Metabasite amphiboles of the Scottish Dalradian

Blue-green hornblendes are observed in metabasite assemblages throughout the chlorite, biotite and garnet zones of the southwest Scottish Highlands. Actinolites are common in more Mg-rich metabasites in these zones. At low grade, hornblendes are relatively edenite-rich, and may sometimes occur together with a more Mg-rich, Al-poor actinolite. Within the garnet zone, hornblendes are pargasitic, showing extensive tschermakite substitution. Textural and chemical evidence do not indicate the presence of any miscibility gap between hornblende and actinolite within the chlorite to garnet zones in the southwest Highlands. The occurrence of hornblende-actinolite pairs in metabasites of the Scottish Dalradian, and perhaps also in other metamorphic terrains, is considered to reflect the incomplete chemical equilibration of lower grade actinolitic amphibole during prograde metamorphism, rather than a miscibility gap. The paucity of amphibole compositions intermediate between hornblende and actinolite in many metamorphic terrains is thought to reflect the rapid but continuous change of stable amphibole compositions in metabasites over a small range of increased metamorphic grade.     

A Comparison of amphiboles from medium- and low-pressure metabasites

A comparison of published metabasite amphibole analyses from medium and low-pressure metamorphic terrains reveals that there is no systematic variation in Na, Na^M4, Al or Al^VI as a function of pressure. This may be due to blurring of the differences by variation in oxidation state, or by analytical differences between laboratories. It is not due to variable Mg/Fe in whole rocks. Differences that can be recognised are generally higher Ti/Al ratios in the low-pressure amphiboles, and a very poorly developed compositional gap between actinolite and hornblende compared with a well-developed gap at medium pressures. These features, together with the relatively low-grade appearance of calcic plagioclase at low pressures, provide the best means of distinguishing metabasites from the two facies series.All three features can be explained by the configuration of cation-exchange equilibria at the greenschist/amphibolite facies boundary. Enrichment in Ti at low-pressures is due to the positive slope of reactions partitioning Ti into the amphibole. The composition gap in amphiboles at medium-pressure is due to overstepping of the tschermakite-enriching equilibrium. At low pressures this overstepping still occurs, but the equilibrium tschermakite-content in the amphibole is much lower for a given amount of overstepping. The relatively low-grade appearance of oligoclase at low pressures is due to convergence of the tschermakite and anorthite-enriching equilibria with decreasing pressure.     

Mineralogy of New Caledonian metamorphic rocks

The chemistry and phase relations of calcic and sodic amphiboles in the Ouégoa blueschists are investigated. The first appearance of sodic amphiboles is controlled by bulkrock chemistry. Sodic amphibole appears first in weakly-metamorphosed pumpellyite metabasalts prior to the crystallization of lawsonite but does not crystallize in pelitic schists until the middle of the lawsonite zone; sodic amphibole continues as an apparently stable phase in rocks of all bulk compositions into, and throughout, the highest-grade rocks in the district. Calcic amphibole is widespread in metabasalts of the lawsonite and epidote zones and also occurs in metasediments of appropriate composition. Coexisting pairs of calcic and sodic amphiboles are common in metabasalts but they have also been found in some metasediments. A grunerite-riebeckite pair is described.Electron-probe analyses of 120 amphiboles from representative rock-types are presented in graphical form. Sodic amphiboles show an increased Mg/(Mg+Fe) ratio with increasing metamorphic grade. Sodic amphiboles in pelitic schists are ferroglaucophane in the lawsonite zone and crossite and glaucophane in the epidote zone. Sodic amphiboles in metabasalts are iron-rich crossites in weakly-metamorphosed rocks and more-magnesian crossites and glaucophanes in the lawsonite and epidote zones. The abrupt increase in Mg/(Mg+Fe) ratio in sodic amphiboles at the epidote isograd is attributed to the crystallization of epidote and almandine which take the place of lawsonite and spessartine of the lawsonite zone. Calcic amphiboles are fibrous actinolites in the lawsonite zone and grade with increasing Al and Na/Ca ratio into prismatic blue-green hornblendes (barroisites) in the upper epidote zone. In calcic amphiboles, increasing metamorphic grade effects the coupled substitution of (Na+Al) for (Ca+Mg) and a small increases in Fe/Mg ratio; octahedrally and tetrahedrally coordinated Al increases in an approximately 11 ratio. Both the calcic and the sodic amphiboles show an increase in A-site occupancy with increasing metamorphic grade. In two-amphibole assemblages Ti, Mn and K are concentrated in the calcic amphibole.The textural and chemical relations between coexisting calcic and sodic amphiboles are discussed. If the calcic and sodic amphiboles are an equilibrium pair then the data collected from the Ouégoa amphiboles gives a picture of a very asymmetric solvus in the system glaucophane-actinolite-hornblende, i.e. steep-sided to glaucophane and with a gentle slope to the calcic amphibole field; there is no indication of any termination of the solvus under the pressure-temperature conditions of crystallization of the Ouégoa schists.     

