Ultrahigh‐temperature metamorphism in the Tuguiwula area,Khondalite Belt,North China Craton

In this study, sapphirine‐bearing granulites and sapphirine‐absent garnet–sillimanite gneisses from the Tuguiwula area in the eastern segment of the Khondalite Belt, North China Craton (NCC) are interpreted to show a P–T evolution involving cooling at pressures of 8–9 kbar from >960°C to the solidus (~820°C) and late subsolidus decompression. This interpretation is based on the sequence of mineral appearance and thermodynamic modelling of phase equilibria. Sapphirine is observed to coexist with spinel within the peak assemblages. This observation conflicts with the traditional view that spinel generally appears prior to sapphirine and thus indicates pre‐T_max compression. For ultrahigh‐temperature (UHT) metapelites at Tuguiwula, a clockwise P–T path may be more likely, which would be consistent with the clockwise P–T evolution of the extensive “normal” granulites (T_max <900°C) and UHT granulites at other localities in the eastern segment of the Khondalite Belt. At Tuguiwula, for UHT metapelites with low bulk‐rock Mg/(Mg+Fe^T), the oxidation state/Fe³⁺ content is interpreted to be a significant factor in controlling the mineral assemblages. We find that these compositions tend to contain sapphirine under oxidized conditions but spinel (without sapphirine) under reduced conditions. This difference may account for the simultaneous presence of both sapphirine‐bearing UHT granulites and sapphirine‐absent garnet–sillimanite UHT gneisses at Tuguiwula. LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb dating of metamorphic zircon in the UHT metapelites yields mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ages of c. 1.92 Ga (two samples), which are interpreted to record the timing of cooling of the UHT rocks to the solidus. The UHT metamorphism is interpreted to have been generated by mantle upwelling and emplacement of mafic magmas within a post‐orogenic setting.     

High‐ to ultrahigh‐temperature metamorphism in the lower crust: An example resulting from Hikurangi Plateau collision and slab rollback in New Zealand

Lower crustal xenoliths erupted from an intraplate diatreme reveal that a portion of the New Zealand Gondwana margin experienced high‐temperature (HT) to ultrahigh‐temperature (UHT) granulite facies metamorphism just after flat slab subduction ceased at c. 110–105 Ma. P–T calculations for garnet–orthopyroxene‐bearing felsic granulite xenoliths indicate equilibration at ~815 to 910°C and 0.7 to 0.8 GPa, with garnet‐bearing mafic granulite xenoliths yielding at least 900°C. Supporting evidence for the attainment of HT and UHT conditions in felsic granulite comes from re‐integration of exsolution in feldspar (~900–950°C at 0.8 GPa), Ti‐in‐zircon thermometry on Y‐depleted overgrowths on detrital zircon grains (932°C ± 24°C at aTiO₂ = 0.8 ± 0.2), and correlation of observed assemblages and mineral compositions with thermodynamic modelling results (≥850°C at 0.7 to 0.8 GPa). The thin zircon overgrowths, which were mainly targeted by drilling through the cores of grains, yield a U–Pb pooled age of 91.7 ± 2.0 Ma. The cause of Late Cretaceous HT‐UHT metamorphism on the Zealandia Gondwana margin is attributed to collision and partial subduction of the buoyant oceanic Hikurangi Plateau in the Early Cretaceous. The halt of subduction caused the fore‐running shallowly dipping slab to rollback towards the trench position and permitted the upper mantle to rapidly increase the geothermal gradient through the base of the extending (former) accretionary prism. This sequence of events provides a mechanism for achieving regional HT–UHT conditions in the lower crust with little or no sign of this event at the surface.     

Two successive phases of ultrahigh temperature metamorphism in Rogaland,S. Norway: Evidence from Y‐in‐monazite thermometry

In Rogaland, South Norway, a polycyclic granulite facies metamorphic domain surrounds the late‐Sveconorwegian anorthosite–mangerite–charnockite (AMC) plutonic complex. Integrated petrology, phase equilibria modelling, monazite microchemistry, Y‐in‐monazite thermometry, and monazite U–Th–Pb geochronology in eight samples, distributed across the apparent metamorphic field gradient, imply a sequence of two successive phases of ultrahigh temperature (UHT) metamorphism in the time window between 1,050 and 910 Ma. A first long‐lived metamorphic cycle (M1) between 1,045 ± 8 and 992 ± 11 Ma is recorded by monazite in all samples. This cycle is interpreted to represent prograde clockwise P–T path involving melt production in fertile protoliths and culminating in UHT conditions of ~6 kbar and 920°C. Y‐in‐monazite thermometry, in a residual garnet‐absent sapphirine–orthopyroxene granulite, provides critical evidence for average temperature of 931 and 917°C between 1,029 ± 9 and 1,006 ± 8 Ma. Metamorphism peaked after c. 20 Ma of crustal melting and melt extraction, probably supported by a protracted asthenospheric heat source following lithospheric mantle delamination. Between 990 and 940 Ma, slow conductive cooling to 750–800°C is characterized by monazite reactivity as opposed to silicate metastability. A second incursion (M2) to UHT conditions of ~3.5–5 kbar and 900–950°C, is recorded by Y‐rich monazite at 930 ± 6 Ma in an orthopyroxene–cordierite–hercynite gneiss and by an osumilite gneiss. This M2 metamorphism, typified by osumilite paragenesis, is related to the intrusion of the AMC plutonic complex at 931 ± 2 Ma. Thermal preconditioning of the crust during the first UHT metamorphism may explain the width of the aureole of contact metamorphism c. 75 Ma later, and also the rarity of osumilite‐bearing assemblages in general.     

