°C, which falls within the temperature range (670–740°C) typical of chondrites of a petrological type 5. The presence of Ca-rich pyroxenes, large grains of Ca–Na–Mg phosphates and chromite-pigeonite aggregates in the meteorite matrix indicate the prolonged heating of the material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mantle magmas interact with surrounding rocks during their ascent and storage in the continental crust, leading to open system processes as wall rock partial melting. In this study, we have experimentally investigated the reactions between a leucosome depleted migmatite and a primitive K-basaltic of Campi Flegrei (Italy). Experiments were carried out at pressure of 0.8 GPa temperatures from 1250 °C to 1050 °C and constant temperature and thermal gradient conditions. The experimental products consist of biotite-free migmatite, glass and crystals of clinopyroxene, olivine, plagioclase and Cr-spinel with proportions that vary as a function of temperature. Open system isothermal experiments indicate that the chemistry of melts and phase relationships are controlled by the high Al2O3 content of leucosome depleted migmatite with the glass composition shifting from K-trachybasalt towards shoshonite as the temperature decreases from 1200 °C to 1125 °C. At temperatures 1150°C, migmatite assimilation is not exclusively due to the assimilation fractional crystallization process because evidence of mingling and mixing is observed. T-gradient experiment shows melt composition ranging from shoshonite to phono-tephrite moving from the slightly crystalline zone (T = 1250 –1210 °C) at the bottom of the capsule towards the highly crystalline zone (T = 1160 –1140 °C). This SiO2-constant trend indicates that at temperature below the basalt solidus, the assimilation of leucosome depleted crust is represented almost exclusively by the biotite breakdown, leading to the increase in Al, Mg, Fe, Ti, and K activities in the system. The shoshonitic composition obtained in our experiments could represent the parental magma for both Campi Flegrei volcanic district and Vesuvius magmatic systems, indicating modification in a deep storage zone through mixing with the partial melts derived from restitic continental crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shergottites have provided abundant information on the volcanic and impact history of Mars. Northwest Africa (NWA) 14672 contributes to both of these aspects. It is a vesicular ophitic depleted olivine–phyric shergottite, with average plagioclase An61Ab39Or0.2. It is highly ferroan, with pigeonite compositions En49‐25Fs41‐61Wo10‐14 like those of basaltic shergottites, for example, NWA 12335. Olivine (Fo53‐15) has discrete ferroan overgrowths, more ferroan when in contact with plagioclase than when enclosed by pyroxene. The pyroxene (a continuum of augite, subcalcic augite, and pigeonite) is patchy, with ragged "cores" enveloped or invaded by ferroan pyroxene. Magma mixing may be responsible for capture of olivine and formation of pyroxene mantles. The plagioclase is maskelynite‐like in appearance, but the original laths were (congruently) melted and the melt partly crystallized as fine dendrites. Most of the 14% vesicles occur within plagioclase. Olivine, pyroxene, and ilmenite occur in part as fine aggregates crystallized after congruent melting with limited subsequent liquid mixing. There are two fine‐grained melt components, barred plagioclase with interstitial Fe‐bearing phases, and glass with olivine dendrites, derived by melting of mainly plagioclase and mainly pyroxene, respectively. Rare silica particles contain coesite and/or quartz, and silica glass. The rock has experienced >50% melting, compatible with peak pressure >~65 GPa. It is the most highly shocked shergottite so far, at shock stage S6/7. It may belong to the group of depleted shergottites ejected at ~1 Myr from Tooting Crater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 3 chondrites are subdivided into 3.0–3.9. Subtype 3.0 chondrites nearly preserve all of their primitive features. Many criteria have been proposed to distinguish such primitive chondrites. Here, we compiled mineral data and reconsider the petrologic classification criteria for subtype 3.0. Chondrites are classified into subtypes by the minor element distribution of olivine and textural and chemical features of Fe‐Ni metal. The []Si4O8 and MgO components of feldspar also distinguish subtype 3.0 from subtypes ≥3.1. Other features, such as the occurrence of near pure chromite, are also indicators of subtype 3.0. It is difficult to distinguish between subtypes 3.0 and ≤2.9 based on mineral chemistry. Therefore, we propose the following criteria to distinguish between subtypes 3.0 and ≤2.9. In type 3.0 chondrites, major silicate (olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase), oxide, metal, and sulfide minerals do not show aqueous alteration features. Melilite, anorthite, and glass show no or mild aqueous alteration features. Subtype 3.0 has not been identified in all chondrite groups. The absence of subtype 3.0 from some groups mainly reflects differences in the degrees of secondary parent body processes among the chondrite groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the primary and secondary mineralogies of three coarse‐grained igneous calcium‐aluminum‐rich inclusions (CAIs) (Compact Type A [CTA], Type B [B], and forsterite‐bearing type B [FoB]) from the Northwest Africa (NWA) 5343 (CK3.7) and NWA 4964 (CK3.8) carbonaceous chondrites, compare them with the mineralogy of igneous CAIs from the Allende (CV3.6) chondrite, and discuss the nature of the alteration processes that affected the CK and CV CAIs. The primary mineralogy and mineral chemistry of the CK3 CAIs studied are similar to those from Allende; however, primary melilite and anorthite are nearly completely absent. Although the secondary minerals identified in CK CAIs (Al‐diopside, andradite, Cl‐apatite, clintonite, forsterite, ferroan olivine, Fe,Ni‐sulfides, grossular, ilmenite, magnetite, plagioclase, spinel, titanite, and wadalite) occur also in the Allende CAIs, there are several important differences: (i) In addition to melilite and anorthite, which are nearly completely replaced by secondary minerals, the alteration of CK CAIs also affected high‐Ti pyroxenes (fassaite and grossmanite) characterized by high Ti3+/Ti4+ ratio and spinel. These pyroxenes are corroded and crosscut by veins of Fe‐ and Ti‐bearing grossular, Fe‐bearing Al,Ti‐diopside, titanite, and ilmenite. Spinel is corroded by Fe‐bearing Al‐diopside and grossular. (ii) The secondary mineral assemblages of grossular + monticellite and grossular + wollastonite, commonly observed in the Allende CAIs, are absent; the Fe‐bearing grossular + Fe‐bearing Al‐diopside ± Fe,Mg‐spinel, Fe‐bearing grossular + Fe,Mg‐olivine ± Fe,Mg‐spinel, and Ca,Na‐plagioclase + Fe‐bearing Al‐diopside + Fe‐bearing grossular assemblages are present instead. These mineral assemblages are often crosscut by veins of Fe‐bearing Al‐diopside, Fe,Mg‐olivine, Fe,Mg‐spinel, and Ca,Na‐plagioclase. The coarse‐grained secondary grossular and Al‐diopside often show multilayered chemical zoning with distinct compositional boundaries between the layers; the abundances of Fe and Ti typically increase toward the grain edges. (iv) Sodium‐rich secondary minerals, nepheline and sodalite, commonly observed in the peripheral portions of the Allende CAIs, are absent; Ca,Na‐plagioclase is present instead. We conclude that coarse‐grained igneous CAIs from CK3.7–3.8 s and Allende experienced an open‐system multistage metasomatic alteration in the presence of an aqueous solution–infiltration metasomatism. This process resulted in localized mobilization of all major rock‐forming elements: Si, Ca, Al, Ti, Mg, Fe, Mn, Na, K, and Cl. The metasomatic alteration of CK CAIs is more advanced and occurred under higher temperature and higher oxygen fugacity than that of the Allende CAIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volcanic stratigraphy and petrography of compositionally bimodal volcanic rocks in the Mekane Selam area were characterized by detailed field investigation, spatial and systematic sampling, and petrographic analysis. Three successions of basaltic rocks with rhyolitic and trachytic rock units at the top with a substantial volume of felsic pyroclastic deposits were categorized as the typical lithological formations in the study area. Volcanic rock types present in the study area include plagioclase phyric basalt, plagioclase-pyroxene phyric basalt, pyroxene-plagioclase phyric basalt, pyroxene-olivine phyric basalt, pyroxene phyric basalt, olivine phyric basalt, rhyolite, and trachyte from bottom to top. The basaltic rocks are composed of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and olivine phenocrysts with minor Fe-Ti oxides (ilmenite and magnetites). The common phenocrysts of trachyte rocks are sanidine, plagioclase, Fe-Ti oxides, and minor hornblende and green pyroxenes (aegirine). Rhyolites contain quartz and sanidine phenocrysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asal–Ghoubbet Rift area comprises basaltic rocks with similar compositions that were formed by volcanic eruptions. To gain insight into the magmatic processes of these volcanic formations, we investigated the mineral chemistry of plagioclase macrocrysts and microcrysts found in the basaltic rocks by using an electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA). These basaltic rocks contain olivine, pyroxene, euhedral plagioclase macrocrysts, and euhedral to subhedral plagioclase microcrysts. These plagioclase macrocrysts reach up to 4 cm in length in the form of giant crystals as plagioclase ultraphyric basalts (PUBs). They have a mineral composition varying from bytownite to labradorite with anorthite content ranging from An53 to An86. Also, the microcrysts of all these volcanic rocks are characterized by labradorite and andesine compositions with An22–80. According to the calculated plagioclase thermobarometry, the crystallization temperature of the plagioclase macrocrysts and microcrysts is 1082 to 1216 °C and 1072 to 1203 °C, respectively, and the pressure is 3.92 to 14.51 kbar for the macrocrysts and 2.99 to 14.84 kbar for the microcrysts. Based on these thermobarometry results for the plagioclases, we conclude that the volcanic formations located in the Asal–Ghoubbet area would have come from different eruptions from a single magmatic chamber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pink