High-pressure metamorphism in the Western Cordillera of North America

The Skagit Gneiss, a major component of the crystalline core of the North Cascades, was metamorphosed during a mid-Cretaceous(?) to early Tertiary high-P event driven by the collision of the Insular and Intermontane superterranes. Maximum pressures recorded by metapelitic rocks are 8–10 kbar at 650–725° C. High pressures are also indicated by coexisting staurolite and hornblende in amphibolites in the Skagit Gneiss and adjacent Cascade River Schist. Mineral reactions continued during nearly isothermal decompression from 8–10 kbar to c. 3–5 kbar. Early high-P minerals (e.g. kyanite) are present as armoured relics in garnet in gneisses that contain sillimanite and cordierite in the groundmass. Skeletal relics of kyanite are also present in the groundmass of lower-grade, staurolite-bearing schists that contain texturally later cordierite. This matrix kyanite may have been preserved as a result of rapid uplift following initial decompression at high temperature. These results represent a revision of the metamorphic history of the Skagit Gneiss, which was formerly thought to have experienced only relatively low-P Barrovian metamorphism. Qualitative estimates of metamorphic conditions based on stable matrix mineral assemblages result in an underestimation of maximum pressures because mineral reactions continued during decompression. Geobarometric results for the Skagit Gneiss are interpreted as evidence for major crustal thickening in the North Cascades. Recognition that pressures of c. 9 kbar were attained supports a contractional model for North Cascades orogenesis and requires that tectonic syntheses account for the burial of the Skagit Gneiss protoliths to a depth of c. 25–30 km.     

Sequential porphyroblast growth during deformation in a low-pressure metamorphic terrain, Orrs Island–Harpswell Neck, Maine

Poikiloblastic index minerals in pelitic rocks from the Orrs Island–Harpswell Neck area of coastal Maine contain inclusion textures that indicate sequential growth of progressively higher grade metamorphic minerals during development of a near-vertical crenulation foliation. The sequence of zones in the field is garnet, staurolite, staurolite–andalusite, staurolite–sillimanite and sillimanite. Inclusion fabrics characteristic of different stages in crenulation cleavage development indicate that index minerals nucleated and grew sequentially: biotite began to grow before deformation, garnet began to grow during early stages of crenulation cleavage development, staurolite grew during intermediate stages, and andalusite grew relatively late, when transposition of the foliation was nearly complete. Muscovite pseudomorphs and sillimanite were mainly post-kinematic. The fact that metamorphic index minerals grew sequentially in individual rocks in the same order in which they appear across the field area indicates that the high temperature part of the pressure–temperature path was similar to the metamorphic field gradient. Metamorphism in the Orrs Island–Harpswell Neck area is consistent with the magmatic heating model that has been proposed for western Maine. Sequential development of index minerals in pelitic rocks in the Orrs Island–Harpswell Neck area apparently resulted from sequential nucleation after substantial overstepping of mineral-forming reactions. Once nucleation of an index mineral had taken place, initial growth was rapid and poikiloblasts preserved inclusion trails characteristic of the prevailing stage of crenulation cleavage development. Because nucleation of sillimanite may have required more overstepping of the andalusite–sillimanite reaction than nucleation at dehydration reactions, determination of metamorphic conditions for rapidly heated rocks such as these by comparison with a petrogenetic grid is problematic. Garnet zoning patterns in these rocks should reflect the fact that growth of garnet interiors occurred early during metamorphism in equilibrium with a low-grade assemblage. Only garnet rims would be expected to record the subsequent pressure–temperature path.     

