Actinolite-forming reaction at low pressure and the role of Fe2+-Mg substitution

The 6km-thick Karmutsen metabasites, exposed over much of Vancouver Island, were thermally metamorphosed by intrusions of Jurassic granodiorite and granite. Observation of about 800 thin sections shows that the metabasites provide a complete succession of mineral assemblages ranging from the zeolite to pyroxene hornfels facies around the intrusion. The reaction leading to the appearance of actinolite, which is the facies boundary between prehnite-pumpellyite and prehnite-actinolite facies, was examined using calcite-free Karmutsen metabasites collected from the route along the Elk river. In the prehnite-pumpellyite facies, X _Fe3+[Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺+Al)] in prehnite, pumpellyite and epidote buffered by the four-phase assemblage prehnite+pumpellyite+epidote+chlorite systematically decreases with increasing metamorphic grade. Such a trend is the reverse of that proposed by Cho et al. (1986); this may be related to the higher in the Mt. Menzies area. The actinolite-forming reaction depends on the value of X ^Fe3+ in pumpellyite. If using a low value of ^Fe3+, 3.89 Pr(0.06)+0.48 Ep(0.26)+0.60 Chl+H₂O=2.10 Pm (0.08)+0.17 Act+0.88 Qz is delineated. The number in parentheses stands for the X _Fe3+value in Ca-Al silicates. On the other hand, replacing the X _Fe3+ of 0.08 in pumpellyite with a higher X _Fe3+ value (0.24) changes the reaction to 0.41 Pm+0.02 Chl+0.42 Qz=0.11 Pr+0.62 Ep+0.10 Act+H₂O. The first (hydration) reaction forms pumpellyite and actinolite on the high-temperature side, whereas the second (dehydration) reaction consumes pumpellyite to form prehnite, epidote and actinolite. The former reaction seems to explain the textural relationship of Ca-Al silicates in the study area. However, actinolite-forming reaction changes to a different reaction depending on the compositions of the participating minerals, although in the other area even physical conditions may be similar to those in the study area. Chemographic analysis of phase relations in the PrA facies indicates that the appearance of prehnite depends strongly on the bulk FeO/MgO ratio: this may explain the rarity of prehnite in common metabasites in spite of the expected dominant occurrence in the conventional pseudo-quaternary (Ca-Al-Fe³⁺-FM) system. An increasing FeO/MgO ratio stabilizes the Pr+Act assemblage and reduces the stability of the Pm+Act one. Therefore, the definition of pumpellyite-actinolite facies should include not only Pm+Act but also the absence of Pr+Act assemblages. In addition to the possible role of high (Cho and Liou 1987) and/or high to mask the appearance of prehnite, the effect of the FeO/MgO ratio is emphasized.     

A Petrographic and Mineralogical Study of Volcanic Rocks from the Mayaxueshan Area, North Qilian Fold Belt, NW China

The Ordovician volcanic rocks in the Mayaxueshan area have been pervasively altered or metamorphosed and contain abundant secondary minerals such as albite, chlorite, epidote, prehnite, pumpellyite, actinolite, titanite, quartz, and/or calcite. They were denoted as spilites or spilitic rocks in terms of their petrographic features and mineral assemblages. The metamorphic grades of the volcanic rocks are equivalent to that of the intercalated metaclastic rocks. This indicates that both the spilitic volcanic rocks and metaclastic rocks in the Mayaxueshan area have formed as a result of Caledonian regional metamorphism. We suggest that the previously denoted spilitic rocks or altered volcanic rocks should be re-denoted as metabasalts or metabasaltic rocks. The metamorphic grade of the volcanic rocks increases with their age: prehnite-pumpellyite facies for the upper part of the Middle Ordovician volcanic rocks, prehnite-pumpeilyite to lower greenschist facies for the lower part of the Middle Ordovician vol     

Andradite and andradite-grossular solid solutions in very low-grade regionally metamorphosed rocks in Southern New Zealand

