山西恒山巨晶状直闪石岩的成因:来自地球化学和Sm-Nd同位素的证据

山西恒山地区的巨晶状直闪石岩由石榴石、直闪石、蓝晶石、十字石、堇青石、石英、金红石、钛铁矿和少量斜长石和普通角闪石组成,岩石SiO2含量类似于中-基性岩,但比后者更富镁铁而贫钙和碱。岩石可分为Ⅰ、Ⅱ两种类型:Ⅰ类直闪石岩含有石榴石变斑晶,并相对低镁、钛和碱,而含有较高铝、铁,其高场强和稀土元素特征类似于岛弧玄武岩,岩石的143Nd/144Nd为0.511361～0.511894,tDM(Nd)=2.39～2.60Ga,Nd同位素特征与五台杂岩中的基性变质岩一致。Ⅱ类直闪石岩富含直闪石,一般不出现石榴石,相对高镁、钛和碱,而含有较低铝和铁,高场强和稀土元素特征类似于大洋中脊拉斑玄武岩。岩相学和地球化学对比表明,本区直闪石岩的原岩是由与五台杂岩变质基性岩类似的火山岩经受海水热液蚀变的产物,这种水热蚀变引起基性岩中钙、碱丢失和镁(铁)富集,并可能形成大量绿泥石等富水矿物。直闪石岩的现有矿物组合是经历高压角闪岩相变质和接续的等温降压作用形成的,其中巨晶结构是由于这种极富流体岩石在峰期之前的前进变质过程中大量脱水所致,与这种大量脱水伴随的变质分异作用导致了直闪石岩成分的进一步改造。     

挪威南部白片岩和斜方闪石—堇青石岩及Modum杂岩的P—T—t轨迹

这篇文章论述挪威白片岩的一种新产状,它成为第二种已知的产状。白片岩和斜方闪石一堇青石岩,在Modum杂岩中与钠长岩一起见于变质辉长岩和上壳岩之间的接触带中,这两种岩石都可以用M(F)ASH体系描述,而它们的形成是由于广泛的热液作用。全岩和矿物化学特征具有双峰式的Fe—Mg分配特征。滑石—蓝晶石片岩和贫铁的斜方闪石—堇青石岩构成—淡色岩群,而富铁的斜方闪石—堇青石岩则构成—暗色岩群。早期斜方闪石—堇青石组合分解为晚期滑石—蓝晶石组合表明P—T—t是等压或增压条件下的一种降温轨迹,温压范围约为600～750℃和6～8kb。滑石+钠长石±蓝晶石呈铝直闪石假象表明出的反应结构表现有过剩的钠长石,这些非等化学反应表明在地壳的深部存在一种活动的含钠流体。     

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.     

新疆西南天山木扎尔特一带低压麻粒岩相变质作用P-T轨迹及其地质意义

本文首次报道在新疆西南天山木扎尔特一带发现了二辉石麻粒岩和麻粒岩相变质的堇青石榴矽线石片麻岩。二辉石麻粒岩的矿物组合为单斜辉石-斜方辉石-黑云母-角闪石-斜长石-石英。堇青石榴矽线石片麻岩矿物组合为堇青石-矽线石-石榴石-黑云母-斜长石-石英。岩石学和矿物学特征表明它们是典型的低压麻粒岩相变质岩石，其变质作用经历了两期演化：a．峰期麻粒岩相变质，T=681～705℃，P=5．4～5．8kbar；b．峰后角闪岩相退变阶段，T：571～637℃．P=4．7～5．3kbar。其变质作用P-T轨迹具有逆时针近等压降温(IBC)的特点，代表该地区可能为塔里木板块向伊犁．中天山板块俯冲过程中，在陆壳一侧所产生的陆源岩浆弧区域，由于受到下部岩浆热源的影响，在拉伸环境下出现低压麻粒岩相变质。通过分析低压麻粒岩相岩石与其南部高压一超高压变质带的大地构造位置和年代关系，我们认为该地区的低压麻粒岩相变质岩石可能与其南部的西天山高压一超高压变质带组成了双变质带。     

豫西东秦岭造山带低压变质带的变质变形和变质反应

豫西西峡北部低压变质带受到４次变形改造。低压变质作用主要发生在Ｄ１和Ｄ２变形间期，形成黑云母－红柱石、石榴石－红柱石、十字石－红柱石和堇青石－红柱石４个递增变质带。由矿物变质反应识别出堇青石－红柱石带ｐ－Ｔ趋势具有减压增温特点，这一演化特征可能反映变质作用具有地壳拉张的地球动力学特点。     