spinel anorthosite (PSA) and pink spinel troctolite (PST) are two lunar lithologies known to contain Mg-rich spinel. PSA rich in spinel and lacking mafic minerals, was detected by the visible and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy. PST clasts were found in returned lunar samples and meteorites. NWA 13191 is a recently approved lunar meteorite that contains a large amount of spinel-bearing clasts and provides an opportunity to discuss its origin. Sixty-four spinel-bearing clasts were studied in this research. These clasts are dominated by anorthitic feldspars (20.8–80.9 vol%, An90.9–96.8), mafic-rich and aluminum-rich glass (14.7–72.1 vol%) quenched from a melt, and spinels (0.19–5.18 vol%). Forty-nine of these clasts appear to have unusually low modal abundances of mafic silicates (avg. olivine ± pyroxene, 1.87 vol%), which distinguishes them from known spinel-bearing lunar samples (e.g., PST). The spinel compositions (avg. Mg# = 90.6, Al# = 97.4) and mafic minerals contents are basically consistent with those of PSA. The absorption characteristics of glass in the reflection spectrum are not obvious, so it is not clear if the PSA contains melt. The simulated crystallization experiment clearly shows that it contains a large amount of melt at the spinel crystallization stage. These phenomena provide experimental and sample evidence for the existence of glass in the lunar spinel-bearing lithologies. NWA 13191 records the highest known bulk Mg# (avg. 89.8), and the spinel records the highest Al# (98.8) and Mg# (93.1) of lunar samples to date. The chemical properties of spinel-bearing clasts in NWA 13191 are consistent with the slightly REE-enriched and alkali-poor Mg-suite rocks, such as PST, magnesian anorthosites (MANs), and olivine-enriched Mg-suite rocks. These phenomena and previous simulated crystallization experiments indicate that a Mg-Al-rich melt may be produced by impact melting of Mg-rich anorthosite precursors. The spinel is a metastable crystallization product along with plagioclase and vitric melt near the Moon's surface. This realization provides observational evidence for previous simulated crystallization experiments and theoretical speculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Northwestern Cameroon, the northwest flank of Oku Volcanic Complex forms part of the continental sector of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL). Detailed study of petrology and mineral chemistry of nine mantle xenoliths from the NW flank of Oku Volcanic Complex with derived teleseismic data have been conducted to determine the nature and depth of the lithospheric mantle beneath the flank and CVL as a whole. Petrographically, mantle xenoliths are olivine websterite and plagioclase-spinel lherzolite consisting of a five-phase mineral assemblage (olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, spinel and plagioclase) with varied textural changes (protogranular, porphyroclastic and porphyroblastic) characterizing the equilibrium conditions of the upper mantle. Mineralogically, magnesian olivine (forsterite and chrysolite), clinopyroxene (diopside), and orthopyroxene (clinoenstatite) with plagioclases (labradorite with rare bytownite) dominate. We propose hereditary representations to explain the occurrence of plagioclase in the mantle peridotites. (1) Subsolidus transformation of spinel to plagioclase, (2) crystallisation of melt pockets from partial melting of the upper mantle and (3) accumulations from melts that impregnated the lithospheric mantle. Velocity and synthetic models obtained from the inversion of the receiver functions indicate that the Moho depth or crustal discontinuity is 33.2 km for CM20 and 40.8 km for CM23 with a mean thickness of 37 km. The lithospheric mantle thickness is 28.1 km and 20.5 km for CM20 and CM23 respectively with a mean thickness of 24.3 km. The low velocity zone is located at intervals of 61.3 to 113 km, exhibiting a thickness of 51.7 km and 42.5 km for CM20 and CM23 respectively, resulting in a mean thickness of 47.05 km. The discontinuities are located at 37 km for the Mohorovicic discontinuity and between 61.3 km and 61.5 km for the Lithospheric-Asthenospheric Boundary. The occurrence of plagioclase in the mantle peridotite, coupled with results from the receiver function techniques, provides evidence of mantle upwelling beneath this region, particularly within the continental sector of the CVL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Processes taking place within the magma plumbing system can exert an important control on the composition of mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB). Plagioclase ultraphyric basalts (PUBs) found at magma-poor mid-ocean ridges exhibit diverse disequilibrium characteristics, which can provide vital insights for distinguishing the complex effects of melt transport from those of source heterogeneity on the compositions of MORBs. Here, we present new insights into magmatic processes using integrated petrologic and geochemical studies of the PUBs from two zones (~ 50° and ~ 64°E longitude) along the ultraslow-spreading southwest Indian ridge (SWIR). The studied PUBs have complex mineral morphologies, including skeletal and acicular crystals, glomerocrysts with open and closed structure, reverse and normally zoned crystals and external and internal resorption even in single samples. Both low- and high-Fo olivine and An plagioclase crystals are in disequilibrium with their matrix glasses. Some plagioclase phenocrysts have repeated oscillatory zoning (An77–86) going from their core to rim and an abrupt decrease in An content toward the rim. Disequilibrium Sr isotopic compositions are present at several scales: between cores and rims of plagioclase crystals, between different plagioclase crystals and between plagioclase and their host lavas. Inferred pressures of magma storage range from 0.3 to 11.3 kbar. The textural and compositional diversity of crystals together with the variability in melt compositions reflect the combined influences of source heterogeneity and magmatic processes (e.g. crystallization, assimilation and magma mixing processes) taking place within crystal mushes. Our data combined with previous studies suggest that the magmatic processes within the SWIR magma plumbing system involve formation, disaggregation and juxtaposition of crystal-rich mush zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temperature and compositional parameters of the parental magma of ore-bearing apophysis DV10 of the Yoko-Dovyren massif are estimated by the method of geochemical thermometry based on results of thermodynamic modeling of the equilibrium crystallization of the melts of 24 rocks. The thermometric calculations were carried out using the COMAGMAT-5.3 program with increments of 0.5 mol % to a maximum degree of crystallization 75–85%, under oxygen fugacity controlled by the QFM buffer. The model crystallization sequence of minerals was as follows: olivine (Ol) + Cr-Al spinel (Spl) → plagioclase (Pl) → high-Ca pyroxene (Cpx) → orthopyroxene (Opx). Silicate−sulfide immiscibility was calculated to occur mostly before the onset of plagioclase crystallization, which is consistent with initial sulfide saturation of the parental magma. The calculation results demonstrate the convergence and intersection of the model liquid lines of descent at temperatures of about 1185oC. When applied to the average composition of apophysis DV10, this temperature indicates the existence of suspension of the original crystals, including 52.1 wt % cumulus olivine (Fo83.6), 2.3 wt % plagioclase (An79.7), 0.24 wt % clinopyroxene (Mg# 88.8), 1 wt % aluminochromite (Cr# 0.62), and about 0.2% sulfide liquid in a moderately magnesian melt (53.6 wt % SiO2, 7.4 wt % MgO). Therewith the sulfur concentration at sulfide saturation (SCSS) was estimated at 0.083 wt %. This heterogeneous system had a viscosity of 4.71 log units (Pa s) and integral density of 2929 kg/m3. Such rheological properties do not contradict the possibility of the migration and emplacement of the protocumulus mush from the main Dovyren chamber. However, a more probable scenario is the localized accumulation of olivine in the trough-shaped part of the DV10 subchamber, which preceded or occurred in parallel to the accumulation of segregated sulfides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In eastern Anatolia, the Divriği-Hekimhan Magmatic Province (DHMP) includes ~77–69 Ma alkaline rock units which are located to the NW of the Baskil Arc of ~85–74 Ma. The magmatic rocks are composed of nepheline (Ne)–to quartz (Q)–normative alkaline basaltic to trachytic/syenitic units. Among them, the basaltic rocks are composed of plagioclase (Or2–11Ab32–51An39–64) + clinopyroxene (Wo47–51En35–42Fs9–16) + Fe-Ti oxide ± alkali feldspar (Or57–98Ab2–42An1) ± biotite ± olivine. Their 87Sr/86Sr(I) ratios and ɛNd(I) values vary in the ranges of 0.70591–0.70871 and−3.2–1.6, respectively. The subvolcanic trachytic rocks are composed of perthitic alkali feldspar phenocryst in a matrix of feldspar (Or45–61Ab38–54An0–2), biotite, and Fe-Ti oxides. The trachytic volcanic rocks are made up of feldspar (Or38–63Ab34–59An1–4) in a fine-grained matrix. Their 87Sr/86Sr(I) ratios and ɛNd(I) values vary in the ranges of 0.70532–0.70952 and−3.2–0.7, respectively. The syenitic rocks in the region contain both quartz- and nepheline-sodalite-bearing syenites. Geochemical features reveal that the Ne-normative basaltic magmas have undergone mafic mineral fractionation coupled with crustal contamination to produce the Q-normative derivatives. Enhanced differentiation of the Ne- and Q-normative fractionated magmas via feldspar-dominated fractionation created the silica-undersaturated and -oversaturated trachytic magmas, respectively. During the feldspar-dominated differentiation, the re-melting of accumulated alkali feldspars in the magma chamber likely gave rise to the formation of trachytic rocks with alkali feldspar-like whole rock compositions. The final products of the Ne-normative magmas are represented by the phonolites and foid-syenites with silica-undersaturated eutectic compositions. A geochemical evaluation of the basaltic rocks revealed that the alkaline magmatism mainly originated from a shallow asthenospheric mantle source which had previously been metasomatized by oceanic to continental subduction. We suggest that the DHMP was formed in response to STEP fault-controlled rolling back of the northward subducting slab of the Baskil Arc, which created a localized