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Composition, physical properties and origin of sodic anorthites from the ejected plutonic blocks of the Soufrière Volcano, St. Vincent, West Indies

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Abstract

Three complete analyses and one partial analysis are recorded of unzoned sodic anorthites having compositions An94,9, An94,0, An92,7 and An92 (mol per cent). Although crystallising at a high temperature the K and Sr contents are low. X-ray parameters show the material to be in a relatively high structural state comparable with material from Japanese volcanics. Available data indicate small but real differences in optical parameters between sodic anorthites of volcanic and plutonic origin but this needs further clarification. Refractive indices and specific gravities of the analysed samples are also recorded. Anorthite (An90-An100) occurs widely as phenocrysts in basic lavas and as crystal ejecta in the calc-alkaline rock suites of the circumoceanic islands. Anorthite can be precipitated from sub-alkaline magmas under certain conditions and does not require the postulation of special magmas or of contamination. It is apparent that factors other than the normative feldspar composition of the magma determine the composition of the plagioclase precipitated. Evidence from experimental work on synthetic systems indicates that an increase in both hydrostatic pressure and water vapour pressure will influence the plagioclase composition but it is not possible to evaluate these effects fully at the present time. The occurrence of anorthite is interpreted as evidence of extensive crystal accumulation at depth from fractionating basic magmas in circumoceanic calc-alkaline suites.

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  1. John F. Lewis

    Present address: Geology Dept., University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica

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  1. Department of Geology and Mineralogy, Oxford University, UK

    John F. Lewis

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Lewis, J.F. Composition, physical properties and origin of sodic anorthites from the ejected plutonic blocks of the Soufrière Volcano, St. Vincent, West Indies. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 21, 272–294 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00371755

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