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.     

Metamorphic record of collision and collapse in the Ediacaran‐Cambrian Araçuaí orogen,SE‐Brazil: Insights from P–T pseudosections and monazite dating

The Araçuaí orogen is the Brazilian counterpart of the Araçuaí‐West Congo orogenic system (AWCO), a component of the Ediacaran‐Cambrian orogenic network formed during the amalgamation of West Gondwana. The northwestern portion of the Araçuaí orogen is dominated by a succession of metasedimentary rocks made up of Meso‐ to Neoproterozoic rift, passive margin and syn‐orogenic sequences, locally intruded by post‐collisional granites. These sequences are involved in three distinct tectonic units, which from west to east are: the southern Espinhaço fold‐thrust system (SE‐thrust system), the normal‐sense Chapada Acauã shear zone (CASZ) and the Salinas synclinorium. Three deformation phases were documented in the region. The first two phases (D₁ and D₂) are characterized by contractional structures and represent the collisional development stage of the orogen. The third phase (D₃) is extensional and currently viewed as a manifestation of orogenic collapse of the system. The distribution of the metamorphic mineral assemblages in the region characterizes two metamorphic domains. The M‐Domain I on the west, encompassing the SE‐thrust system and the CASZ, is marked by a syn‐collisional (syn‐D₁) Barrovian‐type metamorphism with P–T conditions increasing eastwards and reaching ~8.5 kbar at ~650°C between 575 and 565 Ma. The M‐Domain II comprises the Salinas synclinorium in the hangingwall of the CASZ, and besides the greenschist facies syn‐collisional metamorphism, records mainly a Buchan‐type metamorphic event, which took place under 3–5.5 kbar and up to 640°C at c. 530 Ma. The northwestern Araçuaí orogen exhibits, thus, a paired metamorphic pattern, in which the Barrovian and Buchan‐type metamorphic domains are juxtaposed by a normal‐sense shear zone. Lithospheric thinning during the extensional collapse of the orogen promoted ascent of the geotherms and melt generation. A large volume of granites was emplaced in the high grade and anatectic core of the orogen during this stage, and heat advected from these intrusions caused the development of Buchan facies series over a relatively large area. Renewed granite plutonism, hydrothermal activities followed by progressive cooling affected the system between 530 and 490 Ma.     

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.     

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.     

Ultra‐high temperature metamorphism recorded in Fe‐rich olivine‐bearing migmatite from the Khondalite Belt,North China Craton

We document the first occurrence of Fe‐rich olivine‐bearing migmatitic metapelite in the Khondalite Belt, North China Craton. Petrological analyses revealed two exotic assemblages of orthopyroxene+spinel+olivine and orthopyroxene+spinel+cordierite. Phase relation modelling suggests that these assemblages are diagnostic of ultra‐high temperature (UHT) metamorphism in the Fe‐rich system, with temperatures from 1,000 to 1,050°C at 0.6 GPa. U–Th–Pb SIMS analyses on zircon reveal a similar age of c. 1.92 Ga for the olivine‐bearing migmatite and an adjacent gabbronoritic intrusion that is therefore identified as the heat source for the UHT metamorphism. These results, coupled with additional analysis of the famous Tuguiwula sapphirine‐bearing granulite, lead to a re‐appraisal of the P–T path shape and heat source for the UHT metamorphism. We suggest that UHT metamorphism, dated between 1.92 and 1.88 Ga, across the whole Khondalite belt, proceeded from a clockwise P–T evolution with an initial near‐isobaric heating path at ~0.6–0.8 GPa, and a maximum temperature of 1,050°C followed by a cooling path with minor decompression to ~0.5 GPa. Considering our results and previous works, we propose that the orogenic crust underwent partial melting at temperature reaching 850°C and depth of ~20 to ~30 km during a period of c. 30 Ma, between 1.93 and 1.90 Ga. During this time span, the partially molten crust was continuously intruded by mafic magma pulses responsible for local greater heat supply and UHT metamorphism above 1,000°C. We propose that the UHT metamorphism in the Khondalite belt is not related to an extensional post‐collisional event, but is rather syn‐orogenic and associated with mafic magma supplies.     

