Microstructural, chemical and textural records during growth of snowball garnet

The growth history of two populations of snowball garnet from the Lukmanier Pass area (central Swiss Alps) was examined through a detailed analysis of three-dimensional geometry, chemical zoning and crystallographic orientation. The first population, collected in the hinge of a chevron-type fold, shows an apparent rotation of 360°. The first 270° are characterized by spiral-shaped inclusion trails, gradual and concentric Mn zoning and a single crystallographic orientation, whereas in the last 90°, crenulated inclusion trails and secondary Mn maxima centred on distinct crystallographic garnet domains are observed. Microstructural, geochemical and textural data indicate a radical change in growth regime between the two growth sequences. In the first 270°, growth occurred under rotational non-coaxial flow, whereas in the last 90°, garnet grew under a non-rotational shortening regime. The second population, collected in the limb of the same chevron-type fold structure, is characterized by a spiral geometry that does not exceed 270° of apparent rotation. These garnet microstructures do not record any evidence for a modification of the stress field during garnet growth. Concentric Mn zoning as well as a single crystallographic orientation are observed for the entire spiral. Electron backscatter diffraction data indicate that nearly all central domains in the snowball garnet are characterized by one [001] axis oriented (sub-)parallel to the symmetry axis and by another [001] axis oriented (sub-)parallel to the orientation of the internal foliation. These features suggest that the crystallographic orientation across the garnet spiral is not random and that a relation exists among the symmetry axis, the internal foliation and the crystallographic orientation.     

Reference frame, angular momentum, and porphyroblast rotation

Rotation of small rigid objects in a deforming ductile matrix can produce two different types of microstructure: a shape fabric due to alignment of the principal axes of a population of elongate objects and the inclusion trail microstructure preserved in syntectonic porphyroblasts. We use numerical modeling to show that inclusion trails of elongate porphyroblasts are expected to be extremely complex. In contrast, snowball garnets are readily interpretable. But misuse of reference frame and kinematic misconceptions have obfuscated the discussion on the formation of porphyroblast inclusion trails in general and snowball garnet inclusion trails in particular. We clarify this point. Models for snowball garnet formation that are based on the notion of garnets being irrotational with respect to the earth can be rejected on a geometrical and kinematic basis. Further, the notion that rigid objects embedded in a deforming ductile matrix generally do not rotate is unsound—it violates the fundamental physical law of balance of angular momentum.     

Chromium and manganese zoning in pelitic garnet and kyanite: Spiral,overprint, and oscillatory (?) zoning patterns and the role of growth rate

X‐ray composition maps and quantitative analyses for Mn, Ca and Cr have been made for six pelitic and calc‐pelitic garnet crystals and Al, Fe and Cr analyses maps have been made for two kyanite crystals, from lower and mid/upper amphibolite facies rocks from the Grenville Province of western Labrador, using an electron microprobe analyser and a laser ablation ICP‐MS. Garnet with spiral (‘snowball’) internal fabrics (S_i) has spiral zoning in major elements, implying that growth was concentrated in discrete regions of the crystal at any one time (spiral zoning). Cr zoning is parallel to S_i in low amphibolite facies garnet with both straight and spiral internal fabrics, indicating that the garnet overprinted a fabric defined by Cr‐rich (mica±chlorite±epidote) and Cr‐poor (quartz±plagioclase) layers during growth (overprint zoning) and that Cr was effectively immobile. In contrast, in mid/upper amphibolite facies garnet porphyroblasts lacking S_i, Cr zoning is concentric, implying that Cr diffusion occurred. Cr zoning in kyanite porphyroblasts appears superficially similar to oscillatory zoning, with up to three or four annuli of Cr enrichment and/or depletion present in a single grain. However, the variable width, continuity, Cr concentration and local bifurcation of individual annuli suggest that an origin by overprint zoning may be more likely. The results of this study explain previously observed nonsystematic Cr zoning in garnet and irregular partitioning of Cr between coexisting metamorphic mineral pairs. In addition, this study points to the important role of crystal growth rate in determining the presence or absence of inclusions and the type of zoning exhibited by both major and trace elements. During fast growth, inclusions are preferentially incorporated into the growing porphyroblast and slow diffusing elements such as Cr are effectively immobile, whereas during slow growth, inclusions are not generally included in the porphyroblast and Cr zoning is concentric.     