Genetic Mechanism of Mineral Inclusions in Zircons from the Khondalite Series, Southeastern Inner Mongolia

The early Precambrian khondalite series is widely distributed in the Jining-Zhuozi-Fengzhen-Liangcheng area, southeastern Inner Mongolia. The khondalite series mainly consists of sillimanite garnet potash feldspar (or two-feldspar) gneiss and garnet biotite plagioclase gneiss. These gneissic rocks have commonly experienced granulite-facies metamorphism. In zircons separated from sillimanite garnet potash feldspar gneisses, many mineral inclusions, including Sil, Grt, Ky, Kfs, Qtz and Ap, have been identified by the Laser Raman spectroscopy. Generally, prograde metamorphic mineral inclusion assemblages such as Ky + Kfs + Qtz + Ap and Ky + Grt + Kfs + Qtz are preserved in the core of zircon, while peak granulite-facies metamorphic minerals including Sil + Grt + Kfs + Qtz and Sil + Grt + Kfs + Qtz + Ap are identified in the mantle and rim of the same zircon. However, in some zircons are only preserved the peak metamorphic minerals such as Sil + Grt + Kfs + Qtz and Sil + Grt + Kfs + Qtz + Ap from core to ri     

Prograde reactions and garnet zoning reversals in staurolite schist, British Columbia: significance for thermobarometric interpretations

Abstract An outcrop of staurolite-bearing pelitic schist from the Solitude Range in the south-western Rocky Mountains, British Columbia, was examined in order to determine the nature of prograde garnet- and staurolite-producing reactions using information from garnet zoning and inclusion mineralogy. Although not present as a matrix phase, chloritoid is present as inclusions in garnet and is interpreted to have participated in the simultaneous growth of garnet and staurolite by a reaction such as chloritoid + quartz = garnet + staurolite + H₂O.
A garnet zoning trend reversal, which is most pronounced with respect to almandine and grossular components, is present in the outer core of garnets. The location of the zoning reversal corresponds to the outer limit of chloritoid inclusions in garnet. As there is no evidence for polymetamorphism, the zoning reversal is interpreted to indicate continued garnet growth by prograde reaction(s) during a single metamorphic event after the exhaustion of chloritoid as a matrix phase.
Metamorphic conditions recorded by mineral rim compositions are 550–600° C at 6–7 kbar. Because there is no evidence for partial resorption of garnet during production of staurolite, we interpret these results to represent peak conditions.     

Sequence of Early Precambrian metamorphic events in the southern Prince Charles Mts., Eastern Antarctica

The results of geological study of the mountain framework of the southern part of the Lambert Glacier, Mawson Escarpment, Eastern Antarctica, are discussed. The studied territory is of key importance for understanding the regional geological history. The Ruker and the Lambert rock complexes have been distinguished at the Mawson Escarpment. The former is subdivided into the Mawson and Menzies groups. The polymetamorphic rocks of the Mawson Group comprise granite gneiss, orthopyroxene gneiss, and crystalline schists dated at >3000 Ma combined with tectonic wedges and blocks of the variegated sequence with ultramafic (komatiitic) rocks. The find of those rocks allows us to suggest that an ancient granite-greenstone domain existed in the territory of the Prince Charles Mts.; this domain is retained only as tectonic wedges amongst granite gneisses of the Mawson and Menzies groups composed of polymetamorphic terrigenous rocks with basic sills. The following sequence of metamorphic mineral assemblages in the Menzies Group has been established: (1) And-Crd ± St, (2) Ky-St-Grt-Bt-Ms, (3) Sil-Grt-Crd. The andalusite-type metamorphism of rocks pertaining to the Menzies Group probably has the same age as greenschist metamorphism of rocks belonging to the Collaboration Group (2917 ± 82–2878 ± 65 Ma at Mt. Ruker). The formation of kyanite-staurolite mineral assemblage (mounts Stinear, Maguire, Rymill; South Mawson Escarpment) might be related to a metamorphic event dated at 2400–2350 Ma. The formation of sillimanite-garnet and sillimanite-cordierite assemblages with staurolite relics correlates in time with emplacement of the MacColly granite 600–500 Ma ago. Polymetamorphic rocks of the Lambert Complex are migmatites and gneisses, often with orthopyroxene relics. Blocks of ultramafic rocks are localized amongst granite gneisses. The superimposed metamorphism of amphibolite and granulite facies took place 1800 Ma ago. The model Nd age of ultramafic rocks (2500 Ma) is treated as the time of emplacement of magma into the rocks of the Lambert Complex. Isotopic and geochemical evidence for Early Paleozoic granulite-facies metamorphism is known.     

