Geochemistry and metamorphic evolution of the Pohorje Mountain eclogites from the easternmost Austroalpine basement of the Eastern Alps (Northern Slovenia)

Kyanite-rich and quartz-rich eclogites occur as lenses within amphibolite-facies quartzo-feldspathic gneisses in the Pohorje Mountains, Northern Slovenia, that form the easternmost Austroalpine basement. Major and trace elements indicate that the kyanite-rich eclogites were derived from plagioclase-rich gabbroic cumulates, whereas the quartz-rich eclogites represent more fractionated basaltic compositions. Both varieties are characterized by a LREE-depleted N-MORB type REE signature. Geothermobarometry and P-T pseudosections indicate that eclogites equilibrated at 1.8-2.5 GPa and 630-700 °C, consistently with the lack of coesite and with equilibration conditions of the chemically similar eclogites from the adjacent basement units at Koralpe and Saualpe type localities. Decompression reaction textures include (i) clinopyroxene-plagioclase intergrowths after omphacite, (ii) replacement of kyanite by corundum-plagioclase-spinel±sapphirine symplectites, (iii) breakdown of phengite to biotite-plagioclase sapphirine symplectites. The results of this study indicate that Koralpe, Saualpe and Pohorje high-pressure rocks represent former MORB-type oceanic crust that was subducted in the course of the late Cretaceous (approximately 100 Ma ago) collision between the European and the Apulian plates.     

Geochemistry of xenolithic eclogites from West Africa, part 2: origins of the high MgO eclogites

Oxygen isotope, mineral trace element, and measured and reconstructed whole-rock compositions are reported for the high MgO eclogite xenolith suite (16 to 20 wt% MgO in the whole rock) from the Koidu Kimberlite complex, Sierra Leone. In contrast to the previously published data for low MgO eclogites (6 to 13 wt% MgO) from this area, high MgO eclogites equilibrated at higher temperatures (1080 to 1130°C vs. 890 to 930°C) have only mantlelike δ¹⁸O and show variable degrees of light rare earth element (REE) enrichment. Analyses of multiple mineral generations suggest that the heterogeneous REE patterns of the high MgO eclogites reflect variable degrees of metasomatic overprinting. High MgO and Al₂O₃ contents of the eclogites suggest a cumulate origin, either as high-pressure (2 to 3 GPa) garnet-pyroxene cumulates or low-pressure (<1 GPa) plagioclase-pyroxene-olivine cumulates. Trace element modeling suggests a low-P origin for eclogites with flat heavy REE patterns and a high-P origin for eclogites with fractionated heavy REE. Flat heavy REE patterns, the presence of Sr anomalies, and low to moderate transition element contents in the low-P group are consistent with a low-pressure origin as metamorphosed olivine gabbros and troctolites. These metagabbroic high MgO eclogites either could represent the basal section of subducted oceanic crust or foundered mafic lower continental crust. In the former case, the metagabbroic high MgO eclogites may be genetically related to the Koidu low MgO suite. Crystal fractionation trends suggest that the metapyroxenitic high MgO eclogites formed at lower pressures than their current estimated equilibrium pressures (>4 GPa).     

