Parageneses and compositions of amphiboles from Franciscan jadeite–glaucophane type facies series metabasites at Cazadero, California

Abstract Sodic amphiboles are common in Franciscan type II and type III metabasites from Cazadero, California. They occur as (1) vein-fillings, (2) overgrowths on relict augites, (3) discrete tiny crystals in the groundmass, and (4) composite crystals with metamorphic Ca–Na pyroxenes in low-grade rocks. They become coarse-grained and show strong preferred orientation in schistose high-grade rocks. In the lowest grade, only riebeckite to crossite appears; with increasing grade, sodic amphibole becomes, first, enriched in glaucophane component, later coexists with actinolite, and finally, at even higher grade, becomes winchite. Actinolite first appears in foliated blueschists of the upper pumpellyite zone. It occurs (1) interlayered on a millimetre scale with glaucophane prisms and (2) as segments of composite amphibole crystals. Actinolite is considered to be in equilibrium with other high-pressure phases on the basis of its restricted occurrence in higher grade rocks, textural and compositional characteristics, and Fe/Mg distribution coefficient between actinolite and chlorite. Detailed analyses delineate a compositional gap for coexisting sodic and calcic amphiboles. At the highest grade, winchite appears at the expense of the actinolite–glaucophane pair. Compositional characteristics of Franciscan amphiboles from Ward Creek are compared with those of other high P/T facies series. The amphibole trend in terms of major components is very sensitive to the metamorphic field gradient. Na-amphibole appears at lower grade than actinolite along the higher P/T facies series (e.g. Franciscan and New Caledonia), whereas reverse relations occur in the lower P/T facies series (e.g. Sanbagawa and New Zealand). Available data also indicate that at low-temperature conditions, such as those of the blueschist and pumpellyite–actinolite facies, large compositional gaps exist between Ca- and Na-amphiboles, and between actinolite and hornblende, whereas at higher temperatures such as in the epidote–amphibolite, greenschist and eclogite facies, the gaps become very restricted. Common occurrence of both sodic and calcic amphiboles and Ca–Na pyroxene together with albite + quartz in the Ward Creek metabasites and their compositional trends are characteristic of the jadeite–glaucophane type facies series. In New Caledonia blueschists, Ca–Na pyroxenes are also common; Na-amphiboles do not appear alone at low grade in metabasites, instead, Na-amphiboles coexist with Ca-amphiboles throughout the progressive sequence. However, for metabasites of the intermediate pressure facies series, such as those of the Sanbagawa belt, Japan and South Island, New Zealand, Ca–Na pyroxene and glaucophane are not common; sodic amphiboles are restricted to crossite and riebeckite in composition and clinopyroxenes to acmite and sodic augite, and occur only in Fe₂O₃-rich metabasites. The glaucophane component of Na-amphibole systematically decreases from Ward Creek, New Caledonia, through Sanbagawa to New Zealand. This relation is consistent with estimated pressure decrease employing the geobarometer of Maruyama et al. (1986). Similarly, the decrease in tschermakite content and increase in NaM₄ of Ca-amphiboles from New Zealand, through Sanbagawa to New Caledonia is consistent with the geobarometry of Brown (1977b). Therefore, the difference in compositional trends of amphiboles can be used as a guide for P–T detail within the metamorphic facies series.     

SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of quartz-bearing eclogite from the Sanbagawa Belt, south-west Japan: implications for metamorphic evolution of subducted protolith

In order to decipher the origin of eclogite in the high‐P/T Sanbagawa metamorphic belt, SHRIMP U–Pb ages of zircons from quartz‐bearing eclogite and associated quartz‐rich rock (metasandstone) were determined. One zircon core of the quartz‐rich rock yields an extremely old provenance age of 1899 ± 79 Ma, suggesting that the core is of detrital origin. Eight other core ages are in the 148–134 Ma range, and are older than the estimated age for trench sedimentation as indicated by the youngest radiolarian fossil age of 139–135 Ma from the Sanbagawa schists. Ages of metamorphic zircon rims (132–112 Ma) from the quartz‐rich rock are consistent with metamorphic zircon ages from the quartz‐bearing eclogite, indicating that eclogite facies metamorphism peaked at 120–110 Ma. These new data are consistent with both the Iratsu eclogite body and surrounding highest‐grade Sanbagawa schists undergoing coeval subduction‐zone metamorphism, and subsequent re‐equilibration under epidote amphibolite facies conditions during exhumation.     

