Superposition of replacements in the mafic granulites of the Jijal complex of the Kohistan arc, northern Pakistan: dehydration and rehydration within deep arc crust

A deep-level crustal section of the Cretaceous Kohistan arc is exposed in the northern part of the Jijal complex. The occurrence of mafic to ultramafic granulite-facies rocks exhibits the nature and metamorphic evolution of the lower crust. Mafic granulites are divided into two rock types: two-pyroxene granulite (orthopyroxene+clinopyroxene+plagioclase±quartz [1]); and garnet–clinopyroxene granulite (garnet+clinopyroxene+plagioclase+quartz [2]). Two-pyroxene granulite occurs in the northeastern part of the Jijal complex as a relict host rock of garnet–clinopyroxene granulite, where the orthopyroxene-rich host is transected by elongated patches and bands of garnet–clinopyroxene granulite. Garnet–clinopyroxene granulite, together with two-pyroxene granulite, has been partly replaced by amphibolite (hornblende±garnet+plagioclase+quartz [3]). The garnet-bearing assemblage [2] is expressed by a compression–dehydration reaction: hornblende+orthopyroxene+plagioclase=garnet+clinopyroxene+quartz+H₂O↑. Subsequent amphibolitization to form the assemblage [3] is expressed by two hydration reactions: garnet+clinopyroxene+plagioclase+H₂O=hornblende+quartz and plagioclase+hornblende+H₂O=zoisite+chlorite+quartz. The mafic granulites include pod- and lens-shaped bodies of ultramafic granulites which consist of garnet hornblendite (garnet+hornblende+clinopyroxene [4]) associated with garnet clinopyroxenite, garnetite, and hornblendite. Field relation and comparisons in modal–chemical compositions between the mafic and ultramafic granulites indicate that the ultramafic granulites were originally intrusive rocks which dissected the protoliths of the mafic granulites and then have been metamorphosed simultaneously with the formation of garnet–clinopyroxene granulite. The results combined with isotopic ages reported elsewhere give the following tectonic constraints: (1) crustal thickening through the development of the Kohistan arc and the subsequent Kohistan–Asia collision caused the high-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism in the Jijal complex; (2) local amphibolitization of the mafic granulites occurred after the collision.     

Eclogite facies relics and a multistage breakdown in metabasites of the KTB pilot hole,NE Bavaria: implications for the Variscan tectonometamorphic evolution of the NW Bohemian Massif

Complex reaction textures in coronitic metagabbros and retrograded eclogites of the KTB pilot and an adjacent drilling provide evidence for a multistage metamorphic history in the Variscan basement of the NW Bohemian Massif. The eclogites show complete metamorphic recrystallization leaving no textural or mineral relics of their igneous precursors. In contrast, textural relics of the igneous protolith are still preserved in the metagabbros where the metamorphic overprint under high pressure conditions achieved only partial replacement of the initial assemblage plagioclase + augite + amphibole (+olivine or orthopyroxene?) + ilmenite to form the eclogite facies assemblage garnet + omphacite + kyanite + zoisite + quartz+rutile. The garnets in the metagabbros occur in the typical ‘necklace’ fashion at the borders between the original plagioclase and mafic phase domains. In the same rocks, omphacite formed by a topotactic reaction mechanism replacing igneous augite as well as in smaller grains at the margins of the texturally igneous clinopyroxene where it occurs without fixed orientation with respect to the relict phase. Both eclogites and metagabbros show a partial breakdown under high pressure granulite (transitional to high pressure amphibolite) facies conditions during which omphacite broke down to vermicular symplectites of diopside + plagioclase. A later pervasive medium pressure metamorphism under amphibolite facies conditions led to the development of assemblages dominated by hornblende + plagioclase+titanite: phases prevailing in the overwhelming majority of the surrounding metabasites. Subsequent vein-associated retrogression produced minerals typical of the greenschist to zeolite facies. All metamorphic stages may be represented in a single thin section but although the overall reaction sequence is apparent, the obvious disequilibrium in the rocks makes the use of conventional geothermobarometry difficult. However, calculations made by assuming an approach to domainal equilibrium show that both the eclogite facies and early breakdown occurred above 10 kb. As the metamorphic unit hosting these particular metabasites is generally characterized by pressures below 10 kb these results have important implications for understanding the tectonometamorphic evolution of the region. The relationship between the studied rocks and other units in the NW Bohemian Massif exhibiting a multistage metamorphic evolution is discussed and possible tectonic models evaluated.     

