Petrological sStudies of Jilang Eclogite and Constraints on the Subduction and Exhumation Processes of the Paleo‐Tethys Oceanic Crust

The (ultra‐) high pressure eclogites from Sumdo area, recorded the subduction and exhumation process of the Paleo‐Tethys oceanic crust. Previous studies showed that there are significant differences in temperature and pressure conditions of the eclogites in four regions, e.g. Sumdo, Xindaduo, Bailang and Jilang. The cause of this differences remains unclear. Studying the peak metamorphic conditions and P‐T path of Sumdo eclogite is of great significance to reveal the subduction and exhumation mechanism of Paleo‐Tethys ocean. In this paper, we choose the Jilang eclogite as an example, which has a mineral assemblage of garnet, omphacite, phengite, hornblende, rutile, epidote, quartz and symplectit (diopside + amphibole + plagioclase), and minor biotite. Garnet has a “dirty” core with abundant mineral inclusions and a “clear” rim with less mineral inclusions, showing typical growth zoning. From the core to the rim, Prp content in garnet increasing while Grs content decreasing. P‐T pseudosection calculated with Domino constrained peak P‐T conditions of Jilang eclogite as 563°C, 2.4 GPa. Combined with petrographical observation, four stages of metamorphism have been recognized: (1) early stage prograde metamorphism represent by the core of garnet and mineral inclusions therein; (2) peak metamorphism represent by the rim of garnet, omphacite, phengite, glaucophane, rutile and quartz; (3) first stage of retrograde metamorphism characterized by decomposition of lawsonite to zoisite; (4) second stage of retrograde metamorphism characterized by symplectites surrounding omphacite and cornona rimmed garnet. Jilang eclogite shows a clockwise P‐T path, and near isothermal decompression during exhumation. It differs from eclogites in other area, which are hosted by garnet‐bearing mica schists or serpentinites. Jilang eclogites are enclosed in metamorphic quartzites, with relatively low P‐T conditions. We infer that the Jilang eclogite was derived from the shallow part of the subduction zone, and was exhumated by low density materials in the subduction channel.     

Prograde transformations of medium-pressure amphibolites during their eclogitization

The paper is devoted to mineral equilibria occurring during the transformation of medium-pressure metabasites into eclogites at geothermal gradients of 11–19°C/km; it presents materials on the evolution of the composition and types of prograde zoning in garnet and clinopyroxene, significance and distinctive features of armored inclusions of earlier metamorphic stages in garnets and the possibility of their application in calculating the P-T path of eclogitization. Results of the analysis of mineral assemblages, data on mineral zoning, and evolution of phase equilibria are used to outline depth subfacies of crustal eclogites and describe in detail equilibria in basic and acid rocks of each subfacies. Conditions under which orthopyroxene is stable in the eclogite facies are analyzed within the temperature range of 630–700°C in correlation with the bulk composition of the eclogites. Published materials on high-pressure mineral transformations in eclogite-facies acid gneisses are analyzed.     

Proterozoic anticlockwise P–T path of the Lewisian Complex of South Harris, Outer Hebrides, NW Scotland

