Eclogites and eclogites in the Western Gneiss Region, Norwegian Caledonides

The Western Gneiss Region (WGR) marks the outcrop of a composite terrane consisting of variably re-worked Proterozoic basement and parautochthonous or autochthonous cover units. The WGR exhibits a gross structural, petrographic and thermobarometric zonation from southeast to northwest, reflecting an increasing intensity of Scandian (late Palaeozoic) metamorphic and structural imprint. Scandian-aged eclogites have been widely (though for kinetic reasons not invariably) stabilised in metabasic rocks but have suffered varying degrees of retrogression during exhumation. In the region between the Jostedal mountains and Nordfjord, eclogites commonly have distinctively prograde-zoned garnets with amphibolite or epidote–amphibolite facies solid inclusion suites and lack any evidence for stability of coesite (high pressure [HP] eclogites). In the south of this area, in Sunnfjord, eclogites locally contain glaucophane as an inclusion or matrix phase. North of Nordfjord, eclogites mostly lack prograde zoning and evidence for coesite, either as relics or replacive polycrystalline quartz, is present in both eclogites (ultrahigh pressure [UHP] eclogites) and, rarely, gneisses. Coesite or polycrystalline quartz after coesite has now been found in eight new localities, including one close to a microdiamond-bearing gneiss. These new discoveries suggest that, by a conservative estimate, the UHP terrane in the WGR covers a coastal strip of about 5000 km² between outer Nordfjord and Moldefjord. A “mixed HP/UHP zone” containing both HP and UHP eclogites is confirmed by our observations, and is extended a further 40 km east along Nordfjord. Thermobarometry on phengite-bearing eclogites has been used to quantify the regional distribution of pressure (P) and temperature (T) across the WGR. Overall, a scenario emerges where P and T progressively increase from 500°C and 16 kbar in Sunnfjord to >800°C and 32 kbar in outer Moldefjord, respectively, in line with the distribution of eclogite petrographic features. Results are usually consistent with the silica polymorph present or inferred. The P–T conditions define a linear array in the P–T plane with a slope of roughly 5°C/km, with averages for petrographic groups lying along the trend according to their geographic distribution from SE to NW, hence defining a clear field gradient. This P–T gradient might be used to support the frequently postulated model for northwesterly subduction of the WGC as a coherent body. However, the WGC is clearly a composite edifice built from several tectonic units. Furthermore, the mixed HP/UHP zone seems to mark a step in the regional P gradient, indicating a possible tectonic break and tectonic juxtaposition of the HP and UHP units. Lack of other clear evidence for a tectonic break in the mixed zone dictates caution in this interpretation, and we cannot discount the possibility that the mixed zone is, at least, partly a result of kinetic factors operating near the HP–UHP transition. Overall, if the WGC has been subducted during the Scandian orogeny, it has retained its general down-slab pattern of P and T in spite of any disruption during exhumation. Garnetiferous peridotites derived from subcontinental lithospheric mantle may be restricted to the UHP terrane and appear to decorate basement-cover contacts in many cases. P–T conditions calculated from previously published data for both relict (Proterozoic lithospheric mantle?) porphyroclast assemblages and Scandian (subduction-related?) neoblastic assemblages do not define such a clear field gradient, but probably record a combination of their pre-orogenic P–T record with Scandian re-working during and after subduction entrainment. A crude linear array in the P–T plane defined by peridotite samples may be, in part, an artifact of errors in the geobarometric methods. A spatial association of mantle-derived peridotites with the UHP terrane and with basement-cover contacts is consistent with a hypothesis for entrainment of at least some of them as “foreign” fragments into a crustal UHP terrane during subduction of the Baltic continental margin to depths of >100 km, and encourages a more mobilistic view of the assembly of the WGC from its component lithotectonic elements.     