Coexisting amphiboles in an eclogite from the Western Alps: new constraints on the miscibility gap between sodic and calcic amphiboles

Abstract Crystal-chemical relationships between coexisting sodic and calcic amphiboles have been studied in eclogitic metagabbros from the Aosta Valley, Western Alps. Textural analysis gives evidence of three successive high-pressure parageneses:
1. Pre-kinematic high-grade blueschist assemblages, preserved as polymineralic inclusions in garnet cores and made of glaucophane and actinolite (stage A).
2. Synkinematic eclogite assemblages, composed of garnet + omphacite + glaucophane ± actinolite ± white mica ° Clinozoisite + quartz + rutile (stage B).
3. Post-kinematic epitactic overgrowths of barroisitic amphibole on glaucophane and actinolite (stage C).
P–T conditions of the eclogitic metamorphism have been estimated at around 500–550°C, 16 kbar.
Glaucophane and actinolite coexist as discrete grains in stage A and B assemblages. This texture and the chemistry of the amphiboles unambiguously denotes the existence of a miscibility gap between sodic and calcic amphiboles (from Na^M4= 0.80 in actinolite to Na^M4= 1.70 in glaucophane at T = 500–550°C). A comparison with published analyses allows a new solvus along the glaucophane–actinolite join to be drawn.
The later barroisitic amphibole (stage C) exhibits strong chemical zonation indicating disequilibrium growth. This amphibole cannot either be used to define a miscibility gap with glaucophane or actinolite or be considered as an intermediate stage between these two end-members.     

Parageneses and compositions of amphiboles from Franciscan jadeite–glaucophane type facies series metabasites at Cazadero, California

Abstract Sodic amphiboles are common in Franciscan type II and type III metabasites from Cazadero, California. They occur as (1) vein-fillings, (2) overgrowths on relict augites, (3) discrete tiny crystals in the groundmass, and (4) composite crystals with metamorphic Ca–Na pyroxenes in low-grade rocks. They become coarse-grained and show strong preferred orientation in schistose high-grade rocks. In the lowest grade, only riebeckite to crossite appears; with increasing grade, sodic amphibole becomes, first, enriched in glaucophane component, later coexists with actinolite, and finally, at even higher grade, becomes winchite. Actinolite first appears in foliated blueschists of the upper pumpellyite zone. It occurs (1) interlayered on a millimetre scale with glaucophane prisms and (2) as segments of composite amphibole crystals. Actinolite is considered to be in equilibrium with other high-pressure phases on the basis of its restricted occurrence in higher grade rocks, textural and compositional characteristics, and Fe/Mg distribution coefficient between actinolite and chlorite. Detailed analyses delineate a compositional gap for coexisting sodic and calcic amphiboles. At the highest grade, winchite appears at the expense of the actinolite–glaucophane pair. Compositional characteristics of Franciscan amphiboles from Ward Creek are compared with those of other high P/T facies series. The amphibole trend in terms of major components is very sensitive to the metamorphic field gradient. Na-amphibole appears at lower grade than actinolite along the higher P/T facies series (e.g. Franciscan and New Caledonia), whereas reverse relations occur in the lower P/T facies series (e.g. Sanbagawa and New Zealand). Available data also indicate that at low-temperature conditions, such as those of the blueschist and pumpellyite–actinolite facies, large compositional gaps exist between Ca- and Na-amphiboles, and between actinolite and hornblende, whereas at higher temperatures such as in the epidote–amphibolite, greenschist and eclogite facies, the gaps become very restricted. Common occurrence of both sodic and calcic amphiboles and Ca–Na pyroxene together with albite + quartz in the Ward Creek metabasites and their compositional trends are characteristic of the jadeite–glaucophane type facies series. In New Caledonia blueschists, Ca–Na pyroxenes are also common; Na-amphiboles do not appear alone at low grade in metabasites, instead, Na-amphiboles coexist with Ca-amphiboles throughout the progressive sequence. However, for metabasites of the intermediate pressure facies series, such as those of the Sanbagawa belt, Japan and South Island, New Zealand, Ca–Na pyroxene and glaucophane are not common; sodic amphiboles are restricted to crossite and riebeckite in composition and clinopyroxenes to acmite and sodic augite, and occur only in Fe₂O₃-rich metabasites. The glaucophane component of Na-amphibole systematically decreases from Ward Creek, New Caledonia, through Sanbagawa to New Zealand. This relation is consistent with estimated pressure decrease employing the geobarometer of Maruyama et al. (1986). Similarly, the decrease in tschermakite content and increase in NaM₄ of Ca-amphiboles from New Zealand, through Sanbagawa to New Caledonia is consistent with the geobarometry of Brown (1977b). Therefore, the difference in compositional trends of amphiboles can be used as a guide for P–T detail within the metamorphic facies series.     

