A Tertiary age for Alpine high-pressure metamorphism in the Gran Paradiso massif, Western Alps: a Rb–Sr microsampling study

The timing of high‐pressure (HP) metamorphism in the internal basement massifs of the Western Alps has been contentious. In the Gran Paradiso massif silvery micaschists, thought to have developed from granitic precursors, contain assemblages indicative of pressures in excess of 18 kbar at 500–550 °C. This paper presents unique geochronological data for the paragenesis of the silvery micaschist HP assemblage. Rb–Sr microsampling of an apatite–phengite pair thought to have remained closed to Rb–Sr exchange since the HP paragenesis formed has yielded an age of 43.0 ± 0.5 Ma. Greenschist retrogression occurred after 36.3 ± 0.4 Ma, probably in the interval 36–34 Ma. The localised disturbance of the Rb–Sr system in phengite, apatite and allanite during retrogression means that only in situ microsampling could obtain meaningful ages from these rocks. The new data indicating a Tertiary age for HP metamorphism in the Gran Paradiso massif agree with recent data for other internal basement massifs in the Western Alps. A model fitting the Gran Paradiso massif into the Western Alpine framework is presented.     

Low temperature eclogite facies rocks discovered in the Eastern Himalayan Syntaxis: Poly-cyclic metamorphic evolution and implications

We report the first occurrence of poly-cyclic high-pressure low-temperature (HP-LT) rocks from the easternmost Indus-Yarlung suture zone, formed during subduction of Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere. Petrology, mineral composition and P–T pseudosection modelling reveal two low-temperature eclogite facies metamorphic events with an initial high-pressure P–T condition of 16.4–18.7 kbar and 510–520°C, exhumation to 10.5–12.0 kbar and 580–590°C and a subsequent second high-pressure P–T condition of ~16 kbar and ~560°C and exhumation to ≤9 kbar and ≤600°C. This history implies a complex ‘yo-yo type’ P–T path. In situ monazite dating and textural relationships show that late-stage exhumation, cooling and garnet breakdown occurred at c. ~25–22 Ma. We interpret the first burial event to represent subduction of the Neo-Tethys Ocean at the eastern Indus-Yarlung suture zone. Initial exhumation, reburial and final exhumation represent material transport in a large-scale convective circulation system in the subduction channel. Convective overturn in the subduction channel evidently serves both as a mechanism to produce poly-cyclic metamorphism and to exhume LT eclogite facies rocks.     

Metamorphic evolution and geochemistry of kyanite eclogites in central Rhodope,northern Greece

In central Rhodope of northern Greece, kyanite eclogites were discovered in the area of Thermes. They are strongly overprinted and exhibit a multi-stage development of minerals and mineral assemblages formed during successive stages of the exhumation. The initial high-pressure assemblage was garnet+omphacite+kyanite+zoisite+phengite+rutile+quartz. Corundum, Fe-Mg-spinel, sapphirine and högbomite occur as products of a first, high-temperature overprint, still at high pressures, whereas various symplectites [corundum-plagioclase (pl), spinel-pl, sapphirine-pl, clinopyroxene-pl, biotite-pl, amphibole-pl] grew during subsequent stages of the exhumation. Diablastic amphibole+plagioclase formed as end-products of the amphibolitization. According to geochemical data, the protoliths of the kyanite eclogites were basalts to basaltic andesites with “volcanic arc” affinities. For the high-pressure stage of metamorphism, minimum PT conditions were around 19 kbar, 700°C, while for the initial stages of the overprint, high-pressure granulite-facies conditions prevailed (T>800°C, at P>15 kbar). The PT conditions of the amphibolite facies were 8–11 kbar, 580–690°C. The kyanite eclogites of Thermes record the highest temperatures of metamorphism within the whole of Rhodope.     

