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• 1. [Article] NWA 8614: The Least Heated Winonaite

  Northwest Africa 8614 is classified as a winonaite on the basis of oxygen isotope ratios, mineralogy, and highly reduced chemistry. Unlike other winonaites, it contains numerous and readily apparent chondrules. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: NWA 8614: The Least Heated Winonaite Author: Farley, Karla, Ruzicka, Alexander M., Armstrong, Katherine Year: 2015 Northwest Africa 8614 is classified as a winonaite on the basis of oxygen isotope ratios, mineralogy, and highly reduced chemistry. Unlike other winonaites, it contains numerous and readily apparent chondrules. Here we discuss various features of NWA 8614 and the possible significance of the meteorite. Petrological and chemical analyses were performed using optical microscopy with a DM2500 Leica petrographic microscope and a Zeiss Sigma VP-FEG scanning electron microscope (SEM) with a high-efficiency energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Oxygen isotopes were analyzed by Karen Ziegler at the University of New Mexico on acid-washed samples to remove terrestrial weathering products. Owing to the abundance of chondrules, NWA 8641 may be one of the least heated winonaites, and therefore may provide clues to the chondritic protolith of the winonaite parent body. Overall textures are similar to those found in type 6 chondrites that escaped significant melting. Despite similar geothermometer temperatures for various mineral pairs, NWA 8614 apparently did not attain Fe-Mg equilibrium between olivine and pyroxene. Like other winonaites, NWA 8614 has olivine compositions that are too magnesian for equilibrium relative to low-Ca pyroxene. Among winonaites as a whole, there is no evidence for a curved trend between Fa and Fs compositions as would be expected for FeO-reduction during metamorphism [Benedix, et al 1998], nor for mineral compositions that correlate with geothermometry temperatures. This argues against a single metamorphic FeO-reduction trend from a common chondritic precursor. Instead, protoliths for different winonaites may have varied slightly in composition. Title: NWA 8614: The Least Heated Winonaite Author: Farley, Karla, Ruzicka, Alexander M., Armstrong, Katherine Year: 2015 Northwest Africa 8614 is classified as a winonaite on the basis of oxygen isotope ratios, mineralogy, and highly reduced chemistry. Unlike other winonaites, it contains numerous and readily apparent chondrules. Here we discuss various features of NWA 8614 and the possible significance of the meteorite. Petrological and chemical analyses were performed using optical microscopy with a DM2500 Leica petrographic microscope and a Zeiss Sigma VP-FEG scanning electron microscope (SEM) with a high-efficiency energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Oxygen isotopes were analyzed by Karen Ziegler at the University of New Mexico on acid-washed samples to remove terrestrial weathering products. Owing to the abundance of chondrules, NWA 8641 may be one of the least heated winonaites, and therefore may provide clues to the chondritic protolith of the winonaite parent body. Overall textures are similar to those found in type 6 chondrites that escaped significant melting. Despite similar geothermometer temperatures for various mineral pairs, NWA 8614 apparently did not attain Fe-Mg equilibrium between olivine and pyroxene. Like other winonaites, NWA 8614 has olivine compositions that are too magnesian for equilibrium relative to low-Ca pyroxene. Among winonaites as a whole, there is no evidence for a curved trend between Fa and Fs compositions as would be expected for FeO-reduction during metamorphism [Benedix, et al 1998], nor for mineral compositions that correlate with geothermometry temperatures. This argues against a single metamorphic FeO-reduction trend from a common chondritic precursor. Instead, protoliths for different winonaites may have varied slightly in composition. Close

• 2. [Article] The geology and geochemistry of the North Fork stock, northeastern Oregon

  The North Fork stock is a composite intrusive body of Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous age which outcrops in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon. The upper 600 m of the intrusion are exposed over an ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The geology and geochemistry of the North Fork stock, northeastern Oregon Author: Matty, David Joseph Year: 1979 The North Fork stock is a composite intrusive body of Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous age which outcrops in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon. The upper 600 m of the intrusion are exposed over an area of approximately 36 km squared along the canyon walls of the North Fork of the John Day River in Grant and Umatilla counties. The stock intrudes metasediments, metavolcanics, and metagabbros associated with the Permian-Triassic Elkhorn Ridge Argillite. Contact metamorphism of the Elkhorn Ridge Argillite is developed to the hornblende-hornfels facies throughout most of the exposed area of this unit in the study area. The contact aureole of the North Fork stock extends away from the intrusive margins and ultimately grades into regionally metamorphosed greenschist- and amphibolite facies rocks. The metamorphic rocks exhibit a pronounced regional trend of foliation which is disrupted where it intersects intrusive contacts at steep angles. Title: The geology and geochemistry of the North Fork stock, northeastern Oregon Author: Matty, David Joseph Year: 1979 The North Fork stock is a composite intrusive body of Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous age which outcrops in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon. The upper 600 m of the intrusion are exposed over an area of approximately 36 km squared along the canyon walls of the North Fork of the John Day River in Grant and Umatilla counties. The stock intrudes metasediments, metavolcanics, and metagabbros associated with the Permian-Triassic Elkhorn Ridge Argillite. Contact metamorphism of the Elkhorn Ridge Argillite is developed to the hornblende-hornfels facies throughout most of the exposed area of this unit in the study area. The contact aureole of the North Fork stock extends away from the intrusive margins and ultimately grades into regionally metamorphosed greenschist- and amphibolite facies rocks. The metamorphic rocks exhibit a pronounced regional trend of foliation which is disrupted where it intersects intrusive contacts at steep angles. Close

