Neoproterozoic collisional metamorphism in overthrust terranes of the Trans-Angarian Yenisey Ridge,Siberia

Four polymetamorphic complexes in the vicinity of regional faults in the Trans-Angarian region of the Yenisey Ridge were studied to determine their metamorphic evolution and to elucidate distinctive features of the regional geodynamic processes. Based on our geological and petrological studies using geothermobarometry and P–T path calculations, we show that a Neoproterozoic medium-pressure metamorphism of the kyanite-sillimanite type at c. 850 Ma overprinted regionally metamorphosed low-pressure andalusite-bearing rocks. A positive correlation between rock ages and P–T estimates for the kyanite-sillimanite metamorphism provides evidence for regional structural and tectonic heterogeneity. The medium-pressure recrystallization was characterized by (1) localized distribution of metamorphic zones in the area directly underlying thrust faults with a measured thickness of 2.5–8 km; (2) syntectonic formation of kyanite-bearing mineral assemblages related to thrusting; (3) gradual increase in metamorphic pressure towards the thrust faults associated with a low metamorphic field gradient (from 1–7 to 12°C/km); and (4) equally steep burial P–T paths recorded for the highest grade rocks. These specific features are typical of collisional metamorphism during overthrusting of continental blocks and are evidence of near-isothermal loading in accordance with the transient emplacement of thrust sheets. The proposed model for tectono-metamorphic evolution of the study areas due to crustal thickening at high thrusting rates and subsequent rapid exhumation explains these tectonic features. Data analysis allowed us to consider the medium-pressure kyanite-bearing metapelites as a product of collisional metamorphism, reflecting unidirectional thrusting of Siberian cratonal blocks onto Yenisey Ridge along regional deep faults (Angara, Mayakon, and Chapa areas) and by opposite movements in the zone of secondary splay faults (Garevka area).     

P-T-t constraints on the metamorphic evolution of the Transangarian Yenisei Ridge: Geodynamic and petrological implications

Two metamorphic complexes of the Yenisei Ridge with contrasting composition are analyzed to unravel their tectonothermal evolution and geodynamic processes during the Riphean geologic history of the area. The structural, mineralogical, petrological, geochemical and geochronological data are used to distinguish two stages of the evolution with different ages, thermodynamic regimes, and metamorphic field gradients. Reaction textures, chemical zoning in minerals, shapes of the P-T paths, and isotope dates provide convincing evidence for a poly metamorphic history of the region. The first stage is marked by the formation of the ~ 970 Ma low-pressure zoned And-Sil rocks (P = 3.9-5.1 kbar, T = 510–640 °C) of the Teya aureole and a high metamorphic field gradient with dT/dH = 25–35 °C/km typical of many orogenic belts. At the second stage, these rocks experienced Late Riphean (853–849 Ma) collisional medium-pressure metamorphism of the kyanite-sillimanite type (P = 5.7-7.2 kbar, T = 660–700 °C) and a low metamorphic field gradient with dT/dH < 12 °C/km. This metamorphic event was almost coeval with the Late Riphean (862 Ma) contact metamorphism in the vicinity of the granitic plutons, which was accompanied by a high metamorphic field gradient with dT/dH > 100 °C/km. At the first stage, the deepest blocks of the Garevka complex in the vicinity of the Yenisei regional shear zone underwent high-pressure amphibolite-facies metamorphism within a narrow range of P = 7.1-8.7 kbar and T = 580–630 °C, suggesting the burial of rocks to mid-crustal depths at a metamorphic field gradient with dT/dH ~ 20–25 °C/km. At the second stage, these rocks experienced the Late Riphean (900–850 Ma) syn-exhumation dynamometamorphism under epidote-amphibolte facies conditions (P = 3.9-4.9 kbar, T = 460–550 °C) and a low gradient with dT/dH < 10 °C/km accompanied by the formation of blastomylonitic complexes in shear zones. All these deformation and metamorphic events identified on the western margin of the Siberian craton are correlated with the final episodes of the Late Grenville orogeny and provide supporting evidence for a close spatial connection between Siberia and Laurentia during early Neoproterozoic time, which is in good agreement with recent paleomagnetic reconstuctions.     

