Acta Musei Moraviae

Ilmenite and baddeleyite in metagabbro from Špičák near Deštné in Orlické hory, Czech Republic

Two types of metagabbro from Špičák near Deštné in Orlické hory were studied. The metagabbro formed in the upper crust – based on the amphibole barometer and thermometer the pressure about 3 kbar and temperature 880 °C are assumed. The rock had low oxygen fugacity ΔQFM -0.7. The primary assemblage of pyroxene, amphibole, plagioclase and ilmenite was significantly affected by the late alteration event (500 °C). Accessory minerals include ilmenite, apatite, titanite, pyrrhotite, zircon, sphalerite, baddeleyite, rutile and cobaltite. The main accessory mineral is ilmenite (9–12 % vol.), often rimmed by younger titanite. Light coarse grained metagabbro contains baddeleyite with unusual content of Sr (1.65–2.05 wt. % SrO), the baddeleyite from dark medium grained metagabbro does not contain Sr. Based on recognized conditions of metagabbro formation and evolution, the baddeleyite is assumed to be a primary mineral of the magmatic origin.