Analysis of Phenocryst Textures and Crystal Size Distribution, Carlton Rhyolite, Wichita Mountains, Southwestern Oklahoma
Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Major
Geology
Research Advisor
Hogan, John Patrick
Advisor's Department
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering
Funding Source
UMR Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE)
Abstract
The Carlton Rhyolite of the Wichita Mountains of Southwest Oklahoma is a porphyritic rhyolite with phenocrysts of subhedral to anhedral, heavily resorbed quartz (0.15 - 4 mm in size) and anhedral to euhedral potassium feldspar (0.75 - 6mm in size), with the top of the formation being richer in feldspar and the bottom being richer in quartz - consistent with magma chamber inversion during eruption and emplacement of the flow. Rare broken crystals and flow banding present towards the bottom of the formation favors deposition by flow rather than by ash fall. Crystal size distribution analysis of the rock has given preliminary results due to small population sizes and resorption of small crystals.
Biography
Ryan Davidson is a senior majoring in Geology at the University of Missouri--Rolla. Graduating in May, he will be attending the Colorado School of Mines graduate program in geological engineering.
Research Category
Natural Sciences
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Presentation Date
12 Apr 2006, 9:30 am
Analysis of Phenocryst Textures and Crystal Size Distribution, Carlton Rhyolite, Wichita Mountains, Southwestern Oklahoma
The Carlton Rhyolite of the Wichita Mountains of Southwest Oklahoma is a porphyritic rhyolite with phenocrysts of subhedral to anhedral, heavily resorbed quartz (0.15 - 4 mm in size) and anhedral to euhedral potassium feldspar (0.75 - 6mm in size), with the top of the formation being richer in feldspar and the bottom being richer in quartz - consistent with magma chamber inversion during eruption and emplacement of the flow. Rare broken crystals and flow banding present towards the bottom of the formation favors deposition by flow rather than by ash fall. Crystal size distribution analysis of the rock has given preliminary results due to small population sizes and resorption of small crystals.
