Growth of plagioclase rims around metastable kyanite during decompression of high‐pressure felsic granulites (Bohemian Massif)

Samples of high‐pressure felsic granulites from the Bohemian Massif (Variscan belt of Central Europe) characterized by a peak metamorphic (high‐pressure) mineral assemblage of garnet – kyanite – plagioclase – K‐feldspar – quartz ± biotite show well‐developed plagioclase reaction rims around kyanite grains in two microstructural settings. In one setting, kyanite is randomly distributed in the polyphase matrix, whereas in the other setting, it is enclosed within large perthitic K‐feldspar. Kyanite is regarded as a relict of the high‐pressure metamorphic assemblage that became metastable during transition to a low‐pressure overprint. Plagioclase rims from both microstructural settings show continuous outwards decrease of the anorthite content from An_32–25 at the contact with kyanite to An_20–19 at the contact with the matrix or to the perthitic K‐feldspar respectively. Based on mass balance considerations, it is shown that in some cases, a small amount of kyanite was consumed in the rim‐forming reaction to provide the Al₂O₃ component for the growth of plagioclase, whereas in other cases no Al₂O₃ from kyanite was necessary. In a majority of examples, the necessary Al₂O₃ was supplied with CaO and Na₂O from the surrounding matrix material. For kyanite in perthite, a thermodynamic analysis reveals that the kyanite became metastable at the interface with the host perthite at the peak metamorphic pressure, and therefore the plagioclase rim started to grow at ～ 18 kbar. In contrast, kyanite in the polyphase matrix remained stable down to pressures of ～ 16 kbar, and the plagioclase rim only started to grow at a later stage during the decompression. Plagioclase rims around kyanite inclusions within large perthite have a radial thickness of up to 50 μm. In contrast, the radial thickness of plagioclase rims around kyanite in the polycrystalline matrix is significantly larger, up to 200 μm. Another peculiarity is that the plagioclase rims around kyanite in the matrix are polycrystalline, whereas the plagioclase rims around kyanite inclusions in perthitic hosts are single crystals with the same crystallographic orientation as the host perthite. The difference in rim thickness for the two microstructural settings is ascribed to the differences in the efficiency of chemical mass transfer next to the reaction site. The comparatively large thickness of the plagioclase rims grown around kyanite in the matrix is probably due to efficient material transport along the grain and phase boundaries in the matrix. In contrast, chemical mass transfer was comparatively slow in the large perthitic K‐feldspar grains.     

Garnet–clinopyroxene intermediate granulites in the St. Leonhard massif of the Bohemian Massif: ultrahigh‐temperature metamorphism at high pressure or not?

Garnet–clinopyroxene intermediate granulites occur as thin layers within garnet–kyanite–K–feldspar felsic granulites of the St. Leonhard granulite body in the Bohemian Massif. They consist of several domains. One domain consists of coarser‐grained coexisting ternary feldspar, clinopyroxene, garnet, quartz and accessory rutile and zircon. The garnet has 16–20% grossular, and the clinopyroxene has 9% jadeite and contains orthopyroxene exsolution lamellae. Reintegrated ternary feldspar and the Zr‐in‐rutile thermometer give temperatures higher than 950 °C. Mineral equilibria modelling suggests crystallization at 14 kbar. The occurrence and preservation of this mineral assemblage is consistent with crystallization from hot dry melt. Between these domains is a finer‐grained deformed matrix made up of diopsidic clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, plagioclase and K‐feldspar, apparently produced by reworking of the coarser‐grained domains. Embedded in this matrix, and pre‐dating the reworking deformation, are garnet porphyroblasts that contain clinopyroxene, feldspar, quartz, rutile and zircon inclusions. In contrast with the garnet in the coarser‐grained domains, the garnet generally has >30% grossular, the included clinopyroxene has 7–27% jadeite and the Zr content of rutile indicates much lower temperatures. Some of these high‐grossular garnet show zoning in Fe/(Fe + Mg), decreasing from 0.7 in the core to 0.6 and then increasing to 0.7 at the rim. These garnet are enigmatic, but with reference to appropriate pseudosections are consistent with localized new mineral growth from 650 to 850 °C and 10 to 17 kbar, or with equilibration at 20 kbar and 770 °C, modified by two‐stage diffusional re‐equilibration of rims, at 10–15 and 8 kbar. The strong pervasive deformation has obscured relationships that might have aided the interpretation of the origin of these porphyroblasts. The evolution of these rocks is consistent with formation by igneous crystallization and subsequent metamorphism to high‐T and high‐P, rather than an origin by ultrahigh‐T metamorphism. Regarding the petrographic complexity, combination of the high grossular garnet with the ternary feldspar to infer ultrahigh‐T metamorphism at high pressure is not justified.     