Cold subduction of the Neotethys: the metamorphic record from finely banded lawsonite and epidote blueschists and associated metabasalts of the Nagaland Ophiolite Complex,India

In this study, we have deduced the thermal history of the subducting Neotethys from its eastern margin, using a suite of partially hydrated metabasalts from a segment of the Nagaland Ophiolite Complex (NOC), India. Located along the eastern extension of the Indus‐Tsangpo suture zone (ITSZ), the N–S‐trending NOC lies between the Indian and Burmese plates. The metabasalts, encased within a serpentinitic mélange, preserve a tectonically disturbed metamorphic sequence, which from west to east is greenschist (GS), pumpellyite–diopside (PD) and blueschist (BS) facies. Metabasalts in all the three metamorphic facies record prograde metamorphic overprints directly on primary igneous textures and igneous augite. In the BS facies unit, the metabasalts interbedded with marble show centimetre‐ to metre‐scale interlayering of lawsonite blueschist (LBS) and epidote blueschist (EBS). Prograde HP/LT metamorphism stabilized lawsonite + omphacite (X_Jd = 0.50–0.56 to 0.26–0.37) + jadeite (X_Jd = 0.67–0.79) + augite + ferroglaucophane + high‐Si phengite (Si = 3.6–3.65 atoms per formula unit, a.p.f.u.) + chlorite + titanite + quartz in LBS and lawsonite + glaucophane/ferroglaucophane ± epidote ± omphacite (X_Jd = 0.34) + chlorite + phengite (Si = 3.5 a.p.f.u.) + titanite + quartz in EBS at the metamorphic peak. Retrograde alteration, which was pervasive in the EBS, produced a sequence of mineral assemblages from omphacite and lawsonite‐absent, epidote + glaucophane/ferroglaucophane + chlorite + phengite + titanite + quartz through albite + chlorite + glaucophane to lawsonite + albite + high‐Si phengite (Si = 3.6–3.7 a.p.f.u.) + glaucophane + epidote + quartz. In the PD facies metabasalts, the peak mineral assemblage, pumpellyite + chlorite + titanite + phengitic white mica (Si = 3.4–3.5 a.p.f.u.) + diopside appeared in the basaltic groundmass from reacting titaniferous augite and low‐Si phengite, with prehnite additionally producing pumpellyite in early vein domains. In the GS facies metabasalts, incomplete hydration of augite produced albite + epidote + actinolite + chlorite + titanite + phengite + augite mineral assemblage. Based on calculated T–M(H₂O), T–M(O₂) (where M represents oxide mol.%) and P–T pseudosections, peak P–T conditions of LBS are estimated at ~11.5 kbar and ~340 °C, EBS at ~10 kbar, 325 °C and PD facies at ~6 kbar, 335 °C. Reconstructed metamorphic reaction pathways integrated with the results of P–T pseudosection modelling define a near‐complete, hairpin, clockwise P–T loop for the BS and a prograde P–T path with a steep dP/dT for the PD facies rocks. Apparent low thermal gradient of 8 °C km^?1 corresponding to a maximum burial depth of 40 km and the hairpin P–T trajectory together suggest a cold and mature stage of an intra‐oceanic subduction zone setting for the Nagaland blueschists. The metamorphic constraints established above when combined with petrological findings from the ophiolitic massifs along the whole ITSZ suggest that intra‐oceanic subduction systems within the Neotethys between India and the Lhasa terrane/the Karakoram microcontinent were also active towards east between Indian and Burmese plates.     

Prograde and Retrograde Eclogites in the Sambagawa Metamorphic Belt, Besshi District, Japan

In the Besshi district of the Sambagawa metamorphic belt, thereare two types of eclogites: one occurring in the Sebadani metagabbromass and retrograded from high-temperature anhydrous ecologite,and the other in the basic schists and produced by prograde,dehydration of epidote amphibolite. The Sebadani metagabbro mass was originally layered gabbro,which was once equilibrated in the ecologite facies before emplacementinto the Sambagawa terrain as a hot eclogite mass. Basic schistssurrounding the Sebadani mass, which had suffered the Sambagawametamorphism of albite epidote amphibolite facies, were contact-metamorphosedat high pressure by the emplacement of the Sebadani mass. Asa result, the basic schists were dehydrated to form eclogiticbasic schists, i.e. garnet and omphacite porphyroblast-bearingbasic schists. Thus, two types of ecologite, retrograde andprograde, converged into the same metamorphic condition, 610–650?C, 7–17 kb, in a part of the ecologite facies duringthe Sambagawa metamorphism. Correspondingly, the values of distributioncoefficients of Fe and Mg between garnet and omphacite increasefrom core pairs to rim pairs in the retrograde eclogites anddecrease from core pairs to rim pairs in the prograde ecologites.After this stage, both the prograde and retrograde eclogitesshared a common metamorphic history; they were retrograded viathe epidote amphibolite facies to the greenschist facies. The Sebadani metagabbro mass, as a large tectonic block, hadbeen emplaced into a m?lange zone in the Sambagawa metamorphicbelt after the peak of the Sambagawa metamorphism, probablyfollowing initiation of uplift of the metamorphic rocks fromtheir deep-seated environment.     

