Characterization of non-equilibrium and equilibrium occurrences of paragonite/muscovite intergrowths in an eclogite from the Sesia–Lanzo Zone (Western Alps, Italy)

 Coexisting muscovite and paragonite have been observed in an eclogite from the Sesia–Lanzo Zone (Western Alps, Italy). The P-T conditions of this eclogite reached 570–650 °C and 19–21 kbar and the rocks show several stages of mineral growth during their retrograde path, ranging from the subsequent lower-P eclogite facies to the blueschist facies and then the greenschist facies. Muscovite and paragonite are very common in these rocks and show two texturally different occurrences indicating equilibrium and non-equilibrium states between them. In one mode of occurrence they coexist in equilibrium in the lower-P eclogite facies. In the same rock muscovite ± albite also replaced paragonite during a greenschist-facies overprint, as evidenced by unique across – (001) layer boundaries. The chemical compositions of the lower-P eclogite-facies micas plot astride the muscovite – paragonite solvus, whereas the compositions of the greenschist-facies micas lie outside the solvus and indicate disequilibrium. The TEM observations of the textural relations of the greenschist-facies micas imply structural coherency between paragonite and muscovite along the layers, but there is a sharp discontinuity in the composition of the octahedral and tetrahedral sheets across the phase boundary. We propose that muscovite formed through a dissolution and recrystallization process, since no gradual variations toward the muscovite – paragonite interfaces occur and no intermediate, homogeneous Na-K phase has been observed. Because a solid-state diffusion mechanism is highly unlikely at these low temperatures (300–500 °C), especially with respect to octahedral and tetrahedral sites, it is assumed that H₂O plays an important role in this process. The across-layer boundaries are inferred to be characteristic of such non-equilibrium replacement processes. The characterization of these intergrowths is crucial to avoiding erroneous assumptions regarding composition and therefore about the state of equilibrium between both micas, which in turn may lead to misinterpretations of thermometric results. Received: 3 February 1999 / Accepted: 19 October 1999     

Mixing properties of phengitic micas and revised garnet-phengite thermobarometers

Mixing properties for muscovite–celadonite–ferroceladonite solid solutions are derived from combining available experimental phase equilibrium data with tabulated thermodynamic data for mineral end‐members. When a partially ordered solution model is assumed, the enthalpy of mixing among the end‐members muscovite–celadonite–ferroceladonite is nearly ideal, although the Gibbs energies of muscovite–celadonite and muscovite–ferroceladonite solutions are asymmetric due to an asymmetry in the entropy of mixing. Thermodynamic consistency is achieved for data on phengite compositions inassemblages with (a) pyrope+kyanite+quartz/coesite (b) almandine+kyanite+quartz/coesite (c)talc+kyanite+quartz/coesite and (d) garnet–phengite pairs equilibrated both experimentally at high temperatures and natural pairs from low‐grade schists. The muscovite–paragonite solvus has been reanalysed using the asymmetric van Laar model, and the effects of the phengite substitution into muscovite have been quantitatively addressed in order to complete the simple thermodynamic mixing model for the solid solution among the mica end‐members. Results are applied to a natural pyrope–coesite–phengite–talc rock from the Western Alps, and to investigate the conditions under which biotite‐bearing mica schists transform to whiteschist‐like biotite‐absent assemblages for average pelite bulk compositions.     

P-T evolution of metasediments from the Eclogite Zone, south-central Tauern Window, Austria

Petrologic data on the paragenesis of (I) kyanite-zoisite marbles and (II) garnet-chloritoid quartz-mica schists are presented with the goal of providing constraints on the pressure-temperature evolution of the Eclogite Zone, Tauern Window, Austria. The peak metamorphic assemblages in the two rock types are: (I) kyanite + zoisite + dolomite + quartz; zoisite + muscovite + dolomite + calcite + quartz; and (II) garnet + chloritoid + kyanite + muscovite + quartz + epidote ± dolomite ± Zn-staurolite. The estimated peak metamorphic conditions are 19 ± 2 kbar, 590 ± 20°C.