The effects of accretion, erosion and radiogenic heat on the metamorphic evolution of collisional orogens

Petrological and thermochronological data provide our best record of the thermal structure of deeply eroded orogens, and, in principle, might be used to relate the metamorphic structure of an orogen to its deformational history. In this paper, we present a two-dimensional thermal model of collisional orogens that includes the processes of accretion and erosion to examine the P – T  evolution of rocks advected through the orogen. Calculated metamorphic patterns are similar to those observed in the field; metamorphic temperatures, depths and ages generally increase with distance from the toe of the orogen; P – T  paths are anti-clockwise, with rocks heating during burial and early stages of unroofing, followed by cooling during late-stage unroofing. The results indicate that peak metamorphic temperatures within the core of a collisional orogen and the distance from the toe of an orogen to the metamorphic core can be related to the relative rates of accretion, erosion and plate convergence. Model orogens displaying high metamorphic temperatures (>600  °C) are associated with low ratios of accretion rate to plate convergence velocity and with high heat flow through the foreland. Model orogens with metamorphic cores far from the toe of the orogen are associated with high ratios of accretion rate to erosion rate. Calculated metamorphic gradients mimic steady-state geotherms, and inverted thermal gradients can be preserved in the metamorphic record, suggesting reconsideration of the concept that the metamorphic record does not closely reflect geothermal gradients within an orogen.     

Geologic field evidence for non-lithostatic overpressure recorded in the North American Cordillera hinterland,northeast Nevada

There is a long-standing discrepancy for numerous North American Cordillera metamorphic core complexes between geobarometric pressures recorded in the exhumed rocks and their apparent burial depths based on palinspastic reconstructions from geologic field data. In particular, metamorphic core complexes in eastern Nevada are comprised of well-documented ~12–15 km thick Neoproterozoic–Paleozoic stratigraphy of Laurentia's western passive margin, which allows for critical characterization of field relationships. In this contribution we focus on the Ruby Mountain–East Humboldt Range–Wood Hills–Pequop Mountains (REWP) metamorphic core complex of northeast Nevada to explore reported peak pressure estimates versus geologic field relationships that appear to prohibit deep burial. Relatively high pressure estimates of 6–8 kbar (23–30 km depth, if lithostatic) from the lower section of the Neoproterozoic–Paleozoic passive margin sequence require burial and or repetition of the passive margin sequence by 2–3× stratigraphic depths. Our observations from the least migmatized and/or mylonitized parts of this complex, including field observations, a transect of peak-temperature (T_p) estimates, and critical evaluation of proposed thickening/burial mechanisms cannot account for such deep burial. From Neoproterozoic–Cambrian (?) rocks part of a continuous stratigraphic section that transitions ~8 km upsection to unmetamorphosed Permian strata that were not buried, we obtained new quartz-in-garnet barometry via Raman analysis that suggest pressures of ~7 kbar (~26 km). A T_p traverse starting at the same basal ? rocks reveals a smooth but hot geothermal gradient of ≥40 °C/km that is inconsistent with deep burial. This observation is clearly at odds with thermal gradients implied by high P-T estimates that are all ≤25 °C/km. Remarkably similar discrepancies between pressure estimates and field observations have been discussed for the northern Snake Range metamorphic core complex, ~200 km to the southeast. We argue that a possible reconciliation of long-established field observations versus pressures estimated from a variety of barometry techniques is that the rocks experienced non-lithostatic tectonic overpressure. We illustrate how proposed mechanisms to structurally bury the rocks, as have been invoked to justify published high pressure estimates, are entirely atypical of the Cordillera hinterland and unlike structures interpreted from other analogous orogenic plateau hinterlands. Proposed overpressure mechanisms are relevant in the REWP, including impacts from deviatoric/differential stress considerations, tectonic mode switching, and the autoclave effect driven by dehydration melting. Simple mechanical arguments demonstrate how this overpressure could have been achieved. This study highlights that detailed field and structural restorations of the least strained rocks in an orogen are critical to evaluate the tectonic history of more deformed rocks.     

