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.     

Fe-Mg cordierite stability in high-grade pelitic rocks based on experimental,theoretical, and natural observations

Stability relations of Fe-Mg cordierite with K feldspar have been determined for conditions of muscovite-quartz instability, applicable to highgrade metamorphism of pelitic rocks. Fe cordierite, K feldspar, and water break down to Fe biotite, sillimanite, and quartz at pressures above a line through 640 ° C, 2kbar and 710 ° C, 2.7 kbar. A P-X diagram for the Fe-Mg analogue of this reaction at 675 ° C is consistent with a naturally occuring cordierite-biotite K _D value of 0.53 if Al content of biotite and cordierite water of hydration are taken into account.At higher temperatures Fe cordierite breaks down alone to almandine, sillimanite, quartz and water at pressures above a line through 650 ° C, 3.41 kbar and 760 ° C, 2.9 kbar. For the Fe-Mg reaction, P-X data up to 4 kbar may be extrapolated with use of natural K _D values increasing toward one with increasing temperatures.Lines of constant cordierite composition for the two reactions intersect in an Fe-Mg univariant reaction of sillimanite-biotite-quartz to cordieritealmandine-K feldspar-water which is metastable relative to melt at = P _tot Reduced water pressure and impurities in the garnet and K feldspar greatly reduce the temperature of this reaction so that it becomes a reasonable reaction for upper amphibolite and granulite facies conditions.The results demonstrate that (1) cordierite may be used as a geobarometer if temperature and approximate can be estimated, (2) almandine low in Mn and Ca does not participate in cordierite reactions where muscovite is present, and (3) the reaction which forms cordierite, almandine, and K feldspar is a possible melt-forming reaction which, under reduced , occurs about 50 ° C above the muscovite melting reaction.     

The Miocene-Pliocene Macusani Volcanics,SE Peru

The Miocene-Pliocene Macusani volcanics, SE Peru, outcrop in three separate tectonic intermontane basins developed on a Paleozoic-Mesozoic volcano-sedimentary sequence. Several ignimbrite sheets are recognized and K-Ar dates record at least semi-continuous volcanic activity from 10 to 4 Ma in the Macusani field. The volcanics in the Macusani basin comprise crystal-rich (45% crystals) ash-flow tuffs and rare obsidians glasses, both with unusual mineralogy, similar to two-mica peraluminous leucogranites. The mineralogical assemblage (quartz, sanidine Or_69–75, plagioclase, biotite, muscovite and andalusite (both coexisting in the entire volcanic field), sillimanite, schörl-rich tourmaline, cordierite-type phases, hercynitic spinel, fluor-apatite, ilmenite, monazite, zircon, niobian-rutile) is essentially constant throughout the entire Macusani field. Two distinct generations of plagioclase are recognized, viz. group I (An_10–20) and group II (An_30–45). Sillimanite forms abundant inclusions in nearly all phases and is earlier than andalusite which occurs as isolated phenocrysts. Biotite (Al-, Ti-, Fe- and F-rich) shows pronounced deficiencies in octahedral cations. Muscovite is also F-rich and displays limited biotitic and celadonitic substitutions. There is no systematic variation in mineral chemistry with stratigraphic position. The mineralogical data provide a basis for distinction between an early magmatic and a main magmatic stage. The early stage corresponds to the magmatic evolution at or near the source region and includes both restites and early phenocrysts. Some biotites (with textures of disequilibrium melting to Fe — Zn spinel), part of the sillimanite, apatite and monazite, possibly some tourmaline and cordierite-type phases are restites. However, the restite content of the magma was low (5 vol. % maximum). The group II plagioclase are interpreted as early phenocrysts. During this stage, temperatures were as high as 800° C, pressure was no more than 5–7.5 kbar, was intermediate between WM and QFM and was low. The biotite melting textures and the coexistence of restites and early phenocrysts imply fast heating rates in the source region. The transition between the early and the main magmatic stage was abrupt (andalusite crystallization in place of sillimanite, group I vs. group II plagioclases) and suggests rapid ascent of the magma from its source region. During the main crystallization stage, temperature was 650° C or lower at a pressure of 1.5–2 kbar. (calculated from equilibrium between muscovite, quartz, sanidine and andalusite) are around 1, suggesting conditions close to H₂O-saturation. f _HF is around 1 bar but the ratios are significantly different between samples. ranges between 138 and 225 bar. This study shows that felsic, strongly peraluminous, leucogranitic magmas having andalusite and muscovite phenocrysts may be generated under H₂O-undersaturated conditions.CRPG Contribution n 769     

The stability and phase relations of iron chlorite below 8.5 kb P_{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}}

