Diamonds and eclogites of the Jericho kimberlite (Northern Canada)

We studied diamonds and barren and diamondiferous eclogite xenoliths from the Jericho kimberlite (Northern Slave craton). The majority of the diamonds are non-resorbed octahedral crystals, with moderately aggregated N (IaB < 50%, N < 300 ppm) and δ¹³C = −5 to −41‰. The diamonds belong to “eclogitic” (90% of the studied samples), “websteritic” (7%) and “peridotitic” (3%) assemblages. The Jericho diamonds differ from the majority of “eclogitic” diamonds worldwide in magnesian compositions of associated minerals and extremely light C isotopic compositions (δ¹³C = −24 to −41‰). We propose that metasomatism triggered by H₂O fluids may have been involved in the diamond formation. Multiple episodes of the metasomatism and associated melt extraction of various ages are evident in Jericho eclogite xenoliths where primary garnet and clinopyroxene have been recrystallized to more magnesian minerals with higher contents of some incompatible trace elements and to hydrous secondary phases. The model is supported by the general similarity of mineral compositions in diamondiferous eclogites to those in diamond inclusions and to secondary magnesian garnet and clinopyroxene in recrystallized barren eclogites. The ultimate products of the metasomatism could be “websteritic” diamond assemblages sourced from magnesian eclogites. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Re-equilibration of detrital muscovite and the formation of interleaved phyllosilicate grains in low temperature metamorphism,northern Apennines,Italy

Low temperature metamorphosed clastic rocks of northern Apennines (Verrucano) contain detrital and metamorphic muscovite along with aggregates of interleaved phyllosilicate grains. The extent of celadonite substitution in the metamorphic muscovite progressively increases from Al-rich pyrophyllite-bearing samples to Al-poor K-feldspar-bearing samples and appears to be compatible with the phase relation in the AKF and AKNa diagrams. Some detrital muscovite grains, not equilibrated with the present metamorphic mineral assemblages, seem to be unreacted grains retaining their premetamorphic composition. The chemistry of the re-equilibrated detrital muscovite is mainly controlled by the activity of Al₂O₃ that is implied by mineral assemblages in the host rocks and is independent of the original composition of detrital mica. Four types of phyllosilicate associations in the interleaved phyllosilicate grains were recognized: 1) muscovite- pyrophyllite-sudoite; 2) muscovite-pyrophyllite-chlorite; 3) muscovite-paragonite-chlorite; 4) muscovite-chlorite. A microstructural and petrological model is proposed for the origin of interleaved phyllosilicate grains in the Verrucano rocks. The model supports the idea that the interleaved phyllosilicate grains are the result of the trend towards equilibrium between detrital muscovite, metamorphic mineral assemblages and the fluid phase.     

Fluid inclusions in charnockites from the Bjerkreim-Sokndal massif (Rogaland,southwestern Norway): fluid origin and in situ evolution

Fluid inclusions and mineral associations were studied in late-stage charnockitic granites from the Bjerkreim-Sokndal lopolith (Rogaland anorthosite province). Because the magmatic and tectonic evolutions of this complex appear to be relatively simple, these rocks are a suitable case for investigation of the origin and evolution of granulitic fluids. Fluid inclusions, primarily contained in quartz, can be divided into four types: carbonic (type I), N₂-bearing (type II), CO₂+H₂O (type III) and aqueous inclusions (type IV). For each type, the role of leakage and fluid mixing are discussed from microthermometric and Raman spectrometric data. The most striking features of CO₂-rich inclusions (the predominant fluid) is the presence of graphite in numerous, trail-bound inclusions (Ib) and its absence in a few isolated, very dense (d=1.16), pure CO₂ inclusions (Ia) and in the late carbonic inclusions (Ic). Fluid chronology and mineral assemblages suggest that carbonic Ia inclusions represent the first fluid (pure CO₂) trapped at or close to magmatic conditions (T=780–830° C, fO₂=10^-15 atm and P=7.4±1 kb), outside the graphite stability field. In contrast, type Ib inclusions enclosed graphite particles from a channelized fluid during retrograde rock evolution (P=3–4 kb and T=600° C). Decreases in T-fO₂ could explain a progressive evolution from a CO₂-rich fluid to an H₂O-rich fluid in a closed C–O–H system. However, graphite destabilization observed in type Ic inclusions implies some late introduction of external water during the last stage of retrogression. The main results of this study are the following: (1) a carbonic fluid was present in an early stage of rock evolution (probably in the charnockitic magma) and (2) this granulite occurrence offers good evidence of crossing the graphite stability field during post-magmatic evolution.     