Paleoproterozoic UHT metamorphism with isobaric cooling (IBC) followed by decompression–heating in the Khondalite Belt (North China Craton): New evidence from two sapphirine formation processes

Interpretation of reaction microstructures may provide constraints on the P–T path followed by rocks, with implications for the geodynamic evolution. Sapphirine generally occurs in diverse microstructures in ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) Mg–Al-rich granulites. Understanding multi-stage sapphirine formation processes and the resultant P–T path may provide insights into the cause of UHT metamorphism, which is otherwise under broad debate. Here, we investigate samples of UHT granulite containing two distinct types of sapphirine from the Dongpo locality in the Khondalite Belt, North China Craton, with the aim of understanding the processes of sapphirine formation and the metamorphic evolution of the host rocks. Petrographic observations show that early sapphirine, which occurs as coronas on spinel and as single porphyroblasts, formed together with biotite, sillimanite, and inclusion-rich garnet. Late symplectitic sapphirine along with fine-grained plagioclase and spinel plus plagioclase symplectites, formed by consumption of sillimanite, biotite, and garnet. Three pseudosections based on the bulk compositions of microdomains inferred to reflect spatially restricted equilibrium suggest that the rocks record near isobaric cooling (IBC) from ~980 to 830ºC at ~0.9 GPa for early sapphirine formation, and decompression and heating to ≤0.7 GPa and ~900ºC for late sapphirine formation. Our study in combination with other metamorphic P–T and age information reveals the common occurrence of IBC paths and long duration (c. 1.93 to 1.86 Ga) regional UHT metamorphism in the Khondalite Belt, North China Craton. Locally, this is followed by decompression–heating paths at c. 1.86 Ga. The Palaeoproterozoic UHT metamorphism with long-lived IBC path in the Khondalite Belt, North China Craton supports large hot orogen model in the amalgamation of this part in the supercontinent Nuna.     

华北克拉通孔兹岩带古元古代凉城石榴石花岗岩成因机制及其岩石学意义

在华北克拉通孔兹岩带东段凉城地区分布有大规模古元古代石榴石花岗岩。凉城石榴石花岗岩是产于麻粒岩相变沉积岩中的原地-半原地花岗岩,伴生有徐武家岩体为代表的辉长苏长岩小侵入体群。凉城石榴石花岗岩富含石榴子石(5%~15%,局部可达25%),常见紫苏辉石,推测形成于高温(>850~900℃)、高压(8~10kbar)条件下,不同于典型的S型花岗岩。地球化学特征上,石榴石花岗岩具有强过铝的地球化学属性(A/CNK=1.1~1.6),显示低SiO₂(55%~75%)和富MgO+FeO^T(5%~14%)的特征,已经偏离了正常S型花岗岩的成分范围。凉城石榴石花岗岩低硅富镁铁的成分特征很可能是由残留体(石榴石岩)带入和辉长苏长岩物质添加造成,残留体和辉长苏长岩的物质贡献比例约占20%~40%。年代学研究表明凉城石榴石花岗岩形成时代为1.93~1.92Ga,与辉长苏长岩形成时代(1.93Ga)和变质沉积岩记录的超高温变质作用时代(1.92Ga)一致,指示凉城石榴石花岗岩是幔源基性岩浆侵入麻粒岩相变质沉积岩中引起变沉积岩在高温-超高温条件下大规模部分熔融的产物。大规模出露的高温石榴石花岗岩及多点分布的超高温麻粒岩共同反映了集宁-凉城区域上超高温的特点。     

Challenges in constraining the P–T conditions of mafic granulites: An example from the northern Trans‐North China Orogen

Some mafic granulites in the Sanggan area of the northern Trans‐North China Orogen (TNCO) have a relatively simple mineralogy with low energy grain shapes that are compatible with an assumption of equilibrium, but the rock‐forming minerals show variations in composition that create challenges for thermobarometry. The mafic granulites, which occur as apparently disrupted dyke‐like bodies in tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite gneisses, are divided into two types based on petrography and chemical composition. Type 1 mafic granulites are fine‐ to medium‐grained with an equilibrated texture and an assemblage of plagioclase+clinopyroxene+garnet+magnetite+ilmenite and sometimes minor hornblende±orthopyroxene. Type 2 mafic granulites are coarse‐grained and hornblende bearing with a peak assemblage of garnet+clinopyroxene+plagioclase+hornblende and variably developed coronae and symplectites of plagioclase+hornblende+orthopyroxene partially replacing porphyroblastic garnet±clinopyroxene. SIMS U–Pb dating of metamorphic zircon from two type 1 mafic granulites yields metamorphic ages of c. 1.84 and 1.83 Ga, consistent with published ages of the type 2 mafic granulites. Based on phase equilibrium modelling, we use the common overlap of P–T fields defined by the mineral assemblage limits, and the mole proportion and composition isopleths of different minerals in each sample to quantify the metamorphic conditions. For type 1 granulites, overlap of the mineral proportion and composition fields for each of three samples yields similar P–T conditions of 710–880°C at 0.57–0.79 GPa, 820–850°C at 0.59–0.63 GPa and 800–860°C at 0.59–0.68 GPa. For the type 2 granulites, overlaying the peak assemblage fields for three samples yields common P–T conditions of 870–890°C at 1.1–1.2 GPa. For the retrograde assemblage, overlap of the mineral proportion and composition fields for each sample yields similar P–T conditions of 820–840°C at 0.85–0.88 GPa, 860–880°C at 0.83–0.86 GPa and 880–930°C at 0.89–0.95 GPa. The P–T conditions appear distinct between the two types of mafic granulite, with the mineralogically simple type 1 mafic granulites recording the lowest pressures. However, there are significant uncertainties associated with these results. For the granulites, there are uncertainties related to the determination of modes and composition of the equilibration volume, particularly estimation of O and H₂O contents, and in the phase equilibrium modelling there are uncertainties that propagate through the calculation of mole proportions and mineral compositions. The compound uncertainties on pressure and temperature for high‐T granulites are large and the results of our study show that it may be unwise to rely on P–T conditions determined from the simple intersection of calculated mineral composition isopleths alone. Since the samples in this study are from a limited area—a few hundred square metres—we infer that they record a single P–T path involving both decompression and cooling. However, there is no evidence of the high‐P granulite facies event at 1.93–1.90 Ga that is recorded elsewhere in the TNCO, which suggests that the precursor basic dykes were emplaced late during the assembly of the North China Craton.     

