Evolution of regional metamorphism in the Cape Smith Thrust Belt (northern Quebec, Canada): interaction of tectonic and thermal processes

Abstract Syn-metamorphic re-imbrication of the internal part of thrust belts can result in distinct pressure–temperature–time–deformation ( P–T–t–d ) pathways for different structural–metamorphic domains. In the early Proterozoic Cape Smith Thrust Belt (Canada), an external (piggyback-sequence thrusting) domain is characterized by thermal peak metamorphism occurring after deformation. In contrast, thermal peak metamorphism in an internal domain occurred during re-imbrication by out-of-sequence thrusting. The interactions of tectonic and thermal processes have been studied using three methods: (i) qualitative evaluation of the timing between mineral growth and deformation; (ii) analytical P–T paths from growth-zoned garnet porphyroblasts; and (iii) numerical modelling of vertical heat conduction. Derived P–T–t–d pathways suggest that uplift in the external domain resulted in part from erosion and isostatic unloading. In contrast, paths for the internal domain indicate that the out-of-sequence portion of the thrust belt may have experienced faster unroofing relative to the external domain. This is attributed to thickening by out-of-sequence thrusting and possibly to extensional faulting at (now eroded) higher structural levels. Observations on the timing of metamorphism, coupled with numerical modelling, suggest that the thermal peak metamorphism documented in the external domain is a consequence of the emplacement of the out-of-sequence thrusts stack in the internal portion of the thrust belt.     

Progressive metamorphism in a crustal-scale shear zone: an example from the Léon region, north-west Brittany, France

This paper describes the progressive metamorphism and deformation of a series of metasediments, Le Conquet Schists and their higher grade equivalents, which occur as tectonically emplaced screens within a sequence of foliated gneisses, the Gneiss de Brest and Gneiss de Lesneven. The sequence exhibits a steep south to north increase in metamorphic grade from garnet-staurolite schist to sillimanite gneiss and sillimanite-K-feldspar migmatite. The relationship of mineral growth to foliation development has been established for individual screens. At least five phases of deformation (D1-D5) are preserved. Analysis of porphyroblast inclusion trails is used to demonstrate sequential mineral growth during the successive development of orthogonal foliations S1-S4. Porphyroblasts continued to grow during the subsequent development of C-S mylonite fabrics and extensional crenulation cleavages which are genetically related to a series of high-strain zones (D5). Mineral assemblages, phase relations and mineral chemistry are consistent with porphyroblast growth being the result of continuous reactions. Microstructure-porphyroblast relations are used to show that although mineral growth proceeded during continuous reactions, these only operated episodically. Phase relations, mineral chemistry and P-T estimates are used to constrain P-T trajectories and these are linked to the deformation histories within individual screens. A comparison between the resulting pressure-temperature-deformation paths is used to demonstrate that the metamorphic peak occurred progressively later and at successively lower pressures with increasing metamorphic grade. It is suggested that the early evolution of the belt is the result of crustal thickening by overthrusting. The subsequent history is one of progressive heating and unroofing of the higher grade rocks in a dextral strike-slip transtensional shear zone.     

Controls on P–T–t deformation path from amphibole zonation during progressive metamorphism of basic rocks (estuary of the River Vilaine, South Brittany, France)

Abstract Edenite/tremolite and edenite/magnesio-hornblende in equilibrium with plagioclase, chlorite, epidote, quartz and vapour involve several types of reactions for which K _D can be related to T and P. Thermodynamic calculation of these equilibria leads to isopleth systems. Given knowledge of the progressive changes of end-member activities in zoned Ca–Mg amphiboles (based on microprobe analyses), it is possible to construct precise pressure–temperature–time paths ( P–T–t paths) which have been followed by metabasites during polyphase metamorphism. When applied to basic rocks from the River Vilaine area, this method allows us to construct a P–T–t path that can be compared directly to the P–T–t path constructed from interbedded acid rocks (aluminous micaschists) in the same structural unit. Through time, both basic and acid rocks underwent the same complex deformation history that can be described conveniently in the L–S fabric system of Flinn. This allows us to construct a P–T–t deformation path for this structural unit.
These paths are interpreted in terms of an under/overthrusting continental collision belt (the Hercynian belt), and represent an illustration of the time delay caused by stacking of more than two crustal units.     

