The Garnet+Hornblende Isograd in Calcic Schists from an Andalusite-Type Regional Metamorphic Terrain, Panamint Mountains, California

Calcic schists in the andalusite-type regional metamorphic terrainin the Panamint Mountains, California, contain the low-varianceassemblage quartz+epidote+muscovite+biotite+calcic amphibole+chlorite+plagioclase+spheneat low grade. Near the sillimanite isograd, chlorite in thisassemblage is replaced by garnet. The low variance in many calcicschists allows the determination of the nature of the reactionthat resulted in the coexistence of garnet+hornblende. A graphicalanalysis of the mineral assemblages shows that the reactioncan not be of the form biotite+epidote+chlorite+plagioclase+quartz=garnet+hornblende+muscovite+sphene+H₂Obecause garnet+chlorite never coexisted during metamorphismand the chlorite-bearing and garnet-bearing phase volumes donot overlap. The compositions of the minerals show that withincreasing grade amphibole changed from actinolite to pargasitichornblende with no apparent miscibility gap, the partitioningof Fe and Mg between chlorite and hornblende changed from K_D(Mg/Fe, chl&amp) < 1 to K_D > 1, the partitioning betweenbiotite and hornblende changed from K_D (Mg/Fe, bio/amp) <1 in chlorite-zone samples to K_D > 1 in garnet + hornblende-zonesamples, and the transition to the garnet-bearing assemblageoccurred when the composition of plagioclase was between An₅₅and An₈₀. Both the graphical analysis and an analytical analysisof the compositions of the minerals using simplified componentsderived from the natural mineral compositions indicate thatat the garnet+hornblende isograd the composition of hornblendewas colinear with that of plagioclase and biotite, as projectedfrom quartz, epidote, muscovite, and H₂O. During progressivemetamorphism, chlorite+biotite+epidote+quartz continuously brokedown to form hornblende+muscovite+sphene until the degeneracywas reached. At that point, tie lines from hornblende couldextend to garnet without allowing garnet to coexist with chlorite.Thus, the garnet+hornblende isograd was established throughcontinuous reactions within the chlorite-grade assemblage ratherthan through a discontinuous reaction. In this type of isograd,the low-grade diagnostic assemblage occurs only in Mg-rich rocks;whereas the high-grade assemblage occurs only in Fe-rich rocks.This relation accounts for the restricted occurrence of garnet+hornblendeassemblage in low-pressure terrains. In Barrovian terrains,garnet+chlorite commonly occurs, and the first appearana ofgarnet+hornblende can simply result from the continuous shiftof the garnet+chlorite tie line to Mg-rich compositions.     

Reactions to define the biotite isograd in the Ryoke metamorphic belt,Kii Peninsula,Japan

Two types of biotite isograd are defined in the low-grade metamorphism of the Wazuka area, a Ryoke metamorphic terrain in the Kii Peninsula, Japan. The first, BI₁, is defined by the reaction of chlorite+K-feldspar= biotite+muscovite+quartz+H₂O that took place in psammitic rocks, and the second, BI₂, by the continuous reaction between muscovite, chlorite, biotite and quartz in pelitic rocks. The Fe/Mg ratios of the host rocks do not significantly affect the reactions. From the paragenesis of pelitic and psammitic metamorphic rocks, the following mineral zones were established for this low-pressure regional metamorphic terrain: chlorite, transitional, chlorite-biotite, biotite, and sillimanite. The celadonite content of muscovite solid solution in pelitic rocks decreases systematically with the grade of metamorphism from 38% in the chlorite zone to 11% in the biotite zone. Low pressure does not prohibit muscovite from showing the progressive change of composition, if only rocks with appropriate paragenesis are chosen. A qualitative phase diagram of the AKF system relevant to biotite formation suggests that the higher the pressure of metamorphism, the higher the celadonite content of muscovite at BI₁, which is confirmed by comparing the muscovites from the Barrovian and Ryoke metamorphism.     

