Petrogenesis of a high-temperature metamorphic terrane: a new tectonic interpretation for the north Dabieshan, central China

ABSTRACT The northern Dabie terrane consists of a variety of metamorphic rocks with minor mafic-ultramafic blocks, and abundant Jurassic-Cretaceous granitic plutons. The metamorphic rocks include orthogneisses, amphibolite, migmatitic gneiss with minor granulite and metasediments; no eclogite or other high-pressure metamorphic rocks have been found. Granulites of various compositions occur either as lenses, blocks or layers within clinopyroxene-bearing amphibolite or gneiss. The palaeosomes of most migmatitic gneisses contain clinopyroxene; melanosomes and leucosomes are intimately intermingled, tightly folded and may have formed in situ. The granulites formed at about 800–830 °C and 10–14 kbar and display near-isothermal decompression P–T paths that may have resulted from crust thickened by collision. Plagioclase-amphibole coronae around garnets and matrix PI + Hbl assemblages from mafic and ultramafic granulites formed at about 750–800 °C. Partial replacement of clinopyroxene by amphibole in gneiss marks amphibolite facies retrograde metamorphism. Amphibolite facies orthogneisses and interlayered amphibolites formed at 680–750 °C and c. 6 kbar. Formation of oligoclase + orthoclase antiperthite after plagioclase took place in migmatitic gneisses at T ≤ 490°C in response to a final stage of retrograde recrystallization. These P–T estimates indicate that the northern Dabie metamorphic granulite-amphibolite facies terrane formed in a metamorphic field gradient of 20–35 °C km^-1 at intermediate to low pressures, and may represent the Sino-Korean hangingwall during Triassic subduction for formation of the ultrahigh- and high-P units to the south. Post-collisional intrusion of a mafic-ultramafic cumulate complex occurred due to breakoff of the subducting slab.     

中国与蒙古之地质

东昆仑中部缝合带清水泉一带发育石榴斜长紫苏麻粒岩、紫苏辉石黑云母石榴子石麻粒岩、石榴二辉斜长麻粒岩和石榴单斜辉石麻粒岩,它们与混合岩化黑云母石榴子石变粒岩、黑云母辉石变粒岩、石墨大理岩、含透辉石透闪石大理岩、透辉石大理岩、黑云斜长角闪岩和片麻岩等高级变质岩系以及纯橄岩、辉橄岩、橄长岩、辉长岩、辉绿岩和玄武岩等共同构成蛇绿混杂岩。麻粒岩相变质作用的温压条件为T=760~880℃,p=830~1200MPa,为高温中高压麻粒岩相变质作用,估算其形成深度为40~45km。麻粒岩相变质作用的SHRIMP锆石U-Pb年龄为(507·7±8·3)Ma。清水泉地区蛇绿岩形成于~520Ma,到~508Ma时俯冲至地下40~45km深处而发生中高压麻粒岩相变质作用,然后发生构造折返而剥露至地表。证实了清水泉高级变质岩和基性—超基性岩片是形成于早—中寒武世的蛇绿混杂岩,标志一个古生代早期的非常重要的板块汇聚边界,这对于进一步研究东昆仑造山带构造演化、乃至中国西部大地构造格局具有非常重要的意义。     

Amphibolite to granulite transition in aluminous greywackes from the Sierra de Comechingones, Córdoba, Argentina

We discuss upper-amphibolite to granulite facies, early Palaeozoic metamorphism and partial melting of aluminous greywackes from the Sierra de Comechingones, SE Sierras Pampeanas of Central Argentina. Consistent P–T estimates, obtained from equilibria involving Al and Ti exchange components in biotite and from more traditional thermobarometric equilibria, suggest that peak metamorphism of the exposed section took place at an essentially constant pressure of 7–8 kbar, and at temperatures ranging from 650 to 950 °C. Mineral compositions record an initial decompression, after peak metamorphism, of c. 1.5 kbar, which was accompanied by a cooling of c. 100 °C. Upper-amphibolite facies gneisses consist of the assemblage Qtz+Pl+Bt+Grt+Rt/Ilm. The transition to the granulite facies is marked by the simultaneous appearance of the assemblage Kfs+Sil and of migmatitic structures, suggesting that the amphibolite to granulite transition in the Sierra de Comechingones corresponds to the beginning of melting. Rocks with structural and/or chemical manifestations of partial melting range from metatexites, to diatexites, to melt-depleted granulites, consisting of the assemblage Grt+Crd+Pl+Qtz+Ilm±Ath. The melting stage overlapped at least partially with decompression, as suggested by the occurrence of cordierite, in both the migmatites and the residual granulites, of two distinct textural types: idiomorphic porphyroblasts (probably representing peritectic cordierite) and garnet-rimming coronas. Metapelitic rocks are unknown in the Sierra de Comechingones. Therefore, it appears most likely that the Al-rich residual assemblages found in the migmatites and residual granulites were formed by partial melting of muscovite- and sillimanite-undersaturated metagreywackes. We propose a mechanism for this that relies on the sub-solidus stabilization of garnet and the ensuing changes in the octahedral Al content of biotite with pressure and temperature.     

