Abstract
The traditional use of major-element data on diamond indicator minerals such as garnet and chromite is based on empirical correlations that have proven unreliable in some exploration situations. The use of trace-element data on these minerals, combined with mantle-mapping techniques, provides clear explanations of both the successes and the failures of the traditional approaches. These techniques make it possible to determine, at an early stage of exploration, both the overall prospectivity of a region and the most appropriate application of indicator mineral chemistry.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Aulbach S, Griffin WL, Pearson NJ, O’Reilly SY, Kivi K, Doyle BJ (2004) Mantle formation and evolution, Slave Craton: constraints from HSE abundances and Re-Os systematics of sulfide inclusions in mantle xenocrysts. Chemical Geology 208: 61–88.
Davies RM, Griffin WL, Pearson NJ, Andrew A, Doyle BJ, O’Reilly SY (1999) Diamonds from the Deep; Pipe DO-27, Slave Craton, Canada, Proc. 7th Int. Kimberlite Conf., Red Roof Design, Cape Town: 148–155
Davies RM, Griffin WL, O’Reilly SY, Doyle BJ (2004) Mineral inclusions and geochemical characteristics of microdiamonds from the DO27, A154, A21, A418, DO18, DO27 and Ranch Lake kimberlites, Lac de Gras, Slave Craton, Canada. Lithos 77:39–55
Griffin WL, Ryan CG (1995) Trace elements in indicator minerals: Area selection and target evaluation in diamond exploration. Jour. Geochem. Explor. 53: 311–337
Griffin WL, Doyle BJ, Ryan CG, Pearson NJ, O’Reilly SY, Davies RM, Kivi K, van Achterbergh E, Natapov L M (1999) Layered Mantle Lithosphere in the Lac de Gras Area, Slave Craton: Composition, Structure and Origin. Jour. Petrol. 40: 705–727
Griffin WL, O’Reilly SY, Doyle BJ, Pearson NJ, Coopersmith H, Kivi K, Malkovets V. and Pokhilenko NV (2004a) Lithosphere mapping beneath the North American Plate. Lithos 77: 873–902
Griffin WL, Rege S, Davies RM, Jackson S, O’Reilly SY, (2004b) Trace Element Analysis of Diamond by LAM ICPMS: Standardisation, results and directions. Ext. Abst., DeBeers Diamond Conference, Warwick, England
O’Reilly SY, Griffin WL (1996) 4-D lithospheric mapping: a review of the methodology with examples. Tectonophysics 262: 3–18
Pearson NJ, Griffin WL, Doyle BJ, O’Reilly SY, van Achterbergh E, Kivi K (1999) Xenoliths from kimberlite pipes of the Lac de Gras area, Slave Craton, Canada. Proc. 7th Int. Kimberlite Conf., Red Roof Design, Cape Town, 644–658
Ryan CG, Griffin WL, Pearson NJ (1996) Garnet Geotherms: a technique for derivation of P-T data from Cr-pyrope garnets. Jour. Geophys. Res. 101: 5611–5625
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Griffin, W.L., O’ Reilly, S.Y. (2005). Upper mantle composition: Tools for smarter diamond exploration. In: Mao, J., Bierlein, F.P. (eds) Mineral Deposit Research: Meeting the Global Challenge. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-27946-6_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-27946-6_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-27945-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-27946-4
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)