Metamorphic mineral assemblages of gneisses along Doi-Inthanon Highway, Northern Thailand

702001-101416-1212-B
Author : Mongkoltip, P.
Publication : Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia
Page : 473-485
Volume Number : 20
Year : 1987
DOI : https://doi.org/10.7186/bgsm20198622

Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia, Volume 20, August 1986, pp. 473 – 485

Metamorphic mineral assemblages of gneisses along Doi-Inthanon Highway, Northern Thailand

PANJAWAN MONGKOLTIP

Department of Geological Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand

 

Abstract: The mineral assemblages of inferred Precambrian rocks of Chiang Mai-Tak gneiss belt along the Chomthong-Doi lnthanon Highway, were studied petrographically. These rocks are divided into mica-K-feldspar-sillimanite gneiss and biotite gneiss with intercalating marble and calcsilicate. These two units of gneiss are separated by biotite-granite intrusions.

The assemblages of the mica – K-feldspar – sillimanite gneiss is characterized by the coexistence of biotite, muscovite, K-feldspar, quartz and sillimanite. Fibrolitic sillimanite which is present in small amounts suggests the highest temperature conditions of the almandine – amphibolite facies. Textural evidence indicates generations of muscovite. The foliated small muscovite coexists with biotite appears to be formed during the earlier stage of metamorphism. Retrograde muscovite is found as non-foliated coarse flakes containing relict fibrolitic sillimanite, suggesting the reaction: sillimanite + K-feldspar + H2Omuscovite + quartz, as the last metamorphic episode. Water needed for this reaction may have been derived from pegmatite or aplite veins which are widely distributed in the gneiss.

https://doi.org/10.7186/bgsm20198622