High-pressure eclogites in northern Jiangsu – southern Shandong province, eastern China

Abstract Eclogites are distributed for more than 500 km along a major tectonic boundary between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons in central and eastern China. These eclogites usually have high-P assemblages including omphacite + kyanite and/or coesite (or its pseudomorph), and form a high-P eclogite terrane. They occur as isolated lenses or blocks 10 cm to 300 m long in gneisses (Type I), serpentinized garnet peridotites (Type II) and marbles (Type III). Type I eclogites were formed by prograde metamorphism, and their primary metamorphic mineral assemblage consists mainly of garnet [pyrope (Prp) = 15–40 mol%], omphacite [jadeite (Jd) = 34–64 mol%], pargasitic amphibole, kyanite, phengitic muscovite, zoisite, an SiO₂ phase, apatite, rutile and zircon. Type II eclogites characteristically contain no SiO₂ phase, and are divided into prograde eclogites and mantle-derived eclogites. The prograde eclogites of Type II are petrographically similar to Type I eclogites. The mantle-derived eclogites have high MgO/(FeO + Fe₂O₃) and Cr₂O₃ compositions in bulk rock and minerals, and consist mainly of pyrope-rich garnet (Prp = 48–60 mol%), sodic augite (Jd = 10–27 mol%) and rutile. Type III eclogites have an unusual mineral assemblage of grossular-rich (Grs = 57 mol%) garnet + omphacite (Jd = 30–34 mol%) + pargasite + rutile. Pargasitic and taramitic amphiboles, calcic plagioclase (An₆₈), epidote, zoisite, K-feldspar and paragonite occur as inclusions in garnet and omphacite in the prograde eclogites. This suggests that the prograde eclogites were formed by recrystallization of epidote amphibolite and/or amphibolite facies rocks with near-isothermal compression reflecting crustal thickening during continent–continent collision of late Proterozoic age. Equilibrium conditions of the prograde eclogites range from P > 26 kbar and T= 500–750°C in the western part to P > 28 kbar and T= 810–880°C in the eastern part of the high-P eclogite terrane. The prograde eclogites in the eastern part are considered to have been derived from a deeper position than those in the western part. Subsequent reactions, manifested by (1) narrow rims of sodic plagioclase or paragonite on kyanite and (2) symplectites between omphacite and quartz are interpreted as an effect of near-isothermal decompression during the retrograde stage. The conditions at which symplectites re-equilibrated tend to increase from west (P < 10 kbar and T < 580°C) to east (P > 9 kbar and T > 680°C). Equilibrium temperatures of Type II mantle-derived eclogites and Type III eclogite are 730–750°C and 680°C, respectively.     

藏北羌塘中部高压变质带中石榴子石白云母片岩的岩石学和变质特征

羌塘中部的高压变质带位于龙木错-双湖-澜沧江板块缝合带之上,由榴辉岩、蓝片岩和石榴子石白云母片岩组成,其形成过程对探讨板块缝合带的构造演化具有重要意义。以其中的石榴子石白云母片岩为研究对象,通过岩相学研究并结合电子探针成分分析,认为石榴子石白云母片岩中的石榴子石具有多期次变质结晶的特征,保留了岩石多期次变质的信息。结合岩石组构特征,最终确定石榴子石白云母片岩至少经历了3期次的变质作用。第一、二期均为绿片岩相,当时岩石不具定向构造且未达到高压;第三期为低温高压蓝片岩相变质作用,与区域上蓝片岩的形成及榴辉岩的蓝片岩相退变质作用大体同时,该期变质变形作用形成了岩石的片理,最终成为石榴子石白云母片岩,变质作用时代为218Ma左右。     