Newly discovered youngest UHT metamorphism on Earth,Western Sulawesi,Indonesia

Ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) metamorphism represents an extreme crustal thermal event with peak conditions exceeding 900 °C at 7–13 kbar. In the modern-style plate tectonic system, records of the UHT metamorphism are relatively rare due to the secular cooling of Earth. In the Palu region of Western Sulawesi, we newly discovered a series of HT-UHT metamorphic rocks including amphibolite, granulite, eclogites and gneiss. Of them, two granulite samples (18CS14-2, 18CS14-4) with high garnet content (>50 mol%) are chosen for petrographic observation, phase equilibrium modelling, and zircon U-Pb dating. These rocks are characterized by a relic M₁ assemblage of Grt + Ky + Bt + Rt and a M₂ assemblage of Grt + Sil + Pl + Spl + Crd ± Qtz + Ilm + melt. Phase equilibrium modelling based on effective bulk compositions yields UHT conditions of 7.2–8.5 kbar/940–1080 °C (18CS14-2) and 7.0–7.3 kbar/1000–1040 °C (18CS14-4). U-Pb analysis reveals two generations of metamorphic zircon with evolving REE content that is intimately related to garnet growth and decomposition. Zircon age of 36–5.3 Ma is ascribed to syn- to post-M₁ metamorphism, whereas the young zircon age of 5.1–3.8 Ma is linked to syn- and post-M₂ stage. The UHT metamorphism was probably the consequence of the upwelling of asthenospheric mantle triggered by post-collisional delamination of lithosphere in the Miocene-Pliocene (ca. 5 Ma). It could represent the youngest known UHT metamorphism on Earth.     

Reworking of the Gangdese magmatic arc,southeastern Tibet: post‐collisional metamorphism and anatexis

The Gangdese magmatic arc, southeastern Tibet, was built by mantle‐derived magma accretion and juvenile crustal growth during the Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic northward subduction of the Neo‐Tethyan oceanic slab beneath the Eurasian continent. The petrological and geochronological data reveal that the lower crust of the southeastern Gangdese arc experienced Oligocene reworking by metamorphism, anatexis and magmatism after the India and Asia collision. The post‐collisional metamorphic and migmatitic rocks formed at 34–26 Ma and 28–26 Ma respectively. Meta‐granitoids have protolith ages of 65–38 Ma. Inherited detrital zircon from metasedimentary rocks has highly variable ages ranging from 2708 to 37 Ma. These rocks underwent post‐collisional amphibolite facies metamorphism and coeval anatexis under P–T conditions of ~710–760 °C and ~12 kbar with geothermal gradients of 18–20 °C km ^{? 1}, indicating a distinct crustal thickening process. Crustal shortening, thickening and possible subduction erosion due to the continental collision and ongoing convergence resulted in high‐P metamorphic and anatectic reworking of the magmatic and sedimentary rocks of the deep Gangdese arc. This study provides a typical example of the reworking of juvenile and ancient continental crust during active collisional orogeny.     

Ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism and anticlockwise P–T–t path of Paleozoic granulites from north Qinling-Tongbai orogen,Central China

Mafic and semi-pelitic granulites from the Qinling-Tongbai orogen in central China preserve petrological evidence and mineral paragenesis suggesting four distinct stages of metamorphic evolution. The prograde history (M₁) is recorded by the occurrence of cordierite, orthopyroxene and biotite inclusions in garnet porphyroblasts of the peak-metamorphic (M₂) assemblage. Peak-metamorphism was followed by cooling with minor decompression (M₃), which formed symplectites and coronitic textures. The greenschist facies retrograde metamorphic assemblage (M₄) is represented by hydrous minerals replacing minerals of the M₂ and M₃ assemblages. We present LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb data which show ages of 432 ± 4 Ma for the peak metamorphism and 403 to 426 Ma for the retrograde stage. Microstructural analysis, P–T pseudosections, and mineral isopleths in conjunction with the zircon U-Pb ages define an anticlockwise P–T–t path. The P–T estimates for peak metamorphic conditions of 880–920 °C and 8.0–10 kbar suggest that these rocks witnessed extreme crustal metamorphism under ultrahigh-temperature conditions. The anticlockwise trajectory reported in this study is comparable with similar P–T paths recorded from subduction–collision settings, and correlate the Tongbai granulites to hot orogens developed within a Paleozoic collisional suture. We propose a ridge subduction and slab window setting to explain the formation of the Tongbai orogen, in a convergent plate setting associated with the northward subduction of the Paleo-Tethyan Qinling Ocean.     

