Low-grade regional metamorphism in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic volcanic sequences of the Central Andes

ABSTRACT All the Mesozoic and Cenozoic volcanic rocks of the Central Andes (from southern Ecuador to central Chile), except Recent ones, have been affected by episodes of regional metamorphism, without change in texture and structure. The metamorphism, which ranges from low zeolite to greenschist facies, can be classified as burial metamorphism because there is an overall increase in metamorphic grade with stratigraphic depth in the individual volcanic sequences separated by regional unconformities. Some sequences display metamorphic patterns transitional to ocean-floor and to geothermal field types, reflecting variations along and across the Andes in tectonic setting and thermal gradients. Volcanism was closely followed by metamorphism during each cycle characterizing the geological history of the Central Andes. The episodic nature of the metamorphism has led to breaks in metamorphic grade at regional unconformities and repetition of facies series, where strata of higher grade may even overlie those of lower grade. The existence of permeability-controlled distribution patterns of secondary minerals within individual flows shows that gradients of chemical activity, rate of reaction and P_fluid were acting, in addition to temperature and P,_tot overall gradients, during the regional metamorphism. The alteration is accompanied by chemical changes and disturbances of the K-Ar and Rb-Sr isotope systems. Similarities between Mesozoic facies series in the western and eastern flanks of the Andes are consistent with a mechanism of ensialic spreading-subsidence.     

Zur Tektonik der penninischen Zone in der weiteren Umrahmung des nördlichen Dora-Maira-Massivs,italienische Westalpen

Tectonic analysis within the Mesozoic sequence of the Pennine belt in the vicinity of the northern Dora-Maira massif resulted in the discovery of three different B-axes of Alpine age:

1. 1.
   The oldest one with NNW-trending axes is found to have been developed exclusively to the south and west of the Ambin massif, followed by     
   
   

Kinematics of the northern part of the Simplon line (Central Alps)

Structural studies were carried out along the northern part of the Simplon line in order to constrain the kinematic history of the line during Tertiary times. The ductile strain accumulated within both basement units and Mesozoic cover reveals the upper units sheared towards the west-southwest. The Simplon line can be described as a major shear zone along which the main movement occurred perpendicular to the line. This shearing developed during retrograde metamorphic conditions and postdates earlier deformations associated with the high temperature Lepontine episode. Finally, it was followed by the formation of the Berisal syncline (back-folding episode) which generated some brittle movements towards the south, localized at the contact between the lower and upper Pennine units (i.e. on the Simplon line).     

右江盆地三叠纪岩层极低级变质作用及地球动力学意义

 右江盆地三叠纪槽盆相浊流沉积岩系遭受过区域极低级变质作用。依据地质观察和伊利石结晶度、绿泥石-云母堆垛集合体、标志性粘土矿物及白云母(伊利石)b0参数测定资料,阐述了泥质岩石的成岩变质作用经浅层(近)变质作用到浅变质作用的转换特征。变质温度区间为150-350℃,低压类型,具高地温梯度(40-43℃/km).变质级及亚带总体与地层时代及岩层在地层柱中的位置有耦合关系,而与区域变形强度无关。最后指出区域极低级变质作用是印支-燕山构造旋回早期及区域变形前的地质事件,属于地壳伸展构造背景下右江边缘型盆地内部的埋藏型变质作用。     

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

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

新疆太古宙变质岩系岩石组合特征

新疆塔里木盆地周边发育前寒武纪变质岩系，其太古宙变质岩系分布在库鲁克塔格－星星峡及阿尔金山前。铁克力克可能有新太古代变质岩系的存在。库鲁克塔格地区太古代变质岩出露较全，由古－中太古代及新太古代变质岩组成：阿尔金山前、南天山及中天山尾亚地区均有新太古代变质岩系分布。太古代变质岩系由表壳岩和变质深成岩（岩系）组成，前者往往呈规模不等的包体散布在变质深成岩中。变质作用主要为区域中高温变质作用和区域动力热流变质作用，变质相为中深变质的角闪岩相－麻粒岩相，具中深部构造相的塑性流变特征。     

Unconformities as mineralogical breaks in the burial metamorphism of the Andes

Stratigraphical-structural units separated by regional unconformities in the Andes of Peru and Chile, display a pattern of low grade burial metamorphism. Each stratigraphical-structural unit shows a particular facies series covering part or all the range between the zeolite and the greenschist facies. These facies series were episodically generated as part of the geological evolution of each unit prior to its own folding. Mineralogical breaks are found to coincide with the regional unconformities and often cases of higher grade assemblages on top of lower grade ones occur. This pattern may be explained by a process of sealing of each unit after its particular metamorphic episode took place. Porosity and permeability conditioning P _f, as demonstrated for individual lava flows, are the significant controlling factors in the production of the metamorphic assemblages.     

