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Short-wavelength infrared spectroscopy: A new petrological tool in

low-grade to very low-grade pelites
Michael P. Doublier1, Tony Roache2, and Sébastien Potel3
1
Geological Survey of Western Australia, P.O. Box 1664, Kalgoorlie, WA 6433, Australia
2
CSIRO, Earth Science and Resource Engineering, P.O. Box 1130, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
3
Institut Polytechnique LaSalle, BP 30313, F-60026 Beauvais Cedex, France

ABSTRACT 2200wvl
The illite spectral maturity (ISM) method uses short-wavelength infrared reflectance spec- The wavelength (wvl) of the 2200 nm absorp-
troscopy (SWIR) to measure K-white mica (KWM) physicochemistry within very low-grade tion feature (2200wvl) is a spectral parameter
metamorphic pelites. The three ISM measures used in this study parameterize KWM absorp- that shows an inverse relationship with octa-
tion features at 1900 nm and 2200 nm in terms of area, depth, and asymmetry. Through com- hedral Al3+ content (Post and Noble, 1993)
parison with the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD)−derived Kübler index, we demonstrate that and other trivalent octahedrally coordinated
ISM differentiates anchizonal and epizonal from diagenetic domains in very low-grade pelites. cations like V3+, Cr3+, and Fe3+ in KWM (Scott
The wavelength (wvl) of the 2200 nm absorption feature (2200wvl) provides a measure of the and Yang, 1997), and provides a measure of the
celadonite substitution in KWM. It shows a linear correlation (R2 = 0.85) with the KWM b cell celadonite substitution (e.g., Guidotti 1984).
dimension (as determined by powder XRD), and can be used to differentiate the metamorphic Electron microprobe work of Scott and Yang
pressure facies and related metamorphic thermal gradients in pelites of greenschist facies (1997) showed that interlayer cation composi-
and anchizonal metamorphic grade. The boundaries between low/medium-pressure facies tion does not directly affect the wavelength of
and medium/high-pressure facies series can be defined at 2204 and 2220 nm, respectively. In the 2200 nm absorption feature, although wave-
addition to their use as laboratory-based techniques, both ISM and 2200wvl show potential lengths <2195 nm indicate the presence of Na/K
for remote sensing studies. white mica and/or paragonite. The large range
in wavelengths of the 2200 nm absorption fea-
INTRODUCTION details on XRD methods), the ability of SWIR ture (~2180–2235 nm) was recognized in ear-
In subgreenschist facies pelitic rocks, the to quantify metamorphic grade and pressure lier studies (Clark et al., 1990; Duke, 1994) as
powder X-ray diffraction (XRD)−derived character of metamorphism in low-grade and a valuable parameter for KWM physicochem-
Kübler index (KI; Kübler, 1967; Guggenheim very low-grade pelites. istry. In this study, 2200wvl was used to test
et al., 2002; Kisch et al., 2004) is a widely whether spectrally derived white mica composi-
applied standard method for estimation of SWIR METHODS tion could be used as an indicator for pressure
metamorphic grade in very low-grade terrains The study is based on two absorption features conditions and inferred metamorphic thermal
(review by Merriman and Frey, 1999). The use which, based on nonquantitative observations, gradients in pelites in the same way the KWM b
of the K-white mica (KWM) b cell dimension have been found useful to measure changes in cell dimension is used.
