UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

PETROGRAPHY OF IGNEOUS ROCKS FROM AMLIA ISLAND,

ALEUTIAN ISLAND ARC, ALASKA

by

Walter B. F r i e s e n

OPEN FILE REPORT 82-302

This r e p o r t i s preliminary and has not been reviewed f o r conformity with

U . S . G e o l o g i c a l Survey e d i t o r i a l standards and s t r a t i g r a p h i c
nomenclature. Any use of trade names i s for d e s c r i p t i v e purposes
only and does not imply endorsement by t h e U.S.G.S.
 PETROGRAPHY OF IGNEOUS ROCKS FROM AMLIA ISLAND,
ALEUTIAN ISLAND ARC, ALASKA

INTRODUCTION

T h i s r e p o r t p r e s e n t s t h e r e s u l t s of d e t a i l e d microscopic examination of
of igneous rock t h i n s e c t i o n s from Amlia I s l a n d of t h e A l e u t i a n c h a i n ( F i g .
I ) , and i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s of t h o s e d a t a . The r o c k s were c o l l e c t e d i n J u l y ,
1979, as p a r t of a l a r g e r s t u d y of i s l a n d a r c , f o r e a r c , and t r e n c h
s e d i m e n t a t i o n and t e c t o n i c s of t h e Amlia C o r r i d o r of t h e A l e u t i a n I s l a n d Arc
(Hein and McLean, 1980; McLean and o t h e r s , 1981; S c h o l l and o t h e r s , 1981;
V a L l i e r and o t h e r s , 1981). These s t u d i e s a r e d e s i g n e d t o deduce t h e g e o l o g i c
e v o l u t i o n of t h e A l e u t i a n Ridge by examination of t h e g e o p h y s i c a l and
l i t h o l o g i c r e c o r d s i n a 200-km-wide c o r r i d o r t r a v e r s i n g t h e A l e u t i a n I s l a n d
Arc p e r p e n d i c u l a r t o i t s a x i s from t h e P a c i f i c Basin t o t h e Bering Sea. Arnlia
I s l a n d (173OW) i s i n c l u d e d i n t h i s c o r r i d o r .

P r i o r t o t h e r e c o n n a i s s a n c e geology of McLean and o t h e r s ( 1 9 8 0 ) , no

g e o l o g i c s t u d y of Amlia I s l a n d had been undertaken. The main t h r u s t of t h e
i n v e s t i g a t i o n s i n 1979 c e n t e r e d on s a m p l e - c o l l e c t i o n and r e c o r d i n g of f i e l d
o b s e r v a t i o n s and r e l a t i o n s . Among t h e many samples c o l l e c t e d t h a t summer w a s
a s u i t e of f o r t y - n i n e igneous rocks. A s u b - s u i t e of t h i r t y - o n e samples was
chosen from t h e f o r t y - n i n e f o r chemical and o t h e r s t u d i e s . D e t a i l e d
m i c r o s c o p i c t h i n s e c t i o n examinations of the f o r t y - n i n e igneous rocks were
undertaken and 500-point modal c o u n t s were performed on t h e t h i r t y - o n e
s e l e c t e d f o r chemistry. The o t h e r e i g h t e e n s e c t i o n s were examined i n d e t a i l
and p e r c e n t a g e s of m i n e r a l p h a s e s , v e s i c l e s , and amygdules were e s t i m a t e d
u s i n g t h e v i s u a l p e r c e n t a g e e s t i m a t i o n diagram of T e r r y and C h i l i n g a r
(1955). Rock names f o r t h e t h i r t y - o n e samples s e l e c t e d for c h e m i s t r y were
d e r i v e d from t h e chemical c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of I r v i n e and Baragar ( 1 9 7 1 ) , whereas
names f o r t h e e i g h t e e n remaining samples were d e r i v e d from p e t r o g r a p h i c
criteria. The samples i n t h i s s t u d y were a l s o a n a l y z e d by X-ray d i f f r a c t i o n
t e c h n i q u e which a i d e d i n t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of m i n e r a l p h a s e s i n t h i n s e c t i o n .

GEOLOGIC SETTING
The A l e u t i a n Ridge r e p r e s e n t s a t y p i c a l e n s i m a t i c v o l c a n i c a r c which i s
mostly submerged. The A l e u t i a n I s l a n d s r e p r e s e n t peaks on a g e n e r a l l y f l a t -
topped s t r u c t u r e t h a t i s 2,200 km l o n g and 200-250 km wide. Amlia I s l a n d i s
one of t h e s e "mountain peaks" of t h e A l e u t i a n Ridge. I t i s n e a r t h e e a s t end
of t h e Andreanof I s l a n d group, a d j a c e n t t o Atka I s l a n d . The i s l a n d i s 72 km
l o n g i n an e a s t - w e s t o r i e n t a t i o n , a b o u t 8 k m wide at i t s maximum, and its
c e n t r a l r i d g e r e a c h e s a maximum e l e v a t i o n of a b o u t 600 m. The topography of
t h e i s l a n d is rugged and i t s c o a s t l i n e i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by many s e a c l i f f s ,
bays, and coves. I t is b a r r e n e x c e p t f o r law summertime t u n d r a v e g e t a t i o n .
Although t h e r e is no a c t i v e volcanism on Amlia, it i s e v i d e n t t h a t volcanism
was r e s p o n s i b l e f o r i t s c o n s t r u c t i o n . The r o c k s of Amlia a r e t i l t e d g e n e r a l l y
t e n t o f i f t e e n d e g r e e s t o t h e s o u t h , a l l o w i n g exposure of a p a r t i a l
s t r a t i g r a p h i c section. Weak f o l d i n g and abundant f a u l t i n g a r e e v i d e n t i n t h e
v o l c a n i c p i l e , and t h e r o c k s have been a l t e r e d by d i a g e n e s i s and l o w grade
metamorphism. The igneous r o c k s range i n composition from b a s a l t t h r o u g h
r h y o l i t e , and t h e sedimentary r o c k s r e p r e s e n t f i r s t c y c l e e r o s i o n p r o d u c t s
from a nearby v o l c a n i c landmass.