Permian ultrahigh–temperature reworking in the southern Chinese Altai: Evidence from petrology,P–T estimates,zircon and monazite U–Th–Pb geochronology

The Chinese Altai orogen formed in the Paleozoic is an important part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), and the study on the metamorphism will provide novel and robust constraints on its tectonic evolution. In this study, we investigate our newly recognized garnet–orthopyroxene–cordierite granulites at Wuqiagou area in the southern Chinese Altai. Detailed petrographic study and P–T estimates suggest four distinct metamorphic stages of mineral assemblages: (1) pre–peak (M1) stage containing the spinel–cordierite–bearing association or biotite–plagioclase–quartz–bearing inclusion–phase assemblage, with P–T conditions of 3.0–4.0 kbar/700–750 °C; (2) peak ultrahigh–temperature (UHT) (M2) stage represented by relatively coarse–grained garnet–orthopyroxene–cordierite–bearing porphyroblastic assemblage, with high–Al₂O₃ contents (up to ∼8.7 wt%) in orthopyroxene and P–T conditions of ∼8.0 kbar/∼980 °C; (3) post–peak high–temperature granulite facies (M3) stage consisted of orthopyroxene–cordierite and cordierite–quartz corona assemblages, formed during cooling and moderate decompression; and (4) post–peak upper amphibolite facies (M4) stage represented by retrograde biotite–plagioclase–quartz intergrowths. These four discrete metamorphic stages define an anticlockwise P–T path involving a post–peak moderate decompression followed by nearly isobaric cooling process. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb age dating results of metamorphic zircons for UHT samples show two weighted mean ages of ∼390 Ma and ∼280 Ma. We propose that the M1 stage might occur in the middle Devonian, whereas the near–peak UHT stage probably occurred in the early Permian. The Permian UHT metamorphism was further supported by the monazite U–Th–Pb dating results (287.9 ± 2.1 Ma), reflecting a prominent HT–UHT reworking event in the late Paleozoic. We proposed that the Permian UHT reworking event in the southern Chinese Altai probably occurred in a post–orogenic or intraplate extensional tectonic setting associated with the input of external heat, related to the underplating of deep–derived magma as a result of the Tarim mantle plume activity.     

Tectonic evolution of a composite collision orogen: An overview on the Qinling–Tongbai–Hong'an–Dabie–Sulu orogenic belt in central China

The formation of collisional orogens is a prominent feature in convergent plate margins. It is generally a complex process involving multistage tectonism of compression and extension due to continental subduction and collision. The Paleozoic convergence between the South China Block (SCB) and the North China Block (NCB) is associated with a series of tectonic processes such as oceanic subduction, terrane accretion and continental collision, resulting in the Qinling–Tongbai–Hong'an–Dabie–Sulu orogenic belt. While the arc–continent collision orogeny is significant during the Paleozoic in the Qinling–Tongbai–Hong'an orogens of central China, the continent–continent collision orogeny is prominent during the early Mesozoic in the Dabie–Sulu orogens of east-central China. This article presents an overview of regional geology, geochronology and geochemistry for the composite orogenic belt. The Qinling–Tongbai–Hong'an orogens exhibit the early Paleozoic HP–UHP metamorphism, the Carboniferous HP metamorphism and the Paleozoic arc-type magmatism, but the three tectonothermal events are absent in the Dabie–Sulu orogens. The Triassic UHP metamorphism is prominent in the Dabie–Sulu orogens, but it is absent in the Qinling–Tongbai orogens. The Hong'an orogen records both the HP and UHP metamorphism of Triassic age, and collided continental margins contain both the juvenile and ancient crustal rocks. So do in the Qinling and Tongbai orogens. In contrast, only ancient crustal rocks were involved in the UHP metamorphism in the Dabie–Sulu orogenic belt, without involvement of the juvenile arc crust. On the other hand, the deformed and low-grade metamorphosed accretionary wedge was developed on the passive continental margin during subduction in the late Permian to early Triassic along the northern margin of the Dabie–Sulu orogenic belt, and it was developed on the passive oceanic margin during subduction in the early Paleozoic along the northern margin of the Qinling orogen.Three episodes of arc–continent collision are suggested to occur during the Paleozoic continental convergence between the SCB and NCB. The first episode of arc–continent collision is caused by northward subduction of the North Qinling unit beneath the Erlangping unit, resulting in UHP metamorphism at ca. 480–490 Ma and the accretion of the North Qinling unit to the NCB. The second episode of arc–continent collision is caused by northward subduction of the Prototethyan oceanic crust beneath an Andes-type continental arc, leading to granulite-facies metamorphism at ca. 420–430 Ma and the accretion of the Shangdan arc terrane to the NCB and reworking of the North Qinling, Erlangping and Kuanping units. The third episode of arc–continent collision is caused by northward subduction of the Paleotethyan oceanic crust, resulting in the HP eclogite-facies metamorphism at ca. 310 Ma in the Hong'an orogen and low-P metamorphism in the Qinling–Tongbai orogens as well as crustal accretion to the NCB. The closure of backarc basins is also associated with the arc–continent collision processes, with the possible cause for granulite-facies metamorphism. The massive continental subduction of the SCB beneath the NCB took place in the Triassic with the final continent–continent collision and UHP metamorphism at ca. 225–240 Ma. Therefore, the Qinling–Tongbai–Hong'an–Dabie–Sulu orogenic belt records the development of plate tectonics from oceanic subduction and arc-type magmatism to arc–continent and continent–continent collision.     

