Geochemistry and origin of granitic rocks,Scourian Complex,NW Scotland

Concordant granite sheets from the granulite facies Scourian Complex, N.W. Scotland exhibit the following features:

1. a common planar fabric with their host pyroxene granulites;
2. the presence of an exsolved ternary feldspar phase;
3. a low-pressure, water-saturated minimum composition;
4. K/Rb ratios (450–1,350) distinctly higher than most upper crustal granites but similar to the surrounding granulites;
5. low absolute concentrations of the rare earth elements (REEs), light REE enrichment, and large positive Eu anomalies.

It is proposed that the granite sheets have originated by anatexis of gneisses undergoing granulite facies metamorphism — gneisses that were already essentially dry and depleted in incompatible elements. Their unusual trace element chemistry may be explained by either disequilibrium melting and/or sub-solidus reequilibration of the granite sheets with the surrounding gneisses. Isotopic and trace element data suggest that cross-cutting, potash-rich pegmatites represent reworking of the granite sheets during a later amphibolitization.     

Rare earth element geochemistry of the Scourian complex N.W. Scotland — Evidence for the granite-granulite link

Medium-to high-pressure granulite facies complexes represent samples of lower crustal material and are, therefore, important in the study of crustal processes. New rare earth element data for the Scourian granulite facies terrain of the Precambrian Lewisian complex of N.W. Scotland indicate that:

1. Overall, the Scourian complex has a light rare earth enriched pattern with a small but distinct positive Eu anomaly;
2. While some rare earth element trends for the complex as a whole (e.g., Σ REE vs SiO₂) are similar to those observed in upper crustal cogenetic sequences, others (e.g., Eu/Eu* vs SiO₂) are reversed;
3. Compared to average upper crust, the Scourian complex is depleted in REE (except Eu) by a factor of 2 to 3.

These new data, along with previously reported major and trace element data, isotopic abundances, and trace element modelling support the hypothesis that the Scourian terrain is the residuum left after genesis and removal of granitic melts.     

Geologische und geochemische Untersuchungen im Zentralgneis und in der Greiner Schiefer Serie (Zillertaler Alpen,Tirol)

Geologic, petrological and geochemical investigations have been carried out in the western part of the “Zillertaler Alpen”. Important results are:

1. The premetamorphic material of the Greiner series consists of conglomerates, breccias, arcosic-sandstones or greywackes, bituminous shales, volcanic lavas and tuffs.
2. The southern part of the “Zentralgneis” shows a differentiation trend from alkaline granite to quarzdiorite with predomination of granodiorite.
3. Chemical relationships of granodiorite to its restitic inclusions allow the supposition of a palingenetic origin of the granitic rocks.
4. At least two stages of metamorphism can be differentiated.
5. Parts of the Greiner series, covered by triassic metasediments, are supposed to be of Permian age. A lower age boundary can not yet be given.
6. Some vertical, northeast striking faults with throws of more than 1 or 2 kilometers produced southward verging drag folds.
7. Geodynamic aspects, revealed from regional metamorphism and tectonics, are discussed.

     

The transformation of amphibolite facies gneiss to charnockite in southern Karnataka and northern Tamil Nadu,India

Amphibolite facies metamorphic grade gives way southward to the granulite grade in southern Karnataka, as acid gneisses develop charnockite patches and streaks and basic enclaves develop pyroxenes. Petrologic investigations in the transitional zone south of Mysore have established the following points:

1. The transition is prograde. Amphibole-bearing gneisses intimately associated with charnockite at Kabbal and several similar localities are not retrogressive after charnockite, as proved by patchy obliteration of their foliation by transgressive, very coarse-grained charnockite, high fluorine content of biotite and amphibole in gneisses, and high large-ion lithophile element contents in gneisses and charnockites. These features are in contrast to very low fluorine in retrogressive amphiboles and biotites, very low large-ion lithophile element contents, and zonal bleaching of charnockite, in clearly retrogressive areas, as at Bhavani Sagar, Tamil Nadu.
2. Metamorphic temperatures in the transitional areas were 700°–800° C, pressures were 5–7 kbar, and H₂O pressures were 0.1–0.3 times total pressures, based on thermodynamic calculations using mineral analyses. Dense CO₂-rich fluid inclusions in the Kabbal rocks confirm the low H₂O pressures at the first appearance of orthopyroxene. Farther to the south, in the Nilgiri Hills and adjacent granulite massif areas, peak metamorphic temperatures were 800°–900° C, pressures were 7–9 kbar, and water pressures were very low, so that primary biotites and amphiboles (those with high F contents) are rare.
3. The incipient granulite-grade metamorphism of the transitional areas was introduced by a wave of anatexis and K-metasomatism. This process was arrested by drying out under heavy CO₂ influx. Charnockites so formed are hybrids of anatectic granite and metabasite, of metabasite and immediately adjacent gneiss, or are virtually isochemical with pre-existing gneiss despite gross recrystallization to granulite mineralogy. These features show that partial melting and metasomatism are attendant, rather than causative, in charnockite development. Copious CO₂ from a deep-crustal or mantle source pushed ahead of it a wave of more aqueous solutions which promoted anatexis. Granulite metamorphism of both neosome and paleosome followed. The process is very similar to that deduced for the Madras granulites by Weaver (1980). The massif charnockites, for the most part extremely depleted in lithophile minor elements, show many evidences of having gone through the same process.

A major problem remaining to be solved is the origin of the large amount of CO₂ needed to charnockitize significant portions of the crust. The most important possibilities include CO₂ from carbonate minerals in a mantle “hot spot” or diapir, from emanations from a crystallizing basaltic underplate, or from shelf sediments trapped at the continent-continent interface in continental overthrusting. Ancient granulite massifs may be such suture zones of continental convergence.     

Relative elemental mobility during hydrothermal alteration of a basic sill,Isle of Skye,N.W. Scotland

In Sconser quarry, Isle of Skye, a thin Tertiary basic sill is cut by vertical veins which formed fluid conduits in a major meteoric-hydrothermal system. In order to study the relative mobility of different elements during hydrothermal metamorphism, sill material adjacent to a large (6 mm wide) vein was cut into slices and subjected to geochemical and isotopic analysis. Isotopic evidence indicates that the basic magma which formed the sill was contaminated by Lewisian (Archaean) gneisses at depth, while material from Torridonian (Proterozoic) sandstone country rocks was introduced by hydrothermal fluids after crystallisation. The behaviour of the different elements during hydrothermal metamorphism divides them into 4 groups.

1. Large-ion low-charge elements Ba, K, Rb and Cs were strongly leached from the wall rock in the vicinity of the vein.
2. Other elements including Sr and Pb were depleted near the vein, but isotopic evidence indicates addition of some material from the fluids. This two-way nuclide transport forms an exchange process.
3. Many high-field-strength elements including the REE are slightly enriched near the vein, but Nd isotope evidence reveals no addition of material from fluids. These elements must have been relatively enriched by the removal of other elements (mainly Si and Al).
4. Ca and Na were added to the wall rock from fluid. The variable mobility of these elements is explained by the differing ease with which they could be incorporated into a new albite-calcite-chlorite-epidote mineralogy. The constitution of this hydrothermal mineralogy was largely determined by the primary igneous mineralogy, though the composition of hydrothermal fluids had a subordinate influence.

     

Phase equilibria among pumpellyite,lawsonite, epidote and associated minerals in low grade metamorphic rocks

Phase relations of pumpellyite, epidote, lawsonite, CaCO₃, paragonite, actinolite, crossite and iron oxide are analysed on an Al-Ca-Fe³⁺ diagram in which all minerals are projected from quartz, albite or Jadeite, chlorite and fluid. Fe²⁺ and Mg are treated as a single component because variation in Fe²⁺/Mg has little effect on the stability of phases on the diagram. Comparison of assemblages in the Franciscan, Shuksan, Sanbagawa, New Caledonia, Southern Italian, and Otago metamorphic terranes reveals several reactions, useful for construction of a petrogenetic grid:

1. lawsonite+crossite + paragonite = epidote+chlorite + albite + quartz + H₂O
2. lawsonite + crossite = pumpellyite + epidote + chlorite + albite+ quartz + H₂O
3. crossite + pumpellyite + quartz = epidote + actinolite + albite + chlorite + H₂O
4. crossite + epidote + quartz = actinolite + hematite + albite + chlorite + H₂O
5. calcite + epidote + chlorite + quartz = pumpellyite + actinolite + H₂O + CO₂
6. pumpellyite + chlorite + quartz = epidote + actinolite + H₂O

     

The Araguainha astrobleme/Central Brazil

The following facts have supported the origin of the Araguainha circular structure in Central Brazil by a meteoritic impact:

1. the almost circular contour
2. the impact-morphologic sequence including a central uplift, ring walls and a basin rim of escarpments
3. outcrops of suevites and mixed breccias
4. the evidence of shock metamorphism
5. the presence of shatter cones, and
6. negative anomalies of the total intensity of the magnetic field at the center of the ring structure.

