P-T-t-deformation paths recorded by kinzigites during diapirism in the western Variscan belt (Golfe du Morbihan, southern Brittany, France)

Abstract The high-grade metamorphic rocks of southern Brittany underwent a complex tectonic evolution under various P-T conditions (high-P, high-T), related to stacking of nappes during Palaeozoic continentcontinent collision. The east to west thrusting observed in the whole belt is strongly perturbed by vertical movements attributed to the ascent of anatectic granites in the high-T area. The field reconstruction of subvertical, closed elliptical structures in gneisses and migmatites, associated with the subhorizontal, doubly radial pattern of stretching lineation in the mica schists, suggests the existence of an elliptical diapiric body buried at depth beneath the present erosion level. Deformation is associated with a complex P-T evolution partly recorded in aluminous gneisses (kinzigites, e.g. morbihanites). A chronology of successive episodes of mineral growth at different compositions is established by detailed studies of the mineral-microstructure relationships in X-Z sections, using the deformation-partitioning concept (low- and high-strain zones). Several thermometric and barometric calibrations are applied to mineral pairs either in contact or not in contact but in equivalent microstructiiral positions with respect to the deformation history. This methodology provides a continuous microstructural control of P-T variations through time and leads to three P-T-t-d paths constructed from numerous successive P-T estimations. Path 1 is a clockwise retrograde path preserved in low-strain zones, which records general exhumation movements after crustal thickening. Paths 2 and 3 are clockwise prograde/retrograde paths from high-strain zones; they are interpreted and discussed in the light of models of crustal anatexis and upward movement of magma (diapirism). Deformation and P-T effects induced by diapirism can be distinguished from the general deformation-metamorphic history of a belt, and would seem to be produced during a late stage of its history. The present microstructural-petrological approach to defining successive mineral equilibria in relation to progressive deformation steps provides a far more accurate evaluation of the metamorphic evolution than is possible by ‘standard’thermobarometry.     

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.     

The (Na–Ca)amphibole–albite–chlorite–epidote–quartz geothermobarometer in the system S–A–F–M–C–N–H2O. 1. An empirical calibration

The proposed geothermobarometer is based on an empirical calibration which takes account of two equilibria involving the tremolite, edenite, pargasite and hastingsite components in amphiboles. It has applications to assemblages found in metabasic rocks of widely different chemical compositions (magnesian to Fe-rich metabasalts), and for metamorphism ranging from lower greenschist to highest amphibolite facies. Knowing the Si_(T1), Al^iv, Al^vi, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Mg, Ca, Na_M4, Na_A and A vacancy in an amphibole, and the Al³⁺ and X _Mg in coexisting epidote and chlorite, it is possible to calculate two values of In K _d for this assemblage. These equilibria involve edenite-tremolite and (pargasite/hastingsite)-tremolite end-members in amphibole (the calculation program is given). For these equilibria, the isopleths (iso-values of K _d) have been calculated for 0.27 < X _Mg < 0.75 and 0 < X _Fe3+= Fe³⁺/(Fe³⁺+ Al^vi) < 0.8. It is then possible to determine pressure and temperature directly when X _Mg, X _Fe3+, In K _d for tremoliteedenite and In K _d for (pargasite/hastingsite)-tremolite are known. Application of this geothermobarometer is limited to Ca-free plagioclase assemblages, and complete P–T paths can be drawn only if all the minerals are considered together. Phase relations at successive stages of crystallization can be constrained by studying the relationships between the coexisting minerals, their zoning and the metamorphic fabrics.     

Mineralogy, petrology and P–T–t path of Ca–Na amphibole assemblages, Saint-Martin des Noyers formation, Vendée, France

Abstract The Saint-Martin des Noyers Formation is interpreted as a slice of an island-arc system of Lower to Middle Palaeozoic age, located in the internal part of the Variscan orogen in Vendée (Armorican Massif, France). Metamorphosed igneous rocks range in composition from ultramafic to rhyolitic. The regular increase in the FeO/(FeO+MgO) ratio, from mafic to silicic samples, results in a systematic variability in the nature and composition of the metamorphic phases. In basaltic samples, the occurrence of relict garnet-barroisite assemblages suggests relatively high-pressure conditions for the peak of metamorphism. During a subsequent retrograde evolution, the primary barroisitic hornblendes recrystallized to texturally complex mixtures of actinolite and hornblende. Despite this complication, it is possible to decipher a P–T-t path based on amphibole chemistry. The P–T trajectory deduced is dominated by the effect of pressure and consistent with early underthrusting and subsequent tectonic uplift of the ancient arc of Saint-Martin des Noyers.     