The thermal structure of continental crust in active orogens: insight from Miocene eclogite and granulite xenoliths of the Pamir Mountains

Rare ultrahigh‐temperature–(near)ultrahigh‐pressure (UHT–near‐UHP) crustal xenoliths erupted at 11 Ma in the Pamir Mountains, southeastern Tajikistan, preserve a compositional and thermal record at mantle depths of crustal material subducted beneath the largest collisional orogen on Earth. A combination of oxygen‐isotope thermometry, major‐element thermobarometry and pseudosection analysis reveals that, prior to eruption, the xenoliths partially equilibrated at conditions ranging from 815 °C at 19 kbar to 1100 °C at 27 kbar for eclogites and granulites, and 884 °C at 20 kbar to 1012 °C at 33 kbar for garnet–phlogopite websterites. To reach these conditions, the eclogites and granulites must have undergone mica‐dehydration melting. The extraction depths exceed the present‐day Pamir Moho at ～65 km depth and suggest an average thermal gradient of ～12–13 °C km^?1. The relatively cold geotherm implies the introduction of these rocks to mantle depths by subduction or gravitational foundering (transient crustal drip). The xenoliths provide a window into a part of the orogenic history in which crustal material reached UHT–(U)HP conditions, partially melted, and then decompressed, without being overprinted by the later post‐thermal relaxation history.     

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.     

Metamorphic petrology and zircon geochronology of high-grade rocks from the central Mozambique Belt of Tanzania: crustal recycling of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic material during the Pan-African orogeny

New data on the metamorphic petrology and zircon geochronology of high‐grade rocks in the central Mozambique Belt (MB) of Tanzania show that this part of the orogen consists of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic material that was structurally reworked during the Pan‐African event. The metamorphic rocks are characterized by a clockwise P–T path, followed by strong decompression, and the time of peak granulite facies metamorphism is similar to other granulite terranes in Tanzania. The predominant rock types are mafic to intermediate granulites, migmatites, granitoid orthogneisses and kyanite/sillimanite‐bearing metapelites. The meta‐granitoid rocks are of calc‐alkaline composition, range in age from late Archean to Neoproterozoic, and their protoliths were probably derived from magmatic arcs during collisional processes. Mafic to intermediate granulites consist of the mineral assemblage garnet–clinopyroxene–plagioclase–quartz–biotite–amphibole ± K‐feldspar ± orthopyroxene ± oxides. Metapelites are composed of garnet‐biotite‐plagioclase ± K‐feldspar ± kyanite/sillimanite ± oxides. Estimated values for peak granulite facies metamorphism are 12–13 kbar and 750–800 °C. Pressures of 5–8 kbar and temperatures of 550–700 °C characterize subsequent retrogression to amphibolite facies conditions. Evidence for a clockwise P–T path is provided by late growth of sillimanite after kyanite in metapelites. Zircon ages indicate that most of the central part of the MB in Tanzania consists of reworked ancient crust as shown by Archean (c. 2970–2500 Ma) and Palaeoproterozoic (c. 2124–1837 Ma) protolith ages. Metamorphic zircon from metapelites and granitoid orthogneisses yielded ages of c. 640 Ma which are considered to date peak regional granulite facies metamorphism during the Pan‐African orogenic event. However, the available zircon ages for the entire MB in East Africa and Madagascar also document that peak metamorphic conditions were reached at different times in different places. Large parts of the MB in central Tanzania consist of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic material that was reworked during the Pan‐African event and that may have been part of the Tanzania Craton and Usagaran domain farther to the west.     

