An introduction to ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism

Abstract Ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphism refers to mineralogical and structural readjustment of supracrustal protoliths and associated mafic-ultramafic rocks at mantle pressures greater than ∼ 25 kbar (80-90 km). Typical products include metapelite, quartzite, marble, granulite, eclogite, paragneiss and orthogneiss; minor mafic and ultramafic rocks occur as eclogitic-ultramafic layers or blocks of various dimensions within the supracrustal rocks. For appropriate bulk compositions, metamorphism at great depths produces coesite, microdiamond and other characteristic UHP minerals with unusual compositions. Thus far, at least seven coesite-bearing eclogitic terranes and three diamond-bearing UHP regions have been documented. All lie within major continental collision belts in Eurasia, have similar supracrustal protoliths and metamorphic assemblages, occur in long, discontinuous belts that may extend several hundred kilometers or more, and typically are associated with contemporaneous high-P blueschist belts. This paper defines the P-T regimes of UHP metamorphism and describes mineralogical, petrological and tectonic characteristics for a few representative UHP terranes including the western gneiss region of Norway, the Dora Maira massif of the western Alps, the Dabie Mountains and the Su-Lu region of east-central China, and the Kokchetav massif of the former USSR. Prograde P-T paths for coesite-bearing eclogites require abnormally low geothermal gradients (approximately 7°C/km) that can be accomplished only by subduction of cold, oceanic crust-capped lithosphere ± pelagic sediments or an old, cold continent. The preservation of coesite inclusions in garnet, zircon, omphacite, kyanite and epidote, and microdiamond inclusions in garnet and zircon during exhumation of an UHP terrane requires either an extraordinarily fast rate of denudation (up to 10 cm/year) or continuous refrigeration in an extensional regime (retreating subduction zone).     

Mineral parageneses and metamorphic P-T paths of ultrahigh-pressure eclogites from Kyrghyzstan Tien-Shan

Abstract Eclogites occur in three districts of the northern and southern parts of Tien-Shan. Three eclogites collected from the Aktyuz, Makbal and Atbashy districts were analyzed; the P-T paths of three eclogites were estimated by analyzing compositional growth zoning and retrograde reaction of garnet and omphacite. Aktyuz and Makbal eclogites have not preserved the prograde path. An Aktyuz eclogite that underwent a quartz eclogite facies metamorphism (about T = 600°C, P = 12 kbar) has recorded three stages of retrograde metamorphism. Four stages of retrograde metamorphism were recognized in a Makbal eclogite; the garnet-omphacite geothermometer gave about T = 560°C at 20 kbar as the highest metamorphic condition. Garnet from a garnetchloritoid-talc schist of the Makbal district includes quartz pseudomorphs after coesite; some units evidently underwent a low-temperature part of coesite eclogite fades metamorphism. Prograde and retrograde paths were recognized in an Atbashy eclogite; five stages of metamorphic reaction were observed in the Atbashy sample. The prograde path from stage I to stage III has been recorded in garnet and omphacite in which quartz pseudomorphs after coesite are included. The peak metamorphism of stage III took place at about 660°C at 25 kbar. The stages IV and V are retrograde. UHP eclogite facies metamorphism took place twice in Kyrghyzstan. The Aktyuz and Atbashy eclogites gave Rb-Sr mineral-isochron ages of about 750 Ma and 270 Ma, respectively. The K-Ar age of paragonite from the Makbal eclogite is about 480 Ma.     

Metamorphic petrology of the Barchi–Kol metabasites, western Kokchetav ultrahigh-pressure–high-pressure massif, northern Kazakhstan

Abstract In the Barchi–Kol area, located at the westernmost part of the Kokchetav ultrahigh pressure (UHP) to high-pressure (HP) massif, northern Kazakhstan, metabasites from the epidote amphibolite (EA) facies to the coesite eclogite (CEC) facies are exposed. Based on the equilibrium mineral assemblages, the Barchi–Kol area is divided into four zones: A, B, C and D. Zone A is characterized by the assemblage: epidote + hornblende + plagioclase + quartz, with minor garnet. Zone B is characterized by the assemblage: garnet + hornblende + plagioclase + quartz + zoisite. Zone C is defined by the appearance of sodic–augite, with typical assemblage: garnet + sodic–augite + tschermakite–pargasite + quartz ± plagioclase ± epidote/clinozoisite. Zone D is characterized by the typical eclogite assemblage: garnet + omphacite + quartz + rutile, with minor phengite and zoisite. Inclusions of quartz pseudomorph after coesite were identified in several samples of zone D. Chemical compositions of rock-forming minerals of each zone were analyzed and reactions between each zone were estimated. Metamorphic P-T conditions of each zone were estimated using several geothermobarometers as 8.6 ± 0.5 kbar, 500 ± 30 °C for zone A; 11.7 ± 0.5 kbar, 700 ± 30 °C for zone B; 12–14 kbar, 700–815 °C for zone C; and 27–40 kbar, 700–825 °C for zone D.     