Pumpellyite–actinolite facies of the Sanbagawa metamorphism

The pumpellyite–actinolite facies proposed by Hashimoto is defined by the common occurrence of the pumpellyite–actinolite assemblage in basic schists. It can help characterize the paragenesis of basic and intermediate bulk compositions, which are common constituents of various low-grade metamorphic areas. The dataset of mutually consistent thermodynamic properties of minerals gives a positive slope for the boundary between the pumpellyite–actinolite and prehnite–pumpellyite facies in P–T space. In the Sanbagawa belt in Japan, the mineral parageneses of hematite-bearing and -free basic schists, as well as pelitic schists have been well documented. The higher temperature limit of this facies is defined by the disappearance of the pumpellyite+epidote+actinolite+chlorite assemblage in hematite-free basic schists with X_Fe3+ of epidote around 0.20–0.25 and the appearance of epidote+actinolite+chlorite assemblage with X^Ep_Fe3+≤0.20. In hematite-bearing basic schists, there is a continuous change of paragenesis to higher grade, epidote–glaucophane or epidote–blueschist facies. In pelitic schists, the albite+lawsonite+chlorite assemblage does occur but only rarely, and its assemblage cannot be used to determine the regional thermal structure. The lower temperature equivalence of the pumpellyite–actinolite assemblage is not observed in the field. The Mikabu Greenstone complex and the northern margin of the Chichibu complex, which are located to the south of the Sanbagawa belt, are characterized by clinopyroxene+chlorite or lawsonite+actinolite assemblages, which are lower temperature assemblages than the pumpellyite+actinolite assemblage. These three metamorphic complexes belong to the same subduction-metamorphic complex. The pumpellyite–actinolite facies or subfacies can be useful to help reveal the field thermal structure of metamorphic complexes     

High-pressure eclogites in northern Jiangsu – southern Shandong province, eastern China

Abstract Eclogites are distributed for more than 500 km along a major tectonic boundary between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons in central and eastern China. These eclogites usually have high-P assemblages including omphacite + kyanite and/or coesite (or its pseudomorph), and form a high-P eclogite terrane. They occur as isolated lenses or blocks 10 cm to 300 m long in gneisses (Type I), serpentinized garnet peridotites (Type II) and marbles (Type III). Type I eclogites were formed by prograde metamorphism, and their primary metamorphic mineral assemblage consists mainly of garnet [pyrope (Prp) = 15–40 mol%], omphacite [jadeite (Jd) = 34–64 mol%], pargasitic amphibole, kyanite, phengitic muscovite, zoisite, an SiO₂ phase, apatite, rutile and zircon. Type II eclogites characteristically contain no SiO₂ phase, and are divided into prograde eclogites and mantle-derived eclogites. The prograde eclogites of Type II are petrographically similar to Type I eclogites. The mantle-derived eclogites have high MgO/(FeO + Fe₂O₃) and Cr₂O₃ compositions in bulk rock and minerals, and consist mainly of pyrope-rich garnet (Prp = 48–60 mol%), sodic augite (Jd = 10–27 mol%) and rutile. Type III eclogites have an unusual mineral assemblage of grossular-rich (Grs = 57 mol%) garnet + omphacite (Jd = 30–34 mol%) + pargasite + rutile. Pargasitic and taramitic amphiboles, calcic plagioclase (An₆₈), epidote, zoisite, K-feldspar and paragonite occur as inclusions in garnet and omphacite in the prograde eclogites. This suggests that the prograde eclogites were formed by recrystallization of epidote amphibolite and/or amphibolite facies rocks with near-isothermal compression reflecting crustal thickening during continent–continent collision of late Proterozoic age. Equilibrium conditions of the prograde eclogites range from P > 26 kbar and T= 500–750°C in the western part to P > 28 kbar and T= 810–880°C in the eastern part of the high-P eclogite terrane. The prograde eclogites in the eastern part are considered to have been derived from a deeper position than those in the western part. Subsequent reactions, manifested by (1) narrow rims of sodic plagioclase or paragonite on kyanite and (2) symplectites between omphacite and quartz are interpreted as an effect of near-isothermal decompression during the retrograde stage. The conditions at which symplectites re-equilibrated tend to increase from west (P < 10 kbar and T < 580°C) to east (P > 9 kbar and T > 680°C). Equilibrium temperatures of Type II mantle-derived eclogites and Type III eclogite are 730–750°C and 680°C, respectively.     