Secondary alteration of the kyanite-zoisite marbles was accomplished in two stages. The early stage resulted in the production of margarite, paragonite, secondary muscovite and chlorite and the later stage resulted in the formation of sudoite (a di/trioctahedral Mg---Al layer silicate) and kaolinite. The early alteration is bracketed at conditions between 3 and 10 kbar, 450–550°C and the later alteration between 200 and 350°C, P 3 kbar.

The P-T path is characterized by maximum burial to approximately 19 kbar (60–70 km) (at≈590°C), followed by nearly isothermal decompression to approximately 10 kbar (30 km), and then more gradual decompression with cooling to approximately 3 kbar (10 km). Alteration was apparently accomplished by the influx of H₂O-rich fluids, with the composition of the fluid locally buffered by the mineral assemblage.     

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.     

On the “late” formation of paragonite and its breakdown in pelitic rocks of the southern Damara Orogen (Namibia)

The formation of paragonite at the transition from the low-grade to the medium-grade matamorphism and its breakdown in the presence of quartz in the upper medium grade in common metapelites is investigated.The microprobe work on the white micas from the low and medium-grade rocks yields compositional differences in respect to the celadonite substitutions and the paragonite content. The low-grade white micas are phengites having Si^[4] 6.25 to 6.44 and Al_tot 4.89 to 5.20. The paragonite component in solid solution in the phengites ranges from 11 to 17 mole %. In the transition from the low-grade to the medium-grade metamorphism, concomitant with the breakdown of chlorite, the phengites change to muscovites having Si^[4] 6.07 to 6.16 and Al_tot 5.36 to 5.56. At the same time, the amount of paragonite in solid solution increases up to 22±2 mole % and paragonite makes its first appearance as a separate mineral. The increase of the percentage of paragonite in solid solution in the muscovites is due to the drastical modal decrease of muscovite in the course of the breakdown of chlorite. The formation of paragonite is readily explained by the muscovite-paragonite solvus. Paragonite forms thin lamellae (1–20 m) interlayered with muscovite lamellae (1–40 m). The average composition is Pg_88.5Ms₇Mar_4.5. Paragonite occurs together with staurolite+biotite, kyanite+biotite, cordierite +biotite, and andalusite+biotite. In the presence of quartz, it breaks down in the lower part of the andalusite zone to andalusite and albite-rich plagioclase. At the same time, the amount of paragonite in solid solution in the muscovites decrease to 11–15 mole %. The basal spacings d(002) of the phengites and muscovites investigated show a clear dependence on the Na⁺ content and the celadonite substitutions.     

An EMP and TEM--AEM Study of Margarite, Muscovite and Paragonite in Polymetamorphic Metabauxites of Naxos Cyclades, Greece) and the Implications of Fine-scale Mica Interlayering and Multiple Mica Generations