Analyses d’ouvrages

New structural data and P–T estimates of syn-deformational assemblages within the Beni Bousera peridotites and their crustal envelope are used to explain their Alpine exhumation. The Beni Bousera peridotites occur as thin sheets within high grade crustal units of the lower Sebtides (inner Rif, Morocco) and are composed of weakly deformed spinel lherzolite in the core of the massif and garnet-spinel mylonite at the rim. The main foliation trajectories in both the peridotites and overlying crustal units show systematic rotation towards their mutual contact, indicating a kilometer-scale top to the NW shearing with a dextral component along this crust/mantle contact. Widespread top to the NW shear criteria within the crustal units overlying the peridotite support this feature. Available ages constrain the development of the main foliation in both the peridotites and crustal rocks between 25 and 20 Ma. New P–T data from the peridotites show that deformation occurs during decompression from ≈ 22 kbar, 1050°C to ≈ 9-15 kbar, 800°C. As a consequence, exhumation of the Beni Bousera peridotites takes place during the Oligo-Miocene lithosphere thinning in the footwall of a lithospheric extensional shear zone. The exceptional preservation of garnet within the mylonitic peridotites results from rapid cooling of the border of the massif due to the juxtaposition with colder crustal rocks along this shear zone. Uplifting of the hot mantle rocks simultaneously induces high temperature metamorphism in the overlying crustal units. These new findings allow us to reconstruct the deformation history of the Beni Bousera region and the Alboran domain in the framework of the western Mediterranean geodynamics during the last 40 Myrs.     

Metamorphism of Greater and Lesser Himalayan rocks exposed in the Modi Khola valley, central Nepal

Thermobarometric estimates for Lesser and Greater Himalayan rocks combined with detailed structural mapping in the Modi Khola valley of central Nepal reveal that large displacement thrust-sense and normal-sense faults and ductile shear zones mostly control the spatial pattern of exposed metamorphic rocks. Individual shear zone- or fault-bounded domains contain rocks that record approximately the same peak metamorphic conditions and structurally higher thrust sheets carry higher grade rocks. This spatial pattern results from the kinematics of thrust-sense faults and shear zones, which usually place deeper, higher grade rocks on shallower, lower grade rocks. Lesser Himalayan rocks in the hanging wall of the Ramgarh thrust equilibrated at about 9 kbar and 580°C. There is a large increase in recorded pressures and temperatures across the Main Central thrust. Data presented here suggest the presence of a previously unrecognized normal fault entirely within Greater Himalayan strata, juxtaposing hanging wall rocks that equilibrated at about 11 kbar and 720°C against footwall rocks that equilibrated at about 15 kbar and 720°C. Normal faults occur at the structural top and within the Greater Himalayan series, as well as in Lesser Himalayan strata 175 and 1,900 m structurally below the base of the Greater Himalayan series. The major mineral assemblages in the samples collected from the Modi Khola valley record only one episode of metamorphism to the garnet zone or higher grades, although previously reported ca. 500 Ma concordant monazite inclusions in some Greater Himalayan garnets indicate pre-Cenozoic metamorphism.     

P-T evolution of metapelites from the Bajgan complex in the Makran accretionary prism,south eastern Iran

The Bajgan Complex, one of the basement constituents of the arc massif in Iranian Makran forms a rugged, deeply incised terrain. The complex consists of pelitic schists with minor psammitic and basic schists, calc silicate rocks, amphibolites, marbles, metavolcanosediments, mafic and felsic intrusives as well as ultramafic rocks. Metapelitic rocks show an amphibolite facies regional metamorphism and contain garnet, biotite, white mica, quartz, albite ± rutile ± apatite. Thermobarometry of garnet schist yields pressure of more than 9 kbar and temperatures between 560 and 675 °C. The geothermal gradient obtained for the peak of regional metamorphism is 19 °C/km, corresponding to a depth of ca. 31 km. Replacement of garnet by chlorite and epidote suggest greenschist facies metamorphism due to a decrease in temperature and pressure through exhumation and retrograde metamorphism (370–450 °C and 3–6 kbar). The metapelitic rocks followed a ‘clockwise’ P–T path during metamorphism, consistent with thermal decline following tectonic thickening. The formation of medium-pressure metamorphic rocks is related to presence of active subduction of the Neotethys Oceanic lithosphere beneath Eurasia in the Makran.     

