南极大陆超高温变质作用及其大地构造背景

超高温变质作用对认识大地构造- 热演化以及地壳成分分异等具有重要意义。南极大陆发育典型的超高温变质作用，分布于不同的构造域。主要的超高温地质单元包括内皮尔杂岩、茹尔（赖于尔）群岛、拉斯曼丘陵、吕措- 霍尔姆杂岩以及席尔马赫丘陵等。不同地质单元的超高温变质作用分布规模不同，恩德比地内皮尔杂岩的超高温变质作用分布广泛（～15000 km2），而席尔马赫丘陵等地的超高温变质作用分布有限，超高温变质作用规模与出露特征的不同可能暗示了不同的成因机制与热源。各超高温地质单元中发育丰富多样的超高温矿物组合，如假蓝宝石+石英组合、斜方辉石+矽线石组合、尖晶石+石英组合以及含大隅石、刚玉、三元长石或富Al斜方辉石的矿物组合，在变质基性岩中还发育石榴子石+单斜辉石+斜长石±高钛角闪石等矿物组合。丰富多样的矿物组合为研究超高温变质作用矿物反应机制提供了重要基础。不同超高温地质单元，乃至同一超高温地质单元内不同区域的P- T- t轨迹类型不同，如有些超高温变质作用具有显著的近等温减压轨迹，而有些超高温变质作用主要记录近等压降温轨迹，反映了不同的演化历史或构造背景。南极大陆超高温变质作用可分5个期次，包括中太古代晚期（2850 Ma），新太古代末期—古元古代早期（2585～2450 Ma），新元古代早期（格林维尔期，约1000～900 Ma？），新元古代晚期（泛非期早期，650～605 Ma）和新元古代末期—早古生代（泛非期晚期，570～500 Ma），与超大陆（或超级克拉通）演化存在密切联系。不同的超高温变质作用可能与板块构造演化的不同阶段有关，如弧后盆地或造山带垮塌阶段等；但超高温变质作用并不局限于现今板块构造体制。南极大陆多数超高温地质单元的研究程度还相对较低，对其矿物反应机制、变质演化轨迹、形成时代及持续时间、熔融反应及熔体成分演化等还缺乏深入认识，制约了对这些超高温变质作用的热源、动力学机制和构造背景等的准确解释，将来需要加强研究。     

纳米矿物学在某些低级变质地体研究中的应用

１９９０年第一届国际纳米科学与技术会议在美国召开,标志着一个全新的科技领域正式诞生。纳米科学为许多传统学科领域注入了新的活力,如纳米生物学、纳米催化学等的兴起。自８０年代多种微束分析技术（如ＥＰＭＡ,ＳＥＭ,ＡＥＭ,ＴＥＭ,ＳＴＭ,ＰＩＸＥ,ＳＸＲＦ...     