Metamorphic evolution of granulites in the Minto Block, northern Québec: extraction of peak P-T conditions taking account of late Fe-Mg exchange

In the central Minto Block of northern Québec, the Lake Minto and Goudalie domains are dominated, respectively, by orthopyroxene-bearing plutonic suites (granite-granodiorite and diatexite) and a tonalitic gneiss complex, both of which contain scattered remnant paragneisses. Two main granulite-grade mineral assemblages are observed in the paragneiss: garnet (Grt)-orthopyroxene (Opx)-plagioclase-quartz (GOPQ) and garnet (Grt)-cordierite (Crd)-sillimanite-plagioclase-quartz (GCSPQ). These show distinct lithological associations, with the GCSPQ assemblages occurring exclusively within the diatexite in the Lake Minto domain. Petrogenetic grid considerations demonstrate that the GOPQ rocks are higher grade than the GCSPQ rocks. Maximum temperatures for GOPQ rocks, obtained from equilibria based on Al solubility in orthopyroxene in equilibrium with garnet, range from 950 to 1000d? C, significantly higher than garnet-orthopyroxene Fe-Mg exchange temperatures of 700 ± 50d? C, the latter probably representing a closure temperature below peak conditions. The Al temperatures were corrected for late cation exchange by adjusting the Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratios in garnet and orthopyroxene, to achieve internal consistency between the GOPQ thermometers and barometers. Grt-Crd thermometry records temperatures of 750±50d? C. Peak P-T conditions range from 5-6 kbar and 750-800d? C in the Goudalie and eastern Lake Minto domains, to 7-10 kbar and 950-1000d? C in the western and central Lake Minto domain. This variability contrasts with the uniform crustal pressures of 5 ± 1 kbar recorded by the GCSPQ assemblages in the diatexites and the hornblende granodiorites (c. 4-5 kbar) across the same area. The GOPQ rocks are inferred to record earlier P-T conditions that prevailed before the formation of GCSPQ assemblages and the intrusion of the granodiorites. Partial P-T paths in GOPQ rocks from both domains, based on net transfer equilibria corrected for Fe-Mg resetting, document cooling of 100-250d? C from thermal-peak conditions, concomitant with a modest pressure decrease of 2-3 kbar. Although textures diagnostic of isobaric cooling are not developed, the paths are consistent with a tectonic model in which granulite metamorphism and crustal thickening in the Minto Block were consequences of magmatic underplating. The progression from higher P-T conditions recorded by GOPQ assemblages to lower P-T conditions recorded by GCSPQ assemblages is attributed to variable amounts of synmagmatic uplift and cooling in a single, continuous thermal event in the Minto crust, associated with protracted crustal magmatism. In the Goudalie and eastern Lake Minto domains, where GOPQ and GCSPQ rocks and Hbl granodiorites have similar P-T conditions of equilibration, the crust may not have been thickened as much as further west, where GOPQ P-T conditions are significantly higher than those of the hornblende granodiorites and the GCSPQ rocks.     

Quantitative prediction of discrete element models on complex loading paths

The ability of discrete element models to describe quantitatively (and not only qualitatively) the constitutive behaviour of a dense sand is assessed in this paper. Two kinds of 3D discrete models are considered. Both consider spheres as elementary particles. Nevertheless, the first model implements a contact law with rolling resistance whereas the second takes into account clumps made of two spheres. The discrete models are calibrated and validated from mechanical tests performed on a dense Hostun sand with a true triaxial apparatus. The calibration is carried out from axisymmetric drained compression tests, while the validation is discussed from monotonic and cyclic stress proportional loading paths and from a circular stress path in the deviatoric stress plane. The quality of the predictions of the discrete models are evaluated by comparison with the predictions given with advanced phenomenological constitutive relations, mainly an incrementally non-linear relation. Predictions given by the discrete models are remarkable, particularly when it is put in perspective with respect to the very few number of mechanical tests required for their calibration. However, these results and conclusions were reached in enabling conditions, and some limitations of such discrete models should be kept in mind.     