藏北羌塘中部高压变质带中石榴子石白云母片岩的岩石学和变质特征

羌塘中部的高压变质带位于龙木错-双湖-澜沧江板块缝合带之上,由榴辉岩、蓝片岩和石榴子石白云母片岩组成,其形成过程对探讨板块缝合带的构造演化具有重要意义。以其中的石榴子石白云母片岩为研究对象,通过岩相学研究并结合电子探针成分分析,认为石榴子石白云母片岩中的石榴子石具有多期次变质结晶的特征,保留了岩石多期次变质的信息。结合岩石组构特征,最终确定石榴子石白云母片岩至少经历了3期次的变质作用。第一、二期均为绿片岩相,当时岩石不具定向构造且未达到高压;第三期为低温高压蓝片岩相变质作用,与区域上蓝片岩的形成及榴辉岩的蓝片岩相退变质作用大体同时,该期变质变形作用形成了岩石的片理,最终成为石榴子石白云母片岩,变质作用时代为218Ma左右。     

Pre-Middle Jurassic accretionary metamorphism in the southern Klamath Mountains of northern California, USA

Abstract High- P/T metamorphic parageneses are preserved within two late Palaeozoic to early Mesozoic assemblages of the southern Klamath Mountains that show contrasting structural styles and mineral parageneses reflecting formation in different parts of a subduction-zone regime. Blueschist facies tectonites of the Stuart Fork terrane represent a coherent subduction complex formed at relatively deep crustal levels, whereas the chaotic metasedimentary mélange of the eastern Hayfork terrane contains a diverse range of metamorphic parageneses reflecting complex structural mixing of metamorphic components at shallower levels. The convergent-margin-type accretionary metamorphism evident in both terranes pre-dates Middle Jurassic low- P/T metamorphism resulting from regional tectonic contraction and magmatism.
The epidote- to lawsonite-zone Stuart Fork blueschists (and eclogites locally) formed at pressures of about 6-11 kbar and temperatures of 250-400° C. Deformed matrix material of the eastern Hayfork mélange formed at similar temperatures but lower pressures, on the order of 3-6 kbar. The mélange contains a diverse assemblage of tectonic blocks that formed under a range of P-T conditions, including those of the blueschist, pumpellyite-actinolite, greenschist and upper greenschist to amphibolite facies.
The succession of mineral parageneses and inferred P-T conditions of the eastern Hayfork blocks reflect those of igneous protolith formation, structural mixing, subduction-zone metamorphism, olistolith transport, and tectonic and erosional denudation. Although temporal relations are not well constrained, the evolution of these terranes is consistent with formation within a single convergent-margin system.     

Ultra-high-pressure metamorphism of carbonate rocks in the Dabie Mountains, central China

Abstract Widespread ultra-high-P assemblages including coesite, quartz pseudomorphs after coesite, aragonite, and calcite pseudomorphs after aragonite in marble, gneiss and phengite schist are present in the Dabie Mountains eclogite terrane. These assemblages indicate that the ultra-high-P metamorphic event occurred on a regional scale during Triassic collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons. Marble in the Dabie Mountains is interlayered with coesite-bearing eclogite and gneiss and as blocks of various size within gneiss. Discontinuous boudins of eclogite occur within marble layers. Marble contains an ultra-high-P assemblage of calcite/aragonite, dolomite, clinopyroxene, garnet, phengite, epidote, rutile and quartz/coesite. Coesite, quartz pseudomorphs after coesite, aragonite and calcite pseudomorphs after aragonite occur as fine-grained inclusions in garnet and omphacite. Phengites contain about 3.6 Si atoms per formula unit (based on 11 oxygens). Similar to the coesite-bearing eclogite, marble exhibits retrograde recrystallization under amphibolite–greenschist facies conditions generated during uplift of the ultra-high-P metamorphic terrane. Retrograde minerals are fine grained and replace coarse-grained peak metamorphic phases. The most typical replacements are: symplectic pargasitic hornblende + epidote after garnet, diopside + plagioclase (An₁₈) after omphacite, and fibrous phlogopite after phengite. Ferroan pargasite + plagioclase, and actinolite formed along grain boundaries between garnet and calcite, and calcite and quartz, respectively. The estimated peak P–T conditions for marble are comparable to those for eclogite: garnet–clinopyroxene geothermometry yields temperatures of 630–760°C; the garnet–phengite thermometer gives somewhat lower temperatures. The minimum pressure of peak metamorphism is 27 kbar based on the occurrence of coesite. Such estimates of ultra-high-P conditions are consistent with the coexistence of grossular-rich garnet + rutile, and the high jadeite content of omphacite in marble. The fluid for the peak metamorphism was calculated to have a very low X_CO2 (<0.03). The P–T conditions for retrograde metamorphism were estimated to be 475–550°C at <7 kbar.     