基性岩高温-超高温变质作用与TTG质岩成因

变质基性岩在高温-超高温下部分熔融可以形成TTG(英云闪长质-奥长花岗质-花岗闪长质)质熔体,有关熔融反应机理、熔体地球化学特征以及太古宙TTG质岩石成因问题备受国内外学者关注。本文基于对相关实验岩石学研究的总结,结合基性岩高温-超高温相平衡的模拟计算,分析了变质基性岩(斜长角闪岩)深熔变质反应过程、P-T条件及其与TTG质岩石成因的联系。变质基性岩高温-超高温深熔作用主要受角闪石脱水熔融反应控制。在1.0GPa以下的无石榴石域,角闪石分解反应主要为:角闪石=单斜辉石+斜方辉石+斜长石+熔体(R1),该反应为多变滑动反应,以斜方辉石出现(800℃)和角闪石消失(1000~1100℃)为标志,其滑动温度范围超过200~300℃。实验岩石学确定的斜长角闪岩开始熔融或缺流体固相线大致相当于斜方辉石出现温度。实际上角闪石脱水熔融反应是从饱和水固相线开始的,反应为:角闪石+石英=单斜辉石+斜长石+熔体(R1a),开始有黑云母参与熔融反应,但该反应对熔体贡献有限。在1.0GPa以上的石榴石域,不同实验所确定的石榴角闪岩缺流体固相线温度主要介于800~900℃之间,固相线表现为正斜率、负斜率、或者为与压力无关的直线等不同结果。相平衡模拟计算表明在石榴石稳定域角闪石脱水熔融反应为较陡的负斜率,分为两部分:当有斜长石存在时,反应为角闪石+斜长石+石英=石榴石+单斜辉石+熔体(R2),低温部分有白云母、绿帘石参与反应。该反应从饱和水固相线(约630℃)开始,到角闪石消失(超过1000℃),滑动温度范围可超过400℃,跨越石榴角闪岩亚相与角闪高压麻粒岩亚相范围;在斜长石消失后角闪石脱水熔融反应为角闪石+石英=石榴石+单斜辉石+熔体(R2a),低温部分有绿帘石、白云母参与熔融反应,该反应从饱和水固相线(约650℃)开始,到角闪石消失(超过900℃),滑动温度范围可超过200~300℃。角闪石脱水熔融反应形成的无水残余物形成麻粒岩和榴辉岩,无水麻粒岩的峰期温度会超过1000℃,由于降温过程中的退变质演化,如超固相线下滞留熔体与残余物之间发生的深熔反应的逆反应,以及在亚固相线下离子交换反应,导致大多数麻粒岩只记录缺流体固相线组合与退变质温度。基性岩部分熔融的熔体成分取决于全岩成分、P-T条件及熔融程度。当熔融程度很低时(如小于5%)可形成富钾花岗质熔体,随着熔融程度增加,熔体成分可转变为奥长花岗质(如5%~20%)和英云闪长质(如大于20%),部分熔融的熔体成分受全岩成分影响很大,只有相对富钾的基性岩才能形成花岗闪长质到石英二长质熔体。太古宙TTG质岩石表现出富Sr、低Y、Yb、Nb、Ta、Ti以及稀土分馏程度高等地球化学特征,要求部分熔融压力较高,残余物中有石榴石(及金红石)存在。争论的焦点是部分熔融究竟发生在石榴角闪岩亚相(及角闪高压麻粒岩亚相),还是发生在榴辉岩相。对此,不同实验给出的不同结论应该与源岩地球化学特征不同有关。考虑到TTG质岩石的可能源岩如太古宙科马提岩和玄武岩地球化学特征的多样性,TTG质岩石本身地球化学特征上的差异也许不能完全指示熔融发生的P-T条件。综合实验岩石学和相平衡模拟结果,本文确定TTG质岩石是由基性岩在角闪石和石榴石共同稳定域由角闪石脱水熔融反应R2和R2a在角闪高压麻粒岩亚相和角闪榴辉岩亚相形成的,P-T条件为1.0~2.5GPa和800~1000/1100℃。角闪高压麻粒岩亚相相对应的地热梯度为15~25℃/km,角闪榴辉岩亚相对应的地热梯度为10~15℃/km。TTG质岩石形成的构造环境不能简单对应发生在显生宙的洋壳热俯冲带、碰撞造山带和洋底高原等。     

夹皮沟金矿区太古代麻粒岩相岩石的矿物学及其变质作用条件研究

本文对吉林夹皮沟金矿区太古代麻粒岩中斜长石、钾长石、单斜辉石、斜方辉石、黑云母、铁铁氧化物矿物、角闪石及石榴石等进行较系统的矿物学研究和电子探针分析,并运用一系列共生矿物地质温度计和压力计估算本区麻粒岩相变质作用的温度为800—850℃,压力为1.0—1.2GPa,氧逸度fo_2为10~(-5)—10~(-8)Pa,水分压p_((H_2)o)为43.6—128.8MPa(平均72.7MPa)。     

天然高压矿物研究的新进展及其在地幔矿物学中的意义

对地表陨石坑岩石和陨石的冲击变质效应的研究, 是以往发现天然高压矿物的主要途径。α-PbO2 超斯石英、(Na,K,Ca)AlSi3O8-锰钡矿以及磷灰石高压同质多像变体等是几个近期在陨石中发现的天然高压相,这些高压相很可能存在于地幔之中。天然高压矿物的发现对地幔矿物学研究和发展起了推动作用。     

