Ultrahigh-pressure garnet peridotites from the devolatilization of sea-floor hydrated ultramafic rocks

Garnet peridotites occur in quartzofeldspathic gneisses in the Northern Qaidam Mountains, western China. They are rich in Mg and Cr, with mineral compositions similar to those in mantle peridotites found in other orogenic belts and as xenoliths in kimberlite. Garnet‐bearing lherzolites interlayered with dunite display oriented ilmenite and chromite lamellae in olivine and pyroxene lamellae in garnet that have been interpreted to indicate pressures in excess of 6 GPa. However, some garnet porphyroblasts include hornblende, chlorite and spinel + orthopyroxene symplectite after garnet; some clinopyroxene porphyroblasts include abundant actinolite/edenite, calcite and lizardite in the lherzolite; some olivine porphyroblasts (Fo₉₂) include an earlier generation Mg‐rich olivine (Fo_95–99), F‐rich clinohumite, pyroxene, chromite, anthophyllite/cummingtonite, Cl‐rich lizardite, carbonates and a new type of brittle mica, here termed ‘Ca‐phlogopite’, in the associated dunite. The pyrope content of garnet increases from core to rim, reaching the pyrope content (72 mol.%) of garnet typically found in the xenoliths in kimberlite. The simplest interpretation of these observations is that the rock association was formerly mantle peridotite emplaced into the oceanic crust that was subjected to serpentinization by seawater‐derived fluids near the sea floor. Dehydration during subduction to 3.0–3.5 GPa and 700 °C transformed these serpentinites into garnet lherzolite and dunite, depending on their Al and Ca contents. Pseudosection modelling using thermocalc shows that dehydration of the serpentinites is progressive, and involved three stages for Al‐rich and two stages for Al‐poor serpentinites, corresponding to the breakdown of the key hydrous minerals. Static burial and exhumation make olivine a pressure vessel for the pre‐subduction mineral inclusions during ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphism. The time span of the UHP event is constrained by the clear interface between the two generations of olivine to be very short, implying rapid subduction and exhumation.     

Micro‐sampling Lu–Hf geochronology reveals episodic garnet growth and multiple high‐P metamorphic events

We present Lu–Hf dates from multiple growth zones within two large garnet porphyroblasts by a micro‐sampling method. A single eclogite sample, taken from the Huwan shear zone in the Hong'an orogen, was investigated with Lu–Hf geochronology by micro‐sampling and traditional bulk separation methods. The sample contains a few large garnet porphyroblasts up to several centimetres in diameter and a second major population of smaller (0.1–2.0 mm) garnet porphyroblasts, comprised of dark cores and pale rims. Elemental compositions and mineral inclusions in the garnet appear consistent with two garnet generations. Lu–Hf dates (c. 400–264 Ma) were determined from twelve micro‐sawed garnet sections from two large garnet porphyroblasts. These Lu–Hf dates overlap with age peaks defined by 115 SIMS zircon U–Pb analyses from the same eclogite sample. Bulk analyses of smaller garnet separates define a minimum date of c. 306 Ma and a maximum date of c. 252 Ma for the dark cores and pale rims respectively. These Lu–Hf dates were interpreted to bracket the period of garnet growth and the broad interval from c. 400 to 264 Ma is best explained by protracted and episodic garnet growth, which may require that these rocks experienced two subduction cycles that were initiated during the Devonian and terminated in the Triassic.     

Super-silicic garnet microstructures from an orogenic garnet peridotite, evidence for an ultra-deep (>6 GPa) origin

We report the field, petrographic and mineral chemical characteristics of relict super‐silicic (=majoritic) garnet microstructures from the Otrøy peridotites in the Western Gneiss Region, Norway. The evidence for the former existence of super‐silicic garnet consists of two‐pyroxene exsolution microstructures from garnet. Estimates of the initial composition of the super‐silicic garnet imply pressures of 6–6.5 GPa, indicating that the Otrøy garnet peridotites were derived from depths >185 km. The garnet peridotites consist of inter‐banded variable compositions with c. 50% garnet peridotite and 50% garnet‐free peridotite. Two distinct garnet types were identified: (a) normal matrix garnet, grain‐size ≤4 mm, and (b) large isolated single garnet crystals and/or (polycrystalline) garnet nodules up to 10 cm in size. Large garnet nodules occur only within limited bands within the garnet peridotites. The relicts of super‐silicic garnet were exclusively found in some (not all) of the larger garnet nodules. Petrographic observations revealed that the microstructure of nodular garnet consists of the following four characteristic elements. (1) Individual garnet nodules are polycrystalline, with grain sizes of 2–8 mm. Garnet grain boundaries are straight with well‐defined triple junctions. (2) Some garnet triple junctions and garnet grain boundaries are decorated by interstitial orthopyroxene. (3) Cores of larger polycrystalline garnet contain two‐pyroxene exsolution microstructures. (4) Precipitation‐free rims (2 mm thick) surround garnet cores containing the exsolved pyroxene microstructure. Pyroxene exsolution from super‐silicic garnet was subsequently followed by brittle–ductile deformation of garnet. Both exsolved pyroxene needles and laths become undulous or truncated by fractures. Simultaneous garnet plasticity is indicated by the occurrence of high densities of naturally decorated dislocations. Transmission electron microscopy observations indicate that decoration is due to Ti‐oxide precipitation. Estimates of the P–T conditions for mineral chemical equilibration were obtained from geothermobarometry. The mineral compositions equilibrated at mantle conditions around 805±40 °C and 3.2±0.2 GPa. These P–T estimates correspond to cold continental lithosphere conditions at depths of around 105 km. From a combination of both depth estimates it can be concluded that the microstructural memory of the rock extends backwards to twice as great a depth range as obtained by thermobarometric methods. Available geochronological and geochemical data of Norwegian garnet peridotites suggest a multi‐stage, multi‐orogenic exhumation history.     

