Orthopyroxene–magnetite symplectite in olivine gabbros from the lower crustal Oman Ophiolite: Oman Drilling Project, Hole GT2A

Abstract

Oxidation states within the planetary interior are intrinsically linked with the broad scale tectonism; however, it is difficult to estimate the actual oxidation conditions. Orthopyroxene–magnetite symplectite formed by olivine oxidation may provide a significant clue into such oxidation events. Here we report detailed mineralogical and petrological synthesis of such orthopyroxene–magnetite symplectites from olivine gabbros of Oman Ophiolite (Hole GT2A, ICDP Oman Drilling Project). In order to understand how oxidation affects different olivine compositions, we employed a phase equilibria approach and computed several temperature–composition diagrams at a fixed pressure (1 kbar). Our experiments predict the coexistence of olivine with Fo_75–76 and Fo₇₁ with the orthopyroxene (En₇₉ and En₇₆), respectively, which is remarkably similar to the mineral chemistry obtained from the Oman lower crustal gabbros. From the magnetite content, we also infer that the symplectite formation may have taken place over a range of temperatures (600–1000 °C) via subsolidus olivine oxidation and/or melt (oxidizing)–olivine interaction. The latter is more probable, considering the partial occurrence of orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene rim adjacent to the symplectites.