内蒙凉城2.0Ga变质花岗岩对超高温变质作用的制约

内蒙凉城位于华北克拉通北缘中段,孔兹岩带的东端.本区孔兹岩系内存在着大量的古元古代变质花岗岩,彼此呈构造接触.根据野外地质特征、岩石学和矿物学特征,可将其分为三类:Ⅰ)二长花岗岩;Ⅱ)深熔花岗岩;Ⅲ)似斑状紫苏花岗岩.本文针对Ⅰ类花岗岩进行详细的锆石和岩石成因研究.结果显示该类岩体形成于大约2.0Ga左右,并记录了1.95～1.90Ga的变质作用年龄,对应的岩浆和变质锆石结晶温度(采用锆石Ti温度计)分别为856～964℃(平均912℃)和861～900℃(平均879℃),暗示该花岗岩体源区曾经历了高温熔融事件,同时也说明它们与围岩孔兹岩共同经历了古元古代的超高温变质作用.该类型岩体的岩石化学特征类似太古宙TTG或Adakite,而深熔花岗岩类(Ⅱ类)的地球化学特征则类似岛弧岩浆岩.这种差异说明凉城2.0Ga变质花岗岩的原岩非孔兹岩重融而成的S型花岗岩.锆石Lu-Hf和全岩Nd同位素组成则指示形成岩体的物质主要来自新太古代和古元古代下地壳的熔融.     

极端条件下的变质作用——变质地质学研究的前沿

在简单回顾变质地质学形成和发展的不同历程的基础上,扼要地总结了近年来有关极端条件下的超高压变质作用、超高温变质作用和很低温变质作用研究的现状和存在的问题。根据峰期变质温度的不同,结合其矿物组合和地质产状特征,进一步提出将超高压变质作用划分为低温超高压变质作用(峰期变质温度低于600℃)、中温超高压变质作用(峰期变质温度介于600~900℃)和高温超高压变质作用(峰期变质温度大于900℃)。低温超高压变质作用与大洋板块的冷俯冲作用有关,其研究对于探讨俯冲带水流体的循环和地幔水流体的成因具有重要意义;中、高温超高压变质作用与大陆深俯冲作用相关,是目前超高压变质作用研究的热点领域;高温超高压变质作用的研究与探讨地球内(深)部组成和结构相关,一直是地质学家关注的前沿问题。超高温变质作用研究正在向深入发展,中国有关超高温变质作用的研究才刚刚起步;很低温变质作用的研究长期以来没有得到应有的重视,随着研究手段和方法的不断完善和提高,将会有大的发展。极端条件下的变质作用是近年来固体地球科学研究取得的重要进展,是目前变质地质学研究的前沿领域。     

华北克拉通大同-怀安地区古元古代泥质麻粒岩的矿物学特征及变质作用剖析

以往研究认为华北克拉通中北部古元古代泥质麻粒岩主体属于一套中-低压高温麻粒岩。最近我们在大同-怀安地区发现该区泥质麻粒岩早期经历了高压-高温麻粒岩相变质作用,与伴生的石榴基性麻粒岩具有一致的变质条件,但由于后期中-低压高温(超高温)变质条件的叠加,早期高压矿物组合被强烈改造。本文以大同-怀安地区的高压-高温泥质麻粒岩为例,对其进行详细的矿物学特征和变质作用剖析。根据岩相学,如石榴石包裹体、矿物反应结构和矿物化学特征,将研究区泥质麻粒岩划分为四个变质阶段:进变质阶段(M_1)、压力峰期阶段(M_2)、温度峰期阶段(M_3)和冷却阶段(M_4)。M_1主要以石榴石核部包裹体为特征,含大量石英,少量黑云母、金红石和白云母等;M_2以幔部包裹体为特征,包裹体含量少,有石英、蓝晶石、钾长石、金红石、黑云母和锌尖晶石等,有时可见多硅白云母;M_3以基质矿物或石榴石边部包裹体为特征,如石榴石、夕线石、钾长石、石英和钛铁矿等,有或无锌尖晶石、金红石、黑云母等;M_4以石榴石边部的分解反应结构为特征,伴随熔体的结晶。综合矿物温压计、金红石Zr温度计和视剖面图方法获得进变质晚期阶段的条件为~10kbar/661~779℃,压力峰期变质条件为10~15kbar/810~860℃,温度峰期条件为6~10.5kbar/850~925℃,冷却阶段变质条件约为5~8kbar/645~761℃。同时,本文亦根据视剖面图方法模拟并解释了泥质麻粒岩(样品13GS47)中不同变质阶段的反应结构和变质反应,并对其中的石榴石成分环带进行了正演模拟。研究区与泥质麻粒岩伴生的其它岩石在不同程度上均记录了降压和降温的反应结构。最近研究证实部分石榴基性麻粒岩记录了进变质阶段,支持研究区的泥质麻粒岩和石榴基性麻粒岩可能经历了一致的变质历史,它们有可能是在压力峰期变质阶段(ca.1.97~1.90Ga)之前通过造山作用进入下地壳叠置在一起,并非在晚期(ca.1.85~1.80Ga)叠置在一起。     