Transformation of Fe–Ti gabbro to coronite, eclogite and amphibolite in the Baie du Nord segment, Manicouagan Imbricate Zone, eastern Grenville Province

Fe–Ti gabbros from the Baie du Nord Segment of the Manicouagan Imbricate Zone, metamorphosed under high P–T conditions during the Grenvillian orogeny, have been the focus of a detailed micropetrological study. Textures and mineral chemistry suggest that the mineral assemblages represent progressive stages of metamorphic transformation resulting in the formation of coronas, pseudomorphs after igneous phases (transitional) and true, granoblastic eclogites. The transitional and eclogitic samples also have coronas which are developed locally around igneous xenocrysts of plagioclase and olivine. The deformed margins of coronitic Fe–Ti gabbros are transformed to amphibolite and contain clinopyroxene-bearing leucosomes with garnet poikiloblasts that are indicative of high-P–T dehydration melting. Interpretation of garnet zoning and thermobarometry suggest that the highest P–T conditions are recorded by coronas around xenocrysts (c. 720–800 °C at 14–17 kbar) and garnet–clinopyroxene cores in granoblastic assemblages (c. 740–820 °C at 13–17 kbar) in the eclogitic samples. Re-equilibration during the early stages of exhumation at high-T conditions (>700 °C) affected all samples, and is evidenced by the widespread development of pargasite-bearing plagioclase collars in the coronitic and transitional metagabbros and by widespread re-equilibration of the eclogites giving lower P–T estimates at grain boundaries. However, the difference in calculated pressure conditions between coronite and eclogite samples is consistent with increasing pressure (depth) from the coronites (11–13 kbar) to the eclogites (13–17 kbar). The P–T conditions recorded by these rocks define a metamorphic field gradient which suggests high heat flow through the lower crust during the Grenvillian orogeny.     

Pressure–temperature evolution of metapelitic granulites in a polymetamorphic terrane: the Rauer Group, East Antarctica

Distinctive lithological associations and geological relationships, and initial geochronological results indicate the presence of an areally extensive region of reworked Archaean basement containing polymetamorphic granulites in the Rauer Group, East Antarctica.
Structurally early metapelites from within this reworked region preserve complex and varied metamorphic histories which largely pre-date and bear no relation to a Late Proterozoic metamorphism generally recognized in this part of East Antarctica. In particular, magnesian metapelite rafts from Long Point record extreme peak P–T conditions of 10–12 kbar and 100–1050°C, and an initial decompression to 8 kbar at temperatures of greater than 900°C. Initial garnet–orthopyroxene–sillimanite assemblages contain the most magnesian (and pyrope-rich) garnets ( X _Mg= 0.71) yet found in granulite facies rocks. A high-temperature decompressional P–T history is consistent with reaction textures in which the phase assemblages produced through garnet breakdown vary systematically with the initial garnet X _Mg composition, reflecting the intersection of different divariant reactions in rocks of varied composition as pressures decreased. This history is thought to relate to Archaean events, whereas a lower-temperature ( c. 750–800°C) decompression to 5 kbar reflects Late Proterozoic reworking of these relict assemblages.
The major Late Proterozoic ( c. 1000 Ma) granulite facies metamorphism is recorded in a suite of younger Fe-rich metapelites and associated paragneisses in which syn- to post-deformational decompression, through 2–4 kbar from maximum recorded P–T conditions of 7–9 kbar and 800–850°C, is constrained by geothermobarometry and reaction textures. This P–T evolution is thought to reflect rapid tectonic collapse of crust previously thickened through collision.     

