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

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

The early metamorphic history of the Haast Schists and related rocks of New Zealand

Rare but widespread relics of sodic amphibole occur in metabasites and metacherts of the Haast Schists and related Caples Terrane rocks. Present main-stage metamorphic assemblages are frequently chemically equivalent to earlier sodic amphibole bearing assemblages, indicating that these rocks underwent an earlier, higher P/Tmetamorphism prior to formation of the present pumpellyite-actinolite and greenschist facies assemblages. The earlier assemblages were stable during and after early isoclinal folding, but were replaced by the present moderate P/T assemblages prior to the last major fabric-forming deformation. The change in conditions was due to thermal relaxation, probably accompanied by uplift and erosion, and peak metamorphic temperatures were about 350–370° C in the pumpellyite-actinolite zone of the Caples Terrane and near 390° C in the greenschist facies chlorite zone near Queenstown. According to Henley (1975) these greenschist facies rocks attained a pressure of at least 6.4±0.4 kb during their history, but a pressure of 4.6±0.6 kb has been estimated for a chlorite zone rock from Middlemarch, and so the 6.4 kb estimate probably refers to the maximum pressure attained during the earlier, higher P/T metamorphism. Similar changes in metamorphic facies series with time occur in some older and more complex metamorphic belts such as the Caledonides, and this study suggests that it may be possible to interpret particular elements in the metamorphic development of such belts in terms of specific circum-Pacific analogues.     

Contact metamorphism of pelitic,psammitic and calcareous sediments in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales

Contact metamorphism has been recognized along a 4 km wide belt adjacent to the shallow‐dipping eastern margin of the Arthursleigh Tonalite, an Early Devonian pluton of the Marulan Batholith, eastern New South Wales. In Ordovician psammitic and pelitic rocks three zones of progressive contact metamorphism range from muscovite + biotite + chlorite assemblages in the outer zone to K‐feldspar + cordierite assemblages adjacent to the pluton and in metasedimentary xenoliths. Retrograde phenomena include extensive replacement of metamorphic minerals by ‘sericite’ and chlorite. Calcareous metasediments adjacent to the tonalite typically contain assemblages of quartz + calcic plagioclase + ferrosalite + sphene, or wollastonite + calcite + diopside with minor grossularite and vesuvianite. Thermal effects in volcanic rocks along the western margin of the pluton are confined to recrystallization of the groundmass.

The regional geology indicates confining pressures of approximately 1 kbar at the time of emplacement of the tonalite. Contact metamorphic temperatures were estimated from two‐feldspar geothermometry to attain a maximum of approximately 590°C for rocks in the innermost zone of the aureole and 700°C for the xenoliths. Fluid compositions attending progressive contact metamorphism were water‐rich (Xco₂<0.2) and, during cooling, these fluids probably account for the extensive retrograde hydration observed in the aureole.     

Glaucophanites and eclogites from Val Chiusella,Sesia-Lanzo zone (Italian Alps)

In the metabasites of Val Chiusella, metamorphic assemblages are present, corresponding to the glaucophane schist facies, i.e. garnet glaucophanites to omphacite-garnet glaucophanites, as well as to the eclogite facies, i.e., glaucophane eclogites, eclogites, and omphacite felses. Both groups of assemblages are divided by the critical reaction 1 zoisite +1 glaucophane 1.2 omphacite+0.8 garnet+0.7 paragonite +1.4 quartz+0.8 H₂O. From textural evidence it is clear that in the investigated area this reaction proceeded to the right according to a prograde metamorphism. Correspondingly, K ^garn-cpx _D(Fe/Mg) values of coexisting garnet-omphacite pairs in the glaucophane schist facies assemblages are higher than in the eclogite facies assemblages and reflect a temperature increase from about 450 ° C to about 550 ° C at minimum water vapour pressures of 12 to 16 kb.     

Apparent retrograde metamorphism: Another example of the influence of structural deformation on metamorphic differentiation

A model relating apparent retrograde metamorphism to folding is proposed. According to the model, pressure gradients brought on by folding in the course of regional metamorphism cause the migration of water to low pressure fold crests. The greater concentration of water renders the mineral assemblage unstable relative to a more hydrous, lower grade assemblage. The result is that several mineral assemblages, each of which is characteristic of what classically has been called a different metamorphic facies, can be formed during the same metamorphic event, under the same pressure-temperature conditions.As an example, the paragenetic relationships between three mineral assemblages in a metamorphosed basalt flow are explained in terms of chemical changes accompanying structural deformation. During regional metamorphism the basalt was recrystallized to hornblende-, oligoclase-, and biotite-bearing assemblages. Folding late in the course of the regional metamorphism brought about the destruction of pre-existing assemblages in the fold crests and formation there of a more hydrous chlorite and albite assemblage.     