UHT metamorphism on Seram,eastern Indonesia: reaction microstructures and P–T evolution of spinel‐bearing garnet–sillimanite granulites from the Kobipoto Complex

The island of Seram, part of the northern limb of the Banda Arc in eastern Indonesia, exposes an extensive Mio‐Pliocene granulite facies migmatite complex (the Kobipoto Complex) comprising voluminous leucosome‐rich diatexites and scarcer Al–Fe‐rich residual granulites. The migmatites are intimately associated with ultramafic rocks of predominantly lherzolitic composition that were exhumed by substantial lithospheric extension beneath low‐angle detachment faults; heat supplied by the lherzolites was evidently a major driver for the granulite facies metamorphism and accompanying anatexis. Residual garnet–sillimanite granulites sampled from the Kobipoto Mountains, central Seram, contain scarce garnet‐hosted inclusions of hercynite spinel (~1.5 wt% ZnO) + quartz (± ilmenite) in direct grain‐boundary contact – an assemblage potentially indicative of metamorphism under ultrahigh‐temperature (UHT) conditions. thermocalc ‘Average P–T’ reactions and melanosome‐specific thermocalc , T–M_O, and P–T pseudosections in the Na₂O–CaO–K₂O–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O–TiO₂–Fe₂O₃ (NCKFMASHTO) chemical system, supported by Ti‐in‐garnet thermobarometry, are permissive of the rock having experienced a clockwise P–T path peaking at 925 °C and 9 kbar – thus narrowly reaching UHT conditions – before undergoing near‐isothermal decompression to ~750 °C and ~4 kbar. Spinel + quartz assemblages are interpreted to have formed at or just after the metamorphic peak from localized reactions between sillimanite, ilmenite and surrounding garnet. Further decompression of the rock resulted in the formation of complex reaction microstructures comprising cordierite ± plagioclase coronae around garnet, and symplectic intergrowths of cordierite + spinel + ilmenite around sillimanite. Small grains of sapphirine + corundum developed subsequently within spinel by localized quartz‐absent reactions. The post‐peak evolution of the granulites may be related to previously published U–Pb zircon and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of c. 16 Ma, further substantiating the claim for the Kobipoto Complex granulites having recorded Earth's youngest‐identified episode of UHT metamorphism, albeit at slightly lower temperature and higher pressure than previously inferred. The Kobipoto Complex granulites demonstrate how UHT conditions may be achieved in the ‘modern’ Earth by extreme lithospheric extension, which, in this instance, was driven by slab rollback of the Banda Arc.     

Significance of post‐peak metamorphic reaction microstructures in the ultrahigh temperature Eastern Ghats Province,India

