Work

Magmatic to carbothermal evolution of carbonatites and metasomatism of Damara calcite marble: Osongombo Carbonatite Complex, NW Namibia

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The Osongombo Carbonatite Complex in NW Namibia records magmatic differentiation from calcite carbonatite to ferroan dolomite-and ankerite carbonatite dykes and veins marked by a continuous enrichment of Fe and Mg accompanied by increasing abundance of sulfides and the first appearance of REE-bearing burbankite.This magmatic stage is followed by a carbothermal stage characterised by a distinct mineral assemblage found as vein networks and small patches, which consist of apatite II, baryte, synchysite, parisite and quartz.The emplacement of these carbonatite dykes/veins produced Fe-rich metasomatic reaction zones of variable thickness (mm-to cm) along the contact to Damara marble.While calcite carbonatite exhibits little reaction evidence (besides a change in grain size), ferroan dolomite-and ankerite carbonatites show clear compositional and textural changes.Marble-

Source: Mineralogical Magazine

DOI: 10.1180/mgm.2026.10201

Authors: Andreja Ladisic, Benjamin F. Walter, Michael A.W. Marks, R. Johannes Giebel, Gregor Markl

Institutions: University of Tübingen, University of the Free State, Technische Universität Berlin

Language: English

Topic: Geological and Geochemical Analysis

Subfield: Geophysics

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

Awards: G5787508709, G879814155