Based on nearly 1500 published amphibole analyses the maximum possible Alvi in hornblendes is shown to increase with increase of Aliv. New analyses of hornblendes from amphibole-corundum rocks, with and without anorthite, are given and after critical examination of the available data it is concluded that the maximum verified Alvi-rich calciferous amphibole that approaches the closest to hypothetical tschermakite comes from a kyanite-bearing aluminous high-pressure-crystallized schist from Lukmanier, Switzerland. Pure natural edenite or ferroedenite is unknown, but a new analysis of the nearest known natural edenite, from Mysore, India, agrees with the postulated view that extraordinarily low temperatures are needed for edenite-ferroedenite crystallization, much below that possible in magmas and only rarely achieved in metamorphic rocks containing amphiboles. The limit of the approach of igneous hornblendes to edenite-ferroedenite and tremolite-ferroactinolite is outlined.

At least 1100 °C is required for complete expulsion of water from some amphiboles.

Electron microprobe analyses of chromite ores from Baramiya, Seifein, Siwigat, Ashayer, Um Salatit and Ras Shait, Egypt, reveal two compositional groups. The unaltered chromites from Baramiya and Seifein have high Al and low Cr contents [Cr/(Cr + Al) = 0.56] whereas the remainder have low Al and high Cr contents [Cr/(Cr + Al) = 0.73]. Such bimodality characterises Alpine-type peridotites. The second group probably crystallised at higher T and lower P than the first group and has a composition characteristic of a type III alpine-type peridotite, i.e. of arc or possibly ocean plateau origin but not of mid-ocean ridge origin. The crystallisation setting of the first group is less certain but not inconsistent with the same environment as the second group so that considering the likely higher pressure of crystallisation of the first group overall favours plutonic crystallisation in the roots of an arc for both groups.

Rim, patchy and fracture alteration of the chromite occurred possibly partly of late magmatic (deuteric) origin but mainly connected with fluid movements, serpentinisation and tectonism. The final composition of the resultant ferritchromite is variable and depends largely on the original chromite composition; the composition of the ferritchromite developed in highly cataclased chromites deviates markedly from that of the original chromite presumably due to unmixing and migration.

Widespread secondary andradite-grossular-hydrogrossular garnet, epidote, prehnite and titanite occur throughout the Galway Granite and its satellite plutons (Roundstone; Inish; Omey and Letterfrack) and even in some of the country rocks several kilometres from the granites. These minerals are not found in low CaO (<1%) granites. They formed as result of secondary fluid movements which altered the biotite, plagioclase and hornblende and also produced sericite and chlorite.

A new analysis of the violet amphibole from the original locality where winchite came from agrees with another recent analysis in differing substantially from the original winchite composition and is (K0·17Na2·10Ca0·23)(Al0·19Ti0·00Fe31·27Fe20·01Mn0·07Mg3·34)Si8·01O22·05(OH)1·95. It is essentially a magnesio-arfvedsonite. Although it is possible that the original analysis was unreliable, evidence is given to support the alternative view that there is a wide range of blue alkali and soda calcic amphibole compositions at Kajlidongri and the name winchite should be restricted to compositions between ferri-winchite CaNaMg5Fe3+Si8O22(OH,F,Cl)2 and alumino-winchite CaNaMg5Al Si8O22(OH,F,Cl)2. X-ray, density, and optical data on the analysed mineral are given.

The Fountain Hill skarn, which was produced by thermal metamorphism of impure limestone in the Omey Granite aureole, consists of wollastonite, calcite, grossular-andradite garnet, diopside, B-free vesuvianite and small amounts of albite, K-feldspar and quartz. Zoning in vesuvianite is, overall, independent of birefringence but oscillatory concentric zoning in the mineral is controlled mainly by Ti. In addition to extensive within-site substitutions (e.g. F for OH in the OH-sites, Fe2+ for Mg, Fe3+ for Al, Ti for Al etc. in the Y-sites), there are significant cross-site combined substitutions involving Y-X and Y-Z but not X-Z sites so that ideal solution models for this mineral are not applicable. The thermodynamic mole fraction of Hoisch (1985) is modified to account for the excess of the ΣY cations in the Y sites and can be applied to both B-bearing and B-free vesuvianites. Using the thermodynamic dataset of Holland and Powell (1990) and taking into account the existence of andalusite, sillimanite and corundum in associated pelites, leads to the conclusion that the metamorphic conditions were about 640±20°C and 3.3±0.3 kb at 0.15±0.05 XCO2.

The chemical factors controlling the rare appearance of garnet in Connemara amphibolites are elucidated, including the importance of low oxidation ratio (w), low Mg/(Mg+Fe+Mn) (mg), and high MnO. Pressure is believed to be critical in determining whether garnet is common in amphibolites in any one terrain and it is suggested that the ratio mg × w/MnO (called g) in serial analyses of garnetiferous amphibolites can be used as a measure of the pressure of metamorphism.

