Petrographic Discrimination of Low- and High-Temperature I-type Granites

Abstract. The existence of two groups of I-type granites, those formed at relatively low- and high-temperatures, has been established using differences in zircon saturation and patterns of bulk compositional variation between those two groups. Granites of these two groups also show some distinctive petrographic differences. The clearest petrographic distinction between the low- and high-temperature granites is seen in the crystals of plagioclase. In all but the most felsic low-temperature granites these crystals are always complex and commonly have corroded cores, which may be as calcic as An₈₀. Core compositions are fairly uniform in composition compared with the outer parts, which display normal and oscillatory zones of varying widths. In the high-temperature granites the crystals of plagioclase are generally better-shaped with a uniform composition and lack the prominent corroded cores of the low-temperature granites. These differences are due to the fact that homogenization of plagioclase proceeds very slowly at low magmatic temperatures.     

Constraints on the duration of high-pressure metamorphism in the Tauern Window from diffusion modelling of discontinuous growth zones in eclogite garnet

An eclogite sample from the Grossgockner region of the Hohe Tauern, Austria contains garnet with a pronounced compositional discontinuity between a Mn‐rich core and an Fe‐rich rim. This jump in composition was caused by a garnet‐consuming reaction followed by growth of the garnet rim + omphacite and marks the prograde transition from epidote–amphibolite to eclogite facies metamorphism. Garnet growth ended at peak metamorphic conditions of 570 °C, 17 kbar, but intracrystalline diffusion continued until about 450 °C, 4 kbar on the retrograde path. This garnet overgrowth texture represents a natural diffusion couple and a time span of 1 Myr was calculated from the diffusion profile developing out of the original sharp compositional step. For typical crustal densities, this time corresponds to a minimum average velocity in the range 4.6–7.4 cm yr^?1 (for vertical movement), which is one of the fastest exhumation rates reported. The diffusion of all divalent cations of four profiles was modelled, both analytically and numerically. Both approaches gave comparable results, but the times computed for each element were always discrepant up to a factor of 2. Variations of diffusion coefficients within 2 in analytical calculations remedied this and gave consistent upper time limits. Numerical modelling does not require the simplifications introduced in the analytical approach. On the other hand, error propagation was computationally unfeasible with this method.     

Oxygen isotope geothermometers for metamorphic rocks

The Chicago mineral-carbonate oxygen isotope fractionation curves have been combined with mineral-water fractionation data for jadeite, zoisite and rutile and new data for grossular-water to provide a set of self-consistent mineral-pair calibrations. The A coefficients in the equation 1000 In α= A × 10⁶T^-2 of the new mineral-pair fractionations are
Jadeite Zoisite Grossular Rutile
Quartz 1.69 2.00 3.03 5.02
Jadeite 0.31 1.34 3.33
Zoisite 1.03 3.02
Grossular 1.99
The isotopic fractionation properties of natural pyralspite garnet [(Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn)₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂] can be approximated by those of the grossular end-member. Appropriate substitutions also yield coefficients for the solid-solution minerals: sodic pyroxene and epidote, e.g.
A _{quartz-sodic pyroxene}= 2.75 - 1.06X_jd,
A _{quartz-epidote}= 2.00 + 0.75X_ps
where X _Jd and X _Ps are the mole fractions of the jadeite and pistacite components, respectively.
The new data set is particularly suitable for the geothermometry of metamorphic rocks. δ¹⁸O data from minerals of the high-pressure metamorphic rocks of the Sesia Zone of Italy and Cyclades Complex of Greece yield well-constrained mean temperatures of 572 and 478 C, respectively. Type III blueschist metabasalts of the Franciscan Formation of California give mean quartz-garnet temperatures of 354 C.     

大别山石马地区榴辉岩P-T-t轨迹及其构造意义

在大别山石马地区榴辉岩石榴石中包裹有与柯石英同期的绿辉石,据此,将这里的榴辉岩相变质作用划分为早期的柯石英榴辉岩阶段和晚期重结晶榴辉岩阶段。它们的P-T-t轨迹表明:产于片麻岩中的榴辉岩至少经历了两阶段的抬升过程:(1)在221Ma(印支期)时,由于陆壳俯冲所产生的大规模逆冲构造使其快速抬升;(2)在134Ma(燕山期)陆壳俯冲后的拉张抬升环境下,榴辉岩随山体一起缓慢上升。     

Stable isotopic and trace element evidence for restricted fluid migration in 2 GPa eclogites

Mineral stable isotopic and trace element studies in 2 GPa banded eclogites of the Tauern Window, eastern Alps, record mm- to cm-scale heterogeneities that reflect compositional variations in the accompanying metamorphic fluids. A close correlation between dolomite mode and dolomite δ¹⁸O is consistent with equilibrium partitioning among coexisting minerals and fluids. Small variations in dolomite δ¹³C values correspond with δ¹⁸O variations, but an overall decrease in dolomite δ¹³C by c. 1%o across a 12-cm sample is a relict feature that pre-dates eclogite equilibration. Garnet, omphacite, and clinozoisite rims show little systematic mineral-mineral partitioning behaviour for Ti, V, Cr, Y, Sr, or Zr; major elements, however, are well equilibrated among these same minerals. Despite the apparent lack of mineral-mineral trace element equilibration, most of the trace elements vary systematically with water activity calculated in each layer. Trace element behaviour during the eclogite metamorphism thus appears to have been controlled largely by mineral-fluid interactions along grain boundaries. Shallow structural levels in other subduction complexes (c. 10-45 km) typically exhibit fracture-controlled permeability and extensive metasomatism, but there is no field or geochemical evidence for extensive fluid advection during high-pressure metamorphism in the Tauern eclogites. Because most dewatering and devolatilization during tectonic burial occurs prior to eclogite conditions, the volumetric fluid/rock ratio in eclogites should generally be low. Low fluid/rock ratios, coupled with the possible non-wetting nature of the fluids, permits the production and preservation of fine-scale chemical heterogeneities in deeply subducted eclogites and associated fluids. However, the eventual breakdown at greater depth of volatile-bearing dolomite, phengite, clinozoisite, zoisite, or amphibole could lead to renewed fracture-controlled fluid release from the subducted rocks to regions appropriate for arc magma generation.     