Simple models of coupled fluid infiltration and redox reactions in the crust

Simple one-dimensional numerical models are presented for coupled advection-hydrodynamic dispersion and kinetically controlled oxidatioin-reduction reactions in graphite-free porous media containing magnetite coexisting with silicate assemblages. Fluid-solid interactions involving either OH (O₂-H₂O-H₂) or COH (O₂-H₂O-H₂-CO₂-CO-CH₄) fluids are considered at ∼500 ^∘C and 5 kbar. The major implications of the modeling are as follows: (1) Regional (km scale) reduction of typical magnetite-bearing rocks originally at f _O2 near NNO may be possible during long-term metamorphic fluid flow if the infiltrating fluids have sufficiently low f _O2 and sufficiently large concentrations of CH₄ and/or H₂. Regional oxidation of such rocks by highly oxidized OH or COH fluids appears to be difficult to achieve. (2) Nearly identical mineral assemblages and modes may be produced by very different kinetic reaction pathways. The model implies that “equilibrium” assemblages preserved in rocks may not always reflect the true kinetic reaction path that evolved during fluid flow, and highlights the need for quantitative measurements of metamorphic reaction rates. (3) Preservation of sharp lithologic contacts between rocks of very different redox states containing accessory amounts of oxides may be unlikely if fluid-rock interaction times exceed 10³10⁴ years. Substantial contact disruption over these times scales is predicted even for oxide-rich rocks if redox contrasts between layers are large. Flow across lithologic contacts may produce asymmetric patterns of metasomatic mineral zonation that may prove useful for mapping flow directions in metamorphic sequences. (4) For fluid flow in typical T gradients through originally homogeneous rock, significant major element metasomatism (e.g., K, Na, Ca) may be possible without producing large changes in oxide abundances. Received:12 November 1997 / Accepted: 9 March 1998     

Antigorite-ophicarbonates: Phase relations in a portion of the system CaO-MgO-SiO2-H2O-CO2

The occurrence of critical assemblages among antigorite, diopside, tremolite, forsterite, talc, calcite, dolomite and magnesite in progressively metamorphosed ophicarbonate rocks, together with experimental data, permits the construction of phase diagrams in terms of the variables P, T, and composition of a binary CO₂-H₂O fluid. Equilibrium constants are given for the 30 equilibria that describe all relations among the above phases. Ophicalcite, ophidolomite, and ophimagnesite assemblages occupy partially overlapping fields in the diagram. The upper temperature limit of ophicalcite rocks lies below that of ophidolomite and ophimagnesite. The fluid phase in ophicarbonate rocks has 0.8$$ " align="middle" border="0"> , and there are indications that during their progressive metamorphism is approximately equal to P _total.     

P–T–fluid evolution in the Mahalapye Complex, Limpopo high-grade terrane, eastern Botswana

Metapelites, migmatites and granites from the c. 2 Ga Mahalapye Complex have been studied for determining the P–T–fluid influence on mineral assemblages and local equilibrium compositions in the rocks from the extreme southwestern part of the Central Zone of the Limpopo high‐grade terrane in Botswana. It was found that fluid infiltration played a leading role in the formation of the rocks. This conclusion is based on both well‐developed textures inferred to record metasomatic reactions, such as Bt ? And + Qtz + (K₂O) and Bt ± Qtz ? Sil + Kfs + Ms ± Pl, and zonation of Ms | Bt + Qtz | And + Qtz and Grt | Crd | Pl | Kfs + Qtz reflecting a perfect mobility (Korzhinskii terminology) of some chemical components. The conclusion is also supported by the results of a fluid inclusion study. CO₂ and H₂O ( = 0.6) are the major components of the fluid. The fluid has been trapped synchronously along the retrograde P–T path. The P–T path was derived using mineral thermobarometry and a combination of mineral thermometry and fluid inclusion density data. The Mahalapye Complex experienced low‐pressure granulite facies metamorphism with a retrograde evolution from 770 °C and 5.5 kbar to 560 °C and 2 kbar, presumably at c. 2 Ga.     

The world-class Natalka gold deposit, northeast Russia: REE patterns, fluid inclusions, stable oxygen isotopes, and formation conditions of ore