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.     

Ultra high temperature metamorphism of mafic granulites from South Altyn Orogen,West China: A result from the rapid exhumation of deeply subducted continental crust

The South Altyn orogen in West China contains ultra high pressure (UHP) terranes formed by ultra‐deep (>150–300 km) subduction of continental crust. Mafic granulites which together with ultramafic interlayers occur as blocks in massive felsic granulites in the Bashiwake UHP terrane, are mainly composed of garnet, clinopyroxene, plagioclase, amphibole, rutile/ilmenite, and quartz with or without kyanite and sapphirine. The kyanite/sapphirine‐bearing granulites are interpreted to have experienced decompression‐dominated evolution from eclogite facies conditions with peak pressures of 4–7 GPa to high pressure (HP)–ultra high temperature (UHT) granulite facies conditions and further to low pressure (LP)–UHT facies conditions based on petrographic observations, phase equilibria modelling, and thermobarometry. The HP–UHT granulite facies conditions are constrained to be 2.3–1.6 GPa/1,000–1,070°C based on the observed mineral assemblages of garnet+clinopyroxene+rutile+plagioclase+amphibole±quartz and measured mineral compositions including the core–rim increasing anorthite in plagioclase (X_An = 0.52–0.58), core–rim decreasing jadeite in clinopyroxene (X_Jd = 0.20–0.15), and TiO₂ in amphibole (Ti^M2/2 = 0.14–0.18). The LP–UHT granulite facies conditions are identified from the symplectites of sapphirine+plagioclase+spinel, formed by the metastable reaction between garnet and kyanite at <0.6–0.7 GPa/940–1,030°C based on the calculated stability of the symplectite assemblages and sapphirine–spinel thermometer results. The common granulites without kyanite/sapphirine are identified to record a similar decompression evolution, including eclogite, HP–UHT granulite, and LP–UHT granulite facies conditions, and a subsequent isobaric cooling stage. The decompression under HP–UHT granulite facies is estimated to be from 2.3 to 1.3 GPa at ~1,040°C on the basis of textural records, anorthite content in plagioclase (X_An = 0.25–0.32), and grossular content in garnet (X_Grs = 0.22–0.19). The further decompression to LP–UHT facies is defined to be >0.2–0.3 GPa based on the calculated stability for hematite‐bearing ilmenite. The isobaric cooling evolution is inferred mainly from the amphibole (Ti^M2/2 = 0.14–0.08) growth due to the crystallization of residual melts, consistent with a temperature decrease from >1,000°C to ~800°C at ~0.4 GPa. Zircon U–Pb dating for the two types of mafic granulite yields similar protolith and metamorphic ages of c. 900 Ma and c. 500 Ma respectively. However, the metamorphic age is interpreted to represent the HP–UHT granulite stage for the kyanite/sapphirine‐bearing granulites, but the isobaric cooling stage for the common granulites on the basis of phase equilibria modelling results. The two types of mafic granulite should share the same metamorphic evolution, but show contrasting features in petrography, details of metamorphic reactions in each stage, thermobarometric results, and also the meaning of zircon ages as a result of their different bulk‐rock compositions. Moreover, the UHT metamorphism in UHP terranes is revealed to represent the lower pressure overprinting over early UHP assemblages during the rapid exhumation of ultra‐deep subducted continental slabs, in contrast to the cause of traditional UHT metamorphism by voluminous heat addition from the mantle.     