Changes in stable isotope ratios of metapelites and marbles during regional metamorphism,Mount Lofty Ranges,South Australia: implications for crustal scale fluid flow

The Mount Lofty Ranges comprises interlayered marbles, metapsammites, and metapelites that underwent regional metamorphism during the Delamarian Orogeny at 470–515 Ma. Peak metamorphic conditions increased from lowermost biotite grade (350–400°C) to migmatite grade (700°C) over 50–55 km parallel to the lithological strike of the rocks. With increasing metamorphic grade, ¹⁸O values of normal metapelites decrease from 14–16 to as low as 9.0, while ¹⁸O values of calcite in normal marbles decrease from 22–24 to as low as 13.2 These isotopic changes are far greater than can be accounted for by devolatilisation, implying widespread fluid-rock interaction. Contact metamorphism appears not to have affected the terrain, suggesting that fluid flow occurred during regional metamorphism. Down-temperature fluid flow from synmetamorphic granite plutons (¹⁸O=8.4–8.6) that occur at the highest metamorphic grades is unlikely to explain the resetting of oxygen isotopes because: (a) there is a paucity of skarns at granite-metasediment contacts; (b) the marbles generally do not contain low-XCO₂ mineral assemblages; (c) there is insufficient granite to provide the required volumes of water; (d) the marbles and metapelites retain a several permil difference in ¹⁸O values, even at high metamorphic grades. The oxygen isotope resetting may be accounted for by along-strike up-temperature fluid flow during regional metamorphism with time-integrated fluid fluxes of up to 5x10⁹ moles/m² (10⁵ m³/m²). If fluid flow occurred over 10⁵–10⁶ years, estimated intrinsic permeabilities are 10^-20 to 10^-16m². Variations in ¹⁸O at individual outcrops suggest that time-integrated fluid fluxes and intrinsic permeabilities may locally have varied by at least an order of magnitude. A general increase in XCO₂ values of marble assemblages with metamorphic grade is also consistent with the up-temperature fluid-flow model. Fluids in the metapelites may have been derived from these rocks by devolatilisation at low metamorphic grades; however, fluids in the marbles were probably derived in part from the surrounding siliceous rocks. The marble-metapelite boundaries preserve steep gradients in both ¹⁸O and XCO₂ values, suggesting that across-strike fluid fluxes were much lower than those parallel to strike. Up-temperature fluid flow may also have formed orthoamphibole rocks and caused melting of the metapelites at high grades.This paper is a contribution to IGCP Project 304 Lower Crustal Processes     

Pumpellyite-actinolite and greenschist facies metamorphism in lesvos island (Greece)

Summary The southern part of Lesvos island consists of a Late Palaeozoic-Triassic marble-phyllite series with intercalations of mafic metavolcanics which exhibit mineralogies of the pumpellyite-actinolite and greenschist facies. Pumpellyite is developed best in the metabasalts of the south-eastern part and towards the northwestern part of the terrain it gives way to actinolite and/or epidote bearing assemblages. Local variations in CO₂ are suggested to explain the extensive distribution of chlorite-calcite instead of the Ca–Al-silicate bearing assemblages diagnostic of subgreenschist facies metamorphism.The mineral assemblages observed and the comparison of the compositions of co-existing phases with the compositions of minerals from other low-grade metamorphic areas, indicate metamorphism at temperatures in the order of 270–360°C and pressures little lower than 5 kb.

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Pumpellyit-Aktinolith und Grünschiefer-Fazies-Metamorphose auf der Insel Lesbos (Griechenland)

Zusammenfassung Der südliche Teil der Insel Lesbos besteht aus einer Serie von jungpaläozoischen-triassischen Schichten von Marmor und Phylliten mit Einlagerungen von basischen Metavulkaniten, deren Mineralogie beweist, daß sie zu den Pumpellyit-Aktinolith- und Grünschiefern-Fazien gehören.Der Pumpellyit entwickelt sich besser in den Metabasalten des südöstlichen Teils. Gegen Nordwesten zu wird er durch Paragenesen ersetzt, welche Aktinolith oder Aktinolith mit Epidot oder nur Epidot aufweisen. Örtliche Unterschiede im CO₂-Wert erklären, wie angenommen wird, die verbreitete Verteilung der Chlorit-Calzit-Paragenese anstelle der für Sub-Grünschiefer-Fazies charakteristischen Ca–Al-Silikat-Paragenesen.Die Mineralparagenesen, die beobachtet wurden, und der Vergleich der Zusammensetzung der koexistierenden Phasen mit der Zusammensetzung der Mineralien aus anderen Gebieten mit niedrigem Metamorphose-Grad zeigt, daß die Metamorphose hier bei Temperaturen von 270°C bis 360°C und bei einem Druck von etwas weniger als 5 kb stattgefunden hat.