High-pressure granulites in the Sanggan area, North China craton: metamorphic evolution, P–T paths and geotectonic significance

High‐pressure basic granulites are widely distributed as enclaves and sheet‐like blocks in the Huaian TTG gneiss terrane in the Sanggan area of the Central Zone of the North China craton. Four stages of the metamorphic history have been recognised in mineral assemblages based on inclusion, exsolution and reaction textures integrated with garnet zonation patterns as revealed by compositional maps and compositional profiles. The P–T conditions for each metamorphic stage were obtained using thermodynamically and experimentally calibrated geothermobarometers. The low‐Ca core of growth‐zoned garnet, along with inclusion minerals, defines a prograde assemblage (M1) of garnet + clinopyroxene + plagioclase + quartz, yielding 700 °C and 10 kbar. The peak of metamorphism at about 750–870 °C and 11–14.5 kbar (M2) is defined by high‐Ca domains in garnet interiors and inclusion minerals of clinopyroxene, plagioclase and quartz. Kelyphites or coronas of orthopyroxene + plagioclase ± magnetite around garnet porphyroblasts indicate garnet breakdown reactions (M3) at conditions around 770–830 °C and 8.5–10.5 kbar. Garnet exsolution lamellae in clinopyroxene and kelyphites of amphibole + plagioclase around garnet formed during the cooling process at about 500–650 °C and 5.5–8 kbar (M4). These results help define a sequential P–T path containing prograde, near‐isothermal decompression (ITD) and near‐isobaric cooling (IBC) stages. The clockwise hybrid ITD and IBC P–T paths of the HP granulites in the Sanggan area imply a model of thickening followed by extension in a collisional environment. Furthermore, the relatively high‐pressures (6–14.5 kbar) of the four metamorphic stages and the geometry of the P–T paths suggest that the HP granulites, together with their host Huaian TTG gneisses, represent the lower plate in a crust thickened during collision. The corresponding upper‐plate might be the tectonically overlying Khondalite series, which was subjected to medium‐ to low‐pressure (MP/LP: 7–4 kbar) granulite facies metamorphism with a clockwise P–T path including an ITD segment. Both the HP and the MP/LP granulite facies events occurred contemporaneously at c. 1.90–1.85 Ga in a collisional environment created by the assembly process of the North China craton.     

Metamorphic Evolution of Charnockites and Felsic Gneisses from the Schirmacher Region,East Antarctica

The structural and petrographic studies of the metamorphic rocks of the Schirmacher region, East Antarctica, indicate polyphase metamorphism, dominantly of an early granulite and later amphibolite facies metamorphism. In order to understand the metamorphic evolution of the region, the temperature and pressure of metamorphism has been estimated for felsic gneisses and charnockites using conventional models of geothermometry and geobarometry. The studies showed that, the early granulite facies metamorphism and charnockitization took place around 827±29°C at 7.3±0.3 kbar, while the later amphibolite facies metamorphism and granitization took place around 654±27°C at 5.4±0.4 kbar. The pressure and temperature recorded in these rocks suggest that metamorphism was initiated at 20 to 27 km depth, with a geothermal gradient of around 32°C/km. The P-T conditions reflect isobaric cooling path, with a gentle dP/dT slope (∼10±1 bar/°C). The isobaric cooling path owes its origin to the underplating of crust by mantle derived magmas.     

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.     

Petrology and geothermobarometry of granulite facies metapelites from the Hisøy-Torungen area, south Norway: new data on the Sveconorvegian P–T–t path of the Bamble sector

ABSTRACT The high-grade rocks (metapelite, quartzite, metagabbro) of the Hisøy-Torungen area represent the south-westernmost exposures of granulites in the Proterozoic Bamble sector, south Norway. The area is isoclinally folded and a metamorphic P–T–t path through four successive stages (M1-M4) is recognized. Petrological evidence for a prograde metamorphic event (M1) is obtained from relict staurolite + chlorite + albite, staurolite + hercynite + ilmenite, cordierite + sillimanite, fine-grained felsic material + quartz and hercynite + biotite ± sillimanite within metapelitic garnet. The phase relations are consistent with a pressure of 3.6 ± 0.5 kbar and temperatures up to 750–850°C. M1 is connected to the thermal effect of the gabbroic intrusions prior to the main (M2) Sveconorwegian granulite facies metamorphism. The main M2 granulite facies mineral assemblages (quartz+ plagioclase + K-feldspar + garnet + biotite ± sillimanite) are best preserved in the several-metre-wide Al-rich metapelites, which represent conditions of 5.9–9.1 kbar and 790–884°C. These P–T conditions are consistent with a temperature increase of 80–100°C relative to the adjacent amphibolite facies terranes. No accompanying pressure variations are recorded. Up to 1-mm-wide fine-grained felsic veinlets appear in several units and represent remnants of a former melt formed by the reaction: Bt + Sil + Qtz→Grt + lq. This dehydration reaction, together with the absence of large-scale migmatites in the area, suggests a very reduced water activity in the rocks and XH₂O = 0.25 in the C–O–H fluid system was calculated for a metapelitic unit. A low but variable water activity can best explain the presence or absence of fine-grained felsic material representing a former melt in the different granulitic metapelites. The strongly peraluminous composition of the felsic veinlets is due to the reaction: Grt +former melt ± Sil→Crd + Bt ± Qtz + H₂O, which has given poorly crystalline cordierite aggregates intergrown with well-crystalline biotite. The cordierite- and biotite-producing reaction constrains a steep first-stage retrograde (relative to M2) uplift path. Decimetre- to metre-wide, strongly banded metapelites (quartz + plagioclase + biotite + garnet ± sillimanite) inter-layered with quartzites are retrograded to (M3) amphibolite facies assemblages. A P–T estimate of 1.7–5.6 kbar, 516–581°C is obtained from geothermobarometry based on rim-rim analyses of garnet–biotite–plagioclase–sillimanite–quartz assemblages, and can be related to the isoclinal folding of the rocks. M4 greenschist facies conditions are most extensively developed in millimetre-wide chlorite-rich, calcite-bearing veins cutting the foliation.     