From granulites to eclogites in the Sesia zone (Italian Western Alps): a record of the opening and closure of the Piedmont ocean

The Sesia zone (Italian Western Alps) offers one of the best preserved examples of pre-Alpine basement reactivated, under eclogite facies conditions, during the Alpine orogenesis. A detailed mineralogical study of eclogitized acid and basic granulites, and related amphibolites, is presented. In these rare weak to undeformed rocks microstructural investigations allow three main metamorphic stages to be distinguished.
(a) A medium- to low- P granulite stage giving rise to the development of orthopyroxene + garnet + plagioclase + brown amphibole + ilmenite ± biotite in basic granulites and garnet + K-feldspar + plagioclase + cordierite + sillimanite + biotite + ilmenite in acid granulites.
(b) A post-granulite re-equilibration, associated with the development of shear zones, producing discrete amphibolitization of the basic granulites and widespread development of biotite + sillimanite + cordierite + spinel in the acid rocks.
(c) An eo-Alpine eclogite stage giving rise to the crystallization of high- P and low- T assemblages.
In an effort to quantify this evolution, independent well-calibrated thermobarometers were applied to basic and acid rocks. For the granulite event, P-T estimates are 7–9 kbar and 700–800° C, and for subsequent retrograde evolution, P-T was 4–5 kbar and 600° C. For the eo-Alpine eclogite metamorphism, pressure and temperature conditions were 14–16 kbar and 550° C.
The inferred P-T path is consistent with an uplift of continental crust produced by crustal thinning prior to the subduction of the continental rocks. In the light of the available geochronological constraints we propose to relate the pre-Alpine granulite and post-granulite retrograde evolution to the Permo-Jurassic extensional regime. The complex granulite-eclogite transition is thus regarded as a record of the opening and of the closure of the Piedmont ocean.     

中低温含硫、氯水溶液对地层中金、锑、汞、砷的淋滤实验研究

本文针对湘西低温矿化集中区的地质实际,在100-300℃,40MPa压力条件下,进行了含硫、氯中-低温溶液对地层岩石中金、锑、汞、砷等的多元素淋滤实验研究。实验结果表明,温度、配合物的种类和浓度是控制元素活化能力的重要因素。实验得出了Hg-Sb-Au-As的活化序列,认为200-250℃的富硫低氯热液是金、锑矿化的有利条件,低温低硫富氯热液有利于汞矿化。据实验结果并结合含矿建造及包裹体地球化学的综合研究,认为成矿流体性质的差异是控制湘西低温矿化集中区中金、锑、汞矿化分带的主要地球化学机制。     

Isotopic Geochronological Evidence for the Caledonian Xiongdian Eclogite in the Northwestern Dabie Mountains,China

A typical HP/MT (high pressure/medium temperature) eclogite from Xiongdian, northwestern Dabie Mountains, has been geochronologically studied using the single-zircon U-Pb, 40Ar-39Ar and Sm-Nd methods. Prismatic zircons occurring as inclusions within garnets define a minimum crystallization age of 399.5±1.6 Ma. 40Ar-39Ar dating on amphibole gives a plateau age.of 399.2 ± 4 Ma, which is interpreted as a retrogression age of amphibolite facies. This integrated study enables us to conclude that the age of high-pressure metamorphism is older than 399.5 ± 1.6 Ma, suggesting Caledonian collision between the North China and Yangtze plates. Round zircon within the aggregate of quartz and muscovite gives a concordant age of 301± 2 Ma, reflecting a later retrogression event. An age profile of post-eclogite metamorphism is documented, including amphibolite facies metamorphism at 399.2 Ma shortly after eclogitization and later retrogressive metamorphism at 301 Ma. Sm-Nd mineral isochron of garnet+omphacite gives     

大别山桐城地区雷庄低温高压榴辉岩的增温退变P-T轨迹及其构造含义

早期的研究显示大别山东段(安徽部分)出露的榴辉岩均为中温榴辉岩,并没有其他类型榴辉岩存在.本研究通过对桐城地区雷庄附近的榴辉岩野外地质调查、岩相学、矿物成分化学以及热力学分析表明,该地区榴辉岩为低温高压榴辉岩.榴辉岩的P-T演化特征研究区分了5个变质阶段,展示了一个"发卡式"增温退变轨迹.Ⅰ-阶段的变质温压为T=390～411℃,P=0.89～1.40GPa;Ⅱ-阶段为T=527～544℃,P=1.95～2.34GPa.该阶段为峰期变质,代表了板片俯冲最大深度;Ⅲ-阶段为T=501～519℃,P=1.74～2.14GPa;Ⅳ-阶段为T=630和P=1.22GPa;Ⅴ-阶段为T=350℃,P=0.20GPa.由Ⅲ-阶段至Ⅳ-阶段随着压力的降低,温度明显增加,反映了一个退变增温的演化趋势.这种增温可能是由于低温榴辉岩对温度变化的敏感,以及榴辉岩板片在折返至地壳某一深度停滞时间较长,北大别热穹隆和地温梯度的恢复是导致增温的热源.