High- and Ultrahigh-pressure Metamorphism and Retrogressive Textures of Gneiss in the Donghai Area

In the gneisses from the drillhole ZK2304 of the Donghai area, there have been preserved high- and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic mineral assemblages, a series of complicated retrogressive textures and relevant metamorphic reactions. In addition to garnet, jadeititic-clinopyroxene and rutile, other peak stage (M₂) minerals in some gneisses include phengite, aragonite and coesite or quartz pseudomorphs after coesite. The typical peak-stage mineral assemblages in gneisses are characterized by garnet + jadeitic-clinopyroxene + rutile + coesite, garnet + jadeitic-clinopyroxene + phengite + rutile ± coesite and garnet + jadeitic-clinopyroxene + aragonite + rutile ± coesite. The grossular content (Gro) in garnet is high and may reach 50.1 mol%. The SiO₂ content of phengite ranges from 54.37% to 54.84% with 3.54–3.57 p.f.u. Quartz pseudomorphs after coesite occur as inclusions in garnet. The gneisses of the Donghai area have been subjected to multistage recrystallization and exhibit a closewise P-T evolutional path characterized by the near-isothermal decompression. The inclusion assemblage (Hb+Ep+Bi+Pl+Qz) within garnet and other minerals has recorded a pre-peak stage (M₁) epidote amphibole fades metamorphic event. High- and ultrahigh-pressure peak metamorphism (M₂) took place at T=750–860°C and P>2.7 GPa. The symplectitic assemblages after garnet, jadeitic-clinopyroxene and rutile imply a near-isothermal decompression metamorphism (M₃, M₄) during the rapid exhumation. Several lines of evidence of petrography and metamorphic reactions indicate that both gneisses and eclogites have experienced ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism in the Donghai area. This research may be of great significance for an in-depth study of the metamorphism and tectonic evolution in the Su-Lu ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt.     

High-and Ultrahigh-pressure Metamorphism and Retrogressive Textures of Gneiss in the Donghai Area--Evidence from gneisses in drillhole ZK2304

In the gneisses from the drillhole ZK2304 of the Donghai area, there have been preserved high- and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic mineral assemblages, a series of complicated retrogressive textures and relevant metamorphic reactions. In addition to garnet, jadeititic-clinopyroxene and rutile, other peak stage (M2) minerals in some gneisses include phengite, aragonite and coesite or quartz pseudomorphs after coesite. The typical peak-stage mineral assemblages in gneisses are characterized by garnet + jadeitic-clinopyroxene + rutile + coesite, garnet + jadeitic-clinopyroxene + phengite + rutile ± coesite and garnet + jadeitic-clinopyroxene + aragonite + rutile ± coesite. The grossular content (Gro) in garnet is high and may reach 50.1 mol%. The SiO2 content of phengite ranges from 54.37% to 54.84% with 3.54- 3.57 p.f.u. Quartz pseudomorphs after coesite occur as inclusions in garnet.The gneisses of the Donghai area have been subjected to multistage recrystallization and exhibit a closewise P-T evolutional path characterized by the near-isothermal decompression. The inclusion assemblage (Hb+Ep+Bi+Pl+Qz) within garnet and other minerals has recorded a pre-peak stage (M1) epidote amphibole facies metamorphic event. High- and ultrahigh-pressure peak metamorphism (M2) took place at T=750- 860° C and P>2.7 GPa. The symplectitic assemblages after garnet, jadeitic-clinopyroxene and rutile imply a near-isothermal decompression metamorphism (M3, M4) during the rapid exhumation. Several lines of evidence of petrography and metamorphic reactions indicate that both gneisses and eclogites have experienced ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism in the Donghai area. This research may be of great significance for an in-depth study of the metamorphism and tectonic evolution in the Su-Lu ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt.     