Strain rates at high temporal resolution from curved inclusion trails in garnet,Passo del Sole,Central Swiss Alps

Quantitative strain rates at outcrop scale are very difficult to obtain, but they may be estimated from crystals with curved inclusion trails by calculating rotation rates from growth rates and corresponding deflections of the internal foliation. Garnet in a quartzose pelite at Passo del Sole in the central Swiss Alps is extraordinarily valuable for calculation of strain rates during Alpine orogenesis, because the unusual zoning patterns clearly define the kinetics of its nucleation and growth. Complex concentric zoning patterns can be correlated from one crystal to another in a hand sample, based on compositional and microstructural similarities; the ubiquity of these features demonstrates that all garnet crystals nucleated at nearly the same time. Compositional bands whose radial widths are proportional to crystal size provide evidence for growth governed by the kinetics of intergranular diffusion of locally sourced nutrients. Together, these constraints increase the reliability of estimates of rates of garnet growth, and the strain‐rate calculations that depend on them. To obtain growth rates, P–T conditions during garnet crystallization were modelled in a series of pseudosections, and compositional evolution was connected to rates of garnet growth by means of an independently determined heating rate. These growth rates, combined with measured amounts of curvature of inclusion trails, indicate that the time‐averaged strain rate at Passo del Sole during Alpine metamorphism was on the order of 10^?14 s^?1. Strain rates calculated using rotational v. non‐rotational models are similar in magnitude. The constraints on crystallization kinetics also allow direct calculation of strain rates during individual stages of garnet growth, revealing short‐term increases to values on the order of 10^?13 s^?1. These higher strain rates are correlated with the growth of concentric high‐Ca or high‐Mn zones in garnet, which implies that strain softening associated with the transient passage of fluids is responsible for acceleration of deformation during these intervals.     

Relating zircon and monazite domains to garnet growth zones: age and duration of granulite facies metamorphism in the Val Malenco lower crust

Zircon from a lower crustal metapelitic granulite (Val Malenco, N‐Italy) display inherited cores, and three metamorphic overgrowths with ages of 281 ± 2, 269 ± 3 and 258 ± 4 Ma. Using mineral inclusions in zircon and garnet and their rare earth element characteristics it is possible to relate the ages to distinct stages of granulite facies metamorphism. The first zircon overgrowth formed during prograde fluid‐absent partial melting of muscovite and biotite apparently caused by the intrusion of a Permian gabbro complex. The second metamorphic zircon grew after formation of peak garnet, during cooling from 850 °C to c. 700 °C. It crystallized from partial melts that were depleted in heavy rare earth elements because of previous, extensive garnet crystallization. A second stage of partial melting is documented in new growth of garnet and produced the third metamorphic zircon. The ages obtained indicate that the granulite facies metamorphism lasted for about 20 Myr and was related to two phases of partial melting producing strongly restitic metapelites. Monazite records three metamorphic stages at 279 ± 5, 270 ± 5 and 257 ± 4 Ma, indicating that formation ages can be obtained in monazite that underwent even granulite facies conditions. However, monazite displays less clear relationships between growth zones and mineral inclusions than zircon, hampering the correlation of age to metamorphism. To overcome this problem garnet–monazite trace element partitioning was determined for the first time, which can be used in future studies to relate monazite formation to garnet growth.     

Morphological instabilities during rapid growth of metamorphic garnets

Hydrothermal grossular-andradite garnets from contact aureoles in the Oslo region show morphological transitions from planar via cellular to hopper-like structures. Dodecahedral surfaces {110} dominate during the planar growth stage, whereas the stable crystal faces, developed during the cellular and hopper stages also includes the ikositetrahedron {211} and possibly the hexoctahedron {321}. Faceted cells develope when initially ‘wavy’ perturbations on the dodecahedral surfaces become tangential to lower-index planar surfaces. Inclusion patterns and morphologies of almandinerich garnets from Magerøy (northernmost Norway) that formed during a period of rapid heating, suggest an early stage of cellular growth followed by planar growth. The morphological transitions suggest that the hydrothermal garnets experienced an increase in the overstepping of the garnet precipitation reaction at some stage during their growth whereas the opposite was the case during growth of the Magerøy garnets. The present observations put constraints on the garnet growth rates and emphasize the importance of growth kinetics during metamorphic processes.     

