Fluid entrapment and reequilibration during subduction and exhumation: A case study from the high-grade Nestos shear zone, Central Rhodope, Greece

A fluid inclusion study on metamorphic minerals of successive growth stages was performed on highly deformed paragneisses from the Nestos Shear Zone at Xanthi (Central Rhodope), in which microdiamonds provide unequivocal evidence for ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphism. The correlation of fluid inclusion density isochores and fluid inclusion reequilibration textures with geothermobarometric data and the relative chronology of micro- and macro-scale deformation stages allow a better understanding of both the fluid and metamorphic evolution along the P–T–d path. Textural evidence for subduction towards the NE is recorded by the orientation of intragranular NE-oriented fluid inclusion planes and the presence of single, annular fluid inclusion decrepitation textures. These textures occur within quartz “foam” structures enclosed in an earlier generation of garnets with prolate geometries and rarely within recrystallized matrix quartz, and reequilibrated both in composition and density during later stages of exhumation. No fluid inclusions pertaining to the postulated ultrahigh-pressure stage for microdiamond-bearing garnet–kyanite–gneisses have yet been found. The prolate shape of garnets developed during the earliest stages of exhumation that is recorded structurally by (L  S) tectonites, which subsequently accommodated progressive ductile SW shearing and folding up to shallow crustal levels. The majority of matrix kyanite and a later generation of garnet were formed during SW-directed shear under plane-strain conditions. Fluid inclusions entrapped in quartz during this stage of deformation underwent density loss and transformed to almost pure CO₂ inclusions by preferential loss of H₂O. Those inclusions armoured within garnet retained their primary 3-phase H₂O–CO₂ compositions. Reequilibration of fluid inclusions in quartz aggregates is most likely the result of recrystallization along with stress-induced, preferential H₂O leakage along dislocations and planar lattice defects which results in the predominance of CO₂ inclusions with supercritical densities. Carbonic fluid inclusions from adjacent kyanite–corundum-bearing pegmatoids and, the presence of shear-plane-parallel fluid inclusion planes within late quartz boudin structures consisting of pure CO₂-fluid inclusions with negative crystal shapes, bear witness of the latest stage of deformation by NE-directed extensional shear.This study shows that the textures of early fluid inclusions that formed already during the prograde metamorphic path can be preserved and used to derive information about the kinematics of subduction that is difficult to obtain from other sources. The textures of early inclusions, together with later generations of unaltered primary and secondary inclusions in metamorphic index minerals that can be linked to specific deformation stages and even P–T conditions, are a welcome supplement for the reconstruction of a rather detailed P–T–d path.     

Microstructural evolution of the Seridó Belt, NE-Brazil: the effect of two tectonic events on development of c-axis preferred orientation in quartz

The polyphase evolution of the Seridó Belt (NE-Brazil) includes D₁ crust formation at 2.3–2.1 Ga, D₂ thrust tectonics at 1.9 Ga and crustal reworking by D₃ strike-slip shear zones at 600 Ma. Microstructural investigations within mylonites associated with D₂ and D₃ events were used to constrain the tectono-thermal evolution of the belt. D₂ shear zones commenced at deeper crustal levels and high amphibolite facies conditions (600–650 °C) through grain boundary migration, subgrain rotation and operation of quartz c-prism slip. Continued shearing and exhumation of the terrain forced the re-equilibration of high-T fabrics and the switching of slip systems from c-prism to positive and negative a-rhombs. During D₃, enhancement of ductility by dissipation of heat that came from syn-D₃ granites developed wide belts of amphibolite facies mylonites. Continued shearing, uplift and cooling of the region induced D₃ shear zones to act in ductile-brittle regimes, marked by fracturing and development of thinner belts of greenschist facies mylonites. During this event, switching from a-prism to a-basal slip indicates a thermal path from 600 to 350 °C. Therefore, microstructures and quartz c-axis fabrics in polydeformed rocks from the Seridó Belt preserve the record of two major events, which includes contrasting deformation mechanisms and thermal paths.     