• 3. [Article] The Geology, Geochemistry, and Alteration of Red Butte, Oregon: A Precious Metal-Bearing Paleo Hot Spring System

  Red Butte is located 60 km south of Vale, Oregon, about 20 km west of the Oregon/Idaho border. The butte is within the Owyhee Upland physiographic province of eastern Oregon which lies at the intersection ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Geology, Geochemistry, and Alteration of Red Butte, Oregon: A Precious Metal-Bearing Paleo Hot Spring System Author: Evans, Carol Susan Year: 1986 Red Butte is located 60 km south of Vale, Oregon, about 20 km west of the Oregon/Idaho border. The butte is within the Owyhee Upland physiographic province of eastern Oregon which lies at the intersection of the Western Snake River Plain, the High Lava Plains, and the Northern Basin and Range provinces. The butte is composed of Miocene to Pliocene lacustrine and fluvial volcaniclastic sediments. The topography of the butte is controlled by silicification of the sandstones and mudstones which cap it. Silicification and hydrothermal alteration are both structurally and stratigraphically controlled. North-trending normal faults dominate the area, and show progressively less offset in younger units. Strong northwest and minor northeast faults also cut the area. Anomalous concentrations of Au, As, Sb, and Hg occur in banded quartz, quartz-adularia veins and rarely in calcite-quartz veins cutting basalts. The silicified mudstones at the butte top are generally barren. An hydrothermal explosion crater exposed on the southeast side of the butte lies at the intersection of north and northwest-trending faults. Banded quartz veins, quartz-adularia veins, and quartz-cemented breccias are exposed in the walls of the explosion crater. There is evidence of multiple brecciation events. A few mudstones exposed in the crater wall have an exhalative texture, contain pyrite des seminated along bedding, and contain trace amounts of Au. The Red Butte system developed as a hot spring venting into a lake, possibly within a caldera. Periodic influxes of air fall tuffs and coarser clastic sediments diluted accumulating fine grained clastic and chemical sediments. As hot, silica saturated fluids rose into cooler lake waters they were cooled and diluted, resulting in silica flocculation near the vents and silicification of the lake sediments as they were deposited. Faults cutting the butte acted as conduits for the hydrothermal fluids. Overpressuring, caused by silica sealing of open fractures, resulted in explosions, generally followed by resealing of the system. Simultaneous faulting, sedimentation, and hot spring activity occurred at different rates throughout the life of the system. Late in the life of the system, the local water table dropped, and the lake was replaced by a high-energy fluvial system. As the water table dropped below the surface, zones of low pH alteration and bleaching were developed above the hydrothermal vents, implying boiling at depth. The large explosion crater and bedded explosion breccia on the southeast side of the butte were formed in these last stages of hydrothermal activity. Title: The Geology, Geochemistry, and Alteration of Red Butte, Oregon: A Precious Metal-Bearing Paleo Hot Spring System Author: Evans, Carol Susan Year: 1986 Red Butte is located 60 km south of Vale, Oregon, about 20 km west of the Oregon/Idaho border. The butte is within the Owyhee Upland physiographic province of eastern Oregon which lies at the intersection of the Western Snake River Plain, the High Lava Plains, and the Northern Basin and Range provinces. The butte is composed of Miocene to Pliocene lacustrine and fluvial volcaniclastic sediments. The topography of the butte is controlled by silicification of the sandstones and mudstones which cap it. Silicification and hydrothermal alteration are both structurally and stratigraphically controlled. North-trending normal faults dominate the area, and show progressively less offset in younger units. Strong northwest and minor northeast faults also cut the area. Anomalous concentrations of Au, As, Sb, and Hg occur in banded quartz, quartz-adularia veins and rarely in calcite-quartz veins cutting basalts. The silicified mudstones at the butte top are generally barren. An hydrothermal explosion crater exposed on the southeast side of the butte lies at the intersection of north and northwest-trending faults. Banded quartz veins, quartz-adularia veins, and quartz-cemented breccias are exposed in the walls of the explosion crater. There is evidence of multiple brecciation events. A few mudstones exposed in the crater wall have an exhalative texture, contain pyrite des seminated along bedding, and contain trace amounts of Au. The Red Butte system developed as a hot spring venting into a lake, possibly within a caldera. Periodic influxes of air fall tuffs and coarser clastic sediments diluted accumulating fine grained clastic and chemical sediments. As hot, silica saturated fluids rose into cooler lake waters they were cooled and diluted, resulting in silica flocculation near the vents and silicification of the lake sediments as they were deposited. Faults cutting the butte acted as conduits for the hydrothermal fluids. Overpressuring, caused by silica sealing of open fractures, resulted in explosions, generally followed by resealing of the system. Simultaneous faulting, sedimentation, and hot spring activity occurred at different rates throughout the life of the system. Late in the life of the system, the local water table dropped, and the lake was replaced by a high-energy fluvial system. As the water table dropped below the surface, zones of low pH alteration and bleaching were developed above the hydrothermal vents, implying boiling at depth. The large explosion crater and bedded explosion breccia on the southeast side of the butte were formed in these last stages of hydrothermal activity. Close