Tectonothermal history of the basement rocks in the western zone of the North China Craton and its tectonic implications

The basement of the North China Craton can be divided into the eastern, central and western zones, based on lithological, structural, metamorphic and geochronological data. The western zone comprises two different petrotectonic units: Archaean tonalitic–trondhjemitic–granodioritic (TTG) grey gneisses and metamorphic mafic rocks, and Palaeoproterozoic khondalite series. The former is characterized by isobaric cooling (IBC)-type anticlockwise P–T paths in the north-northwestern part of the zone and near-isothermal decompression (ITD)-type clockwise P–T paths in the eastern part, adjacent to the central zone. On the other hand, the tectonothermal evolution of Palaeoproterozoic khondalite series rocks is characterized exclusively by nearly isothermal decompression following the peak of metamorphism and then cooling, defining clockwise P–T paths. The Archaean TTG gneisses and associated mafic rocks with anticlockwise metamorphic P–T paths reflects an origin related to underplating and intrusion of mantle-derived magmas which may be derived from mantle plumes. They represent a late Archaean continental block in the western part of the North China Craton. The Palaeoproterozoic khondalite series rocks represent passive continental margin deposits. They were metamorphosed and deformed in the late Palaeoproterozoic during the amalgamation of the western continental block with another continental block in the east part of the North China Craton. The ITD-type clockwise P–T–t paths of the Palaeoproterozoic khondalite series rocks record the tectonothermal histories of the collision of the western and eastern continental blocks which resulted in the final assembly of the North China Craton at c. 1800 Ma.     

Regional‐scale sedimentation process models from airborne gamma ray remote sensing and digital elevation data

Airborne gamma ray survey data were used to provide information on potassium, thorium and uranium concentrations in surface soil and rock in arid central Australia. Spatial patterns in these radioelements allow tracing of paths of sediment at catchment scale. Survey elevation data are combined with contour data to produce digital elevation models for terrain analysis, tracing of sediment flow paths and modelling of extreme floods. Gamma ray data show consistent variation with slope, a limited range of drainage areas, and erosion/deposition models derived from the conservation of mass equation. Supply‐limited sediment transport models give a reasonable reproduction of observed radioelement distribution but some elements of the distribution pattern reflect the area inundated by 500–1000 year floods rather than the effects of simple downslope movement. Partial area sediment supply models are derived by downstream accumulation of erosion and deposition rates calculated using the conservation of mass equation with transport laws based on slope alone and stream power. Comparison with observed radioelement patterns suggests that both transport laws apply in different parts of the landscape. Regional‐scale sediment transport models will require a range of models depending on location in the landscape and event frequency. This approach may allow estimation of sediment delivery ratios. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

