喜马拉雅造山带片麻岩中石榴子石的多期生长

石榴子石是高级变质作用的重要矿物之一,能够保留成分环带和不同变质阶段的矿物或流体包裹体,为示踪寄主岩石经历的变质演化历史提供重要信息。本文对采自雅拉香波片麻岩穹窿内高级变质岩中石榴子石进行了详细的包裹体成分、主量元素环带和微量元素特征的研究,揭示出石榴子石黑云母片麻岩至少记录了五期岩浆或变质热事件。第Ⅰ期石榴子石为来源于源区的岩浆型石榴子石。第Ⅱ期、第Ⅲ期和第Ⅳ期石榴子石为变质型石榴子石,但不同期次变质作用的温压条件和生长介质、矿物组合不同。第Ⅴ期石榴子石为转熔型石榴子石,是黑云母脱水熔融形成,记录了喜马拉雅造山过程早期加厚地壳条件下的深熔作用。喜马拉雅造山带变质岩中石榴子石具有复杂的成因机制和演化历史,在应用石榴子石进行变质作用研究时,需要仔细甄别,否则会得到错误的结论。     

高压-超高压变质岩石中不同成因的石榴石

石榴石是高压-超高压变质岩石中最重要的变质矿物之一,是研究俯冲带深部变质和熔融过程的理想研究对象.通过对俯冲带内不同条件下形成的石榴石进行详细研究,确定了岩浆成因、变质成因和转熔成因石榴石.岩浆石榴石是岩浆熔体在冷却过程中结晶形成,成分主要为锰铝榴石-铁铝榴石,通常含有石英、长石、磷灰石等晶体包裹体.变质石榴石是在亚固相条件下通过变质反应形成,包裹体为参与变质反应的矿物组合;进变质生长的石榴石通常显示核部到边部锰铝榴石降低的特征.转熔石榴石是在超固相条件下通过转熔反应形成,通常含有晶体包裹体,其中既有从转熔熔体结晶的矿物包裹体,也有转熔反应残留的矿物包裹体.对超高压变质岩石中转熔石榴石的识别,可以为深俯冲陆壳岩石的部分熔融提供重要的岩石学证据,是大陆俯冲带部分熔融研究的重要进展之一.      

苏鲁超高压变质带桃行榴辉岩及高压脉体中流体包裹体研究

桃行榴辉岩是苏鲁超高压变质带中段主要榴辉岩体密集分布区之一。流体包裹体研究表明,榴辉岩矿物及高压脉体石英中捕获有五种类型的流体包裹体：在超高压-高压榴辉岩相条件下捕获的N2±CH4包裹体;在榴辉岩发生麻粒岩相叠加变质作用期间被捕获的B型纯CO2液相包裹体;在高压榴辉岩重结晶阶段被捕获的C型CO2-H2O包裹体和D型高盐度水溶液包裹体;超高压岩石折返过程中的最晚阶段（角闪岩相退变质甚至更晚）捕获的E型低盐度水溶液包裹体。利用榴辉岩矿物及高压脉体石英中捕获的流体包裹体类型及期次可以重建超高压变质作用板片折返过程中的流体性状与演化,而石榴石中捕获的纯CO2包裹体为本区榴辉岩相岩石遭受了麻粒岩相叠加提供了佐证。     

超高压变质矿物中的多相固体包裹体研究进展

大陆碰撞过程中熔/流体的组成和演化是研究大陆深俯冲动力学的重要内容,而超高压岩石记录了大陆俯冲和折返过程中的熔/流体-岩石相互作用,因而是研究大陆碰撞过程中熔/流体组成和演化的天然实验室。大陆俯冲带高压/超高压变质矿物中多相固体包裹体作为熔/流体活动的直接记录,为我们提供了揭示超高压变质过程中熔/流体演化的重要制约。近年来,围绕超高压岩石中多相固体包裹体的形成时间、演化过程及其所反映的俯冲带超高压变质熔/流体的组成和性质,进行了大量的研究工作。超高压岩石中多相固体包裹体的发现,为理解峰期超高压变质流体的组成和演化提供了重要制约,同时也为研究俯冲板片-地幔楔界面的熔/流体交代作用提供了新的途径。本文从多相固体包裹体形成机制、结构形态特征、矿物化学成分及其地质地球化学意义等方面,对于超高压变质岩中多相固体包裹体的研究现状和存在的问题进行系统地总结和探讨,以期促进多相固体包裹体的岩石学和地球化学研究。     