The Occurrrence of Garnet in the Granulite-Facies Terrane of the Addirondack Highlands and Elsewhere, an Amplification and a Reply

Elaborating on the theme of a previous paper (1965) and in responseto Buddington‘s criticism (1966) the present discussionis primarily concerned with the high-grade meta-morphic reactionsand regional-metamorphic zoning in the Adirondacks. The hypersthene isograd, delineated by the first appearanceof orthopyroxene as a product of P_w-T-controlted reactions involvinghornblende and biotite in quartz-buartz-bearing rocks. separatesthe almandite-amphibolite-facies terrane of the lowlands fromthe granulite-facies region of the highlands. In the almandite-amphibolite facies of the lowlands at leastone isograd, the orthoclase-garnet isograd, (Ruddington's lstgarnet isograd), can be recognized which is delineated by theP_w-T-controlled appearance of these minerals at the expenseof muscovite and part of the biotite and quartz. The granulite-facies terrane of the highlands is characterizedby the predominance of assemblages of the hornblende-granulitefacies in which orthopyroxene cocxists with hydrous mineralssuch as biotite and hornblende in apparent equilibrium. In theAdlrondacks there is no sizeable, regional development of thepyroxene-granulite facies where hydrous minerals are virtuallyabsent. Within the hornblende-granulite-facies terrane two isogradscan be recognized. The garent-clinopyroxene isograd (Buddington's3rd garnet isograd) delineates the regional development of garnet,clinopyroxene, and quartz by P₁-T-controlled reaction betweenorthopyroxene and plagioclase. The isograd defines in the easternAdirondack a region of the hornblende-clinopyroxene-almanditesubfacies of the honblende-granulite facies. In the westernAdirondacks, near the hypersthene isograd, a yet uncharted cordieriteisograd may define the areal extent of the biotite-cordierite-almanditesubfacies of the hornblende-granulite facies. The central portionof the Adirondacks, where cordierite is absent and garnet andclinopyroxene do not coexist except in silica-deficient rocks,is the region of the hornblende-orthopyroxene-plagioclase subfaciesof the hornblende-granulite facies.     

A review of Antarctic granulite-facies rocks

Precambrian granulite-facies rocks occur in significant proportion in the East Antarctic Precambrian shield. Ages of metamorphic and deformational events range from 2500 m.y. to about 500 m.y., but some rocks are much older, notably the approximately 3500 m.y. ages for crust formation in Enderby Land. Mineral assemblages over most of the area are typical of the hornblende granulite facies, and sparse temperature pressure estimates indicate metamorphism at 700–800°C and 5–8 kbar at reduced water pressures. A terrane of exceptional interest is the Napier complex of Enderby Land, where sapphirine-quartz ± garnet, sillimanite-orthopyroxene, osumilite, and inverted pigeonite are associated with pyroxene-granulite-facies rocks. Metamorphic conditions are estimated to have reached 900°–980°C, 7–9 kbar, and p_H2O < 0.5 kbar. Metamorphism in the Napier complex, and possibly in other parts of East Antarctica, may be associated with large loss of fluid rather than massive influx of CO₂.     

Petrology and geochemistry of Tertiary volcanic rocks from the İkizce (Ordu) area, NE Turkey: Implications for the evolution of the eastern Pontide paleo-magmatic arc

