Petrology and geochemistry of ultrahigh‐temperature granulites from the South Altay orogenic belt,northwestern China: Implications for metamorphic evolution and protolith composition

Ultrahigh‐temperature (UHT) granulites in the South Altay orogenic belt of Northwestern China provide important clues for the lower crustal components and tectonic evolution of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt during the Paleozoic. In this paper, we studied whole‐rock geochemistry and mineral characteristics to understand the protolith and metamorphic evolution of the Altay UHT granulite. The Altay granulite shows negative discriminant function values (DF) of ?9.27 to ?3.95, indicating a sedimentary origin, probably an argillaceous rock. The peak metamorphic temperature–pressure conditions of 920–1010 °C and > 9 kbar were estimated from the geothermobarometry, together with the stability of spinel (low ZnO) + quartz and orthopyroxene (Al₂O₃ up to 9.2 wt.%) + sillimanite + quartz in the Altay UHT rock, indicate a UHT metamorphic condition has been achieved. Two stages of retrograde conditions are recognized in these rocks; the first is an isothermal decompression to approx. 750 °C at 5.2–5.8 kbar at the early stage, and the second is the cooling down to 520–550 °C at 4.8–5.2 kbar. Combined with previous study, the formation of the Altay UHT pelitic granulite with a clockwise retrograde P–T path is inferred to be related with collisional and accretional orogenic process between the Siberian and Kazakhstan–Junggar plates.     

Disproportionation of Ni2SiO4 to stishovite plus bunsenite at high pressures and temperatures

Samples of Ni₂SiO₄ in both olivine and spinel phases have been compressed to pressures above 140 kbar in a diamond-anvil cell and heated to temperatures of 1400–1800°C using a continuous YAG laser. After quenching and releasing pressure, X-ray diffraction examination indicates that the samples disproportionate to a mixture of stishovite (SiO₂) and bunsenite (NiO) at pressures between 140 and 190 kbar. The exact disproportionation pressure is not certain due to transient increases in pressure during the local and rapid heating. However, thermodynamic calculations suggest that the transition pressure is about 192 ± 4 kbar at 1545°C and that the equation of the spinel-mixed oxides phase boundary isP(kbar) = 121 + (0.046 ± 0.020) T (°C).     

The effect of manganese on olivine-quartz-orthopyroxene stability

The effect of manganese on the stability of ferrosilite relative to fayalite + quartz has been experimentally determined to assess its importance to orthopyroxene barometry. Reaction reversals in a piston-cylinder apparatus were obtained to within 0.1-kbar intervals indicating instability of Fs₉₅Rh₅ below 10.3, 10.9, 11.4, 12.2, 12.9, 13.7 kbar and Fs₉₀Rh₁₀ below 9.8, 10.4, 10.9, 11.6, 12.4 and 13.2 kbar at 750, 800, 850, 900, 950 and 1000°C, respectively. Each mole % MnSiO₃ extends the pyroxene stability by approximately 0.12 kbar relative to FeSiO₃. Electron microprobe analyses of run products indicate a small preference of Mn for pyroxene over olivine withK_DMn-Fe^opx-oliv = 1.2?1.5, similar to values observed for natural pairs. Mössbauer spectra are consistent with a random distribution of Mn between the M1 and M2 sites in the orthopyroxene. These experimental data allow downward revision of pressure estimates based on the orthopyroxene barometer in areas where Mn is a significant component in orthopyroxene.     

Volume relaxation of compacted SiO2 glass: a model for the conservation of natural diaplectic glasses

Relaxation experiments on vitreous SiO₂, densified at 900°C, 20 kbar to a permanent density of 2.36 g cm^?3 yield an activation energy of69 ± 5kcal mol^?1 in the temperature range 700–800°C. The data can be used to estimate minimum cooling rates, maximum depositional temperatures or maximum thicknesses of shock-metamorphosed rocks containing diaplectic glasses, if relaxation of a glass densified under dynamic conditions is assumed to be similar to that of statically densified glass.     