Petrological and geochronological constraints on high pressure, high temperature metamorphism in the Snowbird tectonic zone, Canada

The upper deck of the East Athabasca mylonite triangle (EAmt), northern Saskatchewan, Canada, contains mafic granulites that have undergone high P–T metamorphism at conditions ranging from 1.3 to 1.9 GPa, 890–960 °C. Coronitic textures in these mafic granulites indicate a near‐isothermal decompression path to 0.9 GPa, 800 °C. The Godfrey granite occurs to the north adjacent to the upper deck high P–T domain. Well‐preserved corona textures in the Godfrey granite constrain igneous crystallization and early metamorphism in the intermediate‐pressure granulite field (Opx + Pl) at 1.0 GPa, 775 °C followed by metamorphism in the high pressure granulite field (Grt + Cpx + Pl) at 1.2 GPa, 860 °C. U–Pb geochronology of zircon in upper deck mafic granulite yields evidence for events at both c. 2.5 Ga and c. 1.9 Ga. The oldest zircon dates are interpreted to constrain a minimum age for crystallization or early metamorphism of the protolith. A population of 1.9 Ga zircon in one mafic granulite is interpreted to constrain the timing of high P–T metamorphism. Titanite from the mafic granulites yields dates ranging from 1900 to 1894 Ma, and is interpreted to have grown along the decompression path, but still above its closure temperature, indicating cooling following the high P–T metamorphism from c. 960–650 °C in 4–10 Myr. Zircon dates from the Godfrey granite indicate a minimum crystallization age of 2.61 Ga, without any evidence for 1.9 Ga overgrowths. The data indicate that an early granulite facies event occurred at c. 2.55–2.52 Ga in the lower crust (c. 1.0 GPa), but at 1.9 Ga the upper deck underwent high P–T metamorphism, then decompressed to 0.9–1.0 GPa. Juxtaposition of the upper deck and Godfrey granite would have occurred after or been related to this decompression. In this model, the high P–T rocks are exhumed quickly following the high pressure metamorphism. This type of metamorphism is typically associated with collisional orogenesis, which has important implications for the Snowbird tectonic zone as a fundamental boundary in the Canadian Shield.     

Quartz and orthopyroxene exsolution lamellae in clinopyroxene and the metamorphic P–T path of Belomorian eclogites

The Shirokaya Salma eclogite‐bearing complex is located in the Archean–Palaeoproterozoic Belomorian Province (Russia). Its eclogites and eclogitic rocks show multiple clinopyroxene breakdown textures, characterized by quartz–amphibole, orthopyroxene and plagioclase lamellae. Representative samples, a fresh eclogite, two partly retrograded eclogites, and a strongly retrograded eclogitic rock, were collected for this study. Two distinct mineral assemblages—(1) omphacite+garnet+quartz+rutile±amphibole and (2) clinopyroxene+garnet+amphibole+plagioclase+quartz+rutile+ilmenite±orthopyroxene—are described. Based on phase equilibria modelling, these assemblages correspond to the eclogite and granulite facies metamorphism that occurred at 16–18 kbar, 750–800°C and 11–15 kbar, 820–850°C, respectively. The quartz–amphibole lamellae in clinopyroxene formed during retrogression with water ingress, but do not imply UHP metamorphism. The superfine orthopyroxene lamellae developed due to breakdown of an antecedent clinopyroxene (omphacite) during retrogression that was triggered by decompression from the peak of metamorphism, while the coarser orthopyroxene grains and rods formed afterwards. The P–T path reconstructed for the Shirokaya Salma eclogites is comparable to that of the adjacent 1.9 Ga Uzkaya Salma eclogite (Belomorian Province), and those of several other Palaeoproterozoic high‐grade metamorphic terranes worldwide, facts allowing us to debate the exact timing of eclogite facies metamorphism in the Belomorian Province.     

A unique Paleoproterozoic HP–UHT metamorphic event recorded by the Bengbu mafic granulites in the southwestern Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt,North China Craton

The Wuhe Complex in the Bengbu area of the Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt, southeast North China Craton, contains garnet-bearing mafic granulites that have undergone high-pressure (HP) and ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) metamorphism. These granulites also experienced partial melting and occur as lenses within marbles. Petrographic observations and quantitative phase equilibria modeling reveal clockwise P–T paths, involving an inferred HP stage followed by decompressional, medium-pressure, granulite-facies metamorphism and subsequent cooling. The HP assemblage of garnet + clinopyroxene + plagioclase + K-feldspar ± amphibole ± quartz ± rutile indicates P–T conditions of 840–980 °C and 12–17 kbar. This was followed by post-peak, near-isothermal decompression with the development of orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + plagioclase + K-feldspar + garnet + amphibole + ilmenite at 850–960 °C and 7–10 kbar, resulting in the development of orthopyroxene rims on resorbed garnet. Pyroxene and ternary feldspar thermometry yielded high temperatures of ~1150 °C and 1055–1087 °C at 10 kbar, respectively, which constrain the minimum crystallization temperatures of the igneous protoliths. The host and lamellae of the pyroxene and ternary feldspar are relict magmatic minerals/textures that survived metamorphism due to the silica-undersaturated bulk-rock conditions. Zr-in-rutile thermometry yielded temperatures of ~935 °C and 800 °C, with the former being consistent with the predicted peak metamorphic temperatures. Small amounts of melts (up to 5%) were generated during decompression of the Bengbu mafic granulites. The generated partial melts were mainly (quartz) monzonite at 900–920 °C, and the silica contents of the melts were controlled by the quartz stability field in P–T pseudosections. The partial melts were enriched in Na and strongly depleted in Fe–Mg at the peak pressure of ~14 kbar and 920 °C, and later evolved to Fe–Mg-rich and high-K compositions during decompression. The melt compositions in the studied rocks are similar when the pressures reached ~9 kbar. The modal proportion of amphibole increased as the melt H₂O content decreased at lower pressures, indicating that the limited H₂O remaining in the host rocks was consumed to produce amphibole. U–Pb geochronology of zircon containing inclusions of clinopyroxene, plagioclase, and apatite constrains the timing of metamorphism to 1930–1840 Ma, as is the case for HP granulites from Shandong, Liaoning, and southern Jilin in the central and northeastern Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt. The Wuhe HP–UHT mafic granulites were ultimately sourced from upwelling asthenosphere-derived magma at ~2.1 Ga, which intruded and crystallized at shallower depths. The igneous protoliths were then buried to middle–lower crustal levels and experienced HP–UHT granulite-facies metamorphism and partial melting at 1.95–1.90 Ga related to continental subduction and overthickening. The HP–UHT mafic granulites were rapidly exhumed at ~1.85 Ga and generated small volumes of (quartz) monzonite during decompression. The newly discovered Paleoproterozoic HP–UHT mafic granulites associated with partial melting suggest that the continent materials were deeply subducted to the lower crustal levels and that additional heating was not involved. The finding of the HP–UHT granulites, together with the widespread distributions of the granulite-facies metamorphic rocks and the determination of the clockwise P–T–t paths, reveal that the Paleoproterozoic Jiao–Liao–Ji orogenic belt extends at least 1000 km, starting from southern Jilin, passing through the southeastern Liaoning and Jiaobei terranes, and elongating to the Bengbu area in Anhui.     

