Petrogenesis of lawsonite and epidote eclogite and blueschist, Sivrihisar Massif, Turkey

The Sivrihisar Massif, Turkey, is comprised of blueschist and eclogite facies metasedimentary and metabasaltic rocks. Abundant metre‐ to centimetre‐scale eclogite pods occur in blueschist facies metabasalt, marble and quartz‐rich rocks. Sivrihisar eclogite contains omphacite + garnet + phengite + rutile ± glaucophane ± quartz + lawsonite and/or epidote. Blueschists contain sodic amphibole + garnet + phengite + lawsonite and/or epidote ± omphacite ± quartz. Sivrihisar eclogite and blueschist have similar bulk composition, equivalent to NMORB, but record different P–T conditions: ～26 kbar, 500 °C (lawsonite eclogite); 18 kbar, 600 °C (epidote eclogite); 12 kbar, 380 °C (lawsonite blueschist); and 15–16 kbar, 480–500 °C (lawsonite‐epidote blueschist). Pressures for the Sivrihisar lawsonite eclogite are among the highest reported for this rock type, which is rarely exposed at the Earth's surface. The distribution and textures of lawsonite ± epidote define P–T conditions and paths. For example, in some lawsonite‐bearing rocks, epidote inclusions in garnet and partial replacement of matrix epidote by lawsonite suggest an anticlockwise P–T path. Other rocks contain no epidote as inclusions or as a matrix phase, and were metamorphosed entirely within the lawsonite stability field. Results of the P–T study and mapping of the distribution of blueschists and eclogites in the massif suggest that rocks recording different maximum P–T conditions were tectonically juxtaposed as kilometre‐scale slices and associated high‐P pods, although all shared the same exhumation path from ～9–11 kbar, 300–400 °C. Within the tectonic slices, alternating millimetre–centimetre‐scale layers of eclogite and blueschist formed together at the same P–T conditions but represent different extents of prograde reaction controlled by strain partitioning or local variations in fO₂ or other chemical factors.     

Calculated phase equilibria for MORB compositions: a reappraisal of the metamorphic evolution of lawsonite eclogite

Pseudosections calculated with thermocalc predict that lawsonite‐bearing assemblages, including lawsonite eclogite, will be common for subducted oceanic crust that experiences cool, fluid‐saturated conditions. For glaucophane–lawsonite eclogite facies conditions (500–600 °C and 18–28 kbar), MORB compositions are predicted in the NCKMnFMASHO system to contain glaucophane, garnet, omphacite, lawsonite, phengite and quartz, with chlorite at lower temperature and talc at higher temperature. In these assemblages, the pyrope content in garnet is mostly controlled by variations in temperature, and grossular content is strongly controlled by pressure. The silica content in phengite increases linearly with pressure. As the P–T conditions for these given isopleths are only subtly affected by common variations in bulk‐rock compositions, the P–T pseudosections potentially present a robust geothermobarometric method for natural glaucophane‐bearing eclogites. Thermobarometric results recovered both by isopleth and conventional approaches indicate that most natural glaucophane–lawsonite eclogites (Type‐L) and glaucophane–epidote eclogites (Type‐E) record similar peak P–T conditions within the lawsonite stability field. Decompression from conditions appropriate for lawsonite stability should result in epidote‐bearing assemblages through dehydration reactions controlled by lawsonite + omphacite = glaucophane + epidote + H₂O. Lawsonite and omphacite breakdown will be accompanied by the release of a large amount of bound fluid, such that eclogite assemblages are variably recrystallized to glaucophane‐rich blueschist. Calculated pseudosections indicate that eclogite assemblages form most readily in Ca‐rich rocks and blueschist assemblages most readily in Ca‐poor rocks. This distinction in bulk‐rock composition can account for the co‐existence of low‐T eclogite and blueschist in high‐pressure terranes.     

Cold subduction and the formation of lawsonite eclogite – constraints from prograde evolution of eclogitized pillow lava from Corsica