Geochemistry of micas from the Finero spinel-lherzolite,Italian Alps

The Finero lherzolite is distinct amongst the tectonically emplaced slices of mantle in the Ivrea Zone (Italian Alps) for its abundant coarse phlogopite. An average composition (SiO₂ 39.9, TiO₂ 0.97, Al₂O₃ 16.0, Cr₂O₃ 1.16, FeO 2.73, MgO 24.5, NiO 0.16, BaO 0.31, Na₂O 0.58, K₂O 8.7, Rb₂O 0.056, Cl 0.03, F 0.10 wt.%) is similar in Fe, Cr, Ni, Ba and F/Cl to primary-textured micas from coarse garnet-lherzolite xenoliths from S. Africa, but is higher in Ti, Na, Rb, and Al, and lower in halogens. The distinct values of Ti and Fe for five specimens of Finero peridotites demonstrate local spatial variation. The overall ranges of TiO₂ (0.5–1.7) and FeO (2.3–3.6) fall within the range for secondary-textured micas in peridotite xenoliths from S. Africa. The Finero micas are lower in both K/Rb and K/Ba than the primary and secondary micas from S. Africa, and their mean values of K/Rb (110–220) and K/Ba (15–39) are lower than for almost all bulk rocks, but fit well with the ranges of 109–180 and 12–49 for the high-K lavas of the Roman region.Although all evidence is indicative rather than conclusive, the chemical properties of the Finero micas are consistent with introduction of an alkaline phase into peridotite during or before emplacement of the Finero complex from the upper mantle into the crust, and the coarse, partly-deformed textures can be explained by incomplete metamorphic equilibration during prolonged deformation. The alkaline phase is tentatively attributed to the uppermost mantle.     

Cr-rich magnesiochloritoid eclogites from the Monviso ophiolites (Western Alps, Italy)

Cr-rich magnesiochloritoid in the eclogitized ophiolites of the Monviso massif occurs in the least differentiated rocks of the gabbroic sequence (troctolites to melatroctolites). Chloritoid ( X _Mg=0.63–0.85; Cr≤0.55, atoms) co-exists with omphacite, talc and garnet. Minor, syn-eclogitic minerals are chromite, rutile and sometimes magnesite and Cr–Ti oxides.
Coronitic textures, indicative of a static recrystallization, characterize the analysed samples. Layers of variable mineral composition develop among igneous plagioclase, olivine, clinopyroxene and spinel. The minerals in the coronitic layers display sharp compositional zonings. The igneous minerals are commonly not preserved; their presence in the original assemblage is inferred from the mineralogical composition of the pseudomorphs.
Syn-eclogitic volatile components are indicated by the development of OH-bearing minerals (e.g. chloritoid & talc) and carbonates (e.g. magnesite), and supported by the presence of coarse-grained and fibrous mineral growths. The complex pseudomorphic replacements of igneous minerals suggest that these rocks changed their mineralogical composition prior to the eclogite facies recrystallization, most likely during ocean-floor metamorphism. It is suggested that syn-eclogitic fluids formed by breakdown reactions of pre-eclogitic volatile-bearing minerals.
Geothermobarometry indicates that the investigated rocks recrystallized at a depth corresponding to 2.4  GPa and temperatures of 620±50  °C. The attainment of high-pressure conditions is supported by the presence of magnesiochloritoid, magnesite and garnet with high pyrope content (up to 58  mol%). P–T  estimates point to a very low thermal gradient (about 9  °C km⁻¹), comparable to that deduced in the adjacent Dora-Maira ultra-high pressure unit.     

Geochemistry of Eclogites and Metapelites from Trescolmen,Central Alps,as Observed from Major and Trace Elements and Oxygen Isotopes

Eclogites are often the only tangible high-pressure evidence we have from a paleosubduction zone, and they potentially preserve important geochemical information from the descending slab. Selected Group B/C eclogites and metapelites from the Trescolmen locality in the Adula nappe in the central Swiss Alps were chosen for a detailed investigation to determine oxygen isotope ratios and major- and trace-element compositions of the main rock-forming minerals. Complex major-element zonation patterns in garnet porphyroblasts indicate a pre-Alpine, medium-pressure growth history coupled with a high-pressure modification during the Alpine orogeny. Garnet REE patterns are notably HREE depleted in rim regions, with high overall REE content, particularly in the cores of grains. Omphacites are relatively homogenous in major elements, and show LREE- and HREE-depleted patterns, but with overall abundances of REEs lower than in garnets. These patterns are best explained by partitioning of the HREEs into garnet and the LREEs into zoisite. Oxygen-isotope systematics indicate limited fluid flow in eclogites and surrounding metapelites. δ¹⁸O values of quartz and garnet at the interface between eclogites and metapelites are indistinguishable and point to fluid exchange. Oxygen equilibrium conditions among rock-forming minerals, particularly between quartz and garnet in eclogites and metapelites, were reached, and fractionation indicates temperatures of ～600°C. The δ¹⁸O of unaltered eclogites (5.5 to 7.5 ‰) suggests a basaltic, MORB-type protolith.     