Almost pure andradite and intermediate members of the andradite-grossular series (gros_40–49, and _47–54, py_0–3, alm_0–3, spess_0–2, hydrogarnet_0–3), often framboidal in habit, are widespread in metabasites including lavas, minor intrusions, and volcanic sandstones and breccias metamorphosed under prehnite-pumpellyite and pumpellyite-actinolite facies conditions, possibly extending into the zeolite facies. Coexisting phases include iron-rich epidotes (100 Fe*/Fe*+Al=22–34), pumpellyite, prehnite, actinolite, and chlorite, electron microprobe analyses of which are given, as well as quartz, albite, and calcite. Zoisite (100 Fe*/Fe*+Al=1–5) and iron-poor epidote (100 Fe*/Fe*+Al=11–18) occur in 2 rocks in pseudomorphs after plagioclase together with more iron-rich epidote, but not in close association with the garnets. Coexisting pumpellyite is iron-rich (FeO* 9–14%) in the prehnite-pumpellyite facies and iron-poor (FeO* 5%) in the pumpellyiteactinolite facies. Chlorites and actinolites vary widely and sympathetically in FeO/MgO+FeO ratio. Andradite is also described from a stilpnomelane-actinolite-hematite-bearing andradite quartzite of the pumpellyite-actinolite facies. Conditions of formation involved temperatures of 300 to 400 ° or less, at pressures up to a few kilobars. A wide range of oxygen fugacities is possible, but in the fluid phase was low. Grandite and chlorite are incompatible in the pumpellyite-actinolite and greenschist facies in the presence of quartz but the 2 minerals occur together in some pumpellyite-actinolite facies assemblages as a result of incomplete reaction and/or local deficiency in silica. In the greenschist facies the association is replaced by epidote-actinolite±hematite and sodic amphibole. Whereas at medium to high grades of metamorphism andradite and grandite are characteristic of skarns irrespective of , at very low grades they are found in mafic volcanic rocks and volcanogenic sediments as well as in certain cherty rocks of unusual composition, rodingites, and serpentinites, where was very low.     

Metamorphism of the Izu-Tanzawa collision zone

The difference in pressure condition of progressive metamorphism established by Schreinemakers' analysis of mineral assemblages in metabasalts makes it possible for the low grade metamorphism of the Izu-Tanzawa-Fujigawadani collision zone to be divided into three types. Type I is characterized by prehnite + epidote + hematite, suggesting the lowest pressure type; whereas type II is defined by prehnite + epidote + actinolite—the intermediate pressure type, and finally the distinctive assemblage of type III is pumpellyite + epidote + actinolite—the higher pressure type. The pressure conditions estimated are about 1 kbar for type I, 1–2 kbar for type II and 2–3 kbar for type III. The metamorphic rocks of type III occur in the southwestern part of the Tanzawa Mountains, and the metamorphic rocks of type I occur in the central Izu Peninsula and the northeast Tanzawa Mountains. Therefore, the upward displacement of the accretion mass due to collision deformation is most significant at the southwest Tanzawa Mountains. This suggests that the accretion of the Tanzawa and Izu blocks is accompanied with large-scale tilting of the mass.     

Petrology of garnet — cordierite — sillimanite gneisses from the El Tormes thermal dome,Iberian Hercynian foldbelt (W Spain)

The core of the El Tormes thermal dome, situated in the central part of one of the main metamorphic belts of the Iberian Peninsula, is formed by garnet-cordierite-biotite-sillimanite pelitic gneisses. These rocks, that very often are cut by minor intrusions of Al-rich S-type granites, are metatexitic gneisses in which there exists garnet showing different stages of resorption and transformation into an aggregate of cordierite±plagioclase±biotite. The garnet, mantled and corroded mainly by cordierite, has never been found to occur in contact with the prismatic sillimanite of the matrix, thus indicating that the continuous reaction Gr+Sill+Q = Cd has taken place. The presence of corroded biotite inside the garnet-rimming cordierite of the aggregates as well as inside the cordierite of the matrix, which usually includes remmants of sillimanite, indicates that the continuous reaction Bi+Sill+Q = Cd+FK+H₂O has occurred too. Therefore, a realistic net reaction for these aggretates should be represented by the univariant, at a given , equilibrium: Biotite+Sillimanite+Garnet+Quartz = Cordierite+K-feldspar+H₂O (1)The important garnet resorption near the anatectic granitic veins implies that this process is favoured by a decrease in , this factor being otherwise buffered by the reaction (1) assemblage.The most probable P-T path, assuming these conditions, consistent with the AFM projection of the former (inferred) and present assemblages in the aggregates and in the matrix, implies a decrease in P coeval with a decrease in T (Fig. 4, path 2).The most reliable P-T determination for the final stage of garnet breakdown through reaction (1), based on the coexistence of the seven phase assemblage garnet — cordierite — biotite — sillimanite — plagioclase — potash feldspar — quartz plus melt, gives 695° C, 4.3 kbar, = 0.5, The maximum pressure for this process, obtained from the garnet — plagioclase equilibrium, is 6.5±1 kbar at the same temperature.The estimates of the T for the garnet core-garnet included biotite pairs are consistently lower, ca. 550° C, than those obtained for the garnet rim-biotite in aggregates, ca. 645° C, or garnet rim-adjacent cordierite pairs, ca. 695° C.It may, therefore, be supposed that, during their evolution these rocks underwent first an increase in T and then, during the last stages, as garnet and biotite brokedown, a decrease in P and T. This represents an uplift of the core of El Tormes dome under high grade amphibolite to low pressure granulite facies conditions, accompanied by a process of partial melting with local decrase in . It is suggested, from mineral growth-deformation relationships, that this process took place during the late hercynian deformation phases, P-3 or doming stage.     