CO2-rich fluid inclusions along planar elements of quartz in basement rocks of the Vredefort Dome,South Africa

Along a NW-SE profile through the basement core, starting below the sedimentary unconformity and ending in the center of the nearly circular structure, the constituent quartz grains and their fluid inclusions exhibit the following characteristics:In the NW, fluid inclusions composed of CO₂ and occasionally up to 50 Vol.% H₂O occur along shock-induced planar elements following predominently {0 0 0 1} of coarse, largely unrecrystallized quartz grains. The planar elements are partly still open microcracks, partly they are healed, the fluid inclusions decorating the former sites of the cracks. Along these planar elements recrystallization into fine grained new quartz fabrics starts, this process increasing decidedly towards the southeast; nevertheless fluid inclusions are still retained. — Near and within the center of the dome the formerly coarse quartz grains are completely recrystallized to medium grained annealing fabrics, in which — surprizingly — the fluid inclusions have often retained their original positions relative to the old grains, so that their planar alignment now traverses the new grain boundaries. Here the enclosed fluid is pure CO₂ as far as can be determined.On the basis of the homogenization temperatures of the fluid inclusions measured, and of independent petrologic geothermometry of the basement rocks near the center, the fluids trapped after the shock event had exhibited partial pressures of CO₂ as high as 3 kbars at temperatures around 850° C. The derivation of these CO₂-rich, post-shock fluids is either through release of older fluid inclusions from the lower crustal granulites affected by the catastrophic shattering event, or it is from a direct mantle source that might be genetically connected with the Vredefort event itself.     

Domainal and fabric heterogeneities in the Cap de Creus quartz mylonites

A characteristic domainal configuration is reported for both micro-structures and c-axis fabrics in the Cap de Creus pure quartz mylonites as displayed in 50 samples from the centres of different shear zones. Three types of domains are found a, b and c. Each domain has a distinct c-axis orientation pattern. These three fabric elements, also labelled a, b and c make up the total fabric. c-axis fabrics are symmetric or asymmetric with respect to the main mylonitic foliation depending on the presence or absence of the b domain and its fabric element. The boundaries of the domains are parallel to the main mylonitic foliation. Two domain types, a and b display an internal foliation defined by preferred grain boundary alignment parallel to the direction of optical orientation within the domain. The internal foliations are oblique to the main mylonitic foliation in two different senses giving the sample a herring-bone appearance. These internal foliations are shown to be related to extensional crenulations. Domains are not produced by host-controlled recrystallization. The fabric elements and corresponding domains are the expression of kinematic heterogeneities on the scale of the thin section.     

Coupled micro-faulting and pressure solution creep overprinted on quartz schist deformed by intracrystalline plasticity during exhumation of the Sambagawa metamorphic rocks,southwest Japan

In the Sambagawa schist, southwest Japan, while ductile deformation pervasively occurred at D₁ phase during exhumation, low-angle normal faulting was locally intensive at D₂ phase under the conditions of frictional–viscous transition of quartz (c. 300 °C) during further exhumation into the upper crustal level. Accordingly, the formation of D₂ shear bands was overprinted on type I crossed girdle quartz c-axis fabrics and microstructures formed by intracrystalline plasticity at D₁ phase in some quartz schists. The quartz c-axis fabrics became weak and finally random with increasing shear, accompanied by the decreasing degree of undulation of recrystallized quartz grain boundaries, which resulted from the increasing portion of straight grain boundaries coinciding with the interfaces between newly precipitated quartz and mica. We interpreted these facts as caused by increasing activity of pressure solution: the quartz grains were dissolved mostly at platy quartz–mica interface, and precipitated with random orientation and pinned by mica, thus having led to the obliteration of existing quartz c-axis fabrics. In the sheared quartz schist, the strength became reduced by the enhanced pressure solution creep not only due to the reduction of diffusion path length caused by increasing number of shear bands, but also to enhanced dissolution at the interphase boundaries.     

Upper-pressure stability of synthetic margarite plus quartz

Thermodynamic calculations have shown that the dP/dT slope of the reaction 4 margarite+3 quartz5 kyanite +2 zoisite+3 H₂O as determined by Storre and Nitsch (1974) is too steep. This reaction has been reinvestigated using synthetic margarite, zoisite, kyanite, and natural quartz in the starting mixtures and using infrared spectroscopy to examine the run products. The experimentally determined dP/dT slope ranges between –2.2 and –17 bars/ K, which is in excellent agreement with predictions based on thermodynamics. An internally consistent set of univariant curves could be fitted to the experimental reversals for the above reaction and for the reactions margarite+ quartz anorthite+kyanite+H₂O and 2 zoisite+kyanite +quartz 4 anorthite+H₂O investigated by Nitsch et al. (1981) and Goldsmith (1981), respectively. Addition of up to 40 mol % of the component NaAl₂(Si₃Al) ·O₁₀(OH)₂ (paragonite) to margarite will increase the stability of the margarite solid solution plus quartz by 2–3 kbar without significantly affecting the dP/dT slope, making the paragenesis margarite plus quartz a good geobarometer.     

