Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 May 2009
One of the internal contacts of a doleritic intrusion, Co. Donegal, is lined with large augite dendrites. The habit is revealed by parting on a median zone of chlorite which is regarded as an altered exsolution feature. It is suggested that an initial platy dendrite grew, in response to undercooling, as a metastable phase with the composition and structure of a high-calcic pigeonite. A later overgrowth of augite preserved the delicate crystal against destruction.