喜马拉雅造山带东构造结南迦巴瓦岩群地质年代学和前寒武纪构造演化

位于喜马拉雅造山带东构造结,印度-雅鲁藏布江缝合带以南的南迦巴瓦岩群经历了高压变质作用和强烈的部分熔融与混合岩化作用.本文选择广泛分布的长英质片麻岩进行了岩石学和年代学研究.除个别岩石保存了由石榴石 蓝晶石 三元长石 石英组成的高压泥质麻粒岩相变质矿物组合以外,大多数片麻岩具有角闪岩相变质矿物组合,它们的原岩包括闪长岩和花岗闪长岩,并具有岩浆弧花岗岩的化学成分特征.片麻岩中的锆石普遍具有核-边结构.SARIMP和LA-ICP-MS原位分析表明,锆石的边缘给出了古生代至新生代的多期变质和岩浆事件年龄(500～10Ma),而锆石的核部给出了前寒武纪年龄,但主要集中在～2500Ma,～1800Ma,～1600Ma和～1000Ma.所分析的锆石区域具有明显的岩浆结晶环带和高的Th/U比值,表明它们所指示的是多期岩浆活动事件年代.这些年代峰值与整个高喜马拉雅结晶杂岩及印度陆块所获得的前寒武纪构造热事件年龄及分布特征基本上可以对比.因此,我们认为南迦巴瓦岩群及高喜马拉雅结晶杂岩的原岩是由新太古代至新元古代形成的多期岩浆岩组成,并作为印度陆块的一部分经历了Columbia、Rodinia和Gondwana超大陆的形成与裂解过程,以及喜马拉雅期的区域变质与岩浆作用再造.     

苏鲁超高压变质带中非超高压花岗质片麻岩的准确识别:来自锆石微区矿物包体及SHRIMP U-Pb定年的证据

通过隐藏在锆石微区矿物包体激光拉曼的系统鉴定和阴极发光图像特征的详细研究,配合相应的锆石微区SHRIMP U-Pb定年测试,发现苏鲁地体超高压变质带中确实存在非超高压变质的花岗质片麻岩。该类岩石中的锆石晶体自核部到边部所保存的矿物包体以不含超高压矿物为特征,相应的阴极发光图像具有典型岩浆结晶锆石的核部和幔部,以及变质的再生边的特点。其中岩浆结晶锆石微区记录的~(238)U-~(206)Pb年龄为404～748Ma,表明原岩中部分锆石可能经历了Pb丢失,也不排除后期热事件因素的影响,原岩的形成年龄应大于748 Ma;而锆石的再生边所记录的~(238)U-~(206)Pb。年龄为204～214 Ma,与研究区经历超高压变质的副片麻岩和花岗质片麻岩锆石微区所记录的苏鲁地体快速折返过程中角闪岩相退变质年龄(~(238)U-~(206)Pb年龄的平均值为211±4 Ma,刘福来等,2003a)十分相似。上述特征表明,苏鲁地体超高压变质带中的部分花岗质片麻岩在超高压变质事件之前就已经形成,但并未“参与”深俯冲—超高压的变质演化过程,而是在苏鲁地体快速折返的角闪岩相退变质过程中与超高压岩片“拼贴”在一起。该项成果不仅为正确识别非超高压变质岩石提供了一个新的研究方法,而且对进一步深入探讨苏鲁地体超高压和非超高压岩片的“拼贴”机制有着重     

山东诸城榴辉岩相长英质岩石变质特征

通过变质矿物及岩石学的特征确定出山东诸城地区含有榴辉岩块体的片麻岩经历了榴辉岩相到绿帘角闪岩相、绿片岩相的退变质过程。证据有:(1)在榴辉岩块体的边缘片麻岩与榴辉岩呈1-2cm宽的条带状相间排列;(2)硅质片岩中出现Ky-Zo-Q的高压矿物组合;(3)钠长石的矿物晶体内出现硬玉质辉石的残留体;(4)出现高度富Si的多硅白云母(Si=3.55);(5)镁钠闪石及与其共生的暗硬玉(Jd=21)的出现。     

Late Proterozoic High-pressure granulite facies meta-morphism in the north-east Ox inlier, north-west Ireland