Petrology,phase equilibria modelling and zircon U–Pb geochronology of Paleoproterozoic mafic granulites from the Fuping Complex,North China Craton

The Fuping Complex is one of the important basement terranes within the central segment of the Trans‐North China Orogen (TNCO) where mafic granulites are exposed as boudins within tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) gneisses. Garnet in these granulites shows compositional zoning with homogeneous cores formed in the peak metamorphic stage, surrounded by thin rims with an increase in almandine and decrease in grossular contents suggesting retrograde decompression and cooling. Petrological and phase equilibria studies including pseudosection calculation using thermocalc define a clockwise P–T path. The peak mineral assemblages comprise garnet+clinopyroxene+amphibole+quartz+plagioclase+K‐feldspar+ilmenite±orthopyroxene±magnetite, with metamorphic P–T conditions estimated at 8.2–9.2 kbar, 870–882 °C (15FP‐02), 9.6–11.3 kbar, 855–870 °C (15FP‐03) and 9.7–10.5 kbar, 880–900 °C (15FP‐06) respectively. The pseudosections for the subsequent retrograde stages based on relatively higher H₂O contents from P/T–M(H₂O) diagrams define the retrograde P–T conditions of <6.1 kbar, <795 °C (15FP‐02), 5.6–5.8 kbar, <795 °C (15FP‐03), and <9 kbar, <865 °C (15FP‐06) respectively. Data from LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb dating show that the mafic dyke protoliths of the granulite were emplaced at c. 2327 Ma. The metamorphic zircon shows two groups of ages at 1.96–1.90 Ga (peak at 1.93–1.92 Ga) and 1.89–1.80 Ga (peak at 1.86–1.83 Ga), consistent with the two metamorphic events widely reported from different segments of the TNCO. The 1.93–1.92 Ga ages are considered to date the peak granulite facies metamorphism, whereas the 1.86–1.83 Ga ages are correlated with the retrograde event. Thus, the collisional assembly of the major crustal blocks in the North China Craton (NCC) might have occurred during 1.93–1.90 Ga, marking the final cratonization of the NCC.     

Late‐stage orogenic loading revealed by contact metamorphism in the northern Appalachians,New York

Pelitic schists from contact aureoles surrounding mafic–ultramafic plutons in Westchester County, NY record a high‐P (~0.8 GPa) high‐T (~790 °C) contact overprint on a Taconic regional metamorphic assemblage (~0.5 GPa). The contact metamorphic assemblage of a pelitic sample in the innermost aureole of the Croton Falls pluton, a small (<10 km²) gabbroic body, consists of quartz–plagioclase–biotite–garnet–sillimanite–ilmenite–graphite–Zn‐rich Al‐spinel. Both K‐feldspar and muscovite are absent, and abundant biotite, plagioclase, sillimanite, quartz and ilmenite inclusions are found within subhedral garnet crystals. Unusually low bulk‐rock Na and K contents imply depletion of alkalic components and silica through anatexis and melt extraction during contact heating relative to typical metapelites outside the aureole. Thermobarometry on nearby samples lacking a contact overprint yields 620–640 °C and 0.5–0.6 GPa. In the aureole sample, WDS X‐ray chemical maps show distinct Ca‐enriched rims on both garnet and matrix plagioclase. Furthermore, biotite inclusions within garnet have significantly higher Mg concentration than matrix biotite. Thermobarometry using GASP and garnet–biotite Mg–Fe exchange equilibria on inclusions and adjacent garnet host interior to the high‐Ca rim zone yield ~0.5 ± 0.1 GPa and ~620 ± 50 °C. Pairs in the modified garnet rim zone yield ~0.9 ± 0.1 GPa and ~790 ± 50 °C. Thermocalc average P–T calculations yield similar results for core (~0.5 ± ~0.1 GPa, ~640 ± ~80 °C) and rim (~0.9 ± ~0.1 GPa, ~800 ± ~90 °C) equilibria. The core assemblages are interpreted to record the P–T conditions of peak metamorphism during the Taconic regional event whereas the rim compositions and matrix assemblages are interpreted to record the P–T conditions during the contact event. The high pressures deduced for this later event are interpreted to reflect loading due to the emplacement of Taconic allochthons in the northern Appalachians during the waning stages of regional metamorphism (after c. 465 Ma) and before contact metamorphism (c. 435 Ma). In the absence of contact metamorphism‐induced recrystallization, it is likely that this regional‐scale loading would remain cryptic or unrecorded.     

