Metamorphic evolution of medium‐temperature ultra‐high pressure (MT‐UHP) eclogites from the South Dabie orogen,Central China: an insight from phase equilibria modelling

Medium‐temperature ultrahigh pressure (MT‐UHP) eclogites from the south Dabie orogen, as represented by samples from the Jinheqiao, Shuanghe and Bixiling areas, consist of garnet, omphacite, phengite, epidote, hornblendic amphibole, quartz/coesite and rutile with or without kyanite and talc. Garnet is mostly anhedral and unzoned, but a few porphyroblasts are weakly zoned with core–mantle increasing grossular (X_gr) and decreasing pyrope (X_py) contents. Garnet compositions are closely correlated with the bulk compositions. For instance, the X_py and X_gr contents are positively correlated with the bulk MgO and CaO contents. Phengite is occasionally zoned with core–rim deceasing Si content, and phengite grains as inclusions in garnet show higher Si than in the matrix, suggesting differently resetting during post‐peak stages. The maximum Si contents are mostly 3.60–3.63 p.f.u. for the three areas. Pseudosections calculated using THERMOCALC suggest that the MT‐UHP eclogites should have a peak assemblage of garnet + omphacite + lawsonite + phengite + coesite in most rocks of higher MgO content. In this assemblage, the X_py in garnet mostly depends on bulk compositions, whereas the X_gr in garnet and the Si contents in phengite regularly increase, respectively, as temperature and as pressure rise, and thus, can provide robust thermobarometric constraints. Using the X_gr and Si isopleths in pseudosections, the peak P–T conditions were estimated to be 40 kbar/730 °C for the Jinheqiao, 41 kbar/726 °C for the Shuanghe, and 37–52 kbar and 700–830 °C for the Bixiling eclogites. Some eclogites with higher FeO are predicted to have a peak assemblage of garnet + omphacite + coesite ± phengite without lawsonite, where the garnet and phengite compositions highly depend on bulk compositions and generally cannot give available thermobarometric constraints. Decompression of the eclogites with lawsonite in the peak stage is inferred to be accompanied with cooling and involves two stages: an early‐stage decompression is dominated by lawsonite dehydration, resulting in increase in the mode of anhydrous minerals, or further eclogitization, and formation of epidote porphyroblasts and kyanite‐bearing quartz veins in eclogite. As lawsonite dehydration can facilitate evolution of assemblages under fluid‐present conditions, it is difficult to recover real peak P–T conditions for UHP eclogites with lawsonite. This may be a reason why the P–T conditions estimated for eclogites using thermobarometers are mostly lower than those estimated for the coherent ultramafic rocks, and lower than those suggested from the inclusion assemblages in zircon from marble. A late‐stage decompression is dominated by formation of hornblendic amphibole and plagioclase with fluid infiltration. The lawsonite‐absent MT‐UHP eclogites have only experienced a decompression metamorphism corresponding to the later stage and generally lack the epidote overprinting.     

Metamorphic history of glaucophane‐paragonite‐zoisite eclogites from the Shanderman area,northern Iran

The Shanderman eclogites and related metamorphosed oceanic rocks mark the site of closure of the Palaeotethys ocean in northern Iran. The protolith of the eclogites was an oceanic tholeiitic basalt with MORB composition. Eclogite occurs within a serpentinite matrix, accompanied by mafic rocks resembling a dismembered ophiolite. The eclogitic mafic rocks record different stages of metamorphism during subduction and exhumation. Minerals formed during the prograde stages are preserved as inclusions in peak metamorphic garnet and omphacite. The rocks experienced blueschist facies metamorphism on their prograde path and were metamorphosed in eclogite facies at the peak of metamorphism. The peak metamorphic mineral paragenesis of the rocks is omphacite, garnet (pyrope‐rich), glaucophane, paragonite, zoisite and rutile. Based on textural relations, post‐peak stages can be divided into amphibolite and greenschist facies. Pressure and temperature estimates for eclogite facies minerals (peak of metamorphism) indicate 15–20 kbar at ~600 °C. The pre‐peak blueschist facies assemblage yields <11 kbar and 400–460 °C. The average pressure and temperature of the post‐peak amphibolite stage was 5–6 kbar, ~470 °C. The Shanderman eclogites were formed by subduction of Palaeotethys oceanic crust to a depth of no more than 75 km. Subduction was followed by collision between the Central Iran and Turan blocks, and then exhumation of the high pressure rocks in northern Iran.     

