Transformation of enstatite — diopside — jadeite pyroxenes to garnet

The high-pressure stability of enstatite(En)-diopside(Di)-jadeite(Jd) pyroxenes has been investigated experimentally with a split-sphere anvil apparatus (USSA-2000). On the enstatite-pyrope join, the compositions of garnet coexisting with enstatite were determined at 100–165 kbar and 1450–1850° C. The results indicate complete solubility between enstatite and pyrope. In the system CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ (CMAS), the compositions of coexisting pyroxenes and garnet were determined at 100–165 kbar and 1250–1750° C. At 157 kbar, 1650° C, garnet with the composition En₇₉Di₂₁ (mol%) forms on the En-Di join. In the system Na₂O-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ (NMAS), the compositions of coexisting pyroxenes and garnet were determined at 60–160 kbar and 1200–1850° C. On the En-Jd join, the first garnet has the composition En₄₈Jd₅₂ at 135 kbar, 1650° C, and En₅₃Jd₄₇ at 140 kbar, 1500° C. On the Di-Jd join, the first garnet with the composition Di₆₃Jd₃₇ forms around 170 kbar, 1650° C. In the En-Di-Jd system, the first appearance of garnet with the composition En₄₂Di₉Jd₄₉ is estimated at 133 kbar, 1650° C. The new pyroxene with the composition NaMg_0.5Si_2.5O₆ (NaPx) transforms to garnet at 154 kbar, 1650° C. The experimental results indicate that the transformation of a twopyroxene assemblage to garnet and residual pyroxene in the En-Di-Jd system could occur at pressures consistent with the 400 km seismic discontinuity and in a pressure interval of 0–3 kbar.     

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.     

Pressure-temperature path of Sanbagawa prograde metamorphism deduced from grossular zoning of garnet

The zonal structure of prograde garnet in pelitic schists from the medium-grade garnet zone and the higher-grade albite-biotite zone was examined to investigate the evolution of prograde P–T paths of the Sanbagawa metamorphism. The garnet studied shows a bell-shaped chemical zoning of the spessartine component, which decreases in abundance from the core towards the rim. Almandine and pyrope contents and X_Mg [=Mg/(Mg+Fe²⁺)] increase monotonously outwards. The general scheme of the zonal structure for grossular content [X_Grs=Ca/(Fe²⁺+Mn+Mg+Ca)] can be summarized as: (1) X_Grs increases outwards (inner segment) and reaches a maximum at an intermediate position between the crystal core and the rim, then decreases towards the outermost rim (outer segment) (2) the inner segment of garnet in the garnet zone samples tends to have a higher X_Grs/X_Sps values for a given X_Sps than those in the albite–biotite zone samples (3) average X_Sps at the maximum X_Grs position in the albite–biotite zone samples ranges from 0.02 to 0.12 and is lower than that in the garnet zone samples (0.13–0.32) (4) the maximum X_Grs in the albite–biotite zone samples (0.34–0.39 on average) tends to be higher than that in the garnet zone samples (0.26–0.36), and (5) differences of X_Grs between the maximum and rim in the albite–biotite zone samples are between 0.10 and 0.14 and higher than those in the garnet zone samples (< 0.11). These facts imply that albite–biotite zone materials (a) were recrystallized under lower dP/dT conditions at an early stage of the prograde metamorphism (b) began their exhumation under higher P–T conditions and (c) have been continuously heated during exhumation for a longer duration than the garnet zone materials. The systematic changes of prograde P–T paths can be interpreted as documenting the evolution of the Sanbagawa subduction zone.     

Petrology of pelitic schists in the oligoclase-biotite zone of the Sanbagawa metamorphic terrain, Japan: phase equilibria in the highest grade zone of a high-pressure intermediate type of metamorphic belt

The oligoclase-biotite zone of the Bessi area, central Shikoku is characterized by sodic plagioclase (X_Ca= 0.10–0.28)-bearing assemblages in pelitic schists, and represents the highest-grade zone of the Sanbagawa metamorphic terrain. Mineral assemblages in pelitic schists of this zone, all with quartz, sodic plagioclase, muscovite and clinozoisite (or zoisite), are garnet + biotite + chlorite + paragonite, garnet + biotite + hornblende + chlorite, and partial assemblages of these two types. Correlations between mineral compositions, mineral assemblages and mineral stability data assuming PH₂O = P_solid suggests that metamorphic conditions of this zone are about 610 ± 25°C and 10 ± 1 kbar.
Based upon a comparative study of mineralogy and chemistry of pelitic schists in the oligoclase-biotite zone of the Sanbagawa terrain with those in the New Caledonia omphacite zone as an example of a typical high-pressure type of metamorphic belt and with those in a generalized'upper staurolite zone'as an example of a medium-pressure type of metamorphic belt, progressive assemblages within these three zones can be related by reactions such as:     