The Leverburgh Belt and South Harris Igneous Complex in South Harris (northwest Scotland) experienced high-pressure granulite facies metamorphism during the Palaeoproterozoic. The metamorphic history has been determined from the following mineral textures and compositions observed in samples of pelitic, quartzofeldspathic and mafic gneisses, especially in pelitic gneisses from the Leverburgh Belt: (1) some coarse-grained garnet in the pelitic gneiss includes biotite and quartz in the inner core, sillimanite in the outer core, and is overgrown by kyanite at the rims; (2) garnet in the pelitic gneiss shows a progressive increase in grossular content from outer core to rims; (3) the Al^VI/Al^IV ratio of clinopyroxene from mafic gneiss increases from core to rim; (4) retrograde reaction coronas of cordierite and hercynite+cordierite are formed between garnet and kyanite, and orthopyroxene+cordierite and orthopyroxene+plagioclase reaction coronas develop between garnet and quartz; (5) a P–T path is deduced from inclusion assemblages in garnet and from staurolite breakdown reactions to produce garnet+sillimanite and garnet+sillimanite+hercynite with increasing temperature; and (6) in sheared and foliated rocks, hydrous minerals such as biotite, muscovite and hornblende form a foliation, modifying pre-existing textures. The inferred metamorphic history of the Leverburgh Belt is divided into four stages, as follows: (M1) prograde metamorphism with increasing temperature; (M2) prograde metamorphism with increasing pressure; (M3) retrograde decompressional metamorphism with decreasing pressure and temperature; and (M4) retrograde metamorphism accompanied by shearing. Peak P–T conditions of the M2 stage are 800±30 °C, 13–14 kbar. Pressure increasing from M1 to M2 suggests thrusting of continental crust over the South Harris belt during continent–continent collision. The inferred P–T path and tectonic history of the South Harris belt are different from those of the Lewisian of the mainland.     

Prograde and retrograde history of eclogites from the Eastern Blue Ridge, North Carolina, USA

Abstract The prograde metamorphism of eclogites is typically obscured by chemical equilibration at peak conditions and by partial requilibration during retrograde metamorphism. Eclogites from the Eastern Blue Ridge of North Carolina retain evidence of their prograde path in the form of inclusions preserved in garnet. These eclogites, from the vicinity of Bakersville, North Carolina, USA are primarily comprised of garnet–clinopyroxene–rutile–hornblende–plagioclase–quartz. Quartz, clinopyroxene, hornblende, rutile, epidote, titanite and biotite are found as inclusions in garnet cores. Included hornblende and clinopyroxene are chemically distinct from their matrix counterparts. Thermobarometry of inclusion sets from different garnets record different conditions. Inclusions of clinozoisite, titanite, rutile and quartz (clinozoisite + titanite = grossular + rutile + quartz + H₂O) yield pressures (6–10 kbar, 400–600 °C and 8–12 kbar 450–680 °C) at or below the minimum peak conditions from matrix phases (10–13 kbar at 600–800 °C). Inclusions of hornblende, biotite and quartz give higher pressures (13–16 kbar and 630–660 °C). Early matrix pyroxene is partially or fully broken down to a diopside–plagioclase symplectite, and both garnet and pyroxene are rimmed with plagioclase and hornblende. Hypersthene is found as a minor phase in some diopside + plagioclase symplectites, which suggests retrogression through the granulite facies. Two‐pyroxene thermometry of this assemblage gives a temperature of c. 750 °C. Pairing the most Mg‐rich garnet composition with the assemblage plagioclase–diopside–hypersthene–quartz gives pressures of 14–16 kbar at this temperature. The hornblende–plagioclase–garnet rim–quartz assemblage yields 9–12 kbar and 500–550 °C. The combined P–T data show a clockwise loop from the amphibolite to eclogite to granulite facies, all of which are overprinted by a texturally late amphibolite facies assemblage. This loop provides an unusually complete P–T history of an eclogite, recording events during and following subduction and continental collision in the early Palaeozoic.     

Mineral zoning as a record of P,T history of Precambrian eclogites and schists in western Tasmania

Ferromagnesian minerals, particularly garnet but also phengite, omphacite and talc, from eclogites and surrounding schists from the Lyell Highway-Collingwood river area, western Tasmania are compositionally zoned.In rocks which have suffered little secondary alteration the Mg-value ($\text{100 Mg}\text{Mg+Fe}{}^{\mathrm{++}}$) of granets increases from core to rim, while the Mg-value of the most important coexisting ferromagnesian phases (clinopyroxene, phengite and talc in different assemblages) decreases from core to rim. CaO decreases from core to rim in garnet. MnO may show little or no variation in garnet, or decrease from core to rim.When compared with experimental data, the zoning of these minerals can be uniquely explained by growth during changing P,T conditions. The eclogites and the surrounding schists have the same prograde P,T history.When determining the K_D-values of garnet and its coexisting ferromagnesian phases it is important to consider secondary rim alterations as well as the prograde zoning of the mineral.     