as a pressure indicator in low-grade pelites, metamorphic grade (e.g., Cudahy et al., 2008).
which allows for characterization of the baric The 2200 nm vibrational feature is the main fea- RESULTS
type of metamorphism, was first discovered ture for KWM in this spectral area and primarily Sample description, analytical methods, and
and applied by Sassi (1972) and Sassi and reflects combination tones of Al-O-H bend plus results are provided in the GSA Data Repository.1
Scolari (1974). Guidotti and Sassi (1986) also or minus O-H stretch (Clark et al., 1990; Duke,
considered the corresponding metamorphic 1994). The second feature investigated relates to ISM and Metamorphic Grade
thermal gradients that are inferred from the the overtones of water (combined H-O-H bend ISM(as) and ISM(H2O) show a nonlin-
pressure character of metamorphism. The few with O-H stretch) at ~1900 nm. ear trend of increase with decreasing KI (i.e.,
attempts that have been made to quantitatively increasing metamorphic grade; Figs. 1A and
apply spectroscopy methods in the field of very Illite Spectral Maturity 1B). The ISM(A/D) shows a linear trend of
low-grade petrology of KWM focused on the Doublier et al. (2010) introduced the term decrease with decreasing KI (Fig. 1C). For all
infrared wavelength range (Flehmig index; “illite spectral maturity” (ISM) for SWIR meth- three ISM measures, the associated correlation
Flehmig, 1973) and have gained little applica- ods that measure the physicochemistry of KWM coefficients are similar and range between R2 =
tion (Hunziker et al., 1986). sensitive to changes in very low metamorphic 0.61 and 0.70, and the data show a clear increase
In terms of short-wavelength infrared reflec- grade. Here we compare three ISM measures, in scattering for KI < 0.30–0.35 Δ°2Θ (grossly
tance spectroscopy (SWIR), i.e., the wavelength which have been found potentially valuable in coincident with the high anchizone and epi-
range between 1000 and 2500 nm (Clark, 1999), correlation studies with KI data (e.g., Hauff zone). Hence, it appears that ISM is potentially
attempts have been driven mainly toward appli- et al., 1991; Zhang et al., 2001; Cudahy et al., useful for distinguishing areas of diagenetic
cability as a monitor of mineral chemistry, struc- 2008; Doublier et al., 2010). Two are based grade from areas that show at least anchizonal
tural ordering (Hauff et al., 1991), or polytype solely on the 2200 nm absorption feature and grade, but cannot be used to further subdivide
evolution (Kruse and Hauff, 1991) of KWM in measure the asymmetry (as) [reflectance 2200as the anchizone and/or trace the anchizone–
hydrothermal systems for field, laboratory, and index, ISM(as)], and the area (A) to depth
1
remote sensing studies (e.g., van Ruitenbeek et (D) ratio [reflectance 2200A/2200D index, GSA Data Repository item 2010284, analytical
al., 2005; Cudahy et al., 2008). Here we present ISM(A/D)] of the feature. The third one mea- details, sample description, and data tables, is avail-
able online at www.geosociety.org/pubs/ft2010.htm,
a study that demonstrates, through comparison sures the depth ratio of the 2200 nm and 1900 or on request from [email protected] or Docu-
with standard XRD analytical measures KI and nm features [reflectance 2200D/1900D index, ments Secretary, GSA, P.O. Box 9140, Boulder, CO
KWM b cell dimension (see the Appendix for ISM(H2O)]. 80301, USA.