高压超高压变质作用中的流体

文章强调了高压和超高压变质岩中流体包裹体的研究意义，重点论述了几个问题：（１）高压和超高压变质岩中流体包裹体的成分以含Ｎ２量高为特点，在大别山含柯石英榴辉岩中找到的高压榴辉岩阶段捕获的原生包裹体，其中气相组分含ＣＯ（摩尔分数）为１４％，表明流体来源于深部。原生流体包裹体的保存，要求在ｐ－Ｔ区间内的抬升轨迹与等容线近于平行。（２）在大别山高压和超高压榴辉岩中首次确认熔融包裹体的存在，由硅酸盐玻相和以ＣＯ２为主要成分的气相组成，并发现熔融包裹体中的玻相成分与主矿物相近。（３）高压和超高压变质期间的局部流体迁移可由榴辉岩中流体包裹体和矿物同位素成分（Ｈ－Ｃ－Ｏ）来显示。（４）高压和超高压变质中流体－熔体－岩石（矿物）相互作用是一个非常复杂的过程，并证实在榴辉岩相ｐ－Ｔ条件下岩石的部分熔融。（５）变质流体的成分与变质级之间存在着相关关系。     

超高压变质流体的组成与演化：中国大陆科学钻探工程主孔岩心的流体包裹体研究

中国大陆科学钻探工程主孔位于大别-苏鲁超高压变质带东段的江苏东海县,孔深为5100m,其上部2050m钻遇的岩石主要为榴辉岩,其次是正、副片麻岩、石榴橄榄(辉石)岩以及少量片岩和石英岩。它们经历了超高压变质作用和随后的角闪岩相退变质作用。通过对上述各种岩石的详细流体包体观察和RAMAN光谱分析,发现了五种不同成分的流体包裹体:(1)中-低盐度水溶液包裹体(Ⅰ型),呈原生的孤立和小群存在于榴辉岩和片麻岩锆石的岩浆核和超高压变质边缘,或存在于绿辉石、黝帘石和被绿辉石包裹的方解石和石英中,偶尔呈出溶包裹体产于磷灰石中,而主要沿绿辉石、石榴石、蓝晶石、黝帘石和石英等矿物的穿颗粒裂隙分布;也呈孤立和小群产于切穿榴辉岩的方解石脉和片麻岩重结晶石榴石和绿帘石中;(2)CO2(±CH4)-H2O包裹体(Ⅱ型),存在于锆石的岩浆核和变质边缘,或沿石英裂隙分布;(3)含石盐±SiO2±CaCO3的复杂盐水包裹体(Ⅲ型),呈原生流体包裹体产在榴辉岩的绿辉石中,与石英出溶棒一起平行于绿辉石的C轴分布,或产在石榴辉石岩透辉石的晶内裂隙中;(4)富CO2包裹体(Ⅳ型),在榴辉岩的石英中随机分布;(5)单气相包裹体(Ⅴ型),沿各种矿物穿颗粒裂隙分布。流体包裹体产状及其与捕获时代关系表明,Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型包裹体可以出现在超高压变质岩原岩、峰期变质和退变质各阶段。Ⅲ型包裹体出现在超高压变质岩的早期减压退变质阶段。而Ⅳ型和Ⅴ型包裹体主要形成于角闪岩相及更晚的退变质阶段。本研究的主要认识是:(1)低盐度H2O和CO2流体在进变质、超高压变质和退变质作用各阶段均有存在,这表明在整个超高压变质演化过程中流体具有继承性。(2)超高压变质岩原岩和角闪岩相退变质岩中存在较丰富的流体包裹体,但在超高压峰期捕获的流体包裹体却很少见,这表明丰富的原岩流体或在超高压进变质过程中被排出岩石体系,或进入含水超高压矿物和结合进名义无水矿物。(3)复杂成分原生流体包裹体的发现证明在超高压变质峰期后的早期减压退变质阶段存在一种高盐度似熔体流体,名义上的无水矿物在超高压条件下可以保存相当量的流体,并在退变质过程中分离出来,产生流体-岩石相互作用。(4)角闪岩阶段的流体包裹体具有各种不同的化学组成,且在局部富集,推测可能有部分外部加入的流体。(5)流体包裹体类型、丰度和成分在不同岩石类型中和不同钻孔深度都存在明显差异,表明超高压变质作用过程中没有大规模的透入性流体活动。(6)根据超高压变质峰期包裹体等容线得到的压力值大大低于根据矿物温压计获得的近峰期变质压力,这表明包裹体的密度在捕获后发生了改变。这些改变是由于流体渗漏、部分爆裂和流体-岩石相互作用所引起。     