大别山西段含蓝闪石-蓝晶石榴辉岩的相平衡研究

目前对于大别山西段超高压榴辉岩仍存在一些不清楚的问题和模糊的认识,如蓝闪石和蓝晶石组合的稳定范围,峰期温压条件和矿物组合,以及早期退变质过程的矿物演化和流体作用.本文对取自大别山西段新县高压-超高压榴辉岩单元内不同地点的超高压榴辉岩样品进行了详细的岩石学和矿物学研究,在此基础上使用相平衡定量分析方法的PT视剖面图对它们进行了正演模拟计算,结果表明含蓝闪石和蓝晶石榴辉岩处于相对低温或低压的蓝闪石榴辉岩和相对高温高压的蓝晶石榴辉岩的过渡区,其稳定的温压范围大致为温度590～700 ℃,压力1.7～3.3 GPa,而且压力大于2.5 GPa时温度范围很窄,为600～640 ℃.由石榴石边缘成分和PT视剖面图确定的榴辉岩峰期温压条件为压力2.85～2.95 GPa和温度625～630 ℃,峰期矿物组合为石榴石+绿辉石+蓝闪石+蓝晶石+硬柱石+柯石英±多硅白云母.峰期之后,榴辉岩经历了快速近等温降压(ITD)的早期高压退变质作用,这是一个非平衡过程,所发生的主要变化如下柯石英→石英,硬柱石→黝帘石+蓝晶石,在相对富镁岩石中出现滑石,当水含量较高时可以出现钠云母,蓝闪石在原来基础上有一定量的生长,并且绿辉石和多硅白云母很可能只部分地发生了成分变化,而石榴石几乎未发生改变.这样形成了目前观察到的矿物组成为石榴石+绿辉石+蓝闪石+蓝晶石+黝帘石/绿帘石+石英±多硅白云母±钠云母±滑石,它代表了UHP榴辉岩在早期高压退变质阶段结束时所具有的矿物组成,这一阶段结束时的温压条件大致为2.0～2.2 GPa和600～630 ℃;早期高压退变质阶段是脱水过程,流体是内部缓冲的.     

Phase Equilibria of Hornblende‐Bearing Eclogite in the Western Dabie Mountain,Central China

The high-pressure (HP) eclogite in the western Dabie Mountain encloses numerous hornblendes, mostly barroisite. Opinions on the peak metamorphic P-T condition, PT path and mineral paragenesis of it are still in dispute. Generally, HP eclogite involves garnet, omphacite, hornblendes and quartz, with or without glaucophane, zoisite and phengite. The garnet has compositional zoning with XMg increase, XCa and XMn decrease from core to rim, which indicates a progressive metamorphism. The phase equilibria of the HP eclogite modeled by the P-T pseudosection method developed recently showed the following: (1) the growth zonation of garnet records a progressive metamorphic PT path from pre-peak condition of 1.9–2.1 GPa at 508°C–514°C to a peak one of 2.3–2.5 GPa at 528°C–531°C for the HP eclogite; (2) the peak mineral assemblage is garnet+omphacite+glaucophane+quartz±phengite, likely paragenetic with lawsonite; (3) the extensive hornblendes derive mainly from glaucophane, partial omphacite and even a little garnet due to the decompression with some heating during the post-peak stage, mostly representing the conditions of about 1.4–1.6 GPa and 580°C–640°C, and their growth is favored by the dehydration of lawsonite into zoisite or epidote, but most of the garnet, omphacite or phengite in the HP eclogite still preserve their compositions at peak condition, and they are not obviously equilibrious with the hornblendes.     

Ordovician eclogites from the Chinese Beishan: implications for the tectonic evolution of the southern Altaids

Numerous lenses of eclogite occur in a belt of augen orthogneisses in the Gubaoquan area in the southern Beishan orogen, an eastern extension of the Tianshan orogen. With detailed petrological data and phase relations, modelled in the system NCFMASHTO with thermocalc , a quantitative P–T path was estimated and defined a clockwise P–T path that showed a near isothermal decompression from eclogite facies (>15.5 kbar, 700–800 °C, omphacite + garnet) to high‐pressure granulite facies (12–14 kbar, 700–750 °C, clinopyroxene + sodic plagioclase symplectitic intergrowths around omphacite), low‐pressure granulite facies (8–9.5 kbar, ～700 °C, orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + plagioclase symplectites and coronas surrounding garnet) and amphibolite facies (5–7 kbar, 600–700 °C, hornblende + plagioclase symplectites). The major and trace elements and Sm–Nd isotopic data suggest that most of the Beishan eclogite samples had a protolith of oceanic crust with geochemical characteristics of an enriched or normal mid‐ocean ridge basalt. The U–Pb dating of the Beishan eclogites indicates an Ordovician age of c. 467 Ma for the eclogite facies metamorphism. An ³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar age of c. 430 Ma for biotite from the augen gneiss corresponds to the time of retrograde metamorphism. The combined data from geological setting, bulk composition, clockwise P–T path and geochronology support a model in which the Beishan eclogites started as oceanic crust in the Palaeoasian Ocean, which was subducted to eclogite depths in the Ordovician and exhumed in the Silurian. The eclogite‐bearing gneiss belt marks the position of a high‐pressure Ordovician suture zone, and the calculated clockwise P–T path defines the progression from subduction to exhumation.     

