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Olivine
Structure
Olivine is a common green or brown rock forming
minerals which consists of a solid-solution series
between Forsterite (Fo) and Fayalite (Fa).
It is an orthorhombic orthosilicate with isolated SiO 4
tetrahedra linked by divalent Mg or Fe ions. The
oxygen atoms lie in sheets parallel to the (100) plane
and the points of the tetrahedra point in alternate
directions.
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Chemistry (Mg,Fe)2SiO4
Olivine is forms what is called an isomorphous solid
solution series that ranges between two end
members:
Forsterite Mg2SiO4 to Fayalite Fe2SiO4.
As an aside: The Fe rich members (Fayalite) have
Mn and Ca entering the crystal whereas the Mg rich
members (Forsterite) have Ni and Cr entering the
lattice.
Solid Solution Series
In nature, a complete series from Mg to Fe olivine
can be found. However, some problems arise in
natural, almost pure Fayalite as Mn or Ca (divalent)
can substitute for the Fe up to 1%.
It is also important to note that ferric (Fe3+) iron
does not substitute into olivine. Any ferric iron
present is contained in Spinel group (MgAl2O4)
inclusions usually in the Mg (forsterite) end
member.
Alterations
Olivines are not stable at surface temperatures
because of their high temperature of formation.
They are therefore are susceptible to low grade
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Alterations cont.
3Mg2SiO4 + 4H2O + SiO2 2Mg3Si2O5(OH)4
(olivine)
(serpentine)
2Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 + 3CO2 Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 + 3MgCO3 +3H2O
(serpentine)
(talc)
(magnesite)
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Distinguishing Features
large 2Vangle
high birefringence
lack of cleavage, fractures present
extinction parallel to crystal outline
shape
alteration
lack of colour
zoning is rare in plutonic rocks but not
uncommon in more basic rocks.
Phase Relationships
The Forsterite - Fayalite phase diagram is a classic
that represents one of the simplist systems.
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Phase Relationships cont.
This is an equilibrium diagram plotting
Temperature vs composition. Results are based on
experimental studies of synthetic olivine mixtures.
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Phase Relationships cont.
Example:
A melt of composition Fo50, Fa50 exists at
temperature T1 (X on diagram).
Cool the melt, at T2 the line for Fo50, Fa50 hits the
LIQUIDUS (point Y). At this point crystals of Fo 80
begin to form from the liquid. The remaining liquid
becomes more Fe or Fayalite rich.
As cooling continues, the liquid becomes
progressively more Fe rich, therefore the crystals
forming also become more Fe rich.
At temperature T3 the last of the liquid is used up.
A liquid of composition Fo50, Fa50 has to completely
solidify by the time the temperature drops to T3
(the SOLIDUS).
Under equilibrium conditions, the crystals are
constantly altered and converted to a composition
approaching Fo50 from a Fo80 start. Equilibrium
implies slow cooling and constant diffusion of Fe
ions into the crystals. HOWEVER, it is very
common for DISEQUILIBRIUM to occur.
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Olivine Paragenesis
What type of rock is olivine found in?
(i) Fo-rich olivine (range Fo80-90) is one of the first
phases to crystallize from basaltic melts. Typical of
ocean floor or Hawaii. Pure Fo is unknown in igneous
rocks. Get a range from Fo (Mg) rich to Fa (Fe) rich.
(ii) Generally more Fe rich olivine in basaltic lavas,
dykes and sills (usually as phenocrysts). Why?
Magmatic differentiation. Deeper in the crust you get
Mg rich olivine in gabbros and ultramafic monomineralic rocks like dunite. These form in magma
chambers (often as bands of euhedral crystals in
gabbro)
(iii) If a basalt is crystallizing plagioclase as well, you
get Troctolites (plag + olivine rock). What type of
plag? Ca-rich.
(iv) Olivine nodules occur in certain types of lavas
(Mona Kea) and shallow intrusives. The olivine
composition is nearly always Forsteritic. They are
moved out of the chamber by volatiles and are often
vesicular. There are two forms:
1) Nodules which are cumulates, ie. Bits of
crystals (mush) which collect in the magma
chamber (often associated with plag and
clinopyroxene
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