Oscillatory Zoning in Plagioclase Feldspar

Abstract

A kinetic mathematical model of crystal growth from the melt is used to describe quantitatively the phenomenon of oscillatory zoning in plagioclase feldspar. In this model, the functional dependence of crystal growth rate on both melt and crystal surface composition and the transport of material within the melt are explicitly considered. Oscillatory zoning is found to develop for a wide variety of such functional dependence and to be sensitive to the initial composition of the melt.