Thermal model for the Zanskar Himalaya

ABSTRACT Crustal thickening along the northern margin of the Indian plate, following the 50 Ma collision along the Indus Suture Zone in Ladakh, caused widespread high-temperature, medium-pressure Barrovian facies series metamorphism and anatexis. In the Zanskar Himalaya metamorphic isograds are inverted and structurally telescoped along the Main Central Thrust (MCT) Zone at the base of the High Himalayan slab. Along the Zanskar valley at the top of the slab, isograds are the right way-up and are also telescoped along northeast-dipping normal faults of the Zanskar Shear Zone (ZSZ), which are related to culmination collapse behind the Miocene Himalayan thrust front. Between the MCT and the ZSZ a metamorphic-anatectic core within sillimanite grade rocks contains abundant leucogranite-granite crustal melts of probable Himalayan age. A thermal model based on a crustal-scale cross-section across the Zanskar Himalaya suggests that M₁ isograds, developed during early Himalayan Barrovian metamorphism, were overprinted during high-grade MCT-related anatexis and folded around a large-scale recumbent fold developed in the hanging wall of the MCT.     

Metamorphic evolution of the High Himalayan Crystallines in SE Zanskar, India

ABSTRACT The High Himalayan Crystallines (HHC) of SE Zanskar consist of biotite paragneisses, of orthogneisses that derive from early-Palaeozoic granitoids, of minor metabasics and of post-metamorphic leucogranites of Miocene age. Two main metamorphic events have been documented in the HHC. The first event occurred at P= 12.0 ± 0.5 kbar and T= 750 ± 50° C in rare metabasics intruded by early-Palaeozoic granitoids. In the biotite paragneisses, thermobarometric estimates of the first event point to comparable T at P 4–5 kbar lower. The first event is followed by a pervasive syn-tectonic crystallization characterized by lower P and T. On the basis of the cooling ages of the metamorphic minerals and on the geological evidence, the second event is referred to the Tertiary Himalayan crystallization. Further petrological and geochronological studies are necessary to prove whether a few mineral relics ascribed to the first event define a polyphase Himalayan evolution or if they record the incomplete obliteration of an older history during the Himalayan event. The HHC of SE Zanskar show a decrease in metamorphic grade from the middle structural levels upward, close to the Kade unit, and downward, close to the Lesser Himalaya (from sillimanite-K-feldspar-biotite-bearing assemblages to kyanite-staurolite-muscovite-bearing assemblages). This metamorphic zonation is probably a consequence of the polyphase history of intracontinental thrusts and of the tectonic emplacement of hot crustal slabs within shallower and colder thrust sheets at relatively late stages of the continental collision between India and Eurasia.     

Incipient metamorphism in the Lower Palaeozoic marginal basin of Wales

Abstract A diagenctic through anchizone to epizone transition is demonstrated in pelitic rocks of the Lower Palaeozoic marginal basin of Wales by examination of variations in phyllo-silicate mineralogy, illite crystallinity and b_o parameter of white micas. This transition represents a temperature range from ∼ 150°C to ∼ 400°C and the metamorphism is of a low-pressure facies series type, with a geothermal gradient of ∼ 40°Ckm^-1. Variations in grade can be correlated largely with the original basin and shelf form, suggesting a depth-related metamorphism. However, in areas closer to the site of Caledonian plate collision an increasingly syn-tectonic metamorphic event is apparent.
Correlation of pelite data with metabasite assemblages is variable, the most consistent relationship being between epizone crystallinity values andepidote-actinolite (greenschist facies) assemblages. Diagenetic clay mineral assemblages are found associated with prehnite-pumpellyite assemblages in metabasites and it is suggested that the latter represent non-buffered, and therefore non-diagnostic, assemblages.     

Metamorphism of metapelites: calculations of equilibrium assemblages and numerical simulations of the crystallization of garnet