Iron chlorites with compositions intermediate between the two end-members daphnite (Fe₅Al₂Si₃O₁₀(OH)₈) and pseudothuringite (Fe₄Al₄Si₂O₁₀(OH)₈) were synthesized from mixtures of reagent chemicals. The polymorph with a 7 Å basal spacing initially crystallized from these mixtures at 300 °C and 2 kb after two weeks. Conversion to a 14 Å chlorite required a further 6 weeks at 550 °C. Shorter conversion times were required at higher water pressures. The products contained up to 20% impurities.The maximum equilibrium decomposition temperature for iron chlorite, approximately 550 °C at 2kb, is at an between assemblages (1) and (2) listed below. Synthetic iron chlorite will break down by various reactions with variable P, T, and fugacity of oxygen. For the composition FeAlSi = 523, the sequence of high temperature breakdown products with increasing traversing the magnetite field for P _total = =2kb is: (1) corierite+ fayalite+hercynite; (2) cordierite+fay alite+magnetite; (3) cordierite+magnetite+quartz; (4) magnetite+mullite+quartz. Almandine should replace cordierite in assemblages (1) and (2) but it did not nucleate. The significance of the relationship between iron cordierite and almandine in this system is discussed.At water pressures from 4 to 8.5 kb and at the nickel-bunsite buffer, iron chlorite+quartz break down to iron gedrite+magnetite with temperature 550 to 640 °C along the curve. At temperatures 50 °C greater and along a parallel curve, almandine replaces iron gedrite. For on this buffer curve, almandine is unstable below approximately 4 kb for temperatures to approximately 750 °C.     

Paragenetic relations in gedrite — cordierite — staurolite — biotite sillimanite — kyanite gneisses at Ajitpura,Rajasthan, India

Aluminous parageneses containing gedrite, cordierite, garnet, staurolite, biotite, sillimanite, kyanite, quartz or spinel plus corundum are found as dark colored lenses in the polymetamorphic, multideformed Archean complex at Ajitpura in northwest peninsular India. Staurolite, like kyanite, is a relict phase of earlier metamorphism and is excluded as a paragenetic mineral in view of its incompatibility with quartz and gedrite and its lower X _Mg values than for garnet of the assemblage. Its stability here is attributed to zinc content of up to 3 wt%. The XMg in other ferromagnesian minerals decreases in the order: cordierite, biotite, gedrite, garnet, as found elsewhere in high grade rocks.The textural criteria and systematic partitioning of Fe and Mg in the ferromagnesian phases, excluding staurolite, indicate attainment of equilibrium during the second metamorphism. From tie line configurations in the phase diagrams, X _Mg ratios in the constituent minerals, and other petrographic criteria, it is suggested that gedrite — cordierite-garnet — sillimanite — biotite assemblage has been produced by the reactions: Biotite+Sillimanite+Quartz = Cordierite+Garnet+K-feldspar+Vapor (1) and Biotite+Sillimanite+Quartz = Cordierite +Gedrite+K-feldspar+Vapor (2) which occurred during partial melting of the rocks at fixed P and T conditions.By isothermal P-X(Fe-Mg) sections it has been demonstrated that release of FeO, SiO₂ and other components modified the composition of the reactant biotite presumably by the substitution FeSi2 Al, whereby reaction 1 was replaced by reaction 2. Cordierite with higher X _Mg was produced with gedrite instead of with garnet, whose X _Mg is less than X _Mg of gedrite. Reaction 2 has been tentatively located in T-P space from the intersection of some continuous loops in the P-X(Fe-Mg) diagram at 700°C and also by other constraints. The discontinuous reaction 2 is located about 1–2 kilobars higher than reaction 1, which implies that it is difficult to distinguish between effects of pressure and those of melting on the X _Mg ratios of the reaction phases.The P-T calibrations of garnet — cordierite, garnet — biotite and garnet — plagioclase equilibria and the calibrations from other dehydration curves give temperatures near 700°C and pressure (assuming ) about 6 kilobars.     

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of the marginal zone of the Mount Lowe Intrusion,central San Gabriel Mountains,California

The marginal zone of the Mount Lowe Intrusion (MLI) is composed of a mineralogically and geochemically distinctive suite of quartz poor, alkali-enriched monzodiorites and quartz monzodiorites. Low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, Rb, and Rb/Sr coupled with high Ab/Or, K/Rb, Ba and Sr suggest that feldspathic continental crust did not contribute significantly to the magma. The inferred original magma composition is most consistent with experimental data for about 20% batch modal melting of eclogite or quartz eclogite of altered oceanic tholeiite composition. The high absolute Ba and Sr abundances require in addition an enriched component, perhaps derived from dehydration processes within a subducted slab. At the level of exposure, the range of observed compositions resulted from fractionation of hornblende, plagioclase, sphene, apatite and magnetite. Fractionation resulted in formation of a peraluminous, Mn — enriched residual liquid which crystallized garnet. The grandite — enriched composition of the garnet is inferred to be due to high pressure (ca. 6.7 kb), high crystallization, relative to typical plutonic garnets. The composition of the marginal zone of MLI has many chemical similarities to early Mesozoic plutonism in the Cordilleran continental margin magmatic arc of western North America.     