Precipitation of pyroxenes and Mg2SiO4 from majoritic garnet: simulation of peridotite exhumation from great depth

Our experimental simulations of the exhumation path of mantle peridotites show that high‐temperature (1400 °C) decompression of lherzolite from 14 to 13 and 12 GPa results in exsolution of interstitial blebs of diopside and Mg₂SiO₄ (wadsleyite) lamellae from majoritic garnet. At lower pressures (from 8 to 5 GPa, at T = 1400 °C) only enstatite exsolves as blebs at garnet boundaries. Continuous high‐temperature decompression from 14 to 7 GPa produces zoned majoritic garnet containing blebs of exsolved pyroxenes inside garnet rims. No intracrystalline precipitation of pyroxene was observed in garnet, although such lamellae are found in some natural garnet peridotites. The explanation appears to be the three orders of magnitude difference in grain size between experimental and natural specimens. Our data suggest that Mg₂SiO₄ and diopside exsolutions reflect the deepest point of the exhumation path of garnet peridotites, whereas enstatite precipitation may be restricted to garnets with less majoritic component at shallower depths.     

Monazite as a monitor of melting,garnet growth and feldspar recrystallization in continental lower crust

Monazite is a common accessory phase in felsic granulite ribbon mylonites exposed in the Upper Deck domain of the Athabasca granulite terrane, western Canadian Shield. Field relationships, bulk rock geochemistry and phase equilibria modelling in the Na₂O–CaO–K₂O–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O–TiO₂–Fe₂O₃ system are consistent with the garnet‐rich rocks representing the residual products of ultrahigh temperature melting of biotite‐bearing paragneisses driven by intraplating of mafic magma in continental lower crust. The c. 2.64–2.61 Ga Y‐rich resorbed monazite cores included in garnet are interpreted as relicts of detrital grains deposited on the Earth's surface after c. 2.61 Ga. Yttrium‐poor monazite domains in garnet are depleted in Sm and Gd and linked to fluid‐absent melting of biotite + plagioclase + quartz ± sillimanite during a prograde loading path from ≤0.8 to ≥1.4 GPa. The c. 2.61–2.55 Ga Y‐depleted, Th‐rich monazite domains crystallized in the presence of garnet + ternary feldspar ± orthopyroxene + peraluminous melt. The c. 2.58–2.52 Ga monazite rims depleted in Th + Ca and enriched in Eu are linked to localized melt extraction synchronous with growth of high‐pressure (HP) grossular‐rich garnet at the expense of plagioclase during crustal thickening, culminating at >950 °C. Re‐heating and dextral transpressive lower crustal reactivation at c. 1.9 Ga resulted in syn‐kinematic growth of (La + Ce)‐enriched monazite and a second generation of garnet, concurrent with recrystallization of feldspar and orthopyroxene at 1.0–1.2 GPa and 600–700 °C. Monazite grains in this study are marked by positive Eu‐anomalies relative to chondrite. A direct link is implied between Y, Sm, Eu and Gd in monazite and two major phases in continental lower crust: garnet and plagioclase. Positive Eu‐anomalies in lower crustal monazite associated with modally abundant garnet appear to be directly related to Eu‐enrichment and depletions of Y, Sm and Gd that are consequences of garnet growth and plagioclase breakdown during HP melting of peraluminous bulk compositions.     

Metasomatism of garnet peridotite from Jiangzhuang,southern Sulu UHP belt: constraints on the interactions between crust and mantle rocks during subduction of continental lithosphere