Partial melting and decompression of the Thor-Odin dome, Shuswap metamorphic core complex, Canadian Cordillera

The Thor-Odin dome region of the Shuswap metamorphic core complex, British Columbia, contains migmatitic rocks exhumed from the deep mid-crust of the Cordilleran orogen. Extensive partial melting occurred during decompression of the structurally deepest rocks, and this decompression path is particularly well recorded by mafic boudins of silica-undersaturated, aluminous rocks. These mafic boudins contain the high-temperature assemblages gedrite+cordierite+spinel+corundum+kyanite/sillimanite±sapphirine±högbomite and gedrite+cordierite+spinel+corundum+kyanite/sillimanite+garnet±staurolite (relict)±anorthite. The boudins are interlayered with migmatitic metapelitic gneiss and orthogneiss in this region.

The mineral assemblages and reaction textures in these rocks record decompression from the kyanite zone (P>8–10 kbar) to the sillimanite–cordierite zone (P<5 kbar) at T750 °C, with maximum recorded temperatures of 800 °C. Evidence for high-temperature decompression includes the partial replacement of garnet by cordierite, the partial to complete replacement of kyanite by corundum+cordierite+spinel (hercynite)±sapphirine±högbomite symplectite, and the replacement of some kyanite grains by sillimanite. Kyanite partially replaced by sillimanite, and sillimanite with coronas of cordierite±spinel are also observed in the associated metapelitic rocks.

Partial melt from the surrounding migmatitic gneisses has invaded the mafic boudins. Cordierite reaction rims occur where minerals in the boudins interacted with leucocratic melt. When combined with existing structural and geochronologic data from migmatites and leucogranites in the region, these petrologic constraints suggest that high-temperature decompression was coeval with partial melting in the Thor-Odin dome. These data are used to evaluate the relationship between partial melting of the mid-crust and localized exhumation of deep, hot rocks by extensional and diapiric processes.     

Polymetamorphic evolution of pelitic schists and evidence for Permian low-pressure metamorphism in the Vepor Unit, West Carpathians

Phase equilibrium modelling and monazite microprobe dating were used to characterize the polymetamorphic evolution of metapelites from the northern part of the Vepor Unit, West Carpathians. Three generations of garnet and associated metamorphic assemblages found in these rocks correspond to three distinct metamorphic events related to the Variscan orogeny, a Permian phase of crustal extension and the Alpine orogeny. Variscan staurolite‐bearing and Alpine chloritoid‐bearing assemblages record medium‐temperature and medium‐pressure regional metamorphisms reaching 540–570 °C/5–7.5 kbar and 530–550 °C/5–6.5 kbar respectively. The Permian metamorphic assemblage involves garnet, andalusite, sillimanite, biotite, muscovite, plagioclase and corundum and locally forms silica‐undersaturated andalusite‐biotite‐spinel coronas around older staurolite. The transition from andalusite to sillimanite indicates a prograde low‐pressure and medium‐temperature metamorphism characterized by temperature increase from 500 to 650 °C at ～3 kbar. As accessory monazite is abundant in the rocks, an attempt was made to derive its age of formation by means of electron microprobe‐based Th‐U‐Pb chemical dating. Despite the polymetamorphic nature of the metapelites, the monazite yielded uniform Permian ages. Microstructures confirm that monazite was formed in relation to the low‐pressure and medium‐temperature paragenesis, and the weighted average ages obtained for two different samples are 278 ± 5 and 275 ± 12 Ma respectively. The virtual lack of Variscan and Alpine monazite populations points to interesting aspects concerning the growth systematics of monazite in metamorphic rocks.     