Field and textural relationship in pelitic schists and gneisses from the area around Mangpu, Darjeeling district, West Bengal

The metasedimentary rocks of the area around Mangpu constitute a portion of the hinge zone of the northern limb of the major synform of Lower Darjeeling Himalaya. The rocks display evidences of multiple deformation and at least three major phases of deformation have been recognized. The time relations between the phases of deformation (D₁, D₂, D₃) and metamorphic crystallization reveal a single major prograde metamorphic event that initiated with the D₁ deformation and finally outlasted it. The earlier phase of this metamorphism is essentially regional syn-tectonic lowgrade (greenschist facies) which may be designated (M₁, early). This was followed by regional static metamorphism (M₁, late) in the post-tectonic phase between D₁ and D₂ deformations (upper green schist and amphibolite facies). This M1 metamorphism is superposed by later retrogressive metamorphism (M₂) during the D₂ and D₃ deformations (lower greenschist facies). Within the study area four isograds have been delineated by the first appearance of index minerals in the pelitic schists and gneiss which display Barrovian type of metamorphism.     

Distribution of Al between coexisting micas in metamorphic rocks from the Central Alps

In 61 pairs of coexisting biotites and muscovites from the Central Alps total Al scatters considerably, but in both series a gradual increase is noticed with increasing metamorphic grade. The ratio Al _Mu ^tot /Al _Bi ^tot remains virtually constant (1.61 average for greenschist facies, 1.57 for amphibolite facies). Tetrahedral Al varies little in biotites and increases in muscovites-phengites with rising metamorphic grade; accordingly the ratio Al _Mu ^IV /Al _Bi ^IV increases slightly with grade. Far the best control of metamorphism is evidenced by octahedral Al. In the muscovite series, and still more pronounced in the biotite series, Al^VI increases with increasing metamorphic grade. Consequently 1 $$K_D = \frac{{Al_{Mu}^{VI} }}{{Al_{Bl}^{VI} }}$$ decreases from 14 to 3. A map (Fig. 6) representing the regional distribution of the K_D values locates a 100 km long and 23 km broad central zone with low K_D. The outline of this central core almost coincides with the isograds anorthite-diopside-calcite and labradorite-pyroxene-hornblende of the Tertiary regional metamorphism; with some deviations this core also agrees with the zone in which phenomena of partial anatexis are observed. The K_D values of micas from anateotic pegmatites agree with those of associated gneisses and schists. The study demonstrates that in the course of progressive regional metamorphism equilibrium has been approached to an unexpected extent and that the two micas coexisted in a strict sense.     

Timing and tectonic setting of Grenvillian metamorphism—constraints from a transect along Georgian Bay,Ontario*

Systematic mapping of a transect along the well-exposed shores of Georgian Bay, Ontario, combined with the preliminary results of structural analysis, geochronology and metamorphic petrology, places some constraints on the geological setting of high-grade metamorphism in this part of the Central Gneiss Belt. Correlations within and between map units (gneiss associations) have allowed us to recognize five tectonic units that differ in various aspects of their lithology, metamorphic and plutonic history, and structural style. The lowest unit, which forms the footwall to a regional decollement, locally preserves relic pre-Grenvillian granulite facies assemblages reworked under amphibolite facies conditions during the Grenvillian orogeny. Tectonic units above the decollement apparently lack the early granulite facies metamorphism; out-of-sequence thrusting in the south produced a duplex-like structure. Two distinct stages of Grenvillian metamorphism are apparent. The earlier stage (c. 1160–1120 Ma) produced granulite facies assemblages in the Parry Sound domain and upper amphibolite facies assemblages in the Parry Island thrust sheet. The later stage (c. 1040–1020 Ma) involved widespread, dominantly upper amphibolite facies metamorphism within and beneath the duplex. Deformation and metamorphism recently reported from south and east of the Parry Sound domain at c. 1100–1040 Ma have not yet been documented along the Georgian Bay transect. The data suggest that early convergence was followed by a period of crustal thickening in the orogenic core south-east of the transect area, with further advance to the north-west during and after the waning stages of this deformation.     