五台山地区原金刚库组中含蓝晶石组合的变质作用及其意义

本文对山西五台山地区与超镁铁质岩密切共生的含蓝晶石的各类片岩进行了研究。研究发现，在蓝晶石铝直闪石片岩中存在一种特殊的冠状体结构，即蓝晶石和铝直闪石被它们之间内圈的十字石十刚玉十绿泥石和外圈的堇青石所包绕。这种特殊的反应边结构，说明岩石曾处于较高的压力条件下（０．９～１．４ＧＰａ），然后经历了明显的近等温的减压过程。其它类型的含蓝晶石片岩，也包含了高压变质矿物组合，并经历了同样的变质演化过程。这种演化历史与该区经历了古洋壳俯冲，消减，弧陆碰撞和伴随的迅速折返和抬升是密切有关的。     

新疆阿尔泰造山带变质作用演化及其地质意义

阿尔泰造山带发育了一系列低压红柱石型与中压蓝晶石型变质带．红柱石型变质带发育了黑云母带、石榴石带、十字石带、十字石-红柱石带、矽线石带、矽线石-堇青石带：蓝晶石型发育了黑云母带、石榴石带、十字石带、蓝晶石带、矽线石带．中压的蓝晶石序列估算温度为445～747．6℃，压力为0．64～0．95GPa中压序列随变质作用增加．压力有增高趋势：低压的红柱石序列温度445～681℃．压力0．3～0．8GP乱自十字石带后．压力明显降低．可能是靠近热源而导致早期中压痕迹消失．因此红柱石型变质带不是一个正常的变质演化系列．蓝晶石型变质早于红柱石型变质．蓝晶石型变质序列可能与晚古生代弧-陆碰撞事件有关．红柱石序列的形成可能与碰撞相关的广泛花岗岩体侵入及中压岩石抬升有关．     

华北地台太古代麻粒岩相带的堇青石-夕线石组合:低压麻粒岩相的标志

华北地台北缘麻粒岩相带中,西起贺兰山东至辽吉地区,凡有高铝变质沉积岩发育的地方几乎都普遍存在堇青石-夕线石组合,它分别出现在含堇青石石英岩、片麻岩、麻粒岩和S-型花岗岩中;堇青石-石榴石-夕线石组合也极常见。用石榴石-堇青石矿物对计算的变质作用P-T条件约5.3×10~8～7.5×10~8Pa,700～810℃,地热梯度约30～40℃/km。这些数据与共生岩石中其他矿物对所得温压条件基本一致。堇青石-夕线石组合是低压变质作用的标志。因此该麻粒岩相带大部分属于低压麻粒岩相。     

新疆西天山高压变质带的变质矿物与变质作用演化

新疆西天山高压变质带主要由石榴石，角闪石，绿辉石，多硅白云母，钠云母，绿帘石，绿泥石，钠长石，石英，榍石和金红石等组成，石榴石主要含铁铝榴石组份，角闪石有蓝闪石，亚铁蓝闪石，青铝闪石，冻蓝闪石等类型，变质矿物组合显示高压变质带经历了由硬柱石蓝片岩相，榴辉岩相，绿帘蓝片岩相至绿片岩相的变质作用演化进程。     

豫南中温榴辉岩中角闪石的变质演化

在该区中温榴辉岩的各个演化阶段中，出现了不同成分的角闪石。石榴石环带及其核部的闪石等矿物包囊体记录了前榴辉阶段及其进变质演化的特征。在榴岩阶段晚期，蓝闪石稳定出现，其成分环带反映了压力降低的连续过程；角闪石－斜长石后成合晶为石榴石和绿辉石的退变质产物；退变质后期，钙质闪石大量出现。角闪石的矿物组合及其成分变化，反映了中温榴辉岩的顺时针变质演化过程。     

Garnet reaction rims from the breakdown of Staurolite in polymetamorphic micashists from the Rappold complex, Austroalpine basement, Eastern Alps