Phase equilibria and metamorphic evolution of garnet‐mica‐plagioclase gneisses from the Qiliping terrane in the western Dabie Orogen,central China

The extensive gneisses in the high‐pressure and ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphic terrane in the Dabie‐Sulu orogen usually show no evidence of eclogite‐facies metamorphism. The garnet‐mica‐plagioclase gneisses from the Qiliping region in the western Dabie Orogen, comprise garnet, phengite, biotite, plagioclase, quartz, rutile, ilmenite, chlorite, epidote, and hornblende. The garnet porphyroblasts, with inclusions of quartz, epidote, and rutile, exhibit slight compositional zonations, from core to mantle with an increase in pyrope and a decrease in spessartine, and from mantle to rim with a decrease in pyrope and grossular and an increase in spessartine. The high‐Si phengite indicates that the gneisses may be subjected to a high‐pressure metamorphism. By the P–T pseudosections calculated in a system NCKMnFMASHTO (Na₂O‐CaO‐K₂O‐MnO‐FeO‐MgO‐Al₂O₃‐SiO₂‐H₂O‐TiO₂‐O) for two representative samples, the metamorphic P–T path, reconstructed by the compositionally zoned garnet, shows that the prograde metamorphism is characterized by a temperature increase with a slight pressure increase from the conditions of 17.6 ± 1.5 kbar at 496 ± 15°C to the peak‐pressure ones of 21.8 ± 1.5–22.7 ± 1.5 kbar at 555 ± 15–561 ± 15°C; the early retrograde stage is dominated by decompression with a temperature increase to the maximum of 608 ± 15–611 ± 18°C at 10.3 ± 1.5–11.0 ± 1.5 kbar; and the late retrograde one is predominated by pressure and temperature decreases. The mineral assemblages in the prograde metamorphism are predicted to contain garnet, glaucophane, jadeite, lawsonite, phengite, quartz, rutile, and/or chlorite, which is different from those observed at present. Such high‐pressure metamorphism can partly be reconstructed by the P–T pseudosection in combination with the high‐Si phengite and garnet compositions in the core and mantle. This provides an important constraint on the subduction and exhumation of the terrane during the continent–continent collision between the Yangtze and Sino‐Korean cratons.     

Pressure‐temperature history of titanite‐bearing eclogite from the Western Iratsu body,Sanbagawa Metamorphic Belt,Japan

Evidence for eclogite‐facies metamorphism is widespread in the Western Iratsu body of the oceanic subduction type Sanbagawa Belt, Southwest Japan. Previous studies in this region focused on typical mafic eclogites and have revealed the presence of an early epidote‐amphibolite facies metamorphism overprinted by a phase of eclogite facies metamorphism. Ca‐rich and titanite‐bearing eclogite, which probably originated from a mixture of basaltic and calc‐siliceous sediments, is also relatively common in the Western Iratsu body, but there has been no detailed petrological study of this lithology. Detailed petrographic observations reveal the presence of a relic early epidote‐amphibolite facies metamorphism preserved in the cores of garnet and titanite in good agreement with studies of mafic eclogite in the area. Thermobarometric calculations for the eclogitic assemblage garnet + omphacite + epidote + quartz + titanite ± rutile ± phengite give peak‐P of 18.5–20.5 kbar at 525–565°C and subsequent peak‐T conditions of about 635°C at 14–16 kbar. This eclogite metamorphism initiated at about 445°C/11–15 kbar, implying a significantly lower thermal gradient than the earlier epidote‐amphibolite facies metamorphism (～650°C/12 kbar). These results define a P–T path with early counter‐clockwise and later clockwise trajectories. The overall P–T path may be related to two distinct phases in the tectono‐thermal evolution in the Sanbagawa subduction zone. The early counter‐clockwise path may record the inception of subduction. The later clockwise path is compatible with previously reported P–T paths from the other eclogitic bodies in the Sanbagawa Belt and supports the tectonic model that these eclogitic bodies were exhumed as a large‐scale coherent unit shortly before ridge subduction.     