Fluid migration and vein formation during deformation and greenschist facies metamorphism at Ormiston Gorge, central Australia

During the Alice Springs Orogeny, deformation at Ormiston Gorge, central Australia, occurred under lower- to middle-greenschist facies conditions. Dolomites of the Bitter Springs Formation and quartzites. metagreywackes, and metapelites of the Heavitree Quartzite contain abundant early-, syn-, and post-tectonic veins. However, though vein densities locally approach 15%, the distribution of veins and the oxygen isotope geochemistry of wallrocks and veins suggest that fluid movement was on a local scale. The Heavitree Quartzite contains quartz veins that, even along the main thrust plane, have similar δ¹⁸O values (13.5–16.9%o) to those of their wallrocks (13.6–16.9%o), with Δ¹⁸O(vein-wallrock) values of -0.6 to 0.4%o. In contrast, the Bitter Springs Formation contains predominantly dolomite veins that have δ¹⁸O values of 23.4 to 27.7%o. These differences are observed even at the boundary between the Heavitree and Bitter Springs rocks, implying that significant fluid exchange between these rocks has not occurred, or that fluid flow was channelled through areas outside those sampled for this study. By contrast with the Heavitree Quartzite, δ¹⁸O values of wallrocks in individual samples of the Bitter Springs Formation are significantly higher (23.3–29.1%o) than those of the veins, with δ¹⁸O(vein-wallrock) values up to -4%o (average of -2.1%o). These systematic differences in δ¹⁸O values most likely result from oxygen isotope fractionation caused by fluid immiscibility or disequilibrium dissolution. Smaller differences in δ¹³C values between some dolomite veins and wallrocks [δ¹³C(vein-wallrock) up to -1.9%o, average of -0.5%o] are also explained by these processes. This study indicates that large volumes of veins may be produced by repeated fracturing and fluid migration within particular rock units, without involving large volumes of externally derived fluids.     

中国境内可能存在一条新的高压/超高压(?)变质带——青藏高原拉萨地体中发现榴辉岩带

新发现榴辉岩带位于拉萨北东方向,产在青藏高原拉萨地体中东部。观察到的榴辉岩带宽度约500~600m,呈近东西向延伸,已知规模10km以上。榴辉岩为常见的金红石榴辉岩、石英榴辉岩和多硅白云母榴辉岩。榴辉岩的单斜辉石中含硬玉分子变化较大,Jd=16%~44%,但均落于绿辉石成分区间;石榴子石中镁铝榴石(Pyrope)端元组分16%~33%,铁铝榴石(Alm)40%~54%,钙铝榴石(Gross)22%~31%。利用Grt-Omp-Phe和Grt-Omp矿物组合对变质温-压初步估算,获得金红石榴辉岩样品06Y-334的变质p、t分别为2.58GPa、635℃和2.67GPa、730℃,样品06Y-345的t主要在680~780℃区间,样品06Y-336的t主要在640~740℃区间,3个样品获得的结果相近。显微镜观察表明多硅白云母可能为折返阶段的退变质矿物而不属变质峰期的矿物,推测峰期的压力值有可能高于2.67GPa而进入柯石英稳定区间(p>2.8GPa)。石榴子石和绿辉石中出现的一些类似柯石英假象的石英包裹体与这一推断相吻合。以上初步研究结果表明,拉萨地体的榴辉岩带可能是中国境内又一条高压/超高压(?)变质带。     