晋北恒山地区变质作用特征及其演化

本文根据施莱纳玛克斯分析方法,编制岩石成因网系图,讨论本区两套变质岩系的变质作用特征和演化。矿物共生组合和矿物对地温地压计的研究表明,恒山群和繁峙群分别为两期变质作用的产物,其变质程度分别为麻粒岩相和角闪岩相。本区变质作用随时间的演化而减弱,与地壳演化的总趋势是一致的。     

Regional-scale Grenvillian-age UHT metamorphism in the Mollendo–Camana block (basement of the Peruvian Andes)

The Mollendo–Camana Block (MCB) is a 50 × 150 km Precambrian inlier of the Andean belt that outcrops along the Pacific coast of southern Peru. It consists of stromatic migmatites of Paleoproterozoic heritage intensely metamorphosed during the Grenville event (c. 1 Ga; U‐Pb and U‐Th‐Pb ages on zircon and monazite). In the migmatites, aluminous mesosomes (FMAS) and quartzofeldspathic leucosomes (KFMASH), contain various amounts of K‐feldspar (Kfs), orthopyroxene (X_Mg Opx = 0.86), plagioclase (Pl), sillimanite (Sil; exceptionally kyanite, Ky) ilmenite (Ilm), magnetite (Mag), quartz (Qtz), and minor amounts of garnet (X_Mg Grt = 0.60), sapphirine (X_Mg Spr = 0.87), cordierite (X_Mg Crd = 0.92) and biotite (X_Mg Bt = 0.83). The ubiquitous peak mineral assemblage is Opx‐Sil‐Kfs‐Qtz‐(± Grt) in most of the MCB, which, together with the high Al content of orthopyroxene (10% Al₂O₃) and the local coexistence of sapphirine‐quartz, attest to regional UHT metamorphism (> 900 °C) at pressures in excess of 1.0 GPa. Fluid‐absent melting of biotite is responsible for the massive production of orthopyroxene that proceeded until exhaustion of biotite (and most of the garnet) in the southern part of the MCB (Mollendo‐Cocachacra areas). In this area, a first stage of decompression from 1.1–1.2 to 0.8–0.9 GPa at temperatures in excess of 950 °C, is marked by the breakdown of Sil‐Opx to Spr‐Opx‐Crd assemblages according to several bivariant FMAS reactions. High‐T decompression is also shown by Mg‐rich garnet being replaced by Crd‐Spr‐ and Crd‐Opx‐bearing symplectites, and reacting with quartz to produce low‐Al‐Opx‐Sil symplectites in quartz‐rich migmatites. Neither osumilite nor spinel‐quartz assemblages being formed, isobaric cooling at about 0.9 GPa probably followed the initial decompression and proceeded with massive precipitation of melts towards the (Os) invariant point, as demonstrated by Bt‐Qtz‐(± pl) symplectites in quartz‐rich migmatites (melt + Opx + Sil = Bt + Grt + Kfs + Qtz). Finally, Opx rims around secondary biotite attest to late fluid‐absent melting, compatible with a second stage of decompression below 900 °C. The two stages of decompression are interpreted as due to rapid tectonic denudation whereas the regional extent of UHT metamorphism in the area, probably results from large‐scale penetration of hot asthenospheric mantle at the base of an over‐thickened crust.     