A revision of the garnet-clinopyroxene Fe2+-Mg exchange geothermometer

A comprehensive experimental dataset was used to analyse the compositional dependence of the garnet-clinopyroxene Fe²⁺/Mg partition coefficient (K _d). The Mg no. of garnet was found to have a significant effect on the K _d, in addition to calcium content of garnet. An empirical model was developed to relate these effects with equilibrium temperature and pressure in the form of a conventional geothermometer, T(K) = { – 1629[X^Gt _Ca]² + 3648.55[X^Gt _Ca] – 6.59[Mg no. (Gt)] + 1987.98 + 17.66P (kbar)}/(In k_d + 1.076). Application of this thermometer produced reasonable temperature estimates for rocks from the lower crust (garnet amphibolites, granulites and eclogites) and the upper mantle (eclogite and lherzolite xenoliths in kimberlites, mineral inclusions in diamonds).     

Evolution of a tourmaline-bearing lawsonite eclogite from the Elekdağ area (Central Pontides,N Turkey): evidence for infiltration of slab-derived B-rich fluids during exhumation

An undated high-pressure low-temperature tectonic mélange in the Elekda area (central Pontides, N Turkey) comprises blocks of MORB-derived lawsonite eclogite within a sheared serpentinite matrix. In their outer shells, some of the eclogite blocks contain large (up to 6 cm) tourmaline crystals. Prograde inclusions in poikiloblastic garnet from a well-preserved eclogite block are lawsonite, epidote/clinozoisite, omphacite, rutile, glaucophane, chlorite, Ba-bearing phengite, minor actinolite, winchite and quartz. In addition, glaucophane, lawsonite and rutile occur as inclusions in omphacite. These inclusion assemblages document the transition from a garnet-lawsonite-epidote-bearing blueschist to a lawsonite eclogite with the peak assemblage garnet + omphacite I + lawsonite + rutile. Peak metamorphic conditions are not well-constrained but are estimated approximately 400–430°C and >1.35 GPa, based on Fe–Mg exchange between garnet and omphacite and the coexistence of lawsonite + omphacite + rutile. During exhumation of the eclogite–serpentinite mélange in the hanging wall of a subduction system, infiltration of B-rich aqueous fluids into the rims of eclogite blocks caused retrogressive formation of abundant chlorite, titanite and albite, followed by growth of tourmaline at the expense of chlorite. At the same time, omphacite I (X_Jd=0.24–0.44) became unstable and partially replaced by omphacite II characterized by higher X_Jd (0.35–0.48), suggesting a relatively low silica activity in the infiltrating fluid. Apart from Fe-rich rims developed at the contact to chlorite, tourmaline crystals are nearly homogeneous. Their compositions correspond to Na-rich dravite, perhaps with a small amount of excess (tetrahedral) boron (~5.90 Si and 3.10 B cations per 31 anions). ¹¹ B values range from –2.2 to +1.7. The infiltrating fluids were most probably derived from subducting altered oceanic crust and sediments.     

Constraining the prograde and retrograde P-T paths of granulites using decomposition of initially zoned garnets: an example from the Central Indian Tectonic Zone

The present study from the Sausar Mobile Belt (SMB) in the southern part of the Central Indian Tectonic zone (CITZ) demonstrates how microdomainal compositional variation of a single garnet porphyroblast in a metapelite granulite sample records the different segments of a near complete P-T path of metamorphic evolution. The microdomainal variation is ascribed to the preservation of growth zoning and heterogeneous distribution of diverse inclusion mineral assemblages. Subsequent mineral reactions under changing P/T conditions were controlled by this compositional heterogeneity. Four stages of metamorphic evolution have been deciphered. An early prograde stage (M_o) is implied by the rare presence of staurolite-biotite-quartz and in places of kyanite inclusion assemblages in other metapelite samples, together with the growth zoning preserved in garnet. The peak metamorphism (M₁) at ~9.5 kbar, ~850 °C is consistent with the biotite dehydration melting that produced garnet-K-feldspar and granitic leucosomes. This was followed by near isothermal decompression (M₂) at ~6 kbar, ~825 °C, during which different garnet segments behaved as separate microscale bulk compositions and decomposed both internally and externally to produce different retrograde mineral assemblages. In the quartz-bearing domain of almandine-rich and grossular-rich garnet core, grossular components in garnet reacted with included sillimanite and quartz to produce coronal plagioclase (X_An=0.90). By contrast, grossular-rich garnet in quartz-absent domain reacted with included sillimanite to produce layered spinel_ss {X_Mg (Mg/Mg+Fe²⁺) = 0.23–0.26}, X_Al (Al/Al+Fe³⁺)=0.71–0.81}-plagioclase (X_An=0.91)-cordierite {X_Mg (Mg/Mg+Fe²⁺) = 0.80–0.83} coronas both in the core and inner rim region of garnet. During post-decompression cooling, reactions occurred at about 600 °C (M₃), whereby quartz-bearing, sillimanite-absent microdomains of pyrope-rich, grossular-poor garnet outer rim decomposed to form relatively magnesian assemblages of cordierite-anthophyllite and cordierite-biotite-quartz. M₂ spinel_ss decomposed to polyphase domains of spinel-magnetite±högbomite at this stage. Collating the textural and geothermobarometric results, a clockwise P-T path has been deduced. The deduced P-T loop is consistent with a model of crustal thickening due to continental collision, followed by rapid vertical thinning, which appears to be the general feature of the Sausar Mobile Belt. Using model calculations of the preserved growth and diffusion zoning in garnet, we demonstrate rather short-lived nature of this collision orogeny (in the order of 40–60 Ma).Editorial responsibility: W. Schreyer     