An almandine garnet isograd in the Rogers Pass area,British Columbia: The nature of the reaction and an estimation of the physical conditions during its formation

In the Rogers Pass area of British Columbia the almandine garnet isograd results from a reaction of the form: 5.31 ferroan-dolomite+8.75 paragonite+4.80 pyrrhotite+3.57 albite+16.83 quartz+1.97 O₂=1.00 garnet+16.44 andesine+1.53 chlorite+2.40 S₂+1.90 H₂O+10.62 CO₂. The coefficients of this reaction are quite sensitive to the Mn content of ferroan-dolomite.Experimental data applied to mineral compositions present at the isograd, permits calculation of two intersecting P, T equilibrium curves. P=29088–39.583 T is obtained for the sub-system paragonite-margarite (solid-solution), plagioclase, quartz, ferroan-dolomite, and P=28.247 T–14126 is obtained for the sub-system epidote, quartz, garnet, plagioclase. These equations yield P=3898 bars and T=638° K (365° C). These values are consistent with the FeS content of sphalerite in the assemblage pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite and with other estimates for the area.At these values of P and T the composition of the fluid phase in equilibrium with graphite in the system C-O-H-S during the formation of garnet is estimated as: bars, bars, bars, bars, bars, bars, bars, bars, , bars, bars.     

The stability of staurolite and chloritoid and their significance in metamorphism of pelitic rocks

The reaction chlorite+muscovite=staurolite+biotite+quartz+vapor has been experimentally determined and reversible equilibrium has been demonstrated. At an oxygen fugacity corresponding to that of the FMQ buffer and using a starting mixture with a Mg/Mg+Fe ratio of 0.4, the equilibrium conditions of the reaction are 565±15°C at 7 kb and 540±15°C at 4 kb. The preliminary maximum stability of staurolite in the presence of quartz, muscovite, and biotite has been established at the following conditions: 675±15°C at 5.5 kb and 575±15°C at 2 kb. The results of both investigations are in good agreement with other experimental data and with petrographical observations. Furthermore, equilibria between minerals in medium-grade pelitic rocks are deduced from theoretical considerations and the effect of T, P _solid, , on some dehydration reactions is discussed.     

Genesis of the calc-alkaline igneous rock suite

A high pressure experimental study of the partial melting fields of synthetic high-alumina olivine tholeiite, high-alumina quartz tholeiite, basaltic andesite, andesite, dacite and rhyodacite under dry and wet conditions has been conducted in order to investigate possible origins of the calc-alkaline series from the upper mantle. Detailed analyses of crystallizing phases using the electron microprobe has enabled calculation of the liquid line of descent in these compositions at various pressures.At 27–36 kb garnet and clinopyroxene are the liquidus or near-liquidus phases in dry tholeiite, basaltic andesite and andesite, while quartz is the liquidus phases in dry dacite and rhyodacite. Under wet conditions at 27 kb garnet, not quartz, is the liquidus phase in the dacite. Qualitatively these results show that the low melting fraction of a quartz eclogite at 27–36 kb under dry conditions is of andesitic composition whereas under wet conditions it is rhyodacitic or granodioritic. At these pressures under dry conditions the andesite liquidus lies in a marked low temperature trough between the more basic and more acid compositions. Quantitatively, the calculated compositions of liquid fractionates for varying degrees of melting of the quartz eclogite bulk composition broadly follow the calc-alkaline trend.At 9–10 kb under wet conditions sub-silicic amphibole and pyroxenes are the near-liquidus phases in tholeiite and basaltic andesite compositions. Calcic plagioclase and garnet occur nearer the solidus. The calculated liquid fractionates follow the calc-alkaline trend and demonstrate that the calc-alkaline series may be derived by the partial melting of amphibolite at lower crustal depths under wet conditions , Or by the fractional crystallization of a hydrous basalt magma at similar depths.These experimental results support two complementary hypotheses for the derivation of the calc-alkaline igneous rock suite from the mantle by a two stage igneous process. In the first stage of both hypotheses large piles of basalt are extruded on the earth's surface. Subsequently this pile of basalt may, under dry conditions, transform to quartz eclogite, sink into the mantle and finally undergo partial melting at 100–150 kms depth. This partial melting gives rise to the calc-alkaline magma series leaving a residuum of clinopyroxene and garnet. Alternatively, if wet conditions prevail in the basalt pile and the geotherms remain high, partial melting of the basalt may take place near the base of the pile, at about 10 kb pressure . The liquids so formed constitute the calc-alkaline suite and the residuum consists of amphibole, pyroxenes and possibly minor garnet and calcic plagioclase. Both models may be directly linked to the hypothesis of sea-floor spreading.     

