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Numerical simulations and physical fragmentation experiments confi rm the theoretical prediction that the fractal dimension of a two-dimensional (2-D) cut through a set of three-dimensional objects with fractal dimension D is approximately equal to D - 1. This leads to a size distribution in twodimensional cuts that is skewed strongly toward larger objects compared to the three-dimensional distribution. Threedimensional shape (aspect ratio) does not significantly affect the resulting 2-D size distribution except for highly nonequant objects, such as prolate ellipsoids with aspect ratios of 10 or more. In contrast, fragmentation of an object by breakage along persistent fractures results in a non-fractal distribution of sizes and far fewer small objects than predicted by fractal statistics. Powdering a rock by extensive crushing also results in non-fractal size distributions because particles are reduced to sizes on the order of 1 m, a comminution limit below which further brittle fracture is diffi cult. Natural examples of fragmental objects observed in two-dimensional cuts, such as crushed rocks, breccias, and xenoliths, are generally consistent with a three-dimensional fractal dimension near 2.5 over one or two orders of magnitude in size. However, a limestone breccia from Death Valley exhibits a nonfractal size distribution consistent with fragmentation of a strongly jointed rock. Mafic enclaves in Yosemite National Park have a restricted size range of about one order of magnitude and a three-dimensional fractal dimension of ~3.1, consistent with other enclave swarms. The restricted size range of enclaves may reflect the apertures of mafic dikes that fed them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interaction of magma with wall rock is an important process in igneous petrology, but the mechanisms by which interactions occur are poorly known. The western outer granodiorite of the Cretaceous Tuolumne Intrusive Suite of Yosemite National Park, California, intruded a variety of metasedimentary and igneous wall rocks at 93.1 Ma. The May Lake metamorphic screen is a metasedimentary remnant whose contact zone exhibits a variety of interaction phenomena including xenolith incorporation, disaggregation, and partial melting. The chemical contrast of these metasedimentary rocks with the invading pluton provides an excellent measure of pluton/wall rock interactions. Wall rock xenoliths (mostly pelitic quartzite) are predominantly located in an elongate horizon surrounded by a hybridized fine-grained granodiorite. Initial Sr and Nd isotopic ratios of the hybridized granodiorite indicate significant local incorporation of crustal material. Major- and trace-element geochemical data indicate that contamination of the granodiorite occurred via selective assimilation of both high-K and low-K, high-silica partial melts derived from pelitic quartzite. Although the hybridized granodiorite shows significant amounts of contamination, adjacent to xenoliths the proportion of contamination is undetectable more than a meter away. These results indicate that the chemical and isotopic variability of the Tuolumne Intrusive Suite is not caused by magma contamination via in situ wall rock assimilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]