Abstract
ALTHOUGH graphite has previously been reported from upper-mantle garnet lherzolite xenoliths from kimberlite intrusions, diamond has not previously been found in upper-mantle garnet lherzolite xenoliths from kimberlite intrusions. Diamond of primary terrestrial origin is found mainly in the rare ultramafic, potassic rock, kimberlite. Although the precise source of most diamonds in kimberlite is unknown it is generally assumed that most of the diamonds originate from the kimberlite matrix itself. A few have, however, been found enclosed in eclogite xenoliths of widely varying composition1–3 and also in rare xenoliths of garnet serpentinite from the Aykhal kimberlite diatreme in Siberia4. We report here on the occurrence of diamond in a xenolith of garnet lherzolite, the material generally believed to dominate the Earth's upper mantle on density, seismic and experimental grounds.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Rickwood, P. C., Gurney, J. J., and White-Cooper, D. R., in Upper Mantle Project, Spec. Publ. 2, geol. Soc. S. Afr., 371–393 (1969).
Sobolev, N. V., Australian National University Press, Publication 210 (1970).
Reid, A. M., Brown, R. W., Dawson, J. B., Whitfield, G. G., and Siebert, J. C., Extended Abstr. int. Conf. on Kimberlites, Cape Town, 271 (1973).
Sobolev, N. V., Nay, B. S., Sobolev, N. V., Lavrentyev, Yu. G., and Pospelova, L. N., Dokl. Acad. Nauk. SSSR, Earth Sci. Sect., 188, 168–170 (1969).
Nixon, P. H., in Lesotho kimberlites (edit. by Nixon, P. H.), 39–47 (Lesotho Development Corporation, Maseru, 1973).
Bouiller, A. M., and Nicolas, A., Phys. Chem. Earth (in the press).
Meyer, H. O. A., and Boyd, F. R., Geochim. cosmochim. Acta, 36, 1255–1273 (1972).
Dawson, J. B., and Smith, J. V., Nature, 253, 336–338 (1975).
O'Hara, M. J., and Mercy, E. L. P., Trans. R. Soc. Edinb., 65, 251–314 (1963).
Boyd, F. R., Geochim. cosmochim. Acta, 37, 2533–46 (1973).
Davis, B. T. C., and Boyd, F. R., J. geophys. Res., 71, 3567–3576 (1966).
Nehru, C. E., and Wyllie, P. J., Contr. Miner. Petrol., 48, 221–228 (1974).
Wood, B. J., and Banno, S., Contr. Miner. Petrol., 42, 109–124 (1973).
MacGregor, I. D., Am. Miner., 59, 110–119 (1974).
Clark, S. P., and Ringwood, A. E., Rev. Geophys., 2, 35–88 (1964).
Seal, M., Am. Miner., 50, 105–123 (1965).
Reid, A. M., and Dawson, J. B., Lithos, 5, 115–124 (1972).
Green, H. W., II, and Gueguen, Y., Nature, 249, 617–620 (1974).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
DAWSON, J., SMITH, J. Occurrence of diamond in a mica–garnet Iherzolite xenolith from kimberlite. Nature 254, 580–581 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/254580a0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/254580a0
- Springer Nature Limited
This article is cited by
-
Genesis and evolution of kimberlites
Nature Reviews Earth & Environment (2023)
-
Thermal state and structure of the lithosphere beneath eastern China: A synthesis on basalt-borne xenoliths
Journal of Earth Science (2010)
-
Diamondiferous peridotitic microxenoliths from the Diavik Diamond Mine, NT
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2008)
-
The characterisation and origin of graphite in cratonic lithospheric mantle: a petrological carbon isotope and Raman spectroscopic study
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (1994)
-
Variations in trapping temperatures and trace elements in peridotite-suite inclusions from African diamonds: evidence for two inclusion suites, and implications for lithosphere stratigraphy
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (1992)