Greenschist amphiboles from Haast river,New Zealand

A section across the Haast Schist Group in the Southern Alps of New Zealand shows a sequence of metamorphosed eugeosynclinal sediments. Meta-basic rocks (greenschists) have been studied to determine the nature of the actinolite-hornblende transition and to investigate the change in amphibole composition through the Metamorphic Facies Series.Electron microprobe analyses of 21 representative amphiboles, including 3 amphibole pairs can be shown to support theories of a miscibility break in the calciferous amphibole solid solution series. The existence of a miscibility break is further supported by the widespread appearance, even at low metamorphic grades, of exsolution lamellae in actinolite and hornblende amphiboles.Amphibolite facies amphiboles differ from greenschist facies amphiboles in that (a) there are increased amounts of Ti entering the lattice and (b) that there is an increased occupancy of the A site at higher metamorphic grades.     

Qualitative thermobarometry of inverted metamorphism in the Pelona and Rand Schists, southern California, using calciferous amphibole in mafic schist

Abstract The Rand and Pelona Schists consist of eugeoclinal rock types overlain by continental basement along the Vincent-Chocolate Mountains (VCM) faults. Both schists display inverted metamorphic zonation, defined in part by a systematic variation in composition of calcic to sodic-calcic amphibole in mafic schist structurally upward. The compositional progressions include increase of total A1, A1^IV and Ti, but decrease in the ratios of Na/(Na + Ca) to A1/(A1 + Si), and Na^M4 to (A1^VI+ Fe³⁺+ Ti). These variations imply that structurally high rocks belong to a lower-pressure metamorphic fades series than those at depth. This result is consistent with previous views that the inverted metamorphic zonations represent intact structural sequences.
Amphibole composition is dependent not only on structural position (i.e. P-T ), but also upon bulk-rock composition. The important controls are whole-rock Mg/(Mg + Fe²⁺+ Mn) and Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺. The greatest impact of these factors, however, is on the absolute values of Na and Al, rather than their ratio. Thus, interpretation of facies series is not seriously hindered by compositional variability.
Sodic amphibole in epidote blueschists from the Rand Schist is extensively replaced by sodic-calcic amphibole. Sodic-calcic amphibole in the Rand Schist and Pelona Schist is, itself, rimmed by actinolitic amphibole. Similar blueschist to greenschist transitions in other metamorphic terranes are typically attributed to exhumation. In the Rand and Pelona Schists, the sequence probably formed during burial.     