Reconstructing P–T paths during continental collision using multi-stage garnet (Gran Paradiso nappe, Western Alps)

Garnet–chloritoid-bearing micaschists from the Gran Paradiso massif (Western Alps) contain evidence of a polymetamorphic evolution. Detailed textural observations reveal that two stages of garnet growth are present in the micaschists, interpreted as: (i) relics of an early metamorphism of pre-Alpine age and (ii) newly grown Alpine garnet, respectively. Both generations of garnet preserve growth zoning. From thermocalc -based numerical modelling of mineral assemblages in pressure–temperature ( P – T ) pseudosections, we infer that garnet 1 grew at increasing temperature and slightly increasing pressure, whereas garnet 2 grew at decreasing pressure and slightly increasing temperature. Estimated P – T conditions are ∼620 °C, 6 kbar for the peak of the pre-Alpine event, and of 490 °C, 18–20 kbar for the pressure peak of the Alpine event. Modelling of the modal proportion and chemical composition of garnet (i) shows that the subsequent decompression (to 14–15 kbar at 550 °C) must have been accompanied by moderate heating and (ii) does not support a stage of final temperature increase following decompressional cooling. This argues against a late thermal pulse associated with mantle delamination. Preservation of growth zoning in both generations of garnet and the limited amount of diffusive re-equilibration at the boundary between the two garnets suggests that the rocks were subjected to fast burial and exhumation rates, consistent with data obtained from other internal Alpine units.     

Extension syn-convergence,poinçonnement vertical et unités métamorphiques contrastées en bordure ouest du Grand Paradis (Alpes Franco-Italiennes)

The Piemontese zone, at the western border of the Gran Paradiso massif (western Alps) consists of the oceanic schistes lustrés units and the continental Grand Paradiso (GP) unit. In complement to previous work, tectono-metamorphic investigations allow us to establish pressure gaps between the three studied units with: the upper schistes lustrés (LS) unit, metamorphosed under blueschist facies conditions (9.5 ± 2 kbar, 340 ± 30 °C). The lower schistes lustrés (LI) unit, metamorphosed under low temperature eclogite facies conditions (12.5 ± 3 kbar, 480 ± 50 °C). The Gran Paradiso (GP) unit, metamorphosed under higher pressure and temperature eclogite facies conditions (12 to 20 kbar, 500 ± 50 °C). The whole metamorphic pile recorded a decompression under amphibolite facies conditions for the LI unit and in the greenschist facies conditions for the LS unit and GP unit, i.e. with a slight and late temperature increase. Fluid inclusion studies on quartz in late cracks and shear planes (C’) show that the three units were juxtaposed and deformed together under metamorphic conditions of 4 ± 1 kbar, and 400 ± 50 °C. A finite strain field study reveals regional scale extensional tectonics beginning under greenschist facies conditions and ending under brittle conditions. Ductile greenschist deformation corresponds to dome and basin trajectories of the foliation surface. A partition is observed between domains where a pure shear regime prevails in the core of the domes and domains where a simple shear regime prevails, towards the WNW, at the rim of the domes, at the contact between units. Brittle deformation corresponds to a continuum of the ductile deformation. Meanwhile, metamorphic contrasts suggested by pressure estimates cannot be ruled by the relative extension-related displacements. This extension corresponds to the accommodation of the vertical indentation of the high pressure units by the stacking of deep crustal slices, in front of the rigid Apulian mantle back-stop, during continuous convergence.     