P–T–t–D records of Early Palaeozoic Andean-type shortening of a hot active margin: The Dunhuang block in NW China

High-pressure (HP) granulites form either in the domain of the subducted plate during continental collision or in supra-subduction systems where the thermally softened upper plate is shortened and thickened. Such a discrepancy in tectonic setting can be evaluated by metamorphic pressure–temperature–time-deformation (P–T–t–D) paths. In the current study, P–T–t–D paths of Early Palaeozoic HP granulite facies rocks, in the form of metabasic lenses enclosed in migmatitic metapelite, from the Dunhuang block, NW China, are investigated in order to constrain the nature of the HP rocks and shed light on the geodynamic evolution of a modern hot orogenic system in an active margin setting. The rocks show a polyphase evolution characterized by (1) relics of horizontal or gently dipping fabric (S1) preserved in cores of granulite lenses and in garnet porphyroblasts, (2) a N-S trending sub-vertical fabric (S2) preserved in low-strain domains and (3) upright folds (F3) associated with a ubiquitous steep E-W striking axial planar foliation (S3). Garnet in the granulites preserves relics of a prograde mineral assemblage M1a equilibrated at ~11.5 kbar and ~770–780°C, whereas the matrix granulite assemblage (M1b) from the S1 fabric attained peak pressure at ~13.5 kbar and ~850°C. The granulites were overprinted at ~8–11 kbar and ~850–900°C during crustal melting (M2) followed by partial re-equilibration (M3) at ~8 kbar and ~625°C. A garnet Lu–Hf age of 421.6 ± 1.2 Ma dates metamorphism M1, while a garnet Sm–Nd age of 385.3 ± 4.0 Ma reflects M3 cooling of the granulites. The mineral assemblage, M1, of the host migmatitic metapelite formed at ~9–12.5 kbar and ~760–810°C, partial melting and migmatization (M2) occurred at ~7 kbar and ~760°C and re-equilibration (M3) at ~5–6 kbar and ~675°C. A garnet Lu–Hf age of 409.7 ± 2.3 Ma dates thermal climax (M2) and a garnet Sm–Nd age of 356 ± 11 Ma constrains M3 for the migmatitic metapelites. The timing of this late phase is also bracketed by an emplacement age of syntectonic granite dated at c. 360 Ma. Decoupling of M1 and M2 P–T evolutions between the mafic granulites and migmatitic metapelites indicates their different positions in the crustal column, while the shared pressure–temperature (P–T) evolution M3 suggests formation of a mélange-like association during the late stages of orogeny. The high-pressure event D1-M1 is interpreted as a result of Late Silurian–Early Devonian moderate crustal thickening of a thermally softened and thinned pre-orogenic crust. The high-temperature (HT) re-equilibration D2-M2 is interpreted as a result of Mid-Devonian shortening of the previously thickened crust, possibly due to ‘Andean-type’ underthrusting. The D3-M3 event reflects Late Devonian supra-subduction shortening and continuous erosion of the sub-crustal lithosphere. This tectono-metamorphic sequence of events is explained by polyphased Andean-type deformation of a ‘Cascadia-type’ active margin, which corresponds to a supra-subduction tectonic switching paradigm.     

An example of structural and metamorphic relationships in the Musgrave orogenic belt,central Australia

The western Musgrave Ranges are broadly divided into three groups of metamorphic rocks. A central granulite‐facies core is bounded on the north by rocks of amphibolite grade and on the south by rocks transitional between the granulite and amphibolite facies. Faults trending east‐west separate the three groups of rocks.

The detailed structural relationships between the granulites and the lower grade rocks are described and discussed. The granulites are structurally relatively simple and are characterised by the presence of a strong southwesterly‐plunging, mineral‐streaking lineation. In marked contrast, the transitional rocks are more complexly folded on a macroscopic scale and they also have a well‐developed mineral lineation plunging to the southeast. These two lineation orientations are considered to be directions of maximum elongation. The amphibolite‐facies rocks are also complexly folded and at least two lineations related to different phases of deformation have been recognized.