Thermal-baric structure and P–T history of the Brooks Range metamorphic core, Alaska

Documentation of pressure–temperature (P–T) histories across an epidote‐amphibolite facies culmination provides new insight into the tectono‐thermal evolution of the Brooks Range collisional orogen. Thermobarometry reveals that the highest grade rocks formed at peak temperatures of 560–600 °C and at pressures of 8–9.5 kbar. The thermal culmination coincides with the apex of a structural dome defined by oppositely dipping S2 crenulation cleavages suggesting post‐metamorphic doming. South of the thermal culmination, greenschist facies and lowermost epidote‐amphibolite facies rocks preserve widespread evidence for an early blueschist facies metamorphism. In contrast, no evidence for an early blueschist facies metamorphism was found in similar grade rocks of the northern flank, indicating that the southern flank underwent initial deeper burial during southward underthrusting of the continental margin. Thus, while the dome shows a symmetric distribution of peak temperatures, the P–T paths followed by the two flanks must have varied. This variation suggests that final thermal re‐equilibration to greenschist and epidote–amphibolite facies conditions did not result from a simple process of southward underthrusting followed by thermal re‐equilibration from the bottom upward. The new data are inconsistent with a previous model that invokes such re‐equilibration, along with northward thrusting of epidote–amphibolite facies rocks over lower grade rocks presently on the southern flank of the culmination, to produce an inverted metamorphic field gradient. Instead, it is suggested that following blueschist facies metamorphism, rocks of the southern and northern flanks were juxtaposed, during which time the more deeply buried south flank was partially emplaced above rocks to the north, where they escaped Albian epidote–amphibolite facies overprinting. Porphyroblast growth, which post‐dates the main fabric on the north flank of the culmination may be the result of Albian thermal re‐equilibration following this deformation. Post‐metamorphic doming resulted from a combination of Albian‐Cenomanian extension and Tertiary deformation.     

Metamorphic evolution of blueschists of the Altınekin Complex,Konya area,south central Turkey

The Altınekin Complex in south central Turkey forms part of the south‐easterly extension of the Tavşanlı Zone, a Cretaceous subduction complex formed during the closure of the Neo‐Tethys ocean. The protoliths of metamorphic rocks within the Altınekin Complex include peridotites, chromitites, basalts, ferruginous cherts and flysch‐facies impure carbonate sediments. Structurally, the complex consists of a stack of thrust slices, with massive ophiolite tectonically overlying a Cretaceous sediment‐hosted ophiolitic mélange, in turn overlying a sequence of Mesozoic sediments. Rocks within the two lower structural units have undergone blueschist–facies metamorphism. Petrographic, mineral–chemical and thermobarometric studies were undertaken on selected samples of metasedimentary and metabasic rock in order to establish the time relations of deformation and metamorphism and to constrain metamorphic conditions. Microstructures record two phases of plastic deformation, one predating the metamorphic peak, and one postdating it. Estimated peak metamorphic pressures mostly fall in the range 9–11 kbar, corresponding to burial depths of 31–38 km, equivalent to the base of a continental crust of normal thickness. Best‐fit peak metamorphic temperatures range from 375 to 450°C. Metamorphic fluids had high H₂O:CO₂ ratios. Peak metamorphic temperature/depth ratios (T/d values) were low (c. 10–14°C/km), consistent with metamorphism in a subduction zone. Lawsonite‐bearing rocks in the southern part of the ophiolitic mélange record lower peak temperatures and T/d values than epidote blueschists elsewhere in the unit, hinting that the latter may consist of two or more thrust slices with different metamorphic histories. Differences in peak metamorphic conditions also exist between the ophiolitic mélange and the underlying metasediments. Rocks of the Altınekin Complex were subducted to much shallower depths, and experienced higher geothermal gradients, than those of the NW Tavşanlı Zone, possibly indicating dramatic lateral variation in subduction style. Retrograde P–T paths in the Altınekin Complex were strongly decompressive, resulting in localized overprinting of epidote blueschists by greenschist–facies assemblages, and of lawsonite blueschists by pumpellyite–facies assemblages. The observation that the second deformation was associated with decompression is consistent with, but not proof of, exhumation by a process that involved deformation of the hanging‐wall wedge, such as gravitational spreading, corner flow or buoyancy‐driven shallowing of the subduction zone. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The metamorphic signature of contemporaneous extension and shortening in the central Himalayan orogen: data from the Nyalam transect, southern Tibet