Coexisting white micas and plagioclase were studied by electronmicroprobe (EMP), and transmission and analytical electron microscopy(TEM—AEM) in greenschist- to amphibolite-grade metabauxitesfrom Naxos. The TEM—AEM studies indicate that sub-micronscale (0.01–1.0 µm thick) semicoherent intergrowthsof margarite, paragonite and muscovite are common up to loweramphibolite conditions. If unrecognized, such small-scale micainterlayering can easily lead to incorrect interpretation ofEMP data. Muscovite and paragonite in M₂ greenschist-grade Naxosrocks are mainly relics of an earlier high-pressure metamorphism(M₁). Owing to the medium-pressure M₂ event, margante occursin middle greenschist-grade metabauxites and gradually is replacedby plagioclase + corundum in amphibolite-grade metabauxites.The margarite displays minor ^IVAl_{3 VI}(Fe³⁺, Al) Si_-3 ^VI-_-1 andconsiderable (Na, K) SiCa_-1Al_-1 substitution, resulting in upto 44 mol% paragonite and 6 mol % muscovite in solution. Thecompositional variation of muscovite is mainly described by^VI(Fe²⁺, Mg) Si ^VI Al_-1^VI Al_-1 and _VI(Fe₃₊Al^-1) exchanges, thelatter becoming dominant at amphibolite grade, Muscovite issignificantly richer in Fe than margarite or paragonite. Ca—Na—Kpartitioning data indicate that margarite commonly has a significantlyhigher Na/(Na+ K+Ca) value than coexisting muscovite or plagioclase.Exceptions are found in several greenschist-grade rocks, inwhich M₁-formed mussovite may have failed to equilibrate withM₂ margarite. The sluggishness of K-rich micas to recrystallizeand adjust composidonally to changing P-T conditions is alsoreflected in the results of mus-covite-paragonite solvus thermometry.Chemical data for Ca—Na micas from this study and literaturedata indicate that naturally coexisting margarite—paragonitepairs display considerably less mutual solubility than suggestedby experimental work. The variable and irregular Na partitioningbetween margarite and muscovite as observed in many metamorphicrocks could largely be related to opposing effects of pressureon Na solubility in margarite and paragonite and/or non-equilibriumbetween micas. KEY WORDS: Ca—Na—K mica; margarite; metabauxite; Naxos; sub-micron-scale mica interlayering     

Metamorphic P-T paths from calcic pelitic schists from the Strafford Dome, Vermont, USA

Metamorphism of the Gile Mountain Formation and Waits River Formation in the Strafford Dome and Townshend-Brownington Syncline in east-central Vermont records two nappe-style events, D1 and D2, followed by doming. D1 formed a muscovite + biotite ± ilmenite schistosity subparallel to compositional layering, SO, and was followed by heating to garnet grade. The temperature and pressure at the end of D1 are estimated to be c . 450 C and 6-8 kbar. D2 variably crenulated and folded S1 during a nearly isothermal pressure increase of 1-2 kbar, calculated from compositions of garnet, which have inclusions trails with progressive crenulation and rotation of the S1 fabric. Similar P-T paths are computed for most of the area, suggesting that the later schistosity developed during emplacement of a regional nappe 3-6 km thick. There is a general lack of D3 (dome-stage) microstructures.
Near the Strafford-Willoughby Arch, staurolite and kyanite overgrew S2 in pelites, and plagioclase with increasing X _An overgrew S2 in calcic pelites, reflecting post-D2 heating to a maximum of 550-600 C. Metamorphic pressures at the end of D2 are fairly constant on the west side of the dome, indicating minor dome-stage uplift. In contrast, pressures at the thermal peak of metamorphism decrease by more than 4 kbar east of the dome. The observed pattern of isotherms and isobars is mainly the result of post-metamorphic, differential uplift and unroofing.
Finally, a minor, retrograde metamorphism produced the assemblage albite + epidote + K-feldspar + muscovite + chlorite, with grade increasing east toward the Connecticut River.     

Thermodynamic Mixing Models for Muscovite--Paragonite Solutions Based on Solution Calorimetric and Phase Equilibrium Data

Enthalpies of solution have been measured on a series of muscovite—paragonitemicas in 20.1% HF at 50C under isoperibolic conditions. Themolar enthalpy of formation of paragonite at 298 K, for whichno calorimetrically measured value is currently available, hasbeen determined to be –5937.5 (3) kJ. An inversion ofall calorimetric, volumetric and phase equilibrium data hasbeen performed, giving a range of mixing models compatible withmost experimental data. The following expressions of the mixingproperties of 2M₁ micas for enthalpy (H_ex) and volume (V_ex)at pressures up to 10 kbar, forcing excess entropy (S_ex) tobe zero and using a subregular mixing model are favoured: H_ex(kJ) = [10.6+4.45(1–2X_ms)]X_ms(1–X_ms) V_ex(J/bar) = 0.452X_ms(1–X_ms). However, mixing models of higher order with asymmetric negativeS_ex are also possible. KEY WORDS: muscovite; paragonite; solvus; calorimetry; solid solution ^*Corresponding author.     

