Low-Temperature Eclogites and Eclogitic Schists in Mn-rich Metabasites in Ward Creek, California; Mn and Fe Effects on the Transition between Blueschist and Eclogite

In situ eclogitic schist lenses occur in the coherent low-gradeepidote-zone Ward Creek metabasite unit of the Central Franciscanbelt. They contain almandine garnet, clinopyroxene, and rutile.They have slightly higher Mn content (0–5–1–0wt.%) than the coexisting Type III metabasites (0–12–0–25wt%) which contain epidote + glaucophane + actinolite + chlorite+ omphacite + quartz + sphene ? aragonite? lawsonite ? pumpellyite+ albite. The in situ eclogitic schists (130–140 Ma) canbe distinguished from older tectonic eclogites (150–160Ma) in Ward Creek as follows: (1) they are medium grained, whereasType IV tectonic eclogites are coarse grained; (2) they haveunaltered spessartine-rich idioblastic (0–4–10 mm)garnets, whereas Type IV tectonic eclogites have larger xenoblasticto hypidiomorphic spessartine-poor garnets which were corrodedand chloritized along the rim during retrograde metamorphism;(3) clinopyroxenes are chloromelanite in in situ eclogitic schistsbut omphacite in Type IV tectonic eclogites; (4) barroisiticamphiboles occur both as inclusions in garnets and as matrixminerals in Type IV tectonic eclogites but not in in situ eclogiticschists; (5) albite is present in in situ eclogitic schistsbut not in Type IV tectonic eclogites; and (6) the estimatedP-T condition of in situ eclogitic schists is 290 ?C < T<350 ?C, P = 8–9 kb, whereas that of Ward Creek Type IVtectonic eclogites is 500?C< r<540?C, P< 10–11–5kb. Medium-grained eclogites occur as individual blocks in WardCreek; they are different from Type IV tectonic eclogites butare very similar to in situ eclogitic schists. They have unalteredidioblastic garnet with high almandine and spessartine content(Alm₄₇Sp₂3Gr₂₀Py10), and they have chloromel-anitic clinopyroxeneand quartz but no barroisite. Paragonite is also stable in theseeclogites. The blocks formed at 380 ?C< r<400?C, and 9–5kb<P< 14 kb. They are presumably in situ eclogites formedat the highest-temperature part of the Ward Creek metabasiteunit and may be younger than Type IV tectonic eclogites. Such low-temperature occurrences of eclogitic assemblages aredue to the compositional effect on reactions between blueschistand eclogite that are insensitive to pressure and shift towardslower temperatures as bulk-rock MnO content and X_Fe/(Fe+Mg)increase. The Mn/(Mn + Fe) ratio of bulk rock is an importantfactor in controlling the P-T positions of these reactions attemperatures below 450 ?C, whereas the Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratio ofbulk-rock becomes important at temperatures higher than 450?C.     

Modification of the High-Pressure-Type Chromites into the Low- Pressure-Type: Petrological Investigation of the Podiform Chromitites in the Luobusa Ophiolite, Tibet

<正>The podiform chromitites in the Luobusa ophiolite,Southern Tibet,have received much attention because of the presence of ultrahigh-pressure minerals,such as microdiamonds(Bai et al.,1993;Yang et al.,2007;Xu et al.,2009),coesite(Yang et al.,2007)and highly reduced metal phases(Bai et al.,2000;Robinson et al.,2004).The     

Submillimeter Scale Variation of Oxygen Isotope of Vein Quartz at the Hishikari Deposit, Japan

Abstract: The physical and chemical mechanism of gold precipitation in the typical low-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit at the Hishikari mine was quantified by submillimeter scale oxygen isotope analyses of vein quartz. In situ CO₂ laser-ablated fluorination was used to measure temporal δ¹⁸O excursions. The calculated oxygen isotopic compositions of the ore-forming fluid indicate a dynamic process of epithermal vein formation. Intermittent opening of the vein allowed introduction of metal-bearing deep fluid to the epithermal system, and associated boiling and subsequent mixing with meteoric water caused precipitation of precious metals.     