Abstract Geological relationships and geochronological data suggest that in Miocene time the metamorphic core of the central Himalayan orogen was a wedge-shaped body bounded below by the N-dipping Main Central thrust system and above the N-dipping South Tibetan detachment system. We infer that synchronous movement on these fault systems expelled the metamorphic core southward toward the Indian foreland, thereby moderating the extreme topographic gradient at the southern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Reaction textures, thermobarometric data and thermodynamic modelling of pelitic schists and gneisses from the Nyalam transect in southern Tibet (28°N, 86°E) imply that gravitational collapse of the orogen produced a complex thermal structure in the metamorphic core. Amphibolite facies metamorphism and anatexis at temperatures of 950 K and depths of at least 30 km accompanied the early stages of displacement on the Main Central thrust system. Our findings suggest that the late metamorphic history of these rocks was characterized by high- T decompression associated with roughly 15 km of unroofing by movement on the South Tibetan detachment system. In the middle of the metamorphic core, roughly 7–8 km below the basal detachment of the South Tibetan system, the decompression was essentially isothermal. Near the base of the metamorphic core, roughly 4–6 km above the Main Central thrust, the decompression was accompanied by about 150 K of cooling. We attribute the disparity between the P–T paths of these two structural levels to cooling of the lower part of the metamorphic core as a consequence of continued (and probably accelerated) underthrusting of cooler rocks in the footwall of the Main Central thrust at the same time as movement on the South Tibetan detachment system.     

Zircon ages of late Palaeoproterozoic (ca. 1.72–1.70 Ga) extension-related granitoids in NE Rajasthan,India: Regional and tectonic significance

The Khetri region forms a late Palaeoproterozoic igneous–metamorphic complex in NE Rajasthan, India. Seven granitoid plutons of the Khetri complex have been studied for zircon U–Pb and Pb–Pb dating along with whole-rock and Nd–Sr isotope geochemistry to provide new constraints on the Palaeoproterozoic magmatic activity in the Aravalli orogen of northwestern India. Most intrusives show evidence of moderate to extreme albitisation forming microcline–albite granite and albite granite, respectively. The rocks are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous, largely ferroan and intraplate A-type granites. The U–Pb zircon ages for four plutons cover a time span of 1732–1682 Ma, whereas Pb–Pb zircon evaporation data for three intrusives indicate minimum emplacement ages between 1671 and 1537 Ma. The Nd–Sr isotopic systematics suggest the involvement of Neoarchaean to Palaeoproterozoic crustal components in the petrogenesis of these granitoids. A regional survey of late Palaeoproterozoic ages in the Aravalli orogen provides evidence for a geographically widespread extension-related event in the northwestern Indian shield about 1720–1700 Ma ago. The record of comparable ages and the magmatic history reported in parts of North America and the North China Craton may indicate the significance of this event for the rift tectonics of the hypothetical supercontinent Columbia.     

One-dimensional thermal modelling of Acadian metamorphism in southern Vermont, USA

One‐dimensional thermal (1DT) modelling of an Acadian (Devonian) tectonothermal regime in southern Vermont, USA, used measured metamorphic pressures and temperatures and estimated metamorphic cooling ages based on published thermobarometric and geochronological studies to constrain thermal and tectonic input parameters. The area modelled lies within the Vermont Sequence of the Acadian orogen and includes: (i) a western domain containing garnet‐grade pre‐Silurian metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks from the eastern flank of an Acadian composite dome structure (Rayponda–Sadawga Dome); and (ii) an eastern domain containing similar, but staurolite‐ or kyanite‐grade, rocks from the western flank of a second dome structure (Athens Dome), approximately 10 km farther east. Using reasonable input parameters based on regional geological, petrological and geochronological constraints, the thermal modelling produced plausible P–T paths, and temperature–time (T –t) and pressure–time (P–t) curves. Information extracted from P–T –t modelling includes values of maximum temperature and pressure on the P–T paths, pressure at maximum temperature, predicted Ar closure ages for hornblende, muscovite and K‐feldspar, and integrated exhumation and cooling rates for segments of the cooling history. The results from thermal modelling are consistent with independently obtained pressure, temperature and Ar cooling age data on regional metamorphism in southern Vermont. Modelling results provide some important bounding limits on the physical conditions during regional metamorphism, and indicate that the pressure contemporaneous with the attainment of peak temperature was probably as much as 2.5 kbar lower than the actual maximum pressure experienced by rocks along various particle paths. In addition, differences in peak metamorphic grade (garnet‐grade versus staurolite‐grade or kyanite‐grade) and peak temperature for rocks initially loaded to similar crustal depths, differences in calculated exhumation rates, and differences in ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar closure ages are likely to have been consequences of variations in the duration of isobaric heating (or ‘crustal residence periods’) and tectonic unroofing rates. Modelling results are consistent with a regional structural model that suggests west to east younging of specific Acadian deformational events, and therefore diachroneity of attainment of peak metamorphic conditions and subsequent ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar closure during cooling. Modelling is consistent with the proposition that regional variations in timing and peak conditions of metamorphism are the result of the variable depths to which rocks were loaded by an eastward‐thickening thrust‐nappe pile rooted to the east (New Hampshire Sequence), as well as by diachronous structural processes within the lower plate rocks of the Vermont Sequence.     