Abstract High-pressure granulite-facies gneisses in the NE Ox inlier in NW Ireland have undergone extensive Caledonian retrogression. In the local area of Slishwood, however, reworking was negligible and the gneisses (psammites, semipelites, pelites, metabasites and ultramafites) preserve evidence of P–T changes at high grade which mainly post-date pre-Caledonian polyphase deformation. Temperatures reached 850–900°C (based on garnet-clinopyroxene geothermometry and the presence of mesoperthite) during and after decompression from earlier eclogite-facies conditions (inferred from textural evidence of plagioclase release in sieve-textured augite). Subsequent cooling at high pressure is inferred from the unequivocal replacement of sillimanite by kyanite.
A Sm–Nd mineral isochron (gt–cpx–plag–WR) of 605 ± 37 Ma is taken to date a point on the cooling path, and confirms the hitherto suspected pre-Caledonian age of the high-grade metamorphism. Geochemical and Sm–Nd isotopic data indicate that the protoliths were probably late Proterozoic arkosic sediments and tholeiites. Following metamorphism they apparently came to reside near the base of the crust where they slowly cooled. The eventual exhumation of these gneisses is attributed to Caledonian crustal imbrication, followed by rapid isostatic recovery.     

Metamorphic history of eclogites and country rock gneisses in the Aktyuz area,Northern Tien‐Shan,Kyrgyzstan: a record from initiation of subduction through to oceanic closure by continent–continent collision

Eclogites and related high‐P metamorphic rocks occur in the Zaili Range of the Northern Kyrgyz Tien‐Shan (Tianshan) Mountains, which are located in the south‐western segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Eclogites are preserved in the cores of garnet amphibolites and amphibolites that occur in the Aktyuz area as boudins and layers (up to 2000 m in length) within country rock gneisses. The textures and mineral chemistry of the Aktyuz eclogites, garnet amphibolites and country rock gneisses record three distinct metamorphic events (M1–M3). In the eclogites, the first MP–HT metamorphic event (M1) of amphibolite/epidote‐amphibolite facies conditions (560–650 °C, 4–10 kbar) is established from relict mineral assemblages of polyphase inclusions in the cores and mantles of garnet, i.e. Mg‐taramite + Fe‐staurolite + paragonite ± oligoclase (An_<16) ± hematite. The eclogites also record the second HP‐LT metamorphism (M2) with a prograde stage passing through epidote‐blueschist facies conditions (330–570 °C, 8–16 kbar) to peak metamorphism in the eclogite facies (550–660 °C, 21–23 kbar) and subsequent retrograde metamorphism to epidote‐amphibolite facies conditions (545–565 °C and 10–11 kbar) that defines a clockwise P–T path. thermocalc (average P–T mode) calculations and other geothermobarometers have been applied for the estimation of P–T conditions. M3 is inferred from the garnet amphibolites and country rock gneisses. Garnet amphibolites that underwent this pervasive HP–HT metamorphism after the eclogite facies equilibrium have a peak metamorphic assemblage of garnet and pargasite. The prograde and peak metamorphic conditions of the garnet amphibolites are estimated to be 600–640 °C; 11–12 kbar and 675–735 °C and 14–15 kbar, respectively. Inclusion phases in porphyroblastic plagioclase in the country rock gneisses suggest a prograde stage of the epidote‐amphibolite facies (477 °C and 10 kbar). The peak mineral assemblage of the country rock gneisses of garnet, plagioclase (An_11–16), phengite, biotite, quartz and rutile indicate 635–745 °C and 13–15 kbar. The P–T conditions estimated for the prograde, peak and retrograde stages in garnet amphibolite and country rock are similar, implying that the third metamorphic event in the garnet amphibolites was correlated with the metamorphism in the country rock gneisses. The eclogites also show evidence of the third metamorphic event with development of the prograde mineral assemblage pargasite, oligoclase and biotite after the retrograde epidote‐amphibolite facies metamorphism. The three metamorphic events occurred in distinct tectonic settings: (i) metamorphism along the hot hangingwall at the inception of subduction, (ii) subsequent subduction zone metamorphism of the oceanic plate and exhumation, and (iii) continent–continent collision and exhumation of the entire metamorphic sequences. These tectonic processes document the initial stage of closure of a palaeo‐ocean subduction to its completion by continent–continent collision.     