The p r o c e s s e s which formed Amlia I s l a n d a r e t h o u g h t t o have begun i n

Eocene time and c o n t i n u e d i n t o t h e Neogene (McLean and o t h e r s , 1981).
E x t r u s i v e volcanism began t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n and i n t r u s i v e a c t i v i t y , t e c t o n i s m ,
and e r o s i o n / d e p o s i t i o n c y c l e s augmented it. The v o l c a n i c r o c k s of Amlia
I s l a n d a p p a r e n t l y i n c l u d e both submarine and s u b a e r i a l , c o n s i s t i n g of flow
b r e c c i a s and massive, columnar and p i l l o w e d l a v a flows. The i n t r u s i v e r o c k s
c o n s i s t of d i k e s , s i l l s , and o t h e r hypabyssal i n t r u s i o n s . Figure 2 is a
g e o l o g i c s k e t c h rrap of m l i a I s l a n d , w i t h sample l o c a l i t i e s i n d i c a t e d .

PETROGRAPHY
E x t r u s i v e r o c k s of Amlia I s l a n d i n c l u d e b a s a l t , b a s a l t i c a n d e s i t e ,
a n d e s i t e , d a c i t e , and r h y o l i t e . The i n t r u s i v e r o c k s i n c l u d e gabbro, b a s a l t ,
b a s a l t i c a n d e s i t e , t o n a l i t e , and d a c i t e . The e x t r u s i v e r o c k s a r e g e n e r a l l y
q u i t e g l a s s y , d i s p l a y i n g much i n c i p i e n t c r y s t a l l i z a t i o n and are
plagioclase/pyroxene phyric. The i n t r u s i v e r o c k s f r e q u e n t l y have i n t e r s e r t a l
g l a s s i n t h e groundmass b u t a r e o t h e r w i s e p l a g i o c l a s e / p y r o x e n e p h y r i c
granular. A l l t h e r o c k s d i s p l a y i n c i p i e n t t o thorough p r o p y l i t i c
a l t e r a t i o n . * The mineralogy of t h e r o c k s i s r a t h e r c o n s t a n t . The main
v a r i a t i o n s a r e i n t h e p r o p o r t i o n of m i n e r a l s t o one a n o t h e r r a t h e r t h a n
d i f f e r e n c e s i n mineralogy. T a b l e 1 summarizes t h e primary mineralogy by rock
type. A l l samples c o n t a i n p l a g i o c l a s e , c l i n o p y r o x e n e , orthopyroxene, and Fe-
T i oxides. Primary phases which occur i n only r a r e samples a r e amphibole,
a p a t i t e , p o t a s h f e l d s p a r , o l i v i n e , and q u a r t z . Most o f t h e r o c k s c o n t a i n
p h e n o c r y s t s of p l a g i o c l a s e , c l i n o p y r o x e n e , and orthopyroxene. Rocks e x c l u s i v e
of b a s a l t , gabbro, and t o n a l i t e c o n t a i n p h e n o c r y s t s of p o t a s h f e l d s p a r and a l l
r o c k s e x c l u s i v e of b a s a l t i c a n d e s i t e c o n t a i n Fe-Ti o x i d e ( o r e ) p h e n o c r y s t s .
Only t o n a l i t e c o n t a i n s primary amphibole. Primary groundmass p h a s e s i n c l u d e
p l a g i o c l a s e , c l i n o p y r o x e n e , orthopyroxene, q u a r t z , p o t a s h f e l d s p a r , o r e ,
o l i v i n e , and a p a t i t e . Potash f e l d s p a r , a s a groundmass phase, i s found only
i n r h y o l i t e and b a s a l t i c a n d e s i t e . A p a t i t e i s a n a c c e s s o r y phase i n a l l rock
t y p e s excLusive of b a s a l t i c a n d e s i t e and t o n a l i t e . Olivine ( t o t a l l y replaced
by c a l c i t e ) i s found only i n i s o l a t e d samples. T e x t u r e s i n t h e Amlia r o c k s
a r e f e l t e d , h y a l o o p h i t i c , h y a l o p i l i t i c , hypidiomorphic g r a n u l a r ,
i n t e r g r a n u l a r , i n t e r s e r t a l , m i c r o l i t i c , s u b o p h i t i c , and s u b t r a c h y t i c . A l l the
v o l c a n i c r o c k s a r e p o r p h y r i t i c w i t h most samples having groundmass t e x t u r e s
from i n t e r g r a n u l a r t o i n t e r s e r t a l , t e n d i n g towards h y a l o p i l i t i c .
Deformational t e x t u r e s a r e a b s e n t i n t h e r o c k s and phase changes a r e
r e s t r i c t e d t o s i m p l e d e v i t r i f i c a t i o n and r e c r y s t a l l i z a t i o n . V e s i c l e
p e r c e n t a g e s i n t h e Amlia v o l c a n i c s a r e r a t h e r low; most samples c o n t a i n l e s s
t h a n ten p e r c e n t . Maximum v e s i c u l a t i o n , determined by modal a n a l y s e s , i s
t h i r t y p e r c e n t i n a b a s a l t sample t a k e n from t h e n o r t h c o a s t of t h e i s l a n d .

Metasomatic a l t e r a t i o n of t h e Amlia r o c k s i s most e v i d e n t i n t h e

groundmass g l a s s e s . I n most i n s t a n c e s , t h e s e g l a s s e s have t o t a l l y d e v i t r i f i e d
t o z e o l i t e s and c l a y m i n e r a l s . M i c r o l i t e s and s k e l e t a l c r y s t a l s of
amphibole(?), a n a l c i t e ( ? ) , b i o t i t e ( ? ) , celadonite, c h l o r i t e , chlorophaeite**,

* r e f e r s t o hydrothermal a l t e r a t i o n r e s u l t i n g i n t h e f o r m a t i o n of c a l c i t e ,
c h l o r i t e , e p i d o t e , and similar low-grade metamorphic m i n e r a l s .

** Green t o greenish-brown s m e c t i t e m i n e r a l of v a r i a b l e Fe and M g c o n t e n t s ,

w i t h composition between n o n t r o n i t e and s a p o n i t e .
 e f
A ;
; V o k r n i c rock8 with pYow f b w a

I 0 I 10 16 20 25 KYOMETERS
l * l * L 1 1 I 1 I I

A Trhngubth a t r t k n
I I I

Fig. 2. Geologk Sketch Map of Amlla Island showing igneous rock sample iocalities. (Courtesy H. McLean)
 Table 1. SUmary ot p r i m a r y mineralogy, igneous rocks of Arnlia I s l a n d .

