Co-existing Pyroxenes: Some Causes of Variation and Anomalies in the optically Derived Compositional Tie-Lines, with Particular Reference to Charnockitic Rocks

Abstract

AbstractAvailable data from charnockitic rocks (including twenty-eight new pyroxene pairs fromAustralia) suggest that a major cause of variation in optically derived compositional tie-line trends of co-existing pyroxenes is related to the geothermal history of the rocks concerned. It may yet be possible to subdivide the granulite facies, and also to detect mineral instability by critical study of tie-line trends. Recommendations are made whereby mineralogic and structural studies of charnockitic rocks can be integrated to yield more reliable chemical and optical data.