A suite of foliated and lineated dolerite dykes which occurs throughout the area inherited their fabric during a period of intense deformation and recrystallization, which resulted in the development of numerous mylonite zones.

It is suggested that the granulite‐facies rocks may represent a suite of cover rocks which have been thrust in a northerly direction over a pre‐existing amphibolite‐facies basement.     

Metamorphic petrology and zircon geochronology of high-grade rocks from the central Mozambique Belt of Tanzania: crustal recycling of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic material during the Pan-African orogeny

New data on the metamorphic petrology and zircon geochronology of high‐grade rocks in the central Mozambique Belt (MB) of Tanzania show that this part of the orogen consists of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic material that was structurally reworked during the Pan‐African event. The metamorphic rocks are characterized by a clockwise P–T path, followed by strong decompression, and the time of peak granulite facies metamorphism is similar to other granulite terranes in Tanzania. The predominant rock types are mafic to intermediate granulites, migmatites, granitoid orthogneisses and kyanite/sillimanite‐bearing metapelites. The meta‐granitoid rocks are of calc‐alkaline composition, range in age from late Archean to Neoproterozoic, and their protoliths were probably derived from magmatic arcs during collisional processes. Mafic to intermediate granulites consist of the mineral assemblage garnet–clinopyroxene–plagioclase–quartz–biotite–amphibole ± K‐feldspar ± orthopyroxene ± oxides. Metapelites are composed of garnet‐biotite‐plagioclase ± K‐feldspar ± kyanite/sillimanite ± oxides. Estimated values for peak granulite facies metamorphism are 12–13 kbar and 750–800 °C. Pressures of 5–8 kbar and temperatures of 550–700 °C characterize subsequent retrogression to amphibolite facies conditions. Evidence for a clockwise P–T path is provided by late growth of sillimanite after kyanite in metapelites. Zircon ages indicate that most of the central part of the MB in Tanzania consists of reworked ancient crust as shown by Archean (c. 2970–2500 Ma) and Palaeoproterozoic (c. 2124–1837 Ma) protolith ages. Metamorphic zircon from metapelites and granitoid orthogneisses yielded ages of c. 640 Ma which are considered to date peak regional granulite facies metamorphism during the Pan‐African orogenic event. However, the available zircon ages for the entire MB in East Africa and Madagascar also document that peak metamorphic conditions were reached at different times in different places. Large parts of the MB in central Tanzania consist of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic material that was reworked during the Pan‐African event and that may have been part of the Tanzania Craton and Usagaran domain farther to the west.     

柴北缘绿梁山高压基性麻粒岩的变质演化历史：岩石学及锆石SHRIMP年代学证据

高压基性麻粒岩出露在柴北缘HP/UHP变质带的绿梁山地区,它主要呈透镜体状分布在石榴蓝晶(夕线)黑云片麻岩中。岩石学和矿物学数据显示高压基性麻粒岩经历了多阶段变质历史,早期可能经历了榴辉岩相变质作用(p>15kbar),以石榴子石中保留的少量绿辉石为特征;高压麻粒岩组合(Grt-Cpx-Pl-Qtz±Amp±Rt-Ilm)为退变质作用产物,其形成的变质条件为p=9.6~13.5kbar,T=730~870℃。晚期的变质反应以围绕石榴子石和后成合晶生成斜方辉石的为特征,形成的p-T条件为6.2~8.5kbar和720~860℃。高压基性麻粒岩中的锆石SHRIMP测定共获得两组年龄,分别为(448±3)Ma和(421±5)Ma。结合锆石阴极发光和矿物包体研究,前者代表高压麻粒岩阶段的变质年龄,后者代表晚期与斜方辉石形成有关的中低压麻粒岩阶段的变质年龄。这些年龄结果显示麻粒岩相变质作用持续了大约27Ma,这可能与早古生代祁连地块与柴达木地块碰撞作用所引起的地壳加厚和后来的热松驰有关。     

Rare-earth element geochemistry of Madras granulites

Archaean granulites from the type charnockite locality of Pallavaram, Madras City, Tamil Nadu, southern India consist of a bimodal suite of basic and silicic orthogneisses, associated with metasedimentary gneisses (khondalites). Charnockite is the dominant rock type. Basic granulites display a tholeiitic trend of strong iron enrichment accompanied by an increase in the concentration of the rare earth elements (REE), and the development of appreciable negative europium anomalies. These trends are considered to reflect low pressure fractional crystallisation of pyroxene-plagioclase assemblages under conditions of lowf _{O 2}. Ultramafic granulites may represent the cumulus material of such a process. The silicic granulites (charnockites) are generally K₂O rich and in marked contrast to the low K₂O (tonalitic) silicic gneisses which dominate most granulite facies terrains. Their REE abundances, however, embrace the complete range of patterns observed in both K-rich and K-poor Archaean gneisses. The presence of a large number of pre-granulite facies potassic pegmatites in the area suggests metasomatism of an originally less potassic suite of rocks. Trace element considerations lead to a model whereby metasomatism and partial fusion of silicic gneisses in the terrain preceded the granulite facies metamorphic event. This sequence of events is best related to fluctuations in the composition of metamorphic fluids in the lower crust.     