The Jiangzhuang ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic peridotite from south Sulu, eastern China occurs as a layer within gneiss with eclogite blocks, and consists of coarse‐grained garnet porphyroblasts and a fine‐grained matrix assemblage of garnet + forsterite + enstatite + diopside ± phlogopite ± Ti‐clinohumite ± magnesite. Both types of garnet are characterized by high MgO content and depletion of light rare earth element (LREE) and enrichment of heavy rare earth element, but the matrix garnet has lower MgO, TiO₂ and higher Cr₂O₃ and REE contents. Diopside displays LREE enrichment, and has low but variable large‐ion lithophile element (LILE) contents. Phlogopite is a major carrier of LILE. Ti‐clinohumite contains high Nb, Ta, Cr, Ni, V and Co contents. The P–T conditions of 4.5–6.0 GPa and 850–950 °C were estimated for matrix mineral assemblages. Most peridotites are depleted in Al₂O₃, CaO and TiO₂, and enriched in SiO₂, K₂O, REE and LILE. In contrast to phlogopite‐free peridotites, the phlogopite‐bearing peridotites have higher K₂O, Zr, REE and LILE contents. Zircon occurs only in the phlogopite‐bearing peridotites, shows no zoning, with low REE contents and Th/U ratios, and yields tight U–Pb ages of 225–220 Ma, indicating the peridotites experienced consistent Triassic UHP metamorphism with subducted supercrustal rocks. These data demonstrate that the Jiangzhuang peridotites were derived from the depleted mantle wedge of the North China Craton, and experienced various degrees of metasomatism. The phlogopite‐free peridotites may have been subjected to an early cryptic metasomatism at UHP conditions of the mantle wedge, whereas the phlogopite‐bearing peridotites were subjected to a subsequent strong metasomatism, characterized by distinctly enrichment in LILE, LREE, Zr and K as well as the growth of zircon and volatile‐bearing minerals at UHP subduction conditions. The related metasomatism may have resulted from the filtration of fluids sourced mainly from deeply subducted supracrustal rocks.     

Ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism and exhumation of garnet peridotite in Pohorje, Eastern Alps

New evidence for ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphism (UHPM) in the Eastern Alps is reported from garnet‐bearing ultramafic rocks from the Pohorje Mountains in Slovenia. The garnet peridotites are closely associated with UHP kyanite eclogites. These rocks belong to the Lower Central Austroalpine basement unit of the Eastern Alps, exposed in the proximity of the Periadriatic fault. Ultramafic rocks have experienced a complex metamorphic history. On the basis of petrochemical data, garnet peridotites could have been derived from depleted mantle rocks that were subsequently metasomatized by melts and/or fluids either in the plagioclase‐peridotite or the spinel‐peridotite field. At least four stages of recrystallization have been identified in the garnet peridotites based on an analysis of reaction textures and mineral compositions. Stage I was most probably a spinel peridotite stage, as inferred from the presence of chromian spinel and aluminous pyroxenes. Stage II is a UHPM stage defined by the assemblage garnet + olivine + low‐Al orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + Cr‐spinel. Garnet formed as exsolutions from clinopyroxene, coronas around Cr‐spinel, and porphyroblasts. Stage III is a decompression stage, manifested by the formation of kelyphitic rims of high‐Al orthopyroxene, aluminous spinel, diopside and pargasitic hornblende replacing garnet. Stage IV is represented by the formation of tremolitic amphibole, chlorite, serpentine and talc. Geothermobarometric calculations using (i) garnet‐olivine and garnet‐orthopyroxene Fe‐Mg exchange thermometers and (ii) the Al‐in‐orthopyroxene barometer indicate that the peak of metamorphism (stage II) occurred at conditions of around 900 °C and 4 GPa. These results suggest that garnet peridotites in the Pohorje Mountains experienced UHPM during the Cretaceous orogeny. We propose that UHPM resulted from deep subduction of continental crust, which incorporated mantle peridotites from the upper plate, in an intracontinental subduction zone. Sinking of the overlying mantle and lower crustal wedge into the asthenosphere (slab extraction) caused the main stage of unroofing of the UHP rocks during the Upper Cretaceous. Final exhumation was achieved by Miocene extensional core complex formation.     

P-T-t Path of Mafic Granulite Metamorphism in Northern Tibet and Its Geodynamical Implications

Mafic granulites have been found as structural lenses within the huge thrust system outcropping about 10 km west of Nam Co of the northern Lhasa Terrane, Tibetan Plateau. Petrological evidence from these rocks indicates four distinct metamorphic assemblages. The early metamorphic assemblage (M1) is preserved only in the granulites and represented by plagioclase+hornblende inclusions within the cores of garnet porphyroblasts. The peak assemblage (M2) consists of garnet+clinopyroxene+hornblende+plagioclase in the mafic granulites. The peak metamorphism was followed by near-isothermal decompression (M3), which resulted in the development of hornblende+plagioclase symplectites surrounding embayed garnet porphyroblasts, and decompression-cooling (M4) is represented by minerals of hornblende+plagioclase recrystallized during mylonization. The peak (M2) P-T conditions of garnet+ clinopyroxene+plagioclase+hornblende were estimated at 769-905℃ and 0.86-1.02 GPa based on the geothermometers and geobarometers. The     

A general model for the intrusion and evolution of 'mantle' garnet peridotites in high-pressure and ultra-high-pressure metamorphic terranes