Progressive sequence of reactions of the Ryoke metamorphism in the Yanai district, southwest Japan: the formation of cordierite

The compositions of biotite and muscovite were examined in terms of the paragenesis and the metamorphic grade in low- to medium-grade pelitic rocks of the Ryoke metamorphism in the Yanai district, southwest Japan. The biotite and muscovite that coexist with K-feldspar have a higher K component in an A'KF diagram than those in rocks lacking K-feldspar. This fact reflects an increase in the K₂O content in muscovite, but in biotite it reflects an increase of not only the K₂O content but also of the octahedral vacancy.
At higher metamorphic grade beyond the cordierite isograd, where cordierite coexists with neither chlorite nor K-feldspar, the biotite shows an increase in illite, K Aliv □xii−1 Si−1, and Tschermak components, Alvi Aliv R+−1 Si−1, where □xii and R+ denote the interlayer vacancy and (Fe+Mg+Mn), respectively. A reaction to define the cordierite isograd is proposed by treating this chemical change as being responsible for the first appearance of cordierite, i.e. K,Al-poor biotite+phengitic muscovite=K,Al-rich biotite+cordierite+quartz+water .By treating this as a key reaction in medium-grade metamorphism, a set of reaction in a progressive metamorphism is established for the Ryoke metamorphism, a typical low-pressure type metamorphism. Some textures in one of the high-grade areas, the K-feldspar-cordierite zone, suggest that a further two prograde reactions have taken place, i.e. andalusite+biotite+quartz=cordierite+K-feldspar+water
and   andalusite=sillimanite.quartz=cordierite+K-feldspar+water
This implies that this zone probably has a P–T  path involving isobaric heating.     

Separate or shared metamorphic histories of eclogites and surrounding rocks? An example from the Bohemian Massif

Eclogite boudins occur within an orthogneiss sheet enclosed in a Barrovian metapelite‐dominated volcano‐sedimentary sequence within the Velké Vrbno unit, NE Bohemian Massif. A metamorphic and lithological break defines the base of the eclogite‐bearing orthogneiss nappe, with a structurally lower sequence without eclogite exposed in a tectonic window. The typical assemblage of the structurally upper metapelites is garnet–staurolite–kyanite–biotite–plagioclase–muscovite–quartz–ilmenite ± rutile ± silli‐manite and prograde‐zoned garnet includes chloritoid–chlorite–paragonite–margarite, staurolite–chlorite–paragonite–margarite and kyanite–chlorite–rutile. In pseudosection modelling in the system Na₂O–CaO–K₂O–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O (NCKFMASH) using THERMOCALC, the prograde path crosses the discontinuous reaction chloritoid + margarite = chlorite + garnet + staurolite + paragonite (with muscovite + quartz + H₂O) at 9.5 kbar and 570 °C and the metamorphic peak is reached at 11 kbar and 640 °C. Decompression through about 7 kbar is indicated by sillimanite and biotite growing at the expense of garnet. In the tectonic window, the structurally lower metapelites (garnet–staurolite–biotite–muscovite–quartz ± plagioclase ± sillimanite ± kyanite) and amphibolites (garnet–amphibole–plagioclase ± epidote) indicate a metamorphic peak of 10 kbar at 620 °C and 11 kbar and 610–660 °C, respectively, that is consistent with the other metapelites. The eclogites are composed of garnet, omphacite relicts (jadeite = 33%) within plagioclase–clinopyroxene symplectites, epidote and late amphibole–plagioclase domains. Garnet commonly includes rutile–quartz–epidote ± clinopyroxene (jadeite = 43%) ± magnetite ± amphibole and its growth zoning is compatible in the pseudosection with burial under H₂O‐undersaturated conditions to 18 kbar and 680 °C. Plagioclase + amphibole replaces garnet within foliated boudin margins and results in the assemblage epidote–amphibole–plagioclase indicating that decompression occurred under decreasing temperature into garnet‐free epidote–amphibolite facies conditions. The prograde path of eclogites and metapelites up to the metamorphic peak cannot be shared, being along different geothermal gradients, of about 11 and 17 °C km^?1, respectively, to metamorphic pressure peaks that are 6–7 kbar apart. The eclogite–orthogneiss sheet docked with metapelites at about 11 kbar and 650 °C, and from this depth the exhumation of the pile is shared.     