REE patterns of hydrothermally altered rocks, fluid inclusions, and stable oxygen isotopes of quartz were studied at the Natalka gold deposit. Metasomatic rocks formed under decompression reveal gradual depletion in LREE and HREE relative to siltstone of the protolith. The HREE patterns of metasomatic rocks formed under decompression are uniform; an insignificant removal of LREE can be noted. The progressive extraction of REE with increasing alteration of rocks could have been due to the effect of magmatogenic or meteoric fluid. Because a Ce anomaly is absent, the participation of oxidized meteoric water was limited. The inverse correlation between the total REE content and the Eu anomaly value in altered rocks indicates a substantial role of magmatogenic fluid. The REE patterns of altered rocks formed under compression show that the role of metamorphic fluid was not great. All metasomatic rocks are enriched in LREE, so that the enrichment of fluid in LREE as well may be suggested. Three fluid compositions were captured as fluid inclusions: (1) H₂O-CO₂-NaCl-MgCl₂ with a salinity of 1.0–4.9 wt % NaCl equiv, (2) CO₂-CH₄, and (3) H₂O-NaCl-MgCl₂ with a salinity of 7.0–5.6 wt % NaCl equiv. Compositions (1) and (2) coexisted in the mineral-forming system at 250–350°C and 1.1–2.4 kbar as products of phase separation under conditions of decreasing P and T. The interaction of this fluid with host rocks resulted in the formation of extensive halos of beresitized rocks with sulfide disseminations. The precipitation of arsenopyrite and pyrite led to the substantial depletion of mineral-forming fluid in H₂S and destabilization of the Au(HS)^2? complex. The fluid with the third composition arose due to the boiling of the H₂O-CO₂-CH₄-NaCl-MgCl₂ liquid and was responsible for metasomatic alteration of host rocks. The late mineral assemblages were deposited from this fluid at the initial stage of ore formation. The high methane concentrations in the ore-forming fluid were likely caused by interaction of hydrothermal ore-bearing solutions with carbonaceous host rocks. The δ¹⁸O values of quartz from quartz-scheelite-pyrite-arsenopyrite and sulfide-sulfosalt mineral assemblages vary from +11.6 to +14.1‰ and +11.2 to +13.5‰, respectively. The parental fluids of the early and late mineral assemblages probably were derived from a magmatic source and were characterized by $ \delta ^{18} O_{H_2 O} REE patterns of hydrothermally altered rocks, fluid inclusions, and stable oxygen isotopes of quartz were studied at the Natalka gold deposit. Metasomatic rocks formed under decompression reveal gradual depletion in LREE and HREE relative to siltstone of the protolith. The HREE patterns of metasomatic rocks formed under decompression are uniform; an insignificant removal of LREE can be noted. The progressive extraction of REE with increasing alteration of rocks could have been due to the effect of magmatogenic or meteoric fluid. Because a Ce anomaly is absent, the participation of oxidized meteoric water was limited. The inverse correlation between the total REE content and the Eu anomaly value in altered rocks indicates a substantial role of magmatogenic fluid. The REE patterns of altered rocks formed under compression show that the role of metamorphic fluid was not great. All metasomatic rocks are enriched in LREE, so that the enrichment of fluid in LREE as well may be suggested. Three fluid compositions were captured as fluid inclusions: (1) H₂O-CO₂-NaCl-MgCl₂ with a salinity of 1.0–4.9 wt % NaCl equiv, (2) CO₂-CH₄, and (3) H₂O-NaCl-MgCl₂ with a salinity of 7.0–5.6 wt % NaCl equiv. Compositions (1) and (2) coexisted in the mineral-forming system at 250–350°C and 1.1–2.4 kbar as products of phase separation under conditions of decreasing P and T. The interaction of this fluid with host rocks resulted in the formation of extensive halos of beresitized rocks with sulfide disseminations. The precipitation of arsenopyrite and pyrite led to the substantial depletion of mineral-forming fluid in H₂S and destabilization of the Au(HS)²⁻ complex. The fluid with the third composition arose due to the boiling of the H₂O-CO₂-CH₄-NaCl-MgCl₂ liquid and was responsible for metasomatic alteration of host rocks. The late mineral assemblages were deposited from this fluid at the initial stage of ore formation. The high methane concentrations in the ore-forming fluid were likely caused by interaction of hydrothermal ore-bearing solutions with carbonaceous host rocks. The δ¹⁸O values of quartz from quartz-scheelite-pyrite-arsenopyrite and sulfide-sulfosalt mineral assemblages vary from +11.6 to +14.1‰ and +11.2 to +13.5‰, respectively. The parental fluids of the early and late mineral assemblages probably were derived from a magmatic source and were characterized by = +6.3 to +8.8‰ at 350°C and +3.6 to +5.9‰ at 280°C, respectively. The narrow interval of oxygen isotopic compositions shows that this source was homogeneous. The data obtained allow us to suggest that the deposit formation was related to magmatic activity, including the direct supply of ore components from a magma chamber and mobilization of these components in the processes of dehydration and decarbonation during contact and regional metamorphism. Original Russian Text ? N.A. Goryachev, O.V. Vikent’eva, N.S. Bortnikov, V.Yu. Prokof’ev, V.A. Alpatov, V.V. Golub, 2008, published in Geologiya Rudnykh Mestorozhdenii, 2008, Vol. 50, No. 5, pp. 414–444.     

Chlorite-rich ultramafic reaction zones in Colorado Plateau xenoliths: recorders of sub-Moho hydration