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.     

大别山朱家冲高压榴辉岩变质演化特征分析

研究表明大别山朱家冲榴辉岩属于典型的高压榴辉岩,其具有复杂的变质演化历史。根据岩相学、矿物成份化学和热力学分析表明,该类榴辉岩记录了6期变质过程,具有“顺时针”的P?T演化轨迹。由Ⅰ?阶段、Ⅱ?阶段至Ⅲ?阶段显示了近于等温增压进变质特征,并在 Ⅲ?阶段压力值最高达到P＝2.53 GPa; Ⅳ?阶段和Ⅴ?阶段则表现为增温降压退变过程,温度在 Ⅴ?阶段最高达到T＝627 ℃; 到Ⅵ?阶段则为降温降压过程。该过程暗示了高压板片在俯冲和折返过程中可能处于一个非匀速的状态。推测朱家冲榴辉岩后期增温退变的过程可能是源于受扰动的地温线恢复、超高压榴辉岩退变过程的“散热”以及该类榴辉岩对温度变化极为敏感所致。     

Prograde P–T path of medium-pressure granulite facies calc-silicate rocks, Higo metamorphic terrane, central Kyushu, Japan

This paper reports an occurrence of medium-pressure granulite facies calc-silicate rocks intercalated with pelitic gneisses in the Higo metamorphic terrane, central Kyushu, Japan, which is classified as a low- P /high- T (andalusite-sillimanite type) metamorphic belt. Three equilibrium stages are recognized in the calc-silicate rock based on reaction textures: M1 stage characterized by an assemblage of porphyroblastic garnet + coarse-grained clinopyroxene + plagioclase included in the clinopyroxene; M2 stage by two kinds of breakdown products of garnet, one is plagioclase + coronitic clinopyroxene within garnet and the other is plagioclase + vermicular clinopyroxene surrounding garnet; and M3 stage by amphibole replacing clinopyroxene. The key assemblage in the calc-silicate rock common to M1 and M2 stages is Grt + Cpx + Pl ± Qtz, which constrains the pressure and temperature ( P – T ) conditions for these stages by Fe–Mg exchange reaction and the two univariant net-transfer reactions: 2Grs + Alm + 3Qtz = 3Hd + 3An or 2Grs + Prp + 3Qtz = 3Di + 3An. The P – T conditions for M1 and M2 stages were estimated to be about 8.4 ± 1.9 kbar and 680 ± 122 °C, and 6.7 ± 1.9 to 8.9 ± 2.2 kbar and 700 ± 130 to 820 ± 160 °C, respectively. Estimates are consistent with an isobaric heating P – T path. The high peak temperature conditions at normal crustal depths and the prograde isobaric heating path probably require heat advection due to melt migration during the high- T metamorphism.     

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.     

Two Contrasting Eclogite Types on the Northern Margin of the Qaidam Basin, Western China

Eclogites have been recently discovered in the Xitieshan area in the middle segment of the northern margin of the Qaidam basin. These eclogites, together with those recognized earlier in the Yuka area of the western segment of the northern margin of the Qaidam basin and in the Dulan area of the eastern segment of the northern margin of the Qaidam basin, form an eclogite belt with a length of 350 km. A comparison of the eclogites from the Yuka and Xitieshan areas suggests that they show different country rocks, microtextures, mineral assemblages, and especially, different peak temperatures, PT paths during decompression and isotopic features. Eclogites from the Yuka area bear evidence of prograde metamorphism, such as prograde mineral relics in garnet and growth zoning of garnet, and hairpin-shaped PT paths with coincidence of the baric and thermal peaks of metamorphism, which reflect rapid burial and uplift. Sm-Nd isotopic determination shows obvious Sm-Nd disequilibrium, and no isochron ages of Early P     

Petrogenesis of Eclogite inclusions in the Moses Rock dyke,Utah, U.S.A.

