9526262 Morse The proposed research will clarify the melting behavior and early crystallization history of the Kiglapait layered intrusion with specific interest in the existence of troctolitic liquids, the thermal evolution of the Kiglapait magma, the depth and nature of the magma source, the liquid line of decent, plagioclase/liquid fractionation, and olivine/liquid fractionation. Chilled marginal rocks from the intrusion will be melted and crystallized in graphite and Au-Pd capsules at pressure to find the liquid compositions in equilibrium with the saturating phases and to determine the mineral/liquid element partitioning. Upper Border Zone rocks will also be studied to evaluate the liquid line of descent toward augite saturation. Compositional mapping of experimental charges will be done using electron and proton microprobes. The result will also be relevant to more general aspects of quantitative igneous petrology and the origin of Proterozoic anorthositic rocks.
