Superposition of replacements in the mafic granulites of the Jijal complex of the Kohistan arc, northern Pakistan: dehydration and rehydration within deep arc crust

A deep-level crustal section of the Cretaceous Kohistan arc is exposed in the northern part of the Jijal complex. The occurrence of mafic to ultramafic granulite-facies rocks exhibits the nature and metamorphic evolution of the lower crust. Mafic granulites are divided into two rock types: two-pyroxene granulite (orthopyroxene+clinopyroxene+plagioclase±quartz [1]); and garnet–clinopyroxene granulite (garnet+clinopyroxene+plagioclase+quartz [2]). Two-pyroxene granulite occurs in the northeastern part of the Jijal complex as a relict host rock of garnet–clinopyroxene granulite, where the orthopyroxene-rich host is transected by elongated patches and bands of garnet–clinopyroxene granulite. Garnet–clinopyroxene granulite, together with two-pyroxene granulite, has been partly replaced by amphibolite (hornblende±garnet+plagioclase+quartz [3]). The garnet-bearing assemblage [2] is expressed by a compression–dehydration reaction: hornblende+orthopyroxene+plagioclase=garnet+clinopyroxene+quartz+H₂O↑. Subsequent amphibolitization to form the assemblage [3] is expressed by two hydration reactions: garnet+clinopyroxene+plagioclase+H₂O=hornblende+quartz and plagioclase+hornblende+H₂O=zoisite+chlorite+quartz. The mafic granulites include pod- and lens-shaped bodies of ultramafic granulites which consist of garnet hornblendite (garnet+hornblende+clinopyroxene [4]) associated with garnet clinopyroxenite, garnetite, and hornblendite. Field relation and comparisons in modal–chemical compositions between the mafic and ultramafic granulites indicate that the ultramafic granulites were originally intrusive rocks which dissected the protoliths of the mafic granulites and then have been metamorphosed simultaneously with the formation of garnet–clinopyroxene granulite. The results combined with isotopic ages reported elsewhere give the following tectonic constraints: (1) crustal thickening through the development of the Kohistan arc and the subsequent Kohistan–Asia collision caused the high-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism in the Jijal complex; (2) local amphibolitization of the mafic granulites occurred after the collision.     

Oriented growth of garnet by topotactic reactions and epitaxy in high‐pressure,mafic garnet granulite formed by dehydration melting of metastable hornblende‐gabbronorite (Jijal Complex,Kohistan Complex,north Pakistan)

Garnet growth in high‐pressure, mafic garnet granulites formed by dehydration melting of hornblende‐gabbronorite protoliths in the Jijal complex (Kohistan palaeo‐island arc complex, north Pakistan) was investigated through a microstructural EBSD‐SEM and HRTEM study. Composite samples preserve a sharp transition in which the low‐pressure precursor is replaced by garnet through a millimetre‐sized reaction front. A magmatic foliation in the gabbronorite is defined by mafic‐rich layering, with an associated magmatic lineation defined by the shape‐preferred orientation (SPO) of mafic clusters composed of orthopyroxene (Opx), clinopyroxene (Cpx), amphibole (Amp) and oxides. The shape of the reaction front is convoluted and oblique to the magmatic layering. Opx, Amp and, to a lesser extent, Cpx show a strong lattice‐preferred orientation (LPO) characterized by an alignment of [001] axes parallel to the magmatic lineation in the precursor hornblende‐gabbronorite. Product garnet (Grt) also displays a strong LPO. Two of the four 〈111〉 axes are within the magmatic foliation plane and the density maximum is subparallel to the precursor magmatic lineation. The crystallographic relationship 〈111〉_Grt // [001]_Opx,Cpx,Amp deduced from the LPO was confirmed by TEM observations. The sharp and discontinuous modal and compositional variations observed at the reaction front attest to the kinetic inhibition of prograde solid‐state reactions predicted by equilibrium‐phase diagrams. The P–T field for the equilibration of Jijal garnet granulites shows that the reaction affinities are 5–10 kJ mol.^?1 for the Grt‐in reaction and 0–5 kJ mol.^?1 for the Opx‐out reaction. Petrographic and textural observations indicate that garnet first nucleated on amphibole at the rims of mafic clusters; this topotactic replacement resulted in a strong LPO of garnet. Once the amphibole was consumed in the reaction, the parallelism of [001] axes of the mafic‐phase reactants favoured the growth of garnet crystals with similar orientations over a pyroxene substrate. These aggregates eventually sintered into single‐crystal garnet. In the absence of deformation, the orientation of mafic precursor phases conditioned the nucleation site and the crystallographic orientation of garnet because of topotaxial transformation reactions and homoepitaxial growth of garnet during the formation of high‐pressure, mafic garnet‐granulite after low‐pressure mafic protoliths.     

