Ordering in double carbonates and implications for processes at subduction zones

We have studied cation ordering in dolomite in situ as a function of pressure, temperature, and experimental time using the multi-anvil apparatus and synchrotron radiation. Starting with ordered dolomite, we observe the onset of disordering taking place at 950°C, while complete disordering is achieved at 1,070 (±20)°C, for pressures ranging between 3.37 and 4.05 GPa. Pressure does not appear to have significant effect on the order/disorder transition over the investigated range. We find that dolomite can reach its equilibrium ordering state above 900°C within duration of laboratory experiment (few hours), both from disordered state and from ordered state. In addition, we have reversed the dolomite breakdown reaction [magnesite + aragonite = dolomite] between 4.5 and 5.5 GPa, by monitoring diffraction peak intensity. We also have determined that dolomite is stable up to 7.4 GPa at 1,100°C. We confirm some earlier studies where a change in slope (dP/dT) has been observed, but we find a non-zero slope in the low pressure range. Combining the values of entropy obtained from dolomite degree of ordering with enthalpy values deduced from our bracketing of [magnesite + aragonite = dolomite] equilibrium, we model the location of dolomite breakdown in the P–T space as a function of cation ordering. By comparing previous conflicting studies, we show that, although kinetics of order/disorder is fast, disequilibrium dolomite breakdown is possible. Our modeling shows that subducted disordered dolomite present in carbonated sediments could be decomposed to [magnesite + aragonite] at lower pressure (3.5 GPa) than usually considered (>5 GPa). This 2-GPa (60 km) difference is valid on a fast subduction path and is possible if disorder inherited from sedimentation is preserved. On a slow subduction path, however, dolomite breakdown is encountered at about 250 km depth, which is 100 km deeper than currently considered.     

F,Cl and S input via serpentinite in subduction zones: implications for the nature of the fluid released at depth

The abundances of F, Cl and S in arc magmas are systematically higher than in other mantle‐derived magmas, suggesting that these elements are added from the slab along with H₂O. We present ion probe microanalyses of F, Cl and S in serpentine minerals that represent the P–T evolution of the oceanic lithosphere, from its serpentinization at the ridge, to its dehydration at around 100 km depth during subduction. F, Cl and S are incorporated early into serpentine during its formation at mid‐ocean ridges, and serpentinized lithosphere then carries these elements to subduction zones. More than 50% of the F, Cl and S are removed from serpentine during the prograde metamorphic lizardite/antigorite transition. Due to the low solubility of F in water, and to the low amount of water released during this phase transition, the fluids mobilizing these elements must be dominated by SO_X rather than H₂O.     

A mechanical model for plate deformation associated with aseismic ridge subduction in the new hebrides arc

Tectonic features associated with a subducting fracture zone-aseismic ridge system in the New Hebrides island arc are investigated. Several notable features including a discontinuity of the trench, peculiar locations of two major islands (Santo and Malekula), regional uplift, and the formation of a basin are interpreted as a result of the subduction of a buoyant ridge system. The islands of Santo and Malekula are probably formed from an uplifted mid-slope basement high while the interarc basin of this particular arc is probably a subsiding basin instead of a basin formed by backarc opening. The situation can be modeled by using a thin elastic half plate overlying a quarter fluid space with a vertical upward loading applied at the plate edge. This model is consistent with topographic and geophysical data. This study suggests that subduction of aseismic ridges can have significant effects on tectonic features at consuming plate boundaries.     