Petrology of Franciscan Metabasites Along the Jadeite-Glaucophane Type Facies Series, Cazadero, California

The Cazadero blueschist allochthon lies within the Central MelangeBelt of the Franciscan assemblage in the northern Coast Rangeof California. Mineral compositions and assemblages of morethan 200 blueschists from Ward Creek were investigated. Theresults delineate lawsonite-, pumpellyite-, and epidote-zones.The lawsonite and pumpellyite zones are equivalent to the TypeII metabasites of Coleman & Lee (1963) and are characterizedby well-preserved igneous textures, relict augite, and pillowstructures, whereas epidote zone rocks are equivalent to theType III strongly deformed and schistose metabasites. Chlorite,phengite, aragonite, sphene, and minor quartz and albite areubiquitous. The lawsonite zone metabasites contain lawsonite ( < 3 wt.per cent Fe₂O₃), riebeckite-crossite, chlorite, and Ca-Na-pyroxene;some rocks have two distinct clinopyroxenes separated by a compositionalgap. The clinopyroxene of the lowest grade metabasites containsvery low X_jd. In pumpellyite zone metabasites, the most commonassemblages contain Pm + Cpx + Gl + Chl and some samples withhigher Al₂O₃ and/or Fe₂O₃ have Pm + Lw + Cpx + Chl, Actinolitejoins the above assemblage in the upper pumpellyite zone wherethe actinolite-glaucophane compositional gap is well defined.The epidote zone metabasites are characterized by the assemblagesEp + Cpx + two amphiboles + Chl, Lw + Pm + Act + Chl, and Ep+ Pm + two amphiboles + Chl depending on the Fe₂O₃ content ofthe rock. In the upper epidote zone, winchite appears, Fe-freelawsonite is stable, pumpellyite disappears and omphacite containsvery low Ac component. Therefore, the common assemblages areEp + winchite + Lw, and Lw + Omp + winchite. With further increasein metamorphic grade, epidote becomes Al-rich and lawsoniteis no longer stable. Hence Ep + winchite + omphacite ? garnetis characteristic. Mineral assemblages and paragenetic sequences delineate threediscontinuous reactions: (1) pumpellyite-in; (2) actinolite-in;and (3) epidote-in reactions. Using the temperatures estimatedby Taylor & Coleman (1968) and phase equilibria for Ca-Na-pyroxenes,the P–T positions of these reactions and the metamorphicgradient are located. All three metabasite zones occur withinthe aragonite stability field and are bounded by the maximumpressure curve of Ab = Jd + Qz and the maximum stabilities ofpumpellyite and lawsonite. The lawsonite zone appears to bestable at T below 200?C with a pressure range of 4–6?5kb; the pumpellyite zone between 200 and 290?C and the epidotezone above 290?C with pressure variation between 6?5 and 9 kb.The metamorphic field gradient appears to have a convex naturetowards higher pressure. A speculative model of underplatingseamounts is used to explain such feature.     

The Geochemistry of Ultramafic to Mafic Volcanics from the Belingwe Greenstone Belt, Zimbabwe: Magmatism in an Archean Continental Large Igneous Province

The evolution of the late Archean Belingwe greenstone belt,Zimbabwe, is discussed in relation to the geochemistry of theultramafic to mafic volcanic rocks. Four volcanic types (komatiite,komatiitic basalt, D-basalt and E-basalt) are distinguishedin the 2·7 Ga Ngezi volcanic sequence using a combinationof petrography and geochemistry. The komatiites and D-basaltsare rocks in which isotopic systems and trace elements are depleted.Chemical variations in komatiites and D-basalts can be explainedby fractional crystallization from the parental komatiite. Incontrast, komatiitic basalts and E-basalts are siliceous anddisplay enriched isotopic and trace element compositions. Theirchemical trends are best explained by assimilation with fractionalcrystallization (AFC) from the primary komatiite. AFC calculationsindicate that the komatiitic basalts and E-basalts are derivedfrom komatiites contaminated with 20% and 30% crustal material,respectively. The volcanic stratigraphy of the Ngezi sequence,which is based on field relationships and the trace elementcompositions of relict clinopyroxenes, shows that the leastcontaminated komatiite lies between highly contaminated komatiiticbasalt flows, and has limited exposure near the base of thesuccession. Above these flows, D- and E-basalts alternate. Thekomatiite appears to have erupted on the surface only in theearly stages, when plume activity was high. As activity decreasedwith time, komatiite magmas may have stagnated to form magmachambers within the continental crust. Subsequent komatiiticmagmas underwent fractional crystallization and were contaminatedwith crust to form D-basalts or E-basalts. KEY WORDS: komatiite; crustal assimilation; Belingwe greenstone belt; continental flood basalt; plume magmatism     

