Monazite U-Pb dating of staurolite grade metamorphism in pelitic schists

A study of the occurrence of and relations between rare-earth element (REE) minerals in pelitic schists indicates that monazite forms at or near the P and T of the staurolite isograd. Samples at staurolite grade from the Silurian Perry Mountain Formation in the Rumford quadrangle of Maine yield monazite in sufficient quantities to permit accurate dating of the metamorphic events forming the monazites. The bulk chemistry of the metapelites, as seen in the major element abundances and REE patterns, does not vary significantly across the study area. Thus the appearance and disappearance of REE phases is assumed to reflect changes in metamorphic grade. In a sample from the biotite zone, scanning electron microscope and microprobe studies show allanite and monazite intimately associated on a 10 m scale. The texture suggest that metastable detrital monazite breaks down, distributing its REE components to allanite. From samples below staurolite grade in which monazite is not present, our observations suggest that REEs are partitioned into allanite. At or near the staurolite isograd monazite forms as a metamorphic mineral, initiating its role as a geochronometer. Garnet-biotite geothermometry on samples at this grade from this and other studies places constraints on the minimum temperature necessary to form monazite: 525° C±25°C at 3.1±0.25 kbar. A total of 15 separates from nine schist samples ranging up to sillimanite grade have been dated. Each date is remarkably concordant, even though petrologic and textural studies by previous workers have shown that the rocks in the area have been affected by at least three metamorphic episodes. Calculations indicate insignificant Th disequilibrium in these monazites. The conditions associated with the metamorphic events suggest that monazite remains closed to lead loss provided that subsequent metamorphisms are at or below sillimanite grade. Two distinct metamorphic events are resolved, one at around 400 Ma and one at about 370 Ma. The latter was due to thermal effects of a nearby pluton that yields concordant monazite ages of 363 Ma. This work suggests that in addition to dating plutonism and high-grade metamorphism, monazite should be viewed as a reliable geochronometer for moderate metamorphism of pelitic schists.     

Evidence from mineral assemblages for infiltration of pelitic schists by aqueous fluids during metamorphism

Prograde mineral assemblages and compositions have been predicted for pelitic schist in the 10 component system Na₂O–K₂O–CaO–MnO–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–CO₂–H₂O for three cases of prograde metamorphism and fluid-rock interaction: (1) increasing temperature (T) at constant pressure (P) and constant pore fluid volume (1%) without infiltration (no-infiltration case); (2) increasing T at constant P accompanied by sufficient fluid infiltration that fluid composition is at all times constant (large-flux case); and (3) increasing T at constantP accompanied by a timeintegrated fluid flux f 10⁴ cm^{3 cm 2} (intermediate-flux case). Stable mineral assemblages and compositions were calculated by solving a system of non-linear equations that specify mass balance and chemical equilibrium between minerals and fluid. The model pelitic system includes quartz, muscovite, plagioclasc, chlorite, ankerite, siderite, biotite, garnet, staurolite, andalusite, kyanite, sillimanite, K-feldspar, and a coexisting, binary H₂O–CO₂ fluid. Specifically, prograde thermal metamorphism was modelled for Shaw's (1956) average low-grade pelite and for a moderate range of bulk rock compositions at P=3, 5, and 7 kb and initial fluids with Xco ₂ ^o =0.02–0.40. The model predicts a carbonate-bearing mineral assemblage for average pelite under chlorite zone conditions composed of quartz, muscovite, albite, chlorite, ankerite, and siderite. The mineral assemblages predicted for the noinfiltration case are unlike those typically observed in regional metamorphic terranes. Simulations of metamorphism for the large-flux and intermediate-flux cases, however, reproduce the sequence of mineral assemblages observed in normal Barrovian regional metamorphic terranes. These results suggest that regional metamorphism of pelitic schists is typically associated with infiltration of significant quantities of aqueous fluid.     

