Low-grade metamorphism within the Welsh sector of the paratectonic Caledonides

Mineral assemblages within metabasites from the paratectonic Caledonides of Wales show that the grade of metamorphism was predominantly within the prehnite-pumpellyite facies, although green-schist fades assemblages occur in the more central parts of the region. General agreement with this pattern of metamorphism is seen in recent studies of illite crystallinity and conodont colour. Comparison with other regions suggests that all of the paratectonic Caledonides of the British Isles has suffered a low-grade of regional metamorphism during late Caledonian times.     

A white mica crystallinity study of the Berwyn Hills, North Wales

Abstract White mica crystallinity studies have been carried out on 90 samples of mudrocks, six of spotted slate, and five of accretionary lapilli tuff from the area around the Berwyn Hills, North Wales. Strain was measured for some of the spotted slate and tuff samples. The metamorphic grade increases from southeast to northwest, with values of the Kübler index varying from 0.64 to 0.20Δ2θ. Metamorphic zonal boundaries follow the strike of bedding and cleavage, but crystallinity values increase into stratigraphically younger rocks on the northwest side of the Berwyn Dome. This effect is attributed mainly to a rapid increase in the thickness of synmetamorphic overburden to the northwest, comprising exposed Silurian turbidites and inferred Lower Devonian non-marine sediments. Strain variations have a more local influence on crystallinity, and lateral variations in the contemporary geothermal gradient cannot be ruled out. However, only with unrealistically high gradients would the need for a thick Lower Devonian component to the overburden be removed. This reasoning implies that the metamorphic peak was coeval with the Acadian (late Caledonian) event, rather than with an early diastathermal event.     

内蒙古中部地区晚古生代地层接触变质作用研究初探

内蒙古中部晚古生代地层由于中生代岩浆的侵入,部分发生接触变质,变质程度多处于沸石相或葡萄石绿纤石相。通过对典型剖面的泥质岩石中的粘土矿物、伊利石结晶度以及镜质体反射率的分析,得出以下结论：（1）粘土矿物以伊利石和绿泥石为主,只在极少数样品中有伊蒙混层和蒙脱石,多数缺乏伊绿混层;（2）伊利石结晶度为022~040;（3）镜质体反射率Ro值为15~40。其结果表明：在岩浆侵入地区有小规模的接触变质,为极低级变质带,并未发生大规模的低绿片岩相的区域变质,而且这种变质只影响到晚二叠世以前沉积的地层和油气,分布范围有限。     

Low-pressure regional metamorphism in the Omeo Metamorphic Complex, Victoria, Australia

The Omeo Metamorphic Complex forms the southern end of the Wagga Metamorphic Belt, which is the main locus of Palaeozoic low-pressure metamorphism in the Lachlan Fold Belt, south-eastern Australia. It comprises metamorphosed Ordovician quartz-rich turbidites originally derived from Precambrian cratonic rocks. Prograde regional metamorphism occurred in the early Silurian, very soon after sedimentation had ceased. The sequence of metamorphic zones, with increasing grade, is: chlorite, biotite, cordierite, andalusite–K-feldspar and sillimanite–K-feldspar. Migmatites occur in the sillimanite–K-feldspar zone, but large bodies of S-type granite were derived from rocks underlying the exposed Ordovician sequence. P and T estimates for the highest grade rocks are T = 700°C and P = 3.5 kbar, indicating a very high P–T gradient of 65°C/km.
The high heat flow during prograde metamorphism probably resulted from a combination of a thermal anomaly persisting from a pre-metamorphic back-arc basin environment, and intrusion of hot, mantle-derived magmas into the lower and middle crust.
Regional retrograde metamorphism coincided with a general reheating of the crust in the Siluro-Devonian, accompanied by intrusion of many I-type plutons and resetting of the K–Ar dates of some earlier plutons. The Omeo Metamorphic Complex was exposed to erosion at this time.     