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With 4 Figures     

HT/LP metamorphic zoning in the eastern Voronezh Crystalline Massif: Age and parameters of metamorphism and its geodynamic environment

The Vorontsovskii terrane of the Eastern Sarmatian orogen underwent HT/LP metamorphism at temperatures of 430–750°C and pressures of 3–5 kbar. The TIMS monazite age of this metamorphism is 2067 ± 9 Ma and corresponds to the most probable age range (2050–2080 Ma) when large volumes of mafic and granitoid intrusions were emplaced. The time spans of the magmatic activity and metamorphic event are closely similar, which suggests that the melts could have served as sources of metamorphic heat. However, geological data on the relations between the metamorphic zones and magmatic bodies (the largest of the mafic, diorite, and granitoid intrusions are hosted in zones of low-temperature metamorphism) and the occurrence of relict metamorphic mineral assemblages and crystallization foliation in metapelite xenoliths in these intrusions suggest that the intrusions were emplaced after the metamorphism. The most probable reason for the HT/LP metamorphism was an increase in the heat flux in the course of viscous deformations and folding in the warm lithosphere of the young Paleoproterozoic Vorontsovskii terrane during collision processes.     

Graphitization of carbonaceous matter during metamorphism with references to carbonate and pelitic rocks of contact and regional metamorphisms,Japan

This study is an attempt to correlate the graphitization process of carbonaceous matter during metamorphism with metamorphic grade. Graphitization can be parameterized using crystal structure and chemical and isotopic compositions. The extent of graphitization could be characterized mainly by temperature, duration of metamorphism and rock composition. We compared the graphitization trends for two metamorphic terrains, a contact aureole of the Kasuga area and a regional metamorphic terrain of high-temperature/low pressure type of the Ryoke metamorphic terrain in Northern Kiso area, Central Japan, and for two different lithologies (carbonate and pelite), using X-ray diffractogram, DTA-TG analysis, and chemical and stable isotope analyses. During contact metamorphism, graphitization and carbon isotopic exchange reactions proceeded simultaneously in pelitic and carbonate rocks. The decreases in basal spacing d(002) of the carbonaceous matter in carbonate rocks is greatly accelerated at temperatures higher than about 400° C. Furthermore, carbon isotopic ratios of graphite in carbonate rocks also change to ¹³C-enriched values implying exchange with carbonates. The beginning of this enrichment of ¹³C in the carbonaceous matter coincides with an abrupt increase of the graphitization processes. Carbon isotopic shifting up to 5 in pelites could be observed as metamorphic temperature increased probably by about 400° C. Carbonaceous matter in pelitic rocks is sometimes a mixture of poorly crystallized organic matter and well-crystallized graphite detritus. DTA-TG analysis is an effective tool for the distinction of detrital graphitic material. Two sources for the original carbon isotopic composition of carbonaceous matter in pelites in the Kasuga contact aureole can be distinguished, about-28 and-24 regardless of the presence of detrital graphite, and were mainly controlled by depositional environment of the sediments. Graphitization in limestones and pelitic rocks in regional metamorphism proceeds further than in a contact aureole. In the low-temperature range, the differences in extent of graphitization between the two metamorphic regions is large. However, at temperatures higher than 600° C, the extent of graphitization in both regions is indistinguishable. The degree of graphitization is different in limestones and pelitic rocks from the Ryoke metamorphic terrain. We demonstrate that the graphitization involves a progressive re-construction process of the crystal structure. The sequence of the first appearance of crystal inter planar spacing correlates with the metamorphic grade and indicates the crystal growth of three-dimensional structured graphite.     