The influence of pressure,temperature and bulk composition on the appearance of garnet in orthogneisses — an example from South Harris,Scotland

Granulite facies metamorphism of the igneous complex of South Harris has produced garnet-clinopyroxene-plagioclase assemblages from olivine-normative rocks and 2 pyroxene-plagioclase-quartz assemblages from quartz-normative rocks. The appearance of garnet can be considered in terms of two complex reactions:Olivine + plagioclase₁ → (Ca, Mg, Fe) garnet + plagioclase₂(olivine-normative) (A)Orthopyroxene + plagioclase₁ → (Ca, Mg, Fe) garnet + plagioclase₂ + quartz (quartz-normative) (B)For bulk compositions of the South Harris rocks the equilibrium pressure for reaction (A) has been exceeded whereas that for reaction (B) was not reached. Estimated physical conditions of metamorphism bracketed by these and other reactions are: 800–860°C and 10–13 kbar. These estimates, based on experimental data on simple systems combined with thermodynamic models of the solid solutions involved are in good agreement with extrapolated pressures for the experimentally determined appearance of garnet in basaltic compositions (Green and Ringwood, 1967). The latter give 9–12 kbar in the temperature range of interest. The calculations are also consistent with the occurrence of kyanite in associated metapelites and with the stability of spinel-lherzolite during the granulite metamorphism.     

Dehydration of clastic sediments in subduction zones: Theoretical study using thermodynamic data of minerals

Pseudosections for two sediments and one basalt calculated in the system K₂O–Na₂O–CaO–MgO–FeO–Fe₂O₃–Al₂O₃–TiO₂–SiO₂–H₂O for the P–T range 10 to 35 kbar, 300 to 900°C give useful insights into the amount of H₂O released from oceanic crust in subduction zones. In cold subduction zones (20 kbar–300°C to 35 kbar–500°C) hydrous minerals storing 3 to 4 wt% H₂O are still present in metasediments at depths of 120 km. In the same environment, metabasite releases 1 wt% H₂O in the depth range 100 to 120 km, but 4.5 wt% H₂O is transported to greater depths. In hot subduction zones (300°C hotter than the cold subduction zone at 100 km depth), dehydration events of metasediments in the depth range 50 to 80 km correspond to the breakdown of chlorite and paragonite. In the calculations no further water is released at greater depths because the modal content of phengite, the only hydrous mineral phase at these depths, remains almost constant. For the same P–T path, metabasite shows continuous dehydration between 40 and 80 km releasing almost 3 wt% H₂O. At 120 km depth less than 0.4 wt% of H₂O remains. In an average modern subduction zone (～6°C/km) most dehydration of sediments occurs at depths of 70 to 100 km and that of basalts at depths of 80 to 120 km. Only 1.3 wt% H₂O in metasediments and 1.6 wt% H₂O in metabasalt has the potential to be subducted to depths greater than 120 km. The dehydration behavior of sediments concurs with the generally held idea that subduction zone fluids are most effectively transported to great depths by cold subduction. In hot subduction zones, such as those characteristic of early Earth, most H₂O carried by oceanic crust is liberated at depths less than 120 km and, thus, would not contribute to island‐arc magmatism.     

Viscosity and structural changes of albite (NaAlSi3O8) melt at high pressures

Viscosity of anhydrous albite melt, determined by the falling-sphere method in the solid-media, piston-cylinder apparatus, decreases with increasing pressure from 1.13 × 10⁵ P at 1 atm to 1.8 × 10⁴ P at 20 kbar at 1400°C. The rate of decrease in viscosity is larger between 12 and 15 kbar than in other pressure ranges examined. The density of the quenched albite melt increases with increasing pressure of quenching from 2.38 g/cm³ at 1 atm to 2.53 g/cm³ at 20 kbar. The rate of increase in density is largest at pressures between 15 and 20 kbar. The melting curve of albite shows an inflexion at about 16 kbar. These observations strongly suggest that structural changes of albite melt would take place effectively at pressures near 15 kbar. Melt of jadeite (NaAlSi₂O₆) composition shows very similar changes in viscosity and density and a melting curve inflexion at pressures near 10 kbar. Difference in pressure for the suggested effective structural changes of albite and jadeite melts is 5–6 kbar, which is nearly the same as that between the subsolidus reaction curves nepheline + albite= 2jadeite and albite=jadeite + quartz. The structural changes of the melts are, however, continuous and begin to take place at pressures lower than those of the crystalline phases.     

