Diamond eclogite and graphite eclogite xenoliths from Orapa, Botswana

D. N. Robinson, J. J. Gurney, S. R. Shee

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

45 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Four eclogites with both diamond and graphite, and 20 graphite eclogites are described. All the diamond-bearing rocks and most of the graphite eclogites contain minor amounts of Na2O in their garnet and K2O in their clinopyroxenes, and are classed as Group I eclogites (after MacGregor & Carter, 1970). Four of the graphite-bearing rocks are classed as Group II eclogites. The diamond eclogites tend to contain relatively magnesian garnets and to give higher estimated T of equilibration than the Group I graphite eclogites. A relatively deep origin is postulated for the diamond eclogites. The Group II graphite eclogites are geochemically distinct from those of Group I. They give relatively low estimated T of equilibration and appear to be derived from shallower depths. There is no reason to link the Group II eclogites with diamond-forming processes. Geochemical evidence suggests that many of the diamond-bearing eclogites are not directly related to the eclogitic inclusions in diamond and the silicates intergrown with diamond aggregates which have been studied from the Orapa kimberlite. Some fundamental differences between the xenolith diamonds and those from the kimberlite indicate that the former are not dominant in the Orapa mine diamond population. This is notwithstanding that the eclogitic paragenesis predominates amongst the Orapa diamonds and that the xenoliths studied are many thousands of times richer in diamonds than the kimberlite.-J.M.H.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationKimberlites II
Subtitle of host publicationthe mantle and crust - mantle relationships
EditorsJ. Kornprobst
Place of PublicationAmsterdam, Netherlands
PublisherElsevier
Pages11-24
Number of pages14
ISBN (Print)0444422749
Publication statusPublished - 1984

Publication series

NameDevelopments in Petrology
PublisherElsevier
Volume11B

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