大别山太湖—马庙断裂带两侧变质地体的增温变质作用

大别山榴辉岩地体以太湖 马庙断裂带为南界。该断裂带近东西走向, 向南倾斜。通过对石榴石中 Ｍｇ 含量由核部向边缘增高的生长环带构造的分析和详细的 Ｐ Ｔ 轨迹的计算表明, 断裂带北侧的榴辉岩和南侧的角闪岩及角闪片麻岩均经历了降压增温变质过程。热榴辉岩由地幔深处的折返和地温梯度的升高为可能的热源。     

中国西部元古代蓝片岩带——世界上保存最好的前寒武纪蓝片岩

阿克苏附近所发现的元古界阿克苏群为一完整的蓝片岩-绿片岩系列,我们通过野外调查肯定了这一认识,并认为它是高压-温相的变质块体,长40km,宽约2.5km.该变质岩由强烈片理化的绿泥石-黑硬绿泥石石墨片岩、黑硬绿泥石-多硅白云母片岩、绿片岩、蓝片岩及少量石英岩、变铁质岩组成.原岩包活泥质岩、砂岩、基性玻屑凝灰岩、块状熔岩、枕状熔岩及少量深海沉积物.蓝片岩的矿物组合:青铝闪石-绿帘石-绿泥石-钠长石-石英-阳起石.阿克苏群为世界上真正的前震旦纪蓝片岩之一,其变质年龄至少有800Ma.     

中祁连地块北缘退变榴辉岩的发现及其地质意义

1∶5万区域地质调查首次在中祁连地块北缘发现的退变榴辉岩,呈构造岩块分布于大羊陇一带的变质基底中。岩相学和矿物学研究显示,石榴石的矿物包体和化学成分具有进变质环带的特征,属于C类榴辉岩。石榴石核部成分以及残留于核部的黑云母、斜长石等矿物包体代表了进变质阶段(M1)矿物组合,计算得到其温压条件为568～580 ℃和0.80～0.82 GPa。大致估算得峰期榴辉岩相阶段(M2)温压条件为(669±5) ℃和(2.1±0.2) GPa。石榴石“白眼圈”结构指示了等温减压退变质作用,利用局部的平衡矿物获得高角闪岩相退变质阶段(M3)的温压条件为681～705 ℃和0.68～0.71 GPa。进一步的退变质作用发生在低角闪岩相条件下,以基质中出现粗粒的角闪石和斜长石为特征,估算得到这一阶段(M4)温压分别为500～545 ℃和0.38～0.43 GPa。上述变质过程形成一个顺时针的p-T演化轨迹,暗示板片经历过快速俯冲和折返。榴辉岩的锆石CL图像显示锆石大部分发光度低,为无分带、弱分带或海绵状分带,边部发育宽约5 μm的强阴极发光带,主体表现为变质增生锆石的特征。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年获得峰期榴辉岩相变质的上限年龄为(485±22) Ma。根据岩石地球化学特征和构造环境判别,大羊陇榴辉岩的原岩为MORB,推测属于北祁连洋壳的组成部分。结合中祁连地块北缘广泛发育弧岩浆岩,确定了晚寒武世-中奥陶世北祁连洋壳存在向南的俯冲作用,其俯冲极性为南北双向俯冲。     

Low-grade metamorphism of the Mikabu and northern Chichibu belts in central Shikoku, SW Japan: implications for the areal extent of the Sanbagawa low-grade metamorphism