Rare earth elements in high-grade metamorphic rocks from the western Alps

A sequence of amphibolite to granulite facies metasedimentary and mafic metaigneous rocks from the western Italian Alps has been analysed for rare earth elements (REE). In this sequence, the metasedimentary granulites have probably been affected by a melting event while the metaigneous granulites remained unaffected. Metasedimentary granulites have a less fractionated chondrite-normalized REE pattern than equivalent amphibolite facies rocks. The granulites tend to have a higher content of heavy REE and lower abundances of light REE (LREE). The leucosomes of migmatitic granulites have lower REE content than the melanocratic bands and both these rock types have variable relative abundances of Eu. The mafic granulites have LREE enriched patterns while the amphibolites are slightly depleted in LREE. The differences between the mafic granulites and amphibolites are probably of pre-metamorphic origin.     

Glaucophanites and eclogites from Val Chiusella,Sesia-Lanzo zone (Italian Alps)

In the metabasites of Val Chiusella, metamorphic assemblages are present, corresponding to the glaucophane schist facies, i.e. garnet glaucophanites to omphacite-garnet glaucophanites, as well as to the eclogite facies, i.e., glaucophane eclogites, eclogites, and omphacite felses. Both groups of assemblages are divided by the critical reaction 1 zoisite +1 glaucophane 1.2 omphacite+0.8 garnet+0.7 paragonite +1.4 quartz+0.8 H₂O. From textural evidence it is clear that in the investigated area this reaction proceeded to the right according to a prograde metamorphism. Correspondingly, K ^garn-cpx _D(Fe/Mg) values of coexisting garnet-omphacite pairs in the glaucophane schist facies assemblages are higher than in the eclogite facies assemblages and reflect a temperature increase from about 450 ° C to about 550 ° C at minimum water vapour pressures of 12 to 16 kb.     

Pre-Alpine eclogites in the Pennine Basement Complex of the Eastern Alps

An occurrence of quartz-eclogite is described from the Inner Schieferhülle unit of the Pennine Basement Complex in the SE Tauern Window, Austria.
Field relations strongly suggest a pre-Alpine age for the primary eclogitic mineral assemblage (garnet + omphacite + quartz + rutile). This implies that there was no connection between the formation of these eclogites and the late Cretaceous and Tertiary tectonic evolution of the Eastern Alps. The quartz-eclogite mineral assemblage crystallized under conditions of 620 ± 100°C and at pressures in excess of 12 kbar, and suffered amphibolitic overprinting of Alpine and possibly Hercynian age.
A four-stage polymetamorphic history is proposed for the Inner Schieferhülle:     

Geochemistry and petrology of glaucophane-bearing eclogites and associated rocks from Sunnfjord, Western Norway

Country-rock eclogites and amphibolites in the Sunnfjord area occur as pods, lenses and layers within gneisses of granitic to tonalitic composition. The contacts towards the enclosing gneisses are mostly tectonic, although apparent primary intrusive contacts occur. Geochemical data show that central parts of eclogitic bodies represent fairly undisturbed magmatic compositions, while the margins of such bodies show varying degrees of contamination. Exchange of components with the enclosing gneisses occurred at both a pre-eclogitic and a post-eclogitic stage. Petrographical and petrological data show that the eclogites developed from garnet amphibolites to eclogites during a prograde stage, and that a subsequent uplift/decompression period took place at fairly constant temperatures. The data presented here are compatible with an in situ model for the genesis of Norwegian country-rock eclogites.     