Garnet‐bearing peridotite lenses are minor but significant components of most metamorphic terranes characterized by high‐temperature eclogite facies assemblages. Most peridotite intrudes when slabs of continental crust are subducted deeply (60–120 km) into the mantle, usually by following oceanic lithosphere down an established subduction zone. Peridotite is transferred from the resulting mantle wedge into the crustal footwall through brittle and/or ductile mechanisms. These ‘mantle’ peridotites vary petrographically, chemically, isotopically, chronologically and thermobarometrically from orogen to orogen, within orogens and even within individual terranes. The variations reflect: (1) derivation from different mantle sources (oceanic or continental lithosphere, asthenosphere); (2) perturbations while the mantle wedges were above subducting oceanic lithosphere; and (3) changes within the host crustal slabs during intrusion, subduction and exhumation. Peridotite caught within mantle wedges above oceanic subduction zones will tend to recrystallize and be contaminated by fluids derived from the subducting oceanic crust. These ‘subduction zone peridotites’ intrude during the subsequent subduction of continental crust. Low‐pressure protoliths introduced at shallow (serpentinite, plagioclase peridotite) and intermediate (spinel peridotite) mantle depths (20–50 km) may be carried to deeper levels within the host slab and undergo high‐pressure metamorphism along with the enclosing rocks. If subducted deeply enough, the peridotites will develop garnet‐bearing assemblages that are isofacial with, and give the same recrystallization ages as, the eclogite facies country rocks. Peridotites introduced at deeper levels (50–120 km) may already contain garnet when they intrude and will not necessarily be isofacial or isochronous with the enclosing crustal rocks. Some garnet peridotites recrystallize from spinel peridotite precursors at very high temperatures (c. 1200 °C) and may derive ultimately from the asthenosphere. Other peridotites are from old (>1 Ga), cold (c. 850 °C), subcontinental mantle (‘relict peridotites’) and seem to require the development of major intra‐cratonic faults to effect their intrusion.     

Very high-pressure (>4 GPa) eclogite associated with the Moldanubian Zone garnet peridotite (Nové Dvory, Czech Republic)

Equilibrium pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions were estimated for kyanite‐bearing eclogite from Nové Dvory, Czech Republic, by using garnet–clinopyroxene thermometry and garnet–clinopyroxene–kyanite–coesite (or quartz) barometry. The estimated P–T conditions are 1050–1150 °C, 4.5–4.9 GPa, which are mostly the same as previously estimated values for garnet peridotite from Nové Dvory (～1100–1250 °C, 5–6 GPa). Such very high‐P conditions, which correspond to about 150‐km depth, have been obtained for some garnet peridotites in the Gföhl Unit of the Bohemian Massif, but pressure conditions of eclogites associated with the garnet peridotites have not been so well constrained. This is the first substantial finding of eclogite that gives such very high‐P conditions in the Gföhl Unit of the Bohemian Massif. The Gföhl Unit mainly consists of felsic granulite or migmatitic gneiss, but these rock types do not display high‐P (>2.5 GPa) evidence. It is unclear whether both the peridotite body and surrounding felsic rocks in the Gföhl Unit were buried to very deep levels, but at least some garnet peridotites and associated eclogites in the Gföhl Unit have ascended from about 150‐km depth.     

Ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism and exhumation of garnet-bearing ultramafic rocks from the Lanterman Range (northern Victoria Land, Antarctica)

Northern Victoria Land is a key area for the Ross Orogen – a Palaeozoic foldbelt formed at the palaeo‐Pacific margin of Gondwana. A narrow and discontinuous high‐ to ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) belt, consisting of mafic and ultramafic rocks (including garnet‐bearing types) within a metasedimentary sequence of gneisses and quartzites, is exposed at the Lanterman Range (northern Victoria Land). Garnet‐bearing ultramafic rocks evolved through at least six metamorphic stages. Stage 1 is defined by medium‐grained garnet + olivine + low‐Al orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene, whereas finer‐grained garnet + olivine + orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + amphibole constitutes the stage 2 assemblage. Stage 3 is defined by kelyphites of orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + spinel ± amphibole around garnet. Porphyroblasts of amphibole replacing garnet and clinopyroxene characterize stage 4. Retrograde stages 5 and 6 consist of tremolite + Mg‐chlorite ± serpentine ± talc. A high‐temperature (～950 °C), spinel‐bearing protolith (stage 0), is identified on the basis of orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + olivine + spinel + amphibole inclusions within stage 1 garnet. The P–T estimates for stage 1 are indicative of UHP conditions (3.2–3.3 GPa and 764–820 °C), whereas stage 2 is constrained between 726–788 °C and 2.6–2.9 GPa. Stage 3 records a decompression up to 1.1–1.3 GPa at 705–776 °C. Stages 4, 5 and 6 reflect uplift and cooling, the final estimates yielding values below 0.5 GPa at 300–400 °C. The retrograde P–T path is nearly isothermal from UHP conditions up to deep crustal levels, and becomes a cooling–unloading path from intermediate to shallow levels. The garnet‐bearing ultramafic rocks originated in the mantle wedge and were probably incorporated into the subduction zone with felsic and mafic rocks with which they shared the subsequent metamorphic and geodynamic evolution. The density and rheology of the subducted rocks are compatible with detachment of slices along the subduction channel and gravity‐driven exhumation.     

