Mafic schlieren, crystal accumulation and differentiation in granitic magmas: an integrated case study

Observations in the S-type granites (s.l.) of the Wilson’s Promontory batholith demonstrate that one type of schlieren in granitic rocks represent accumulations of mainly mafic magmatic minerals, with internal layering formed through pulsed magma flow. Loss of interstitial magmatic liquid played, at most, a minor role in shaping the preserved compositions of the schlieren; filter pressing was not involved, and simple gravity settling of crystals...