Textural features and chemical characteristics of chromites in ultramafic rocks, Chalkidiki Complex (Northeastern Greece)

  • K. Mussallam
  • D. Jung
  • K. Burgath
Article
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Accepted:

Summary

The lower ultramafic part of the Chalkidiki Ophiolite Complex consists of a successive alternation of chromitite, dunite, and harzburgite, which is repeated periodically in a cyclic manner. This cyclic pattern is consistent with an origin as magmatic cumulates. However, the tectonic fabric superimposed on the cumulate texture of this sequence suggest a solid-state deformation at considerable depth.

In the present study, the textural and chemical features of chromite are discussed. The interrelationships between the compositions of chromite, its mode of occurrence as well as the associated silicates are emphasized. It is found that the investigated chromites have properties in common with both podiforn and stratiform chromites. From a geometrical and structural point of view, they are of podiform type. On the other hand, their appreciably high iron content, the strong interdependence between the composition of chromite and the coexisting silicates together with the cryptic layering exhibited by the two mineral groups contrast markedly with podiform chromites.

An alternative hypothesis is proposed involving fractional crystallization of an ultrabasic melt introduced to the magma chamber as periodic inflows of essentially the same composition. An upwelling upper-mantle that is subjected to stepwise partial fusion may fulfill these conditions.

Keywords

Chromite Textural Feature Magma Chamber Ultramafic Rock High Iron Content 
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.

Chemismus und Texturen von Chromiten in ultramafischen Gesteinen des Chalkidiki Komplexes, Nordost-Griechenland

Zusammenfassung

Der untere, ultramafische Teil des Chalkidiki Komplexes besteht aus einer wechselnden Abfolge von Chromititen, Duniten und Harzburgiten, die sich zyklisch wiederholt. Diese zyklische Abfolge ist in guter Übereinstimmung mit einer Entstehung als magmatische Kumulate. Das tektonische Gefüge, das auf die Kumulat-Texturen überprägt wurde, weist jedoch auf Deformationen in festem Zustand in beträchtlicher Tiefe hin.

Die vorliegende Untersuchung befaßt sich mit dem Chemismus und den Texturen der Chromite. Besonderes Interesse wendet sich dabei den Wechselbeziehungen zwischen den Zusammensetzungen, der Art des Vorkommens und den assoziierten Silikaten zu. Dabei zeigt sich, daß die untersuchten Chromite in vieler Hinsicht Ähnlichkeiten sowohl mit podiformen wie mit stratiformen Vorkommen erkennen lassen. Geometrisch und texturell gesehen gehören sie dem podiformen Typ an. Nicht in Einklang damit stehen jedoch die beträchtlichen Eisengehalte sowie die deutlichen Wechselbeziehungen zwischen der Zusammensetzung von Chromit und der koexistierenden Silikate, und schließlich auch der kryptische Lagenbau, den die zwel Mineralgruppen erkennen lassen. Ein genetisches Modell wird vorgeschlagen, das fraktionierte Kristallisation einer ultrabasischen Schmelze von im wesentlichen gleichmäßiger Zusammensetzung vorsieht, die in periodischen Abständen der Magmenkammer zugeführt wurde. Eine Aufwölbung des oberen Mantels, die schrittweiser, partieller Aufschmelzung ausgesetzt ist, könnte diesen Bedingungen entsprechen.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1981

Authors and Affiliations

  • K. Mussallam
    • 1
  • D. Jung
    • 1
  • K. Burgath
    • 2
  1. 1.Mineralogisch-Petrographisches InstitutUniversität HamburgHamburg 13Germany
  2. 2.Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und RohstoffeHannover 51Germany

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