Reaction localization and softening of texturally hardened mylonites in a reactivated fault zone, central Argentina

The Tres Arboles ductile fault zone in the Eastern Sierras Pampeanas, central Argentina, experienced multiple ductile deformation and faulting events that involved a variety of textural and reaction hardening and softening processes. Much of the fault zone is characterized by a (D2) ultramylonite, composed of fine‐grained biotite + plagioclase, that lacks a well‐defined preferred orientation. The D2 fabric consists of a strong network of intergrown and interlocking grains that show little textural evidence for dislocation or dissolution creep. These ultramylonites contain gneissic rock fragments and porphyroclasts of plagioclase, sillimanite and garnet inherited from the gneissic and migmatitic protolith (D1) of the hangingwall. The assemblage of garnet + sillimanite + biotite suggests that D1‐related fabrics developed under upper amphibolite facies conditions, and the persistence of biotite + garnet + sillimanite + plagioclase suggests that the ultramylonite of D2 developed under middle amphibolite facies conditions. Greenschist facies, mylonitic shear bands (D3) locally overprint D2 ultramylonites. Fine‐grained folia of muscovite + chlorite ± biotite truncate earlier biotite + plagioclase textures, and coarser‐grained muscovite partially replaces relic sillimanite grains. Anorthite content of shear band (D3) plagioclase is c. An30, distinct from D1 and D2 plagioclase (c. An35). The anorthite content of D3 plagioclase is consistent with a pervasive grain boundary fluid that facilitated partial replacement of plagioclase by muscovite. Biotite is partially replaced by muscovite and/or chlorite, particularly in areas of inferred high strain. Quartz precipitated in porphyroclast pressure shadows and ribbons that help define the mylonitic fabric. All D3 reactions require the introduction of H⁺ and/or H₂O, indicating an open system, and typically result in a volume decrease. Syntectonic D3 muscovite + quartz + chlorite preferentially grew in an orientation favourable for strain localization, which produced a strong textural softening. Strain localization occurred only where reactions progressed with the infiltration of aqueous fluids, on a scale of hundreds of micrometre. Local fracturing and microseismicity may have induced reactivation of the fault zone and the initial introduction of fluids. However, the predominant greenschist facies deformation (D3) along discrete shear bands was primarily a consequence of the localization of replacement reactions in a partially open system.     

Muscovite dehydration melting: Reaction mechanisms,microstructures, and implications for anatexis

Dehydration melting of muscovite in metasedimentary sequences is the initially dominant mechanism of granitic melt generation in orogenic hinterlands. In dry (vapour-absent) crust, muscovite reacts with quartz to produce K-feldspar, sillimanite, and monzogranitic melt. When water vapour is present in excess, sillimanite and melt are the primary products of muscovite breakdown, and any K-feldspar produced is due to melt crystallization. Here we document the reaction mechanisms that control nucleation and growth of K-feldspar, sillimanite, and silicate melt in the metamorphic core of the Himalaya, and outline the microstructural criteria used to distinguish peritectic K-feldspar from K-feldspar grains formed during melt crystallization. We have characterized four stages of microstructural evolution in selected psammitic and pelitic samples from the Langtang and Everest regions: (a) K-feldspar nucleates epitaxially on plagioclase while intergrowths of fibrolitic sillimanite and the remaining hydrous melt components replace muscovite. (b) In quartzofeldspathic domains, K-feldspar replaces plagioclase by K⁺–Na⁺ cation exchange, while melt and intergrowths of sillimanite+quartz form in the aluminous domains. (c) At 7–8 vol.% melt generation, the system evolves from a closed to open system and all phases coarsen by up to two orders of magnitude, resulting in large K-feldspar porphyroblasts. (d) Preferential crystallization of residual melt on K-feldspar porphyroblasts and coarsened quartz forms an augen gneiss texture with a monzogranitic-tonalitic matrix that contains intergrowths of sillimanite+tourmaline+muscovite+apatite. Initial poikiloblasts of peritectic K-feldspar trap fine-grained inclusions of quartz and biotite by replacement growth of matrix plagioclase. During subsequent coarsening, peritectic K-feldspar grains overgrow and trap fabric-aligned biotite, resulting in a core to rim coarsening of inclusion size. These microstructural criteria enable a mass balance of peritectic K-feldspar and sillimanite to constrain the amount of free H₂O present during muscovite dehydration. The resulting modal proportion of K-feldspar in the Himalayan metamorphic core requires vapour-absent conditions during muscovite dehydration melting and leucogranite formation, indicating that the generation of large volumes of granitic melts in orogenic belts is not necessarily contingent on an external source of fluids.     