从榴辉岩与围岩的关系论苏鲁榴辉岩的形成与折返

位于华北和扬子两板块碰撞带中的苏鲁榴辉岩形成的温压条件不但是超高压，而且是高温。榴辉岩的PTt轨迹表明其为陆-陆磁撞俯冲带的产物。榴辉岩的区域性围岩花岗质片麻岩为新元古代同碰撞期花岗岩，榴辉岩及其他直接围岩皆呈包体存在于其中，并见新元古代花岗岩呈脉状侵入榴辉岩包体中。区域性围岩新元古代花岗岩的锆石中发现有柯石英、绿辉石等包裹体，表明新元古代花岗岩的组成物质也经受过超高压变质作用，且榴辉岩与围岩新元古代花岗岩的锆石U-Pb体系同位素年龄基本相同。但新元古代花岗岩所记录的变质作用和变形作用期次（或阶段）却少于榴辉岩。椐上述可得如下推断：超高压榴辉岩与新元古代花岗岩岩浆是同时在碰撞带底部（俯冲板块前部）形成的；榴辉岩的第一折返阶段是由新元古代花岗岩岩浆携带上升的，其第二折返阶段是和新元古代花岗岩一起由逆冲及区域性隆起而上升，遭受剥蚀。     

Discovery of coesite–eclogite from the Nordøyane UHP domain,Western Gneiss Region,Norway: field relations,metamorphic history,and tectonic significance

Ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) rocks from the Western Gneiss Region (WGR) of Norway record subduction of Baltican continental crust during the Silurian to Devonian Scandian continental collision. Here, we report a new coesite locality from the island of Harøya in the Nordøyane UHP domain, the most northerly yet documented in the WGR, and reconstruct the P–T history of the host eclogite. The coesite–eclogite lies within migmatitic orthogneiss, interpreted as Baltica basement, that underwent multiple stages of deformation and partial melting during exhumation. Two stages of metamorphism have been deduced from petrography and mineral chemistry. The early (M1) assemblage comprises garnet (Pyr_38–41Alm_35–37Grs_23–26Spss₁) and omphacite (Na_0.35–0.40Ca_0.57–0.60Fe²⁺_0.08–0.10Mg_0.53Fe³⁺_0.01Al^VI_0.40–0.42)₂(Al^IV_0.03–0.06Si_1.94–1.97)₂O₆, with subordinate phengite, kyanite, rutile, coesite and apatite, all present as inclusions in garnet. The later (M2) assemblage comprises retrograde rims on garnet (Pyr_38–40Alm_40–44Grs_16–21Spss₁), diopside rims on omphacite (Na_0.04–0.06Ca_0.88–0.91Fe²⁺_0.09–0.13Mg_0.81–83Fe³⁺_0.08Al^VI_0.03)₂(Al^IV_0.07–0.08Si_1.92–1.93)₂O₆, plagioclase, biotite, pargasite, orthopyroxene and ilmenite. Metamorphic P–T conditions estimated using thermocalc are ～3 GPa and 760 °C for M1, consistent with the presence of coesite, and ～1 GPa and 813 °C for M2, consistent with possible phengite dehydration melting during decompression. Comparison with other WGR eclogites containing the same assemblage shows a broad similarity in peak (M1) P–T conditions, confirming suggestions that large portions of the WGR were buried to depths of ～100 km during Scandian subduction. Field relations suggest that exhumation, accompanied by widespread partial melting, involved an early phase of top‐northwest shearing, followed by subhorizontal sinistral shearing along northwest‐dipping foliations, related to regional transtension. The present results add to the growing body of data on the distribution, maximum P–T conditions, and exhumation paths of WGR coesite–eclogites and their host rocks that is required to constrain quantitative models for the formation and exhumation of UHP metamorphic rocks during the Scandian collision.     

Fabric kinematics of the ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks from the main borehole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project: Implications for continental subduction and exhumation

The 5158-m-deep main borehole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project (CCSD-MH) penetrated granitic gneisses, paragneisses, eclogites, retrograde eclogites, amphibolites and ultramafic rocks in the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic terrane, eastern China. The CCSD-MH consists of four petro-structural units separated by three SE-dipping ductile shear zones DFa (835-1280 m), DFb (2010-2280 m) and DFc (2920-3225 m), which are correspondent with the regional shear zones in the northern Sulu UHP supracrustal zone. Using the electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) technique, we investigated the lattice-preferred orientations (LPOs) of omphacite, diopside and quartz in core samples from the CCSD-MH. Omphacite from eclogites and diopside from garnet pyroxenites display very strong LPOs, which are characterized by the maximum concentration of [001]-axes parallel to the lineation and (010)-poles normal to the foliation. Quartz in para- and granitic mylonites/gneisses from the shear zones DFa, DFb and DFc developed multiple slip systems. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of biotite in para- and granitic gneisses from the CCSD-MH yields 223-202 Ma, which constrains the formation ages of the quartz high-temperature prism slip systems {m}<a> and {m}[c]. The asymmetric LPOs of omphacite, diopside, olivine and quartz with respect to the structural frame reveal three deformation phases in the Sulu terrane. In the Middle Triassic, the northward subduction of the Yangtze plate to depths > 100 km produced a top-to-the-south shear sense in LPOs of omphacite, diopside and olivine, and a nearly N-S-striking foliation and a subhorizontal N-S-trending lineation in eclogites and ultramafic rocks. In the Late Triassic, the UHP rocks were exhumed to the lower crust and quartz developed high-temperature slip systems with a top-to-the-NW shear sense, which is consistent with the regional SE-dipping foliation and SE-plunging lineation in the ductile shear zones. In the Cretaceous the UHP rocks were exhumed to the middle crust when the migmatization and granitic intrusion formed a NE-striking antiform structure. As a result, the activation of quartz low-temperature basal slip (0001)<a> is characterized by a top-to-the-SE shear sense in the south, but a top-to-the-NW shear sense in the north.     