Radiogenic helium in xenoliths from Simcoe, Washington, USA: implications for metasomatic processes in the mantle wedge above subduction zones

We report ³He/⁴He ratios from 10 peridotite xenoliths considered to represent samples of the uppermost mantle wedge above the downgoing Juan de Fuca Plate. Helium isotopic ratios in all but two of the xenoliths are similar to many arc magmas, roughly 7 Ra (1 Ra=atmospheric value). Based on decoupling of He from Sr, Nd and Os in these samples, similar He ratios in olivines from rims of larger xenoliths, and modeling of helium exchange between xenoliths and magmas, we interpret this ratio as that of helium in the host basalt. ³He/⁴He ratios as low as 4.2 Ra are found in olivines from the cores of the two largest xenoliths. These results cannot be reasonably explained by interaction with crustal material or post-eruptive ingrowth of ⁴He, but have been produced by interaction between mantle peridotite and a ⁴He-rich melt or fluid. Either ⁴He already present in the subducting oceanic crust has been retained to significant depths below Simcoe and then directly released behind the arc to interact with the mantle wedge, or, more likely, ⁴He has been produced by decay of U and Th in metasomatized mantle directly above the slab; a He-rich fluid or melt from this source has then ascended and modified the region of mantle represented by the xenoliths. This latter model is supported by estimates of residence time for the Simcoe metasomatic agent from U–Th–Pb isotopic systematics of pyroxenes from the Simcoe peridotites, estimated U and Th concentrations in the source of the fluid or melt, and commonly assumed patterns of helium behavior. This model is also consistent with higher ³He/⁴He ratios typically measured in arc samples; the portion of sub-arc mantle with such low He isotope ratios may be quite small, but the Simcoe xenoliths record a much larger volumetric contribution of the He-rich metasomatic agent than do arc lavas.     

Tourmaline breakdown in a pelitic system: implications for boron cycling through subduction zones

Pressure–temperature conditions of tourmaline breakdown in a metapelite were determined by high-pressure experiments at 700–900°C and 4–6 GPa. These experiments produced an eclogite–facies assemblage of garnet, clinopyroxene, phengite, coesite, kyanite and rare rutile. The modal proportions of tourmaline clearly decreased between 4.5 and 5 GPa at 700°C, between 4 and 4.5 GPa at 800°C, and between 800 and 850°C at 4 GPa, with tourmaline that survived the higher temperature conditions appearing corroded and thus metastable. Decreases in the modal abundance of tourmaline are accompanied by decreasing modal abundance of coesite, and increasing that of clinopyroxene, garnet and kyanite; the boron content of phengite increases significantly. These changes suggest that, with increasing pressure and temperature, tourmaline reacts with coesite to produce clinopyroxene, garnet, kyanite, and boron-bearing phengite and fluid. Our results suggest that: (1) tourmaline breakdown occurs at lower pressures and temperatures in SiO₂-saturated systems than in SiO₂-undersaturated systems. (2) In even cold subduction zones, subducting sediments should release boron-rich fluids by tourmaline breakdown before reaching depths of 150 km, and (3) even after tourmaline breakdown, a significant amount of boron partitioned into phengite could be stored in deeply subducted sediments.     

Mineral chemistry of submarine lavas from Hilo Ridge, Hawaii: implications for magmatic processes within Hawaiian rift zones