Petrogenesis of Eclogite inclusions in the Moses Rock dyke,Utah, U.S.A.

Summary A detailed electron microprobe study of the mineralogy of fifteen eclogites from the Moses Rock kimberlitic dyke, Utah, has demonstrated complexity in compositional zoning of minerals. Most of the eclogites examined are of the almandine-jadeite type and zonal and irregular variation in grossular content of garnet and acmite, jadeite and diopside-hedenbergite content of pyroxene produce large uncertainties in temperature estimates based on Fe/Mg partitioning between garnet and clinopyroxene. Zoning pattems of increasingX _Mg in both clinopyroxene and garnet, and increasingX _Jd in clinopyroxene, suggest the introduction of Mg and Na throughout the evolution of these essentially bimineralic assemblages. Averaged data yield temperatures from 340°C to 500°C at 10 kbar for compositions of rims of coexisting garnet and clinopyroxene. Two samples contain pyrope-rich gamets but coexisting pyroxenes are extremely magnesian and temperatures of equilibration of both primary omphacite-pyrope and secondary omphacite-almandine/pyrope-chlorite are only slightly higher (500–650° at 10 kbar) than those for almandine jadeite eclogites and estimates overlap with those of some examples of the latter type. Unlike the majority of almandine-jadeite eclogites, two examples contain garnets with almandine-cores and pyrope-rich rims without accompanying variation in grossular content. The simple interpretation of these samples as evidence of garnet growth during prograde metamorphism is precluded by complex zoning in coexisting clinopyroxene. The eclogites provide evidence for the presence of a metamorphic terrane including rocktypes resembling those of blueschist terranes beneath the Colorado Plateau but do not permit deduction of theP,T path by which such rocktypes reached theirP,TT-conditions (10 kbar, 400–600°C) of metamorphism.

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Petrogenese von Eklogit-Einschlüssen im Moses Rock Dyke, Utah, U.S.A.

Zusammenfassung Eine detaillierte Studie der Mineralogie von fünfzehn Eklogiten vom Moses Rock Kimberlit-Dyke (Utah) mittels mikrosonde zeigte komplexe Zonierung der Zusammensetzung der Minerale. Die meisten der untersuchten Eklogite gehören zum Almandin-Jadeit-Typ; zonare und irreguläre Variationen der Grossularkomponente der Granate und der Akmit-, Jadeit- und der Diopsid-Hedenbergitkomponenten der Pyroxene resultieren in großen Unsicherheiten bei Temperaturabschätzungen auf der Basis von Fe/Mg-Verteilungen zwischen Granat und Clinopyroxenen. Durchschnittswerte von Randzonen koexistierender Granate und Clinopyroxene ergeben Temperaturen von 340°C bis 500°C für 10 kb.Zwei Proben enthielten pyropreichen Granat, die koexistierenden Clinopyroxene sind extrem Mg-reich und die Gleichgewichtstemperaturen sowohl von primärem Omphacit-Pyrop als auch von sekundärem Omphacit-Almandin/Pyrop-Chlorit sind nur geringfügig höher (500°–600°C bei 10 kb) als die für Almandin-Jadeit-Eklogite; die Schätzungen überlappen mit denen von einigen Proben des letzteren Typs.Im Gegensatz zur Mehrheit der Almandin-Jadeit-Eklogite enthalten zwei Proben Granate mit almandinreichen Kernen und pyropreichen Rändern ohne gleichzeitige Schwankungen im Grossulargehalt. Eine einfache Interpretation dieser als Beweis für Granatwachstum während prograder Metamorphose muß jedoch ausgeschlossen werden, da die koexistierenden Clinopyroxene komplex zoniert sind.Die Eklogite können als Beweis angesehen werden für das Vorhandensein eines metamorphen Bereichs unter dem Colorado-Plateau, der Gesteinstypen enthält, die denen der Glaukophanschieferfacies ähneln. Es können jedoch keine Aussagen über denP-T-Weg gemacht werden, über den diese Gesteinstypen ihre heute feststellbarenP-T-Bedingungen (400°–600°C, 10 kb) erreicht haben.