Proterozoic metamorphism and uplift history of the north-central Laramie Mountains, Wyoming, USA

The Laramie Mountains of south-eastern Wyoming contain two metamorphic domains that are separated by the 1.76 Ga. Laramie Peak shear zone (LPSZ). South of the LPSZ lies the Palmer Canyon block, where apatite U–Pb ages are c. 1745 Ma and the rocks have undergone Proterozoic kyanite-grade Barrovian metamorphism. In contrast, in the Laramie Peak block, north of the shear zone, the U–Pb apatite ages are 2.4–2.1 Ga, the granitic rocks are unmetamorphosed and supracrustal rocks record only low-T amphibolite facies metamorphism that is Archean in age. Peak mineral assemblages in the Palmer Canyon block include (a) quartz–biotite–plagioclase–garnet–staurolite–kyanite in the pelitic schists; (b) quartz–biotite–plagioclase–low-Ca amphiboles–kyanite in Mg–Al-rich schists, and locally (c) hornblende–plagioclase–garnet in amphibolites. All rock types show abundant textural evidence of decompression and retrograde re-equilibration. Notable among the texturally late minerals are cordierite and sapphirine, which occur in coronas around kyanite in Mg–Al-rich schists. Thermobarometry from texturally early and late assemblages for samples from different areas within the Palmer Canyon block define decompression from >7 kbar to <3 kbar. The high-pressure regional metamorphism is interpreted to be a response to thrusting associated with the Medicine Bow orogeny at c. 1.78–1.76 Ga. At this time, the north-central Laramie Range was tectonically thickened by as much as 12 km. This crustal thickening extended for more than 60 km north of the Cheyenne belt in southern Wyoming. Late in the orogenic cycle, rocks of the Palmer Canyon block were uplifted and unroofed as the result of transpression along the Laramie Peak shear zone to produce the widespread decompression textures. The Proterozoic tectonic history of the central Laramie Range is similar to exhumation that accompanied late-orogenic oblique convergence in many Phanerozoic orogenic belts.     

Influence of tectonic overpressure on P–T paths of HP–UHP rocks in continental collision zones: thermomechanical modelling

The principle of lithostatic pressure is habitually used in metamorphic geology to calculate burial/exhumation depth from pressure given by geobarometry. However, pressure deviation from lithostatic, i.e. tectonic overpressure/underpressure due to deviatoric stress and deformation, is an intrinsic property of flow and fracture in all materials, including rocks under geological conditions. In order to investigate the influences of tectonic overpressure on metamorphic P–T paths, 2D numerical simulations of continental subduction/collision zones were conducted with variable brittle and ductile rheologies of the crust and mantle. The experiments suggest that several regions of significant tectonic overpressure and underpressure may develop inside the slab, in the subduction channel and within the overriding plate during continental collision. The main overpressure region that may influence the P–T paths of HP–UHP rocks is located in the bottom corner of the wedge‐like confined channel with the characteristic magnitude of pressure deviation on the order of ～0.3 GPa and 10–20% from the lithostatic values. The degree of confinement of the subduction channel is the key factor controlling this magnitude. Our models also suggest that subducted crustal rocks, which may not necessarily be exhumed, can be classified into three different groups: (i) UHP‐rocks subjected to significant (≥0.3 GPa) overpressure at intermediate subduction depth (50–70 km, P = 1.5–2.5 GPa) then underpressured at depth ≥100 km (P ≥ 3 GPa); (ii) HP‐rocks subjected to ≥0.3 GPa overpressure at peak P–T conditions reached at 50–70 km depth in the bottom corner of the wedge‐like confined subduction channel (P = 1.5–2.5 GPa); (iii) lower‐pressure rocks formed at shallower depths (≤40 km depth, P ≤ 1 GPa), which are not subjected to significant overpressure and/or underpressure.     