喜马拉雅造山带新生代花岗岩中两类石榴石的地球化学特征及其在地壳深熔作用中的意义

在喜马拉雅碰撞造山带中,石榴石是变泥质岩的主要造岩矿物,也是花岗岩或淡色体的重要副矿物,保存了有关地壳深熔作用的关键信息,是揭示大型碰撞造山带中-下地壳物质的物理和化学行为的重要载体。在喜马拉雅造山带内,新生代花岗质岩石(淡色花岗岩和混合岩中的淡色体)含两类石榴石,大多数为岩浆型石榴石,自形-半自形,不含包裹体,但淡色体中含有港湾状的混合型石榴石。岩浆型石榴石具有以下地球化学特征:(1)从核部到边部,显示了典型的"振荡型"生长环带;(2)富集HREE,亏损LREE,从核部到边部,Hf、Y和HREE含量降低;(3)显著的Eu负异常;(4)相对于源岩中变质石榴石,Mn和Zn的含量显著增高。岩相学和地球化学特征都表明:变泥质岩熔融形成的熔体(淡色体)捕获了源岩的变质石榴石,熔体与石榴石反应导致大部分元素的特征被改变,只在核部保留了源岩的部分信息。同时,在花岗质熔体结晶过程中,形成少量的岩浆型石榴石。这些石榴石摄取了熔体中大量的Zn,浓度显著升高,在斜长石和锆石同步分离结晶作用的共同影响下,石榴石中Eu为明显负异常,Hf、Y和HREE浓度从核部到边部逐渐降低。上述数据和结果表明,花岗岩中石榴石的矿物化学特征记录了精细的有关花岗岩岩浆演化的重要信息。     

Diffusion-controlled biotite breakdown reaction textures at the solid/liquid transition in the continental crust

Two-phase quartz intergrowths with garnet, cordierite and tourmaline occur commonly in prograde high-temperature migmatites, granulites, as well as in the last crystallization stages of biotite granites. Structural, microtextural and mineralogical data show that they result from the breakdown of biotite in the presence of a melt phase associated with incongruent dissolution of feldspars into the melt and silica release (giving quartz in silica saturated rocks). Biotite breakdown and growth of Al-rich ferromagnesian minerals, occurring at the solid–liquid transition in the crust (early melting or final crystallization), is kinetically controlled by Fe and Mg mass transport, the network-forming cations Si and Al being locally compensated for by feldspar dissolution/crystallization. This process leads to significant changes with respect to equilibrium dehydration-melting reactions wherein quartz is a reactant and K-feldspar a reaction product. Therefore, quartz inclusions commonly occurring in garnets from granulite-facies metapelites and metagraywackes are not simply grains passively included during garnet growth. They may also correspond to newly crystallized phases. Resorption of feldspar may lead to more alkaline melt and to crystalline residue richer in Al than expected under equilibrium conditions. Hence, excess alumina in granulite-facies rocks is not necessarily related to initial alumina-rich whole-rock compositions (as currently considered), but may be due, at least partly, to kinetics of melting.     

Melt inclusions in eclogite garnet: experimental study of natural processes

Experiment with poikilitic garnet at 3 GPa and 800 °C showed dehydration melting of its mineral inclusions, which is accompanied by the growth of (sub)euhedral garnet crystals inside the inclusion and/or xenomorphic garnets replacing the host mineral. The newly formed and host garnets differ drastically in composition. The inclusion surface is complicated by specific wedge-like protrusions or thin branches composed of melt or its crystallization products. The above features have been discovered in polymineral inclusions in garnet from low-temperature (650 °C) eclogite from the Yukon-Tanana terrane, Canada. The inclusions are interpreted as the crystallization products of in situ formed melt.     

