Abstract
In the ophiolite series of N. Oman numerous small and large elongated podiform chromite deposits occur within the peridotite complex at a certain level of 100–200 meters below the layered zone, which grades into the overlying gabbro complex. The chromite grains were corroded after their deposition; their composition shows a large variation in Cr/Al ratio and a small variation in Cr/Fe ratio. The chromium is thought to have been liberated from clino-pyroxenes during partial melting of lherzolitic upper mantle material. Precipitation of large quantities of chromite at the specific level below the gabbro complex is related to the plagioclase- /spinel-lherzolite transition, but the influence of a change in oxygen fugacity is also considered.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Augustithis, S. S.: On the phenomenology and geochemistry of differential leaching and element agglutination processes. Chem. Geol. 2, 311–329 (1967)
Allemann, F., Peters, Tj.: The ophioliteradiolite belt of the North Oman Mountains: Eclogae Geol. Helvetiae 65, 657–697 (1972)
Beeson, M. H., Jackson, E. D.: Chemical composition of secondary iron-rich chromite from the Stillwater complex. Am. Mineralogist 54, 1084–1100 (1969)
Borchert, H.: Principles of the genesis and enrichment of chromite ore deposits, in Methods of prospecting for chromite (R. Woodli, ed.). Org. Econ. Devel., Paris, 1964
Dickey, J. S., Yoder, H. S.: Partitioning of chromium and aluminium between clinopyroxene and spinel. Carnegie Institution Yearbook 71, 384–392 (1971)
Donath, M.: Chrom. Die metallischen Rohstoffe, ihre Lagerungsverhältnisse und ihre wirtschaftliche Bedeutung. Bd. 14, Stuttgart: F. Enke-Verlag 1962
Glennie, K. W., Boeuf, M. G. A., Hughes, Clarke, M. W., Moody-Stuart, M., Pilaar W. F. H., Reinhardt, B. M.: Late Cretaceous nappes in the Oman Mountains and their geologic evolution. Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull. 57, 5–27 (1973)
Greenwood, J. E. G. W., Loney, P. E.: Geology and mineral resources of the Trucial Oman Range. Inst. Geol. Sci. London. 108 (1968)
Hamilton, D. L., Burnham, W. C., Osborn, E. F.: The solubility of water and effects of oxygenfugacity and water content on crystallization in mafic magmas. J. Petrol. 5, 21–39 (1964)
Hill, R., Roeder, P.: Stability of spinel in basaltic melts. Geol. Soc. Am. Ann. Meeting. New Orleans, 96–97. Abst. 1967
Hutchinson, Ch. S.: Alpine type chromite in North Borneo, with special reference to Darrel Bay. Am. Mineralogist 57, 835–856 (1972)
Jackson, E. D., Thayer, T. P.: Some criteria for distinguishing between stratiform, concentric and alpine peridotite-gabbro complexes. Congrès géol. intern. 24e session. Montreal 1972
Krause, H.: Erzmikroskopische Untersuchungen an türkischen Chromiten. Neues Jahrb. Mineral. Abhandl. 90, 305–366 (1958)
Kern, M.: Zur Geochemie und Lagerstättenkunde des Chroms und zur Mikroskopie und Genese der Chromerze. Clausthaler Hefte, Nr. 6. Berlin: Bornträger 1968
Kushiro, I., Yoder, H. S.: Anorthite-forsterite and anorthite enstatite reactions and their bearing on the basalt-eclogite transformation. J. Petrol. 7, 337–362 (1966)
MacGregor, I. D., Smith, C. H.: The use of chrome spinels in petrographic studies of ultramafic intrusions. Can. Mineralogist 7, 403–412 (1963)
Nicolas, A., Jackson, E. D.: Répartition en deux provinces des péridotites des chaînes alpines logeant la Méditerranée: implications géotectoniques. Schweiz. Mineral. Petrog. Mitt. 52, 471–495 (1972)
O'Hara, M. J., Mercy, E. L. P.: Petrology and petrogenesis of some garnetiferous peridotites. Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh 65, 251 (1963)
O'Hara, M. J. Mineral parageneses in ultrabasic rocks. In: P. J. Wyllie, ed., Ultramafic and related rocks, p. 393–403. New York: Wiley 1967
O'Hara, M. J. The bearing of phase equilibria studies on the origin and evolution of basic and ultrabasic rocks, Earth Sci. Rev. 4, 69–133 (1968)
O'Hara, M. J. Upper mantle composition inferred from laboratory experiments and observation of volcanic products. Phys. Earth. Planet. Interiors 3, 236–245 (1970)
Peters, Tj.: Mineralogie und Petrographie des Totalpserpentins bei Davos. Schweiz. Mineral. Petrog. Mitt. 43, 531–680 (1963)
Reinhardt, B. M.: On the genesis and emplacement of ophiolites in the Oman Mountains geosyncline. Schweiz. Mineral. Petrog. 49, 1–30 (1969)
Samson, E.: Magmatic chromite deposits in Southern Africa. Economic Geology 27, 113–144 (1932)
Smith, C. H.: Bay of Islands igneous complex, western Newfoundland, Geol. Surv. Can. Mem. 290, 132 p (1958)
Thayer: Some critical differences between Alpinetype and Stratiform peridotite-gabbro complexes. XXL Intern. Geol. Congr. Rept., pt. 13, 247–259 (1960)
Thayer Geologic features of podiform chromite deposits, in Methods of prospecting for chromite (R. Woodli, ed.). Org. Econ. Coop. Devel., Paris, 135–148 (1964)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Peters, T., Kramers, J.D. Chromite deposits in the ophiolite complex of Northern Oman. Mineral. Deposita 9, 253–259 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00203999
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00203999