Intersecting Isograds in the Whetstone Lake Area, Ontario

Pelitic and calcareous rocks in the Whetstone Lake area havean unusually wide range of chemical composition. Metamorphicreactions have been deduced that represent the observed ‘discontinuities’in compatible mineral assemblages, and by plotting the reactantand the product assemblage of each reaction on a map, metamorphicisograds have been delincated ‘from both sides’.For the pelitic rocks, successively higher-grade isograds arebased on the following reactions: (1)chlorite+muscovite+garnetstaurolite+biotite+quartz+water; (2) chlorite+muscovite+staurolite+quartz kyanite+biotite+water; (3) kyanitesillimanite; (4)staurolite+museovite+quartzsillimanite+garnet+biotite+water. A fifth isograd, based on the reaction (5) biotite+calcite+quartzCa-amphibole+K-feldspar+carbon dioxide+water intersects the isograds based on reactions (2), (3), and (4)in such a manner as to indicate that the H₂O/CO₂ fugacity ratiowas significantly higher in the vicinity of a granite plutonthan in the metasedimentary rocks remote from the pluton. Chemicalanalyses of the coexisting minerals in reaction (5) indicatethat the real reaction may involve plagioclase, epidote, sphene,and Fe-Ti oxides as well.     

Analysis of Equilibrium in Garnet-Biotite-Sillimanite Gneisses from Quebec

An analysis is presented of equilibrium in six specimens ofgarnet—biotite—sillimanite—plagioclase—potashfeldspar—quartz ... gneiss from a metamorphic terrainin south-western Quebec. A nearly uniform Ti content of biotite may be accounted forby an equilibrium (a) involving biotite, sillimanite, quartz,garnet, potash feldspar, and H₂O. The nature of the distributionof Fe and Mg between garnet and biotite may be accounted forby another equilibrium (b) involving the same mineral suite,or by a simple exchange equilibrium (c) involving only garnetand biotite. The distribution of Mn between garnet and biotiteis accounted for by an exchange equilibrium (d). A nearly uniformvalue of the ratio Ca content of plagioclase/Ca content of garnetmay be accounted for by an equilibrium (e) involving plagioclase,garnet, sillimanite, and quartz. A proposed equilibrium (f)involving biotite, quartz, ilmenite, potash feldspar, sillimanite,and H₂O conflicts with equilibrium (a) and was evidently notestablished in the gneisses. The factors governing the Ca contentof biotite remain largely unknown. Some of these equilibria form potential indicators of relativegeologic temperature, pressure, and chemical potential of H₂O.     

Model of the Lomonosov diamond deposit as a water–rock system: Migration Species,Groundwater Saturation with Rock-Forming and Ore Minerals,and Ecological Assessment of Water Quality

Thermodynamic numerical simulations were carried out to determine the principal simple and complex migration species of Ca, Mg, Na, K, Al, B, Mn, Mo, Sr, and U with Cl^–, OH^–, SO₄^?2, HCO₃^?, and CO₃^2? in waters at the Lomonosov diamond deposit and to estimate the saturation indexes with respect to kaolinite, Na- and Mg-montmorillonite, Mg- and Na-saponite, muscovite and paragonite, biotite, phlogopite, chromite, pyrite, plagioclase (anorthite, labradorite, and andesine), olivine (forsterite and fayalite), diopside, pyrope, gypsum, anhydrite, barite, magnesite, calcite, dolomite, talc, chrysotile, chlorite, goethite, quartz, microcline, and albite. The waters are proved not to be saturated with respect to the primary (hydrothermal) minerals. The saturation of certain water samples with uranophane suggests that this mineral is of secondary genesis. The ascent of highly mineralized deep waters shall result in the dissolution of minerals whose concentrations are near the saturation ones. To maintain the ecological standards of the discharged waters, they should be diluted and/or purified by adsorbing dissolved U on a reducing reactive barrier.     