The Narryer Gneiss Complex of the Yilgarn Block, Western Australia: a segment of Archaean lower crust uplifted during Proterozoic orogeny

The Narryer Gneiss Complex of the Yilgarn Block is a key segment of the Western Australian Precambrian Shield. It is a regional granulite facies terrain comprised of predominantly quartzo-feldspathic gneisses derived from granitic intrusions c. 3.6–3.4 Ga old. Granulite facies metamorphism occurred c. 3.3 Ga ago, and conditions of 750–850°C and 7–10 kbar are estimated for the Mukalo Creek Area (MCA) near Errabiddy in the north. The P–T path of the MCA has been derived from metamorphic assemblages in younger rocks that intruded the gneisses during at least three subsequent events, and this path is supported by reaction coronas in the older gneisses. There is no evidence for uplift immediately following peak metamorphism of the MCA, and a period of isobaric cooling is inferred from the pressures recorded in younger rocks. Pressures and temperatures estimated from metadolerites, which intruded the older gneisses during ‘granite–greenstone’tectonism at about 2.6 Ga and during early Proterozoic thrusting show that the Errabiddy area remained in the lower crust, although it was probably reheated during the younger events. Isothermal uplift to upper crustal levels occurred at c. 1.6 Ga ago, and was followed by further deformation and patchy retrogression of high-grade assemblages. The effects of younger deformation, cooling and reheating can be discerned in the older gneisses, but as there has been no pervasive deformation or rehydration, the minerals and microstructures formed during early Archaean granulite facies metamorphism for the most part are retained. The MCA remained in the lower crust for about 1700 Ma following peak metamorphism and some event unrelated to the original metamorphism was required to exhume it. Uplift occurred during development of the Capricorn Orogen, when some 30–35 km were added to the crust beneath the Errabiddy area. The recognition of early Proterozoic thrusting, plus crustal thickening, suggests that the Capricorn Orogen is a belt of regional compression which resulted from convergence of the Yilgarn and Pilbara Cratons.     

Thermal evolution of the Tseel terrane,SW Mongolia and its relation to granitoid intrusions in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The timing and thermal effects of granitoid intrusions into accreted sedimentary rocks are important for understanding the growth process of continental crust. In this study, the petrology and geochronology of pelitic gneisses in the Tseel area of the Tseel terrane, SW Mongolia, are examined to understand the relationship between igneous activity and metamorphism during crustal evolution in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Four mineral zones are recognized on the basis of progressive changes in the mineral assemblages in the pelitic gneisses, namely: the garnet, staurolite, sillimanite and cordierite zones. The gneisses with high metamorphic grades (i.e. sillimanite and cordierite zones) occur in the central part of the Tseel area, where granitoids are abundant. To the north and south of these granitoids, the metamorphic grade shows a gradual decrease. The composition of garnet in the pelitic gneisses varies systematically across the mineral zones, from grossular‐rich garnet in the garnet zone to zoned garnet with grossular‐rich cores and pyrope‐rich rims in the staurolite zone, and pyrope‐rich garnet in the sillimanite and cordierite zones. Thermobarometric analyses of individual garnet crystals reveal two main stages of metamorphism: (i) a high‐P and low‐T stage (as recorded by garnet in the garnet zone and garnet cores in the staurolite zone) at 520–580 °C and 4.5–7 kbar in the kyanite stability field and (ii) a low‐P and high‐T stage (garnet rims in the staurolite zone and garnet in the sillimanite and cordierite zones) at 570–680 °C and 3.0–6.0 kbar in the sillimanite stability field. The earlier high‐P metamorphism resulted in the growth of kyanite in quartz veins within the staurolite and sillimanite zones. The U–Pb zircon ages of pelitic gneisses and granitoids reveal that (i) the protolith (igneous) age of the pelitic gneisses is c. 510 Ma; (ii) the low‐P and high‐T metamorphism occurred at 377 ± 30 Ma; and (iii) this metamorphic stage was coeval with granitoid intrusion at 385 ± 7 Ma. The age of the earlier low‐T and high‐P metamorphism is not clearly recorded in the zircon, but probably corresponds to small age peaks at 450–400 Ma. The low‐P and high‐T metamorphism continued for c. 100 Ma, which is longer than the active period of a single granitoid body. These findings indicate that an elevation of geotherm and a transition from high‐P and low‐T to low‐P and high‐T metamorphism occurred, associated with continuous emplacement of several granitoids, during the crustal evolution in the Devonian CAOB.     