Petrological and geochronological constraints on lower crust exhumation during Paleoproterozoic (Eburnean) orogeny,NW Ghana,West African Craton

New petrological and geochronological data are presented on high‐grade ortho‐ and paragneisses from northwestern Ghana, forming part of the Paleoproterozoic (2.25–2.00 Ga) West African Craton. The study area is located in the interference zone between N–S and NE–SW‐trending craton‐scale shear zones, formed during the Eburnean orogeny (2.15–2.00 Ga). High‐grade metamorphic domains are separated from low‐grade greenstone belts by high‐strain zones, including early thrusts, extensional detachments and late‐stage strike‐slip shear zones. Paragneisses sporadically preserve high‐pressure, low‐temperature (HP–LT) relicts, formed at the transition between the blueschist facies and the epidote–amphibolite sub‐facies (10.0–14.0 kbar, 520–600 °C), and represent a low (~15 °C km^?1) apparent geothermal gradient. Migmatites record metamorphic conditions at the amphibolite–granulite facies transition. They reveal a clockwise pressure–temperature–time (P–T–t) path characterized by melting at pressures over 10.0 kbar, followed by decompression and heating to peak temperatures of 750 °C at 5.0–8.0 kbar, which fit a 30 °C km^?1 apparent geotherm. A regional amphibolite facies metamorphic overprint is recorded by rocks that followed a clockwise P–T–t path, characterized by peak metamorphic conditions of 7.0–10.0 kbar at 550–680 °C, which match a 20–25 °C km^?1 apparent geotherm. These P–T conditions were reached after prograde burial and heating for some rock units, and after decompression and heating for others. The timing of anatexis and of the amphibolite facies metamorphic overprint is constrained by in‐situ U–Pb dating of monazite crystallization at 2138 ± 7 and 2130 ± 7 Ma respectively. The new data set challenges the interpretation that metamorphic breaks in the West African Craton are due to diachronous Birimian ‘basins’ overlying a gneissic basement. It suggests that the lower crust was exhumed along reverse, normal and transcurrent shear zones and juxtaposed against shallow crustal slices during the Eburnean orogeny. The craton in NW Ghana is made of distinct fragments with contrasting tectono‐metamorphic histories. The range of metamorphic conditions and the sharp lateral metamorphic gradients are inconsistent with ‘hot orogeny’ models proposed for many Precambrian provinces. These findings shed new light on the geodynamic setting of craton assembly and stabilization in the Paleoproterozoic. It is suggested that the metamorphic record of the West African Craton is characteristic of Paleoproterozoic plate tectonics and illustrates a transition between Archean and Phanerozoic orogens.     

Geothermobarometry, P–T paths and metamorphic field gradients of high-pressure rocks from the Adula Nappe, Central Alps

Metabasic rocks from the Adula Nappe in the Central Alps record a regional high‐pressure metamorphic event during the Eocene, and display a regional variation in high‐pressure mineral assemblages from barroisite, or glaucophane, bearing garnet amphibolites in the north to kyanite eclogites in the central part of the nappe. High‐pressure rocks from all parts of the nappe show the same metamorphic evolution of assemblages consistent with prograde blueschist, high‐pressure amphibolite or eclogite facies conditions followed by peak‐pressure eclogite facies conditions and decompression to the greenschist or amphibolite facies. Average PT calculations (using thermocalc ) quantitatively establish nested, clockwise P–T paths for different parts of the Adula Nappe that are displaced to higher pressure and temperature from north to south. Metamorphic conditions at peak pressure increase from about 17 kbar, 640 °C in the north to 22 kbar, 750 °C in the centre and 25 kbar, 750 °C in the south. The northern and central Adula Nappe behaved as a coherent tectonic unit at peak pressures and during decompression, and thermobarometric results are interpreted in terms of a metamorphic field gradient of 9.6 ± 2.0 °C km^?1 and 0.20 ± 0.05 kbar km^?1. These results constrain the peak‐pressure position and orientation of the nappe to a depth of 55–75 km, dipping at an angle of approximately 45° towards the south. Results from the southern Adula Nappe are not consistent with the metamorphic field gradient determined for the northern and central parts, which suggests that the southern Adula Nappe may have been separated from central and northern parts at peak pressure.     