Ultrahigh temperature (UHT) granulites in the Eastern Ghats Province (EGP) have a complex P–T–t history. We review the P–T histories of UHT metamorphism in the EGP and use that as a framework for investigating the P–T–t history of Mg–Al‐rich granulites from Anakapalle, with the express purpose of trying to reconcile the down‐pressure‐dominated P–T path with other UHT localities in the EGP. Mafic granulite that is host to Mg–Al‐rich metasedimentary granulites at Anakapalle has a protolith age of c. 1,580 Ma. Mg–Al‐rich metasedimentary granulites within the mafic granulite at Anakapalle were metamorphosed at UHT conditions during tectonism at 960–875 Ma, meaning that the UHT metamorphism was not the result of contact metamorphism from emplacement of the host mafic rock. Reworking occurred during the Pan‐African (c. 600–500 Ma) event, and is interpreted to have produced hydrous assemblages that overprint the post‐peak high‐T retrograde assemblages. In contrast to rocks elsewhere in the EGP that developed post‐peak cordierite, the metasedimentary granulites at Anakapalle developed post‐peak, generation ‘2’ reaction products that are cordierite‐absent and nominally anhydrous. Therefore, rocks at Anakapalle offer the unique opportunity to quantify the pressure drop that occurred during so‐called M2 that affected the EGP. We argue that M2 is either a continuation of M1 and that the overall P–T path shape is a complex counter‐clockwise loop, or that M1 is an up‐temperature counter‐clockwise deviation superimposed on the M2 path. Therefore, rather than the rocks at Anakapalle having a metamorphic history that is apparently anomalous from the rest of the EGP, we interpret that other previously studied localities in the EGP record a different part of the same P–T path history as Anakapalle, but do not preserve a significant record of pressure decrease. This is due either to the inability of refractory rocks to extensively react to produce a rich mineralogical record of pressure decrease, or because the earlier high‐P part of the rocks history was erased by the M1 loop. Irrespective of the specific scenario, models for the tectonic evolution of the EGP must take the substantial pressure decrease during M2 into account, as it is probable the P–T record at Anakapalle is a reflection of tectonics affecting the entire province.     

Carboniferous eclogite and garnet–omphacite granulite from northeastern Hainan Island,South China: Implications for the evolution of the eastern Palaeo‐Tethys

High‐P (HP) eclogite and associated garnet–omphacite granulite have recently been discovered in the Mulantou area, northeastern Hainan Island, South China. These rocks consist mainly of garnet, omphacite, hornblende, quartz and rutile/ilmenite, with or without zoisite and plagioclase. Textural relationships, mineral compositions and thermobarometric calculations demonstrate that the eclogite and garnet–omphacite granulite share the same three‐stage metamorphic evolution, with prograde, peak and retrograde P?T conditions of 620–680°C and 8.7–11.1 kbar, 820–860°C and 17.0–18.2 kbar, and 700–730°C and 7.1–8.5 kbar respectively. Sensitive high‐resolution ion microprobe U–Pb zircon dating, coupled with the identification of mineral inclusions in zircon, reveals the formation of mafic protoliths before 355 Ma, prograde metamorphism at c. 340–330 Ma, peak to retrograde metamorphism at c. 310–300 Ma, and subsequent pegmatite intrusion at 295 Ma. Trace element geochemistry shows that most of the rocks have a MORB affinity, with initial ε_Nd values of +2.4 to +6.7. As with similar transitional eclogite–HP granulite facies rocks in the thickened root in the European Variscan orogen, the occurrence of relatively high P?T metamorphic rocks of oceanic origin in northeastern Hainan Island suggests Carboniferous oceanic subduction leading to collision of the Hainan continental block, or at least part of it, with the South China Block in the eastern Palaeo‐Tethyan tectonic domain.     

Metamorphic stages in mountain belts during a Wilson cycle: A case study in the central Sanandaj–Sirjan zone (Zagros Mountains,Iran)