Palaeoproterozoic metamorphism in the Jeori-Wangtu Gneissic Complex (JWGC), western Himalayas

The Jeori-Wangtu Gneissic Complex (JWGC) exposed as a tectonic window in the Lesser Himalayas represents one of the oldest Gneissic Complex of the Himalayas. Foliated granite and the metapelite constitute the dominant lithologies of the JWGC. The western margin of the JWGC is bounded by a brittle shear while in the east, the tectonic surface is a ductile shear zone.Kyanite schist, chloritoid schist, staurolite schist (St-1), garnet schist and staurolite schist (St-2) are present in a west to east sequence beginning from near to the Jhakhri thrust and up to the contact with the JWGC granite. Mica schist is intermittently present and is the dominant metapelite. Low to medium grade regional metamorphic conditions has been inferred for these rocks.Calc silicate enclaves within the JWGC granite preserve the contact metamorphic effects. These are reflected in development of narrow zones of disequilibrium assemblages of calcareous garnet (grs₅₃), clinopyroxene, K feldspar, calcic plagioclase (An₈₆), quartz, zoned sphene, zoned allanite, amphiboles, calcite and epidote.Recording of contact metamorphic assemblage of 1.80 Ga granite witin the enclave calc silicates and in the host metapelites over an earlier, relict low to medium grade assemblage indicates that the JWGC preserves palaeoproterozoic metamorphic imprints.     

吉林中部呼兰群泥质岩递进变质带特征及其地质意义

下古生界呼兰群变质岩系位於吉林褶皱带南端,其中泥质岩变质片岩段具有明显的递进变质作用,并可划分为:铁铝石榴石带、十字石带、蓝晶石带、硅线石带四个矿物带,呈中压中温巴洛式变质带特征。本文对该变质带矿物组合、原岩建造、变质作用演化、成因机理及其地质意义进行了探讨。     

Bulk chemical control on metamorphic monazite growth in pelitic schists and implications for U–Pb age data

Several petrographic studies have linked accessory monazite growth in pelitic schist to metamorphic reactions involving major rock‐forming minerals, but little attention has been paid to the control that bulk composition might have on these reactions. In this study we use chemographic projections and pseudosections to argue that discrepant monazite ages from the Mount Barren Group of the Albany–Fraser Orogen, Western Australia, reflect differing bulk compositions. A new Sensitive High‐mass Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb monazite age of 1027 ± 8 Ma for pelitic schist from the Mount Barren Group contrasts markedly with previously published SHRIMP U–Pb monazite and xenotime ages of c. 1200 Ma for the same area. All dated samples experienced identical metamorphic conditions, but preserve different mineral assemblages due to variable bulk composition. Monazite grains dated at c. 1200 Ma are from relatively magnesian rocks dominated by biotite, kyanite and/or staurolite, whilst c. 1027 Ma grains are from a ferroan rock dominated by garnet and staurolite. The latter monazite population is likely to have grown when staurolite was produced at the expense of garnet and chlorite, but this reaction was not intersected by more magnesian compositions, which are instead dominated by monazite that grew during an earlier, greenschist facies metamorphic event. These results imply that monazite ages from pelitic schist can vary depending on the bulk composition of the host rock. Samples containing both garnet and staurolite are the most likely to yield monazite ages that approximate the timing of peak metamorphism in amphibolite facies terranes. Samples too magnesian to ever grow garnet, or too iron‐rich to undergo garnet breakdown, are likely to yield older monazite, and the age difference can be significant in terranes with a polymetamorphic history.     

The metamorphic paragenesis of cordierite in pelitic rocks

A petrogenetic grid is constructed for mineral assemblages occurring in metapelitic rocks, particularly those involved in the paragenesis of cordierite. The most useful assemblages for estimating pressures and temperatures are staurolite-cordierite, cordierite-biotite-Al₂SiO₅ and cordierite-hypersthene. Cordierite is stable with kyanite, sillimanite or andalusite. At high pressures cordierite is Mg-rich so that pelitic rocks typically do not contain the phase. Cordierite is stable at temperatures less than 500° C but does not commonly appear in metapelitic rocks until the garnet-chlorite, chlorite-staurolite or chlorite-Al₂SiO₅ tie-lines are broken. At high metamorphic grades, the assemblage garnet-hypersthene-cordierite indicates relatively low pressures, and the assemblage hypersthene-cordierite-sillimanite relatively high pressures. It is clear however, that the absence of cordierite is of little use in characterizing a metamorphic facies unless an alternate mineral assemblage can be shown to be more stable.     