Petrology of the Hujialin garnet clinopyroxenite in the Su-Lu ultrahigh-pressure province, eastern China

Abstract Garnet clinopyroxenite containing porphyroclastic clinopyroxene with garnet lamellae from the Su-Lu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) province, eastern China, records a three-stage evolutionary history. Stage A: precursor aluminous clinopyroxene associated with Mg-rich spinel was stable. Stage B: Mg-rich spinel and aluminous clinopyroxene recrystallized to form porphyroblasts of garnet and diopside with garnet lamellae, respectively. Thereafter, these porphyroblasts were granulated and recrystallized to form equigranular neoblasts in the matrix, being driven by subsolidus deformation. Stage C: the assemblage developed retrograde hornblende, epidote, spinel, chlorite, calcite, and dolomite. The estimated composition of the precursor aluminous clinopyroxene indicates that equilibrium conditions of the stage A were 900-1000°C, and 1.0-1.5 GPa. The neoblast garnet-clinopyroxene pairs, not conjectural, give 740 ± 50°C and higher than 2.5 GPa for the climax conditions of stage B. This implies that the Hujialin garnet clinopyroxenite was transported from a low dP/dT setting to a high dP/dT setting, probably related to subduction during stage B. The Hujialin garnet clinopyroxenite as well as adjacent UHP eclogite which records 700°C and 3.0 GPa as the maximum physical conditions, experienced amphibolite facies retrogression, suggesting that they shared a common P-T history during exhumation.     

Mineral chemistry,P-T-t paths and exhumation processes of mafic granulites in Dinggye,Southern Tibet

Lower crustal high grade metamorphic rocks have been successively found at Pamirs nearby the western Himalayan syntaxis, Namjagbarwa and Dinggye nearby the eastern Himalayan syntaxis and the central segment of the Himalayan Orogenic Belt, respec-tively[1―4]. In particular, some researchers deduced that there were probably eclogites at some locations[5]. Moreover, some geochronological data of these lower crustal granulites also have been accumulated. For example, the high-pressure granulit…     

Petrology and retrograde P-T path for eclogites of the Maksyutov Complex, Southern Ural Mountains, Russia

Abstract The Maksyutov Complex, situated in the southern Ural Mountains of Russia, is the first location where quartz aggregates within garnets exhibiting radial fractures were identified as coesite pseudomorphs (Chesnokov & Popov 1965). The complex consists of two tectonic units: a structurally lower eclogite-bearing schist unit and an overlying meta-ophiolite unit. Both units show evidence for multiple stages of metamorphism and deformation. The high-pressure metamorphism of the eclogite-bearing schist unit, discussed in this report, is suspected to be related to a collision between the Russian platform and a fragment of the Siberian continent during the early Cambrian. At least three stages of metamorphism (M_1-3) and two stages of deformation (S₁ and S₂) were observed in thin sections: M₁) garnet (Alm_55-60, Prp_22-28, Grs_16-20) + omphacite (Jd_46-56) + phengite (Si ≅ 3.5) + rutile; M₂) garnet + glaucophane ± lawsonite + white mica; and M₃) epidote + chlorite ± albite ± actinolite + white mica. Observed mineral parageneses define a retrograde P-T path for the eclogite. Mineral assemblages within the most representative eclogite from the lower unit of the Maksyutov Complex indicate minimum peak pressures of 15 kbar at temperatures of approximately 600°C. If the presence of coesite pseudomorph is confirmed, the peak ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism may be as high as 27 kbar at 615°C.     

Ultra-high pressure metamorphism of granitic gneiss in the Yinggelisayi area, Altun Mountains, NW China

With the discovery and further studies of high- pressure (HP) to ultra-high-pressure (UHP) eclogites and UHP garnet lherzolite in the Altun Mountains[19], it becomes interesting if the country rocks of these HP-UHP metamorphic rocks also underwent HP-UHP metamorphism, which will be crucial for understand-ing the relationship of HP-UHP metamorphic rocks and their country rocks, the mechanism of their forma-tion and uplifting and the existence of continental deep subduction in the are…     

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.     

