A Heating Stage for Petrologic Studies of Alkaline Igneous Rocks

A new heating stage for high-temperature (up to 1600°C) petrologic investigations in an inert gaseous atmosphere is described. It ensures the possibility of optically observing the melting and crystallization process. A technique is worked out that allows one to determine the liquidus temperature and first crystallizing phase, control the melting and crystallization of rocks, and correct experimental parameters. The technique is tested on orendite samples—one of varieties of lamproites from volcanic cones and lava flows of the Leucite Hills (Wyoming, USA). The setup using the developed technique can be used to study the nucleation, mass crystallization, and mineral growth processes in the experimental petrography.