In polymetamorphic pelites of the Rappold complex in the Wölz crystalline basement (Eastern Alps) reaction rim garnets at staurolite-quartz interfaces (type I) and single grain garnets along previous staurolite-white mica interfaces (type II) were formed. The garnet reaction rims were formed during the Cretaceous amphibolite facies metamorphic overprint of the pre-existing mineral assemblages comprising garnet, staurolite, and kyanite from an amphibolite facies metamorphic event probably of Variscian age. The newly formed garnet may take the form of reaction rims along the margins of large pre-existing staurolite blasts. The initial growth increments of garnet have low grossular content, and reaction rim growth was controlled by the transfer of Fe, Mg and Mn components from the staurolite-garnet interface to the quartz-garnet interface. Later garnet growth increments have relatively high grossular content due to consumption of matrix plagioclase, which was destabilized by successive pressure increase. The grossular content of newly formed garnet shows systematic increase towards sites where plagioclase breaks down indicating that transport of calcium through the matrix was sluggish. On the basis of reaction microstructures it is demonstrated that the mineral assemblage garnet?+?kyanite?+?biotite?+?paragonite was formed at the conditions of eo-alpine amphibolite facies overprint while staurolite and plagioclase broke down successively with increasing pressure.     

P-T data of Ky-St-Grt gneisses hosting HP amphibolites and eclogites from the Austroalpine Polinik complex, Kreuzeck Mountains, Eastern Alps, Austria

This study focuses on metapelites of the Polinik complex in the Kreuzeck Mts. southeast of the Tauern Window, Eastern Alps, where kyanite — staurolite — garnet gneisses host eclogites and high pressure (HP) amphibolites of the Austroalpine basement. The stable mineral assemblage is garnet — staurolite — biotite — kyanite — quartz. Estimated metamorphic conditions from conventional geothermobarometry are 654±30 °C and 0.9±0.08 GPa, and Average P-T values calculated by THERMOCALC, are 665±15 °C at 0.77±0.09 GPa. Formation of the present mineral association in gneisses is related to the exhumation (D2) stage of hosted eclogites/HP amphibolites within a lateral strike-slip zone.     

Aluminous reaction textures in orthoamphibole-bearing rocks: the pressure–temperature evolution of the high-grade Proterozoic of the Bamble sector, south Norway

Aluminous reaction textures in orthoamphibole-bearing rocks from the Froland area, Bamble, south Norway, record the prograde pressure–temperature path of the high-grade Kongsbergian Orogeny (c. 1600–1500 Ma) and the low–mid amphibolite facies overprint during the Sveconorwegian Orogeny (c. 1100–1000 Ma). The rocks contain anthophyllite/gedrite, garnet, cordierite, biotite, quartz, andalusite, kyanite, Cr-rich staurolite, tourmaline, ilmenite, rutile and corundum in a variety of parageneses. The P–T path is deduced from petrographic observations, mineral chemistry and zoning, geothermometry and (N)FMASH equilibria. The results indicate the sequence of metamorphic stages outlined below. (a) An M₁ phase characterized by the presence of strongly deformed andalusite, gedrite and tourmaline. (b) An M₂ phase with the development of kyanite after andalusite and the growth of staurolite associated with strong Na–Al–Mg zoning in orthoamphibole, indicating an increase in pressure (4 8 kbar) and temperature (500° 650°C). (c) Pressure decrease at high P (6–7 kbar) and high T (600–700 °C) during M_3a with the production of cordierite ° Corundum between kyanite, staurolite and orthoamphibole and cordierite growth between corundum and orthoamphibole. (d) Temperature increase to 740 ± 60 °C and 7 kbar; static growth of garnet (M_3b) at the metamorphic climax (peak T). The heat supply necessary to explain the temperature increase between the M_3a and M_3b phases is correlated with synkinematic enderbitic–charnockitic and basic intrusions in the Arendal granulite facies terrain. (e) M_3b metamorphic conditions were followed by an initial isobaric cooling path (early M₄) and late-stage pressure decrease (late M₄). Early M₄ conditions of 6–7 kbar and 550–600 °C, assuming P_H2O < P_total are indicated by a retrograde talc–kyanite–quartz assemblage in late quartz–cordierite veins. Late M₄ conditions of 3–4 kbar and 420–530 °C are inferred from a kyanite–andalusite–chlorite–quartz assemblage in vein-cordierite. The M₁–M₃ stages are interpreted as being the result of the same metamorphic P–T path, which was caused by both tectonic and magmatic thickening. A prolonged crustal residence time is proposed for the Bamble sector before uplift during the later stages of M₄ occurred.     