Parageneses and compositions of amphiboles from Franciscan jadeite–glaucophane type facies series metabasites at Cazadero, California

Abstract Sodic amphiboles are common in Franciscan type II and type III metabasites from Cazadero, California. They occur as (1) vein-fillings, (2) overgrowths on relict augites, (3) discrete tiny crystals in the groundmass, and (4) composite crystals with metamorphic Ca–Na pyroxenes in low-grade rocks. They become coarse-grained and show strong preferred orientation in schistose high-grade rocks. In the lowest grade, only riebeckite to crossite appears; with increasing grade, sodic amphibole becomes, first, enriched in glaucophane component, later coexists with actinolite, and finally, at even higher grade, becomes winchite. Actinolite first appears in foliated blueschists of the upper pumpellyite zone. It occurs (1) interlayered on a millimetre scale with glaucophane prisms and (2) as segments of composite amphibole crystals. Actinolite is considered to be in equilibrium with other high-pressure phases on the basis of its restricted occurrence in higher grade rocks, textural and compositional characteristics, and Fe/Mg distribution coefficient between actinolite and chlorite. Detailed analyses delineate a compositional gap for coexisting sodic and calcic amphiboles. At the highest grade, winchite appears at the expense of the actinolite–glaucophane pair. Compositional characteristics of Franciscan amphiboles from Ward Creek are compared with those of other high P/T facies series. The amphibole trend in terms of major components is very sensitive to the metamorphic field gradient. Na-amphibole appears at lower grade than actinolite along the higher P/T facies series (e.g. Franciscan and New Caledonia), whereas reverse relations occur in the lower P/T facies series (e.g. Sanbagawa and New Zealand). Available data also indicate that at low-temperature conditions, such as those of the blueschist and pumpellyite–actinolite facies, large compositional gaps exist between Ca- and Na-amphiboles, and between actinolite and hornblende, whereas at higher temperatures such as in the epidote–amphibolite, greenschist and eclogite facies, the gaps become very restricted. Common occurrence of both sodic and calcic amphiboles and Ca–Na pyroxene together with albite + quartz in the Ward Creek metabasites and their compositional trends are characteristic of the jadeite–glaucophane type facies series. In New Caledonia blueschists, Ca–Na pyroxenes are also common; Na-amphiboles do not appear alone at low grade in metabasites, instead, Na-amphiboles coexist with Ca-amphiboles throughout the progressive sequence. However, for metabasites of the intermediate pressure facies series, such as those of the Sanbagawa belt, Japan and South Island, New Zealand, Ca–Na pyroxene and glaucophane are not common; sodic amphiboles are restricted to crossite and riebeckite in composition and clinopyroxenes to acmite and sodic augite, and occur only in Fe₂O₃-rich metabasites. The glaucophane component of Na-amphibole systematically decreases from Ward Creek, New Caledonia, through Sanbagawa to New Zealand. This relation is consistent with estimated pressure decrease employing the geobarometer of Maruyama et al. (1986). Similarly, the decrease in tschermakite content and increase in NaM₄ of Ca-amphiboles from New Zealand, through Sanbagawa to New Caledonia is consistent with the geobarometry of Brown (1977b). Therefore, the difference in compositional trends of amphiboles can be used as a guide for P–T detail within the metamorphic facies series.     