E x t r u s i v e Rocks
Phenocrysts Groundmass
Rock Type Clino- Fe-Ti Ortho- Plagio- Potash Clino- Fe-Ti Ortho- Plagio- Potash
pyroxene o x i d e o r e O l i v i n e pyroxene c l a s e Feldspar A p a t i t e pyroxene oxide o r e Glass O l i v i n e pyroxene c l a s e Feldspar Quartz

Basalt x x X x x X X X X X X X X
Basaltic
Andesite x x x
Andesite x x x x x
Dacite x x x x x
Rhyolite x x x x x
I n t r u s i v e Rocks

Phenocrysts Groundmas s
Amphi- Clino- Fe-Ti Ortho- Plagio- Potash Clino- Fe-Ti Ortho- Plagio- Potash
Rock Type bole pyroxene oxide or&yroxene c l a s e Feldspar A p a t i t e B i o t i t e ? pyroxene oxide o r e Glass pyroxene c l a s e Feldspar Quartz

Basalt x X
Basaltic
Andesite x x x x
Dacite x x x
Gabbro x x x x
Tonalite x x x x x
and o t h e r smectites, e p i d o t e ( ? ) , g o e t h i t e ( ? ) , hematite, m g n e t i t e ( ? ) ,
pumpellyite, and z e o l i t e s a r e visible i n v a r i o u s a s s o c i a t i o n s i n almost a l l of
t h e glasses. P r o p y l i t i c o r secondary mineral phases observed i n t h e Amlia
,
igneous rocks i n c l u d e amphibole, a n a l c i t e , b i o t i t e ( 7 ) c a l c i t e ,
c e l a d o n i t e , c h l o r i t e , c h l o r o p h a e i t e and o t h e r s m e c t i t e s , e p i d o t e , g o e t h i t e ,
hematite, k a o l i n i t e , leucoxene, p r e h n i t e ( ? ) , pumpellyite, s e r i c i t e ( ? ) , and
n a t r o l i t e and o t h e r z e o l i t e s (Table 2 ) . Clinopyroxene is r e p l a c e d by
amphibole, c h l o r i t e , s m e c t i t e ( ? ) , p u m p e l l y i t e ( ? ) , and c h l o r o p h a e i t e . Olivine
i s r e p l a c e d by c a l c i t e , s m e c t i t e , and c h l o r o p h a e i t e . Ore phases a r e r e p l a c e d
by h e m a t i t e and leucoxene. Potash f e l d s p a r i s r e p l a c e d by k a o l i n i t e ,
pumpellyite, s e r i c i t e ( ? ) , and z e o l i t e s . Orthopyroxene i s r e p l a c e d by c a l c i t e ,
c h l o r i t e , hematite, and c h l o r o p h a e i t e and o t h e r s m e c t i t e s . Plagioclase i s
r e p l a c e d by e p i d o t e , k a o l i n i t e , p r e h n i t e ( ? ) , pumpellyite, s e r i c i t e ( ? ) ,
s m e c t i t e , and z e o l i t e s .

D e u t e r i c a c t i v i t y i n t h e form of v e s i c l e f i l l i n g s and c r o s s - c u t t i n g
v e i n l e t s i s abundant i n many of t h e rocks, p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e e x t r u s i v e rocks
(Tables 3 and 4 ) . V e s i c l e f i l l i n g s i n b a s a l t s i n c l u d e c a l c i t e , c h l o r o p h a e i t e
and o t h e r s m e c t i t e s , q u a r t z , n a t r o l i t e ( 7 1 , and o t h e r z e o l i t e s . Chlorophaeite,
q u a r t z , p u m p e l l y i t e ( ? ) and z e o l i t e amygdules were seen i n b a s a l t i c
andesites. Q u a r t z , s m e c t i t e , and z e o l i t e amygdules occur i n a n d e s i t e s . The
d a c i t e s c o n t a i n only s m e c t i t e amygdules, whereas the r h y o l i t e s have amygdules
of c h l o r o p h a e i t e , q u a r t z , and z e o l i t e s . Deuteric minerals d e p o s i t e d i n c r o s s -
c u t t i n g v e i n l e t s cover an even l a r g e r , b u t s i m i l a r , range of mineral phases.
V e i n l e t s c o n t a i n i n g a n a l c i t e , c a l c i t e , g o e t h i t e , q u a r t z , s m e c t i t e , and
z e o l i t e s were observed i n b a s a l t s . Andesites d i s p l a y e d v e i n l e t s c o n t a i n i n g
hematite, manganic o x i d e ( ? ) and q u a r t z . Dacites have v e i n l e t s composed of
c h l o r o p h a e i t e and o t h e r s m e c t i t e s , g o e t h i t e , hematite, k a o l i n i t e , p r e h n i t e ( ? ) ,
q u a r t z , n a t r o l i t e ( ? ) and o t h e r z e o l i t e s . RhyoLites showed v e i n l e t s made up of
e p i d o t e ( ? ) , hematite, pumpellyite, and q u a r t z . Table 5 summarizes a l l
p e t r o g r a p h i c data.

PETROLOGY AND DISCUSSION

Major, minor, and t r a c e element chemistry of s e l e c t e d igneous rock

samples from AmLia I s l a n d are p r e s e n t e d and d i s c u s s e d by MCLean and o t h e r s ,
(1981), and V a l l i e r and o t h e r s , (1981; i n p r e p a r a t i o n ) . I n t h i s s t u d y , an
a t t e m p t i s made t o document t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n and a l t e r a t i o n of primary phases
i n t h e igneous rocks of Amlia I s l a n d through space and time, and t o s u g g e s t
mechanisms f o r t h e o r i g i n and subsequent metamorphism of t h e s e phases.

The rocks have calc-alkaline/tholeiitic mineral assemblages when

r e c o n s t r u c t e d by chemical and normative techniques ( V a l l i e r and o t h e r s ,
1981). The range and d i s t r i b u t i o n of t h e component phases a r e r a t h e r
remarkable, however, i n t h a t m f i c minerals l i k e clinopyroxene, a r e often
abundant i n t h e r h y o l i t e s , and minerals such a s q u a r t z a r e o f t e n abundant even
i n basalt. Both phenocryst and groundmass p l a g i o c l a s e compositions determined
by t h e o p t i c a l method of MicheL-Levy, have high a n o r t h i t e c o n t e n t
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of p l a g i o c l a s e of t h e t h o l e i i t i c s u i t e . Even h i g h e r a n o r t h i t e
c o n t e n t s were o b t a i n e d by microprobe a n a l y s i s . Table 6 summarizes microprobe
a n a l y s e s of p l a g i o c l a s e i n s e l e c t e d Amlia samples.