Remelting of an Andesitic Crust as a Possible Origin for Rhyolitic Magma in Oceanic Arcs: an Example from the Izu-Bonin Arc

The Izu–Bonin volcanic arc is an excellent example ofan intra-oceanic convergent margin. A total of 1011 chemicalanalyses of 17 Quaternary volcanoes of the arc are reviewedto estimate relative proportions of magmas erupted. Basalt andbasic andesite (SiO₂ < 57 wt %) are the predominant eruptiveproducts of the Izu–Bonin arc, and rhyolite (SiO₂ >70 wt %) forms another peak in volume. Such rhyolites possesscompositions identical to those of partial melts produced bydehydration-melting of calc-alkaline andesites at low pressure(<7 kbar). Meanwhile, the major element variation of theShirahama Group Mio-Pliocene volcanic arc suite, Izu Peninsula,completely overlaps that of the Quaternary Izu–Bonin arcvolcanoes, and groundmasses of Shirahama Group calc-alkalineandesites have compositions similar to those of Izu–Boninrhyolites. Moreover, phenocryst assemblages of calc-alkalineandesites of the Shirahama Group resemble restite phase assemblagesof dehydration-melting of calc-alkaline andesite. These linesof evidence suggest that the rhyolite magmas may have been producedby dehydration-melting of calc-alkaline andesite in the upperto middle crust. If so, then the presence of large amounts ofcalc-alkaline andesite (3–5 times more abundant than therhyolites) within the oceanic arc crust would be expected, whichis consistent with a recently proposed structural model acrossthe Izu–Bonin arc. The calc-alkaline andesite magmas maybe water saturated, and would crystallize extensively and solidifywithin the crust. The model proposed here suggests that rhyoliteeruptions could be triggered by an influx of hot basalt magmafrom depth, reheating and partially melting the calc-alkalineandesite component of the crust. KEY WORDS: bimodal magmatism; calc-alkaline andesite; oceanic arcs; rhyolite     

A PETROLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF THE KOHISTAN MAGMATIC ARC, NW HIMALAYA, N. PAKISTAN

A PETROLOGICAL OVERVIEW OF THE KOHISTAN MAGMATIC ARC, NW HIMALAYA, N. PAKISTAN1　TahirkheliRAK ,MattauerM .ProustF ,etal.1979.In :GeodynamicsofPakistan[C].FarahA ,DeJongKA ,eds.GeolSurvPakistan ,Quetta ,1979.12 5～ 130 . 2　CowardMP ,WindleyBF ,BroughtonRD ,etal.In :CollisionTectonics[C]..CowardMP ,RiesAC ,eds.GeolSoc,London ,SpecPub ,1986 ,19:2 0 3～ 2 19. 3　BardJP ,MaluskiH ,MattePh ,etal.GeolBull ,PeshawarUniversity ,1980 ,13:87～ 93. …     

The role of H2O during crystallization of primitive arc magmas under uppermost mantle conditions and genesis of igneous pyroxenites: an experimental study

Exposed, subduction-related magmatic arcs commonly include sections of ultramafic plutonic rocks that are composed of dunite, wehrlite, and pyroxenite. In this experimental study we examined the effects of variable H₂O concentration on the phase proportions and compositions of igneous pyroxenites and related ultramafic plutonic rocks. Igneous crystallization experiments simulated natural, arc magma compositions at 1.2 GPa, corresponding to conditions of the arc lower crust. Increasing H₂O concentration in the liquid changes the crystallization sequence. Low H₂O concentration in the liquid stabilizes plagioclase earlier than garnet and amphibole while derivative liquids remain quartz normative. Higher H₂O contents (>3%) suppress plagioclase and lead to crystallization of amphibole and garnet thereby producing derivative corundum normative andesite liquids. The experiments show that alumina in the liquid correlates positively with Al in pyroxene, as long as no major aluminous phase crystallizes. Extrapolation of this correlation to natural pyroxenites in the Talkeetna and Kohistan arc sections indicates that clinopyroxenes with low Ca-Tschermaks component represent near-liquidus phases of primitive, Si-rich hydrous magmas. Density calculations on the residual solid assemblages indicate that ultramafic plutonic rocks are always denser than upper mantle rocks in the order of 0.05 to 0.20 g/cm³. The combination of high pressure and high H₂O concentration in the liquid suppresses plagioclase crystallization, so that ultramafic plutonic rocks form over a significant proportion of the crystallization interval (up to 50% crystallization of ultramafic rocks from initial, mantle-derived liquids). This suggests that in subduction-related magmatic arcs the seismic Moho might be shallower than the petrologic crust/mantle transition. It is therefore possible that calculations based on seismic data have overestimated the normative plagioclase content (e.g., SiO₂, Al₂O₃) of igneous crust in arcs.     