A new discovery of lawsonite eclogite is presented from the Lancône glaucophanites within the Schistes Lustrés nappe at Défilé du Lancône in Alpine Corsica. The fine‐grained eclogitized pillow lava and inter‐pillow matrix are extremely fresh, showing very little evidence of retrograde alteration. Peak assemblages in both the massive pillows and weakly foliated inter‐pillow matrix consist of zoned idiomorphic Mg‐poor (<0.8 wt% MgO) garnet + omphacite + lawsonite + chlorite + titanite. A local overprint by the lower grade assemblage glaucophane + albite with partial resorption of omphacite and garnet is locally observed. Garnet porphyroblasts in the massive pillows are Mn rich, and show a regular prograde growth‐type zoning with a Mn‐rich core. In the inter‐pillow matrix garnet is less manganiferous, and shows a mutual variation in Ca and Fe with Fe enrichment toward the rim. Some garnet from this rock type shows complex zoning patterns indicating a coalescence of several smaller crystallites. Matrix omphacite in both rock types is zoned with a rimward increase in X_Jd, locally with cores of relict augite. Numerous inclusions of clinopyroxene, lawsonite, chlorite and titanite are encapsulated within garnet in both rock types, and albite, quartz and hornblende are also found included in garnet from the inter‐pillow matrix. Inclusions of clinopyroxene commonly have augitic cores and omphacitic rims. The inter‐pillow matrix contains cross‐cutting omphacite‐rich veinlets with zoned omphacite, Si‐rich phengite (Si = 3.54 apfu), ferroglaucophane, actinolite and hematite. These veinlets are seen fracturing idiomorphic garnet, apparently without any secondary effects. Pseudosections of matrix compositions for the massive pillows, the inter‐pillow matrix and the cross‐cutting veinlets indicate similar P–T conditions with maximum pressures of 1.9–2.6 GPa at temperatures of 335–420 °C. The inclusion suite found in garnet from the inter‐pillow matrix apparently formed at pressures below 0.6–0.7 GPa. Retrogression during initial decompression of the studied rocks is only very local. Late veinlets of albite + glaucophane, without breakdown of lawsonite, indicate that the rocks remained in a cold environment during exhumation, resulting in a hairpin‐shaped P–T path.     

Coexistence of garnet blueschist and eclogite in South Tianshan,NW China: dependence of P–T evolution and bulk‐rock composition

Coexisting garnet blueschist and eclogite from the Chinese South Tianshan high‐pressure (HP)–ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) belt consist of similar mineral assemblages involving garnet, omphacite, glaucophane, epidote, phengite, rutile/sphene, quartz and hornblendic amphibole with or without paragonite. Eclogite assemblages generally contain omphacite >50 vol.% and a small amount of glaucophane (<5 vol.%), whereas blueschist assemblages have glaucophane over 30 vol.% with a small amount of omphacite which is even absent in the matrix. The coexisting blueschist and eclogite show dramatic differences in the bulk‐rock compositions with higher X(CaO) [=CaO/(CaO + MgO + FeO_total + MnO + Na₂O)] (0.33–0.48) and lower A/CNK [=Al₂O₃/(CaO + Na₂O + K₂O)] (0.35–0.56) in eclogite, but with lower X(CaO) (0.09–0.30) and higher A/CNK (0.65–1.28) in garnet blueschist. Garnet in both types of rocks has similar compositions and exhibits core–rim zoning with increasing grossular and pyrope contents. Petrographic observations and phase equilibria modelling with pseudosections calculated using thermocalc in the NCKMnFMASHO system for the coexisting garnet blueschist and eclogite samples suggest that the two rock types share similar P–T evolutional histories involving a decompression with heating from the P_max to the T_max stage and a post‐T_max decompression with slightly cooling stage, and similar P–T conditions at the T_max stage. The post‐T_max decompression is responsible for lawsonite decomposition, which results in epidote growth, glaucophane increase and omphacite decrease in the blueschist, or in an overprinting of the eclogitic assemblage by a blueschist assemblage. Calculated P–X(CaO), P–A/CNK and P–X(CO₂) pseudosections indicate that blueschist assemblages are favoured in rocks with lower X(CaO) (<0.28) and higher A/CNK (>0.75) or fluid composition with higher X(CO₂) (>0.15), but eclogite assemblages preferentially occur in rocks with higher X(CaO) and lower A/CNK or fluid composition with lower X(CO₂). Moreover, phase modelling suggests that the coexistence of blueschist and eclogite depends substantially on P–T conditions, which would commonly occur in medium temperatures of 500–590 °C under pressures of ~17–22 kbar. The modelling results are in good accordance with the measured bulk‐rock compositions and modelled temperature results of the coexisting garnet blueschist and eclogite from the South Tianshan HP–UHP belt.     

Exhumation of eclogite and blueschist (Cyclades,Greece): Pressure–temperature evolution determined by thermobarometry and garnet equilibrium modelling