Age and early metamorphic history of the Sanbagawa belt: Lu–Hf and P–T constraints from the Western Iratsu eclogite

Two distinct age estimates for eclogite-facies metamorphism in the Sanbagawa belt have been proposed: (i) c.  120–110 Ma based on a zircon SHRIMP age for the Western Iratsu unit and (ii) c.  88–89 Ma based on a garnet–omphacite Lu–Hf isochron age from the Seba and Kotsu eclogite units. Despite the contrasting estimates of formation ages, petrological studies suggest the formation conditions of the Western Iratsu unit are indistinguishable from those of the other two units—all ∼20 kbar and 600–650 °C. Studies of the associated geological structures suggest the Seba and Western Iratsu units are parts of a larger semi-continuous eclogite unit. A combination of geochronological and petrological studies for the Western Iratsu eclogite offers a resolution to this discrepancy in age estimates. New Lu–Hf dating for the Western Iratsu eclogite yields an age of 115.9 ± 0.5 Ma that is compatible with the zircon SHRIMP age. However, petrological studies show that there was significant garnet growth in the Western Iratsu eclogite before eclogite facies metamorphism, and the early core growth is associated with a strong concentration of Lu. Pre-eclogite facies garnet (Grt1) includes epidote–amphibolite facies parageneses equilibrated at 550–650 °C and ∼10 kbar, and this is overgrown by prograde eclogite facies garnet (Grt2). The Lu–Hf age of c.  116 Ma is strongly skewed to the isotopic composition of Grt1 and is interpreted to reflect the age of the pre-eclogite phase. The considerable time gap ( c.  27 Myr) between the two Lu–Hf ages suggests they may be related to separate tectonic events or distinct phases in the evolution of the Sanbagawa subduction zone.     

The Sabzevar blueschists of the North-Central Iranian micro-continent as remnants of the Neotethys-related oceanic crust subduction

The Sabzevar ophiolites mark the Neotethys suture in east-north-central Iran. The Sabzevar metamorphic rocks, as part of the Cretaceous Sabzevar ophiolitic complex, consist of blueschist, amphibolite and greenschist. The Sabzevar blueschists contain sodic amphibole, epidote, phengite, calcite ± omphacite ± quartz. The epidote amphibolite is composed of sodic-calcic amphibole, epidote, albite, phengite, quartz ± omphacite, ilmenite and titanite. The greenschist contains chlorite, plagioclase and pyrite, as main minerals. Thermobarometry of a blueschist yields a pressure of 13–15.5 kbar at temperatures of 420–500 °C. Peak metamorphic temperature/depth ratios were low (~12 °C/km), consistent with metamorphism in a subduction zone. The presence of epidote in the blueschist shows that the rocks were metamorphosed entirely within the epidote stability field. Amphibole schist samples experienced pressures of 5–7 kbar and temperatures between 450 and 550 °C. The presence of chlorite, actinolite, biotite and titanite indicate greenschist facies metamorphism. Chlorite, albite and biotite replacing garnet or glaucophane suggests temperatures of >300 °C for greenschist facies. The formation of high-pressure metamorphic rocks is related to north-east-dipping subduction of the Neotethys oceanic crust and subsequent closure during lower Eocene between the Central Iranian Micro-continent and Eurasia (North Iran).     

P–T evolution of glaucophane–omphacite bearing HP–LT rocks in the western Tianshan Orogen, NW China:new evidence for 'Alpine-type' tectonics