Evidence for melt migration enhancing recrystallization of metastable assemblages in mafic lower crust, Fiordland, New Zealand

A major arc batholith, the Western Fiordland Orthogneiss (WFO) in Fiordland, New Zealand, exhibits irregular, spatially restricted centimetre-scale recrystallization from two-pyroxene hornblende granulite to garnet granulite flanking felsic dykes. At Lake Grave, northern Fiordland, the composition and texture of narrow (<10–20 mm across) felsic dykes that cut the orthogneiss are consistent with an igneous origin and injection of melt to form orthogneiss migmatite. New U–Pb geochronology suggests that the injection of dykes and migmatization occurred at c . 115 Ma, during the later stages of arc magmatism. Recrystallization to garnet granulite is promoted by volatile extraction from the host two-pyroxene hornblende granulite via adjacent dykes and the patchy development of garnet granulite is left as a marker adjacent to the melt migration path. New mineral equilibria modelling suggests that a two-pyroxene hornblende assemblage is stable at <11 kbar, whereas a garnet granulite assemblage is stable at >12 kbar, suggesting that garnet granulite may have formed with <5 km crustal loading of the batholith. Although the garnet granulite assemblages signify that the WFO experienced high- P conditions, the very local nature of these textures indicates widespread metastability (>90%) of the two-pyroxene hornblende granulite assemblages. These results indicate the strongly metastable nature of assemblages in mafic lower arc crust during deep burial and demonstrate that the degree of reaction in the case of Fiordland is related to interaction with migrating melts.     

Construction of the granitoid crust of an island arc part I: geochronological and geochemical constraints from the plutonic Kohistan (NW Pakistan)

We present major and trace element analyses and U–Pb zircon intrusion ages from I-type granitoids sampled along a crustal transect in the vicinity of the Chilas gabbronorite of the Kohistan paleo-arc. The aim is to investigate the roles of fractional crystallization of mantle-derived melts and partial melting of lower crustal amphibolites to produce the magmatic upper crust of an island arc. The analyzed samples span a wide calc-alkaline compositional range (diorite–tonalite–granodiorite–granite) and have typical subduction-related trace element signatures. Their intrusion ages (75.1 ± 4.5–42.1 ± 4.4 Ma) are younger than the Chilas Complex (~85 Ma). The new results indicate, in conjunction with literature data, that granitoid formation in the Kohistan arc was a continuous rather than punctuated process. Field observations and the presence of inherited zircons indicate the importance of assimilation processes. Field relations, petrographic observations and major and trace element compositions of the granitoid indicate the importance of amphibole fractionation for their origin. It is concluded that granitoids in the Kohistan arc are derivative products of mantle derived melts that evolved through amphibole-dominated fractionation and intra crustal assimilation.     

The Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the Metamorphosed Basic and Ultrabasic Rocks of the Jijal Complex, Kohistan, NW Pakistan

The Jijal complex, covering more than 150 sq. km in the extremenorth of Pakistan, is a tectonic wedge of garnet granulitesintruded in the south by a 10 x 4 km slab of ultramafic rocks.The granulites are divisible into plagioclase-bearing (basicto intermediate) and plagioclase-free (ultrabasic to basic)types, the two types reflecting differences in bulk chemistry.Garnet + plagioclase + clinopyroxene + quartz + rutile ±hornblende ± epidote is the most common assemblage. Theplagioclase-free rocks are composed mainly of two or three ofthe minerals garnet, amphibole, clinopyroxene and epidote. Orthopyroxeneoccurs in websteritic rocks devoid of epidote. Much of the amphiboleand some epidote appear to be prograde products. Although variationdiagrams do not reveal a genetic link between the two typesof granulite, it is considered that they are comagmatic ratherthan the products of two or more unrelated magmas. The compositions of garnet (Py_28–46 Alm _27–43Gro_16–28),clinopyroxene (Mg_44–34Fe_5–17Ca_51–49, Al₂O₃3·0–9·9 per cent), orthopyroxene (with upto 5·5 per cent Al₂O₃), amphibole (with up to 16·3per cent Al₂O₃ and high Al^vi/Al^iv), and the abundance of garnetsuggest a high-pressure origin for the granulites. The rocksappear to have differentiated from a tholeiitic magma of oceanicaffinity or they may be genetically related to the pyroxenegranulites of Swat considered to have originally crystallizedfrom a calc-alkaline magma of island arc or continental marginaffinity. They probably crystallized in the ancient Tethyancrust/upper mantle (or less likely in a continental margin),later to be metamorphosed to granulites (670–790 °C,12–14 kb) during the collision of the Indian-Asian landmasses,and carried upwards during later Himalayan orogenic episodes. The ultramafic rocks are alpine-type in nature and devoid ofgarnet. They are dominated by diopsidites; dunites, peridotites,and harzburgites together form <50 per cent of the area ofoutcrop. The chemistry of the rocks, and their olivines (Fo_92–89)and clinopyroxenes (Mg_49.5–48Fe_2.8–5.2Ca_47.4–46.8)are similar to those of alpine complexes of the harzburgitesubtype. It is not clear whether they represent a faulted slabof suboceanic crust/upper mantle, mantle diapirs in deep orogenicroots, or dismembered ultramafic rocks differentiated from abasaltic magma. They seem to have a complex history; their presentmineralogy is suggestive of high grade metamorphism (800–850°C, 8–12 kb). They are magmatically unrelated to thegarnet granulites and were probably intruded into the latteras plastic crystalline material after both had been independentlymetamorphosed, but before the entire complex was carried tectonicallyinto its present surroundings. The abundances of the diopsiditesis in marked contrast to other alpine-type complexes and thepossibility of Ca and Si metasomatism during or before theirmetamorphism should not be totally ruled out.     