北大别超高压榴辉岩的快速折返与缓慢冷却过程

岩石学研究表明,北大别超高压榴辉岩经过了超高压和高压榴辉岩相变质作用以及麻粒岩相叠加和角闪岩相退变质作用.其中,高压麻粒岩相和角闪岩相变质阶段形成的后成合晶以及石榴子石和单斜辉石等矿物中成分分带的存在,证明该区榴辉岩经历了一个快速折返过程;而不同变质阶段的温度、压力和形成时代,却反映该区榴辉岩在峰期超高压变质作用之后又经历了一个缓慢冷却过程.超高压岩石折返期间的缓慢冷却过程也许正是北大别长期难以发现柯石英和有关超高压证据的重要原因.因此,本文为大别山不同超高压岩片的差异折返模型的建立提供了新的证据.     

Characterisation of igneous terranes by zircon dating: implications for UHP occurrences and suture identification in the Central Rhodope, northern Greece

The occurrence of ultra high pressure (UHP) and high pressure (HP) relicts associated with oceanic material suggests the presence of a suture zone within the Rhodope Massif. Characterisation of the accreted igneous terranes and their relationship with the UHP/eclogite occurrences provide new constraints on the location of this suture. Single-zircon evaporation and sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe dating of orthogneiss protoliths define two groups of intrusion ages: Permo-Carboniferous and Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. Structurally, the Late Jurassic gneissic complex overthrust a unit with Permo-Carboniferous orthogneisses. A “melange zone” marked by mylonites, eclogites, amphibolites, and UHP micaschists separates these two units. We interpret these observations in terms of two distinct igneous terranes, the Thracia (Permo-Carboniferous) and Rhodope (Late Jurassic) terranes, separated by the Nestos suture, and assembled during the closure of an oceanic basin of the Tethys. Geochemically, the Late-Jurassic rocks are akin to subduction magmatism, possibly the same subduction that caused the UHP metamorphism of metasediments within the “melange zone”. Observed UHP–HP relicts are restricted to the tectonic contact zone, suggesting that a single subduction/collison event can explain the occurrences of UHP relicts and eclogites in the Central Rhodope, and that subducted rocks are exhumed only within the Nestos suture.     

大别—苏鲁超高压变质带内部的浅变质岩

大别苏鲁超高压变质带内部零星出露有若干呈构造残片状产出的浅变质岩，主要以变质碎屑岩－千枚岩－大理岩组合为代表，遭受过低绿片岩相变质和脆－韧性变形作用的改造，与围岩均为构造接触（断层或韧性剪切带）。微古生物化石研究表明，其原岩为震旦纪前后扬子板块北缘的浅海相沉积。同位素年代学研究指示，它们经历过加里东期和印支期构造热事件的影响，与区域超高压岩石经受的构造热事件时间一致；氧同位素研究得到，部分浅变质岩原岩曾遭受过高温大气降水热液蚀变，与区域超高压岩石经受的构造热事件时间一致；氧同位素研究得到，部分浅变质岩原岩曾遭受过高温大气降水热液蚀变，与区域超高压岩石的同位素特征一致。这些浅变质岩的原岩为扬子板块北缘震旦系沉积岩及其中的火山碎屑岩，构造上具有板块俯冲过程中的刮削岩片－构造加积楔的产状和形成机制，因此可以是大陆板块俯冲加积楔的一部分。     

