Fischer, Lennart A.Wang, MengCharlier, BernardNamur, OlivierRoberts, R.J. (James)Veksler, Ilya V.Cawthorn, GrantHoltz, François2016-08-082016-06Fischer, LA, Wang, M, Charlier, B, Namur, O, Roberts, RJ, Veksler, IV, Cawthorn, RG & Holtz, F 2016, 'Immiscible iron- and silica-rich liquids in the Upper Zone of the Bushveld Complex', Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol. 443, pp. 108-116.0012-821X10.1016/j.epsl.2016.03.016http://hdl.handle.net/2263/56236The Bushveld Complex (South Africa) is the largest layered intrusion on Earth and plays a considerable role in our understanding of magmatic differentiation and ore-forming processes. In this study, we present new geochemical data for apatite-hosted multiphase inclusions in gabbroic cumulates from the Bushveld Upper Zone. Inclusions re-homogenized at high temperature (1060-1100°C) display a range of compositions in each rock sample, from iron rich (35 wt.% FeOtot; 28 wt.% SiO2) to silica-rich (5 wt.% FeOtot; 65 wt.% SiO2). This trend is best explained by an immiscible process and trapping of contrasted melts in apatite crystals during progressive cooling along the binodal of a two-liquid field. The coexistence of both Si rich and Fe-rich immiscible melts in single apatite grains is used to discuss the ability of immiscible melts to segregate from each other, and the implications for mineral and bulk cumulate compositions. We argue that complete separation of immiscible liquids did not occur, resulting in crystallization of similar phases from both melts but in different proportions. However, partial segregation in a crystal mush and the production of contrasting phase proportions from the Fe-rich melt and the Si-rich melt can be responsible for the cyclic evolution from melanocratic (Fe-Ti-P-rich) to leucocratic (plagioclase-rich) gabbros which is commonly observed in the Upper Zone of the Bushveld Complex where it occurs at a vertical scale of 50 to 200 m.en© 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Earth and Planetary Science Letters. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to This article since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, vol. 433, pp. 108-116, 2016. doi : 10.1016/j.epsl.2016.03.016.Layered intrusionMelt inclusionApatiteGabbroImmiscibilityBushveldPostprint Article