Transformation of Spinel Lherzolite to Garnet Lherzolite in Ultramafic Lenses of the Austridic Crystalline Complex, Northern Italy

Numerous lenticular bodies of ultramafic rocks occur withinthe upper amphibolite- to granulitefacies metamorphic terraneof the Austrides between the Non and Ultimo valleys (Nonsbergregion), northern Italy. The ultramafic rocks are divided intotwo textural types: (a) coarse-type; and (b) finetype. The coarse-typerocks have the protogranular texture and are predominantly spinellherzolite. Some coarse-type spinel lherzolites have partlytransformed to garnet lherzolite. The fine-types are consideredto be metamorphic derivatives of the former, and the observedmineral assemblages are: (1) olivine + orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene+ garnet + amphibole ? spinel, (2) olivine + orthopyroxene +garnet + amphibole + spinel; (3) olivine + orthopyroxene + amphibole+ spinel; and (4) olivine+ orthopyroxene + amphibole + chlorite.Based on the microprobe analyses of constituent minerals fromten representative peridotite samples, physical conditions ofthe metamorphism, particularly that of the spinel to garnetlherzolite transformation, are estimated. Applications of pyroxenegeothermometry yield temperature estimates of 1100–1300?Cfor the formation of the primary spinel lherzolite, and 700–800?Cfor that of the fine-type peridotites. A pressure range of 16–28kb is obtained for the garnet lherzolite crystallization dependingon the choice of geobarometers. Two alternative P-T paths, i.e.(1) isobaric cooling or (2) pressure-increase and temperaturedecrease are considered and their geodynamic implications discussed.     

Ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism and exhumation of garnet-bearing ultramafic rocks from the Lanterman Range (northern Victoria Land, Antarctica)

Northern Victoria Land is a key area for the Ross Orogen – a Palaeozoic foldbelt formed at the palaeo‐Pacific margin of Gondwana. A narrow and discontinuous high‐ to ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) belt, consisting of mafic and ultramafic rocks (including garnet‐bearing types) within a metasedimentary sequence of gneisses and quartzites, is exposed at the Lanterman Range (northern Victoria Land). Garnet‐bearing ultramafic rocks evolved through at least six metamorphic stages. Stage 1 is defined by medium‐grained garnet + olivine + low‐Al orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene, whereas finer‐grained garnet + olivine + orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + amphibole constitutes the stage 2 assemblage. Stage 3 is defined by kelyphites of orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + spinel ± amphibole around garnet. Porphyroblasts of amphibole replacing garnet and clinopyroxene characterize stage 4. Retrograde stages 5 and 6 consist of tremolite + Mg‐chlorite ± serpentine ± talc. A high‐temperature (～950 °C), spinel‐bearing protolith (stage 0), is identified on the basis of orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + olivine + spinel + amphibole inclusions within stage 1 garnet. The P–T estimates for stage 1 are indicative of UHP conditions (3.2–3.3 GPa and 764–820 °C), whereas stage 2 is constrained between 726–788 °C and 2.6–2.9 GPa. Stage 3 records a decompression up to 1.1–1.3 GPa at 705–776 °C. Stages 4, 5 and 6 reflect uplift and cooling, the final estimates yielding values below 0.5 GPa at 300–400 °C. The retrograde P–T path is nearly isothermal from UHP conditions up to deep crustal levels, and becomes a cooling–unloading path from intermediate to shallow levels. The garnet‐bearing ultramafic rocks originated in the mantle wedge and were probably incorporated into the subduction zone with felsic and mafic rocks with which they shared the subsequent metamorphic and geodynamic evolution. The density and rheology of the subducted rocks are compatible with detachment of slices along the subduction channel and gravity‐driven exhumation.     