Eclogitic metapelites in the western segment of the north Qaidam Mountains: Evidence on "in situ" relationship between eclogite and its country rock

The presence of relics of high-pressure and ultra-high pressure metamorphic assemblages in metasedi-ments and granitoid gneisses provides important evi-dence for deep subduction of continental crust (litho-sphere), and also an important criteria on "in situmetamorphism" and "tectonic emplacement" relation-ship between gneisses and enclosed eclogites. In re-cent years, eclogite and garnet peridotite lenses en-closed within quartz-feldspathic gneisses or peliticgneisses were discovered separately…     

Microstructurally controlled monazite chronology of ultrahigh-temperature granulites from southern India: Implications for the timing of Gondwana assembly

Ultrahigh‐temperature (UHT) granulite facies rocks from the Achankovil Shear Zone area and the southern domain of the Madurai Granulite Block in South India contain monazite useful for in situ microprobe U–Pb dating. The UHT rocks examined consist of garnet + cordierite (retrograde) + quartz + mesoperthite + biotite + plagioclase + Fe‐Ti oxides ± orthopyroxene ± sillimanite and accessory zircon and monazite. Sillimanite occurs only as inclusions in garnet. Microstructural observations suggest garnet, orthopyroxene, spinel and mesoperthite are products of peak metamorphism. Post‐peak formation of cordierite ± orthopyroxene ± quartz and cordierite + spinel + Fe‐Ti oxides assemblages is also observed. Geothermobarometry on orthopyroxene and garnet‐orthopyroxene bearing assemblages suggest peak UHT conditions of T = 940–1040°C and P = 8.5–9.5 kbar. This was followed by a retrograde stage of 3.5–4.5 kbar and 720 ± 60°C, estimated from garnet‐cordierite assemblages. A small population of rounded, probably detrital, monazites in these rocks yield ages from Meso‐ to Neoproterozoic indicating a heterogeneous source. The youngest associated spot ages are 660–600 Ma suggesting protolith deposition up to ca 600 Ma. In contrast, the vast majority of monazites that crystallized during the latest metamorphic event show late Neoproterozoic to Cambrian ages. Probability‐density plots of monazite age data show a ‘peak’ between 533 and 565 Ma, but this peak need not reflect a particular thermal event. Collating ages from homogenous metamorphic monazites associated with minerals stable at peak P‐T conditions suggests peak metamorphism in these rocks occurred at 580–600 Ma. Together with a re‐evaluation of available data from adjacent granulite blocks in southern India, these data suggest the main metamorphic event coinciding with the suturing of India with the Gondwana amalgam probably occurred 580–600 Ma. The 500–550 Ma ages commonly reported in previous studies might represent post‐peak thermal events.     

Petrogenesis of impure dolomitic marble from the Dabie Mountains, central China

Petrogeneses of impure dolomitic marble and enclosed eclogite from the Xinyan area, Dabie ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic terrane, central China were investigated with a special focus on fluid characteristics. Identified carbonate-bearing UHP assemblages are Dol + Coe ± Arg (or Mgs) ± Ap, Dol + Omp ± Coe ± Ap ± Arg (or Mgs), Phen + Omp + Coe + Dol ± Arg and Dol + Coe + Phen + Rt ± Omp ± Arg ± Ap. Retrograde assemblages are characterized by symplectitic replacement of Tr–Ab and Di–Ab after omphacite, and Phl–Pl symplectite after phengite. The P–T conditions of UHP metamorphism were estimated to be P > 2.7 GPa and T > 670 °C by the occurrence of coesite inclusions in garnet in enclosed eclogite and garnet–clinopyroxene geothermometer. The P–T conditions of initial amphibolitization were estimated to be 620 < T < 670 °C and 1.1 < P < 1.3 GPa by calcite–dolomite solvus thermometer and mineral parageneses. Phase relations in P–T– X CO ₂ space in the systems NaAl–CMSCH and KCMASCH were calculated in order to constrain fluid compositions. Compositions and parageneses of UHP-stage minerals suggest the presence of fluid in UHP and exhumation stages. Occurrence of retrograde low-variance assemblages indicates that fluid composition during amphibolitization was buffered. A metastable persistence of magnesite and very restricted occurrence of calcite, magnesite and dolomite suggest a low fluid content in the post-amphibolitization stage.     