Potash f e l d s p a r was i d e n t i f i e d by t h e presence of s o l i t a r y Carlsbad

twinning and a x i a l angles (2E) of less than 4 0 9 . They are probably potassium-
 Table 2. Mineral phase replacement, igneous rocks of Amlia Island

Extrusive Rocks
Rock Amphi- Anal- B i o t i t e ? Calcite Cela- Chlorite Chloro- Epidote Hematite Kaolinite Leu- Pumpel- S e r i c i t e ? Smectite Zeolites
TYP~ bole? c i t e ? replaces replaces donite replaces phaeite replaces replaces replaces coxene l y ite replaces (alkali) (undif f .
replaces replaces replaces replaces replaces replaces replaces replaces

Basalt 9
Glass
-
Glass
plag
Olivine
OPX
-
Glass
opx
Glass
Olivine
Glass
plag
Fe-Ti
oxide
plag Fe-Ti
oxide
Glass
plag
plag *
Glass
-
Glass
plag
OPX (ore) (ore) -OPX
plag
Basal- Glass opx Glass Fe-Ti Fe-Ti -
cpx plag -
Glass Glass
tic opx Glass oxide oxide Glass OPX
Andes- OPX (ore (ore) plag
ite
Andes- OPX Glass Glass Glass plag Glass plag -
Glass plag F Glass
ite Glass OPX OPX OPX plag Glass plag
2E5
plag
Dacite CPX ~ e - ~ iplag ~ e - ~ Glass
i plag Glass lass
Glass -
oxide oxide OPX
(ore) (ore)
Rhyolite Glass cpx lag plag Fe-Ti plag Glass -
Glass
Glass Fe-Ti oxide Glass OPX lag
OPX oxide (ore) opx
(ore) plag
Glass
opx
 Table 2 . (Continued) .
Intrusive ~ o c k s
Rock Amphibole Biotite? Calcite C h l o r i t e Chlorophaeite Hematite Kaolinite Leucoxene Prehnite? P m p e l l y i t e Sericite? Smectite Z e o l i t e s
Type replaces replaces replaces replaces replaces replaces replaces replaces replaces replaces replaces (alkali (Undif)
replaces) replaces

Basalt Glass lag plag Glass

plag
Basal- Glass *!?x -
Glass OPX Fe-Ti Glass plag Glass Glass
tic OPX oxide plag
Andes- (ore) CPX
ite
Dacite Glass Fe-Ti ~ e - ~ i plag
OPX oxide oxide
(ore l (ore)
Gabbro cpx * Fe-Ti lag Fe-Ti pla9 E Glass
925 oxide oxide -
Glass
(ore) (ore) 95
plag
Tonal i t e lag Fe-Ti
oxide
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 Table 6 . Representative microprobe analyses of p l a g i o c l a s e , Amlia
Island volcanic rocks. David Clague and Walter Friesen, Analysts.

779-7-6B (Basalt)
PC1 PC2 PC3 PC4

SiO 46.88 45.95 47.98 48.29

2

Total 100.51 100.19 99.91 100.59

Atomic proportions, 0 = 8

Or, mol% 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3

A b , mol% 11.6 9.0 16.7 16.4
An, mol% 88.2 90.8 83.0 83.3
 Table 6. (Continued)

779-11-4A (Basalt) 779-15-1C (Basalt) 779-11-2 (Basalt)

1 2 PCI PC2 PC3 PC1 PC 2 PC3

Total 101.07 100.40

Atomic p r o p o r t i o n s , 0 = 8
Si 2.221 2.217
A1 1.737 1.748
+2
Fe 0.025 0.024

O r , mol% 0.3 0.4

Ab, mol% 14.9 16.2
An, mol% 84.8 83.4
 Table 6. (Continued)

779-9-1B (Bas. ~ndesite) 779-14-4B (Bas. ~ n d e s i t e )

PC1 PC2 PC3 PC4

Na20 3.22
0.11
K2°
Total 100.86
A t o m i c proportions , 0 = 8
Si 2.306
A1 1.663
+2
Fe 0.036
Ca 0.712
Na 0.283
K 0.006
or, mol% 0.6
Ab, mol% 28.3
An, mol% 71.1
 Table 6 . (Continued) .
779-9-3B (Rhyolite)

PC1 PC2

Total 100.60
A t m i c proportions, 0 = 8

Si 2.474
A1 1.500
+2
Fe 0.024
Ca 0.567

K 0.024

Or, mol% 2.4

An, m o l % 56.4
r i c h s a n i d i n e i n composition. They a r e , i n g e n e r a l , r a r e l y p h a n e r o c r y s t a l l i n e
and are, when p h a n e r i t i c , mostly very h i g h l y a l t e r e d . The c l i n o p y r o x e n e i s
g e n e r a l l y a u g i t e , o f t e n d i s p l a y i n g a b l a c k or greenish-black c o l o r i n hand
specimen and, u s u a l l y , a n e u t r a l c o l o r i n t h i n s e c t i o n . O p t i c a l l y , they y i e l d
i n c l i n e d e x t i n c t i o n s t o a b o u t 4 5 * , w i t h an a x i a l a n g l e (23) of a b o u t 600.
They o f t e n i n c l u d e a c i c u l a r m i c r o l i t e s of a p a t i t e , c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of
t h o l e i i t i c d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n . Orthopyroxene ( r a r e l y u n a l t e r e d ) is, i n g e n e r a l ,
iron-poor h y p e r s t h e n e . It i s f a i n t l y p l e o c h r o i c from p a l e pink t o p a l e g r e e n
and g e n e r a l l y y i e l d s an a x i a l a n g l e (2E) of a b o u t 6 S 0 , i n d i c a t i n g t h e p r e s e n c e
of a b o u t 30 p e r c e n t f e r r o s i l i t e end-member. No f r e s h o l i v i n e was observed i n
any of t h e Amlia samples, b u t some of t h e b a s a l t s have c a l c i t e pseudornorphs
b e a r i n g t h e rhombic a s p e c t of o l i v i n e c r y s t a l s . O r e p h a s e s o c c u r a s
p h e n o c r y s t s i n n e a r l y a l l t h e A m l i a igneous rocks. P h e n o c r y s t s of e l o n g a t e
o r t h o g o n a l and l a r g e hexagonal a s p e c t o f t e n d i s p l a y gray r e f l e c t a n c e w i t h a
v i o l e t t i n t , and a r e o f t e n a l t e r e d p e r i p h e r a l l y and i n t e r n a l l y t o leucoxene.
Cubic and rhombic o r e p h a s e s g e n e r a l l y d i s p l a y gray r e f l e c t a n c e w i t h a b l u i s h
tint. Some of t h e s e p h a s e s have a l t e r e d s u p e r f i c i a l l y t o leucoxene and
hematite. More have a l t e r e d t o h e m a t i t e a l o n e . Some a r e s o completely
a l t e r e d t o h e m a t i t e t h a t t h e y a r e uniformly t r a n s l u c e n t i n blood-red hues.
T h e primary m i n e r a l p h a s e s p r e s e n t i n t h e o r e s a r e probably m a g n e t i t e ,
t i t a n o m a g n e t i t e , and i l m e n i t e . Quartz does n o t occur a s p h e n o c r y s t s i n t h e
r o c k s of Amlia I s l a n d , y e t it i s a c o n s t i t u e n t i n many samples where it o f t e n
a p p e a r s a s an a n h e d r a l groundmass phase. More f r e q u e n t l y , q u a r t z a p p e a r s a s
m i c r o s c o p i c t o submicroscopic rounded b l e b s t h a t a p p a r e n t l y c r y s t a l l i z e d from
g l a s s . Primary b i o t i t e ( ? ) was observed only i n a gabbro sample from a small
hypabyssal i n t r u s i o n exposed on t h e n o r t h s i d e of Hungry Bay. A 1 1 o t h e r
b i o t i t e ( ? ) observed a p p e a r s t o be secondary. Primary amphibole was n o t e d o n l y
i n a t o n a l i t e sample from a s i l l exposed a t t h e f i r s t bay e a s t of Sharp P o i n t .