Summary A detailed electron microprobe study of the mineralogy of fifteen eclogites from the Moses Rock kimberlitic dyke, Utah, has demonstrated complexity in compositional zoning of minerals. Most of the eclogites examined are of the almandine-jadeite type and zonal and irregular variation in grossular content of garnet and acmite, jadeite and diopside-hedenbergite content of pyroxene produce large uncertainties in temperature estimates based on Fe/Mg partitioning between garnet and clinopyroxene. Zoning pattems of increasingX _Mg in both clinopyroxene and garnet, and increasingX _Jd in clinopyroxene, suggest the introduction of Mg and Na throughout the evolution of these essentially bimineralic assemblages. Averaged data yield temperatures from 340°C to 500°C at 10 kbar for compositions of rims of coexisting garnet and clinopyroxene. Two samples contain pyrope-rich gamets but coexisting pyroxenes are extremely magnesian and temperatures of equilibration of both primary omphacite-pyrope and secondary omphacite-almandine/pyrope-chlorite are only slightly higher (500–650° at 10 kbar) than those for almandine jadeite eclogites and estimates overlap with those of some examples of the latter type. Unlike the majority of almandine-jadeite eclogites, two examples contain garnets with almandine-cores and pyrope-rich rims without accompanying variation in grossular content. The simple interpretation of these samples as evidence of garnet growth during prograde metamorphism is precluded by complex zoning in coexisting clinopyroxene. The eclogites provide evidence for the presence of a metamorphic terrane including rocktypes resembling those of blueschist terranes beneath the Colorado Plateau but do not permit deduction of theP,T path by which such rocktypes reached theirP,TT-conditions (10 kbar, 400–600°C) of metamorphism.

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Petrogenese von Eklogit-Einschlüssen im Moses Rock Dyke, Utah, U.S.A.

Zusammenfassung Eine detaillierte Studie der Mineralogie von fünfzehn Eklogiten vom Moses Rock Kimberlit-Dyke (Utah) mittels mikrosonde zeigte komplexe Zonierung der Zusammensetzung der Minerale. Die meisten der untersuchten Eklogite gehören zum Almandin-Jadeit-Typ; zonare und irreguläre Variationen der Grossularkomponente der Granate und der Akmit-, Jadeit- und der Diopsid-Hedenbergitkomponenten der Pyroxene resultieren in großen Unsicherheiten bei Temperaturabschätzungen auf der Basis von Fe/Mg-Verteilungen zwischen Granat und Clinopyroxenen. Durchschnittswerte von Randzonen koexistierender Granate und Clinopyroxene ergeben Temperaturen von 340°C bis 500°C für 10 kb.Zwei Proben enthielten pyropreichen Granat, die koexistierenden Clinopyroxene sind extrem Mg-reich und die Gleichgewichtstemperaturen sowohl von primärem Omphacit-Pyrop als auch von sekundärem Omphacit-Almandin/Pyrop-Chlorit sind nur geringfügig höher (500°–600°C bei 10 kb) als die für Almandin-Jadeit-Eklogite; die Schätzungen überlappen mit denen von einigen Proben des letzteren Typs.Im Gegensatz zur Mehrheit der Almandin-Jadeit-Eklogite enthalten zwei Proben Granate mit almandinreichen Kernen und pyropreichen Rändern ohne gleichzeitige Schwankungen im Grossulargehalt. Eine einfache Interpretation dieser als Beweis für Granatwachstum während prograder Metamorphose muß jedoch ausgeschlossen werden, da die koexistierenden Clinopyroxene komplex zoniert sind.Die Eklogite können als Beweis angesehen werden für das Vorhandensein eines metamorphen Bereichs unter dem Colorado-Plateau, der Gesteinstypen enthält, die denen der Glaukophanschieferfacies ähneln. Es können jedoch keine Aussagen über denP-T-Weg gemacht werden, über den diese Gesteinstypen ihre heute feststellbarenP-T-Bedingungen (400°–600°C, 10 kb) erreicht haben.

