Experimental Determination of the Upper Thermal Stability of Fe-Staurolite+Quartz at Medium Pressures

The thermal equilibrium for the reaction Fe-staurolite+quartz=almandine+sillimanite+H₂Ohas been reversed at 3?25 and 5?00 kb pressure using a well-characterizednatural Fe-rich staurolite. Long run times of 100 days at 3?25kb and 60 days at 5 kb, in addition to pretreatments of thealmandine+sillimanite+quartz by annealing at the experimentalP and T for 30 days prior to the experimental run, increasedthe probability that equilibrium was attained and that sufficientamounts of reaction had occurred to allow its detection. Reaction direction was determined by directly observing surfacemorphologies of the staurolites with the Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM), a technique that permits evaluation of stability andinstability even when the extent of reaction is minor. Growthand dissolution appear to be crystallographically controlledbut produce distinct morphologies that allow mterpretation ofthe reaction direction. Growth of staurolite develops by a face-selectiveprocess, such that small step-like features overgrow the originalseed staurolite surface. Dissolution produces simpler, blockierforms locally transected by etch pits. Based on textural criteria for staurolite stability and instability,the equilibrium boundary is located between 643' and 658?C at3?25 kb and between 673 and 688?C at 5 kb. This phase boundaryhas a shallower dP/dT slope and lies {small tilde}25?C lowerthan the previous experimental investigation at low pressure(Richardson, 1968). However, this study has not solved the apparentdiscrepancy between the experimentally determined thermal stabilityof staurolite and natural occurrences of staurolite (the stauroliteproblem). For the experimentally determined staurolite curveto agree with natural staurolite occurrences, the experimentalequilibrium boundary would have to be {small tilde}50? lowerthan that indicated by the results of this study. Additionalthermochemical discrepancies are most likely related to thecomplex crystal chemistry of staurolite. ^*Present address: Department of Geology & Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803     

Evolution of fluid pressure and fracture propagation during contact metamorphism

Abstract Rock fracture enhances permeability and provides pathways through which fluids migrate. During contact metamorphism, fluids contained in isolated pores and fractures expand in response to temperature increases caused by the dissipation of heat from magmas. Heat transport calculations and thermomechanical properties of water-rich fluids demonstrate (1) that thermal energy is a viable mechanism to produce and maintain pore fluid pressure (P_f) in a contact metamorphic aureole; (2) that the magnitude of P_f generated is sufficient to propagate fractures during the prograde thermal history (cause hydrofracture) and enhance permeability; and (3) that P_f-driven fracture propagation is episodic with time-scales ranging from years to thousands of years. Because P_f dissipation is orders of magnitude faster than P, _f buildup, P_f oscillations and cyclical behaviour are generated as thermal heating continues. The P_f cycle amplitude depends on the initial fracture length, geometry and the rock's resistance to failure whereas the frequency of fracture depends on the rate of heating. Consequently, oscillation frequency also varies spatially with distance from the heat source. Time series of fluid pressures caused by this process suggest that cyclical fracture events are restricted to an early time period of the prograde thermal event near the intrusive contact. In the far field, however, individual fracture events have a lower frequency but continue to occur over a longer time interval. Numerous fracture cycles are possible within a single thermal event. This provides a provisional explanation for multiple generations of veins observed in outcrop. P _f cycling and oscillations may explain several petrological features. If pore fluids are trapped at various positions along a pressure cycle, the large amplitude of P_f variations for small fractures may account for different pressures recorded by fluid inclusions analysed from a single sample. P_f oscillations, during a single thermal episode, also drive chemical reactions which can produce complex mineral textures and assemblages for discontinuous reactions and/or zoning patterns for continuous reactions. These can mimic polymetamorphic or disequilibrium features. Temporal aspects of fracture propagation and permeability enhancement also constrain the likely timing of fluid flow and fluid-mineral interactions. These data suggest that fluid flow and fluid-mineral reactions are likely to be restricted to an early period in the prograde thermal history, characterized by high P_f coincident with relatively high temperatures, fracture propagation and consequent increases in permeability. This early prograde hydration event is followed by diffusional peak metamorphic reactions. This relationship is evident in the complex mineralogical textures common in some metamorphosed rocks.