Cordierite-Cummingtonite Facies Rocks from the Gold Brick District, Colorado

The unusual association of cordierite and cummingtonite (? gedrite+ chlorite + biotite + ilmenite + plagioclase + quartz) definesa metamorphic facies within aluminous, low-Ca amphibolites fromthe Proterozoic rocks of the Gold Brick District, east of Gunnison,Colorado. More Fe-rich bulk chemistries in the same facies arecharacterized by assemblages consisting of cordierite+-gedrite+ garnet + chlorite + biotite + ilmenite + plagioclase + quartz,whereas more Mg-rich compositions are characterized by cordierite+ anthophyllite + chlorite + biotite + ilmenite ? plagioclase+ quartz. The assemblage gedrite 4- cummingtonite + chlorite+ biotite + ilmenite + plagioclase + quartz was also observed.Coexisting cordierite+ anthophyllite + cummingtonite was notobserved in any rocks, apparently because this assemblage isstable over only a very narrow range of bulk compositions. Metamorphosedpelitic rocks are more iron rich than the assemblage cordierite+ gedrite + garnet + chlorite + biotite + ilmenite + plagioclase+ quartz and consist of garnet ?cordierite ?staurolite ? chlorite? andalusite + biotite + ilmenite + plagioclase + quartz? microclineor muscovite. Mineral rim compositions from cordierite-bearing amphibolitesand metapelites determined by electron microprobe analysis showsystematic Fe/Mg partitioning and define assemblages that occupynon-overlapping regions of the compositional system SiO₂-TiO₂-Al₂O₃-MnO-FeO-MgO-CaO-Na₂O-K₂O-H₂Oas determined by algebraic and statistical methods developedby Braun & Stout (1975) and Fisher (1989). Graphical methods(projections) produced spurious overlaps not confirmed by themore rigorous algebraic tests. The spurious overlaps were generatedbecause standard projective analysis was not able simultaneouslyto account for the important effects of the components Na₂O,CaO, and MnO on the AFM topologies. The results of algebraicand statistical analysis are consistent with an equilibriumorigin at constant values of temperature and pressure. The cordierite-cummingtonite facies encompasses the relativelylow-pressure and moderate-temperature conditions associatedwith the stability field of andalusite. Garnet-biotite geothermo-metry,and garnet, aluminosilicate, silica, plagioclase (GASP) geobarometrysuggest that temperatures and pressures were nearly constantacross the study area at 550( ? 70) ?C and 3 kb, respectively,near the peak of metamorphism. Other geothermometers and geobarometers,and independent pressure and temperature estimates, are compatiblewith garnet-biotite thermometry and GASP geo-barometry. Gradientsin fO₂ or H₂O are not required to explain the compatibilityof these assemblages at constant T and P. Cordierite + cummingtonite-bearingrocks can apparently be derived from anthophyllite +garnet-bearingrocks by increasing temperature or decreasing pressure.     

Origin of garnet phenocrysts in calc-alkaline rocks

A large number of garnet phenocrysts from Palaeozoic rhyodacites and granodiorite porphyrites from Central and Northeastern Victoria have been analyzed using the electron microprobe. These garnets, from an area of several thousand square miles, are very uniform in composition (dominantly almandine, with subordinate pyrope and minor grossular and spessartine). They show minor zoning with a very thin outer rim slightly richer in almandine and spessartine than the remainder of the phenocryst. They are surrounded by a complex intergrowth of cordierite and hypersthene forming a reaction rim. Resorbed quartz phenocrysts are typically associated with the garnet phenocrysts. The uniform composition, the conspicuous size and the subhedral-euhedral form of the garnet phenocrysts indicate that they crystallized directly from the acid calc-alkaline magma at an early stage of its crystallization. High pressure experimental work on a natural garnet-bearing rhyodacite glass demonstrates that almandine-rich garnet and quartz are near-liquidus phases at 18 and 27 kb , but garnet does not appear until well below the liquidus at 9 kb. A comparison of the composition of the experimentally crystallized garnets with the natural garnets suggests that these acid calc-alkaline magmas began to crystallize at pressures between 9 and 18 kb, i.e. at depths corresponding to the lower crust or upper mantle.     

Eo-Alpine Metamorphism in the Uppermost Unit of the Cretan Nappe System — Petrology and Geochronology

The uppermost unit of the Cretan nappe system contains a variegated series of high-grade metamorphic rocks. In the Léndas area, amphibolites are present characterized by the assemblage

$$\text{brown}\;\text{hornblende}\;+\;\text{diopside}\;+\;\text{plagioclase}\;\text{(An 50)}$$

while associated metapelitic gneisses consist of

$$\text{garnet}\;+\;\text{cordierite}\;+\;\text{biotite}\;+\;\text{sillimanite (andalusite)}\;\pm\;\text{K-feldspar}\;+\;\text{plagioclase (An 40-50)}\;+\;\text{quartz}.$$