Exsolution textures in orthopyroxene in aluminous granulites as indicators of UHT metamorphism: New evidence from the Eastern Ghats Belt, India

Highly aluminous orthopyroxene, coexisting with sapphirine, cordierite, sillimanite, quartz and garnet in various combinations, constitute granoblastic mosaic peak metamorphic assemblages in aluminous granulites from three localities in the Eastern Ghats Belt, India. Orthopyroxene contains four types of intergrowths: (a) involving sapphirine with or without cordierite, (b) involving spinel, but without sapphirine, (c) involving cordierite, but without sapphirine and spinel, and (d) involving garnet, without sapphirine, spinel or cordierite. On the basis of textural and compositional data, origin of the intergrowths is ascribed to breakdown of Mg-Tschermak component, locally also involving Fe- and Ti-Tschermak. An attempt is made to compute the “pre-breakdown” compositions of orthopyroxene by image analysis, which shows maximum Al₂O₃ content of 13.4 wt.% in the pristine orthopyroxene. Geothermometry, phase equilibria consideration and application of existing experimental data on alumina solubility in orthopyroxene coexisting with sapphirine and quartz, collectively indicate extreme thermal conditions of metamorphism (> 1000 °C) for the studied assemblages. This re-affirms the notion that Al₂O₃ solubility in orthopyroxene is the most powerful indicator of UHT metamorphism (Harley, S.L., 2004. Extending our understanding of ultrahigh temperature crustal metamorphism. J. Mineral. Petrol. Sci. 99, 140–158). The intergrowths are considered to have formed due to cooling from the thermal peak spanning a temperature range of approximately 150 °C. Appearance of diverse types of intergrowths is probably related to subtle differences in bulk composition, particularly Fe:Mg ratios.     

New constraints on UHT metamorphism in the Eastern Ghats Province through the application of phase equilibria modelling and in situ geochronology

High Mg–Al granulites from the Sunki locality in the central portion of the Eastern Ghats Province record evidence for the high-temperature peak and retrograde evolution. Peak metamorphic phase assemblages from two samples are garnet + orthopyroxene + quartz + ilmenite + melt and orthopyroxene + spinel + sillimanite + melt, respectively. Isochemical phase diagrams (pseudosections) based on bulk rock compositions calculated in the chemical system Na₂O–CaO–K₂O–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O–TiO₂–Fe₂O₃ (NCKFMASHTO) and Al contents in orthopyroxene indicate peak UHT metamorphic conditions in excess of 960 °C and 9.7 kbar. Microstructures and the presence of cordierite interpreted to record the post-peak evolution show that the rocks underwent decompression and minor cooling from conditions of peak UHT metamorphism to conditions of ~ 900 °C at ~ 7.5 kbar. In situ U–Pb isotope analyses of monazite associated with garnet and cordierite using the Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) yield a weighted mean ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U age of ca. 980 Ma, which is interpreted to broadly constrain the timing of high-temperature monazite growth during decompression and melt crystallization at ~ 900–890 °C and 7.5 kbar. However, the range of ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U monazite ages (from ca. 1014 Ma to 959 Ma for one sample and ca. 1043 Ma to 922 Ma for the second sample) suggest protracted monazite growth during the high-temperature retrograde evolution, and possibly diffusive lead loss during slow cooling after decompression. The results of the integrated petrologic and geochronologic approach presented here are inconsistent with a long time gap between peak conditions and the formation of cordierite-bearing assemblages at lower pressure, as proposed in previous studies, but are consistent with a simple evolution of a UHT peak followed by decompression and cooling.     

Constraints on the application of carbon isotope thermometry in high- to ultrahigh-temperature metamorphic terranes

Nine marble horizons from the granulite facies terrane of southern India were examined in detail for stable carbon and oxygen isotopes in calcite and carbon isotopes in graphite. The marbles in Trivandrum Block show coupled lowering of δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values in calcite and heterogeneous single crystal δ¹³C values (? 1 to ? 10‰) for graphite indicating varying carbon isotope fractionation between calcite and graphite, despite the granulite facies regional metamorphic conditions. The stable isotope patterns suggest alteration of δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values in marbles by infiltration of low δ¹³C–δ¹⁸O‐bearing fluids, the extent of alteration being a direct function of the fluid‐rock ratio. The carbon isotope zonation preserved in graphite suggests that the graphite crystals precipitated/recrystallized in the presence of an externally derived CO₂‐rich fluid, and that the infiltration had occurred under high temperature and low f_O2 conditions during metamorphism. The onset of graphite precipitation resulted in a depletion of the carbon isotope values of the remaining fluid+calcite carbon reservoir, following a Rayleigh‐type distillation process within fluid‐rich pockets/pathways in marbles resulting in the observed zonation. The results suggest that calcite–graphite thermometry cannot be applied in marbles that are affected by external carbonic fluid infiltration. However, marble horizons in the Madurai Block, where the effect of fluid infiltration is not detected, record clear imprints of ultrahigh temperature metamorphism (800–1000 °C), with fractionations reaching <2‰. Zonation studies on graphite show a nominal rimward lowering δ¹³C on the order of 1 to 2‰. The zonation carries the imprint of fluid deficient/absent UHT metamorphism. Commonly, calculated core temperatures are > 1000 °C and would be consistent with UHT metamorphism.     

