An X-ray study of exsolution phenomena in the Skaergaard pyroxenes

Abstract

Summary The single crystal X-ray methods for the study of exsolution phenomena in pyroxenes previously described by the authors have been applied to the pyroxenes of the Skaergaard intrusion. The results for about fifty pyroxene crystals, selected from various levels between the chilled margin and a height of 2600 metres in the layered series, are presented and are correlated with previous optical descriptions. Whilst the correlation between the results of the optical and X-ray examinations is in general satisfactory, the present investigation shows that the X-ray techniques can in some cases extend our knowledge of the Skaergaard pyroxenes.