The upper stability limit of the assemblage paragonite + quartz and its natural occurrences

The assemblage paragonite + quartz is encountered frequently in low- to medium-grade metamorphic rocks. With rising grade of metamorphism they react mutually to yield the condensed assemblage albite + Al₂SiO₅.The univariant curve pertaining to the equilibrium paragonite + quartz=albite + andalusite + H₂O has been located experimentally. The reversed P _{H 2 O}-T data are: 1 kb: 470–490° C 2 kb: 510–530° C 3 kb: 540–560° C 4 kb: 560–580° C 5 kb: 590–600° C The univariant curve pertaining to the equilibrium paragonite + quartz=albite + kyanite + H₂O runs through the following P _{H 2 O}-T-intervals: 5 kb: 570–625° C 6 kb: 600–630° C 7 kb: 620–640° C Thermodynamic calculations of S ₂₉₈ ⁰ , H _f,298 ⁰ and G _f,298 ⁰ of the phase paragonite from the experimental data presented above and those obtained from the equilibria of the reaction paragonite=albite + corundum + H₂O (Chatterjee, 1970), agree within the limits of uncertainty. This prompts the idea that Zen's (1969) suggestion of a possible error of approximately 7 kcal in G _f,298 ⁰ of the Al₂SiO₅ polymorphs may in fact be due to an error of similar magnitude in G _f,298 ⁰ of corundum.A best estimate of S ₂₉₈ ⁰ , H _f,298 ⁰ and G _f,298 ⁰ of paragonite based on these considerations yield: S ₂₉₈ ⁰ : 67.61±3.9 cal deg^–1 gfw^–1 H _f,298 ⁰ : –1411.4±2.7 kcal gfw^–1 G _f,298 ⁰ : –1320.9±4.0 kcal gfw^–1 These numbers will be subject to change when better thermochemical data on corundum and albite are available.In medium-grade metamorphic rocks the assemblage paragonite + quartz is commonly found in stable coexistence with such other phases as muscovite, staurolite, andalusite, kyanite, but not with cordierite or sillimanite. However, the assemblage paragonite-sillimanite has been reported to be stable in the absence of quartz. All these petrologic observations can be explained on the basis of the stability data of the phases and phase assemblages concerned.     

Evidence of magmatic CO2-rich fluids in peraluminous graphite-bearing leucogranites from Deep Freeze Range (northern Victoria Land,Antarctica)

Fine-grained peraluminous synkinematic leuco-monzogranites (SKG), of Cambro-Ordovician age, occur as veins and sills (up to 20–30 m thick) in the Deep Freeze Range, within the medium to high-grade metamorphics of the Wilson Terrane. Secondary fibrolite + graphite intergrowths occur in feldspars and subordinately in quartz. Four main solid and fluid inclusion populations are observed: primary mixed CO₂+H₂O inclusions + Al₂SiO₅ ± brines in garnet (type 1); early CO₂-rich inclusions (± brines) in quartz (type 2); early CO₂+CH₄ (up to 4 mol%)±H₂O inclusions + graphite + fibrolite in quartz (type 3); late CH₄+CO₂+N₂ inclusions and H₂O inclusions in quartz (type 4). Densities of type 1 inclusions are consistent with the crystallization conditions of SKG (750°C and 3 kbar). The other types are post-magmatic: densities of type 2 and 3 inclusions suggest isobaric cooling at high temperature (700–550°C). Type 4 inclusions were trapped below 500°C. The SKG crystallized from a magma that was at some stage vapour-saturated; fluids were CO₂-rich, possibly with immiscible brines. CO₂-rich fluids (±brines) characterize the transition from magmatic to post-magmatic stages; progressive isobaric cooling (T<670°C) led to a continuous decrease off _{O 2} can entering in the graphite stability field; at the same time, the feldspars reacted with CO₂-rich fluids to give secondary fibrolite + graphite. Decrease ofT andf _{O 2} can explain the progressive variation in the fluid composition from CO₂-rich to CH₄ and water dominated in a closed system (in situ evolution). The presence of N₂ the late stages indicates interaction with external metamorphic fluids.Contribution within the network Hydrothermal/metamorphic water-rock interactions in crystalline rocks: a multidisciplinary approach on paleofluid analysis. CEC program: Human Capital and Mobility     

Modification of fluid inclusions in quartz by deviatoric stress I: experimentally induced changes in inclusion shapes and microstructures