I t a p p e a r s from the mineralogy observed i n thin s e c t i o n , hand specimen,

and i n t h e f i e l d t h a t t h e igneous r o c k s of Amlia I s l a n d were d e r i v e d from
magmas of c a l c - a l k a l i n e and t h o l e i i t i c c h a r a c t e r . They a r e n o t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c
of o l i v i n e - r i c h mid-ocean r i d g e p e t r o g e n e s i s nor of t h e s i l i c a - p o o r , a l k a l i -
o l i v i n e b a s a l t s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h Hawaiian-type i s l a n d c h a i n s . The s i m p l e and
r a t h e r c o n t i n u o u s primary mineralogy of c a l c i c p l a g i o c l a s e , a u g i t e , and
h y p e r s t h e n e , i r o n - t i t a n i u m o x i d e o r e p h a s e s , a p a t i t e , and r a t h e r r a r e q u a r t z
s u g g e s t s i s l a n d a r c o r c o n t i n e n t a l margin-type volcanism.

There is c o n s i d e r a b l e e v i d e n c e i n t h i n s e c t i o n i n d i c a t i n g t h a t
c r y s t a l l i z a t i o n o c c u r r e d c l o s e t o t h e l i q u i d u s and t h a t some w a l l r o c k o r
e a r l i e r c r y s t a l l i z i n g p h a s e s were i n c o r p o r a t e d i n the magmas t h a t formed t h e
A m l i a rocks. Most of t h e r o c k s , even t h e i n t r u s i v e ones, a r e glomerophyric,
and u s u a l l y b e a r numerous i s o l a t e d p h e n o c r y s t s as w e l l . Orthopyroxene i s
l e a s t commonly glomerophyric and o c c u r s a s small euhedra. Perhaps t h i s
i n d i c a t e s i n i t i a l slow c o o l i n g and s t a b l e c o n d i t i o n s as c r y s t a l l i z a t i o n began
i n t h e magma chamber or chambers, a l l o w i n g t h e u n i n h i b i t e d c r y s t a l l i z a t i o n of
t h e orthopyroxene i n a r a t h e r v i s c o u s m e l t . Plagioclase, too, is frequently
an i s o l a t e d p h e n o c r y s t , as a r e c l i n o p y r o x e n e and t h e o r e p h a s e s . Rarely,
however, a r e any o f t h e l a s t t h r e e p h a s e s e u h e d r a l , and t h e y o f t e n show
e v i d e n c e of r e s o r p t i o n . P l a g i o c l a s e and ~ L i n o p y r o x e n ef r e q u e n t l y d i s p l a y
s t r o n g z o n a t i o n , i n d i c a t i n g l a t e r changes i n magmatic composition. O f t e n , a l l
f o u r major p h e n o c r y s t p h a s e s a r e found grown t o g e t h e r i n small c l u s t e r s of
half-a-dozen t o a dozen c r y s t a l s . I n sample 8-lB, a few g a b b r o i c x e n o l i t h -
l i k e c l u s t e r s were observed suspended i n a much f i n e r - g r a i n e d groundmass.
These o b s e r v a t i o n s s u g g e s t m c h c r y s t a l s e t t l i n g w i t h subsequent d i s t u r b a n c e
and m o b i l i z a t i o n of c r y s t a l s i n t h e magma, accompanied by i n f l u x e s of m a t e r i a l
( p e r h a p s by e t o p i n g of w a l l r o c k ) of d i f f e r e n t composition. P l a g i o c l a s e and
c l i n o p y r o x e n e o f t e n i n c l u d e numerous b l e b s of g l a s s , i n d i c a t i n g r a p i d c r y s t a l
growth and r e s o r p t i o n . Groundmass p h a s e s a r e o f t e n i n c l u d e d i n f e l d s p a r and
c l i n o p y r o x e n e p h e n o c r y s t s , i n d i c a t i n g l a t e , r a p i d , p h e n o c r y s t growth.

Ongoing magmatic a c t i v i t y was l i k e l y r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e low-grade

metamorphism of t h e Amlia rocks. The r o c k s have been h y d r o t h e r m a l l y a l t e r e d ,
b e g i n n i n g w i t h u b i q u i t o u s s m e c t i t i z a t i o n and p r o c e e d i n g through t h e r a r e r and
more i s o l a t e d s a u s s u r i t i z a t i o n . The exposed s t r a t i g r a p h i c sequence on Amlia
i s cut by numerous d i k e s , s i l l s , and small, s t o c k - l i k e hypabyssal i n t r u s i o n s
composed of rocks similar i n composition t o t h e i r h o s t s . Since d i f f e r e n t
t y p e s of a l t e r a t i o n such as s m e c t i t i z a t i o n , s e r i c i t i z a t i o n , k a o l i n i t i z a t i o n ,
z e o l i t i z a t i o n , and c a l c i t i z a t i o n a r e v i r t u a l l y u b i q u i t o u s t h r o u g h o u t t h e
i s l a n d , and r a t h e r uniform i n t h e i r e f f e c t , it may be s u g g e s t e d t h a t s e v e r a l
t y p e s of metasomatic a c t i v i t y probably were a t work through s p a c e and time and
were r a t h e r r e g i o n a l i n scope. McLean and o t h e r s (1981) proposed b a t h o l i t h i c -
s c a l e i n t r u s i o n i n t h e r e g i o n of nearby Atka I s l a n d a s t h e s o u r c e for t h e
g e n e r a l i z e d h e a t i n g , deformation, and e x h a l a t i v e a c t i v i t i e s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r
t h e a l t e r a t i o n o f t h e Amlia r o c k s , and l o c a l i z e d i n t r u s i o n by f e e d e r s t o
s u p p l y t h e h i g h e r t e m p e r a t u r e s and f l u i d s n e c e s s a r y f o r s a u s s u r i t i z a t i o n and
intense zeolitization. Some of t h e s e same, o r a t least s i m i l a r , p l u t o n s may
e x t e n d h n e a t h t h e o u t c r o p s on Amlia I s l a n d .