Tertiary volcanism in the İkizce region at the western edge of the eastern Pontides paleo-magmatic arc is represented by basaltic and andesitic rocks associated with sediments deposited in a shallow basin environment. The basaltic rocks contain plagioclase (An_58–80), olivine (Fo_82–84), clinopyroxene (Wo_44–48En_35–42Fs_7–17), hornblende (Mg# = 0.68–0.76) phenocrysts, and magnetite microcrysts, whereas the andesitic rocks include plagioclase (An_25–61), clinopyroxene (Wo_46–49En_38–43Fs_11–13), hornblende (Mg# = 0.48–0.81), biotite (Mg# = 0.48–0.60) phenocrysts, titanomagnetite, apatite, and zircon microcrysts.Geochemical data indicate magmatic evolution from tholeiitic-alkaline transitional to calc-alkaline characteristics with medium-K contents. The geochemical variation in the rocks can be explained by fractionation of common mineral phases such as clinopyroxene, olivine, hornblende, plagioclase, magnetite, and apatite. The trace elements’ distributions of the volcanic rocks show similarities to those of E-Type MORB, have a shape that is typical of rocks from subduction-related tectonic setting with enrichment in LILE and to a lesser extent in LREE, but depletion in HFSE. The rocks evolved from a parental magma derived from an enriched source formed by subduction induced metasomatism of basaltic rocks, the latter formed through clinopyroxene ± olivine controlled fractionation in a high level magma chamber. The andesitic rocks developed through hornblende ± plagioclase controlled fractionation in shallow level magma chamber(s).     

Oxygen isotope geothermometry and stability of lawsonite and pumpellyite in the Shuksan Suite,North Cascades,Washington

Metamorphic temperatures of 330°–400° C are inferred for rocks from the Shuksan blueschist terrane in the North Cascades, Washington. The temperatures are calculated from ¹⁸O fractionations between coexisting quartz and magnetite using the equations of Bottinga and Javoy (1973). Pressures of approximately 7 kilobars are indicated by the Jadeite content of clinopyroxene coexisting with quartz+albite. Published experimental and theoretical studies of the stability of lawsonite and pumpellyite are consistent with the oxygen isotope temperatures and occurrence of these minerals in the Shuksan Suite.     

Ca-rich Garnet-Clinopyroxene Rocks at Hujialin in the Su-Lu Terrane (Eastern China): Deeply Subducted Arc Cumulates?

Layers of Ca-rich garnet–clinopyroxene rocks enclosedin a serpentinite body at Hujialin, in the Su–Lu terraneof eastern China, preserve igneous textures, relict spinel ingarnet, and exsolution lamellae of Ca-rich garnet, ilmenite/magnetite,Fe-rich spinel, and also amphibole in clinopyroxene. In termsof their major and trace element compositions, the studied samplesform a trend from arc cumulates towards Fe–Ti gabbros.Reconstructed augite compositions plot on the trend for clinopyroxenein arc cumulates. These data suggest that the rocks crystallizedfrom mantle-derived magmas differentiated to various extentsbeneath an arc. The Ca-rich garnet + diopside assemblage isinferred to have formed by compressing Ca-rich augite, whereasthe relatively Mg-rich cores of garnet porphyroblasts may haveformed at the expense of spinel. The protolith cumulates weresubducted from near the crust–mantle boundary (c. 1 GPa)deep into the upper mantle (4·8 ± 0·6 GPaand 750 ± 50°C). Negatively sloped P–T pathsfor the garnet–clinopyroxene rocks and the corollary ofcorner flow induced subduction of mantle wedge peridotite arenot supported by the available data. Cooling with, or without,decompression of the cumulates after the igneous stage probablyoccurred prior to deep subduction. KEY WORDS: arc cumulates; Ca-rich garnet; garnet–clinopyroxene rocks; Su–Lu terrane; UHP metamorphism     

The Higo metamorphic complex in Kyushu, Japan as the fragment of Permo–Triassic metamorphic complexes in East Asia