Miscibility of Tremolite and Hornblende in Progressive Skagit Metamorphic Suite, North Cascades, Washington

Tremolite-hornblende relationships are reported for high gradeand relatively low grade zones within the Barrovian type SkagitSuite, using rocks that range widely enough in composition toqualify as potential hosts of any calcic amphibole from practicallyA1-free to A1-rich types. Out of over 100 samples analysed bymicroprobe, 22 representative analyses are listed, with end-membercalculations. In the sillimanite grade core of the Skagit Suite, calcic amphibolesfrom various, commonly metasomatized metamorphic ultramaficsand genetically related hornblendites, from amphibolites, schistsand gneisses, and from some metamorphosed impure dolomites showcontinuous solid solution between tremolite and highly aluminoushornblendes ranging from almost Fe-free to moderately Fe-richtypes. A1_total/A1^IV is nearly constant and approximates 1?44.The second group of calcic amphiboles studied is from the lower-mediumrange of the epidote amphibolite facies (comprehensively defined),that is, from near and above the oligoclase isograd. Host rocksare variously metasomatized meta-peridotites, and amphibolitesand schists. There is a large compositional gap between analysesof tremolites and of moderately to highly aluminous hornblendes.A1_total/A1^IV approximates 1?73 both in the tremolite and hornblendefields, as against 1?44 at high grade. Fe-poor hornblendes,such as are stable at high grade, were not found at the lowergrade. At both grades, Al shows good overall correlation withNa+K, with A occupancy, and with Ti (with more Ti at high grade). The compositional gap between tremolite and hornblende analysesfrom the lower grade rocks does not necessarily define a solvusbecause no tremolite-hornblende pairs were found. Rather, theanalyses provide outer limits on the possible width of a solvusat this grade (T). However, certain data suggest that a truemiscibility gap not only exists but probably is not a greatdeal narrower than the gap between the actual analyses. Besides,the proposed restriction on A1/Fe ratios at this grade wouldreduce the probability of finding tremolite-hornblende pairs.     

The Serra da Graciosa A-type Granites and Syenites, southern Brazil. Part 3: Magmatic evolution and post-magmatic breakdown of amphiboles of the alkaline association

Amphiboles are the main mafic minerals in most metaluminous to peralkaline alkali-feldspar granites and syenites, and they usually preserve an important record of the compositional evolution of the melts from which they crystallize. In the alkaline association of the Serra da Graciosa A-type Granites and Syenites (southern Brazil), amphibole compositions span a large range, including calcic, sodic–calcic, and sodic amphiboles. Calcic amphiboles are typically observed in the metaluminous rocks, while sodic amphiboles are characteristic of the more strongly peralkaline rocks; sodic–calcic amphiboles are found in intermediate varieties. Compositional variations record the differentiation trends within two petrographic series of the alkaline association. The overall evolution of amphibole compositions is similar in both: they reveal a progressive increase in Na and Fe³⁺ with differentiation (increase in alkalinity of the magmas), a characteristic shared by undersaturated peralkaline (or agpaitic) differentiation trends. In detail, however, the evolutions of the amphibole compositions in the two series are distinct. In Alkaline series 1, the cores of the crystals form a continuum from calcic to sodic compositions, with the exception of a small compositional gap within the sodic–calcic amphiboles. The rims, however, show compositions that diverge from this main trend; this divergence results from increasing amounts of the oxy-amphibole component, and reflects more oxidizing conditions at the final stages of magmatic crystallization. In Alkaline series 2, these oxidation trends are much more subtle and a reverse trend is observed in the sodic amphiboles. Sodic–calcic amphiboles are in several cases replaced by intergrowths of post-magmatic sodic amphibole and Al-poor (“tetrasilicic”) biotite.     

Metamorphism of Proterozoic agpaitic nepheline syenite gneiss from North Singhbhum Mobile Belt, eastern India

Sushina nepheline syenite gneisses of Early Proterozoic North Singhbhum Mobile Belt (NSMB), eastern India suffered regional metamorphism under greenschist-amphibolite transitional facies condition. The Agpaitic Sushina nepheline syenite gneisses consist of albite, K-feldspar, nepheline (close to Morozewicz-Buerger composition), aegirine, biotite, epidote, piemontite, sodalite, cancrinite, natrolite and local alkali amphibole. Accessory phases include zircon, hematite, magnetite, rare pyrochlore and occasional eudialyte and manganoan calcic zirconosilicates. Mineral chemistry of albite, K-feldspar, nepheline, aegirine, alkali amphibole, natrolite and zirconium silicate minerals are described. The detailed textural features together with chemical data of some minerals indicate metamorphic overprint of these rocks. A new reaction is given for the genesis of metamorphic epidote. Metamorphic piemontite suggests greenschist facies metamorphism under high fO₂ (Hematite-Magnetite buffer). Up to 15.34 mol% of jadeite component in aegirine suggests that the metamorphic grade of the nepheline syenite gneiss reached at least to greenschist-amphibolite transitional facies or higher. Nepheline geothermometry suggests temperature of metamorphism <500 °C, which is consistent with greenschist facies metamorphism of surrounding chlorite-biotite-garnet phyllite country rock.     

