Sector-zoning is brought out by mineral inclusions (plagioclase, biotite, hornblende, sphene, and apatite) in 2 to 5 cm microcline megacrysts of the Godani Valley pluton, Nigeria. The inclusions are concentrated in the megacryst rims beneath the faces {110} and {20}; the megacryst cores are not sector-zoned. Comparison with other occurrences (Portugal and Czechoslovakia) shows that this type of sector-zoning is not controlled by growth rate. Chemical sector-zoning does not occur in the Godani megacrysts. Growth from magma is proposed, with preference for inclusions on faces at a high angle to the feldspar a-chain. A superficially similar type of sector-zoning occurs in microcline megacrysts of both pluton and wall rock at Papoose Flat, California, suggesting that this feature can be generated either by growth from magma or by replacement.

The amphibolites and mafic schists that occur in the Precambrian metamorphic rocks of the Grand Canyon are divided into five major groups: anthophyllite and cordierite-anthophyllite rocks, early amphibolites, Granite Park mafic complex, hornblende-beating dykes, and tremolite-bearing dykes. Many types of amphibole occur in these rocks. Microprobe analyses identify gedrite, anthophyllite, cummingtonite, and grunerite, as well as three groups of calcic amphiboles. These last range in composition from colourless tremo-litic or actinolitic amphiboles, through pale-green horn-blende, to strongly pleochroic green-brown hornblende, which contains a significant proportion of the tscherma-kite and pargasite endmembers. Phase relationships between the coexisting amphiboles and other minerals are presented for two regional metamorphic events. Assem-blages containing chlorite, garnet, and hornblende were formed during the first event; from the absence of staurolite, but the presence of almandine garnet and oligoclase-andesine, it is concluded that the metamorphic grade was between the upper greenschist and the lower amphibolite facies. The second period of metamorphism produced rocks of the staurolite and sillimanite zones, within which three main ‘subfacies’ can be distinguished on the basis of phase relationships in the mafic schists.

Full chemical analysis, cell dimensions, γ refractive index, density, and infra-red absorption spectrum have been determined for fourteen stilpnomelanes. Coupled with data from previously described material and electron probe analyses of three further samples, the new information shows that γ = 1·616+0·0047 Fe3+ −0·0037 Mg; substitution of Mn for Fe appears to have little effect on γ. For ferrostilpnomelane, D = 2·85−0·011 Mg, for ferristilpnomelane, D = 2·89−0·011 Mg. Cell dimensions clearly distinguish ferro-, ferri-, and man-ganstilpnomelanes; for ferri-stilpnomelane a = 22·03−0·00446 Mg−0·00786 Fe3+ (Å). A convenient approximation to the structural formula using a ⅛ subcell, is K0·6(Mg, Fe2+Fe3+)6Si8Al(O,OH)27 2–4 H2O.

Metasomatic zones formed at the borders of various mafic inclusions in the Wairere Serpentinite, central North Island, New Zealand, show eucritic and hornblende gabbros grading through distinct zones of altered gabbro (hydrogarnet-free) to coarse and finegrained rodingites (hydrogarnet-bearing). The hydrated, calcium-rich, aluminium-silicate mineral assemblages of each reaction zone change between the zones, with one mineral phase being altered to another at each replacement front. Initial alteration of the gabbros albitized, prehnitized, and epidotized plagioclase and chloritized hornblende and clinopyroxene. Continuing metasomatism garnetized prehnite and generated secondary amphibole and pyroxene while the original host harzburgite was highly serpentinized and, adjacent to the inclusions, the serpentinite was chloritized so as to form a further distinct zone between peridotite and gabbro. These mineral replacement reactions are reflected in the bulk chemistry of the reaction zones, which show that increasing alteration of the gabbro is accompanied by a marked increase in Ca and H2O, a possible small gain in Mg, and depletion in Si, Al, and alkalis. These trends are balanced in the host peridotite by Si enrichment and Ca loss upon serpentinization. Clinopyroxenes and hornblendes of the zones show an increase in Ca and Mg and a decrease in Si with increasing metasomatic alteration. Garnets also decrease in Si but chlorites show an increase in both Si and Mg. Additional minerals analysed from both primary and altered rocks include olivine, orthopyroxene, biotite, plagioclase, pectolite, rosenhahnite, sphene, and chrome spinel. The zones are regarded as the result of reaction between the inclusions and Ca- and Al-rich solutions derived, in turn, by action of alkaline, CO2-poor solutions, which percolated through fractures in the original host peridotite and, in the process of serpentinization, released Mg and enhanced Ca and Al levels. At the contact of the mafic inclusions, chemical gradients were generated down which various chemical species diffused to different levels forming the zonation. The reactions probably took place in the vicinity of 260 to 350 °C, 2 to 3 kb, and at constant volume. Cataclasis and brecciation of the outer zones indicate more than one metasomatic episode.