     

Temperaturen und Drucke bei der regionalen Metamorphose: Prinzipielle und praktische Hinweise

The author's concept (1970, 1974) of evaluating metamorphic conditions is explained on the basis of most recent petrologic data. The major points treated are:

1. Instead of usual petrographic mapping, petrographic work in the field is aimed at specific “targets”, i.e., rock compositions. This is so because only specific rocks may give petrogenetically relevant information in the four metamorphic grades.
2. There are very many mineral reactions in metamorphism but only a few are petrogenetically significant. These are important to know, and they are graphically demonstrated. Any mineral assemblage that is formed by a significant mineral reaction must be verified as a paragenesis of mutually contacting minerals. Only such parageneses deserve to be mapped in the field as isograds or isoreactiongrads.
3. Crossing isograds or isoreactionsgrads provide data on temperature and pressure during metamorphism for that part of a metamorphic terrane where the crossing has been observed.
4. The sequence of isograds or isoreaction-grads may be a pressure indicator. Moreover, such a sequence provides geodynamic information whether a larger metamorphic area has been lifted up evenly or has been tilted while it was uplifted after metamorphism.

     

A study on metamorphic temperature and pressure of Archean Miyun Group,Beijing

Metamorphic temperatures and pressures of the Archean Miyun Group were determined from orthopyroxene-clinopyroxene, garnet-clinopyroxene, garnet-biotite and δO _Q ¹⁸ -δO _Mt ¹⁸ geothermometers and orthopyroxene barometer. The results show that the temperature in the first metamorphic stage of the Miyun Group is 820°+50°C and the pressure about 10 kb, which suggests that the granulite facies occurs under moderate pressures with a geothermal gradient of 22°–25°C/km. The corresponding burial depth is about 35 km. The temperature prevailing during the second metamorphic stage is in the range 650°–700°C, indicating a moderate condition between granulite and high grade amphibolite facies. Oxygen isotope data also show that the temperature of later superimposed regression metamorphism of high green schist facies in this area may be within the range of 470°–560°C.     

U-Pb zircon and monazite dating of a mafic-ultramafic complex and its country rocks

U-Pb data on zircons from the largest mafic-ultramafic body (6×2 km) of the French Central Massif (Sauviat-sur-Vige) yield the following age results: Primary magmatic crystallization of the gabbroic and peridotitic protoliths took place in the Cambro-Ordovician (496±25/17 m.y.). Variable transformation under eclogite facies conditions was Hercynian (320±29/36 m.y.). The same age pattern, derived by U-Pb monazite analyses, was found also for the immediate country rocks, i.e. kyanite bearing, coarse-grained metagranites occurring to the W and N of the Sauviat massif. Due to the fact that there is no regional Hercynian high-grade metamorphism in this part of the French Central Massif (e.g. Duthou 1977; Bernard-Griffiths 1975), both mafic-ultramafic complex as well as immediate felsic country rocks must have been emplaced tectonically into pre-Hercynian (Acadian±Caledonian) crustal rocks. The cause for such a Hercynian tectonism is thought to be due to continent-continent collision of the Spanish with the Armorican plate. Preliminary U-Pb zircon results on one eclogite sample taken about 50 km S of the Sauviat complex indicate also an Early Palaeozoic age for the magmatic protolith and a Hercynian transformation into eclogite, combined with and/or followed by tectonic emplacement. However, opposite to the continental Sauviat massif, we are probably dealing here with oceanic material, possibly deposited in an Early Palaeozoic marginal sea basin. Thus, subduction and tectonic emplacement of oceanic crust into continental crust terminated in this area also in the Hercynian. Concerning U-Pb systematics of zircon and monazite the following conclusions can be drawn:

1. U-Pb systems of primary magmatic zircons of mafic and ultramafic rocks are only weakly disturbed during static eclogite facies metamorphism (T>820° C; P> 15 kbar);
2. New- and overgrowth of zircon during eclogite facies metamorphism seems to be the major cause for the degree of discordance;
3. Amphibolitization of metagabbros and eclogites had no effect on the degree of discordance of zircon;
4. U-Pb systems of monazites remained undisturbed during intense weathering of the mother rock.