Coexisting bronzite and clinobronzite and the thermal evolution of the Steinbach meteorite

Steinbach is a stony-iron meteorite with approximately equal amounts of silicate and metal that shows Widmanstätten structure. The silicate portion contains tridymite, orthobronzite, and clinobronzite that formed by inversion from high-temperature protobronzite. The assemblage orthobronzite-protobronzite-tridymite-metallic iron indicates an equilibrium temperature of 1200°C and an ?o₂ of 10^?12 under a total pressure of less than 2 kbar. Preservation of the high-temperature phase relations implies much more rapid cooling in the 1200-700°C range than the rates that have been deduced for the development of Widmanstätten structure in the 700-500°C range.     

Experimental investigation on forsterite-grossularite incompatibility in presence of excess water

A mixture containing equal amounts of forsterite and grossularite by weight (Fo₅₀Gr₅₀) has been studied at temperatures between 750 and 1400°C under pressures ranging from 6 to 25 kbar in presence of excess water. The assemblages noted under low pressure (<8 kbar) are as follows: Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+monticellite_ss+vapor and Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+monticellite_ss+liquid+vapor. (ss denotes solid solution) Under intermediate pressures between 8 and 24 kbar following assemblages were noted in the order of increasing temperature: Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+spinel+vapor, Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+spinel+liquid+vapor, Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+liquid+vapor, and Forsterite_ss+liquid+vapor. At pressures above 24 kbar the assemblages are as follows: Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+garnet+vapor, Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+garnet+liquid+vapor, Diopside_ss+forsterite_ss+liquid+vapor, and Forsterite_ss+liquid+vapor. Electron microprobe analyses of diopside and forsterite crystallized at 1050°C and 23 kbar, show that the former contains 6 to 6.5 wt % of Al₂O₃ as solid solution whereas the latter incorporates 1.3 wt % of monticellite in solid solution. The monticellite content of forsterite increases at low pressures at a given temperature to about 6 wt % at 1050°C and 6 kbar. The study indicates that forsteritic olivine does not coexist with pure grossularite in the studied temperature and pressure ranges, although the former is in equilibrium with pyrope-rich garnet, containing 23 mole % grossularite. The study supports the conclusion ofWerner andLuth (1973) that the solubility of monticellite in forsterite decreases with increasing pressure at a given temperature. The results of the investigation are also in agreement with the findings ofKushiro andYoder (1966), who noted that spinel peridotites found in folded belts and in alkalic basalts are produced under intermediate pressures, whereas garnet peridotite xenoliths found in kimberlite and in orogenic belts are formed at high pressures.     

Pyroxene-garnet solid-solution equilibria in the systems Mg4Si4O12Mg3Al2Si3O12 and Fe4Si4O12Fe3Al2Si3O12 at high pressures and temperatures

Pyroxene-garnet solid-solution equilibria have been studied in the pressure range 41–200 kbar and over the temperature range 850–1,450°C for the system Mg₄Si₄O₁₂Mg₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂, and in the pressure range 30–105 kbar and over the temperature range 1,000–1,300°C for the system Fe₄Si₄O₁₂Fe₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂. At 1,000°C, the solid solubility of enstatite (MgSiO₃) in pyrope (Mg₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂) increases gradually to 140 kbar and then increases suddenly in the pressure range 140–175 kbar, resulting in the formation of a homogeneous garnet with composition Mg₃(Al_0.8Mg_0.6Si_0.6)Si₃O₁₂. In the MgSiO₃-rich field, the three-phase assemblage of β- or γ-Mg₂SiO₄, stishovite and a garnet solid solution is stable at pressures above 175 kbar at 1,000°C. The system Fe₄Si₄O₁₂Fe₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂ shows a similar trend of high-pressure transformations: the maximum solubility of ferrosilite (FeSiO₃) in almandine (Fe₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂) forming a homogeneous garnet solid solution is 40 mol% at 93 kbar and 1,000°C.If a pyrolite mantle is assumed, from the present results, the following transformation scheme is suggested for the pyroxene-garnet assemblage in the mantle. Pyroxenes begin to react with the already present pyrope-rich garnet at depths around 150 km. Although the pyroxene-garnet transformation is spread over more than 400 km in depth, the most effective transition to a complex garnet solid solution takes place at depths between 450 and 540 km. The complex garnet solid solution is expected to be stable at depths between 540 and 590 km. At greater depths, it will decompose to a mixture of modified spinel or spinel, stishovite and garnet solid solutions with smaller amounts of a pyroxene component in solution.     