Glaucophane chloritoid-bearing assemblages from NE Oman: petrologic significance and a petrogenetic grid for high P metapelites

Pelitic layers and lenses interbedded with blueschists and eclogites in Saih Hatat, NE Oman contain chloritoid- and sodic amphibole-bearing mineral assemblages that are useful for reconstructing the P-T history of the area. Textural and mineral chemical relations suggest that coexisting glaucophane (Gln) and chloritoid (Ctd) formed at the expense of chlorite (Chl)+paragonite (Pg) and later broke down to garnet (Gt)+Pg during prograde metamorphism according to the reaction: Gln+Ctd+Qz=Gt+Pg+H₂O. During retrogression, Gln and Chl first formed at the expense of Gt and Pg, followed by the breakdown of Ctd and Gt to Chl. The final stages of retrogression are marked by the breakdown of Gln to an aggregate of Chl+albite (Ab). A projection from quartz (Qz), H₂O and phengite (Ph) on the (Al₂O₃+Fe₂O₃)-(FeO+MgO)-Na₂O plane in the system NFMASH is best suited for the representation of the phase relations in high P metapelites. Petrogenetic grids for the model systems NMASH and NFASH were calculated using program GEO-CALC (Berman et al. 1987) and its database (Berman 1988) after the retrieval of S _i ^o and H _f ^o for Gln and Ctd by mathematical programming and calculating all possible reactions among Gln, Ctd, Chl, jadeite (Jd), Ab, Gt, Pg, talc (Tc), pyrophyllite (Prl) and kyanite (Ky). The calculated petrogenetic grid for the system NFASH shows that Fe-Ctd and ferroglaucophane coexist at P>6.5 kbar and T<525°C, whereas the assemblage: Ct-Gln-Pg is stable between 435 and 630°C and P>6 kbar. This grid is consistent with the P-T estimates for high P metapelites from Oman, New Caledonia, Seward Peninsula, Ile de Groix, Sifnos and Peloponnese, where Gln+Ctd bearing units are interbedded with cofacial mafic blueschists and eclogites. The grid also explains the observed textural relations in the metapelites of Oman, and is consistent with the clockwise P-T path proposed for this area, but differs from the grids of Guiraud et al. (1990) in showing a larger stability field for Gln+Ctd that overlaps with the stability fields of Jd+Qz as well as Ab. The petrogenetic grid calculated for the system NMASH shows that Mg-Ctd+Gln-bearing assemblages require unusually low geothermal gradients to form in metapelites. It also shows that Mg-rich Ctd+Tc coexist at high pressures over a wider P-T range than predicted by Guiraud et al. (1990). This grid can therefore be applied to high P metamorphic assemblages from the eastern and western Alps.Abbreviations Ab Albite - Act Actinolite - Alm Almandinc - a _i activity of component i - Cal Calcite - Car Carpholite - Chl Chlorite - Co Corundum - Coes Coesite - Cpx Clinopyroxene - Cr Crossite - Ctd Chloritoid - Czo Clinozoisite - Dap Daphnite - Ep Epidote - Fgl Ferroglaucophane - G _f ^o Standard state Gibbs free energy of formation of phase i - Gln Glaucophane - Grph Graphite - Gt Garnet - H _f,i ^m Standard state enthalpy of formation of phase i - Hem Hematite - Ilm Ilmenite - Jd Jadeite - Ky Kyanite - Lws Lawsonite - Mgt Magnetite - Omph Omphacite - Pg Paragonite - Ph Phengite - Prl Pyrophyllite - Qz Quartz - Rt Rutile - S _i ^a Third law entropy of phase i - St Staurolite - Tc Talc - Tr Tremolite - Ttn Titanite (Sphene) - V H₂O - WM white mica - Zo Zoisite     

Petrographic and electron microprobe study of the Monturaqui impactite

Cindery, glassy impactites from the Monturaqui meteorite crater contain unshocked and shocked mineral and rock fragments together with Ni-Fe-Co-P spherules tightly bound in a partly devitrified matrix of clear, green or brown glass. Shock effects range from lightly shocked (100 kb) to intensely shocked (650 kb).Electron microprobe analyses of the metal spherules show that composition is related to grain size, the smallest (2–10 ) spherules being highest in Ni, the largest spherules (0.4 to 1.5 mm) being lowest in Ni. The lowest Ni content of analyzed spherules is 7.8 wt %, which suggests that the original meteorite may have been an octahedrite. Analysis of the mixed matrix glasses indicates extreme compositional differences compared to granite country rock.A series of high-temperature heating experiments, using various heating and cooling rates and atmospheric conditions were conducted to simulate the effects observed in the impactites. Results suggest that (a) higher Ni content in smaller spherules resulted from residual concentration after preferential melting at temperatures greater than 1400° C and oxidation of Fe; and (b) mixed matrix glasses that are low in SiO₂ and high in FeO resulted from preferential melting of lower melting components of the granite at temperatures greater than 1300° C under rapid heating and cooling conditions, together with contamination by Fe, Ni and Co from the meteorite. In addition, Fe enrichment in glasses that surround the larger spherules depends essentially on the amount of oxidation prior to and during incorporation of the spherules into the glass matrix.     