Exhumation of high-pressure rocks: a review of concepts and processes

The exhumation of high-pressure metamorphic rocks requires either the removal of the overburden that caused the high pressures, or the transport of the metamorphic rocks through the overburden. Exhumation cannot be achieved simply by thrusting or strike-slip faulting. It may be caused by erosion of shortened and thickened crust, but this is unlikely to be the only mechanism for exhuming rocks from depths greater than about 20 km. One or more of the following additional mechanisms may be involved. 1 Corner flow of low-viscosity material trapped between the upper and lower plates in a subduction zone can cause upward flow of deeply buried rock, and may explain some occurrences of high-pressure tectonic blocks in mélange. This process does not, however, appear to be adequate to explain the exhumation of regional high-pressure terrains. 2 Buoyancy forces acting directly on metamorphic rock bodies may cause them to rise relative to more dense surroundings. This is likely to be the most important mechanism of exhumation of crustal rocks subducted into the mantle, but cannot explain the emplacement of coherent tracts of high-density metamorphic rock into shallow crustal levels. Some high-pressure blocks emplaced at shallow levels in accretionary terrains may have been entrained in diapiric intrusions of low-density mud or serpentinite. 3 Extension driven by the forces associated with contrasts in surface elevation may explain the exhumation and structural setting of many high-pressure terrains. Extension may occur in the upper part of an accretionary wedge thickened by underplating; or it may affect the whole lithosphere in a region of intracontinental convergence, if surface elevation has been increased by the removal of a lithospheric root. In the second case extension may be accompanied by magmatism and an evolution towards higher temperature during decompression of the metamorphic terrain.     

Metamorphism in the New England Orogen,eastern Australia: a review

Abstract

This paper summarises current knowledge on metamorphism within the entire New England Orogen (NEO) of eastern Australia. Rocks recording metamorphic assemblages characteristic of each of the three metamorphic facies series (high, medium and low P/T) have been identified within the orogen. These include high P/T blueschists and eclogites, mid P/T orogenic metamorphism and low P/T contact aureoles and sub-regional high-temperature–low-pressure (HTLP) metamorphism (regional aureoles). Metamorphism is described as it relates to six tectonic phases of development of the NEO that together comprise two major cycles of compression–extension. Medium–high-grade contact metamorphism spans all six tectonic phases while low-grade burial and/or orogenic metamorphism has been identified for four of the six phases. In contrast, exposure of high P/T eclogites and blueschists, and generation of sub-regional low P/T metamorphism is restricted to extensional phases of the orogen. Hallmarks of the orogen are two newly identified zones of HTLP metamorphism, the older of which extends for almost the entire length of the orogen.

1. KEY POINTS

2. The orogen is dominated by low-temperature rocks while high-temperature amphibolite to granulite facies rocks are restricted to small exposures in HTLP complexes and contact aureoles.

3. Blueschist metamorphism falls into two categories; that associated with subduction during the Currabubula-Connors continental arc phase occurring at depths of ～13–30?km; and the other of Cambrian–Ordovician age, exposed within a serpentinite melange and associated with blocks of eclogite. The eclogite, initially from depths of ～75–90?km, appears to have been entrained in the deep crust for an extended period of geological time.

4. A comprehensive review of contact metamorphism in the orogen is lacking and as studies on low-grade metamorphism are more extensive in the southern part of the orogen than the north, this highlights a second research gap.

     

Petrogenesis of a high-temperature metamorphic terrane: a new tectonic interpretation for the north Dabieshan, central China

