The Geochemical Signatures of Mafic Crystals in Plutonic Rocks

The term "mafIc crystal" refers to a type Of x'rystal that is rich in magnesium and iron, and is commonly found in igneous rocks. These crystals are an important component in the formation of mafic rocks, which are distinguished by their darker color and higher density compared to felsic rocks. Mafic minerals are essential for understanding the formation and composition of Earth's crust, as well as the processes that occur within it. Mafic crystals are part of a group of minerals known as silicates, which are made up of silicon and oxygen ions. The most common mafIc minerals include olivine, pyroxene, and amphibole. These minerals have a high melting point and are formed under high-pressure conditions deep within the Earth's mantle.

Of the three principal rock types (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic), igneous rocks can be thought of as "primary" rocks because they crystallize from a liquid. Sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, which we will study later, may be thought of as derivative rocks.

The feeder system is composed of WSW ENE-striking lens-shaped stocks of layered gabbronorite and pyroxene hornblende gabbronorite, surrounded by monzodiorite. The texture of an igneous rock fine-grained vs coarse-grained is dependent on the rate of cooling of the melt slow cooling allows large crystals to form, fast cooling yields small crystals.

These minerals have a high melting point and are formed under high-pressure conditions deep within the Earth's mantle. Olivine is typically green in color and is composed of magnesium, iron, and silicate ions. It is one of the first minerals to crystallize during the formation of igneous rocks.

Petrological Constraints on the Recycling of Mafic Crystal Mushes and Intrusion of Braided Sills in the Torres del Paine Mafic Complex (Patagonia)

Corresponding author. Present address: School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK. Telephone: +44 (0)117 331 5181. Fax:

Journal of Petrology, Volume 55, Issue 5, May 2014, Pages 917–949, https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egu011

Cite

J Leuthold, O Müntener, L P Baumgartner, B Putlitz, Petrological Constraints on the Recycling of Mafic Crystal Mushes and Intrusion of Braided Sills in the Torres del Paine Mafic Complex (Patagonia), Journal of Petrology, Volume 55, Issue 5, May 2014, Pages 917–949, https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egu011

Cumulate and crystal mush disruption and reactivation are difficult to recognize in coarse-grained, shallow plutonic rocks. Mafic minerals included in hornblende and zoned plagioclase provide snapshots of early crystallization and cumulate formation, but are difficult to interpret in terms of the dynamics of magma ascent and possible links between silicic and mafic rock emplacement. This study presents the field relations, the microtextures and the mineral chemistry of the Miocene mafic sill complex of the Torres del Paine intrusive complex (Patagonia, Chile) and its subvertical feeder zone. We summarize a number of observations that occur in structurally different, shallow, plutonic rocks, as follows. (1) The mafic sill complex was built up by a succession of braided sills of shoshonitic and high-K calc-alkaline porphyritic hornblende-gabbro and fine-grained monzodiorite sills. Local diapiric structures and felsic magma accumulation between sills indicate limited separation of intercumulus liquid from the mafic sills. Anhedral hornblende cores, with olivine + clinopyroxene ± plagioclase ± apatite inclusions, crystallized at temperatures >900°C and pressures of ~300 to ~400 MPa. The corresponding rims and monzodiorite matrix crystallized at T >950°C) than estimated from the composition of the granite minimum. We show that hornblende–plagioclase thermobarometry is a useful monitor for the determination of the segregation conditions of granitic magmas from gabbroic crystal mushes, and for monitoring the evolution of shallow crustal magmatic crystallization, decompression and cooling.

Pyroxene minerals, such as augite and hornblende, are dark-colored and are commonly found in basaltic and gabbroic rocks. They are characterized by their elongated crystal shape and high density. Amphibole minerals, including hornblende, actinolite, and tremolite, are commonly found in intermediate to mafic igneous rocks. They have a dark green, black, or brown color and are often prismatic in shape. MafIc minerals form as magma cools and solidifies, either within the Earth's crust or during volcanic eruptions. As the magma cools, the mafIc minerals crystallize out of the melt and form large crystals within the rock. The size and shape of these crystals can provide valuable information about the cooling history and the depth at which the rock formed. Mafic rocks, such as basalt and gabbro, are commonly found in oceanic crust and volcanic regions. These rocks are generally denser and have a higher iron and magnesium content compared to felsic rocks. Mafic minerals play a crucial role in determining the properties and behavior of these rocks, including their strength, durability, and resistance to weathering. Overall, mafic crystals are an essential component of the Earth's crust and play a significant role in shaping the geology and composition of our planet. They provide valuable insights into the processes that occur deep within the Earth, as well as the formation of various rock types. Understanding the properties and characteristics of mafic crystals is vital for geologists and scientists to better decipher the history and dynamics of our planet..

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Understanding the Physical Properties of Mafic Crystals: A Mechanical Perspective