gap for asthenospheric upwelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We experimentally investigated the phase relations of a primary basaltic glass erupted on the 10–15°E ultraslow spreading (∼0.4 cm/yr) oblique amagmatic segment of the Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR). Piston‐cylinder experiments were conducted at 9–13 kbar and 1270–1310°C, in accordance with the predicted pressure and temperature (9.5 ± 0.8 kbar and 1290 ± 12°C) of saturation with a mantle lherzolite assemblage using the recently developed multiphase reverse fractional crystallization model ReversePetrogen (RevPet, Krein et al., 2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JB021292). The experiments were multiply saturated with a plagioclase lherzolite assemblage (olivine + augite + orthopyroxene + plagioclase) at 10 kbar and 1290°C, within the uncertainty of the RevPet prediction. We use the forward model Petrogen (Krein et al., 2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JB019612) to find the best fitting mantle composition and melting conditions that could produce glass KN162‐9 48‐21. This model independently finds a melting pressure and temperature of 9.5 kbar and 1285°C, which agree remarkably well with the RevPet predictions and our experiments. This sample is also significantly more depleted in incompatible trace elements than other glasses from the same ridge segment, suggesting its mantle source experienced prior episodes of depletion. This is consistent with previous work suggesting that ultraslow spreading at the SWIR preserves heterogeneities on a local scale. The variability of erupted compositions largely reflects aggregation and mixing of heterogeneous near‐fractional melts produced in the spinel and plagioclase stability fields along similar melting paths and their fractional crystallization products. More generally, plagioclase‐field mantle melting does occur at mid‐ocean ridges and is preserved in some melting environments. Plain Language Summary: The mantle melting conditions that produce seafloor basalts are important for understanding the Earth's temperature structure. The two most important parameters to constrain are the pressure and temperature at which primary magmas are produced, yet different lines of evidence point to different conclusions, in part because the composition of these magmas are modified en route to the surface. In this work, we investigate a very primitive basalt erupted at the Southwest Indian Ridge, one of the slowest spreading ridges which also displays extreme geochemical variability. We perform experiments that allow us to constrain the pressure and temperature of melting, which match almost perfectly with predictions from the recently developed model ReversePetrogen. These point to shallow melting of a depleted mantle, which is likely a common end‐member at the Southwest Indian ridge as well as other mid‐ocean ridges globally. Our analysis suggests that while a geochemically heterogeneous mantle is required, slow spreading conditions favor the preservation and eruption of these depleted primitive melts. Key Points: A near‐primary basalt from the Southwest Indian Ridge originates from shallow mantle melting in the plagioclase stability fieldShallow melting at slow and ultraslow spreading ridges may explain the preservation of primitive melts with low apparent mantle potential temperaturesMixing of deep, enriched melts, and shallow depleted melts can explain most of the geochemical variability at the Southwest Indian Ridge [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The element release rates from naturally altered basalts were measured in batch experiments at 27 °C, and in mixed-flow experiments at 25 °C in reactive fluids initially consisting of pH 3 or 4 aqueous solutions. The basalts reacted in this study consist of 1) surface weathered basalts ranging in age up to 13 million years, and 2) hydrothermally altered basalts from zeolite to actinolite alteration zones (temperatures of ∼50 to 300 °C). The in situ pH in the batch experiments increased over time with the final pH of the fluids ranging from to 4 to 8. Most experiments exhibited a preferential release of Ca and Mg compared to Si from the dissolving basalts, both initially and over the long-term. This behavior is attributed to the combination of an initial rapid cation-proton exchange reaction and the relatively fast dissolution rates of Ca-bearing minerals. The BET surface area normalized Si release rates for all of the altered basalts are within one order of magnitude of each other, and from one to two orders of magnitude lower than corresponding rates from fresh basaltic glass and fresh crystalline basalts. This is interpreted to stem from 1) the fast removal of reactive basaltic glass and olivine from fresh basalts during the natural alteration of the rocks, 2) the similarity of the dissolution rates of the remaining albitic plagioclase, pyroxenes, epidote, and zeolites, and 3) the high surface areas of some less reactive secondary minerals such as clays. Overall, the results suggest that altered basalts will be effective in consuming CO 2 during both natural and engineered processes, though at a somewhat slower rate than unaltered basalts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ca-bearing nepheline found in the Kajishiyama basanite, Tsuyama Basin, southwest Japan, was investigated to clarify its genesis in silica-undersaturated magmas. The basanite contains olivine and augite as phenocrysts and microphenocrysts, with Ca-bearing nepheline, olivine, augite, ulvöspinel, plagioclase, alkali feldspar, apatite and zeolites in the groundmass. Zeolites are more abundant in coarser-grained samples. The whole-rock composition of the basanite is characterised by low SiO2 and P2O5 contents and high total Fe, MgO, Na2O, K2O, Ba and Sr contents. The Ca-bearing nepheline, ~20 μm in size, occurs in the mesostasis of the Kajishiyama basanite and contains up to 2.31 wt.% CaO and 16.75 wt.% Na2O, in contrast to nepheline from the Hamada nephelinite, southwest Japan. The approximate compositional formula of the Kajishiyama nepheline with the highest Ca content is (Ca0.467Ba0.013Na5.286K0.919□Total1.385)Σ8.070(Si0.912Al6.980Cr3+0.003Fe3+0.067 Mg0.017)Σ7.979Si8.000O32; i.e. Ne65.50Ks11.39Qxs11.22CaNe11.89. Basanites are defined as being nepheline-normative, however they are high in normative plagioclase, the amount of which increases with fractionation of the magma. Nepheline crystallised after plagioclase, at the last stage of magmatic solidification is enriched in Ca. Such Ca-rich nepheline only forms from a magma which is high in normative plagioclase, as is the case in the Kajishiyama basanite. In contrast, Ca-poor nepheline is precipitated from nephelinitic magmas that crystallise melilite instead of plagioclase, even when Ca contents are high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An updated version of the COMAGMAT-5.3 program is presented, which enables simulations of the silicate-sulfide immiscibility in parallel to the crystallization of Al–Cr spinel and other rock-forming minerals. The principal changes include a completed recalibration of the previous Fe–Ni sulfide solubility model (Ariskin et al., 2013) and incorporation of equations describing spinel–melt equilibria in a wide range of magmatic systems (Nikolaev et al., 2018a, 2018b). This allowed us to more accurately specify the link between the compositions of immiscible sulfides and magma crystallization temperatures and to correct alumina partitioning between the model spinel and crystallizing melt. The updated COMAGMAT-5.3 can be used for calculations of the crystallization of basaltic to komatiitic magmas, as well as the history of solidification of mafic to ultramafic cumulates, including the relative proportions of Al–Cr spinel and immiscible sulfides. The applications are exemplified by the solidification of sulfide-bearing primitive olivine cumulate from the inner-contact zone of the Yoko-Dovyren intrusion in Northern Transbaikalia, Russia. It is established that maximum crystallization proportions of Al–Cr spinel as high as 3.5 wt% are observed at the Ol–Sp cotectic, which is followed by an abrupt decrease to slightly negative values (because of spinel dissolution) during the crystallization of plagioclase-bearing assemblages. This results in an inflection point on the trend of spinel composition evolution, which changes from a decrease in the Cr/Al ratio in the field of olivine to its increase when plagioclase starts to crystallize. The first estimates are presented for the effect of Cr in pyroxenes on the crystallization proportion and composition of the Al–Cr spinel. A model calculation shows that this factor results in longer lasting spinel dissolution when pyroxenes start to crystallize, and the composition of this spinel is shifted toward Cr-poorer derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Troctolites, olivine and picrite gabbrodolerites account for up to 75% of the Lower Talnakh type intrusions in areas of their elevated thickness, whereas reduced sections consist of olivine-free and olivine-bearing gabbrodolerites. The high-Mg cumulates show no clear differentiation, although the contents of TiO2 and alkalis increase towards the upper inner contacts. The transitions between the rock types are gradational, and the compositions of low-Ni olivine in different rocks (Fo70–83, 0.01–0.2 wt % NiO) overlap significantly. Clinopyroxene (Fs7–13, Mg# 68–89) is characterized by the lowest both contents and variation ranges of Cr2O3 (0.01–0.5 wt %) and TiO2 (0.05–1.0 wt %) among all types of the intrusions of the Norilsk complex, which is consistent with the Cr-depleted (0.002–0.051 wt % Cr2O3) bulk rock compositions. Later orthopyroxene (Fs15–30) is crystallized by the reaction of the residual melt with early olivine. Plagioclase forms porphyritic phenocrysts and their intergrowths along with ophitic laths, and also predominates in schlierens and fragments of leucocratic rocks in taxitic and picritic gabbrodolerites with a weakly sorted layered texture. In olivine-rich rocks, sulfides are represented by the association of troilite ± hexagonal pyrrhotite + Fe- and Co-rich pentlandite + Fe-enriched chalcopyrite (±putoranite, talnakhite) ± cubanite. The upper and lower parts of the intrusions contain association of hexagonal pyrrhotite + chalcopyrite + pentlandite, while monoclinic pyrrhotite + chalcopyrite + Ni-enriched pentlandite are formed in the inner- and outer contacts. The concentration