Variation in Metamorphic Style along the Northern Margin of the Damara Orogen, Namibia

The northern margin of the Inland Branch of the Pan-AfricanDamara Orogen in Namibia shows dramatic along-strike variationin metamorphic character during convergence between the Congoand Kalahari Cratons (M₃ metamorphic cycle). Low-P contact metamorphismwith anticlockwise P–T paths dominates in the westerndomains (Ugab Zone and western Northern Zone), and high-P Barrovianmetamorphism with a clockwise P–T path is documented fromthe easternmost domain (eastern Northern Zone). The sequenceof M₃ mineral growth in contact aureoles shows early growthof cordierite porphyroblasts that were pseudomorphed to biotite–chlorite–muscoviteat the same time as an andalusite–biotite–muscovitetransposed foliation was developed in the matrix. The peak-Tmetamorphic assemblages and fabrics were overprinted by crenulationsand retrograde chlorite–muscovite. The KFMASH P–Tpseudosection for metapelites in the Ugab Zone and western NorthernZone contact aureoles indicates tight anticlockwise P–Tloops through peak metamorphic conditions of 540–570°Cand 2·5–3·2 kbar. These semi-quantitativeP–T loops are consistent with average P–T calculationsusing THERMOCALC, which give a pooled mean of 556 ± 26°Cand 3·2 ± 0·6 kbar, indicating a high averagethermal gradient of 50°C/km. In contrast, the eastern NorthernZone experienced deep burial, high-P/moderate-T Barrovian M₃metamorphism with an average thermal gradient of 21°C/kmand peak metamorphic conditions of c. 635°C and 8·7kbar. The calculated P–T pseudosection and garnet compositionalisopleths in KFMASH, appropriate for the metapelite sample fromthis region, document a clockwise P–T path. Early plagioclase–kyanite–biotiteparageneses evolved by plagioclase consumption and the growthof garnet to increasing X_Fe, X_Mg and X_Ca and decreasing X_Mncompositions, indicating steep burial with heating. The developedkyanite–garnet–biotite peak metamorphic parageneseswere followed by the resorption of garnet and formation of plagioclasemoats, indicating decompression, which was followed by retrogressivecooling and chlorite–muscovite growth. The clockwise P–Tloop is consistent with the foreland vergent fold–thrustbelt geometry in this part of the northern margin. Earlier formed(580–570 Ma) pervasive matrix foliations (M₂) were overprintedby contact metamorphic parageneses (M₃) in the aureoles of 530± 3 Ma granites in the Ugab Zone and 553–514 Magranites in the western Northern Zone. Available geochronologicaldata suggest that convergence between the Congo and KalahariCratons was essentially coeval in all parts of the northernmargin, with similar ages of 535–530 Ma for the main phaseof deformation in the eastern Northern Zone and Northern Platformand 538–505 Ma high-grade metamorphism of the CentralZone immediately to the south. Consequently, NNE–SSW-directedconvergent deformation and associated M₃ metamorphism of contrastingstyles are interpreted to be broadly contemporaneous along thelength of the northern margin of the Inland Branch. In the westheat transfer was dominated by conduction and externally drivenby granites, whereas in the east heat transfer was dominatedby advection and internally driven radiogenic heat production.The ultimate cause was along-orogen variation in crustal architecture,including thickness of the passive margin lithosphere and thicknessof the overlying sedimentary succession. KEY WORDS: Pan-African Orogeny; P–T paths; pseudosections; low-P metamorphism; contact metamorphism; Barrovian metamorphism     

Potassic Volcanic Rocks in NE China: Geochemical Constraints on Mantle Source and Magma Genesis