In central Shikoku, SW Japan, the Mikabu belt is bounded to the north by the Sanbagawa belt, and to the south by the northern (N) Chichibu belt. The N-Chichibu belt can be further subdivided into northern and southern parts. There is no apparent difference in the overall geology, structure, or fossil and radiometric ages between the Mikabu belt and the northern part of the N-Chichibu belt. Greenstones from the Mikabu belt and the northern part of the N-Chichibu belt show evidence for similar low-grade metamorphism, and include the following mineral assemblages with albite+chlorite in excess: metamorphic aragonite, sodic pyroxene+quartz, epidote+actinolite+pumpellyite, glaucophane+ pumpellyite+quartz, and lawsonite (not with actinolite or glaucophane). These similarities suggest that the Mikabu belt and the northern part of the N-Chichibu belt belong to the same geological unit (the MB-NNC complex). The mineral assemblages also indicate that the MB-NNC complex belongs to a different metamorphic facies from the low-grade part of the Sanbagawa belt, that is, the former represents lower temperature/higher pressure conditions than the latter. Structural and petrological continuity between the MB-NNC complex and Sanbagawa belt has not yet been confirmed, but both have similar radiometric ages. It is therefore most likely that the MB-NNC complex and Sanbagawa belt belong to the same subduction complex, and were metamorphosed under similar but distinct conditions. These two units were juxtaposed during exhumation. In contrast, the southern part of the N-Chichibu belt is distinct in lithology and structure, and includes no mineral assemblages diagnostic of the MB-NNC complex and the Sanbagawa belt. Thus, the southern part of the N-Chichibu belt may represent a different geological unit from the MB-NNC complex and Sanbagawa belt.     

Metamorphic textures and P–T evolution of high-P granulites from the Lelukuau terrane, NE Grenville Province

High‐pressure (HP) granulites and eclogitized metagabbro are exposed along an orogen‐parallel high‐P belt that was developed at c. 1050–1020 Ma in the NE Grenville Province. Among these rocks, mafic granulites derived from a Labradorian anorthosite suite of the Lelukuau terrane contain garnet, Al‐Na diopside, and, depending on bulk composition, plagioclase and kyanite. Moreover, the distribution of phases is influenced by the original igneous texture. For instance, in high X_MgO leucocratic varieties, garnet porphyroblasts nucleated together with kyanite in An‐rich cores of plagioclase domains whereas in low X_MgO rocks garnet occurs together with clinopyroxene within formerly igneous ferromagnesian domains and kyanite is missing. In contrast, garnet pseudomorphs after igneous plagioclase in melanocratic varieties display evidence of earlier corona development. Metamorphic textures are consistent with a two stage evolution: (a) development of garnet and Al‐Na‐diopside (Cpx₁) under high‐P metamorphic conditions, concomitant with elimination of plagioclase in the mesocratic to melanocratic varieties; and (b) partial loss of Al‐Na from Cpx₁ resulting in production of new andesitic plagioclase, and growth of new clinopyroxene (Cpx₂) after garnet and quartz in leucocratic to mesocratic rocks consistent with decompression. Widespread equilibrium textures between garnet‐Pl₂‐Cpx₂ and/or reset Cpx₁ are consistent with development at the thermal peak. Estimated P–T conditions for the presumed thermal peak fall in the range 1500–1800 MPa and 800–900 °C and are comparable to those recorded by eclogitized gabbros from other parts of the high‐P belt of the NE Grenville province. Low jadeite content of clinopyroxene from the HP granulites is attributed to the low bulk Na₂O/(Na₂O + CaO) of these rocks relative to common basaltic compositions. Scarcity of apparent retrograde textural overprint in both the HP granulites and the eclogites suggests fast subsequent cooling, consistent with extrusion of the high‐P belt towards the foreland shortly after the metamorphic peak.     