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With 7 Figures     

Cold subduction of the Neotethys: the metamorphic record from finely banded lawsonite and epidote blueschists and associated metabasalts of the Nagaland Ophiolite Complex,India

In this study, we have deduced the thermal history of the subducting Neotethys from its eastern margin, using a suite of partially hydrated metabasalts from a segment of the Nagaland Ophiolite Complex (NOC), India. Located along the eastern extension of the Indus‐Tsangpo suture zone (ITSZ), the N–S‐trending NOC lies between the Indian and Burmese plates. The metabasalts, encased within a serpentinitic mélange, preserve a tectonically disturbed metamorphic sequence, which from west to east is greenschist (GS), pumpellyite–diopside (PD) and blueschist (BS) facies. Metabasalts in all the three metamorphic facies record prograde metamorphic overprints directly on primary igneous textures and igneous augite. In the BS facies unit, the metabasalts interbedded with marble show centimetre‐ to metre‐scale interlayering of lawsonite blueschist (LBS) and epidote blueschist (EBS). Prograde HP/LT metamorphism stabilized lawsonite + omphacite (X_Jd = 0.50–0.56 to 0.26–0.37) + jadeite (X_Jd = 0.67–0.79) + augite + ferroglaucophane + high‐Si phengite (Si = 3.6–3.65 atoms per formula unit, a.p.f.u.) + chlorite + titanite + quartz in LBS and lawsonite + glaucophane/ferroglaucophane ± epidote ± omphacite (X_Jd = 0.34) + chlorite + phengite (Si = 3.5 a.p.f.u.) + titanite + quartz in EBS at the metamorphic peak. Retrograde alteration, which was pervasive in the EBS, produced a sequence of mineral assemblages from omphacite and lawsonite‐absent, epidote + glaucophane/ferroglaucophane + chlorite + phengite + titanite + quartz through albite + chlorite + glaucophane to lawsonite + albite + high‐Si phengite (Si = 3.6–3.7 a.p.f.u.) + glaucophane + epidote + quartz. In the PD facies metabasalts, the peak mineral assemblage, pumpellyite + chlorite + titanite + phengitic white mica (Si = 3.4–3.5 a.p.f.u.) + diopside appeared in the basaltic groundmass from reacting titaniferous augite and low‐Si phengite, with prehnite additionally producing pumpellyite in early vein domains. In the GS facies metabasalts, incomplete hydration of augite produced albite + epidote + actinolite + chlorite + titanite + phengite + augite mineral assemblage. Based on calculated T–M(H₂O), T–M(O₂) (where M represents oxide mol.%) and P–T pseudosections, peak P–T conditions of LBS are estimated at ~11.5 kbar and ~340 °C, EBS at ~10 kbar, 325 °C and PD facies at ~6 kbar, 335 °C. Reconstructed metamorphic reaction pathways integrated with the results of P–T pseudosection modelling define a near‐complete, hairpin, clockwise P–T loop for the BS and a prograde P–T path with a steep dP/dT for the PD facies rocks. Apparent low thermal gradient of 8 °C km^?1 corresponding to a maximum burial depth of 40 km and the hairpin P–T trajectory together suggest a cold and mature stage of an intra‐oceanic subduction zone setting for the Nagaland blueschists. The metamorphic constraints established above when combined with petrological findings from the ophiolitic massifs along the whole ITSZ suggest that intra‐oceanic subduction systems within the Neotethys between India and the Lhasa terrane/the Karakoram microcontinent were also active towards east between Indian and Burmese plates.     

Intermediate high-pressure exhumation of the northern segment of the Sanbagawa belt, Saruta-gawa area, central Shikoku, Japan