A Detailed Geochemical Study of Island Arc Crust: the Talkeetna Arc Section, South-Central Alaska

The Early to Middle Jurassic Talkeetna Arc section exposed inthe Chugach Mountains of south–central Alaska is 5–18km wide and extends for over 150 km. This accreted island arcincludes exposures of upper mantle to volcanic upper crust.The section comprises six lithological units, in order of decreasingdepth: (1) residual upper mantle harzburgite (with lesser proportionsof dunite); (2) pyroxenite; (3) basal gabbronorite; (4) lowercrustal gabbronorite; (5) mid-crustal plutonic rocks; (6) volcanicrocks. The pyroxenites overlie residual mantle peridotite, withsome interfingering of the two along the contact. The basalgabbronorite overlies pyroxenite, again with some interfingeringof the two units along their contact. Lower crustal gabbronorite(10 km thick) includes abundant rocks with well-developed modallayering. The mid-crustal plutonic rocks include a heterogeneousassemblage of gabbroic rocks, dioritic to tonalitic rocks (30–40%area), and concentrations of mafic dikes and chilled mafic inclusions.The volcanic rocks (7 km thick) range from basalt to rhyolite.Many of the evolved volcanic compositions are a result of fractionalcrystallization processes whose cumulate products are directlyobservable in the lower crustal gabbronorites. For example,Ti and Eu enrichments in lower crustal gabbronorites are mirroredby Ti and Eu depletions in evolved volcanic rocks. In addition,calculated parental liquids from ion microprobe analyses ofclinopyroxene in lower crustal gabbronorites indicate that theclinopyroxenes crystallized in equilibrium with liquids whosecompositions were the same as those of the volcanic rocks. Thecompositional variation of the main series of volcanic and chilledmafic rocks can be modeled through fractionation of observedphase compositions and phase proportions in lower crustal gabbronorite(i.e. cumulates). Primary, mantle-derived melts in the TalkeetnaArc underwent fractionation of pyroxenite at the base of thecrust. Our calculations suggest that more than 25 wt % of theprimary melts crystallized as pyroxenites at the base of thecrust. The discrepancy between the observed proportion of pyroxenites(less than 5% of the arc section) and the proportion requiredby crystal fractionation modeling (more than 25%) may be bestunderstood as the result of gravitational instability, withdense ultramafic cumulates, probably together with dense garnetgranulites, foundering into the underlying mantle during thetime when the Talkeetna Arc was magmatically active, or in theinitial phases of slow cooling (and sub-solidus garnet growth)immediately after the cessation of arc activity. KEY WORDS: island arc crust; layered gabbro; Alaska geology; island arc magmatism; lower crust     

Construction of the granitoid crust of an island arc. Part II: a quantitative petrogenetic model

Results of simple model calculations that integrate cumulate compositions from the Kohistan arc terrain are presented in order to develop a consistent petrogenetic model to explain the Kohistan island arc granitoids. The model allows a quantitative approximation of the possible relative roles of fractional crystallization and assimilation to explain the silica-rich upper crust composition of oceanic arcs. Depending in detail on the parental magma composition hydrous moderate-to-high pressure fractional crystallization in the lower crust/upper mantle is an adequate upper continental crust forming mechanism in terms of volume and compositions. Accordingly, assimilation and partial melting in the lower crust is not per se a necessary process to explain island arc granitoids. However, deriving few percent of melts using low degree of dehydration melting is a crucial process to produce volumetrically important amounts of upper continental crust from silica-poorer parental magmas. Even though the model can explain the silica-rich upper crustal composition of the Kohistan, the fractionation model does not predict the accepted composition of the bulk continental crust. This finding supports the idea that additional crustal refining mechanism (e.g., delamination of lower crustal rocks) and/or non-cogenetic magmatic process were critical to create the bulk continental crust composition.     