Alkali Amphiboles from the Blueschists of Cazadero, California

Alkali amphiboles from Type III and Type IV metamorphic zonesin blueschist facies rocks of Cazadero, California, and fromcomparable New Caledonian rocks have been characterized by X-raycrystallographic, optical, and chemical methods. The compositionof any particular alkali amphibole is strongly controlled bythe bulk composition of the host rock. Within the blueschistfacies, metamorphic zones are not characterized by changes inamphibole composition. All the alkali amphiboles studied hereinbelong to the C2/m space group and complete miscibility betweenglaucophane and riebeckite has been demonstrated for the conditionsprevailing during metamorphism in the Cazadero and New Caledonianblueschists. Linear relationships are found between unit-celldimensions and variations in composition between glaucophaneand riebeckite. The alkali amphiboles of glaucophane compositionsbelong to the high pressure-low temperature series, glaucophaneII-riebeckite. Limited miscibility of actinolite in glaucophanemay be characteristic of blueschist facies metamorphism.     

Coexisting Amphiboles from Blueschist Facies Metamorphic Rocks

Four pairs of associated calcic and sodic amphiboles from blueschistfacies metamorphic rocks were analyzed with the electron microprobeand studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques.Except for ranges in the ratios Mg/(Mg+Fe) and Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺+Al+Ti),the sodic amphiboles are similar in chemical composition. Theamount of calcium in the M(4)-site ranges only from 0·18to 0·21 ion per formula unit. The calcic amphiboles,in addition to a range in Mg/(Mg+Fe), vary in Na/(Na+Ca) ratio(0·29–0·48). Three of the calcic amphibolescontain less than 1·5 calcium ions per formula unit,indicating a significant solid solution of sodic amphibole componentsin the calcic amphibole phase. The a and b unit-cell parametersof the calcic amphiboles decrease with increased content ofthe sodic component.     

Phase equilibria in rocks of the paleoproterozoic banded iron formation (BIF) of the Lebedinskoe deposit, Kursk Magnetic Anomaly, and the petrogenesis of BIF with alkali amphiboles

BIF with alkali amphibole at the Lebedinskoe iron deposits, the largest in Russia, were metamorphosed at 550°C and 2–3 kbar and contain ferriwinchite, riebeckite, actinolite, grunerite, and aegirine-augite. All reaction textures observed in the rocks were produced during the prograde metamorphic stage and represent the following succession of mineral replacements: Gru → Rbk, Act → Win → Rbk. Data obtained on the textural relations and compositional variations of Ca, Ca-Na, and Na Al-free amphiboles point to the complete miscibility in the actinolite-ferriwinchite and ferriwinchite-riebeckite isomorphic series. Riebeckite is formed in BIF during the prograde metamorphic stage, with the participation of a fluid insignificantly enriched in Na⁺ and at increasing oxygen fugacity. The critical factors controlling the development of alkali amphiboles and Ca-Na pyroxenes in carbonate-bearing BIF is the oxygen activity and the presence of at least low concentrations of Na⁺ ions in the fluid. The minerals contain Fe³⁺, and all reactions producing them are oxidation reactions. The origin of riebeckite late in the course of the mineral-forming process is caused by the Ca²⁺Mg²⁺ → Na⁺Fe³⁺ heterovalent isomorphic replacement in calcic and calcic-sodic amphiboles and by the oxidation of grunerite in the presence of a fluid enriched in Na ions.     