     

Phase relationships in granulitic metapelites from the Ivrea-Verbano zone (Northern Italy)

Paragneisses of the Ivrea-Verbano zone exhibit over a horizontal distance of 5 km mineralogical changes indicative of the transition from amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism. The most obvious change is the progressive replacement of biotite by garnet via the reaction: a $${\text{Biotite + sillimanite + quartz }} \to {\text{ Garnet + K - feldspar + H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}$$ which results in a systematic increase in the modal ratio g = (garnet)/(garnet + biotite) with increasing grade. The systematic variations in garnet and biotite contents of metapelites are also reflected by the compositions of these phases, both of which become more magnesian with increasing metamorphic grade. The pressure of metamorphism has been estimated from the Ca₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂ contents of garnets coexisting with plagioclase, sillimanite and quartz. These phases are related by the equilibrium: b $$\begin{gathered} 3 CaAl_2 {\text{Si}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{8}} \rightleftharpoons Ca_3 Al_2 {\text{Si}}_{\text{3}} {\text{O}}_{{\text{12}}} + 2 Al_2 {\text{SiO}}_{\text{5}} + {\text{SiO}}_{\text{2}} \hfill \\ plagioclase garnet sillimanite quartz \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ which has been applied to these rocks using the available data on the mixing properties of plagioclase and garnet solid solutions. Temperature and f _{H 2O} estimates have been made in a similar way using thermodynamic data on the biotite-garnet reaction (a) and the approximate solidus temperatures of paragneisses. Amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism in the Ivrea-Verbano zone took place in the P-T ranges 9–11 kb and 700–820 °C. The differences in temperature and pressure of metamorphism between g= 0 and g = 1 (5 kms horizontal distance) were less than 50° C and approximately 1 kb. Retrogression and re-equilibration of garnets and biotites in the metapelites extended to temperatures more than 50° C below and pressures more than 1.5 kb below the peak of metamorphism, the degree of retrogression increasing with decreasing grade of the metamorphic “peak”. The pressure and temperature of the peak of metamorphism are not inconsistent with the hypothesis that the Ivrea-Verbano zone is a slice of upthrusted lower crust from the crust-mantle transition region, although it appears that the thermal gradient was too low for the zone to represent a near-vertical section through the crust. The most reasonable explanation of the granulite facies metamorphism is that it arose through intrusion of mafic rocks into a region already undergoing recrystallisation under amphibolite facies conditions.     

吉林夹皮沟地区变质作用与地壳演化

本区经历四期变质作用,太古宙上壳岩系麻粒岩相变质、晚太古宙英云闪长岩高角闪岩相变质、早元古宙紫苏花岗岩类低角闪岩相变质和元古宙绿片岩相变质。麻粒岩相变质期可分三个阶段,早期角闪岩相、峰期麻粒岩相和晚期角闪岩相,其P-T-t轨迹为逆时针,与IBC型轨迹相似。导致麻粒岩相变质作用的热源为英云闪长质岩浆的垫托作用,形成于岛弧或活动大陆边缘。区内广泛发育的钾长花岗岩与晚太古宙高角闪岩相变质作用晚期的深熔作用有关。     

High-pressure relics in meta-sediments intercalated with the Weissenstein eclogite,Münchberg gneiss complex,Bavaria

The mineral assemblages in the eclogites and meta-sediments of the Münchberg gneiss complex suggest minimum pressures of about 15 kbar, and temperatures of 600±30° C for the eclogite-facies metamorphism. Both rock types underwent a subsequent amphibolite-facies metamorphism at almost the same temperature range. In the Weissenstein borehole the eclogites and meta-sediments show an intimate interlayering on a centimetre scale. Contacts between the two rock types are often sharp and untectonized suggesting in-situ metamorphism of the eclogites. The following features indicate that the gneisses were subjected to eclogite-facies metamorphism:

1. Phengite relics and phengite inclusions in garnet contain up to 3.45 Si per formula unit while amphibolite facies phengites have considerably lower Si-contents (3.0–3.25 p.f.u.).
2. Omphacite relics occur in the form of Na-augite (6–9 mol% jadeite)-oligoclase symplectites.
3. Garnets with up to 40 mol% of the pyrope component occur.

