Ilimaussaq intrusive complex

{{Short description|Alkalic layered intrusion located in Greenland}}

File:Tugtupite 1.jpeg on quartz from Ilimaussaq complex]]

File:Kakortokite (eudialytic nepheline syenite) (Ilímaussaq Intrusion, Mesoproterozoic, 1.16 Ga; Kangerdluarssaq Fjord, Greenland) 1.jpg

The Ilimaussaq intrusive complex is a large alkalic layered intrusion located on the southwest coast of Greenland. It is Mesoproterozoic in age, about 1.16 Ga. It is the type locality of agpaitic nepheline syenite and hosts a variety of unusual rock types.{{citation |last=Sørensen |first=H. |url=http://www.geus.dk/publications/bull-gl/nr190/nr190_p001-023.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170810171529/http://www.geus.dk/publications/bull-gl/nr190/nr190_p001-023.pdf |archive-date=2017-08-10 |title=Brief introduction to the geology of the Ilímaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland, and its exploration history |series=GEOLOGY OF GREENLAND SURVEY BULLETIN |volume=190 |year=2001}}

The complex is noted for a wide variety of rare minerals and is the type locality for thirty minerals, including: aenigmatite, arfvedsonite, sodalite, eudialyte and tugtupite.http://www.mindat.org/loc-4302.html Mindat locality.

The complex has an areal extent of 8 by 17 km and an exposed thickness of 1700 m. The complex includes Kvanefjeld, a uranium deposit and a large reserve of rare-earth elements, zirconium, niobium and beryllium.