Prograde–retrograde P–T–t–deformation path of Austroalpine micaschists during Variscan continental collision (Eastern Alps)

A complete prograde P–T path, defined by 10 calculated P–T fields in succession, is recognized from metapelites by using geothermobarometry on garnet-bearing assemblages with microstructural control. Overstacking of several tectonic units during an early Variscan continental collision explains the complex prograde P–T history. Isostatic uplift and deformation controlled the retrograde P–T path. Deformation with changing character acted continuously during all stages of the evolution of the Austroalpine basement complex. After the intrusion of Caledonian granitoids, metapelites and magmatic rocks suffered a shearing deformation D₁–D₂, which produced sheath folds as well as the main foliation S₂. Spessartine-rich first-generation garnets, situated in microlithons enclosed by S₂, record the onset of shearing under increasing high-pressure–low-temperature conditions (7 kbar/380°C). Geothermobarometry on second-generation garnets which have been rotated during growth indicates isothermal decompression from 9 kbar to 5 kbar/500°C and subsequent recompression/heating during continuing shearing. This is explained by overthrusting of a tectonic unit (unit 2) from NE to SW upon the micaschist unit (unit 1), followed by isostatic uplift and further overstocking of a third unit (unit 3). The resulting P_max of 12 kbar at 650°C and further increasing temperatures up to 680°C accompanied by decompression have been calculated using a third generation of garnets. These high-pressure–high-temperature conditions may explain the occurrence of eclogitic metabasites in adjacent regions. Staurolite and kyanite first appeared under decreasing pressures at the last stage of prograde P–T evolution. Shortening deformation D₃ and simultaneous growth of typical amphibolite facies minerals (staurolite 2, kyanite 2, sillimanite, andalusite) occurred during the retrograde path. A final step of Variscan evolution was marked by an oppositely directed shearing D₄ (at T > 300°C and P > 3 kbar), possibly indicating backthrusting or extension. Apart from acid intrusions, no signs of a previous Caledonian thermotectonic history were found in the area to the south of the Defereggen–Antholz–Vals Line.     

Continuous reactions between biotite, garnet, staurolite, kyanite-sillimanite-andalusite and P-T-time-deformation path in micaschists from the estuary of the river Vilaine, South Brittany, France

Abstract Microprobe analysis of the continuous chemical evolution of coexisting biotite-garnet and biotite-garnet-staurolite has been undertaken from interbedded micaschists of the volcanodetrital group of the Vilaine. A thermobarometric study using pertinent mineralogical equilibria reveals a complex P-T evolution, continuous throughout time, from high pressure, medium temperature (kyanite zone) to medium pressure, high temperature (sillimanite zone), then low pressure, medium temperature (andalusite zone). The T, P, f_H2o and X_H2o variations have been calculated from coexisting biotite-garnet pairs, and from the equilibria: paragonite (in white mica) + quartz ± albite (in plagioclase) + Al silicate + H₂O; and, 3 anorthite ± grossular + 2 Alsilicate + quartz. The P-T evolution is correlated with the continuous change in composition of minerals (using P–X_Mg and T–X_Mg diagrams) and with the evolution of assemblages. This continuous P-T-time evolution, correlated with the successive formation of S₁-S₂ foliations, allows us to propose a P-T-time-deformation path for the micaschists and to relate the growth of its mineral components to tectonic processes.     

P–T–t path of the Hercynian low-pressure rocks from the Mandatoriccio complex (Sila Massif, Calabria, Italy): new insights for crustal evolution

The tectono‐metamorphic evolution of the Hercynian intermediate–upper crust outcropping in eastern Sila (Calabria, Italy) has been reconstructed, integrating microstructural analysis, P–T pseudosections, mineral isopleths and geochronological data. The studied rocks belong to a nearly complete crustal section that comprises granulite facies metamorphic rocks at the base and granitoids in the intermediate levels. Clockwise P–T paths have been constrained for metapelites of the basal level of the intermediate–upper crust (Umbriatico area). These rocks show noticeable porphyroblastic textures documenting the progressive change from medium‐P metamorphic assemblages (garnet‐ and staurolite‐bearing assemblages) towards low‐P/high‐T metamorphic assemblages (fibrolite‐ and cordierite‐bearing assemblages). Peak‐metamorphic conditions of ～590 °C and 0.35 GPa are estimated by integrating microstructural observations with P–T pseudosections calculated for bulk‐rock and reaction‐domain compositions. The top level of the intermediate–upper crust (Campana area) recorded only the major heating phase at low‐P (～550 °C and 0.25 GPa), as documented by the static growth of biotite spots and of cordierite and andalusite porphyroblasts in metapelites. In situ U–Th–Pb dating of monazite from schists containing low‐P/high‐T metamorphic assemblages gave a weighted mean U–Pb concordia age of 299 ± 3 Ma, which has been interpreted as the timing of peak metamorphism. In the framework of the whole Hercynian crustal section the peak of low‐P/high‐T metamorphism in the intermediate‐to‐upper crust took place concurrently with granulite facies metamorphism in the lower crust and with emplacement of the granitoids in the intermediate levels. In addition, decompression is a distinctive trait of the P–T evolution both in the lower and upper crust. It is proposed that post–collisional extension, together with exhumation, is the most suitable tectonic setting in which magmatic and metamorphic processes can be active simultaneously in different levels of the continental crust.