The crustal history of volcanic rocks can be inferred from the mineralogy and compositions of their phenocrysts which record episodes of magma mixing as well as the pressures and temperatures when magmas cooled. Submarine lavas erupted on the Hilo Ridge, a rift zone directly east of Mauna Kea volcano, contain olivine, plagioclase, augite ±orthopyroxene phenocrysts. The compositions of these phenocryst phases provide constraints on the magmatic processes beneath Hawaiian rift zones. In these samples, olivine phenocrysts are normally zoned with homogeneous cores ranging from ∼ Fo₈₁ to Fo₉₁. In contrast, plagioclase, augite and orthopyroxene phenocrysts display more than one episode of reverse zoning. Within each sample, plagioclase, augite and orthopyroxene phenocrysts have similar zoning profiles. However, there are significant differences between samples. In three samples these phases exhibit large compositional contrasts, e.g., Mg# [100 × Mg/(Mg+Fe⁺²)] of augite varies from 71 in cores to 82 in rims. Some submarine lavas from the Puna Ridge (Kilauea volcano) contain phenocrysts with similar reverse zonation. The compositional variations of these phenocrysts can be explained by mixing of a multiphase (plagioclase, augite and orthopyroxene) saturated, evolved magma with more mafic magma saturated only with olivine. The differences in the compositional ranges of plagioclase, augite and orthopyroxene crystals between samples indicate that these samples were derived from isolated magma chambers which had undergone distinct fractionation and mixing histories. The samples containing plagioclase and pyroxene with small compositional variations reflect magmas that were buffered near the olivine + melt ⇒Low-Ca pyroxene + augite + plagioclase reaction point by frequent intrusions of mafic olivine-bearing magmas. Samples containing plagioclase and pyroxene phenocrysts with large compositional ranges reflect magmas that evolved beyond this reaction point when there was no replenishment with olivine-saturated magma. Two of these samples contain augite cores with Mg# of ∼71, corresponding to Mg# of 36–40 in equilibrium melts, and augite in another sample has Mg# of 63–65 which is in equilibrium with a very evolved melt with a Mg# of ∼30. Such highly evolved magmas also exist beneath the Puna Ridge of Kilauea volcano. They are rarely erupted during the shield building stage, but may commonly form in ephemeral magma pockets in the rift zones. The compositions of clinopyroxene phenocryst rims and associated glass rinds indicate that most of the samples were last equilibrated at 2–3 kbar and 1130–1160 °C. However, in one sample, augite and glass rind compositions reflect crystallization at higher pressures (4–5 kbar). This sample provides evidence for magma mixing at relatively high pressures and perhaps transport of magma from the summit conduits to the rift zone along the oceanic crust-mantle boundary. Received: 8 July 1998 / Accepted: 2 January 1999     

Hydrothermal alteration of hemi-pelagic sediments: experimental evaluation of geochemical processes in shallow subduction zones

Laboratory hydrothermal experiments provide unique information regarding the fate of volatile and/or incompatibles (e.g. B, Li, and As) during oceanic crust subduction. Examination of chemical redistribution between the subducted slab, mantle wedge, arc volcanics and overlying ocean water during subduction is critical to gain further insight into arc volcanism and chemical oceanic budgets. For instance, efficient mobilization of B at shallow depths may be a key aspect of its oceanic budget, and can help to explain the systematics of B-δ¹¹B and B-¹⁰Be in arc lavas. Fluid–rock interactions at elevated temperatures and pressures in accretionary prisms were studied using a rocking autoclave hydrothermal apparatus to monitor sediment–porewater interaction over the range of 25 to 350°C, at 800 bars. Clay-rich hemi-pelagic sediments from the décollement zone of Ocean Drilling Program Site 808, Nankai Trough, were reacted with NaCl–CaCl₂ solutions at water/rock ratios of ∼3.5 to 1.5 (w/w) to mimic alteration processes in the shallow subduction zone. Fluids were extracted at 25–50°C intervals and were analyzed for major and trace chemical constituents. The fluid chemistry changed significantly during the course of these experiments, but there was generally only minor modification of the solid phase; only B, Li, As, Br, and Pb are significantly depleted. During the heating cycle, dissolved Na, Mg and SO₄ decreased sharply and NH₄, SiO₂, K, B, and Li increased at T⩾300°C. Calcium drops gradually at low temperatures, but concentrations rise sharply at T⩾300°C. Decomposition of organic matter, SO₄²⁻ depletion, and Mg-fixation dominate at low temperatures; however, albitization of calcic plagioclase leads to marked Na depletions and Ca enrichments at T⩾300°C. Dissolved SiO₂ remained below saturation with respect to quartz and amorphous silica throughout the entire experiment. B and Li mobilization with large isotopic fractionations occurred at low temperature. Exchangeable B (δ¹¹B=∼15‰) is completely leached before reaching 150°C. Substantial O₂ exchange between fluids and the solid phase occurred at T⩾200°C in the spiked experiment, where δ¹⁸O varies more than 100‰ in the fluids. During retrograde cooling, dissolved Mg, SO₄, Ca, Si, K and Sr are released as a result of carbonate or anhydrite dissolution, and marked B re-adsorption occurred at temperatures below 60°C.     