Sampleite from Jingemia Cave, Watheroo (30° 16′ S. 116° 00° E.), 190 km north of Perth, Western Australia is derived from the alteration of copper sulphides in contact with guano deposits. Associated minerals are atacamite, weddellite, and gypsum on goethite and manganese-oxide-coated friable quartz rock. Birnessite, halite, dolomite, taranakite, todorokite, apatite, and malachite are also present.

The sampleite occurs as platy spheroidal aggregates to 0·3 mm with D 3·20±0·01, α 1·625 ∥ [010], β and γ 1·674, all ±0·002, α Turquoise Green 41d to Light Blue-Green 39d, β and γ Benzol Green 41 to Venice Green 41b, absorption α < β = γ, 2Vα 5–10°. Chemical analyses are given.

Cu3(PO4)2·3H2O, a corrosion product reported on artifacts, is believed to be sampleite. A further occurrence of sampleite has been recorded from Brookton, 120 km ESE. of Perth. The structurally related mineral lavendulan has been reported from five Western Australian localities.

Surface microtopography of habit faces, and internal textures of corresponding growth sectors of adularia from the Rhonegletscher, Switzerland, and the Seikoshi mine, Japan, were studied by means of optical polarizing microscopy, reflection interference contrast, electron microscopy, and infra-red absorption spectroscopy. Thin sections parallel to the growth plane were prepared from the specimen whose as-grown face was pasted on a glass slide. Most internal textures seen optically in the thin sections correlated well with the growth patterns for both specimens (fig. 1). Thin foils prepared by ion-thinning from the Rhonegletscher adularia show, under the electron microscope, coexisting heavily cross-hatched areas giving diffuse diffraction spots and homogeneous areas giving sharp diffraction spots. As a whole, adularia from the Seikoshi mine gives more homogeneous and much weaker cross-hatching than the Rhonegletscher specimens. Also, infra-red absorption spectra, which correlate very well with the Al/Si ordering and the optics, show that the {110} growth sector consists of triclinic disordered K-feldspar and the {001} and {01} sectors monoclinic high or low sanidine or orthoclase.

These observations indicate that the characteristic internal textures seen on all optical micrographs are formed during the process of crystal growth, and are not due to monoclinic-triclinic transition. Although the transition process has taken place to a slight extent, the original growth textures remain well preserved throughout geological time. It is suggested from these observations that the degree of Al/Si ordering is mainly controlled by the different rates of growth and the different two-dimensional atomic arrangements exposed on the various growth surfaces. The higher the growth rate the more disordered are the phases that form. The symmetry of the two-dimensional atomic arrangement is kept during growth regardless of the degree of ordering; {001} and {01} growth sectors whose crystal surfaces are parallel to b-axis are monoclinic, and the {110} sector whose surface is inclined to the b-axis is triclinic.

High-temperature geothermal fields in Iceland represent localized anomalies of hot, altered rock in the uppermost part of the crust, which coincide with points of maximum tectonic/magmatic activity. These points correspond to the intersection of oblique fault swarms to the plate boundaries. Geothermal activity under mid-ocean ridges follows probably similar tectonic/magmatic anomalies.

Due to high permeability sea-water invades the bed-rock of the Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland, and is overlain by a variably thick lens of dilute ground water of meteoric origin. The variable degree of salinity of geothermal waters in the Reykjanes Peninsula has resulted from different degree of mixing of fresh ground water with the underlying sea-water-ground-water in the downflow zones around the geothermal fields. At Reykjanes the geothermal water represents heated sea-water without any freshwater mixing. The difference in the composition of sea-water or sea-water/fresh water mixtures and the geothermal waters is due to basalt/water interaction at elevated temperatures. The major-element chemistry of the geothermal water represents an equilibrium composition at the relevant aquifer temperatures. The activities of silica, calcium, sulphate, and carbonate are thus limited by the solubilities of quartz, anhydrite, and calcite. Fluoride activity is thought to be controlled by an ionic exchange reaction where it substitutes for hydroxyl groups in phyllosilicates. The ratios of individual cations and hydrogen ion are governed by ionic exchange equilibria with hydrothermal minerals, probably smectite and chlorite. The equilibrium pH for the Reykjanes and Svartsengi geothermal waters is 5·5 and 5·1 respectively. Sea-water will become somewhat acid upon heating to more than about 300 °C and equilibration with basalt, the acidity increasing with temperature.