Judging from relevant experimental data for the gneiss assemblage including the Fe/Mg distribution on coexisting garnet and cordierite, the P-T conditions of metamorphism are estimated at about 700° C and 5 kb water vapour pressure.K/Ar determinations on hornblendes from three amphibolites yielded cooling ages of 71.3, 71.2, and 71.1 (±1.7) m.y. respectively; biotites from three paragneisses gave 70.2 ± 1.4, 69.7 ± 1.2, and 67.9 ± 1.4 m.y. respectively. Assuming a sealing temperature against argon diffusion of 300° C, for biotite, and 500° C, for hornblende, a cooling rate of 100–200° C/m.y. is calculated. Thus a late Cretaceous (eo-Alpine) metamorphic event is established in the post-Cretaceous nappes of Crete.     

Distribution and significance of cordierite in paragneisses of the Hudson Highlands,southeastern New York

Cordierite occurs locally and sporadically in biotite-quartz-two feldspar paragneisses of the Precambrian Highlands complex in southeastern New York. Cordieritic and associated non-cordieritic gneisses were compared to determine the significance of cordierite for the metamorphic history of the complex.Microprobe analyses of the ferromagnesian phases show the following ranges in Fe/Mg (mol.): cordierite 0.19–0.43; biotite 0.33–0.73; garnet 1.98–3.56. Feldspar compositional ranges are: plagioclase An_25–53; K-feldspar in microperthite Or_62–87Ab_12–37 An_0–1. Garnet and plagioclase associated with cordierite are depleted in Ca relative to those in cordierite-free assemblages.Textural evidence, phase rule considerations and consistent distribution coefficients for FeO and MgO in coexisting garnet, cordierite and biotite from each locality examined suggest that all phases formed in at least local equilibrium during the hornblende-granulite subfacies metamorphism. The assemblages studied limit the conditions of metamorphism to between 700 and 750° C and 3.0 to 5.5. Kb. total pressure, with P _T greater than . Differences in mineral compositions and partitioning coefficients among the sampled areas suggest slight local differences within these ranges.Mineral and modal analyses of cordierite-bearing and cordierite-free gneisses show the latter to be enriched in calcium and potassium and depleted in alumina relative to the former. We conclude that the rarity of cordierite in the Highlands paragneisses reflects a scarcity of parent rocks of suitable composition rather than unfavorable physical conditions.     

The role of synmetamorphic igneous rocks in the metamorphism and partial melting of metasediments,Northwest Adirondacks

Field and petrologic studies along the Adirondack Lowlands — Highlands boundary near Harrisville, NY, indicate that heat from the synmetamorphic intrusion of the Diana syenite complex (intrusion temperature of 1,050° C) played a major role in the local metamorphic thermal regime and was responsible for extensive partial melting of adjacent metasedimentary units (Major Paragneiss of Engel and Engel). Metamorphic temperatures inferred from two — feldspar and spinel — quartz assemblages decrease from 850–950° C along the Diana — metasediment contact to 650–700° C, 2–3 km away from the contact. Metamorphic pressures are 7±0.5 kb as determined from coexisting plagioclase — garnet — sillimanite — quartz, kyanite — sillimanite, and garnet — rutile — ilmenite — sillimanite — quartz (GRAIL). In the paragneiss, migmatites consisting of quartz — microcline perthite — sodic plagioclase leucosomes are generally concordant with the melanosome consisting of biotite — sillimanite — garnet — spinel — plagioclase ±corundum±cordierite. Qualitatively the amount of partial melt and occurrences of corundum-bearing assemblages decrease away from the Diana contact. Activity of H₂O inferred from coexisting biotite — sillimanite — quartz — garnet — K-feldspar ranges from 0.01 to 0.17 and is five to ten times lower in corundum-bearing rocks.Melting proceeded via vapor-absent reactions involving biotite in response to localized heating by synmetamorphic intrusion of magma. This unusually preserved, synmetamorphic contact aureole in a regional granulite terrane supports the concept that granulites owe their origin to magma intrusion and/or the ponding of magmas at the base of the crust.     

Stabilitätsbeziehungen zwischen Chlorit,Cordierit und Almandin bei der Metamorphose