Transitional blueschist–epidote amphibolite facies metamorphism in the Frankenberg massif, Germany, and geotectonic implications

Bimodal metavolcanic rocks, granitic gneisses and metasediments are associated in the Frankenberg massif, Germany. These rocks are faulted against underlying very low-grade Palaeozoic sequences and adjacent metamorphic complexes of the Variscan basement. The granitic gneisses record an Rb–Sr whole-rock isochron age of 461±20  Ma that is taken as at least a minimum protolith age. The bimodal meta-igneous suites are interpreted to have formed during rifting of the Gondwana continental margin in the Cambro-Ordovician. The various metamorphic units have all experienced a common P–T  history. The peak-pressure stage is constrained to around 490–520  °C and 10–14  kbar (10–12  kbar being most realistic). The metamorphism proceeded along a clockwise P–T path towards conditions of around 580–610  °C and 7–8.5  kbar at the thermal peak followed by a final low-pressure overprint which spanned amphibolite facies to prehnite–actinolite facies temperatures. Owing to a secondary Rb–Sr whole-rock isochron age of 381±24  Ma, interpreted to date the retrograde stage, the whole metamorphic cycle in the Frankenberg massif is ascribed to the late Silurian–early Devonian high-pressure event widely recorded in the European Variscides. The antiformal complexes bordering the Frankenberg massif underwent a well-documented early Carboniferous metamorphism, suggesting that the Frankenberg massif constitutes a klippe which was overthrust towards the end of this second metamorphic cycle.     

Thermodynamic regime of Svecofennian (1.9 Ga) metamorphism of the Umba nappe of the Lapland collisional orogen

Thermodynamic regime of culmination phase of high-grade metamorphism of the Umba nappe (Lapland allochthon) was studied, and peak metamorphic monazite was dated. Based on calculation of end member reactions, the metamorphic assemblages of aluminous gneisses from the upper and lower parts of the nappe are close to equilibrium. The metamorphic conditions of the rocks are estimated to be about 800°C and 7 kbar in its upper part and 9 kbar in its lower part. The formation of orthopyroxene-sillimanite aggregates points to increasing pressure and temperature at the prograde stage of PT path, whereas cordierite rims mark the onset of decompression and cooling. The pressure difference of 2–2.5 kbar identified by thermobarometric methods between aluminous gneisses from the upper and lower parts of the Umba nappe corresponds to a depth gradient about 7.5 km, which agrees with approximate thickness of the Umba nappe. The study of the eclogitelike rocks developed after the rocks of the Paleoproterozoic Kolvitsa gabbronorite massif made it possible to trace the P-T evolution of metamorphsim: the temperature peak of granulite stage (11 kbar, 860°C) was followed by pressure increase (up to 14 kbar and more), and then decompressional cooling due to the exhumation of the Por’ya Guba nappe together with the Kolvitsa Massif. The U-Pb monazite age of 1904 ± 3 Ma obtained for aluminous gneisses from the upper part of the Umba nappe corresponds within error to the timing of metamorphic events determined from metamorphic zircon in the anorthosites of the Kolvitsa Massif (1907 ± 2 Ma) and zircon from aluminous gneisses in the melange zone (1906 ± 3 Ma). These isotopic data confirm the conclusion of simultaneous high-pressure granulite metamorphism in the upper and lower portions of the Umba nappe.     

Three metamorphic events in the precambrian P-T-t history of the Transangarian Yenisey ridge recorded in garnet grains in metapelites