The late Palaeozoic western Tianshan high‐pressure /low‐temperature belt extends for about 200 km along the south‐central Tianshan suture zone and is composed mainly of blueschist, eclogite and epidote amphibolite/greenschist facies rocks. P–T conditions of mafic garnet omphacite and garnet–omphacite blueschist, which are interlayered with eclogite, were investigated in order to establish an exhumation path for these high‐pressure rocks. Maximum pressure conditions are represented by the assemblage garnet–omphacite–paragonite–phengite–glaucophane–quartz–rutile. Estimated maximum pressures range between 18 and 21 kbar at temperatures between 490 and 570 °C. Decompression caused the destabilization of omphacite, garnet and glaucophane to albite, Ca‐amphibole and chlorite. The post‐eclogite facies metamorphic conditions between 9 and 14 kbar at 480–570 °C suggest an almost isothermal decompression from eclogite to epidote–amphibolite facies conditions. Prograde growth zoning and mineral inclusions in garnet as well as post‐eclogite facies conditions are evidence for a clockwise P–T path. Analysis of phase diagrams constrains the P–T path to more or less isothermal cooling which is well corroborated by the results of geothermobarometry and mineral textures. This implies that the high‐pressure rocks from the western Tianshan Orogen formed in a tectonic regime similar to ‘Alpine‐type’ tectonics. This contradicts previous models which favour ‘Franciscan‐type’ tectonics for the southern Tianshan high‐pressure rocks.     

Southward extrusion of eclogite-bearing mafic–ultramafic bodies in the Sanbagawa belt, central Shikoku, Japan

Several mafic rock masses, which have experienced eclogite facies metamorphism, are distributed in flat-lying non-eclogitic schists in an intermediate structural level (thermal core) of the Sanbagawa belt. The largest, Iratsu mass, and an associated peridotite, the Higashi-Akaishi mass, extend E–W for about 8 km, and N–S for about 3 km, and are surrounded by pelitic, basic and quartz schists. The Iratsu mass consists of metabasites of gabbroic and basaltic origin, with intercalations of ultramafic rocks, felsic gneiss, quartz schist and metacarbonate. The Iratsu mass can be divided into two layers along a WNW-trending metacarbonate layer. The Higashi-Akaishi mass consists of peridotite with intercalations of garnet clinopyroxenite. It is situated beneath the western half of the Iratsu mass, and their mutual boundary dips gently or steeply to the N or NE. These masses underwent eclogite, and subsequent epidote-amphibolite facies metamorphism as has been reported elsewhere. The Iratsu–Higashi-Akaishi masses and the surrounding rocks underwent ductile deformation under epidote-amphibolite facies (or lower P–T) metamorphic conditions. Their foliation generally trends WNW and dips moderately to the NNE, and the mineral lineation mostly plunges to the N and NE. In non-eclogitic schists surrounding the Iratsu–Higashi-Akaishi masses, the foliation generally trends WNW and dips gently or steeply to the N or S and the mineral lineation mostly plunges to the NW, N and NE. Kinematic analysis of deformation structures in outcrops and oriented samples has been performed to determine shear senses. Consistent top-to-the-north, normal fault displacements are observed in peridotite layers of the Higashi-Akaishi mass and eclogite-bearing epidote amphibolite layers of the Iratsu mass. Top-to-the-northeast or top-to-the-northwest displacements also occur in non-eclogitic pelitic–quartz schists on the northern side of the Iratsu mass. In the structural bottom of the Iratsu–Higashi-Akaishi masses and to the south, reverse fault (top-to-the-south) movements are recognized in serpentinized peridotite and non-eclogitic schists. These observations provide the following constraints on the kinematics of the rock masses: (1) northward normal displacement of Iratsu relative to Higashi-Akaishi, (2) northward normal displacement of non-eclogitic schists on the north of the Iratsu mass and (3) southward thrusting of the Iratsu–Higashi-Akaishi masses upon non-eclogitic schists in the south. The exhumation process of the Iratsu–Higashi-Akaishi masses can be explained by their southward extrusion.     

P–T path of high-pressure/low-temperature rocks and tectonic implications in the western Tianshan Mountains, NW China

The Chinese western Tianshan high-pressure/low-temperature (HP–LT) metamorphic belt, which extends for about 200 km along the South Central Tianshan suture zone, is composed of mainly metabasic blueschists, eclogites and greenschist facies rocks. The metabasic blueschists occur as small discrete blocks, lenses, bands, laminae or thick beds in meta-sedimentary greenschist facies country rocks. Eclogites are intercalated within blueschist layers as lenses, laminae, thick beds or large massive blocks (up to 2 km² in plan view). Metabasic blueschists consist of mainly garnet, sodic amphibole, phengite, paragonite, clinozoisite, epidote, chlorite, albite, accessory titanite and ilmenite. Eclogites are predominantly composed of garnet, omphacite, sodic–calcic amphibole, clinozoisite, phengite, paragonite, quartz with accessory minerals such as rutile, titanite, ilmenite, calcite and apatite. Garnet in eclogite has a composition of 53–79 mol% almandine, 8.5–30 mol% grossular, 5–24 mol% pyrope and 0.6–13 mol% spessartine. Garnet in blueschists shows similar composition. Sodic amphiboles include glaucophane, ferro-glaucophane and crossite, whereas the sodic–calcic amphiboles mainly comprise barroisite and winchite. The jadeite content of omphacite varies from 35–54 mol%. Peak eclogite facies temperatures are estimated as 480–580 °C for a pressure range of 14–21 kbar. The conditions of pre-peak, epidote–blueschist facies metamorphism are estimated to be 350–450 °C and 8–12 kbar. All rock types have experienced a clockwise P–T path through pre-peak lawsonite/epidote-blueschist to eclogite facies conditions. The retrograde part of the P–T path is represented by the transition of epidote-blueschist to greenschist facies conditions. The P–T path indicates that the high-pressure rocks formed in a B-type subduction zone along the northern margin of the Palaeozoic South Tianshan ocean between the Tarim and Yili-central Tianshan plates.     