超高温变质作用：以华北内蒙古土贵乌拉地区为例

超高温麻粒岩(富Mg-Al)是指温度高于900℃、压力为0.7~1.3GPa条件下形成的麻粒岩相变质岩,它记录了下地壳超高温极端变质作用的地质信息。富Mg-Al典型超高温矿物组合有:假蓝宝石+石英,尖晶石+石英,大隅石+石榴石,斜方辉石+夕线石+石英,高氟黑云母和钙镁闪石,刚玉+石英。目前世界上发现的超高温麻粒岩带(块)地区有非洲阿尔及利亚、南非、东南极、巴西中部、澳大利亚中部、印度南部和东南部等地。我们在华北克拉通北部内蒙古中南部地区孔兹岩区中发现了超高温麻粒岩,岩性主要为灰黑色条带状夕线石榴黑云片麻岩,其中含有尖晶石+石英、假蓝宝石+石英、斜方辉石+夕线石+石英以及刚玉+尖晶石+石榴石等超高温矿物组合,指示温度达1000℃,压力超过1.0GPa的变质作用。独居石定年获得了(1927±11)Ma以及(1819±11)Ma两个峰期年龄,代表变质年龄。华北克拉通北部超高温麻粒岩的发现对研究华北克拉通与哥伦比亚超大陆的演化关系有重要意义。     

UHT metamorphism on Seram,eastern Indonesia: reaction microstructures and P–T evolution of spinel‐bearing garnet–sillimanite granulites from the Kobipoto Complex

The island of Seram, part of the northern limb of the Banda Arc in eastern Indonesia, exposes an extensive Mio‐Pliocene granulite facies migmatite complex (the Kobipoto Complex) comprising voluminous leucosome‐rich diatexites and scarcer Al–Fe‐rich residual granulites. The migmatites are intimately associated with ultramafic rocks of predominantly lherzolitic composition that were exhumed by substantial lithospheric extension beneath low‐angle detachment faults; heat supplied by the lherzolites was evidently a major driver for the granulite facies metamorphism and accompanying anatexis. Residual garnet–sillimanite granulites sampled from the Kobipoto Mountains, central Seram, contain scarce garnet‐hosted inclusions of hercynite spinel (~1.5 wt% ZnO) + quartz (± ilmenite) in direct grain‐boundary contact – an assemblage potentially indicative of metamorphism under ultrahigh‐temperature (UHT) conditions. thermocalc ‘Average P–T’ reactions and melanosome‐specific thermocalc , T–M_O, and P–T pseudosections in the Na₂O–CaO–K₂O–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O–TiO₂–Fe₂O₃ (NCKFMASHTO) chemical system, supported by Ti‐in‐garnet thermobarometry, are permissive of the rock having experienced a clockwise P–T path peaking at 925 °C and 9 kbar – thus narrowly reaching UHT conditions – before undergoing near‐isothermal decompression to ~750 °C and ~4 kbar. Spinel + quartz assemblages are interpreted to have formed at or just after the metamorphic peak from localized reactions between sillimanite, ilmenite and surrounding garnet. Further decompression of the rock resulted in the formation of complex reaction microstructures comprising cordierite ± plagioclase coronae around garnet, and symplectic intergrowths of cordierite + spinel + ilmenite around sillimanite. Small grains of sapphirine + corundum developed subsequently within spinel by localized quartz‐absent reactions. The post‐peak evolution of the granulites may be related to previously published U–Pb zircon and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of c. 16 Ma, further substantiating the claim for the Kobipoto Complex granulites having recorded Earth's youngest‐identified episode of UHT metamorphism, albeit at slightly lower temperature and higher pressure than previously inferred. The Kobipoto Complex granulites demonstrate how UHT conditions may be achieved in the ‘modern’ Earth by extreme lithospheric extension, which, in this instance, was driven by slab rollback of the Banda Arc.     