A study of gneisses and schists from the Yenisey regional shear zone (Garevka complex) at the western margin of the Siberian Craton has provided important constraints on the tectonothermal events and geodynamic processes in the Yenisey Ridge during the Riphean. In situ U-Th-Pb geochronology of monazite and xenotime from different garnet growth zones and the calculation of P-T path derived from chemical zoning pattern in garnet were used to distinguish three metamorphic events with different ages, thermodynamic regimes and metamorphic field gradients. The first stage occurred as a result of the Grenville orogeny during late Meso-early Neoproterozoic (1050–850 Ma) and was marked by low-pressure zoned metamorphism at ～4.8–5.0 kbar and 565–580°C and a metamorphic field gradient with dT/dH = 20–30°C/km typical of orogenic belts. At the second stage, the rocks experienced Late Riphean (801–793 Ma) collision-related medium-pressure metamorphism at ～7.7–7.9 kbar and 630°C with dT/dH ≤ 10°C/km. The final stage evolved as a syn-exhumation retrograde metamorphism (785–776 Ma) at ～4.8–5.4 kbar and 500°C with dT/dH ≤ 12°C/km and recorded a relatively fast uplift of the rocks to upper crustal levels in shear zones. The range of exhumation rates at the post-collisional stage (500–700 m/Ma) correlates with the duration of exhumation and the results of thermophysical numerical modeling of metamorphic rocks within orogenic belts. The final stages of collisional orogeny are marked by the development of rift-related bimodal dyke swarms associated with Neoproterozoic extension (797 ± 11 and 7.91 ± 6 Ma; U-Pb SHRIMP II zircon data) along the western margin of the Siberian craton and the beginning of the breakup of Rodinia. Post-Grenville metamorphic episodes of regional evolution are correlated with the synchronous succession and similar style of the later tectono-metamorphic events within the Valhalla orogen along the Arctic margin of Rodinia and support the spatial proximity of Siberia and North Atlantic cratons at about 800 Ma, as indicated by the latest paleomagnetic reconstructions.     

Constraining P–T conditions during thrusting of a higher pressure unit over a lower pressure one (Gran Paradiso,Western Alps)

Identifying higher pressure units overlying lower pressure ones is a first order argument to determine the presence of large‐scale thrusting. For the first time, petrology is used to quantify the pressure difference between two stacked units in the Western Alps. In the Gran Paradiso Massif, the Money unit crops out as a tectonic window below the Gran Paradiso unit. The reconstruction of the Alpine evolution of these two units and the history of their tectonic contact has been achieved using a multidisciplinary approach that combines meso‐ and microstructural analysis and pseudosection calculations. In both units, four stages of deformation and metamorphism have been identified. Stage 1 reflects the phase of continental crust subduction and P–T conditions of ~18–20 kbar, 480–520 °C and of ~13–18 kbar, 500–530 °C have been estimated for the Gran Paradiso and the Money units respectively. This yields a maximum difference of ~20 km in the depth reached by these two units during the early Alpine history. Thrusting of the Gran Paradiso unit over the Money unit (stage 2) led to the development of the main foliation and occurred in the high‐P part of the albite stability field at P–T conditions of ~12.5–14.5 kbar and 530–560 °C, identical in both units. The thrust contact was folded during stage 3 together with the entire Money unit, and then both units were exhumed together (stage 4). During this polyphase evolution, detrital garnet has been partially dissolved, while the earliest Na‐bearing phases (glaucophane, paragonite) have been overprinted by the low‐P mineral associations. The uncertainties on derived pressures between the two units are unfortunately larger than hoped, and this is attributed to the muscovite solid‐solution model not incorporating a pyrophyllite component.     

Eclogite-like apogabbro rocks in Sidorov and Bolshaya Ileika islands,Keret Archipelago,White Sea: Compositional characteristics,metamorphic age and conditions

The paper reports the first data obtained by state-of-the-art analytical techniques on the composition of minerals and the metamorphic age and metamorphic parameters of eclogite-like rocks from Sidorov and Ileiki islands, Keret Archipelago, White Sea. The U-Pb zircon magmatic age of the metabasites lies within the range of 2400–2480 Ma. The rocks were subjected to eclogite metamorphism at 1870–1890 Ma, with this age estimate consistent with analogous estimates for eclogite metamorphism elsewhere within BMB. Simultaneously garnetite zones were produced. The metabasites were eclogitized at 12 kbar and 700°C, i.e., near the boundary between the eclogite and amphibolite facies of relatively high pressure, because of a local pressure increase during rock cooling in the presence of fluid. The retrograde metamorphic episode proceeded under pressures from 12 to 6.5 kbar at temperatures from 700 to 600°C. The contact amphibolization of the metabasites at a temperature close to 620°C and pressures of 2–2.5 kbar (low-pressure amphibolite facies) occurred at 1870 Ma and is pronounced in the form of an amphibolite rim around a boudin of eclogitized basite and in significant changes in the trace-element and REE composition of the eclogite zircon.     