Apparently, t h e f i r s t p h a s e s t o be a l t e r e d i n t h e r o c k s were o l i v i n e and

orthopyroxene. They a r e t y p i c a l l y a l t e r e d t o c a l c i t e or c a l c i t e and
s m e c t i t e s . The a l t e r a t i o n , sometimes only p a t c h y , i s l e a s t s e v e r e i n r o c k s
from t h e s o u t h e a s t end of t h e i s l a n d . T h i s i s t y p i c a l l y where t h e youngest
r o c k s a r e exposed. Perhaps t h e e a r l i e s t f l u i d s m i g r a t i n g through t h e r o c k s
were r i c h i n COZ , HZOI s i l i c o n , calcium, sodium, and aluminum. I n s e v e r a l
r o c k s from w e s t e r n Amlia, c a l c i t e replacement of orthopyroxene was succeeded
by a l k a l i - r i c h s m e c t i t e and t h e n by a l k a l i - i r o n smectite ( c h l o r o p h a e i t e ) i n
s u c c e s s i v e rims.

O r e p h a s e s d i s p l a y minor t o t o t a l a l t e r a t i o n t h r o u g h o u t t h e exposed
volcanic p i l e . The p r i n c i p a l a l t e r a t i o n p r o d u c t s a r e h e m a t i t e a n d
leucoxene. Heating, and changes i n w a t e r vapor p r e s s u r e due t o mgma chamber
breaching, t o g e t h e r w i t h f r e e l y - m i g r a t i n g oxygen i n hydrothermal f l u i d s , c o u l d
a c c o u n t f o r t h e p a r t i a l - t o - t o t a l o x i d a t i o n o f the o r e p h a s e s t o h e m a t i t e and
a n a t a s e ( 7 ) ( l e u c o x e n e ) t h a t i s f r e q u e n t l y s e e n i n t h e Amlia rocks. Alteration
of t h e o r e s t o h e m a t i t e i s s e e n i n a l l Amlia r o c k s , b u t is mst i n t e n s e and
complete i n samples from t h e n o r t h c e n t r a l c o a s t . Leucoxene a l t e r a t i o n i s
a p p a r e n t only i n t h e e a s t e r n t h r e e - q u a r t e r s of t h e i s l a n d , w i t h t h e g r e a t e s t
i n t e n s i t y observed i n r o c k s from t h e n o r t h c e n t r a l coast.

Clinopyroxene and i t s i n c l u d e d a p a t i t e are the l e a s t a l t e r e d of a l l t h e

p h a s e s e n c o u n t e r e d i n t h e Amlia rocks. Although f r e q u e n t l y r a t h e r deformed,
sector-zoned, xesorbed, and i n t e r n a l l y g r a n u l a t e d , c l i n o p y r o x e n e g e n e r a l l y
s t a n d s o u t f r e s h amid i t s more a l t e r e d neighbors. Although a l t e r a t i o n of
c l i n o p y r o x e n e is i n f r e q u e n t , t h e u s u a l p r o d u c t s a r e s m e c t i t e , p u m p e l l y i t e , o r
amphibole. The a m p h i b o l i z a t i o n may r e p r e s e n t d e u t e r i c a l t e r a t i o n . The
a l t e r a t i o n is most a p p a r e n t i n t h e i n t r u s i v e r o c k s and i n t h e m r e a c i d i c
r o c k s s u b j e c t e d t o t h e h i g h e s t metamorphic grades.
 P l a g i o c l a s e and p o t a s h f e l d s p a r d i s p l a y a broad range of a l t e r a t i o n , from
t h e most s u p e r f i c i a l ( a s i n 9-3A) t o t o t a l replacement ( a s i n 13-41. The
least a l t e r e d f e l d s p a r o c c u r s i n a d a c i t e p i l l o w l a v a from t h e e a s t end of
A m l i a , whereas t h e most a l t e r e d f e l d s p a r ( z e o l i t i z e d ) o c c u r s i n a massive
b a s a l t f l o w n e a r t h e n o r t h w e s t end of t h e i s l a n d . The most u b i q u i t o u s
a l t e r a t i o n s of both p l a g i o c l a s e and p o t a s h f e l d s p a r a r e s e r i c i t i z a t i o n and
kaolinitization. These a l t e r a t i o n s m y be s e e n t o a g r e a t e r o r l e s s e r e x t e n t
throughout t h e volcanic p i l e . S e r i c i t e ( ? ) o c c u r s m o s t abundantly i n some of
t h e i n t r u s i v e r o c k s of t h e i s l a n d and i n t h e i r v o l c a n i c h o s t rocks.
K a o l i n i t i z a t i o n of t h e f e l d s p a r s i s a l s o g e n e r a l i z e d , b u t s p o t t i e r i n
i n t e n s i t y t h a n t h e s e r i c i t i z a t i o n . The b a s i c t r e n d , however, f o l l o w s t h a t of
t h e s e r i c i t e : more i n t e n s e k a o l i n i t i z a t i o n i n t h e r o c k s of w e s t e r n and
n o r t h e r n Amlia, more i n t e n s e k a o l i n i t i z a t i o n i n c e r t a i n i n t r u s i v e r o c k s and
t h e i r v o l c a n i c h o s t s , and more i n t e n s e k a o l i n i t i z a t i o n a s s o c i a t e d w i t h r o c k s
s u b j e c t e d t o h i g h e r metamorphic grade. Z e o l i t i z a t i o n i s f r e q u e n t l y observed
i n t h e f e l d s p a r s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n the r o c k s from t h e n o r t h and west of
Amlia. Z e o l i t i z a t i o n of t h e f e l d s p a r s i s g e n e r a l l y m c h l o c a l i z e d (i.e., t o
obvious zones of hydrothermal a c t i v i t y ) . The f e l d s p a r s of t h e v o l c a n i c
b r e c c i a s a r e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a l l y t h e most z e o l i t i z e d . Z e o l i t i z a t i o n occurs
f i r s t a l o n g f r a c t u r e s , t h e n p r o c e e d s t o i n c l u d e d g l a s s , and f i n a l l y moves t o
t o t a l replacement. S m e c t i t i z a t i o n , r a r e i n t h e f e l d s p a r s , sometimes
accompanies z e o l i t i z a t i o n . T h i s s u g g e s t s h y d r a t i o n and ion-exchange by f l u i d
m i g r a t i o n through the rocks. The f e l d s p a r s t h e m e 2 v e s a r e i n f r e q u e n t l y
s a u s s u r i t i z e d , a l t h o u g h e p i d o t e , p u m p e l l y i t e , and p r e h n i t e a r e o c c a s i o n a l l y
observed as a l t e r a t i o n p r o d u c t s . Here, h i g h e r grade metamorphism a s s o c i a t e d
w i t h magmatic i n t r u s i o n and c o n c o m i t t e n t c i r c u l a t i o n of hydrothermal f l u i d s
r i c h i n i r o n , calcium, mgnesium, aluminum, s i l i c o n , and hydroxyl i o n s i s
apparent. A l b i t i z a t i o n was n o t observed i n t h e Amlia rocks. The groundmass
f e l d s p a r s a r e g e n e r a l l y t o o c a l c i c , t y p i c a l l y s k e l e t a l , and r e t a i n t h e i r
twinned forms. Also, t e m p e r a t u r e s of metamorphism appear t o be t o o low t o
g e n e r a t e secondary a l b i t e .