Corrensite and mixed-layer chlorite/corrensite in metabasalt from northern Taiwan: TEM/AEM,EMPA, XRD,and optical studies

Many chloritic minerals in low-grade metamorphic or hydrothermally altered mafic rocks exhibit abnormal optical properties, expand slightly upon glycolation (expandable chlorite) and/or have excess Al^VI relative to Al^IV, as well as significant Ca, K and Na contents. Chloritic minerals with these properties fill vesicles and interstitial void space in low-grade metabasalt from northern Taiwan and have been studied with a combination of TEM/AEM, EMPA, XRD, and optical microscopy. The chloritic minerals include corrensite, which is an ordered 1:1 mixed-layer chlorite/smectite, and expandable chlorite, which is shown to be a mixed-layer chlorite/corrensite. Corrensite and some mixed-layer chlorite/corrensite occur as rims of vesicles and other cavities, while later-formed mixed-layer chlorite/corrensite occupies the vesicle cores. The TEM observations show that the mixed-layer chlorite/corrensite has ca. 20%, and the corrensite has ca. 50% expandable smectite-like layers, consistent with XRD observations and with their abnormal optical properties. The AEM analyses show that high Si and Ca contents, high Al^VI/Al^IV and low Fe^VI/(Fe+Mg)^VI ratios of chlorites are correlated with interstratification of corrensite (or smectite-like) layers in chlorite. The AEM analyses obtained from 200–500 Å thick packets of nearly pure corrensite or chlorite layers always show that corrensite has low Al^IV/Si^IV and low Fe^VI/(Fe+Mg)^VI, while chlorite has high Al^IV/Si^IV and high Fe^VI/(Fe+Mg)^VI. This implies that the trioctahedral smectite-like component of corrensite has significantly lower Al^IV/Si^IV and Fe^VI/(Fe+Mg)^VI. The ratios of Fe^VI/(Fe+Mg)^VI and Al^IV/Si^IV thus decrease in the order chlorite, corrensite, smectite. The proportions of corrensite (or smectite-like) layers relative to chlorite layers in low-grade rocks are inferred to be controlled principally by Fe/Mg ratio in the fluid or the bulk rock and by temperature. Compositional variations of chlorites in low-grade rocks, which appear to correlate with temperature or metamorphic grade, more likely reflect variable proportions of mixed-layered components. The assemblages of trioctahedral phyllosilicates tend to occur as intergrown discrete phases, such as chlorite-corrensite, corrensite-smectite, or chlorite-corrensite-smectite. A model for the corrensite crystal structure suggests that corrensite should be treated as a unique phase rather than as a 1:1 ordered mixed-layer chlorite/smectite.     

Use of the lattice parameter b 0 of dioctahedral illite/muscovite for the characterization of P/T gradients of incipient metamorphism

The P/T gradient or baric type of low-grade metamorphic terranes can be characterized on the basis of cumulative frequency curves of the lattice parameter b ₀ of dioctahedral micas (Sassi and Scolari 1974), which essentially reflects celadonite content and increases with pressure. The method is here applied to illite/muscovite of sub-greenschist (incipient metamorphism) and low-greenschist facies terranes from the marginal zones of the Swedish Caledonides, Swiss Alps and Venezuelan Andes, where the grade of metamorphism was determined on the basis of illite crystallinity.Complications in the determinations of b ₀ arising from (a) shifts in the spacing of the apparent 060 diffraction peaks of the illites due to the presence of inter-stratified expandable layers, and (b) persistence of more crystalline clastic micas are pointed out.In contrast to the earlier-reported decrease of b ₀ with progressive metamorphism at higher grades, b ₀ tends to increase with grade during incipient metamorphism: it is markedly lower in the diagenetic and low-grade anchimetamorphic grades in the Cambro-Silurian of the Caledonides of Jämtland, western Sweden (zone A), and the Lower Tertiary of the Helvetic zone of the Swiss Alps, than in the higher grade anchizone and epizone of the former terrane.Mean b ₀ values for the intermediate and highest (epizone) grades of the Swedish Caledonides are respectively 9.030 and 9.037 Å compared to the mean value of 9.035 Å for the medium-high pressure, Barrovian-type, terrane of Otago, N.Z. Mean b ₀ of 9.005 Å for the mainly epizonal slates of the Venezuelan Andes lies between those for the low-pressure terranes of Bosost ( 8.992 Å), and the low-medium pressure terrane of northern New Hampshire (9.010 Å). These baric estimates agree well with those for the metamorphic facies series at higher grade produced by the same events.Cumulative b ₀ curves are concluded to be useful for the characterization of P/T gradients of incipient metamorphism, particularly in the higher grade part of the anchizone and the epizone.     