© 2010 Geological Society of America. For permission to copy, contact Copyright Permissions, GSA, or [email protected].
GEOLOGY,
Geology, November
November 2010
2010; v. 38; no. 11; p. 1031–1034; doi: 10.1130/G31272.1; 4 figures; 1 table; Data Repository item 2010284. 1031
 Downloaded from geology.gsapubs.org on April 5, 2015

2.5
AZ DZ –1.6056x
epizone boundary. A systematic comparison of and (4) the number of samples assigned to the
y = 1.9503e the ISM measurements aims to investigate this diagenetic zone (DZ rate; in percent).
2.0 R2 = 0.61
potential for the anchizone–diagenetic zone Based on these criteria, the ISM(A/D) yields
boundary at 0.42 Δ°2Θ (e.g., Kübler, 1967), the best results of the three ISM measures tested
ISM(H2O)

AZ

1.5 based on the following criteria: for all param- (Table 1). It has the smallest UVR ratio: only
eters, the ISM value has been found below [or in 23% of the samples plot in the UVR. Similarly
UVR

1.0
case of ISM(A/D), above] which all samples fall important, ISM(A/D) has correctly assigned
in the diagenetic zone as defined by KI (Fig. 1). 76% of the anchi- and epizone samples as well
0.5
DZ

Following the same principle, another ISM as the diagenetic zone samples (as defined by
0
A value represents the threshold for the anchizone. KI). The main difference between ISM(A/D)
0.1 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.3 ISM values ranging between these two threshold and ISM(as) is that the latter has a DZ rate of
1.8
KI (Δ°2Θ)
AZ DZ –0.7882 values (Table 1) cannot be assigned to either the 51% and is therefore less well suited to assign
1.6 y = 0.3489x
R2 = 0.70
diagenetic zone or anchizone-epizone as defined samples to the diagenetic zone. The poorest
1.4 by KI and hence fall into an unassignable value results are given by the ISM(H2O), which also
1.2 range (UVR; Fig. 1). The establishment of an shows the poorest correlation (R2 = 0.61).
ISM(as)

1.0 UVR generates additional criteria for compari- A regional application of the ISM method
AZ

0.8 son: (1) the size of the UVR as the ratio between is shown in Figure 2 (Table DR1 in the Data
0.6 UVR the width of UVR (expressed as the difference Repository). The study area is in the south-
0.4 between the two threshold values) and the range eastern part of the Montagne Noire (southern
DZ

0.2 of values observed for each ISM parameter France) and contains a pile of Paleozoic recum-
0
B (UVR ratio); (2) the amount of samples that plot bent fold nappes. The change in very low meta-
0.1 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.3
KI (Δ°2Θ) in the UVR (UVR rate; in percent); (3) the num- morphic grade within the map area is related to
9
AZ DZ ber of samples correctly assigned by ISM to the the thermal influence of an adjacent gneiss dome
8
anchizone and epizone (AEZ rate; in percent); to the north (not on the map). The anchizone–
7
DZ

6
ISM(A/D)

5 3°W Legend
UVR
4 Schistes X
Cambrian
AZ

3
2 Ordovician
y = 5.382x + 1.9299 Devonian
1 2

0
R = 0.66
C Mont Peyroux nappe
Carboniferous
0.1 0.3 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.3 post Permian
pe
KI (Δ°2Θ)
s nap Nappe boundaries
gère Nappe boundaries
Figure 1. Correlation between Kübler index
Vieussan Fau (normal faults)
(KI, in Δ°2Θ) and illite spectral maturity (ISM) Faults
measures determined by short-wavelength ISM(as)
Le Lau
infrared reflectance spectroscopy (105 sam-
Pardailhan nappe

ISM(A/D)
ples; Table DR1; see footnote 1). A: ISM(H2O).
Le Pin ISM(H2O)
B: ISM(as) (as—asymmetry). C: ISM(A/D)
(A/D—area/depth). Black dotted line corre- Anchizone
sponds to anchizone–diagenetic zone (AZ, Unassignable
value range
DZ) boundary at 0.42 Δ°2Θ (Kübler 1967),
Diagenetic zone
ORB

and stippled lines define unassignable value

range (UVR) for ISM measures based on that
boundary. Samples are coded according to Ceps
KI: squares—epizone; circles—anchizone; Escagnès
St. Nazaire
triangles—diagenetic zone. Samples shown
appe de Ladarez

43°30'N
43°30'N

in gray have not been used to define UVR. e yroux n

Mont P Roquebrun

TABLE 1. COMPARISON OF ISM MEASURES de

orm
ISM measure ISM ISM ISM
Synf ebrun
Berlou
R o qu
(as) (H2O) (A/D)
UVR lower limit 0.525 0.65 5.05
French
UVR upper limit 0.775 1.2 4.2 Massif
le Rieuberlou
O