The Higo terrane in west-central Kyushu Island, southwest Japan consists from north to south of the Manotani, Higo and Ryuhozan metamorphic complexes, which are intruded by the Higo plutonic complex (Miyanohara tonalite and Shiraishino granodiorite).The Higo and Manotani metamorphic complexes indicate an imbricate crustal section in which a sequence of metamorphic rocks with increasing metamorphic grade from high (northern part) to low (southern part) structural levels is exposed. The metamorphic rocks in these complexes can be divided into five metamorphic zones (zone A to zone E) from top to base (i.e., from north to south) on the basis of mineral parageneses of pelitic rocks. Greenschist-facies mineral assemblages in zone A (the Manotani metamorphic complex) give way to amphibolite-facies assemblages in zones B, C and D, which in turn are replaced by granulite-facies assemblages in zone E of the Higo metamorphic complex. The highest-grade part of the complex (zone E) indicates peak P–T conditions of ca. 720 MPa and ca. 870 °C. In addition highly aluminous Spr-bearing granulites and related high-temperature metamorphic rocks occur as blocks in peridotite intrusions and show UHT-metamorphic conditions of ca. 900 MPa and ca. 950 °C. The prograde and retrograde P–T evolution paths of the Higo and Manotani metamorphic complexes are estimated using reaction textures, mineral inclusion analyses and mineral chemistries, especially in zones A and D, which show a clockwise P–T path from Lws-including Pmp–Act field to Act–Chl–Epi field in zone A and St–Ky field to And field through Sil field in zone D.The Higo metamorphic complex has been traditionally considered to be the western-end of the Ryoke metamorphic belt in the Japanese Islands or part of the Kurosegawa–Paleo Ryoke terrane in south-west Japan. However, recent detailed studies including Permo–Triassic age (ca. 250 Ma) determinations from this complex indicate a close relationship with the high-grade metamorphic terranes in eastern-most Asia (e.g., north Dabie terrane) with similar metamorphic and igneous characteristics, protolith assembly, and metamorphic and igneous ages. The north Dabie high-grade terrane as a collisional metamorphic zone between the North China and the South China cratons could be extended to the N-NE along the transcurrent fault (Tan-Lu Fault) as the Sulu belt in Shandong Peninsula and the Imjingang belt in Korean Peninsula. The Higo and Manotani metamorphic complexes as well as the Hida–Oki terrane in Japan would also have belonged to this type of collisional terrane and then experienced a top-to-the-south displacement with forming a regional nappe structure before the intrusion of younger Shiraishino granodiorite (ca. 120 Ma).     

Composite nature of the North China Granulite-Facies Belt: Tectonothermal and geochronological constraints

Granulite-facies rocks are intermittently exposed in a roughly E–W trending belt that extends for approximately 2000 km across the North China Craton, from the Helanshan, Qianlishan, Wulashan–Daqingshan, Guyang and Jining Complexes in the Western Block, through the Huai'an, Hengshan, Xuanhua and Chengde Complexes in the Trans-North China Orogen, to the Jianping (Western Liaoning), Eastern Hebei, Northern Liaoning and Southern Jilin Complexes in the Eastern Block. The belt is generally referred to as the North China Granulite-Facies Belt, previously interpreted as the lowest part of an obliquely exposed crust of the North China Craton. Recent data indicate that the North China Granulite-Facies Belt is not a single terrane. Instead, it represents components of three separate terranes: the Eastern and Western Blocks and Trans-North China Orogen. Each of these units records different metamorphic histories and reflect the complex tectonic evolution of the NCC during the late Archean and Paleoproterozoic. Mafic granulites in the Eastern Block and the Yinshan Terrane (Western Block) underwent medium-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism at about 2.5 Ga, with anticlockwise P–T paths involving near isobaric cooling following peak metamorphism, reflecting an origin related to intrusion and underplating of mantle-derived magmas. Pelitic granulites in the Khondalite Belt (Western Block) underwent medium-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism at about 2.0–1.9 Ga, with clockwise P–T paths, which record the Paleoproterozoic amalgamation of the Yinshan and Ordos Terranes to form the Western Block. Mafic and pelitic granulites in the Trans-North China Orogen experienced high- to medium-pressure granulite-facies metamorphism at 1.85 Ga, with clockwise P–T paths involving nearly isothermal decompression following peak metamorphism, which are in accord with the final collision between the Eastern and Western Blocks to form the North China Craton at 1.8 Ga. The NCGB cannot therefore represent a separate unique terrane; instead it reflects the amalgamation of three separate granulite terranes that evolved independently and at different times.     