Phase Equilibria of Hornblende-Bearing Eclogite in the Western Dabie Mountain,Central China

The high-pressure (HP) eclogite in the western Dabie Mountain encloses numerous hornblendes,mostly barroisite.Opinions on the peak metamorphic P-T condition,PT path and mineral paragenesis of it are still in dispute.Generally,HP eclogite involves garnet,omphacite, hornblendes and quartz,with or without glaucophane,zoisite and phengite.The garnet has compositional zoning with X_(Mg) increase,X_(Ca) and X_(Mn) decrease from core to rim,which indicates a progressive metamorphism.The phase equilibria of the ...     

Heterogeneity of water in garnets from UHP eclogites, eastern Dabieshan, China

Garnets in UHP eclogites from Bixiling in Dabieshan were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results indicate that all garnets contain structural water that occurs as hydroxyl (OH⁻) and non-structural molecular water (H₂O) possibly in the form of sub-microscopic fluid inclusions. The structural hydroxyl contents range from 92 to 1735 ppm (H₂O wt.) and most are between 200 and 1000 ppm. Therefore, garnet in eclogite can recycle surface water into the mantle. Various water contents were observed among different samples of the same outcrop (∼150 m) and in different domains of the same sample (∼1 cm). This variability in structural H₂O contents suggests that the mobility of fluids during UHP metamorphism was very limited, and that both subduction and exhumation processes of UHP rocks occurred in a short time interval.     

Metamorphic evolution of low-T eclogite from the North Qilian orogen, NW China: evidence from petrology and calculated phase equilibria in the system NCKFMASHO

Low‐T eclogites in the North Qilian orogen, NW China share a common assemblage of garnet, omphacite, glaucophane, epidote, phengite, quartz and rutile with or without paragonite. Phase relations for the low‐T eclogites can be modelled well in the system NCKFMASHO with the updated solid‐solution models for amphibole and clinopyroxene. Garnet in the eclogite typically exhibits growth zonations in which pyrope increases while grossular somewhat decreases from core to rim, which is modelled as having formed mainly in the P–T conditions of lawsonite‐eclogite facies at the pre‐peak stage. Omphacite shows an increase in jadeite component as aegirine and also total FeO decrease in going from the inclusions in garnet to grains in the matrix, and from core to rim of zoned crystals, reflecting an increase in metamorphic P–T conditions. Glaucophane exhibits a compositional variation in X(gl) (= Fe²⁺/(Fe²⁺ + Mg)) and F(gl) (= Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺ + Al) in M2 site), which decrease from the inclusions in garnet to crystals in the matrix, consistent with an increase in P–T conditions. However, for zoned matrix crystals, the X(gl) and F(gl) increase from core to rim, is interpreted to reflect a late‐stage decompression. Using composition isopleths for garnet rim and phengite in P–T pseudosections, peak P–T conditions for three samples Q5–45, Q5–01 and Q7–28 were estimated as 530–540 °C at 2.10–2.25 GPa, 580–590 °C at 2.30–2.45 GPa and 575–590 °C at 2.50–2.65 GPa, respectively, for the same assemblage garnet + omphacite + glaucophane + lawsonite (+ phengite + quartz + rutile) at the peak stage. The eclogites suggest similar P–T ranges to their surrounding felsic–pelitic schists. During post‐peak decompression of the eclogites, the most distinctive change involves the transformation of lawsonite to epidote, releasing large amount of water in the rock. The released fluid promoted further growth of glaucophane at the expense of omphacite and, in appropriate bulk‐rock compositions, paragonite formed. The decompression of eclogite did not lead to pronounced changes in garnet and phengite compositions. Peak P–T conditions of the North Qilian eclogite are well constrained using both the average P–T and pseudosection approaches in Thermocalc. Generally, the conventional garnet–clinopyroxene geothermometer is too sensitive to be used for constraining the temperature of low‐T eclogite because of the uncertainty in Fe³⁺ determination in omphacite and slight variations in mineral compositions because of incomplete equilibration.     