Fluid inclusions in quartz are known to modify their shapes and microstructures (textures) during weak plastic deformation. However, such changes have not been experimentally demonstrated and criteria are not available to relate them to paleostress conditions. To address these issues, quartz crystals containing natural CO₂–H₂O–NaCl fluid inclusions have been experimentally subjected to compressive deviatoric stresses of 90–250 MPa at 700°C and ~600 MPa confining pressure. Strains of up to 1% cause the inclusions to develop irregular shapes and to generate microcracks in crystallographic planes oriented subperpendicular to the major compression axis, σ ₁. The uniform alignment of the microcracks imparts a planar fabric to the samples. The microcracks heal and form swarms of tiny satellite inclusions. These new inclusions lose H₂O by diffusion, thereby triggering plastic deformation of the surrounding quartz via H₂O-weakening. Consequently, the quartz samples deform plastically only in domains originally rich in inclusions. This study shows that fluid inclusions deformed by deviatoric stresses may indeed record information on paleostress orientations and that they play a key role in facilitating crystal-plastic deformation of quartz.     

Heterogeneous deformation and quartz crystallographic fabric transitions: natural examples from the moine thrust zone at the stack of glencoul,northern assynt

Quartz crystallographic fabric transitions in well-exposed mylonites immediately beneath the Moine Thrust at the Stack of Glencoul (NW Scotland) have been investigated by optical microscopy, X-ray texture goniometry and Orientation Distribution Function analysis. A progressive change is observed from asymmetrical kinked single girdle c-axis fabrics at 0.5 cm beneath the Moine Thrust, through asymmetrical Type I cross-girdle fabrics to symmetrical Type I cross-girdle fabrics at 30 cm beneath the thrust. This c-axis fabric transition is accompanied by a transition from asymmetrical single a-axis maximum fabrics (0.5 cm beneath the thrust) through asymmetrical two maxima fabrics to essentially symmetrical two maxima a-axis fabrics. ODF analysis of these S >L and L - S tectonites indicates that c-axis positions on the ‘leading edge’ of the fabric skeleton are related by a common (a) direction oriented within the XZ plane at a moderate angle to the lineation (X). In contrast, c-axis positions on the peripheral ‘trailing edge’ are related by a positive (r) rhomb pole oriented close to Z; (a) directions lying within this common rhomb plane progressively change through 180° in orientation traced around the c-axis fabric skeleton. Such contrasting ‘single crystal’ rhomb (a) preferred orientations on the ‘leading’ and ‘trailing’ edges of the fabric skeleton are interpreted as indicating localized (grain scale) plane strain and flattening deformation, respectively. They result in tectonites with essentially symmetrical c- and a-axis fabrics which display strongly asymmetrical positive (r) and negative (z) rhomb pole figures. The observed transition in quartz c- and a-axis fabrics is interpreted as indicating an increasing importance of non-coaxial plane-strain deformation as the Moine Thrust is approached. Even immediately (<1 cm) beneath the thrust, however, flow has still significantly departed from bulk simple shear and involved an important (heterogeneous) component of contemporaneous flattening deformation.     

The composition and role of the fluid in migmatites: a fluid inclusion study of the Front Range rocks

Monophase negative-crystal shaped CO₂ inclusions occurring isolated, in small clusters, or in well-healed intragranular fractures are common in the leucosome quartz of the 1700m.y.-old migmatites from the east-central Colorado Front Range. They are, however, quite rare in the mafic selvage and paleosome (host rock) quartz. The mode of occurrence suggests that these are the earliest inclusions to form. In addition to the difference in abundance of the inclusions, there is a difference in CO₂-density distribution between migmatitic zones. The temperatures of homogenization for the leucosome inclusions range and +l°C from –67° C to +20° C with two maxima (at –21° C) while those for the paleosome and selvage inclusions are –37° C to +20° C with a single maximum at + 5° C. These differences between the migmatitic zones which occur on the scale of a few centimeters suggest that the formation of these inclusions was related to the migmatization process. The densities corresponding to the Th maxima are appropriate for the P-T conditions for migmatization estimated from the mineral geobarometer/geothermometer. These inclusions must contain nearly pure CO₂, as their final melting temperatures (–56.5° to –57.2° C) are very close to that of the triple point of CO₂. Their composition also was confirmed by Raman spectroscopic analyses.It has been proposed by other workers that CO₂ fluid in the inclusions could form from an H₂O-CO₂ fluid when H₂O is partitioned into the silicate melt. Such partitioning should result in some early H₂O-rich inclusions: H₂O must be released as the melt crystallizes. As found in migmatites from other areas, most aqueous inclusions in the Front Range rocks are obviously much younger than the early CO₂ ones. However, early H₂O-rich fluid may still be preserved, at least in three ways: (A) in rare, isolated or clustered inclusions within quartz inclusions in feldspar; (B) as inclusions in microcline porphyroblasts; (C) in hydrous alteration products of feldspar. (A) contain dilute fluids, 1 to 6 wt% NaCl equivalent. The densities of (A) as well as those of the early CO₂ inclusions found in the quartz inclusions in feldspar are appropriate for the range of P — T conditions estimated for migmatization. These early inclusions must have been preserved because of protected environment. Inclusions (B), found to contain H₂O (and possibly CO₂) by infrared analyses, must be early because they are absent from recrystallized grains. (B) and (C) are much more common in the leucosome than in the other zones suggesting that they are related to migmatization process. The concentration of early CO₂ inclusions in the leucosome is consistent with the model of migmatization in which fluid concentration in the leucosome was a cause of melting.     

