Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
Located in California’s Mojave Desert is the Kingston Range where the Precambrian Kingston Peak Formation is found. This formation is mostly sedimentary but it hosts multiple igneous intrusions, including the approximately 5-meter-wide dike that is the focus of this study. Samples were collected off the side of Excelsior Mine road near the Horse Thief Springs Camp, where both the Kingston Peak Formation and igneous dike are exposed. Samples were cleaned and photographed before being prepped for analysis with XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope). The dominant mineralogy of the dike was determined using XRD. Accessory minerals were identified with SEM. Whole rock analysis was conducted with both the XRD and SEM. Additional mineral separates were studied with the SEM. XRD produced a dominant mineralogy of quartz (SiO2 ), albite (NaAlSi3O8 ), and orthoclase (KAlSi3O8 ). SEM identified the presence of titanium and titanium-iron rich minerals. Apatite (Ca5 (PO4 )) and manganese dendrites (MnO2) are also present. Together the geochemistry and mineralogy characterize the dike as a trachydacite, which correlates with its light colored, felsic appearance. It is likely that this dike is related to other large felsic igneous intrusions in the region.
Recommended Citation
Sander, Cassidy, "116-Descriptive Mineralogical Analysis of an Igneous Dike Found in the Kingston Peak Formation, Mojave Desert, CA" (2024). GREAT Day Posters. 26.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2024/posters-2024/26
116-Descriptive Mineralogical Analysis of an Igneous Dike Found in the Kingston Peak Formation, Mojave Desert, CA
Located in California’s Mojave Desert is the Kingston Range where the Precambrian Kingston Peak Formation is found. This formation is mostly sedimentary but it hosts multiple igneous intrusions, including the approximately 5-meter-wide dike that is the focus of this study. Samples were collected off the side of Excelsior Mine road near the Horse Thief Springs Camp, where both the Kingston Peak Formation and igneous dike are exposed. Samples were cleaned and photographed before being prepped for analysis with XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope). The dominant mineralogy of the dike was determined using XRD. Accessory minerals were identified with SEM. Whole rock analysis was conducted with both the XRD and SEM. Additional mineral separates were studied with the SEM. XRD produced a dominant mineralogy of quartz (SiO2 ), albite (NaAlSi3O8 ), and orthoclase (KAlSi3O8 ). SEM identified the presence of titanium and titanium-iron rich minerals. Apatite (Ca5 (PO4 )) and manganese dendrites (MnO2) are also present. Together the geochemistry and mineralogy characterize the dike as a trachydacite, which correlates with its light colored, felsic appearance. It is likely that this dike is related to other large felsic igneous intrusions in the region.