P–T evolution of Precambrian eclogite in the Sveconorwegian orogen,SW Sweden

Conditions of the prograde, peak‐pressure and part of the decompressional P–T path of two Precambrian eclogites in the eastern Sveconorwegian orogen have been determined using the pseudosection approach. Cores of garnet from a Fe–Ti‐rich eclogite record a first prograde and syn‐deformational stage along a Barrovian gradient from ~670 °C and 7 kbar to 710 °C and 8.5 kbar. Garnet rims grew during further burial to 16.5–19 kbar at ~850–900 °C, along a steep dP/dT gradient. The pseudosection model of a kyanite‐bearing eclogite sample of more magnesian bulk composition confirms the peak conditions. Matrix reequilibration associated with subsequent near‐isothermal decompression and partial exhumation produced plagioclase‐bearing symplectites replacing kyanite and clinopyroxene at an estimated 850–870 °C and 10–11 kbar. The validity of the pseudosections is discussed in detail. It is shown that in pseudosection modelling the fractionation of FeO in accessory sulphides may cause a significant shift of field boundaries (here displaced by up to 1.5 kbar and 70 °C) and must not be neglected. Fast burial, exhumation and subsequent cooling are supported by the steepness of both the prograde and the decompressional P–T paths as well as the preservation of garnet growth zoning and the symplectitic reaction textures. These features are compatible with deep tectonic burial of the eclogite‐bearing continental crust as part of the underthrusting plate (Eastern Segment, continent Baltica) in a collisional setting that led to an effectively doubled crustal thickness and subsequent exhumation of the eclogites through tectonic extrusion. Our results are in accordance with regional structural and petrological relationships, which demonstrate foreland‐vergent partial exhumation of the eclogite‐bearing nappe along a basal thrust zone and support a major collisional stage at c. 1 Ga. We argue that the similarities between Sveconorwegian and Himalayan eclogite occurrences emphasize the modern style of Grenvillian‐aged tectonics.     

Petrology,geochemistry and P–T–t path of lawsonite‐bearing retrograded eclogites in the Changning–Menglian orogenic belt,southeast Tibetan Plateau

The Changning–Menglian orogenic belt (CMOB) in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau, is considered as the main suture zone marking the closure of the Palaeo‐Tethys Ocean between the Indochina and Sibumasu blocks. Here, we investigate the recently discovered retrograded eclogites from this suture zone in terms of their petrological, geochemical and geochronological features, with the aim of constraining the metamorphic evolution and protolith signature. Two types of metabasites are identified: retrograded eclogites and mafic schists. The igneous precursors of the retrograded eclogites exhibit rare earth element distribution patterns and trace element abundance similar to those of ocean island basalts, and are inferred to have been derived from a basaltic seamount in an intra‐oceanic tectonic setting. In contrast, the mafic schists show geochemical affinity to arc‐related volcanics with the enrichment of Rb, Th and U, and depletion of Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf and Ti, and their protoliths possibly formed at an active continental margin tectonic setting. Retrograded eclogites are characterized by peak metamorphic mineral assemblages of garnet, omphacite, white mica, lawsonite and rutile, and underwent five‐stage metamorphic evolution, including pre‐peak prograde stage (M₁) at 18–19 kbar and 400–420°C, peak lawsonite‐eclogite facies (M₂) at 24–26 kbar and 520–530°C, post‐peak epidote–eclogite facies decompression stage (M₃) at 13–18 kbar and 530–560°C, subsequent amphibolite facies retrogressive stage (M₄) at 8–10 kbar and 530–600°C, and late greenschist facies cooling stage (M₅) at 5–8 kbar and 480–490°C. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) U–Pb spot analyses of zircon show two distinct age groups. The magmatic zircon from both the retrograded eclogite and mafic schist yielded protolith ages of 451 ± 3 Ma, which is consistent with the ages of Early Palaeozoic ophiolitic complexes and ocean island sequences in the CMOB reported in previous studies. In contrast, metamorphic zircon from the retrograded eclogite samples yielded consistent Triassic metamorphic ages of 246 ± 2 and 245 ± 2 Ma, which can be interpreted as the timing of closure of the Palaeo‐Tethys Ocean. The compatible peak metamorphic mineral assemblages, P–T–t paths and metamorphic ages, as well as the similar protolith signatures for the eclogites in the CMOB and Longmu Co–Shuanghu suture (LCSS) suggest that the two belts formed part of a cold oceanic subduction system in the Triassic. The main suture zone of the Palaeo‐Tethyan domain extends at least 1,500 km in length from the CMOB to the LCSS in the Tibetan Plateau. The identification of lawsonite‐bearing retrograded eclogites in the CMOB provides important insights into the tectonic framework and complex geological evolution of the Palaeo‐Tethys.     