Potassic volcanic rocks from the Wudalianchi, Erkeshan and Keluo(WEK) fields in NE China are located between the Mesozoic SongliaoBasin and the Palaeozoic Xing'am Mountains fold belt. Theserocks erupted during three main eruptive episodes-Miocene (9•6–7•0Ma), Pleistocene (0•56–0•13 Ma) and Recent (AD1719–1721)-and are subdivided into three types-olivineleucitite, leucite basanite and trachybasalt—on the basisof modal composition. In comparison with Cenozoic alkaline basaltsfrom East China that are similar to oceanic island basalts (OIBs),WEK volcanic rocks are lower in Al₂O₃, CaO, Fe₂O3 and Sc, buthigher in K₂O (3•5–7•1 wt %), K₂O/Na₂O (>1)and incompatible elements. High ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0•7050–0•7056),low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (0•51238–0•51250) and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(17•06–16•61) ratios also distinguish them fromoceanic and Chinese basalts. Trace element and isotope dataindicate that a post-Archaean subcontinental lithospheric mantlesource similar to the postulated EM1 component (enriched mantlewith low ^l43Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and moderate high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) must haveplayed a significant role in magma generation. The source rockis considered to be refractory phlogopite-bearing garnet peridotiteheterogeneously enriched in both large ion lithophile elementsand light rare earth elements by ancient metasomatism duringProterozoic times. This source may have mixed recently withOIB-like melts, but has not been modified by subduction of theKula-Pacific plate. Primitive WEK potassic magma was generatedby a low degree of partial melting, initiated by an extensionalphase beginning in the late Tertiary, at pressures of 20–45kbar and in the presence of mixed volatile components of H₂O,CO₂ and halogens. KEY WORDS: potassic volcanic rocks; NE China; geochemistry; montle sourc ^*Corresponding author. Present address: Centre for Petrology and Lithoipheric Studies, School of Earth Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia     

Silicate, Hydrous and Carbonate Metasomatism at Lherz, France: Contemporaneous Derivatives of Silicate Melt-Harzburgite Reaction

Complex multi-stage models involving silicate, hydrous and carbonatemelts of distinct provenance have been invoked to explain themetasomatism observed in mantle rocks. In contrast, relativelysimple models requiring polybaric crystallization of alkalinesilicate melts have been proposed to explain the occurrenceof veined mantle rocks. To address the spatial and temporalrelationships between veins and wall-rocks, a sequence of drillcores was obtained from Lherz, France. In outcrop the vein (amphibole–garnetpyroxenite dyke) is spatially associated with hornblendite veinlets(lherzite), and proximal amphibole-bearing and distal apatite-bearingwall-rock peridotite. Considerable elemental and isotopic heterogeneityexists in these wall-rock peridotites, in many instances equivalentto, or greater than, that observed in mantle xenoliths fromworldwide localities. A single stage of reactive porous flowbest explains the elemental and isotopic heterogeneity in thewall-rock. In essence it is proposed that emplacement of thesilicate melt (dyke) was inextricably linked to chromatographicfractionation/reaction of derivatives which led to the coexistence,in space and time, of silicate, hydrous and carbonate melts.This model elegantly and simply describes the formation of complexmetasomatic aureoles around mantle veins and negates the need,in the case of basalt-hosted (and kimberlite-hosted) xenoliths,for complex multi-stage models involving several episodes ofmelt influx with each melt being of different provenance. KEY WORDS: mantle metasomatism; trace-element enrichment; isotopic contamination; wall-rock peridotite; Lherz peridotite     

Moved by the Company - International Migrants and Transnational Organisations

Labour markets are generally thought to have become more integrated across international boundaries. Employees that move between branches of transnational organisations are a potential contributor to this integration. Interviews with human resources managers in 33 New Zealand‐based organisations indicate that the number of employees transferred is small and likely to decrease as corporate functions are transferred from New Zealand to regional offices.     

A MARITIME RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS IN AREA STUDIES

ABSTRACT. The area-studies model of global scholarship, based on dividing the world into a set number of large, quasi-continental regions, is under assault from a variety of intellectual and institutional forces. New, less rigid models of global scholarship are increasingly being called for by both scholars and funding agencies. One useful alternative, currently being explored at Duke University, reframes area studies around ocean and sea basins. Putting maritime interactions at the center of vision brings to light a set of historical regions that have largely remained invisible on the conventional map of the world.