Petrology of the Hara Lake paragneisses,northeastern Saskatchewan,Canada

Precambrian aluminous paragneisses in the Hara Lake area of northeastern Saskatchewan are characterized by the stable association of cordierite and garnet with either sillimanite or biotite; alkali feldspar is an important mineral of this association. The aluminous gneisses are interlayered with pyroxene-plagioclase gneisses that contain orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, hornblende, and biotite. The gneisses in the study area and in the adjacent Charcoal Lake area were metamorphosed under conditions of the granulite facies. The petrologic evidence is consistent with a first metamorphic event during which the association sillimanite-biotite was stable, followed by a second event during which cordierite-garnet was stable. Consideration of mineral assemblages and mineral chemistries of the aluminous gneisses in terms of experimentally established or thermodynamically derived reactions suggests that recrystallization from the sillimanite-biotite association to cordierite-garnet took place at 680 °–750 °C and 3.2–4.4 kb.     

Thermal granulite-facies metamorphism with diffuse retrogression in Archaean orthogneisses, Fiskefjord, southern West Greenland

Around Fiskefjord, southern West Greenland, Archaean amphibolite-facies, granulite-facies and retrograde orthogneisses occur in lithological and structural continuity with each other. The granulite-facies rocks here—and elsewhere in West Greenland—are surrounded by extensive areas of retrograde gneisses. Both the prograde and retrograde metamorphism took place in a major event of continental crust formation c. 3000 Ma ago, which gave rise to granulite-facies conditions in part of the rock complex exposed today. In the Fiskefjord area distributions of major and trace elements, as well as strontium and lead isotopes, show that the fades transformations were accompanied by pronounced metasomatism, and mineral chemistry indicates that the hydrous retrograde metamorphism took place under amphibolite-facies conditions and was gradual and incomplete. The metamorphic and metasomatic processes in the Fiskefjord area are believed to have been controlled by heat from continuous intracrustal injection of large masses of tonalitic magma, which caused gradual dehydration and partial melting, followed by liberation of aqueous fluids during crystallization of anatectic melts. These fluids partially retrograded previously dehydrated gneisses. In contrast, South Indian high-grade gneisses have mainly prograde amphibolite–granulite-facies transitions which are distinct and well preserved, later than penetrative deformation, and are likely to have been controlled by CO₂ streaming. These amphibolite–granulite-facies transitions are reported to be near-isochemical. It is suggested that there are (at least) two different kinds of granulite-facies metamorphism: a near-isochemical prograde type in stabilized tectonic environments, perhaps controlled by influx of CO₂ (e.g. in South India) and significantly post-dating original crust formation; and a fluid-deficient type with widespread anatexis, hydrous retrogression and metasomatism, which takes place during accretion of continental crust, and in which heat is the governing factor (e.g. in southern West Greenland).     

