This thesis has no Abstract
INTRODUCTION (pp.1-4)
Mineralogical, textural and chemical changes of ultramafic rocks in
response to regional deformation and metamorphism are, at best, imperfectly
known (Miyashiro, 1973, p. 30). In Vermont, which has an extremely prominent
and well-exposed belt of ultramafics (fig. 1), investigation of these rocks
has largely been directed toward such processes as serpentinization, steatitization,
and the formation of metasomatic zones at the contacts with country rocks.
With few exceptions, there is a lack of detailed descriptions of regional
metamorphic textures, mineralogy, and structures developed in the Vermont
ultramafic rocks.
It is the main purpose of this thesis to describe the mineralogical
and textural changes that accompany regional metamorphism and deformation
in the large ultramafic body at East Dover, Vermont. Serpentinization processes
or the effects of hydrothermal alteration are not dealt with in detail,
although some observations are made on these topics.
Two field seasons (1973-1974) were spent in an area approximately 6
x 3 km in and around East Dover, Vermont. When existing geologic maps of
the area (Skehan, 1961; Vermont State Geologic map, 1961) were found to
lack sufficient detail for these studies, field mapping was initiated to
help correlate the petrology and structure of the body. Indeed, as mapping
continued it became evident that complete analysis of the structural complexities
of the body was far beyond the scope of this research. However, mapping
of different rock types, measurement and description of the most prominent-foliations,
and a preliminary analysis of folding in the body were carried out to provide
basic structural data.
Structures in the country rocks at or near the contacts were studied
to gain a better idea of the relationships of the ultramafic body to the
country rocks. A preliminary comparison of structural elements in the ultramafic
and country rocks was also attempted.
Only cursory petrographic examination of the country rocks was undertaken,
mainly to determine the metamorphic grade and general rock types that surround
the ultramafic body. The textures and mineralogy of the ultramafic rocks
were studied in detail to provide information essential to interpreting
the metamorphic and deformational history of the body. In this regard,
previous petrographic work on these rocks was found to be inadequate and
inaccurate.
Concluding Remarks:(pp.98-99)
In summary, the following can be said about the petrology of the East
Dover ultramafic rocks:
1. The distribution of olivine textural and chemical variations, and
chrome spinel textural. variations can be attributed to differing intensities
of recrystallization.
2. Serpentinization is uniform over large areas of the ultramafic bodies
but must be described as randomly developed with respect to the margins.
3. The only pyroxene now observed is metamorphic in origin (but may
be pseudomorphic).
4. The distribution of magnetite is not simply related to the development
of serpentine, as a simple serpentinization process would imply. It may,
rather, be a function of removal of the iron component from olivine during
recrystallization, or differing partial pressures of oxygen during serpentinization.
5. A stage of tremolite development (uralitization) occurred
at a different time than the development of T2 olivine and diopside.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ii
LIST OF TABLES vi
LIST OF FIGURES vii
INTRODUCTION 1
REGIONAL GEOLOGIC SETTING 5
GEOLOGIC SETTING: THE EAST DOVER AREA 7
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE STUDY OF VERMONT ULTRAMAFIC ROCKS 8
Early Investigations 8
Later Investigations 10
A REVIEW OF PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ULTRAMAFIC ROCKS AT EAST
DOVER, VERMONT 13
MEGASCOPIC APPEARANCE OF THE ROCKS AT EAST DOVER 21
Country Rocks 21
Ultramafic Rocks 21
STRUCTURAL ASPECTS OF THE EAST DOVER ULTRAMAFIC BODIES AND SURROUNDING
COUNTRY ROCKS 24
Foliations Visible in the Country Rocks Surrounding the Ultramafic
Body 24
Folding Visible in the Country Rocks 30
B2 Folds 30
B3 Folds . 32
Lineations 32
Foliations Visible in the Ultramafic Rocks 33
Macroscopic Foliations 33
Microscopic Foliations 33
Folding Visible in the Ultramafic Rocks 37
Folds 1 37
Folds 2 38
Discussion of Contact Relationships, Mappcd Boundaries of the Ultramafic
Bodies ard a Review of Previ ous Workers Mapped Boundaries 38
A Discussion. of Some Specific Structural Aspects of the Ultramafic
Bodies at East Dover 41
Correlation of Structural Elements Between Country Rocks and the Ultramafic
Rocks 45
Concluding Remarks 45
PETROLOGIC ASPECTS OF THE EAST DOVER ULTRAMAFIC BODIES AND SURROUNDING
COUNTRY ROCKS 48
Petrography of the Country Rocks Surrounding And Contained Within the
Ultramafic Rocks 48
Quartz-mica Schists (Metapelitic Rocks) 48
Quartz-epidote Amphibolites 49
Mica-albite (Porphyroblast) Schist 50
Petrography of the Ultramafic Rocks 53
Mineralogy of the Serpentinized Dunites 53
Serpentine 53
Discussion of serpentine distribution 57
Chlorite 57
Olivine 58
Chemical variations of olivines 67
Discussion of olivine textural and chemical variations 67
Chrome spinel and magnetite 70
Magnetite 80
Discussion of magnetite and chrome spinel textural variations 81
Clinopyroxene 84
Clinozoisite 90
Carbonate 91
Smectite 91
Mineralogy of the Clinozoisite-Hornblende Unit 91
The Ultramafic "Breccia" 91
Discussion and Summary of Petrologic Aspects 93
Primary assemblages 95
Metamorphic assemblages 96
Concluding Remarks 98
RELATIONSHIP OF MAGNETIC ANOMALIES TO PETROLOGY 100
APPENDIX I 107
X-ray Diffraction Methods Used To Determine Fo Content of Olivines
107
APPENDIX II 111
A Note On The Optical Determination Of 2V In High Mg Olivines (Fosterites)
111
Method 11l
Olivine Determinations 111
Discussion 111
REFERENCES 115
Hoffman, M.A., 1975. A Study of Some Petrologic and Structural Aspects
of the East Dover Ultramafic Bodies, South Central Vermont. Unpublished
MSc. thesis, State University of New York at Albany. 120pp., +viii; 1 folding
plate (map).
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