High‐P tectono‐metamorphic evolution of mylonites from the Variscan basement of the Northern Apennines,Italy

Strain localization within shear zones may partially erase the rock fabric and the metamorphic assemblage(s) that had developed before the mylonitic event. In poly‐deformed basements, the loss of information on pre‐kinematic phases of mylonites hinders large‐scale correlations based on tectono‐metamorphic data. In this study, devoted to a relict unit of Variscan basement reworked within the nappe stack of the Northern Apennines (Italy), we investigate the possibility to reconstruct a complete pressure (P)–temperature (T)–deformation (D) path of mylonitic micaschist and amphibolite by integrating microstructural analysis, mineral chemistry and thermodynamic modelling. The micaschist is characterized by a mylonitic fabric with fine‐grained K‐white mica and chlorite enveloping mica‐fishes, quartz, and garnet pseudomorphs. Potassic white mica shows Mg‐rich cores and Mg‐poor rims. The amphibolite contains green amphibole+plagioclase+garnet+quartz+ilmenite defining S₁ with a superposed mylonitic fabric localized in decimetre‐ to centimetre‐scale shear zones. Garnet is surrounded by an amphibole+plagioclase corona. Phase diagram calculations provide P–T constraints that are linked to the reconstructed metamorphic‐deformational stages. For the first time an early high‐P stage at >11 kbar and 510°C was constrained, followed by a temperature peak at 550–590°C and 9–10 kbar and a retrograde stage (<475°C, <7 kbar), during which ductile shear zones developed. The inferred clockwise P–T–D path was most likely related to crustal thickening by continent‐continent collision during the Variscan orogeny. A comparison of this P–T–D path with those of other Variscan basement occurrences in the Northern Apennines revealed significant differences. Conversely, a correlation between the tectono‐metamorphic evolution of the Variscan basement at Cerreto pass, NE Sardinia and Ligurian Alps was established.     

Constraining peak P–T conditions in UHP eclogites: calculated phase equilibria in kyanite‐ and phengite‐bearing eclogite of the Tromsø Nappe,Norway

Kyanite‐ and phengite‐bearing eclogites have better potential to constrain the peak metamorphic P–T conditions from phase equilibria between garnet + omphacite + kyanite + phengite + quartz/coesite than common, mostly bimineralic (garnet + omphacite) eclogites, as exemplified by this study. Textural relationships, conventional geothermobarometry and thermodynamic modelling have been used to constrain the metamorphic evolution of the Tromsdalstind eclogite from the Tromsø Nappe, one of the biggest exposures of eclogite in the Scandinavian Caledonides. The phase relationships demonstrate that the rock progressively dehydrated, resulting in breakdown of amphibole and zoisite at increasing pressure. The peak‐pressure mineral assemblage was garnet + omphacite + kyanite + phengite + coesite, inferred from polycrystalline quartz included in radially fractured omphacite. This omphacite, with up to 37 mol.% of jadeite and 3% of the Ca‐Eskola component, contains oriented rods of silica composition. Garnet shows higher grossular (X_Grs = 0.25–0.29), but lower pyrope‐content (X_Prp = 0. 37–0.39) in the core than the rim, while phengite contains up to 3.5 Si pfu. The compositional isopleths for garnet core, phengite and omphacite constrain the P–T conditions to 3.2–3.5 GPa and 720–800 °C, in good agreement with the results obtained from conventional geothermobarometry (3.2–3.5 GPa & 730–780 °C). Peak‐pressure assemblage is variably overprinted by symplectites of diopside + plagioclase after omphacite, biotite and plagioclase after phengite, and sapphirine + spinel + corundum + plagioclase after kyanite. Exhumation from ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) conditions to 1.3–1.5 GPa at 740–770 °C is constrained by the garnet rim (X_Ca^Grt = 0.18–0.21) and symplectite clinopyroxene (X_Na^Cpx = 0.13–0.21), and to 0.5–0.7 GPa at 700–800 °C by sapphirine (X_Mg = 0.86–0.87) and spinel (X_Mg = 0.60–0.62) compositional isopleths. UHP metamorphism in the Tromsø Nappe is more widespread than previously known. Available data suggest that UHP eclogites were uplifted to lower crustal levels rapidly, within a short time interval (452–449 Ma) prior to the Scandian collision between Laurentia and Baltica. The Tromsø Nappe as the highest tectonic unit of the North Norwegian Caledonides is considered to be of Laurentian origin and UHP metamorphism could have resulted from subduction along the Laurentian continental margin. An alternative is that the Tromsø Nappe belonged to a continental margin of Baltica, which had already been subducted before the terminal Scandian collision, and was emplaced as an out‐of‐sequence thrust during the Scandian lateral transport of nappes.     