Vorticity analysis in calcite tectonites: An example from the Attico-Cycladic massif (Attica,Greece)

Although calcite tectonites are widespread in nature their use to quantify flow vorticity is limited. We use new (micro-)structural, petrofabric and vorticity data to analyse the kinematics of flow in outcrop-scale calcite mylonite zones. These zones are genetically related to a crustal-scale NE-directed ductile thrust (Basal Thrust) that emplaced the Blueschist over the Basal unit during the exhumation of the Attico-Cycladic Massif. Calcite microstructures reveal that the last stage of deformation occurred at temperatures 200–300 °C achieved by mild heating, which is possibly related with the reburial of the Basal Thrust's footwall. Vorticity analyses were based on the degree of asymmetry of calcite c-axis fabrics as well as on the assumption that the orientation of the long axes of calcite neoblasts within an oblique foliation delineates the direction of instantaneous stretching axis. Both methodological approaches provide consistent estimates with a simple shear component between 55% and 82% (W_n = 0.76–0.96). The use of the stress axis (σ₁) orientation recorded by twin-c-axis-pairs to quantify vorticity generally gives significantly lower simple shear component. Comparison of our vorticity estimates with previous estimates inferred from quartz fabrics and rigid porphyroclasts reveals that exhumation-related deformation in the nappe pile was steady state.     

Energy associated with dislocations: A calorimetric study using synthetic quartz

High temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry was used to study the energy associated with dislocations in quartz by comparing undeformed and deformed single crystals of synthetic quartz. Samples were deformed at 698 K, 1000–1500 MPa at a strain rate of 10^–5 sec^–1. Two sets of calorimetric measurements were made: (i) using a Pt capsule as a container for powdered sample, and (ii) using pellets made from sample powder without any container. For the first set of measurements, the undeformed sample with a dislocation density of enthalpy is sum of heat content H ₉₇₃-H ₂₉₅ and enthalpy of solution in molten lead borate at 973 K of 39.22 ± 1.00 kJ mol^–1, while the sample deformed in the dislocation creep regime with a dislocation density of 6 × 10¹⁰ to 1 × 10¹¹ cm^–2 gave an enthalpy of 38.59 ± 0.78 kJ mol^–1. For the second set of measurements the measured enthalpy of the undeformed sample was 38.87 ± 0.31 kJ mol^–1, and that of a deformed sample with a dislocation density of 3 × 10¹⁰ to 1 × 10¹¹ cm^–2 was 38.24 ± 0.58 kJ mol^–1.The present study and previous theoretical calculations and estimates are consistent and suggest that the energy associated with dislocations in quartz is 0.6 ± 0.6 kJ mol^–1 for a dislocation density of 10¹¹ cm^–2; a precise value is difficult to determine because of the overlapping errors. These results indicate that for geologically realistic dislocation densities, the maximum excess energy due to dislocations would be 0.5 kJ mol^–1 for most minerals; the exact value would depend on the Burgers vector as well as the shear modulus.     

