Clinopyroxenes from the Square Top intrusion, Nundle, New South Wales

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Abstract
SummaryDespite a wide range in parent rock compositions, from analcime-olivine theralite to analcime-tinguaite, clinopyroxene phenocrysts in the Square Top intrusion show limited compositional variation. The crystallization trend of the pyroxenes (principally sahlites) lies approximately parallel to the diopside-hedenbergite join of the pyroxene quadrilateral, and in addition reveals slight enrichment in acmite. The limited iron enrichment in the pyroxenes (and in olivine phenocrysts in the theralites and tinguaites) stemmed from progressively more hydrous liquid fractions whose ferric/ferrous iron ratios increased during differentiation.