The peristerite gap in low-grade metamorphic rocks

Coexisting Na-plagioclases from greenschists both in the thermal aureole of the Kasugamura Granite, Japan, and in the low-P metamorphic zone of Yap Island, western Pacific were analyzed in great detail; the peristerite solvus was determined for each suite. The asymmetric solvus has steep albite-rich and gentle oligoclase-rich limbs that are similar to those for higher pressure series. The present results together with those from Vermont, New Zealand, and the Sanbagawa belt indicate that the peristerite solvus shifts toward the albite component and higher temperature with increasing pressure. With increasing pressure, albite co-existing with oligoclase (An=100 Ca/Ca+ Na=20) varies in composition from An 8–9 (in Kasugamura), through An 3 (in Yap Island and Vermont), to An 1 (in New Zealand) and An less than 0.5 (in the Sanbagawa belt). The consolute temperatures for the peristerite solvus estimated from available geothermometry are 420° C in Kasugamura, 450–550° C in Vermont and 550°–600° C in the Sanbagawa belt. The variation of plagioclase composition in progressive metamorphic zones is explained by intersection of a plagioclase-forming reaction and the peristerite immiscibility gap in an isobaric T-X _An diagram. The greenschist zone is characterized by albite, the transition zone by occurrence of peristerite pairs and the amphibolite zone by plagioclase of An 20–50.     

Some critical remarks on the analysis of phengite and paragonite components in muscovite by X-ray diffractometry

In the past lattice parameters b and c of muscovite s.1. from pelitic schists have been used to determine its phengite and paragonite component. A critical review of the literature and of some new data shows, however,

that a convincing statistical correlation between these physical and chemical properties does not exist

that an eventual trend-like correlation cannot be used for a quantitative analysis of phengite and/or paragonite components in muscovite.

Obviously further factors influence the lattice parameters of muscovite s.1., besides octahedral and interlayer chemistry.     

Wall-rock metasomatism of carbonaceous terrigenous rocks in the Lena gold district

The Lena gold district is situated in the fold-and-shear belt of the southern framework of the Siberian Platform. The gold deposits are hosted in the Riphean-Vendian Khomolkho and Aunakit formations, revealing the strict control of ore mineralization by folding and shearing. The microstructure of metasomatically altered ore-bearing carbonaceous sedimentary rocks at the Sukhoi Log, Golets Vysochaishy, and Verninsky deposits (the latter includes the Pervenets vein zone) testifies to parallelism in the development of shearing, foliation, and ore-forming metasomatism. The local pressure gradients are marked by removal of silica from pressured zones into opened cleavage fractures and pockets. Two metasomatic stages are recognized: (1) early sodic metasomatism, which is characterized by the assemblage of magnesian siderite and paragonite, and (2) late potassic metasomatism, with formation of muscovite in association with sideroplesite and ankerite. The rocks altered at the early stage are distinguished by elevated Ni, Cr, and probably PGE contents. The second stage, close in age to the emplacement of Hercynian granitic plutons, was accompanied by the gain of chalcophile metals and deposition of the bulk of gold. In mineral composition, the metasomatic rocks are close to beresites, but the alteration differed in somewhat elevated alkalinity, so that microveinlets of albite and potassium feldspar occur in the ore zone together with muscovite. The ratio of modal muscovite to paragonite contents in orebodies is substantially higher than in the surrounding metasomatized rocks. This ratio directly depends on the degree of rock permeability and the intensity of the flow of ore-forming solutions. Carbonaceous matter (CM) in the ore zone underwent reworking and redeposition. CM is graphitized to a lesser extent than in the rocks affected by regional metamorphism. The spatial distribution of CM containing nitro and amino groups indicates more oxidizing conditions in the zone of ore deposition than at a distance from this zone. The temperature of metasomatic processes estimated from the muscovite, muscovite-paragonite, and chlorite mineral thermometers and fluid inclusions in quartz was 300–350°C at a pressure of about 1 kbar. The S, O, and C isotopic compositions of ore-forming fluids that pertain to the second stage of metasomatism (δ³⁴S= +8.5‰, δ¹⁸O = +10‰, and δ¹³C= ?11 to ?18‰) indicate their crustal origin. The generally similar conditions and products of the ore-forming metasomatic process at the giant Sukhoi Log deposit and at the small Golets Vysochaishy deposit are combined with some differences. The formation of the described deposits was related to the deep convection of fluids along shear zones followed by more local flows of postmagmatic solutions derived from the emplaced granitic magma.     