High pressure-low temperature metamorphism in the Gran Paradiso basement, Western Alps

The Gran Paradiso basement complex of the French and Italian Alps is composed of metasediments, termed the gneiss minuti, and metabasic rocks, both of which are intruded by a late Hercynian granite. The Bonneval gneiss, which crops out at the western edge of the complex, is composed of highly deformed metasediments, volcanics and volcaniclastic rocks. Eclogites, now highly altered, occur in the metabasic rocks. Kyanite and blue-green amphibole are locally present in the gneiss minuti and aegirine plus riebeckite occur in the Bonneval gneiss. A moderately high pressure - low temperature metamorphic event of probable Alpine age occurred in the basement complex. This metamorphic event differs from that in the overlying Sesia unit and ophiolites of the Schistes lustrés nappe in being at lower pressures (below the ab = jd₁₀₀+ qz transition) and post-dating the major (D2_A) deformation. The origin of the metamorphism is discussed and interpreted as a probable consequence of the overlying nappe pile which was emplaced during the D2_A event. Subsequent greenschist facies metamorphism in the basement complex is a consequence of thermal relaxation during uplift.     

The role of the fluid phase during regional metamorphism and deformation

Evidence from rock microstructures, mass transfer and isotopic exchange indicates that substantial quantities of aqueous fluids are involved in low- and medium-grade regional metamorphism. Similar conclusions are drawn from many retrograde environments, whereas high-grade metamorphic fluids may be melt dominated. The mobile fluids play essential roles in metamorphic reactions, mass transport and deformation processes. These processes are linked by the mechanical consequences of metamorphic fluid pressures (P_f) generally being greater than or equal to the minimum principal compressive stress. Under such conditions metamorphic porosity comprises grain boundary tubules and bubbles together with continuously generated (and healed) microfractures. Deformation results in significant interconnected porosity and hence enhanced permeability. Lithologically and structurally controlled permeability variations may cause effective fluid channelling.
Simple Rayleigh-Darcy modelling of a uniformly permeable, crustal slab shows that convective instability of metamorphic fluid is expected at the permeabilities suggested for the high P_f metamorphic conditions. Complex, large-scale convective cells operating in overpressured, but capped systems may provide a satisfactory explanation for the large fluid/rock ratios and extensive mass transport demonstrated for many low- and medium-grade metamorphic environments. Such large-scale fluid circulation may have important consequences for heat transfer in and the thermal evolution of metamorphic belts.     

贵州梵净山前寒武系甚低级变质作用研究

本文运用伊利石结晶度、绿泥石结晶度、云母b0值和绿泥石地质温度计研究了梵净山前寒武系甚低级变质作用。结果表明经Kisch伊利石结晶度标样校正的伊利石结晶度Kübler指数为0.20~0.99°Δ2θ,绿泥石结晶度árkai指数为0.22~0.63°Δ2θ。由此阐明梵净山前寒武系经历了成岩作用到浅变质作用的影响,迄今依然保留了成岩带、近变质带和浅变质带的岩石记录。成岩岩石具有伊蒙混层特征成岩指示矿物,浅变质带具有钠云母特征变质指示矿物。钾云母(伊利石)b0值范围为:0.9000~0.9045nm;平均0.9018nm,b0值累积频率曲线分布介于典型中压—中低压系列之间,估算的压力为366MPa。峰期变质温度为293~364℃,平均342℃,古变质温压梯度为27℃/km。近变质带界线穿越地层和梵净山背斜轴线,表明甚低级变质作用为成岩-构造运动同期或后期构造增厚引起下部和底部岩石随温压的升高而产生的。     

Alpine metamorphism of pelitic schists in the Nufenen Pass area, Lepontine Alps

Abstract The effects of Tertiary Alpine metamorphism on pelitic Mesozoic cover rocks have been studied along a cross-section in the central Lepontine Alps in the Nufenen Pass area, Switzerland. Greenschist facies to amphibolite facies conditions are indicated by the formation of the index minerals chloritoid, garnet, staurolite and kyanite in pelitic rocks. Regional metamorphism reached maximum conditions during the interkinematic period between a main Alpine penetrative (D2) and a late Alpine (D3) crenulation type deformation phase or synchronous with the late Alpine deformation. Based on AFM phase relationships four different metamorphic zones can be distinguished: (1) chloritoid zone; (2) staurolite + chlorite zone; (3) staurolite + biotite zone; and, (4) kyanite zone. The isograds that separate these zones can be modelled by univariant reactions in the KFMASH system. The conditions of metamorphism calculated from geological ther-mobarometers for the maximum post-D2 por-phyroblast stage are from North to South: 500° C at 5-6 kbar and 600° C at 7-8 kbar. Detailed thermobarometry of garnet por-phyroblasts with complex textures suggests that maximum temperature was reached later than maximum pressure. Early garnet growth occurred along a prograde P-T-path, post-D2 rims grew with increasing temperature but decreasing pressure, and finally post-D3 garnet formed along a retrograde P-T-path. It may be concluded from the calculated pressure and temperature difference over a short distance (3 km) across the mapped area that the isogradic surfaces of the post-D2 metamorphism are steeply oriented. The data also suggest that isobaric and isothermal surfaces are parallel. Much of the observed metamorphic pattern can be explained as the result of a significant post-D2 differential uplift of the hot Pennine area relative to the Helvetic area along a tectonic contact zone. The closely spaced isograds (isotherms) in the North may then be interpreted as a thermal effect owing to the emplacement of the hot Pennine rocks against the Got-thard massif with its cover. Whereas, in the Pennine metasediments, post-D2 porphyroblast formation can be related to the decompression path which was steep enough for dehydration reactions to proceed. It is also remarkable that late kyanite porphyroblasts probably formed with decreasing pressure. The interpretation given here for the Nufenen Pass area may also apply to the Luk-manier Pass area where similar metamorphic patterns have been reported by Fox (1975). The formation of the ‘Northern Steep Belt’;, as denned by Milnes (1974b), and the associated late Alpine fold zones may, therefore, have significantly modified the metamorphic pattern of the Helvetic-Penninic contact zone.     