Sapphirine + quartz assemblage in contrasting textural modes from the Eastern Ghats Belt, India: Implications for stability relations in UHT metamorphism and retrograde processes

Stability of the assemblage sapphirine + quartz in Mg–Al-rich granulites implies ultrahigh temperature (UHT) condition of metamorphism but their direct contact is rarely preserved in natural rocks. The present study shows contrasting textural relations between sapphirine and quartz in different parts of the same occurrence of a Mg–Al-rich granulite, Eastern Ghats Belt, India. Textural data suggest stabilization of the assemblage sapphirine + quartz with orthopyroxene and cordierite during the metamorphic peak. Thermometric estimates yield temperature exceeding 950 °C for the stability of this assemblage. Most of such sapphirine grains (Spr₁) are texturally separated from quartz and cordierite grains by double corona of sillimanite + orthopyroxene that results due to isobaric cooling during the post-peak stage. Sapphirine (Spr₂) also forms a symplectic intergrowth with quartz and orthopyroxene at the fringe of coarse orthopyroxene. This textural feature can be explained by the breakdown of (Fe, Mg)-Tschermak components of orthopyroxene during the same isobaric cooling episode from UHT peak condition. The preservation of grain contact of this intergrown sapphirine and quartz can be attributed to a problem in reaction kinetics. In the other mode, sapphirine (Spr₃) occurs with quartz with a thin skin of cordierite near a quartz vein. Such texture could result from isothermal decompression of the cooled crust. Alternatively and more possibly, cordierite could form from ingress of CO₂–H₂O rich fluid during terminal stage of cooling. Finally, sapphirine (Spr₄) and quartz show direct contact close to the quartz vein. Direct contact of such sapphirine and quartz represents textural disequilibrium as this particular quartz is introduced as a vein much later than the peak metamorphism but prior to the major foliation-forming deformation. Coarse sapphirine and vein quartz, therefore, accidentally came in contact with each other and persisted metastably. Therefore, though coexistence of sapphirine and quartz is considered to be a strong evidence for ultrahigh temperature condition, care should be taken to decipher their stable coexistence. Different types of textural relations involving this mineral pair could originate in a single rock, probably in different stages of its metamorphic history.     

内蒙古土贵乌拉孔兹岩带超高温变质作用:变质反应结构及P-T指示

内蒙古土贵乌拉地区分布了含石榴石花岗岩、夕线石榴黑云片麻岩以及二者以不同比例互层状组成的岩石,超高温变质岩以暗色含尖晶石堇青石夕线石榴黑云片麻岩条带或透镜体产于石榴石花岗岩和夕线石榴片麻岩中.基于[K]FMAS[H]系统以及岩石成因格子,认为超高温变质岩经历了三个阶段的变质:早期变质作用阶段,以同一石榴石颗粒中含有夕线石、尖晶石、石英等单相矿物包体为特征,表明变质作用进入到尖晶石 石英组合稳定域;峰期变质作用阶段,以尖晶石 石英、假蓝宝石 石英、斜方辉石 夕线石 石英三种超高温矿物组合为特征,表明峰期变质条件稳定在这三种矿物组合稳定域,指示变质温度高于1000℃;退变质阶段过程中,粗颗粒斜方辉石边部和核部Al含量的重新平衡,指示温度降低到950～970℃左右,表明了近等压冷却的退变质作用,随后由于快速抬升,发生了近等温降压的退变质作用,这个过程以各种反应边和后成合晶结构为标志,例如尖晶石与石英、假蓝宝石与石英之间有堇青石的反应边,石榴石外围有堇青石和斜方辉石的后成合晶.最后黑云母和斜方辉石分解为黑云母标志着高级变质作用的结束.内蒙古土贵乌拉地区超高温变质岩经历了逆时针的P-T演化特点.     

