XX.—The Geochemistry of some Caledonian Plutonic Rocks: A Study in the Relationship between the Major and Trace Elements of Igneous Rocks and their Minerals

Abstract

The Caledonian plutonic rocks of Western Scotland form a well-defined group, ranging from ultrabasic to acid types, which have been studied in detail by a number of petrologists. They form intrusions of varying size, usually composite and frequently, at least, having the habit of ring complexes. The rock types include peridotites and pyroxenites, gabbros, hornblendite and appinite, appinitic diorites, pyroxene-mica diorites, hornblende-biotite diorite, various hornblende-biotite grandiorites, biotite adamellite and muscovite-biotite adamellite, while the final stage is represented by numerous veins of aplite and rare pegmatites.