Coexisting Amphiboles from Blueschist Facies Metamorphic Rocks

Abstract
Four pairs of associated calcic and sodic amphiboles from blueschist facies metamorphic rocks were analyzed with the electron microprobe and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Except for ranges in the ratios Mg/(Mg+Fe) and Fe3+/(Fe3++Al+Ti), the sodic amphiboles are similar in chemical composition. The amount of calcium in the M(4)-site ranges only from 0·18 to 0·21 ion per formula unit. The calcic amphiboles, in addition to a range in Mg/(Mg+Fe), vary in Na/(Na+Ca) ratio (0·29–0·48). Three of the calcic amphiboles contain less than 1·5 calcium ions per formula unit, indicating a significant solid solution of sodic amphibole components in the calcic amphibole phase. The a and b unit-cell parameters of the calcic amphiboles decrease with increased content of the sodic component.