The rocks of Amlia I s l a n d were h i g h l y g l a s s y . The g r e a t e s t spectrum of

a l t e r a t i o n i s t o be found i n t h e g l a s s e s . D e v i t r i f i c a t i o n is usually t o t a l i n
a l l t h e rocks. There a r e a few c u r i o u s l y - s p a c e d e x c e p t i o n s ! The g l a s s e s a r e
most o f t e n a l t e r e d t o z e o l i t e s and s m e c t i t e s . I n c e r t a i n i n s t a n c e s , however,
t h e metamorphic grade was h i g h e r . Heat and m i g r a t i n g hydrothermal f l u i d s
produced less common p h a s e s from t h e g l a s s e s such as b i o t i t e ( ? ) , c e l a d o n i t e ,
c h l o r i t e , h e m a t i t e , m a g n e t i t e ( ? ) , and p u m p e l l y i t e . I n one such i n t e n s e l y
a l t e r e d r h y o l i t e flow from near Cape I d a l u g on Amlia's n o r t h c e n t r a l c o a s t
(sample 11-6C), a s m c h as f i f t y p e r c e n t of t h e a l t e r a t i o n i s b r i g h t green
c e l a d o n i t e . A s s o c i a t e d a l t e r a t i o n m i n e r a l s ( q u a r t z , g o e t h i t e , manganic
o x i d e ( ? ) , and s e r i c i t e ( ? ) l e a d t o t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t t h i s h o s t rock had been
h y d r o t h e r m a l l y a l t e r e d by d e u t e r i c f l u i d s r i c h i n potassium, i r o n , magnesium,
aluminum, s i l i c o n , and hydroxyl i o n s . Not f a r away, a t Chalugas Bay, the most
i n t e n s e magnesian a l t e r a t i o n of g l a s s o c c u r s (sample 1 I - 4 A ) . Here, i n a
massive h s a l t flow rock, t h e groundmass g l a s s i s t o t a l l y c o n v e r t e d t o
s p h e r u l i t i c magnesian c h l o r i t e and minor a n a l c i t e . A s t r i k i n g example of
p r o p y l i t i z a t i o n , t h i s rock d i s p l a y s p h a s e s a l m o s t t o t a l l y a l t e r e d t o o t h e r
minerals. I n t h i s i n s t a n c e , p e r h a p s a n o t h e r s o u r c e of f l u i d s and metamorphism
brought i n abundant ~nagnesium, aluminum, s i l i c o n , and hydroxyl i o n s ,
accompanied by smaller amounts of oxygen, c a r b o n a t e , i r o n and sodium i o n s .

T h a t the r o c k s of Amlia I s l a n d were metamorphosed h y d r o t h e r m a l l y by

e x h a l a t i v e s of v a r y i n g compositions and a t v a r i o u s t i m e s from some nearby
magmatic s o u r c e o r s o u r c e s seems w i t h o u t q u e s t i o n . D i r e c t e v i d e n c e of t h i s i s
s e e n a g a i n and a g a i n i n t h e t h i n s e c t i o n s . V e i n l e t s b e a r i n g secondary
d e p o s i t s of t h e same m i n e r a l p h a s e s s e e n i n t h e a d j a c e n t h o s t r o c k s a r e
commonplace i n t h e rocks of Amlia I s l a n d . Z e o l i t e s , s m e c t i t e s , q u a r t z , and
c a l c i t e a r e t h e most common v e i n - f i l l i n g phases. Less f r e q u e n t l y seen a r e
h e m a t i t e , g o e t h i t e (may have o r i g i n a l l y been s u l p h i d e s ) , manganic o x i d e ( ? )
(may have o r i g i n a l l y been c a r b o n a t e p h a s e s ) , k a o l i n i t e , p r e h n i t e , p u r n p e l l y i t e ,
and e p i d o t e . Other p r o c e s s e s , such a s s e a w a t e r a l t e r a t i o n of p i l l o w l a v a s ,
may have had a p a r t i n t h e a l t e r a t i o n of t h e o r i g i n a l p h a s e s , b u t a n o t a b l e
example of r e l a t i v e l y u n a l t e r e d g l a s s y s e l v a g e from a d a c i t e p i l l o w l a v a
sampled n e a r E a s t Base on t h e n o r t h e a s t end of Amlia shows b u t l i t t l e
a l t e r a t i o n othex t h a n the z e o l i t e and i r o n - o x i d e - b e a r i n g v e i n l e t s t h a t
c r o s s c u t it. Even t h e orthopyroxenes h e r e a r e remarkably f r e s h . Z e o l i t e - and
s m e c t i t e - r i c h a u r e o l e s s p r e a d o u t i n t o t h e f r e s h h o s t rock away from t h e
veinlets. S u r e l y hydrothermal a c t i v i t y must have been a very i m p o r t a n t agency
of metamorphism on Amlia. D e u t e r i c d e p o s i t s i n t h e gas v e s i c l e s of t h e r o c k s
r e f l e c t hydrothermal a c t i v i t y a s w e l l : t h e phases f i l l i n g o r l i n i n g t h e
v e s i c l e s u s u a l l y r e f l e c t t h e p h a s e s found i n t h e hydrothermal v e i n l e t s c u t t i n g
t h e i r h o s t s ( e x c e p t i o n s : e p i d o t e , k a o l i n i t e , h e m a t i t e , manganese o x i d e ( ? ) ,
and g o e t h i t e ) . I t n u s t be remembered t h a t many f a c t o r s and v a r i a b l e s a f f e c t
metasomatism i n r o c k s and t h a t many complex changes can t a k e p l a c e over l o n g
p e r i o d s of t i m e . Large u n c e r t a i n t i e s a s t o the r e l a t i o n s h i p s t h a t o r i g i n a l
rock compositions, p o r o s i t y , and p e r m e a b i l i t y , b e a r t o t e m p e r a t u r e s ,
p r e s s u r e s , and i o n c o n c e n t r a t i o n s i n f l u i d s through s p a c e and time g r e a t l y
c o m p l i c a t e t h e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of metamorphosed rocks. It i s a l s o d i f f i c u l t t o
make d e f i n i t i v e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s o r t o draw f i r m c o n c l u s i o n s m i n l y from the
s t u d y of t h i n s e c t i o n s .

