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Zoning and layering in diorites of the scottish caledonian appinite suite
Author(s) -
Platten Ian M.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
geological journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.721
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1099-1034
pISSN - 0072-1050
DOI - 10.1002/gj.3350260406
Subject(s) - layering , mafic , geology , geochemistry , layered intrusion , plagioclase , phenocryst , fractional crystallization (geology) , pluton , accretion (finance) , magma , magma chamber , ultramafic rock , sill , petrology , tectonics , basalt , paleontology , quartz , botany , physics , volcano , astrophysics , biology
Dioritic plugs (< 1 km across) are common associates of the late Caledonian, post‐tectonic granites of the Scottish Highlands. These contain a very wide range of rock types from ultramafic through mesocratic diorites to anorthositic and granitic. These rocks form steeply dipping, wall‐parallel layers and zones within the plugs. Outer layers are shown to form first, inner layers later. Mafic zones are composed of the minerals seen as phenocrysts in chilled margins and have the chemical characteristics of cumulates. The inner margins of the mafic zones reflect the onset of plagioclase crystallization. Core zones also show inward variations in mineralogy and texture which define vertical, wall‐parallel cylinders. These variations are ascribed to fractional crystallization accompanying accretion of rock onto the pipe walls. Cores in different intrusions may be mafic, mesocratic, or leucocratic, which indicates vertical zonation in the bodies. The mafic cores additionally show that recharge with less evolved magma occurred in some cases. The few larger (> 1 km diameter) intrusions show examples of layering and lamination dipping at low to moderate angles. These indicate the beginning of a change from wall‐dominated to floor‐dominated crystallization as intrusion diameter increases. A comparison is made with the nature and origin of layering in other intrusions.