The P-T path of metamorphism and age of migmatites from the northwestern Irkut block (Sharyzhalgai uplift of the Siberian Platform)

We study migmatized aluminous gneisses in the northwest of the Irkut granulite complex in the southeastern Sharyzhalgai uplift of the Siberian Platform basement. Migmatized gneisses with the mineral assemblage Grt + Sil + Bt + Kfs + Pl + Qz (+ Crd + Opx + Spl) contain a leucosome and widespread cordierite-bearing (+ orthopyroxene, quartz, and spinel) symplectites developed after garnet and sillimanite. Study of the microstructural relationships of minerals and modeling using the PERPLEX 672 software have shown a retrograde P-T path of metamorphism for the metasedimentary gneisses, close to the isothermal decompression (ITD). The parameters of the peak of metamorphism are T = 850-870 °C and P > 7 kbar. The weighted average age of zircon from the metasedimentary gneisses (1856 ± 13 Ma, SHRIMP) corresponds to the time of metamorphism. The decompression type of retrograde metamorphism of the rocks in the northwest of the Irkut block indicates their formation in the crust extension and thinning setting. The presence of domal structures in the section of the Irkut block on the shore of Lake Baikal suggests that the dome tectogenesis was involved in the exhumation processes. The Paleoproterozoic metamorphism and granite formation were associated with the same stage of collision processes, when the compression setting was changed by an extension one (1.88-1.85 Ga).     

Age of younger tonalitic magmatism and granulitic metamorphism in the South Indian transition zone (Krishnagiri area); comparison with older Peninsular gneisses from the Gorur–Hassan area

Abstract A major episode of continental crust formation, associated with granulite facies metamorphism, occurred at 2.55–2.51 Ga and was related to accretional processes of juvenile crust. Dating of tonalitic–trondhjemitic, granitic gneisses and charnockites from the Krishnagiri area of South India indicates that magmatic protoliths are 2550–2530 ± 5 Ma, as shown by both U–Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb single zircon methods. Monazite ages indicate high temperatures of cooling corresponding to conditions close to granulite facies metamorphism at 2510 ± 10 Ma. These data provide precise time constraints and Sr–Nd isotopes confirm the existence of late tonalitic–granodioritic juvenile gneisses at 2550 Ma. Pb single zircon ages from the older Peninsular gneisses (Gorur–Hassan area) are in agreement with some previous Sr ages and range between 3200 ± 20 and 3328 ± 10 Ma. These gneisses were derived from a 3.3–3.5-Ga mantle source as indicated from Nd isotopes. They did not participate significantly in the genesis of the 2.55-Ga juvenile magmas. All these data, together with previous work, suggest that the 2.51-Ga granulite facies metamorphism occurred near the contact of the ancient Peninsular gneisses and the 2.55–2.52-Ga ‘juvenile’tonalitic–trondhjemitic terranes during synaccretional processes (subduction, mantle plume?). Rb–Sr biotite ages between 2060 and 2340 Ma indicate late cooling probably related to the dextral major east–west shearing which displaced the 2.5-Ga juvenile terranes toward the west.     

Petrology and isotopic evolution of granulites from central Madurai Block (southern India): reference to Ediacaran crustal evolution

The Madurai Block, constituting part of the southern granulite terrain in southern India, has contributed significantly towards understanding the UHT (ultrahigh-temperature) granulites that serve as a window into the mid-lower continental crust. The dominant rock types are charnockites, sapphirine-bearing granulites, garnet cordierite gneisses, and quartzites. Significant textural relations reveal multiphase reactions responsible for the formation of diverse mineral parageneses during prolonged metamorphic history of the area. Prograde reaction is evident from the textural relationship where biotite/sillimanite relics are seen as inclusion in garnet/orthopyroxene, suggesting dehydration reactions. The symplectitic assemblages that formed during isothermal decompression involve a series of cordierite-forming reactions, followed by retrogression and cooling. Variety of mineral assemblages present in the rocks of this area offer a wide spectrum of P–T sensors that provide details on the physical conditions of metamorphism. For the rigorous interpretation of the P–T path in the Perumalmalai area, quantitative phase diagrams (P–T pseudosections) have been constructed and contoured for the compositional as well as modal isopleths of involved mineral phases. The rocks of Perumalmalai area document a clockwise decompression P–T trajectory, consistent with crustal thickening followed by extensional collapse. SHRIMP U–Pb ages from zircon associated with sapphirine-bearing granulite facies rocks of Perumalmalai area suggest a widespread Ediacaran tectonothermal event. The occurrence of Ediacaran UHT metamorphism followed by isothermal decompression in the Madurai Block is consistent with the timing and physical conditions associated with the formation of East African Orogen during the amalgamation of Gondwana.     