The retrograde chemical zonal structure of amphibole in hematite-bearing basic and quartz schists from the higher grade zone in the Saruta-gawa area of the Sanbagawa belt was studied to investigate the relationships between the prograde and retrograde P–T paths of the Sanbagawa metamorphism. This amphibole coexists with chlorite, epidote, muscovite, albite, quartz and hematite, and is composed of Al-rich core and Al-poor mantle. The core is fairly homogeneous and has a barroisitic composition. In the mantle part, ^[B]Na increases with decreasing ^[4]Al towards the margins, which have winchite–magnesioriebeckite compositions. The barroisite–winchite–magnesioriebeckite composite crystal is sometimes rimmed by actinolite and/or winchite with low ^[4]Al and ^[B]Na. The Al-rich core and Al-poor mantle are regarded as prograde and retrograde products, respectively. The retrograde mantle in the Saruta-gawa area: (1) is systematically richer in ^[B]Na [0.40–1.73 per formula unit (pfu; for O=23)] than that from the same grade zone in the Asemi-gawa area (0.19–0.78 pfu), about 8 km south of the studied area; (2) tends to be ^[B]Na-poorer (less than 1.73 pfu) than prograde sodic amphibole (up to 1.93 ^[B]Na pfu) produced in the peak temperature stage from the lower grade zone in the same and other areas; and (3) extends its compositional range towards higher ^[B]Na and lower ^[4]Al than prograde-formed amphibole from the same grade zone in the same area. These zonal characteristics imply that (1) the Saruta-gawa samples experienced retrograde metamorphism under higher P/T conditions than the Asemi-gawa samples, (2) the retrograde P–T path of the Saruta-gawa area passes on the lower pressure side of the metamorphic field gradient, and (3) the Saruta-gawa samples underwent retrograde metamorphism under higher P/T conditions than the prograde metamorphism. The higher P/T conditions of the retrograde metamorphism suggests an increasing dP/dT of the geotherm during exhumation. Retrograde P–T conditions during the formation of magnesioriebeckite can be roughly estimated at 7–8 kbar, 400–450°C based on semi-quantitative phase relations of actinolite–winchite–magnesioriebeckite–barroisite series associated with chlorite, epidote, muscovite, albite, quartz and hematite.     

Evidence for multiple burial–partial exhumation cycles from the Onodani eclogites in the Sambagawa metamorphic belt,central Shikoku,Japan

Eclogites from the Onodani area in the Sambagawa metamorphic belt of central Shikoku occur as layers or lenticular bodies within basic schists. These eclogites experienced three different metamorphic episodes during multiple burial and exhumation cycles. The early prograde stage of the first metamorphic event is recorded by relict eclogite facies inclusions within garnet cores (X_Sps 0.80–0.24, X_Alm 0–0.47). These inclusions consist of relatively almandine‐rich garnet (X_Sps 0.13–0.24, X_Alm 0.36–0.45), aegirine‐augite/omphacite (X_Jd 0.08–0.28), epidote, amphiboles (e.g. actinolite, winchite, barroisite and taramite), albite, phengite, chlorite, calcite, titanite, hematite and quartz. The garnet cores also contain polyphase inclusions consisting of almandine‐rich garnet, omphacite (X_Jd 0.27–0.28), amphiboles (e.g. actinolite, winchite, barroisite, taramite and katophorite) and phengite. The peak P–T conditions of the first eclogite facies metamorphism are estimated to be 530–590 °C and 19–21 kbar succeeded by retrogression into greenschist facies. The second prograde metamorphism began at greenschist facies conditions. The peak metamorphic conditions are defined by schistosity‐forming omphacites (X_Jd ≤ 49) and garnet rims containing inclusions of barroisitic amphibole, phengite, rutile and quartz. The estimated peak metamorphic conditions are 630–680 °C and 20–22 kbar followed by a clockwise retrograde P–T path with nearly isothermal decompression to 8–12 kbar. In veins cross‐cutting the eclogite schistosity, resorbed barroisite/Mg‐katophorite occurs as inclusions in glaucophane which is zoned to barroisite, suggesting a prograde metamorphism of the third metamorphic event. The peak P–T conditions of this metamorphic event are estimated to be 540–600 °C and 6.5–8 kbar. These metamorphic conditions are correlated with those of the surrounding non‐eclogitic Sambagawa schists. The Onodani eclogites were formed by subduction of an oceanic plate, and metamorphism occurred beneath an accretionary prism. These high‐P/T type metamorphic events took place in a very short time span between 100 and 90 Ma. Plate reconstructions indicate highly oblique subduction of the Izanagi plate beneath the Eurasian continent at a high spreading rate. This probably resulted in multiple burial and exhumation movements of eclogite bodies, causing plural metamorphic events. The eclogite body was juxtaposed with non‐eclogitic Sambagawa schists at glaucophane stability field conditions. The amalgamated metamorphic sequence including the Onodani eclogites were exhumed to shallow crustal/surface levels in early Eocene times (c. 50 Ma).     

The Blosseville Coast basalts of East Greenland: Their occurrence,composition and temporal variations