High-density CO2 inclusions in the Colorado Front Range

A fluid density in an inclusion is commonly observed to be too low for the P-T estimates for the postulated time of trapping, and is generally attributed to a fluid loss during the uplift process. It is more difficult to explain a fluid density which is too high. In the 1700 m.y. Front Range migmatites, such high densities occur in some of CO₂ inclusions which were deduced to have formed during the migmatization episode. The peak P-T estimates for migmatization in the Front Range are 4–6 kb and 650°–700° C (in sillimanite field) but pressures required to form the most dense inclusions are >7.6 kb (in kyanite field). The high density is not likely to be a relic of a higher pressure condition earlier than the main migmatization episode for the following reasons: (a) no kyanite (or any other relic high pressure phase) has been found in the Precambrian Front Range; (b) the high density inclusions are rare in zones with least signs of deformation and melting (paleosomes and quartz inclusions within feldspar grains) which instead contain relatively undisturbed early inclusions; (c) high density inclusions with Th <–30° C are associated with heavily altered plagioclase caused by hydrothermal activity which was a late event in leucosome formation. Further, there is evidence for post-entrapment change(s) in density: an intragranular trail in quartz contains CO₂ inclusions that exhibit almost the whole range in Th (–40 to +24° C) as displayed by the entire population of the early CO₂ inclusions (–66 to +30° C). The density of an inclusion in the trail is not related to inclusion size but to the position of the inclusion relative to apparent micro-shear zones crossing the CO₂ trail. A change to a higher density (=a smaller volume) could have resulted from an initially isobaric cooling path which intersects CO₂ isochores with increasingly higher densities. Additional excess pressure may have resulted from overthrusting. However, because high density inclusions occur selectively in the zones in which plagioclase shows alteration indicating a high and because there is a correlation between shear zones and high density inclusions, it is postulated that local hydrolytic weakening of quartz was necessary for the decrease of inclusion volume which occurred during deformation. The localized deformation may also result in an excess pressure. However, the introduction of a small amount of H₂O into these inclusions as a possible cause of high density inclusions cannot be ruled out.     

Quartz‐in‐garnet and Ti‐in‐quartz thermobarometry: Methodology and first application to a quartzofeldspathic gneiss from eastern Papua New Guinea

Mineral inclusions are ubiquitous in metamorphic rocks and elastic models for host‐inclusion pairs have become frequently used tools for investigating pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions of mineral entrapment. Inclusions can retain remnant pressures () that are relatable to their entrapment P–T conditions using an isotropic elastic model and P–T–V equations of state for host and inclusion minerals. Elastic models are used to constrain P–T curves, known as isomekes, which represent the possible inclusion entrapment conditions. However, isomekes require a temperature estimate for use as a thermobarometer. Previous studies obtained temperature estimates from thermometric methods external of the host‐inclusion system. In this study, we present the first P–T estimates of quartz inclusion entrapment by integrating the quartz‐in‐garnet elastic model with titanium concentration measurements of inclusions and a Ti‐in‐quartz solubility model (QuiG‐TiQ). QuiG‐TiQ was used to determine entrapment P–T conditions of quartz inclusions in garnet from a quartzofeldspathic gneiss from Goodenough Island, part of the (ultra)high‐pressure terrane of Papua New Guinea. Raman spectroscopic measurements of the 128, 206, and 464 cm^?1 bands of quartz were used to calculate inclusion pressures using hydrostatic pressure calibrations (), a volume strain calculation (), and elastic tensor calculation (), that account for deviatoric stress. values calculated from the 128, 206, and 464 cm^?1 bands’ hydrostatic calibrations are significantly different from one another with values of 1.8 ± 0.1, 2.0 ± 0.1, and 2.5 ± 0.1 kbar, respectively. We quantified elastic anisotropy using the 128, 206 and 464 cm^?1 Raman band frequencies of quartz inclusions and stRAinMAN software (Angel, Murri, Mihailova, & Alvaro, 2019,  234 :129–140). The amount of elastic anisotropy in quartz inclusions varied by ~230%. A subset of inclusions with nearly isotropic strains gives an average and of 2.5 ± 0.2 and 2.6 ± 0.2 kbar, respectively. Depending on the sign and magnitude, inclusions with large anisotropic strains respectively overestimate or underestimate inclusion pressures and are significantly different (<3.8 kbar) from the inclusions that have nearly isotropic strains. Titanium concentrations were measured in quartz inclusions exposed at the surface of the garnet. The average Ti‐in‐quartz isopleth (19 ± 1 ppm [2σ]) intersects the average QuiG isomeke at 10.2 ± 0.3 kbar and 601 ± 6°C, which are interpreted as the P–T conditions of quartzofeldspathic gneiss garnet growth and entrapment of quartz inclusions. The P–T intersection point of QuiG and Ti‐in‐quartz univariant curves represents mechanical and chemical equilibrium during crystallization of garnet, quartz, and rutile. These three minerals are common in many bulk rock compositions that crystallize over a wide range of P–T conditions thus permitting application of QuiG‐TiQ to many metamorphic rocks.     