松潘—甘孜造山带中丹巴地区变质岩演化及其地质意义

丹巴地区位于松潘—甘孜造山带中部。区域动热变质作用主要发生于印支晚期—喜马拉雅早期,与深层滑脱-逆冲作用有关。根据特征矿物组合．丹巴地区变质岩可划分出六个变质带：绢云母—绿泥石带、黑云母带、石榴子石带、十字石带、蓝晶石带和夕线石带。石榴子石生长环带代表每段时间矿物晶体边部的平衡,可用于推测石榴子石生长时的P－t轨迹。利用石榴子石—黑云母温度计和石榴子石—斜长石—Al2SiO5-石英压力计得到石榴子石的参考温度、压力,根据环带定量计算得到的变质作用p-t轨迹为顺时外形式,与其所处的构造背景为大陆碰撞造山带是一致的。     

Alpine metamorphism of pelitic schists in the Nufenen Pass area, Lepontine Alps

Abstract The effects of Tertiary Alpine metamorphism on pelitic Mesozoic cover rocks have been studied along a cross-section in the central Lepontine Alps in the Nufenen Pass area, Switzerland. Greenschist facies to amphibolite facies conditions are indicated by the formation of the index minerals chloritoid, garnet, staurolite and kyanite in pelitic rocks. Regional metamorphism reached maximum conditions during the interkinematic period between a main Alpine penetrative (D2) and a late Alpine (D3) crenulation type deformation phase or synchronous with the late Alpine deformation. Based on AFM phase relationships four different metamorphic zones can be distinguished: (1) chloritoid zone; (2) staurolite + chlorite zone; (3) staurolite + biotite zone; and, (4) kyanite zone. The isograds that separate these zones can be modelled by univariant reactions in the KFMASH system. The conditions of metamorphism calculated from geological ther-mobarometers for the maximum post-D2 por-phyroblast stage are from North to South: 500° C at 5-6 kbar and 600° C at 7-8 kbar. Detailed thermobarometry of garnet por-phyroblasts with complex textures suggests that maximum temperature was reached later than maximum pressure. Early garnet growth occurred along a prograde P-T-path, post-D2 rims grew with increasing temperature but decreasing pressure, and finally post-D3 garnet formed along a retrograde P-T-path. It may be concluded from the calculated pressure and temperature difference over a short distance (3 km) across the mapped area that the isogradic surfaces of the post-D2 metamorphism are steeply oriented. The data also suggest that isobaric and isothermal surfaces are parallel. Much of the observed metamorphic pattern can be explained as the result of a significant post-D2 differential uplift of the hot Pennine area relative to the Helvetic area along a tectonic contact zone. The closely spaced isograds (isotherms) in the North may then be interpreted as a thermal effect owing to the emplacement of the hot Pennine rocks against the Got-thard massif with its cover. Whereas, in the Pennine metasediments, post-D2 porphyroblast formation can be related to the decompression path which was steep enough for dehydration reactions to proceed. It is also remarkable that late kyanite porphyroblasts probably formed with decreasing pressure. The interpretation given here for the Nufenen Pass area may also apply to the Luk-manier Pass area where similar metamorphic patterns have been reported by Fox (1975). The formation of the ‘Northern Steep Belt’;, as denned by Milnes (1974b), and the associated late Alpine fold zones may, therefore, have significantly modified the metamorphic pattern of the Helvetic-Penninic contact zone.     

Quantitative determination of metamorphic reaction history: mass balance relations between groundmass and mineral inclusion assemblages in metamorphic rocks