P–T–t evolution of the Cycladic Blueschist Unit in Western Anatolia/Turkey: Geodynamic implications for the Aegean region

Eclogite and blueschist facies rocks occurring as a tectonic unit between the underlying Menderes Massif (MM) and the overlying Afyon Zone/Lycian Nappes and the Bornova Flysch Zone in western Anatolia represent the eastward continuation of the Cycladic Blueschist Unit (CBU) in Turkey. This high-P unit is attributed to the closure of the Pindos Ocean and consists of (a) a Triassic to Upper Cretaceous coherent series derived from passive continental margin sediments and (b) the tectonically overlying Upper Cretaceous Selçuk mélange with eclogite blocks embedded in a pelitic epidote-blueschist matrix. The coherent series has experienced epidote-blueschist facies metamorphism (490 ± 25°C/11.5 ± 1.5 kbar; 38 km depth). ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar white mica and ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U monazite dating of quartz metaconglomerate from coherent series yielded middle Eocene ages of 44 ± 0.3 and 40.1 ± 3.1 Ma for epidote-blueschist facies metamorphism, respectively. The epidote-blueschist facies metamorphism of the matrix of the Selçuk mélange culminates at 520 ± 15°C/13 ± 1.5 kbar, 43 km depth, and is dated at 57.5 ± 0.3–54.5 ± 0.1 Ma (⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar phengite). Eclogite facies metamorphism of the blocks (570 ± 30°C/18 ± 2 kbar, 60 km depth) is early Eocene and dated at 56.2 ± 1.5 Ma by ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U zircon. Eclogites experienced a nearly isothermal retrogression (490 ± 40°C/~6 to 7 kbar) during their incorporation into the Selçuk mélange. The retrograde overprints of the coherent series (410 ± 15°C/7 ± 1.5 kbar from Dilek Peninsula and 485 ± 33°C/~6 to 7 kbar from Selçuk–Tire area) and the Selçuk mélange (510 ± 15°C/6 ± 1 kbar) are dated at 35.8 ± 0.5–34.3 ± 0.1 Ma by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar white mica and 31.6 ± 6.6 Ma by ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U allanite dating methods, respectively. Regional geological constrains reveal that the contact between the MM and the CBU originally formed a lithosphere-scale transform fault zone. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar white mica age from the contact indicates that the CBU and the MM were tectonically juxtaposed under greenschist facies conditions during late Eocene, 35.1 ± 0.3 Ma.     

Tale of the Kulet eclogite from the Kokchetav Massive,Kazakhstan: Initial tectonic setting and transition from amphibolite to eclogite

The Kulet eclogite in the Kokchetav Massif, northern Kazakhstan, is identified as recording a prograde transformation from the amphibolite facies through transitional coronal eclogite to fully recrystallized eclogite (normal eclogite). In addition to minor bodies of normal eclogite with an assemblage of Grt + Omp + Qz + Rt ± Ph and fine‐grained granoblastic texture (type A), most are pale greyish green bodies consisting of both coronal and normal eclogites (type B). The coronal eclogite is characterized by coarse‐grained amphibole and zoisite of amphibolite facies, and the growth of garnet corona along phase boundaries between amphibole and other minerals as well as the presence of eclogitic domains. The Kulet eclogites experienced a four‐stage metamorphic evolution: (I) pre‐eclogite stage, (II) transition from amphibolite to eclogite, (III) a peak eclogite stage with prograde transformation from coronal eclogite to UHP eclogite and (IV) retrograde metamorphism. Previous studies made no mention of the presence of amphibole or zoisite in either the pre‐eclogite stage or coronal eclogite, and so did not identify the four‐stage evolution recognized here. P–T estimates using thermobarometry and Xprp and Xgrs isopleths of eclogitic garnet yield a clockwise P–T path and peak conditions of 27–33 kbar and 610–720 °C, and 27–35 kbar and 560–720 °C, respectively. P–T pseudosection calculations indicate that the coexistence of coronal and normal eclogites in a single body is chiefly due to different bulk compositions of eclogite. All eclogites have tholeiitic composition, and show flat or slightly LREE‐enriched patterns [(La/Lu)_N = 1.1–9.6] and negative Ba, Sr and Sc and positive Th, U and Ti anomalies. However, normal eclogite has higher TiO₂ (1.35–2.65 wt%) and FeO (12.11–16.72 wt%) and REE contents than those of coronal eclogite (TiO₂ < 0.9 wt% and FeO < 12.11 wt%) with one exception. Most Kulet eclogites plot in the MORB and IAB fields in the 2Nb–Zr/4–Y and TiO₂–FeO/MgO diagrams, although displacement from the MORB–OIB array indicates some degree of crustal involvement. All available data suggest that the protoliths of the Kulet eclogites were formed at a passive continent marginal basin setting. A schematic model involving subduction to 180–200 km at 537–527 Ma, followed by slab breakoff at 526–507 Ma, exhumation and recrystallization at crustal depths is applied to explain the four‐stage evolution of the Kulet eclogite.     