A ternary solid solution model for omphacite and its application to geothermobarometry of eclogites from the Middle Adula nappe (Central Alps, Switzerland)

A ternary solid solution model for omphacite with the end-members jadeite (NaAlSi₂O₆), diopside (CaMgSi₂O₆) and hedenbergite (CaFeSi₂O₆) was derived from experimental data from the literature. The subregular solution model, fitted by linear programming, is best suited to omphacites with very little aegirine component in common eclogites. Applying this solution model to the calculation of equilibrium phase diagrams of eclogites from the Adula nappe (Central Alps, Switzerland) results in large stability fields for common eclogite assemblages (garnet+omphacite+quartz+H₂O±kyanite). Within this field the compositions of garnet and omphacite show very little variation. A precise determination of the peak-pressure and temperature is not possible. The occurrence of amphibole, overgrowing the peak-pressure assemblage in fresh eclogite, suggests retrograde re-equilibration, still under eclogite facies conditions. The computation of isopleths for garnet and pyroxene end-members allows the estimation of the pressure and temperature conditions of this re-equilibration event (19–21  kbar, c .  700 °C).     

Petrology of some eclogites and metagabbros of the Oetztal Alps,Tirol, Austria

Petrographic, chemical and mineralogical data are presented on the Oetztal eclogites and their co-existing minerals. The available evidence indicates that they constitute the metamorphic derivates of an original gabbroic rock, the plagioclase and clinopyroxene of which reacted to form the garnet, omphacite and kyanite components of the eclogites. According to the available subsolidus experimental data these reactions are believed to have taken place in a 6–10 kb pressure range at about 550°–750° C.     

Geochemistry of ophiolites from the Chamrousse complex (Belledonne Massif,Alps)

The ophiolite complex of Chamrousse (Belledonne Massif, Alps), consists of mafic to ultramafic cumulates and non-cumulates metamorphosed to amphibolite facies grade. The non-cumulitic rocks are similar in chemical composition to recent ocean-floor olivine tholeiites (both N-type and enriched P-type). The distribution of lithophile elements shows that the non-cumulitic rocks represent several magmas of different parentage. The character of the magmas varies according to the time of emplacement.Geological and geochemical data suggest that the Chamrousse complex was formed at a spreading oceanic ridge. The dynamic partial melting of an upper mantle diapir generated tholeiitic melt which decreased in amount and in REE contents. The first melt, enriched in light REE, was generated along the axis of the ridge while the second batch of melt, of lesser quantity and slightly depleted in light REE, was emplaced on the flank of the ridge. The third melt formed cross-cutting dikes with REE abundances typical of N-type (strongly light REE depleted) mid-ocean ridge basalts.     

Syn-convergence exhumation of the Central Alps

Abstract

The exhumation of rocks in a plate convergence setting is commonly related to erosion and/or tectonic denudation accompanied by isostatic adjustment. Isostatic compensation is the physical response to denudation. It leads to unroofing of deep levels of the crust. A new model for producing topographic relief is proposed which explains well the rapid exhumation of high-temperature rocks in the Central Alps via erosion and tectonic denudation (i.e. gravitational collapse and normal faulting). It is shown that the forward motion of the cold and rigid Adriatic indenter into the European crust is twofold. Firstly, horizontal compression led to the vertical extrusion of the deepest ductile European basement into shallower levels. This tectonic process induced heat transfer through the southern steep belt as well as heat advection together with the extruded material, resulting in the metamorphic aureole observed in the Central Alps. Secondly, the lower part of the Adriatic crust protruded into the warm European crust as a result of continuous forward motion. Geophysical data suggest that the isostatic response to indentation (i.e. deepening of the alpine root) has been inhibited by the mechanical strength of the cold and rigid Adriatic crust. Then, the indentation process induced a deviation from isostatic equilibrium by creating a tremendous topographic relief. This relief disappeared rapidly, possibly as fast as it forms, by enhanced erosion and tectonic denudation leading to rapid exhumation of the metamorphic dome.     