北大别的高温超高压变质作用与多阶段折返

近期的变质岩石学、地球化学及同位素年代学研究表明,北大别整体经历了高温超高压变质作用和多阶段折返历史,因而表现为广泛发育的多期减压结构和极少保留早期的超高压变质记录。北大别榴辉岩以高温变质作用以及折返期间因麻粒岩相和角闪岩相退变质变质作用而形成的多期后成合晶为显著特征。石榴子石中伴有放射状胀裂纹的单晶和多晶石英包体指示早期柯石英的转变结果,这已被锆石中发现的柯石英残晶所证实。结合北大别北部榴辉岩和片麻岩中发现的金刚石等超高压证据以及三叠纪变质记录,由此证明北大别整体经历过深俯冲和印支期超高压变质作用。北大别榴辉岩的多阶段高温条件主要来自石榴子石-绿辉石矿物对温度计、单斜辉石中紫苏辉石+石英针状矿物出熔体以及金红石中较高的Zr含量和变质锆石中较高的Ti含量等得出的温度证据。此外,多期后成合晶以及石榴子石和单斜辉石等矿物中成分分带的存在,证明该区榴辉岩经历了一个多阶段、快速折返过程;而不同变质阶段的温度、压力和形成时代,却反映该区榴辉岩经历了长时间的高温变质演化与缓慢冷却过程。长时间的高温变质作用与缓慢冷却过程也许正是北大别长期难以发现柯石英和有关超高压记录的重要原因。因此,这些成果为大别山三个不同超高压岩片的差异折返模型的建立提供了新的证据。     

Sm-Nd Isotope Tracer Study of UHP Metamorphic Rocks: Implications for Continental Subduction and Collisional Tectonics

Sm-Nd isotope tracer techniques are powerful tools in identification of the protolith nature of UHP and HP rocks and can be used to constrain modeling of tectonic processes of continental collision. UHP rocks may have diverse origins, and not all of them carry the same significance for subduction of continental blocks. In this paper, Sm-Nd isotopic data are compiled for UHP and HP rocks, mostly represented by eclogites and garnet peridotites, from the Alpine, Hercynian (Variscan), and Caledonian belts of western Europe; the Pan-African belts of northern Africa; and the Ross belt of Antarctica. These data then are compared with the isotopic characteristics of the UHP rocks from the Dabie orogen of central China. Except for the coesite-bearing quartzitic metasediments of Dora-Maira (Western Alps), which are clearly of continental origin, all HP and UHP rocks (eclogites and ultramafic rocks) from the Alpine, Hercynian, and Pan-African belts have oceanic affinities with the characteristic positive ε_Nd(T) values (= metamorphic initial ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd ratios). They represent segments of oceanic lithosphere that were subducted, underwent eclogite-facies metamorphism, and later were tectonically transported into orogenic zones during continental collisions. By contrast, the majority of UHP rocks from the European Caledonide and the Dabie orogen have negative ε_ND(T) values, indicating continental affinity. This suggests that these mafic and ultramafic rocks have had a long crustal residence time and that their UHP metamorphism is indicative of subduction of ancient and cold continental blocks, as represented by some Precambrian gneiss terranes containing mafic components including greenschists, amphibolites, or basic granulites.

In the Dabie orogen, none of the UHP eclogites analyzed thus far have shown oceanic affinity; thus they do not represent subducted Tethys Ocean crust. The preservation of ultrahigh ε_ND(0) values (+170 to +260) in eclogites of very low Nd concentrations (average 0.5 ppm) from the Weihai region and of the extraordinarily low δ¹⁸O in many eclogites and gneisses, the general absence of syntectonic granites in the Dabie Shan, and the available age data obtained by different techniques all point to a rapid rate of exhumation and the absence of a pervasive aqueous fluid phase during the entire process of subduction and exhumation of the Dabie UHP terrane.     

大别-苏鲁区超高压(UHP)变质岩的多阶段构造折返过程

追溯和重塑超高压变质岩由100多千米地幔深度折返至上地壳及地表的过程,对理解会聚板块边缘及大陆碰撞带的运动学和动力学是极为重要的.主要依据构造学、岩石学、地球化学和可利用的地质年代学资料,结合区域多期变形分析,大别-苏鲁区超高压变质岩的折返过程至少可分解出4个大的阶段.块状榴辉岩记录了三叠纪(约250~230 Ma)大陆壳岩石的深俯冲/碰撞作用.超高压变质岩早期迅速折返发生于超高压峰期变质作用(P＞3.1~4.0 GPa,T≈800±50 ℃)之后,处于地幔深度和柯石英稳定域,相当于区域D₂变形期阶段.分别与区域变形期D₃、D₄和D₅对应的折返过程,以及后成合晶、冠状体等卸载不平衡结构发育和减压部分熔融作用2个中间性构造热事件,均发生在地壳层次. 网络状剪切带在折返过程的不同阶段和不同层次均有发育,标志着在超高压变质带内的变质和变形分解作用曾重复进行.着重指出,超高压变质岩的折返,主要是由大陆壳的深俯冲/碰撞和伸展作用控制的构造过程,且受到俯冲带内、带外诸多因素的约束,其中水流体就起关键作用.      