The geological and mineral-chemical data indicate that large volumes of crustal material have been buried to depths possibly exceeding 70 km. The preservation of primary eclogitic textures as well as symplectitic textures in the presence of a fluid phase, are indicative of a rapid decompression. This would suggest a tectonic uplift (e.g. underthrusting) as is also indicated by the virtually constant temperature range during the uplift.     

Phase relations of biotite and stilpnomelane in the greenschist facies

Phase relations of biotite and stilpnomelane and associated silicate minerals have been studied in rocks of the greenschist facies, chiefly from Otago, New Zealand and western Vermont, but also from Scotland, Minnesota-Michigan iron range, and northwest Washington. That stilpnomelane in the greenschicht facies crystallizes initially with nearly all iron in the ferrous state is indicated by chemical analyses, high p-T experiments, and phase relationships. Alteration of stilpnomelane after metamorphism not only oxidizes iron but leaches potassium; corrections for both effects must be made in using analyses of brown stilpnomelane in studies of phase relations. Two discontinuous reactions which produce biotite at the biotite isograd have been identified:

1. muscovite+stilpnomelane+actinolite→ biotite+chlorite+epidote
2. chlorite+microcline→ biotite+muscovite. Biotite produced by the first of these reactions has a limited range of variation in Fe/Mg. As grade advances within the biotite zone more magnesian and ferruginous biotites become stable in consequence of the two continuous reactions:
3. muscovite+actinolite+chlorite→ biotite (Mg-rich)+epidote
4. muscovite+stilpnomelane→ biotite (Fe-rich)+chlorite.

Stilpnomelane is stable in muscovite-free rocks throughout the biotite zone, and even up to the grade at which hornblende becomes stable. Phengitic muscovite is stable throughout the biotite zone in New Zealand and thus apparently does not contribute to the formation of biotite until a higher grade is reached.     

Charriage crustal,anatexie et decrochements ductiles dans les Maures orientales (Var,France) au cours de l'orogenese varisque

The kinematics of the deformational events recorded in the catazonal gneisses within the eastern part of the Maures massif (Variscan basement of Provence, southeastern France) has been established. These events can be correlated with both the metamorphic and the magmatic evolution, and the orogenic history of the eastern Maures then consists of the following stages:

1. -HP-metamorphism preserved only in relict eclogites and quartzites rich in calc-silicates,
2. -Catazonal metamorphism involving anatectic melting, broadly contemporaneous with large-scale horizontal transport towards the NNE. During this event, the lithologic units were disrupted and intensively mylonitized.
3. -Intrusion of a first generation of anatectic granitoids.
4. -A second tectonic event under epi-to mesozonal metamorphism conditions is responsible for the northward displacement of the eastern Maures relative to the western part along a sinistral strike-slip fault 4 km wide (Ramatuelle — Plan de la Tour fault) in which the early anatectic granitoids have been mylonitized. Outside the fault zone, this event is marked by upright to W-vergent open folds trending N-S, i.e. parallel to the transport direction.
5. -A moderate cataclastic reactivation of the Ramatuelle — Plan de la Tour fault with a dextral sense of shear, locally accompanied in the eastern part of the area by minor lowtemperature thrusting towards the south.
6. -Intrusion of a second generation of anatectic granites about 320 Ma ago.

The metamorphic, magmatic and tectonic evolution of the eastern Maures suggests a continuous orogenic history in an area of rapid crustal thickening by large-scale thrusting within the continental crust. This evolution may be related to the development of continental subduction during the continent/continent collision responsible for the Variscan orogeny in southern Europe.     

Les granites du Massif Central Français: étude comparée des leucogranites et granodiorites

Chemical and mineralogical compositions of granitic rocks of the French Massif Central enable us to classify them into two distinct groups: (i) leucogranites, (ii) granodiorites or quartz-monzonites, separated by a natural gap. The differences between these two groups are not only chemical and mineralogical, but are also reflected by:

conditions of crystallization as deduced from compositions and from thermal metamorphism of xenoliths.

nature of inclusions and, especially, the occurrence of basic fine-grained igneous xenoliths restricted to the granodiorite — quartz-monzonite group

relations between intrusive and autochtonous migmatitic masses;

levels of formation and of intrusion; the granodioritic and quartz-monzonitic magmas have originated at deeper horizons of the earth's crust than the leucogranitic one, but have risen higher.

