THE STABILITY OF ORTHOAND CLINOPYROXENES, OLIVINE, AND GARNET IN KIMBERLITIC MAGMA
A.I. Chepurov, E.I. Zhimulev, L.V. Agafonov, V.M. Sonin, A.A. Chepurov, A.A. Tomilenko
Keywords: Experiment, kimberlite melt, high pressure and high temperature, dissolution of minerals
Abstract
It is generally accepted that the composition of ultrabasic nodules and their quantitative proportions do not significantly change during their transportation with kimberlitic magma to the Earth’s surface. We performed an experimental study of the relative stability of olivine, garnet, and pyroxenes in kimberlite melt at high pressure and temperatures (4 GPa, 1300–1500 ºC). The study has shown that the loss in weight of minerals and, correspondingly, the rate of their dissolution in kimberlite melt differ considerably. The following sequence of the dissolution rates of minerals has been established: Cpx ≥ Opx > Gar > Ol. Pyroxenes are characterized by the most rapid dissolution, and olivine is the most stable mineral. The assumption is made that clinopyroxenites and websterites disintegrate more rapidly than dunites and lherzolites in kimberlitic magma.
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