苏北青龙山超高压变质榴辉岩流体包裹体特征与流体演化

根据青龙山超高压变质榴辉岩中流体包裹体的化学成分、矿物中的分布特征将岩石中的流体包裹体分为五类,即富N2包裹体、高盐度(22.4-略大于23.2wt%NaCl)的NaCl CaCl2 H2O体系流体包裹体、中高盐度(12.6-16.0wt%NaCl)的含Mg2 或Fe2 的NaCl H2O体系流体包裹体、中等盐度(6.4-10.5wt%NaCl)水溶液包裹体和低盐度(3.3-0.2wt%NaCl)的水溶液包裹体。富N2包裹体形成于超高压变质峰期阶段,高盐度的流体包裹体形成于超高压变质岩折返早期固体出溶体出溶阶段,中高盐度的流体包裹体形成于高压变质重结晶作用阶段,中等盐度的流体包裹体形成于角闪岩相变质重结晶作用阶段,低盐度的流体包裹体形成于折返晚期的绿片岩退变质作用阶段。超高压变质峰期阶段和折返早期的高盐度流体和中高盐度的流体主要来自继承原岩中的流体(如含NH4 矿物分解或片麻岩原岩中的有机质分解,名义上无水矿物中羧基水的出溶),晚期角闪岩相退变质阶段的中等盐度的流体除名义上无水矿物中羟基水的出溶外还有外来流体的加入,绿片岩相退变质作用阶段的流体主要为外来流体。     

鄂北高压榴辉岩相变质带的变质、变形和流体演化

大别高压超高压变质带从南到北可分成四个带,它们是绿帘蓝片岩带、高压榴辉岩带(南带)、超高压榴辉岩带和高压榴辉岩带(北带).高压榴辉岩相变质带以蓝闪石榴辉岩为代表,并出现多硅白云母、绿帘石、石英、金红石和锆石等变质矿物. 石榴石中含有前榴辉岩相变质形成的矿物包体,并具典型的进变质成分环带.高压榴辉岩中保存了其进、退变质作用全过程中的岩石学和构造信息,即在挤压体制下,表壳岩石经绿帘角闪岩相到榴辉岩相进变质作用和强烈韧性变形;在继续挤压逆冲机制下高压变质岩的大幅度折返,从壳幔边界上升到地壳中、浅层次,并发生绿帘角闪相退变质作用和多期韧性变形;在伸展体制下经滑脱、断块升降、差异抬升高压变质岩块体暴露到地表,并发生绿片岩相退变质作用和韧-脆性变形.高压变质作用过程中存在广泛的流体-岩石相互作用, 气液包裹体和高压含水矿物的稳定产出,是最有力的证据.流体的成分、含量、迁移形式控制着变质反应,是影响高压变质岩形成与保存的热力学和动力学条件.     