The stability relations between cordierite and almandite in rocks, having a composition of CaO poor argillaceous rocks, were experimentally investigated. The starting material consisted of a mixture of chlorite, muscovite, and quartz. Systems with widely varying Fe²⁺/Fe²⁺+Mg ratios were investigated by using two different chlorites, thuringite or ripidolite, in the starting mixture. Cordierite is formed according to the following reaction: $${\text{Chlorite + muscovite + quartz}} \rightleftharpoons {\text{cordierite + biotite + Al}}_{\text{2}} {\text{SiO}}_{\text{5}} + {\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}$$ . At low pressures this reaction characterizes the facies boundary between the albite-epidotehornfels facies and the hornblende-hornfels facies, at medium pressures the beginning of the cordierite-amphibolite facies. Experiments were carried out reversibly and gave the following equilibrium data: 505±10°C at 500 bars H₂O pressure, 513±10°C at 1000 bars H₂O pressure, 527±10°C at 2000 bars H₂O pressure, and 557±10°C at 4000 bars H₂O pressure. These equilibrium data are valid for the Fe-rich starting material, using thuringite as the chlorite, as well as for the Mg-rich starting mixture with ripidolite. At 6000 bars the equilibrium temperature for the Mg-rich mixture is 587±10°C. In the Fe-rich mixture almandite was formed instead of cordierite at 6000 bars. The following reaction was observed: $${\text{Thuringite + muscovite + quartz}} \rightleftharpoons {\text{almandite + biotite + Al}}_{\text{2}} {\text{SiO}}_{\text{5}} {\text{ + H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}$$ . Experiments with the Fe-rich mixture, containing Fe²⁺/Fe²⁺+Mg in the ratio 8∶10, yielded three stability fields in a P,T-diagram (Fig.1):

1. Above 600°C/5.25 kb and 700°C/6.5 kb almandite+biotite+Al₂SiO₅ coexist stably, cordierite being unstable.
2. The field, in which almandite, biotite and Al₂SiO₅ are stable together with cordierite, is restricted by two curves, passing through the following points:
   1. 625°C/5.5 kb and 700°C/6.5 kb,
   2. 625°C/5.5 kb and 700°C/4.0 kb.
3. At conditions below curves 1 and 2b, cordierite, biotite, and Al₂SiO₅ are formed, but no garnet.

An appreciable MnO-content in the system lowers the pressures needed for the formation of almandite garnet, but the quantitative influence of the spessartite-component on the formation of almandite could not yet be determined. the Mg-rich system with Fe²⁺/Fe²⁺+Mg=0.4 garnet did not form at pressures up to 7 kb in the temperature range investigated. Experiments at unspecified higher pressures (in a simple squeezer-type apparatus) yielded the reaction: $${\text{Ripidolite + muscovite + quartz}} \rightleftharpoons {\text{almandite + biotite + Al}}_{\text{2}} {\text{SiO}}_{\text{5}} {\text{ + H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}$$ . Further experiments are needed to determine the equilibrium data. The occurence of garnet in metamorphic rocks is discussed in the light of the experimental results.     

Phase relationships in granulitic metapelites from the Ivrea-Verbano zone (Northern Italy)

Paragneisses of the Ivrea-Verbano zone exhibit over a horizontal distance of 5 km mineralogical changes indicative of the transition from amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism. The most obvious change is the progressive replacement of biotite by garnet via the reaction: a $${\text{Biotite + sillimanite + quartz }} \to {\text{ Garnet + K - feldspar + H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}$$ which results in a systematic increase in the modal ratio g = (garnet)/(garnet + biotite) with increasing grade. The systematic variations in garnet and biotite contents of metapelites are also reflected by the compositions of these phases, both of which become more magnesian with increasing metamorphic grade. The pressure of metamorphism has been estimated from the Ca₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂ contents of garnets coexisting with plagioclase, sillimanite and quartz. These phases are related by the equilibrium: b $$\begin{gathered} 3 CaAl_2 {\text{Si}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{8}} \rightleftharpoons Ca_3 Al_2 {\text{Si}}_{\text{3}} {\text{O}}_{{\text{12}}} + 2 Al_2 {\text{SiO}}_{\text{5}} + {\text{SiO}}_{\text{2}} \hfill \\ plagioclase garnet sillimanite quartz \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ which has been applied to these rocks using the available data on the mixing properties of plagioclase and garnet solid solutions. Temperature and f _{H 2O} estimates have been made in a similar way using thermodynamic data on the biotite-garnet reaction (a) and the approximate solidus temperatures of paragneisses. Amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism in the Ivrea-Verbano zone took place in the P-T ranges 9–11 kb and 700–820 °C. The differences in temperature and pressure of metamorphism between g= 0 and g = 1 (5 kms horizontal distance) were less than 50° C and approximately 1 kb. Retrogression and re-equilibration of garnets and biotites in the metapelites extended to temperatures more than 50° C below and pressures more than 1.5 kb below the peak of metamorphism, the degree of retrogression increasing with decreasing grade of the metamorphic “peak”. The pressure and temperature of the peak of metamorphism are not inconsistent with the hypothesis that the Ivrea-Verbano zone is a slice of upthrusted lower crust from the crust-mantle transition region, although it appears that the thermal gradient was too low for the zone to represent a near-vertical section through the crust. The most reasonable explanation of the granulite facies metamorphism is that it arose through intrusion of mafic rocks into a region already undergoing recrystallisation under amphibolite facies conditions.     