Qualitative and quantitative information about metamorphic reaction history and PT paths may be obtained from mineral inclusions in garnet by comparing the mineralogy, distribution, and compositions of paragenetically-related inclusions with minerals in the groundmass assemblage. Using the algebraic technique of singular value decomposition (SVD), we document mass balance relations between inclusion and groundmass assemblages in metapelitic rocks from two metamorphic terranes that experienced different peak metamorphic conditions, and whose transition from inclusion to groundmass assemblage records different PT path segments relative to peak conditions. We calculate mass balances relating an inclusion assemblage consisting in part of armored relics of chloritoid to groundmass mineral assemblages in a kyanite-staurolite mica schist from the Solitude Range, British Columbia, and an inclusion assemblage of kyanite, staurolite, and rutile to groundmass minerals in a sillimanite-cordierite gneiss from the Skagit Gneiss, North Cascade Range, Washington. Mass balances for each rock are consistent with reaction histories inferred from petrographic observations. In the Solitude Range schist, the results of mass balance calculations are consistent with the growth of staurolite and garnet at the expense of chloritoid during prograde metamorphism and suggest that chlorite, although not preserved as an inclusion, was involved in initial staurolite growth. In the Skagit sillimanite gneiss, mass balance relations exist between the inclusion suite, which formed during high pressure metamorphism, and the associated groundmass assemblage, which equilibrated at high temperature but much lower pressure. Mass balance does not exist between the groundmass of the Skagit sillimanite gneiss and the groundmass of a nearby kyanite-staurolite schist that has been proposed as a possible lower-grade equivalent of the sillimanite-bearing rocks. These results indicate that, although compositional modification and selective preservation of minerals must be taken into account, mineral inclusion suites may nevertheless preserve enough compositional information to allow reconstruction of complete or nearly complete pre-existing assemblages. This information may not be retrievable from any other source if no lower-grade equivalents of the rocks of interest are exposed.     

The tectono‐metamorphic evolution of the Balcooma Metamorphic Group,north‐eastern Australia: a multidisciplinary approach

The sequential growth of biotite, garnet, staurolite, kyanite, andalusite, cordierite and fibrolitic sillimanite, their microstructural relationships, foliation intersection axes preserved in porphyroblasts (FIAs), geochronology, P–T pseudosection (MnNCKFMASH system) modelling and geothermobarometry provide evidence for a P–T–t–D path that changes from clockwise to anticlockwise with time for the Balcooma Metamorphic Group. Growth of garnet at ～530 °C and 4.6 kbar during the N–S‐shortening event that formed FIA 1 was followed by staurolite, plagioclase and kyanite growth. The inclusions of garnet in staurolite porphyroblasts that formed during the development of FIAs 2 and 3 plus kyanite growth during FIA 3 reflect continuous crustal thickening from c. 443 to 425 Ma during an Early Silurian Benambran Orogenic event. The temperature and pressure increased during this time from ～530 °C and 4.6 kbar to ～630 °C and 6.2 kbar. The overprinting of garnet‐, staurolite‐ and kyanite‐bearing mineral assemblages by low‐pressure andalusite and cordierite assemblages implies ～4‐kbar decompression during Early Devonian exhumation of the Greenvale Province.     

Amphibolites with staurolite and other aluminous minerals: calculated mineral equilibria in NCFMASH

Amphibolite facies mafic rocks that consist mainly of hornblende, plagioclase and quartz may also contain combinations of chlorite, garnet, epidote, and, more unusually, staurolite, kyanite, sillimanite, cordierite and orthoamphiboles. Such assemblages can provide tighter constraints on the pressure and temperature evolution of metamorphic terranes than is usually possible from metabasites. Because of the high variance of most of the assemblages, the phase relationships in amphibolites depend on rock composition, in addition to pressure, temperature and fluid composition. The mineral equilibria in the Na₂O–CaO–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O (NCFMASH) model system demonstrate that aluminium content is critical in controlling the occurrence of assemblages involving hornblende with aluminous minerals such as sillimanite, kyanite, staurolite and cordierite. Except in aluminous compositions, these assemblages are restricted to higher pressures. The iron to magnesium ratio (X_Fe), and to a lesser extent, sodium to calcium ratio, have important roles in determining which (if any) of the aluminous minerals occur under particular pressure–temperature conditions. Where aluminous minerals occur in amphibolites, the P–T–X dependence of their phase relationships is remarkably similar to that in metapelitic rocks. The mineral assemblages of Fe‐rich amphibolites are typically dominated by garnet‐ and staurolite‐bearing assemblages, whereas their more Mg‐rich counterparts contain chlorite and cordierite. Assemblages involving staurolite–hornblende can occur over a wide range of pressures (4–10 kbar) at temperatures of 560–650 °C; however, except in the more aluminous, iron‐rich compositions, they occupy a narrow pressure–temperature window. Thus, although their occurrence in ‘typical’ amphibolites may be indicative of relatively high pressure metamorphism, in more aluminous compositions their interpretation is less straightforward.     