In the system CaO-MgO-A1₂O₃-SiO₂ the tie lines connecting anorthite with other phases are sequentially broken down with increasing pressure according to the following univariant reactions: anorthite+ enstatite_ss+sillimanite pyrope-grossular_ss+quartz (3), anorthite+enstatite_ss pyrope-grossular_ss+diopside_ss+quartz (2), anorthite+pyrope-grossular_ss+ quartz diopside_ss+kyanite (4) and anorthite+diopside_ss grossular-pyrope_ss +kyanite+quartz (8). At 1,200 ° C these reactions occur at 14.5± 0.5, 15.5±0.5, 19.5±0.5 and 26.4±1 kilobar and have positive slopes (dP/dT) of 1±0.5, 2.8±0.5, 13.3±0.5 and 24±2bars/°C respectively. An invariant point involving kyanite rather than sillimanite, occurs at 850 °C±25 °C and 14.5±0.5kbar at the intersection of reactions (3), (2) and (4). Reaction(4) exhibits significant curvature with an increase in dP/dT from 13.3±0.5 to 18.5± 0.5 bars/°C between 1,050° and 850° C. The pressure at which the complete grossular-pyrope join is stable with quartz is estimated at 41 ± 1 kbar at 1,200 ° C. The pressure at which garnet appears according to reaction (2) is lowered by 5 kbar for a composition with anorthite and orthopyroxene (En_0.5Fs_0.5). Enstatite and plagioclase (An_0.5Ab_0.5) first produce garnet at 2 kbar higher pressure than enstatite and pure anorthite (reaction (2)). The calcium content of garnet in various divariant assemblages is relatively insensitive to temperature but very sensitive to pressure, it is therefore a useful geobarometer. At metamorphic temperatures of 700–850 °C pressures of 8–10 kbar are required for the formation of quartz-bearing garnet granulites containing calcic plagioclase and with (Mg/Mg+Fe) bulk = 0.5.     

Diopside-jadeite join at 16–22 GPa

Phase relations on the diopside-jadeite join were experimentally determined at 16–22 GPa pressures and temperatures in the vicinity of 1500 °C under hydrous and 2100 °C under anhydrous conditions, using a split-sphere anvil apparatus (USSA-2000). Starting compositions on the diopside-jadeite join produced assemblages containing CaSiO₃ perovskite. This assured that the coexisting garnet with compositions in the ternary system Mg₂Si₂O₆(En)-CaMgSi₂O₆(Di)-NaAlSi₂ O₆(Jd) had the maximum Ca content possible under the given conditions. Garnet reached its maximum Ca content at 17 GPa, and exsolved CaSiO₃ perovskite at higher pressures. The garnet composition closest to the join, En₅Di_47.5Jd_47.5 (mol%), was reached at 18–19 GPa and 2100 °C. The maximum Na content of garnet limited by the coexisting pyroxene did not exceed 51 mol% jadeite at 22 GPa and 2100 °C. At 22 GPa, pyroxene was replaced with NaAlSiO₄ (calcium ferrite structure) and stishovite under anhydrous conditions, while in the presence of H₂O a new hydrous Na-bearing phase with the ideal composition Na₇(Ca, Mg)₃AlSi₅O₉(OH)₁₈ was synthesized instead. Garnet coexisting with CaSiO₃ perovskite and MgSiO₃ ilmenite at 22 GPa and 1400 °C was En₅₁Di₉Jd₄₀, coincidentally identical to the first garnet forming in the ternary system at 13 GPa. The new data are applicable to the Earth's transition zone (400–670 km depths) and suggest that the transformation from eclogite to garnetite would occur primarily over a limited depth interval from 400 to 500 km. Gaps in the observed garnet compositions suggest immiscibility, which could potentially cause a sharp 400 km discontinuity in an eclogitic mantle.     

The stability of merwinite in the system CaO-MgO-SiO2-H2O-CO2 with CO2-poor fluids

The stability of merwinite (Mw) and its equivalent assemblages, akermanite (Ak)+calcite (Cc), diopside (Di)+calcite, and wollastonite (Wo)+monticellite (Mc)+calcite was determined at T=500–900° C and P _f=0.5–2.0 kbar under H₂O–CO₂ fluid conditions with X _{CO 2}=0.5, 0.1, 0.05, and 0.02. Merwinite is stable at P _f=0.5 kbar with T>700° C and X _{CO 2}<0.1. At P _f=2.0 kbar, the assemblage Di+Cc replaces merwinite at all T and X _{CO 2} conditions. At intermediate P _f=1 kbar, the assemblage Ak+Cc is stable above 707° C and Wo+Mc+Cc is stable below 707° C. The univariant curve for the reaction Di+Cc=Wo+Mc+CO₂ is almost parallel to the T axis and shifts to low P _f with increasing X _{CO 2}, with the assemblage Di+Cc on the high-P _f side. The implications of the experimental results in regard to contact metamorphism of limestone are discussed using the aureole at Crestmore, California as an example.     