Implication of corona formation in a metatroctolite to the granulite facies overprint of HP–UHP rocks in the Moldanubian Zone (Bohemian Massif)

Corona and inclusion textures of a metatroctolite at the contact between felsic granulite and migmatites of the Gföhl Unit from the Moldanubian Zone provide evidence of the magmatic and metamorphic evolution of the rocks. Numerous diopside inclusions (1–10 μm, maximum 20 μm in size) in plagioclase of anorthite composition represent primary magmatic textures. Triple junctions between the plagioclase grains in the matrix are occupied by amphibole, probably pseudomorphs after clinopyroxene. The coronae consist of a core of orthopyroxene, with two or three zones (layers); the innermost is characterized by calcic amphibole with minor spinel and relicts of clinopyroxene, the next zone consists of symplectite of amphibole with spinel, sapphirine and accessory corundum, and the outermost is formed by garnet and amphibole with relicts of spinel. The orthopyroxene forms a monomineralic aggregate that may contain a cluster of serpentine in the core, suggesting its formation after olivine. Based on mineral textures and thermobarometric calculations, the troctolite crystallized in the middle to lower crust and the coronae were formed during three different metamorphic stages. The first stage relates to a subsolidus reaction between olivine and anorthite to form orthopyroxene. The second stage involving amphibole formation suggests the presence of a fluid that resulted in the replacement of igneous orthopyroxene and governed the reaction orthopyroxene + anorthite = amphibole + spinel. The last stage of corona formation with amphibole + spinel + sapphirine indicates granulite facies conditions. Garnet enclosing spinel, and its occurrence along the rim of the coronae in contact with anorthite, suggests that its formation occurred either during cooling or both cooling and compression but still at granulite facies conditions. The zircon U–Pb data indicate Variscan ages for both the troctolite crystallization (c. 360 Ma) and corona formation during granulite facies metamorphism (c. 340 Ma) in the Gföhl Unit. The intrusion of troctolite and other Variscan mafic and ultramafic rocks is interpreted as a potential heat source for amphibolite–granulite facies metamorphism that led to partial re‐equilibration of earlier high‐ to ultrahigh‐P metamorphic rocks in the Moldanubian Zone. These petrological and geochronological data constrain the formation of HP–UHP rocks and arc‐related plutonic complex to westward subduction of the Moldanubian plate during the Variscan orogeny. After exhumation to lower and/or middle crust, the HP–UHP rocks underwent heating due to intrusion of mafic and ultramafic magma that was generated by slab breakoff and mantle upwelling.     

High temperature alteration of Abyssal ultramafics from the Islas Orcadas Fracture Zone,South Atlantic

Ultramafic rocks dredged from the Islas Orcadas Fracture Zone, along the SW Indian Ocean Ridge (6° E and 54° S), show evidence of progressive hydration beginning at temperatures greater than 600° C (and perhaps as high as 900° C) and continuing to less than 50° C. There are two principal types of alteration present in the ultramafic rocks, both of which are the result of hydration reactions. The first type of alteration involves hydration of original clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene and olivine to amphibole, talc, secondary olivine, and serpentine. The second is a vein type of alteration and results in the formation of veins of amphibole, chlorite, talc and serpentine. — The alteration appears to be episodic. The sequence of events suggested by the petrography is: 1) clinopyroxene altering to amphibole; 2) orthopyroxene altering to talc, or talc + olivine; 3) supersolvus hornblende veining; 4) coexisting actinolite + hornblende veining; 5) chlorite, chlorite + actinolite, or chlorite + secondary clinopyroxene veining; 6) talc veining; 7) serpentine veining; and 8) pervasive serpentinization. — The alteration fluid is most likely seawater. It is suggested that the high temperature alterations may reflect seawater circulation into the upper mantle.     