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

The samples s e l e c t e d f o r t h i s s t u d y a r e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of a s e r i e s of
i n t e r c a l a t e d v o l c a n i c and volcanogenic sedimentary r o c k s , and t h e i r a s s o c i a t e d
i n t r u s i v e r o c k s t h a t make up Amlia I s l a n d and probably l a r g e p a r t s of t h e more
e x t e n s i v e A l e u t i a n Ridge. The v o l c a n i c r o c k s range i n composition from b a s a l t
through r h y o l i t e and t h e i n t r u s i v e r o c k s a r e of s i m i l a r compositions through
dacite. The modal m i n e r a l o g i e s of t h e r o c k s are remarkably similar, v a r y i n g
mainly i n t h e p r o p o r t i o n s of t h e m i n e r a l p h a s e s r a t h e r t h a n i n m i n e r a l o g i c
d i f f e r e n c e s . Primary m i n e r a l p h a s e s p r e s e n t i n n e a r l y a l l t h e r o c k s i n c l u d e
p l a g i o c l a s e , clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, and o r e s . The u b i q u i t o u s p r e s e n c e
of orthopyroxene and t h e g e n e r a l p o v e r t y of o l i v i n e i n the b a s i c rock i s
curious. P l a g i o c l a s e i s h i g h l y c a l c i c , becoming more s o d i c i n t h e a c i d i c
rocks. Few o t h e r s t r i k i n g changes a r e a p p a r e n t . These data s u g g e s t a s i n g l e
magmatic s o u r c e f o r t h e A m l i a igneous r o c k s , w i t h c o m p o s i t i o n a l v a r i a t i o n due
t o l o c a l i z e d a s s i m i l a t i o n of m a t e r i a l s from t h e h o s t environment and
d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n by f r a c t i o n a l c r y s t a l l i z a t i o n . T h i s i m p l i e s a s t a b i l i t y of
t h e A l e u t i a n p l a t e t e c t o n i c regime d u r i n g t h e p e r i o d of c o n s t r u c t i o n o f , a t
l e a s t , t h e Amlia p o r t i o n of t h e A l e u t i a n Ridge ( V a l l i e r and o t h e r s , 1981).

Metamorphism of t h e Amlia r o c k s is g e n e r a l l y p r o p y l i t i c , w i t h a l t e r a t i o n
p r i n c i p a l l y i n t h e form of s i m p l e h y d r a t i o n , h y d r o x y l a t i o n , and l i g h t - e l e m e n t
ion-exchange. S m e c t i t i z a t i o n and z e o l i t i z a t i o n a r e t h e p r i n c i p a l a g e n c i e s of
a l t e r a t i o n a p p a r e n t i n t h e r o c k s , f o l l o w e d by o x i d a t i o n , s e r i c i t i z a t i o n , and
silicification. S a u s s u r i t i z a t i o n and a m p h i b o l i z a t i o n are r a r e and
localized. Secondary m i n e r a l s observed i n t h i n s e c t i o n i n c l u d e a c t i n o l i t i c
a m p h i b ~ l e ~ a n a l c i t eb, i o t i t e ( ? ) , c a l c i t e , c e l a d o n i t e , c h l o r i t e , c h l o r o p h a e i t e
and o t h e r s m e c t i t e a , e p i d o t e , g o e t h i t e , h e m a t i t e , k a o l i n i t e , leucoxene,
,
manganic o x i d e ( ? 1, p r e h n i t e , p u m p e l l y i t e , q u a r t z , s e r i c i t e ( 7 ) n a t r o l i t e and
other z e o l i t e s .

Evidence o f h e a t i n g , f l u i d m i g r a t i o n , i o n d i f f u s i o n , and i o n exchange

through t h e r o c k s of Amlia i s a p p a r e n t from t h e t r e n d toward u n i f o r m i t y of low
l e v e l o x i d a t i o n , c a r b o n a t i o n , i o n enrichment and removal, and from h t e
abundance of c r o s s - c u t t i n g z e o l i t e , c a l c i t e , and q u a r t z v e i n l e t s i n t h e
rocks. Abundant, l o c a l i z e d enrichment w i t h u n c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s u i t e s of
e l e m e n t s , such as p o t a s s i u m and i r o n , a l s o i n d i c a t e s a hydrothermal o r i g i n for
most of t h e metamorphic p r o c e s s e s . I n t e r p r e t a t i o n of t h e r o c k s of Amlia
I s l a n d i s made d i f f i c u l t by l a r g e u n c e r t a i n t i e s c o n c e r n i n g v a r i a b l e s such a s
o r i g i n a l rock compositions, pH20, S O 2 , p H , p o r o s i t y , p e r m e a b i l i t y ,
t e m p e r a t u r e , and i o n s i n i n t r o d u c e d f l u i d s . Working w i t h l i t t l e o t h e r t h a n
t h i n s e c t i o n s i n c r e a s e s the d i f f i c u l t i e s and u n c e r t a i n t i e s .

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

S p e c i a l t h a n k s a r e extended t o T. V a l l i e r , H. McLean, and J. Hein f o r

a c c e s s t o t h e i r f i e l d samples, t h i n s e c t i o n s , X-ray d a t a , and g e n e r a l
i n f o r m a t i o n about Amlia I s l a n d geology. D. Clague p r o v i d e d e x p e r t i s e i n
g e n e r a t i o n of microprobe a n a l y s e s . Also much a p p r e c i a t e d were c r i t i c a l
r e a d i n g s of the d r a f t s of t h i s manuscript by T. V a l l i e r and D. Claque.
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