Ernesto Bjerg

Spinel group minerals in metamorphosed ultramafic rocks from Río de Las Tunas belt, Central Andes, Argentina

In the Rio de Las Tunas belt, Central Andes of Argentina, spinel group minerals occur in metaperidotites and in reaction zones developed at the boundary between metaperidotite bodies and their country-rocks. They comprise two types: i) Reddish-brown crystals with compositional zonation characterized by a ferritchromite core surrounded by an inner rim of Cr-magnetite and an outer rim of almost pure magnetite. ii) Green crystals chemically homogeneous with spinel (s.s.) and/or pleonaste compositions. The mineral paragenesis Fo+Srp+Cln+Tr+Fe-Chr and Fo+Cln+Tr+Tlc±Ath+Fe-Chr observed in the samples indicate lower and middle grade amphibolite facies metamorphic conditions. Nonetheless, the paragenesis (green)Spl+En+Fo±Di indicates that granulite facies conditions were also reached at a few localities. Cr-magnetite and magnetite rims in zoned reddish-brown crystals and magnetite rims around green-spinel/pleonaste grains are attributed to a later serpentinization process during retrograde metamorphism. The chemical composition of spinel group minerals in the ultramafic reaction zones is determined by the mineral zone where they crystallize. Green pleonaste occurs in the chlorite zone, ferritchromite predominates in the amphibole zone, whereas Crmagnetite and magnetite are more common in the carbonate zone. The mineral paragenesis of the Rio de Las Tunas metaperidotites together with the chemical characteristics of the spinel group minerals support a clockwise P-T path evolution for the ultramafic protoliths during the Paleozoic regional metamorphic cycle of this area

HYPER-FORM: A HyperCard program for Macintosh microcomputers to calculate mineral formulae from electron microprobe and wet chemical analysis

Abstract The program HYPER-FORM permits the input and calculation of a mineral formula from wet chemical and electron microprobe analysis. It includes autosaving of data, search routines, and other database functions. The calculated formula can be exported to wordprocessing programs such as MacWrite® or Microsoft Word® and can be edited as required. It also is possible to export the calculated data to graphic programs such as Cricket Graph® or Kaleidagraph® for a graphic representation of the data. HYPER-FORM is an interactive program written in HyperTalk™ (HyperCard® environment) and is designed to correspond to the Macintosh® interface.

Geometric analysis and timing of structures on mafic–ultramafic bodies and high grade metamorphic rocks in the Sierras Grandes of San Luis Province, Argentina

Abstract The study area comprises a portion of the Sierras Grandes of San Luis Province in west-central Argentina. This sector is composed of high-grade granulite facies metamorphic rocks, mainly gneisses and migmatites, with intercalated igneous mafic–ultramafic bodies. These bodies occur as discontinuous lenses along a narrow central belt concordant with the general NE–SW structural trend. The granulite facies metamorphism reached by this central area has been ascribed to the intrusion of the mafic–ultramafic bodies into an amphibolite facies metamorphic sequence. On both sides of the mafic–ultramafic bodies, a decrease of metamorphic grade to amphibolite facies is apparent. Numerous pegmatitic bodies intruding the metamorphic complex can be found elsewhere and, towards the western limit of the study area, La Escalerilla metagranite constitutes one of the larger granitic exposures of the Sierras. The results of the structural analysis, done along cross-sections transverse to the mafic–ultramafic belt, allow us to establish a structural evolution for this large geological feature. The described deformational events can be correlated with the tectonic framework postulated for the southern Pampean Ranges.

Fluid inclusions in upper mantle xenoliths from Northern Patagonia, Argentina: Evidence for an upper mantle diapir

