Petrogenesis of the nakhlite meteorites: Evidence from cumulate mineral zoning

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(92)90232-8· OSTI ID:5369596

Harvey, R P; McSween, Jr, H Y ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville (United States)

A simple igneous petrogenesis for the meteorite Nakhla has previously been called into question because Mg/Fe ratios in olivine indicate substantial disequilibrium between the predominant cumulus minerals (olivine and augite). Comparative analyses of simulated diffusive zoning and the observed cumulus mineral zoning for all three nakhlites (Nakhla, Governador Valadares, and Lafayette) show that their current compositions do not necessarily reflect parental magma compositions. Instead, diffusion has altered primary cumulus compositions to varying degrees, Nakhla being the least affected, and Lafayette being almost completely re-equilibrated. Only the cores of augite grains in Nakhla and Governador Valadares appear to have preserved their original compositions. Mineral zoning in each meteorite is strongly concentric around mesostasis areas, suggesting that reaction with intercumulus liquid has controlled the observed zoning. The presence of pigeonite and orthopyroxene overgrowths in Nakhla and Governador Valadares, and of poikilitic orthopyroxene enclosing olivine relicts in Lafayette, indicate substantial late-magmatic reactions. Two-pyroxene geothermometry for Lafayette indicates temperatures around 95C, suggesting subsolidus equilibration as well. The nakhlites appear to be a series of relatively simple cumulate rocks which have undergone various amounts of late-magmatic and subsolidus diffusion, possibly reflecting their relative positions in a cooling cumulate pile.

• OSTI ID: 5369596
• Journal Information: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States), Journal Name: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (United States) Vol. 56:4; ISSN GCACA; ISSN 0016-7037
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580000* -- Geosciences
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
EVALUATION
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGY
GEOTHERMOMETERS
GEOTHERMOMETRY
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METEORITES
MINERALOGY
MINERALS
OLIVINE
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROCHEMISTRY
PETROGENESIS
PETROLOGY
PYROXENES
SILICATE MINERALS
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
THERMOMETERS