P–T–t evolution of garnet amphibolites in the Wutai–Hengshan area,North China Craton: insights from phase equilibria and geochronology

Garnet amphibolites can provide valuable insights into geological processes of orogenic belts, but their metamorphic evolution is still poorly constrained. Garnet amphibolites from the Wutai–Hengshan area of the North China Craton mainly consist of garnet, hornblende, plagioclase, quartz, rutile and ilmenite, with or without titanite and epidote. Four samples selected in a south–north profile were studied by the pseudosection approach in order to elucidate the characteristics of their metamorphic evolution, and to better reveal the northwards prograde change in P–T conditions as established previously. For the sample from the lower Wutai Subgroup, garnet exhibits obvious two‐substage growth zoning characteristic of pyrope (X_py) increasing but grossular (X_gr) decreasing outwards in the core, and both X_py and X_gr increasing outwards in the rim. Phase modelling using thermocalc suggests that the garnet cores were formed by chlorite breakdown over 7–9 kbar at 530–600 °C, and rims grew from hornblende and epidote breakdown over 9.5–11.5 kbar at 600–670 °C. The isopleths of the minimum An in plagioclase and maximum X_py in garnet were used to constrain the peak P–T conditions of ~11.5 kbar/670 °C. The modelled peak assemblage garnet + hornblende + epidote+ plagioclase + rutile + quartz matches well the observed one. Plagioclase–hornblende coronae around garnet indicate post‐peak decompression and fluid ingress. For the samples from the south Hengshan Complex, the garnet zoning weaken gradually, reflecting modifications during decompression of the rocks. Using the same approach, the rocks are inferred to have suprasolidus peak conditions, increasing northwards from 11.5 kbar/745 °C, 12.5 kbar/780 °C to 13 kbar/800 °C. Their modelled peak assemblages involve diopside, garnet, hornblende, plagioclase, rutile and quartz, yet diopside is not observed petrographically. The post‐peak decompression is characterized by diopside + garnet + quartz + melt = hornblende + plagioclase, causing the diopside consumption and garnet compositions to be largely modified. Thus, the pesudosection approach is expected to provide better pressure results than conventional thermobarometry, because the later approach cannot be applied with confidence to rocks with multi‐generation assemblages. U–Pb dating of zircon in the Wutai sample records a protolith age of c. 2.50 Ga, and a metamorphic age of c. 1.95 Ga, while zircon in the Hengshan samples records metamorphic ages of c. 1.92 Ga. The c. 1.95 Ga is interpreted to represent the pre‐peak or peak metamorphic stages, and the ages of c. 1.92 Ga are assigned to represent the cooling stages. All rocks in the Wutai–Hengshan area share similar clockwise P–T morphologies. They may represent metamorphic products at different crustal depths in one orogenic event, which included a main thickening stage at c. 1.95 Ga followed by a prolonged uplift and cooling after 1.92 Ga.     

Phase relations on the diopside-jadeite-hedenbergite join up to 24 GPa and stability of Na-bearing majoritic garnet

Phase relations on the diopside (Di)-hedenbergite (Hd)-jadeite (Jd) system modeling mineral associations of natural eclogites were studied for the compositions (mol %) Di₇₀Jd₃₀, Di₅₀Jd₅₀, Di₃₀Jd₇₀, Di₂₀Hd₈₀, and Di₄₀Hd₁₀Jd₅₀ using a toroidal anvil-with-hole (7 GPa) and a Kawai-type 6-8 multianvil apparatus (12-24 GPa). We established that Di, Hd, and Jd form complete series of solid solutions at 7 GPa, and melting temperatures of pure Di (1980 °C) and Jd (1870 °C) for that pressure were estimated experimentally. The melting temperature for the Di₅₀Jd₅₀ composition at 15.5 GPa is 2270 °C. The appearance of garnet is clearly dependent on initial clinopyroxene composition: at 1600 °C the first garnet crystals are observed at 13.5 GPa in the jadeite-rich part of the system (Di₃₀Jd₇₀), whereas diopside-rich starting material (Di₇₀Jd₃₀) produces garnet only above 17 GPa. The proportion of garnet increases rapidly above 18 GPa as pyroxene dissolves in the garnet structure and pyroxene-free garnetites are produced from diopside-rich starting materials. In all experiments, garnet coexists with stishovite (St). At a pressure above 18 GPa, pyroxene is completely replaced by an assemblage of majorite (Maj) + St + CaSiO₃-perovskite (Ca-Pv) in Ca-rich systems, whereas Maj is associated with almost pure Jd up to a pressure of 21.5 GPa. Above ∼22 GPa, Maj, and St are associated with NaAlSiO₄ with calcium ferrite structure (Cf). We established that an Hd component also spreads the range of pyroxene stability up to 20 GPa. In the Di₇₀Jd₃₀ system at 24 GPa an assemblage of Maj + Ca-Pv + MgSiO₃ with ilmenite structure (Mg-Il) was obtained. The experimentally established correlation between Na, Si, and Al contents in Maj and pressure in Grt(Maj)-pyroxene assemblages, may be the basis for a “majorite” geobarometer. The results of our experiments are applicable to the upper mantle and the transition zone of the Earth (400-670 km), and demonstrate a wide range of transformations from eclogite to perovskite-bearing garnetite. In addition, the mineral associations obtained from the experiments allowed us to simulate parageneses of inclusions in diamonds formed under the conditions of the transition zone and the lower mantle.     

