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.
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).
University at Albany Science Library call number: SCIENCE
Oversize (*) QE 445 H63X
thesis (scanned
text) - 7.7MB pdf file
Plate 1 - (coloured outcrop map, scale ~1: 6300) - pdf file
12 MB
Bedrock
Geology
of the East Dover area, Vermont
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Geological Sciences Program, University at Albany