北大别铙钹寨榴辉岩的多期变质与熔流体交代作用

铙钹寨镁铁-超镁铁质岩体被认为是北大别地体下方岩石圈地幔的碎块,并随着三叠纪的华北和华南的大陆碰撞而一同经历了深俯冲和折返过程,对其进行详细的研究可以为我们更好地理解陆-陆碰撞过程中的壳幔相互作用、物质迁移、多期变质和熔流体交代等地球动力学过程提供信息。本文应用电子探针和LA-ICP-MS对铙钹寨榴辉岩进行了系统的元素环带、出溶结构和熔体包裹体研究,揭示出该岩体至少经历了三期变质事件,两期矿物出溶和两期熔体交代过程。峰期变质矿物组合为含金红石出溶体的石榴石核部+其内包裹的绿辉石,石榴石中金红石±磷灰石矿物出溶体和绿辉石包裹体中的金红石±石英±磷灰石出溶片晶指示该岩体确定经历过超高压变质作用,流体活动以高盐度的卤水±氮气的流体为主,峰期变质作用过程中无熔体活动痕迹。高压麻粒岩相变质矿物组合为Ⅱ期石榴石+紫苏辉石+基质具有出溶石英片晶结构的富Na单斜辉石,流体活动以CO2流体为主,熔体包裹体记录了在折返初期,高压麻粒岩相变质之前存在一期小规模的硫化物熔体活动。晚期角闪岩相退变质矿物组合为透辉石+角闪石+长石,流体活动以低盐度水溶液为主,并伴随着一期壳源的硅酸盐熔体交代事件。根据矿物环带、出溶结构和熔体包裹体化学组合及分布特征,并结合前人的研究成果,我们得出了该岩体较为完整的变质演化和熔-流体交代的P-T-t-E/F/M轨迹。     

洋壳俯冲过程中的地幔楔上升对流：来自芝麻坊石榴子石二辉橄榄岩早期变质的证据

苏鲁超高压变质地体中发现了大量包裹在超高压（UHP）变质片麻岩和混合岩中的造山带石榴橄榄岩。根据它们的野外产出特征和全岩地球化学成分,其中一部分石榴橄榄岩的原岩来自于亏损地幔,后来被卷入俯冲陆壳并经受过俯冲陆壳产生的熔/流体的交代。但是,对这些岩石早期的亏损过程尚缺乏清晰的认识。本文报道了东海芝麻坊石榴子石二辉橄榄岩早期变质演化的新证据。根据详细的变质反应结构观察和矿物成分研究,芝麻坊石榴子石二辉橄榄岩在经历高压低温俯冲带型超高压变质之前经历了至少两期变质演化。其原岩矿物组合由石榴子石变斑晶的高Ca-Cr核部及其中包裹的高Mg单斜辉石、高Al-Cr斜方辉石和高Mg-Ni橄榄石所记录;指示芝麻坊石榴子石二辉橄榄岩的原岩为高温-高压的富集石榴子石二辉橄榄岩。第二期矿物组合为包裹在低Cr变斑晶石榴子石幔部和细粒新生石榴子石核部的大量富Al铬铁矿和高Mg低Ni橄榄石以及少量高Mg斜方辉石。该期组合未发现单斜辉石,表明岩石随后被转变为高温低压的难熔尖晶石方辉橄榄岩或尖晶石纯橄岩。芝麻坊石榴子石二辉橄榄岩的早期变质演化记录了它们被卷入大陆板片俯冲带之前的地幔楔上升对流过程。笔者认为芝麻坊石榴子石二辉橄榄岩的原岩来源于早期俯冲大洋板片之上的深部高温富集地幔楔,洋壳俯冲过程中的地幔楔对流导致其上升到弧后或岛弧之下的地幔楔浅部,减压部分熔融使原本富集的石榴子石二辉橄榄岩转化为难熔的尖晶石方辉橄榄岩或尖晶石纯橄岩。     