Continuous reactions between biotite, garnet, staurolite, kyanite-sillimanite-andalusite and P-T-time-deformation path in micaschists from the estuary of the river Vilaine, South Brittany, France

Abstract Microprobe analysis of the continuous chemical evolution of coexisting biotite-garnet and biotite-garnet-staurolite has been undertaken from interbedded micaschists of the volcanodetrital group of the Vilaine. A thermobarometric study using pertinent mineralogical equilibria reveals a complex P-T evolution, continuous throughout time, from high pressure, medium temperature (kyanite zone) to medium pressure, high temperature (sillimanite zone), then low pressure, medium temperature (andalusite zone). The T, P, f_H2o and X_H2o variations have been calculated from coexisting biotite-garnet pairs, and from the equilibria: paragonite (in white mica) + quartz ± albite (in plagioclase) + Al silicate + H₂O; and, 3 anorthite ± grossular + 2 Alsilicate + quartz. The P-T evolution is correlated with the continuous change in composition of minerals (using P–X_Mg and T–X_Mg diagrams) and with the evolution of assemblages. This continuous P-T-time evolution, correlated with the successive formation of S₁-S₂ foliations, allows us to propose a P-T-time-deformation path for the micaschists and to relate the growth of its mineral components to tectonic processes.     

Co-existing Blue and Blue-green Amphiboles from Ile de Groix (Morbihan, France)

Seventeen co-existing blue and blue-green amphibole pairs fromamphibolites of zones I, II and III of Ile de Groix have beenanalysed by electron microprobe. The size of the miscibilitygap, related to variations of compositions of blue and associatedblue-green amphiboles in well defined P and T conditions, asa function of whole rock compositions, is shown. Blue amphibolesare glaucophanes of relatively homogeneous composition (0.018< Ca/(Ca + Na) < 0.102); associated blue-green amphibolesshow larger substitutions, from actinolitic hornblendes to pargasitichornblendes (0.43 < Ca/(Ca + Na) < 0.81). A comparisonwith pairs crystallized in other physical conditions shows variationsin blue amphiboles with P, in blue-green amphiboles with T,inside glaucophane schist facies. The miscibility gap seemsto be the narrowest for glaucophane schist facies conditions,which are near the greenschist facies boundary: P 8 kb, T 450 °C.     

Amphibolites from Panama: anticlockwise P-T paths from a Pre-upper Cretaceous metamorphic basement in Isthmian Central America

Rocks from the metamorphic basement of the Azuero and Sona peninsulas, Panama, consist of schistose amphibolites and minor amounts of metasediment. In the Sona peninsula, strongly zoned amphiboles indicate that the amphibolites followed a progressive anticlockwsie P-T path prograde from low T /low P to medium T /high P , and are retrograded into the greenschist facies. In contrast, the amphibolites of the Azuero peninsula are affected by a low to medium T /low P metamorphism.
The metamorphic events of the Sona amphibolites occurred prior to the intra-Senonian tectonic phase which affects the Mesozoic formations along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and Panama. The regional significance of such a basement in Isthmian Central America is discussed.     

The (Na–Ca)amphibole–albite–chlorite–epidote–quartz geothermobarometer in the system S–A–F–M–C–N–H2O. 2. Applications to metabasic rocks in different metamorphic settings

In order to illustrate different applications of the amphibole-albite-chlorite-epidote-quartz geothermobarometer, pressure-temperature-time ( P–T–t ) ± space ( P–T–t–s ) ± deformation ( P–T–t–d ) paths have been established from literature data. They are discussed as a function of the chemical, equilibrium and microstructural data available in each case, and compared with the conclusions already established by other methods. It is clear that it is necessary to know the relative chronology of the events (directions of zoning of minerals in successive microstructural positions) to establish precise P–T paths; this enables reconstruction of complex geodynamic histories. From this point of view, it is necessary to analyse the maximum possible number of minerals in a few well-chosen metabasic rocks showing different generations of blastesis. The rocks should belong to different tectonic units to obtain the best overall picture of a metamorphic complex.