Petrology of mafic-ultramafic rocks along North Puruliya Shear zone,West Bengal

The North Puruliya Shear zone (NPSZ) is characterized by occurrence of mafic-ultramafic rocks aligned parallel to the shear zone, intruding the high grade Proterozoic rocks of Chhotanagpur Gneissic Complex. The ultramafic rocks occur as small lenses, pockets, veins, thin dykes and are intimately associated with mafic (gabbro, norite) rocks. Pyroxenites (viz. olivine websterite, websterite, plagioclase websterite) and hornblendite are the two important members of the ultramafic rocks containing clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, olivine, plagioclase, amphibole, phlogopite and ilmenite. The mafic-ultramafic rocks show evidence of shearing and retrogressive metamorphism. Linear correlation of chemical attributes suggests fractionation-controlled magmatic differentiation. Enrichment of LILE and LREE in the mafic-ultramafic suite suggests an enriched mantle source and pronounced negative Eu-anomalies in all the rock types except hornblendite suggest fractionation of plagioclase under low f_O2 condition. Progressive iron enrichment trend in rocks of the mafic-ultramafic suite also indicate magmatic differentiation under low f_O2 condition. Early fractionation and accumulation of clinopyroxene and plagioclase from a basaltic magma may have given rise to the ultramafic rocks of the area. Little change in the Nb/Zr and Ce/Zr ratios of ultramafic and mafic rocks (except alkali norite) strongly support low crustal contamination. A few samples of norite and gabbro-norites appeared to be variably contaminated by a crustal component or affected by late granitic intrusion resulting in enrichment of alkali in the former.     

Geology and Genesis of the Mafic—Ultramafic Complexes in the Huangshan—Jingerquan（HJ） Belt,East Xinjiang

More than twenty mafic-ultramafic complexes, which host several mediumor large-sized Cu−Ni deposits, occur along the Huangshan-Jingerquan (HJ) belt in East Xinjiang. Rock types in these complexes are predominated by peridotite, pyroxene peridotite, olivine pyroxenite, gabbronorite, orthopyroxene gabbro, troctolite, gabbro and diorite. The ultramafic rocks are relatively Fe-enriched and are characterized by an assemblage of olivine+orthopyroxene+clinopyroxene+hornblende±plagioclase without obvious metamorphic textures. Chemically, these complexes are relatively Fe-enriched and show a tholeiitic trend of evolution. The complexes in this belt are intruded under the extensional environment in a Mid-Carboniferous back-arc basin. They can be considered as a new type of mafic-ultramafic complexes in orogenic belts, as designated by the name of the East-Xinjiang-type complexes. This project was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

胶东海阳所堆积辉长岩的变质反应结构、石榴石形成及P—T演化

海阳所堆积辉长岩由橄长岩、橄榄辉长岩和辉长岩组成。在橄长岩和橄榄辉长岩中发育有典型的变质反应结构：主要为橄榄石与斜长石之间形成由斜方辉石、尖晶石、角闪石和石榴石等矿物组成的多期次次变边，并有三个不同世代变质矿物，早期Cpx＋Opx＋Spl，中期Amp，晚期Grt；期次是钛铁矿与斜长石之间形成石榴石次变边，相对比较简单，只有一个世代变质矿物，为Grt＋Amp＋Rut或Grt＋Rut岩中石榴石是通过斜长石与角闪石或斜长石与钛铁矿之间的变质反应形成的，虽为峰值变质作用的产物，但变质反应的期次及类型不同导致了所形成石榴石的温度和压力有所不同。堆积辉长岩形成演化的温压计算表明，堆积辉长岩在经过近等压降温的岩浆作用之后的变质作用早期，仍为近等压降温，而晚期则表现为近等温升压。这一特殊的P－T演化可能反映了堆积辉长冷侵位与深俯冲特征。     

On the origin of multi‐layer coronas between olivine and plagioclase at the gabbro–granulite transition,Valle Fértil–La Huerta Ranges,San Juan Province,Argentina