High‐P rocks such as eclogite and blueschist are metamorphic markers of palaeo‐subduction zones, and their formation at high‐P and low‐T (HP–LT) conditions is relatively well understood since it has been the focus of numerous petrological investigations in the past 40 years. The tectonic mechanisms controlling their exhumation back to the surface are, however, diverse, complex and still actively debated. Although the Cycladic Blueschist Unit (CBU, Greece) is among the best worldwide examples for the preservation of eclogite and blueschist, the proposed P–T evolution followed by this unit within the Hellenic subduction zone is quite different from one study to another, hindering the comprehension of exhumation processes. In this study, we present an extensive petrological data set that permits refinement of the shape of the P–T trajectory for different subunits of the CBU on Syros. High‐resolution quantitative compositional mapping has been applied to support the thermobarometric investigations, which involve semi‐empirical thermobarometry, garnet equilibrium modelling and P–T isochemical phase diagrams. The thermodynamic models highlight the powerful use of reactive bulk compositions approximated from local bulk compositions. The results are also combined with Raman spectrometry of carbonaceous material (RSCM) to retrieve the metamorphic peak temperature distribution at the scale of the island. A major result of this study is the good agreement between all the independent thermobarometric methods, permitting reconstruction of the prograde and retrograde P–T trajectories. Garnet compositional zoning was used to retrieve prograde, peak and retrograde growth stages in line with the results of the P–T isochemical phase diagrams, RSCM temperature and peak‐pressure crystallization of the garnet–omphacite–phengite assemblage. Our results are consistent with previous thermobarometric estimates from other occurrences of CBU rocks (Tinos, Andros), suggesting a multistage exhumation process with (1) early syn‐orogenic exhumation within the subduction channel, (2) isobaric heating at mid‐crustal depths (~10–12 kbar) following thermal re‐equilibration of the lithosphere from a cold syn‐orogenic regime in the subduction zone to a warmer post‐orogenic regime in the back‐arc domain and (3) exhumation and cooling related to a post‐orogenic phase of extension following slab retreat. Expanding to the general aspects of subduction zones, we suggest that such metamorphic evolution of HP–LT units should be regarded as a characteristic feature of exhumation driven by slab rollback.     

Coexistence of lawsonite‐bearing eclogite and blueschist: phase equilibria modelling of Alpine Corsica metabasalts and petrological evolution of subducting slabs

In Alpine Corsica (France), deeply subducted metabasalts are well preserved as lawsonite‐bearing eclogite (Law‐Ecl), occurrence of which is restricted to ～10 localities worldwide. The Corsican Law‐Ecl, consisting of omphacite + lawsonite + garnet + phengite + titanite, occurs as both single undeformed metabasaltic pillows surrounded by lawsonite blueschist (Law‐Bs), and carbonate‐bearing eclogitic veins. Law‐Bs are found as variably deformed metabasaltic pillows locally cross‐cut by eclogitic veins and consist of glaucophane + actinolite + lawsonite + garnet + phengite + titanite. Field evidence and microstructures reveal that both Law‐Ecl and Law‐Bs are stable at the metamorphic peak in the lawsonite‐eclogite stability field. Isochemical phase diagrams (pseudosections) calculated for representative Law‐Ecl and Law‐Bs samples indicate that both lithologies equilibrated at the same conditions of ～520 ± 20 °C and 2.3 ± 0.1 GPa. Therefore, the coexistence at the same peak metamorphic conditions of Law‐Ecl and Law‐Bs implies that different portions of deeply subducted oceanic crust may store significantly different H₂O contents, depending on bulk‐rock chemical composition. In addition, thermodynamic modelling of phase equilibria indicates that the occurring progressive dehydration reactions, which are significantly depending on bulk‐rock chemical composition, strongly influence rock densification and eclogite formation in subducting slabs.     

The lawsonite paradox: a comparison of field evidence and mineral equilibria modelling

Lawsonite equilibria are predicted to occur over a broad P–T spectrum developed during subduction, yet lawsonite‐bearing assemblages are rare. In the context of mafic mineral equilibria modelled for the range of common crustal metamorphism (4–23 kbar, 400–750 °C) using the system Na₂O‐CaO‐K₂O‐FeO‐MgO‐Al₂O₃‐SiO₂‐H₂O and the software thermocalc , unusually high water contents are demanded by lawsonite assemblages. As a consequence, lawsonite assemblages are predicted to have difficulty forming and lawsonite equilibria to be uncommon. Metabasalt undergoing cooler subduction may experience substantial periods involving the metastable persistence of mineral assemblages because of water under‐saturation with non‐occurrence of recrystallization. If formed, lawsonite‐bearing assemblages are observed to be highly unstable; their preservation requires that exhumation be accompanied by substantial cooling. The amount of structurally bound H₂O in minerals plays a critical role in the formation and preservation of mineral assemblages, controlling key changes in rocks undergoing subduction.     

北阿尔金HP/LT蓝片岩和榴辉岩的Ar-Ar年代学及其区域构造意义

在北阿尔金的红柳泉一带,新识别出蓝片岩和榴辉岩的出露。它们与泥质片岩、钙质片岩和石英片岩等一起构成HP/LT变质带,与相邻的蛇绿混杂岩呈断层接触。根据估算的温度和压力显示榴辉岩形成的峰期温压条件为T=430～540℃,P=2.0～2.3GPa。分别对榴辉岩和蓝片岩中的多硅白云母和钠云母进行39Ar-40Ar年代学测定,获得榴辉岩中多硅白云母的坪年龄为(512±3)Ma,等时线年龄为(513±5)Ma;蓝片岩中钠云母的坪年龄为(491±3)Ma,等时线年龄为(497±10)Ma。这些年龄资料显示北阿尔金HP/LT变质带形成时代可能早于北祁连HP/LT变质带,反映了北阿尔金—北祁连早古生代洋壳俯冲存在穿时性。     