 Three chlorite-rich and one garnet-pyroxenite xenolith from the diatreme at Moses Rock, Utah, document storage and transport of water and consequent metasomatism in the mantle within the stability field of garnet peridotite, probably at depths of at least 75 km. Three mineral assemblages are present in zones in one chlorite-rich xenolith: in that xenolith, an assemblage of chlorite+enstatite+diopside+ ilmenite+titanian chondrodite is separated by diop- side+“talc” from an assemblage of chlorite+diopside+ilmenite+pyrite. Euhedral grains of enstatite (0.02% Al₂O₃, 0.05% CaO)+diopside record low temperatures, and high Mn/Fe in these pyroxenes was caused by growth in chlorite-dominated rock. Derivation from garnet lherzolite is established by relict pyrope (Py₇₁Gr₁₁Alm₁₈). The “talc” has Fe/Mg unusually high relative to that of associated chlorite, and electron probe analyses of the “talc” sum low, consistent with excess water; the unusual composition may be due solely to alteration and consequent submicroscopic intergrowths of other phases, but the “talc” could be an analogue of the high-pressure synthetic 10-Å phase. Garnet pyroxenite has a retrograde assemblage of chlorite-garnet-omphacite. The chlorite-rich rocks formed at contacts between garnet peridotite and other mantle rock in response to fluid flow. Pressures ≥2.2 GPa are consistent with stability of enstatite + aqueous fluid and of diopside + talc, with the occurrence of titanian chondrodite, and with the stability of garnet lherzolite. A chlorite separate has δ¹⁸O=6.9, consistent with mantle hydration. The small-scale reaction zones could have formed in a geologically brief time, plausibly just before eruption at about 25 Ma, and the responsible fluids probably also catalyzed recrystallization of associated eclogites. The hydration may have been restricted to shear zones that traversed the lower crust and the mantle to at least 75 km depth. The chlorite-rich rocks may be from the deepest part of the mantle that was sampled by the diatreme eruption. Chlorite-garnet pairs in garnet pyroxenites and pyrope megacrysts yield temperatures in the range 410–510^° C. Low temperatures in the mantle of the Colorado Plateau are consistent with an unusually low mantle heat flux and with cooling of lithosphere by an underlying subducted slab. Received: 14 April 1994/Accepted: 23 December 1994     

Contact metamorphism in the Los Santos W skarn (NW Spain)

Summary The intrusion of the Lower Permian Los Santos-Valdelacasa granitoids in the Los Santos area caused contact metamorphism of Later Vendian-Lower Cambrian metasediments. High grade mineral assemblages are confined to a 7 km wide contact aureole. Contact metamorphism was accompanied by intense metasomatism and development of skarns, and it generated the following mineral assemblages: diopside, forsterite, phlogopite (±clintonite) and humites and spinel-bearing assemblages or diopside, grossular, vesuvianite ± wollastonite in the marbles, depending on the bulk rock composition. Cordierite, K-feldspar, andalusite and, locally, sillimanite appear in the metapelitic rocks. Mineral assemblages of marbles and hornfelses indicate pressure conditions ranging from 0.2 to 0.25 GPa and maximum temperatures between 630 and 640 °C. ¹³C and ¹⁸O depletions in calcite marbles are consistent with hydrothermal fluid–rock interaction during metamorphism. Calcites are depleted in both ¹⁸O (δ¹⁸O = 12.74‰) and ¹³C (δ¹³C = −5.47‰) relative to dolomite of unmetamorphosed dolostone (δ¹⁸O = 20.79‰ and δ¹³C = −1.52‰). The δ¹³C variation can be interpreted in terms of Rayleigh distillation during continuous CO₂ fluid removal from the carbonates. The δ¹⁸O values reflect hydrothermal exchange with an externally derived fluid. Microthermometric analyses of fluid inclusions from vesuvianite indicate that the fluid was water dominated with minor contents of CO₂ (±CH₄ ± N₂) suggesting a metamorphic origin. Fluorine-bearing minerals such as chondrodite, norbergite and F-rich phlogopite indicate that contact metamorphism was accompanied by fluorine metasomatism. Metasomatism was more intense in the inner-central portion of the contact aureole, where access to fluids was extensive. The irregular geometry of the contact with small aplitic intrusives between the metasediments and the Variscan granitoids probably served as pathways for fluid circulation.     

Stable isotope evidence for fluid-present and fluid-absent metamorphism in metapelites from the Damara Orogen,Namibia

A large difference of about 5 in the O-isotopic composition of quartz characterizes the transition from very low grade or even anchimetamorphic slates to pelites metamorphosed at greenschist facies conditions. A further increase in temperature does not result in systematic isotopic shifts (mean around +15.5). However, immediately at the isograds marking the transition from greenschist to amphibolite facies and amphibolite facies to higher amphibolite facies the quartz ¹⁸O values are significantly higher by >1. This increase is restricted to the area immediately at the isograds.It can be shown that during the low grade transformation a fluid phase is present in excess; the metamorphism of this stage therefore can be described as water present metamorphism. This fluid phase leaves the system during pervasive deformation of the rocks, during which large scale homogenization processes are possible.At higher temperatures a free fluid phase is only present at specific isograds, where it is produced by mineral dehydration reactions. If the production rate of the fluid phase is sufficiently slow, this results in a re-equilibration of the mineral phases with the newly generated fluid phase, the isotopic composition of which is completely controlled by the primary mineral phases.In intermediate regions with enlarged fluid production and escape rates, a free fluid phase is present only for short periods of time at fractures which form due to fluid overpressure. The high escape rate inhibits the solid phases from re-equilibration with the generated fluid. The term water absent metamorphism can be used to describe this state of reduced H₂O activity within a rock.     