Metamorphic convergence of the upper and lower plates of the Vincent thrust, San Gabriel Mountains, southern California, USA

The Vincent thrust of the San Gabriel Mountains, southern California, separates eugeoclinal Pelona Schist from overlying Precambrian to Mesozoic igneous and metamorphic rocks of North American continental affinity. The thrust is generally considered to be synmetamorphic because of similarity in structural orientations and mineral assemblages between the Pelona Schist and mylonites at the base of the upper plate. In this study, compositions of calcic amphibole and plagioclase in the upper plate and structurally high Pelona Schist were compared to further test this interpretation. Amphibole in the schist is mostly actinolite to actinolitic hornblende with high Na/Al ratio, indicating relatively high-P/low-T metamorphism. Individual grains are zoned, with concentrations of both Na and Al decreasing from cores to rims. Premylonitic amphibole in the upper plate is hornblende, tschermakite and pargasite with compositions indicative of low- or medium-P metamorphism. During mylonitization, this amphibole was replaced by actinolite to actinolitic hornblende with a similar range of Na and Al as amphibole rims in the Pelona Schist, but with slightly lower Na/Al ratio. This is consistent with the decrease of Na/Al up-section previously noted within the Pelona Schist of this area, and is considered to be the result of an inverted thermal gradient during thrusting. Convergence of composition between schist and upper plate also occurs for K and Ti contents of amphibole and An content of plagioclase. These features provide strong evidence that mylonitization of the upper plate is closely related in space and time to metamorphism of the Pelona Schist and therefore that the Vincent thrust is a remnant of the primary fault along which the Pelona Schist and correlative units were subducted beneath North America. Nonetheless, very fine-scale differences in amphibole composition between the schist and upper plate may indicate that metamorphic re-equilibration could not quite keep pace with movement on the fault.     

The Serra da Graciosa A-type Granites and Syenites, southern Brazil: Part 2: Petrographic and mineralogical evolution of the alkaline and aluminous associations

The Serra da Graciosa Granites and Syenites comprise five distinct plutons in the Brasiliano/Pan-African Graciosa A-type Province, southern Brazil. Six petrographic series can be identified in these plutons: (1) Alkaline series 1, composed of amphibole-bearing alkali feldspar syenites with varied mafic mineralogy and quartz contents, from alkali feldspar syenites with calcic amphibole, clinopyroxene, olivine and allanite to alkali feldspar quartz syenites with sodic–calcic amphibole and chevkinite–perrierite and to alkali feldspar granites with sodic amphibole; (2) Alkaline series 2, characterized by amphibole-bearing alkali feldspar granites, with limited modal variations but amphibole compositions also varying from calcic to sodic; (3) Alkaline series 3, of limited occurrence, which includes alkali feldspar syenites with olivine and clinopyroxene and no amphibole; (4) Aluminous series 1, of widespread occurrence, with various petrographic facies of biotite granites with amphibole; (5) Aluminous series 2, characterized by alkali feldspar granites with biotite and only minor amphibole; (6) Monzodiorites, typically with biotite, calcic amphibole and augitic clinopyroxene, partially mingled with granitic magmas. The mafic minerals present are, in general, Fe-rich with correspondingly low Mg and Al contents. In Alkaline series 1, amphiboles crystallized in progressively more oxidizing and alkaline conditions, while in Alkaline series 2, the initial conditions were somewhat more oxidizing and shifted to reducing in the final stages. In Aluminous series 1 and Aluminous series 2, amphiboles are calcic and comparatively homogeneous. The amphiboles in the monzodioritic rocks, while also homogeneous, are more Mg-rich and show compositions quite distinct from the calcic varieties in the other associations, and this is also the case for clinopyroxene. Mg# in biotite decreases from the monzodioritic rocks to Aluminous series 1 and further to Aluminous series 2. Contrasting evolution of the various associations suggests that several coeval magmatic series are present in the Serra da Graciosa granites.     