Petrological evidence for the development of refolded folds during a single deformational event

The Pelona Schist, which forms the lower plate of the Vincent thrust in the San Gabriel Mountains of southern California, has undergone a complex history of folding. The youngest folds in the schist (style 2 folds) range in shape from open to tight and fold both compositional layering and schistosity. These are superposed upon isoclinal folds with axial-plane schistosity (style 1 folds) that, in turn, overprint older isoclinal folds (also called style 1 folds). Samples from the hinges of style 2 folds contain two generations of muscovite. Muscovites of the older generation are parallel to the folded (style 1) schistosity. The newer muscovites recrystallized during and/or after style 2 folding. Microprobe analysis indicates that the two generations of muscovite are very similar in composition, although the new muscovites tend to have slightly higher paragonite and celadonite contents than the old muscovites. From the gross similarity of the two groups of muscovite, it is concluded that the style 1 and style 2 folds were produced during a single progressive deformation. The slightly higher paragonite and celadonite contents of the new muscovites are thought to indicate that both pressure and temperature were increasing during the deformation. This is consistent with the deformation being due to underthrusting of the Pelona Schist beneath the upper plate of the Vincent thrust.     

Composition of plagioclase and associated minerals in some schists from Vermont,U.S.A., and South Westland,New Zealand,with inferences about the peristerite solvus

Two suites of regionally metamorphosed semi-pelitic schists were studied in order to investigate the paragenesis of low temperature plagioclase, from which something may be inferred as to the nature of the peristerite solvus at the temperatures and pressures of formation of these rocks: one from the Gile Mountain Formation in the Hanover and Mt. Cube quadrangles, eastern Vermont, U.S.A.; the other from the Alpine schists along the Haast River, South Westland, New Zealand. Plagioclase, muscovite, biotite, chlorite, carbonate, and garnet compositions were determined with an ARL EMX electron probe microanalyzer. The variation in plagioclase composition with increasing grade in the Vermont schists suggests that the peristerite solvus is asymmetrical with a near vertical albite-rich side and a sloping oligoclase-rich side. The top of the solvus appears to lie slightly above the temperature expressed by the almandine isograd in these schists. The compositions of the coexisting albite and oligoclase in the New Zealand rocks suggest a lower geothermal gradient than in Vermont, creating a different pattern of variation in plagioclase composition. Distribution diagrams of Mg, Ti, and Al^IV for muscovite-biotite and chlorite-biotite pairs in both suites of rocks support the hypothesis that the plagioclase relations observed represent equilibrium.     