of base (0.077–0.21 wt % Ni, 0.05–0.38 wt % Cu) and platinum metals (0.03–0.26 to 0.40 ppm total PGE) in mineralized rocks is very low. Upon small amounts of sulfides and extremely low base and platinum metal tenors, the heterogeneous S isotopic composition of the Lower Talnakh type sulfides (δ34S mainly 3.8–8.6‰, but reaches up to 11.8‰) most likely reflects the attainment of repeated sulfide saturation during the assimilation of sulfate S by magma that has previously experienced the loss of chalcophile metals into a coexisting sulfide liquid at a depth. The Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the Lower Talnakh intrusions (Sri—from 0.7073 to 0.7087 and εNd(Т) from –1.8 to –5.9 calculated for 250 Ma) show the predominant contribution of the Proterozoic material, in contrast to the ore-bearing intrusions, which Sr-Nd isotope compositions indicate the contamination with Paleozoic upper crustal sedimentary rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On February 13, 2023, a huge fireball was visible over Western Europe (fireball event 2023 CX1). After the possible strewn field was calculated, the first of several recovered samples, with a mass of about 100 g, was discovered just 2 days after the fireball event on the ground of the village of Saint‐Pierre‐le‐Viger. Meanwhile, more than 60 samples with a total mass of more than 1 kg were recovered and a piece of one of these is studied here. The fall occurred 220 years after the historic meteorite fall of L'Aigle on April 26, 1803, <120 km south. L'Aigle is the closest meteorite fall to Saint‐Pierre‐le‐Viger and belongs to the same chondrite group. Both meteorites are breccias containing only clasts of high metamorphic degree (type 5 and type 6). Since only 20% of the L chondrites are breccias this coincidence is remarkable. As just mentioned, both samples studied from these rocks in this work are ordinary chondrite breccias and consist of equilibrated and recrystallized lithologies of petrologic type 6. The brecciated texture in L'Aigle, resulting in a remarkable light–dark structure, is more pronounced than the brecciated features in Saint‐Pierre‐le‐Viger, from which also type 5 fragments have been reported. The compositions of low‐Ca pyroxene and olivine grains in Saint‐Pierre‐le‐Viger (Fs21.2 and Fa23.4, respectively) clearly require an L‐group classification. L'Aigle was classified as an L6 breccia in the past, and this has now been confirmed by new data on low‐Ca pyroxene and olivine (Fs20.7 and Fa23.8, respectively). Saint‐Pierre‐le‐Viger contains local thin shock veins, and both meteorites are moderately shocked. Most olivines in the studied samples have planar fractures, but the estimated abundance of mosaicized olivines of 30%–40% among the large grains require a S4 shock classification. Oxygen isotope and bulk chemical data of Saint‐Pierre‐le‐Viger certainly support the L chondrite classification. Bulk spectral data of Saint‐Pierre‐le‐Viger are dominated by silicate minerals, that is, Fe‐bearing low‐Ca pyroxene, olivine, and plagioclase. Isotopic, chemical, and spectral data of the L'Aigle meteorite are shown for comparison and are very similar, providing additional circumstantial evidence of Saint‐Pierre‐le‐Viger's L chondritic nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mg‐spinel‐bearing rocks are an essential component of the lunar crust. They are widely distributed on the Moon's near and far sides. The study of petrogenesis provides a rare opportunity to understand the early lunar crust‐mantle interaction. Northwest Africa 12279 is a unique Mg‐spinel‐bearing troctolitic anorthosite lunar meteorite that is unbrecciated and pristine. The modal content of the spinel‐bearing troctolitic component is ∼95%. Five hundred sixty spinels larger than 100 μm are investigated in this paper, and 38 of them are found to contain magma melt inclusions. These magma melt inclusions represent the mixed composition between mantle melt and crust material during the crystallization of a spinel. They generally show an immiscible liquid phase separation, which can be divided into a magnesium‐rich and silica‐rich phase. The former is similar in chemical composition to the lunar mantle's peridotite or plutonic ultramafic Mg‐suite. The mantle melt reacts successively with Ferroan Anorthosites in the crust to crystallize Mg‐spinel, plagioclase, olivine, pyroxene, and silica phases. The large grains of euhedral Mg‐spinels with homogeneous chemical composition indicate they are the products of equilibrium crystallization, while plagioclase, olivine, pyroxene, and silica phase are the products of differentiated crystallization of mixed magma. This reaction may represent a typical process of lunar Mg‐suite. This work is the first to find petrological evidence that the melt from the lunar mantle intrudes into the crust and then undergoes a liquid phase immiscible separation to form the Mg‐spinel‐bearing troctolitic anorthosite. Plain Language Summary: Northwest Africa 12279 (weight 1,830 g) is the only known pristine and unbrecciated lunar spinel‐bearing troctolitic anorthosite, including lunar meteorites and returned samples. These pristine samples are indispensable for understanding Moon's history and chemical evolution. The spinel‐bearing rocks are an essential component of the lunar crust. They are widely distributed on the Moon's near and far sides. The study of petrogenesis provides a rare opportunity to understand the early lunar crust‐mantle interaction. Five hundred sixty spinels larger than 100 μm are investigated in three polished thin sections, and 38 contained magma melt inclusions. These magmatic inclusions represent the mixed composition between early mantle melt and crust material during the crystallization of a spinel. This work is the first to find evidence that the melt from the lunar mantle intrudes into the crust. The magnesium‐rich melt from the mantle assimilates with ferroan anorthosite (an igneous rock is composed of >90 vol.% plagioclase rich in calcium with minor iron‐rich pyroxene and olivine) from the early crust to form an Mg‐spinel‐bearing hypabyssal igneous rock. Key Points: Northwest Africa (NWA) 12279 is a unique lunar meteorite that is both unbrecciated and pristineThe magmatic melt inclusion in Mg‐spinel represents the mixed composition between lunar mantle melt and anorthositic crustThe formation of Mg‐spinel in NWA 12279 results from the interaction between the mantle material and the anorthositic crust of the Moon [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the Raman spectroscopy of 35 rock and mineral samples of composition relevant to the lunar surface: pyroxenes, olivine, plagioclase feldspars and oxides. The Raman spectra were analysed in the context of their compositional and structural properties to develop robust correlations to enable their detection on the lunar surface by Raman spectroscopy. We developed and implemented a spectral deconvolution program to model the fluorescence background and various Raman peaks to extract their positions in wavenumber space. Relations were developed between the Raman peak positions of pyroxenes around 325, 670 and 1000 cm−1 with their compositions in terms of enstatite, ferrosilite and wollastonite components. For olivines, we verified previously determined correlations between the positions of the olivine‐related peak doublet between 800 and 880 cm−1 with forsterite content. We also discuss the main signatures detected in the Raman spectra of plagioclases and oxides. The derived relationships were examined using Raman spectra of the matrix and several inclusions of the lunar meteorite NWA12593. We were able to identify the main endmembers of the selected surface spots as pyroxenes, plagioclase feldspars and olivine. We used the previous correlations to separate orthopyroxene from clinopyroxene signatures and to propose a composition of the inclusions of the meteorite. The results of this study demonstrate the utility of Raman spectroscopy for determining the mineralogy of the lunar surface. Raman spectroscopy of Moon‐relevant samples was investigated. We developed and implemented a spectral deconvolution program to model and correct for fluorescence background and extract positions of Raman emission peaks. Relations were developed between composition and Raman peak positions for pyroxenes (~325, 670, and 1000 cm−1), olivines (800–880 cm−1), plagioclases, and oxides. The derived relationships were applied to analysis of Raman point spectra of lunar meteorite NWA12593. We were able to identify the presence and composition of pyroxenes, plagioclase, and olivine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Texture and particularly compositional variations of zoned minerals are important to understand trans-crustal magma plumbing systems of volcanoes. The Sipisupisu volcano in Sunda arc, northern Sumatra, occurs as a stratocone on the northwestern tip of the Toba Caldera and belongs to the large Toba volcanic system, which has produced two super-eruptions in the Quaternary. Compositionally zoned olivine, plagioclase and clinopyroxene grains, together with orthopyroxene reaction rims around olivine from basalts and basaltic andesites of the Sipisupisu volcano indicate open-system processes characterized by multiple episodes of magma recharge and mixing. Based on compositional variations of a variety of zoned olivine and clinopyroxene crystals, melts ascended from the large basaltic magma reservoir at the Moho have resided in at least three staging magma reservoirs within the crust. One magma reservoir is Si-saturated and located < 13 km deep in the upper crust, underlain by two Si-undersaturated ones at a depth from ~ 13 to 25 km. Fe–Mg diffusion modeling shows that olivine residence time from mixing of compositionally more evolved magmas to eruption varies from ~ 7 days to 9 months, whereas that from recharge of more primitive magmas to eruption is ~ 6 months to 5 years. This timescale is, on average, longer than olivine residence time of the majority of mafic arc volcanoes worldwide and may favor prolonged crystal fractionation. The multiple staging magma reservoirs and prolonged crystal residence time of the Sipisupisu volcano could potentially be linked to the large basaltic magma reservoir at depth. Finally, mixing of Si-saturated and Si-undersaturated magmas probably triggered Sipisupisu eruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a general tendency that epidote, which is a typical greenschist facies mineral, is scarce in the lower oceanic