北大别的高温超高压变质作用与多阶段折返

近期的变质岩石学、地球化学及同位素年代学研究表明,北大别整体经历了高温超高压变质作用和多阶段折返历史,因而表现为广泛发育的多期减压结构和极少保留早期的超高压变质记录。北大别榴辉岩以高温变质作用以及折返期间因麻粒岩相和角闪岩相退变质变质作用而形成的多期后成合晶为显著特征。石榴子石中伴有放射状胀裂纹的单晶和多晶石英包体指示早期柯石英的转变结果,这已被锆石中发现的柯石英残晶所证实。结合北大别北部榴辉岩和片麻岩中发现的金刚石等超高压证据以及三叠纪变质记录,由此证明北大别整体经历过深俯冲和印支期超高压变质作用。北大别榴辉岩的多阶段高温条件主要来自石榴子石-绿辉石矿物对温度计、单斜辉石中紫苏辉石+石英针状矿物出熔体以及金红石中较高的Zr含量和变质锆石中较高的Ti含量等得出的温度证据。此外,多期后成合晶以及石榴子石和单斜辉石等矿物中成分分带的存在,证明该区榴辉岩经历了一个多阶段、快速折返过程;而不同变质阶段的温度、压力和形成时代,却反映该区榴辉岩经历了长时间的高温变质演化与缓慢冷却过程。长时间的高温变质作用与缓慢冷却过程也许正是北大别长期难以发现柯石英和有关超高压记录的重要原因。因此,这些成果为大别山三个不同超高压岩片的差异折返模型的建立提供了新的证据。     

Geochemical behaviours of chemical elements during subduction-zone metamorphism and geodynamic significance

ABSTRACT

Seafloor subduction and subduction-zone metamorphism (SZM) are understood to be the very cause of both subduction-zone magmatism and mantle compositional heterogeneity. In this article, we compile geochemical data for blueschist and eclogite facies rocks from global palaeo-subduction-zones in the literature, including those from the Chinese Western Tianshan ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt. We synthesize our up-to-date understanding on how chemical elements behave and their controls during subduction-zone metamorphism. Although the compositional heterogeneity of metamorphic minerals from subducted rocks has been recently reported, we emphasize that the mineral compositional heterogeneity is controlled by elemental availability during mineral growth, which is affected by the protolith composition, the inherited composition of precursor minerals, and the competition with neighbouring growing minerals. In addition, given the likely effects of varying protolith compositions and metamorphic conditions on elemental behaviours, we classify meta-mafic rocks from global palaeo-subduction-zones with varying metamorphic conditions into groups in terms of their protolith compositions (i.e. ocean island basalt (OIB)-like, enriched mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB)-like, normal [N]-MORB-like), and discuss geochemical behaviours of chemical elements within these co-genetic groups rather than simply accepting the conclusions in the literature. We also discuss the geochemical consequences of SZM with implications for chemical geodynamics, and propose with emphasis that: (1) the traditionally accepted ‘fluid flux induced-melting’ model for arc magmatism requires revision; and (2) the residual subducted ocean crust cannot be the major source material for OIB, although it can contribute to the deep mantle compositional heterogeneity. We also highlight some important questions and problems that need further investigations, e.g. complex subduction-zone geochemical processes, different contributions of seafloor subduction and resultant subduction of continental materials, and the representativeness of studied HP–UHP metamorphic rocks.     

区域变质作用中的流体

区域变质条件下流体的流动有 4种标志 :( 1)细脉 ;( 2 )岩石学 ;( 3 )稳定同位素 ;( 4 )常量元素的交代作用。不同级别的区域变质作用中 ,流体影响着岩石的变质反应和变形 ;在高级变质的情况下甚至有熔体出现。在超高压变质条件下 ,流体量比地壳范围区域变质要少得多 ,从大别山超高压变质带的资料可知 ,流体的演化有明显的阶段性 ,局部曾发现熔融包裹体。水流体的介入 ,引起岩石的退变质和元素地球化学变异 ,是超高压变质岩抬升、进入中下地壳的产物。新近的实验岩石学成果说明 ,多硅白云母、角闪石等含羟基的矿物 ,在俯冲达 10 0km以下依然稳定 ,而一些花岗岩体系在超高压的条件下产生的超临界流体 ,乃是花岗岩、片麻岩只能部分保留超高压矿物组合的原因。     