Ultramafic–Mafic Assemblage of Plutonic Rocks and Hornblende Schists of Shirshov Rise,Bering Sea,and Stalemate Ridge,Northwest Pacific: Geodynamic Interpretations of Geochemical Data

The paper presents data on plutonic and metamorphic rocks dredged during Cruise 249 of the German R/V Sonne to the Stalemate Ridge, Northwest Pacific Ocean and the Shirshov Rise, western Bering Sea. Dredges in the northwestern sector of the Stalemate Ridge and central portion of the Shirshov Rise show that the plutonic and metamorphic rocks obtained here are amazingly similar. Our petrologic and geochemical data led us to view the rocks as members of a mafic–ultramafic assemblage typical of cumulate portions of ophiolite complexes and backarc spreading centers. The plutonic complexes of the Shirshov Rise and Stalemate Ridge show similarities not only in the petrography and mineralogy of their protoliths but also in the character of their metamorphic transformations. Plutonic rocks from both areas display mineralogical evidence of metamorphism within a broad temperature range: from the high-temperature amphibolite facies to the greenschist facies. Relations between the index mineral assemblages indicate that the metamorphic history of plutonic complexes in the Stalemate Ridge and Shirshov Rise proceeded along a retrograde path. Hornblende schists accompanying the plutonic rocks of the Stalemate Ridge and Shirshov Rise are petrographically close to foliated amphibolites in subophiolitic metamorphic aureoles. Within the framework of geodynamic interpretations of our results, it is realistic to suggest that the examined plutonic complexes were exhumed from subduction zones of various age.     

Time and place of progressive regional metamorphism: A repley to N. D. Chatterjee

Misreading of some published papers has led Dr. N. D.Chatterjee to erroneous conclusions about the local geology in the Ghatsila area in Singhbhum, eastern India, and his doubts regarding the metamorphic history deduced by the author here are therefore unjustified. The stratigraphy and structural geometry in this terrain are not at all debatable, and the evidences for a progressive metamorphism broadly contemporaneous with folding and preceding thrusting are incontrovertible. To take any particular metamorphic terrain, whether Simplon or Singhbhum, as the prototype of regional metamorphism is as yet premature.     

Jadeite–garnet glaucophane schists in the Bizan area,Sambagawa metamorphic belt,eastern Shikoku,Japan: significance and extent of eclogite facies metamorphism

Eclogite facies metamorphic rocks have been discovered from the Bizan area of eastern Shikoku, Sambagawa metamorphic belt. The eclogitic jadeite–garnet glaucophane schists occur as lenticular or sheet‐like bodies in the pelitic schist matrix, with the peak mineral assemblage of garnet + glaucophane + jadeite + phengite + quartz. The jadeitic clinopyroxene (X_Jd 0.46–0.75) is found exclusively as inclusions in porphyroblastic garnet. The eclogite metamorphism is characterized by prograde development from epidote–blueschist to eclogite facies. Metamorphic P–T conditions estimated using pseudosection modelling are 580–600 °C and 18–20 kbar for eclogite facies. Compared with common mafic eclogites, the jadeite–garnet glaucophane schists have low CaO (4.4–4.5 wt%) and MgO (2.1–2.3 wt%) bulk‐rock compositions. The P–T– pseudosections show that low X_Ca bulk‐rock compositions favour the appearance of jadeite instead of omphacite under eclogite facies conditions. This is a unique example of low X_Ca bulk‐rock composition triggered to form jadeite at eclogite facies conditions. Two significant types of eclogitic metamorphism have been distinguished in the Sambagawa metamorphic belt, that is, a low‐T type and subsequent high‐T type eclogitic metamorphic events. The jadeite–garnet glaucophane schists experienced low‐T type eclogite facies metamorphism, and the P–T path is similar to lawsonite‐bearing eclogites recently reported from the Kotsu area in eastern Shikoku. During subduction of the oceanic plate (Izanagi plate), the hangingwall cooled gradually, and the geothermal gradient along the subduction zone progressively decreased and formed low‐T type eclogitic metamorphic rocks. A subsequent warm subduction event associated with an approaching spreading ridge caused the high‐T type eclogitic metamorphism within a single subduction zone.     