Pyroclastic flows and lavas of the Mogan and Fataga formations,Tejeda Volcano,Gran Canaria,Canary Islands: mineral chemistry,intensive parameters,and magma chamber evolution

The Mogan and Fataga formations on the island of Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, represent a sequence of approximately 30 intercalated pyroclastic and lava flows (total volume about 500 km³ dense-rock equivalent) including subalkaline rhyolitic, peralkaline rhyolitic and trachytic pyroclastic flows, nepheline trachyte lavas and a small volume of alkali basaltic lavas and tephra deposits. The eruption of the intermediate to silicic rocks of the Mogan and Fataga formations follows the roughly 4 Ma duration of basaltic shield volcanism. The most common assemblage in the evolved (Mogan and Fataga) rocks is anorthoclase+ edenitic amphibole+ilmenite+magnetite±augite±hypersthene +apatite+pyrrhotite. A few flows also contain plagioclase, biotite, or sphene. Coexisting Fe-Ti oxides yield equilibrium temperatures between 835 and 930° C and log between –11.2 and –12.6. The lowermost pyroclastic flow of the Mogan formation is zoned from a rhyolitic base (848° C) to a basaltic top (931° C). Unit P1 has an oxygen isotope feldspar-magnetite temperature (850° C) very close to its Fe-Ti oxide temperature. One of the youngest Mogan flows is zoned from a comendite (836° C) at the base to a comenditic trachyte (899° C) at the top. The Fataga formation pyroclastic flows show only slight compositional zonation, and one flow has the same Fe-Ti oxide compositions at top and base.Calculations using the reaction 1/3 magnetite+SiO₂ (melt)=ferrosilite+1/6 O₂ indicate total pressures of 1–4 (±3) kb for six of the Mogan flows and one of the Fataga flows. For four of the pyroclastic flows, equilibria involving tremolite-SiO₂-diopside-enstatite-H₂O and phlogopite-SiO₂-sanidine-enstatite-H₂O imply water contents of 0.9 to 2.6 (±0.5) wt% and between 80 and 610 bars, which indicates that magma within the Tejeda reservoir was H₂O-undersaturated throughout the entire history of Mogan to Fataga volcanism. The fluorine contents of amphibole, biotite, and apatite, and chlorine contents of apatite reveal thatf _HF/ andf _HCl/ high compared to most igneous rocks and are consistent with the peralkaline nature of most of the volcanics. Thef _HCl estimate for one flow is 10^–2 to 10^–1 bars andf _HF for six of the flows ranges from about 10^–1 to 6 bars. Pyrrhotite compositions yield estimates for log between –1 and –3, log between –2 and 1.5, and log between 0.5 and 3, which fall in the range of most intermediate to silicic systems. The lack of a systematic trend with time for magma composition, Fe-Ti oxide temperatures, water contents, phenocryst abundances, and ferromagnesian phase composition indicate that the Tejeda magmatic system was open and kept at nearly the same conditions by the periodic addition of more primitive melts.The intensive thermodynamic parameters estimated from coexisting phenocryst equilibria are used to constrain the eruption dynamics based on solution of the conservation equations for a vapor plus pyroclast mixture. The estimates of magma reservoir temperature, pressure, and water concentration, when combined with a one-dimensional fluid dynamical model of a pyroclastic eruption, imply that the velocities of the ash flows at the vent exit were on the order of 100 to 200 m s^–1, and the mass flow rates were about 10⁷ kg s^–1 for an assumed vent radius of 10 m.     

Partial melting of metagreywackes. Part I. Fluid-absent experiments and phase relationships