A calculated petrogenetic grid for ultramafic rocks in the system CaO-FeO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-CO2-H2O at low pressures

Calculated phase equilibria among the minerals amphibole, chlorite, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, olivine, dolomite, magnesite, serpentine, brucite, calcite, quartz and fluid are presented for the system CaO–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–CO₂–H₂O (CaF-MASCH), with chlorite and H₂O–CO₂ fluid in excess and for a temperature range of 440°C–600°C and low pressures. The minerals chosen in CaFMASCH represent the great majority of phases encountered in metamorphosed ultramafic rocks. The changes in mineral compositions in terms of FeMg_-1 and (Mg, Fe)SiAl_-1Al_-1 are related to variations in the intensive parameters. For example, equilibria at high in the presence of chlorite involve minerals which are relatively aluminous compared with those at low . The calculated invariant, univariant and divariant equilibria are compared with naturally-occurring greenschist and amphibolite facies ultramafic mineral assemblages. The correspondence of sequences of mineral assemblages and the compositions of the minerals in the assemblages is very good.     

Changes in stable isotope ratios of metapelites and marbles during regional metamorphism,Mount Lofty Ranges,South Australia: implications for crustal scale fluid flow

The Mount Lofty Ranges comprises interlayered marbles, metapsammites, and metapelites that underwent regional metamorphism during the Delamarian Orogeny at 470–515 Ma. Peak metamorphic conditions increased from lowermost biotite grade (350–400°C) to migmatite grade (700°C) over 50–55 km parallel to the lithological strike of the rocks. With increasing metamorphic grade, ¹⁸O values of normal metapelites decrease from 14–16 to as low as 9.0, while ¹⁸O values of calcite in normal marbles decrease from 22–24 to as low as 13.2 These isotopic changes are far greater than can be accounted for by devolatilisation, implying widespread fluid-rock interaction. Contact metamorphism appears not to have affected the terrain, suggesting that fluid flow occurred during regional metamorphism. Down-temperature fluid flow from synmetamorphic granite plutons (¹⁸O=8.4–8.6) that occur at the highest metamorphic grades is unlikely to explain the resetting of oxygen isotopes because: (a) there is a paucity of skarns at granite-metasediment contacts; (b) the marbles generally do not contain low-XCO₂ mineral assemblages; (c) there is insufficient granite to provide the required volumes of water; (d) the marbles and metapelites retain a several permil difference in ¹⁸O values, even at high metamorphic grades. The oxygen isotope resetting may be accounted for by along-strike up-temperature fluid flow during regional metamorphism with time-integrated fluid fluxes of up to 5x10⁹ moles/m² (10⁵ m³/m²). If fluid flow occurred over 10⁵–10⁶ years, estimated intrinsic permeabilities are 10^-20 to 10^-16m². Variations in ¹⁸O at individual outcrops suggest that time-integrated fluid fluxes and intrinsic permeabilities may locally have varied by at least an order of magnitude. A general increase in XCO₂ values of marble assemblages with metamorphic grade is also consistent with the up-temperature fluid-flow model. Fluids in the metapelites may have been derived from these rocks by devolatilisation at low metamorphic grades; however, fluids in the marbles were probably derived in part from the surrounding siliceous rocks. The marble-metapelite boundaries preserve steep gradients in both ¹⁸O and XCO₂ values, suggesting that across-strike fluid fluxes were much lower than those parallel to strike. Up-temperature fluid flow may also have formed orthoamphibole rocks and caused melting of the metapelites at high grades.This paper is a contribution to IGCP Project 304 Lower Crustal Processes     

Evolution of metamorphic fluid recorded in granulite facies metacarbonate rocks from the middle segment of the Mogok metamorphic belt in central Myanmar

The Mogok metamorphic belt of Palaeogene age, which records subduction‐ and collision‐related events between the Indian and Eurasian plates, lies along the western margin of the Shan plateau in central Myanmar and continues northwards to the eastern Himalayan syntaxis. Reaction textures of clinohumite‐ and scapolite‐bearing assemblages in Mogok granulite facies metacarbonate rocks provide insights into the drastic change in fluid composition during exhumation of the collision zone. Characteristic high‐grade assemblages of marble and calcsilicate rock are clinohumite+forsterite+spinel+phlogopite+pargasite/edenite+calcite+dolomite, and scapolite+diopside+anorthite+quartz+calcite respectively. Calculated petrogenetic grids in CaO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O–CO₂ and subsets of this system were employed to deduce the pressure–temperature–fluid evolution of the clinohumite‐ and scapolite‐bearing assemblages. These assemblages suggest higher temperature (>780–810°C) and [=CO₂/(CO₂+H₂O) >0.17–0.60] values in the metamorphic fluid for the peak granulite facies stage, assuming a pressure of 0.8 GPa. Calcite grains commonly show exsolution textures with dolomite particles, and their reintegrated compositions yield temperatures of 720–880°C. Retrograde reactions are mainly characterized by a reaction zone consisting of a dolomite layer and a symplectitic aggregate of tremolite and dolomite grown between clinohumite and calcite in marble, and a replacement texture of scapolite by clinozoisite in calcsilicate rock. These textures indicate that the retrograde reactions developed under lower temperature (<620°C) and (<0.08–0.16) conditions, assuming a pressure of 0.5 GPa. The metacarbonate rocks share metamorphic temperatures similar to the Mogok paragneiss at the peak granulite facies stage. The values of the metacarbonate rock at peak metamorphic stage are, however, distinctly higher than those previously deduced from carbonate mineral‐free paragneiss. Primary clinohumite, phlogopite and pargasite/edenite in marble have F‐rich compositions, and scapolite in calcsilicate rock contains Cl, suggesting a contrast in the halogen compositions of the metamorphic fluids between these two lithologies. The metamorphic fluid compositions were probably buffered within each lithology, and the effective migration of metamorphic fluid, which would have extensively changed the fluid compositions, did not occur during the prograde granulite facies stage throughout the Mogok metamorphic belt. The lower conditions of the Mogok metacarbonate rocks during the retrograde stage distinctly contrast with higher conditions recorded in metacarbonate rocks from other metamorphic belts of granulite facies. The characteristic low conditions were probably due to far‐ranging infiltration of H₂O‐dominant fluid throughout the middle segment of the Mogok metamorphic belt under low‐amphibolite facies conditions during the exhumation and hydration stage.     