Mg–Fe carpholites from aluminous schists in the Diahot region and implications for preservation of high-pressure/low-temperature schists, northern New Caledonia

Abstract Mg–Fe carpholite is widespread in the Diahot region of New Caledonia in highly aluminous schists and as veins in what was originally a clay-rich hydrothermal alteration envelope about massive suphide deposits. These carpholites have Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratios of 0.03–0.65 and no significant Mn component. Mg-carpholite + quartz occur in assemblages with chlorite or pyrophyllite, pyrophyllite + kaolinite and pyrophyllite + diaspore. Temperatures of 230–320° C and minimum pressures of 7 kbar are indicated for the Mg–Fe carpholite-bearing rocks. The regional distribution of aragonite and Mg–Fe carpholite parallel to a major zone of dominantly transcurrent movement and oblique to the trend of the subduction complex indicates the high- P /low- T schists owe their rapid uplift and preservation to the vertical component of the transcurrent faulting.     

P–T path of high-pressure/low-temperature rocks and tectonic implications in the western Tianshan Mountains, NW China

The Chinese western Tianshan high-pressure/low-temperature (HP–LT) metamorphic belt, which extends for about 200 km along the South Central Tianshan suture zone, is composed of mainly metabasic blueschists, eclogites and greenschist facies rocks. The metabasic blueschists occur as small discrete blocks, lenses, bands, laminae or thick beds in meta-sedimentary greenschist facies country rocks. Eclogites are intercalated within blueschist layers as lenses, laminae, thick beds or large massive blocks (up to 2 km² in plan view). Metabasic blueschists consist of mainly garnet, sodic amphibole, phengite, paragonite, clinozoisite, epidote, chlorite, albite, accessory titanite and ilmenite. Eclogites are predominantly composed of garnet, omphacite, sodic–calcic amphibole, clinozoisite, phengite, paragonite, quartz with accessory minerals such as rutile, titanite, ilmenite, calcite and apatite. Garnet in eclogite has a composition of 53–79 mol% almandine, 8.5–30 mol% grossular, 5–24 mol% pyrope and 0.6–13 mol% spessartine. Garnet in blueschists shows similar composition. Sodic amphiboles include glaucophane, ferro-glaucophane and crossite, whereas the sodic–calcic amphiboles mainly comprise barroisite and winchite. The jadeite content of omphacite varies from 35–54 mol%. Peak eclogite facies temperatures are estimated as 480–580 °C for a pressure range of 14–21 kbar. The conditions of pre-peak, epidote–blueschist facies metamorphism are estimated to be 350–450 °C and 8–12 kbar. All rock types have experienced a clockwise P–T path through pre-peak lawsonite/epidote-blueschist to eclogite facies conditions. The retrograde part of the P–T path is represented by the transition of epidote-blueschist to greenschist facies conditions. The P–T path indicates that the high-pressure rocks formed in a B-type subduction zone along the northern margin of the Palaeozoic South Tianshan ocean between the Tarim and Yili-central Tianshan plates.     

藏北羌塘中部戈木日榴辉岩的岩石学、矿物学及变质作用pTt轨迹

羌塘中部榴辉岩位于龙木错－双湖缝合带中段,改则县古姆乡片石山地区。榴辉岩的主要矿物成分为石榴子石、绿辉石、多硅白云母、金红石、角闪石等,围岩为石榴白云母片岩和蓝片岩,石榴白云母片岩主要由石榴子石、多硅白云母和石英构成,蓝片岩由石榴子石、角闪石（含蓝闪石）、多硅白云母等构成。岩石学和矿物学研究显示,榴辉岩主要经历了3期变质作用：①峰期榴辉岩相变质作用阶段,以石榴子石、绿辉石和多硅白云母为特征,变质温度和压力分别为500℃和2.3GPa;②绿帘角闪岩相变质作用阶段,以后期形成的冻蓝闪石、镁红闪石、绿帘石、钠长石等交代早期矿物为特征;③绿片岩相变质作用阶段,以毛发状阳起石等为特征。榴辉岩的变质演化过程代表了青藏高原北部古特提斯洋俯冲消减和冈瓦纳与劳亚大陆碰撞造山的过程。     

