Structural evidence from the Kalak Nappe Complex suggests the operation of layer parallel shearing stresses during the translation of the nappes. A simple shear model invoking irregular areas of high cohesion within individual layer boundaries is used to explain the development of both intra-folial, cylindrical and non-cylindrical folds and a regular zone of syn-folding blasto-mylonite at the base of the nappe(s). Fold hinges that are initially developed parallel to the Y axis of the strain ellipsoid during layer parallel shearing may be rotated towards the X direction as a result of large strains concentrated at points of high cohesion within the layering boundaries.

Scapolite occurs in the NE Mt Lofty area of South Australia in rocks of bulk compositions as diverse as sulphide-rich veins, meta dolerite, scapolite (pelitic) schists, calc-silicate rocks and impure marbles. Scapolites analysed from all these rocks show with increasing grade a linear to near-linear change in composition from Me50 and Me66. Some scatter around these values is attributed to local perturbations of fCl/fCo2 in the fluid phase during metamorphism. Sulphur values as SO3 are below the 0.02 level even when scapolite occurs in contact with sulphides in a vein in a small copper mine; here, however, an interpreted FeO value of 2.58 weight % was recorded. The values in this study are comparable with those of Heitanen (1967), and are believed to be representative of products of normal metamorphic fluids evolved from non-evaporitic metamorphic rocks under a greenschist–amphibolite facies gradient; they can thus be used as a standard in assessing the possible significance of meta-evaporites in other areas.

Abundant spherules of phengite, 50—150 μm in diameter and with a radial texture, occur in mudstones at the top of the lowest member of the Bonahaven Formation. They have smooth, sharp boundaries, show flattening next to desiccation cracks and exhibit a restricted, bi-or tri-modal size distribution. It is inferred that the spherules represent infilled voids in a sediment which was deposited entirely from suspension. Accordingly, it is considered likely that the spherules are microfossils, although characteristic morphological features are lacking. They were probably infihled by glauconite, which was transformed to phengite during diagenesis and low-grade metamorphism.

The Ewarara Intrusion of central Australia contains two vertical fine-banded horizons within a sequence of sub-horizontal ultramafic cumulates. The horizons are arranged in an en échelon pattern adjacent to a steep intrusional contact, and consist of an alternation of two layer types which correspond to the two major lithologies present in the horizontal sequence. The horizons are up to 5 m thick. A number of possible origins, including folding of originally horizontal cumulates, flow differentiation and multiple injection, do not satisfactorily explain the formation of the layering. The most likely origin appears to involve differential viscous flow along the steep contact of an inhomogeneous crystal mush derived from the horizontal layered sequence. This mobilization is related to fresh injections along a feeder zone trending 060µ, the only such zone recognized in the Giles Complex.

In the Iglesia Irca intrusion early undifferentiated pulses of granitic magma were emplaced at pressures of approximately 1 kb as narrow dykes of vesicular felsite. These dykes are associated with penecontemporaneous burst breccias and gas breccias and are themselves sometimes brecciated. Subsequently a large dyke of granophyre, representing a more fractionated composition, was emplaced by subsidence and stoping along the line of earlier microbreccias, explosion breccias and felsites. The dyke cooled relatively slowly at low structural levels and retained its volatiles while at higher levels more rapid cooling accompanied the greater escape of volatiles. This resulted in marked potassium enrichment of the upper levels of the dyke and the country rocks of the hanging wall. It is argued that the Iglesia Irca intrusion provides an example of the association of gas brecciation with vesiculating and volatile-rich magma which is atypical of the Coastal Batholith as a whole.

Cavities in Cretaceous chalk, Co. Antrim, contain spongy silica. SEM photographs show minute doubly terminated quartz crystals trapped in fibrous mats of amorphous silica. The absence of both opal diffraction lines and a globular structure indicate the prior existence of gelatinous silica which prevented settling of the suspended quartz crystals. Drying and shrinkage of the gel produced the spongy deposit.