Polymetamorphic units are important constituents of continent–continent collisional orogens, and rift metamorphic assemblages are often overprinted by subsequent metamorphism during subduction and collision. This study reports the metamorphic conditions and evolution of the Dorud–Azna metamorphic units in the central part of the Sanandaj–Sirjan zone (SSZ), Iran. Here, new geothermobarometry results are integrated with ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar mineral and Th–U–Pb monazite and thorite ages to provide new insight of polyphase metamorphism in the two different basement units of the SSZ, the lower Galeh-Doz orthogneiss and higher Amphibolite-Metagabbro units. In the Amphibolite-Metagabbro unit, staurolite micaschist underwent a prograde P–T evolution from 640 ± 20 °C/6.2 ± 0.8 kbar in garnet cores (M1) to 680 ± 20 °C/7.2 ± 1.0 kbar in garnet rims (M2). Three Th–U–Pb monazite ages of 306 ± 5 Ma, 322 ± 28 Ma and 336 ± 39 Ma from the garnet-micaschists testify the Carboniferous age of M1 metamorphism. In the same unit, the metagabbro records P–T conditions of 4.0 ± 0.8 kbar and 580 ± 50 °C in the (magmatic) amphibole core (Late Carboniferous intrusion) to 7.5 ± 0.7 kbar and 700 ± 20 °C in the amphibole rim indicating a prograde P–T path during subsequent burial (M1). New ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of white mica from the staurolite micaschist yielded a staircase pattern ranging from 36 ± 12 Ma to 170 ± 2 Ma. This implies polymetamorphism with a minimum Late Jurassic cooling age through the Ar retention temperature of ca. 425 ± 25 °C after M2 metamorphism and a Paleogene low-grade metamorphic overprint (M3), while ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar white mica dating of garnet micaschist yielded a plateau age of 137.84 ± 0.65 Ma. We therefore interpret the amphibolite-grade metamorphism M2 to have predated 170 Ma and is likely between 180 and 200 Ma. Furthermore, it is overprinted at about 36 Ma under retrogressive low-grade M3 metamorphism (at temperatures of ~350–240 °C) during final shortening and exhumation. In the underlying Galeh-Doz unit, the Panafrican granitic orthogneiss intruded at P–T conditions of 3.2 ± 4 kbar and 700 ± 20 °C, then it was metamorphosed and deformed at 600 ± 50 °C and 2.0 ± 0.8 kbar (metamorphic stage M1) prior to Late Carboniferous intrusion of mafic dikes. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of amphibole from the Galeh-Doz orthogneiss gave plateau-like steps between 260 and 270 Ma, representing the age of cooling through ca. 500 °C after the M1 metamorphic event. Interestingly, the results of this study demonstrate polyphase metamorphic histories in both the Galeh-Doz orthogneiss and Amphibolite-Metagabbro units at different P–T conditions and final thick-skinned Paleogene emplacement of these units over the underlying low-grade metamorphic June Complex. Our findings suggest that both units are affected by high-T/low-P Late Carboniferous orogenic metamorphism along with the bimodal magmatism, as result of rifting. We propose that the Early Jurassic amphibolite-grade M2 metamorphism of the SSZ is correlated with the initial subduction of the Neotethyan Ocean. Eventually, the investigated units reflect various stages of a Wilson cycle, from rifting to initiation of the subduction in final plate collision.     

Multistage metamorphism of the Huangtuling granulite, Northern Dabie Orogen, eastern China: implications for the tectonometamorphic evolution of subducted lower continental crust

Granulites from Huangtuling in the North Dabie metamorphic core complex in eastern China preserve rare mineralogical and mineral chemical evidence for multistage metamorphism related to Palaeoproterozoic metamorphic processes, Triassic continental subduction‐collision and Cretaceous collapse of the Dabie Orogen. Six stages of metamorphism are resolved, based on detailed mineralogical and petrological studies: (I) amphibolite facies (6.3–7.0 kbar, 520–550 °C); (II) high‐pressure/high‐temperature granulite facies (12–15.5 kbar, 920–980 °C); (III) cooling and decompression (4.8–6.0 kbar, 630–700 °C); (IV) medium‐pressure granulite facies (7.7–9.0 kbar, 690–790 °C); (V) low‐pressure/high‐temperature granulite facies (4.0–4.7 kbar, 860–920 °C); (VI) retrograde greenschist facies overprint (1–2 kbar, 340–370 °C). The P–T history derived in this study and existing geochronological data indicate that the Huangtuling granulite records two cycles of orogenic crustal thickening events. The earlier three stages of metamorphism define a clockwise P–T path, implying crustal thickening and thinning events, possibly related to the assembly and breakup of the Columbia Supercontinent at c. 2000 Ma. Stage IV metamorphism indicates another crustal thickening event, which is attributed to Triassic subduction/collision between the Yangtze and Sino‐Korean Cratons. The dry lower crustal granulite persisted metastably during the Triassic subduction/collision because of the lack of hydrous fluid and deformation. Stage V metamorphism records the Cretaceous collapse of the Dabie Orogen, possibly due to asthenosphere upwelling or removal of the lithospheric mantle resulting in heating of the granulite and partial melting of the North Dabie metamorphic core complex. Comparison of the Huangtuling granulite in North Dabie and the high‐pressure–ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphic rocks in South Dabie indicates that the subducted upper (South Dabie) and lower (North Dabie) continental crusts underwent contrasting tectonometamorphic evolution during continental subduction‐collision and orogenic collapse.     