Spatial and temporal zoning of hydrothermal alteration and mineralization in the Sossego iron oxide–copper–gold deposit,Carajás Mineral Province,Brazil: paragenesis and stable isotope constraints

The Sossego iron oxide–copper–gold deposit (245 Mt @ 1.1% Cu, 0.28 g/t Au) in the Carajás Mineral Province of Brazil consists of two major groups of orebodies (Pista–Sequeirinho–Baiano and Sossego–Curral) with distinct alteration assemblages that are separated from each other by a major high angle fault. The deposit is located along a regional WNW–ESE-striking shear zone that defines the contact between metavolcano–sedimentary units of the ∼2.76 Ga Itacaiúnas Supergroup and tonalitic to trondhjemitic gneisses and migmatites of the ∼2.8 Ga Xingu Complex. The deposit is hosted by granite, granophyric granite, gabbro, and felsic metavolcanic rocks. The Pista–Sequeirinho–Baiano orebodies have undergone regional sodic (albite–hematite) alteration and later sodic–calcic (actinolite-rich) alteration associated with the formation of massive magnetite–(apatite) bodies. Both these alteration assemblages display ductile to ductile–brittle fabrics. They are cut by spatially restricted zones of potassic (biotite and potassium feldspar) alteration that grades outward to chlorite-rich assemblages. The Sossego–Curral orebodies contain weakly developed early albitic alteration and very poorly developed subsequent calcic–sodic alteration. These orebodies contain well-developed potassic alteration assemblages that were formed during brittle deformation that resulted in the formation of breccia bodies. Breccia matrix commonly displays coarse mineral infill suggestive of growth into open space. Sulfides in both groups of deposits were precipitated first with potassic alteration and more importantly with a later assemblage of calcite–quartz–epidote–chlorite. In the Sequeirinho orebodies, sulfides range from undeformed to deformed; sulfides in the Sossego–Curral orebodies are undeformed. Very late, weakly mineralized hydrolytic alteration is present in the Sossego/Currral orebodies. The sulfide assemblage is dominated by chalcopyrite with subsidiary siegenite, and millerite. Pyrrhotite and pyrite are minor constituents of ore in the Sequerinho orebodies while pyrite is relatively abundant in the Sossego–Curral bodies. Oxygen isotope partitioning between mineral pairs constrains temperatures in the deposit spatially and through time. In the Sequeirinho orebody, the early sodic–calcic alteration stage was characterized by temperatures exceeding 500°C and values for the alteration fluid of 6.9 ± 0.9‰. Temperature declines outward and upward from the zone of most intense alteration. Paragenetically later copper–gold mineralization displays markedly lower temperatures (<300°C) and was characterized by the introduction of ¹⁸O-depleted hydrothermal fluids −1.8 ± 3.4‰. The calculated δD_H2O and values suggest that the fluids that formed the early calcic–sodic alteration assemblage were of formational/metamorphic or magmatic origin. The decrease of values through time may reflect influx of surficially derived waters during later alteration and mineralization events. Influx of such fluids could be related to episodic fluid overpressure, resulting in dilution and cooling of the metalliferous fluid, causing deposition of metals transported as metal chloride complexes.     

The geology and petrology of the Adamsfield Ultramafic Complex,Tasmania

The Adamsfield Ultramafic Complex is one of a dozen Tasmanian ultramafic-mafic and ophiolite complexes emplaced during Cambrian time in the Tasman Geosyncline.The Adamsfield complex is composed of partlyserpentinized dunites, olivine orthopyroxenites and orthopyroxenites. Rocks are commonly layered and alternately rich in olivines (Fo_93–84) and orthopy roxenes (En_94–87). Spinels are a minor but widely disseminated phase. Orthopyroxenes and spinels are poor in Al₂O₃ and TiO₂. Clinopyroxenes are rare, plagioclase or garnet have not been found.Nominal equilibration temperatures calculated from coexisting mineral assemblages range from quasi-magmatic values (1200±100 °C) for little-deformed rocks down to subsolidus values (950 °C) for deformed and reacted assemblages. Olivine kink band orientations imply that deformation also took place at lower temperatures (<800 °C) but mineral compositions apparently failed to react further.Adamsfield mineral assemblages probably crystallized originally at low pressures from highly magnesian, titania-poor tholeiitic or andesitic magmas. Fine-grained igneous rocks from the Tasmanian ultramafic-mafic and ophiolite complexes include highmagnesia andesites of appropriate compositions and comprise a distinctive compositional group termed the Low-titania Ophiolite Association, poor in TiO₂ (<0.5 wt%), P₂O₅ (<0.1 wt%) and Zr, and rich in MgO, Ni, and Cr.     