Geochemistry of an island-arc plutonic suite: Wadi Dabr intrusive complex, Eastern Desert, Egypt

The Wadi Dabr intrusive complex, west of Mersa-Alam, Eastern Desert, Egypt ranges in composition from gabbro to diorite, quartz diorite and tonalite. The gabbroic rocks include pyroxene-horn blend e gabbro, hornblende gabbro, quartz-hornblende gabbro, metagabbro and amphibolite. Mineral chemistry data for the gabbroic rocks indicate that the composition of clinopyroxenes ranges from diopside to augite and the corresponding magma is equivalent to a volcanic-arc basalt. Plagioclase cores range from An₇₅ to An₃₄ for the gabbroic varieties, except for the metagabbro which has An _11–18. The brown amphiboles are primary phases and classified as calcic amphiboles, which range from tschermakitic hornblende to magnesiohornblende. Green hornblende and actinolite are secondary phases. Hornblende barometry and hornblende-plagioclase themometry for the gabbroic rocks estimate crystallisation conditions of 2–5 kb and 885–716°C.The intrusive rocks cover an extensive silica range (47.86–72.54 wt%) and do not exhibit simple straight-line variation on Harker diagrams for many elements (e.g. TiO₂, Al₂O₃, FeO^*, MgP, CaO, P₂O₅, Cr, Ni, V, Sr, Zr and Y). Most of these elements exhibit two geochemical trends suggesting two magma sources.The gabbroic rocks are relatively enriched in large ion lithophile elements (K, Rb, Sr and Ba) and depleted in high field strength elements (Nb, Zr, Ti and Y) which suggest subduction-related magma. Rare earth element (REE) data demonstrate that the gabbroic rocks have a slight enrichment of light REE [(La/Yb)_N=2.67−3.91] and depletion of heavy REE ((Tb/Yb)_N=1.42−1.47], which suggest the parent magma was of relatively primitive mantle source.The diorites and tonalites are clearly calc-alkaline and have negative anomalies of Nb, Zr, and Y which also suggest subduction-related magma. They are related to continental trondhjemites in terms of Rb---Sr, K---Na---Ca, and to volcanic-arc granites in terms of Rb---and Nb---Y.The Wadi Dabr intrusive complex is analogous to intrusions emplaced in immature ensimatic island-arcs and represents a mixture of mantle (gabbroic rocks) and crustal fusion products (diorites and tonalites) modified by fractional processes.     

P–T–X evolution in garnet pyroxenites from Tin Begane (Central Hoggar, Algeria)

Garnet pyroxenite from high pressure granulite facies occurs with different mineral assemblages which involve garnet, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, plagioclase, amphibole and quartz with spinel developing as symplectite with orthopyroxene and plagioclase in large cracks. Three successive parageneses have been identified. The primary assemblage is characterised by the presence of quartz. The second assemblage involves orthopyroxene–plagioclase–hornblende symplectite, and the third assemblage is characterised by the development of spinel in symplectites with orthopyroxene and plagioclase. Using THERMOCALC (V2.7), a quantitative pseudosection in the system CaO–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O has been calculated. The assemblage involving quartz developed at high pressure, while the assemblage involving spinel developed at lower pressure. The peak of metamorphism in Tin Begane was calculated at 860 °C and 13.5 kb with a_H2O=0.2. These conditions are followed by a decrease of pressure down to 4.8 kb.     

Fluid-absent Melting of High-grade Semi-pelites: P-T Constraints on Orthopyroxene Formation and Implications for Granulite Genesis

Rocks of semi-pelitic composition are common in high-grade terranes.The first appearance of orthopyroxene in these rocks marks thetransition from amphibolite- to granulite-facies conditions,and is commonly attributed to the process of fluid-absent partialmelting. We have conducted fluid-absent melting experimentson two natural semi-pelitic rocks (quartz, plagioclase, alkalifeldspar, biotite and garnet) with the specific objective ofdetermining the pressure–temperature conditions necessaryto produce orthopyroxene. In contrast to previous experimentalstudies, our starting materials were obtained from a transitionalamphibolite–granulite terrane. Importantly, the high TiO₂(>5 wt %) and F (>1 wt %) contents of biotite in our experimentsare more representative of biotite found in rocks on the vergeof granulite-facies conditions than those used in earlier studies.Experiments were conducted in a piston-cylinder apparatus at800–1050°C and 7–15 kbar. We reversed the firstappearance of orthopyroxene in two-stage experiments at 7 and10 kbar. Fluid-absent melting of biotite began at     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987112000394