Granulite facies xenoliths from the Yuhuashan complex,central Jiangxi,South China: constraints on Late Palaeozoic orogeny and middle‐lower crust components

The Cretaceous Yuhuashan igneous complex contains abundant xenoliths of high‐grade metamorphic rocks, with the assemblage garnet ± hypersthene + biotite + plagioclase + K‐feldspar + quartz. The biotite in these samples has high TiO₂ (>3.5%), indicating high‐T metamorphism (623–778 °C). P–T calculations for two felsic granulites indicate that the peak metamorphism took place at 880–887 °C and 0.64–0.70 GPa, in the low pressure/high temperature (LP‐HT) granulite facies. Phase equilibrium modelling gives equilibrium conditions for the peak assemblage of a felsic granulite of >0.6 GPa and >840 °C, consistent with the P–T calculations, and identifies an anticlockwise P–T–t path. LA‐ICPMS U–Pb dating of metamorphic and detrital zircon from one xenolith reveals that the granulite facies metamorphism took place at 273.6 ± 2.2 Ma, and the protolith was a sedimentary rock deposited later than 683 Ma. This represents the first Late Palaeozoic (Variscan) granulite facies event identified in the South China Block (SCB). Coupled with other geological observations, the LP‐HT metamorphic conditions and anticlockwise P–T–t path suggest that Variscan metamorphism probably occurred in a post‐orogenic or intraplate extensional tectonic setting associated with the input of external heat, related to the underplating of mantle‐derived magma. Based on P–T estimates and the comparison of the protolith composition with mid‐ to low‐grade metamorphic rocks in the area, it is suggested that the mid‐lower crust under the Xiangshan–Yuhuashan area consists mainly of these felsic granulites and gneisses, whose protoliths were probably subducted to these depths during the Early Palaeozoic orogeny in the SCB, and underwent two episodes of metamorphism during Early Palaeozoic and Late Palaeozoic time.     

Ultra-high temperature overprinting of high pressure pelitic granulites in the Huai'an complex,North China Craton: Evidence from thermodynamic modeling and isotope geochronology

Paleoproterozoic granulite facies rocks are widely distributed in the North China Craton (NCC). The Huai'an terrane, located within the northern segment of the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO), a major Paleoproterozoic collisional belt in the central NCC expose mafic and pelitic granulites as well as TTG (tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite) gneisses. Here we investigate the pelitic granulites from this complex and identify four distinct mineral assemblages corresponding to different metamorphic stages. The prograde metamorphism (M1) is recorded by relict biotite and the compositional profile of X_ca (grt) isopleths. The P_max (M2) is distinguished by the X_ca (grt) isopleths, which corresponds to the kyanite stable area with an inclusion mineral assemblage of Grt-c–(Ky)-Qz-Rt-Kfs-liq suggesting that the pressures were higher than 12 kbar with a temperature below 900 °C. However, kyanite is absent in thin sections suggesting its consumption during later stages. The T_max metamorphism (M3) is characterized by the assemblage: Grt-m-Qz-Pl-Rt-Kfs-Sil-liq in the garnet mantle and also reflected in the compositional profile. Two-feldspar geothermometry yields a P-T range of 940 °C–950 °C and 9.5–10.5 kbar, indicating ultra-high temperature (UHT) metamorphic overprinting. The subsequent retrograde metamorphic stage (M4) is characterized by Grt-r-Bt-Sil-Kfs-Pl-Qz ± Rt ± Ilm with symplectites of Bt-Sil-Qz in the garnet rim suggesting garnet breakdown with P-T conditions estimated as 770 °C–840 °C and 6.5–8 kbar. The pelitic granulites show a clockwise path, with P-T estimates higher than those in estimated in previous studies using conventional techniques.LA-ICP-MS U–Pb analysis of metamorphic zircon grains yield two groups of ages at 1972.9 ± 8.1 Ma and 1873.3 ± 9.9 Ma. We suggest that the protoliths of the Manjinggou HP-UHT granulites were deep subducted where they experienced HP metamorphism associated with the collision of the Ordos and Yinshan blocks at ca. 1.97 Ga. Subsequently, the UHT metamorphic overprint occurred during the assembly of the unified Western and Eastern Blocks of the NCC along the TNCO at ca. 1.87 Ga.