Island arcs, active and passive margins are the best tectonic settings to generate fertile reservoirs likely to be involved in subsequent granitoid genesis. In such environments, greywackes are abundant crustal rock types and thus are good candidates to generate large quantities of granitoid magmas. We performed a series of experiments, between 100 and 2000 MPa, on the fluid-absent melting of a quartz-rich aluminous metagreywacke composed of 32 wt% plagioclase (Pl) (An₂₂), 25 wt% biotite (Bt) (X _Mg45), and 41 wt% quartz (Qtz). Eighty experiments, averaging 13 days each, were carried out using a powder of minerals (5m) and a glass of the same composition. The multivariant field of the complex reaction Bt+Pl+QtzGrt/Crd/Spl+ Opx+Kfs+melt limited by the Opx-in and Bt-out curves, is located between 810–860°C at 100 MPa, 800–850°C at 200 MPa, 810–860°C at 300 MPa, 820–880°C at 500 MPa, 860–930°C at 800 MPa, 890–990°C at 1000 MPa, and at a temperature lower than 1000°C at 1500 and 1700 MPa. The melting of biotite+plagioclase+ quartz produced melt+orthopyroxene (Opx) +cordierite (Crd) or spinel (Spl) at 100, 200 and 300 MPa, and melt+orthopyroxene+garnet (Grt) from 500 to 1700 MPa (+Qtz, Pl, FeTi Oxide at all pressures). K-feldspar (Kfs) was found as a product of the reaction in some cases and we observed that the residual plagioclase was always strongly enriched in orthoclase component. The P-T surface corresponding to the multivariant field of this reaction is about 50 to 100°C wide. At temperatures below the appearance of orthopyroxene, biotite is progressively replaced by garnet with increasing P. At 850°C, we observed that (1) the modal proportion of garnet increases markedly with P; (2) the grossular content of the garnet increases regularly from about 4 mol% at 500 MPa to 15 mol% at 2000 MPa. These changes can be ascribed to the reaction Bt+Pl+Qtz Grt+Kfs+melt with biotite +plagioclase+quartz on the low-P side of the reaction. As a result, at 200 MPa, we observed the progressive disappearance of biotite without production of orthopyroxene. These experiments emphasize the importance of this reaction for the understanding of partial melting processes and evolution of the lower continental crust. Ca-poor Al-metagreywackes represent fertile rocks at commonly attainable temperatures (i.e. 800–900°C), below 700 MPa. There, 30 to 60 vol.% of melt can be produced. Above this pressure, temperatures above 900°C are required, making the production of granitoid magmas more difficult. Thin layers of gneisses composed of rothopyroxene, garnet, plagioclase, and quartz (±biotite), interbedded within sillimanite-bearing paragneisses, are quite common in granulite terrains. They may result from partial melting of metagreywackes and correspond to recrystallized mixtures of crystals (+trapped melt) left behind after removal of a major proportion of melt. Available experimental constraints indicate that extensive melting of pelites takes place at a significantly lower temperature (850°C±20) than in Al-metagreywackes (950°C±30), at 1000 MPa. The common observation that biotite is no longer stable in aluminous paragneisses while it still coexists commonly with orthopyroxene, garnet, plagioclase and quartz, provides rather tight temperature constraints for granulitic metamorphism.Abbreviations Ab albite - alm almandine component in garnet - Als aluminum silicate - An anorthite - Ap apatite - Bt biotite - Cal calcite - Crd cordierite - Crn corundum - En enstatite - Fl fluid phase - Fs ferrosilite - Ged gedrite - Gl glass - Grs Grossular - grs grossular component in garnet - Grt garnet - Hc hercynite - Hem hematite - Ilm ilmenite - Kfs K-feldspar - M melt - Mag magnetite - Ms muscovite - Opx orthopyroxene - Or orthoclase - Phl phlogopite - Pl plagioclase - Po Pyrrhotite - Prp pyrope - prp pyrope component in garnet - Otz quartz - Rt rutile - Sa sanidine - Sil sillimanite - Spl spinel - St staurolite - Ti-Mag titano-magnetite - W water     

Petrology and geochemistry of the ignimbrites and associated lava domes from N.W. Sardinia

Cenozoic calc-alkaline ignimbrites and related lavas from N.W. Sardinia (Italy), which are closely associated with andesites, have dacitic to rhyolitic composition. The ignimbritic rocks underwent fractional crystallization dominated by plagioclase. The model calculations for REE, Ba, Sr, and Rb are consistent with the generation of ignimbritic magmas by partial melting of tonalitic rocks. P-T estimates for the crystallization of ignimbrites, which give temperatures in the range of 910 °–1070 ° C and P about 5 kb, imply a local increase of temperature in the crust, which is probably related to the ascending andesitic magma. The variations of trace elements indicate that associated andesitic rocks were contaminated by ignimbritic magma.     

Cordierite gneisses and associated lithologies of the Guri area,Northwest Guayana Shield,Venezuela

Gneisses in the Guri area of the Venezuelan Guayana Shield contain mineral assemblages with cordierite, garnet, sillimanite, hypersthene, biotite and Fe-Ti oxide intergrowths.Analysis of mineral assemblages and compositional relationships in the light of experimental data indicate metamorphic conditions of 725–800° C, 5–6 kb P _T , <P _T for the highest grade rocks and 650–700° C, 5–7 kb P _T , approximating P _T for the lowest grade rocks. Oxygen fugacities in different lithologies ranged between those of the MH and QFM buffers.The distribution coefficient K _D (Mg-Fe) (gar-bio), decreases by 0.006 per atom percent increase in (Mn/Mn+Mg+Fe)gar, falls in the range of K _D typical of the sillimanite-K feldspar zone and granulite facies, and is systematically lower in lower grade rocks-all in accord with observation in other localities. K _D (Mg-Fe) (cord-bio) ranges from 3.0 in the highest grade rocks to 10.0 in the lowest grade rocks, appears independent of FeO/MgO of cordierite or biotite, and varies systematically with grade. In contrast with conclusions based on observation in other localities, data from the Guri area suggest -K_D(cord-bio) may be a sensitive index of grade.A number of mineralogic and geologic observations are difficultly reconciled with existing experimental data.