SummaryThree generations of fluid inclusions can be recognized in upper mantle xenoliths from alkali basalts of the Somoncura Massif, Northern Patagonia, Argentina. The first (“early”, “primary”) one consists of dense CO2 inclusions which were trapped in the mantle-crust boundary zone (22–36 km minimum trapping depth). Their co-genetic relationship with silicate melt inclusions enables us to constrain their minimum trapping temperature at 1200°C, indicating a high temperature event in a cooler environment. The “late” (“pseudosecondary” and “secondary”) generations of fluid inclusions were classified in accordance with their homogenization temperature to liquid CO2 (L1) and vapor CO2 (L2) phase. The minimum trapping depth for the first of the late inclusions (L1) is about 16 km. In spite of the uncertainties related to this value, L1 inclusions indicate that the upper mantle rocks, of which samples were delivered by the basalts, had some residence time in the middle crust where they experienced a metasomatic event. The fact that this event did not destroy the earlier inclusions, places severe constraints on its duration. The second late inclusions (L2) are low-pressure CO2 inclusions with a minimum trapping depth of only 2 km, presumably a shallow magma chamber of the host basalts. The succession of fluid inclusions strongly points toward a fairly fast uprising upper mantle underneath Northern Patagonia. The petrology and mineral chemistry of the peridotitic xenoliths support this view. Extensive partial melting and loss of these melts is indicated by the preponderance of harzburgites in the upper mantle underneath Northern Patagonia, a fairly unusual feature for a continental upper mantle. That depletion event as well as several metasomatic events — including those which left traces of fluid inclusions — are possibly related to a high-speed diapiric uprise of the upper mantle in this area. The path can be traced from the garnet peridotite stability field into the middle crust, a journey which must have been unusually fast. Differences in rock, mineral, and fluid inclusion properties between geographic locations suggest a diffuse and differential type of diapirism. Future studies will hopefully help to map the full extent and the highs and lows of this diapir and elucidate questions related to its origin and future.ZusammenfassungErdmantel - Xenolithe in Alkali-Basalten des Somoncure Massivs, Nord-Patagonien, Argentinien, führen drei Generationen von Fluid-Einschlüssen. Die erste (“frühe”, “primäre”) Generation besteht aus dichten CO2-Einschlüssen, welche offenbar in der Mantel-Kruste Grenzzone (22–36 km Minimum-Tiefe) eingeschlossen wurden. CO2-Einschlüsse sind kogenetisch mit Silikat-Schmelzeinschlüssen. Dies erlaubt die Abschätzung der Einschließ-Temperatur mit minimal 1200°C, was auf ein Hochtemperatur-Ereignis in einer deutlich kühleren Umgebung hinweist. Die “späten” (“pseudosekundäre” und „sekundäre”) CO2- Fluid-Einschlüsse bilden zwei Generationen von denen die eine in die flüssige (L1), die andere in die Dampfphase (L2) homogenisieren. Die minimale Einschließ-Tiefe für die L1 Generation ist etwa 16 km. Dies bedeutet - auch bei Berücksichtigung der mit diesem Wert verbundenen Ungenauigkeit - daß diese Erdmantel-Gesteine einige Zeit in der mittleren Erdkruste verbrachten und ein metasomatisches Ereignis erlebten, bevor sie von den Basalten zur Erdoberfläche gebracht wurden. Die Tatsache, daß dieses Ereignis die frühen Einschlüsse nicht zerstörte, kann nur bedeuten, daß es von kurzer Dauer war. Die L2-Generation besteht aus Niedrigdruck CO2-Einschlüssen mit einer Minimum-Einschließtiefe von nur 2 km. Dies könnte in einer seichten Magmakammer des Wirt Basaltes geschehen sein.Die Abfolge von Fluid-Einschlüssen deutet auf einen relativ schnell aufsteigenden oberen Erdmantel unterhalb von Patagonien hin. Die Petrologie und Mineralchemie der peridotitischen Xenolithe unterstützen das. Die Vorherrschaft von Harzburgiten im Erdmantel unterhalb von Nord-Patagonien deutet auf umfangreiche Bildung partieller Schmelzen und deren Abfuhr hin — eine für einen kontinentalen Mantel ungewöhnliche Situation. Sowohl die Verarmungsereignisse, als auch die metasomatischen Veränderungen (einschließlich jene, welche Spuren in Form von Fluid Einschlüssen hinterließen) machen das Vorhandensein eines schnell aufsteigenden Daipirs im oberen Erdmantel dieser Gegend wahrscheinlich. Der Aufstieg kann vom Stabilitätsbereich der Granat-Peridotite bis in die mittlere Kruste verfolgt werden und muß daher relativ schnell erfolgt sein. Unterschiede in Gesteins-, Mineral und Fluid-Eigenschaften zwischen verschiedenen Lokalitäten legen einen diffusen und differenziellen Diapirismus nahe. Zukünftige Studien sollten es ermöglichen, das Gesamtausmaß und die unterschiedlichen Aufstiegshöhen des Diapirs zu kartieren und Hinweise auf seine Entstehung und zukünftige Entwicklung zu erhalten.

Mesoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic subcontinental lithospheric mantle domains beneath southern Patagonia: Isotopic evidence for its connection to Africa and Antarctica

New isotopic studies on mantle xenoliths from Santa Cruz Province, southern Patagonia, Argentina, reveal that at least three discrete subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) domains—the Deseado Massif, Tres Lagos, and Pali Aike—form the southernmost part of South America. Re-Os systematics yield early Paleoproterozoic (up to 2.5 Ga) SCLM formation ages (rhenium depletion ages, T RD ) for Pali Aike spinel peridotites, while samples from the Deseado Massif and Tres Lagos indicate a younger SCLM origin with Neoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic (0.9–1.3 Ga) and Mesoproterozoic to late Paleoproterozoic (1.3–1.9 Ga) T RD ages, respectively. Hf-Sr-Nd isotopic compositions indicate metasomatic overprinting of the majority of the samples, which, however, has not affected the Os isotopic system. Based on similar formation ages, the geological evolution of the Deseado Massif is most likely connected to the evolution of the Namaqua-Natal belt of South Africa. T RD ages from SCLM domains underneath Tres Lagos and Pali Aike indicate a common origin with crustal sections from Shackleton Range, Antarctica, positioning the southern tip of South America closer to west Antarctica in the reconstructed Rodinia supercontinent than previously assumed.

New evidence on the nature of the Frontal Cordillera ophiolitic belt — Argentina

Abstract New petrographic and chemical data of volcanic rocks from the Metales Belt, Rio de las Tunas area, in the Frontal Cordillera of Argentina are presented. The rocks display a broadly basaltic composition. Two varieties of basaltic dikes can be differentiated. One group, whose mineralogy comprise essentially tremolite-actinolite, plagioclase, pyroxene and limited amounts of olivine as the main phases, display metamorphic textures. The other group show porphyritic textures consisting of zoned plagioclase and K-feldspar. Zoned orthopyroxenes are scarce. Chemically, the rocks are similar to the Caradocian basaltic rocks (the ofiolitas famatinianas) from the Precordillera, San Juan Province. REE chondrite-normalised patterns and overall abundances, along with other petrologic and geochemical similarities, suggest a common mode of origin for both groups of basaltic rocks. Their geochemical and petrographical characateristics are consistent with a continental-scale extension environment during Eopalaeozoic times that could include an oceanic rift in an early stage of development, a transitional ridge segment or oceanic intraplate magmas, similar to those erupted in oceanic islands.

Determination of the spinel group end-members based on electron microprobe analyses

The spinel group minerals have been the focus of many studies, not only because of their economic interest, but also due to the fact that they are very useful as petrogenetic indicators. The application End-Members Generator (EMG) allows to establish, based on electron microprobe analyses (EMPA), the 19 end-members of the spinel group: MgAl2O4 (Spinel sensu stricto, s.s.), FeAl2O4 (Hercynite), MnAl2O4 (Galaxite), ZnAl2O4 (Gahnite), MgFe2O4 (Magnesioferrite), Fe3O4 (Magnetite), MnFe2O4 (Jacobsite), ZnFe2O4 (Franklinite), NiFe2O4 (Trevorite), MgCr2O4 (Magnesiochromite), FeCr2O4 (Chromite), MnCr2O4 (Manganochromite), ZnCr2O4 (Zincochromite), NiCr2O4 (Nichromite), MgV2O4 (Magnesiocoulsonite), FeV2O4 (Coulsonite), MnV2O4 (Vuorelainenite), Mg2TiO4 (Qandilite) and Fe2TiO4 (Ulvöspinel). EMG is an application that does not require an installation process and was created with the purpose of performing calculations to obtain: cation proportions (per formula unit, p.f.u.), end-members of the spinel group, redistribution proportions for the corresponding end-members in the Magnetite prism or Ulvöspinel prism and a data validation section to check the results. EMG accepts .csv data files and the results obtained can be used to represent a given dataset with the SpinelViz program or any other 2D and/or 3D graph plotting software.

Chrome spinels from the Las Águilas mafic-ultramafic intrusion, San Luis Province, Argentina

Fil: Ferracutti, Gabriela Roxana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Bahia Blanca. Instituto Geologico del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geologia. Instituto Geologico del Sur; Argentina