巴基斯坦北部科希斯坦弧奇拉斯杂岩体的地质及地球化学特征

位于巴基斯坦北部西喜马拉雅的科希斯坦地体为夹持于亚洲板块与印度板块之间的倾斜的岛弧型壳体。科希斯坦岛弧北界为主地幔逆总断层（MMT），北界为北部缝合带（或喀啦昆仑主逆冲断层，MKT），可将其划分为几个地质单元。奇拉斯（Chilas)杂岩体为一长约300km、宽50km的巨型基性侵入岩体，与MMT和MKT近平行展布。它被认为是科希斯坦岛弧的岩浆房根区。奇拉斯杂岩体主要由辉长苏长岩和几个超镁铁质岩－镁铁质岩（简称UMA）岩体组成。前侵入后之中。奇拉斯杂岩体岩石普遍发生轻微变形，出现叶理化和韧性剪切带。UMA主要由橄榄石（含或不含单斜辉石）堆积岩（纯橄岩，异剥橄岩）和斜长石－单斜辉石－斜方辉石堆积岩（二辉辉长岩）组成，含有少量单斜辉石－斜方辉石堆积岩（辉石岩）。辉长苏长岩的地球化学特征表明其为岛弧环境下形成的非堆积岩，而UMA的地球化学特征表明其为岛弧环境下的堆积岩。辉长苏长岩和UMA的主元素地球化学特征在AFM图解上可用堆积和非堆积的模式来解释，辉长苏长岩的稀土和微量元素地球化学特征在100MgO/(MgO TFeO)图解上显示岛弧型特点，且UMA表明其堆积特性。     

Element Mobility During Incipient Granulite Formation at Kabbaldurga, Southern India

At Kabbaldurga, infiltration of carbonic fluids along a systemof ductile shears and foliation planes has led to partial transformationof Archaean grey biotite–hornblende gneiss to coarse-grainedmassive charnockite at about 2.5 b.y. ago. The dehydration ofthe gneiss assemblage was induced by a marked metasomatic changeof the reacting system from granodioritic to granitic, and obviouslytook place under conditions of an open system at 700–750?C and 5–7 kb. Extensive replacement of plagioclase (An_16–30)by K-feldspar through Na, Ca–K exchange reactions withthe ascending carbonic fluids led to strong enrichment in K,Rb, Ba, and SiO₂, and to a depletion in Ca. Progressive dissolutionof hornblende, biotite, magnetite, and the accessory mineralsapatite and zircon resulted in a marked depletion in Fe, Mg,Ti, Zn, V, P, and Zr. Most important is the recognition of REEmobility: with advancing charnockitization, the moderately fractionatedREE distribution patterns of the grey gneisses (La_N270; La_N/Yb_N= 5–20; Eu_N27; Eu/Eu^* = 0.6–0.3) give way to stronglyfractionated REE patterns with a positive Eu-anomaly (La_N200;La_N/Yb_N = 20–80; Eu_N22; Eu/Eu^* = 0.6–1.8). The systematicdepletion especially in the HREE is due to the progressive dissolutionof zircon, apatite (and monazite), which strongly concentratethe REE. Stable isotope data (¹⁸O of 6.9–8.0 per mille for gneissesand charnockites; ¹³C of –8.5 and –6.5 per millefor late carbonate) indicate a magmatogenic source for the carbonicfluids. In contrast to the currently favoured derivation ofcarbonic fluids by decarbonation of the upper mantle or degassingof underplated basaltic intrusions, it is discussed here thatabundant fluid inclusions in lower crustal charnockites providedan extensive reservoir of ‘fossil’ carbonic fluids.Shear deformation has tapped this reservoir and generated thechannel-ways for fluid ascent. Charnockitization of the Kabbaldurgatypethus appears to be a metasomatic process which is tectonicallycontrolled and restricted to the crustal level of the amphiboliteto granulite transition.     

Coronas and high-P veins in metagabbros of the Kohistan island arc, northern Pakistan: evidence for crustal thickening during cooling

Abstract The E-W-trending Kohistan terrane in the NW Himalaya is a sandwich of a magmatic arc between the collided Karakoram (Asian) and Indian plates. The southern part of the Kohistan arc is principally made up of amphibolites derived from volcanic and plutonic rocks of Early Cretaceous age. Gabbroic relics in the amphibolites display calc-alkaline character, and their mineralogy is similar to low-P plutonic rocks reported from modern and ancient island arcs. The largest of these relics, occurring along the southern margin of the amphibolite belt near Khwaza Khela, is subcircular in outline and is about 1 km across. It consists of cumulate gabbros and related rocks displaying a record of cooling and crustal thickening. Primary olivine and anorthite reacted to produce coronas consisting of two pyroxenes +Mg-Fe²⁺-Al spinel ± tschermakitic hornblende at about 800° C, 5.5–7.5 kbar. This thermotectonic event is of regional extent and may be related to the overthrusting of the Karakoram plate onto the Kohistan arc some 85 Ma ago, or even earlier. Later the gabbros were locally traversed by veins containing high-P assemblages: garnet, kyanite, zoisite, paragonite, oligoclase, calcite, scapolite and quartz ° Chlorite ° Corundum ± diopside. Formed in the range 510–600° C, and 10–12 kbar, these suggest further thickening and cooling of the crust before its uplift during the Tertiary. This paper presents microprobe data on the minerals, and discusses the tectonic implications of the coronitic and vein assemblages in the gabbros.     