Plots of partition coefficients (mineral/ matrix) against ionic radius of the alkali and alkaline earth elements in forty-four alkali feldspars from rhyolites and trachytes show two kinds of diagram, one for homogeneous alkali feldspars with a single peak, and the other for cryptoperthites with a wide spread of points, which cannot represent a single peak, but may probably be explicable in terms of two peaks. The difference in behaviour does not seem to be due to the chemical composition, but is apparently related to the crystallo-graphic features of the alkali feldspar structures. In particular the presence of two peaks in the diagrams of the cryptoperthites seems to be due to the existence of lattice positions suited to receive bigger ions (K, Ba, Rb) and smaller ions (Na, Ca, Sr) in the potassic and sodic domains.

Magnetite is common in carbonatites, and usually has octahedral habit. Abnormal crystals from Galapo, Tanzania, were long thought to be unique, but such crystals are now known to occur at seven localities in four countries. The magnetite is titaniferous, but not unusual in composition for its provenance. The abnormal crystals typically have large growth pyramids extending in one direction (occasionally in two or more directions). They appear to be formed by superimposition of macroscopic growth sheets, parallel to octahedral and other planes, giving a planar structure to the growth pyramid. The edges of the sheets may form low-index or more complex surfaces. Some sheets project beyond the bounding planes of the growth pyramid, which is not repeated in crystallographically equivalent orientations. This unusual mode of growth will be called stratiform. Recognition of these distinctive crystals elsewhere might reveal the presence of hitherto unsuspected carbonatites.

Analyses of glauconites and celadonites from continental sedimentary rocks and sea-floor basalts using X-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalysis, infra-red spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy are reported. The minerals are shown to be distinct species; each an isomorphous replacement series, glauconite having an average half unit cell of K0·85(Fe3+, Al3+)1·34 (Mg2+, Fe2+)0·66(Si3·76Al0·24)O10(OH)2 whereas celadonite approaches the ideal half unit cell of K(Fe3+, Al3+)(Mg2+, Fe2+)Si4O10(OH)2. Considerable Fe3+Alvi interchangeability occurs in the octahedral layer in both minerals and considerable substitution of aluminium in the tetrahedral layer of glauconites results in the more disordered 1Md type of structure compared with the more highly ordered 1M structure of celadonites. Some mixed layer glauconite-smectites and celadonites were also examined and could be distinguished from true glauconites and celadonites by chemical analysis, XRD, and IR techniques. It is proposed that the terms ‘glauconite’ and ‘celadonite’ should be used only for those minerals containing less than 5% interlayering.

The chemistry and petrography of a meta-ultrabasic lens containing peridotite with poikilitic pyroxenes and hornblende, both of probable igneous origin, are given. The body also contains feldspathic-bearing hornblende meta-gabbros and is a tectonic fragment in hornblende-plagioclase rock belonging to the same Errismore intrusion. Chemical analyses fail to discern any appreciable systematic differentiation trend across the body despite modal variation to hornblende plagioclase layers. The high Niggli mg near the structural bottom of the intrusion suggests that this part of the Errismore intrusion is right way up, contrary to a previous suggestion.

Phosphorites from the continental shelf off Morocco have been analysed for major elements and Fe, Mn, V, Cu, Ni, Zn, As, Na, Sr, S, and for carbonate. In pyritic phosphorites Cu, Ni, Zn, and As are present mainly in minor pyrite and organic carbon. In ferruginous phosphorites As, Mn, and V are associated with goethite. In the ferruginous phosphorites Cu, Ni, and Zn may have been introduced in association with organic matter and pyrite during phosphorite formation and been retained during subsequent destruction of these phases by weathering. In all phosphorites Na and Sr are present mainly in carbonate-fluorapatite. Sulphur in the ferru-ginous phosphorites occurs only in carbonate-fluorapatite. In the pyritic samples it is partitioned between pyrite and francolite (carbonate-fluorapatite).

