Search results for "Pyroxene"

Apatite and clinopyroxene as tracers for metasomatic processes in nepheline clinopyroxenites of Uralian-Alaskan-type complexes in the Ural Mountains,…

2013

Clinopyroxene and apatite are found to trace metasomatic processes in nepheline-bearing clinopyroxenites (tilaites) from the igneous, mafic-ultramafic Uralian-Alaskan-type complexes of Kytlym and Nizhny Tagil, Ural Mountains, Russian Federation. The clinopyroxenites consist predominantly of coarse-grained, partially to totally altered clinopyroxene phenocrysts in a matrix of fine-grained olivine, clinopyroxene, plagioclase, K-feldspar, and nepheline. Apatite occurs as idiomorphic inclusions (2O-, Na2O-, and Al2O3-bearing fluid. During conversion of the plagioclase, CaO and SiO2 were partitioned into the fluid. Altered areas in the clinopyroxene phenocrysts are characterized by the redistrib…

Basaltic Rocks Analyzed by the Spirit Rover in Gusev Crater

2004

The Spirit landing site in Gusev Crater on Mars contains dark, fine-grained, vesicular rocks interpreted as lavas. Pancam and Mini–Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES) spectra suggest that all of these rocks are similar but have variable coatings and dust mantles. Magnified images of brushed and abraded rock surfaces show alteration rinds and veins. Rock interiors contain ≤25% megacrysts. Chemical analyses of rocks by the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer are consistent with picritic basalts, containing normative olivine, pyroxenes, plagioclase, and accessory FeTi oxides. Mössbauer, Pancam, and Mini-TES spectra confirm the presence of olivine, magnetite, and probably pyroxene. The…

Mineralogy at Gusev Crater from the Mössbauer spectrometer on the Spirit Rover.

2004

Mössbauer spectra measured on Mars by the Spirit rover during the primary mission are characterized by two ferrous iron doublets (olivine and probably pyroxene) and a ferric iron doublet (tentatively associated to nanophase ferric iron oxide). Two sextets resulting from nonstoichiometric magnetite are also present, except for a coating on the rock Mazatzal, where a hematite-like sextet is present. Greater proportions of ferric-bearing phases are associated with undisturbed soils and rock surfaces as compared to fresh rock surfaces exposed by grinding. The ubiquitous presence of olivine in soil suggests that physical rather than chemical weathering processes currently dominate at Gusev crat…

Mechanism of crystallization of pyroxene-based glass-ceramic glazes

2004

Abstract The mechanism of crystallization of a powdered glass with composition in the pyroxene crystallization primary field within the CaO–MgO–Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 quaternary system and containing some additives was studied. The crystallization sequence was compared with that from the same base glass without additives. After a short thermal anneal both powdered glasses showed phase separation. Further thermal treatment gave rise to the crystallization of pyroxene. Anorthite as secondary crystalline phase was also detected in the quaternary glass (without additives). The starting crystallization in the glass with additives took place in the outer surface of glass particles probably in the immisc…

Mössbauer mineralogy of rock, soil, and dust at Meridiani Planum, Mars: Opportunity's journey across sulfate-rich outcrop, basaltic sand and dust, an…

2006

Additonal co-authors: P Gutlich, E Kankeleit, T McCoy, DW Mittlefehldt, F Renz, ME Schmidt, B Zubkov, SW Squyres, RE Arvidson

Nature and origin of the hematite-bearing plains of Terra Meridiani based on analyses of orbital and Mars Exploration rover data sets

2006

The ~5 km of traverses and observations completed by the Opportunity rover from Endurance crater to the Fruitbasket outcrop show that the Meridiani plains consist of sulfate-rich sedimentary rocks that are largely covered by poorly-sorted basaltic aeolian sands and a lag of granule-sized hematitic concretions. Orbital reflectance spectra obtained by Mars Express OMEGA over this region are dominated by pyroxene, plagioclase feldspar, crystalline hematite (i.e., concretions), and nano-phase iron oxide dust signatures, consistent with Pancam and Mini-TES observations. Mossbauer Spectrometer observations indicate more olivine than observed with the other instruments, consistent with preferentia…

Iron mineralogy and aqueous alteration on Mars from the MER Mössbauer spectrometers

2008

The twin Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit (Gusev crater) and Opportunity (Meridiani Planum) used MIMOS II Moessbauer spectrometers to analyze martian surface materials in the first application of extraterrestrial Moessbauer spectroscopy. The instruments acquired spectra that identified the speciation of Fe according to oxidation state, coordination state, and mineralogical composition and provided quantitative information about the distribution of Fe among oxidation states, coordination states, and Fe-bearing phases. A total of 12 unique Fe-bearing phases were identified: Fe(2+) in olivine, pyroxene, and ilmenite; Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) in magnetite and chromite; Fe(3+) in nanophase ferric oxide (…

Phase equilibrium constraints on conditions of granulite-facies metamorphism at Scourie, NW Scotland

2011

Abstract: The metamorphic evolution of a metapyroxenite and metagabbro from Scourie, NW Scotland, is investigated using phase equilibria modelled in the NCFMASHTO (Na 2 O–CaO–FeO–MgO–Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 –H 2 O–TiO 2 –O) system. The calculated stability fields for the observed assemblages in each rock overlap and imply conditions of 8.5–11.5 kbar and 875–975 °C for the peak of granulite-facies (Badcallian) metamorphism. The lack of any evidence for the former presence of garnet in the metapyroxenite suggests that the rocks cannot have reached pressures much in excess of those recorded at the metamorphic peak. The growth of coronas of plagioclase, orthopyroxene and magnetite replacing garnet in t…

Noble gases investigation in fluid inclusions of olivines and pyroxenes from Etnean products erupted in the 2001-2004 period.

2008

Evidence for fractional condensation and reprocessing at high temperatures in CH chondrites

2003

We performed a detailed study of silica-rich components (SRC) in the paired CH chondrites Acfer 182 and 207. These SRCs appear either as chondrules or fragments, and they contribute <0.1 vol% to the bulk meteorite. They usually contain a silica and a silicate portion. Both portions are, in most cases, cryptocrystalline and have bulk SiO2-concentrations between 65 and 85 wt%. The silicate generally has a pyroxene normative composition. The silica often appears as blebs within the silicate matrix or vice versa. If there are no blebs, silica and silicate still form rounded interfaces. The SRCs are depleted in refractory elements like Ca, Al, and Ti relative to CI. A few SRC- like objects are e…