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With 7 Figures     

Metamorphic evolution of diamond-bearing and associated rocks from the Kokchetav Massif, northern Kazakhstan

Representative diamond-bearing gneisses and dolomitic marble, eclogite and Ti-clinohumite-bearing garnet peridotite from Unit I at Kumdy Kol and whiteschist from Unit II at Kulet, eastern Kokchetav Massif, northern Kazakhstan, were studied. Diamond-bearing gneisses contain variable assemblages, including Grt+Bt+Qtz±Pl±Kfs±Zo±Chl±Tur±Cal and minor Ap, Rt and Zrn; abundant inclusions of diamond, graphite+chlorite (or calcite), phengite, clinopyroxene, K-feldspar, biotite, rutile, titanite, calcite and zircon occur in garnet. Diamond-bearing dolomitic marbles consist of Dol+Di±Grt+Phl; inclusions of diamond, dolomite±graphite, biotite, and clinopyroxene were identified in garnet. Whiteschists carry the assemblage Ky+Tlc+Grt+Rt; garnet shows compositional zoning, and contains abundant inclusions of talc, kyanite and rutile with minor phlogopite, chlorite, margarite and zoisite. Inclusions and zoning patterns of garnet delineate the prograde P–T path. Inclusions of quartz pseudomorphs after coesite were identified in garnet from both eclogite and gneiss. Other ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) indicators include Na-bearing garnet (up to 0.14 wt% Na₂O) with omphacitic Cpx in eclogite, occurrence of high-K diopside (up to 1.56 wt% K₂O) and phlogopite in diamond-bearing dolomitic marble, and Cr-bearing kyanite in whiteschist. These UHP rocks exhibit at least three stages of metamorphic recrystallization. The Fe-Mg partitioning between clinopyroxene and garnet yields a peak temperature of 800–1000 °C at P >40 kbar for diamond-bearing rocks, and about 740–780 °C at >28–35 kbar for eclogite, whiteschist and Ti-bearing garnet peridotite. The formation of symplectitic plagioclase+amphibole after clinopyroxene, and replacement of garnet by biotite, amphibole, or plagioclase mark retrograde amphibolite facies recrystallization at 650–680 °C and pressure less than about 10 kbar. The exsolution of calcite from dolomite, and development of matrix chlorite and actinolite imply an even lower grade greenschist facies overprint at c. 420 °C and 2–3 kbar. A clockwise P–T path suggests that supracrustal sediments together with basaltic and ultramafic lenses apparently were subjected to UHP subduction-zone metamorphism within the diamond stability field. Tectonic mixing may have occurred prior to UHP metamorphism at mantle depths. During subsequent exhumation and juxtaposition of many other tectonic units, intense deformation chaotically mixed and mylonitized these lithotectonic assemblages.     

Quartz and orthopyroxene exsolution lamellae in clinopyroxene and the metamorphic P–T path of Belomorian eclogites