Die Glaukophangesteine,ihre stofflichen Äquivalente und Uniwandlungsprodukte in Nordcalabrien (Süditalien)

In the southern Apennin (= northern part of the region dealt with) and the Coasta Chain (= southern part) there are metabasalts wich are classified in the northern part as:

1. Glaucophane rocks of the albite-lawsonite-glaucophane-subfacies with the assemblage glaucophane + pumpellyite + lawsonite ±albite ±aragonite ±muscovite (7 rock analyses, 8 mineral analyses). These rocks are conceived as relics of an older burial metamorphism.
2. Rocks with pumpellyite and chlorite or also chlorite alone, that are interpreted as reaction rims between the metastable glaucophane rocks and the country rock (phyllites, quartzites). The assemblages pumpellyite + chlorite and chlorite alone are to be found (2 rock analyses and 2 mineral analyses).
3. Rocks with lawsonite and/or epidote belong to the same mineral facies as the country rock: a facies similar to the greenschist facies (called “lawsonite-albite-chlorite-subfacies”) which is characterized by the assemblages lawsonite + albite + chlorite ±calcite and also epidote ±lawsonite + albite + chlorite ± muscovite. These types are attributed to a younger dynamo-metamorphism (2 rock analyses).

In the southern part, the metabasalts can be found only as rocks with epidote and/or lawsonite, a metamorphism with more than one event cannot be proved petrologically (3 rock analyses). Equations of the observed mineral reactions are given. The transitions of one facies into another are represented in the pseudo-quaternary system Al₂O₃-CaO-Na₂O · Al₂O₃-2 Fe₂O₃ + FeO + MnO + MgO-(H₂O). The pressure-temperature conditions are estimated on the basis of published experimental data (300° C and 6–7 kb for the glaucophane rocks; 400° C and about 6 kb for the rocks with lawsonite and/or epidote) and are compared with geologic facts.     

Thermal modelling in shallow subduction: an application to low P/T metamorphism of the Cretaceous Shimanto Accretionary Complex, Japan

This paper presents the results of numerical modelling to investigate the regional occurrence of prehnite‐bearing metamorphic rocks at shallow levels in subduction zones. The modelling assumes a simple geometrical configuration in which the thermal structure in a prism is controlled by boundary conditions at the top and base of the prism. It is expected that the predominant metamorphic facies in a prism will change with decreasing age of the descending slab. The results of thermal modelling show that the facies boundary between pumpellyite–actinolite and prehnite–actinolite facies (including prehnite–pumpellyite facies) overlaps with an array of P–T conditions in the prism when the age of a descending slab is younger than 10 Myr. This implies that the change of the predominant metamorphic facies from pumpellyite–actinolite to prehnite–actinolite facies will switch drastically. The critical age of the switch depends on subduction parameters. In particular, the critical age of the descending slab is <5 Myr in the case of no shear heating, with a subduction rate of v=75–200 mm y^?1 and subduction angle of θ=5–15°. For shear heating (constant shear stress=30 MPa) with a subduction rate of v=75 mm y^?1 and subduction angle of θ=10° the critical age is 7 Myr. To test this switching behaviour in the development of prehnite–actinolite facies in the prism, petrologic data from the Cretaceous Shimanto Accretionary Complex (CSAC) in Kyushu, Japan were compiled. The regional occurrence and mineral assemblages of prehnite‐bearing metamorphic rocks suggest that the most of CSAC was metamorphosed under prehnite–actinolite facies. This conclusion is consistent with subduction of a young, hot slab, as has been proposed based on other geological observations. This suggests that the regional extent of the prehnite–actinolite facies metamorphic rocks may be a unique evidence for the subduction of a young, hot slab.     