Evolution of Alpine eclogites in the Eastern Alps: Implications for Alpine geodynamics

In the Eastern Alps Alpine eclogites are generally associated with rocks of continental lithosphere, while eclogites that are associated with oceanic assemblages are restricted to minor exposures. Such eclogites are exposed both in the Penninic unit of the Tauern Window and in the Austroalpine nappe complex. (1) In the central southern part of the Tauern Window (Eclogite Zone) eclogites and associated high pressure metasediments of a distal continental margin are intercalated between Penninic basement units. A mylonitic eclogitic foliation and stretching lineation are contemporaneous to the high pressure metamorphism and are related to the subduction of distal Penninic continental margin sequences. Continuous subduction of cool lithosphere resulted in blueschist facies overprint of the whole Penninic nappe pile. (2) Within the Middle-AustroAlpine Koralm/Saualm region most eclogites are eclogitic mylonites documenting plastic deformation of omphacite and garnet. The meso- and macroscale structures indicate an overall extensional regime possibly related to a large-scale SE-directed ductile low-angle normal shear zone. The eclogites are associated with migmatite-like structures and are intruded by pegmatites. This indicates decreasing pressure, but isothermal or even increasing temperature conditions during exhumation.These relationships argue for the subduction of Penninic continental lithosphere in the foot-wall of the Austroalpine unit at the time of exhumation of the Koralm/Saualm eclogites. Formation of the Austroalpine eclogites is explained by subduction of continental lithosphere, and subsequent, rapid exhumation in an upper plate tectonic position within an extensional regime.     

昆中蛇绿岩岩石学和地球化学

作为昆南变质地体与柴达木-中阿尔金地块边界的中昆仑缝合带,沿带断续出露蛇绿杂岩.本次研究涉及布青山蛇绿岩、诺木洪蛇绿岩和阿其克库勒湖西缘蛇绿岩,通过对其岩石学、岩石化学和微量元素与稀土元素地球化学特征分析,确定其属蛇绿岩类,证明蛇绿杂岩带性质属板块缝合带.     

Water Geochemistry of Three Mountain Streams from Carbonate Watersheds in the Southern French Alps

The chemical composition of water from three streamsflowing through a carbonate watershed wasinvestigated. Although the study area is not spatiallyvery large (a few km²), local inhomogeneitieswithin the lithology appreciably affect the chemicalcomposition of the water and the geochemical gradientas a function of elevation. The main chemical processwhich leads to the observed water chemistry is thedissolution of calcium carbonate by atmospheric andmetabolic CO₂. In the stream La Sigouste, thewater dissolves nearly pure calcite and this reactionproceeds until an equilibrium with respect to calciteis reached. In Le Lauzon stream, local inhomogeneitiesin the lithologic composition prevent theestablishment of an unambiguous weathering budgetwhile, for Le Rif de l'Arc a stoichiometric modelshows that the weathering process is adequatelyrepresented by the dissolution of calcite associatedwith a minor incongruent dissolution of chloritepresent in marls. For the two last streamssupersaturation with respect to calcite is observed.For both streams, supersaturation with respect toatmospheric CO₂ is nearly permanent. The observedaltitudinal gradients of sulfate are interpretedthrough a set of biogeochemical redox reactions.     

Revised Thermobarometry of Alpe Arami and other Garnet Peridotites from the Central Alps