密云太古宙变质岩的矿物转化及PTt轨迹

本文通过某些矿物之间的转化及成分的变化，研究变质反应的状态。将区内麻粒岩相变质作用划分为四个阶段，并依据变质作用演化过程中的温度、压力的变化推定了ＰＴ＿ｔ轨迹。     

Sodic granitoids and felsic gneisses associated with uranium-thorium mineralisation,Crockers Well,South Australia

Thorian brannerite mineralisation at the Crockers Well prospect occurs in sodic granitic rocks and associated sodic felsic gneisses. Field, mineralogical and chemical data support the derivation of the granitic rocks from the gneisses by anatexis during high grade metamorphism. The sodic granitic rocks are largely peraluminous, contain high Na₂O, low K₂O, CaO, Rb, Ba, Sr and ferromagnesian elements, and variable but commonly high U, Th, Nb, Ce, Y and F values. Many geochemical parameters are inherited from the compositionally similar sodic felsic gneisses, which are interpreted to be metamorphosed analcime-rich volcano-sedimentary rocks of original intermediate-felsic (alkaline) affinites. Significant U-Th mineralisation is restricted to fractures and local breccia bodies which contain a mineral assemblage rich in quartz, F-bearing phlogopite and minor fluorapatite, sodic plagioclase, niobian rutile, thorian brannerite, monazite, muscovite, chlorite, tourmaline and fluorite. Certain genetic analogies are proposed with porphyry Cu and stockwork Mo deposits, with mineral deposition having occurred in mechanically-induced fractures and breccia bodies developed during sub-solidus cooling of the sodic granitoids.     

P-T Conditions of Metamorphism in the Neoproterozoic Rocks of the Negele Area, Southern Ethiopia

Neoproterozoic rocks constitute the Kenticha, Alghe and Bulbul litho-tectonic domains in the Negele area of southern Ethiopia. Structural features and fabrics in these rocks were developed during north-south folding (D1), thrusting (D2) and shearing (D3) deformation. From micro-structural inferences and fabric relationships in semi-pelitic schists/gneisses of the Kenticha and Alghe domains, three episodes of metamorphic mineral growths (M1, M2 and M3) are inferred to have accompanied the deformational events. Pressure-Temperature estimates on equilibrium garnet-plagioclase-biotite and garnet-biotite assemblages from semi-pelitic schists/gneisses of the two domains indicate metamorphic recrystallization at temperatures of 520–580°C and 590–640°C, and pressures of 4–5 kb and 6–7 kb in the Kenticha and Alghe domains, respectively. These results correspond to regional metamorphism at a depth of 16–20 km for the Kenticha and 22–25 km for the Alghe domains. The P-T results suggest that the protoliths to the rocks of the Kenticha and Alghe domains were subjected to metamorphism at different crustal depths. This implies exhumation of the Alghe gneissic rocks from intermediate crustal level (ca. 25 km) before juxtaposition with the Kenticha sequence along a north-south trending thrust at the present crustal level during the Neoproterozoic. The combined deformation, fabric and mineral growth data suggest that rocks in the Kenticha and Alghe domains evolved under similar tectono-metamorphic conditions, which resulted from crustal thickening and uplift followed by extension and orogenic collapse, exhumation and cooling before litho-tectonic domains coalesced and cratonized in the Neoproterozoic southern Ethiopian segment of the East African Orogen.     