Troctolitic gabbros from Valle Fértil and La Huerta Ranges, San Juan Province, NW‐Argentina exhibit multi‐layer corona textures between cumulus olivine and plagioclase. The corona mineral sequence, which varies in the total thickness from 0.5 to 1 mm, comprises either an anhydrous corona type I with olivine|orthopyroxene|clinopyroxene+spinel symplectite|plagioclase or a hydrous corona type II with olivine|orthopyroxene|amphibole|amphibole+spinel symplectite|plagioclase. The anhydrous corona type I formed by metamorphic replacement of primary olivine and plagioclase, in the absence of any fluid/melt phase at <840 °C. Diffusion controlled metamorphic solid‐state replacement is mainly governed by the chemical potential gradients at the interface of reactant olivine and plagioclase and orthopyroxene and plagioclase. Thus, the thermodynamic incompatibility of the reactant minerals at the gabbro–granulite transition and the phase equilibria of the coronitic assemblage during subsequent cooling were modelled using quantitative μMgO–μCaO phase diagrams. Mineral reaction textures of the anhydrous corona type I indicate an inward migration of orthopyroxene on the expense of olivine, while clinopyroxene+spinel symplectite grows outward to replace plagioclase. Mineral textures of the hydrous corona type II indicate the presence of an interstitial liquid trapped between cumulus olivine and plagioclase that reacts with olivine to produce a rim of peritectic orthopyroxene around olivine. Two amphibole types are distinguished: an inclusion free, brownish amphibole I is enriched in trace elements and REEs relative to green amphibole II. Amphibole I evolves from an intercumulus liquid between peritectic orthopyroxene and plagioclase. Discrete layers of green amphibole II occur as inclusion‐free rims and amphibole II+spinel symplectites. Mineral textures and geochemical patterns indicate a metamorphic origin for amphibole II, where orthopyroxene was replaced to form an inner inclusion‐free amphibole II layer, while clinopyroxene and plagioclase were replaced to form an outer amphibole+spinel symplectite layer, at <770 °C. Calculation of the possible net reactions by considering NCKFMASH components indicates that the layer bulk composition cannot be modelled as a ‘closed’ system although in all cases the gain and loss of elements within the multi‐layer coronas (except H₂O, Na₂O) is very small and the main uncertainties may arise from slight chemical zoning of the respective minerals. Local oxidizing conditions led to the formation of orthopyroxene+magnetite symplectite enveloping and/or replacing olivine. The sequence of corona reaction textures indicates a counter clockwise P–T path at the gabbro–granulite transition at 5–6.5 kbar and temperatures below 900 °C.     

The Asama igneous complex, central Japan: An ultramafic-mafic layered intrusion in the Mikabu greenstone belt, Sambagawa metamorphic terrain

The Asama igneous complex comprises layered mafic and ultramafic plutonic rocks exposed over about 500×6000 m in the Mikabu greenstone belt, Sambagawa metamorphic terrain of Mie Prefecture; its margins terminate by faults, and there is no trace of chilled rocks. The exposed layered sequence is about 460 m thick, and includes dunite, plagioclase wehrlite, olivine gabbro and two-pyroxene gabbro. The crystallization sequence of essential cumulus minerals is olivine, followed by plagioclase and clinopyroxene together, and finally the appearance of orthopyroxene. Olivine systematically varies in composition from Fo₈₉ to Fo₇₈ with stratigraphic height in the lower to middle portion of the layered sequence. The composition of clinopyroxene changes from Ca₄₉Mg₄₆Fe₅ to Ca₄₀Mg₄₇Fe₁₃ upward in the layered sequence; cumulus orthopyroxene, which occurs at the top of the exposed layered sequence, has a composition of Ca₂Mg₇₄Fe₂₄. Cumulus chromite occurs as disseminated grains in peridotitic rocks, and tends to increase its Fe³⁺/(Cr+Al+Fe³⁺) ratio with stratigraphic height. The most aluminous chromite [Cr/(Cr+Al) = 0.48] occurs in dunite that crystallized shortly before plagioclase began to separate as an essential phase. The Cr/(Cr+Al) ratio of the most aluminous chromite, coupled with the crystallization order of essential minerals, suggests that the Asama parental magma was moderately enriched in plagioclase and clinopyroxene components in the normative mineral diagram plagioclase-clinopyroxene-orthopyroxene. It was similar to a Hawaiian tholeiite and different from the Bushveld and Great “Dyke” parental magmas that were more enriched in orthopyroxene component; it also differed from mid-oceanic ridge basalts that are more depleted in the orthopyroxene component. The Asama clinopyroxene and chromite show characteristically high TiO₂ contents and are also similar to those in Hawaiian tholeiites. The Asama igneous complex probably resulted from the crystallization of a magma of a Hawaiian (oceanic-island) tholeiite composition and formed in an oceanic island regime.     