Petrology and P–T path of the Fuping mafic granulites: implications for tectonic evolution of the central zone of the North China craton

The Fuping Complex and the adjoining Wutai and Hengshan Complexes are located in the central zone of the North China craton. The dominant rock types in the Fuping Complex are high‐grade tonalitic–trondhjemitic–granodioritic (TTG) gneisses, with minor amounts of mafic granulites, syntectonic granitic rocks and supracrustal rocks. The petrological evidence from the mafic granulites indicates three stages of metamorphic evolution. The M₁ stage is represented by garnet porphyroblasts and matrix plagioclase, quartz, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and hornblende. Orthopyroxene+plagioclase symplectites and clinopyroxene+plagioclase±orthopyroxene coronas formed in response to decompression during M₂ following the peak metamorphism at M₁. Hornblende+plagioclase symplectites formed as a result of further isobaric cooling and retrograde metamorphism during M₃. The P–T estimates using TWQ thermobarometry are: 900–950 °C and 8.0–8.5 kbar for the peak assemblage (M₁), based on the core compositions of garnet, matrix pyroxene and plagioclase; 700–800 °C and 6.0–7.0 kbar for the pyroxene+plagioclase symplectites or coronas (M₂); and 550–650 °C and 5.3–6.3 kbar for the hornblende+plagioclase symplectites (M₃), based on garnet rim and corresponding symplectic mineral compositions. These P–T estimates define a clockwise P–T path involving near‐isothermal decompression for the Fuping Complex, similar to the P–T path estimated for the metapelitic gneisses. The inferred P–T path suggests that the Fuping Complex underwent initial crustal thickening, subsequent exhumation, and finally cooling and retrogression. This tectonothermal path is similar to P–T paths inferred for the Wutai and Hengshan Complexes and other tectonic units in the central zone of the North China craton, but different from anti‐clockwise P–T paths estimated for the basement rocks in the eastern and western zones of the craton. Based on lithological, structural, metamorphic and geochronological data, the eastern and western zones of the craton are considered to represent two different Archean to Paleoproterozoic continental blocks that amalgamated along the central zone at the end of Paleoproterozoic. The P–T paths of the Fuping Complex and other tectonic units in the central zone record the collision between the eastern and western zones that led to the final assembly of the North China craton at c. 1800 Ma.     

Cold subduction and the formation of lawsonite eclogite – constraints from prograde evolution of eclogitized pillow lava from Corsica

A new discovery of lawsonite eclogite is presented from the Lancône glaucophanites within the Schistes Lustrés nappe at Défilé du Lancône in Alpine Corsica. The fine‐grained eclogitized pillow lava and inter‐pillow matrix are extremely fresh, showing very little evidence of retrograde alteration. Peak assemblages in both the massive pillows and weakly foliated inter‐pillow matrix consist of zoned idiomorphic Mg‐poor (<0.8 wt% MgO) garnet + omphacite + lawsonite + chlorite + titanite. A local overprint by the lower grade assemblage glaucophane + albite with partial resorption of omphacite and garnet is locally observed. Garnet porphyroblasts in the massive pillows are Mn rich, and show a regular prograde growth‐type zoning with a Mn‐rich core. In the inter‐pillow matrix garnet is less manganiferous, and shows a mutual variation in Ca and Fe with Fe enrichment toward the rim. Some garnet from this rock type shows complex zoning patterns indicating a coalescence of several smaller crystallites. Matrix omphacite in both rock types is zoned with a rimward increase in X_Jd, locally with cores of relict augite. Numerous inclusions of clinopyroxene, lawsonite, chlorite and titanite are encapsulated within garnet in both rock types, and albite, quartz and hornblende are also found included in garnet from the inter‐pillow matrix. Inclusions of clinopyroxene commonly have augitic cores and omphacitic rims. The inter‐pillow matrix contains cross‐cutting omphacite‐rich veinlets with zoned omphacite, Si‐rich phengite (Si = 3.54 apfu), ferroglaucophane, actinolite and hematite. These veinlets are seen fracturing idiomorphic garnet, apparently without any secondary effects. Pseudosections of matrix compositions for the massive pillows, the inter‐pillow matrix and the cross‐cutting veinlets indicate similar P–T conditions with maximum pressures of 1.9–2.6 GPa at temperatures of 335–420 °C. The inclusion suite found in garnet from the inter‐pillow matrix apparently formed at pressures below 0.6–0.7 GPa. Retrogression during initial decompression of the studied rocks is only very local. Late veinlets of albite + glaucophane, without breakdown of lawsonite, indicate that the rocks remained in a cold environment during exhumation, resulting in a hairpin‐shaped P–T path.     

Garnet–clinopyroxene intermediate granulites in the St. Leonhard massif of the Bohemian Massif: ultrahigh‐temperature metamorphism at high pressure or not?