A Biotite Isograd in South-Central Maine, U.S.A.: Mineral Reactions, Fluid Transfer, and Heat Transfer

The biotite isograd in pelitic schists of the Waterville Formationinvolved reaction of muscovite + ankerite + rutile + pyrite+graphite + siderite or calcite to form biotite + plagioclase+ ilmenite. There was no single reaction in all pelites; eachrock experienced a unique reaction depending on the mineralogyand proportions of minerals in the chlorite-zone equivalentfrom which it evolved. Quartz, chlorite, and pyrrhotite werereactants in some rocks and products in others. All inferredbiotite-forming reactions involved decarbonation and desulfidation;some were dehydration reactions and others were hydration reactions.P-T conditions at the biotite isograd were near 3500 bars and400 °C. C-O-H-S fluids in equilibrium with the pelitic rockswere close to binary CO₂-H₂O mixtures with X_CO2 = 0.02–0.04.During the biotite-forming reaction, pelitic rocks (a) decreasedby 2–5 percent in volume, (b) performed – (4–11)kcal/liter P-V work on their surroundings, (c) absorbed 38–85kcal/liter heat from their surroundings, and (d) were infiltratedby at least 0.9–2.2 rock volumes H₂O fluid. The biotite isograd sharply marks the limit of a decarbonationfront that passed through the terrane during regional metamorphism.Decarbonation converted meta-shales with 6–10 per centcarbonate to carbonate-free pelitic schists. One essential causeof the decarbonation event was pervasive infiltration of theterrane by at least 1–2 rock volumes H₂O fluid early inthe metamorphic event under P-T conditions of the biotite isograd.Average shale contains 4–13 per cent siderite, ankerite,and/or calcite, but average pelitic schist is devoid of carbonateminerals. If the Waterville Formation serves as a general modelfor the metamorphism of pelitic rocks, it is likely that worldwidemany pelitic schists developed by decarbonation of shale caused,in part, by pervasive infiltration of metamorphic terranes byseveral rock volumes of aqueous fluid during an early stageof the metamorphic event.     

Paragonite–hornblende assemblages and their petrological significance: an example from the Austroalpine Schneeberg Complex, Southern Tyrol, Italy

ABSTRACT Paragonite-bearing amphibolites occur interbedded with a garbenschist-micaschist sequence in the Austroalpine Schneeberg Complex, southern Tyrol. The mineral assemblage mainly comprises paragonite + Mg-hornblende/tschermakite + quartz + plagioclase + biotite + ankerite + Ti-phase + garnet ± muscovite. Equilibrium P–T conditions for this assemblage are 550–600°C and 8–10 kbar estimated from garnet–amphibole–plagioclase–ilmenite–rutile and Si contents of phengitic muscovites. In the vicinity of amphibole, paragonite is replaced by symplectitic chlorite + plagioclase + margarite +± biotite assemblages. Muscovite in the vicinity of amphibole reacts to form plagioclase + biotite + margarite symplectites. The reaction of white mica + hornblende is the result of decompression during uplift of the Schneeberg Complex. The breakdown of paragonite + hornblende is a water-consuming reaction and therefore it is controlled by the availability of fluid on the retrogressive P–T path. Paragonite + hornblende is a high-temperature equivalent of the common blueschist-assemblage paragonite + glaucophane in Ca-bearing systems and represents restricted P–T conditions just below omphacite stability in a mafic bulk system. While paragonite + glaucophane breakdown to chlorite + albite marks the blueschist/greenschist transition, the paragonite + hornblende breakdown observed in Schneeberg Complex rocks is indicative of a transition from epidote-amphibolite facies to greenschist facies conditions at a flatter P–T gradient of the metamorphic path compared to subduction-zone environments. Ar/Ar dating of paragonite yields an age of 84.5 ± 1 Ma, corroborating an Eoalpine high-pressure metamorphic event within the Austroalpine unit west of the Tauern Window. Eclogites that occur in the Ötztal Crystalline Basement south of the Schneeberg Complex are thought to be associated with this Eoalpine metamorphic event.     