Deformation and metamorphism in the Bard area of the Sesia Lanzo Zone, Western Alps, during subduction and uplift

The structure, microstructure and petrology of a small area close to the village of Bard in Val d'Aosta (Italy) has been studied in detail. The area lies across the contact between the Gneiss Minuti (GM) and the Eclogitic Micaschist (EMS) Complexes of the Lower element of the Sesia portion of the Sesia-Lanzo Zone (Western Alps). Both complexes have undergone high-pressure metamorphism, but the metamorphic assemblages indicate a sudden increase in pressure in going across the contact from the GM to the EMS. Therefore, we interpret the contact as a thrust dividing the lower element of the Sesia into two sub-elements. This interpretation is supported by structural evidence.
The early Alpine (90-70 Ma) metamorphic history is best preserved in the EMS and is one of increasing pressure associated with thrusting. The maximum P/T recorded in the EMS is >1500 MPa (>15kbar) and 550°C and in the GM is < 1500-1300 MPa (< 15-13 kbar) and 500-550°C. We suggest that the rocks were probably in an active Benioff zone during this time.
From then on the histories of the GM and EMS are the same. Deformation continued and the thrust and thrust slices were folded during decreasing pressure. We interpret the first postthrusting deformation in terms of uplift associated with continued shortening of the crust and underplating after the Benioff zone had become inactive and a new Benioff zone had developed further to the north-west.
A still later deformation and the Lepontine metamorphism (38 Ma) are related to continued uplift. Much of this deformation is characterized by structures indicative of vertical shortening and lateral spreading as the mountains rose above the general level of the surface.     

Incipient metamorphism and deformation in the Variscides of SW Dyfed, Wales: first steps towards isotopic equilibrium

Incipient metamorphism accompanying thrusting, folding and cleavage development has been investigated in a varied sequence of Palaeozoic sediments near the Variscan front in SW Dyfed, Wales. The aim was to evaluate a critical stage in the progression from heterogeneous sediment, whose detrital phases are neither in equilibrium with one another, nor with pore fluids, through indurated sedimentary rock to metamorphic rock comprising newly formed crystals that equilibrated with one another as they grew. Quartz veins are widely developed in the area, especially in the more psammitic lithologies, while finer grained rocks became cleaved during tectonic deformation. Mineralogical constraints and fluid inclusion measurements suggest maximum temperatures around 200-310d? C (slightly higher in the Marloes-Musselwick Thrust Sheet than in other parts of the structural succession) at depths of the order of 6-13 km. Quartz veins yield distinctly heavier oxygen isotopic compositions than detrital quartz grains in the adjacent wall rocks, although care must be taken in interpreting the data because slivers of detrital grains may become incorporated into veins, while matrix detrital grains may incorporate veinlets or rims of newly formed quartz. It is concluded that vein quartz grew in isotopic equilibrium with a fluid phase whose isotopic composition was primarily controlled by exchange with phyllosilicates, not detrital quartz grains. Vein and matrix quartzes from the Marloes-Musselwick Thrust Sheet are distinctly lighter (δ¹⁸O_veins=+14 to +18% and δ¹⁸O_matrix=+11 to +14%) than those from other thrust sheets (δ¹⁸O =+17 to +20% and +14 to +17%, respectively). We conclude that vein quartz and phyllosilicate grains in cleavage domains probably attained equilibrium with a locally buffered pore fluid at the peak of metamorphism, but many relict grains of different chemical and isotopic composition remained elsewhere in the rock. Local fluid migration along veins and through cleavage lamellae facilitated the attainment of equilibrium, but there is little evidence for large-scale infiltration of externally derived fluids. With further metamorphism the quartz in these rocks would attain an isotopic composition intermediate between that of the heavy vein material and light detritus which coexist here.     