UVR ratio (%) 18 27 16 Central

RB

UVR rate (%) 35 44 23

AEZ rate (%) 72 57 76 Fig. 2 Montagne
3°W 1 km
DZ rate (%) 51 54 76 Noire

Note: Results from a data set of 105 samples. Figure 2. Distribution of illite spectral maturity [ISM(as) (as—asymmetry), ISM(A/D) (A/D—
ISM—illite spectral maturity; as—asymmetry; area/depth), and ISM(H2O)] values (58 samples) in eastern Faugères and Mont Peyroux
A/D—area/depth; UVR—unassignable value nappes of Montagne Noire (southern France). Black dotted line corresponds to anchizone–
range; AEZ—anchizone and epizone; DZ— diagenetic zone boundary defined by Kübler index (Doublier, 2007). Samples with white con-
diagenetic zone.
tours contain paragonite.

1032 GEOLOGY, November 2010

 Downloaded from geology.gsapubs.org on April 5, 2015

diagenetic zone boundary (Fig. 2) is well defined the conventional cumulative frequencies (Sassi, ferences may be relevant for application. The
by KI data (~200 samples; Doublier, 2007). The 1972; Sassi and Scolari, 1974). The metamor- ISM(H2O) not only measures the depth of the
regional pattern of all ISM analyses closely phic thermal gradients derived from both meth- KWM-related 2200 nm feature, but also moni-
matches the metamorphic zones constrained ods are almost identical for the different areas. tors the changes in molecular water content
by KI and clearly distinguishes the anchizone during increasing metamorphic grade, and
and diagenetic zone domains. In addition, ISM DISCUSSION therefore provides additional information of
constrains the samples that are suitable for pres- The concept of an UVR in ISM applica- potential value. In practice, the 1900 nm feature
sure facies estimation, which requires at least tion is considered a useable approach because may be influenced by other water-bearing min-
anchizonal grade (Padan et al., 1982). As a com- it enables distinction between diagenetic and erals (if present) or, in remote sensing studies,
parison of each ISM measure, the ISM(A/D) higher grade samples (Fig. 2). However, like by vegetation and surface water (e.g., swamp
seems to be the most reliable in correctly assign- the KI and the KWM b cell dimension, ISM areas; see also Cudahy et al., 2008). In contrast,
ing values to the diagenetic zone, as already sug- and 2200wvl are statistical methods, and so the neither ISM(as) nor ISM(A/D) is disturbed by
gested by the highest DZ rate (Table 1). Only quality and reliability of the data improve with water-bearing minerals, vegetation or surface
three samples (~5%) were unclassified accord- an increasing number of samples. water, as long as they show no interference with
ing to each of the three ISM measures. Also, The three ISM measures presented here the 2200 nm feature. Likewise, this makes them
none of the samples yielded conflicting results. parameterize different spectral features (1900 suitable for laboratory as well as for remote
nm and 2200 nm) and/or feature aspects (i.e., sensing studies. However, the 2200 nm feature
2200wvl and Inferred Metamorphic area, depth, asymmetry), and respective dif- is influenced by minerals of the kaolinite group
Thermal Gradients (e.g., Clark, 1999), which can be identified by a
The KWM b cell dimension and 2200wvl characteristic absorption feature between 2160
show a good linear correlation with a correla- 100 and 2180 nm (e.g., Pontual et al., 1997). Area
tion coefficient of R2 = 0.85 (Fig. 3; Table DR2). A (A) and asymmetry (as) are also sensitive to par-

Sanbagawa
This suggests that the 2200wvl is a potentially agonite (Doublier et al., 2010), which may be
80 shire
useful parameter for predicting the pressure difficult to detect if present with KWM. How-
Cumulative frequency (%)

N. New Hamp

facies series as an analogue to the KWM b cell ever, in the regional study from the Montagne
dimension. Consequently, it also permits the 60 Noire (Fig. 2), the paragonite-bearing samples
Ryoke