Dry granulite mineral assemblages in the contact aureoles of the Nain complex,Labrador

Thermal aureoles surrounding intrusions of the Nain complex, Labrador, contain many unique or unusual mineral assemblages in aluminous gneisses and granulites, ironstones, and ultramafic rocks. Some of the limiting assemblages are (in addition to feldspars±pyrrhotite±ilmenite±graphite ±biotite±magnetite): Ga-Ol-Hy-Sp, Ga-Cd-Hy-Sp, Ga-Hy-Ol-Qz, Cd-Hy-Os-Qz, Ga-Cd-Sp-Si, Cd-Sp-Co-Si, Ga-Ol-Hy-Sp, Ga-Cd-Hy-Sp, Hy-Ol-Qz-Aug, and Ol-Hy-Sp(±Chl±Ca-amph±Aug). On the basis of some of these assemblages are (in addition to feldspars±pyrrhotite±ilmenite±graphite from 3.7–6.6 kbar and temperatures from 645–915 ° C. The paucity of hydrous phases, the preponderance of Ksp-Plag-Qz or even Cd-Ksp-Qz without evidence of a melt at these temperatures, the stable occurrence of osumilite, and the common presence of graphite suggest that was extremely low. The presence of graphite-pyrrhotite, the compositions of ilmenites, the compositions of coexisting Fe-Ti oxides, and other mineralogical data indicate the was relatively low and, despite the wide range in bulk compositions and rock types, may have followed an approximately buffered trend. It is possible that the magmas of the Nain complex may have acted as an external buffer for the aureole rocks. The unique nature of these mineral assemblages appears to be a function of the extremely low .     

Metamorphic zones and physical conditions of metamorphism in Leros Island,Greece

On the basis of the systematic variation and the appearance and disappearance of some metamorphic minerals in metapelitic assemblages, the metamorphic terrain of Leros can be divided into chlorite, biotite, garnet and staurolite-kyanite zones of progressive regional metamorphism. The matapelites are interbedded with blueschists containing magnesioriebeckite in Fe³⁺-rich mafic assemblages in the chlorite zone and more normal greenschist and amphibolite facies in higher grade zones. Combining the observed mineral assemblages in pelitic and mafic schists with the available experimental or calculated relevant phase equilibria, one can deduce temperature conditions of metamorphism ranging from about 350° C up to about 700° C and pressures ranging between a minimum value defined by the pressure of the triple point of the Al₂SiO₅ polymorphs and a possible minimum around 7 kb.The observed metamorphic sequence may be interpreted as the result of progressive transportation of the original sediments and the interbedded mafic rocks from a regime typified by low temperatures and relatively high pressures, to regimes characterized by higher temperature and medium pressures.     

Transition from eclogite to amphibolite-facies metamorphism in the Austroalpine Ulten Zone

Summary The Ulten Zone of the Austroalpine crystalline basement south-west of Meran (Italy) contains metapelitic schists and granoblastic paragneisses, leucocratic orthogneisses, migmatites (in both gneiss-lithologies), metabasites and ultramafic lenses. Metamorphic textures of the metapelitic schists and granoblastic paragneisses indicate two different metamorphic events, characterized by two mineral assemblages, which differ in mineral chemistry: (1) an eclogite facies mineral assemblage (M1) comprising Grt-Ky I-Bt. Ms-Kfs-PI-Qtz-Rt, and (2) an amphibolite facies mineral assemblage (M2) comprising Grt-KyII-Bt-Ms-PI-Qtz-Ilm±St. For the M1 event, pressures of at least 15kbar and temperatures of about 700°±50°C can be estimated. The later amphibolite facies overprint occurred at pressures of 6 to 8kbar and about 600°±50°C. The M1 and M2 assemblages belong to a continuous clockwise metamorphic evolution during the Variscan orogeny. Evidence for Alpine metamorphism can only be detected by sericite rims around kyanite and reset biotite ages. The migmatites, which contribute about 15–30vol.% of all rocks in the investigated area, were formed on the prograde path during the M1 event. Dissolution of H₂O in the melted part of the migmatites resulted in a CO₂dominated fluid, which was trapped in primary kyanite (M1) fluid inclusions. Secondary H₂O-rich fluid inclusions are found in quartz grains and may represent the fluid which enabled a pervasive equilibration during M2.