Olivine‐bearing symplectites in fractured garnet from eclogite,Moldanubian Zone (Bohemian Massif) – a short‐lived,granulite facies event

Recent petrological studies on high‐pressure (HP)–ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks in the Moldanubian Zone, mainly utilizing compositional zoning and solid phase inclusions in garnet from a variety of lithologies, have established a prograde history involving subduction and subsequent granulite facies metamorphism during the Variscan Orogeny. Two temporally separate metamorphic events are developed rather than a single P–T loop for the HP–UHP metamorphism and amphibolite–granulite facies overprint in the Moldanubian Zone. Here further evidence is presented that the granulite facies metamorphism occurred after the HP–UHP rocks had been exhumed to different levels of the middle or upper crust. A medium‐temperature eclogite that is part of a series of tectonic blocks and lenses within migmatites contains a well‐preserved eclogite facies assemblage with omphacite and prograde zoned garnet. Omphacite is partly replaced by a symplectite of diopside + plagioclase + amphibole. Garnet and omphacite equilibria and pseudosection calculations indicate that the HP metamorphism occurred at relatively low temperature conditions of ~600 °C at 2.0–2.2 GPa. The striking feature of the rocks is the presence of garnet porphyroblasts with veins filled by a granulite facies assemblage of olivine, spinel and Ca‐rich plagioclase. These minerals occur as a symplectite forming symmetric zones, a central zone rich in olivine that is separated from the host garnet by two marginal zones consisting of plagioclase with small amounts of spinel. Mineral textures in the veins show that they were first filled mostly by calcic amphibole, which was later transformed into granulite facies assemblages. The olivine‐spinel equilibria and pseudosection calculations indicate temperatures of ~850–900 °C at pressure below 0.7 GPa. The preservation of eclogite facies assemblages implies that the granulite facies overprint was a short‐lived process. The new results point to a geodynamic model where HP–UHP rocks are exhumed to amphibolite facies conditions with subsequent granulite facies heating by mantle‐derived magma in the middle and upper crust.     

An Early Palaeozoic HP/HT granulite–garnet peridotite association in the south Altyn Tagh, NW China: P–T history and U-Pb geochronology

High‐pressure kyanite‐bearing felsic granulites in the Bashiwake area of the south Altyn Tagh (SAT) subduction–collision complex enclose mafic granulites and garnet peridotite‐hosted sapphirine‐bearing metabasites. The predominant felsic granulites are garnet + quartz + ternary feldspar (now perthite) rocks containing kyanite, plagioclase, biotite, rutile, spinel, corundum, and minor zircon and apatite. The quartz‐bearing mafic granulites contain a peak pressure assemblage of garnet + clinopyroxene + ternary feldspar (now mesoperthite) + quartz + rutile. The sapphirine‐bearing metabasites occur as mafic layers in garnet peridotite. Petrographical data suggest a peak assemblage of garnet + clinopyroxene + kyanite + rutile. Early kyanite is inferred from a symplectite of sapphirine + corundum + plagioclase ± spinel, interpreted to have formed during decompression. Garnet peridotite contains an assemblage of garnet + olivine + orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene. Thermobarometry indicates that all rock types experienced peak P–T conditions of 18.5–27.3 kbar and 870–1050 °C. A medium–high pressure granulite facies overprint (780–820 °C, 9.5–12 kbar) is defined by the formation of secondary clinopyroxene ± orthopyroxene + plagioclase at the expense of garnet and early clinopyroxene in the mafic granulites, as well as by growth of spinel and plagioclase at the expense of garnet and kyanite in the felsic granulite. SHRIMP II zircon U‐Pb geochronology yields ages of 493 ± 7 Ma (mean of 11) from the felsic granulite, 497 ± 11 Ma (mean of 11) from sapphirine‐bearing metabasite and 501 ± 16 Ma (mean of 10) from garnet peridotite. Rounded zircon morphology, cathodoluminescence (CL) sector zoning, and inclusions of peak metamorphic minerals indicate these ages reflect HP/HT metamorphism. Similar ages determined for eclogites from the western segment of the SAT suggest that the same continental subduction/collision event may be responsible for HP metamorphism in both areas.     

Petrogenesis of kyanite‐ and corundum‐bearing mafic granulite in a meta‐ophiolite,SE Turkey