中国大陆科学钻探主孔0～4500米变质岩石锆石中保存的超高压矿物包体

中国大陆科学钻探主孔0-4500米的岩心主要由榴辉岩、斜长角闪岩、副片麻岩、正片麻岩以及少量的超基性岩所组成。岩相学研究结果表明,榴辉岩的围岩普遍经历了强烈角闪岩相退变质作用的改造,峰期超高压变质的矿物组合已完全被后期退变质过程中角闪岩相矿物组合所替代。采用激光拉曼技术,配备电子探针和阴极发光测试,发现主孔224件岩心中有121件(包括榴辉岩、斜长角闪岩、副片麻岩和正片麻岩)样品的锆石中普遍隐藏以柯石英为代表的超高压矿物包体,且不同岩石类型锆石中所保存的超高压矿物包体组合存在明显差异。(含多硅白云母)金红石石英榴辉岩锆石中保存的典型超高压包体矿物组合为柯石英 石榴石、柯石英 石榴石 绿辉石 金红石和柯石英 多硅白云母 磷灰石。黑云绿帘斜长角闪岩锆石中保存的超高压矿物组合为柯石英 石榴石 绿辉石、柯石英 石榴石 多硅白云母和柯石英 绿辉石 金红石,与榴辉岩所保存的超高压矿物组合十分相似,表明该类斜长角闪岩是由超高压榴辉岩在构造折返过程中退变质而成。在副片麻岩类岩石,如石榴绿帘黑云二长片麻岩锆石中,代表性的超高压包体矿物组合为柯石英 多硅白云母和柯石英 石榴石等;而在石榴黑云角闪钠长片麻岩锆石中,则保存柯石英 硬玉 石榴石 磷灰石、柯石英 硬玉 多硅白云母 磷灰石和柯石英 石榴石 磷灰石等超高压矿物包体。在正片麻岩锆石中,标志性的超高压矿物包体为柯石英、柯石英 多硅白云母、柯石英 蓝晶石 磷灰石和柯石英 蓝晶石 榍石等。此外,在南苏鲁东海至临沭一带的地表露头以及一系列卫星孔岩心的锆石中,也普遍发现以柯石英为代表的标志性超高压矿物包体,表明在南苏鲁地区由榴辉岩及其围岩的原岩所组成的巨量陆壳物质(方圆>5000km2,厚度超过4.5km)曾整体发生深俯冲,并经历了超高压变质作用。该项研究对于重塑苏鲁-大别超高压变质带俯冲-折返的动力学模式有着重要的科学意义。     

Zircon as the best mineral for P–T–time history of UHP metamorphism: A review on mineral inclusions and U–Pb SHRIMP ages of zircons from the Dabie–Sulu UHP rocks