Petrology of high-pressure granulites from the eastern Himalayan syntaxis

The eastern Himalayan syntaxis, situated at the eastern terminus of the Himalayas, is the least-known segment of the Himalayas. Recent research in this area has revealed that the syntaxis consists of the Gangdise, the Yarlung Zangbo, and the Himalayan units, each of which is bounded by faults. The Himalayan unit, the northernmost exposed part of the Indian plate, mainly contains amphibolite facies rocks, marked by the assemblages staurolite+kyanite+plagioclase+biotite+muscovite±sillimanite and garnet+amphibole+plagioclase, in the south; to the north, low- to medium-pressure granulite grade pelitic gneisses and marbles are present and are characterized by the assemblages garnet+sillimanite+K-feldspar+plagioclase or antiperthite+biotite+quartz±spinel±cordierite±orthopyroxene in gneisses, and anorthite+diopside±wollastonite and plagioclase+diopside+quartz+phlogopite+calcite in marbles. Within this unit, the Namula thrust system is a series of moderately north-dipping structures that displaced the granulite facies rocks southwards over the amphibolite facies rocks. High-pressure granulites occur as relics within these granulite facies rocks and contain garnet–kyanite granulite and garnet clinopyroxenite. The peak assemblage of the garnet–kyanite granulite includes garnet (core part)+kyanite+ternary feldspar+quartz+rutile. Sillimanite+garnet (rim part)+K-feldspar+ oligoclase+ilmenite+biotite and spinel+albite+biotite or spinel+cordierite±orthopyroxene, which are coronas around sillimanite and garnet, are retrograde products of this peak assemblage. Another peak assemblage includes very-high-Ca garnet (CaO 32–34 wt%, Alm₁₀±Grs_>80) and diopside (CaO 22–24 wt%), scapolite, meionite, quartz, and accessory Al-bearing titanite (Al₂O₃ 4–4.5 wt%). The diopside has kink bands. Partial or complete breakdown of Ca-rich garnet during post-peak metamorphism produced pseudomorphs and coronas consisting of fine-grained symplectic intergrowths of hedenbergite and anorthite. Thermobarometric estimates in combination with reaction textures, mineral compositions, and recent experimental studies indicate that these peak assemblages were formed at P=c. 1.7–1.8 GPa, T =c. 890 °C, and the retrograde assemblages experienced near-isothermal decompression to P=0.5±0.1 GPa, T =850±50 °C. The whole-rock compositions indicate that marble and pelite are plausible candidates for the protoliths. These facts suggest the following (1) sedimentary rocks were transported to upper-mantle depths and equilibrated at those conditions to form these high-pressure granulites, which were then emplaced into the crust quickly. During the rapid exhumation of these rocks, the earlier high-pressure assemblages were overprinted by the later low- to medium-pressure assemblages, that is, the high-pressure granulite belt formed in the syntaxis. (2) The Namula thrust system is an important tectonic boundary in the syntaxis, or even in the Higher Himalaya more generally.     

P–T conditions of the cratonic rocks and Eastern Ghats granulites along the Eastern Ghats Frontal Thrust,Jeypore (Orissa), India

The Eastern Ghats Frontal Thrust (EGFT) demarcates the boundary between the Archaean/Paleoproterozoic cratonic rocks to the west, and the Meso/Neoproterozoic granulites of the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt (EGMB) to the east. At Jeypore (Orissa, India), mafic schists and granites of the cratonic domain document a spatial increase in the metamorphic grade from greenschist facies (garnet, clinozoisite – absent varieties) in the foreland to amphibolite facies (clinozoisite- and garnet-bearing variants) progressively closer to the EGFT. Across the EGFT, the enderbite–charnockite gneisses and mafic granulites of EGMB preserves a high-grade granulite facies history; amphibolite facies overprinting in the enderbite–charnockite gneisses at the cratonic fringe is restricted to multi-layered growth of progressively Al, Ti – poor hornblende at the expense of pyroxene and plagioclase. In associated mafic granulites, the granulite facies gneissic layering is truncated by sub-centimeter wide shear bands defined by synkinematic hornblende + quartz intergrowth, with post-kinematic garnet stabilized at the expense of hornblende and plagioclase. Proximal to the contact, these granulites of the Eastern Ghats rocks are intruded by dolerite dykes. In the metadolerites, the igneous assemblage of pyroxene–plagioclase is replaced by intergrown hornblende + quartz ± calcite that define the thrust-related fabric and are in turn mantled by coronal garnet overgrowth, while scapolite is stabilized at the expense of recrystallized plagioclase and calcite. Petrogenetic grid considerations and thermobarometry of the metamorphic assemblages in metadolerites intrusive into granulites and mafic schists within the craton confirm that the rocks across the EGFT experienced prograde heating (T_max value ∼650–700 °C at P ∼ 6–8 kbar) along the prograde arm of a seemingly clockwise P–T path. Since the dolerites were emplaced post-dating the granulite facies metamorphism, the prograde heating is correlated with renewed metamorphism of the granulites proximal to the EGFT. A review of available age data from rocks neighboring the EGFT suggests that the prograde heating of the cratonic granites and the re-heating of the Eastern Ghats granulites are Pan – African in age. The re-heating may relate to an Early Paleozoic Pan-Gondwanic crustal amalgamation of older terrains or reactivation along an old suture.     