The system enstatite-wollastonite at high pressures and temperatures,with emphasis on diopside

High-pressure phase transformations for three intermediate compositions (including diopside) in the system enstatite (MgSiO₃)-wollastonite (CaSiO₃) were investigated in the pressure range 100–300 kbar at about 1000°C in a diamond-anvil press coupled with laser heating. The phase behaviour of the two end components (enstatite and wollastonite) at high pressure has been reported earlier. The results of this study reveal that there is very limited solid solution of diopside (CaMgSi₂O₆) in the various high-pressure phase assemblages of enstatite. At pressures greater than about 200 kbar, diopside and a composition between diopside and wollastonite were found to transform into non-quenchable phases, as does wollastonite. It is thought probable that diopside and wollastonite form solid solutions with the perovskite structure at high pressure, but that on release of pressure it is not possible to preserve the high-pressure modification.     

High-pressure phase transformations in the system CaSiO3-Al2O3

Phase assemblages for five selected compositions in the system CaSiO₃-Al₂O₃ have been investigated in the pressure range 100–300 kbar and at about 1000°C in a diamond-anvil press coupled with laser heating. At pressures below about 250 kbar, the assemblage of grossularite plus corundum is stable for compositions containing more than 25 mole% Al₂O₃. Above about 250 kbar, phase assemblages for the latter compositions are truncated by those in the join CaAl₂O₄-SiO₂. Garnet solid solutions are stable between about 10 and 25 mole% Al₂O₃. Grossularite transforms to a new tetragonal form at pressures greater than about 250 kbar, but the stability field for the garnet solid solutions extends to pressures up to about 300 kbar. The perovskite modification appears to be stable at pressures above about 150 kbar, but is probably limited to nearly pure CaSiO₃ composition. Phase behaviour for calcium-bearing silicates or aluminosilicates in the lower mantle are apparently more complicated than was suggested earlier.     

High-pressure phase equilibria in a garnet lherzolite,with special reference to Mg2+Fe2+ partitioning among constituent minerals

Phase equilibria in a natural garnet lherzolite nodule (PHN 1611) from Lesotho kimberlite and its chemical analogue have been studied in the pressure range 45–205 kbar and in the temperature range 1050–1200°C. Partition of elements, particularly Mg²⁺Fe²⁺, among coexisting minerals at varying pressures has also been examined. High-pressure transformations of olivine(α) to spinel(γ) through modified spinel(β) were confirmed in the garnet lherzolite. The transformation behavior is quite consistent with the information previously accumulated for the simple system Mg₂SiO₄Fe₂SiO₄. At pressures of 50–150 kbar, a continuous increase in the solid solubility of the pyroxene component in garnet was demonstrated in the lherzolite system by means of microprobe analyses. At 45–75 kbar and 1200°C, the Fe²⁺/(Mg + Fe²⁺) value becomes greater in the ascending order orthopyroxene, Ca-rich clinopyroxene, olivine and garnet. At 144–146 kbar and 1200°C, garnet exhibits the highest Fe²⁺/(Mg + Fe²⁺) value; modified spinel(β) and Ca-poor clinopyroxene follow it. When the modified spinel(β)-spinel(γ) transformation occurred, a higher concentration of Fe²⁺ was found in spinel(γ) rather than in garnet. As a result of the change in the Mg²⁺Fe²⁺ partition relation among coexisting minerals, an increase of about 1% in the Fe₂SiO₄ component in (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄ modified spinel and spinel was observed compared with olivine.These experimental results strongly suggest that the olivine(α)-modified spinel(β) transformation is responsible for the seismic discontinuity at depths of 380–410 km in the mantle. They also support the idea that the minor seismic discontinuity around 520 km is due to the superposition effect of two types of phase transformation, i.e. the modified spinel(β)-spinel(γ) transformation and the pyroxene-garnet transformation. Mineral assemblages in the upper mantle and the upper half of the transition zone are given as a function of depth for the following regions: 100–150, 150–380, 380–410, 410–500, 500–600 and 600–650 km.     