Experimental Constraints on the Origin of the 1991 Pinatubo Dacite

Crystallization (dacite) and interaction (dacite–peridotite)experiments have been performed on the 1991 Pinatubo dacite(Luzon Island, Philippines) to constrain its petrogenesis. Inthe dacite–H₂O system at 960 MPa, magnetite and eitherclinopyroxene (low H₂O) or amphibole (high H₂O) are the liquidusphases. No garnet is observed at this pressure. Dacite–peridotite interaction at 920 MPa produces massive orthopyroxenecrystallization, in addition to amphibole ± phlogopite.Amphibole crystallizing in dacite at 960 MPa has the same compositionas the aluminium-rich hornblende preserved in the cores of amphibolephenocrysts in the 1991 dacite, suggesting a high-pressure stageof dacite crystallization with high melt H₂O contents (>10wt %) at relatively low temperature (<950°C). The compositionsof plagioclase, amphibole and melt inclusion suggest that thePinatubo dacite was water-rich, oxidized and not much hotterthan 900°C, when emplaced into the shallow magma reservoirin which most phenocrysts precipitated before the onset of the1991 eruption. The LREE-enriched REE pattern of the whole-rockdacite demands garnet somewhere during its petrogenesis, whichin turn suggests high-pressure derivation. Partial melting ofsubducted oceanic crust yields melts unlike the Pinatubo dacite.Interaction of these slab melts with sub-arc peridotite is unableto produce a Pinatubo type of dacite, nor is a direct mantleorigin conceivable on the basis of our peridotite–daciteinteraction experimental results. Dehydration melting of underplatedbasalts requires unrealistically high temperatures and doesnot yield dacite with the low FeO/MgO, and high H₂O, Ni andCr contents typical of the Pinatubo dacite. The most plausibleorigin of the Pinatubo dacite is via high-pressure fractionationof a hydrous, oxidized, primitive basalt that crystallized amphiboleand garnet upon cooling. Dacite melts produced in this way weredirectly expelled from the uppermost mantle or lower crust toshallow-level reservoirs from which they erupted occasionally.Magmas such as the Pinatubo dacite may provide evidence forthe existence of particularly H₂O-rich conditions in the sub-arcmantle wedge rather than the melting of the young, hot subductingoceanic plate. KEY WORDS: Pinatubo dacite; slab melt; experimental petrology; arc magmas     

Synmetamorphic High-Density Carbonic Fluids in the Lower Crust: Evidence from the Nilgiri Granulites, Southern India

High-density CO² inclusions occur abundantly in granulite fadesrocks (age of metamorphism 2–5b.y.) of the Nilgiri massif,southern India. The chronology of carbonic inclusions in thewidespread enderbitic granulites studied in relation to thedevelopment of micro-textures and mineral assemblages indicatesthat randomly oriented, negative-crystal-shaped CO² inclusions(4–20 µim) in garnet and quartz grains (qtz I) armouredby garnet entrap syn-peak-metamorphic pore fluids. The moreabundant trail-bound CO₂ inclusions in the deformed, polygonized,and partially recrystallized matrix quartz grains (qtz II andIII) and plagioclase grains were formed in connection with astage of compressional deformation and subsequent annealingrelated to the development of the late-Proterozoic Bhavani shearzone. These inclusions resulted from local re-equilibrationof the former peak-granulitic carbonic inclusions and re-entrapmentof released fluids. The presence of pure CO₂ in all the inclusionsis confirmed by microthermometric data and laser-excited Ramanmicrospectrome-try. Temperatures of homogenization (liquid phase)are in the range of 50 to +20C, and the corresponding CO₂ densitiesare between 1.154 and 0–807 g/cm3. Mineralogical thermobarometry on the enderbitic granulites documentsa continuous gradient of near-peak metamorphic conditions from750C, 9–10 kb in the northern part to 73OC, 7 kb inthe southwestern part of the Nilgiri massif. Uniform P, Testimates(600–650 C, 6–7 kb) for late coronitic garnet +quartz assemblages in enderbites and metadolerites indicatethat differential uplift of the massif to mid-crustal levelswas accomplished before late compressional deformation. In conformity,carbonic inclusions in quartz II and III are characterized byuniformly high density (1.154–1.08 g/cm3). In contrast,early carbonic inclusions in garnet and quartz I preserve thedensity contrast reflecting the regional P, T gradient duringnear-peak metamorphic fluid entrapment. The fluid inclusionsys-tematics indicate ‘near-isochoric’ uplift ofthe northern high-P domain, but near-isobaric cooling of thesouthwestern low-P domain. The carbonic fluids are thought tohave been derived either from internal sources during dehydration-meltingprocesses or from freezing synmetamorphic intrusives into thelower crust.     