Phase equilibria modelling of blueschist and eclogite from the Sanbagawa metamorphic belt of southwest Japan reveals along‐strike consistency in tectonothermal architecture

The Sanbagawa metamorphic belt of southwest Japan is one of the type localities of subduction‐related high‐P metamorphism. However, variable pressure–temperature (P–T) paths and metabasic assemblages have been reported for eclogite units in the region, leading to uncertainty about the subduction zone paleo‐thermal structure and associated tectonometamorphic conditions. To analyse this variation, phase equilibria modelling was applied to the three main high‐P metabasic rock types documented in the region – glaucophane eclogite, barroisite eclogite and garnet blueschist – with modelling performed over a range of P, T, bulk rock H₂O and bulk rock ferric iron conditions using thermocalc . All samples are calculated to share a common steep prograde P–T path to similar peak conditions of ～16–20 kbar and 560–610 °C. The results establish that regional assemblage variation is systematic, with the alternation in peak amphibole phase due to peak conditions overlapping the glaucophane–barroisite solvus, and bulk composition effects stabilizing blueschist v. eclogite facies assemblages at similar P–T conditions. Furthermore, the results reveal that a steep prograde P–T path is common to all eclogite units in the Sanbagawa belt, indicating that metamorphic conditions were consistent along strike. All localities are compatible with predictions made by a ridge approach model, which attributes eclogite facies metamorphism and exhumation of the Sanbagawa belt to the approach of a spreading ridge.     

A potential method to confirm the previous existence of lawsonite in eclogite: the mass imbalance of Sr and LREEs in multistage epidote (Ganghe,Dabie UHP terrane)

Lawsonite is an important hydrous mineral that is stable at low‐temperature (LT) and high‐ to ultrahigh‐pressure (HP–UHP) conditions in subducted slabs. The occurrence/absence of lawsonite in eclogite is a significant constraint for the construction of the metamorphic, tectonic and fluid/melt evolution histories of an HP–UHP terrane. However, lawsonite is very rarely preserved in natural eclogites, and accurate judgment of its former existence is a significant challenge for petrologists. At present, whether lawsonite has ever existed in lawsonite‐absent eclogite is mainly judged by (i) pseudomorphs after lawsonite, and (ii) phase equilibria modelling. In this study, major element and trace‐element distributions in multistage minerals were examined in the Ganghe lawsonite‐absent UHP eclogite in the Dabie UHP terrane, eastern China. This work demonstrates that the whole‐rock Sr and light rare earth elements (LREEs) are mainly dominated by epidote; other minerals (garnet, omphacite, quartz, kyanite, barroisite, phengite and accessory minerals) play a very limited role in the Sr and LREEs budgets. Two stages of epidote, which have noticeably different Sr and LREEs contents, were recognized in the eclogite: (i) Epidote porphyroblasts (Ep‐P core), which are suspected to be the pseudomorphic mineral after lawsonite, contain significantly high Sr (7200–10 300 ppm) and LREEs (160–1300 ppm for La). (ii) An earlier stage epidote (Ep‐In core) occurs as inclusions in matrix omphacite, or in omphacite inclusions in the suspected pseudomorphic minerals after lawsonite (SPMAL); this early epidote has significantly lower Sr (990–1890 ppm, average 1495 ppm, n = 17) and LREEs contents (60–110 ppm for La, average 91 ppm, n = 17). All of the existing early‐stage minerals predating the SPMAL have very low contents of Sr and LREEs, and the total amounts of these elements in the early‐stage minerals do not balance those in the SPMAL. This indicates that a missing Ca‐, Al‐, Sr‐ and LREE‐rich mineral, which was previously in equilibrium with the early‐stage minerals, likely existed in the Ganghe eclogite. On the basis of the mineral geochemistry and phase equilibria modelling, we confirm that the missing mineral cannot be anything but lawsonite. This study indicates that examining the mass (im)balance of Sr and LREEs between multistage HP–UHP epidote can be used as a potential method to confirm the previous existence of lawsonite in lawsonite‐absent eclogite.     