ABSTRACT The northern Dabie terrane consists of a variety of metamorphic rocks with minor mafic-ultramafic blocks, and abundant Jurassic-Cretaceous granitic plutons. The metamorphic rocks include orthogneisses, amphibolite, migmatitic gneiss with minor granulite and metasediments; no eclogite or other high-pressure metamorphic rocks have been found. Granulites of various compositions occur either as lenses, blocks or layers within clinopyroxene-bearing amphibolite or gneiss. The palaeosomes of most migmatitic gneisses contain clinopyroxene; melanosomes and leucosomes are intimately intermingled, tightly folded and may have formed in situ. The granulites formed at about 800–830 °C and 10–14 kbar and display near-isothermal decompression P–T paths that may have resulted from crust thickened by collision. Plagioclase-amphibole coronae around garnets and matrix PI + Hbl assemblages from mafic and ultramafic granulites formed at about 750–800 °C. Partial replacement of clinopyroxene by amphibole in gneiss marks amphibolite facies retrograde metamorphism. Amphibolite facies orthogneisses and interlayered amphibolites formed at 680–750 °C and c. 6 kbar. Formation of oligoclase + orthoclase antiperthite after plagioclase took place in migmatitic gneisses at T ≤ 490°C in response to a final stage of retrograde recrystallization. These P–T estimates indicate that the northern Dabie metamorphic granulite-amphibolite facies terrane formed in a metamorphic field gradient of 20–35 °C km^-1 at intermediate to low pressures, and may represent the Sino-Korean hangingwall during Triassic subduction for formation of the ultrahigh- and high-P units to the south. Post-collisional intrusion of a mafic-ultramafic cumulate complex occurred due to breakoff of the subducting slab.     

Collision metamorphism of precambrian complexes in the Transangarian Yenisei Range

Three complexes in the zones of the Ishimbinskii and Tatarka deep faults in the Transangarian part of the Yenisei Range were studied to reproduce their metamorphic evolution and elucidate distinctive features of regional geodynamic processes. The results of our geological and petrological studies with the application of geothermobarometry and P-T metamorphic paths indicate that the Neoproterozoic kyanite-sillimanite intermediate-pressure metamorphism overprinted regionally metamorphosed rocks of low pressure of Middle Riphean age. The kyanite-sillimanite metamorphism was characterized by (1) the development of deformational structures and textures and kyanite-bearing blastomylonites with sillimanite, garnet, and staurolite after andalusite-bearing regional-metamorphic mineral assemblages; (2) insignificant apparent thickness of the zone of intermediate-pressure zonal metamorphism (from 2.5 to 7 km), which was localized near overthrusts; (3) a low geothermal gradient during metamorphism (from 1–7 to 12°C/km); and (4) a gradual increase in the total metamorphic pressure from southwest to northeast with approaching the overthrusts. These features are typical of collisional metamorphism during the thrusting of continental blocks and testify that the rocks subsided nearly isothermally. The process is justified within the scope of a model for the tectonic thickening of the crust via rapid thrusting and subsequent rapid exhumation and erosion. The analysis of our results with regard for the northeastern dips of the thrusts allowed us to consider the intermediate-pressure metapelites as products of collision metamorphism, which were formed in the process of a single thrusting of ancient rock blocks from the Siberian Platform onto the Yenisei Range.     

The P–T–t evolution of the exhumed Himalayan metamorphic core in the Likhu Khola region,East Central Nepal

The recent identification of multiple strike‐parallel discontinuities within the exhumed Himalayan metamorphic core has helped revise the understanding of convergence accommodation processes within the former mid‐crust exposed in the Himalaya. Whilst the significance of these discontinuities to the overall development of the mountain belt is still being investigated, their identification and characterization has become important for potential correlations across regions, and for constraining the kinematic framework of the mid‐crust. The result of new phase equilibria modelling, trace element analysis and high‐precision Lu–Hf garnet dating of the metapelites from the Likhu Khola region in east central Nepal, combined with the previously published monazite petrochronology data confirms the presence of one of such cryptic thrust‐sense tectonometamorphic discontinuities within the lower portion of the exhumed metamorphic core and provides new constraints on the P–T estimates for that region. The location of the discontinuity is marked by an abrupt change in the nature of P–T–t paths of the rocks across it. The rocks in the footwall are characterized by a prograde burial P–T path with peak metamorphic conditions of ~660°C and ~9.5 kbar likely in the mid‐to‐late Miocene, which are overlain by the hanging wall rocks, that preserve retrograde P–T paths with P–T conditions of >700°C and ~7 kbar in the early Miocene. The occurrence of this thrust‐sense structure that separates rock units with unique metamorphic histories is compatible with orogenic models that identify a spatial and temporal transition from early midcrustal deformation and metamorphism in the deeper hinterland to later deformation and metamorphism towards the shallower foreland of the orogen. Moreover, these observations are comparable with those made across other discontinuities at similar structural levels along the Himalaya, confirming their importance as important orogen‐scale structures.     