老挝南部玄武岩区铁矿成因分析

老挝南部的波罗芬玄武岩地区广泛出露赤(褐)铁矿床,为风化残积型。规模及品质受制于原岩、地形地貌、气候水文影响较大。     

Uplift and denudation history at low-elevation passive margins: Insights from morphostratigraphic analysis in the SE Armorican Massif along the French Atlantic margin

Like other low-elevation passive margins, the French Atlantic margin is characterized by a gradual topographic transition from the coast to low-altitude interior plains or plateaus. Here we propose a morphostratigraphic analysis to constrain long-term landscape evolution and denudation rates, through the characterization of palaeotopographies and related palaeoweatherings in an area restricted to the southeast Armorican Massif. Two regional-scale palaeosurfaces are recognized: (i) the Infraliassic palaeosurface, the truncated weathering profiles of which are sealed by Liassic marine deposits; (ii) the Eocene palaeosurface, underlain by thick kaolinite- and iron-rich palaeosaprolites and by siliceous duricrusts (silcretes). Quantitative constraints on large-scale tectonic uplift and long-term denudation are obtained from these morphostratigraphic markers. Mean uplift and denudation rates calculated on post-Eocene times range between 0.5 and 2 m.Ma^-1. These low values imply high landscape stability of the inland margin over most of the Cenozoic.     

Strain coupling between upper mantle and lower crust: natural example from the Běstvina granulite body, Bohemian Massif

Strain patterns within mantle rocks and surrounding coarse‐grained felsic granulites from the Kutná Hora Crystalline Complex in the Variscan Bohemian Massif have been studied in order to assess their strain coupling. The studied rock association occurs within low‐strain domains surrounded by fine‐grained granulite and migmatite. The Doubrava peridotite contains closely spaced and steeply dipping layers of garnet clinopyroxenite, which are parallel to the NE–SW‐striking, high‐temperature foliation in nearby granulites, while the Úhrov peridotite lacks such layering. The Spa?ice eclogite is not associated with peridotite and shows upright folds of alternating coarse‐ and fine‐grained varieties bearing NE–SW‐striking axial planes. Electron back‐scattered diffraction measurements revealed full strain coupling between clinopyroxenites and coarse‐grained granulites in the S₁ fabric that is superposed on the S₀ fabric preserved in peridotites. The B‐type olivine lattice preferred orientation (LPO) characterizes the S₀ fabric in peridotites and its reworking is strongly controlled by the presence of macroscopic clinopyroxenite layering. The S₁ in clinopyroxenites and coarse‐grained granulites is associated with the LS‐type clinopyroxene LPO and prism <c> slip in quartz respectively. While the S₁ fabric in these rock types is accompanied invariably by a sub‐vertical stretching lineation, the S₁ fabric developed in reworked Úhrov peridotite is associated with strongly planar axial (010) type of olivine LPO. The peridotites with the S₀ fabric are interpreted to be relicts of a fore‐arc mantle wedge hydrated to a various extent above the Saxothuringian subduction zone. The prograde metamorphism recorded in peridotites and eclogites occurred presumably during mantle wedge flow and was reaching UHP conditions. Strain coupling in the S₁ fabric between clinopyroxenites and granulites at Doubrava and upright folding of eclogites at Spa?ice document a link between tectonic and magmatic processes during orogenic thickening, coeval with intrusions of the arc‐related calcalkaline suites of the Central Bohemian Plutonic Complex (c. 360–345 Ma). Juxtaposition of peridotites and granulites could be explained by a rheological heterogeneity connected to the development of clinopyroxenite layering in the upper mantle and a previously published model of a lithospheric‐scale transpressional arc system. It invokes vertical shearing along NE–SW trending, sub‐vertical foliations in the upper mantle that could have led to an emplacement of mantle bodies into the granulitized, orogenic root in the sub‐arc region. Clearly, such a transpressional arc system could represent an important pathway for an emplacement of deep‐seated rocks in the orogenic lower crust.     