The Shirokaya Salma eclogite‐bearing complex is located in the Archean–Palaeoproterozoic Belomorian Province (Russia). Its eclogites and eclogitic rocks show multiple clinopyroxene breakdown textures, characterized by quartz–amphibole, orthopyroxene and plagioclase lamellae. Representative samples, a fresh eclogite, two partly retrograded eclogites, and a strongly retrograded eclogitic rock, were collected for this study. Two distinct mineral assemblages—(1) omphacite+garnet+quartz+rutile±amphibole and (2) clinopyroxene+garnet+amphibole+plagioclase+quartz+rutile+ilmenite±orthopyroxene—are described. Based on phase equilibria modelling, these assemblages correspond to the eclogite and granulite facies metamorphism that occurred at 16–18 kbar, 750–800°C and 11–15 kbar, 820–850°C, respectively. The quartz–amphibole lamellae in clinopyroxene formed during retrogression with water ingress, but do not imply UHP metamorphism. The superfine orthopyroxene lamellae developed due to breakdown of an antecedent clinopyroxene (omphacite) during retrogression that was triggered by decompression from the peak of metamorphism, while the coarser orthopyroxene grains and rods formed afterwards. The P–T path reconstructed for the Shirokaya Salma eclogites is comparable to that of the adjacent 1.9 Ga Uzkaya Salma eclogite (Belomorian Province), and those of several other Palaeoproterozoic high‐grade metamorphic terranes worldwide, facts allowing us to debate the exact timing of eclogite facies metamorphism in the Belomorian Province.     

Isothermal compression of an eclogite from the Western Gneiss Region (Norway)

In the Western Gneiss Region in Norway, mafic eclogites form lenses within granitoid orthogneiss and contain the best record of the pressure and temperature evolution of this ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrane. Their exhumation from the UHP conditions has been extensively studied, but their prograde evolution has been rarely quantified although it represents a key constraint for the tectonic history of this area. This study focused on a well-preserved phengite-bearing eclogite sample from the Nordfjord region. The sample was investigated using phase-equilibrium modelling, trace-element analyses of garnet, trace- and major-element thermobarometry and quartz-in-garnet barometry by Raman spectroscopy. Inclusions in garnet core point to crystallization conditions in the amphibolite facies at 510–600°C and 11–16 kbar, whereas chemical zoning in garnet suggests growth during isothermal compression up to the peak pressure of 28 kbar at 600°C, followed by near-isobaric heating to 660–680°C. Near-isothermal decompression to 10–14 kbar is recorded in fine-grained clinopyroxene–amphibole–plagioclase symplectites. The absence of a temperature increase during compression seems incompatible with the classic view of crystallization along a geothermal gradient in a subduction zone and may question the tectonic significance of eclogite facies metamorphism. Two end-member tectonic scenarios are proposed to explain such an isothermal compression: Either (1) the mafic rocks were originally at depth within the lower crust and were consecutively buried along the isothermal portion of the subducting slab or (2) the mafic rocks recorded up to 14 kbar of tectonic overpressure at constant depth and temperature during the collisional stage of the orogeny.     

Well-preserved garnet growth zoning in granulite from the Dabie Mountains, central China

Ultra-high pressure eclogites and granulites both occur in the Dabie Mountains, central China. A garnet porphyroblast from felsic granulite in the Dabie Mountains has been analysed for compositional zoning by electron microprobe. Two segments of the porphyroblast have opposite compositional variations. Segment I (from centre outward 9  mm to analytical point 18) has decreasing X_Sps and increasing X_Pyr, while Segment II (from analytical point 18, 1  mm outward to the rim) has increasing X_Sps and X_Alm and decreasing X_Pyr and X_Grs. The compositional zoning in segment I is considered as growth zoning and that in Segment II as diffusive retrograde zoning. Garnet growth zoning records a P–T  path prior to the peak granulite metamorphism. The minimum P – T  conditions are estimated to be 1.35  GPa and 850  °C for peak metamorphism, based on the highest Mg/(Fe+Mg) composition in the garnet (analytical point 18) and matrix hypersthene, biotite and plagioclase. A symplectitic corona surrounds the porphyroblast and appears to have formed at 0.6  GPa and 700  °C. The well-preserved growth zoning in garnet suggests a short residence time for the granulite at peak metamorphism and thus rapid tectonic uplift history. The P–T  path is consistent with that of ultra-high-pressure eclogite in the area. Tectonic movements during a collisional event could have brought both the granulite and the eclogite to their present positions.     