Metamorphic evolution of the Naga Hills eclogite and blueschist, Northeast India: implications for early subduction of the Indian plate under the Burma microplate

Tectonic slices and lenses of eclogite within mafic and ultramafic rocks of the Early Cretaceous–Eocene Naga Hills ophiolite were studied to constrain the physical conditions of eastward subduction of the Indian plate under the Burma microplate and convergence rate prior to the India–Eurasia collision. Some of the lenses are composed of eclogite, garnet-blueschist, glaucophanite and greenschist from core to margin, representing a retrograde hydrothermal alteration sequence. Barroisite, garnet, omphacite and epidote with minor chlorite, phengite, rutile and quartz constitute the peak metamorphic assemblage. In eclogite and garnet-blueschist, garnet shows an increase in Mg and Fe and decrease in Mn from core to rim. In chlorite in eclogite, Mg increases from core to rim. Inclusions of epidote, glaucophane, omphacite and quartz in garnet represent the pre-peak assemblage. Glaucophane also occurs profusely at the rims of barroisite. The matrix glaucophane and epidote represent the post-peak assemblage. The Fe³⁺ content of garnet-hosted omphacite is higher than that of matrix omphacite, and Fe³⁺ increases from core to rim in matrix glaucophane. Albite occurs in late stage veins. P – T pseudosection analysis indicates that the Naga Hills eclogites followed a clockwise P – T path with prograde metamorphism beginning at ∼1.3 GPa/525 °C and peaking at 1.7–2.0 GPa/580–610 °C, and subsequent retrogression to ∼1.1 GPa/540 °C. A comparison of these P – T conditions with numerical thermal models of plate subduction indicates that the Naga Hills eclogites probably formed near the top of the subducting crust with convergence rates of ∼ 55–100 km Myr⁻¹, consistent with high pre-collision convergence rates between India and Eurasia.     

Preservation of subduction‐related prograde deformation in lawsonite pseudomorph‐bearing rocks

Lawsonite pseudomorphs are used to identify and distinguish the kinematic records of subduction and exhumation in blueschist‐facies rocks from Syros (Cyclades; Greece). Lawsonite is a hydrous mineral that crystallizes at high‐pressure and low‐temperature conditions. During decompression, lawsonite is typically pseudomorphed by an aggregate dominated by epidote and paragonite. Such aggregates are easily deformable and if deformation occurs after the lawsonite breakdown, the pseudomorphs are difficult to distinguish from the matrix. The preservation of the lawsonite crystal shape, despite complete retrogression, indicates therefore that the host blueschist rock has not been affected by penetrative deformation during exhumation, thus providing indication of strain‐free conditions. Therefore, tracking the lawsonite growth and destabilization along the P–T path followed by the rocks during a subduction/exhumation cycle provides information about the subduction/exhumation‐related deformation. Using microstructural observations and P–T pseudosections calculated with thermocalc , it is inferred that top‐to‐the‐south sense of shear preserved in lawsonite pseudomorph‐bearing blueschists on Syros occurred during the prograde metamorphic path within the lawsonite stability field, and is therefore associated with subduction. On the contrary, the deformation with a top‐to‐the‐north sense of shear is observed in surrounding rocks, where lawsonite pseudomorphs are deformed or apparently lacking. This deformation occurred after the lawsonite breakdown during exhumation. At the regional scale, exhumation‐related deformation is heterogeneous, allowing the preservation of lawsonite pseudomorphs in significant volumes of blueschists of the central and southern Cyclades. It is argued that such successive shearing deformation events with opposite senses more likely correspond to an exhumation process driven by slab rollback, in which subduction and exhumation are not synchronous.     

Dehydration melting of ultrahigh‐pressure eclogite in the Dabie orogen: evidence from multiphase solid inclusions in garnet

Several types of multiphase solid (MS) inclusions are identified in garnet from ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) eclogite in the Dabie orogen. The mineralogy of MS inclusions ranges from pure K‐feldspar to pure quartz, with predominance of intermediate types consisting of K‐feldspar + quartz ± silicate (plagioclase or epidote) ± barite. The typical MS inclusions are usually surrounded with radial cracks in the host garnet, similar to where garnet contains relict coesite. Barite aggregates display significant heterogeneity in major element composition, with total contents of only 57–73% and highly variable SiO₂ contents of 0.32–25.85% that are positively correlated with BaO and SO₃ contents. The occurrence of MS inclusions provides petrographic evidence for partial melting in the UHP metamorphic rock. The occurrence of barite aggregates with variably high SiO₂ contents suggests the coexistence of aqueous fluid with hydrous melt under HP eclogite facies conditions. Thus, local dehydration melting is inferred to take place inside the UHP metamorphic slice during continental collision. This is ascribed to phengite breakdown during ‘hot’ exhumation of the deeply subducted continental crust. As a consequence, the aqueous fluid is internally buffered in chemical composition and its local sink is a basic trigger to the partial melting during the continental subduction‐zone metamorphism.     