Geochemistry of metabasites from NE Sardinia, Italy: nature of the protoliths, magmatic trend, and geotectonic setting

Summary The metabasites of Montiggiu Nieddu occur as a lenticular body in the Hercynian migmatite complex of NE Sardinia and consist of two major lithological associations: ultramafic amphibolites and plagioclase-banded amphibolites, which are genetically related by processes of cumulate differentiation of an original tholeiitic magma. The ultramafic amphibolites consist of relics of igneous phases (anorthite, olivine, orthopyroxene, and clinopyroxene) and metamorphic minerals (orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, plagioclase, garnet, chlorite, and amphibole) in variable proportions. Based on the distribution of the relics of igneous minerals three main compositional layers (A, B, C) have been identified in the ultramafic amphibolites. The plagioclase-banded amphibolites consist of dark-green and white bands made up of plagioclase, amphibole, garnet, and rare pyroxene in variable proportions. No relics of magmatic minerals were observed. The trace element patterns of the Montiggiu Nieddu metabasites are characterised by selective enrichment of incompatible elements of low ionic potential, such as Sr, Rb, Ba, and Th, and low abundance of K, Cr, Ni, and elements of high ionic potential (from Ta to Yb), which define a relatively flat trend similar to MORB composition. Ti, Y, and heavy rare earth elements are all positively correlated with Zr. This correlation suggests that no significant transport of these elements took place during metamorphism. The metabasites of Montiggiu Nieddu are characterised by low Ti, Ti/V, and Ti/Zr content, low rare earth and high-field strength element concentrations, and moderate selective enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements. They also show geochemical features similar to those of supra subduction zone tholeiites. The CaO-MgO diagram displays a segmented trend, which provides powerful evidence in favour of crystal-liquid separation during magmatic evolution. Received December 4, 2000; revised version accepted January 29, 2001     

Petrogenesis of sapphirine-bearing metatroctolites from the Buck Creek ultramafic body,southern Appalachians

The Buck Creek ultramafic body, North Carolina, includes aluminous lenses that have been described as troctolites. These lenses preserve mineral assemblages which record several different stages of metamorphism. The first stage is characterized by anhydrous reactions between olivine and plagioclase to produce coronas of orthopyroxene+ clinopyroxene/spinel symplectite. Thermo barometric results indicate minimum pressures of c. 6 kbar and c. 800 ^oC. Sapphirine replaces spinel in some clinopyroxene symplectites, and occurs as anhedral grains within amphibole, observations which in combination suggest peak metamorphic conditions of c. 9-10 kbar and c. 850 ^oC. Sapphirine-bearing hydrous assemblages formed at the expense of the coronas, indicating a second metamorphic episode involving deeper burial, deformation and hydration. Schistose rocks from the margins of the lenses are composed of anorthite+amphibole+margarite+corundum, and probably record a later, lower P-T event. Whole rock analyses for the Buck Creek lenses suggest an accumulate protolith of magnesian olivine and calcic plagioclase. Trace element data for the troctolites are consistent with data for adjacent amphibolites in suggesting that the Buck Creek mafic and ultramafic cumulates crystallized from magmas derived from a mantle source similar to that which produces modern intraplate or rift-related basalts. We propose that the Buck Creek ultramafics represent basal cumulates(± uppermost mantle) from ocean crust formed in a marginal basin in the latest Precambrian. Subduction-induced burial to at least 18 km under dry conditions induced corona formation. Collisional events of the Taconic orogeny thrust the Buck Creek rocks into the orogenic pile to at least 30 km depth and hydrated them along zones of weakness, locally producing P-T -P_H2O conditions appropriate for formation of sapphirine and hydrated assemblages, but still preserving some dry symplectites.     