Silica mobility and fluid movement during metamorphism of the Connemara schists, Ireland

Quartz veins are developed in a wide range of metasediment types in the upper amphibolite facies rocks of Connemara, and attest to considerable migration of silica. Contrary to common assumptions, there is clear evidence that these veins do not primarily result from movement of fluid to regions of lower P–T down the regional geothermal gradient. Under amphibolite facies conditions, a dilute chloride fluid moving down temperature has the potential to alter 60g of plagioclase to muscovite for each gram of vein quartz precipitated, while cooling over the temperature interval from 650 to 500° C. The absence of significant metasomatic effects in the vein walls effectively precludes a simple origin from such through-flowing, externally derived fluids. The oxygen isotopic composition of matrix quartz shows considerable differences between different rock types (quartzite, pelite and marble), with a range of δ¹⁸O_SMOW from c.+ 11.5% (quartzite) to + 18.5% (marble). In each rock type, vein quartz compositions closely match those of the matrix quartz. These results demonstrate the importance of local segregation processes in the formation of veins, and suggest that fluid convection cells were not developed during metamorphism on a scale larger than the individual sedimentary formations, if at all. Both oxygen isotope data and the absence of metasomatism indicate that veins form primarily by segregation of quartz from the host lithologies, with only a relatively minor component of through flow of externally derived fluid. Veins are clearly not the major pathways of metamorphic dewatering. It is proposed that abundant veins in the predominantly pelitic Ballynakill Formation formed during peak metamorphic D3 folding because the formation was embrittled by high fluid pressures but was capped by impermeable marble. Hence the pelitic formation fractured repeatedly and the pore fluid drained through the fractures to form veins, while irreversible loss through the rest of the succession was a much less important process. In the central mountains of Connemara, rather pure, unreactive quartzites are cut by widely spaced, laterally extensive quartz veins that are axial planar to D3 folds. These veins may mark pathways whereby metamorphic fluid made its way through the massive impermeable quartzite from lower parts of the nappe pile, but here too, oxygen isotope data indicate considerable segregation of locally derived quartz, reflecting the importance of pumping of fluid between wail rocks and fractures relative to the component of through flow.     

The transport of heat and matter by fluids during metamorphism

Non-dimensional solutions to the equations for the combined advective and diffusive one-dimensional transport of heat and solute in a layer are derived for fixed temperature/concentration on the boundaries and initial conditions of a linear gradient across the layer or a step function at the lower boundary. The solutions allow distinction of regimes in which advective or diffusive transport of either heat or solute predominate as a function of fluid flux, time and a length scale. The much lower diffusive coefficients for solute than heat results in a significant range of length scales and fluid flux rates characterised by advection of matter and diffusion of heat. The advective velocity of a component is a function of its fluid:rock partition coefficient. The most rapidly transported tracers which partition largely into the fluid phase, such as He, will travel orders of magnitude faster than heat or compatible solutes such as oxygen. Geochemical profiles in boundary layer regions where both advective and diffusive transport are significant are shown to be particularly informative as to properties of the rocks related to fluid flow such as porosity, permeability, time scales and fluid flux rates. The importance of advection can be directly estimated from the asymmetry of the geochemical profiles across individual layers.     

An assessment of the utility of staurolite in U-Pb dating of metamorphism

Pb isotope data, major and trace element compositions, fission track and synchrotron X-ray fluorescence analyses are presented for staurolites from nine pelitic schists in the continental United States to evaluate their potential use in U-Pb geochronology. Seven U-Pb analyses from Lanzirotti and Hanson (1995) are reexamined with respect to this additional data which was not available at the time. These data are then compared to 21 new U-Pb analyses of staurolite of varying composition from a variety of localities. The primary goals of this study are to: (1) evaluate the variability in U and Pb abundance and U/Pb ratio in staurolites of varying composition; (2) constrain how much of the measured U and Pb is derived from radiogenic solid inclusions such as monazite and zircon; (3) constrain how much of the measured U and Pb is derived from staurolite itself and evaluate any possible correlation of U and Pb abundance and U/Pb ratio to major element composition; (4) place preliminary constraints on closure temperature to Pb diffusion in staurolite; (5) evaluate how meaningful U-Pb ages can better be calculated for the low U/Pb ratio minerals. In the staurolite fractions analyzed U abundances range from 0.2 to 24.9 ppm, Pb from 0.13 to 2.41 ppm, the ²³⁸U/²⁰⁴Pb ratios vary from 135 to 9447, and the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios from 23 to 623. For many of the fractions analyzed precise U-Pb ages can be calculated (±10 Ma or better) that appear to be consistent with available age constraints on the time of peak metamorphism. Mass balance calculations, fission track analysis, and synchrotron X-ray fluorescence trace element mapping show that although radiogenic inclusions are almost always present in large staurolite porphyroblasts, it is difficult for inclusions to account for the measured Pb isotopic compositions. It is also demonstrated that the U-Pb ages calculated for staurolites from Connecticut are at least 20 Ma older than nearby Rb-Sr muscovite and ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar hornblende ages. This is consistent with staurolite having a closure temperature to U and Pb diffusion significantly higher than 500 °C. Received: 14 July 1995 / Accepted: 16 May 1997     