Evolution of a kyanite-bearing belt within a HT-LP orogen: the case of NW Variscan Iberia

Kyanite replaces andalusite in a belt of Ordovician and Silurian pelitic rocks that form a narrow synform pinched between high-grade antiforms in NW Variscan Iberia. Kyanite occurs across the belt in Al-rich, black pelites in assemblages I: kyanite–chloritoid–chlorite–muscovite and II: kyanite–staurolite– chlorite–muscovite. In I, kyanite occurs in the matrix and in kyanite–muscovite aggregates that pseudomorph earlier andalusite porphyroblasts. The aggregates are found across the belt and can still be recognized in assemblage II and even in III: andalusite–staurolite–biotite–muscovite, this latter being a hornfelsic Silurian schist where kyanite is relic and staurolite occurs in the matrix, and is resorbed inside new massive pleochroic andalusite. KFMASH and MnKFMASH pseudosections have been constructed using Thermocalc for Al-rich and Al-poorer compositions from the belt. Chloritoid zoning in Al-rich rocks containing assemblage I, plus chloritoid–chlorite thermometry complemented with garnet–chlorite thermometry in Al-poorer lithologies, mean that the path is one of increasing pressure and temperature. Conditions prior to assemblage I, with earlier andalusite stable, are those of the andalusite–chloritoid– chlorite field as testified by chloritoid enclosed in andalusite porphyroblast rims. The passage from assemblage I to II implies a prograde path within the kyanite field. Assemblage III represents peak conditions, indicating a prograde staurolite-consuming reaction across a KFMASH field, leading eventually to a locally found andalusite–biotite–muscovite hornfels. The lowest pressure stages are recorded by cordierite–biotite in Al-poor pelites. Garnet-bearing MnKFMASH assemblages in Al-poorer pelites record conditions similar to assemblages II and III. The replacement of andalusite by kyanite in assemblage I is attributed to downdragging of andalusite-bearing rocks into a synform as testified by the strained andalusite porphyroblasts affected by a subvertical crenulation cleavage. Prograde metamorphism in the eastern contact of the belt is due to heat transferred to the belt from the ascending high grade antiform across the Vivero fault.     

The effect of whole-rock MnO content on the stability of garnet in pelitic schists during metamorphism

Garnet-bearing mineral assemblages are commonly observed in pelitic schists regionally metamorphosed to upper greenschist and amphibolite facies conditions. Modelling of thermodynamic data for minerals in the system Na₂O–K₂O–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O, however, predicts that garnet should be observed only in rocks of a narrow range of very high Fe/Mg bulk compositions. Traditionally, the nearly ubiquitous presence of garnet in medium- to high-grade pelitic schists is attributed qualitatively to the stabilizing effect of MnO, based on the observed strong partitioning of MnO into garnet relative to other minerals. In order to quantify the dependence of garnet stability on whole-rock MnO content, we have calculated mineral stabilities for pelitic rocks in the system MnO–Na₂O–K₂O–FeO–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O for a moderate range of MnO contents from a set of non-linear equations that specify mass balance and chemical equilibrium among minerals and fluid. The model pelitic system includes quartz, muscovite. albite, pyrophyllite, chlorite, chloritoid, biotite, garnet, staurolite, cordierite, andalusite, kyanite. sillimanite, K-feldspar and H₂O fluid. In the MnO-free system, garnet is restricted to high Fe/Mg bulk compositions, and commonly observed mineral assemblages such as garnet–chlorite and garnet–kyanite are not predicted at any pressure and temperature. In bulk compositions with X_Mn= Mn/(Fe + Mg + Mn) > 0.01, however, the predicted garnet-bearing mineral assemblages are the same as the sequence of prograde mineral assemblages typically observed in regional metamorphic terranes. Temperatures predicted for the first appearance of garnet in model pelitic schist are also strongly dependent on whole-rock MnO content. The small MnO contents of normal pelitic schists (X_Mn= 0.01–0.04) are both sufficient and necessary to account for the observed stability of garnet.     