Partitioning of halogens between mantle minerals and aqueous fluids: implications for the fluid flow regime in subduction zones

We have performed phase equilibrium experiments in the system forsterite–enstatite–pyrope-H₂O with MgCl₂ or MgF₂ at 1,100 °C and 2.6 GPa to constrain the solubility of halogens in the peridotite mineral assemblage and the fluid–mineral partition coefficients. The chlorine solubility in forsterite, enstatite and in pyrope is very low, 2.1–3.9 and 4.0–11.4 ppm, respectively, and it is independent of the fluid salinity (0.3–30 wt% Cl), suggesting that some intrinsic saturation limit in the crystal is reached already at very low chlorine concentrations. Chlorine is therefore exceedingly incompatible in upper-mantle minerals. The fluorine solubility is 170–336 ppm in enstatite and 510–1,110 ppm in pyrope, again independent of fluid salinity. Forsterite dissolves 1,750–1,900 ppm up to a fluid salinity of 1.6 wt% F. At higher fluorine contents in the system, forsterite is replaced by the minerals of the humite group. The lower solubility of chlorine by three orders of magnitude when compared to fluorine is consistent with increasing lattice strain. Fluid–mineral partition coefficients are 10⁰–10² for fluorine and 10³–10⁵ for chlorine. Since the latter values are orders of magnitude higher than those for hydroxyl partitioning, fluid flow from the subducting slab through the mantle wedge will lead to an efficient sequestration of H₂O into the nominally anhydrous minerals in the wedge, whereas chlorine becomes enriched in the residual fluid. Simple mass balance calculations reveal that rock–fluid ratios of up to >3,000 are required to produce the elevated Cl/H₂O ratios observed in some primitive arc magmas. Accordingly, fluid flow from the subducted slab into the zone of melting in the mantle wedge does not only occur rapidly in narrow channels, but at least in some subduction zones, fluid pervasively infiltrates the mantle peridotite and interacts with a large volume of the mantle wedge. Together with the Cl/H₂O ratios of primitive arc magmas, our data therefore constrain the fluid flow regime below volcanic arcs.     

橄榄石的晶格优选定向、含水量与地震波各向异性:对大陆俯冲带变形环境的约束

橄榄石在不同热动力学条件下形成的晶格优选定向是认识上地幔塑性变形与地震波各向异性的基础.本文通过总结橄榄石的晶格优选定向、含水量与地震波各向异性的研究进展,探讨大陆俯冲带的变形环境.绝大部分天然变形橄榄岩中的橄榄石都发育了[100](010)组构[100]轴近平行于线理,(010)面平行或近平行于面理,使橄榄岩的最快P波速度近平行于线理,最大S波分裂平行面理并垂直线理.但来自超高压变质带的石榴石橄榄岩可发育[001](100)组构,使橄榄岩的最快P波速度和最小S渡分裂方向垂直面理.近年来的变形实验与理论计算表明超高压和低温是橄榄石组构从[100](010)向[001](100)转变的关键因素,而水对橄榄石流变行为的影响还有待进一步研究.对170个天然橄榄石结构水含量的统计结果表明橄榄石含水量变化很大(0～170×10-6H2O),玄武岩中橄榄岩包体的橄榄石比较贫水,而所有富水橄榄石均来自克拉通金伯利岩中的石榴石橄榄岩.因此,除了水在上地幔的不均匀分布,橄榄岩折返过程中氢的扩散会强烈影响橄榄石的含水量.苏鲁芝麻房橄榄岩提供了以超高压、低温、贫流体为特征的大陆俯冲带中[001](100)橄榄石组构的实例.在俯冲的大陆板片中,橄榄石组构在120～220 km从[100](010)向[001](100)的转变可导致地震波各向异性突然降低,而且最快P波速度垂直于俯冲方向.     