The effect of metamorphic fluid flow on the nucleation and growth of garnets from Troms, North Norway

A spatial association is observed between the size distribution of garnet porphyroblasts and the size distribution of quartz veins in greenschist facies metapelites from Troms, North Norway. The size distribution of quartz veins reflects the flow regime of metamorphic fluids. The hypothesis that the flow regime of metamorphic fluids is also responsible for the size distribution of garnet crystals was tested by ascribing empirical acceleration parameters to the nucleation and growth rates of garnet crystals.
In regions where fluid flow was interpreted as pervasive', acceleration parameters for nucleation were high, whereas in regions where fluid flow was interpreted as channelled', acceleration parameters for growth were high. Accelerated crystal growth is further implied from the chemical zoning and crystal morphologies of garnets collected near discrete veins.
This spatial association may imply that fluid flow can be instrumental in controlling garnet crystallization. Fluid flow could affect garnet crystallization kinetics by facilitating thermal advection and/or mass transfer. In the study area, rhodochrosite (MnCO₃) veins provide evidence for mass transfer of Mn by fluid flow. An influx of Mn would expand the stability field of garnet to lower temperatures. The resulting thermal overstep could accelerate nucleation and/or growth of garnets.
The corollary of this study is that size distributions and chemical zoning of garnets, or other porphyroblast phases, can be used to study metamorphic fluid flow.     

On the origin of silicate-bearing diamondites

Garnets and clinopyroxenes, intergrown with diamonds in 37 diamondites (“bort”, “polycrystalline diamond aggregates”, “polycrystalline diamond”, “framesite”), presumably from southern Africa, were analyzed for trace element contents by LA-ICP-MS. The intimate diamond-silicate intergrowths suggest that both precipitated from the same fluids during the same crystallization events. In this study we distinguish 5 chemical garnet groups: “peridotitic” (P), intermediate (I) and 3 “eclogitic” groups (E1, E2 and E3). Chondrite-normalized trace element patterns for the garnet groups roughly correlate with major element abundances. Most of P garnets show complex, mildly sinusoidal REE_N patterns with relatively flat HREE_N-MREE_N, a small hump at Sm-Nd and depleted LREE_N, and have relatively high contents of Nb, Ta, U, and Th. The REE_N abundance patterns of E garnets differ by showing a continuous increase from LREE to HREE and depletion in LREE and highly incompatible elements relative to the P garnets. Of all garnet groups, E3 garnets are the poorest in highly incompatible trace elements and in Mg. Model equilibrium fluids for P garnets suggest crystallization from magnesian carbonate-bearing fluids/melts, which were very rich in incompatible trace elements — similar to kimberlites. Hypothetical equilibrium melts for E1 and E2 garnets are also magnesian and poorer in LREE and highly incompatible elements relative to typical kimberlitic or carbonatitic melts. Fluids that crystallized the P and most of the E garnets have similar mg numbers indicating a peridotitic source for both. The differences in Cr and highly incompatible element contents can be the result of differences in fluid formation and/or evolution rather than different source rock. The positive correlation of Cr₂O₃ and mg with the abundances of highly incompatible elements in garnets indicate fluid-rock fractionation processes rather than igneous fractional crystallization processes being responsible for the evolution of the diamondite-forming fluids.     

Matrix‐dependent garnet growth in polymetamorphic rocks of the Sesia zone,Italian Alps

Mushroom‐ and atoll‐shaped garnet crystals were found in high‐pressure quartz‐rich pelitic layers from the Monte Mucrone area (Western Alps, Italy). These garnet crystals are characterized by a peninsula‐shaped core surrounded by a partially crystallized, dodecahedral external rim. Textural observations and thermodynamic modelling point towards growth of the atoll garnet from the Monte Mucrone area during two distinct orogenic cycles. The core region and the inner part of the ring forming the edge of the atoll grew under Barrovian metamorphic conditions of likely Hercynian age, while the outer rim of the atoll structure developed under Alpine high‐pressure conditions. Electron backscatter diffraction analyses indicate that the atoll‐shaped structure has one single crystallographic orientation, despite its complex compositional zoning. Thermodynamic modelling reveals marked changes in equilibrium assemblage leading to changes in stoichiometry of the garnet‐forming reaction, which in turn explain the characteristic garnet morphology. Small amounts of quartz are consumed during the earlier stage of garnet growth history, whereas the production of garnet requires a much larger amount of quartz during the final stage of its growth. This leads to a change from initial poikiloblastic to non‐poikiloblastic textures. This change is responsible for the formation of atoll‐shaped garnet. Finally, garnet in intercalated mica‐rich layers forms idiomorphic crystals, continuous from the centre to rim. This study highlights the importance of the difference between the local matrix composition and the aggregate composition of the reactants needed for the garnet‐forming reaction. Finally, we show that interaction between matrix and reaction stoichiometry can lead to porphyroblast precipitation inside the already grown porphyroblast.     