Microstructures, petrofabrics and seismic properties of ultra high-pressure eclogites from Sulu region, China: implications for rheology of subducted continental crust and origin of mantle reflections

Ultra high-pressure (UHP) eclogites from Sulu region (China) represent mafic components of the continental crust, which were first subducted to mantle depths greater than 100 km and then exhumed to the earth's surface. Detailed investigation of microstructures, chemical compositions, petrofabrics and seismic properties of the UHP eclogites can provide important information on the operating deformation mechanisms and rheology of subducted continental crust and on the origin of seismic reflections within the upper mantle. We present here results from field, optical and TEM observations, electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) measurements and numerical computations of the seismic properties of UHP eclogites collected from fresh surface outcrops at the drill site (Maobei, Donghai County, Jiangsu Province) of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Program (CCSD). Two types of eclogites have been distinguished: Type-1 (coarse-grained) eclogites deformed by recovery-accommodated dislocation creep at the peak metamorphic conditions, and Type-2 (fine-grained) eclogites which are composed of reworked Type-1 materials during recrystallization-accommodated dislocation creep in shear zones which were active during the exhumation of the UHP metamorphic rocks. Both garnet and omphacite in these eclogites deformed plastically and the flow strength contrast between these two constituent minerals is apparently much less than an order of magnitude under the UHP metamorphic conditions. Plasticity of eclogites under UHP conditions can effectively facilitate channeled flow along the interplate shear zone. The preservation of the relict crustal materials within the continental lithosphere may produce regionally extensive, strong, seismic reflections in the upper mantle. This may explain the origin of mantle reflections observed in many areas of the world.     

苏鲁超高压榴辉岩中钾长石的超高压相

在苏鲁超高压榴辉岩中,石榴石和绿辉石包含多种含钾长石的显微多晶包襄体.确定其中的钾长石是否经历过超高压变质不仅有助于限定这些长英质包裹体的成因机制,而且有助于深化理解在超高压变质过程中陆壳岩石的物理和化学行为.榴辉岩B174样品采自于中国大陆科学钻探主孔岩心.该样品的石榴石含多种单相和多相多晶包裹体,其中包括钾长石和方解石单相包裹体、钾长石+石英和钾长石+方解石多晶包裹体.激光拉曼光谱分析揭示了部分钾长石残留有超高压钾长石相--钾质钡铝沸石,表明(1)钾长石至少经历了从钾质钡铝沸石向钾长石的退变质相变;和(2)榴辉岩中含钾长石多晶包裹体形成于超高压变质条件下.     

Metamorphic P–T conditions and thermal structure of Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling main hole eclogites: Fe–Mg partitioning thermometer vs. Zr-in-rutile thermometer

Core rocks recovered from the main hole (5158 m deep) of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD‐MH) project, southern Sulu UHP terrane, east‐central China, consist of eclogites, various gneisses and minor metaperidotite cumulates; this lithological section underwent subduction‐zone UHP metamorphism. Coesite‐bearing eclogites are mainly present between the depths of 100–2000 m, but below 2000 m, mafic eclogites are rare. Selected elements (Zr, Nb, Cr, Fe, Si, Mg, Al & Ti) in rutile from 39 eclogite cores from 100 to 2774 m, and major elements of minerals from representative eclogites were analysed by electron microprobe. Zirconium and Nb concentrations of rutile cluster ～100–400 and 200–700 ppm respectively. However, Zr and Nb contents in rutile from strongly retrograded eclogites show larger variations than those of fresh or less retrograded eclogites, implying that somehow fluid infiltration affected rutile chemistry during retrograde metamorphism. Zr contents in rutile inclusions in garnet and omphacite are slightly lower than those of the matrix rutile, suggesting that the rutile inclusions formed before or close to the peak temperature. The P–T conditions of the CCSD‐MH eclogites were estimated by both Fe–Mg exchange and Zr‐in‐rutile thermometers, as well as by the Grt–Cpx–Phn–Ky geothermobarometer. The maximum temperature range of 700–811 °C calculated at 40 kbar using the Zr‐in‐rutile thermometer is comparable with temperature estimates by the Fe–Mg exchange thermometer. The temperature estimates of eclogites in a ～3000 m thick section define a continuous gradient, and do not show a distinct temperature gap, suggesting that the rocks from 100 to 3000 m depth might belong to a single, large‐scale UHP slab. These data combined with P–T calculations for CCSD‐MH peridotites yield a low geotherm (～5 °C km^?1) for the Triassic subduction zone between the Sino‐Korean and Yangtze cratons; it lies ～30–35 mW m^?2 conductive model geotherm.     