Geochemical Features and Tectonic Setting of Greenstones from Kunimiyama, Northern Chichibu Belt, Central Shikoku, Japan

Abstract. We report whole‐rock chemical data for the greenstones from the Kunimiyama area in the Northern Chichibu Belt and their implications on the tectonic setting of these rocks. The Kunimiyama greenstones are associated with stratiform fer‐romanganese deposits or bedded cherts in the northern part of the study area, but are closely associated with a thick limestone block or bedded cherts in the southern part. The constituent minerals of greenstones are albitized plagioclase, clinopy‐roxene, chlorite, calcite, epidote, pumpellyite, prehnite, quartz, celadonite, sericite and opaque minerals such as iron oxyhy‐droxide and hematite. These mineral assemblages, epidote + pumpellyite + chlorite and chlorite + pumpellyite + prehnite, suggest that the metamorphic grade of greenstones from the Kunimiyama area is prehnite‐pumpellyite facies. The whole‐rock chemical compositions of greenstones associated with ferromanganese deposits are generally similar to those of normal mid‐ocean ridge basalt (N‐MORB). In contrast, the chemical compositions of the greenstones associated with the limestone block are comparable to those of ocean island alkaline basalt. Greenstones associated with bedded cherts are of enriched MORB and ocean island basalt, as well as N‐MORB origins, suggesting they probably formed as a result of plume‐related MOR volcanism in the Panthalassa Ocean in Early Permian and by tectonic mixing of ocean island basalts with oceanic ridge crustal fragments during accretion/subduction processes. These geological and geochemical lines of evidence suggest that the Kunimiyama greenstones are allochthonous blocks of accreted oceanic crust and seamounts. The ferromanganese deposits are frequently accompanied by reddish greenstones. Compared to common greenish greenstones, the reddish greenstones are characterized by high MnO and rare earth element contents and distinct negative Ce anomalies, implying a slight contribution of hydro thermal component forming the ferromanganese deposits.     

Transition from the Zeolite to Prehnite-Pumpellyite Facies in the Karmutsen Metabasites, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

The upper Triassic Karmutsen metabasites from northeast VancouverIsland, B.C., are thermally metamorphosed by the intrusion ofthe Coast Range Batholith. The amygdaloidal metabasites developedin the outer portion of the contact aureole show a progressivemetamorphism from zeolite to prehnite-pumpellyite facies. Thesize of an equilibrium domain is extremely small for these metabasites,and the individual amygdule assemblages are assumed to be inequilibrium. Two major calcite-free assemblages (+chlorite+quartz)are characteristic: (i) laumontite+pumpellyite+epidote in thezeolite facies and (ii) prehnite+pumpellyite+epidote in theprehnite-pumpellyite facies. The assemblages and compositionsof Ca-Al silicates are chemographically and theoretically interpretedon the basis of the predicted P-T grid for the model basalticsystem, CaO-MgO-A1₂O₃-Fe₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O. The results indicate:(1) local equilibrium has been approached in mineral assemblagesand compositions; (2) the X_Fe³⁺ values in the coexisting Ca-Alsilicates decrease from epidote, through pumpellyite to prehnite;(3) with increasing metamorphic grade, the Fe³⁺ contents ofepidotes in reaction assemblages decrease in the zeolite facies,then increase in the prehnite-pumpellyite facies rocks. Suchvariations in the assemblages and mineral compositions are controlledby a sequence of continuous and discontinuous reactions, andallow delineation of T-X_Fe³⁺ relations at constant pressure.The transition from the zeolite to prehnite-pumpellyite faciesof the Karmutsen metabasites is defined by a discontinuous reaction:0·18 laumontite+pumpellyite+0·15 quartz = 1·31prehnite+ 0·78 epidote+0·2 chlorite+ 1·72H₂O, where the X_Fe³⁺ values of prehnite, pumpellyite and epidoteare 0·03, 0·10 and 0·18, respectively.These values together with available thermodynamic data andour preliminary experimental data are used to calculate theP-T condition for the discontinuous reaction as P = 1·1±0·5 kb and T = 190±30°C. The effectsof pressure on the upper stability of the zeolite facies assemblagesare discussed utilizing T-X_Fe³⁺ diagrams. The stability of thelaumontite-bearing assemblages for the zeolite facies metamorphismof basaltic rocks may be defined by either continuous or discontinuousreactions depending on the imposed metamorphic field gradient.Hence, the zeolite and prehnite-pumpellyite facies transitionboundary is multivariant.     