Crustal thickening of the lower crust of the Kohistan arc (N. Pakistan) deduced from Al zoning in clinopyroxene and plagioclase

The lower-crustal rocks of the Kohistan complex (northern Pakistan) are mostly composed of metabasic rocks such as pyroxene granulites, garnet granulites and amphibolites. We have investigated P–T trajectories of the relic two-pyroxene granulites, which are the protolith of the amphibolites within the Kamila amphibolite belt. Aluminous pyroxene retains igneous textures such as exsolution lamellae developed in the core. The significant amount of Al in clinopyroxene is buffered by breakdown reactions of plagioclase accompanied by film-like quartz as a product at grain boundaries between plagioclase and clinopyroxene. Distinct Al zoning profiles are preserved in pyroxene with exsolution lamellae in the core and in plagioclase adjacent to clinopyroxene in pyroxene granulites. In the northern part of the Kamila amphibolite belt, Al in clinopyroxene increases towards the rim and abruptly decreases at the outer rim, and anorthite in plagioclase decreases towards the rim and abruptly increases near the grain boundary between plagioclase and clinopyroxene. In the southern part of the Kamila amphibolite belt, Al in clinopyroxene and anorthite in plagioclase simply increase towards the margins of the grains. The anorthite zoning in plagioclase is in agreement with the zoning profiles of Ca-Tschermaks and jadeite components inferred from variations of Al, Na, Ti and Fe³⁺ in clinopyroxene. Assuming that the growth surface between them was in equilibrium, geothermobarometry based on Al zoning in clinopyroxene coexisting with plagioclase indicates that metamorphic pressures significantly increased with increasing temperature under granulite facies metamorphism. The peak of granulite facies metamorphism occurred at conditions of about 800 °C and 800–1100 MPa. These prograde P–T paths represent a crustal thickening process of the Kohistan arc during the Early to Middle Cretaceous. The crustal thickening of the Kohistan arc was caused by accretion of basaltic magma at mid-crustal depths.     

Rapid cooling and exhumation of eclogitic rocks from the Great Caucasus, Russia

Diffusion modelling of growth-zoned garnet is used in combination with standard geothermometric and geobarometric techniques to estimate cooling and denudation rates from the mafic eclogites of the Red Cliff area, Great Caucasus, Russia. Euhedral garnet porphyroblasts exhibit different degrees of prograde growth zoning depending on the size of the grain (100 μm to several mm in diameter). Zoning patterns are mainly expressed in terms of Fe–Mg exchange, with 100*Mg/(Mg+Fe) increasing from 18–20 to 33–37 from core to rim. Geothermobarometry yields conditions of 680±40 °C and a minimum of 1.6±0.2 GPa and of 660±40 °C and 0.8±0.2 GPa for the high-pressure and retrograde stages of equilibration, respectively. A temperature of 600±40 °C has been recorded for the late-stage metamorphic overprint in the mica schists surrounding the eclogites. Relaxation of garnet zoning profiles was modelled for three different hypothetical P–T –t trajectories, all with an initial temperature of 680 °C and a pressure change of 0.8 GPa. The first two trajectories involve decompression associated with regular cooling down to 660 °C (near isothermal) and 600 °C. The third path is a two-step trajectory comprising near-isobaric cooling down to 600 °C followed by isothermal decompression to 0.8 GPa. These P–T trajectories cover as wide a range of pressure and temperature changes endured by the rocks as possible, thus representing extreme cases for calculating cooling and exhumation rates. Calculations indicate that the zoning pattern of the smallest garnet (i.e. garnet for which the zoning is most easily eliminated during post-growth processes) along the different paths can be preserved for the following average exhumation and cooling rates: path 1, 143 mm a^?1 and 102 °C Ma^?1; path 2, 60 mm a^?1 and 171 °C Ma^?1; path 3, 11–30 mm a^?1 and 200–400 °C Ma^?1. These results are discussed in light of theoretical P–T–t paths extracted from thermal models of regions of thickened crust, and from analogue models of accretionary wedge and continental lithosphere subduction.     