Kinetic control of staurolite–Al2SiO5 mineral assemblages: Implications for Barrovian and Buchan metamorphism

The distribution and textural features of staurolite–Al₂SiO₅ mineral assemblages do not agree with predictions of current equilibrium phase diagrams. In contrast to abundant examples of Barrovian staurolite–kyanite–sillimanite sequences and Buchan‐type staurolite–andalusite–sillimanite sequences, there are few examples of staurolite–sillimanite sequences with neither kyanite nor andalusite anywhere in the sequence, despite the wide (~2.5 kbar) pressure interval in which they are predicted. Textural features of staurolite–kyanite or staurolite–andalusite mineral assemblages commonly imply no reaction relationship between the two minerals, at odds with the predicted first development (in a prograde sense) of kyanite or andalusite at the expense of staurolite in current phase diagrams. In a number of prograde sequences, the incoming of staurolite and either kyanite, in Barrovian sequences, or andalusite, in Buchan‐type sequences, is coincident or nearly so, rather than kyanite or andalusite developing upgrade of a significant staurolite zone as predicted. The width of zones of coexisting staurolite and either kyanite, in Barrovian sequences, or andalusite, in Buchan‐type sequences, is much wider than predicted in equilibrium phase diagrams, and staurolite commonly persists upgrade until its demise in the sillimanite zone. We argue that disequilibrium processes provide the best explanation for these mismatches. We suggest that kyanite (or andalusite) may develop independently and approximately contemporaneously with staurolite by metastable chlorite‐consuming reactions that occur at lower P–T conditions than the thermodynamically predicted staurolite‐to‐kyanite/andalusite reaction, a process that involves only modest overstepping (<15°C) of the stable chlorite‐to‐staurolite reaction and which is favoured, in the case of kyanite, by advantageous nucleation kinetics. If so, the pressure difference between Barrovian kyanite‐bearing sequences and Buchan andalusite‐bearing sequences could be ~1 kbar or less, in better agreement with the natural record. The unusual width of coexistence of staurolite and Al₂SiO₅ minerals, in particular kyanite and andalusite, can be accounted for by a combination of lack of thermodynamic driving force for conversion of staurolite to kyanite or andalusite, sluggish dissolution of staurolite, and possibly the absence of a fluid phase to catalyse reaction. This study represents an example of how kinetic controls on metamorphic mineral assemblage development have to be considered in regional as well as contact metamorphism.     

Progressive metamorphism of pelitic rocks from protolith to granulite facies, Dutchess County, New York, USA: constraints on the timing of fluid infiltration during regional metamorphism

A complete Barrovian sequence ranging from unmetamorphosed shales to sillimanite–K-feldspar zone metapelitic gneisses crops out in a region extending from the Hudson River in south-eastern New York state, USA, to the high-grade core of the Taconic range in western Connecticut. NNE-trending subparallel biotite, garnet, staurolite, kyanite, sillimanite and sillimanite–K-feldspar isograds have been identified, although the assignment of Barrovian zones in the high-grade rocks is complicated by the appearance of fibrolitic sillimanite at the kyanite isograd. Thermobarometric results and reaction textures are used to characterize the metamorphic history of the sequence. Pressure–temperature estimates indicate maximum metamorphic conditions of 475 °C, c. 3–4 kbar in the garnet zone to >720 °C, c. 5–6 kbar in the highest grade rocks exposed. Some samples in the kyanite zone record anomalous (low) peak conditions because garnet composition has been modified by fluid-assisted reactions. There is abundant petrographic and mineral chemical information indicating that the sequence (with the possible exception of the granulite facies zone) was infiltrated by a water-rich fluid after garnet growth was nearly completed. The truncation of fluid inclusion trails in garnet by rim growth or recrystallization, however, indicates that metamorphic reactions involving garnet continued subsequent to initial infiltration. The presence of these textures in some zones of a well-constrained Barrovian sequence allows determination of the timing of fluid infiltration relative to the P–T paths. Thermobarometric results obtained using garnet compositions at the boundary between fluid–inclusion-rich and inclusion-free regions of the garnet are interpreted to represent peak metamorphic conditions, whereas rim compositions record slightly lower pressures and temperatures. Assuming that garnet grew during a single metamorphic event, infiltration must have occurred at or slightly after the peak of metamorphism, i.e. 4–5 kbar and a temperature of c. 525–550 °C for staurolite and kyanite zone rocks.