Seafloor hydrothermal alteration at an Archaean mid-ocean ridge

A hydrothermally metamorphosed/altered greenstone complex capped by bedded cherts exposed in the North Pole, Pilbara Carton, Western Australia, is interpreted as an accretionary complex. It is distinctive in being characterised by both duplex structure and an oceanic crust stratigraphy. This complex is shown to represent an Archaean upper oceanic crust with a mid‐ocean ridge hydrothermal metamorphism that increases in grade stratigraphically downward. Three mineral zones have been defined; Zone A of the zeolite facies, the prehnite‐pumpellyite facies or the lower‐greenschist facies at high‐X_CO2 condition, Zone B of the greenschist facies, and Zone C of the greenschist/amphibolite transition facies. In Zone A metabasites, Ca‐Al silicates including Ca‐zeolites, prehnite and pumpellyite are absent and epidote/clinozoisite is extremely rare. Instead, abundant carbonates are present with chlorite suggesting high‐X_CO2 composition in the fluid. On the other hand, in Zones B and C metabasites, where Ca‐amphibole + epidote/clinozoisite + chlorite + Ca‐Na plagioclase are the dominant assemblages, carbonate is not identified. The metamorphic conditions boundary of Zones B/C were estimated to be about 350 °C at a pressure of <0.5 kbar. Fluid compositions coexisting with Archaean greenstones at the transition between Zones B and C were estimated by thermodynamic calculation in the CaFMASCH system (T = 350–370 °C, P = 150–1000 bar) at X_CO2 of 0.012–0.140, such values are higher than present‐day vent fluids collected near mid‐ocean ridges with low‐X_CO2 values, up to 0.005. The Archaean seawater depth at the mid‐ocean ridge was estimated to be 1600 m at X_CO2 = 0.06 using a depth‐to‐boiling point curve for a fluid. The carbonation due to high‐X_CO2 hydrothermal fluids occurred near the ridge‐axis before or was coincident with ridge metamorphism.     

A Coupled Riverine-Marine Fractionation Model for Dissolved Rare Earths and Yttrium

Fractionation of yttrium (Y) and the rare earth elements (REEs) begins in riverine systems and continues in estuaries and the ocean. Models of yttrium and rare earth (YREE) distributions in seawater must therefore consider the fractionation of these elements in both marine and riverine systems. In this work we develop a coupled riverine/marine fractionation model for dissolved rare earths and yttrium, and apply this model to calculations of marine YREE fractionation for a simple two-box (riverine/marine) geochemical system. Shale-normalized YREE concentrations in seawater can be expressed in terms of fractionation factors ( _ij ) appropriate to riverine environments ( ) and seawater ( ):

Prehnite-Pumpellyite to Greenschist Fades Transition in the Karmutsen Metabasites, Vancouver Island, B.C.

Mineral paragenescs in the prehnite-pumpellyite to greenschistfades transition of the Karmutsen metabasites are markedly differentbetween amygdule and matrix, indicating that the size of equilibriumdomain is very small. Characteristic amygdule assemblages (+chlorite + quartz) vary from: (1) prehnite + pumpeUyite + epidote,prehnite + pumpellyite + calcite, and pumpellyite + epidote+ calcite for the prehnite-pumpellyite facies; through (2) calcite+ epidote + prehnite or pumpellyite for the transition zone;to (3) actinolite + epidote + calrite for the greenschist facies.Actinolite first appears in the matrix of the transition zone.Na-rich wairakites containing rare analcime inclusions coexistwith epidote or Al-rich pumpellyite in one prehnite-pumpellyitefacies sample. Phase relations and compositions of these wairakite-bearingassemblages further suggest that pumpellyite may have a compositionalgap between 0.10 and 0.15 X_Fe?. Although the facies boundaries are gradational due to the multi-varianceof the assemblages, several transition equilibria are establishedin the amygdule assemblages. At low X_co2, pumpellyite disappearsprior to prehnite by a discontinuous-type reaction, pumpellyite+ quartz + CO₂ = prehnite + epidote + calcite + chlorite + H₂O,whereas prehnite disappears by a continuous-type reaction, prehnite+ CO₂ = calcite + epidote + quartz-l-H₂O. On the other hand,at higher X_CO2 a prehnite-out reaction, prehnite + chlorite+ H₂O + CO₂ = calcite + pumpellyite + quartz, precedes a pumpellyiteoutreaction, pumpellyite + CO₂ = calcite + epidote + chlorite +quartz + H₂O. The first appearance of the greenschist faciesassemblages is defined at both low and high XCOj by a reaction,calcite + chlorite + quartz = epidote + actinolite+ H₂O + CO₂.Thus, these transition equilibria are highly dependent on bothX_Fe³⁺ + of Ca-Al silicates and X_H20 of the fluid phase. Phaseequilibria together with the compositional data of Ca-Al silicatesindicate that the prehnite-pumpellyite to greenschist faciestransition for the Karmutsen metabasites occurred at approximately1.7 kb and 300?C, and at very low X_co2, probably far less than0.1.     

