The Granitization Process and its Limitations as Exemplified in Certain Parts of New South Wales

Abstract

In an attempt to dissect the granitization process in an area of regional metamorphism, it is suggested that granite is forcibly injected during strong compression, that the compressional wave passes upwards and outwards in advance of the magma, and that several changes take place before its arrival. Six stages in this process are recognized in the Cooma and Albury districts of N.S.W.: (1) Regional Metamorphism, (2) Superimposed Thermal Metamorphism, (3) Permeation without Magmatic Addition, (4) Addition from an Attenuated Magma, (5) Formation of a Potassic Wave-Front, and (6) Injection of the Magma as Concordant Intrusions. The conditions favouring granitization are discussed and the question of basic fronts is considered.