Chloritoid and staurolite stability: implications for metamorphism in the Archaean Yilgarn Block, Western Australia

Abstract The stability of quartz-chloritoid-staurolite-almandine-cordierite and aluminium silicates is used to constrain both metamorphic conditions and pressure-temperature trajectories for two localities within the 2700 Ma Archaean Yilgarn Block in Western Australia. Available experimental data are used to calculate thermodynamic data for a self-consistent set of equilibria between these minerals. A lower amphibolite facies locality from the margin of a lower strain area contains assemblages including quartz-chloritoid-staurolite-garnet-biotite with altered cordierite replacing chloritoid, quartz-staurolite-andalusite, and quartz-cordierite-andalusite-biotite. This locality was heated to 530–560°C in the andalusite field, at 4.2 kbar. A sample from a mid- to upper-amphibolite facies, highly strained locality contains relict staurolite enclosed by andalusite, in turn replaced by cordierite and muscovite with biotite and sillimanite in the matrix. The assemblage was heated isobarically from conditions near the maximum experienced by the lower grade locality of 560°C at 4.2 kbar to temperatures in excess of the andalusite-sillimanite transition but within the quartz plus muscovite stability field (600–650°C). The higher grade locality is close to a granitoid dome and sections based on gravity profiles reveal that this locality is underlain by granitoid at shallow depths. The higher grade metamorphism apparently reflects superposition of the thermal aureole on regional metamorphic conditions similar to those in the lower grade areas.     

Palaeotopography of the northern portion of the Telychian (Silurian) turbidite basin in central Wales

New palaeocurrent data from the country northeast and southwest of Corris (central Wales) indicate that Telychian sandstones in the Devil's Bridge Formation hereabouts were transported from both the northeast and northwest, consistent with topographical control by down‐to‐southeast movement on the Bala Lineament. This conclusion is supported by considerations of thickness variation and by evidence for listric detachment faulting in the formation at Bwlch y Groes. Towards Plynlimon, flow is broadly southerly and suggests confinement by the northward extension of the Bronnant Fault. A facies and palaeocurrent map is presented for the utilis sub‐Biozone of the Telychian which links with work by the British Geological Survey between Aberyswyth and Rhayader where, by contrast, palaeoflow is to the NNW. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The origin of strain patterns resulting from contemporaneous deformation and metamorphism in the Sambagawa metamorphic belt

Abstract The magnitudes of plastic strains of 104 metacherts were determined from the deformed shape of initially spherical radiolarians in the Sambagawa high- P type metamorphic belt of Western Shikoku, Japan. The strain magnitude increases with increasing metamorphic temperature from several per cent to 250%. The a₂/a₃ ratio of strain ellipsoids in the higher metamorphic grades decreases with increasing metamorphic grade while the a₁/a₂ ratio increases rapidly. The long axis of the strain ellipsoid for every grade is nearly parallel to the length of the metamorphic belt, suggesting that the flow direction of the synmetamorphic deformation was uniform along the belt. A map of strain zones within the Sambagawa high- P type metamorphic belt reveals that the metamorphic belt underwent a progressive bulk inhomogeneous shear deformation and that the high-grade zones represent a deep-seated boundary shear zone on the accretionary wedge between a subducting oceanic plate and the immobile rigid continental plate.     

Low-grade metamorphism and geotectonic setting of the Macuchi Formation, Western Cordillera of Ecuador