京北琉璃庙地区变质杂岩变质变形特征

琉璃庙地区变质杂岩主要由变质上壳岩、变质深成侵入杂岩及其脉岩群组成.它们多数经韧性变形改造形成各种类型糜棱岩和构造片岩.研究表明,变质上壳岩原岩主要以钙碱性火山(熔)岩为主.本区变质杂岩经历了三期变质变形作用,即高角闪岩相区域变质作用形成大型复式同斜紧闭褶皱;绿帘角闪岩相动力变质作用及强烈的韧性变形,形成了以蓝闪石为特征的不同强度的糜棱岩带;绿片岩相动力变质作用和韧脆性变形作用.     

1∶25万大同幅区域地质调查项目成果

通过对1∶25万大同市幅地质概况的介绍,重点论述了所取得的主要成果: ①对区内构造单元进行了划分,查明了各个构造单元的物质组成及变质、变形特点,建立了早前寒武纪地质构造事件演化序列及其地质构造演化模式,恢复了本区的地质构造发展史; ②对前人所称集宁群进行了重新认识和解体,认为原集宁群由变质深成岩与变质表壳岩系组成,同时针对区内的沉积盖层,系统地建立了岩石地层格架,为生物地层、年代地层划分提供了新资料; ③将区内变质深成岩划分为4个岩浆岩带,对各个岩浆岩带的变质深成岩进行了详细解体与划分; ④针对区内的中生代侵入岩,查明了其空间分布、岩石特征、岩石化学及地球化学特征,探讨了岩石成因,研究了其构造背景; ⑤针对区内早前寒武纪变质岩系变质矿物,查明了不同变质体的变质矿物组合特点和矿物世代关系; ⑥针对区内的构造形迹,建立了本区构造格架,将早前寒武纪的构造变形划分为五台期早晚2次变形,吕梁期早晚2次变形,并针对区内中生代构造,查明了各个盆地的盆缘构造特征和不同方向、不同期次、不同性质断裂的分期配套关系,尤其是查明了大同盆地西缘大型构造带的空间展布、性质、断裂组合及运动学特征,对探讨山西中—新生代盆地的演化发展具有重要意义。     

Sapphirine-kornerupine rocks from the Reynolds Range,central Australia: constraints on the uplift history of a Proterozoic low pressure terrain

Sapphirine-kornerupine-bearing rocks from the Reynolds Range, Northern Territory, Australia preserve spectacular metamorphic reaction textures that provide valuable insights into the regional metamorphic uplift history. The rocks occur in pods that are several meters in diameter within high-temperature, low-pressure (750 to 800°C and 4 to 5 kbar) granulite facies exposures of the early Proterozoic Lander Rock beds, a laterally extensive sequence of folded pelitic and quartzose metasediments. The pods are not associated with large volumes of partial melts and are likely to have formed by metasomatism near the peak of M₂ metamorphism. The rocks in the pods consist of high-temperature Mg- and Al-rich minerals such as boron-free korneurpine, and are coarse-grained (0.5 to >15 cm), non-foliated, and locally nearly monomineralic. The growth of the coarse minerals in the pods largely post-dated the high-grade regional metamorphic D₂ fabric and completely reconstructed the precursor rocks. The retrograde metamorphic reaction textures show that the early retrogression from the M₂ granulite facies conditions was characterized not by isobaric cooling as previously proposed, but by nearly isthermal decompression. These data imply that the Reynolds Range did not follow a simple anticlockwise P-T-t path. Because rocks such as these preserve information from a only restricted portion of the metamorphic history and can preserve evidence of decompression reactions more clearly than many more ordinary lithologies, they can be especially important for discerning metamorphic P-T-t paths.This paper is a contribution to IGCP Project 304, Lower Crustal Processes.     