Transformation of garnet epidote amphibolite to eclogite, western Dabie Mountains, China

Omphacite and garnet coronas around amphibole occur in amphibolites in the Hong'an area, western Dabie Mountains, China. These amphibolites consist of an epidote–amphibolite facies assemblage of amphibole, garnet, albite, clinozoisite, paragonite, ilmenite and quartz, which is incompletely overprinted by an eclogite facies assemblage of garnet, omphacite and rutile. Coronas around amphibole can be divided into three types: an omphacite corona; a garnet–omphacite–rutile corona; and, a garnet–omphacite corona with less rutile. Chemographic analysis for local reaction domains in combination with petrographical observations show that reactions Amp + Ab + Pg = Omp +Czo + Qtz + H₂O, and Amp + Ab = Omp ± Czo + Qtz + H₂O may lead to the development of omphacite coronas. The garnet–omphacite–rutile corona was formed from the reaction Amp + Ab + Czo + Ilm ± Qtz = Omp + Grt + Rt + H₂O. In garnet–omphacite coronas, the garnet corona grew during an early stage of epidote amphibolite facies metamorphism, whereas omphacite probably formed by the reactions forming the omphacite corona during the eclogite facies stage. It is estimated that these reactions occurred at 0.8–1.4 GPa and 480–610 °C using the garnet–clinopyroxene thermometer and omphacite barometer in the presence of albite.     

Calculated stabilities of sodic phases in the Sambagawa metapelites and their implications

Pressure (P)–temperature (T) pseudosection analyses were carried out on metapelites from Sambagawa belt by using Perple_X 07 so as to determine mineral equilibria and the stability of sodic phases, in the model system MnO–Na₂O–K₂O–CaO–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O–(CO₂) under high‐pressure (HP) conditions (0.5–2.5 GPa/400–600 °C). A pressure–X_NA [=Na/(Na+Al–2K–1.5Ca)] pseudosection at 500 °C is also calculated to examine the effect of Na/Al value of the bulk‐rock composition on the stabilities of sodic minerals. The bulk‐rock compositions of Sambagawa metapelite are variable in X_NA values. The calculation results of stable assemblages in metapelites under the blueschist and eclogite facies conditions indicate that: (i) paragonite and glaucophane are stable throughout the wide X_NA range of bulk‐rock compositions of host rocks; (ii) stable P–T conditions of sodic pyroxene enlarge with increasing X_NA value; and (iii) the stability field of paragonite enlarges with the presence of CO₂ in the metamorphic fluid. The suggested wide stability of paragonite in metapelites and the relationships between the stability of sodic pyroxene and the bulk‐rock compositions explain the reasons why (i) the occurrence of omphacite in metapelites from several subduction‐related terranes is rare; and (ii) paragonite commonly occurs as inclusions in garnet of metapelites from the Besshi region of the Sambagawa belt. Paragonite is an important sodic phase of HP metapelites, and a combination of paragonite and quartz with high residual pressure included in garnet may be a useful indicator to verify the evidence for the eclogite facies metamorphism recorded in metapelites.     

Chloritoid-bearing rocks associated with blueschists and eclogites, northern New Caledonia

