Layered intrusions and traffic jams

Research Article| January 01, 2015 Layered intrusions and traffic jams Paul D. Bons; Paul D. Bons 1Mineralogy and Geodynamics, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 56, 72074 Tübingen, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Albrecht Baur; Albrecht Baur 1Mineralogy and Geodynamics, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 56, 72074 Tübingen, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Marlina A. Elburg; Marlina A. Elburg 2Department of Geology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Matthias J. Lindhuber; Matthias J. Lindhuber 1Mineralogy and Geodynamics, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 56, 72074 Tübingen, Germany *Current address: Adamera Minerals Corp., 1100-1111 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 3V6, Canada. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael A.W. Marks; Michael A.W. Marks 1Mineralogy and Geodynamics, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 56, 72074 Tübingen, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Alvar Soesoo; Alvar Soesoo 3Institute of Geology, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, Tallinn 19086, Estonia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Boudewijn P. van Milligen; Boudewijn P. van Milligen 4National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT, Avenida Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Nicolas P. Walte Nicolas P. Walte 5Bayerisches Geoinstitut, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Paul D. Bons 1Mineralogy and Geodynamics, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 56, 72074 Tübingen, Germany Albrecht Baur 1Mineralogy and Geodynamics, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 56, 72074 Tübingen, Germany Marlina A. Elburg 2Department of Geology, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa Matthias J. Lindhuber *Current address: Adamera Minerals Corp., 1100-1111 Melville Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 3V6, Canada. 1Mineralogy and Geodynamics, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 56, 72074 Tübingen, Germany Michael A.W. Marks 1Mineralogy and Geodynamics, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Wilhelmstrasse 56, 72074 Tübingen, Germany Alvar Soesoo 3Institute of Geology, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, Tallinn 19086, Estonia Boudewijn P. van Milligen 4National Fusion Laboratory, CIEMAT, Avenida Complutense 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain Nicolas P. Walte 5Bayerisches Geoinstitut, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 14 Sep 2014 Revision Received: 31 Oct 2014 Accepted: 04 Nov 2014 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2014 Geological Society of America Geology (2015) 43 (1): 71–74. https://doi.org/10.1130/G36276.1 Article history Received: 14 Sep 2014 Revision Received: 31 Oct 2014 Accepted: 04 Nov 2014 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Paul D. Bons, Albrecht Baur, Marlina A. Elburg, Matthias J. Lindhuber, Michael A.W. Marks, Alvar Soesoo, Boudewijn P. van Milligen, Nicolas P. Walte; Layered intrusions and traffic jams. Geology 2015;; 43 (1): 71–74. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G36276.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract A wide range of explanations has been proposed for the origin of repetitive layering in mafic-ultramafic and in (per)alkaline intrusions. Here we propose that the interaction of mineral grains that sink and float in the crystallizing magma is an alternative mechanism that can explain many of the features of layered intrusions, without the need to invoke extrinsic factors. Similar to traffic jams on a motorway, small perturbations in crystal density develop that impede further ascent or descent of buoyant or heavy minerals, respectively. These "traffic jams" separate layers of magma from the rest of the magma chamber. The magma in the individual layers further evolves as a largely independent subsystem, with gravitational sorting organizing the mineral distribution within each layer. Layering can develop in the intermediate range between full mineral separation in low-viscosity or slowly cooling magma chambers and homogeneous crystallization in high-viscosity or fast-cooling chambers. This self-organization mechanism provides a novel explanation for the formation of rhythmic layering in low-viscosity magmas, for example in the Ilímaussaq igneous complex in southwest Greenland. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.