Abstract The Cretaceous-Eocene basic to intermediate marine volcanic rocks of the Mucuchi Formation constitute the Western Cordillera in northern Ecuador. Their chemical features mostly correspond to those of tholeiitic basalts with some calc-alkaline affinities and suggest an oceanic island arc setting. The Macuchi rocks are affected by low-grade, non-deformative metamorphism, characterized by zeolite, prehnite-pumpellyite and lower greenschist facies assemblages. Depth-zonation is suggested by the downward mineral sequence: (i) laumontite+ (pistacitic epidote, pumpellyite + prehnite); (ii) pumpellyite+ prehnite + pistacitic epidote; (iii) actinolite+biotite+ pistacitic epidote + chlorite. This broad zonation and the chemistry of individual minerals point to an interaction between the volcanic rocks and sea-water under a moderate to high thermal gradient (= 75° C/km?). Alteration appears to have been dependent primarily on fluid control (volume, pressure, composition), temperature and reaction kinetics which together partly overshadow the role of load-pressure. Compositional variations of a mineral species at the scale of a contiguous flow or even at the scale of a thin section show that intensity of alteration was spatially uneven depending on rock permeability and consequently, metastable equilibrium commonly exists. However, a progressive approximation to equilibrium as a result of P–T control is shown by the mineralogy. A high f_o2 of the fluid phase is evident from the mineral chemistry. The metamorphism of the Macuchi volcanics is similar to the hydrothermal-burial type produced during the development of a volcanic arc where lavas and volcanoclastics accumulated in a shallow marine environment. However, some of its characteristics point to a transition toward systems defined by a higher T/P ratio such as those found in ocean-floor metamorphism. A model is proposed in which the Macuchi volcanics are assigned to an oceanic island arc generated contemporaneously with a marginal basin which has opened as the outcome of progressive north-south attenuation of the continental crust due to mantle diapirism.     

Metamorphic and post-metamorphic fluid flow in the low-grade rocks of the Harlech Dome, north Wales

A combination of fluid inclusion, stable isotope and geochemical techniques has been used to study the nature of fluids present and their behaviour during Caledonian low-grade metamorphism of the Harlech Dome, north Wales. Fluid inclusion studies show that in most of the metasedimentary sequence the peak metamorphic fluid was an aqueous Na–K–Cl brine but in the graphitic Clogau Formation and in parts of the overlying Maentwrog Formation immiscible H₂O-rich and CH₄-rich fluids coexisted. Late-stage inclusions are of calcium-rich brine and a dilute aqueous fluid. The chemical composition of chlorite in metamorphic veins and rocks varies between different formations and quartz-oxygen isotopic compositions show considerable variation between different units. Both of these features are taken to indicate that there was little or no pervasive movement of fluid between different units at the peak of metamorphism. After the metamorphic peak there was focused flow of fluid upward through the sequence along fractures, in response to end-Caledonian uplift and unloading. Where the migrating fluid crossed the graphitic shales, interaction between the fluid and the shales gave rise to the formation of the auriferous veins of the Dolgellau Gold Belt. Subsequent to this mineralizing event there was widespread development of ¹⁸O-enriched calcites and micas. In the case of vein minerals it is possible that these crystallized directly from late-stage fluids at lower temperature than the quartz in the same veins. Alternatively, the original vein minerals may have re-equilibrated with later ¹⁸O-enriched or cooler fluid. In the case of muscovites in the rock matrix it is proposed that the isotopically heavy compositions are the result of re-equilibration of initially light grains with an introduced fluid, requiring considerable influx of fluid. This event may relate to either of two late-stage fluids observed as inclusions.     

关于甚低级变质作用与近变质带研究中的几个问题

本文集中讨论了甚低级变质作用研究中涉及到的几个问题，包括：① 近变质带的创立及其在解决划分成岩作用与变质作用界线这一国际难题中所取得的进步；② 伊利石结晶度对碎屑岩甚低级变质作用研究起到的作用与贡献；③ 仪器校正、粒度大小及其与Kübler指数的经验关系式；④ 泥质碎屑岩中的成岩指示矿物与变质指示矿物；⑤ 松潘 甘孜、巴颜喀拉造山带的甚低级变质作用的模式与新的成因解释；⑥ 讨论了涉及到的科学研究的相关规则。提出了运用指示矿物结合伊利石结晶度划分成岩作用/变质作用界线的方案和建立喜马拉雅伊利石结晶度标样的重要性与必要性；提出碎屑岩甚低级变质作用的新成因模式。     

Chlorite crystallinity: an empirical approach and correlation with illite crystallinity, coal rank and mineral facies as exemplified by Palaeozoic and Mesozoic rocks of northeast Hungary

