Current kimberlite pipe development models strongly advocate a downward growth process as the pipe cuts down onto its feeder dyke by means of volcanic explosions (e.g. Lorenz, 1975; Sparks et al., 2006). Evidence is presented from a detailed study of the K08 pipe within the Cambrian Venetia kimberlite cluster, Southern Africa, that some pipes or sub-components of pipes develop upwards. This paper investigates the growth history of the K08 pipe and the mechanics of pipe development based on observations in the pit, drill core and thin sections, from geochemical analyses, particle size distribution analyses, and 3D modeling.