Modification of fluid inclusions in quartz by deviatoric stress. II: experimentally induced changes in inclusion volume and composition

Fluid inclusions in quartz are known to modify their densities during shear deformation. Modifications of chemical composition are also suspected. However, such changes have not been experimentally demonstrated, their mechanisms remain unexplained, and no criteria are available to assess whether deformed inclusions preserve information on paleofluid properties. To address these issues, quartz crystals containing natural CO₂–H₂O–NaCl fluid inclusions have been experimentally subjected to compressive deviatoric stresses of 90–250 MPa at 700°C and ~600 MPa confining pressure. The resulting microcracking of the inclusions leads to expansion by up to 20%, producing low fluid densities that bear no relation to physical conditions outside the sample. Nevertheless, the chemical composition of the precursor inclusions is preserved. With time the microcracks heal and form swarms of tiny satellite inclusions with a wide range of densities, the highest reflecting the value of the maximum principle stress, σ ₁. These new inclusions lose H₂O via diffusion, thereby passively increasing their salt and gas contents, and triggering plastic deformation of the surrounding quartz via H₂O-weakening. Using microstructural criteria to identify the characteristic types of modified inclusions, both the pre-deformation fluid composition and syn-deformation maximum stress on the host mineral can be derived from microthermometric analysis and thermodynamic modelling.     

Fabric development during shear deformation in the Main Central Thrust Zone, NW-Himalaya, India

Quartz microfabrics and associated microstructures have been studied on a crustal shear zone—the Main Central Thrust (MCT) of the Himalaya. Sampling has been done along six traverses across the MCT zone in the Kumaun and Garhwal sectors of the Indian Himalaya. The MCT is a moderately north-dipping shear zone formed as a result of the southward emplacement of a part of the deeply rooted crust (that now constitutes the Central Crystalline Zone of the Higher Himalaya) over the less metamorphosed sedimentary belt of the Lesser Himalaya. On the basis of quartz c- and a-axis fabric patterns, supported by the relevant microstructures within the MCT zone, two major kinematic domains have been distinguished. A noncoaxial deformation domain is indicated by the intensely deformed rocks in the vicinity of the MCT plane. This domain includes ductilely deformed and fine-grained mylonitic rocks which contain a strong stretching lineation and are composed of low-grade mineral assemblages (muscovite, chlorite and quartz). These rocks are characterized by highly asymmetric structures/microstructures and quartz c- and a-axis fabrics that indicate a top-to-the-south sense that is compatible with south-directed thrusting for the MCT zone. An apparently coaxial deformation domain, on the other hand, is indicated by the rocks occurring in a rather narrow belt fringing, and structurally above, the noncoaxial deformation domain. The rocks are highly feldspathic and coarse-grained gneisses and do not possess any common lineation trend and the effects of simple shear deformation are weak. The quartz c-axis fabrics are symmetrical with respect to foliation and lineation. Moreover, these rocks contain conjugate and mutually interfering shear bands, feldspar/quartz porphyroclasts with long axes parallel to the macrosopic foliation and the related structures/microstructures, suggesting deformation under an approximate coaxial strain path.On moving towards the MCT, the quartz c- and a-axis fabrics become progressively stronger. The c-axis fabric gradually changes from random to orthorhombic and then to monoclinic. In addition, the coaxial strain path gradually changes to the noncoaxial strain path. All this progressive evolution of quartz fabrics suggests more activation of the basal, rhomb and a slip systems at all structural levels across the MCT.     

Mobility of metamorphic fluids inferred from infrared microspectroscopy on natural fluid inclusions: the example of Tinos Island,Greece

OH structure of metamorphic fluids has been studied by high temperature infrared (IR) microspectroscopy on natural fluid inclusions contained in quartz veins, over the temperature range 25–370 °C. Blueschist-facies veins from Tinos island core complex (Cyclades, Greece) display H₂O–NaCl–CaCl₂–CO₂ inclusions whereas greenschist-facies veins contain H₂O–NaCl ± CO₂ inclusions. From 25 to 370 °C, peak positions of OH stretching IR absorption bands increase quasi-linearly with slopes of 0.25 and 0.50 cm^–1 °C^–1 for inclusions trapped under blueschist and greenschist conditions, respectively. Extrapolation to 400 °C yield peak positions of 3,475 cm^–1 for blueschist inclusions and 3,585 cm^–1 for greenschist inclusions. Because the smaller wave number indicates the shorter hydrogen-bond distance between water molecules, fluids involved in the greenschist event have a loose structure compared with blueschist fluids. We suggest that these properties might correspond to a low wetting angle of fluids. This would explain the high mobility of aqueous fluids suggested by structural observation and stable isotope analysis.Editorial responsibility: J. Hoefs     