Structural and tectonothermal evolution of the ultrahigh-temperature Bakhuis Granulite Belt,Guiana Shield,Surinam:Palaeoproterozoic to recent

We constrain the multistage tectonic evolution of the Palaeoproterozoic UHT metamorphic(P=0.9–1.0 GPa,T>1000℃,t=2088–2031 Ma)Bakhuis Granulite Belt(BGB)in Surinam on the Guiana Shield,using large-to small-scale structures,Al-in-hornblende thermobarometry and published fluid inclusion and zircon geochronological data.The BGB forms a narrow,NE–SW striking belt between two formerly connected,~E–W oriented granite-greenstone belts,formed between converging Amazonian and West African continental masses prior to collision and Transamazonian orogeny.Inherited detrital zircon in BGB metasediments conforms agewise to Birimian zircon of West Africa and suggests derivation from the subsequently subducted African passive margin.Ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism may have followed slab break-off and asthenospheric heat advection.Peak metamorphic structures result from layer-parallel shearing and folding,reflecting initial transtensional exhumation of the subducted African margin after slab break-off.A second HT event involves intrusion,at ca.0.49 GPa,of charnockites and metagabbros at 1993–1984 Ma and a layered anorthosite at 1980 Ma,after the BGB had already cooled to<400℃.The event is related to northward subduction under the greenstone belts,along a new active margin to their south.A pronounced syntaxial bend in the new margin points northward towards the BGB and is likely the result of indentation by an anticlinorial flexural bulge of the subducting plate.Tearing of the subducting oceanic plate along this bulge explains why the charnockites are restricted to the BGB.The BGB subsequently experienced doming under an extensional detachment exposed in its southwestern border zone.Exhumation was focused in the BGB as a result of the flexural bulge in the subducting plate and localised heating of the overriding plate by charnockite magmatism.The present,straight NE–SW long-side boundaries of the BGB are superimposed mylonite zones,overprinted by pseudotachylites,previously dated at ca.1200 Ma and 950 Ma,respectively.The 1200 Ma mylonites reflect transpressional popping-up of the BGB,caused by EW-directed intraplate principal compressive stresses from Grenvillian collision preserved under the eastern Andes.Further exhumation of the BGB involved the 950 Ma pseudotachylite decorated faulting,and Phanerozoic faulting along reactivated Meso-and Neoproterozoic lineaments.     

Exsolution textures of orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene in high-grade BIF of the Voronezh Crystalline Massif: evidence of ultrahigh-temperature metamorphism

Archaean banded iron formation (BIF) of the Voronezh Crystalline Massif (VCM) contains coexisting clino‐ and orthopyroxenes with exsolution textures. The pyroxene in the VCM BIF is found in two generations, with only the first generation containing such textures. Clinopyroxene contains large (up to 5–10 μm) (0 0 1) orthopyroxene (Opx1L) lamellae in a host clinopyroxene (Cpx1H). This host Cpx, in turn, exsolves into thin (～1 μm) (1 0 0) lamellae of orthopyroxene (Opx2L) and clinopyroxene (Cpx2H). Orthopyroxene exhibits similar exsolution textures with large (up to 50 μm) (0 0 1) clinopyroxene (Cpx1L) lamellae developed in a host orthopyroxene (Opx1H). This clinopyroxene Cpx1L shows further exsolution of thin (1 0 0) Opx2LL lamellae and clinopyroxene (Cpx2LH). Point microprobe analysis, raster‐mode microprobe analysis, and microprobe element mapping of mineral grains with a large number of point analysis were used to determine the composition of the exsolution products and the primary chemistry of the coexisting clinopyroxene (CaO = 14.86–17.26 wt%) and pigeonite (CaO = 4.45–6.23 wt%). These pyroxenes crystallized during the peak of metamorphism, and application of the Lindsley geothermometer suggested that they formed at extremely high temperatures of about 1000 °C. Primary very dense CO₂‐rich fluid inclusions (ρ = 1.152 g cm^?3, T_h = ?49.2 °C) were discovered for the first time in these BIF. With these data, the metamorphic pressure was estimated as 10–11 kbar (depth 36–40 km). Such ultrahigh temperature–high pressure (UHT–HP) conditions for the regional metamorphism of the Precambrian BIF have previously been reported only for Archaean meta‐ironstone from the Napier Complex (Enderby Land, Antarctica). They give an insight into the peak metamorphic conditions of the BIF of the VCM, their burial under thickened continental crust during this period of Earth evolution and suggest a more complicated multistage metamorphic and tectono‐thermal history for the region than has previously been postulated.