Construction of a composite pressure–temperature path: revealing the synorogenic burial and exhumation history of the Sevier hinterland, USA

Metamorphic pressure–temperature (P–T) paths derived from 16 growth‐zoned garnets, nine from this study and seven from a previous study, have been combined to construct a detailed composite path for an area in the hinterland of the Cretaceous to early Tertiary Sevier orogenic belt in southern Idaho and north‐west Utah. Samples are from two Proterozoic units in the footwall of the Basin‐Elba thrust: the schist of Mahogany Peaks in the central Albion Mountains, Idaho, and the schist of Stevens Spring in the Basin Creek area of the Grouse Creek Mountains, Utah, ～40 km to the south. The simulated portions of the garnets analysed in this study grew from reactions involving the breakdown of chlorite in the upper greenschist to lower amphibolite facies. Multiple garnets were analysed from three samples. Overlapping segments of P–T paths from different garnets in the same sample correlate with respect to slope and garnet Mn concentration. The composite P–T path documents three episodes of sharply increasing pressures separated by two episodes of pressure decrease, all during progressively increasing temperatures. The path is interpreted to represent alternating episodes of synconvergent thrusting and extensional exhumation in the hinterland of the Sevier orogen. Burial was probably caused by the Basin‐Elba fault, the only major thrust exposed in the region. Extensional exhumation may have occurred along the Mahogany Peaks or Emigrant Spring faults, or by extensional reactivation of the Basin‐Elba fault. This method of correlating partial P–T paths to reveal a more complete composite path provides a powerful tool in unveiling orogenic histories in metamorphic terranes, where evidence of major structures responsible for burial and exhumation is commonly obscured by later events.     

造山带的伸展作用及其地壳演化意义

造山带的伸展作用大致可以分为两种类型:(1)喜马拉雅型伸展,伸展限于上地壳,表现为规模有限的伸展断层,发生于俯冲—碰撞阶段;(2)科迪勒拉型伸展,整个地壳发生伸展,涉及拆离断层、沉积盆地、变质核杂岩的形成,发生于碰撞后阶段。对加厚地壳的热力学模拟,可以解释造山带挤压终止到伸展开始的时序与岩浆活动的关系。喜马拉雅型伸展伴随高压变质作用,并使变质岩系近等温减压;科迪勒拉型伸展与高温变质作用关系密切,伴随花岗质岩体的侵位,并使变质岩系近等温减压之后近等压冷却。     

Adaminaby Group west of Batemans Bay: Deformation and metamorphism of the Narooma accretionary complex,NSW

This study provides new structural data that show that the Adaminaby Group is part of the Narooma accretionary complex and has been overprinted by HT/LP metamorphism associated with Middle Devonian Moruya Suite intrusions. The grade of metamorphism based on Kübler Indices is the same in the Wagonga and Adaminaby Groups at Batemans Bay inferring that these rocks were involved in the same accretionary event. White micas in slates of the Adaminaby Group record apparent K–Ar ages of 384.6 ± 7.9 Ma and 395.8 ± 8.1 Ma. These ages are believed to represent the age of Middle to Upper Devonian Buckenbowra Granodiorite. Kübler Index values indicate lower epizonal (greenschist facies) metamorphic conditions and are not influenced by heating in metamorphic aureoles of the plutons. All b cell lattice parameter values are characteristic of intermediate pressure facies conditions although they are lower in the metamorphic aureole of the Buckenbowra Granodiorite than in the country rock, defining two areas with dissimilar baric conditions. East of the Buckenbowra Granodiorite, b cell lattice parameter values outside the contact aureole (x = 9.033 Å; n = 8) indicate P = 4 kb, and assuming a temperature of 300°C, infer a depth of burial of approximately 15 km for these rocks with a geothermal gradient of 20°C/km. In the metamorphic aureole of the Buckenbowra Granodiorite, b cell lattice parameter values (x = 9.021 Å; n = 41) indicate P = 3.1 kb inferring exhumation of the Adaminaby Group rocks to a depth of approximately 11 km prior to intrusion. A geothermal gradient of 36°C/km operated in the aureole during intrusion. An extensional back-arc environment prevailed in the Adaminaby Group during the Middle to Upper Devonian.