Although ophiolitic rocks are abundant in Anatolia (Turkey), only in rare cases have they experienced high‐grade metamorphism. Even more uncommon, in Anatolia and elsewhere are high‐grade meta‐ophiolites that retain an oceanic lithosphere stratigraphy from upper crustal mafic volcanic rocks through lower crustal gabbro to mantle peridotite. The Berit meta‐ophiolite of SE Turkey exhibits both features: from structurally higher to lower levels, it consists of garnet amphibolite (metabasalt), granulite facies metagabbro (as lenses in amphibolite inferred to be retrogressed granulite) and metaperidotite (locally with metapyroxenite layers). Whole‐rock major and trace‐element data indicate a tholeiitic protolith that formed in a suprasubduction setting. This paper presents new results for the metamorphic P–T conditions and path of oceanic lower crustal rocks in the Berit meta‐ophiolite, and an evaluation of the tectonic processes that may drive granulite facies metamorphism of ophiolite gabbro. In the Do?an?ehir (Malatya, Turkey) region, granulite facies gabbroic rocks contain garnet (Grt)+clinopyroxene (Cpx)+plagioclase (Pl)+corundum (Crn)±orthopyroxene (Opx)±kyanite (Ky)±sapphirine (Spr)±rutile. Some exhibit symplectites consisting of Crn+Cpx, Ky+Cpx and/or coronas of garnet (outer shell) around a polygonal aggregate of clinopyroxene that in some cases surrounds a polygonal aggregate of orthopyroxene. Coronitic and non‐coronitic textures occur in proximity in mm‐ to cm‐scale layers; corona structures typically occur in plagioclase‐rich layers. Their formation is therefore related primarily to protolith type (troctolite v. gabbro) rather than P–T path. Phase diagrams calculated for a kyanite‐rich granulite, a plagioclase‐rich non‐coronitic granulite, and a plagioclase‐rich coronitic granulite (taking into account changes in effective bulk composition during texture development) predict peak conditions of ~800°C, 1.1–1.5 GPa; these conditions do not require invoking an unusually high geothermal gradient. In the coronitic metagabbro, reaction textures formed along the prograde path: Crn–Cpx symplectites grew at the expense of garnet, sapphirine and plagioclase. Peak conditions were followed by isobaric cooling of ~150°C. Hornblende–plagioclase thermometry results for host amphibolite (Hbl+Pl±Crn±Grt±relict Cpx) indicate retrograde conditions of 620–675°C and 0.5–0.8 GPa accompanied by infiltration of H₂O‐rich fluid. This anticlockwise P–T path differs from an isothermal decompression path previously proposed for these rocks based on the presence of symplectite. Metamorphism of the ophiolitic rocks was driven by closing of the southern Neotethys Ocean, as oceanic lithosphere was obducted (most SE Anatolian ophiolites) or underthrust (Berit meta‐ophiolite). This was followed by subduction of a continental margin, driving cooling of the Berit granulite after the thermal peak at depths of ~40 km.     

Monazite as a monitor of melting,garnet growth and feldspar recrystallization in continental lower crust

Monazite is a common accessory phase in felsic granulite ribbon mylonites exposed in the Upper Deck domain of the Athabasca granulite terrane, western Canadian Shield. Field relationships, bulk rock geochemistry and phase equilibria modelling in the Na₂O–CaO–K₂O–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O–TiO₂–Fe₂O₃ system are consistent with the garnet‐rich rocks representing the residual products of ultrahigh temperature melting of biotite‐bearing paragneisses driven by intraplating of mafic magma in continental lower crust. The c. 2.64–2.61 Ga Y‐rich resorbed monazite cores included in garnet are interpreted as relicts of detrital grains deposited on the Earth's surface after c. 2.61 Ga. Yttrium‐poor monazite domains in garnet are depleted in Sm and Gd and linked to fluid‐absent melting of biotite + plagioclase + quartz ± sillimanite during a prograde loading path from ≤0.8 to ≥1.4 GPa. The c. 2.61–2.55 Ga Y‐depleted, Th‐rich monazite domains crystallized in the presence of garnet + ternary feldspar ± orthopyroxene + peraluminous melt. The c. 2.58–2.52 Ga monazite rims depleted in Th + Ca and enriched in Eu are linked to localized melt extraction synchronous with growth of high‐pressure (HP) grossular‐rich garnet at the expense of plagioclase during crustal thickening, culminating at >950 °C. Re‐heating and dextral transpressive lower crustal reactivation at c. 1.9 Ga resulted in syn‐kinematic growth of (La + Ce)‐enriched monazite and a second generation of garnet, concurrent with recrystallization of feldspar and orthopyroxene at 1.0–1.2 GPa and 600–700 °C. Monazite grains in this study are marked by positive Eu‐anomalies relative to chondrite. A direct link is implied between Y, Sm, Eu and Gd in monazite and two major phases in continental lower crust: garnet and plagioclase. Positive Eu‐anomalies in lower crustal monazite associated with modally abundant garnet appear to be directly related to Eu‐enrichment and depletions of Y, Sm and Gd that are consequences of garnet growth and plagioclase breakdown during HP melting of peraluminous bulk compositions.     

Pan-African decompressional P-T path recorded by granulites from central Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica

A high-grade metamorphic complex is exposed in Filchnerfjella (6–8°E), central Dronning Maud Land. The metamorphic evolution of the complex has been recovered through a study of textural relationships, conventional geothermobarometry and pseudosection modelling. Relicts of an early, high-P assemblage are preserved within low-strain mafic pods. Subsequent granulite facies metamorphism resulted in formation of orthopyroxene in rocks of mafic, intermediate to felsic compositions, whereas spinel + quartz were part of the peak assemblage in pelitic gneisses. Peak conditions were attained at temperatures between 850–885 °C and 0.55–0.70 GPa. Reaction textures, including the replacement of amphibole and garnet by symplectites of orthopyroxene + plagioclase and partial replacement of garnet + sillimanite + spinel bearing assemblages by cordierite, indicate that the granulite facies metamorphism was accompanied and followed by decompression. The observed assemblages define a clock-wise P-T path including near-isothermal decompression. During decompression, localized melting led to formation of post-kinematic cordierite-melt assemblages, whereas mafic rocks contain melt patches with euhedral orthopyroxene. The granulite facies metamorphism, decompression and partial crustal melting occurred during the Cambrian Pan-African tectonothermal event.     

