Abstract
Charnockite, a hypersthene-bearing granite, and other associated rocks of the charnockite series have a global distribution. These rocks, according to evidence from mineral-chemical and experimental phase equilibrium relations, formed or recrystallized at temperatures between 800 degrees and 900 degrees C and at relatively shallow depths of 6 to 12 kilometers. This evidence indicates the existence of geothermal gradients of 70 degrees to 100 degrees C per kilometer probably at various times, the latest being around 1300 x 10(6) years ago.
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