High-grade dehydration of amphibolite-facies rocks to granulite-facies is a process that can involve partial melting,fluid-aided solid-state dehydration,or varying degrees of both.On the localized meter scale,solid-state dehydration,due to CO₂-rich fluids traveling along some fissure or crack and subsequently outwards along the mineral grain boundaries of the surrounding rock,normally is the means by which the breakdown of biotite and amphibole to orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene occur.Various mineral textures and changes in mineral chemistry seen in these rocks are also seen in more regional orthopyroxene-clinopyroxene-bearing rocks which,along with accompanying amphibolite-facies rocks, form traverses of lower crust.This suggests that solid-state dehydration during high-grade metamorphism could occur on a more regional scale.The more prominent of these fluid-induced textures in the granulitefacies portion of the traverse take the form of micro-veins of K-feldspar along quartz grain boundaries and the formation of monazite inclusions in fluorapatite.The fluids believed responsible take the form of concentrated NaCl- and KC1- brines from a basement ultramafic magma heat source traveling upwards along grain boundaries.Additional experimental work involving CaSO₄ dissolution in NaCl-brines. coupled with natural observation of oxide and sulfide mineral associations in granulite-facies rocks,have demonstrated the possibility that NaCl-brines,with a CaSO₄ component,could impose the oxygen fugacity on these rocks as opposed to the oxygen fugacity being inherent in their protoliths.These results, taken together,lend credence to the idea that regional chemical modification of the lower crust is an evolutionary process controlled by fluids migrating upwards from the lithospheric mantle along grain boundaries into and through the lower crust where they both modify the rock and are modified by it. Their presence allows for rapid mass and heat transport and subsequent mineral genesis and mineral reequilibration in the rocks through which they pass.     

1.1 Ga K-rich alkaline plutonism in the SW Grenville Province

U–Pb zircon and baddeleyite dating of six syenitic stocks establishes that the ultrapotassic, potassic alkaline and shoshonitic magmatism with island-arc affinities in the Central Metasedimentary Belt (CMB) of the southwestern Grenville Province, Canada took place between 1089 and 1076 Ma, along a 400-km-long, northeast-trending plutonic belt. These ages indicate that ultrapotassic rocks with arc affinities are not unique to the Phanerozoic. West to east emplacement ages along a northern and southern cross-section of this belt range from 1083±2 Ma (Kensington), through 1081±2 Ma (Lac Rouge) to 1076 _–1 ⁺³ Ma (Loranger) in the north, and from 1089 _–3 ⁺⁴ Ma (loon Lake) and 1088±2 Ma (Calabogie), to 1076±2 Ma (Westport) in the south. Although closely spaced in time, in detail these ages suggest a slight younging of this magmatic activity to the southeast. Integration of the geochronological data with the spatial extent and potassic character of the plutons shows that the K-rich alkaline suite is distinct from the nepheline-syenite belt of the Bancroft terrane and from the syenite-monzonite suite of the Frontenac terrane of the CMB, and it is considered to be a magmatic episode unique to the Elzevir terrane and its Gatineau segment. The timing and the postmetamorphic emplacement of these plutons indicate that the regional greenschist to granulite-facies metamorphism of the country rock (precise age unknown) is older than 1089 Ma throughout the entire Elzevir terrane. The potassic magmatism is interpreted as the initiation of the 1090–1050 Ma Ottawan Orogeny in the Elzevir terrane; thus, the regional metamorphism in this terrane, previously assigned to the Ottawan Orogeny, is an earlier event. The contemporaneous emplacement of this postmetamorphic plutonic belt with Keweenawan volcanism is at variance with current tectonic models which consider the Keweenawan rift to be formed at the same time as regional metamorphism in the CMB.     

Successive hydration and dehydration of high-P mafic granofels involving clinopyroxene–kyanite symplectites, Mt Daniel, Fiordland, New Zealand

Three texturally distinct symplectites occur in mafic granofels of the Arthur River Complex at MtDaniel, Fiordland, New Zealand. These include symplectic intergrowths of clinopyroxene and kyanite, described here for the first time. Pods of mafic granofels occur within the contact aureole of the Early Cretaceous Western Fiordland Orthogneiss batholith. The pods have cores formed entirely of garnet and clinopyroxene, and rims of pseudomorphous coarse‐grained symplectic intergrowths of hornblende and clinozoisite that reflect hydration at moderate to high‐P. These hornfelsic rocks are enveloped by a hornblende–clinozoisite gneissic foliation (S1). Narrow garnet reaction zones, in which hornblende and clinozoisite are replaced by garnet–clinopyroxene assemblages, developed adjacent to fractures and veins that cut S1. Fine‐grained symplectic intergrowths of (1) clinopyroxene and kyanite and (2) clinozoisite, quartz, kyanite and plagioclase form part of the garnet reaction zones and partially replace coarse‐grained S1 hornblende and clinozoisite. The development of the garnet reaction zones and symplectites was promoted by dehydration most probably following cooling of the contact aureole. Maps of oxide weight percent and cation proportions, calculated by performing matrix corrections on maps of X‐ray intensities, are used to study the microstructure of the symplectites.     