塔里木板块东北部坡一镁铁质-超镁铁质层状侵入体岩石成因

坡一侵入体位于塔里木板块东北部坡北岩体内,是该岩体第三阶段岩浆活动形成的十几个小侵入体中的一个,锆石U-Pb年龄为278±2Ma。该侵入体属于以超镁铁质岩石为主的层状岩系,堆晶结构与韵律性堆晶层理非常发育。岩浆分异充分,形成了从纯橄岩到石英闪长岩的多种岩石类型。在超镁铁质岩石中,所有的橄榄石和大部分斜方辉石是堆晶相,少量斜方辉石是填隙相,大部分单斜辉石、褐色普通角闪石和黑云母是填隙相。在镁铁质岩石中,橄榄石和斜方辉石全部是堆晶相,单斜辉石与斜长石既可以是堆晶相,也可以是填隙相;褐色普通角闪石、黑云母和石英均为填隙相。超镁铁质岩石属拉斑玄武岩系列,镁铁质岩石属钙碱性系列。侵入体中大量存在的捕掳体、微量元素地球化学、Nd-Sr同位素组成的EMⅡ型演化趋势,充分证明了同化混染作用伴随岩浆演化过程而逐渐增强,并不断促进了岩浆的分异,而且导致了岩石化学系列的转化。PGE和亲硫元素地球化学以及硫同位素组成证明,硫主要来自于岩浆,硫化物形成于岩浆阶段,岩浆未经历过早期硫化物熔离作用,硫化物熔离起始于橄榄岩相结晶的晚期阶段,并伴随着此后的岩浆演化过程而继续熔离。硫化物熔离是岩浆自身演化和同化混染共同作用的结果。橄榄石Fo分子含量和全岩FeO含量显示,原生岩浆是苦橄质岩浆;源区物质应该是石榴石辉石岩;岩浆生成于地幔柱轴部。在塔里木板块东北部还存在分别来自于软流圈和亏损型大陆岩石圈地幔的二叠纪岩浆岩,它们都应该是塔里木大火成岩省的组成部分。     

Coronas from the Thessaloniki gabbros (North Greece)

Coronas which have been developed between olivine and plagioclase in Precambrian gabbroic rocks from Thessaloniki, Greece, have been studied. These consist commonly of (olivine), clinopyroxene, amphibole (plagioclase) and rarely of (olivine) orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene amphibole (plagioclase) assemblages. The results of the electron-probe microanalysis of the above constituent minerals are presented. The formation of these coronas by regional or thermal metamorphism is unlikely, but an origin by a two-way diffusion of material across the olivine and plagioclase interface is proposed.     

山东半岛早前寒武纪高级变质基底中超镁铁质岩的成因

山东半岛早前寒武纪高级变质基底广泛出露超镁铁质岩,它们呈大小不等的透镜体产于TTG片麻岩中,且与基性高压麻粒岩密切"伴生"。岩相学和矿物相转变分析、温压条件估算以及锆石原位U-Pb定年结果表明,山东半岛超镁铁质岩记录了十分复杂的演化历史,其中早期残留的原岩标志性的矿物组合 (M₁) 以尖晶石 (富Mg)+橄榄石 (富Mg)+斜方辉石 (富Mg) 为特征,相应的岩浆结晶温压条件T=980~1050℃、P=1.55~1.65GPa;峰期高压麻粒岩相变质阶段 (M₂) 的典型的矿物组合以尖晶石 (富Fe)+橄榄石 (富Fe)+斜方辉石 (富Fe) 为特征,相应的温压条件T=840~880℃、P=1.40~1.55GPa,此阶段形成的变质锆石记录的高压麻粒岩相变质时代为1858~1877Ma;峰后中低压角闪-麻粒岩岩相退变质阶段 (M₃) 的矿物组合以斜方辉石+单斜辉石+橄榄石+角闪石 (富 (Na+K))+尖晶石+磁铁矿(富Cr) 为特征,相应的温压条件T=760~820℃、P=0.55~0.65GPa,此阶段形成的变质锆石记录的退变质时代为1820~1840Ma;晚期低角闪岩相-绿片岩相变质阶段 (M₄),以形成角闪石 (贫 (Na+K))+磁铁矿 (贫Cr)+蛇纹石±绿泥石±金云母的矿物组合为特征,相应的温压条件T=500~600℃、P=0.32~0.40GPa。超镁铁质岩的变质演化具有典型碰撞造山带顺时针P-T-t轨迹,指示山东半岛超镁铁岩是古老陆块之间碰撞造山的产物。该项成果对于进一步深入探讨华北克拉通东南缘早前寒武纪古老陆块的碰撞-拼贴及其演化的动力学过程具有重要科学意义。     