Neoproterozoic evolution and Cambrian reworking of ultrahigh temperature granulites in the Eastern Ghats Province,India

The time‐scales and P–T conditions recorded by granulite facies metamorphic rocks permit inferences about the geodynamic regime in which they formed. Two compositionally heterogeneous cordierite–spinel‐bearing granulites from Vizianagaram, Eastern Ghats Province (EGP), India, were investigated to provide P–T–time constraints using petrography, phase equilibrium modelling, U–Pb geochronology, the rare earth element composition of zircon and monazite, and Ti‐in‐zircon thermometry. These ultrahigh temperature (UHT) granulites preserve discrete compositional layering in which different inferred peak assemblages are developed, including layers bearing garnet–sillimanite–spinel, and others bearing orthopyroxene–sillimanite–spinel. These mineral associations cannot be reproduced by phase equilibrium modelling of whole‐rock compositions, indicating that the samples became domainal on a scale less than that of a thin section, even at UHT conditions. Calculation of the P–T stability fields for six compositional domains within which the main rock‐forming minerals are considered to have attained equilibrium suggests peak metamorphic conditions of ~6.8–8.3 kbar at ~1,000°C. In most of these domains, the subsequent evolution resulted in the growth of cordierite and final crystallization of melt at an elevated (residual) H₂O‐undersaturated solidus, consistent with <1 kbar of decompression. Concordant U–Pb ages obtained by SHRIMP from zircon (spread 1,050–800 Ma) and monazite (spread 950–800 Ma) demonstrate that crystallization of these minerals occurred during an interval of c. 250 Ma. By combining LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb zircon ages with Ti‐in‐zircon temperatures from the same analysis sites, we show that the crust may have remained above 900°C for a minimum of c. 120 Ma between c. 1,000 and c. 880 Ma. Overall, the results suggest that, in the interval 1,050 to 800 Ma, the evolution of the Vizianagaram granulites culminated with UHT conditions from c. 1,000 Ma to c. 880 Ma, associated with minor decompression, before further zircon crystallization at c. 880–800 Ma during cooling to the solidus. However, these rocks are adjacent to the Paderu–Anantagiri–Salur crustal block to the NW that experienced counterclockwise P–T–t paths, and records similar UHT peak metamorphic conditions (7–8 kbar, ~950°C) followed by near‐isobaric cooling, and has a similar chronology during the Neoproterozoic. The limited decompression inferred at Vizianagaram may be explained by partial exhumation due to thrusting of this crustal block over the adjacent Paderu–Anantagiri–Salur crustal block. The residual granulites in both blocks have high concentrations of heat‐producing elements and likely remained hot at mid‐crustal depths throughout a period of relative tectonic quiescence in the interval 800–550 Ma. During the Cambrian Period, the EGP was located in the hinterland of the Denman–Pinjarra–Prydz orogen. A later concordant population of zircon dated at 511 ± 6 Ma records crystallization at temperatures of ~810°C. This age may record a low‐degree of melting due to limited influx of fluid into hot, weak crust in response to convergence of the Crohn craton with a composite orogenic hinterland comprising the Rayner terrane, EGP, and cratonic India.     

Ultrahigh-temperature mafic granulite in the Huai’an Complex,North China Craton: Evidence from phase equilibria modelling and amphibole thermometers

The Huai’an Complex in the north-western Trans-North China Orogen, North China Craton is recognized to have undergone high-pressure metamorphism with controversial ages. Two mafic granulite samples (17HT13 and 16HT22) from Huangtuyao of the Huai’an Complex are documented for metamorphism based on petrography, mineral chemistry, phase equilibria modelling and zircon dating. The rocks comprise garnet, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, amphibole, plagioclase and ilmenite. They show clockwise P-T paths involving the pre-T_max decompressional heating, the T_max and the post-T_max cooling stages. The pre-T_max decompressional heating is revealed by the core-rim/mantle anorthite-ascending zoning in coarse-grained plagioclase. The T_max stage is constrained to 8.5–10.5 kbar/980–1010 °C (17HT13) and 7.5–9.5 kbar/1000–1030 °C (16HT22) by the high Ti content of amphibole, and the anorthite content of coarse-grained plagioclase rims/mantles and fine-grained plagioclase cores. These temperatures are slightly higher than the results of amphibole thermometers (∼940–980 °C). The post-T_max cooling is defined by the later growth of amphibole and some conventional geothermobarometers. Because it is dominated by temperature with ilmenite present, the Ti content of amphibole is proposed as a reliable thermometer, and the Ti-rich amphibole with Ti > 0.28 p.f.u. or TiO₂ > 2.4–2.6 wt% is indicative of ultrahigh-temperature (>900 °C, UHT) conditions. The anorthite content of plagioclase is also significant in confining peak temperatures for UHT granulite but requires defining proper water content. Zircon dating for 17HT13 yields an upper intercept age of 1910 ± 35 Ma, representing the cooling of UHT granulite. We conclude that the Huai’an Complex may have at least locally undergone UHT metamorphism at ∼1.92–1.91 Ga after high-pressure granulite metamorphism at ∼1.95 Ga, similar to the Jining Complex. Therefore, the Huai’an and Jining Complexes share the same tectonic evolution involving ∼1.95 Ga crustal thickening, ∼1.92–1.91 Ga extension with regional or local UHT metamorphism, and subsequent cooling and uplifting.