The mineralogy of metamorphosed basic rocks from the Willyama Complex, Broken Hill district, New South Wales. Part II. Pyroxenes, garnets, plagioclases, and opaque oxides

Abstract

SummaryChemical and optical data are presented for the orthopyroxenes, clinopyroxenes, garnets, plagioclases, and opaque oxides in high-grade regionally metamorphosed basic rocks and their garnetiferous associates from the Willyama Complex. Exsolution phenomena in the pyroxenes have been studied by X-ray diffraction methods and with the electron probe micro-analyser. The (001) lamellae in one lime-rich clinopyroxene are clinohypersthene. Comparison of the Willyama and other granulite facies clinopyroxenes with those of slowly cooled basic igneous rocks suggests that their chemical compositions may be used as guides to temperature conditions during formation. Willyama plagioclases are complexly twinned and possess intermediate structural states.