The pressure and temperature stability limits of lawsonite: implications for H2O recycling in subduction zones

The stability relations of lawsonite, CaAl₂Si₂O₇(OH)₂H₂O, have been investigated at pressures of 6 to 14 GPa and temperatures of 740 to 1150°C in a multi-anvil apparatus. Experiments used the bulk composition lawsonite+H₂O to determine the maximum stability of lawsonite. Lawsonite is stable on its own bulk composition to a pressure of 13.5 GPa at 800°C, and between 6.5 and 12 GPa at 1000°C. Its composition does not change with pressure or temperature. All lawsonite reactions have grossular, vapour and two other phases in the system Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O (ASH) on their high-temperature side. A Schreinemakers analysis of the ASH phases was used to relate the reactions to each other. At the lowest pressures studied lawsonite breaks down to grossular+kyanite+coesite+vapour in a reaction passing through 980°C at 6 GPa and 1070°C at 9 GPa. Above 9 GPa the reactions coesite=stishovite and kyanite+vapour=topaz-OH are crossed. The maximum thermal stability of lawsonite is at 1080°C, at 9.4 GPa. At higher pressures the lawsonite breakdown reactions have negative slopes. The reaction lawsonite=grossular+topaz-OH+stishovite+vapour passes through 1070°C at 10 GPa and 1010°C at 12 GPa. At 14 GPa, 740–840°C, lawsonite is unstable relative to the assemblage grossular+diaspore+vapour+a hydrous phase with an Al:Si ratio of 1:1. Oxide totals in electron microprobe analyses suggest that the composition of this phase is AlSiO₃(OH). Two experiments on the bulk composition lawsonite+pyrope [Mg₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂] show that at 10 GPa the reaction lawsonite=Gr-Py_ss+topaz-OH+stishovite+vapour is displaced down temperature from the end-member reaction by 200°C for a garnet composition of Gr₂₀Py₈₀. Calculations suggest similar temperature displacements for reaction between lawsonite and Gr-Py-Alm garnets of compositions likely to occur in high-pressure eclogites. Temperatures in subduction zones remain relatively low to considerable depth, and therefore slab P-T paths can be within the stability field of lawsonite from the conditions of its crystallisation in blueschists and eclogites, up to pressures of at least 10 GPa. Lawsonite contains 11.5 wt% H₂O, which when released may trigger partial melting of the slab or mantle, or be incorporated in hydrous phases such as the aluminosilicates synthesised here. These phases may then transport H₂O to an even greater depth in the mantle.     

Serpentinization and infiltration metasomatism in the Trinity peridotite,Klamath province,northern California: implications for subduction zones

The Trinity peridotite was emplaced over metabasalts and metasedimentary rocks of the central metamorphic belt along the Devonian Trinity thrust zone. Three metamorphic events can be recognized in the Trinity peridotite: (1) antigorite (D= –63 to –65%.) formation related to regional underthrusting of the central metamorphic belt; (2) contact metamorphism associated with Mesozoic dioritic plutons; and (3) late-stage formation of lizardite ± brucite and chrysotile (D= –127 to –175%.) due to infiltration of meteoric waters. Abundant relict phases indicate incomplete reactions and strongly suggest that the availability of H₂O was a controlling factor during serpentinization.Antigorite (event 1) formed as a result of infiltration into the Trinity peridotite of mixed H₂O-CO₂ fluids derived from the underlying central metamorphic belt. Foliation defined by magnetite veins and shear zones within antigorite serpentinites are subparallel to the Trinity thrust. The assemblage Fo + Atg + Chl + Mag ± Tr ± Carb reflects partial hydration of peridotite at 425–570° C. Talc-rich serpentinite formed along the thrust as a result of the infiltration of silica-bearing fluids. Metasomatic mass-balance calculations based on silica solubilities and the extent of antigorite serpentinization suggest that 80–175 volumes of fluid have passed through a given volume of original peridotite at the Trinity thrust.The Trinity thrust probably represents a Devonian subduction zone. Thermodynamic calculations suggest that hydration reactions account for 30–35% of the total heat released by the cooling Trinity peridotite. By analogy, similar hydration reactions are to be expected in the overlying mantle wedge of a subduction zone which act to retard cooling of the hanging wall, just as dehydration reactions delay heating of the downgoing slab. Metasomatic zones formed in peridotite at the Trinity thrust may reflect similar metasomatic processes to those proposed to occur in the mantle wedge above a subducting slab.     