The four, currently best constrained, independent thermobarometersfor garnet peridotites, namely Taylor’s (Neues Jahrbuchfür Mineralogie, Abhandlungen 172, 381–408, 1998)pyroxene solvus and Krogh’s (Contributions to Mineralogyand Petrology 99, 44–48, 1988) clinopyroxene–garnetFe–Mg exchange thermometers, and Taylor’s (1998)Al-in-orthopyroxene and Nimis & Taylor’s (Contributionsto Mineralogy and Petrology, 139, 541–544, 2000) Cr-in-clinopyroxenebarometers, have been applied to garnet lherzolites from theCentral Alps. Analyses from the literature, as well as new in-houseanalyses, all pertaining to core compositions of first-generation,garnet lherzolite minerals, have been selected for thermobarometriccalculations. The P–T data obtained for the three knowngarnet lherzolite occurrences in the Central Alps are tightlyconstrained, consistent with one another, and summarized asfollows: Alpe Arami, 3·2 GPa and 840°C; Monte Duria,3·0 GPa and 830°C; Cima di Gagnone, 3·0 GPaand 740°C. These values are consistent with experimentaldata on pargasite stability and composition in peridotitic systems.Our P–T estimates, along with microstructural and fieldgeological observations, indicate that the garnet lherzoliteparageneses form part of the prograde, Alpine, high-pressuremetamorphic sequence of the Adula–Cima Lunga unit. Thermobarometryshows that the garnet lherzolites reached a maximum depth ofsubduction of     

Erosion-driven uplift of the modern Central Alps

We present a compilation of data of modern tectono-geomorphic processes in the Central European Alps which suggest that observed rock uplift is a response to climate-driven denudation. This interpretation is predominantly based on the recent quantification of basin-averaged Late Holocene denudation rates that are so similar to the pattern and rates of rock uplift rates as determined by geodetic leveling. Furthermore, a GPS data-based synthesis of Adriatic microplate kinematics suggests that the Central Alps are currently not in a state of active convergence. Finally, we illustrate that the Central Alps have acted as a closed system for Holocene redistribution of sediment in which the peri-Alpine lakes have operated as a sink for the erosional products of the inner Central Alps.While various hypotheses have been put forward to explain Central Alpine rock uplift (e.g. lithospheric forcing by convergence, mantle processes, or ice melting) we show with an elastic model of lithospheric deformation, that the correlation between erosion and rock uplift rates reflects a positive feedback between denudation and the associated isostatic response to unloading. Thus, erosion does not passively respond to advection of crustal material as might be the case in actively converging orogens. Rather, we suggest that the geomorphic response of the Alpine topography to glacial and fluvial erosion and the resulting disequilibrium for modern channelized and associated hillslope processes explains much of the pattern of modern denudation and hence rock uplift. Therefore, in a non-convergent orogen such as the Central European Alps, the observed vertical rock uplift is primarily a consequence of passive unloading due to erosion.     

青藏高原羌塘中部榴辉岩地球化学特征及其大地构造意义

羌塘中部榴辉岩主要呈透镜状、块状产于石榴子石白云母片岩中,均为低温型榴辉岩。榴辉岩SiO2为45.83%～48.94%,Na2O+K2O为1.88%～3.91%,Al2O3为10.34%～15.02%,TiO2含量变化较大,大致可分为中Ti和高Ti两种类型,变化范围分别为1.62%～1.87%和3.96%～4.82%。榴辉岩的原岩主要为拉斑玄武岩,部分样品具有碱性玄武岩的特征。原岩为拉斑玄武岩的样品大多具有中等TiO2含量和不明显的Eu异常、较缓的右倾稀土元素配分模式特征,在大量判别图解上均投在MORB和E-MORB区域,稀土元素标准化配分模式和微量元素蛛网图特征与典型的E-MORB相似而与N-MORB差别很大,其原岩很可能形成于E-MORB环境;少量原岩为碱性玄武岩的样品TiO2含量高、具有相对其他样品更高的∑REE和∑LREE含量,在大量判别图解上均投在OIB区域,其原岩可能形成于OIB环境。羌塘中部榴辉岩和区域内二叠纪蛇绿岩具有相似的地球化学特征,可能是其俯冲消减的产物;样品同时具备E-MORB和OIB的特征,说明古特提斯洋在漫长的演化过程中可能存在地幔柱岩浆和正常洋中脊亏损地幔岩浆的相互作用。