Abstract This work uses a simplified model of equilibrium to predict the assemblage sequence and compositional zoning in garnet that should result from prograde metamorphism of common bulk compositions of pelitic rocks. An internally-consistent set of model thermodynamic data are derived for natural mineral compositions from natural assemblages. Equilibrium assemblages can be calculated for pelitic compositions with excess quartz and either muscovite or K-feldspar at any pressure and water pressure. The compositions and abundances of phases in equilibrium assemblages can be calculated where the elements Mg, Fe and Mn are exchanged among phases. The prograde metamorphic assemblage sequences and the effects of pressure on assemblages, predicted by the simulation method presented here, are similar enough to natural observations to suggest that the simulations can be used to analyse natural equilibrium and growth processes. The calculated phase diagrams at moderate and high crustal pressures explain the mineral assemblage sequence produced by prograde metamorphism in common pelitic compositions. Garnet appears by continuous reaction of biotite and chlorite as the garnet-biotite-chlorite divariant field migrates toward higher Mg/Fe ratios over the bulk composition. Staurolite appears in common bulk compositions when garnet and chlorite become incompatible. An aluminum silicate phase can appear when staurolite and chlorite react. Staurolite breaks down at an extremum point to produce garnet. Continuous reaction of biotite and sillimanite causes growth of abundant garnet. The reaction sequence involving garnet, staurolite and aluminum silicates is probably different at low pressure, but the main reason that staurolite and garnet are rare is the restricted compositional range over which their assemblages exist. Andalusite appears by the divariant reaction of chlorite and cordierite appears at low temperature in low pressure assemblages for common bulk compositions by the extremumpoint breakdown reaction of chlorite. Compositional zoning of garnet and the systematic variation of biotite composition in metamorphic sequences indicate that garnet is probably fractionated during growth. Fractionation of garnet causes garnet-consuming, univariant reactions to become multivariant. The metastable persistence of garnet should reduce the abundance and stability range of staurolite. Fractionation of even small quantities of garnet should deplete the equilibrating bulk composition of Mn, but have little effect otherwise. The simulations show that the prograde assemblage sequence in pelitic rocks can be complex in detail, with some assemblages lasting over temperature intervals of only a few degrees. The major prograde reactions that release water are the breakdown of chlorite to form garnet at low grade and the breakdown of muscovite at high grade. The volume of water released by formation of garnet at high grade is also important. These reactions have the capacity to buffer water pressure. The density of anhydrous pelitic rock increases markedly when chlorite breaks down and by the continuous reaction forming garnet at high grade. The heat content is controlled principally by heat capacity and continuous reactions. Discontinuous reactions have little thermal buffering capacity. Simulations of garnet fractionation show that commonly-observed garnet zoning profiles can be formed by garnet growth in the assemblage garnet-biotite-chlorite in common bulk compositions. A reversal of Fe-zoning in garnet can occur when garnet resumes growth above staurolite grade in the assemblage garnetbiotite-sillimanite. Discontinuities in zoning profiles can be caused only by disequilibrium. The disequilibrium can be due to either metastable persistence during a hiatus in growth or to growth by irreversible reaction. Because the appearance of garnet is controlled by a continuous rather than a discontinuous reaction, the appearance of garnet is very sensitive to bulk composition. The early development of garnet is also sensitive to the pressure and water pressure of metamorphism. As a consequence the first garnet isograd is of limited thermometric value. Metastable persistence of kyanite and manite at high grades could reduce the abundance of garnet and allow biotite to persist. Metastable persistence would also limit the of cordierite formation.     

Contact aureoles as constraints on regional P-T trajectories: an example from the Northern Alabama Piedmont, USA

Abstract Contact aureoles of plutons emplaced into regionally metamorphosed terranes can provide indicators of physical conditions along a portion of regional metamorphic P-T trajectories, thereby allowing reconstruction of more complete P-T loops than would be otherwise possible. In the Northern Alabama Piedmont of the southern Appalachians, Wedowee Group metapelites preserve evidence for two regional metamorphic phases overprinted by contact metamorphism adjacent to the Blakes Ferry Trondhjemite. Textural evidence indicates that an early bt+st+grt assemblage was replaced by bt+chl+grt during the latter stages of regional metamorphism. Changes in AKFM topology, complex Fe-Mg-Ca garnet zoning, and the latestage appearance of epidote indicate that a sequence of continuous reactions (bt+st = grt+ ms followed by chl+ms+Ca-grt+Ca-pl=bt+ (Fe+Mg)-grt+ep) occurred in response to increasing pressure and resulted in the observed changes in mineral assemblage. Pl-ms-bt-grt thermobarometry indicates conditions of 580° 65°C, 8.5±0.8 kbar for equilibration of grt+ bt+chl. Pluton emplacement, subsequent to penetrative deformation, caused textural annealing and mineral re-equilibration by the continuous reaction bt+(Fe+Mg)-grt+ep = chl+ms+Ca-grt+Ca-pl within 50 m of the pluton. Conditions of 510±65°C, 5-7 kbar are inferred. A reconstructed P-T trajectory for this area is characterized by (1) early moderate- T , moderate- P metamorphism; (2) an increase in P to approximately 8.5 kbar; and (3) decompression and slight cooling prior to pluton emplacement. The compressional phase of this path is interpreted to result from underthrusting of the Wedowee metasediments to mid-crustal levels during Palaeozoic crustal thickening. Late-stage decompression prior to intrusion records uplift of these rocks in response to movement on structurally lower thrusts.     

