Research Training Program

Chris Amato
Queens College
Flushing, New York

Michael Wise, Ph.D.
Project Advisor
Department of Mineral Sciences

"The RTP program is far more conducive to solid learning and understanding than any university course that I have taken. Through the program I addressed a scientific research question, integrated many types of data, and researched literature. I loved it! This program helped to focus my scientific interest more than any other experience to date."

Magmatic Evolution of Gabbroic Pegmatite from the Belmont Diabase, Culpeper Basin, Virginia

Geochemical and petrographic studies of the Belmont diabase sheet and associated gabbroic pegmatite have provided evidence for magmatic segregation and fractionation trends. Two types of gabbroic pegmatite are present: a coarse grained augite-plagioclase dominant "gabbro", and a slightly finer-grained type rich in granophyric intergrowths of quartz and K-feldspar. These rocks were derived from the parent magma as late stage, volatile rich differentiates in the form of small dikes. Comparison of x-ray fluorescence data for the fine and coarse grained varieties shows a tendency for the coarse grained rocks to be relatively rich in Si, K, Na, TI, Ba, Cu, Nb, Sr, V and Y and poor in Al, Fe, Mg, Ca, Cr and Ni with respect to the fine grained rock. Not only did fractionation occur between the two rock types, but it occurred on the micro-level within the pegmatite itself, as evidenced by compositional zonations in the minerals.

This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (Award: BIR-9300225).