The high-pressure assemblages at Milos,Greece

Metamorphic rocks at Milos are known in small outcrops beneath the volcanic formations, as xenoliths in the Traphores volcanic breccia and as pebbles in the Paleochora Quaternary deposits. These rocks seem to belong to three different metamorphic units which probably have intricate relationships in the basement: — the eclogites unit shows garnetjadeite or garnet-omphacite primary associations, with apparently late crystallization of lawsonite phenoblasts an recrystallization features at relatively low temperatures; — the glaucophane schist unit exhibits Jadeite+quartz or glaucophane+lawsonite primary mineralogy; — the greenschist facies unit shows low-pressure main assemblages, most generally developed after high-pressure events. The two former units involve tholeiitic meta-igneous rocks, having been spilitized before metamorphism; they generally suffered more or less advanced recrystallization features in the low-pressure field of the greenschist facies. The third unit shows only meta-sedimentary rocks, with the sole exception of one single meta-doleritic pebble having calk-alkaline affinities.Petrological and mineralogical studies, based upon 15 bulk-rock compositions and 178 probe-analysed data points, lead to suspect at least 2, perhaps 3, different metamorphic events rather than one single metamorphic evolution, to account for the 3 U distinguished. From the observation of the mineralogical assemblages and their evolution, the former events (stages 1 and 2) could be related to rapid subduction of ocean-floor or back-arc basalts, whereas, during the latter event (stage 3), the rocks experienced crystallization conditions involving both decreasing pressures and increasing temperatures.     

Sub-greenschist facies assemblages of metabasites from south-eastern Peloritani range (NE-Sicily)

Summary Pre-Hercynian magmatic rocks are widespread in the Palaeozoic basement of the Peloritani range. The metabasites of the Mongiuffi-Melia and Gallodoro areas represent the largest and the most important lower-Ordovician magmatic products of this range. These rocks were metamorphosed during the Hercynian event and preserve relict igneous minerals and textures. A detailed study of the metamorphic assemblages has allowed the identification of two stages of metamorphic crystallisation; they are mainly distinguished by the differentXCO₂ of the fluid phase. The first metamorphic event produced three calcite-free sub-greenschist facies assemblages that contain ubiquitous quartz+albite+titanite+chlorite+epidote along with pumpellyite or prehnite or actinolite. The second metamorphic episode produced a Calcite+Chlorite assemblage, non-diagnostic to evaluate P-T conditions of metamorphism. The first stage assemblages are only preserved in small domains of the rock. As even very low amounts of CO₂ in the fluid phase drastically inhibit the formation of diagnostic sub-greenschist facies calc-silicate assemblages, it appears that a more CO₂-rich fluid must have been introduced during the second event. We suggest that this introduction of more CO₂-rich fluid occurred during the development of S₂ crenulation cleavage.

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Sub-grünschieferfazielle Mineralvergesellschaftungen in Metabasiten der südöstlichen Peloritani Range (NE Sizilien)

Zusammenfassung Prähercynische magmatische Gesteine sind weitverbreitet im paläozoischen Basement der Peloritani Range. Die Metabasite aus dem Mongiuffi-Melia und dem Gallodoro Gebiet sind die größten und wichtigsten magmatischen Produkte des unteren Ordoviziums in diesem Gebiet. Sie wurden während der hercynischen Orogenese metamorphisiert und sie bewahren reliktische magmatische Minerale und Strukturen. Eine Detailstudie der metamorphen Mineralvergesellschaftungen erlaubt die Identifikation von zwei metamorphen Kristallisationsstadien, die sich hauptsächlich im XCO₂ der fluiden Phase unterscheiden. Das erste Ereignis resultierte in der Bildung von drei Calcit-freien sub-grünschieferfaziellen Mineralvergesellschaftungen, die verbreitet Quarz+Albit+Titanit+Chlorit+Epidot mit Pumpellyit oder Prehnit oder Aktinolith führen. Die zweite metamorphe Episode führte zur Bildung der Vergesellschaftung Calcit+Chlorit; diese ist für die Abschätzung der P-T Bedingungen der Metamorphose ungeeignet. Die erste Vergesellschaftung ist nur in kleinen Domänen in den Gesteinen erhalten geblieben. Da bereits sehr geringe Mengen an CO₂ in der fluiden Phase die Bildung der diagnostischen sub-grünschieferfaziellen kalk-silikatischen Mineralassoziation verhindern, scheint es, daß das CO₂-reiche Fluid während des zweiten Stadiums zugeführt wurde. Wir meinen, daß die Zufuhr dieser CO₂-reichen Fluide während der Entwicklung der S2 Krenulationsschieferung erfolgt sein muß.

