Hydrous Cordierite with Isotopically Light Oxygen from Granulites, Strangways Range, Central Australia

Allan F. Wilson
Department of Geology and Mineralogy, University of Queensland, St. Lucia (Brisbane), Queensland, Australia, 4067

Summary: Two new analyses of magnesian cordierites (MgO ∼ 12 %) reveal about 1% by weight of H2O +, and one sample contains 15 × 10−5 cm3STP/gm argon, which is twenty times in excess of argon expected for its age. Host granulites contain unexpectedly light oxygen, and three cordierites have δ 18O values of 2·0, 2·8, and 3·1 ‰, respectively.

Mineralogical Magazine; March 1978 v. 42; no. 321; p. 89-92; DOI: 10.1180/minmag.1978.042.321.12
© 1978, The Mineralogical Society
Mineralogical Society (www.minersoc.org)