K---Ar hornblende dating of late Pan-African metamorphism in the furua granulite complex of Southern Tanzania

K---Ar analyses are reported for six hornblendes from the Furua granulitic complex in southern Tanzania. The M1 granulite-facies metamorphism has locally been followed by an M2 amphibolite-facies retrogradation to varying degrees. Three of the hornblendes (olive-green and orange—brown) come from granulites not showing any M2 retrogradation. They were produced as a stable phase during M1 and are concordant at approximately 630 Ma. Of the other hornblendes (Bluish-green), two come from completely M2 retrograded rocks and one from a post-M1 metadiorite. Two of them, one M2 hornblende and the metadiorite hornblende, are concordant with the M1 hornblendes, the third is somewhat older. The age of approximately 630 Ma is related to the closure of the K---Ar hornblende systems following the termination of the M2 amphibolite-facies conditions. Taking also into account an earlier U-Pb zircon investigation and U-Pb zircon data reported from the Wami River granulite complex to the northeast, the M1 granulite-facies metamorphism is dated at approximately 715 Ma and the termination of the M2 amphibolite-facies retrogradation at approximately 650 Ma. It is argued that a prolonged period of high crustal temperature prevailed after M1, with a slow cooling rate from approximately 800–825°C during M1 approximately 715 Ma ago to 490–550°C approximately 630 Ma ago, shortly after M2. This thermal regime may be related to a continent—continent collision model for the evolution of the Mozambique belt.     

Geothermobarometry and fluid inclusions of dioritic rocks in Bangladesh: Implications for emplacement depth and exhumation rate

Application of hornblende thermobarometry and fluid inclusion studies to the Palaeoproterozoic (1.7 Ga) basement rocks from Maddhapara, NW Bangladesh, provide information on the pressure and temperature (P–T) conditions of crystallization, the emplacement depth and composition of magmatic fluid. The basement rocks are predominantly diorite or quartz diorite with a mineral assemblage of plagioclase, hornblende, biotite, quartz, K-feldspar, titanite, and secondary epidote and chlorite. The calculated P–T conditions of the dioritic rocks are 680–725 °C and 4.9–6.4 kbar, which probably correspond to crystallization conditions. Fluid inclusion studies suggest that low- to medium-salinity (0–6.4 wt.% NaCl_eq) H₂O-rich fluids are trapped during the crystallization of quartz and plagioclase. The isochore range calculated for primary aqueous inclusions is consistent with the P–T condition obtained by geothermobarometry. The basement rocks likely crystallized at a depth of 17–22 km, with a minimum average exhumation rate of 12–15 m/Ma during Palaeoproterozoic to Lopingian time. Such slow exhumation indicates low relief continental shield surface during this period.     

Formation and mineral chemistry of a calcic skarn from Al-Madhiq, SW Saudi Arabia

A newly identified skarn occurrence is described from the Neoproterozoic rocks of the SW Arabian shield. It is exposed to the SE, E and NE of the Al-Madhiq town. The skarn attributes correspond to those typical of the calcic skarns that host W-deposits. It is characterized as an exoskarn of the proximal type, related to a granitoid contact close to an impure quartzite bed within the regional metamorphic rocks of mixed sedimentary and volcanic derivation. The skarn is localized along a shear zone parallel to the regional faults and other major shear zones. Samples from the studied area contain characteristic skarn minerals that include both the prograde (brownish red grossular, ferrosalite, aluminian titanite-grothite, albite-oligoclase, scapolite), and retrograde (epidote, quartz, hornblende, calcite) assemblages. The pyroxenes are ferrosalites, Mn-bearing, and more like those from “oxidized” skarns; although garnets indicate it to be a “reduced” type skarn. Epidote mimicks that from typical skarns, as it bears a pistacite content of 15.9–20.7%. Grossular composition reflects a largely reduced genetic environment; as it is in solid solution with 6.5–21.6% andradite, 0–0.15% uvarovite, 0–0.47% pyrope, 4.33–18.75% almandine, and 0.4–8.58% spessartine molecules. Titanite composition varies from aluminian titanite to grothite, that may be analogous to the newly described Al-rich titanite from the low-pressure calc-silicate rocks.     