Abstract Fairly strong (r= 0.75–0.85) positive linear correlations were found between crystallinity indices (peak widths) measured on the first two basal reflections of chlorite and those of illite–muscovite in <2-μm fractions of a representative shale–slate–phyllite series from Palaeozoic and Mesozoic formations of northeast Hungary. The metamorphic grade ranges from late or deep diagenesis through anchizone to epizone conditions. Chlorite crystallinity values measured on air-dried and ethylene-glycol-solvated samples suggest that the effects of expandable interlayers are negligable, especially in the higher grade (～temperature) part of the series. However, the greater scattering of crystallinity values for the chlorite 001 reflection compared to those of the 002 reflection may be related to the effects of minor amounts of interlayered and/or discrete smectite and/or vermiculite. With increasing metamorphic grade and advancing equilibrium recrystallization, the chlorite compositions in different samples become more homogenous. No correlation exists between crystallinity and changes in chlorite composition as estimated from the intensity ratios of basal reflections. Hence an increase of domain size and a decrease of lattice distortion with increasing grade (～temperature) may be decisive factors affecting chlorite crystallinity. Chlorite crystallinity can be applied as a reliable regional, statistical technique complementary with, or instead of, the illite crystallinity method. The illite and chlorite crystallinity scales used here are related to Kübler's epi-, anchi- and diagenetic zones and correlated with coal rank, conodont colour alteration and mineral facies data. As the effects of the detrital white mica can be observed even in the <2-μm fractions of anchizonal metapelites, the anchizone boundaries determined solely on the base of ‘fixed’illite crystallinity values may vary with amounts of detrital and newly formed muscovite–illite. Hence a complex approach utilizing more than one method for determination of grade is preferred for petrogenetic purposes, even if relationships between crystallinity scales, coal rank and mineral facies also vary strongly in different tectonic settings and lithologies.     

A tectonic model for the metamorphic evolution of the Basal Gneiss Complex, Western South Norway

A review of currently available information relevant to the Basal Gneiss Complex (BGC) of Western South Norway, combined with the authors'own observations, leads to the following conclusions.
1. Most of the BGC consists of Proterozoic crystalline rocks and probably subordinate Lower Palaeozoic cover.
2. The last major deformation of these rocks was during the Caledonian orogeny and involved large-scale thrusting, recumbent folding and doming. The structural development of the BGC is closely tied in with that of the Caledonian allochthon.
3. The whole eclogite-bearing part of the BGC has suffered a high pressure metamorphism with conditions of between 550°C, 12.5 kbar (Sunnfjord) and about 750°C, 20 kbar (Møre og Romsdal) at the metamorphic climax.
4. This metamorphism was of Caledonian age, probably rather early in the Caledonian tectonic history of the BGC and is considered to have been a rather transient event.
By setting these conclusions in a framework provided by geophysical evidence for the deep structure of the crust in southern Norway we have constructed a geotectonic model to explain the recorded metamorphic history of the BGC. It is suggested that considerable crustal thickening was caused by imbrication of the Baltic plate margin during continental collision with the Greenland plate. This resulted in high pressure metamorphism in the resulting nappe stack. Progradation of the suture caused underthrusting of the Baltic foreland below the eclogite-bearing terrain causing it to emerge at the Earth's surface, aided by tectonic stripping and erosion.
Application of isostacy equations to the model shows that eclogites can be formed by in-situ metamorphism in crustal rocks and reappear at the land surface above a normal thickness of crust in a single orogenic episode of approximately 65-70 Ma duration.     

Sillimanite and andalusite produced by base-cation leaching and contact metamorphism of felsic igneous rocks

Abstract Contact metamorphism adjacent to a porphyritic quartz-monzodiorite at Kentucky, New South Wales, Australia has produced hornfelses in porphyritic leucogranite at a peak temperature of about 650–700° C and a maximum confining pressure of about 2 kbar (200 MPa). A gradation appears to exist from normal slightly peraluminous to modified strongly peraluminous metagranite hornfelses, which have also been enriched in sulphur. The strongly peraluminous hornfelses, containing cordierite, andalusite, sillimanite, biotite, pyrite and pyrrhotite, retain residual porphyritic igneous microstructures. These rocks appear to have been formed by leaching of base cations, during and possibly just before the contact metamorphism. Folia of fibrous sillimanite anastomose between lenticular grains of quartz and feldspar and truncate igneous zoning in plagioclase grains, suggesting that cation leaching and solution transfer occurred during growth of the sillimanite. Fibrous sillimanite also grew in grain boundaries of polygonal aggregates formed by the contact metamorphism. Therefore, at least some of the cation leaching appears to have occurred at the highest metamorphic grade. Metasandstones that are locally strongly peraluminous adjacent to the monzodiorite stock also, have probably undergone similar leaching.