Metamorphic zones and physical conditions of metamorphism in Leros Island,Greece

On the basis of the systematic variation and the appearance and disappearance of some metamorphic minerals in metapelitic assemblages, the metamorphic terrain of Leros can be divided into chlorite, biotite, garnet and staurolite-kyanite zones of progressive regional metamorphism. The matapelites are interbedded with blueschists containing magnesioriebeckite in Fe³⁺-rich mafic assemblages in the chlorite zone and more normal greenschist and amphibolite facies in higher grade zones. Combining the observed mineral assemblages in pelitic and mafic schists with the available experimental or calculated relevant phase equilibria, one can deduce temperature conditions of metamorphism ranging from about 350° C up to about 700° C and pressures ranging between a minimum value defined by the pressure of the triple point of the Al₂SiO₅ polymorphs and a possible minimum around 7 kb.The observed metamorphic sequence may be interpreted as the result of progressive transportation of the original sediments and the interbedded mafic rocks from a regime typified by low temperatures and relatively high pressures, to regimes characterized by higher temperature and medium pressures.     

藏南吉隆地区聂拉木群的研究

构造－岩层（石）－事件法填图结果表明，吉隆地区原聂拉木群实际上包含了变质地层和变质深成岩，应予以解体。解体后的变质深成岩称思马片麻岩，侵位于晋宁期。变质地层称聂拉木岩群，包括曲乡岩组和江东岩组，两者以韧性断层接触，沉积时代为古元古代，经历了吕梁末期的中压型蓝晶石－十字石亚相区域动力热流变质作用，并与思马片麻岩－同于晋宁末期接受角闪岩相变质、喜马拉雅期绿片相退变质。     

The role of fluids in the formation and subsequent development of early continental crust

A petrogenetic model is developed to explain the evolution and geochemical character of granitic rocks in early Archean (pre 3.6 Gyr) continental crust taking into account the following important geological constraints, viz.:

1. High geothermal gradients (probably in excess of 90 ° C/km) and resulting widespread granulite facies metamorphism even at relatively shallow depths
2. The fractionation of certain major and trace elements under granulite facies conditions
3. The composition and geochemical behaviour of fluids which emanate from or pass through terrains undergoing granulite facies metamorphism viz. carbonic fluids containing significant amounts of SO₂ and halogens.

In this model tonalitic and trondhjemitic intrusives are regarded as being derived dominantly by partial melting of mafic granulite. The ubiquitous potassic granites, which typical post-date sodic plutonic activity are interpreted to be anatectic melts generated under granulite or amphibolite facies conditions from the previously formed ‘plagiogranites’. The presence of a postulated granulite facies source area for Archean tonalitic rocks, and the geochemical character of fluids which accompany metamorphism under such conditions explains the HREE geochemistry of these suites and casts doubt on the validity of applying currently used trace element fractional melting or crystallization models to these terrains. Similarly it suggests that petrogenetic interpretations based on Sr and Pb isotopic systems must be reevaluated because of the extreme mobility of both parent and daughter elements under granulite facies conditions.     

Blue amphiboles,metamorphic regime and plate tectonic modelling in the Iberian Pyrite Belt

Riebeckite-arfvedsonite amphiboles occur in very low-grade metamorphosed doleritic sills at various localities within the Iberian Pyrite Belt. The alkali-amphiboles grew during sub-solidus hydrothermal spilitization of basalt associated with submarine massive sulphide ore formation. The riebeckite-arfvedsonite is only very rarely preserved, being converted to albite-chlorite during regional metamorphism. In the South Portuguese zone Hercynian regional metamorphic grade increases in a northward direction from zeolite facies south of the Pyrite Belt through prehnite-pumpellyite facies to the greenschist facies in its northernmost zone. Compositional and mineralogical data indicate a geothermal gradient in the order of 40–50 °C/km.Volcanism in the Pyrite Belt is essentially representative of a bimodal association of twoleiitic to alkalic basalt and dacite/rhyolite. Geochemical data for the Pyrite Belt mafic meta-volcanics contrast with available data for subduction related volcanic suites in orogenic belts but exhibit similarities with the basaltic members of basalt-rhyolite associations found in areas of extensional tectonics. It is proposed that the Iberian Pyrite Belt volcanism represents magmatic activity in an intra-continental basin undergoing rifting during the late Devonian and lower Carboniferous times. On leave from: Mineralogia e Geologia, Faculdade de Ciencias, Lisboa-2, Portugal