Kyanite-anthophyllite schist and southwest extension of the Dabie Mountains ultrahigh- to high-pressure belt

Abstract Kyanite-anthophyllite schist preserves the first record of high pressure in the amphibolite-facies unit of the SW Dabie Mountains, whereas ultrahigh- and high-pressure (UHP and HP) metamorphism has been well documented by the occurrence of coesite, diamond and mafic eclogite in the SE Dabie Mountains. Textural evidence indicates that minerals of the kyanite-anthophyllite schist formed mainly in two stages: (i) garnet + kyanite + antho-phyllite + rutile formed at pressure in excess of 1.2 GPa at T < 650°C; (ii) cordierite±staurolite formed by reaction of anthophyllite + kyanite at P < 0.5 GPa, T∼530°C. Plagioclase and ilmenite replaced garnet and rutile respectively during decompression. In a still later stage, secondary biotite recrystallized, accompanied by sillimanite replacing kyanite, and spinel replacing staurolite. The P-T information suggests that the amphibolite unit in the SW Dabie Mountains is part of the Triassic collision belt between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons. The P-T paths of the UHP eclogite in the eastern Dabie Mountains and the HP kyanite-anthophyllite schist in the SW Dabie Mountains show similar decompression and equivalent late stage Barrovian-style metamorphism. Emplacement of voluminous granitoid at middle crustal levels between 134–118 Ma contributed to the development of the Barrovian-type metamorphism in the Dabie Mountains.     

Eclogites of southern Henan and northern Hubei Provinces, central China

Abstract According to field occurrence and P-T condition, eclogites of southern Henan and northern Hubei Provinces can be divided into two types: medium temperature (MT) and low temperature (LT) eclogites. MT eclogite occurs as layers or lenticular bodies within migmatized gneiss of the Dabie Group. This study is the first to report an occurrence of the assemblages coesite and kyanite + talc in this area. Garnet exhibits a distinct prograde compositional zoning and has mineral inclusions with rotational textures indicating syntectonic growth. Five evolutionary stages are outlined. (1) Pre-eclogite stage, determined by the inclusions of barroisite + zoisite + quartz in the cores of zoned garnets. (2) Eclogite stage, characterized by garnet + omphacite + kyanite ± talc + coesite + rutile, represents the peak metamorphism. The peak conditions are estimated to be T = 600-700°C, P >27 kb. (3) Glaucophane stage, without an appearance of plagioclase, is assigned to a transitional stage. Blades of glaucophane form rims around garnet grains as a result of the reaction talc + jadeite = glaucophane. This marks the beginning of retrograde metamorphism. (4) Symplectite stage, where eclogitic minerals break down, and Amp + Pl symplectite develops around garnet or omphacite; (5) Later retrograde stage is represented by epidote-amphibolite assemblages. Low temperature eclogite appears as blocks in the Qijiaoshan Formation (part of the Susong Group). Four stages can be identified: (1) Pre-eclogite stage, amphibole + epidote + sphene inclusions occur in garnet core; (2) Eclogite stage, consists of garnet + omphacite + rutile + quartz + phengite + glaucophane + zoisite. The peak conditions are T = 490-560°C, P <15 kb; (3) Symplectitic stage, is characterized by the breakdown of eclogitic minerals; (4) Greenschist facies stage, is recorded by a greenschist facies assemblage. The difference between the two types of eclogites suggests contrasting processes. A model is proposed whereby partial melting of continental crust and the emplacement of tonalite occurs during the exhumation of ultrahigh-pressure eclogite terrain.     

Petrochemistry and geochemistry of HP metabasites from Haiyangsuo in Sulu UHP belt of eastern China

Abundant metabasites occur in highly deformed granitic and migmatitic gneisses as blocks and lenses of tens of meter size around the Haiyangsuo area, northeast part of Sulu UHP belt, eastern China. They comprise garnet-pyroxene granulites, eclogitized granulites and amphibolites. Their protolith compositions were mainly olivine tholeiite and quartz tholeiite, and show variation from Mg-rich to Fe-rich component as tholeiitic cumulates. Pearce’s element ratio slopes suggested that protolith of these rocks were comagmatic, and generated from a primary magma by fractional crystallization of plagioclase, olivine and clinopyroxene. The crystallization differentiation has also been evidenced by trace elements, such as parallel REE patterns, Ni vs Ce variations, Sr increasing depletions, although the large ion lithophile elements (LILE) were modified to different extent during metamorphism. Trace element composition and Nd isotopes indicate a depleted mantle origin for these rocks. But they are not likely to be fragments of ophiolites or tholeiites connected with subduction, they formed probably at intra-continent environment. Sm-Nd whole rock isochron age of 2252±180Ma indicates approximately the formation age of igneous protolith of these rocks, almost 2000Ma earlier than the formation of the Dabie-Sulu UHP collision zone at about 240–220 Ma.     