Two occurrences of ultramafic hornfels in the Biggenden Beds,southeastern Queensland

Ultramafic hornfelses containing the assemblages hornblende + olivine + spinel + magnetite, and clinopyroxene + olivine + spinel + magnetite, are reported from two localities in the Biggenden Beds in southeastern Queensland. They are associated with mafic hornfelses in the contact metamorphic aureoles of the Mungore Adamellite and the Wateranga Gabbro. Chemical composition and minerology of the olivine + amphibole + spinel + magnetite hornfelses suggest that they represent metamorphosed picritic rocks, or possibly, altered serpentinites (blackwall rocks), whereas the clinopyroxene + olivine + spinel + magnetite hornfelses are interpreted as metamorphosed altered clinopyroxene‐rich picritic rocks. Cr‐Fe spinel relations in the hornfelses indicate partial homogenisation of primary chromian spinel with secondary magnetite ± ferrichromite during contact metamorphism.     

Garnet exsolution in pyroxene from clinopyroxenites in the Moldanubian zone: constraining the early pre-convergence history of ultramafic rocks in the Variscan orogen

Exsolution lamellae of garnet in clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene porphyroclasts from garnet pyroxenites in the Moldanubian zone were studied to elucidate the pressure–temperature conditions of the exsolution process and to reconstruct the burial and exhumation path of ultramafic rocks in the Variscan orogen. The porphyroclasts occur in a fine-grained matrix with metamorphic fabrics, which consists of clinopyroxene and small amounts of garnet, orthopyroxene and amphibole. The clinopyroxene porphyroclasts contain garnet + orthopyroxene lamellae as well as ilmenite rods that have orientation parallel to (100) planes of the porphyroclasts. Orthopyroxene porphyroclasts host garnet and clinopyroxene lamellae, which show the same lattice preferred orientation. In both cases, lamellar orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and garnet were partially replaced by secondary amphibole. Composition of exsolution phases and that of host pyroxene were reintegrated according to measured modal proportions and demonstrate that the primary pyroxene was enriched in Al and contained 8–11 mol.% Tschermak components. Conventional thermobarometry and thermodynamic modelling on the reintegrated pyroxene indicate that primary clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene megacrysts crystallized at 1300–1400 °C and 2.2–2.5 GPa. Unmixing and exsolution of garnet and a second pyroxene phase occurred in response to cooling and pressure increase before the peak pressure of 4.5–5.0 GPa was reached at ∼1100 °C. This scenario is consistent with a burial of hot upper-mantle ultramafics into a cold subcratonic environment and subsequent exhumation through 900 °C and 2.2–3.3 GPa, when the pyroxenites would have partially recrystallized during tectonic incorporation into eclogites and felsic granulites.     