Age and P–T conditions of the Gridino‐type eclogite in the Belomorian Province,Russia

Although eclogites in the Belomorian Province have been regarded as Archean in age and among the oldest in the world, there are also multiple studies that have proposed a Paleoproterozoic age. Here, we present new data for the Gridino‐type eclogites, which occur as boudins and metamorphosed dykes within tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite gneisses. Zircon from these eclogites has core and rim structures. The cores display high Th/U ratios (0.18–0.45), negative Eu anomalies and strong enrichment in HREE, and have Neoarchean U–Pb ages of c. 2.70 Ga; they are interpreted to be magmatic in origin. Zircon cores have δ¹⁸O of 5.64–6.07‰ suggesting the possibility of crystallization from evolved mantle‐derived magmas. In contrast, the rims, which include the eclogite facies minerals omphacite and garnet, are characterized by low Th/U ratios (<0.035) and flat HREE patterns, and yield U–Pb ages of c. 1.90 Ga; they are interpreted to be metamorphic in origin. Zircon rims have elevated δ¹⁸O of 6.23–6.80‰, which was acquired during eclogite facies metamorphism. Based on petrography and phase equilibria modelling, we recognize a prograde epidote amphibolite facies mineral assemblage, the peak eclogite facies mineral assemblage and a retrograde high‐P amphibolite facies mineral assemblage. The peak metamorphic conditions of 695–755°C at >18 kbar for the Gridino‐type eclogites suggest an apparent thermal gradient of <39–42°C/kbar for the Lapland–Kola collisional orogeny.     

U–Pb zircon geochronology of coesite‐bearing eclogites from the southern Dulan area of the North Qaidam UHP terrane,northwestern China: spatially and temporally extensive UHP metamorphism during continental subduction

Coesite‐bearing eclogites from >100 km² in the southern Dulan area, North Qaidam Mountains (NQM) of western China, contain zircon that records protolith crystallization and ultra high pressure (UHP) metamorphism. Sensitive High‐Resolution Ion Microprobe (Mass Spectrometer) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry U–Pb analyses from cathodoluminescence (CL)‐dark zircon cores in a coesite‐bearing eclogite yield an upper intercept age of 838 ± 50 Ma, and oscillatory zoned cores in a kyanite‐bearing eclogite gave a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 832 ± 20 Ma. These zircon cores yield steep heavy rare earth element (HREE) slopes and negative Eu anomalies that suggest a magmatic origin. Thus, c. 835 Ma is interpreted as the eclogite protolith age. Unzoned CL‐grey or ‐bright zircon and zircon rims from four samples yield weighted mean ages of 430 ± 4, 438 ± 2, 446 ± 10 and 446 ± 3 Ma, flat HREE patterns without Eu anomalies, and contain inclusions of garnet, omphacite, rutile, phengite and rare coesite. These ages are interpreted to record 16 ± 5 Myr of UHP metamorphism. These new UHP ages overlap the age range of both eclogite and paragneiss from the northern Dulan area, suggesting that all UHP rock types in the Dulan area belong to the same tectonic unit. Our results are consistent with slow continental subduction, but do not match oceanic subduction and diapiric exhumation UHP model predictions. These new data suggest that, similar to eclogites in other HP/UHP units of the NQM and South Altyn Tagh, protoliths of the eclogites in the Dulan area formed in a continental setting during the Neoproterozoic, and then subducted to mantle depth together with continental materials during the Early Palaeozoic.     

The P–T–t evolution of the exhumed Himalayan metamorphic core in the Likhu Khola region,East Central Nepal

The recent identification of multiple strike‐parallel discontinuities within the exhumed Himalayan metamorphic core has helped revise the understanding of convergence accommodation processes within the former mid‐crust exposed in the Himalaya. Whilst the significance of these discontinuities to the overall development of the mountain belt is still being investigated, their identification and characterization has become important for potential correlations across regions, and for constraining the kinematic framework of the mid‐crust. The result of new phase equilibria modelling, trace element analysis and high‐precision Lu–Hf garnet dating of the metapelites from the Likhu Khola region in east central Nepal, combined with the previously published monazite petrochronology data confirms the presence of one of such cryptic thrust‐sense tectonometamorphic discontinuities within the lower portion of the exhumed metamorphic core and provides new constraints on the P–T estimates for that region. The location of the discontinuity is marked by an abrupt change in the nature of P–T–t paths of the rocks across it. The rocks in the footwall are characterized by a prograde burial P–T path with peak metamorphic conditions of ~660°C and ~9.5 kbar likely in the mid‐to‐late Miocene, which are overlain by the hanging wall rocks, that preserve retrograde P–T paths with P–T conditions of >700°C and ~7 kbar in the early Miocene. The occurrence of this thrust‐sense structure that separates rock units with unique metamorphic histories is compatible with orogenic models that identify a spatial and temporal transition from early midcrustal deformation and metamorphism in the deeper hinterland to later deformation and metamorphism towards the shallower foreland of the orogen. Moreover, these observations are comparable with those made across other discontinuities at similar structural levels along the Himalaya, confirming their importance as important orogen‐scale structures.     