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With 6 Figures     

Argon and fission track dating of Alpine metamorphism and basement exhumation in the Sopron Mts. (Eastern Alps, Hungary): thermochronology or mineral growth?

Summary The crystalline basement rocks of the Sopron Mountains are the easternmost and most isolated outcrops of the Austroalpine basement of the Eastern Alps. Ar/Ar and K/Ar dating of phengitic mica indicates that the Eoalpine high-pressure metamorphism of the area occurred between 76 and 71Ma. Short-lived metamorphism is characterised by fluid-poor conditions. Fluid circulation was mostly restricted to shear zones, thus the degree of Alpine overprint has an extreme spatial variation. In several metamorphic slices Variscan mineral assemblages have been preserved and biotite yielded Variscan and Permo-Triassic Ar ages. Different mineral and isotope thermometers (literature data) yielded temperatures of 500–600°C for the peak of Alpine metamorphism in the Sopron Mountains, but muscovite and biotite do not show complete argon resetting. Thus, we consider this crystalline area as a well constrained natural test site, which either indicates considerably high closure temperatures (around 550°C) for Ar in muscovite and biotite in a dry metamorphic environment, or which is suitable for testing the widely applied methods of temperature estimations under disequilibrium conditions.Apatite fission track results and their thermal modeling, together with structural, mineralogical and sedimentological observations, allows the identification of a post-metamorphic, Eocene hydrothermal event and Late Miocene-Pliocene sediment burial of the crystalline rocks of the Sopron Mountains.     

Synthesis and some properties of iron- and vanadium-bearing kyanites, (Al,Fe3+)2SiO5and (Al,V3+)2SiO5

Iron- and vanadium-bearing kyanites have been synthesized at 900 and 1100° C/20 kb in a piston-cylinder apparatus using Mn₂O₃/Mn₃O₄- and MnO/Mn-mixtures, respectively, as oxygen buffers. Solid solubility on the pseudobinary section Al₂SiO₅-Fe₂SiO₅(-V₂SiO₅) of the system Al₂O₃-Fe₂O₃(V₂O₃)-SiO₂ extends up to 6.5 mole% (14mole %) of the theoretical end member FeSiO₅(V₂SiO₅) at 900°C/20 kb. For bulk compositions with higher Fe₂SiO₅ (V₂SiO₅) contents the corundum type phases M₂O₃(M = Fe³⁺, V³⁺) are found to coexist with the Fe³⁺(V³⁺)-saturated kyanite solid solution plus quartz. The extent of solid solubility on the join Al₂SiO₅-Fe₂SiO₅ at 1 100°C was not found to be significantly higher than at 900° C. Microprobe analyses of iron bearing kyanites gave no significant indication of ternary solid solubility in these mixed crystals. Lattice constants a ₀, b ₀, c ₀, and V₀ of the kyanite solid solutions increase with increasing Fe₂SiO₅- and V₂SiO₅-contents proportionally to the ionic radii of Fe³⁺ and V³⁺, respectively, the triclinic angles ,, remain constant. Iron kyanites are light yellowish-green, vanadium kyanites are light green. Iron kyanites, (Al_1.87 Fe _0.13 ³⁺ )SiO₅, were obtained as crystals up to 700 m in length.     

Experimental study of the stability of cordierite and garnet in pelitic compositions at high pressures and temperatures

In pelitic rocks, under conditions of low f _{O 2} and low f _{H 2 O}, the stability of the mineral pair cordierite-garnet is limited by five univariant reactions. In sequence from high pressure and low temperature to high temperature and low pressure these are: cordierite+garnet hypersthene+sillimanite+quartz, cordierite+garnet hypersthene+sapphirine+quartz, cordierite+garnet hypersthene+spinel+quartz and cordierite+garnet olivine+spinel +quartz. In this sequence of reactions the Mg/Mg+Fe²⁺ ratio of all ferro-magnesian minerals involved decreases continuously from the first reaction to the fifth. The five univariant boundaries delimit a wide P-T range over which cordierite and garnet may coexist.Two divariant equilibria in which the Mg/Mg+ Fe²⁺ ratio of the coexisting phases are uniquely determined by pressure and temperature have been studied in detail. P-T-X grids for the reactions cordierite garnet+sillimanite+quartz and cordierite+hypersthene garnet+quartz are used to obtain pressure-temperature estimates for several high grade metamorphic areas. The results suggest temperatures of formation of 700–850° C and load pressures of 5–10 kb. In rare occasions temperatures of 950–1000° C appear to have been reached during granulite metamorphism.On the basis of melting experiments in pelitic compositions it is suggested that Ca-poor garnet xenocrysts found in calc-alkaline magmas derive from admixed pelitic rocks and did not equilibrate with the calc-alkaline magma.     