Otago
definition of pressure facies series boundaries yielded meaningful results. The presence of
Bosost

and inferred metamorphic thermal gradients 40

chlorite appears unproblematic, because the
(Guidotti and Sassi, 1986) for the 2200wvl at related feature at ~2250 nm can be separated
2204 nm and 2220 nm (Fig. 3). from the 2200 nm feature during the evalua-
The high application potential is demon- 20 tion procedure. There was a negligible influence
strated by an example that contains samples from the small amounts of swelling clay miner-
from three areas, where different pressure 0 als such as smectite, which have been identified
conditions are indicated by the KWM b cell 8.960 8.980 9.000 9.020 9.040 9.060 in some of the samples (Table DR3). Hence, the
K-white mica b cell dimension(Å)
dimension, and a distinct mineralogy for the reliability of each of the ISM measures depends,
100
high-pressure samples from New Caledonia among other things, on the mineral succession
(lawsonite- and stilpnomelane-bearing assem- B of the sample. In each case, a combination of
blages; Table DR3). The KMW b cell dimen- 80 all measures increases the validity of the results
Cumulative frequency (%)

sion (Fig. 4A) and 2200wvl (Fig. 4B) are shown (Fig. 2), and might help to identify areas and
for the same samples from the three areas as 60
samples compromised by interfering factors
such as the ones described above.
The measurements of depth (D), area (A), and
2235 40 asymmetry (as) of SWIR absorption features
>35 °C/km (LP) 25 to 35 °C/km (MP) <25 °C/km (HP)
can be sensitive to software settings (Doublier
<25 °C/km

2230
(HP)

2225 20 et al., 2010). Also, spectrometer parameters

2200wvl (nm)

2220
(e.g., spectral bandwidth, detector sensitiv-
>35 °C/km 25 to 35 °C/km

ity, light intensity) influence the spectra (e.g.,

2215
0
(MP)

2196 2004 2212 2220 2228

Clark, 1999). Some of these parameters may
2210
2200wvl (nm) show variations due to spectrometer aging and
2205 2204 nm machine maintenance (e.g., replacement of light
y = 390.02x – 1305.8 Figure 4. A: Cumulative plots of K-white
(LP)

2200 source). Hence, a standardization procedure for

R2 = 0.85 mica b cell dimensions. Gray stippled lines
2195
8.97 8.98 8.99 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 correspond to a reference data set from ISM studies is required. One possibility is to use
K-white mica b cell dimension (Å) Sassi (1972) and Sassi and Scolari (1974). samples of known KI for calibration.
B: Cumulative plots of 2200wvl (wave- In comparison, the 2200wvl shows little sen-
Figure 3. Correlation between K-white mica length). Black solid line—Mont Peyroux and sitivity to variations in software and hardware
b cell dimension (in Å) and 2200wvl (wave- Faugères nappes (southern Montagne Noire,
length, in nm; 83 samples; details in Ta- 21 samples); dark gray solid line—east- settings, suggesting that the boundary values
ble DR2 [see footnote 1]). Dotted lines sepa- ern Monts de Lacaune and St. Gervais unit at 2204 nm and 2220 nm for different pressure
rate different pressure facies series (i.e., LP, (northeastern Montagne Noire, 15 samples); facies and related metamorphic thermal gradients
MP, and HP, low, medium, and high pressure) light gray solid line—Diahot terrane (New (Guidotti and Sassi, 1986) may be used for other
and corresponding ranges of metamorphic Caledonia; 16 samples). Black dotted lines
thermal gradients as proposed by Guidotti separate different pressure facies series and
data sets as well. Since the applicability of the
and Sassi (1986). Stippled lines represent corresponding ranges of metamorphic ther- KWM b cell dimension as a pressure indicator is
these boundaries for 2200wvl. mal gradients (Guidotti and Sassi, 1986). more reliable for micas with Na/(Na+K) ≤ 0.15