Formation of garnet clusters during polyphase metamorphism

Pre‐Alpine garnets of Variscan age from metapelitic basement units in Northern Italy were strongly retrogressed at near‐surface conditions prior to Alpine contact metamorphism. The replacement by sheet silicates caused a significant volume increase during retrogression, producing pervasive fracturing. Up to several hundreds of angular fragments formed from each crystal. Electron backscatter diffraction analysis documents a maximum misorientation of ~22° of some fragments as a result of local rotation during fracturing. New garnet growth is observed on the garnet fragments during contact metamorphic overprinting, resulting in garnet clusters. Fragments can be identified due to calcium‐rich domains. Fragment orientations were inherited, and only minor new nucleation occurred. These garnets develop features typically associated with multiple nucleation models, but here they reflect multiple metamorphic events. We propose that clusters can be indicative of multiple metamorphic events, which were separated by a period of intense retrograde alteration.     

Geochemistry of major and rare earth elements in garnet of the Kal-e Kafi skarn,Anarak Area,Central Iran: Constraints on processes in a hydrothermal system

Grossular-andradite (grandite) garnets, precipitated from hydrothermal solutions is associated with contact metamorphism in the Kal-e Kafi skarn show complex oscillatory chemical zonation. These skarn garnets preserve the records of the temporal evolution of contact metasomatism. According to microscopic studies and microprobe analysis profiles, the studied garnet has two distinct parts: the intermediate (granditic) composition birefringent core that its andradite content based on microprobe analysis varies between 0.68–0.7. This part is superimposed with more andraditic composition, and the isotropic rim which its andradite content regarding microprobe analysis ranges between 0.83–0.99. Garnets in the studied sample are small (0.5–2 mm in diameter) and show complex oscillatory zoning. Electron microprobe analyses of the oscillatory zoning in grandite garnet of the Kal-e Kafi area showed a fluctuation in chemical composition. The grandite garnets normally display core with intermediate composition with oscillatory Fe-rich zones at the rim. Detailed study of oscillatory zoning in grandite garnet from Kal-e Kafi area suggests that the garnet has developed during early metasomatism involving monzonite to monzodiorite granitoid body intrusion into the Anarak schist- marble interlayers. During this metasomatic event, Al, Fe, and Si in the fluid have reacted with Ca in carbonate rocks to form grandite garnet. The first step of garnet growth has been coeval with intrusion of the Kal-e Kafi granitoid into the Anarak schist- marble interlayers. In this period of garnet growth, change in fluid composition may cause the garnet to stop growing temporarily or keep growing but in a much slower rate allowing Al to precipitate rather than Fe. The next step consists of pervasive infiltration of Fe rich fluids and Fe rich grandite garnets formation as the rim of previously formed more Al rich garnets. Oscillatory zoning in the garnet probably reflects an oscillatory change in the fluid composition which may be internally and/or externally controlled. The rare earth elements study of these garnets revealed enrichment in light REEs (LREE) with a maximum at Pr and Nd and a negative to no Eu anomaly. This pattern is resulted from the uptake of REE out of hydrothermal fluids by growing crystals of calcsilicate minerals principally andradite with amounts of LREE controlled by the difference in ionic radius between Ca⁺⁺ and REE³⁺ in garnet x site.     

