TAPP
Petrogenesis of kimberlites; implications for melt-lithosphere interactions and the origin of diamond deposits
One of our main research areas in the TAPP group is related to the study of kimberlites and their mantle cargo. We investigate the origin and evolution of the kimberlite magma from source to surface primarily using the composition of complexly zoned olivine grains.
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Click the links below for some examples of recent research published by the TAPP group.
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XPL photomicrograph of olivine in the Koidu kimberlite
BSE image showing a complexly zoned olivine from the Benfontein kimberlite
Large magmaclast in a pyroclastic unit
XPL photomicrograph of olivine in the Koidu kimberlite
Diamond growth and destruction in the SCLM constrained using morphological characteristics
South Africa has a rich heritage of diamond research. In 2022, I began a new line of research looking at diamond morphology to constrain growth and destruction events that occurred in the mantle. This research takes on two primary approaches: 1) X-ray CT tomography of diamondiferous xenoliths and 2) The study of diamond morphology using diamond parcels sourced from mines and the John J. Gurney collection
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Highly resorbed octahedra from Roberts Victor
Highly resorbed octahedra from Roberts Victor
The role of the lithospheric mantle in the petrogenesis of LIPs and related ore deposits
A major project being developed currently relates to the origin and evolution of Continental flood basalts (CFB), specifically in southern Africa. We are primarily interested magma interactions with the lithosphere en route to the surface and discriminating geochemical signatures related to crustal assimilation compared to interaction with the sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM).
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Click the links below for some examples of research published by the TAPP group.
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Karoo flood basalt lava's sitting on top of the Clarens sandstone cliffs
Martian meteorites and planetary petrology
A primary goal of the TAPP group is to develop research into planetary petrology. Currently, this is focussed on the study of martian meteorites. We have three graduate students currently working on various projects looking to constrain volcanism on Mars by study these fragments from the red planet.
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Click the links below for some examples of recent research published by the TAPP group.
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