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Übergang von eklogit-zu amphibolitfazieller Matamorphose in der austroalpinen Ultenzone

Zusammenfassung Die Ulten Zone, ein Teil des ostalpinen kristallinen basements, südwestlich von Meran, wird aus Metapeliten and granoblastischen Paragneisen, leukokraten Orthogneisen, Migmatiten (in beiden Lithologien), Metabasiten and ultramafischen Linsen aufgebaut. Metamorphe Texturen der Metapelite und granoblastischen Paragneise lassen auf zwei verschiedene metamorphe Ereignisse schließen, die durch unterschiedliche Mineral-chemismen und Paragenesen charakterisiert sind: (1) eine eklogitfazielle Paragenese (M1), bestehend aus Grt-KyI-Bt-Ms-Kfs-P1-Qtz-Rt und (2) eine amphibolitfazielle Paragenese (M2), bestehend aus Grt-KyII-Bt-Ms-P1-Qtz-Ilm±St. Für M1 konnten Minimaldrucke von 15kbar und Temperaturen von 700°±50°C abgeleitet werden. Die spätere amphibolitfazielle Überprägung fand bei 6 bis 8kbar und 600°±50°C statt. M1 und M2 gehören einer kontinuierlichen Metamorphoseentwicklung während der variszischen Orogenese an.Die Migmatite, ungefähr 15–30vol.% der Gesteine im untersuchten Gebiet, wurden am prograden Pfad während des M1 Ereignisses gebildet. Aufgrund der höheren Löslichkeit von H₂0 in der Schmelze, blieb ein CO₂, reiches Fluid zurück, das im primären Kyanit (M1) eingeschlossen wurde. Wässrige Flüssigkeitseinschlüsse können in Quarzkörnern gefunden werden. Dieses Fluid ist wahrscheinlich für die Reequilibrierung zu amphibolitfaziellen Bedingungen verantwortlich.

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With 5 Figures     

Models of corundum origin from alkali basaltic terrains: a reappraisal

Corundums from basalt fields, particularly in Australia and Asia, include a dominant blue-green-yellow zoned “magmatic” suite (BGY suite) and subsidiary vari-coloured “metamorphic” suites. The BGY corundums have distinctive trace element contents (up to 0.04 wt% Ga₂O₃ and low Cr/Ga and Ti/Ga ratios <1). Different melt origins for BGY corundums are considered here from their inclusion and intergrowth mineralogy, petrologic associations and tectonic setting. Analysed primary inclusion minerals (over 100 inclusions) cover typical feldspars, zircon and Nb-Ta oxides and also include hercynite-magnetite, gahnospinel, rutile-ilmenite solid solution, calcic plagioclase, Ni-rich pyrrhotite, thorite and low-Si and Fe-rich glassy inclusions. This widens a previous inclusion survey; New England, East Australia corundums contain the most diverse inclusion suite known from basalt fields (20 phases). Zircon inclusion, intergrowth and megacryst rare earth element data show similar patterns, except for Eu which shows variable depletion. Temperature estimates from magnetite exsolution, feldspar compositions and fluid inclusion homogenization suggest that some corundums crystallized between 685–900 °C. Overlap of inclusion Nb, Ta oxide compositions with new comparative data from niobium-yttrium-fluorine enriched granitic pegmatites favour a silicate melt origin for the corundums. The feasibility of crystallizing corundum from low-volume initial melting of amphibole-bearing mantle assemblages was tested using the MELTS program on amphibole-pyroxenite xenolith chemistry from basalts. Corundum appears in the calculations at 720–880 °C and 0.7–1.1 GPa with residual feldspathic assemblages that match mineral compositions found in corundums and their related xenoliths. A model that generates melts from amphibole-bearing lithospheric mantle during magmatic plume activity is proposed for BGY corundum formation. Received: 3 January 1997 / Accepted: 8 July 1998     

Mineral thermometry and the composition of fluids of the sodalite syenites of the Lovozero alkaline massif

In order to determine the conditions of mineral formation, a suite of sodalite syenite samples was investigated from the differentiated complex and in part from the eudialyte lujavrite complex of the Lovozero alkaline massif. The compositions of major and accessory minerals were analyzed using an electron microprobe. Various mineral geothermometers (Bt-Cpx, Amph-Cpx, and Amph-Bt) were applied to estimate the temperature of formation of clinopyroxene-bearing assemblages from the sodalite syenites. The temperature varied from ～990 to 595–630°C, which reflects various stages of crystallization. The temperatures of formation of sodalite assemblages were estimated from the compositions of coexisting sodalite phases as 625–530°C and appeared to be in good agreement with estimates obtained by other mineral geothermometers. Based on the data on the composition and crystallization temperature of sodalites, the minimum concentration of salts (NaCl and Na₂SO₄) in the mineral-forming fluid was estimated as 10–20 wt % NaCl eq. for the two-sodalite assemblages and 1.5–3.0 wt % NaCl eq. for the nosean-bearing assemblages. The molar fraction of sulfur in the fluid was also estimated: 0.02 for the two-sodalite assemblages and 0.04–0.27 for the nosean-bearing assemblages.