The results of the petrographic examinations are largely reproduced using the quantitative analysis system, not unsurprising since the same data source (petrographic observations) is used in both cases. However, the three analytical methods of examining petrographic relationships within and between axe sub-groups and greenstone rocks using the qualitative data appear to have significant potential in discriminating between, and eventually recognising, different groups of thin-sections. Eventually, it is anticipated that the relatively simple processes described above could assist with categorising and provenancing unknown basic igneous axe thin-sections. This latter objective relies on the development of an extensive database of quantitative exposure thin-section data. The empirical basis of the quantitative system devised only relates to greenstone rocks, so further investigation and analysis of other axe petrologies will be necessary in order to reveal the full potential of this system. However, it must be emphasised that the quantitative system requires the examination of petrological thin-sections and is, therefore, still a partially destructive method of provenancing.
| Group | Colour | Grain size | Pyroxene alteration | Feldspar alteration | Opaque mineral | Epidote | Apatite | Residue (least) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GpI-1 | 5.32 | 5.98 | 6.12 | 8.02 | 6.37 | 5.34 | 0.00 | 1.54 GpIa-1 |
| GpI-2 | 4.38 | 6.38 | 4.62 | 7.31 | 6.38 | 6.92 | 0.00 | 4.62 MM3 |
| GpI-3 | 5.17 | 7.17 | 6.50 | 7.17 | 3.83 | 5.00 | 0.00 | 1.73 GpIa-1 |
| GpI-4 | 4.44 | 6.13 | 5.75 | 7.94 | 6.00 | 5.31 | 1.88 | 4.46 GpIa-1 |
| GpI-5 | 5.00 | 8.00 | 4.50 | 5.00 | 4.50 | 7.50 | 5.00 | 6.00 GpIa-6 |
| GpI-6 | 5.00 | 6.23 | 8.23 | 8.00 | 4.54 | 5.38 | 6.54 | 2.67 MM4 |
| GpI-7 | 5.33 | 5.00 | 6.00 | 8.33 | 3.33 | 5.00 | 8.33 | 6.25 GpIa-2 |
| GpI-8 | 3.00 | 6.50 | 9.00 | 10.00 | 8.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 | 5.50 Pen004 |
| GpI-9 | 6.00 | 8.00 | 8.00 | 5.00 | 3.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 | 5.33 GpI-3 |
| GpI-10 | 6.00 | 4.00 | 5.00 | 10.00 | 8.00 | 5.00 | 0.00 | 6.10 GpI-1 |
| GpI-11 | 3.00 | 5.00 | 7.00 | 6.00 | 4.00 | 7.50 | 0.00 | 7.00 Gur001 |
| GpI-12 | 5.00 | 4.00 | 10.00 | 7.00 | 8.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 4.20 GpIII-2 |
| GpI-13 | 3.00 | 5.00 | 9.00 | 10.00 | 8.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 6.50 GpI-8 |
| GpIa-1 | 5.20 | 5.80 | 6.40 | 7.40 | 5.40 | 5.00 | 0.00 | 1.54 GpI-1 |
| GpIa-2 | 5.25 | 5.50 | 8.00 | 8.00 | 5.75 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 1.95 GpIII-2 |
| GpIa-3 | 5.20 | 5.60 | 7.80 | 7.00 | 5.40 | 6.00 | 3.00 | 4.75 GpIa-2 |
| GpIa-4 | 4.00 | 6.00 | 6.00 | 7.00 | 4.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 4.00 GpIa-5 |
| GpIa-5 | 4.00 | 7.00 | 6.00 | 10.00 | 7.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 4.00 GpIa-4 |
| GpIa-6 | 6.00 | 6.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 4.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 GpIa-4 |
| GpIII-1 | 4.00 | 3.50 | 9.00 | 9.50 | 6.50 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 4.67 GpIII-3 |
| GpIII-2 | 4.60 | 5.60 | 9.00 | 8.20 | 7.20 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 3.25 MM4 |
| GpIII-3 | 4.33 | 3.00 | 10.00 | 8.33 | 7.00 | 1.67 | 1.67 | 4.67 GpIII-1 |
| GpIII-4 | 10.00 | 1.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 8.00 | 5.00 | 5.00 | 11.00 GpI-12 |
| GpIII-5 | 5.00 | 6.00 | 9.00 | 5.00 | 8.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 12.08 GpI-6 |
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Last updated: Wed Jul 29 2009