Cold subduction of the Neotethys: the metamorphic record from finely banded lawsonite and epidote blueschists and associated metabasalts of the Nagaland Ophiolite Complex,India

In this study, we have deduced the thermal history of the subducting Neotethys from its eastern margin, using a suite of partially hydrated metabasalts from a segment of the Nagaland Ophiolite Complex (NOC), India. Located along the eastern extension of the Indus‐Tsangpo suture zone (ITSZ), the N–S‐trending NOC lies between the Indian and Burmese plates. The metabasalts, encased within a serpentinitic mélange, preserve a tectonically disturbed metamorphic sequence, which from west to east is greenschist (GS), pumpellyite–diopside (PD) and blueschist (BS) facies. Metabasalts in all the three metamorphic facies record prograde metamorphic overprints directly on primary igneous textures and igneous augite. In the BS facies unit, the metabasalts interbedded with marble show centimetre‐ to metre‐scale interlayering of lawsonite blueschist (LBS) and epidote blueschist (EBS). Prograde HP/LT metamorphism stabilized lawsonite + omphacite (X_Jd = 0.50–0.56 to 0.26–0.37) + jadeite (X_Jd = 0.67–0.79) + augite + ferroglaucophane + high‐Si phengite (Si = 3.6–3.65 atoms per formula unit, a.p.f.u.) + chlorite + titanite + quartz in LBS and lawsonite + glaucophane/ferroglaucophane ± epidote ± omphacite (X_Jd = 0.34) + chlorite + phengite (Si = 3.5 a.p.f.u.) + titanite + quartz in EBS at the metamorphic peak. Retrograde alteration, which was pervasive in the EBS, produced a sequence of mineral assemblages from omphacite and lawsonite‐absent, epidote + glaucophane/ferroglaucophane + chlorite + phengite + titanite + quartz through albite + chlorite + glaucophane to lawsonite + albite + high‐Si phengite (Si = 3.6–3.7 a.p.f.u.) + glaucophane + epidote + quartz. In the PD facies metabasalts, the peak mineral assemblage, pumpellyite + chlorite + titanite + phengitic white mica (Si = 3.4–3.5 a.p.f.u.) + diopside appeared in the basaltic groundmass from reacting titaniferous augite and low‐Si phengite, with prehnite additionally producing pumpellyite in early vein domains. In the GS facies metabasalts, incomplete hydration of augite produced albite + epidote + actinolite + chlorite + titanite + phengite + augite mineral assemblage. Based on calculated T–M(H₂O), T–M(O₂) (where M represents oxide mol.%) and P–T pseudosections, peak P–T conditions of LBS are estimated at ~11.5 kbar and ~340 °C, EBS at ~10 kbar, 325 °C and PD facies at ~6 kbar, 335 °C. Reconstructed metamorphic reaction pathways integrated with the results of P–T pseudosection modelling define a near‐complete, hairpin, clockwise P–T loop for the BS and a prograde P–T path with a steep dP/dT for the PD facies rocks. Apparent low thermal gradient of 8 °C km^?1 corresponding to a maximum burial depth of 40 km and the hairpin P–T trajectory together suggest a cold and mature stage of an intra‐oceanic subduction zone setting for the Nagaland blueschists. The metamorphic constraints established above when combined with petrological findings from the ophiolitic massifs along the whole ITSZ suggest that intra‐oceanic subduction systems within the Neotethys between India and the Lhasa terrane/the Karakoram microcontinent were also active towards east between Indian and Burmese plates.     

西藏羌塘中部绒马地区石榴蓝闪片岩变质演化过程的视剖面模拟及其意义

藏北羌塘地体中部产出一变质杂岩带,因其地貌突起,将羌塘地体一分为二,故常称其为羌中隆起带。虽然在该变质杂岩带中先后识别出蓝片岩、榴辉岩等变质岩,但对该变质杂岩带演化过程的认识却存在截然不同的观点,一种观点认为该变质杂岩带是原位的古特提斯板块缝合带的标志;另一观点则针锋相对,认为该变质杂岩带系外来的、底辟上升的杂岩带,不能作为古板块缝合带的证据。在该变质杂岩带中部的绒马乡,石榴蓝闪片岩呈大小不一的岩片和/或透镜体产出于石榴石多硅白云母石英片岩内,主要由石榴石变斑晶和由蓝闪石、绿泥石、白云母、绿帘石、石英、钠长石、金红石/钛铁矿、磷灰石、黑云母等矿物构成的基质组成。石榴石变斑晶粒径达2 mm,具典型的生长环带：核部富锰,锰铝榴石分子摩尔分数可达22%,至边部,铁铝榴石和镁铝榴石分子含量显著升高,而锰铝榴石分子含量则快速下降。石榴石变斑晶内部包体发育,可再细分为两类,一类包体产出于核部,包括被解释为硬柱石假象的细粒钠云母,绿帘石所构成的细粒板状集合体和细粒富铁蓝闪石、石英及金红石等包体;另一类包体则为数量较少的自形大颗粒绿帘石包体,产出于石榴石边部,在其内部还有细粒蓝闪石、金红石与石英等包体产出。基质中的角闪石可识别出3期：核部为富铁的蓝闪石,幔部为贫铁的蓝闪石,最外部为冻蓝闪石。基质中的绿帘石和绿泥石常为自形,绿帘石内常见细粒蓝闪石、石英、金红石等包体,而绿泥石边部常有黑云母的冠状体。在PEXPLE程序计算的p T视剖面图中,石榴石核部形成的p T条件为20 GPa、470 ℃,对应硬柱石榴辉岩相,而石榴石边部形成的p T条件为17~18 GPa、530~540 ℃,对应绿帘石榴辉岩相。岩相学观察与p T视剖面模拟研究充分反映了绒马地区石榴蓝闪片岩分别经历了硬柱石榴辉岩相、绿帘石榴辉岩相和近等温快速降压的退变质等变质过程,系冷洋壳快速俯冲与折返的产物,因此,文中支持该变质杂岩带为原位古特提斯板块缝合带的观点。硬柱石转变为绿帘石时,在俯冲通道中释放了大量的流体。T O视剖面研究进一步表明这种矿物相转变只发生于高氧逸度条件下,暗示所释放的流体可能也是高氧逸度流体。该高氧逸度流体可交代上覆地幔楔,并诱发后者发生部分熔融作用形成高氧逸度岩浆,如果这一推测是合理的,则羌塘地块内部应该存在斑岩型铜金矿床。 关键词：羌塘地体; 石榴蓝闪片岩; 视剖面模拟; 富氧流体     