The effect of whole-rock MnO content on the stability of garnet in pelitic schists during metamorphism

Garnet-bearing mineral assemblages are commonly observed in pelitic schists regionally metamorphosed to upper greenschist and amphibolite facies conditions. Modelling of thermodynamic data for minerals in the system Na₂O–K₂O–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O, however, predicts that garnet should be observed only in rocks of a narrow range of very high Fe/Mg bulk compositions. Traditionally, the nearly ubiquitous presence of garnet in medium- to high-grade pelitic schists is attributed qualitatively to the stabilizing effect of MnO, based on the observed strong partitioning of MnO into garnet relative to other minerals. In order to quantify the dependence of garnet stability on whole-rock MnO content, we have calculated mineral stabilities for pelitic rocks in the system MnO–Na₂O–K₂O–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O for a moderate range of MnO contents from a set of non-linear equations that specify mass balance and chemical equilibrium among minerals and fluid. The model pelitic system includes quartz, muscovite. albite, pyrophyllite, chlorite, chloritoid, biotite, garnet, staurolite, cordierite, andalusite, kyanite. sillimanite, K-feldspar and H₂O fluid. In the MnO-free system, garnet is restricted to high Fe/Mg bulk compositions, and commonly observed mineral assemblages such as garnet–chlorite and garnet–kyanite are not predicted at any pressure and temperature. In bulk compositions with X_Mn= Mn/(Fe + Mg + Mn) > 0.01, however, the predicted garnet-bearing mineral assemblages are the same as the sequence of prograde mineral assemblages typically observed in regional metamorphic terranes. Temperatures predicted for the first appearance of garnet in model pelitic schist are also strongly dependent on whole-rock MnO content. The small MnO contents of normal pelitic schists (X_Mn= 0.01–0.04) are both sufficient and necessary to account for the observed stability of garnet.     

The stability of staurolite and chloritoid and their significance in metamorphism of pelitic rocks

The reaction chlorite+muscovite=staurolite+biotite+quartz+vapor has been experimentally determined and reversible equilibrium has been demonstrated. At an oxygen fugacity corresponding to that of the FMQ buffer and using a starting mixture with a Mg/Mg+Fe ratio of 0.4, the equilibrium conditions of the reaction are 565±15°C at 7 kb and 540±15°C at 4 kb. The preliminary maximum stability of staurolite in the presence of quartz, muscovite, and biotite has been established at the following conditions: 675±15°C at 5.5 kb and 575±15°C at 2 kb. The results of both investigations are in good agreement with other experimental data and with petrographical observations. Furthermore, equilibria between minerals in medium-grade pelitic rocks are deduced from theoretical considerations and the effect of T, P _solid, , on some dehydration reactions is discussed.     

Retrogression by deep infiltration of meteoric fluids into thrust zones during late-orogenic rapid unroofing