The Occurrrence of Garnet in the Granulite-Facies Terrane of the Addirondack Highlands and Elsewhere, an Amplification and a Reply

Elaborating on the theme of a previous paper (1965) and in responseto Buddington‘s criticism (1966) the present discussionis primarily concerned with the high-grade meta-morphic reactionsand regional-metamorphic zoning in the Adirondacks. The hypersthene isograd, delineated by the first appearanceof orthopyroxene as a product of P_w-T-controlted reactions involvinghornblende and biotite in quartz-buartz-bearing rocks. separatesthe almandite-amphibolite-facies terrane of the lowlands fromthe granulite-facies region of the highlands. In the almandite-amphibolite facies of the lowlands at leastone isograd, the orthoclase-garnet isograd, (Ruddington's lstgarnet isograd), can be recognized which is delineated by theP_w-T-controlled appearance of these minerals at the expenseof muscovite and part of the biotite and quartz. The granulite-facies terrane of the highlands is characterizedby the predominance of assemblages of the hornblende-granulitefacies in which orthopyroxene cocxists with hydrous mineralssuch as biotite and hornblende in apparent equilibrium. In theAdlrondacks there is no sizeable, regional development of thepyroxene-granulite facies where hydrous minerals are virtuallyabsent. Within the hornblende-granulite-facies terrane two isogradscan be recognized. The garent-clinopyroxene isograd (Buddington's3rd garnet isograd) delineates the regional development of garnet,clinopyroxene, and quartz by P₁-T-controlled reaction betweenorthopyroxene and plagioclase. The isograd defines in the easternAdirondack a region of the hornblende-clinopyroxene-almanditesubfacies of the honblende-granulite facies. In the westernAdirondacks, near the hypersthene isograd, a yet uncharted cordieriteisograd may define the areal extent of the biotite-cordierite-almanditesubfacies of the hornblende-granulite facies. The central portionof the Adirondacks, where cordierite is absent and garnet andclinopyroxene do not coexist except in silica-deficient rocks,is the region of the hornblende-orthopyroxene-plagioclase subfaciesof the hornblende-granulite facies.     

Empirical calibration of six geobarometers for the mineral assemblage quartz+muscovite+biotite+plagioclase+garnet

Six equilibria among quartz, plagioclase, biotite, muscovite, and garnet were empirically calibrated using mineral composition data from 43 samples having the assemblage quartz+muscovite+biotite+garnet+plagioclase+Al₂SiO₅ (sillimanite or kyanite). Pressures and temperatures in the data set used for calibration were determined through the simultaneous application of garnet-biotite geothermometry and garnet-quartz-plagioclase-Al₂SiO₅ geobarometry. Thermodynamic expressions for four of the six equilibria incorporate interaction parameters that model non-ideality in the mixing of cations in the octahedral sites of both muscovite and biotite. With pressure chosen as the dependent variable, multiple regression was used to solve for unknowns in the equilibrium thermodynamic expressions. The regressions yielded multiple correlation coefficients ranging from 0.983 to 0.999, with corresponding standard deviations of 338 and 92 bars in the residuals. The standard deviations in the residuals may be explained largely or entirely by the propagation of errors associated with electron microprobe analysis. These equilibria enable the determination of pressures from equilibrium assemblages of quartz+garnet+plagioclase+muscovite+biotite, and give results closely comparable to the experimentally calibrated garnet-quartz-plagioclase-Al₂SiO₅ geobarometer. Geobarometric applications should be restricted to rocks in which equilibrium constants and compositional variables fall within the same ranges as those used for calibration.     

Disequilibrium in the Ross of Mull Contact Metamorphic Aureole, Scotland: a Consequence of Polymetamorphism

The Ross of Mull pluton consists of granites and granodioritesand intrudes sediments previously metamorphosed at amphibolitefacies. The high grade and coarse grain size of the protolithis responsible for a high degree of disequilibrium in many partsof the aureole and for some unusual textures. A band of metapelitecontained coarse garnet, biotite and kyanite prior to intrusion,and developed a sequence of textures towards the pluton. InZone I, garnet is rimmed by cordierite and new biotite. In ZoneII, coarse kyanite grains are partly replaced by andalusite,indicating incomplete reaction. Coronas of cordierite + muscovitearound kyanite are due to reaction with biotite. In the higher-gradeparts of this zone there is complete replacement of kyaniteand/or andalusite by muscovite and cordierite. Cordierite chemistryindicates that in Zone II the stable AFM assemblage (not attained)would have been cordierite + biotite + muscovite, without andalusite.The observed andalusite is therefore metastable. Garnet is unstablein Zone II, with regional garnets breaking down to cordierite,new biotite and plagioclase. In Zone III this breakdown is welladvanced, and this zone marks the appearance of fibrolite andK-feldspar in the groundmass as a result of muscovite breakdown.Zone IV shows garnet with cordierite, biotite, sillimanite,K-feldspar and quartz. Some garnets are armoured by cordieriteand are inferred to be relics. Others are euhedral with Mn-richcores. For these, the reaction biotite + sillimanite + quartz garnet + cordierite + K-feldspar + melt is inferred. Usinga petrogenetic grid based on the work of Pattison and Harte,pressure is estimated at 3·2 kbar, and temperature atthe Zone II–III boundary at 650°C and in Zone IV asat least 750°C. KEY WORDS: contact metamorphism; disequilibrium     