Phase relations in the greenschist-blueschist-amphibolite-eclogite facies in the system Na2O-CaO-FeO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O (NCFMASH), with application to metamorphic rocks from Samos, Greece

Calculated phase equilibria among the minerals sodic amphibole, calcic amphibole, garnet, chloritoid, talc, chlorite, paragonite, margarite, omphacite, plagioclase, carpholite, zoisite/clinozoisite, lawsonite, pyrophyllite, kyanite, sillimanite, quartz and H₂O are presented for the model system Na₂O-CaO-FeO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O (NCFMASH), which is relevant for many greenschist, blueschist, amphibolite and eclogite facies rocks. Using the activity-composition relationships for multicomponent amphiboles constrained by Will and Powell (1992), equilibria containing coexisting calcic and sodic amphiboles could be determined. The blueschist–greenschist transition reaction in the NCFMASH system, for example, is defined by the univariant reaction sodic amphibole + zoisite = calcic amphibole + chlorite + paragonite + plagioclase (+ quartz + H₂O) occurring between approximately 420 and 450 °C at 9.5 to 10 kbar. The calculated petrogenetic grid is a valuable tool for reconstructing the PT-evolution of metabasic rocks. This is shown for rocks from the island of Samos, Greece. On the basis of mineral and whole rock analyses, PT-pseudosections were calculated and, together with the observed mineral assemblages and reaction textures, are used to reconstruct PT-paths. For rocks from northern Samos, pseudomorphs after lawsonite preserved in garnet, the assemblage sodic amphibole-garnet-paragonite-chlorite-zoisite-quartz and the retrograde appearance of albitic plagioclase and the formation of calcic amphibole around sodic amphibole constrain a clockwise PT-path that reaches its thermal maximum at some 520 °C and 19 kbar. The derived PT-trajectory indicates cooling during exhumation of the rocks and is similar to paths for rocks from the western part of the Attic-Cycladic crystalline complex. Rocks from eastern Samos indicate lower pressures and are probably related to high-pressure rocks from the Menderes Massif in western Turkey. Received: 8 July 1997 / Accepted: 11 February 1998     

The garnet-clinopyroxene Fe-Mg geothermometer — a reinterpretation of existing experimental data

Experimental data on the partitioning of Fe²⁺ and Mg between garnet and clinopyroxene (Råheim and Green 1974; Mori and Green 1978; Ellis and Green 1979) have been used to construct a new expression for the garnet-clinopyroxene geothermometer, including a curvilinear relationship between In Kd and X _Ca(ga): T(°C)=((-6173(X_Ca)²+6731 X _Ca+1879 +10 P(kb))/(lnKd+1.393))–273Application of this geothermometer to a suite of samples of eclogites and associated omphacite-garnet-bearing gneisses from the uppermost allochthon within the North Norwegian Caledonides shows that the calculated temperatures do not vary with rather great variations in the mg number of the garnet (0.17–0.54) and Na content of the clinopyroxene (0.11–0.44). Temperatures below 900° C calculated using the present equation are somewhat lower than those obtained by the method of Powell (1985), the difference being larger for lower temperatures and lower values of X _Ca.     

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.     

The partitioning of Fe and Mg between olivine and carbonate and the stability of carbonate under mantle conditions

We have investigated the effect of Fe on the stabilities of carbonate (carb) in lherzolite assemblages by determining the partitioning of Fe and Mg between silicate (olivine; ol) and carbonates (magnesite, dolomite, magnesian calcite) at high pressures and temperatures. Fe enters olivine preferentially relative to magnesite and ordered dolomite, but Fe and Mg partition almost equally between disordered calcic carbonate and olivine. Measurement of K _d (X _Fe ^carb X _Mg ^ol /X _Fe ^ol X _Mg ^carb ) as a function of Fe/ Mg ratio indicates that Fe–Mg carbonates deviate only slightly from ideality. Using the regular solution parameter for olivine W _FeMg ^ol of 3.7±0.8 kJ/mol (Wiser and Wood 1991) we obtain for (FeMg)CO₃ a W _FeMg ^carb of 3.05±1.50 kJ/mol. The effect of Ca–Mg–Fe disordering is to raise K _d substantially enabling us to calculate W _CaMg ^carb -W _CaFe ^carb of 5.3±2.2 kJ/mol. The activity-composition relationships and partitioning data have been used to calculate the effect of Fe/Mg ratio on mantle decarbonation and exchange reactions. We find that carbonate (dolomite and magnesian calcite) is stable to slightly lower pressures (by 1 kbar) in mantle lherzolitic assemblages than in the CaO–MgO–SiO₂(CMS)–CO₂ system. The high pressure breakdown of dolomite + orthopyroxene to magnesite + clinopyroxene is displaced to higher pressures (by 2 kbar) in natural compositions relative to CMS. CO₂. We also find a stability field of magnesian calcite in lherzolite at 15–25 kbar and 750–1000°C.