Alteration and mass transfer in cataclasites and mylonites in 6.6 km of granitic crust at the Siljan impact structure,central Sweden

Granitic rocks deformed by cataclasis and mylonitization on macro- (a few meters) and micro- (thin section) scales are found at depths down to 6.6km in the Siljan impact structure in central Sweden. Granites near fault planes exhibit: (1) fracturing, kinking, fragmentation, and recrystallization of feldspars into pure K and Na endmember varieties, (2) fragmentation, polygonization and development of undulose extinction in quartz, and (3) kinking, appearance of wavy extinction and alteration of biotite, chlorite, amphibole, and alteration of ilmenite and magnetite. Whole-rock chemical analyses of deformed and undeformed rocks show that deformed rocks are enriched in SiO₂ (by about 5 wt.%) and depleted in other oxides by variable percentages. Apart from Rb and Co, the concentrations of other trace elements (including Ba, Sr, Zn, Zr, Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, V, U, Th, La, and Li) are lower in deformed relative to undeformed rocks. Mass-balance calculations for a 1000 cm³ model granite which were based on modal mineralogy, whole-rock chemistry, and mineral analyses suggest that the break down of primary biotite, chlorite, and amphibole in deformed zones released elements to circulating fluids. These calculations also indicate liberation of water and a doubling of porosity (from 1 to 2%) during the deformation episodes. Later precipitation of minerals in shear and tension fractures reduced this porosity. Within the upper 2000 m of the Gravberg-1 well, the formation of fracture-filling minerals (smectite, calcite, hematite, chlorite, and albite) is impact-related, and was favored by active circulation of meteoric water. Fracture-filling minerals in the upper 2000 m of the borehole formed at temperatures of 70° to 200°C. Between depths of 2000 and 3500 m, fracture-filling mineral assemblages (dominated by Fe–Mg chlorite, sphene and epidote) suggest formation temperatures in the range of 150° to 300°C. Occurrence of pumpellyite and prehnite in some altered biotite and chlorite of the deformed zones between 3500 and 5500 m suggest preimpact metamorphism and formation temperature above 150°C. Below 5500 m, the mineral assemblages in the fractures are dominated by quartz, sphene, epidote, and some muscovite and chlorite, indicating a temperature range between 300° and 450°C. One of the possible origins for the CH₄ and H₂ gases detected in the Gravberg-1 well is a combination of hydrogen ions released by decomposition of hydrated silicates (biotite, chlorite, hornblende) with carbon. The presence of iron in the deformed granitic rocks prevented the resulting CH₄ from being oxidized.     

Metamorphism of the Bikou Group in the Shanxi-Gausu-Sichuan Border Region1

Abstract The Bikou Group on the Shaanxi-Gansu-Sichuan border is composed of Mid-Late Proterozoic metamorphosed bimodal volcanic rocks and flysch sediments. Its metamorphism may be divided into the blueschist and greenschist facies. Three metamorphic zones, i.e. zones A, B, and C, may be distinguished on the basis of the field distribution of metamorphic rocks and the variation of b₀ values of muscovite. Blueschists are characterized by coexistence of sodic amphiboles and epidote and occur as stripes or relict patches in extensive greenschists of zone A. Studies of metamorphic minerals such as amphiboles, chlorite, epidote and muscovite and their textural relationships indicate that blueschists and greenschists were not formed under the same metamorphic physico-chemical conditions. The blueschist facies was formed at temperatures of 300-400°C and pressures of 0.5–0.6 GPa. The greenschist facies in zones A and B has similar temperatures but its pressure is only 0.4 GPa or so. The transition from the blueschist to greenschist facies is a nearly isothermal uplift process. The rock and mineral assemblages of the Bikou Group indicate that the blueschist facies metamorphism of the group might be related to crustal thickening or A-subduction accompanying the closure of an intracontinental small ocean basin.