P–T evolution of the Precambrian Metamorphic Complex,NW Iran: a study of metapelitic rocks

The Mahneshan Metamorphic Complex (MMC) is one of the Precambrian terrains exposed in the northwest of Iran. The MMC underwent two main phases of deformation (D₁ and D₂) and at least two metamorphic events (M₁ and M₂). Critical metamorphic mineral assemblages in the metapelitic rocks testify to regional metamorphism under amphibolite‐facies conditions. The dominant metamorphic mineral assemblage in metapelitic rocks (M₁) is muscovite, biotite I, Garnet I, staurolite, Andalusite I and sillimanite. Peak metamorphism took place at 600–620°C and ∼7 kbar, corresponding to a depth of ca. 24 km. This was followed by decompression during exhumation of the crustal rocks up to the surface. The decrease of temperature and pressure during exhumation produced retrograde metamorphic assemblages (M₂). Secondary phases such as garnet II biotite II, Andalusite II constrain the temperature and pressure of M₂ retrograde metamorphism to 520–560°C and 2.5–3.5 kbar, respectively. The geothermal gradient obtained for the peak of metamorphism is 33°C km⁻¹, which indicates that peak metamorphism was of Barrovian type and occurred under medium‐pressure conditions. The MMC followed a ‘clockwise’ P–T path during metamorphism, consistent with thermal relaxation following tectonic thickening. The bulk chemistry of the MMC metapelites shows that their protoliths were deposited at an active continental margin. Together with the presence of palaeo‐suture zones and ophiolitic rocks around the high‐grade metamorphic rocks of the MMC, these features suggest that the Iranian Precambrian basement formed by an island‐arc type cratonization. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Silicate and sulphide thermobarometry of low- to medium-grade metamorphic rocks from Holkham Bay, south-east Alaska

ABSTRACT The western metamorphic belt of the Coast Plutonic Complex, south-east Alaska and adjacent British Columbia, contains strongly deformed rocks and a prominent topographic low: the Coast Range megalineament. Near Holkham Bay, south-east Alaska, the lineament separates the western metamorphic belt into: a western low-grade (greenschist facies) terrane, and an eastern medium-grade (amphibolite facies) terrane. Sphalerite compositions of grains in direct contact with pyrite and pyrrhotite in chlorite-muscovite zone rocks in the low-grade terrane give pressures of about 8 kbar; compatible with pressures of 8-10 kbar at 500°C calculated from plagioclase-biotite-garnet-muscovite assemblages adjacent to the Windham Bay pluton about 15 km away. A pressure of 4.8 ± 0.7 kbar was calculated from sphalerite compositions in staurolite zone rocks east of the Coast Range megalineament. This is indistinguishable from pressures of 4.8 ± 1 kbar at 585°C and 5.1 ± 1 kbar at 680°C (plagioclase-garnet-aluminum silicate-quartz equilibria), and 4.1 ± 1 kbar at 585°C (plagioclase-biotite-garnet-muscovite equilibrium) determined for the medium-grade terrane. An identical pressure of 4.8 ± 0.7 kbar was calculated from sphalerite compositions in biotite zone rocks adjacent to the lineament; this is considerably higher than a pressure of 3.1 ± 1 kbar at 525°C obtained using plagioclase-biotite-garnet-muscovite geobarometry from shear zones within the lineament. The discrepancy may be explained by later equilibration of mineral phases within the shear zones. The geothermobarometry suggests relatively low temperatures and high pressures for the low-grade terrane (6-10 kbar), and intermediate temperatures and pressures for the medium-grade terrane to the east (4-6 kbar). Comparison of the barometers indicate that sphalerite can be used to estimate metamorphic pressures, similar to those estimated from silicate mineral chemistry when pyrrhotite-sphalerite-pyrite assemblages are used.     