Experimental investigation of reaction coronas on olivine in Apollo 14 high-grade breccias

Reaction coronas of pyroxene ± ilmenite occur around clasts of olivine in Apollo 14 high-grade metamorphic breccias. In experiments of several months duration, there was no evidence of corona formation at 1000°C, but at 1050°, withfO₂ at or above Ilm-Ru-Fe and below Fe-Fe₁?x O, incipient coronas formed around Fo_50–70 in synthetic 14311 matrix. In addition, withfO₂ controlled by Ilm-Ru-Fe at 1050°C, the olivines reduced to Fo₆₈, En₆₉ + Fe. Reduction of olivine under these conditions is inconsistent with the calculated stability relations and is attributed to uncertainties in the activity coefficient for olivine or pyroxene. The experiments also suggest that vesicularity in the Apollo 14 high-grade breccias may correlate with the amount of glassy material in their unmetamorphosed precursors. The metamorphic event is attributed to burial in a hot ejecta blanket, such as that of the Imbrium event.     

Disproportionation of kyanite to corundum plus stishovite at high pressure and temperature

Natural kyanite (Al₂SiO₅) has been found to disproportionate into a mixture of its component oxides, corundum and stishovite, at a loading pressure of about 160 kbar and temperature between 1000–1400°C in a diamond-anvil press. The exact transition pressure is not certain due to transient increases in pressure during the local and rapid heating by a continuous YAG laser. The phase boundary, however, has been estimated to be P(kbar) = (138 ～ 174) + 0.011 T (°C) on the basis of the available thermodynamic data. The shock-wave Hugoniot data above 650 kbar for andalusite (Al₂SiO₅) and sillimanite (Al₂SiO₅) as starting materials are consistent with the present results.     

High-pressure decompositions in cobalt and nickel silicates

High-pressure stability relations in cobalt and nickel silicates have been studied over the pressure range 130–330 kbar employing a double-staged split-sphere-type high-pressure apparatus.γ-Co₂SiO₄ and γ-Ni₂SiO₄ decompose directly into their constituent oxide mixtures (rocksalt plus stishovite) 175 kbar and 280 kbar, respectively. The result that γ-Ni₂SiO₄ has a wider stability field in pressure than γ-Co₂SiO₄, is consistent with simple crystal-field theory.The experimental precision is high enough to show that the decomposition boundary of γ-Co₂SiO₄ has a positive slope (dP/dT > 0) and a preliminary determination of the boundary curve is P(kbar) = 0.065 T (°C) + 110.No positive evidence for the existence of high-pressure forms of CoSiO₃ and NiSiO₃ has been obtained in these quenching experiments, and they finally decompose into constituent oxide mixtures as in the cases of orthosilicates.     

Stability of richterite50-tremolite50 solid solution at high pressures and possible presence of sodium calcic amphibole under upper mantle conditions

High pressure experiments have been made on the stability of richterite₅₀-tremolite₅₀ solid solution by the piston-cylinder type high pressure apparatus in the pressure range from 15 to 40 kb, at temperatures from 700 to 1150°C. This amphibole is stable up to 40 kb at 700°C, and the breakdown pressure gradually decreases with increasing temperatures. It is suggested that this amphibole, on the basis of high pressure experiments, may occur in the upper mantle.