Coexisting chloritoid-staurolite from the Sillimanite (fibrolite) zone,Sini, district Singhbhum,India

Microprobe analyses of the minerals from an unusual chloritoid-staurolite-garnet (+ muscovite + quartz + ilmenite) assemblage from the sillimanite (fibrolite) zone of Sini, India are presented and the petrological significance of the paragenesis is discussed. The X Mg in the different minerals from the chloritoid-staurolite-bearing rock varies in the order, muscovite > chlorite > chloritoid > staurolite > garnet > ilmenite, and from the associated sillimanite-bearing schists: muscovite > biotite > staurolite > garnet rim > garnet core > ilmenite. A graphical representation of the mineral compositions in an AFM projection displays a consistent topology if the effects of non-AFM components such as Zn in the staurolite and Mn in the garnet are taken into account. Petrographic and mineralogical data are consistent with a prograde formation of the chloritoid-staurolite-garnet assemblage. It is suggested that the paragenesis has been formed at similar PT conditions to the associated sillimanite (fibrolite)-staurolite-garnet-mica schists. These conditions are estimated to be 600–625°C/6±0.5 Kb.     

Phase relations in andalusite-sillimanite type Fe-rich metapelites: Tono contact metamorphic aureole, northeast Japan

Mineral assemblages in metapelites of the contact aureole of the Tono granodiorite mass, northeast Japan, change systematically during progressive metamorphism along an isobaric path at 2-3 kbar. The bulk rock compositions of metapelites are aluminous with A' values on an AFM projection larger than that of the chlorite join. The metapelites commonly contain paragonite in the low-grade zone. With increasing temperatures, andalusite is formed by the breakdown of paragonite. The importance of pyrophyllite as a source of Al₂SiO₅ polymorphs is limited in typical pelitic rocks.
The most common type of metapelite in the study area has FeO/(FeO + MgO) = 0.5–0.6, and develops assemblages involving chlorite, andalusite, biotite, cordierite, K-feldspar, sillimanite and almandine, with paragenetic changes similar to other andalusite-sillimanite type aureoles. Rocks with FeO/(FeO + MgO) > 0.8 progressively develop chloritoid-bearing assemblages from Bt-Chl-Cld, And-Bt-Cld, to And-Bt at temperatures between the breakdown of paragonite and the appearance of cordierite in the more common pelitic rocks in the aureole. The paragenetic relations are explained by a KFMASH univariant reaction of Chl + Cld = And + Bt located to the low-temperature side of the formation of cordierite by the terminal equilibrium of chlorite. A P-T model depicting the relative stability of chloritoid and staurolite at low- and medium-pressure conditions, respectively, is proposed, based on the derived location of the Chl + Cld = And + Bt reaction combined with the theoretical phase relations among biotite, chlorite, chloritoid, garnet and staurolite.     

Garnet and staurolite producing reactions in a chlorite-chloritoid schist

During prograde metamorphism garnet and, in some higher grade samples, staurolite were produced in a chlorite-chloritoid schist, part of the Precambrian Z to Cambrian Hoosac Formation near Jamaica, VT. Garnet grew during two prograde events separated by a retrogression. This sequence resulted in distinctive inclusion textures and zoning anomalies in garnet produced by diffusive alteration. Textures, reaction space analysis, and mineral compositional variations constrain the possible sequence of reactions in these rocks. Below the staurolite isograd, and to some unknown extent above it, garnet grew by the reaction chloritoid+chlorite+quartz→garnet+H₂O. With increasing grade the mineral compositions are displaced towards lower Mn/Fe and higher Mg/Fe ratios. The data are compatible with equilibrium with respect to exchange reactions for the matrix assemblages on a thin section scale and with minerals having closely followed equilibrium paths during reaction. The staurolite isograd coincides with the reaction chloritoid+quartz→garnet+staurolite+chlorite+H₂O. This reaction is continuous and trivariant with ZnO becoming an additional component concentrated in staurolite. During this reaction both the Mn/Fe and Mg/Fe ratios of the phases appear to have decreased. This new chemical trend is recorded by garnet zoning profiles and is compatible with trends predicted from phase diagrams. Thus there are two distinct types of garnet zoning reversals in these samples. One is near the textural unconformity and is best explained by diffusive alteration during partial resorption of first stage garnet. The other occurs near the outer rim of garnet in staurolite zone samples and marks the onset of a new prograde garnet producing reaction.     