Progressive Metamorphism of Metabasic Rocks from the Haast Schist Group of Southern New Zealand

Progressive mineralogical changes are described for metabasicrocks through a Barrovian-type metamorphic series ranging fromgreenschist to amphibolite facies in the Southern Alps of NewZealand. Wet chemical and electronmicroprobe analyses of coexisting phasesillustrate (a) that chlorite composition becomes progressivelymore Mg-rich towards higher grades. Chlorite and biotite zonechlorites have Mg/Fe <1.00, while in the oligoclase zonethe chlorite Mg/Fe >2.00. (b) Biotite and epidote compositionsshow no systematic variation with metamorphic grade and arecontrolled by bulk rock composition. For epidote, compositionis directly related to oxidation states during metamorphism.(c) Zoning profiles from atoll and normal porphyroblastic almandine-richgarnets are illustrated, and their relationship to compositionalchanges with metamorphic grade discussed, (d) Coexisting compositionsof albite and oligoclase through the garnet zone outline theform of the peristerite solvus. Myrmekitic textures in oligoclaseare ascribed to release of silica during progressive eliminationof albite. Element distribution between coexisting minerals is graphicallyinvestigated. Isogradic samples show very similar element distributions,suggesting general equilibration. Distribution of any elementbetween two phases for the facies series as a whole, however,is clearly influenced by changing concentrations of other ionsin one or both minerals. In particular for pairs containingcalciferous amphibole, the distribution coefficient is dependentupon tetrahedrally co-ordinated Al⁺³ of the amphibole.     

Contact metamorphism of impure dolomitic limestone in the Boulder Aureole,Montana

Progressive metamorphism of impure dolomitic limestone in the 1.5 to 2.5 km wide contact aureole surrounding the northernmost portion of the boulder batholith has resulted in a consistent sequence of uniformly distributed zones of low-variance mineral parageneses separated by abrupt and distinctive isograds. In silica-undersaturated, aluminous marbles, the following mineral assemblages occur, in order of increasing grade: calcite-dolomite-calcic amphibole-chlorite, calcite-dolomite-calcic amphibole-chlorite-spinel, calcite-dolomite-calcic amphibole-chlorite-olivine-spinel, calcite-dolomite-chlorite-olivine-spinel, calcite-dolomite-olivine-spinel. The spatial distribution of parageneses and the occurrence of low-variance parageneses indicate buffering of the pore fluid composition by the local mineral assemblages. The observed sequence of mineral reactions and the spacing of isograds is in good agreement with experimental and calculated equilibria in terms of P-T-X _{CO 2}and temperatures of equilibration inferred from calcite-dolomite geothermometry, which range from 435 to 607 °C across the aureole.Microprobe analyses of coexisting minerals indicate attainment of exchange equilibrium. Calcic amphibole and chlorite coexisting with calcite and dolomite become progressively more aluminous with increasing grade; calcic amphibole changes rapidly from Al-poor tremolite to pargasite, while Al^IV in Cte increases from 2.0 to 2.3 atoms per 8 tetrahedral sites. Observed low-variance assemblages fix the activities of calcic amphibole and chlorite end-member components as a function of P and T, and hence the systematic compositional variation in these phases is not an independent variable, but is controlled by the local mineral assemblage.     

The Garnet+Hornblende Isograd in Calcic Schists from an Andalusite-Type Regional Metamorphic Terrain, Panamint Mountains, California

Calcic schists in the andalusite-type regional metamorphic terrainin the Panamint Mountains, California, contain the low-varianceassemblage quartz+epidote+muscovite+biotite+calcic amphibole+chlorite+plagioclase+spheneat low grade. Near the sillimanite isograd, chlorite in thisassemblage is replaced by garnet. The low variance in many calcicschists allows the determination of the nature of the reactionthat resulted in the coexistence of garnet+hornblende. A graphicalanalysis of the mineral assemblages shows that the reactioncan not be of the form biotite+epidote+chlorite+plagioclase+quartz=garnet+hornblende+muscovite+sphene+H₂Obecause garnet+chlorite never coexisted during metamorphismand the chlorite-bearing and garnet-bearing phase volumes donot overlap. The compositions of the minerals show that withincreasing grade amphibole changed from actinolite to pargasitichornblende with no apparent miscibility gap, the partitioningof Fe and Mg between chlorite and hornblende changed from K_D(Mg/Fe, chl&amp) < 1 to K_D > 1, the partitioning betweenbiotite and hornblende changed from K_D (Mg/Fe, bio/amp) <1 in chlorite-zone samples to K_D > 1 in garnet + hornblende-zonesamples, and the transition to the garnet-bearing assemblageoccurred when the composition of plagioclase was between An₅₅and An₈₀. Both the graphical analysis and an analytical analysisof the compositions of the minerals using simplified componentsderived from the natural mineral compositions indicate thatat the garnet+hornblende isograd the composition of hornblendewas colinear with that of plagioclase and biotite, as projectedfrom quartz, epidote, muscovite, and H₂O. During progressivemetamorphism, chlorite+biotite+epidote+quartz continuously brokedown to form hornblende+muscovite+sphene until the degeneracywas reached. At that point, tie lines from hornblende couldextend to garnet without allowing garnet to coexist with chlorite.Thus, the garnet+hornblende isograd was established throughcontinuous reactions within the chlorite-grade assemblage ratherthan through a discontinuous reaction. In this type of isograd,the low-grade diagnostic assemblage occurs only in Mg-rich rocks;whereas the high-grade assemblage occurs only in Fe-rich rocks.This relation accounts for the restricted occurrence of garnet+hornblendeassemblage in low-pressure terrains. In Barrovian terrains,garnet+chlorite commonly occurs, and the first appearana ofgarnet+hornblende can simply result from the continuous shiftof the garnet+chlorite tie line to Mg-rich compositions.     