In our opinion these differences are linked, and the specific characteristics of the granodiorites and quartz-monzonites are related to the presence of basic igneous inclusions. These inclusions are relics of deep basic intrusions in the earth's crust, which have overheated the surrounding acid rocks beyond the minimum temperature of melting. Thus granodioritic or quartz-monzonitic melts were produced and were able to rise to superficial levels. These inclusions are missing in leucogranites. The compositions of the latter and their poor mobility suggest a wet anatectic origin in minimal PT conditions.     

Crustal features of some main suture zones along the European Geotraverse

The European Geotraverse (EGT) crosses along a 4000 km profile from the North Cape to Tunisia the following main suture zones:

the Tornquist-Teisseyre zone between the Baltic Shield and the Variscan realm,

the transition zones between Rhenohercynian and Saxothuringian as well as between Saxothuringian and Moldanubian zones in the Variscan part of central Europe, and

the collision zone between the European continent and the Adriatic microplate.

Some structural aspects of these suture zones are described.     

Die Liegendschichten der devonischen Pyrit- u. Schwerspat-Lager von Eisen (Saarland), Meggen und des Rammelsberges

Detailed petrographic and geochemical investigations on the rocks underlying the Devonian stratiforme pyrite and barite deposits of Eisen (Saar district), Meggen (Westphalia), and Rammeisberg (Harz Mountains) in the Rhenish Schiefergebirge have led to the following conclusions:

1. These deposits are tied to dark shales of the pelagic basin facies. In all cases a local depression of the sea floor coincides largely with the spatial extension of the overlying pyrite and barite bodies. These depressions are marked by a large number of sand and silt intercalations, accumulations of reef debris and a significant lower carbonate content.
2. The dark shales underneath the deposits have conspicuously high, but strongly varying contents of Mn, Zn and Pb. This, corresponding with the low carbonate content, is characteristic for the presence of hydrothermal, metalliferous emissions.
3. Predepositional phases of sulfide and barite emplacement are indicated by small layers and lenses.

     

The sedimentation of copper-bearing shales (Kupferschiefer) in the sudetic foreland

The profile of the copper-bearing shales (Kupferschiefer) displays 3 types of lithological developments of the Sudetic Foreland:

in reduction facies: with the notably diminishing of participation of clay minerals and organic substance from bottom to top.

Many horizons of concentration of copper, lead and zinc are present.

in oxidation facies: where marley shales are forming, the metals decrease to trace contents.

in intermediate zones, from reduction facies to oxidation facies shales, the lithological formation is changing and the greatest variability is encountered in the intensity of metal contents.

The concentrations of copper sulphides occur in lagoonal areas in which an oxigen deficiency was associated with a great amount of organic matter. The beds formed in the oxidation facies represent the coastal zones of an open sea basin where the influence of inflow and outflow were considerable.     

K-Rb ratio in high grade metamorphism: A confirmation of the hypothesis of a continual crustal evolution

The K:Rb ratio (R) in a metamorphic sequence with increasing metamorphism of the West Alps has been analysed. By a regression analysis a comparison is made with the trends observed for R byShaw (1968) in many magmatic processes. The K:Rb ratio in the metamorphic rocks shows a marked increase with increasing metamorphism in relation to a removal of the K content. The arithmetic averages of R in the rocks of amphibolite and granulite facies are 231 and 505 respectively. In some samples of granulite facies the R values are higher than those of the continental alkalic basalts and approximate to the oceanic tholeiites. The variations in the K:Rb ratio may be imputed, according toShaw, to an anatexis process which took place under high grade metamorphic conditions. The marked increase of the K:Rb ratio in the deep material would be caused by partial separation between K and Rb in the granulite assemblages and by an upward migration of Rb, relative to K, from the deep crustal levels of granulite facies. These considerations seem to confirmShaw’s hypothesis of the possibility of a marked crustal stratification and consequently of a continual crustal evolution.