Variations in the transient prograde geothermal gradient from chloritoid-staurolite equilibria: a case study from the Barrovian and Buchan-type domains in the Bohemian Massif

Thermodynamic modelling of metamorphic rocks increases the possibilities of deciphering prograde paths that provide important insights into early orogenic evolution. It is shown that the chloritoid–staurolite transition is not only an indicator of temperature on prograde P–T paths, but also a useful indicator of pressure. The approach is applied to the Moravo‐Silesian eastern external belt of the Bohemian Massif, where metamorphic zones range from biotite to staurolite‐sillimanite. In the staurolite zone, inclusions of chloritoid occur in garnet cores, while staurolite is included at garnet rims and is widespread in the matrix. Chloritoid X_Fe = 0.91 indicates transition to staurolite at 5 kbar and 550 °C and consequently, an early transient prograde geothermal gradient of 29 °C km^?1. The overall elevated thermal evolution is then reflected in the prograde transition of staurolite to sillimanite and in the achievement of peak temperature of 660 °C at a relatively low pressure of 6.5 kbar. To the south and to the west of the studied area, high‐grade metamorphic zones record a prograde path evolution from staurolite to kyanite and development of sillimanite on decompression. Transition of chloritoid to staurolite was reported in two places, with chloritoid X_Fe = 0.75–0.80, occurring at 8–10 kbar and 560–580 °C, and indicating a transient prograde geothermal gradient of 16–18 °C km^?1. These data show variable barric evolutions along strike and across the Moravo‐Silesian domain. Elevated prograde geothermal gradient coincides with areas of Devonian sedimentation and volcanism, and syn‐ to late Carboniferous intrusions. Therefore, we interpret it as a result of heat inherited from Devonian rifting, further fuelled by syntectonic Carboniferous intrusions.     

塔里木克拉通北缘的前寒武纪构造热事件——新疆库尔勒铁门关高级变质岩的锆石U-Pb年代学限定

本文对位于塔里木盆地北缘库尔勒铁门关地区高级变质岩中的锆石进行了U-Pb年代学研究。研究结果表明,铁门关地区的变质岩由片麻岩、片岩、角闪岩和钙硅酸盐组成,普遍经历了角闪岩相变质作用,矿物组合为斜长石+钾长石+石英+黑云母±白云母±角闪石±石榴石。锆石U-Pb定年分析揭示出三期构造热事件:古元古代早期(~2370Ma)的岩浆事件、古元古代晚期(1890~1850Ma)的变质事件,和新元古代早期(980~910Ma)变质事件。这些结果为塔里木克拉通的前寒武纪构造演化提供了新的限定。     

Staurolite-forming reactions in the eastern Dalradian rocks of Scotland

Data on mineral and rock compositions along with textural relations are used to deduce the staurolite-forming reactions in eastern Dalradian rocks in Scotland. Initially staurolite is formed as a product of the breakdown of the assemblage chloritoid +quartz in iron-rich metapelites. With increase in grade the iron-rich rocks are succeeded by more magnesium-rich ones and staurolite is formed as a product of the breakdown of the assemblage chloritoid +chlorite+muscovite.     

赣中变质岩带的组成及构造变质变形特征

赣中变质岩带不是简单的一套震旦纪地层 ,而是由结晶基底中元古界中深变质岩系 (斜长角闪岩的Sm Nd全岩等时线年龄为 1113± 4 9Ma)和褶皱基底变质较浅的震旦系组成。两者之间以具热流体参与的混合岩化、韧性剪切带和递进变质三位一体组成的动热变质带接触。结晶基底经历了4期构造变质变形的叠加改造 ,每期构造变形都在变质岩石构造单元内留下各种变形形迹 ,变质作用表现为时间上的递进和空间上的叠加演化系列 ,是一套以众多的不平衡结构和多相共生混存的矿物组合 ,热变质带为一套动热变质塑性变形带 ,空间上依次形成绢云母—绿泥石带、黑云母带、石榴石带、十字石带以及夕线石带