The Journal of Geology, May-June 1893: A Semi-Quarterly Magazone of Geology and Related SciencesVarious
Science
The Journal of Geology, May-June 1893: A Semi-Quarterly Magazone of Geology and Related Sciences
Various
Geology -- Periodicals
[6] G. M. DAWSON.--“Notes to accompany a geological map of the
northern portion of the Dominion of Canada.” Report of the
Geological Survey of Canada, 1886. p. 9, R.
[7] ROBERT BELL.--“Observations on the Geology etc., of the
Labrador Coast, Hudson’s Strait and Bay.” Report of the
Geological Survey of Canada. 1882–3–4, p. 14, DD.
MELILITE-NEPHELINE-BASALT AND NEPHELINE-BASANITE FROM SOUTHERN TEXAS.
These basaltic rocks were collected by Professor Dumble and Mr.
Taff, in Uvalde County, southern Texas. On the geological map of the
United States, compiled by C. H. Hitchcock, 1886, there are two of
the localities marked near the boundary of the Cretaceous and earlier
Tertiary formation, between 99° and 100° longitude, and on the 29th
degree of latitude. According to the statement of Professor Dumble,
one part of the rocks appears in dikes in the upper portion of the
lower Cretaceous formation, while the other forms hills and buttes.
Upon microscopical examination it is evident that the specimens
collected belong to two different groups of rocks. The microscope shows
that those occurring in dikes consist of typical melilite-bearing
nepheline-basalt, while those making up hills and buttes are
nepheline-basanites tending toward phonolites in composition.
The melilite-nepheline-basalts have a typical basaltic appearance. In a
dense black groundmass, the only phenocrysts seen by the naked eye are
numerous olivines. Under the microscope there appear in addition to the
olivine the following minerals: augite, nepheline, melilite, magnetite
and perovskite. As to the proportion of nepheline and melilite, it can
be said, that in nearly all the specimens examined, the two minerals
are found in about the same amount. For this reason these rocks can
be placed under the head of nepheline-basalt as well as under that
of melilite-basalt, or they may be called melilite-nepheline-basalt.
Only one of the specimens is entirely free from melilite. Feldspar is
wholly wanting. All of the specimens are in a very fresh condition, and
even the melilite shows only slight indications of decomposition. The
specimen free from melilite corresponds in structure and composition
with the other specimens, except for the absence of melilite and
perovskite, and so they may be described together.
All the rocks are porphyritic, since they bear large phenocrysts of
olivine. Under the microscope the olivine is colorless and transparent,
and only shows indications of serpentinization along the edges and
fissures. It contains rounded inclusions of glass, abundant in some
sections, besides octahedrons of magnetite, and others that are
transparent with a brownish violet color. Whether the latter are a
mineral of the spinel-group or belong to perovskite, with which they
accord in color, could not be decided.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account