变质作用p-T-t轨迹的研究方法与进展

变质作用p T t轨迹理论的提出完全改变了人们对变质作用过程的认识。地壳加厚区(造山带)内区域变质作用发生于地壳从热扰动到热松弛的动态演化过程中,岩石的p T t轨迹是地壳加厚的方式及机制、热松弛速率和岩石折返速率的综合函数。一维热模拟假设引起热扰动的构造作用在瞬间完成,岩石在折返过程中开始变质作用演化。二维热模拟结果表明在地壳加厚过程中(岩石埋藏阶段)伴随明显热效应,岩石在折返过程中有少量加热,达到温度峰值。反演变质作用的p T t轨迹包括3种方法：传统地质温压计方法,吉布斯/微分热力学方法和变质相图方法。无论哪种方法,都必须以详细岩相学研究为基础,在岩石中划分出两期以上矿物组合。传统地质温压计方法被广泛使用,但在确定不同期次矿物组合的平衡和p T条件上有若干不确定性。吉布斯/微分热力学方法理论上非常完善,依据矿物(石榴石)的生长环带计算岩石的p T t轨迹,但是由于难以确定矿物生长阶段的矿物组合变化,以及缺少复杂固溶体的活度模型等,致使该方法实用性较差。目前反演岩石p T t轨迹的最好方法是变质相图方法,该方法依据p T视剖面图上矿物等值线温压计,模拟由矿物的世代关系和生长环带所记录的p T条件变化,并可以定量模拟变质过程中的矿物组合演化、变质反应和流体行为。对不同中压型变质带和超高压型地体中岩石p T t轨迹的反演模拟表明,岩石在构造埋藏阶段应伴随明显热效应,发生一系列递增变质作用,几乎同时达到压力与温度峰值,岩石折返过程以等温降压型(ITD)为主。这与一维热模拟结果很不相同,而与二维热模拟结果大体相似,但一般折返速率更快。     

柴北缘锡铁山一带榴辉岩的岩石学特征及其退变PT轨迹

柴北缘锡铁山地区榴辉岩以透镜体的形式存在于花岗质片麻岩和副变质片麻岩中.根据矿物组合的不同,可以分为多硅白云母榴辉岩和角闪石榴辉岩.在多硅白云母榴辉岩中首次发现了柯石英假象.利用榴辉岩中Grt-Cpx-Phn矿物温压计.结合绿辉石中存在柯石英假象包体的现象,得到锡铁山榴辉岩的峰期温压条件为751～791℃,2.71～3.17GPa,证明了锡铁山地区与柴北缘其他地块一样,也经历了超高压变质作用.通过PT视剖面图计算了榴辉岩退变的PT轨迹具有2个阶段演化特征：即先等温降压,然后再降温降压的PT轨迹.详细的岩石学研究探讨了榴辉岩在退变过程中,各矿物的成分和结构的改变过程.石榴石在等温降压过程中成分变化不大,而在角闪石出现后,其边部镁铝榴石含量明显降低,进而形成了韭闪石+斜长石的冠状体.绿辉石在水饱和状态下经过贫硬玉化改造,而后形成了Di+Ab+Amp的后生合晶.多硅白云母分解形成白云母+黑云母及少量石英及钾长石的组合.角闪石随着温压条件的降低由钠钙质闪石逐渐向钙质闪石转化.     

高喜马拉雅中段基性捕虏体的变质作用及其构造意义

西藏南部聂拉木—樟木剖面出露的高喜马拉雅变质带主要由副变质片麻岩和花岗质片麻岩组成,其次为伟晶岩和淡色花岗侵入体,区域变质程度为角闪岩相。我们对其中的变质基性捕虏体进行详细的变质作用研究,内容包括变质矿物组合,矿物变质反应结构和变质作用的温度—压力条件分析。基性捕虏体中的石榴子石角闪片麻岩和斜长角闪片麻岩均保存了两期变质矿物组合。温度与压力计算结果表明,石榴子石角闪片麻岩早期变质阶段(M1)温度约为829 ℃,压力为7.3 kbar; 晚期(M2)变质温度为625 ℃,压力为4.3 kbar。斜长角闪片麻岩所经历的早期变质阶段(M1)温度约为776 ℃、压力约为10.6 kbar; 晚期(M2)变质温度超过692 ℃,压力为7.4 kbar。石榴子石角闪片麻岩和斜长角闪片麻岩捕虏体均记录了典型的顺时针P-T轨迹,表明高喜马拉雅变质带曾向北俯冲到下地壳深度,之后被抬升到地表剥蚀出露。变质基性捕虏体的研究说明高喜马拉雅结晶岩系经历过较高温度—压力的变质作用,支持了其沿着藏南拆离系和主中央逆冲断裂系向南挤出的大地构造模型。