Tobermorite minerals vary in some proper lies, notably in whether or not unidimensional lattice shrinkage occurs by about 300 °C to give a 9·3 form; specimens that do this are called normal, and ones that do not, anomalous. Data are compared for thirteen natural tobermorites and the extent to which normal or anomalous character is related to other properties is examined. The most definite correlations found are with chemical composition and morphology. The conditions of formation of normal and anomalous tobermorites are discussed in the light of synthetic evidence.

Tacharanite in fractures in metagabbroic rocks filled by zeolitic assemblages has been found in the Gruppo di Voltri, Ligurian Alps. Optical properties, chemical analysis, and thermal data are reported, also mineralogical data on tobermorite found at another locality of the Gruppo di Voltri. Alteration of tacharanite into tobermorite and gyrolite was not observed, nor was an association of tacharanite and tobermorite.

Electron-probe analyses and cell dimensions are reported for twenty members of the tapiolite group. The minerals can be placed in ordered and disordered structural groups, the latter with a significantly larger c dimension. The a and c dimensions for both groups are dependent mainly on their titanium contents. The disordered set form part of a discontinuous series through strüverite/ilmenorutile to rutile. The chemical and structural data are incompatible with the existence of ferrotantalite or mossitc as valid species.

An X-ray and chemical examination of deweylites reveals that they are intimate mixtures of very poorly ordered trioctahedral 2:1 and 1:1 layer silicates. The 2:1 mineral exhibits no swelling in the presence of ethylene glycol or water and is best described as an extremely fine-grained and highly disordered form of talc, for which the term kerolite is often used. Stevensite is not a component of deweylites. The 1:1 component most closely resembles a disordered chrysotile.

Evaluation of the chemical data, including values for H2O +, shows that both end-members are hydrated to various degrees. This hydration is most probably attributable to the presence of water molecules and hydroxyls associated with the large surface areas and unbalanced surface bonds. Formulae for the end-members are approximately R3Si4O10(OH)2·0·3 0·7 H2O and R3Si2O3(OH)4·0·3–0·7 H2O where R is principally Mg, but samples with more or less H2O are entirely possible due to variations in crystallinity. No specific formula can be given to deweylites as they are mixtures with variable proportions of the components. The name is useful, however, as a field or ‘box’ term, similar to the use of garnierite and limonite.

An occurrence of the magnesian zeolite ferrierite at Unanderra, New South Wales, represents the first reported locality for this mineral in Australia. The ferrierite occurs in vesicles in latite and is associated with heulandite, laumontite, and calcite. Its crystal morphology is essentially similar to that of specimens from the type locality at Kamloops Lake in British Columbia. EPMA results are given for the Unanderra ferrierite and its chemistry relative to other known occurrences is discussed. Unanderra ferrierite contains appreciably more SrO2 than other ferrierites, but is significantly lower in K2O and Na2O.

Zincian hercynite is present in pelites within the aureole of the Ardara Pluton. The hercynite is always surrounded by cordierite, garnet, or feldspar and is never in contact with quartz. From textural and chemical evidence it is apparent that the hercynite is produced by the reaction of zincian staurolite → zincian hercynite + cordierite + sillimanite. A temperature of about 725°C at pressure of about 2·6 kb and anφo2 below that defined by the Q.F.M. buffer is postulated for this reaction.

The first occurrence of pumpellyite in the Lower Ordovician volcanic rocks of North Pembrokeshire is reported and its form and chemistry are described. The significance of pumpellyite in relation to the grade of metamorphism attained during the Caledonian orogenic episode is discussed.

An uncommon sample of a pale-blue Madagascar cordierite and its mineral inclusions of different kinds have been studied. The physical properties of the embedding cordierite are: α = 1·528, β = 1·522, γ = 1·537, δ = 0·009, 2Vα = 96°, density = 2·534 g/cm3, a = 17·082 Å, b = 9·728, c = 9·352, Δ = 0·26. The electron probe analysis gave SiO2=48·64%, Al2O3 = 35·08, FeO = 0·70, MgO = 12·35, H2O+ = 2·50. This is therefore a hydrous magnesian cordierite. Its structural state is related to the shift in α, β, γ, 2Vα, and Δ with heating. Probe analyses were performed on the inclusions: hydro-xyapatite, dolomite, and rutile. The occurrence of dolomite suggests the conditions of formation of the host mineral.