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On micas from magmatic and metamorphic rocks

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Abstract

Micas from magmatic and metamorphic rocks differ from one another in chemical composition and in trace element content. The chemical composition of micas is discussed in relation to their occurrence, paragenesis and sequence of crystallization. On the basis of previous studies of the relationship between the physical properties and the chemical composition of 34 chemically analysed micas, reliable physical methods have been established which permit identification of different mica varieties in the same rock. Structural formulae and trace element content of micas from basic and granitic rocks, as well as from skarns, schists, ortho- and paragneisses are discussed. The relationship between the components of the tetrahedral and octahedral layers and of the interlayer are illustrated as ratios.

Poorly differentiated, hybrid and metasomatic rocks often contain more than one variety of mica. Some prophyritic basalts and lamprophyres contain an early phlogopite which is paragenetically related to pyroxene phenocrysts and late biotite which occurs in the groundmass and in the fractures as a result of the crystallization of residual magma. The biotitemuscovite assemblage was observed in granodiorites, quartz-monzonites, schists and gneisses. In the albite-K-feldspar granites, muscovite predominates and the biotite is usually altered.

The chemical composition of micas from metamorphic rocks depends on the grade of metamorphism and on the nature of associated minerals. The biotite from paragneisses contains considerable quantities of octahedral alumina. Pre-metamorphic micas show variable deficiencies of the (OH, F) group. The micas are useful minerals in determining the degree of differentiation and subsequent alteration of igneous rocks.

The present study was carried out on the basis of 34 recent complete chemical analyses andca 100 X-ray fluorescence analyses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Survey of Canada, 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Jadvyga Rimšaite

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  1. Jadvyga Rimšaite
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Dedicated to Professor Dr.Carl W. Correns on the occasion of his 70th birthday.

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Rimšaite, J. On micas from magmatic and metamorphic rocks. Beitr Mineral u Petrogr 10, 152–183 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02652613

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