Open Access

Orbicular granite near Jelenia Góra in southwestern Poland: the first outcrops?

 and   
Feb 13, 2009

Cite
Download Cover

In 1802, Leopold von Buch described some outcrops of orbicular granite in the Karkonosze granite, Lower Silesia, Poland. In that publication, Abraham Gottlieb Werner wrote a foreword dated 1800. The Silesian discovery predates that of the well-known orbicular diorite (Napoleonite) in outcrop on Corsica and, thus, may be the first ever record of this distinctive rock type in its geological context. The characterizing, closely-packed, simple orbs comprise K-feldspar cores surrounded by rims of radiating K-feldspar and quartz. Rapid growth from a hydrous, pegmatitic melt is indicated. The Karkonosze outcrop, in the timing of its discovery, is a unique part of the geological heritage.

Language:
English
Publication timeframe:
1 times per year
Journal Subjects:
Geosciences, Geophysics, Geosciences, other