crust, in spite of the widespread occurrence of the other minerals indicative of similar temperature conditions such as chlorite, actinolite, prehnite and serpentine. To find the cause of this, we carried out petrological analyses of lower crustal rocks of the Oman ophiolite sampled by the Oman Drilling Project of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP). Petrographic observations revealed the tendency, as expected, that the amount of epidote formed by static alteration of plagioclase decreases with depth. Because mineral assemblages indicative of a wide range of temperature conditions from amphibolite to subgreenschist facies occur throughout the cores without systematic variations of abundance, the decrease of epidote amount cannot be explained by the difference of temperature condition of alteration. Petrographic observations also revealed that epidote is absent or rare in rocks containing serpentinized olivine in contrast to prehnite showing a close association with serpentinization of olivine. In an exceptional sample containing both epidote and serpentinized olivine, epidote occurs with chlorite that cuts or replaces plagioclase, mantles adjacent olivine and is connected with chlorite + lizardite veins cutting mesh‐forming serpentine veins. The distribution and mode of occurrence of epidote suggest decoupling of its formation with the main stage of serpentinization. Serpentine veins cutting olivine to form mesh texture are typically lizardite with magnetite ribbons at vein centres and have compositions of lizardite–cronstedtite solid solution at vein margins or in magnetite‐free veins, suggesting a chemical condition with low silica and low oxygen potentials at an early stage of serpentinization. Thermodynamic modelling for olivine and plagioclase alteration at greenschist facies conditions indicates that silica potential for plagioclase alteration to form prehnite + chlorite and epidote + chlorite could be higher than for olivine serpentinization. On the other hand, oxygen potential for the prehnite + chlorite formation is lower than for the epidote + chlorite formation and is comparable with that for olivine serpentinization. From the observations and analyses, it is concluded that epidote formation is inhibited by olivine serpentinization, which maintains a reducing condition for alteration in the lower oceanic crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kharchinsky and Zarechny volcanoes and the Kharchinsky Lake zone of monogenic cones are unique eruptive centers of magnesian lavas located above the northern margin of the Pacific plate subducting beneath Kamchatka. This paper presents new geochemical data on the composition of rocks (55 samples) and minerals (over 900 analyses of olivine, pyroxenes, amphibole, and plagioclase) of these centers analyzed by XRF and LA-ICP-MS (rocks) and electron microprobe (minerals). Most of the studied rocks are magnesian (Mg# = 60–75 mol %) medium-K basalts and basaltic andesites. Moderate-magnesian (Mg# = 52–59 mol %) basaltic andesites are present among the monogenic cones of Kharchinsky Lake. The rare rock varieties include the high-K basalts–basaltic andesites of dikes in the center of Kharchinsky volcano and the magnesian andesites (Mg# = 58–61 mol %) of the extrusions of Zarechnу volcano. The distribution of trace-element contents in these samples demonstrates enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements and light REEs at depletion in high field strength elements and heavy REEs, as is typical of arc rocks. The high-K basalts and basaltic andesites show anomalous enrichment in Ba (>1000 ppm), Th (>3.8 ppm), U (>1.8 ppm), Sr (> 800 ppm, Sr/Y > 50), and light REE (La > 20 ppm), and their compositions are close to those of low-Si adakites. The basalts and basaltic andesites contain phenocrysts of high-Mg olivine (up to Fo92.6) and clinopyroxene (Mg # up to 91 mol %). The rocks show petrographic and geochemical evidence of fractional crystallization, along with the processes of mineral accumulation and magma mixing. Some of the olivine phenocrysts show high NiO contents (up to 5000 ppm) and an elevated Fe/Mn ratio (up to 80), which were interpreted as evidence of the participation of a pyroxenite source in the magma generation processes. The use of the Ca/Fe and Ni/Mg ratios allowed us to distinguish the composition fields and evolution trends of olivine associated with different sources: peridotite and pyroxenite, which were formed by a reaction between mantle-wedge peridotites and high-Si melts of the subducted oceanic crust. The new data are consistent with other lines of evidence of melting of the subducted Pacific plate edge beneath the northern part of the Central Kamchatka Depression at the Kurile–Kamchatka and Aleutian subduction zone junction and testify to a significant heterogeneity of the mantle in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Al Huwaysah 010 is an ungrouped achondrite meteorite, recently referred to as a brachinite‐like meteorite. This meteorite, showing a fine‐grained assemblage of low‐Ca pyroxene and opaque phases, is strongly reduced in comparison to other reduced brachinites. The occurrence of some tiny plates of graphite and oldhamite in this meteorite suggests that a partial melt residue has experienced a further reduction process. Olivine, the most abundant phase, is compositionally homogeneous (Fo83.3) as well as the clinopyroxene (En45.5Fs10.8Wo43.7) and the plagioclase (Ab69.5). Orthopyroxene (En85.4Fs13.9Wo0.7) also occurs but only in a fine intergrowth. Other accessory phases are Fe metal grains (Ni‐free or Cr‐bearing Fe‐Ni alloy), troilite, chlorapatite, pentlandite (as inclusions in chromite). The sample shows two different closure temperatures: the highest (≈900°C) is determined via the olivine–chromite intercrystalline geothermometer and the lowest temperature (≈520°C) is determined via the pyroxene‐based intracrystalline geothermometer. These temperatures may represent, respectively, the closure temperature associated with the formation and a subsequent impact event excavating the sample from the parental body. The visible to near‐infrared (VNIR) reflectance spectra of Al Huwaysah 010 exhibit low reflectance, consistent with the presence of darkening components, and weak absorptions indicative of olivine and pyroxene. Comparing the spectral parameters of Al Huwaysah 010 to potential parent bodies characterized by olivine–pyroxene mineralogy, we find that it falls within the field previously attributed to the SIII type asteroids. These results lead us to classify the Al Huwaysah 010 meteorite as the most reduced brachinite, whose VNIR spectral features show strong affinities with those of SIII asteroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tool of phase‐field modeling for the prediction of chemical as well as microstructural evolution during crystallization from a melt in a mineralogical system has been developed in this work. We provide a compact theoretical background and introduce new aspects such as the treatment of anisotropic surface energies that are essential for modeling mineralogical systems. These are then applied to two simple model systems—the binary olivine‐melt and plagioclase‐melt systems ‐ to illustrate the application of the developed tools. In one case crystallization is modeled at a constant temperature and undercooling while in the other the process of crystallization is tracked for a constant cooling rate. These two examples serve to illustrate the capabilities of the modeling tool. The results are analyzed in terms of crystal size distributions (CSD) and with a view toward applications in diffusion chronometry; future possibilities are discussed. The modeling results demonstrate that growth at constant rates may be expected only for limited extents of crystallization, that breaks in slopes of CSD‐plots should be common, and that the lifetime of a given crystal of a phase is different from the lifetime of this phase in a magmatic system. The last aspect imposes an inherent limit to timescales that may be accessed by diffusion chronometry. Most significantly, this tool provides a bridge between CSD analysis and diffusion chronometry—two common tools that are used to study timescales of magmatic processes. Plain Language Summary: We have developed a phase field model for predicting both chemical and microstructural evolution during melt crystallization in a mineralogical system. Here we provide a theoretical background of how phase field models work and focus on some aspects that are necessary for modeling mineralogical systems with non‐cubic crystals. The model is applied to two simple cases as illustrations—the binary olivine melt and plagioclase melt systems. In one case, crystallization is modeled at a constant temperature, while the other monitors the crystallization process at a constant cooling rate. The results are analyzed from the point of view of applications to study the time scales of magmatic processes using crystal size distribution and diffusion chronometry. Key Points: Phase‐field modelingCrystal size distribution (CSD)Diffusion chronometry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reverse fractionation modeling considering energy-constrained assimilation-fractional crystallization is performed to estimate primary magma compositions, degree of crustal contamination, pressure–temperature of equilibrium with mantle, and potential temperatures for the origin of the Paleoproterozoic (~ 2.37–1.88 Ga) basaltic dikes in central and eastern Dharwar Craton and sills and volcanics in the adjoining Cuddapah Basin, southern India. Mineral thermobarometry indicates that the dikes crystallized at upper crustal conditions (~ 1–6 kbar/ ~ 1120–1210 °C). Hence, the reverse fractionation calculations are performed at low pressures by adding olivine + plagioclase + clinopyroxene, olivine + plagioclase and only olivine in equilibrium with melt, and simultaneously subtracting an upper crustal partial melt in small steps until the melt is multiply saturated with lherzolite at a high pressure. The results indicate that the basalts are 5–30% contaminated, and their enriched light rare earth element (REE) patterns can be attributed to upper crustal assimilation. The upper crust was pre-heated to 665–808 °C during dike emplacement. The primary magmas of all basalts were last equilibrated with spinel lherzolite at 10–16.5 kbar/1291–1366 °C, and they resemble pooled polybaric incremental melts generated along a ~ 1450 °C adiabat. The estimated