Petrological investigation of the Ganyu peridotite in the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure terrane, eastern China

The ultramafic body sampled in the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD) Hole PP3 is located in the eastern part of the Dabie-Sulu UHP metamorphic belt near Donghai County. It is about 480 m thick, and consists chiefly of garnet peridotite, dunite and serpentinite. The principal minerals include olivine, chromium spinel, diopside, enstatite, garnet with minor secondary augite, phlogopite and amphibole. Both the olivine and orthopyroxene are highly magnesian, and the garnet is pyropic with 5.4-6.4% CaO and 0.3-3.3% Cr₂O₃. Two generations of clinopyroxene are present; an early diopside followed by augite. Chromium spinels are highly variable with Cr#s (100Cr / (Cr + Al)) between 51 and 89, and their compositions reflect different processes of formation, namely partial melting and eclogite, amphibole and greenschist facies metamorphism. The Mg#s (100 Mg / (Mg + Fe²⁺))of the spinels correlate positively with the Cr#s but negatively with oxygen fugacity. Based on the spinel compositions the ultramafic rocks originated in the shallow mantle, then subducted to depths of more than 100 km and finally exhumed to the surface. They underwent partial melting at shallow depths, mostly in the spinel facies, and were later transformed into garnet peridotites during deep subduction. All of the rocks were weakly metasomatized during exhumation and were subjected to retrograde metamorphism.     

苏鲁超高压变质带岗上超镁铁质岩铬尖晶石形成过程——铬成矿新机制

岗上超镁铁质岩主要由纯橄岩和石榴橄榄岩组成,主要组成矿物有橄榄石、铬尖晶石、石榴子石、单斜辉石和斜方辉石等。铬尖晶石的Cr#[Cr/(Cr+Mg)×100]从51到89变化,铬尖晶石矿物表现为4期次演化的特点,反映了从岩浆期向榴辉岩相、角闪岩相和绿片岩相演化特征。随着超镁铁质岩的演化,铬尖晶石中Cr#不断增大(51增大到89),而铬尖晶石Mg#[Mg×100/(Mg+Fe2+)]不断减少,氧逸度不断增加。在绿片岩相—绿片角闪岩相退变质过程中,铬尖晶石中Cr、Mg和Al减少,Fe相对增加,产生富Cr尖晶石变质作用样式。晚期剪切变形等次生变化有利于富铬铬尖晶石矿物的形成和铬尖晶石的富集。同时,角闪岩相和绿片岩相变质作用使铬尖晶石富集呈现容易开采的条带状,降低了铬尖晶石与其他硅酸盐矿物的结合强度,降低了开采强度和成本,使原本不易于开采的铬铁矿矿体变得可以开采。这些意味着铬铁矿矿体展布要结合后期变质作用进行综合分析。     

Serpentinite

Serpentinites are metamorphic rocks formed from the alteration of ultramafic igneous rocks. Their precursors largely consist of clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, olivine and a member of the spinel group, along with other accessory minerals. Serpentinization can be produced through the percolation of fluids of different origins. The transformation gives rise to other rocks, serpentinites, that are characterized by a high‐water content mineralogy (serpentine) and, sometimes, remnants of the original phases. However, serpentinites may also undergo a subsequent carbonation process, transforming most of the mineral phases into carbonates. This is why confusion may arise when dealing with these rocks in the industrial sector, where geologists are not often involved. Serpentinites are often found in natural stone catalogues under the name of ‘green marble’ and this can be misinterpreted by builders and architects, causing misuse of this rock as an ornamental stone.     

Chromite deposits in the northern Oman ophiolite: Mineralogical constraints

Chromite deposits in the northern Oman ophiolitic complex occur in three structural contexts, i.e., (1) at the base of the cumulate series, (2) in the top kilometer of the mantle sequence, and (3) in the deeper parts of the mantle. Types 1 and 2 are characterized by the diversity of interstitial silicates where in decreasing order of abundance olivine, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, and amphibole occur, as opposed to type 3 which contains only olivine. They differ however in ore texture. Similar silicates also occur as euhedral inclusions in chromite crystals, but their proportions are reversed. The composition of the interstitial silicates is comparable to that found in early cumulates. Type-1 and type-2 chromite deposits crystallized from a magma similar to that from which the basal cumulates formed (Al₂O₃, 15.1–16.1 wt%; FeO/MgO, 0.55–0.60). The type-3 chromites were derived from a magma of much lower Al₂O₃ content (12.5 wt%). It is considered that they belong to an older episode in the magmatic evolution of the complex.