Metamorphic evolution of mineral assemblages in the layered unit and its host rocks of the eastern part of the Pana Massif,Kola Peninsula

The paper presents data on the mineral assemblages and chemical composition of minerals in rocks from the eastern part of the Pana Massif, Kola Peninsula, and the results obtained by studying the amphibolization of rocks of this massif genetically related to metamorphism. The rocks contain four amphibole populations, which can be used as good indicators for metamorphic facies. The amphiboles show broad compositional variability. Their evaluated P-T crystallization conditions indicate that the prograde stage of the overprinted metamorphic processes occurred at temperatures increasing from 382 to 473°C and pressures from 1.7 to 4.3 kbar. The retrograde stage (biotitization, chloritization, silification, and carbonatization) took place at temperatures of about 370°C and pressures of approximately 1 kbar. The fluid regime of the metamorphic transforms was also controlled by the temperature: the fluids were oxidizing early in the course of the process and gradually became more reducing with decreasing temperature.     

Metamorphic history of glaucophane‐paragonite‐zoisite eclogites from the Shanderman area,northern Iran

The Shanderman eclogites and related metamorphosed oceanic rocks mark the site of closure of the Palaeotethys ocean in northern Iran. The protolith of the eclogites was an oceanic tholeiitic basalt with MORB composition. Eclogite occurs within a serpentinite matrix, accompanied by mafic rocks resembling a dismembered ophiolite. The eclogitic mafic rocks record different stages of metamorphism during subduction and exhumation. Minerals formed during the prograde stages are preserved as inclusions in peak metamorphic garnet and omphacite. The rocks experienced blueschist facies metamorphism on their prograde path and were metamorphosed in eclogite facies at the peak of metamorphism. The peak metamorphic mineral paragenesis of the rocks is omphacite, garnet (pyrope‐rich), glaucophane, paragonite, zoisite and rutile. Based on textural relations, post‐peak stages can be divided into amphibolite and greenschist facies. Pressure and temperature estimates for eclogite facies minerals (peak of metamorphism) indicate 15–20 kbar at ~600 °C. The pre‐peak blueschist facies assemblage yields <11 kbar and 400–460 °C. The average pressure and temperature of the post‐peak amphibolite stage was 5–6 kbar, ~470 °C. The Shanderman eclogites were formed by subduction of Palaeotethys oceanic crust to a depth of no more than 75 km. Subduction was followed by collision between the Central Iran and Turan blocks, and then exhumation of the high pressure rocks in northern Iran.     

Petrology of metamorphic rocks from the Atbashy complex,Southern Tien-Shan,Kyrgyzstan

The high-to ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks of the Atbashy complex were petrologically investigated. The eclogites of the Choloktor Formation show a prograde evolution from epidote-blueschist facies(P = 17-21 kbar and T = 450-515 ℃) to peak eclogite-UHP conditions(P = 26-29 kbar and T = 545-615 ℃) with a subsequent epidote-amphibolite and greenschist facies overprint. The micaschists of the Choloktor Formation also show a clockwise P-T path from blueschist/epidote-blueschist facies conditions through peak eclogite facies conditions(P = 21-23 kbar and T = 530-580 ℃) to retrograde epidote-amphibolite and greenschist facies stages. A comparison of the P-T paths in the eclogites and mica-schists of Choloktor Formation reveal that they may have shared their P-T history from peak to retrograde stages. The mica-schists of the Atbashy Formation record peak metamorphism of P = 10-12 kbar and T = 515-565 ℃, which indicates that the highest grade of regional metamorphism in the Atbashy Ridge was epidote-amphibolite facies.The newly obtained P-T conditions for the mica-schists of Choloktor Formation indicate that sheets of sedimentary rocks were brought to great depths along the subduction zone and they metamorphosed under eclogite facies HP conditions. The eclogite blocks were amalgamated with mica-schists of Choloktor Formation in the eclogite facies HP conditions and together they experienced isothermal decompression to ～40 km. During this path, the eclogites and mica-schists of Choloktor Formation docked with mica-schists of Atbashy Formation at 10-12 kbar and 515-565 ℃, and from this depth(～40 km) the whole sequence was exhumed together. These new results improve our understanding of high-pressure metamorphism in subduction-related accretionary prism zones and the exhumation processes of deeply-seated rocks in the Atbashy HP-UHP complex.     