Garnet–clinopyroxene intermediate granulites occur as thin layers within garnet–kyanite–K–feldspar felsic granulites of the St. Leonhard granulite body in the Bohemian Massif. They consist of several domains. One domain consists of coarser‐grained coexisting ternary feldspar, clinopyroxene, garnet, quartz and accessory rutile and zircon. The garnet has 16–20% grossular, and the clinopyroxene has 9% jadeite and contains orthopyroxene exsolution lamellae. Reintegrated ternary feldspar and the Zr‐in‐rutile thermometer give temperatures higher than 950 °C. Mineral equilibria modelling suggests crystallization at 14 kbar. The occurrence and preservation of this mineral assemblage is consistent with crystallization from hot dry melt. Between these domains is a finer‐grained deformed matrix made up of diopsidic clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, plagioclase and K‐feldspar, apparently produced by reworking of the coarser‐grained domains. Embedded in this matrix, and pre‐dating the reworking deformation, are garnet porphyroblasts that contain clinopyroxene, feldspar, quartz, rutile and zircon inclusions. In contrast with the garnet in the coarser‐grained domains, the garnet generally has >30% grossular, the included clinopyroxene has 7–27% jadeite and the Zr content of rutile indicates much lower temperatures. Some of these high‐grossular garnet show zoning in Fe/(Fe + Mg), decreasing from 0.7 in the core to 0.6 and then increasing to 0.7 at the rim. These garnet are enigmatic, but with reference to appropriate pseudosections are consistent with localized new mineral growth from 650 to 850 °C and 10 to 17 kbar, or with equilibration at 20 kbar and 770 °C, modified by two‐stage diffusional re‐equilibration of rims, at 10–15 and 8 kbar. The strong pervasive deformation has obscured relationships that might have aided the interpretation of the origin of these porphyroblasts. The evolution of these rocks is consistent with formation by igneous crystallization and subsequent metamorphism to high‐T and high‐P, rather than an origin by ultrahigh‐T metamorphism. Regarding the petrographic complexity, combination of the high grossular garnet with the ternary feldspar to infer ultrahigh‐T metamorphism at high pressure is not justified.     

Diamond in metasedimentary crustal rocks from Pohorje,Eastern Alps: a window to deep continental subduction

We report the first finding of diamond and moissanite in metasedimentary crustal rocks of Pohorje Mountains (Slovenia) in the Austroalpine ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic terrane of the Eastern Alps. Microscopic observations and Raman spectroscopy show that diamond occurs in situ as inclusions in garnet, being heterogeneously distributed. Under the optical microscope, diamond‐bearing inclusions are of cuboidal to rounded shape and of pinkish, yellow to brownish colour. The Raman spectra of the investigated diamond show a sharp, first order peak of sp³‐bonded carbon, in most cases centred between 1332 and 1330 cm^?1, with a full width at half maximum between 3 and 5 cm^?1. Several spectra show Raman bands typical for disordered graphitic (sp²‐bonded) carbon. Detailed observations show that diamond occurs either as a monomineralic, single‐crystal inclusion or it is associated with SiC (moissanite), CO₂ and CH₄ in polyphase inclusions_. This rare record of diamond occurring with moissanite as fluid‐inclusion daughter minerals implies the crystallization of diamond and moissanite from a supercritical fluid at reducing conditions. Thermodynamic modelling suggests that diamond‐bearing gneisses attained P–T conditions of ≥3.5 GPa and 800–850 °C, similar to eclogites and garnet peridotites. We argue that diamond formed when carbonaceous sediment underwent UHP metamorphism at mantle depth exceeding 100 km during continental subduction in the Late Cretaceous (c. 95–92 Ma). The finding of diamond confirms UHP metamorphism in the Pohorje Mountains, the most deeply subducted part of Austroalpine units.     

High-pressure granulites: formation, recovery of peak conditions and implications for tectonics

High‐pressure granulites are characterised by the key associations garnet‐clinopyroxene‐plagioclase‐quartz (in basic rocks) and kyanite‐K‐feldspar (metapelites and felsic rocks) and are typically orthopyroxene‐free in both basic and felsic bulk compositions. In regional metamorphic areas, two essential varieties exist: a high‐ to ultrahigh‐temperature group and a group representing overprinted eclogites. The high‐ to ultrahigh‐temperature type formerly contained high‐temperature ternary feldspar (now mesoperthite) coexisting with kyanite, is associated with garnet peridotites, and formed at conditions above 900 °C and 1.5 GPa. Clinopyroxene in subordinate basic rocks is Al‐rich and textural evidence points to a high‐pressure–high‐temperature melting history. The second variety contains symplectite‐like or poikilitic clinopyroxene‐plagioclase intergrowths indicating former plagioclase‐free, i.e. eclogite facies assemblages. This type of rock formed at conditions straddling the high‐pressure amphibolite/high‐pressure granulite field at around 700–850 °C, 1.0–1.4 GPa. Importantly, in the majority of high‐pressure granulites, orthopyroxene is secondary and is a product of reactions at pressures lower than the peak recorded pressure. In contrast to low‐ and medium‐pressure granulites, which form at conditions attainable in the mid to lower levels of normal continental crust, high‐pressure granulites (of nonxenolith origin) mostly represent rocks formed as a result of short‐lived tectonic events that led to crustal thickening or subduction of the crust into the mantle. Short times at high‐temperature conditions are reflected in the preservation of prograde zoning in garnet and pyroxene. High‐pressure granulites of both regional types, although rare, are known from both old and young metamorphic terranes (e.g. c. 45 Ma, Namche Barwa, E Himalaya; 400–340 Ma, European Variscides; 1.8 Ga Hengshan, China; 1.9 Ga, Snowbird, Saskatchewan and 2.5 Ga Jianping, China). This spread of ages supports proposals suggesting that thermal and tectonic processes in the lithosphere have not changed significantly since at least the end of the Archean.     