Thermomechanical evolution of the high‐grade core in the nappe zone of Variscan Sardinia,Italy: the role of shear deformation and granite emplacement

In the nappe zone of the Sardinian Variscan chain, the deformation and metamorphic grade increase throughout the tectonic nappe stack from lower greenschist to upper amphibolite facies conditions in the deepest nappe, the Monte Grighini Unit. A synthesis of petrological, structural and radiometric data is presented that allows us to constrain the thermal and mechanical evolution of this unit. Carboniferous subduction under a low geothermal gradient (~490–570 °C GPa^?1) was followed by exhumation accompanied by heating and Late Carboniferous magma emplacement at a high apparent geothermal gradient (~1200–1450 °C GPa^?1). Exhumation coeval with nappe stacking was closely followed by activity on a ductile strike‐slip shear zone that accommodated magma intrusion and enabled the final exhumation of the Monte Grighini Unit to upper crustal levels. The reconstructed thermo‐mechanical evolution allows a more complete understanding of the Variscan orogenic wedge in central Sardinia. As a result we are able to confirm a diachronous evolution of metamorphic and tectonic events from the inner axial zone to the outer nappe zone, with the Late Variscan low‐P/high‐T metamorphism and crustal anatexis as a common feature across the Sardinian portion of the Variscan orogen.     

Petrogenesis of the Maowu pyroxenite–eclogite body from the UHP metamorphic terrane of Dabieshan: chemical and isotopic constraints

The Maowu eclogite–pyroxenite body is a small (250×50 m) layered intrusion that occurs in the ultra-high-pressure (UHP) metamorphic terrane of Dabieshan, China. Like the adjacent Bixiling complex, the Maowu intrusion was initially emplaced at a crustal level, then subducted along with the country gneisses to mantle depths and underwent UHP metamorphism during the collision of the North and South China Blocks in the Triassic. This paper presents the results of a geochemical and isotopic investigation on the metamorphosed Maowu body. The Maowu intrusion has undergone open system chemical and isotopic behavior three times. Early crustal contamination during magmatic differentiation is manifested by high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.707–0.708) and inhomogeneous negative _Nd(T) values of −3 to −10 at 500 Ma (probable protolith age). Post-magmatic and pre-UHP metamorphic metasomatism is indicated by sinusoidal REE patterns of garnet orthopyroxenites, lack of whole-rock (WR) Sm–Nd isochronal relationship, low δ¹⁸O values and an extreme enrichment of Th and REE in a clinopyroxenite. Finally, K and Rb depletion during UHP metamorphism is deduced from the high initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios unsupported by in situ Rb/Sr ratios. Laser ICP-MS spot analyses on mineral grains show that (1) Grt and Cpx attained chemical equilibrium during UHP metamorphism, (2) Cpx/Grt partition coefficients for REE correlate with Ca, and (3) LREE abundances in whole rocks are not balanced by that of the principal phases (Grt and Cpx), implying that the presence of LREE-rich accessory phases, such as monazite and apatite, is required to account for the REE budget.

Sm–Nd isotope analyses of minerals yielded three internal isochrons with ages of 221±5 Ma and (T)=−5.4 for an eclogite, 231±16 Ma and (T)=−6.2 for a garnet websterite, and 236±19 Ma and (T)=−6.9 for a garnet clinopyroxenite. The Cpx/Grt chemical equilibrium and the consistent mineral isochron ages indicate that the metasomatic processes mentioned above must have occurred prior to the UHP metamorphism. These Sm–Nd ages agree with published zircon and monazite U–Pb ages and constrain the time of UHP metamorphism to 220–236 Ma. The Maowu and Bixiling layered intrusions are similar in their in situ tectonic relationship with their country gneisses, but the two bodies are distinguished by their magma-chamber processes. The Bixiling magmas were contaminated by the lower crust, whereas the Maowu magmas were contaminated by the upper crustal rocks during their emplacement and differentiation. The two complexes represent two distinct suites of magmatic rocks, which have resided in the continental crust for about 300–400 Ma before their ultimate subduction to mantle depths, UHP metamorphism and return to the crustal level.     