STAGES OF KIMBERLITE DEVELOPMENT AND EVOLVING CONDITIONS OF DIAMOND FORMATION

Ultramafic/mafic complexes hosting Fe-Ni-Cu mineralization occur as small, lensoidal bodies within the Svecofennian, molasse-like metasedimentary rocks of the Vammala Nickel Belt (VNB) in southwestern Finland. One of them, the Sääksjärvi metaperidotitemetagabbro complex, has been studied to gain a better understanding of their petrogenesis and timing of emplacement. These ultramafic rocks were emplaced before the regional upper-amphibolite-facies metamorphism of the Svecofennian orogeny. They recrystallized to amphibole-dominated assemblages comprising: (1) in metaperidotiteolivine + magnesian hornblende ± chromite ± enstatite ± augite ± phlogopite; (2) in hornblendite-actinolitic hornblende ± augite ± plagioclase ± Fe-Ti oxides; and (3) in metagabbro-actinolitic hornblende + plagioclase ± Fe-Ti oxides ± biotite. The recrystallization was accompanied by changes that involved the formation of a lattice-preferred orientation in olivine and porphyroclastic, poikiloblastic, and equigranular textures.

Geochemical modeling indicates that the ultramafic rocks were derived from a tholeiitic magma (Mg/Mg + Fe = 0.58 to 0.62; Ni = 90 to 120 ppm; low Ti content) by olivine (Fo_78-84) accumulation and, in the case of the gabbro differentiates, accumulation of olivine with subordinate clinopyroxene and plagioclase. The geochemical character is that of island-arc low-Ti tholeiites and, like other VNB intrusions, involves enrichment of light-ion-lithophile elements and rare-earth elements relative to high-field-strength elements compared with normalized mid-oceanic-ridge basalts; this is particularly evident in the Nd/Nb, Zr/Nb, and Th/ Nb ratios. In the studied cumulate body, the sheared margins and the contact-parallel foliation indicate that the ultramafic bodies underwent plastic deformation and possibly were displaced along the evolving foliation in the more ductile migmatitic country rocks. This is contrary to previous interpretations of the VNB ultramafic bodies, which have been treated essentially as unmodified in situ magmatic intrusions.     

Petrology and geochronology of low-pressure mafic granulites in the Marydale Group, South Africa

Granulite- and amphibolite-facies metabasites occur within the Archaean Marydale Group (3.0 Ga) along the western edge of the mid-Proterozoic Kheis Tectonic Subprovince (1.8–1.3 Ga) of South Africa. At the northern end of the exposed Marydale Group, the metabasites are infolded with overlying quartzites from which they are separated by a low-angle fault contact. They contain two pyroxenes, hornblende and bytownite, but show widespread retrogression to coronas of almandine and hornblende. Geothermometric data for these assemblages indicate peak equilibration of the two-pyroxene assemblage at 690–760°C, and retrograde equilibration of garnet-hornblende pairs at 600–650°C. Barometric data are more uncertain though an estimate of 3–5 kbar is made from a consideration of hornblende chemistry. Using previously published data, a near-isobaric retrograde P-T path is inferred.

Rb---Sr ages of whole-rock hypersthene tonalites and mylonitized granites yield ages of 1353 ± 33 and 1355 ± 20 Ma, respectively, interpreted as the age of isotopic resetting during granulite-facies metamorphism. K---Ar hornblende ages of 1228 ± 61 and 1070 ± 48 Ma are recorded from fresh and sheared granulite-facies metabasites, respectively. These ages data the P-T path and show that the granulite-facies metamorphism predates the adjacent Namaqua orogeny that reset Rb---Sr systematics at ±1210 Ma.