mantle potential temperatures (1293–1515 °C) are similar to Paleoproterozoic ambient mantle temperatures. All basalts and their primary magmas show lower chondrite-normalized DyN/YbN ratios than the plume-derived mid-Proterozoic Mackenzie dikes of Canadian Shield, and the primary magmas show flat REE patterns indicating spinel lherzolite melting. The low estimated potential temperatures, low DyN/YbN ratios, and a spinel-bearing mantle source are at odds with an origin of the basalts from mantle plumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses the geochemistry of major (EPMA) and trace (SIMS) elements in olivine of porphyritic, nonporphyritic chondrules, and the matrix of equilibrated ordinary chondrite Saratov (L4). Olivine corresponds to forsterite and is rather heterogeneous (Fo 73-77). No differences in the content of the major elements in the olivine of the chondrule and the matrix of the meteorite were found. However, the content of major and trace elements in olivine within chondrules varies considerably; high values found in olivine from barred chondrules. Olivine from porphyritic chondrules and the matrix of the Saratov meteorite have similar concentrations of trace elements. High concentrations of refractory (Zr, Y, Al) and moderately volatile (Sr and Ba) trace elements in barred olivine chondrule indicate the chondrule melt formation due to the melting of precursor minerals and its rapid cooling in the protoplanetary disk, which is consistent with the experimental data. The olivine of the chondrules center of the Saratov meteorite differs from the olivine of the chondrules rims and meteorite matrix by the increased values of the Yb/La ratio. No relict grains and magnesian cores of olivine were found in meteorite chondrules. Individual grains in the chondrules are distinguished by their enrichment in trace elements relative to the rest of the olivine grains in the chondrule.

The aim of the present contribution was to evaluate the trace element mobility in olivine, low-Ca pyroxene and plagioclase of the Kargapole meteorite under thermal or impact metamorphic conditions and recognition of the properties of chondrule-forming events. The compositions of the minerals were analyzed using an electron probe microanalyser (EPMA) and a secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS). No considerable deviations in the trace element concentrations of olivine and pyroxene from unequilibrated ordinary chondrites in the Kargapole meteorite were revealed. This points to minor effects of impact metamorphism and terrestrial weathering on trace element mobilization. Olivine and low-Ca pyroxene of porphyritic olivine-pyroxene chondrule POP-0 contain higher trace element concentrations than minerals in porphyritic olivine PO-2 and olivine-pyroxene POP-4 chondrules and in the meteorite matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Puduhush gabbro is located on the western margin of the proto-Kalahari Craton in Southern Africa. This gabbro intrudes the Volop Formation, which conformably overlies the Hartley Formation lava of the late Palaeoproterozoic Olifantshoek Group. Here we report a new U-Pb ID-TIMS baddeleyite age as well as petrographic, whole-rock geochemical and palaeomagnetic results for the Puduhush gabbro. The gabbro shows a well-preserved sub-ophitic texture between clinopyroxene and plagioclase, with minor amounts of amphibole, olivine, biotite and Fe-Ti oxides. The new U-Pb ID-TIMS baddeleyite age of 1 881 ± 1 Ma reported here for the Puduhush gabbro, together with existing ages for the Hartley Formation, define a ca.1916 to 1 881 Ma age bracket for the Volop Formation. Our 1 881 ± 1 Ma age is also within error of ages reported for the oldest episode (so-called Episode 1) of the ca.1.89 to 1.83 Ga magmatism in the eastern and northern parts of the proto-Kalahari Craton. Our geochemical results also suggest compositional similarities between the Puduhush gabbro and Episode 1 magmatism, particularly the post-Waterberg sills. The virtual geomagnetic pole calculated here for the Puduhush gabbro (VGP: 1.6°N; 352.0°E; A95 = 14.2°) is consistent with the Episode 1 pole. All data are therefore combined to produce a new palaeomagnetic pole (11.7°N; 8.8°E, A95 = 9.3°) for Episode 1 magmatism. The present study provides the first evidence that the ca.1.89 to 1.83 Ga magmatism had a wider footprint that previously thought, extending to the western margin of the proto-Kalahari Craton. This wide-scale magmatism, previously proposed to be related to a back-arc extension setting, is here reinterpreted in the context of a mantle plume. Our results are consistent with the lithostratigraphic-based notion that at least parts of the red-bed successions (i.e., Olifantshoek and Waterberg Groups) that are hosts to the ca.1.89 to 1.83 Ga magmatism could be correlative units, representing an extensive sedimentary sequence that once covered large expanses of the proto-Kalahari Craton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin of lamprophyres associated with large igneous provinces (LIPs) remains controversial, particularly whether they are derived by direct melting of mantle plumes, or from previously metasomatized domains in thermally perturbed subcontinental lithosphere. Here, we report the petrological and geochemical characteristics of a recently identified suite of alkaline lamprophyres (sannaites) that represent the final pulse of magmatism in the Permian Tarim LIP in NW China. The sannaites display porphyritic texture with phenocrysts of olivine, clinopyroxene, hornblende, phlogopite, and titanomagnetite in a groundmass of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, nepheline, hornblende, biotite, and titanomagnetite with minor pyrite and apatite. Carbonate ocelli and almost pure albite in the groundmass are interpreted to have crystallized from immiscible carbonate and hydrous fluids, respectively, produced by late-stage magmatic segregation. The rocks show low to moderate SiO2 (37.7–49.3 wt.%) and MgO (2.74–9.91 wt.%), together with high Fe2O3T (up to 22.7 wt.%) and alkali contents (up to 9.02 wt.% Na2O + K2O). They are characterized by high incompatible element abundances, especially a marked enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements (Rb and Ba) and light rare-earth elements (e.g. La and Ce) relative to P and high-field-strength elements (e.g. Ti). They show a relatively restricted range of δ66Zn values between 0.22‰ and 0.46‰ with an average of 0.37 ± 0.04‰ (2SE, n  = 10), which is marginally heavier than that of MORBs (0.27 ± 0.05‰). Their (87Sr/86Sr)t values range from 0.7035 to 0.7061, εNd(t) from −0.97 to +5.62, and δ26Mg from −0.36‰ to −0.17‰ (n  = 8), the latter being consistent with those of global MORBs. Based on the correlation between Zn isotopes and TiO2–FeO concentrations, we infer that the heavy Zn isotopes in some of the sannaites resulted from fractional crystallization of Fe–Ti oxide minerals. The whole rock geochemical features of these rocks (negative K anomalies and enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements) and rhyolite–MELTS simulations suggest that the primary magmas of the sannaites were derived from an amphibole-bearing enriched lithospheric mantle source. Metasomatism and related formation of amphibole-bearing metasomatized mantle may be linked to sublithospheric melts/fluids derived from the Tarim plume in the earlier stages of plume activity, rather than slab-derived fluids or carbonate melts as suggested in previous studies for other alkaline mantle-derived magmas. Partial melting may have been triggered by the thermal input from the Tarim plume during a later stage. This study suggests that exotic, alkali-rich magmas can be produced during the multi-stage evolution of large mantle plumes, involving complex cycles of lithospheric mantle metasomatism and later melting of previously enriched domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanisms responsible for the formation of Fe-rich, metasomatic features in eucrites and their debris in howardites are yet controversial. In this study, secondary phases found in polymict eucrite NWA (Northwest Africa) 11911, howardite NWA 1664, monomict eucrite NWA 8675 and unbrecciated basaltic eucrite NWA 13269 were investigated to elucidate their origin and history of formation. Among them, NWA 11911 is the only rock that displays widespread Fe-enrichment near fractures in unequilibrated and slightly equilibrated basaltic clasts and pyroxene fragments. Fayalitic olivine veinlets with various textures, thicknesses and compositions (Fa 64-82) are detected in unequilibrated pyroxenes in NWA 11911, NWA 1664 and NWA 8675. Neighbouring Fe-enriched pyroxene is also Al-depleted compared to magmatic pyroxene (Al 2 O 3 = ∼0.3 wt%). NWA 13269 contains Ca-rich plagioclase (An 97-98) veinlets associated with Cr-spinel, but apparently no Fe-enrichment in pyroxene nor ferroan olivine despite a careful search. Olivine veinlets have been also detected in equilibrated pyroxene in NWA 11911. Our observations support the fluid-assisted metasomatism scenario that involves the circulation of hydrothermal fluids throughout the fractures of eucritic material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northwest Africa (NWA) 8418 is an unusual chondrite whose properties do not exactly match those of any other known chondrite. It has similarities to the CV (Vigarano group), CK (Karoonda group), and CL (Loongana group) chondrites, but its abundance of large calcium‐aluminum‐rich inclusions (CAIs) and the low NiO content (<0.2 wt%) of its matrix olivine ally it most closely with the CV group. The absence of grossular, monticellite, wollastonite, and sodalite from the alteration products of the CAIs; the magnesium‐rich nature of the matrix olivines (Fa38) relative to that of the CV3 chondrites (~Fa50); and the presence of secondary Na‐bearing plagioclase and chlorapatite indicate a metamorphic temperature >600 °C. NWA 8418 contains kamacite, taenite, and troilite, and lacks magnetite and pentlandite. We propose that NWA 8418 be reclassified as a reduced CV4 chondrite, which makes it the first CV chondrite of petrologic type 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The petrogenesis of the Northwest Africa (NWA) 7635 Martian meteorite involved the entrainment of xenocrystic olivine grains into a relatively magnesian and oxidized melt, followed by a redox‐dependent reaction between olivine and melt that resulted in the crystallization of orthopyroxene and magnetite. Subsequent crystallization of the melt began with augite, plagioclase, and magnetite phenocrysts, and was followed by crystallization of augite, plagioclase, magnetite, ilmenite, and pyrrhotite in the groundmass, which took place under more rapid conditions of cooling, as reflected in the groundmass grain size. The petrogenetic history of NWA 7635 is similar in many ways to that of NWA 8159; this observation, coupled with similarities in geochemical and isotopic characteristics from other studies, suggests that the parent melts of the two rocks—as represented by all minerals except the xenocrystic olivine—were one and the same. The main distinctions between the two rocks are that their parent melts entrained xenocrystic olivine of different composition, and the cooling rate of the groundmass of NWA 7635 was more rapid than that of NWA 8159. The conclusion that the redox reaction took place between olivine and melt is in contrast to other work that suggests the reaction took place in the subsolidus, and has implications for the nature of the reaction in both NWA 7635 and NWA 8159. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basalt is a fairly familiar word, although few laymen could define it. In fact, basalts are the commonest rocks of the Solar System. On Earth, they are found in all tectonic settings and of all ages throughout geological time. Basalts are volcanic rocks, rich in magnesium and poor in silica, consisting of plagioclase (with a composition in the labradorite range) and the mafic minerals: olivine, pyroxene, iron oxides and sometimes hornblende. They are dark‐coloured, fine‐grained (although larger crystals, known as 'phenocrysts' or 'megacrysts' may occur) and are typically found as lava flows. Basalt makes up enormous accumulations, often over 1 million square kilometres in size, known as 'large igneous provinces' or LIPs, which may be associated with mass extinctions. Other, more siliceous, rocks are hypothesized to be derived from basaltic magmas by the process of igneous differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The features of morphology and composition of accessory Cr-spinels from four ophiolitic peridotite massifs of the Southern Urals are considered. Massifs are localized in the Main Uralian Fault zone (Nurali, Mindyak), at its junction with the Sakmar zone (Kempirsai) and in the northern part of the Zilair zone (Kraka). The Kraka, Nurali and Mindyak massifs are composed mainly of lherzolites with subordinate harzburgites and dunites, while harzburgites predominate in the Kempirsai massif and dunites with large chromitite deposits are significantly developed in its southeastern part. The PT–fO2 formation conditions of lherzolites correspond to the upper mantle below a rift structure: temperature of 700–1000 °C, pressure of 5–12 kbar, and oxygen fugacity varying from –2 to + 0.5 ΔFMQ. The compositional variations of Cr-spinels from primitive lherzolite (Cr# 0.15–0.30, Mg#0.6–0.8) to harzburgite (Cr# 0.3–0.6, Mg#0.5–0.7) and dunite (Cr# 0.6–0.8, Mg#0.4–0.7) and the increase in Mg# value of olivine are a result of synchronous processes of partial melting and plastic flow of the material in the upper mantle. Four main morphological Cr-spinel types are distinguished in lherzolites: (1) fine rods and lamellae within silicate grains and along their boundaries, (2) anhedral and holly-leaf grains closely intergrown with restitic olivine and enstatite, (3) anhedral and subhedral grains in an assemblage with plagioclase and diopside and (4) euhedral grains in dunites. The formation of type 1 grains is interpreted as a result of deformation-induced segregation of trace elements on structural defects of silicates with consequent crystallization of newly formed minerals. The advanced stages of solid-phase transformation produce the larger anhedral and holly-leaf grains in peridotites and euhedral grains in dunites (types 2 and 4 grains). The decompression replacement of a precursor high-pressure mineral (garnet?) is suggested for the formation of the Cr-spinel–plagioclase aggregates. The subhedral and euhedral grains in the assemblage with plagioclase and clinopyroxene could have formed as a result of crystallization from percolating melts or their reaction with restite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newly discovered meta-troctolite enclaves in Early Paleozoic Huanggang diorite within dominantly meta-volcaniclastic greenschist to amphibolite facies Erlangping unit in central China extends the known extent of granulite-facies metamorphism in the Tongbai Orogen. Evidence for this granulite facies event is preserved in coronitic and symplectitic textures developed in the meta-troctolites enclaves. The primary assemblage comprises olivine and plagioclase with minor orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, spinel and amphibole. The late magmatic stage comprising an orthopyroxene (Opx1) corona around olivine and clinopyroxene corona around spinel formed by reaction of cumulus and intercumulus phases with trapped melt at around 1040–1060°C near the solidus. During troctolite cooling, metamorphic solid-state replacement of primary olivine and plagioclase produced orthopyroxene (Opx1)/clinopyroxene (Cpx1) + vermicular spinel (Sp1) symplectite, followed by an inclusion-free amphibole (Amp1) layer surrounded by amphibole + spinel symplectite (Amp2 + Sp2). Microstructural, pseudosection and mineral isopleth analysis coupled with prominent compositional zoning in the Opx1 corona and chrome-rich spinel (Cr-Sp) suggests that the symplectites formed by diffusion-controlled solid-state replacement at the interface of reactant minerals, probably during cooling to granulite-facies conditions of ~820–880°C and 6.7–7.0 kbar. U–Pb dates of rare metamorphic zircon, as indicated by growth zonation and identification of metamorphic minerals enclosed in grains by Raman probe, are ca. 450 Ma. The reaction textures record the transition from late magmatic to granulite-facies metamorphism with the heat supplied by magma upwelling at the base of Erlangping arc triggered by extension of Erlangping back-arc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cenozoic tectono‐magmatism in Iran is widely considered to be related to subduction of the Neo‐Tethys Ocean. We employed whole‐rock and mineral geochemistry and isotopic data of intrusive rocks from Tafresh, central Urumieh‐Dokhtar magmatic arc, to evaluate the role of the mantle in magmatism, to assess the timing of emplacement, and to interpret the tectonic setting. Rock compositions range from gabbro or gabbro‐diorite (plagioclase + pyroxene ± olivine), to diorite (plagioclase + amphibole ± pyroxene), to granodiorite (quartz + plagioclase + K‐feldspar + amphibole + biotite), exhibiting high‐alumina calc‐alkaline affinity. Major oxide and trace element variations vary systematically from less to more evolved rocks suggesting a major role for fractional crystallization processes. Zircon LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb ages of major rock types are in the range of 24–19 Ma, whereas those of gabbroic dikes are ~17.5 Ma. ԐNd values range between −1.8 and 3.7, and (87Sr/86Sr)i is narrowly restricted to 0.705–0.706, suggesting a common mantle source. The enrichment in light rare earth element (REE) enrichment and flat heavy REE patterns couple depletion of Nb–Ta–Ti indicate that subducting oceanic crust had interacted with the overlying mantle wedge. High‐alumina, mid‐Mg# Tafresh plutonic rocks formed from hydrous melts from which Ca‐pyroxene and magnetite crystallized earlier than plagioclase, whereas late‐crystallizing zircon nucleated while magma traversed through lithospheric mantle and Cadomian crust. Modelling of isotope and incompatible‐element patterns suggests the contribution of no more than ~5% molten sediment or other crustal components in Tafresh magma, at a developmental stage before most plagioclase and amphibole had crystallized. The Miocene Tafresh plutons originated during the final stages of subduction, before the collision between the Arabian and Eurasian plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents detailed petrographic research using optical microscopy on lamproite rocks around the village of Mrzen, North Macedonia. Detailed microscopic examinations of 5 specimens show that the rocks have typical porphyritic structures and in some places they also show sub-rounded textures with cavities filled with secondary calcite. Phenocrystals that have idiomorphic forms are represented by olivine, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, and magnetite. In some places there are changes - alterations in phenocrystals that are represented by iddingsite, smectite-chlorite-goethite), clay and/or zeolites, and calcite. Microscopic examination shows that they are lamproites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of studies of the trace-element contents in olivine and plagioclase of chondrules from equilibrated ordinary chondrite Orlovka (H5) are reported. Olivine is represented by forsterite (Fo 79–80) and plagioclase is a mixture of oligoclase–andesine (An 19–49, Or 2–9) and pyroxene. The content of Y, Ti, Nb, and Ni in olivine from different chondrules ranges by factors of 12–20, while Sr, Ba, Al, and Zr range by factors of 5–6. The Y, Ti, Nb, and REE contents in plagioclase range by factors of 5–6. Such broad variations in the trace element concentrations in silicate minerals from porphyritic chondrules in the Orlovka meteorite do not provide evidence for equilibration due to thermal metamorphism or other secondary processes. Porphyritic olivine chondrule PO-1 are enriched in refractory (Zr, Hf, Nb) and rare-earth elements in relation to chondrules from unequilibrated ordinary and carbonaceous chondrites. The data obtained are consistent with the precursor melting hypothesis as a major chondrule-forming process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermodynamic equilibrium dihedral angle at grain junctions in crystalline rocks is set by the grain boundary interfacial surface energies, but the long times required to attain equilibrium mean that the observed dihedral angles in igneous rocks are generally set by the kinetics of crystallisation. We distinguish three types of augite–plagioclase–plagioclase dihedral angle in mafic igneous rocks. In the first, augite grows in the pores of a pre-existing plagioclase framework accompanied by little to no inwards-growth of the plagioclase pore walls. In the second, the plagioclase pore walls grow inwards simultaneously with the augite, and the dihedral angle is generally larger than the original angle at which the two plagioclase grains impinged except when the impingement angle itself is large. The first type is seen in rapidly crystallised rocks, whereas the second is observed in slowly cooled rocks. The third type is highly asymmetric and resembles (and so we call) an eagle's beak: it is only seen in slowly cooled rocks. It is common in gabbroic cumulates, and is also present in strongly orthocumulate troctolites. Using the mode of interstitial phases to calculate the amount of interstitial liquid present in a series of mafic cumulates from the Rum and Skaergaard layered intrusions, we show that the asymmetry of three-grain junctions in troctolites increases as the rocks progress from adcumulate to orthocumulate (i.e. as the olivine–plagioclase crystal mush becomes more liquid-rich), with eagles' beaks becoming the dominant three-grain junction geometry for troctolitic mushes containing ∼ 12 vol.