Geology II Igneous Petrology

In figure of the ternary system diopside-albite-anorthite, assume the point M has a

composition of 15% diopside (Pyroxene) & 85% plagioclase of the composition 50%
albite & 50% anorthite. The arrows on the XY curve indicate fall in temperature.
1. In figure, the XY curve divides the equilateral triangle into 2 fields. What are they & why they are called ?
XY curve divides the equilateral triangle into 2 following field :
1] Diopside Field gives more diopside composition.
2] Plagioclase Field gives more plagioclase composition.
2. This ternary system can be considered as consisting of 3 binary systems what are they & what is their nature ?
Diopside-Albite, Diopside-Anorthite this 2 binary systems show eutectic crystallisation.
Albite-Anorthite show solid solution nature.
3. What is the XY curve ? Explain.
Curve XY is Cotectic curve. Cotectic curves are lines that joins different binary eutectic points & forming diopside
& plagioclase fields.
4. At what temperature does melt of composition M begin crystallisation ?
At 13900C melt of composition M will begin crystallise. Composition of M will be 15% diopside + 85% anorthite
5. What is the first mineral that is formed & what is its composition ?
Plagioclase of composition 80% Anorthite + 20% Albite will be crystalise first.
6. As more & more crystallisation of the same mineral takes place indicate the path followed by the melt M as it
changes in composition.
As crystallisation increases melt will be reduce & crystallisation of plagioclase fields shift towards the diopside
field & eutectic point will shi0ft towards lower temperature i.e., towards centre of the triangle therefore they will
follow M-K-N path.0
7. When the melt M reaches the composition N what is the temperature & what mineral joins the crystallisation?
At this point what is the composition of the mineral that has been crystallizing since the beginning of
crystallisation ?
When the melt M reaches the composition N temperature will be 12300C. 30% albite + 70% anorthite composition
of the mineral has been crystallizing since the beginning of crystallisation.
8. From N how does the composition of the melt change ?
Crystallisation of diopside & plagioclase will start at point N, this point shift towards the centre i.e., towards the
lower temperature.
9. When does the crystallisation cease, by complete crystallisation of the melt ?
At point X crystallization will be cease, by complete crystallisation of the melt.
10. What is the composition of the crystallised end product ? How is this composition achieved compared to the
composition of the crystals first formed?
15% diopside + 85% plagioclase is the composition of the crystallised end product. Melt will first be crystallised
with composition 30% albite + 70% anorthite then it will shift to 50% albite + 50% anorthite and finally will get
15% diopside + 85% plagioclase.
11. How is this system petrologically significant ?
Study of ternary system is important because its gives an idea of the crystallisation of magma as it is closer to the
magma this can also help to understand the sequence of the crystallisation.

Omkar Sagavekar 2115915 T.Y.B.Sc. Geology