GEOLOGY, November 2010 1033

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(Guidotti et al., 1989), wavelengths <2195 nm Clark, R.N., King, T.V.V., Klejwa, M., and Swayze, Kisch, H.J., Árkai, P., and Brime, C., 2004, On the
cannot be used to assign barometric constraints. G.A., 1990, High spectral resolution reflectance calibration of the Kübler index (illite “crystal-
spectroscopy of minerals: Journal of Geophysi- linity”): Schweizerische Mineralogische und
cal Research, v. 95, p. 12,653–12,680, doi: Petrographische Mitteilungen, v. 84, p. 323–331.
CONCLUSIONS 10.1029/JB095iB08p12653. Kisch, H.J., Sassi, R., and Sassi, F.P., 2006, The b0
This study has shown the applicability of Cudahy, T., Jones, M., Thomas, M., Laucamp, C., lattice parameter and chemistry of phengites
SWIR in the collection of KWM physicochemi- Caccetta, M., Hewson, R., Rodger, A., and Ver- from HP/LT metapelites: European Jour-
rall, M., 2008, Next generation mineral map- nal of Mineralogy, v. 18, p. 207–222, doi:
cal information, which can be used to distin- ping: Queensland airborne HyMap and satellite 10.1127/0935-1221/2006/0018-0207.
guish between diagenetic and higher grades, and ASTER surveys 2006–2008: Commonwealth Kruse, F.A., and Hauff, P.L., 1991, Identification
to estimate the pressure facies and inferred met- Scientific and Industrial Research Organization of illite polytype zoning in disseminated gold
Report P2007/364, 93 p. deposits using reflectance spectroscopy and
amorphic thermal gradient in greenschist facies Doublier, M.P., 2007, Die tektono-metamorphe X-ray diffraction—Potential for mapping with
and anchizonal pelites. Through quantitative Entwicklung der sehr niedergradigen paläo- imaging spectrometers: IEEE Transactions on
comparisons with standard XRD indices KI and zoischen Sedimente der Montagne Noire (Süd- Geoscience and Remote Sensing, v. 29, p. 101–
KWM b cell dimension, SWIR has demonstrated frankreich) [Ph.D. thesis]: Frankfurt, Goethe 104, doi: 10.1109/36.103298.
Universität Frankfurt, 323 p. Kübler, B., 1967, La cristallinité d’illite et les zones
that it is valuable as a stand-alone technique, or Doublier, M.P., Roache, A., and Potel, S., 2010, Ap- tout à fait supérieures de métamorphisme, in
complementary to other methods including KI plication of SWIR spectroscopy in very low- Schaer, J.P., ed., Étages tectoniques: Colloque
in the study of very low-grade pelites. The two grade metamorphic environments: A compari- de Neuchâtel 1966, p. 105–122.
main advances upon existing XRD techniques son with XRD methods: Geological Survey of Merriman, R.J., and Frey, M., 1999, Patterns of very
Western Australia Record 2010/7, 61 p. (http:// low-grade metamorphism in metapelitic rocks,
are: (1) SWIR analyses are rapid (minutes) and www.dmp.wa.gov.au/7119.aspx) in Frey, M., and Robinson, D., eds., Low-grade
(2) the ISM and 2200wvl parameters have the Duke, E.F., 1994, Near infrared spectra of musco- metamorphism: Cambridge, Cambridge Uni-
capability to rapidly map large areas through air- vite, Tschermak substitution, and metamorphic versity Press, p. 61–107.
borne and satellite remotely sensed data. reaction process: Implications for remote sens- Padan, A., Kisch, H.J., and Shagam, R., 1982, Use of
ing: Geology, v. 22, p. 621–624, doi: 10.1130/ lattice parameter b0 of dioctahedral illite/mus-
0091-7613(1994)022<0621:NISOMT>2.3 covite for the characterization of P/T gradients
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .CO;2. of incipient metamorphism: Contributions to
We gratefully acknowledge the careful and con- Ernst, W.G., 1963, Significance of phengitic micas Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 79, p. 85–95, doi:
structive reviews of Francesco Sassi, Hanan Kisch, from low grade schists: American Mineralo- 10.1007/BF00376965.
and an anonymous reviewer, and helpful comments gist, v. 48, p. 1357–1373. Pontual, S., Merry, N., and Gamson, P., 1997, Spec-