Petrogenesis of UHP metamorphic rocks from Qinglongshan, southern Sulu, east-central China

Five kinds of UHP metamorphic rocks, including eclogite, orthogneiss, paragneiss, schist and quartzite are exposed in the Qinglongshan roadcut, southern Sulu orogenic belt of eastern central China. They comprise metamorphic supracrustal rocks with bimodal volcanic characteristics and continental affinity, and granitic intrusive associations. The preservation of coesite inclusions and/or its pseudomorphs in eclogite and other rocks indicate that they have been subjected to in-situ UHP metamorphism. Four stages of metamorphism were recognized by combining petrographic observations and compositions of minerals from various UHP rocks. Prograde epidote-amphibolite facies, UHP coesite–eclogite facies, post UHP quartz–eclogite facies, and retrograde amphibolite facies assemblages delineate an inferred P–T path with a clockwise trajectory and a retrograde event characterized by the coupling of decompression with a temperature decrease. Garnet porphyroblasts in UHP eclogites display a complex growth zoning and mineral distribution, and record a crucial segment of the prograde and retrograde metamorphic evolution. The preservation of growth zoning in eclogitic and gneissic garnets suggests that the UHP rocks had a short residence time before retrograde metamorphism and a very high uplift rate in order to preserve the prograde growth zoning.     

Metamorphic evolution of non‐equilibrated granulitized eclogite from Punta de li Tulchi (Variscan Sardinia) determined through texturally controlled thermodynamic modelling

The metamorphic evolution of a granulitized eclogite from Punta de li Tulchi, NE Sardinia, Italy, reconstructed utilizing a combined microstructural (symplectitic, coronitic and kelyphytic features) and thermodynamic approach, involved a complex metamorphic history with equilibrium attained only at a domainal scale. Microstructural analysis and mineral zoning allow recognition of reactants and products involved in successive balanced mineral reactions. The P–T conditions at which each microstructure was formed are constrained by calculating isochemical phase diagrams (pseudosections) for the composition of effectively reacting domains. A pre‐symplectite stage developed during prograde metamorphism under conditions ranging from 660–680 °C, 1.6–1.8 GPa to 660–700 °C at 1.7–2.1 GPa. Pseudosections calculated for subsequent clinopyroxene + plagioclase and orthopyroxene + plagioclase symplectitic coronae using the composition of effectively reacting microdomains suggest temperature in excess of 800 °C and pressures of 1.0–1.3 GPa. Modelling the development of later plagioclase + amphibole coronae around garnet during decompression yields conditions of 730–830 °C and 0.8–1.1 GPa. H₂O (wt%) isomodes indicate that the granulitized eclogites were H₂O‐undersaturated at peak‐P conditions and during most of the subsequent heating and decompression. This allowed the preservation of prograde garnet zoning in spite of the strong granulite facies overprint. The P–T evolution of Punta de li Tulchi granulitized eclogite is very similar in shape to that registered by other NE Sardinia retrogressed eclogites thus suggesting a common tectonic scenario for their evolution.     

大别山南部高压-超高压变质地体中云母片岩和片麻岩的相平衡研究

对于大别山高压一超高压变质带中大面积出露的云母片岩和片麻岩的变质条件和演化历史有不同的认识：如中低压绿帘角闪岩相,高压角闪岩相和超高压榴辉岩相。通过对大别山南部超高压榴辉岩区、高压榴辉岩区和宿松变质杂岩带中的云母片岩和片麻岩进行详细的岩相学及相平衡研究表明：它们的变质条件分别为610℃～690℃,1．2～1．4GPa;590～600℃、1．3～1．5GPa;520～590℃,0．9～1．4GPa,相当于高压绿帘角闪岩相、高压角闪岩相与榴辉岩相之间的过渡。依据超高压榴辉岩区绿帘石黑云片麻岩中的石榴石环带特征推测,它们很可能经过超高压变质阶段。现有矿物组合记录了抬升阶段的条件。但是高压榴辉岩区的石榴石绿帘石二云片麻岩和宿松变质杂岩带中石榴石云母片岩中的石榴石环带特征表明,其现有矿物组合记录了变质峰期条件,不应该经历更高压变质阶段。在KFMASH体系的PT视剖面图上计算多硅白云母Si含量等值线表明,在多数矿物组合中白云母的Si含量可作为地质压力计,但Si等值线的斜率受到矿物组合的控制。