Humite- and scapolite-bearing assemblages in marbles and calcsilicates of Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica: new data for Gondwana reconstructions

This study investigates marbles and calcsilicates in Central Dronning Maud Land (CDML), East Antarctica. The paleogeographic positioning of CDML as part of Gondwana is still unclear; however, rock types, mineral assemblages, textures and P–T conditions observed in this study are remarkably similar to the Kerala Khondalite Belt in India. The CDML marbles and calcsilicates experienced a Pan-African granulite facies metamorphism at c. 570 Ma and an amphibolite facies retrogression at c. 520 Ma. The highest grade assemblage in marbles is forsterite+spinel+calcite+dolomite, in calcsilicates the assemblages are diopside+spinel, diopside+garnet, scapolite+wollastonite+clinopyroxene±quartz, scapolite±anorthite±calcite+clinopyroxene+wollastonite. These assemblages constrain the peak metamorphic conditions to 830±20 °C, 6.8±0.5 kbar and X _CO2>0.46. During retrogression, highly fluoric humite-group minerals (humite, clinohumite, chondrodite) replaced forsterite, and garnet rims formed at the expense of scapolite during reactions with wollastonite, calcite or clinopyroxene but without involvement of anorthite. Metamorphic conditions were about 650 °C, 4.5±0.7 kbar, 0.2< X _CO2^fluid<0.36, and the co-existence of garnet, clinopyroxene, wollastonite and quartz constrains f_O2 to FMQ-1.5 log units. Mineral textures indicate a very limited influx of H₂O-rich fluid during amphibolite facies retrogression and point to significant variations of fluid composition in mm-sized areas of the rock. Gypsum was observed in two samples; it probably replaced metamorphic anhydrite which appears to have formed under amphibolite facies conditions. The observed extensive anorogenic magmatism (anorthosites, A-type granitoids) and the character of metamorphism between 610 and 510 Ma suggest that the crustal thermal structure was characterized by a long-lived (50–100 Ma) rise of the crustal geotherm probably caused by magmatic underplating.     

Formation of clinopyroxene + spinel and amphibole + spinel symplectites in coronitic gabbros from the Sierra de San Luis (Argentina): a key to post-magmatic evolution

The El Arenal metagabbros preserve coronitic shells of orthopyroxene ± Fe‐oxide around olivine, as well as three different types of symplectite consisting of amphibole + spinel, clinopyroxene + spinel and, more rarely, orthopyroxene + spinel. The textural features of the metagabbros can be explained by the breakdown of the olivine + plagioclase pair, producing orthopyroxene coronas and clinopyroxene + spinel symplectites, followed by the formation of amphibole + spinel symplectites, reflecting a decrease in temperature and, possibly, an increase in water activity with respect to the previous stage. The metagabbros underwent a complex P–T history consisting of an igneous stage followed by cooling in granulite, amphibolite and greenschist facies conditions. Although the P–T conditions of emplacement of the igneous protolith are still doubtful, the magmatic assemblage suggests that igneous crystallization occurred at a pressure lower than 6 kbar and at 900–1100 °C. Granulitic P–T conditions have been estimated at about 900 °C and 7–8 kbar combining conventional thermobarometry and pseudosection analysis. Pseudosection calculation has also shown that the formation of the amphibole + spinel symplectite could have been favoured by an increase in water activity during the amphibolite stage, as the temperature of formation of this symplectite strongly depends on aH₂O (<740 °C for aH₂O = 0.5; <790 °C for aH₂O = 1). Furthermore, but not pervasive, re‐equilibration under greenschist facies P–T conditions is documented by retrograde epidote and chlorite. The resulting counterclockwise P–T path consists of progressive, nearly isobaric cooling from the igneous stage down to the granulite, amphibolite and greenschist stage.