by Stephen Wyche. This paper is published with the Flehmig, W., 1973, Kristallinität und Infrarotspe- tral interpretation field manual: Spectral Anal-
permission of the Executive Director, Geological Sur- ktroskopie natürlicher dioktaedrischer Illite: ysis Guides for Mineral Exploration G-Mex
vey of Western Australia. Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie-Monatshefte, Version 1.0: Kew, Victoria 3101, Australia,
v. 7/8, p. 351–361. Ausspec International Pty. Ltd., 169 p.
APPENDIX: BACKGROUND ON XRD Frey, M., 1987, Very low-grade metamorphism of Post, J.L., and Noble, P.N., 1993, The near-infrared
METHODS clastic sedimentary rocks, in Frey, M., ed., Low combination band frequencies of dioctahedral
temperature metamorphism: New York, Chap- smectites, micas and illites: Clays and Clay Min-
Kübler Index mam and Hall, p. 9–58. erals, v. 41, p. 639–644, doi: 10.1346/CCMN
The Kübler index method (KI; Guggenheim et al., Guggenheim, S., Bain, D.C., Bergaya, F., Brigatti, .1993.0410601.
2002), also termed “illite crystallinity” in earlier lit- M.F., Drits, V.A., Eberl, D.D., Formoso, M.L.L., Sassi, F.P., 1972, The petrological and geological
Galán, E., Merriman, R.J., Peacor, D.R., Stan- significance of the b0 values of potassic white
erature (review in Frey, 1987), measures the full width
jek, H., and Watanabe, T., 2002, Report of the micas in low-grade metamorphic rocks. An ap-
at half maximum intensity (FWHM) of the first KWM
Association Internationale pour l’Étude des plication to the eastern Alps: Tschermak’s Min-
basal reflection at 10Å (001) (Kübler, 1967). It can be Argiles (AIPEA) nomenclature committee eralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen,
applied in pelitic rocks and in marls up to the begin- for 2001: Order, disorder and crystallinity in v. 18, p. 105–113, doi: 10.1007/BF01081796.
ning greenschist facies. If the FWHM is calibrated phyllosilicates and the use of the “crystallinity Sassi, F.P., and Scolari, A., 1974, The b0 of the po-
on the crystallinity index standard (CIS) set of Warr index”: Clays and Clay Minerals, v. 50, p. 406– tassic white micas as a barometric indicator
and Rice (1994), metamorphic conditions can be esti- 409, doi: 10.1346/000986002760833783. in low-grade metamorphism of pelitic schists:
mated. Kisch et al. (2004) suggested a recalibration Guidotti, C.V., 1984, Micas in metamorphic rocks, Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology,
for the CIS standard. in Bailey, S.W., ed., Micas: Mineralogical So- v. 45, p. 143–152.
ciety of America Reviews in Mineralogy 13, Scott, K.M., and Yang, K., 1997, Spectral reflectance
KWM b Cell Dimension p. 357–468. studies of white micas: Australian Mineral
The KWM b cell dimension method is based upon Guidotti, C.V., and Sassi, F.P., 1986, Classification Industries Research Association Ltd. Report
the two observations (Frey, 1987): (1) with increasing and correlation of metamorphic facies series 439R, 35 p.
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Guidotti et al., 1989), and (2) KWM b cell dimension Abhandlungen, v. 153, p. 363–380. fossil hydrothermal systems with near infrared
and celadonite content show a positive correlation Guidotti, C.V., Sassi, F.P., and Blencoe, J.G., 1989, spectroscopy: Geology, v. 33, p. 597–600, doi:
(Guidotti, 1984). The applicability of the method is Compositional controls on the a and b cell di- 10.1130/G21375.1.
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1034 GEOLOGY, November 2010

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Geology

Short-wavelength infrared spectroscopy: A new petrological tool in low-grade

to very low-grade pelites
Michael P. Doublier, Tony Roache and Sébastien Potel

Geology 2010;38;1031-1034
doi: 10.1130/G31272.1

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