The nature of olivine-rich cumulate rocks of the lower critical and lower zones of the northwestern Bushveld Complex
- Authors: Haikney, Susan Ann
- Date: 1993
- Subjects: Geochemistry -- South Africa , Igneous rocks -- South Africa , Olivine -- South Africa , Bushveld Complex (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4980 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005592 , Geochemistry -- South Africa , Igneous rocks -- South Africa , Olivine -- South Africa , Bushveld Complex (South Africa)
- Description: Boreholes NG1 and NG2 were drilled on the farm Nooitgedacht 406 KQ to intersect the lower Critical and lower Zones of the western Bushveld Complex. The aim of this study is to describe the textural features and chemical characteristics of the olivine-bearing rocks in the intersections, as determined by petrographic studies, XRF analysis and microprobe analysis. The olivine-bearing rocks are dunites, harzburgites and olivine pyroxenites. They comprise olivine and orthopyroxene, with minor chromite, clinopyroxene and plagioclase, and their textures vary between adcumulate, mesocumulate and poikilitic. The sequence intersected can be broadly correlated with that in the eastern Bushveld Complex. Of the whole-rock inter-element ratios, the MMF (MgO)/[MgO+FeO])ratio is the clearest indicator of cyclicity. The olivine-rich rocks are more primitive than the associated rocks, and seem to become more primitive with height in most intervals. The plagioclase in the olivine-bearing rocks is unusually sodic in corrposition, having a maximum Na₂0 content of 8.12%. A comparison of olivine and plagioclase compositions with those in other intrusions has revealed that the only other major intrusion with sodic plagioclase is the Kiglapait intrusion of Canada. In the Kiglapait intrusion the sodic plagioclase occurs in conjunction with fayalitic olivine as opposed to the forsteritic variety of this study. Chemical variations in the rocks sampled indicate that periodic replenishment of the magma from which the rocks crystallised must have occurred. In some of the olivine-bearing intervals where little fractionation is evident, replenishment seems to have been continuous. In other intervals fractionation appears to have continued uninterrupted for significant periods, prior to rejuvenation by fresh influxes of magma.
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- Date Issued: 1993
The Birds' River dolerite complex
- Authors: Booth, P W K
- Date: 1971
- Subjects: Diabase , Diabase -- South Africa -- Cape of Good Hope -- Dordrecht. , Igneous rocks -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5043 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007664 , Diabase , Diabase -- South Africa -- Cape of Good Hope -- Dordrecht. , Igneous rocks -- South Africa
- Description: A plug-like intrusion of Karroo dolerite, near Dordrecht in the Eastern Cape of the Republic, is described. Field mapping with the, aid of aerial photographs has revealed that the contact of the intrusion, for the most part, dips very steeply outwards. In the south- eastern and eastern areas, however, sheet- or sill-like forms appear to be given off from the main intrusion. In plan view the intrusion is roughly oval shaped, its longer axis being aligned in a north-westerly direction. Its surface area measures approximately 60 square kilometres (24 square miles). A large number of xenoliths composed exclusively of Stormberg sediments, pyroclastic rocks and minor lavas, are to be found cropping out within the dolerite intrusion. These xenoliths, many of which occur in positions far above or below their normal stratigraphic elevation, are extremely variable in size - the largest having an area of approximately 15 square kilometres (6 square miles). The xenoliths represent fragments of the original "roof" of sediments and pyroclastics which have collapsed into and been engulfed by the dolerite magma. This type of dolerite intrusion is known as a "belljar" intrusion. A superficial classification of the dolerites, based chiefly on textural and certain mineralogical features, is presented. In the area surrounding the main intrusion are a number of dolerite dikes and sheets. The youngest phase of igneous activity is represented by the Dragon's Back dike, which cuts across the complex in a north-westerly direction. Several veining phenomena, as well as an interesting variety of metamorphic and metasomatic rocks, are associated with the main dolerite intrusion. Six diatremes are situated in the vicinity of the intrusion. Pyroclastic rocks are represented by a variety of types, and are to be found outside the area of the intrusion, and as xenoliths within it. A tentative interpretation of the mechanism of formation of the intrusion, which appears to be related to volcanic activity and cauldron subsidence, is presented.
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- Date Issued: 1971