Jadeite–chloritoid–glaucophane–lawsonite blueschists in north-west Turkey: unusually high P/T ratios in continental crust

Sodic metapelites with jadeite, chloritoid, glaucophane and lawsonite form a coherent regional metamorphic sequence, several tens of square kilometres in size, and over a kilometre thick, in the Orhaneli region of northwest Turkey. The low‐variance mineral assemblage in the sodic metapelites is quartz + phengite + jadeite + glaucophane + chloritoid + lawsonite. The associated metabasites are characterized by sodic amphibole + lawsonite ± garnet paragenesis. The stable coexistence of jadeite + chloritoid + glaucophane + lawsonite, not reported before, indicates metamorphic pressures of 24 ± 3 kbar and temperatures of 430 ± 30 °C for the peak blueschist facies conditions. These P–T conditions correspond to a geotherm of 5 °C km^?1, one of the lowest recorded in continental crustal rocks. The low geotherm, and the known rate of convergence during the Cretaceous subduction suggest low shear stresses at the top of the downgoing continental slab.     

Formation Mechanism and Exhumation Processes for HP-UHP Metamorphic Rocks in Dabie Mountains

The high, ultrahigh pressure metamorphic rocks, widely distributed in Dabie Mountains,were described in terms of the geological setting, the marks of the petrology and the mineralogy of the ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks. According to the estimated uplifting and denudation of the Dabie Mountains, and to the thermodynamics theory, were assessed the depth and pressure (high pressure autoclave) of the formation setting of the UI-IP metamorphic rocks. Based on all the information mentioned above, a new explanation is derived from the mechanism of formation and the processes of exhumation of the UI-IP metamorphic rocks.     

Experimental study of metamorphic reactions and dehydration processes at the blueschist–eclogite transition during warm subduction

The transition between blueschist and eclogite plays an important role in subduction zones via dehydration and densification processes in descending oceanic slabs. There are a number of previous petrological studies describing potential mineral reactions taking place at the transition. An experimental determination of such reactions could help constrain the pressure–temperature conditions of the transition as well as the processes of dehydration. However, previous experimental contributions have focused on the stability of spontaneously formed hydrous minerals in basaltic compositions rather than on reactions among already formed blueschist facies minerals. Therefore, this study conducted three groups of experiments to explore the metamorphic reactions among blueschist facies minerals at conditions corresponding to warm subduction, where faster reaction rates are possible on the time scale of laboratory experiments. The first group of experiments was to establish experimental reversals of the reaction glaucophane+paragonite to jadeite+pyrope+quartz+H₂O over the range of 2.2–3.5 GPa and 650–820°C. This reaction has long been treated as key to the blueschist–eclogite transition. However, only the growth of glaucophane+paragonite was observed at the intersectional stability field of both paragonite and jadeite+quartz, confirming thermodynamic calculations that the reaction is not stable in the system Na₂O–MgO–Al₂O₃–SiO₂–H₂O. The second set of experiments involved unreversed experiments using glaucophane+zoisite ±quartz in low‐Fe and Ca‐rich systems and were run at 1.8–2.4 GPa and 600–780°C. These produced omphacite+paragonite/kyanite+H₂O accompanied by compositional shifts in the sodium amphibole, glaucophane, towards sodium–calcium amphiboles such as winchite (?(CaNa)(Mg₄Al)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂) and barroisite (?(CaNa)(Mg₃Al₂)(AlSi₇)O₂₂(OH)₂). This suggests that a two‐step dehydration occurs, first involving the breakdown of glaucophane+zoisite towards a paragonite‐bearing assemblage, then the breakdown of paragonite to release H₂O. It also indicates that sodium–calcium amphibole can coexist with eclogite phases, thereby extending the thermal stability of amphibole to greater subduction zone depths. The third set of experiments was an experimental investigation at 2.0–2.4 GPa and 630–850°C involving a high‐Fe (Fe#=Fe_total/(Fe_total+Mg)≈0.36) natural glaucophane, synthetic paragonite and their eclogite‐forming reaction products. The results indicated that garnet and omphacite grew over most of these pressure–temperature conditions, which demonstrates the importance of Fe‐rich glaucophane in forming the key eclogite assemblage of garnet+omphacite, even under warm subduction zone conditions. Based on the experiments of this study, reaction between glaucophane+zoisite is instrumental in controlling dehydration processes at the blueschist–eclogite transition during warm subduction.     