Zircon is the best mineral to record the complex evolution history of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks as mineralogical and geochemical tracers of UHP metamorphism are almost obliterated in matrix assemblages resulted from subsequent retrogression during exhumation. Zircons from Dabie–Sulu UHP rocks, including outcrop and core samples from drill holes ranging from 432 to 5158 m in depth contain abundant mineral inclusions of protolith, prograde, peak (UHP) and retrograde minerals in different domains; these minute inclusions were identified by laser Raman spectroscopy and/or electronic microprobe analysis. Systematic studies on inclusions in zircons from previous and present studies indicate that the Dabie–Sulu UHP terrane extends for >2000 km, is about 50 km wide, and has at least 10 km thick, probably the largest UHP terrane recognized in the world thus far. The internal structure of zircon revealed by cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging displays a distinct zonation, which comprises an inherited (magmatic or detrital) core, prograde, peak (UHP), and outmost retrograde domains, each with distinctive mineral inclusion assemblages. Low-pressure, igneous mineral inclusions are common in the inherited (magmatic or detrital) zircon cores. In contrast, quartz eclogite-facies inclusion assemblages occur in prograde domains, coesite eclogite-facies inclusion assemblages are preserved in UHP domains, and amphibolite-facies inclusion assemblages are enclosed in outmost retrograde rims. Parageneses and compositions of inclusion minerals preserved in distinct zircon domains were used to constrain the metamorphic P–T path of many Dabie–Sulu UHP rocks. The results indicate that Neoproterozoic supracrustal rocks together with minor mafic-ultramafic rocks were subjected to a prograde subduction-zone metamorphism at 570–690 °C and 1.7–2.1 GPa, and UHP metamorphism at 750–850 °C and 3.4–4.0 GPa, following by rapid decompression to amphibolite-facies retrograde metamorphism at 550–650 °C and 0.7–1.05 GPa. Sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb spot analyses of the zoned zircons show four discrete and meaningful ages of the Dabie–Sulu metamorphic evolution: (1) Neoproterozoic protolith ages (800–750 Ma); (2) 246–244 Ma for early-stage quartz eclogite-facies prograde metamorphism; (3) 235–225 Ma for UHP metamorphism; and (4) 215–208 Ma for late-stage amphibolite-facies retrogression. This indicates that Neoproterozoic voluminous igneous protoliths of orthogneiss in response to the breakup of Rodinia supercontinent, together with various sedimentary rocks, and minor mafic-ultramafic intrusive and extrusive rocks, were subjected to coeval Triassic subduction to mantle depths and exhumation during the collision between the South China Block and North China Block. The estimated subduction and exhumation rates for the Dabie–Sulu UHP terrane would be up to 4.7–9.3 km Myr^?1 and 5.0–11.3 km Myr^?1, respectively. The zonal distribution of mineral inclusions and the preservation of index UHP minerals such as coesite imply that zircon is the best mineral container for each metamorphic stage, particular for supracrustal rocks as their metamorphic evolution and UHP evidence have been almost or completely obliterated. Similar conclusions have been documented elsewhere for other UHP terranes.     

Garnet growth at high- and ultra-high pressure conditions and the effect of element fractionation on mineral modes and composition

In this paper we show that thermodynamic forward modelling, using Gibbs energy minimisation with consideration of element fractionation into refractory phases and/or liberated fluids, is able to extract information about the complex physical and chemical evolution of a deeply subducted rock volume. By comparing complex compositional growth zonations in garnets from high-and ultra-high pressure samples with those derived from thermodynamic forward modelling, we yield an insight into the effects of element fractionation on composition and modes of the co-genetic metamorphic phase assemblage. Our results demonstrate that fractionation effects cause discontinuous growth and re-crystallisation of metamorphic minerals in high pressure rocks. Reduced or hindered mineral growth at UHP conditions can control the inclusion and preservation of minerals indicative for UHP metamorphism, such as coesite, thus masking peak pressure conditions reached in subducted rocks.Further, our results demonstrate that fractional garnet crystallisation leads to strong compositional gradients and step-like zonation patterns in garnet, a feature often observed in high-and ultra-high pressure rocks. Thermodynamic forward modelling allows the interpretation of commonly observed garnet growth zonation patterns in terms of garnet forming reactions and the relative timing of garnet growth with respect to the rock's pressure–temperature path. Such a correlation is essential for the determination of tectonic and metamorphic rates in subduction zones as well as for the understanding of trace element signatures in subduction related rocks. It therefore should be commonplace in the investigation of metamorphic processes in subduction zones.     

Multiple zircon growth during fast exhumation of diamondiferous, deeply subducted continental crust (Kokchetav Massif, Kazakhstan)

