Thesis title: Olivine composition of the Karowe kimberlite with implications for mantle sampling depths and the origin of CLIPPIR diamonds

Research interests: economic geology, geochemistry, kimberlites, olivine

This project is based on samples in our mantle room collection from the famous Karowe diamond mine. Karowe is the main producing of high value CLIPPIR diamonds, however, the origin of these diamonds remains unknown with the current prevailing model suggesting derivation from beneath the lithospheric mantle. The kimberlite host to these large CLIPPIR diamonds is unusually Fe-rich and contains abundant olivine megacrysts. This project aims to use the composition of olivine to understand the petrogenesis of the Karowe kimberlite from initial mantle sampling depths, using the Al-in-olivine thermometer, to melt evolution en route to the surface. This will be achieved by analyzing complexly zoned olivine using the electron microprobe at UCT.

Supervisor/s: Dr Geoffery Howarth, Dr Sara Burness

Degrees: 

1. BSc in Geology and Environmental & Geographical Sciences, University of Cape Town (2024)

Awards:

1.  Faculty of Science Dean's Merit List (2024)