Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology

, Volume 75, Issue 1, pp 27–42 | Cite as

Megacrysts and xenoliths in kimberlite, Elliott County, Kentucky: A mantle sample from beneath the Permian Appalachian Plateau

  • James R. GarrisonJr.
  • Lawrence A. Taylor
Article
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Accepted:

Abstract

Two kimberlite pipes in Elliott County contain rare ultramafic xenoliths and abundant megacrysts of olivine (Fo85–93), garnet (0.21–9.07% Cr2O3), picroilmenite, phlogopite, Cr-poor clinopyroxene (0.56–0.88% Cr2O3), and Cr-poor orthopyroxene (<0.03–0.34% Cr2O3) in a matrix of olivine (Fo88–92), picroilmenite, Cr-spinel, magnetite, perovskite, pyrrhotite, calcite, and hydrous silicates. Rare clinopyroxene-ilmenite intergrowths also occur. Garnets show correlation of mg (0.79–0.86) and CaO (4.54–7.10%) with Cr2O3 content; the more Mg-rich garnets have more uvarovite in solution. Clinopyroxene megacrysts show a general decrease in Cr2O3 and increase in TiO2 (0.38–0.56%) with decreasing mg (0.87–0.91). Clinopyroxene megacrysts are more Cr-rich than clinopyroxene in clinopyroxene-ilmenite intergrowths (0.06–0.38% Cr2O3) and less Cr-rich than peridotite clinopyroxenes (1.39–1.46% Cr2O3). Orthopyroxene megacrysts and orthopyroxene inclusions in olivine megacrysts form two populations: high-Ca, high-Al (1.09–1.16% CaO and 1.16–1.18% Al2O3) and low-Ca, low-Al (0.35–0.46% CaO and 0.67–0.74% Al2O3). Three orthopyroxenes belonging to a low-Ca subgroup of the high-Ca, high-Al group were also identified (0.86–0.98% CaO and 0.95–1.01% Al2O3). The high-Ca, high-Al group (Group I) has lower mg (0.88–0.90) than low-Ca, low-Al group (Group II) with mg=0.92–0.93; low mg orthopyroxenes (Group Ia) have lower Cr2O3 and higher TiO2 than high mg orthopyroxenes (Group II). The orthopyroxene megacrysts have lower Cr2O3 than peridotite orthopyroxenes (0.46–0.57% Cr2O3). Diopside solvus temperatures indicate equilibration of clinopyroxene megacrysts at 1,165°–1,390° C and 1,295°–1,335° C for clinopyroxene in clinopyroxene-ilmenite intergrowths. P-T estimates for orthopyroxene megacrysts are bimodal: high-Ca, high-Al (Group I) orthopyroxenes equilibrated at 1,165°–1,255° C and 51–53 kb (± 5kb) and the low-Ca, low-Al (Group II) orthopyroxenes equilibrated at 970°–1,020°C and 46–56 kb (± 5kb). Garnet peridotites equilibrated at 1,240°–1,360° C and 47–49 kb. Spinel peridotites have discordant temperatures of 720°–835° C (using spinel-olivine Fe/Mg) and 865°–1,125° C (Al in orthopyroxene).

Megacrysts probably precipitated from a fractionating liquid at >150 km depth. They are not disaggregated peridotite because: (1) of large crystal size (up to 1.5 cm), (2) compositions are distinctly different from peridotite phases, and (3) they display fractionation trends. The high mg, low T orthopyroxenes and the clustering of olivine rims near Fo89–90 reflect liquid changes to higher MgO contents due to (1) assimilation of wall-rock and/or (2) an increase in Fe3+/Fe2+ and subsequently MgO/FeO as a result of an increase in fo.

Keywords

Olivine Diopside Garnet Peridotite Kimberlite Pipe Spinel Peridotite 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1980

Authors and Affiliations

  • James R. GarrisonJr.
    • 1
  • Lawrence A. Taylor
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of Geological SciencesThe University of TennesseeKnoxvilleUSA

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