Hypersaline (Na–Ca–Cl) fluids are associated with late‐stage quartz veining and retrogression of garnet, kyanite and other high P–T phases in the vicinity of thrusts and major lithological boundaries in the Scandian nappes of the Troms‐Ofoten region, northern Norway. They record early Devonian fluid infiltration during rapid exhumation in the final stages of Caledonian orogenesis. The δ¹⁸O and δD characteristics of these late fluids provide compelling evidence for deep circulation of meteoric fluids. The sub‐greenschist to low greenschist facies retrogression (P=2±1 kbar; T =300–350 °C) suggests infiltration to depths of 7–9 km in a regime of supra‐hydrostatic fluid pressure. Peak metamorphic quartz veins and associated fluids have δD and δ¹⁸O characteristics consistent with a metamorphic origin (δD ?47 to ?75; δ¹⁸O+8.6 to +17.4). However, late quartz veins and associated fluids show a broad spread of δD from ?42 to ?148, interpreted in terms of meteoric fluid infiltration. Such negative δD values are only recorded in present‐day high‐latitude or high‐altitude settings, and since north Norway was in an equatorial setting (10° S) in the early Devonian, a high‐altitude origin is deduced. By calculation, and by comparison with modern examples, the early Devonian mountains of the north Norwegian Caledonides are interpreted to have had a topography in excess of 5 km. The deep circulation of surface waters is interpreted in terms of topographically driven flow, linked with a hydrothermal system induced by elevated geothermal gradients due to rapid uplift. Whilst the case for deep penetration of surface‐derived fluids has been promoted for Mesozoic and younger mountain belts, this study represents one of the first documented examples for a Palaeozoic orogenic belt. It suggests that many of the fundamental processes operating during the exhumation of mountain belts are similar irrespective of age.     

Early Namaqua low-pressure metamorphism: deformation and porphyroblast growth in the Zoovoorby staurolite schist, South Africa

This paper describes the deformation and metamorphism recorded in the Zoovoorby staurolite schist, a sliver of pelitic supracrustal material in the 1.3–1.0 Ga eastern Namaqua Province, South Africa. The supracrustal Biesjepoort Group, of which the schist is a part, has undergone at least four phases of deformation (D₁–D₄). D₁ and D₂ are preserved in the pelitic schists; staurolite and garnet grew during D₁, with staurolite growth persisting to the very earliest D₂ crenulation. Andalusite, found in more Mg-rich schists, grew during D₂, overprinting both S₁ schistosity and S₀ banding. S₂ has been rotated both with respect to S₁ (preserved as parallel orientated inclusion trails in garnet and staurolite) and with respect to its original orientation (preserved as open D₂ crenulations in staurolite). Staurolite is dissolved against S₂ in zones of progressive shear. The pseudomorphing of staurolite and andalusite by cordierite, and the preservation of relic grains of both minerals in a wide range of garnet–cordierite pelites throughout the eastern Namaqua Province infers that what is preserved fortuitously in the Zoovoorby locality is representative of the early metamorphic history of a much larger terrane. The high thermal gradients needed to attain estimated conditions of 540–550° C and 1.6–2.4 kbar require substantial heat input. Large amounts of foliated (syn-D₂) granite amongst the supracrustal succession are inferred to be the result of delamination of a thickened crust at a destructive plate margin, generating an elevated thermal gradient during D₁–D₂ times.     

Alpine metamorphism of pelitic schists in the Nufenen Pass area, Lepontine Alps

Abstract The effects of Tertiary Alpine metamorphism on pelitic Mesozoic cover rocks have been studied along a cross-section in the central Lepontine Alps in the Nufenen Pass area, Switzerland. Greenschist facies to amphibolite facies conditions are indicated by the formation of the index minerals chloritoid, garnet, staurolite and kyanite in pelitic rocks. Regional metamorphism reached maximum conditions during the interkinematic period between a main Alpine penetrative (D2) and a late Alpine (D3) crenulation type deformation phase or synchronous with the late Alpine deformation. Based on AFM phase relationships four different metamorphic zones can be distinguished: (1) chloritoid zone; (2) staurolite + chlorite zone; (3) staurolite + biotite zone; and, (4) kyanite zone. The isograds that separate these zones can be modelled by univariant reactions in the KFMASH system. The conditions of metamorphism calculated from geological ther-mobarometers for the maximum post-D2 por-phyroblast stage are from North to South: 500° C at 5-6 kbar and 600° C at 7-8 kbar. Detailed thermobarometry of garnet por-phyroblasts with complex textures suggests that maximum temperature was reached later than maximum pressure. Early garnet growth occurred along a prograde P-T-path, post-D2 rims grew with increasing temperature but decreasing pressure, and finally post-D3 garnet formed along a retrograde P-T-path. It may be concluded from the calculated pressure and temperature difference over a short distance (3 km) across the mapped area that the isogradic surfaces of the post-D2 metamorphism are steeply oriented. The data also suggest that isobaric and isothermal surfaces are parallel. Much of the observed metamorphic pattern can be explained as the result of a significant post-D2 differential uplift of the hot Pennine area relative to the Helvetic area along a tectonic contact zone. The closely spaced isograds (isotherms) in the North may then be interpreted as a thermal effect owing to the emplacement of the hot Pennine rocks against the Got-thard massif with its cover. Whereas, in the Pennine metasediments, post-D2 porphyroblast formation can be related to the decompression path which was steep enough for dehydration reactions to proceed. It is also remarkable that late kyanite porphyroblasts probably formed with decreasing pressure. The interpretation given here for the Nufenen Pass area may also apply to the Luk-manier Pass area where similar metamorphic patterns have been reported by Fox (1975). The formation of the ‘Northern Steep Belt’;, as denned by Milnes (1974b), and the associated late Alpine fold zones may, therefore, have significantly modified the metamorphic pattern of the Helvetic-Penninic contact zone.     

