Abstract
MANY intrusive and extrusive calc-alkaline suites show a continuous trend from diopsode-normative basic magma to corundum normative acid magmas, that is, with an increasing SiO2 content there is an exceptional decrease in the Ca:Al ratio of the magma. A number of explanations have been proposed for these trends, including secondary alteration, vapour phase transfer, assimilation, crustal remelting, hydrous melting of the upper mantle and the fractional crystallisation of a variety of phases. We demonstrate here that corundum-normative magmas can be produced by the fractional crystallisation of a hornblendic amphibole from calc-alkaline magma under moderate water pressure.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Williams, H., Turner, F. J., and Gilbert, C. M., Petrography (Freeman, San Francisco, 1955).
Chayes, F., State of Oregon, Dept. Geol. Mineral. Ind. Bull., 65, 1–12 (1969).
Fitton, J. G., Contr. Miner. Petrol., 36, 231–248 (1972).
Presnall, D. C., and Bateman, P. C., Bull. geol. Soc. Am., 84, 3181–3202, (1973).
Carmichael, I. S. E., J. Petrol., 5, 435–460 (1964).
Heming, R. F., and Carmichael, I. S. E., Contr. Miner. Petrol., 38, 1–20 (1973).
Luth, W. C., Jahns, R. H., and Tuttle, O. F., J. geophys. Res., 69, 759–773 (1964).
Ewart, A., and Stipp, J. J., Geochim. cosmochim. Acta, 32, 699–735 (1968).
Church, S. E., and Tilton, G. R., Bull. geol. Soc. Am., 84, 431–454 (1973).
Hedge, C. E., and Lewis, J. F., Contr. Miner. Petrol., 32, 39–47 (1971); Pushkar, P., J. geophys. Res., 73, 2701–2713 (1968).
Baker, P. E., Lithos, 1, 124–150 (1968).
Kushiro, I., and Yoder, H. S., Yb. Carnegie Inst. Wash., 71, 411–423 (1972).
Kushiro, I., J. Petrol., 13, 311–334 (1972).
Kuno, H., Bull. volcan., 32, 141–173 (1968).
Gribble, C. D., and O'Hara, M. J., Nature, 214, 1198–1201 (1967).
Green, T. H., and Ringwood, A. E., Contr. Miner. Petrol., 18, 105–162 (1968).
Cawthorn, R. G., and O'Hara, M. J., Am. J. Sci. (in the press).
Piwinskii, A. J., and Wyllie, P. J., J. Geol., 78, 52–76 (1970).
Haslam, H. W., J. Petrol., 9, 84–104 (1968).
Reed, B. L., and Lanphere, M. A., Bull. geol. Soc. Am., 84, 2583–2610 (1973).
Clifford, T. N., Nicolaysen, L. O., and Burger, A. J., J. Petrol., 3, 244–279 (1962).
Nockolds, S. R., Q. Jl geol. Soc. Lond., 96, 351 (1940).
Groome, D. R., and Hall, A., Mineralog. Mag., 39, 621–640 (1974).
Strong, D. F., Dickson, W. L., O'Driscoll, C. F., and Kean, B. F., Department of Mines Energy, Mineral Development Division, Province Newfoundland and Labrador, 74-3 (1974).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
CAWTHORN, R., STRONG, D. & BROWN, P. Origin of corundum-normative intrusive and extrusive magmas. Nature 259, 102–104 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/259102a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/259102a0
- Springer Nature Limited
This article is cited by
-
Neoarchean continental crust evolution of the southern North China Craton: constrains from geochronology and geochemistry of the Dengfeng complex in the Jishan area
International Journal of Earth Sciences (2023)
-
Geochemistry and Petrogenesis of the ca. 2.5 Ga High-K Granitoids in the Southern North China Craton
Journal of Earth Science (2019)
-
Highly fractionated granites: Recognition and research
Science China Earth Sciences (2017)
-
Amphibole–melt trace element partitioning of fractionating calc-alkaline magmas in the lower crust: an experimental study
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2016)
-
Fractional crystallization of primitive, hydrous arc magmas: an experimental study at 0.7 GPa
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology (2014)