Role of fluid mixing and wallrock sulfidation in gold mineralization at the Semna mine area, central Eastern Desert of Egypt: Evidence from hydrothermal alteration, fluid inclusions and stable isotope data

The Semna gold deposit is one of several vein-type gold occurrences in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt, where gold-bearing quartz veins are confined to shear zones close to the boundaries of small granitoid stocks. The Semna gold deposit is related to a series of sub-parallel quartz veins along steeply dipping WNW-trending shear zones, which cut through tectonized metagabbro and granodiorite rocks. The orebodies exhibit a complex structure of massive and brecciated quartz consistent with a change of the paleostress field from tensional to simple shear regimes along the pre-existing fault segments. Textural, structural and mineralogical evidence, including open space structures, quartz stockwork and alteration assemblages, constrain on vein development during an active fault system. The ore mineral assemblage includes pyrite, chalcopyrite, subordinate arsenopyrite, galena, sphalerite and gold. Hydrothermal chlorite, carbonate, pyrite, chalcopyrite and kaolinite are dominant in the altered metaggabro; whereas, quartz, sericite, pyrite, kaolinite and alunite characterize the granodiorite rocks in the alteration zones. Mixtures of alunite, vuggy silica and disseminated sulfides occupy the interstitial open spaces, common at fracture intersections. Partial recrystallization has rendered the brecciation and open space textures suggesting that the auriferous quartz veins were formed at moderately shallow depths in the transition zone between mesothermal and epithermal veins.Petrographic and microthermometric studies aided recognition of CO₂-rich, H₂O-rich and mixed H₂O–CO₂ fluid inclusions in the gold-bearing quartz veins. The H₂O–CO₂ inclusions are dominant over the other two types and are characterized by variable vapor: liquid ratios. These inclusions are interpreted as products of partial mixing of two immiscible carbonic and aqueous fluids. The generally light δ³⁴S of pyrite and chalcopyrite may suggest a magmatic source of sulfur. Spread in the final homogenization temperatures and bulk inclusion densities are likely due to trapping under pressure fluctuation through repeated fracture opening and sealing. Conditions of gold deposition are estimated on basis of the fluid inclusions and sulfur isotope data as 226–267 °C and 350–1100 bar, under conditions transitional between mesothermal and epithermal systems.The Semna gold deposit can be attributed to interplay of protracted volcanic activity (Dokhan Volcanics?), fluid mixing, wallrock sulfidation and a structural setting favoring gold deposition. Gold was transported as Au-bisulfide complexes under weak acid conditions concomitant with quartz–sericite–pyrite alteration, and precipitated through a decrease in gold solubility due to fluid cooling, mixing with meteoric waters and variations in pH and fO₂.     

Fluid inclusions in charnockites from the Bjerkreim-Sokndal massif (Rogaland,southwestern Norway): fluid origin and in situ evolution

Fluid inclusions and mineral associations were studied in late-stage charnockitic granites from the Bjerkreim-Sokndal lopolith (Rogaland anorthosite province). Because the magmatic and tectonic evolutions of this complex appear to be relatively simple, these rocks are a suitable case for investigation of the origin and evolution of granulitic fluids. Fluid inclusions, primarily contained in quartz, can be divided into four types: carbonic (type I), N₂-bearing (type II), CO₂+H₂O (type III) and aqueous inclusions (type IV). For each type, the role of leakage and fluid mixing are discussed from microthermometric and Raman spectrometric data. The most striking features of CO₂-rich inclusions (the predominant fluid) is the presence of graphite in numerous, trail-bound inclusions (Ib) and its absence in a few isolated, very dense (d=1.16), pure CO₂ inclusions (Ia) and in the late carbonic inclusions (Ic). Fluid chronology and mineral assemblages suggest that carbonic Ia inclusions represent the first fluid (pure CO₂) trapped at or close to magmatic conditions (T=780–830° C, fO₂=10^-15 atm and P=7.4±1 kb), outside the graphite stability field. In contrast, type Ib inclusions enclosed graphite particles from a channelized fluid during retrograde rock evolution (P=3–4 kb and T=600° C). Decreases in T-fO₂ could explain a progressive evolution from a CO₂-rich fluid to an H₂O-rich fluid in a closed C–O–H system. However, graphite destabilization observed in type Ic inclusions implies some late introduction of external water during the last stage of retrogression. The main results of this study are the following: (1) a carbonic fluid was present in an early stage of rock evolution (probably in the charnockitic magma) and (2) this granulite occurrence offers good evidence of crossing the graphite stability field during post-magmatic evolution.