Diamondiferous rocks from the Kokchetav Massif, Kazakhstan, represent deeply subducted continental crust. In order to constrain the age of ultra high pressure (UHP) metamorphism and subsequent retrogression during exhumation, zircons from diamondiferous gneisses and metacarbonates have been investigated by a combined petrological and isotopic study. Four different zircon domains were distinguished on the basis of transmitted light microscopy, cathodoluminescence, trace element contents and mineral inclusions. Mineral inclusions and trace element characteristics of the zircon domains permit us to relate zircon growth to metamorphic conditions. Domain 1 consists of rounded cores and lacks evidence of UHP metamorphism. Domain 2 contains diamond, coesite, omphacite and titanian phengite inclusions providing evidence that it formed at UHP metamorphic conditions (P>43 kbar; T~950 °C). Domain 3 is characterised by low-pressure mineral inclusions such as garnet, biotite and plagioclase, which are common minerals in the granulite-facies overprint of the gneisses (P~10 kbar; T~800 °C). This multi-stage zircon growth during cooling and exhumation of the diamondiferous rocks can be best explained by zircon growth from Zr-saturated partial melts present in the gneisses. Domain 4 forms idiomorphic overgrowths and the rare earth element pattern indicates that it formed without coexisting garnet, most probably at amphibolite-facies conditions (P~5 kbar; T~600 °C). The metamorphic zircon domains were dated by SHRIMP ion microprobe and yielded ages of 527LJ, 528NJ and 526LJ Ma for domains 2, 3 and 4 respectively. These indistinguishable ages provide evidence for a fast exhumation beyond the resolution of SHRIMP dating. The mean age of all zircons formed between UHP metamorphic conditions and granulite-facies metamorphism is 528Dž Ma, indicating that decompression took place in less than 6 Ma. Hence, the deeply subducted continental crust was exhumed from mantle depth to the base of the crust at rates higher than 1.8 cm/year. We propose a two-stage exhumation model to explain the obtained P-T-t path. Fast exhumation on top of the subducted slab from depth >140 to ~35 km was driven by buoyancy and facilitated by the presence of partial melts. A period of near isobaric cooling was followed by a second decompression event probably related to extension in a late stage of continental collision.     

Trace elements in zircon and coexisting minerals from low-T/UHP metagranite in the Dabie orogen: Implications for action of supercritical fluid during continental subduction-zone metamorphism

Simultaneously in-situ analyses of U–Pb isotopes and trace elements were carried out for zircons, in combination with the in-situ analyses of trace elements in coexisting minerals, from low-T/UHP metagranite in the Dabie orogen. The results provide geochemical evidence for the existence of supercritical fluid during continental subduction-zone metamorphism. The zircons are categorized into three types based on their patterns of REE distribution. Type I zircons show increasing enrichment from La to Lu, with prominent positive Ce anomalies and negative Eu anomalies, which are typical of magmatic zircon. Some of them display regular or blurred oscillatory-zoned texture and apparent ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 341 to 780 Ma, suggesting metamorphic modification by solid-state recrystallization with no significant involvement of metamorphic fluid. Type II zircons share similar Th, U and HFSE contents and REE patterns to Type I zircons. However, they exhibit blurred oscillatory-zoned texture or are unzoned, have apparent ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of 348 to 709 Ma, and are LREE-enriched relative to Type I zircons. This suggests that they underwent metamorphic reworking by replacement recrystallization in the presence of metamorphic fluid. The LREE enrichment is due to the presence of microscale LREE-bearing mineral inclusions (such as apatite, monazite or epidote) in the zircons. Type III zircons, representing the majority of the present analyses, are characterized by spongy texture and consistent enrichment of LREE, HREE, Th, U and HFSE relative to Type I zircons. They yield nearly concordant U–Pb ages close to the discordia lower-intercept. The consistent enrichment of trace elements relative to the magmatic zircon indicates involvement of a special UHP metamorphic fluid that has a strong capacity to extract significant amounts of LREE, HREE, Th, U and HFSE from such accessory minerals as allanite, garnet, rutile and zircon. Because these minerals are stable in the field of hydrous melt in granite–water systems, they are not able to be decomposed during the exhumation of deeply subducted continental crust. Thus, a supercritical fluid is suggested to transport the LREE, HREE, Th, U and HFSE in the accessory minerals to recrystallized zircons. The mechanism of dissolution recrystallization is responsible for the spongy texture and the very high concentration of trace elements in this type of metamorphic zircons. Therefore, the action of supercritical fluid is evident under the low-T/UHP metamorphic conditions.