Chloritoid and staurolite stability: implications for metamorphism in the Archaean Yilgarn Block, Western Australia

Abstract The stability of quartz-chloritoid-staurolite-almandine-cordierite and aluminium silicates is used to constrain both metamorphic conditions and pressure-temperature trajectories for two localities within the 2700 Ma Archaean Yilgarn Block in Western Australia. Available experimental data are used to calculate thermodynamic data for a self-consistent set of equilibria between these minerals. A lower amphibolite facies locality from the margin of a lower strain area contains assemblages including quartz-chloritoid-staurolite-garnet-biotite with altered cordierite replacing chloritoid, quartz-staurolite-andalusite, and quartz-cordierite-andalusite-biotite. This locality was heated to 530–560°C in the andalusite field, at 4.2 kbar. A sample from a mid- to upper-amphibolite facies, highly strained locality contains relict staurolite enclosed by andalusite, in turn replaced by cordierite and muscovite with biotite and sillimanite in the matrix. The assemblage was heated isobarically from conditions near the maximum experienced by the lower grade locality of 560°C at 4.2 kbar to temperatures in excess of the andalusite-sillimanite transition but within the quartz plus muscovite stability field (600–650°C). The higher grade locality is close to a granitoid dome and sections based on gravity profiles reveal that this locality is underlain by granitoid at shallow depths. The higher grade metamorphism apparently reflects superposition of the thermal aureole on regional metamorphic conditions similar to those in the lower grade areas.     

Behaviour of rigid objects during deformation and metamorphism: a test using schists from the Bolton syncline, Connecticut, USA

The behaviour of spherical versus highly ellipsoidal rigid objects in folded rocks relative to one another or the Earth’s surface is of particular significance for metamorphic and structural geologists. Two common porphyroblastic minerals, garnet and staurolite, approximate spherical and highly ellipsoidal shapes respectively. The motion of both phases is analysed using the axes of inflexion or intersection of one or more foliations preserved as inclusion trails within them (we call these axes FIAs, for foliation inflexion/intersection axes). For staurolite, this motion can also be compared with the distribution of the long axes of the crystals. Schists from the regionally shallowly plunging Bolton syncline commonly contain garnet and staurolite porphyroblasts, whose FIAs have been measured in the same sample. Garnet porphyroblasts pre-date this fold as they have inclusion trails truncated by all matrix foliations that trend parallel to the strike of the axial plane. However, they have remarkably consistent FIA trends from limb to limb. The FIAs trend 175° and lie 25°NNW from the 020° strike of the axial trace of the Bolton syncline. The plunge of these FIAs was determined for six samples and all lie within 30° of the horizontal. Eleven of these samples also contain staurolite porphyroblasts, which grew before, during and after formation of the Bolton syncline as they contain inclusion trails continuous with matrix foliations that strike parallel to the axial trace of this fold. The staurolite FIAs have an average trend of 035°, 15°NE from the 020° strike of the axial plane of this fold. The total amount of inclusion trail curvature in staurolite porphyroblasts, about the axis of relative rotation between staurolite and the matrix (i.e. the FIA), is greater than the angular spread of garnet FIAs. Although staurolite porphyroblasts have ellipsoidal shapes, their long axes exhibit no tendency to be preferentially aligned with respect to the main matrix foliation or to the trend of their FIA. This indicates that the axis of relative rotation, between porphyroblast and matrix (the FIA), was not parallel to the long axis of the crystals. It also suggests that the porphyroblasts were not preferentially rotated towards a single stretch direction during progressive deformation. Five overprinting crenulation cleavages are preserved in the matrix of rocks from the Bolton syncline and many of these result from deformation events that post-date development of this fold. Staurolite porphyroblast growth occurred during the development of all of these deformations, most of which produced foliations. Staurolite has overgrown, and preserved as helicitic inclusions, crenulated and crenulation cleavages; i.e. some inclusion trail curvature pre-dates porphyroblast growth. The deformations accompanying staurolite growth involved reversals in shear sense and changing kinematic reference frames. These relationships cannot all be explained by current models of rotation of either, or both, the garnet and staurolite porphyroblasts. In contrast, we suggest that the relationships are consistent with models of deformation paths that involve non-rotation of porphyroblasts relative to some external reference frame. Further, we suggest there is no difference in the behaviour of spherical or ellipsoidal rigid objects during ductile deformation, and that neither garnet nor staurolite have rotated in schists from the Bolton syncline during the multiple deformation events that include and post-date the development of this fold.     