Pressure dependence of structural parameters of paragonite

The compressibility and structure of a 2M₁ paragonite with composition [Na_0.88K_0.10Ca_0.01Ba_0.01] [Al_1.97Ti_0.007Fe_0.01Mn_0.002Mg_0.006]Si_3.01Al_0.99O₁₀OH₂ were determined at pressures between 1 bar and 41 kbar, by single crystal X-ray diffraction using a Merrill-Bassett diamond anvil cell. Compressibility turned out to be largely anisotropic, linear compressibility coefficients parallel to the unit cell edges being β_a=3.5(1)·10^?4, β_b=3.6(1)·10^?4, β_c=8.3(3)·10^?4 kbar^?1 (β_a:β_b·β_c=1:1028:2.371). The isothermal bulk modulus, calculated as the reciprocal of the mean compressibility of the cell volume, was 650(20) kbar. The main features of the deformation mechanism resulting from structural refinements at pressures of 0.5, 25.4, 40.5 kbar were: –?variation in sheet thickness, showing that compression of the c parameter was mainly due to the interlayer thickness reduction from 3.07 Å at 0.5 kbar to 2.81 Å at 40.5 kbar; –?the compressibility of octahedra was greater than that of tetrahedra, the dimensional misfit between tetrahedral and octahedral sheets increased with P, so that tetrahedral rotation angel α increased from 15° at 0.5 kbar to 21.6° at 40.5 kbar; –?the basal surface corrugation (Δz) of the tetrahedral layer, due to the different dimensions of M1 and M2 octahedra and to the octahedral distortion, decreased with P (Δz=0.19 and 0.12 Å at 0.5 and 40.5 kbar respectively). Comparison of the new data on paragonite with those of a K-muscovite and a Na-rich muscovite (Comodi and Zanazzi 1995) revealed a clear trend toward decreasing of compressibility when Na substitutes for K atoms in the interlayer sites.     

Phase relations in the tremolite-pargasite join

The join tremolite (Tr)-pargasite (Pa) has been studied in the temperature range 750 °–1,150 ° C under a water vapor pressure of 1 and 5 kbar. There is a continuous solid solution series between the compositions Tr₈₅Pa₁₅ and Tr_oPa₁₀₀ at 850 ° C and 5 kbar. Tremolite and pargasite are separated by a solvus at 1 kbar and the field of tremolitic amphibole +pargasitic amphibole+vapor is present in the region between Tr₉₀Pa₁₀ and Tr₁₀Pa₉₀ at 800 ° C. The phase assemblages at 850 ° C and 1 kbar change as follows with increasing pargasite component; clinopyroxene +orthopyroxene+quartz+vapor, tremolitic amphibole+vapor, tremolitic amphibole+clinopyroxene +forsterite+plagioclase+vapor, tremolitic amphibole+pargasitic amphibole+vapor, and pargasitic amphibole+vapor. The petrological significance of amphibole pairs in metamorphic rocks is discussed on the basis of the experimental results.     

Comparative compressibility of end-member feldspars

The compressibilities of the three end-member feldspars have been determined between 1 bar and 50 kbar by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques, using a Merrill-Bassett type diamond anvil cell with three crystals loaded simultaneously. Low albite (ordered aluminium-silicon distribution) and high sanidine (disordered Al-Si) show similar behaviour on compression, with bulk moduli (linear fit to volume-pressure data) of 0.70 and 0.67 Mbar respectively. The most compressible cell axis of all three feldspars studied is a, indicating that the major change in the feldspar framework with pressure is a shortening of the overall length of the “crankshaft chains” by reduction of T-O-T angles. Anorthite shows anomalous behaviour in that we have observed a previously unreported reversible phase transition at a pressure between 25.5 and 29.5 kbar. This transition is marked by large discontinuities in the unit cell angles and a small decrease of 0.2 percent in the cell volume with increasing pressure. The high-pressure phase is less compressible than the low-pressure phase, the bulk moduli being 0.94 and 1.06 Mbar respectively. There was no evidence of a monoclinic to triclinic inversion in sanidine that was expected to occur between 20 and 30 kbar on the basis of previous work on intermediate alkali feldspars.     

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.     