An anticlockwise P–T–t path at high‐pressure,high‐temperature conditions for a migmatitic gneiss from the island of Fjørtoft,Western Gneiss Region,Norway, indicates two burial events during the Caledonian orogeny

The Blåhø Nappe on the island of Fjørtoft, which represents an isolated portion of the Seve Nappe Complex in the Western Gneiss Region, Norway, has been suggested to have experienced two deep burial cycles during the Caledonian orogeny. However, evidence on this multiple burial process by the derivation of a pressure–temperature–time (P–T–t) path has never been given in the literature. In this study, the ‘diamondiferous’ kyanite–garnet gneiss from the Blåhø Nappe on Fjørtoft was revisited to determine if such a process was correct. Two types of garnet, porphyroblastic garnet‐1 and fine‐grained garnet‐2, were recognized in the gneiss. The core of garnet‐1 is poor in Ca and documents P–T conditions of 1.2–1.3 GPa at c. 880°C based on pseudosection modelling. The inner rims of garnet‐1 and the core of garnet‐2 are both richer in Ca, recording P–T conditions of 1.35–1.45 GPa and 770–820°C. Application of conventional geothermobarometry on the outer rim of garnet‐1 and the rim of garnet‐2 yielded retrograde P–T conditions of 0.75–0.90 GPa and 610–685°C. These estimates define an anticlockwise P–T path at pressures below 1.5 GPa. Accessory monazite was dated with the electron microscope. Relicts of detrital monazite in the gneiss point to Sveconorwegian and possibly also Cryogenian provenance for the detritus of the sedimentary protolith. Metamorphic monazite in the gneiss records a wide age range from 460 to 380 Ma, with a peak c. 435 Ma and a shoulder at 395 Ma. These data suggest that the original (Ediacaran?) Baltica margin sediment (gneiss protolith) was transported to the base of an overlying plate during the early Caledonian (pre‐Scandian) orogeny. A long residence time of the metasedimentary rock at this base caused its heating to 880°C and homogenization of the early garnet chemistry. The late Caledonian (Scandian) collision between Baltica and Laurentia led to further burial, during which the studied gneiss was close to the former surface of the downgoing continental plate and, thus, cooled. The reconstructed P–T–t path confirms the multiple burial history of the Blåhø Nappe but contradicts previous ideas of deep burial of the Fjørtoft gneiss to more than 100 km.     

Timing of Himalayan ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism: sinking rate and subduction angle of the Indian continental crust beneath Asia

Coesite relics were discovered as inclusions in clinopyroxene in eclogite and as inclusions in zircon in felsic and pelitic gneisses from Higher Himalayan Crystalline rocks in the upper Kaghan Valley, north‐west Himalaya. The metamorphic peak conditions of the coesite‐bearing eclogites are estimated to be 27–32 kbar and 700–770 °C, using garnet–pyroxene–phengite geobarometry and garnet–pyroxene geothermometry, respectively. Cathodoluminescence (CL) and backscattered electron (BSE) imaging distinguished three different domains in zircon: inner detrital core, widely spaced euhedral oscillatory zones, and thin, broadly zoned outermost rims. Each zircon domain contains a characteristic suite of micrometre‐sized mineral inclusions which were identified by in situ laser Raman microspectroscopy. Core and mantle domains contain quartz, apatite, plagioclase, muscovite and rutile. In contrast, the rim domains contain coesite and minor muscovite. Quartz inclusions were identified in all coesite‐bearing zircon grains, but not coexisting with coesite in the same growth domain (rim domain). ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U zircon ages reveal that the quartz‐bearing mantle domains and the coesite‐bearing rim were formed at c. 50 Ma and 46.2 ± 0.7 Ma, respectively. These facts demonstrate that the continental materials were buried to 100 km within 7–9 Myr after initiation of the India–Asia collision (palaeomagnetic data from the Indian oceanic floor supports an initial India‐Asia contact at 55–53 Ma). Combination of the sinking rate of 1.1–1.4 cm year^?1 with Indian plate velocity of 4.5 cm year^?1 suggests that the Indian continent subducted to about 100 km depth at an average subduction angle of 14–19°.     