Ca‐Al‐Fe‐rich inclusion in the Vigarano CV3 chondrite

Abstract– An anomalous Ca‐Al‐Fe‐rich spherical inclusion (CAFI) was found in the Vigarano CV3 chondrite. The CAFI has an igneous texture and contains large amounts of almost pure and coarse‐grained hercynite grains (approximately 56 vol%) as well as refractory phases such as grossite and perovskite. However, melilite and Mg‐spinel, which are common in ordinary Ca‐Al‐rich inclusions, are very rare (<1 vol%). Another unique characteristic of the CAFI is the presence in its core of dmitryivanovite (CaAl₂O₄), which was formed by shock metamorphism of a low‐pressure form of CaAl₂O₄ that was originally crystallized from a molten droplet. The fine‐grained hercynite and unidentified aluminous phase in the rim of the CAFI may have been produced from grossite during aqueous alteration in the Vigarano parent body.     

Clinopyroxene–a mineral telescoped through the processes of blueschist facies metamorphism

Abstract Textural evolution and compositional variation of clinopyroxenes in Ward Creek metabasites are described. Pyroxenes change, with increasing grade, from finegrained aggregates through fan-shaped medium-grained prisms to blocky coarse crystals. Characteristic features of metamorphic pyroxenes include: (1) the occurrence of coexisting pyroxene pairs, the compositions of which are used to delineate compositional gaps; (2) the existence of large compositional variations of pyroxenes, within a single specimen, which record a considerable span of P and/or T for crystallization; and, (3) the development of compositional trends in single specimens and in three metamorphic zones which are progressive in nature. The first formed clinopyroxene (Jd₂₀Aug₆₅Ac₁₅) in the lower lawsonite zone mimics the composition of relict igneous augite. It changes continuously, with increasing grade, at nearly constant low X_Jd content towards acmite. At a composition around Jd₂₀Aug₃₀Ac₅₀, the trend turns towards jadeite and intersects a solvus to form two coexisting clinopyroxenes in the middle lawsonite zone. At higher grade, the compositional gap becomes restricted towards the jadeite-omphacite join and clinopyroxene increases in X_Jd toward jadeite. A reversed compositional trend occurs at higher grade; clinopyroxenes decrease in jadeite component at nearly constant Aug/Ac ratio of 50/50 and finally become omphacite in the uppermost pumpellyite and epidote zones. The Na–Ca pyroxenes, close to the binary join Jd–Ac, occur in the lawsonite- and pumpellyite-zones, ranging from X_Jd= 1.0–0.30 together with Ab and Qz. The ubiquitous occurrence of aragonite at temperature estimates of 170–240° C by Taylor & Coleman (1968) for these zones does not support the low-temperature extrapolation of the Jd–Ab–Qz curve by Holland (1980). The estimated metamorphic field gradient indicates an inflection point at 7 kbar, 200° C. Below this, blueschist facies metamorphism proceeded under dominant pressure-increase from 4 to 7 kbar at nearly constant temperature, about 150–200° C, whereas at higher grade recrystallization, above the inflection point, the metamorphic temperature increased from 200 to 350° C at nearly constant pressure, about 7–8 kbar. Such an inflection point suggests the depth of underplating of either seamounts or accretionary packages in a subduction zone.     

Layered Lithospheric Mantle Beneath the Ontong Java Plateau: Implications from Xenoliths in Alnoite, Malaita, Solomon Islands

A varied suite of mantle xenoliths from Malaita, Solomon Islands,was investigated to constrain the evolution of the mantle beneaththe Ontong Java Plateau. Comprehensive petrological and thermobarometricstudies make it possible to identify the dominant processesthat produced the compositional diversity and to reconstructthe lithospheric stratigraphy in the context of a paleogeotherm.P–T estimates show that both peridotites and pyroxenitescan be assigned to a shallower or deeper origin, separated bya garnet-poor zone of 10 km between 90 and 100 km. This zoneis dominated by refractory spinel harzburgites (Fo_91–92),indicating the occurrence of an intra-lithospheric depletedzone. Shallower mantle (