Mineral assemblages and phase equilibria of metabasites from the prehnite–pumpellyite to amphibolite facies,with the Flin Flon Greenstone Belt (Manitoba) as a type example

An exceptionally well-exposed part of the Flin Flon Greenstone Belt (Manitoba/Saskatchewan) is used to characterize the mineral assemblage evolution associated with prehnite–pumpellyite through amphibolite facies metamorphism of basalts. Data from these rocks are combined with a large literature data set to assess the ability of current thermodynamic models to reproduce natural patterns, evaluate the use of metabasic rocks at these grades to estimate pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions of metamorphism, and to comment on the metamorphic devolatilization that occurs. At Flin Flon, five major isograds (actinolite-in, prehnite- and pumpellyite-out, hornblende-in, oligoclase-in, and actinolite-out) collectively represent passage from prehnite–pumpellyite to lower amphibolite facies conditions. The evolution in mineral assemblages occurs in two narrow (~1,000 m) zones: the prehnite–pumpellyite to greenschist facies (PP-GS) transition and greenschist to amphibolite facies (GS-AM) transition. Across the GS-AM transition, significant increases in the hornblende and oligoclase proportions occur at the expense of actinolite, albite, chlorite, and titanite, whereas there is little change in the proportions of epidote. The majority of this mineral transformation occurs above the oligoclase-in isograd within the hornblende–actinolite–oligoclase zone. Comparison with thermodynamic modelling results suggests data set 5 (DS5) of Holland and Powell (1998, Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 16 (3):309–343) and associated activity–composition (a–x) models is generally successful in reproducing natural observations, whereas data set 6 (DS6) (Holland & Powell, 2011, Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 29 (3):333–383) and associated a–x models fail to reproduce the observed mineral isograds and compositions. When the data from Flin Flon are combined with data from the literature, two main pressure-sensitive facies series for metabasites are revealed, based on prograde passage below or above a hornblende–albite bathograd at ~3.3 kbar: a low-pressure ‘actinolite–oligoclase type’ facies series, characterized by the appearance of oligoclase before hornblende, and a moderate- to high-pressure ‘hornblende–albite type’ facies series, characterized by the appearance of hornblende before oligoclase. Concerning the PP-GS transition, the mineral assemblage evolution in Flin Flon suggests it occurs over a small zone (<1,000 m), in which assemblages containing true transitional assemblages (prehnite and/or pumpellyite coexisting with actinolite) are rare. This contrasts with thermodynamic modelling, using either DS5 or DS6, which predicts a wide PP-GS transition involving the progressive appearance of epidote and actinolite and disappearance of pumpellyite and prehnite. Patterns of mineral assemblages and thermodynamic modelling suggest a useful bathograd (‘CHEPPAQ bathograd’), separating prehnite–pumpellyite-bearing assemblages at low pressures and pumpellyite–actinolite-bearing assemblages at higher pressures, occurs at ~2.3 to 2.6 kbar. Observations from the Flin Flon sequence suggests devolatilization across the GS-AM transition (average: ~1.8 wt% H₂O) occurs over a very narrow interval within the actinolite–hornblende–oligoclase zone, associated with the loss of >75% of the total chlorite. By contrast, modelling of the GS-AM transition zone predicts more progressive dehydration of ~2 wt% H₂O over a >50°C interval. Observations from the field suggest devolatilization across the PP-GS transition occurs over a very narrow interval given the rarity of transitional assemblages. Modelling suggests fluid release of 1.0–1.4 wt% resulting from prehnite breakdown over a ~10°C interval. This fluid may not be entirely lost from the rock package due to involvement in the hydration of igneous mineralogy across the PP-GS transition as observed in the Flin Flon sequence.     

Metamorphic evolution of the central Southern Cross Province,Yilgarn Craton,Western Australia

Two contrasting styles of metamorphism are preserved in the central Southern Cross Province. An early, low‐grade and low‐strain event prevailed in the central parts of the Marda greenstone belt and was broadly synchronous with the first major folding event (D₁) in the region. Mineral assemblages similar to those encountered in sea‐floor alteration are indicative of mostly prehnite‐pumpellyite facies conditions, but locally actinolite‐bearing assemblages suggest conditions up to mid‐greenschist facies. Geothermobarometry indicates that peak metamorphic conditions were of the order of 250–300°C at pressures below 180 MPa in the prehnite‐pumpellyite facies, but may have been as high as 400°C at 220 MPa in the greenschist facies. A later, higher grade, high‐strain metamorphic event was largely confined to the margins of the greenstone belts. Mineral assemblages and geothermobarometry suggest conditions from upper greenschist facies at P–T conditions of about 500°C and 220 MPa to upper amphibolite facies at 670°C and 400 MPa. Critical mineral reactions in metapelitic rocks suggest clockwise P–T paths. Metamorphism was diachronous across the metamorphic domains. Peak metamorphic conditions were reached relatively early in the low‐grade terrains, but outlasted most of the deformation in the higher grade terrains. Early metamorphism is interpreted to be a low‐strain, ocean‐floor‐style alteration event in a basin with high heat flow. In contrast, differential uplift of the granitoids and greenstones, with conductive heat input from the granitoids into the greenstones, is the preferred explanation for the distribution and timing of the high‐strain metamorphism in this region.     

