Kansas Geological Survey, Open-file Report 2000-45
Geometrical characteristics of xenoliths in the Antioch kimberlite pipe have been considered in statistical terms. A method of conversion of 2D intersections to 3D dimensions was used. It has been shown that the Rosin-Rammler distribution of mass leads to the Weibull distribution of sizes, while a fractal distribution of sizes can be expressed as the Pareto distribution. Lognormal, Weibull and Pareto distributions have been tested as model distributions. The Pareto distribution could be the most appropriate model for the distribution of xenoliths. This conclusion is in agreement with the general idea that the xenoliths formed as a result of an underground explosion without additional breakage occurring during magma transport. The final distribution may be shifted from the initial model due to processes of redistribution and sorting of xenoliths in liquid-crystal line flows.
Read the PDF version (3.9 MB)
Kansas Geological Survey
Placed online Nov. 4, 2011; originally released September 2000
Comments to webadmin@kgs.ku.edu
The URL for this page is http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Hydro/Publications/2000/OFR00_45/index.html