东疆哈尔里克变质带中石榴子石的特征

石榴子石为东疆哈尔里克变质带中的常见矿物。从外形上可分为两种 类型,一种是晶形发育较好的石榴子石,为断裂区域变质作用形成;另一种是破碎状、裂纹 发育的石榴子石,为早期热变质作用形成,呈残留状出现。二者在空间上共存。对于晶形较 好的石榴子石的化学成分研究表明,石榴子石发育生长环带,在晶体粒径与核部MnO的含量 之间存在着相关关系。其峰期MnO的含量反映了递增变质带变质温度变化的趋势。     

Formation of garnet polycrystals during metamorphic crystallization

Garnet polycrystals may form throughout the metamorphic history of a rock, starting at the earliest stages of garnet growth when closely spaced nuclei coalesce. In mica schist from Townshend Dam, VT, electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD) analysis shows that garnet polycrystals possess two or more distinct lattice orientations separated by high-angle boundaries (28–61°). The minimum rotational displacements required to bring these lattice orientations into concordance with each other are commonly normal to the same low-energy planes that occur as crystal faces of euhedral garnet. There is no evidence for intracrystalline deformation, and the polycrystals therefore probably represent individual garnet crystals that coalesced during growth. The boundaries cross-cut growth zoning and inclusion trails of the polycrystals, indicating that early-formed polycrystals, once coalesced, behave chemically and physically as single crystals. Statistical analysis of a 3D, high-resolution X-ray computed tomographic data set of a large sample (912 cm³) of a Townshend Dam schist, combined with microprobe and EBSD analyses of garnet, are consistent with a high degree of clustering at all stages of garnet growth. The formation and prevalence of polycrystals implies that garnet nuclei impinged on each other and coalesced, and that coalescence was a common feature throughout garnet growth in the rock.     

Petrology and geochronology of eclogites from the Variscan Schwarzwald (F.R.G.)

The Moldanubian basement of the Schwarzwald contains basic to ultrabasic rocks of both crustal and mantle origin which display high-pressure mineral assemblages or relics of such. In order to constrain the P-T-t evolution of the crustal high-pressure rocks, petrological and geochronological studies have been carried out on three eclogite samples. Geothermobarometric estimations indicate minimum metamorphic pressures of 1.6 GPa and equilibration temperatures of 670 750°C. Reaction textures document various metamorphic stages during exhumation of the high-pressure rocks. The age of high-pressure metamorphism is constrained by Sm-Nd isochrons of 332±13 Ma, 334±11 Ma, and 337±6 Ma defined by garnet, whole rock and clinopyroxene. For one sample, large garnets show prominent growth zoning in terms of major elements, Sm, Nd, and inclusions, dividing the grains into two growth stages. Sm-Nd isotope analyses on these garnets indicate that the time span between the two growth stages is too small to be resolved, reflecting a rather rapid metamorphic evolution. This result is further constrained by a Rb-Sr isochron age of 325±6 Ma on retrograde biotite and whole rock on the same sample. For one of the studied eclogites, formation of the magmatic precursor rocks is possibly approximated by the Ordovician U-Pb upper intercept age of a discordia from zircons.     

The significance of intergranular diffusion to the mechanisms and kinetics of porphyroblast crystallization

The spatial disposition, compositional zoning profiles, and size distributions of garnet crystals in 11 specimens of pelitic schist from the Picuris Range of New Mexico (USA) demonstrate that the kinetics of intergranular diffusion controlled the nucleation and growth mechanisms of porphyroblasts in these rocks. An ordered disposition of garnet centers and a significant correlation between crystal radius and near-neighbor distances manifest suppressed nucleation of new crystals in diffusionally depleted zones surrounding pre-existing crystals. Compositional zoning profiles require diffusionally controlled growth, the rate of which increases exponentially as temperature increases with time; an acceleration factor for growth rate can be estimated from a comparison of compositional profiles for crystals of different sizes in each specimen. Crystal size distributions are interpreted as the result of nucleation rates that accelerate exponentially with increasing temperature early in the crystallization process, but decline in the later stages because of suppression effects in the vicinity of earlier-formed nuclei. Simulations of porphyroblast crystallization, based upon thermally accelerated diffusionally influenced nucleation kinetics and diffusionally controlled growth kinetics, quantitatively replicate textural relations in the rocks. The simulations employ only two variable parameters, which are evaluated by fitting of crystal size distributions. Both have physical significance. The first is an acceleration factor for nucleation, with a magnitude reflecting the prograde increase during the nucleation interval of the chemical affinity for the reaction in undepleted regions of the rock. The second is a measure of the relative sizes of the porphyroblast and the diffusionally depleted zone surrounding it. Crystal size distributions for the Picuris Range garnets correspond very closely to those in the literature from a variety of other localities for garnet and other minerals. The same kinetic model accounts quantitatively for crystal size distributions of porphyroblastic garnet, phlogopite, sphene, and pyroxene in rocks from both regional and contact metamorphic occurrences. These commonalities indicate that intergranular diffusion may be the dominant kinetic factor in the crystallization of porphyroblasts in a wide variety of metamorphic environments.     