P–T–t evolution and textural evidence for decompression of Pan-African high-pressure granulites, Lurio Belt, north-eastern Mozambique

Pan‐African high‐pressure granulites occur as boudins and layers in the Lurio Belt in north‐eastern Mozambique, eastern Africa. Mafic granulites contain the mineral assemblage garnet + clinopyroxene + plagioclase + quartz ± magnesiohastingsite. Garnet porphyroblasts are zoned with increasing almandine and spessartine contents and decreasing grossular and pyrope contents from core (Alm₄₆Prp₃₂Grs₂₁Sps₂) to rim (Alm₅₂Prp₂₆Grs₁₉Sps₃). This pattern is interpreted as a retrograde diffusion zoning with the preserved core chemistry representing the peak metamorphic composition. Mineral reaction textures occur in the form of monomineralic and composite plagioclase ± orthopyroxene ± amphibole ± biotite ± magnetite coronas around garnet porphyroblasts. Thermobarometry indicates peak metamorphic conditions of up to 1.57 ± 0.14 GPa and 949 ± 92 °C (stage I), corresponding to crustal depths of ～55 km. Zircon yielded an U–Pb age of 557 ± 16 Ma, inferred to date crystallization of zircon during peak or immediately post‐peak metamorphism. Formation of plagioclase + orthopyroxene‐bearing coronas surrounding garnet indicates a near‐isothermal decompression of the high‐pressure granulites to lower pressure granulite facies conditions (stage II). Development of plagioclase + amphibole‐coronas enclosing the same garnet porphyroblasts shows subsequent cooling into amphibolite facies conditions (stage III). Symplectitic textures of the corona assemblages indicate rapid decompression. The high‐pressure granulite facies metamorphism of the Lurio Belt, followed by near‐isothermal decompression and subsequent cooling, is in accordance with a long‐lived tectonic history accompanied by high magmatic activity in the Lurio Belt during the late Neoproterozoic–early Palaeozoic East‐African–Antarctic orogeny.     

P–T evolution and episodic zircon growth in barroisite eclogites of the Lanterman Range,northern Victoria Land,Antarctica

Prograde P–T–t paths of eclogites are often ambiguous owing to high variance of mineral assemblages, large uncertainty in isotopic age determinations and/or variable degree of retrograde equilibration. We investigated these issues using the barroisite eclogites from the Lanterman Range, northern Victoria Land, Antarctica, which are relatively uncommon but free of retrogression. These eclogites revealed three stages of prograde metamorphism, defining two distinctive P–T trajectories, M_1–2 and M₃. Inclusion minerals in garnet porphyroblasts suggest that initial prograde assemblages (M₁) consist of garnet+omphacite+barroisite/Mg‐pargasite+epidote+phengite+paragonite+rutile/titanite+quartz, and subsequent M₂ assemblages of garnet+omphacite+barroisite+phengite+rutile±quartz. The inclusion‐rich inner part of garnet porphyroblasts preserves a bell‐shaped Mn profile of the M₁, whereas the inclusion‐poor outer part (M₂) is typified by the outward decrease in Ca/Mg and X_Fe (=Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺+Mg)) values. A pseudosection modelling employing fractionated bulk‐rock composition suggests that the eclogites have initially evolved from ~15 to 20 kbar and 520–570°C (M₁) to ~22–25 kbar and 630–650°C (M₂). The latter is in accordance with P–T conditions estimated from two independent geothermobarometers: the garnet–clinopyroxene–phengite (~25 ± 3 kbar and 660 ± 100°C) and Zr‐in‐rutile (~650–700°C at 22–27 kbar). The second segment (M_3A–B) of prograde P–T path is recorded in the grossular‐rich overgrowth rim of garnet. Apart from disequilibrium growth of the M_3A garnet, ubiquitous overgrowth of the M_3B garnet permits us to estimate the P–T conditions at ~26 ± 3 kbar and 720 ± 80°C. The cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging of zircon grains separated from a barroisite eclogite revealed three distinct zones with bright rim, dark mantle and moderately dark core. Eclogitic phases such as garnet, omphacite, epidote and rutile are present as fine‐grained inclusions in the mantle and rim of zircon, in contrast to their absence in the core. The sensitive high‐resolution ion microprobe U–Pb dating on metamorphic mantle domains and neoblasts yielded a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 515 ± 4 Ma (tσ), representing the time of the M₂ stage. On the other hand, overgrowth rims as well as bright‐CL neoblasts of zircon were dated at 498 ± 11 Ma (tσ), corresponding to the M₃. Average burial rates estimated from the M₂ and M₃ ages are too low (<2 mm/year) for cold subduction regime (~5–10°C/km), suggesting that an exhumation stage intervened between two prograde segments of P–T path. Thus, the P–T–t evolution of barroisite eclogites is typified by two discrete episodes with an c. 15 Ma gap during the middle Cambrian subduction of the Antarctic Ross Orogeny.