Garnet exsolution in pyroxene from clinopyroxenites in the Moldanubian zone: constraining the early pre-convergence history of ultramafic rocks in the Variscan orogen

Exsolution lamellae of garnet in clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene porphyroclasts from garnet pyroxenites in the Moldanubian zone were studied to elucidate the pressure–temperature conditions of the exsolution process and to reconstruct the burial and exhumation path of ultramafic rocks in the Variscan orogen. The porphyroclasts occur in a fine-grained matrix with metamorphic fabrics, which consists of clinopyroxene and small amounts of garnet, orthopyroxene and amphibole. The clinopyroxene porphyroclasts contain garnet + orthopyroxene lamellae as well as ilmenite rods that have orientation parallel to (100) planes of the porphyroclasts. Orthopyroxene porphyroclasts host garnet and clinopyroxene lamellae, which show the same lattice preferred orientation. In both cases, lamellar orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and garnet were partially replaced by secondary amphibole. Composition of exsolution phases and that of host pyroxene were reintegrated according to measured modal proportions and demonstrate that the primary pyroxene was enriched in Al and contained 8–11 mol.% Tschermak components. Conventional thermobarometry and thermodynamic modelling on the reintegrated pyroxene indicate that primary clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene megacrysts crystallized at 1300–1400 °C and 2.2–2.5 GPa. Unmixing and exsolution of garnet and a second pyroxene phase occurred in response to cooling and pressure increase before the peak pressure of 4.5–5.0 GPa was reached at ∼1100 °C. This scenario is consistent with a burial of hot upper-mantle ultramafics into a cold subcratonic environment and subsequent exhumation through 900 °C and 2.2–3.3 GPa, when the pyroxenites would have partially recrystallized during tectonic incorporation into eclogites and felsic granulites.     

Collision tectonics in the New Hebrides arc (Vanuatu)

Abstract The New Hebrides island arc in Vanuatu has been significantly modified by collision with several major submarine ridges and plateaux. Bathymetric sections taken at intervals along the arc, perpendicular to the trench, show that prior to collision at 3 Ma the morphology was typical of modern intraoceanic island arcs. Collision has caused uplift of the trench and forearc (up to 6000 m), subsidence around the arc volcanic edifices (up to 2500 m), forming a large intra-arc basin and uplift of the arc-backarc transition (up to 2000 m). In the transition zone between collisional and non-collisional sections of the arc, subsidence occurs in the forearc and uplift occurs around the arc volcanoes. Many of these characteristics are typical of collisions in other Western Pacific island arcs such as the Tonga–Kermadec and Izu–Bonin arcs. The pattern of uplift and subsidence has important implications for the tectonic history of the New Hebrides system. The morphology of the arc shows that collision of the West Torres Massif probably accounts for at least half the uplift. Arrival at 0.7 Ma of the West Torres Massif in the trench may have caused the slowing of subduction in the entire northern half of the arc and not just in the central segment as previously suggested. Re-equilibration of the arc following collision probably masks any evidence of collision prior to 3 Ma. For example, the Efate re-entrant, a large indentation in the arc immediately to the south of the collision zone, probably originated as a result of erosion during collision followed by subsidence after collision. The Vanuatu collision shows that the subduction of seamounts and ridges in an intraoceanic arc temporarily changes the arc morphology, allowing the development of angular unconformities and changing the pattern of sedimentation. This provides information which can be used to facilitate recognition of these events in ancient arc-related sequences.