SEMINARS

The re-convened 12 International Kimberlite Conference (12 IKC) comes at a time when high-quality petrologic, geochemical and isotopic data pertaining to kimberlites, diamonds and the Earth’s upper mantle are being generated, compiled, and released into the public domain at an astonishing rate. To help make sense of this tidal wave of new data and related geoscientific models, 12 IKC is convening two Seminars to address emergent topics related to (i) kimberlitic olivine and (ii) large Type-II diamonds.

Kimberlitic Olivine: Tracking Mantle Cargo and Kimberlite Melt Evolution

Invited Speaker: Dr. Geoffrey Howarth, University of Cape Town, South Africa
Supporting Speaker: Dr. Adam Abersteiner, University of Adelaide, Australia
Supporting Speaker: Dr. Federico Casetta, University of Vienna, Austria

Expect to hear about:

  • Why has research (and publications) on kimberlitic olivine become so popular?
  • Overview of current research methods, analytical techniques and pitfalls related to the rejuvenated understanding of kimberlitic olivine
  • Why has a revised descriptive (zonal) terminology emerged for kimberlitic olivine, and what purpose(s) does it serve?
  • Discovery and interpretation of (former) melt inclusion(s) in kimberlitic olivine, with comparison to experimental and reconstructed primitive/parental kimberlite melt compositions
  • Practical tips on use of the Al-in-olivine thermometer
  • Mantle sampling as exemplified by (xenocryst) olivine, garnet and cpx entrainment patterns
  • Correlations between olivine core and rim compositions, with implications of mantle entrainment on kimberlite melt compositions
  • The Udachnaya-East liquid line-of-descent: key learnings and surprises
  • Chromite and other inclusions in kimberlitic olivine
  • The T-ƒO2 path of kimberlite melts

Large Irregular Type II Diamonds: Genesis and Transport to Surface

Invited Speaker: Dr. Evan Smith, Gemological Institute of America
Supporting Speaker: Prof. Suzette Timmerman, University of Bern, Switzerland
Supporting Speaker: Dr. Ingrid Chinn, De Beers Group, Johannesburg, South Africa

Expect to hear about:

  • How do large irregular Type II’s differ from other diamonds?
  • What is a CLIPPIR diamond and how does it fit into the discussion?
  • Are all Type II’s sublithospheric and how do the inclusions in large Type II’s compare with other sublithospheric diamonds (e.g. Juina-type)?
  • What new insights are sublithospheric diamonds giving us into the deep mantle?
  • Are there indicator minerals for large Type II diamonds?
  • How old are large Type II diamonds? What are their mantle residence times?
  • What is the global distribution of large Type II diamonds?
  • What do natural surface textures on Type II diamonds tell us?
  • How are sublithospheric diamonds transported upward and incorporated into kimberlites?

A Seminar is an educational event in which a group of people gather together to learn more about a certain topic or subject. Seminars usually involve presentations, discussions and interactive activities that help attendees to become more knowledgeable.

Each Seminar will last around 3 hours (including breaks) with a state-of-science invited presentation, two additional supporting presentations, and ample semi-moderated question-and-answer periods. The Seminars are integrated within the regular 12 IKC Technical Programme (i.e. Monday to Friday sessions) and are included in the 12 IKC registration fee.

Herman Grütter is planning and coordinating the Seminars, with support from the 12 IKC Technical Program Committee Chairs Thomas Stachel and Graham Pearson.

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