89 Connemara amphibolite analyses with plagioclase and hornblende are considered including 31 new analyses, which are reported. Of the 89 analyses, 10 contain garnet, 6 cummingtonite, 16 clinopyroxene including 3 with garnet and clinopyroxene and 2 with garnet and cummingtonite. The coexisting garnet and hornblende in 3 amphibolites have been analysed, including one sample in which brown-green and green hornblende, cummingtonite, plagioclase, garnet, and ilmenite have been analysed. Cummingtonite does not coexist with clinopyroxene or sphene and its presence is controlled by pancity of Ca as well as medium to low pressure in metamorphism.

The Galway Granite often has a highly siliceous aphyric alkali granite at the margin, followed inwards by a K-feldspar phenocrystic adamellite and then a steeply layered granodiorite. This previously puzzling arrangement, which seemed to conflict with the necessity to cool from the periphery and crystallize the most basic granite at the margin, is examined by a traverse of chemically analysed rocks and biotites. The Mg/(Mg+Fe+Mn) values indicate that the granodiorite probably crystallized from the outside inwards. The marginal aphyric granite crystallized from the acid residuum in the nearly solid adamellite. This was drawn out of the adamellite by blocks of country rock falling into the adamellite and creating a zone of rarefaction behind them. This also explains the absence of a chilled margin and the aplitic texture and mineralogy of the aphyric granite. The adamellite largely accumulated by crystal settling with gravity grading but the granodiorite crystallized in vertical layers during upward vertical movements of the magma that tipped up the gravity layering in the adamellite. Scattered microdioritic xenoliths are postulated to be disrupted dykes. Eighteen granite and twenty-seven biotite analyses are tabulated.

The International Mineralogical Association's approved amphibole nomenclature has been revised in order to simplify it, make it more consistent with divisions generally at 50%, define prefixes and modifiers more precisely and include new amphibole species discovered and named since 1978, when the previous scheme was approved. The same reference axes form the basis of the new scheme and most names are little changed but compound species names like tremolitic hornblende (now magnesiohornblende) are abolished and also crossite (now glaucophane or ferroglaucophane or magnesioriebeckite or riebeckite), tirodite (now manganocummingtonite) and dannemorite (now manganogrunerite). The 50% rule has been broken only to retain tremolite and actinolite as in the 1978 scheme so the sodic calcic amphibole range has therefore been expanded. Alkali amphiboles are now sodic amphiboles. The use of hyphens is defined. New amphibole names approved since 1978 include nyböite, leakeite, kornite, ungarettiite, sadanagaite and cannilloite. All abandoned names are listed. The formulae and source of the amphibole end member names are listed and procedures outlined to calculate Fe3+ and Fe2+ when not determined by analysis.

It is established that the Dawros peridotite of north Connemara contains basic plagioclase mainly in a gabbroic layer in the peridotite but occasionally as rare crystals in the peridotite itself. Carlsbadalbite twin extinction angles indicate that the composition of this feldspar is similar to that in the adjoining Currywongaun-Doughruagh intrusion and that in the ultrabasic rocks of the Cashel-Lough Wheelaun intrusion and the Roundstone intrusion of south Connemara. As all these feldspars are extremely heavily saussuritized because of metamorphism it is difficult to determine their precise composition and so an exceptionally fresh plagioclase from an anorthosite in the Currywongaun-Doughruagh intrusion has been chemically analysed. It is An91·5Ab6·8Or1·7. This is in close agreement with the composition given by measuring 2θ(131)–2θ(131), the refractive indices and 2V while the extinction angles of Carlsbadalbite twins give only a slightly too anorthitic result (An95). The particularly calcic nature of the plagioclase is strong evidence that all the ultrabasic bodies in Connemara are genetically related. Some new structural ideas on the Dawros body are suggested which integrate the structure, petrography and cryptic variation.

It has been suggested that the Southern Uplands fault of Scotland does not continue across central and western Ireland. Published geophysical evidence, however, strongly suggests that the fault does continue, under the Carboniferous cover, at least as far as the neighbourhood of Galway.

Seventeen Connemara pelites have been chemically and modally analysed and a garnet, a staurolite, and a biotite from them chemically analysed. The results show that these pelites are rather poor in silica and rich in alumina and total iron. It is believed that this was an original feature of the composition.

A network texture made of graphite with calcite filling the holes is described from an area of staurolite-garnet grade of metamorphism. It is pointed out that this is the earliest texture preserved in the rock, and that it resembles a cellular structure and may therefore be of organic origin, possibly a primitive plant. At present, however, it is not certain that the structure is organic in origin.

The Dalradian terrane of Connemara was thrust southsoutheastwards about 460 Ma ago (Rb–Sr and K–Ar ages). It rides on a major thrust of post-D age over mylonitised acidic volcanic rocks of putative lower Ordovician age and contains a number of thrusts of similar age. Several major S- to SE-directed thrusts also limit the southeastern margin of the Dalradian rocks in Mayo and Tyrone. It is suggested by analogy with Ireland that during mid-Ordovician times the Highland Boundary fault in Scotland could have been a thrust zone which carried the Scottish Dalradian rocks over a lower Ordovician basement now represented only as fragments in the Highland Border Complex.