藏北羌塘中部戈木日榴辉岩的岩石学、矿物学及变质作用pTt轨迹

羌塘中部榴辉岩位于龙木错－双湖缝合带中段,改则县古姆乡片石山地区。榴辉岩的主要矿物成分为石榴子石、绿辉石、多硅白云母、金红石、角闪石等,围岩为石榴白云母片岩和蓝片岩,石榴白云母片岩主要由石榴子石、多硅白云母和石英构成,蓝片岩由石榴子石、角闪石（含蓝闪石）、多硅白云母等构成。岩石学和矿物学研究显示,榴辉岩主要经历了3期变质作用：①峰期榴辉岩相变质作用阶段,以石榴子石、绿辉石和多硅白云母为特征,变质温度和压力分别为500℃和2.3GPa;②绿帘角闪岩相变质作用阶段,以后期形成的冻蓝闪石、镁红闪石、绿帘石、钠长石等交代早期矿物为特征;③绿片岩相变质作用阶段,以毛发状阳起石等为特征。榴辉岩的变质演化过程代表了青藏高原北部古特提斯洋俯冲消减和冈瓦纳与劳亚大陆碰撞造山的过程。     

西藏松多榴辉岩变质作用研究

西藏拉萨地块松多附近新发现一条榴辉岩带,长约100 km,宽约2~3 km。松多榴辉岩主要经历了进变质的绿帘石榴辉岩相-峰期的榴辉岩相-退变质的角闪岩相3个阶段。岩石学研究表明,峰期的特征矿物组合是石榴子石绿辉石多硅白云母金红石,峰期温压条件是760~800 ℃,33~39 GPa。这表明松多地区可能曾经历超高压变质作用,之后快速返回,p T轨迹呈“发卡”状,后期退变质经历了角闪石榴辉岩相阶段。研究松多榴辉岩表明,拉萨地块内部有一条新的缝合带,这对于了解拉萨地块和古特提斯洋的演化有重要意义。     

桐柏—大别山高压超高压变质带

桐柏—大别山高压超高压变质带自南向北可划分为３个带：绿帘－蓝片岩相变质带，高压榴辉岩相变质和超高压榴辉岩相变质带，超高压变质带形成于加里东期洋壳俯冲作用过程中，而前两个高压变质带则是印支期陆－陆俯冲－碰撞作用的产物。     

High-Pressure and Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Belt in Tongbai-Dabie Mountains,Central China

There are four units of high-pressure to ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism extending from south to north across the Tongbai-Dabie Mountains: the epidote-blueschist-facies unit, the low-temperature eclogite facies unit , the ultrahigh-pressure eclngite facies unit and the medium-temperature eclogite facies unit . The later two units were formed during the Caledonian subduction between the Tongbai-Dabie microplate and the North China plate ,the former two units are the products of Indosinian continental-continental subduction and collision between the Yangtze and the North China plates.     

Metamorphic evolution of eclogite facies rocks in Northern Hubei and Southern Henan, China

Eclogite fades rocks in this area are diverse in rock type. The field occurrence and rock-chemistry reflect theirin-situ origin. Based on their regional geology and field occurrence, two groups of eclogites are divided in terms of their peak temperature of metamorphism. Medium-temperature eclogites (MT), as Group B, occur in the Dabie Group. They were formed from epidote-amphibolite facies. The metamorphism of eclogite facies has two stages: the coesite eclogite facies stage (the peak condition:T = 600 -700°C,P = 2.7-3.0 GPa) and the glaucophane eclogite facies stage (the pressure decreases, may be lower than 2.5 GPa while the temperature has little change). Low temperature eclogites (LT), as Group C, occur in the Qijiaoshan Formation. They were formed from blue schist facies (the peak condition:T = 490–560°C,P< 1.5 GPa). The appearance of hydrous minerals in the eclogites indicates the important role of water in metamorphism. Medium-temperature eclogites are different from low-temperature ones in metamorphism. At last, the evolution of the high-pressure metamorphic belt is discussed as well. This research project was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 49372100).