Observations on the boundary between zeolite facies and prehnite-pumpellyite facies

Using graphical analysis of the system CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O-CO₂, this paper derives a topology relating the minerals calcite, laumontite, wairakite, prehnite, quartz, and zoisite. Simple thermodynamic reasoning allows this system to be applied to natural rocks and indicates that the first appearance of the assemblage epidote-chlorite-quartz (±albite) should mark the upper boundary of zeolite facies. This assemblage forms at the expense of laumontite+prehnite, laumontite+calcite, or laumontite+pumpellyite, with wairakite likely to replace laumontite as the stable zeolite at low pressures. In natural systems this proposed facies boundary is multivariant and, hence, it is likely to be strongly sensitive to compositional variables. For example, Na-bearing wairakite will be more stable than pure Ca-wairakite and increasing abundance of Fe³⁺ will tend to stabilize epidote+quartz at the expense of the zeolites. Because of this, monitoring the composition of minerals such as epidote, prehnite, or wairakite from lowvariance assemblages may provide a more-sensitive indicator of metamorphic grade than the presence or absence of any particular mineral assemblage.     

Pumpellyites and coexisting minerals in different low-grade metamorphic facies of Liguria, Italy

Pumpellyite from four-phase assemblages (pumpellyite + epidote + prehnite + chlorite; pumpellyite + epidote + actinolite + chlorite; pumpellyite + epidote + Na-amphibole + chlorite, together with common excess phases), considered to be low variance in a CaO-(MgO + FeO)-Al₂O₃-Fe₂O₃ (+Na₂O + SiO₂+ H₂O) system, have been examined in areas which underwent metamorphism in the prehnite-pumpellyite, pumpellyite-actinolite and low-temperature blueschist facies respectively. The analysed mineral assemblages are compared for nearly constant (basaltic) chemical composition at varying metamorphic grade and for varying chemical composition (basic, intermediate, acidic) at constant metamorphic conditions (low-temperature blueschist facies). In the studied mineral assemblages, coexisting phases approached near chemical equilibrium. At constant (basaltic) bulk rock composition the MgO content of pumpellyite increases, and the X_Fe3+ of both pumpellyite and epidote decreases with increasing metamorphic grade, the Fe³⁺ being preferentially concentrated in epidote. Both pumpellyite and epidote compositions vary with the bulk rock composition at isofacial conditions; pumpellyite becomes progressively enriched in Fe and depleted in Mg from basic to intermediate and acidic bulk rock compositions. The compositional comparison of pumpellyites from high-variance (1–3 phases) assemblages in various bulk rock compositions (basic, intermediate, acidic rocks, greywackes, gabbros) shows that the compositional fields of both pumpellyite and epidote are wide and variable, broadly overlapping the compositional effects observed at varying metamorphic grade in low-variance assemblages. The intrinsic stability of both Fe- and Al-rich pumpellyites extends across the complete range of the considered metamorphic conditions. Element partitioning between coexisting phases is the main control on the mineral composition at different P-T conditions.     

Metamorphoseentwicklung in der südlichen Bunten Serie am Beispiel einiger Gneise,Moldanubikum, Niederösterreich

Zusammefassung Gneise aus dem südhchen Teil der Bunten Serie wurden im Hinblick auf ihre Metamorphoseentwicklung untersucht. Sie gehören allgemein dem FaziestypBi+Sil+Kfs+Gr an. Die Granate weisen alle für diesen Faziestyp charakteristischen Merkmale auf: weitgehende Homogenisierung durch Diffusion und Abkühlungserscheinungen am äußeren Rand. Ca- und Mn-reiche, reliktische Kerne mancher Granate weisen auf ein älteres Ereignis hin. Paragenetische Beziehungen und T- und P-Berechnungen ergeben folgende Bedingungen für die Hauptmetamorphose: 720–770°C bei 7–9 kbar und P_tot.Dieses metamorphe Ereignis dürfte sich mit der granulitfaziellen Metamorphose in der Gföhler Einheit korrelieren lassen. Somit wird der Wert der lithologischen Kriterien, die zur Ausscheidung der Bunten Serie und der Gföhler Einheit verwendet wurden, in Frage gestellt. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse und Literaturdaten weisen auf eine jüngere, retrograde Wiederaufwärmung der Gesteine hin.