Prograde and retrograde metamorphism of hematitebearing basic schists in the Sanbagawa belt in central Shikoku

The mineral assemblages of hematite-bearing basic schists in intermediate high-pressure metamorphism are temperature dependent. For assemblages with excess hematite, albite, muscovite and quartz, the paragenetic relations can be dealt with in terms of a four-component system, without omitting or grouping major components.
In the Sanbagawa belt in central Shikoku, the dominant amphibole in the hematite-bearing basic schists changes from winchite, via crossite and barroisite to hornblende. The stability of amphibole is described chemographically within a pseudoternary system with another excess phase, epidote. Many amphiboles are chemically heterogeneous owing to retrograde reactions which produced low- T/P amphibole around the prograde amphibole. The examination of amphibole zoning makes it possible to draw a retrograde P-T trajectory which passes on the lower pressure side of the prograde one.     

The problem, significance and implications for metamorphism of 60 million years of multiple phases of staurolite growth

Microstructural measurements of FIAs in staurolite reveal at least 3 periods of growth in the Proterozoic Colorado Front Range and 5 in the Paleozoic Western Maine. Dated monazite inclusions in staurolite have an absolute age of 1760±12 Ma (FIA 1), 1720±7 Ma (FIA 2), 1682±18 Ma (FIA 3) in Colorado, and 408±10 Ma (FIA 2), 388±8 Ma (FIA 3), 372±6 Ma (FIA 4), 352±4 Ma (FIA 5) in Maine, supporting the multiple periods of deformation and metamorphism indicated by the FIA succession in each region. Multiple phases of growth by similar reactions in the same as well as in diverse adjacent rocks in both regions suggest that PT and X are not the only factors controlling the commencement and cessation of metamorphic reactions. The FIAs preserved by the staurolite porphyroblasts indicate that the local partitioning of deformation at the scale of a porphyroblast was the eventual controlling factor on whether or not the staurolite forming reactions took place.     

The age of metamorphism of sillimanite-bearing schists at the Kyakhtinskoe deposit (southwestern Transbaikalia)

Results of U-Pb (SHRIMP II) and Rb-Sr dating of sillimanite schists in southwestern Transbaikalia are presented, which testify to high-temperature metamorphism in the Late Mesozoic. The metamorphism might have been related to the formation of metamorphic cores or tectonoplutonic activity accompanied by the formation of rift structures in Transbaikalia and Mongolia.     