Evidence from Xenoliths for a Dynamic Lower Crust, Eastern Mojave Desert, California

Garnet-rich xenoliths in a Tertiary dike in the eastern MojaveDesert, California, preserve information about the nature andhistory of the lower crust. These xenoliths record pressuresof 10–12 kbar and temperatures of 750–800C. Approximately25% have mafic compositions and bear hornblende + plagioclase+ clinopyroxene + quartz in addition to garnet. The remainder,all of which contain quartz, include quartzose, quartzofeldspathic,and aluminous (kyanitesillimanite-bearing) varieties. Mostxenoliths have identifiable protoliths—mafic from intermediateor mafic igneous rocks, quartzose from quartz-rich sedimentaryrocks, aluminous from Al-rich graywackes or pelites, and quartzofeldspathicfrom feldspathic sediments and/or intermediate to felsic igneousrocks. However, many have unusual chemical compositions characterizedby high FeO(t), FeO(t)/MgO, Al₂O₃, and Al₂O₃/CaO, which correspondto high garnet abundance. The mineralogy and major-and trace-elementcompositions are consistent with the interpretation that thexenoliths are the garnet-rich residues of high-pressure crustalmelting, from which granitic melt was extracted. High ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Srand low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd, together with highly discordant zirconsfrom a single sample with Pb/Pb ages of 1.7 Ga, demonstratethat the crustal material represented by the xenoliths is atleast as old as Early Proterozoic. This supracrustal-bearinglithologic assemblage may have been emplaced in the lower crustduring either Proterozoic or Mesozoic orogenesis, but Sr andNd model ages> 4 Ga require late Phanerozoic modificationof parent/daughter ratios, presumably during the anatectic event.Pressures of equilibration indicate that peak metamorphism andmelting occurred before the Mojave crust had thinned to itscurrent thickness of <30 km. The compositions of the xenolithssuggest that the lower crust here is grossly similar to estimatedworld-wide lower-crustal compositions in terms of silica andmafic content; however, it is considerably more peraluminous,has a lower mg-number, and is distinctive in some trace elementconcentrations, reflecting its strong metasedimentary and restiticheritage. ^* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Present address: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Troy, New York 12180, USA. Fax: 518–276–8627; email: hanchj{at}rpi.edu.     

Lower Crustal Magma Genesis and Preservation: a Stochastic Framework for the Evaluation of Basalt-Crust Interaction

We present a quantitative assessment of the thermal and dynamicresponse of an amphibolitic lower crust to the intrusion ofbasaltic dike swarms in an arc setting. We consider the effectof variable intrusion geometry, depth of intrusion, and basaltflux on the production, persistence, and interaction of basalticand crustal melt in a stochastic computational framework. Distinctmelting and mixing environments are predicted as a result ofthe crustal thickness and age of the arc system. Shallow crustal(30 km) environments and arc settings with low fluxes of mantle-derivedbasalt are likely repositories of isolated pods of mantle andcrustal melts in the lower crust, both converging on daciticto rhyodacitic composition. These may be preferentially rejuvenatedin subsequent intrusive episodes. Mature arc systems with thickercrust (50 km) produce higher crustal and residual basaltic meltfractions, reaching 0·4 for geologically reasonable basaltfluxes. The basaltic to basaltic andesite composition of bothcrustal and mantle melts will facilitate mixing as the networkof dikes collapses, and Reynolds numbers reach 10^–4–1·0in the interiors of dikes that have been breached by ascendingcrustal melts. This may provide one mechanism for melting, assimilation,storage and homogenization (MASH)-like processes. Residual mineralassemblages of crust thickened by repeated intrusion are predictedto be garnet pyroxenitic, which are denser than mantle peridotiteand also generate convective instabilities where some of thecrustal material is lost to the mantle. This reconciles thethinner than predicted crust in regions that have undergonea large flux of mantle basalt for a prolonged period of time,and helps explain the enrichment of incompatible elements suchas K₂O, typical of mature arc settings, without the associatedmass balance problem. KEY WORDS: crustal anatexis; delamination; lower crust; magma mixing; thermal model     