Low-grade metamorphism and geotectonic setting of the Macuchi Formation, Western Cordillera of Ecuador

Abstract The Cretaceous-Eocene basic to intermediate marine volcanic rocks of the Mucuchi Formation constitute the Western Cordillera in northern Ecuador. Their chemical features mostly correspond to those of tholeiitic basalts with some calc-alkaline affinities and suggest an oceanic island arc setting. The Macuchi rocks are affected by low-grade, non-deformative metamorphism, characterized by zeolite, prehnite-pumpellyite and lower greenschist facies assemblages. Depth-zonation is suggested by the downward mineral sequence: (i) laumontite+ (pistacitic epidote, pumpellyite + prehnite); (ii) pumpellyite+ prehnite + pistacitic epidote; (iii) actinolite+biotite+ pistacitic epidote + chlorite. This broad zonation and the chemistry of individual minerals point to an interaction between the volcanic rocks and sea-water under a moderate to high thermal gradient (= 75° C/km?). Alteration appears to have been dependent primarily on fluid control (volume, pressure, composition), temperature and reaction kinetics which together partly overshadow the role of load-pressure. Compositional variations of a mineral species at the scale of a contiguous flow or even at the scale of a thin section show that intensity of alteration was spatially uneven depending on rock permeability and consequently, metastable equilibrium commonly exists. However, a progressive approximation to equilibrium as a result of P–T control is shown by the mineralogy. A high f_o2 of the fluid phase is evident from the mineral chemistry. The metamorphism of the Macuchi volcanics is similar to the hydrothermal-burial type produced during the development of a volcanic arc where lavas and volcanoclastics accumulated in a shallow marine environment. However, some of its characteristics point to a transition toward systems defined by a higher T/P ratio such as those found in ocean-floor metamorphism. A model is proposed in which the Macuchi volcanics are assigned to an oceanic island arc generated contemporaneously with a marginal basin which has opened as the outcome of progressive north-south attenuation of the continental crust due to mantle diapirism.     

七九○二铀矿床成因初探

本文對七九○二铀矿床的地质特征、控矿因素及其成因进行了初步的研究,提出該矿床属花岗岩类断裂構造古淋积型铀矿床。在分析动力变质作用与岩源铀活化迁移的关系以及古氧化作用与后生淋积成矿关系的基础上,探讨了花岗岩断裂构造带特有的成矿特征及古淋积成矿演变史,从而同典型的花岗岩型铀矿床相区別。     

滇西石鼓变质带基本特征

石鼓变质带延伸约100多公里,可划分为绿泥石带、黑云母带、铁铝榴石带、十字石带、蓝晶石带及夕线石带。红柱石-蓝晶石稳定共生,属低—中压变质相系的区域变质带。主要变质时期为海西晚期(K-Ar年龄为258Ma)。     

板峪口组大理岩中的变质流体

山西五台山区板峪口组大理岩的总体矿物组合为透闪石、金云母、白云石、方解石、微斜长石和石英,岩石变质时受缓冲作用控制。口泉主沟内绿帘石脉体中流体的X_(CO_2)为0.08,而围岩白云岩中X_(CO_2)大于0.4,同一地点脉体和围岩中变质溶液具有不同的X_(CO_2)说明溶液成分受缓冲作用控制。绿帘石脉体内溶液成分保持X_(CO_2)=0.8不变则说明溶液成分受渗滤作用控制。围岩内矿物组合为金云母、透闪石、方解石和白云石也说明溶液成分受渗滤作用控制。总的说来,本地区的变质溶液成分是缓冲作用加渗滤作用的综合结果。 本区变质时所通过的流体数量一般不超过岩石体积的1/4。当岩石内有单矿物脉体时,脉体内所通过的流体数量较高。绿帘石脉内所通过的流体大致相当于岩石体积(99％)。     

秦巴北部商县—卢氏地区变质方解石—白云石地质压力计的研究

秦巴北部的商县-卢氏县地区广泛分布有区域变质的方解石-白云石共生矿物对,它们对于估计变质作用和断裂构造作用的温压条件,有着重要的意义。本文着重就该地区Fe~(2+)在方解石-白云石中的X_(Fe)~(Co)>X_(Fe)~(Dol)分配情况,提出新的计压方法。