% interstitial material (corresponding to ∼ 30 vol.% liquid in the mush). The geometry of three-grain junctions in mafic rocks is thus a function not only of cooling rate, but also of the progression along the liquid line of descent during fractionation. The first two types of junction are formed in relatively primitive liquids, during which the crystal mushes on the margins of the solidifying magma body are formed predominantly of plagioclase and olivine, whereas the eagle's beak geometry occurs once augite forms an important component of the crystal framework in the accumulating mush, either because it is a framework-forming primocryst phase or because it grows from highly abundant interstitial liquid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eleven isobaric experimental series simulate the fractional crystallization of 1,150 km deep lunar magma ocean. Crystallization begins at 1,850°C with olivine (to 32 per cent solidified, pcs), followed at 1,600°C by olivine + opx ± Cr‐spinel (to 62 pcs), at 1,210°C cpx + plagioclase ± olivine ± Ti‐spinel (to 97 pcs) and at 1,060°C quartz + cpx + plagioclase + Ti‐spinel, leaving 1.8 wt% residual magma that crystallizes minor K‐feldspar and apatite in addition. Melt compositions remain near 45 wt% SiO2, while FeO increases from 11 to 26 wt%, TiO2 peaks at 4 wt% at Ti‐spinel saturation. The available experimental liquid lines of descent yield an overall fractional crystallization sequence of olivine→opx→cpx + plagioclase→quartz→FeTi‐oxide. Plagioclase appears concomitantly with cpx, a result of the low magma ocean floor pressures (≤1 GPa) after 66%–76% of olivine + opx‐fractionation. A few wt% of FeTi‐oxides form mostly once the quartz + plagioclase + cpx‐cotectic is reached, cumulate densities remain ≤3,740 kg/m3. Scaled to a full magma ocean, plagioclase appears at 210–120 km depth, mainly as a function of bulk Al2O3. As buoyancy driven plagioclase‐cpx separation is likely limited, these depths may correspond to the primordial lunar crustal thickness. Allowing for complete plagioclase flotation to the quartz + plagioclase + cpx + FeTi‐oxide ± olivine cotectic yields 95–70 km primordial crust of anorthosite and quartz‐gabbro, far in excess of the 35–50 km observed. This supports an overturn of primordial layers, remelting of dense gabbroic cumulates in the harzburgitic cumulate mantle leading to further mixing and differentiation. We posit that such complex density induced convection led to a lunar marble cake mantle with primitive and fairly evolved reprocessed cumulates next to each other. Plain Language Summary: Upon its accretion the Moon was likely completely molten, forming a global magma ocean. This study experimentally simulates the crystallization of this magma ocean and constrains the resulting mineral cumulate layers, the initial temperature distribution, and the nature of the original lunar crust. Overall this crust was 2–5 times thicker than observed nowadays, supporting that post‐magma ocean convection has removed the larger part of this in some layers quite dense crust. The down‐slumping crust remelts in the hot deeper lunar mantle, leading to a second generation of magmatism explaining part of the available lunar samples. Key Points: Crystallization of a full Moon magma ocean defines the initial selenothermOur and previous results yield >95–70 km primordial crust, at least twice the modern value, requiring reprocessing through lunar overturnSlumping dense crust remelts in the cumulative harzburgitic mantle, adding further diversification to a lunar marble‐cake mantle [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petrographic observations combined with mineral compositional analyses constrain the phase relations of prograde metamorphosed serpentinites in the Bergell contact aureole (Italy). In a 1500 m profile perpendicular to the north-eastern edge of the Bergell intrusion, seven dehydration reactions ran to completion. Three previously undocumented reactions have been identified within 70 m of the intrusive contact: olivine + anthophyllite = orthopyroxene + H2O, tremolite + Cr–Al-spinel = olivine + Mg-hornblende + H2O and chlorite = olivine + orthopyroxene + Cr-Al-spinel + H2O. Petrological analysis indicates that these reactions occur over a narrow range of pressure and temperature, 300 ± 30 MPa and 720 ± 10 °C respectively. Computed phase diagram sections reproduce the observed mineral parageneses with one notable exception. Due to the underestimation of aluminium and sodium contents in Ca-amphibole models, plagioclase is predicted above 700 °C instead of Mg-hornblende. In comparison with natural grains, the aluminium content of computed chlorite compositions is overestimated for low grade parageneses while it is underestimated near the upper thermal stability limit of chlorite. In the computed sections, Fe partitioning relative to Mg between olivine and other silicates, suggests a clear preference for Fe in olivine, that therefore shows lower Mg#s. In contrast, microprobe analyses of natural mineral pairs indicate that orthopyroxene, Mg-hornblende and anthophyllite have lower Mg#s than equilibrium olivine. The inferred thermal profile of the metamorphic aureole is not consistent with simple heat conduction models and indicates a contact temperature of ~ 800 °C, which is 120–230 °C higher than previously estimated. Petrography also reveals extensive retrograde overprint of the prograde parageneses within 200 m of the contact. Retrogression is related to metamorphic fluids that were released by dehydration reactions during contact metamorphism and magmatic fluids expelled from the tonalite intrusion. The thermal gradient between the intrusion and the country rocks induced hydrothermal circulation of these fluids throughout the contact aureole, which beyond peak metamorphic conditions caused retrograde overprint of the prograde parageneses. The proposed phase relations for low and high pressures, and in particular, the transition from tremolite to Mg-hornblende, provides a complete representation of hydration and dehydration processes in serpentinites in subduction zones, along deep oceanic transform faults, and at passive continental margins. The latter has new implications, specifically for subduction initiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Early Oligocene alkalibasalts exposed in the Central Toveireh area located in the southwest of Jandaq city in Isfahan Province (Iran) and northwest of the Central-East Iranian Microcontinent (CEIM). Field studies reveal that these alkalibasalts crosscut the Eocene calc-alkaline volcanic rocks and granitoids and covered by the Miocene sedimentary rocks. The basaltic magma rose to the surface along the local faults. Based on the petrography, these alkalibasalts are composed of major minerals of olivine and plagioclase, and minor minerals of clinopyroxene, sanidine, Cr-spinel, and magnetite. The microscopic textures are porphyritic, microlithic porphyritic, trachytic, anti-rapakivi, corona, sieved texture, and poikilitic. Olivines are forsterite and chrysolite (Fo 0.90–0.75), plagioclases are labradorite to oligoclase (An63.1–20.7), alkali-feldspars are sanidine (Or50.3–61.5), clinopyroxenes are diopside and augite (Mg# 0.79 to 0.87), and Cr-spinels are hercynite (Cr# 0.24 to 0.25) in chemical composition, spinels (Mg# 0.72 to 0.76) are present as xenocrysts in some samples. The average contents of SiO2 and TiO2 of these rocks are 48.96 and 1.54 (wt %), respectively. The chondrite and primitive mantle-normalized diagrams characterized by enriched LREE relative to HREE, LILE enrichment, and absence of evident Eu anomaly. The normative content of nepheline reaches up to 14.6%. Modal and normative mineralogy, as well as geochemical data of minerals and whole rocks revealed that these rocks are sodic to highly sodic alkalibasalts formed in a within-plate continental tectonomagmatic setting after the cessation of subduction. The whole-rock chemical data indicate that the Central Toveireh alkalibasalts probably formed by relatively medium degrees of partial melting of an amphibole-bearing garnet lherzolite from the asthenospheric mantle of about 105 km in depth, which was previously enriched by subduction of the Neo-Thetyan slab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The upper Kayaoka sheet in the Atsumi area, Northeast Japan, has an alkaline-basaltic composition. The modal olivine and Ni enrichment in the lower part of the sheet indicates the accumulation of early formed olivine crystals. Overall, the average aspect ratio of plagioclase increases from the central part of the sheet toward both the top and bottom margins. The average aspect ratios of plagioclase and calculated crystallisation times at each height of the sheet, except for the lowermost margin, are roughly plotted near the regression line drawn based on those from many sills in previous research. However, we observed that the average aspect ratios of plagioclase in some horizons of the central part of the sheet exhibit an offset from the regression line. The olivine analcite dolerite in the central part of the sheet is rich in zeolite amygdules and glassy mesostasis with a quench texture. These observations suggest that the cooling rate in the central part of the sheet was faster compared with assuming conductive cooling only. A plausible mechanism for the rapid cooling at the centre of the sheet is heat transport by the convection of seawater that has infiltrated the columnar joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]