Experimental investigation on forsterite-grossularite incompatibility in presence of excess water

Abstract

A mixture containing equal amounts of forsterite and grossularite by weight (Fo₅₀Gr₅₀) has been studied at temperatures between 750 and 1400°C under pressures ranging from 6 to 25 kbar in presence of excess water. The assemblages noted under low pressure (<8 kbar) are as follows:

Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+monticellite_ss+vapor and

Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+monticellite_ss+liquid+vapor. (ss denotes solid solution) Under intermediate pressures between 8 and 24 kbar following assemblages were noted in the order of increasing temperature:

Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+spinel+vapor,

Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+spinel+liquid+vapor,

Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+liquid+vapor, and

Forsterite_ss+liquid+vapor. At pressures above 24 kbar the assemblages are as follows:

Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+garnet+vapor,

Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+garnet+liquid+vapor,

Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+liquid+vapor, and

Forsterite_ss+liquid+vapor.

Electron microprobe analyses of diopside and forsterite crystallized at 1050°C and 23 kbar, show that the former contains 6 to 6.5 wt % of Al₂O₃ as solid solution whereas the latter incorporates 1.3 wt % of monticellite in solid solution. The monticellite content of forsterite increases at low pressures at a given temperature to about 6 wt % at 1050°C and 6 kbar.

The study indicates that forsteritic olivine does not coexist with pure grossularite in the studied temperature and pressure ranges, although the former is in equilibrium with pyrope-rich garnet, containing 23 mole % grossularite.

The study supports the conclusion ofWerner andLuth (1973) that the solubility of monticellite in forsterite decreases with increasing pressure at a given temperature. The results of the investigation are also in agreement with the findings ofKushiro andYoder (1966), who noted that spinel peridotites found in folded belts and in alkalic basalts are produced under intermediate pressures, whereas garnet peridotite xenoliths found in kimberlite and in orogenic belts are formed at high pressures.