Geochemical characteristics of the slip zones of a landslide in granitic saprolite,Hong Kong: implications for their development and microenvironments

Geochemical investigations of the slip zones of a landslide in granitic saprolite revealed that they have signatures distinct from their host materials. These distinctions include stronger Si depletion, higher Al enrichment, greater LOI, significant fixations of Mn, Ba and Ce, stronger negative Eu anomalies, and greater accumulations of other rare earth elements (REE). Altogether, these geochemical characteristics indicate that: (a) the slip zones have greater abundance of clays, consistent with field and microscopic observations; (b) concentration of clay size particles within the slip zones may have been from downward leaching and deposition, and lateral transportation of Al-Si solutions and colloids through pores and fractures within the saprolite; and (c) there were prevailing oxidation and poor drainage, and occasional reduction conditions within the slip zones. It was concluded that geochemical analyses could be effective in gathering clues for understanding the development and nature of slip zones in landslide investigations.     

HFSE systematics of rutile-bearing eclogites: New insights into subduction zone processes and implications for the earth’s HFSE budget

The depleted mantle and the continental crust are generally thought to balance the budget of refractory and lithophile elements of the Bulk Silicate Earth (BSE), resulting in complementary trace element patterns. However, the two high field strength elements (HFSE) niobium and tantalum appear to contradict this mass balance. All reservoirs of the silicate Earth exhibit subchondritic Nb/Ta ratios, possibly as a result of Nb depletion.In this study a series of nineteen orogenic MORB-type eclogites from different localities was analyzed to determine their HFSE concentrations and to contribute to the question of whether subducted oceanic crust could form a hidden reservoir to account for the mass imbalance of Nb/Ta between BSE and the chondritic reservoir. Concentrations of HFSE were analyzed with isotope dilution (ID) techniques. Additionally, LA-ICPMS analyses of clinopyroxene, garnet and rutile have been performed. Rutile is by far the major host for Nb and Ta in all analyzed eclogites. However, many rutiles revealed zoning in Nb/Ta ratios, with cores being higher than rims. Accordingly, in situ analyses of rutiles have to be evaluated carefully and rutile cores do not necessarily reflect a bulk rock Nb and Ta composition, although over 90% of these elements reside in rutile.The HFSE concentration data in bulk rocks show that the orogenic eclogites have subchondritic Nb/Ta ratios and near chondritic Zr/Hf ratios. The investigated eclogites show neither enrichment of Nb compared to similarly incompatible elements (e.g. La), nor fractionation of Nb/Ta ratios relative to MOR-basalts, the likely precursor of these rocks. This indicates that during the conversion of the oceanic crust to eclogites in most cases, (1) HFSE and REE have similar mobility on average, possibly because both element groups remain in the down going slab, and (2) no significant fractionation of Nb/Ta occurs in subducted oceanic crust. With an average Nb/Ta ratio of 14.2 ± 1.4 (2s.e.), the investigated eclogites cannot balance the differences between BSE and chondrite. Additionally, as their average Nb/Ta is indistinguishable from the Nb/Ta of MORB, they are also an unlikely candidate to balance the potentially small differences in Nb/Ta between the continental crust and the mantle.     