Equilibria within the mineral assemblage quartz + muscovite + biotite + garnet + plagioclase,and implications for the mixing properties of octahedrally-coordinated cations in muscovite and biotite

Interaction parameters derived using empirical calibration methods indicate strong non-ideality in the mixing of octahedrally-coordinated cations in muscovite and biotite. The data set used for calibration comprises mineral compositions from 49 samples containing quartz, muscovite, biotite, garnet, plagioclase and Al₂SiO₅ (kyanite or sillimanite). Pressures and temperatures in the data set were determined through the simultaneous application of geothermometry based on the garnet-biotite FeMg₁ exchange equilibrium and geobarometry based on the anorthite-breakdown equilibrium. Two equilibria yielded simple expressions from which binary interaction parameters for octahedrally-coordinated cations in biotite could be directly determined. A four-component (Fe²⁺, Mg, Al, Ti) regular symmetric mixing model was assumed for biotite. One equilibrium yielded a simple expression from which an interaction parameter for the mixing of the MgAl-celadonite component in muscovite could be directly determined. Two sets of calculations were performed utilizing different calibrations of the garnet-biotite geothermometer and the anothite-breakdown geobarometer and different garnet activity models. Both placed samples within or near the stability field of the Al₂SiO₅ phase present in each sample and both yielded similar values for the interaction parameters within narrow uncertainties, indicating that the values are insensitive to differences in the underlying methods. Using the derived interaction parameters, activity models were formulated for the annite, phlogopite, eastonite, and siderophyllite components of biotite, and for the MgAl-celadonite component of muscovite. These were utilized for the empirical calibration of 45 fluid-independent equilibria involving unique combinations of phase components from the mineral assemblage garnet + plagioclase±biotite±muscovite±quartz. Forty-three of the equilibria may be applied as geobarometers to equilibrium assemblages of quartz + muscovite + biotite + garnet + plagioclase when care is taken to insure that applications are restricted to valid compositional ranges. For these, the calibrations yielded multiple correlation coefficients ranging from 0.953 to 0.998 and standard deviations of the residuals ranging from 597 to 118 bars.     

A petrogenetic grid for pelitic schists in the system SiO2-Al2O3-FeO-MgO-K2O-H2O

A quantitative petrogenetic grid for pelitic schists in the system KFMASH that includes the phases garnet, chlorite, biotite, chloritoid, cordierite, staurolite, talc, kyanite, andalusite, sillimanite, and pyrophyllite (with quartz, H₂O and muscovite or K-feldspar in excess) is presented. The grid is based on thermodynamic data of Berman et al. (1985) and Berman (1988) for endmember KFASH and KMASH equilibria and natural Fe-Mg partitioning for the KFMASH system. Calculation of P-T slopes and the change in Fe/(Fe+Mg) along reactions in the KFMASH system were made using the Gibbs method. In addition, the effect on the grid of MnO and CaO is evaluated quantitatively. The resulting grid is consistent with typical Buchan and Barrovian parageneses at medium to high grades. At low grades, the grid predicts an extensive stability field for the paragenesis chloritoid+biotite which arises because of the unusual facing of the reaction chloritoid+biotite + quartz+H₂O = garnet+chlorite+muscovite, which proceeds to the right with increasing T in the KFMASH system. However, the reaction proceeds to the left with increasing T in the MnKFASH system so the assemblage chloritoid + biotite is restricted to bulk compositions with high Fe/(Fe+Mg+Mn). Typical metapelites will therefore contain garnet+chlorite at low grades rather than chloritoid + biotite.     