High- to ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) ductile shear zones in the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt, China: implications for continental subduction and exhumation

High‐ to ultrahigh‐pressure (HP‐UHP) metamorphic rocks that resulted from deep continental subduction and subsequent exhumation in the Sulu orogenic belt, China, have experienced multiphase deformation and metamorphic overprint during its long journey to the mantle and return to the surface. HP‐UHP shear zones are strain‐localized weak zones on which the UHP slab is transported over long distances. HP‐UHP shear zones are well exposed along a 200‐km belt in the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt. The shear zones lie structurally below the UHP rocks and above the non‐UHP rocks, suggesting the early exhumation of the UHP rocks by thrusting. The large area distribution, HP‐UHP nature, high strain and structural association of the shear zones with the UHP rocks suggest that the shear zones are probably a regional detachment developed during the early stage of exhumation of the UHP rocks. Kinematic indicators suggest top‐to‐the N–NW motion of the UHP slab during the exhumation, which, combined with isotope signature in Mesozoic igneous rocks, leads us to the interpretation that the subduction polarity is the North China plate down to the south rather than the Yangtze plate down to the north in the Sulu region.     

Isotopic-geochemical evidence for crustal contamination of eclogites in the Kokchetav subduction-collision zone

This paper reports isotopic and geochemical studies of eclogites from the western ultrahigh pressure (UHP) and eastern high-pressure (HP) blocks of the Kokchetav subduction-collision zone. These HP and UHP eclogites exhumed in two stages: (1) The rocks of the western block metamorphosed within the field of diamond stability (e.g., Kumdy-Kol and Barchy); (2) In contrast, the metamorphic evolution of the eastern block reached the pressure peak within the stability field of coesite (e.g., Kulet, Chaglinka, Sulu-Tyube, Daulet, and Borovoe). The eclogites vary widely in the ratios of incompatible elements and in the isotope ratios of Nd (¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd = 0.51137-0.513180) and Sr (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.703930.78447). The Sulu-Tyube eclogites display isotope-geochemical features close to N-MORB, while those from the other sites are compositionally similar to E-type MORB or island arc basalts (IAB). The model ages T_Nd(DM) of eclogites vary between 1.95 and 0.67 Ga. The Sulu-Tyube eclogite yields the youngest age; it has the values of ε_Nd(T) (7.2) and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0.70393) close to the depleted mantle values. The crustal input to the protolith of the Kokchetav eclogites is evident on the ε_Nd(T)-⁸⁶Sr/⁸⁷Sr and ε_Nd(T)-T plots. The eclogites make up a trend from DM to country rocks. Some eclogites from the Kulet, Kumdy-Kol, and Barchy localities display signs of partial melting, such as high Sm/Nd (0.65-0.51) and low (La/Sm)_N (0.34-0.58) values. The equilibrium temperatures of these eclogites are higher than 850 °C. The geochemical features of eclogites testify to the possibility of the eclogite protolith formation in the tectonic setting of passive continental rift margin subducted to depths over 120 km.     

Discovery of metamorphic diamonds in central China: an indication of a > 4000-km-long zone of deep subduction resulting from multiple continental collisions

The Central Orogenic Belt (COB) of China is a major continental collision zone that contains extensive outcrops of deeply subducted and exhumed rocks at both the eastern and the western end of the belt. Here we report discovery of microdiamonds from both eclogites and felsic gneisses in the North Qinling zone in the central portion of the COB. This discovery demonstrates that the country rocks of continental affinity shared in the ultra‐high‐pressure metamorphic (UHPM) event and provides a bridge connecting the two previously recognized UHPM terranes, thereby establishing the existence of a UHPM belt extending more than 4000 km. Geochronological dating yields Early Palaeozoic ages in the west and Early Mesozoic ages in the east, recording two separate continental collisions overprinted within the COB. Occurrence of UHP metamorphism during recurrent continental collision here and in the Alps suggests that deep subduction of continental material during such collisions is probably common rather than exceptional, with significant implications for processes of plate tectonic reorganization and mantle mixing over time.     

