Three-dimensional patterns of garnet nucleation and growth

Abstract

Research Article| June 01, 1998 Three-dimensional patterns of garnet nucleation and growth Christopher G. Daniel; Christopher G. Daniel 1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Frank S. Spear Frank S. Spear 1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York 12180 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1998) 26 (6): 503–506. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0503:TDPOGN>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Christopher G. Daniel, Frank S. Spear; Three-dimensional patterns of garnet nucleation and growth. Geology 1998;; 26 (6): 503–506. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0503:TDPOGN>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Three-dimensional compositional zoning patterns in garnet-zone garnets from Harpswell Neck, Maine, United States, suggest complex patterns of nucleation and growth. Compositional zoning is often asymmetric, and core compositions do not always coincide with the geometric center of the garnet. In detail, garnet zoning patterns show multiple, isolated, high-MnO areas that we interpret as sites of garnet nucleation. If it is assumed that garnet growth is close to equilibrium and the Mn zoning is not significantly modified by diffusion, then the MnO contours or isosurfaces can serve as a proxy for patterns of garnet nucleation and growth. Computer-generated, three-dimensional animations of these patchwork MnO zoning patterns reveal that many garnets contain multiple nuclei that grew and coalesced to form a single crystal. New nuclei often appeared next to preexisting porphyroblasts and became incorporated into the growing crystal. Contrary to the widely held idea that garnets grow radially outward from a single nucleus, we propose that many of the garnets examined in this study grew by the coalescence of multiple nuclei. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.