Dating of prograde metamorphic events deciphered from episodic zircon growth in rocks of the Dabie–Sulu UHP complex, China

The timing of ultra-high pressure (UHP) metamorphism has been difficult to determine because of a lack of age constraints on crucial events, especially those occurring on the prograde path. New Sensitive High-Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb age and rare-earth element (REE) data of zircon are presented for UHP metamorphic rocks (eclogite, garnet peridotite, garnet pyroxenite, jadeite quartzite and garnet gneiss) along the Dabie–Sulu UHP complex of China. With multiphase metamorphic textures and index mineral inclusions within zircon, the Dabie data define three episodes of eclogite-facies metamorphism, best estimated at 242.1 ± 0.4 Ma, 227.2 ± 0.8 Ma and 219.8 ± 0.8 Ma. Eclogite-facies zircons of the Sulu UHP complex grew during two major episodes at 242.7 ± 1.2 and 227.5 ± 1.3 Ma, which are indistinguishable from corresponding events in the Dabie UHP complex. A pre-eclogite metamorphic phase at 244.0 ± 2.6 Ma was obtained from two Sulu zircon samples which contain low pressure–temperature (plagioclase, stable below the quartz/Ab transformation) and hydrous (e.g., amphibole, stable below  2.5 Gpa) mineral inclusions. In terms of Fe–Mg exchange of trapped garnet–clinopyroxene pairs within zircon domains, we are able to determine the Pressure–Temperature (PT) conditions for a specific episode of metamorphic zircon growth. We suggest that mineral phase transformations and associated dehydration led to episodic eclogite-facies zircon growth during UHP metamorphism ( 2.7 Gpa) began at 242.2 ± 0.4 Ma (n = 74, pooling the Dabie–Sulu data), followed by peak UHP metamorphism (>  4 Gpa) at 227.3 ± 0.7 Ma (n = 72), before exhumation (<  220 Ma) to quartz stability (~ 1.8 Gpa). The Dabie–Sulu UHP metamorphism lasted for about 15 Ma, equivalent to a minimum subduction rate of 6 mm/year for the descending continental crust.     

Ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic records hidden in zircons from amphibolites in Sulu Terrane, eastern China

Abstract The amphibolites occur sporadically as thin layers and blocks throughout the Sulu Terrane, eastern China. All analyzed amphibolite from outcrop and drill cores from prepilot drill hole CCSD‐PP1 and CCSD‐PP2, Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project in the Sulu Terrane, are retrograded eclogites overprinted by amphibolite‐facies retrograde metamorphism, with characteristic mineral assemblages of amphibole + plagioclase + epidote ± quartz ± biotite ± ilmenite ± titanite. However, coesite and coesite‐bearing ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) mineral assemblages are identified by Raman spectroscopy and electron microprobe analysis as inclusions in zircons separated from these amphibolites. In general, coesite and other UHP mineral inclusions are preserved in the cores and mantles of zircons, whereas quartz inclusions occur in the rims of the same zircons. The UHP mineral assemblages consist mainly of coesite + garnet + omphacite + rutile, coesite + garnet + omphacite, coesite + garnet + omphacite + phengite + rutile + apatite, coesite + omphacite + rutile and coesite + magnesite. Compositions of analyzed mineral inclusions are very similar to those of matrix minerals from Sulu eclogites. These UHP mineral inclusion assemblages yield temperatures of 631–780°C and pressures of ≥2.8 × 10³ MPa, representing the P–T conditions of peak metamorphism of these rocks, which are consistent with those (T = 642–726°C; P ≥ 2.8 × 10³ MPa) deduced from adjacent eclogites. These data indicate that the amphibolites are the retrogressive products of UHP eclogites.     

