Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Origin of phlogopite and potassic richterite bearing peridotite xenoliths from South Africa

  • Published:
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Peridotite xenoliths containing primary phlogopite with or without potassic richterites as major constituent (up to 12 vol. %) are rarely found in kimberlite from the Bultfontein Floors. Chemically, these rocks are similar in compositions with those of the granular type garnet peridotite xenoliths from South Africa and Lesotho, except for an abnormally high content of K2O in the former.

Phlogopite and potassic richterite are thought to have the following genesis: garnet peridotites at a depth from 170 to 100 km suffered local introduction of a potash-rich fluid, and garnet and enstatite reacted with this fluid to form phlogopite and diopside. Potassic richterite may have been produced by the reaction between diopside and fluid at the same time as crystallization of phlogopite at depths shallower than 120 km.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aoki, K.: Phlogopites and potassic richterites from mica nodules in South African kimberlites. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 48, 1–7 (1974a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Aoki, K., Shiba, I.: Pyroxenes from lherzolite inclusions of Itinome-gata, Japan. Lithos 6, 41–51 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrett, D.R.: The genesis of kimberlite and associated rocks: strontium isotopic evidence. International Kimberlite Conference abstract, 19–22, Univ. of Cape Town (1973)

  • Barrett, D.R., Allsopp, H.L.: Rubidium-strontium age determinations on South African kimberlite pipes. International Kimberlite Conference abstract, 23–25, Univ. of Cape Town (1973)

  • Basu, A.R., MacGregor, I.D.: Chromite spinels from ultramafic xenoliths. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 39, 937–945 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boullier, A.-M., Nicolas, A.: Texture and fabric of peridotite nodules from kimberlite at Mothae, Thaba Putsoa and Kimberley. In Lesotho kimberlites, ed. P.H. Nixon, p. 57–66. Maseru, Lesotho: Lesotho National Develop. Cor. 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, F.R.: Garnet peridotites and the system CaSiO3-MgSiO3-Al2O3. Am. Min. Sp. Pub. 3, 63–75 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, F.R.: A pyroxene geotherm. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 37, 2533–2546 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, F.R.: Ultramafic nodules from the Frank Smith kimberlite pipes, South Africa. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Year Book 73, 285–294 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carswell, D.A.: Primary and secondary phlogopites and clinopyroxenes in garnet lherzolite xenoliths. International Kimberlite Conference abstract, 59–62, Univ. of Cape Town (1973)

  • Chen, J.-C.: Petrology and chemistry of garnet lherzolite nodules in kimberlite from South Africa. Am. Min. 56, 2098–2110 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox, K.G., Gurney, J.J., Harte, B.: Xenoliths from the Matsoku pipe. In: Lesotho kimberlites, ed. P.H. Nixon, p. 76–91. Maseru, Lesotho: Lesotho National Develop. Cor. 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Erlank, A.J.: Kimberlitic potassic richterite and the distribution of potassium in the upper mantle. International Kimberlite Conference abstract, 103–106, Univ. of Cape Town (1973)

  • Hariya, Y., Oba, T., Terada, S.: Stability relation of some hydro-silicate minerals at high pressure. Proc. of 4th International Conference on High Pressure (AIRAPT), 206–210 (1974)

  • Harte, B., Cox, K.G., Gurney, J.J.: Petrography and geological history of upper mantle xenoliths. International Kimberlite Conference abstract, 155–158 (1973)

  • Johnston, J.L.: Petrology and chemistry of ultramafic xenoliths from the Jagersfontein mine, O.F.S., South Africa. International Kimberlite Conference abstract, 181–183, Univ. of Cape Town (1973)

  • Kushiro, I., Aoki, K.: Origin of some eclogite inclusions in kimberlite. Am. Min. 53, 1347–1367 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kushiro, I., Erlank, A.J.: Stability of potassic richterite. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Year Book 68, 231–233 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • MacGregor, I.D.: Petrological structure of the upper mantle beneath the South African shield. International Kimberlite Conference abstract, 207–209, Univ. of Cape Town (1973)

  • Meyer, H.O.: Chromium and the genesis of diamond. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 39, 929–936 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Modreski, P.J., Boettcher, A.L.: The stability of phlogopite + enstatite at high pressures: a model for micas in the interior of the earth. Am. J. Sci. 272, 852–869 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Modreski, P.J., Boettcher, A.L.: Phase relationships of phlogopite in the system K2O-MgO-CaO-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O to 35 kilobars: a better model for micas in the interior of the earth. Am. J. Sci. 273, 385–414 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mori, T., Green, D.H.: Pyroxenes in the system Mg2Si2O6-CaMgSi2O6 at high pressure. Earth Planet. Sci. Letters 26, 277–286 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura, Y., Kushiro, I.: Equilibrium relations of hypersthene, pigeonite and augite in crystallizing magma; microprobe study of a pigeonite andesite from Weiselberg, Germany. Amer. Mineral. 55, 1999–2015 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nehru, C.E., Wyllie, P.J.: Electron microprobe measurement of pyroxenes coexisting with H2O-undersaturated liquid in the join CaMgSi2O6-Mg2Si2O6-H2O at 30 kilobars, with applications to geothermometry. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 48, 221–228 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nixon, P.H., Boyd, F.R.: Petrogenesis of the granular and sheared ultrabasic nodule suite in kimerlite. In: Lesotho kimberlites, ed. P.H. Nixon, p. 48–56. Maseru, Lesotho: Lesotho National Develop. Cor. 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Nixon, P.H., Boyd, F.R., Boullier, A.-M.: The evidence of kimberlite and its inclusions on the constitution of the outer part of the earth. In: Lesotho kimberlites, ed. P.H. Nixon, p. 312–318. Maseru, Lesotho: Lesotho National Develop. Cor. 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • IUGS Subcommission on the systematics of igneous rocks: Classification and nomenclature of plutonic rocks. Recommendations. J. Jb. Miner. Mh. 4, 149–164 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, P.A.: The diamond fields of southern Africa. The Transvaal Leader, Johannesburg. Second impression 1971, Cape Town Struik (Pty) Ltd., 1914

  • Whitfield, G.G.: The petrology and mineralogy of peridotite xenoliths from the Bultfontein, Wesselton, Dutoitspan and Roberts Victor kimberlites. International Kimberlite Conference abstract, 317–319 (1973)

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Mineralogy, Petrology and Economic Geology, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan

    Ken-ichiro Aoki

Authors
  1. Ken-ichiro Aoki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Aoki, Ki. Origin of phlogopite and potassic richterite bearing peridotite xenoliths from South Africa. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 53, 145–156 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00372601

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00372601

Keywords

Search

Navigation