• 4. [Article] Geochemical stratigraphy of the Dooley rhyolite breccia and Tertiary basalts in the Dooley Mountain quadrangle, Oregon

  The Dooley Rhyolite Breccia in northeast Oregon was erupted between 12 and 16 million years ago, from central vents and linear feeder dikes within the Dooley Mountain quadrangle. The peraluminous, high-silica ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Geochemical stratigraphy of the Dooley rhyolite breccia and Tertiary basalts in the Dooley Mountain quadrangle, Oregon Author: Whitson, David Neale Year: 1988 The Dooley Rhyolite Breccia in northeast Oregon was erupted between 12 and 16 million years ago, from central vents and linear feeder dikes within the Dooley Mountain quadrangle. The peraluminous, high-silica rhyolites of the formation were erupted over an irregular highland of eroded pre-Tertiary metamorphic rocks locally overlain by intracanyon, Eocene Clarno-type basalt flow(s) . The Dooley Rhyolite Braccia is exposed in a tectonically disrupted, north-south trending graben across the Elkhorn Range. The formation is variable in thickness with maximum thickness exceeding 660 meters in the south and 600 meters in the north half of the quadrangle. Volumetrically the formation is dominated by block lava flows with lessor associated volcaniclastic and pyroclastic rocks. Although initial and waning phases of eruption of the formation produced ash-flow tuffs which extend well beyond the quadrangle boundaries, volcanism within the quadrangle appears to have been primarily effusive. At least nine geochemically distinct rhyolite subunits belonging to four related chemical groups have been identified in the formation stratigraphy which appear to represent unique eruptive episodes. Chronologic geochemical patterns within the formation are consistent with a petrogenetic model of repeated partial melting and eruption from multiple silicic magma chambers in an attenuated continental crust. Basalts correlative with the Powder River Basalt and the Strawberry Volcanics overlie the Dooley Rhyolite Braccia on the north flank of Dooley Mountain. Cale-alkaline basalts correlative with the Strawberry Volcanics are overlain by thoeliitic basalts of uncertain affinity on the south flank of the mountain. These basalt flows on respective flanks of the mountain were not continuous across the quadrangle. Rhyolitic volcanism in the Dooley Mountain quadrangle is contemporary with the strawberry Volcanics and the Picture Gorge Basalt of the Columbia River Basalt Group. Title: Geochemical stratigraphy of the Dooley rhyolite breccia and Tertiary basalts in the Dooley Mountain quadrangle, Oregon Author: Whitson, David Neale Year: 1988 The Dooley Rhyolite Breccia in northeast Oregon was erupted between 12 and 16 million years ago, from central vents and linear feeder dikes within the Dooley Mountain quadrangle. The peraluminous, high-silica rhyolites of the formation were erupted over an irregular highland of eroded pre-Tertiary metamorphic rocks locally overlain by intracanyon, Eocene Clarno-type basalt flow(s) . The Dooley Rhyolite Braccia is exposed in a tectonically disrupted, north-south trending graben across the Elkhorn Range. The formation is variable in thickness with maximum thickness exceeding 660 meters in the south and 600 meters in the north half of the quadrangle. Volumetrically the formation is dominated by block lava flows with lessor associated volcaniclastic and pyroclastic rocks. Although initial and waning phases of eruption of the formation produced ash-flow tuffs which extend well beyond the quadrangle boundaries, volcanism within the quadrangle appears to have been primarily effusive. At least nine geochemically distinct rhyolite subunits belonging to four related chemical groups have been identified in the formation stratigraphy which appear to represent unique eruptive episodes. Chronologic geochemical patterns within the formation are consistent with a petrogenetic model of repeated partial melting and eruption from multiple silicic magma chambers in an attenuated continental crust. Basalts correlative with the Powder River Basalt and the Strawberry Volcanics overlie the Dooley Rhyolite Braccia on the north flank of Dooley Mountain. Cale-alkaline basalts correlative with the Strawberry Volcanics are overlain by thoeliitic basalts of uncertain affinity on the south flank of the mountain. These basalt flows on respective flanks of the mountain were not continuous across the quadrangle. Rhyolitic volcanism in the Dooley Mountain quadrangle is contemporary with the strawberry Volcanics and the Picture Gorge Basalt of the Columbia River Basalt Group. Close