Empirical garnet-muscovite-plagioclase-quartz geobarometry in medium- to high-grade metapelites

Based on the net transfer reactions among garnet, muscovite, plagioclase, and quartz (for both Mg and Fe end-member models), the garnet-muscovite-plagioclase-quartz (GMPQ) geobarometry was empirically calibrated under the physical conditions of P=1.0-11.4 kbar and T=505-745 °C for 128 natural metapelitic rock samples collected from the literature. The input temperatures and pressures were simultaneously determined by the garnet-biotite thermometer and the garnet-aluminosilicate-plagioclase-quartz (GASP) barometer. The GMPQ calibrations adopted the same asymmetric quaternary solid solution model of garnet and the same Al-avoidance asymmetric ternary model of plagioclase as the calibrations of the garnet-biotite geothermometer and the GASP geobarometer. A symmetric Fe-Mg-Al^VI ternary solid solution model of muscovite was adopted, and the Margules parameters of muscovite were obtained through regression. The Mg and Fe model reactions, along with the assumption of whether the ferric iron content in muscovite is 0% or 50%, resulted in four GMPQ barometry formulae. The GMPQ barometry formulae reproduce the input GASP pressures well within ±1.0 kbar (mostly within ±0.5 kbar). For both aluminosilicate-bearing and aluminosilicate-absent samples, the GMPQ barometry formulae yield identical pressures for every sample, whether the sample was included or not in calibrating the barometers. For each of the Mg or Fe model reaction, the formulae gave identical pressures within ±40 bars. The random error of the GMPQ barometry may be expected as ±1.4 kbar. The dP/dT slopes of these GMPQ formulae are close to that of the GASP barometer in the P-T space. Applications of the GMPQ barometry to aluminosilicate-absent metapelites within a limited geographic area without postmetamorphic structural discontinuity generally show no pressure difference. It may be concluded that the GMPQ barometry formulae derived in this work may be used as practical tools for metamorphic pelites under the conditions of 505-745 °C and 1-11.4 kbar, in the composition range of X_gros>3% in garnet and X_An>17% in plagioclase.     

Experimental determination of the solubility of the assemblage paragonite,albite, and quartz in supercritical H2O

The concentrations of Na, Al, and Si in an aqueous fluid in equilibrium with natural albite, paragonite, and quartz have been measured between 350°C and 500°C and 1 to 2.5 kbar. Si is the dominant solute in solution and is near values reported for quartz solubility in pure H₂O. At 1 kbar the concentrations of Na and Al remain fairly constant from 350°C to 425°C but then decrease at 450°C. At 2 kbar, Na increases slightly with increasing temperature while Al remains nearly constant. Concentrations of Si, Na, and Al all increase with increasing pressure at constant temperature.The molality of Al is close to that of Na and is nearly a log unit greater than calculated molalities assuming Al(OH)⁰₃ is the dominant Al species. This indicates a Na-Al complex is the dominant Al species in solution as shown by Anderson and Burnham (1983) at higher temperature and pressure. The complex can be written as NaAl(OH)⁰₄ ± nSiO₂ where n is the number of Si atoms in the complex. The value of n is not well constrained but appears to be less than or equal to 3.The results indicate Al can be readily transported in pure H₂O solutions at temperatures and pressures as low as 350°C and 1 kbar.     

Intermediate sodium–potassium mica in hydrothermally altered rocks of the Waterloo deposit,Australia: a combined SEM-EMP-XRD-TEM study

Metastable intermediate Na–K mica represents a product of hydrothermal alteration in volcanic rocks from the alteration halo of the Waterloo massive sulfide deposit, Australia. The XRD pattern of this solid solution between paragonite and muscovite is characterized by a rational series of basal reflections with d values intermediate between the end members. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the intermediate Na–K mica forms thick stacks that belong to a two-layer polytype. Na-rich intermediate Na–K mica typically occurs together with paragonite whereas K-rich intermediate Na–K mica is intergrown with muscovite. The intermediate Na–K mica is interpreted to have formed as a result of the incomplete transformation of K-rich mica to Na-rich mica through dissolution and recrystallization processes driven by compositional changes of the hydrothermal fluids interacting with the volcanic rocks. Alteration must have proceeded under non-equilibrium conditions because the composition of the solid solution falls into the miscibility gap separating paragonite and muscovite.Editorial responsibility: T.L. Grove