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Gneisses from the Moldanubikum, Lower Austria, and the Metamorphic Evolution of the Southern Bunte Serie

Summary A number of gneisses from the southern part of the Bunte Serie have been studied in order to determine the metamorphic evolution of this series. They all belong to the paragenetic facies typeBi+Sil+Kfs+Gr. Especially the garnets of these rocks exhibit all typical features of garnets from high temperature facies types: diffusional homogenization throughout the garnet and cooling patterns at the outer rim. Ca and Mn richer, relic cores in some garnets indicate an early metamorphism. Paragenetic and textural relations as well as temperature and pressure calculations suggest, the following conditions of the main metamorphism: 720–770°C at 7–9 kbar and P_tot.This metamorphism probably correlates with the granulite facies metamorphism in the Gföhler unit. Therefore lithologic criteria may not suffice to distinguish between the Bunte Serie and the Gföhler. The data presented suggest a retrogressive, younger metamorphism of the rocks.

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Mit 4 Abbildungen     

Metamorphic Petrology of the Northern Tokoro Metabasites, Eastern Hokkaido, Japan

The metabasites within the Tokoro belt of eastern Hokkaido,Japan, suffered pervasive high–P/ Tetamorphism. Mineralassemblages and compositions of more than 400 metabasites fromthe Saroma–Tokoro district were investigated. The metabasites are divided into six metamorphic zones basedon mineral assemblages. The laumontite (Lm) zone is definedby the presence of laumontite. The prehnite–pumpellyite(Pr–Pp) zone is characterized by the association of prehnite+ pumpellyite. The lawsonite–sodic. pyroxene (Lw–Napx)zone is defined by the assemblage lawsonite + pumpellyite +sodic pyroxene + chlorite. The epidote–sodic pyroxene(Ep–Napx)(1) and (2) zones are charecterized by the assemblage epidote+ pumpellyite + sodic pyroxene + chlorite. The former is characterizedby the absence of aragonite, sodic amphibole, and winchite,as well as the presence of jadeite–poor sodic pyroxene(maxJd mol% = 13), whereas these minerals occur in the Ep–Napx(2)zone, together with jadeite–rich sodic pyroxene (max.Jd mol % = 34). In the epidote–actinolite (Ep–Act)zone, the most common assemblages contain epidote+ actionolite+ pumpellyite + chlorite. The Lm zone corresponds to the zeolite facies (150–200?Cand 1–2 kb) and the Pr–Pp zone is equivalent tothe prehnite–pumpellyite facies (200–250?C and 2–2–5kb). The Ep–Napx(I) zone appears to be stable at 200–250?C and 2? 5?3?5 kb. The pressure conditions in the Lw–Napx,Ep-Napx(2), and Ep–Act zones appear to range from 5 to6 kb, and the temperatures are estimated to be 200–230,230–270, and 270–300? C, respectively. The sequenceof the metamorphic zones is charaterized by the curved P–Tpath. The stability field of pumpellyite+ sodic+ pyroxene+ chloritein Fe₃+ bearing metabasites is located in the lower–temperatureand higher–pressure part of the pumpellyite–actionolitefacies. On the basis of Schreinmaker's method, the stabilityfield of the assemblage is bounded by a high–pressurereaction Pp+ Napx+ Chl+ Ab+ Qz+ H₂O= Lw+ Gl, and by a high-temperaturereaction Pp Napx+ Chl+ Ab+ Qz = Ep + Gl + H₂O.     

Magmatic source and metamorphic grade of metavolcanic rocks from the Granjeno Schist: was northeastern Mexico a part of Pangaea?

The geochemistry of the metavolcanic rocks from the Granjeno Schist in northeastern Mexico indicates an origin in different tectonic environments: mid‐ocean ridge and ocean island. High ratios of Hf/Th and Th/Nb (4.4–14 and 0.08–0.15), low ratios of LaN/YbN and LaN/SmN (0.74–1.7 and 0.60–1.4) and depleted LREE patterns in metabasalt display mid‐ocean ridge characteristics. In contrast, the pattern of trace‐element ratios and REEs in metabasalt and metapillow lava 60 km to the west indicates a magma source with ocean‐island basalt characteristics. Both areas were metamorphosed during the Late Carboniferous (300 ± 4 Ma). Estimated metamorphic conditions deduced from white mica and chlorite compositions, distinguish greenschist facies (350 °C and 4 kbar) for the mid‐ocean ridge basalt, and prehnite–pumpellyite facies (250 °C and 2.5 kbar) for the ocean‐island‐type basalt. This metamorphism took place at an active continental margin during Pennsylvanian time. Our new tectonic model, which differs from earlier models, suggests that the origin of the Granjeno Schist is related to a subduction zone located at the western margin of Pangaea, active after Laurentia–Gondwana collision. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.