Phase equilibria and metamorphic evolution of glaucophane‐bearing UHP eclogites from the Western Dabieshan Terrane,Central China

Glaucophane‐bearing ultrahigh pressure (UHP) eclogites from the western Dabieshan terrane consist of garnet, omphacite, glaucophane, kyanite, epidote, phengite, quartz/coesite and rutile with or without talc and paragonite. Some garnet porphyroblasts exhibit a core–mantle zoning profile with slight increase in pyrope content and minor or slight decrease in grossular and a mantle–rim zoning profile characterized by a pronounced increase in pyrope and rapid decrease in grossular. Omphacite is usually zoned with a core–rim decrease in j(o) [=Na/(Ca + Na)]. Glaucophane occurs as porphyroblasts in some samples and contains inclusions of garnet, omphacite and epidote. Pseudosections calculated in the NCKMnFMASHO system for five representative samples, combined with petrographic observations suggest that the UHP eclogites record four stages of metamorphism. (i) The prograde stage, on the basis of modelling of garnet zoning and inclusions in garnet, involves P–T vectors dominated by heating with a slight increase in pressure, suggesting an early slow subduction process, and P–T vectors dominated by a pronounced increase in pressure and slight heating, pointing to a late fast subduction process. The prograde metamorphism is predominated by dehydration of glaucophane and, to a lesser extent, chlorite, epidote and paragonite, releasing ～27 wt% water that was bound in the hydrous minerals. (ii) The peak stage is represented by garnet rim compositions with maximum pyrope and minimum grossular contents, and P–T conditions of 28.2–31.8 kbar and 605–613 °C, with the modelled peak‐stage mineral assemblage mostly involving garnet + omphacite + lawsonite + talc + phengite + coesite ± glaucophane ± kyanite. (iii) The early decompression stage is characterized by dehydration of lawsonite, releasing ～70–90 wt% water bound in the peak mineral assemblages, which results in the growth of glaucophane, j(o) decrease in omphacite and formation of epidote. And, (iv) The late retrograde stage is characterized by the mineral assemblage of hornblendic amphibole + epidote + albite/oligoclase + quartz developed in the margins or strongly foliated domains of eclogite blocks due to fluid infiltration at P–T conditions of 5–10 kbar and 500–580 °C. The proposed metamorphic stages for the UHP eclogites are consistent with the petrological observations, but considerably different from those presented in the previous studies.     

Retrogressive Microstructures of the Eclogites from the Northern Dabie Mountains, Central China： Evidence for Rapid Exhumation

The ultrahigh-pressure eclogites from the northern Dabie Mountains in central China occurred as tectonic lens or blocks within granitic gneisses or meta-peridotites. Petrologic studies suggest that the studied eclogites experienced strongly retrogressive metamorphism and produced a series of characteristic retrogressive microstructures. The retrograde structures mainly include: (1) oriented needle mineral exsolution, e. g. , quartz needles in Na-clinopyroxene and rotile, clinopyroxene and apatite exsolution in garnet formed under decreasing pressure conditions during exhumation; (2) symplectite, especially, two generations of symplectites developed outside the garnet grains, which are called ““double symplectite““ here; (3) compositional zoning of minerals such as garnet and clinopyroxene; (4) minerals with a reaction rim or retrograde rim, e.g. , omphacite with a diopside rim, diopside with an amphibole rim and rutile with a rim of ilmenite. These retrograde textures, especially mineral zoning and symplectite, provide important petrologic evidence for the exhumation process and uplift of high-grade metamorphic rocks such as eclogite in the northern Dabie Mountains, indicating a rapid exhumation process.