Chemical and Thermal Evolution of Archaean Sialic Crust, Southern West Greenland

The Archaean rocks of West Greenland are predominantly bandedquartzofeldspathic gneisses enclosing thin migmatized sheetsof older metabasic and metasedimentary lithologies. Isotopicdating (Moorbath & Pankhurst, 1976) indicates that muchof the Archaean crust presently exposed in southern West Greenlandwas generated from predominantly upper mantle sources 3000-2800m.y. ago. Parts of this crust crystallized under prograde granulitefacies conditions 2950-2750 m.y. ago. The granulite gneisseswere severely depleted in some of the lithophile and heat producingelements, Si, Na, Sr, Rb, U and Th, during the granulite metamorphism.These elements appear to have been transferred to higher crustallevels by the migration of a dispersed vapour phase. The pressureand temperature recorded by amphibolite and granulite faciesassemblages have been estimated using thermometers and barometerscalibrated against the results of phase equilibrium experiments.These estimates (800 °C, 10.5 kb and 630 °C, 7.3 kbfor granulite and amphibolite facies respectively) indicatethat the Archaean continental crust in southern West Greenlandwas at least 30–40 km thick 2800 m.y. ago. Water vapourpressures in the granulites were extremely low, 0.3 to 0.1 P_total.The thermal evolution of the Archaean crust during the period3000-2700 m.y. was controlled by the emplacement of large volumesof acid-intermediate melts into a relatively thin metabasiccrust. The thermal perturbations generated by this convectivetransfer of heat from the upper mantle to the crust relaxedduring the period immediately following crustal accretion. Progradegranulite facies assemblages could have developed under stronglydehydrating conditions and progressively falling temperatures,or during a phase of rising temperature in the lower crust.     

Melting of Amphibole-bearing Wehrlites: an Experimental Study on the Origin of Ultra-calcic Nepheline-normative Melts

Olivine + clinopyroxene ± amphibole cumulates have beenwidely documented in island arc settings and may constitutea significant portion of the lowermost arc crust. Because ofthe low melting temperature of amphibole (1100°C), suchcumulates could melt during intrusion of primary mantle magmas.We have experimentally (piston-cylinder, 0·5–1·0GPa, 1200–1350°C, Pt–graphite capsules) investigatedthe melting behaviour of a model amphibole–olivine–clinopyroxenerock, to assess the possible role of such cumulates in islandarc magma genesis. Initial melts are controlled by pargasiticamphibole breakdown, are strongly nepheline-normative and areAl₂O₃-rich. With increasing melt fraction (T > 1190°Cat 1·0 GPa), the melts become ultra-calcic while remainingstrongly nepheline-normative, and are saturated with olivineand clinopyroxene. The experimental melts have strong compositionalsimilarities to natural nepheline-normative ultra-calcic meltinclusions and lavas exclusively found in arc settings. Theexperimentally derived phase relations show that such naturalmelt compositions originate by melting according to the reactionamphibole + clinopyroxene = melt + olivine in the arc crust.Pargasitic amphibole is the key phase in this process, as itlowers melting temperatures and imposes the nepheline-normativesignature. Ultra-calcic nepheline-normative melt inclusionsare tracers of magma–rock interaction (assimilative recycling)in the arc crust. KEY WORDS: experimental melting; subduction zone; ultra-calcic melts; wehrlite     

The role of amphibole in the evolution of arc magmas and crust: the case from the Jurassic Bonanza arc section, Vancouver Island, Canada

The Jurassic Bonanza arc, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, represents an exhumed island arc crustal section of broadly diorite composition. We studied bodies of mafic and ultramafic cumulates within deeper levels of the arc to constrain the conditions and fractionation pathways leading from high-Mg basalt to andesite and dacite. Major element trends coupled with textural information show the intercumulus crystallization of amphibole, as large oikocrysts enclosing olivine in primitive cumulates controls the compositions of liquids until the onset of plagioclase crystallization. This process is cryptic, occurring only in the plutonic section, and explains the paucity of amphibole in mafic arc volcanics and the change in the Dy/Yb ratios in many arc suites with differentiation. The correlation of octahedral Al in hornblende with pressure in liquidus experiments on high-Mg basalts is applied as an empirical barometer to hornblendes from the Bonanza arc. It shows that crystallization took place at 470–880 MPa in H₂O-saturated primitive basaltic magmas. There are no magmatic equivalents to bulk continental crust in the Bonanza arc; no amount of delamination of ultramafic cumulates will shift the bulk arc composition to the high-Mg# andesite composition of bulk continental crust. Garnet removal from wet magmas appears to be the key factor in producing continental crust, requiring high pressures and thick crust. Because oceanic island arcs are built on thinner crust, the long-term process generating the bulk continental crust is the accretion of island arcs to continental margins with attendant tectonic thickening.