Chemical mineralogy of some cordierite-bearing rocks near Yellowknife,Northwest Territories,Canada

Meta-graywacke and meta-argillite of Archean age near Yellowknife contain biotite, cordierite, gedrite and sillimanite isograds towards the Sparrow Lake granite pluton. The chemistry of biotite, cordierite, gedrite and garnet in rocks that up-grade from the cordierite isograd indicate a small range of chemical composition, particularly with reference to Mg, Fe and Mn. The analyses show further that among the coexisting ferromagnesian minerals Fe/Fe+ Mg ratio decreases in the sequence: garnet, gedrite, biotite, cordierite while Mn/Fe+Mg+Mn ratio decreases in the sequence garnet, gedrite, cordierite, biotite. The same order is also observed in the distribution diagrams. The regular distribution of Mg, Fe and Mn among the coexisting phases demonstrate that chemical equilibrium was attained and preserved in these Archean rocks. Mg-Fe distribution between cordierite and biotite appears to be dependent on the temperature of crystallization or metamorphic grade.     

Phase relations of biotite and stilpnomelane in the greenschist facies

Phase relations of biotite and stilpnomelane and associated silicate minerals have been studied in rocks of the greenschist facies, chiefly from Otago, New Zealand and western Vermont, but also from Scotland, Minnesota-Michigan iron range, and northwest Washington. That stilpnomelane in the greenschicht facies crystallizes initially with nearly all iron in the ferrous state is indicated by chemical analyses, high p-T experiments, and phase relationships. Alteration of stilpnomelane after metamorphism not only oxidizes iron but leaches potassium; corrections for both effects must be made in using analyses of brown stilpnomelane in studies of phase relations. Two discontinuous reactions which produce biotite at the biotite isograd have been identified:

1. muscovite+stilpnomelane+actinolite→ biotite+chlorite+epidote
2. chlorite+microcline→ biotite+muscovite. Biotite produced by the first of these reactions has a limited range of variation in Fe/Mg. As grade advances within the biotite zone more magnesian and ferruginous biotites become stable in consequence of the two continuous reactions:
3. muscovite+actinolite+chlorite→ biotite (Mg-rich)+epidote
4. muscovite+stilpnomelane→ biotite (Fe-rich)+chlorite.

Stilpnomelane is stable in muscovite-free rocks throughout the biotite zone, and even up to the grade at which hornblende becomes stable. Phengitic muscovite is stable throughout the biotite zone in New Zealand and thus apparently does not contribute to the formation of biotite until a higher grade is reached.     

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of Neoproterozoic Mylliem granitoids,Meghalaya Plateau,northeastern India

The Mylliem granitoids of the Meghalaya Plateau, northeastern India, represent one of the disharmonic Neoproterozoic igneous plutons, which are intrusive into low-grade Shillong Group of metasediments. Field studies indicate that the Mylliem granitoids cover an area of about 40 km² and is characterized by development of variable attitude of primary foliations mostly marked along the margin of the pluton. Xenoliths of both Shillong Group of metasediments and mafic rocks have been found to occur within Mylliem granitoids. Structural study of the primary foliation is suggestive of funnel-shaped intrusion of Mylliem granitoids with no appreciable evidence of shearing. Petrographically, Mylliem granitoids are characterized by pink to white phenocrysts of prismatic microcline/perthite and lath-shaped plagioclase (An₂₀–An₂₉). Groundmass material is characterized by quartz, microcline, plagioclase, muscovite and biotite. Sphene and apatite occur as accessory minerals. Petrographically Mylliem granitoids have been discriminated as granite and granodiorite according to IUGS system of classification.     

The Origin of Sillimanite in Glen Clova, Angus

At the sillimanite isograd in Glen Clova, sillimanite appearsto have formed within biotite, rather than in kyanite. Biotiteis thought to have been a nucleating agent, the trigonally arrangedoxygen octahedra and tetrahedra in the alternate mica layersacting as nuclei for the growth of the octahedral Al–Oand the tetrahedral (Al, Si)–O chains that constitutethe sillimanite structure. Nucleation seems to have been dominantlyepitaxial; no permanent breakdown of biotite was involved, andit is suggested that Al and Si for sillimanite growth was mainlyderived from the solution of unstable kyanite.