Prograde metamorphic evolution and development of chloritoid-bearing eclogitic assemblages in subcontinental metagabbro (Sesia–Lanzo zone, Italy)

In the coronitic metagabbroic rocks of the Corio and Monastero metagabbro bodies in the continental Sesia–Lanzo zone of the western Italian Alps, a variety of mineral reactions that testify to prograde conditions from greenschist to eclogite-facies can be recognised. A microstructural and microchemical study of a series of samples characterized by coronitic textures and pseudomorphic replacement of the original igneous minerals has allowed the prograde reactions undergone by the rocks to be established.

In completely eclogitized coronitic samples, paragonite, blue amphibole, garnet, epidote, fine grained jadeite and chloritoid occur in plagioclase microdomains (former igneous plagioclase). The mafic mineral microdomains consist of glaucophane and garnet. Complexly-zoned amphiboles constrain changing metamorphic conditions: cores of pre-Alpine brown hornblende and/or tremolite are preserved inside rims of a sodic–calcic amphibole that are in turn surrounded by a sodic amphibole. The main high-pressure mineral assemblage, as seen in mylonites, involves glaucophane, chloritoid, epidote, garnet ± phengite, ± paragonite. Some layers within the gabbro contain garnet, omphacite, ± glaucophane, and acid dykes crosscutting the gabbro body contain jadeite, quartz, garnet, epidote and paragonite.

The presence of chloritoid-bearing high-pressure assemblages reflects hydration of the gabbros during their pre-Alpine exhumation prior to subduction, as well as the composition of the microdomains operating during subduction. The pressure and temperature conditions of gabbro transformation during subduction are inferred to be 450–550 °C at up to 2 GPa on the basis of the chloritoid-bearing assemblages. The factors controlling the reaction pathway to form chloritoid-bearing high-pressure assemblages in mafic rocks are inferred from these observations.     

Plagioclase and other mineral equilibria in a contact metamorphic aureole

Plagioclase, microcline, amphibole, clinozoisite, clinopyroxene and biotite from alternating pelitic and calcareous hornfelses of the Wyman Formation, Blanco Mountain Quadrangle, California, were analyzed using an electron microprobe. The metamorphic aureole formed at temperatures of 300–600° C, total pressure 2–3 Kb, and low but variable partial pressure of CO₂. The minerals show some compositional changes with metamorphic grade as well as differences from one assemblage to another. The plagioclases developed in the aureole do not form a continuous series. Rather, coexisting grains of plagioclase in individual rock layers form at certain distinct compositions: An 1–3, 15–17, 28–32, 38–45, 51–55, 59–65, 75 and 80. There is no evidence of disequilibrium in the rocks, although diffusion was limited; the volume for chemical equilibrium for most samples was less than 1 mm. Inspection of the changes in mineral assemblages with increasing degree of metamorphism and with changes in fluid composition suggests a number of reactions between the phases. Neither these reactions nor the compositions of coexisting minerals provide an obvious explanation for the observed gaps in the plagioclase series. Therefore it is postulated that the compositional clustering is structurally controlled.