Abstract Chloritoid-bearing metasedimentary rocks occur in close proximity to blueschists and eclogites in the Tertiary high-pressure metamorphic belt of northern New Caledonia. The typical assemblage of chloritoid-bearing rocks in the epidote zone is quartzchlorite-muscovite-garnet-chloritoid. In the omphacite zone, epidote is an additional member of the chloritoid-bearing assemblage. Paragonite is rare, plagioclase was not detected, and rutile and ilmenite are the Fe-Ti oxide phases. Chloritoid-glaucophane is not a common assemblage. Chloritoid-bearing rocks have relatively low (Ca+K+Na)/Al ratios and the chloritoids are relatively Mg-rich with Mg/ (Mg+Fe) up to about 0.4. A comparison of the mineral assemblages and mineral chemistry with experimental and computed phase equilibria suggest an upper temperature limit near 560° C in the omphacite zone and a minimum temperature limit near 450° C at 10 kbar. An empirical garnet-chlorite Fe-Mg exchange thermometer does not yield consistent results for the higher-grade rocks, suggesting T s ranging from 390 to 535° C in the omphacite zone and 420–465° C in the epidote zone. The distribution coefficient K _D = (Fe/Mg)_ctd/(Fe/Mg)_chl for chloritoid and chlorite ranges from 3.9 to 6.4, values which are lower than those (=10) from lower greenschist facies rocks, but are near those of upper greenschist facies and albite-epidote amphibolite facies.     

Petrogenesis and implications of jadeite‐bearing kyanite eclogite from the Sanbagawa belt (SW Japan)

Jadeite‐bearing kyanite eclogite has been discovered in the Iratsu body of the Sanbagawa belt, SW Japan. The jadeite + kyanite assemblage is stable at higher pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions or lower H₂O activity [a(H₂O)] than paragonite, although paragonite‐bearing eclogite is common in the Sanbagawa belt. The newly discovered eclogite is a massive metagabbro with the peak‐P assemblage garnet + omphacite + jadeite + kyanite + phengite + quartz + rutile. Impure jadeite is exclusively present as inclusions in garnet. The compositional gap between the coexisting omphacite (P2/n) and impure jadeite (C2/c) suggests relatively low metamorphic temperatures of 510–620 °C. Multi‐equilibrium thermobarometry for the assemblage garnet + omphacite + kyanite + phengite + quartz gives peak‐P conditions of ~2.5 GPa, 570 °C. Crystallization of jadeite in the metagabbro is attributed to Na‐ and Al‐rich effective bulk composition due to the persistence of relict Ca‐rich clinopyroxene at the peak‐P stage. By subtracting relict clinopyroxene from the whole‐rock composition, pseudosection modelling satisfactorily reproduces the observed jadeite‐bearing assemblage and mineral compositions at ~2.4–2.5 GPa, 570–610 °C and a(H₂O) >0.6. The relatively high pressure conditions derived from the jadeite‐bearing kyanite eclogite are further supported by high residual pressures of quartz inclusions in garnet. The maximum depth of exhumation in the Sanbagawa belt (~80 km) suggests decoupling of the slab–mantle wedge interface at this depth.     

鞍山和歪头山前寒武纪铁建造中普通辉石—阳起石组合的成因研究

鞍山和歪头山前寒武纪铁建造中普通辉石和阳起石共存。经镜下、化学成份和矿物相律的综合研究,作者认为,它们是平衡共生关系。这一共生组合的形成取决于两个因素:(1)原岩成份中的ca/(Mg+Fe~(2+))比值高,(2)角闪岩相下限的变质条件。因此它们形成的范围较窄,在自然界分布极为有限。     

Evidence for multiple burial–partial exhumation cycles from the Onodani eclogites in the Sambagawa metamorphic belt,central Shikoku,Japan

Eclogites from the Onodani area in the Sambagawa metamorphic belt of central Shikoku occur as layers or lenticular bodies within basic schists. These eclogites experienced three different metamorphic episodes during multiple burial and exhumation cycles. The early prograde stage of the first metamorphic event is recorded by relict eclogite facies inclusions within garnet cores (X_Sps 0.80–0.24, X_Alm 0–0.47). These inclusions consist of relatively almandine‐rich garnet (X_Sps 0.13–0.24, X_Alm 0.36–0.45), aegirine‐augite/omphacite (X_Jd 0.08–0.28), epidote, amphiboles (e.g. actinolite, winchite, barroisite and taramite), albite, phengite, chlorite, calcite, titanite, hematite and quartz. The garnet cores also contain polyphase inclusions consisting of almandine‐rich garnet, omphacite (X_Jd 0.27–0.28), amphiboles (e.g. actinolite, winchite, barroisite, taramite and katophorite) and phengite. The peak P–T conditions of the first eclogite facies metamorphism are estimated to be 530–590 °C and 19–21 kbar succeeded by retrogression into greenschist facies. The second prograde metamorphism began at greenschist facies conditions. The peak metamorphic conditions are defined by schistosity‐forming omphacites (X_Jd ≤ 49) and garnet rims containing inclusions of barroisitic amphibole, phengite, rutile and quartz. The estimated peak metamorphic conditions are 630–680 °C and 20–22 kbar followed by a clockwise retrograde P–T path with nearly isothermal decompression to 8–12 kbar. In veins cross‐cutting the eclogite schistosity, resorbed barroisite/Mg‐katophorite occurs as inclusions in glaucophane which is zoned to barroisite, suggesting a prograde metamorphism of the third metamorphic event. The peak P–T conditions of this metamorphic event are estimated to be 540–600 °C and 6.5–8 kbar. These metamorphic conditions are correlated with those of the surrounding non‐eclogitic Sambagawa schists. The Onodani eclogites were formed by subduction of an oceanic plate, and metamorphism occurred beneath an accretionary prism. These high‐P/T type metamorphic events took place in a very short time span between 100 and 90 Ma. Plate reconstructions indicate highly oblique subduction of the Izanagi plate beneath the Eurasian continent at a high spreading rate. This probably resulted in multiple burial and exhumation movements of eclogite bodies, causing plural metamorphic events. The eclogite body was juxtaposed with non‐eclogitic Sambagawa schists at glaucophane stability field conditions. The amalgamated metamorphic sequence including the Onodani eclogites were exhumed to shallow crustal/surface levels in early Eocene times (c. 50 Ma).     