华北中部造山带南缘华山地区太华变质杂岩中锆石U-Pb定年

华山太华变质杂岩出露于华北克拉通中部造山带最南缘,区内斜长角闪片麻岩呈"透镜状"或"似层状"产出于黑云斜长片麻岩或TTG片麻岩中。大多数含有石榴子石变斑晶的变质岩中,保留了至少3期变形形迹和3个阶段的变质矿物组合。本文对斜长角闪片麻岩和黑云斜长片麻岩中的锆石,进行了SIMS和LA-ICP-MSU-Pb定年。斜长角闪片麻岩的岩浆锆石年龄为2.29Ga,表明其原岩形成于古元古代。斜长角闪片麻岩、黑云斜长片麻岩中的变质锆石及锆石变质增生边年龄为1.94～1.82Ga,表明华山地区比华北克拉通中部造山带中段及北段其他地区普遍记录的约1.85Ga的变质事件,不仅早了约0.1Ga,且变质事件持续达0.1Ga之久。这说明华北中部造山带前寒武纪期间的构造-变质事件是一个比较漫长的复杂过程。     

High temperature-low pressure Cretaceous metamorphism related to crustal thinning (Eastern North Pyrenean Zone,France)

The Mesozoïc sediments in the Eastern North Pyrenean Zone have suffered a high temperature-low pressure metamorphism which reached its climax before the major deformation event. The mineral associations in pelitic rocks are consistent with temperatures of 500°–600°C and a maximum pressure of 3–4 kb. Post-metamorphic brittle deformation has disturbed the initial thermal pattern. The Albo-Cenomanian (98–87 Ma) metamorphism is related to thermal anomalies contemporaneous with the crustal thinning in the North Pyrenean Zone. The distribution of paleotemperatures suggests that the intensity of metamorphism may have been related to the magnitude of crustal attenuation. High-grade rocks are associated with lherzolites and granulites, whereas low-grade rocks are associated with higher-level crustal material (gneisses and micaschists). Crustal thinning and metamorphism developed during sinistral transcurrent displacement of Iberia with respect to Europe.     

Cordierite-bearing schists and gneisses from Timor, eastern Indonesia: P-T conditions of metamorphism and tectonic implications

In the Boi Massif of Western Timor the Mutis Complex, which is equivalent to the Lolotoi Complex of East Timor, is composed of two lithostratigraphical components: various basement schists and gneisses; and the dismembered remnants of an ophiolite. Cordierite-bearing pelitic schists and gneisses carry an early mineral assemblage of biotite + garnet + plagioclase + Al-silicate, but contain no prograde muscovite; sillimanite occurs in a textural mode which suggests that it replaced and pseudomorphed kyanite at an early stage and some specimens of pelitic schist contain tiny kyanite relics in plagioclase. Textural relations between, and mineral chemistries of, ferro-magnesian phases in these pelitic chists and gneisses suggest that two discontinuous reactions and additional continuous compositional changes have been overstepped, possibly with concomitant anatexis, as a result of decrease in P_load during high temperature metamorphism. The simplified reactions are: garnet and/or biotite + sillimanite + quartz + cordierite + hercynite + ilmenite + excess components. P-T conditions during the development of the early mineral assemblage in the pelitic gneisses are estimated to have been P + 10 kbar and T > 750°C, based upon the plagioclase-garnet-Al-silicate-quartz geobarometer and the garnet-biotite geothermometer. P-T conditions during the subsequent development of cordierite-bearing mineral assemblages in the pelitic gneisses are estimated to have been P + 5 kbar and T + 700°C with X_H2O < 0.5, based upon the Fe content of cordierite occurring in the assemblage quartz + plagioclase + sillimanite + biotite + garnet + cordierite coexisting with melt. Final equilibration between some of the phases suggests that conditions dropped to P > 2.3 kbar and T > 600°C. A similar exhumation P-T path is suggested for the pelitic schists with early metamorphic conditions of P > 6.2 kbar and T > 745°C and subsequent development of cordierite under conditions in the range P = 3-4 kbar and T = 600-700°C. The tectonic implications of these P-T estimates are discussed and it is concluded that the P-T path followed by these rocks was caused by decompression during rifting and synmetamorphic ophiolite emplacement resulting from processes during the initiation and development of a convergent plate junction located in Southeast Asia during late Jurassic to Cretaceous time.