Ultrahigh-pressure texture inheritance during retrogression: Evidence from magnetofabrics in eclogites and ultramafic rocks (Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling project)

In order to contribute to a better understanding of exhumation related retrogression processes ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) mafic and ultramafic rocks from the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling (CCSD) in the Maobei eclogite body of the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt in eastern China were studied for their magnetofabrics. Variably retrogressed eclogites and serpentinized ultramafic rocks were retrieved from the depth interval of 100 to 1000 m of the borehole. A vein network of irregular shaped veins with a retrograde metamorphic assemblage cuts across the eclogite foliation at both low and high angles. SEM imaging of the eclogites documents that magnetite associated with retrograde pargasitic amphiboles developed around shape-preferred garnet. SEM imaging of the serpentinized ultramafic rocks documents that magnetite rims grew around shape-preferred garnet and that magnetite formed within a mesh texture related to serpentinization. Syn-serpentinization magnetite growth increased bulk susceptibilities, but reduced anisotropy. Maximum susceptibility axes from both eclogites and serpentinized garnet-peridotites trend N-S, i.e. parallel with the stretching lineation as defined by olivine and omphacite grains. This implies that the magnetic fabric mimics the UHP fabric and survived retrogression and that the fabric is inherited from the UHP stage. As a consequence, retrogression was not associated with substantial ductile deformation and the mafic-ultramafic Maobei body behaved as a rigid body within a ductile deforming quartzo-feldspathic matrix during exhumation. Internal strain is restricted to brittle fracturing, associated fluid circulation and vein formation facilitating retrograde reactions in the mafic-ultramafic rocks.     

Sequence of Ductile Shear Zones in UHP Metamorphic Province within Dabie Massif, China

ＩＮＴＲＯＤＵＣＴＩＯＮＯｖｅｒｔｈｅｌａｓｔｔｗｏｄｅｃａｄｅｓｃｏｎｓｉｄｅｒａｂｌｅａｄｖａｎｃｅｓｈａｖｅｂｅｅｎｍａｄｅｔｏｗａｒｄｓｒｅｃｏｇｎｉｚｉｎｇａｎｄｕｎｄｅｒｓｔａｎｄｉｎｇｔｈｅｔｅｃｔｏｎｉｃｓｉｇｎｉｆｉｃａｎｃｅｏｆｄ...     

非保守元素在苏鲁超高压榴辉岩退变质作用中有限迁移和近原地重新分布

中国大陆科学钻探工程主孔揭露的基性岩石包括新鲜榴辉岩和角闪岩.角闪岩是榴辉岩在折返过程中不同程度退变质作用的产物.全岩主量和痕量元素地球化学数据表明它们不仅在高场强元素(Ti,Zr,Nb,Ta),而且在高度活动元素(Rb,Cs,Sr,Ba)上化学特征相似.尽管从榴辉岩向角闪岩的退变质作用需要流体的参与,上述地球化学特征表明在榴辉岩快速折返过程中,流体仅仅有限地存在,在流体中高度活动的碱性元素仅作有限迁移和近乎原地重新分布.流体可能以高度局域化的管道流形式出现,是导致榴辉岩退变质作用和剪切变形高度局域化的主要因素.     

大别—苏鲁超高压变质带内的块状榴辉岩及其构造意义

大别—苏鲁超高压(> 27× 108Pa) 变质带内的榴辉岩, 在大陆深俯冲、碰撞和折返剥露过程中, 大都遭受了强烈的变形和变质作用的重置与再造.但是, 大型榴辉岩体核部以及包裹于大理岩和石榴橄榄岩体内部的块状榴辉岩, 往往保留其初始简单的矿物组合、中-细粒状变晶结构和块状构造.详细地分析了块状榴辉岩的几何学、岩相学及变质作用特征, 指出它们是超高压榴辉岩递进及多期变质变形分解作用的残留体, 位于尺度不同的弱应变域内, 是大陆深俯冲及碰撞作用的真正记录.