Comparison of the high-pressure schist belts of New Caledonia and Sanbagawa,Japan

The high-pressure schist terranes of New Caledonia and Sanbagawa were developed along the oceanic sides of sialic forelands by tectonic burial metamorphism. The parent rocks were chemically similar, as volcanic-sedimentary trough or trench sequences, and metamorphic temperatures in both belts were 250° to 600° C. From phase equilibria curves, total pressures were higher for New Caledonia (6–15 kb) than for Sanbagawa (5–11 kb) and the estimated thermal gradients were 7–10° C/km and 15° C/km respectively.PT paths identify the higher pressure in New Caledonia (P differences 2 kb at 300° C and 4 kb at 550° C) with consequent contrast in progressive regional metamorphic zonation for pelites in the two areas: lawsonite-epidote-omphacite (New Caledonia) and chlorite-garnet-biotite (Sanbagawa). In New Caledonia the Na-amphibole is dominantly glaucophane and Na-pyroxenes associated with quartz are Jadeite (Jd_95–100) and omphacite; in Sanbagawa the amphibole is crossite or riebeckite and the pyroxene is omphacite (Jd₅₀). For both areas, garnet rims show increase in pyrope content with advancing grade, but Sanbagawa garnets are richer in almandine. Progressive assemblages within the two belts can be equated by such reactions as:New Caledonia Sanbagawa glaucophane+paragonite+H₂Oalbite+chlorite+quartz glaucophane+epidote+H₂Oalbite+chlorite+actinolite and the lower pressure Japanese associations appear as retrogressive phases in the New Caledonia epidote and omphacite zones.The contrasts inPT gradient, regional zonation and mineralogy are believed due to differences in the tectonic control of metamorphic burial: for New Caledonia, rapid obduction of an upper sialic plate over an inert oceanic plate and sedimentary trough; and for Sanbagawa, slower subduction of trench sediments beneath a relatively immobile upper plate.     

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.     

Petrological constraints on the formation conditions and retrograde P–T path of the Kotsu eclogite unit, central Shikoku

A largely undocumented region of eclogite associated with a thick blueschist unit occurs in the Kotsu area of the Sanbagawa belt. The composition of coexisting garnet and omphacite suggests that the Kotsu eclogite formed at peak temperatures of around 600 °C synchronous with a penetrative deformation (D1). There are local significant differences in oxygen fugacity of the eclogite reflected in mineral chemistries. The peak pressure is constrained to lie between 14 and 25 kbar by microstructural evidence for the stability of paragonite throughout the history recorded by the eclogite, and the composition of omphacite in associated eclogite facies pelitic schist. Application of garnet‐phengite‐omphacite geobarometry gives metamorphic pressures around 20 kbar. Retrograde metamorphism associated with penetrative deformation (D2) is in the greenschist facies. The composition of syn‐D2 amphibole in hematite‐bearing basic schist and the nature of the calcium carbonate phase suggest that the retrograde P–T path was not associated with a significant increase or decrease in the ratio of P–T conditions following the peak of metamorphism. This P–T path contrasts with the open clockwise path derived from eclogite of the Besshi area. The development of distinct P–T paths in different parts of the Sanbagawa belt shows the shape of the P–T path is not primarily controlled by tectonic setting, but by internal factors such as geometry of metamorphic units and exhumation rates.