Thermally-activated electron hopping in Fe-rich amphiboles: Implications for the high-conductivity anomalies in subduction zones

Anomalous high-conductivity layers are typical of subduction zones, the largest recycling systems of the Earth. Understanding the mineral physics underlying the high conductivity of rocks has paramount implications for several planetary-scale processes, including global water cycling, earthquake activity, and arc magmatism.Here, by using in situ polarized Raman spectroscopy, we provide a direct proof for the development of anisotropic electron-phonon excitations (polarons) and delocalized H⁺ in riebeckite, a Fe-bearing sodic amphibole typical of blue-schist metamorphic facies. The activation of polarons starts at 500 K (227 °C) and is complete at 650 K (377 °C) under both reducing and oxidizing conditions. At higher temperatures external oxygen triggers the expulsion of H⁺ and e⁻ from the crystal bulk. The temperature range observed for the development of charge carriers is in excellent agreement with the conductivity trends measured for riebeckite in previous studies, and nicely fits the temperatures for the development of high-conductivity layers in warm and cold subduction zones.The study directly demonstrates the activation of polarons at temperatures characteristic of convergent plate margins provides the atomic-scale picture whose macroscopic-scale expression is the anomalous conductivity measured in subduction zones.     

Flexural response of the oceanic lithosphere at an arc—arc junction: implication for the subduction of aseismic ridges

The deformation of the oceanic lithosphere subducting at the junction of two trenches is studied by means of a three-dimensional finite-element analysis. Results show that the existence of a junction (i.e. a change in trend of the trench axis) yields a specific shape of the outer topographic rise. In a convex junction area—such as the Japan and Kuril trenches, the topographic bulge presents a “dome”, whereas in a concave junction area—such as the Java and Sumatra trenches, this bulge is less pronounced. These theoretical results are confirmed by the bathymetry seaward of the junctions of the Japan and Kuril trenches and of the Peru-Chile trench. Moreover, the existence of the abnormal topographic dome in front of a convex junction contributes to the creation of normal faults which help the subduction of seamounts or of other bathymetric features in such areas.     

Zoning and recrystallization of phengitic micas: implications for metamorphic equilibration

White micas (phengites) in the metasediments of the Scottish Dalradian display a large range of compositions within single samples. The variations in the composition of these phengites are strongly controlled by their structural age, with early fabrics containing a paragonite-poor, celadonite-rich phengite whereas in later fabrics the micas are generally paragonite-rich and celadonite-poor. Retrograde phengite growth, identified using back scattered electron imaging, occurs as celadonite-rich rims on micas within all existing fabrics and appears to be preferentially developed along existing white mica-plagioclase grain boundaries. The presence of these chemically distinct phengite populations within single samples implies that chemical exchange between the individual micas was inefficient. It is proposed that diffusion-controlled exchange reactions in phengites have relatively high closure temperatures below which major element exchange is effectively impossible. This closed system behaviour of micas questions the ease with which phengites may equilibrate with other phases during prograde greenschist and lower amphibolite facies metamorphism. Many of the chemical variations preserved in phengites from such metamorphic rocks may reflect deformation/recrystallization controlled equilibria.     

High- to ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) ductile shear zones in the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt, China: implications for continental subduction and exhumation

High‐ to ultrahigh‐pressure (HP‐UHP) metamorphic rocks that resulted from deep continental subduction and subsequent exhumation in the Sulu orogenic belt, China, have experienced multiphase deformation and metamorphic overprint during its long journey to the mantle and return to the surface. HP‐UHP shear zones are strain‐localized weak zones on which the UHP slab is transported over long distances. HP‐UHP shear zones are well exposed along a 200‐km belt in the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt. The shear zones lie structurally below the UHP rocks and above the non‐UHP rocks, suggesting the early exhumation of the UHP rocks by thrusting. The large area distribution, HP‐UHP nature, high strain and structural association of the shear zones with the UHP rocks suggest that the shear zones are probably a regional detachment developed during the early stage of exhumation of the UHP rocks. Kinematic indicators suggest top‐to‐the N–NW motion of the UHP slab during the exhumation, which, combined with isotope signature in Mesozoic igneous rocks, leads us to the interpretation that the subduction polarity is the North China plate down to the south rather than the Yangtze plate down to the north in the Sulu region.