Ultrahigh‐pressure and high‐P lawsonite eclogites in Muzhaerte,Chinese western Tianshan

Lawsonite eclogites are crucial to decipher material recycling along a cold geotherm into the deep Earth and orogenic geodynamics at convergent margins. However, their tectono‐metamorphic role and record especially at ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) conditions are poorly known due to rare exposure in orogenic belts. In a ~4 km long cross‐section in Muzhaerte, China, at the western termination of the HP‐UHP metamorphic belt of western Tianshan, metabasite blocks contain omphacite and lawsonite inclusions in porphyroblastic garnet, although matrix assemblages have been significantly affected by overprinting at shallower structural levels. Two types of lawsonite eclogites occur in different parts of the section and are distinguished based on inclusion assemblages in garnet: Type 1 (UHP) with the peak equilibrium assemblage garnet+omphacite±jadeite+lawsonite+rutile+coesite±chlorite±glaucophane and Type 2 (HP) with the assemblage garnet+omphacite±diopside+lawsonite+titanite+quartz±actinolite±chlorite+glaucophane. Pristine coesite and lawsonite and their pseudomorphs in Type 1 are present in the mantle domains of zoned garnet, indicative of a coesite‐lawsonite eclogite facies. Regardless of grain size and zoning profiles, garnet with Type 1 inclusions systematically shows higher Mg and lower Ca contents than Type 2 (prp_4–25grs_13–24 and prp_1–8grs_20–45 respectively). Phase equilibria modelling indicates that the low‐Ca garnet core and mantle of Type 1 formed at UHP conditions and that there was a major difference in peak pressures (i.e., maximum return depth) between the two types (2.8–3.2 GPa at 480–590°C and 1.3–1.85 GPa at 390–500°C respectively). Scattered exposures of Type 1 lawsonite eclogite is scatteredly exposed in the north of the Muzhaerte section with a structural thickness of ~1 km, whereas Type 2 occurs throughout the rest of the section. We conclude from this regular distribution that they were derived from two contrasting units that formed along two different geothermal systems (150–200°C/GPa for the northern UHP unit and 200–300°C/GPa for the southern HP unit), with subsequent stacking of UHP and HP slices at a kilometre scale.     

Metamorphic evolution of lawsonite eclogites from the southern Motagua fault zone,Guatemala: insights from phase equilibria and Raman spectroscopy

Lawsonite eclogite (metabasalt and metadolerite) and associated metasedimentary rocks in a serpentinite mélange from an area just south of the Motagua fault zone (SMFZ), Guatemala, represent excellent natural records of the forearc slab–mantle interface. Pseudosection modelling of pristine lawsonite eclogite reproduces the observed predominant mineral assemblages, and garnet compositional isopleths intersect within the phase fields, yielding a prograde P–T path that evolves from 20 kbar, 470 °C (M1) to 25 kbar, 520 °C (M2). The dominant penetrative foliation within the eclogite blocks is defined by minerals developed during the prograde evolution, and the associated deformation, therefore, took place during subduction. Thermometry using Raman spectra of carbonaceous material in metasedimentary rocks associated with the SMFZ eclogites gives estimates of peak‐T of ～520 °C. Barometry using Raman spectroscopy shows unfractured quartz inclusions in garnet rims retain overpressures of up to ～10 kbar, implying these inclusions were trapped at conditions just below the quartz/coesite transition, in agreement with the results of phase equilibrium analysis. Additional growth of Ca‐rich garnet indicates initial isothermal decompression to 20 kbar (M3) followed by hydration and substantial cooling to the lawsonite–blueschist facies (M4). Further decompression of the hydrated eclogite blocks to the pumpellyite–actinolite facies (3–5 kbar, 230–250 °C) is associated with dehydration and veining (M5). The presence of eclogite as m‐ to 10 m‐sized blocks in a serpentinite matrix, lack of widespread deformation developed during exhumation and derived prograde P–T path associated with substantial dehydration of metabasites within the antigorite stability field suggest that the SMFZ eclogites represent the uppermost part of the forearc slab crust sampled by an ascending serpentinite diapir in an active, moderate‐T subduction zone.