Rotating garnets

The origin of snowball and sigmoidal inclusion patterns in porphyroblasts is discussed. Snowball garnets are peculiar to shear zones whereas sigmoidal patterns occur in porphyroblasts both in shear zones and on the limbs of folds. There are currently two models for the development of snowball garnets and these have been discussed extensively in the literature. We show that although the typical two-dimensional snowball pattern can be produced by either model, the three-dimensional inclusion patterns are model-specific thus providing a distinguishing criterion. We have applied this criterion to all the available data and find that the classical model, which is dependent on the rotation of garnet relative to a single foliation, is applicable in all cases. Syn-kinematic porphyroblasts on the limbs of horizontal normal folds generally show little rotation relative to geographical coordinates. What rotation they do show generally has the same sense as that of the host limb, but is less in magnitude. This has been used as evidence that the porphyroblasts have remained irrotational while the rocks deformed around them; the implication being that they were unaffected by vorticity associated with folding. This has been explained by claiming that the porphyroblasts are restricted in distribution to small domains of coaxial deformation path. We show that for reasonable deformation models of horizontal normal folds, porphyroblasts affected by vorticity will rotate little with respect to geographical coordinates and our results predict the commonly observed natural patterns. We conclude therefore that lack of rotation relative to geographical coordinates cannot be used to demonstrate that porphyroblasts have grown only in coaxially deforming domains; much less restrictive and more reasonable interpretations are possible. Consequently, the lack of rotation relative to geographical coordinates is more significant for fold modelling than it is for the garnet controversy.     

The Physico-Chemical Properties of a Subducted Slab from Garnet Zonation Patterns (Sesia Zone, Western Alps)

Garnets in continentally derived high-pressure (HP) rocks ofthe Sesia Zone (Western Alps) exhibit three different chemicalzonation patterns, depending on sample locality. Comparisonof observed garnet zonation patterns with thermodynamicallymodelled patterns shows that the different patterns are causedby differences in the water content of the subducted protolithsduring prograde metamorphism. Zonation patterns of garnets inwater-saturated host rocks show typical prograde chemical zonationswith steadily increasing pyrope content and increasing XMg,together with bell-shaped spessartine patterns. In contrast,garnets in water-undersaturated rocks have more complex zonationpatterns with a characteristic decrease in pyrope and XMg betweencore and inner rim. In some cases, garnets show an abrupt compositionalchange in core-to-rim profiles, possibly due to water-undersaturationprior to HP metamorphism. Garnets from both water-saturatedand water-undersaturated rocks show signs of intervening growthinterruptions and core resorption. This growth interruptionresults from bulk-rock depletion caused by fractional garnetcrystallization. The water content during burial influences significantly thephysical properties of the subducted rocks. Due to enhancedgarnet crystallization, water-undersaturated rocks, i.e. thoselacking a free fluid phase, become denser than their water-saturatedequivalents, facilitating the subduction of continental material.Although water-bearing phases such as phengite and epidote arestable up to eclogite-facies conditions in these rocks, dehydrationreactions during subduction are lacking in water-undersaturatedrocks up to the transition to the eclogite facies, due to thethermodynamic stability of such hydrous phases at high P–Tconditions. Our calculations show that garnet zonation patternsstrongly depend on the mineral parageneses stable during garnetgrowth and that certain co-genetic mineral assemblages causedistinct garnet zonation patterns. This observation enablesinterpretation of complex garnet growth zonation patterns interms of garnet-forming reactions and water content during HPmetamorphism, as well determination of detailed P–T paths. KEY WORDS: dehydration; high-pressure metamorphism; Sesia Zone; subduction; thermodynamic modelling