Orthopyroxene–cordierite mafic gneiss from the Nomamisaki metamorphic rocks,Southern Kyushu,Japan: Implication for western continuation of the Usuki–Yatsushiro Tectonic Line

We describe an orthopyroxene–cordierite mafic gneiss from the Nomamisaki metamorphic rocks in the Noma Peninsula, southern Kyushu, Japan. The mineral assemblage of the gneiss is orthopyroxene, cordierite, biotite, plagioclase, and ilmenite. Thermometry based on the Fe–Mg exchange reaction between orthopyroxene and biotite yields a peak metamorphic temperature of 680°C. The stability of cordierite relative to garnet, quartz, and sillimanite defines the upper limit of the peak metamorphic pressure as 4.4 kbar. These features indicate that the Nomamisaki metamorphic rocks underwent low‐pressure high‐temperature type metamorphism. Although a chronological problem still remains, the Nomamisaki metamorphic rocks can be regarded as a western continuation of the Higo Belt. The Usuki–Yatsushiro Tectonic Line, which delineates the southern border of the Higo Belt, is therefore located on the east of the Nomamisaki metamorphic rocks in southern Kyushu.     

Metamorphic zoning and thermal structure of the Dabie ultrahigh- pressure–high-pressure terrane, central China

The ultrahigh- and high-pressure (UHP–HP) metamorphic belt of the Dabie Mountains, central China, formed by the Triassic continental subduction and collision, is divided into four metamorphic zones; from south to north, the greenschist facies zone, epidote amphibolite to amphibolite facies zone, quartz eclogite zone, and coesite eclogite zone, based on metabasite mineral assemblages. Most of the coesite-bearing eclogites consist mainly of garnet and omphacite with homogeneous compositions and have partially undergone hydration reactions to form clinopyroxene + plagioclase + calcic amphibole symplectites during amphibolite facies overprinting. However, the least altered eclogites sometimes contain garnet and omphacite that preserve compositional zoning patterns which may have originated during their growth at peak temperature conditions of ∼ 750 °C, suggesting a short duration of UHP metamorphic conditions and/or consequent rapid cooling during exhumation. Systematic investigation on peak metamorphic temperatures of coesite eclogite have revealed that, contrary to the general trend of metamorphic grade in the southern Dabie unit, the coesite eclogite zone shows rather flat thermal structure (T = 600 ± 50 °C) with the highest temperature reaching up to 850 °C and no northward increase in metamorphic temperature, which is opposed to the previous interpretations. This feature, along with the preservation of compositional zonation, implies complicated differential movement of each eclogite mass during UHP metamorphism and the return from the deeper subduction zone at mantle depths to the surface.     

Sm-Nd and zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating of Huilanshan mafic granulite in the Dabie Mountains and its zircon trace element geochemistry

Granulites in the Dabie Mountains are mainly ob-served in northern Dabie complex zone. Huangtuling intermediate-acid granulites and Huilanshan mafic granulites in the Luotian dome are two famous out-crops (Fig. 1)[1]. It is important to know the genesis and metamorphic age of these granulites for under-standing tectonic evolution and exhumation history of the Dabie Mountains. Previous geochemical and geo-chronological work[2―8]1) on the Huangtuling granu-lites indicates that their protoli…     

Prograde pressure–temperature records from inclusions in zircons from ultrahigh-pressure–high-pressure rocks of the Kokchetav Massif, northern Kazakhstan

Abstract In the first extensive, systematic study of inclusions in zircons from ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) and high-pressure (HP) metamorphic rocks of the Kokchetav Massif of Kazakhstan (separated from 232 rock samples from all representative lithologies and geographic regions), we identified graphite, quartz, garnet, phengite, phlogopite, rutile, albite, K-feldspar, amphibole, zoisite, kyanite, calcite, dolomite, apatite, monazite, omphacite and jadeite, as well as the diagnostic UHP metamorphic minerals (i.e. microdiamond and coesite) by laser Raman spectroscopy. In some instances, coesite + quartz and diamond + graphite occur together in a single rock sample, and inclusion aggregates also comprise polycrystalline diamond crystals overgrowing graphite. Secondary electron microscope and cathodoluminescence studies reveal that many zircons display distinct zonation textures, which comprise core and wide mantle, each with distinctive inclusion microassemblages. Pre-UHP metamorphic minerals such as graphite, quartz, phengite and apatite are common in the core, whereas diamond, coesite, garnet and jadeite occupy the mantle. The inclusions in core are irrelevant to the UHP metamorphism. The zircon core is of detrital or relatively low-grade metamorphic origin, whereas the mantle is of HP to UHP metamorphic origin. The zonal arrangement of inclusions and the presence of coesite and diamond without back-reaction imply that aqueous fluids were low to absent within the zircons during both prograde and retrograde metamorphism, and that the zircon preserves a prograde pressure–temperature record of the Kokchetav metamorphism which, elsewhere, has been more or less obliterated in the host rock.