High-pressure metamorphism in gneisses and pelitic schists in the East Rhodope zone (N. Greece)

Summary The high-alumina metapelites and the orthogneisses of the lower tectonic unit of East Rhodope underwent high P/T metamorphism followed by partial reequilibration during decompression under epidote-amphibolite/amphibolite facies to greenschist facies conditions. The high P/T mineral paragenesis in the orthogneisses is: quartz + albite + microcline + phengite (Si_max = 7 atoms p.f.u.) + biotite and in the high alumina metapelites: garnet + chloritoid + chlorite + phengite (Si_max. = 6.85 atoms p.f u.) + paragonite + quartz. Pressures between 14 and 15.5 kbar, for T_min = 550°C, are estimated for the high P/T metamorphism. During continuing uplift, staurolite + chlorite, staurolite + biotite and finally andalusite + Fe-ripidolite are grown at the expense of chloritoid in metapelites, while in the orthogneisses oligoclase, still coexisting with albite, is formed; in both rock types the Si content of white K-mica decreases considerably from almost pure phengite to pure muscovite.

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Hochdruck-Metamorphose in Gneisen und pelitischen Schiefern der östlichen RhodopeZone, Nord-Griechenland

Zusammenfassung Die Aluminium-reichen Metapelite und die Orthogneise der unteren tektonischen Einheit der östlichen Rhodope-Zone wurde unter hohen Drucken und Temperaturen metamorphosiert. Darauf folgte eine teilweise Reequilibration unter Druck-Entlastung bei Bedingungen der Epidot-Amphibolit/Amphibolit bis Grünschiefer Fazies. Die Hoch-P/T Mineral-Assoziation in den Orthogneisen besteht aus: Quarz + Albit + Mikroklin + Phengit (Si_max = 7 atoms p.f.u.) + Biotit und in den Aluminium-reichen Metapeliten: Granat + Chloritoid + Chlorit + Phengit (Si_max = 6.85 atoms p.f.u.) + Paragonit + Quarz. Drucke zwischen 14 and 15.5 kbar für T_min = 550°C wurden für die Hoch- P/T Metamorphose berechnet. Während andauernder Anhebung bildeten sich Staurolit + Chlorit, Staurolit + Biotit und schließlich Andalusit + Fe-Ripidolit auf Kosten von Chloritoid in den Metapeliten, während in den Orthogneisen Oligoklas der noch mit Albit koexistiert, gebildet wurde; in beiden Gesteinstypen nimmt der Si-Gehalt heller Kaliglimmer von fast reinem Phengit bis zu reinem Muskowit ab.

     

The nature and distribution of fluids during amphibolite facies metamorphism, Naxos (Greece)

On the basis of fluid inclusion evidence, pervasive influx of deep-seated CO₂-rich fluids has been invoked to account for mid- to upper amphibolite facies (M2_B) metamorphism on the island of Naxos (Cyclades, Greece). In this paper, mineral devolatilization and melt equilibria are used to constrain the composition of both syn- and post-peak-M2_B fluids in the deepest exposed levels of the metamorphic complex. The results indicate that peak-M2_B fluids were spatially and compositionally heterogeneous throughout the high-grade core of the complex, whereas post-peak-M2_B fluids were generally water-rich. The observed heterogeneities in syn-M2_B fluid composition are inconsistent with pervasive CO₂-flushing models invoked by previous workers on the basis of fluid inclusion evidence. It is likely that few CO₂-rich fluid inclusions on Naxos preserve fluids trapped under peak metamorphic conditions. It is suggested that many of these inclusions have behaved as chemically open systems during the intense deformation that accompanied the uplift of the metamorphic complex. A similar process may explain the occurrence of some CO₂-rich fluid inclusions in granulite facies rocks.     

High integrated fluid/rock ratios during metamorphism at Naxos: evidence from carbon isotopes of calcite in schists and fluid inclusions

Calcite in schists of the metamorphic complex at Naxos is depleted both in ¹³C and in ¹⁸O with respect to massive marbles. This effect is attributed to isotope exchange with circulating CO₂-rich fluids, which had an >0.5 according to fluid inclusions. The carbon isotopic composition of the calcites is close to equilibrium with fluid inclusion CO₂ at metamorphic temperatures. Mass balance calculations assuming initial ¹³C values of 0 for calcite and –5 for the fluid, give integrated fluid/rock volume ratios between 0.1 and 2.0. Such high fluid/rock ratios are supported by observations on the distribution of CO₂/H₂O ratios of fluid inclusions, carbon isotopic compositions of fluid inclusion CO₂ and oxygen isotope systematics of silicates.