LPHT metamorphism in a late orogenic transpressional setting, Albera Massif, NE Iberia: implications for the geodynamic evolution of the Variscan Pyrenees

During the Late Palaeozoic Variscan Orogeny, Cambro‐Ordovician and/or Neoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Albera Massif (Eastern Pyrenees) were subject to low‐pressure/high‐temperature (LPHT) regional metamorphism, with the development of a sequence of prograde metamorphic zones (chlorite‐muscovite, biotite, andalusite‐cordierite, sillimanite and migmatite). LPHT metamorphism and magmatism occurred in a broadly compressional tectonic regime, which started with a phase of southward thrusting (D1) and ended with a wrench‐dominated dextral transpressional event (D2). D1 occurred under prograde metamorphic conditions. D2 started before the P–T metamorphic climax and continued during and after the metamorphic peak, and was associated with igneous activity. P–T estimates show that rocks from the biotite‐in isograd reached peak‐metamorphic conditions of 2.5 kbar, 400 °C; rocks in the low‐grade part of the andalusite‐cordierite zone reached peak metamorphic conditions of 2.8 kbar, 535 °C; rocks located at the transition between andalusite‐cordierite zone and the sillimanite zone reached peak metamorphic conditions of 3.3 kbar, 625 °C; rocks located at the beginning of the anatectic domain reached peak metamorphic conditions of 3.5 kbar, 655 °C; and rocks located at the bottom of the metamorphic series of the massif reached peak metamorphic conditions of 4.5 kbar, 730 °C. A clockwise P–T trajectory is inferred using a combination of reaction microstructures with appropriate P–T pseudosections. It is proposed that heat from asthenospheric material that rose to shallow mantle levels provided the ultimate heat source for the LPHT metamorphism and extensive lower crustal melting, generating various types of granitoid magmas. This thermal pulse occurred during an episode of transpression, and is interpreted to reflect breakoff of the underlying, downwarped mantle lithosphere during the final stages of oblique continental collision.     

Exhumation of high-pressure metamorphic rocks during crustal extension in the D'Entrecasteaux region, Papua New Guinea

Abstract The D'Entrecasteaux Islands of eastern Papua New Guinea consist of a number of active metamorphic core complexes formed under an extensional tectonic setting related to sea-floor spreading in the west Woodlark Basin. The complexes are defined by mountainous domes (>2500 m high) of fault-bounded, high-grade metamorphic rocks (including eclogite facies) intruded by 2–4-Ma granodiorite plutons. Garnet–clinopyroxene exchange thermometers indicate that the temperature of equilibration of the eclogites was 730–900° C. The jadeite component of omphacite indicates minimum pressure of 21 kbar, suggesting depths of >70 km. The metamorphic rocks have undergone widespread retrogression to amphibolite facies. Retrogression of the metamorphic basement is associated with shearing and formation of the metamorphic core complexes. P–T conditions in the early stages of shear zone activity, determined using the garnet–biotite exchange thermometer and the GASP and GRIPS barometers, were 570–730° C and 7–11 kbar. A second phase of re-equilibration at much lower pressures appears to be related to the widespread intrusion of granodiorite plutons. One re-equilibrated gneiss indicated maximum temperature of 730° C at estimated pressures of approximately 4 kbar. This late, high-temperature metamorphism is also indicated by reactions involving the production of hercynite and corundum in aluminous gneisses and formation of sillimanite at the expense of kyanite. Two major episodes of granodiorite intrusion occurred during uplift and exhumation of the core complexes. Both closely coincide spatially with high-temperature metamorphic rocks, the onset of deformation in extensional shear zones and subsequent uplift of the metamorphic basement. These observations indicate a fundamental link between uplift and granodiorite intrusion during continental extension and the formation of the D'Entrecasteaux Islands metamorphic core complexes.