The upper stability limit of the assemblage paragonite + quartz and its natural occurrences

The assemblage paragonite + quartz is encountered frequently in low- to medium-grade metamorphic rocks. With rising grade of metamorphism they react mutually to yield the condensed assemblage albite + Al₂SiO₅.The univariant curve pertaining to the equilibrium paragonite + quartz=albite + andalusite + H₂O has been located experimentally. The reversed P _{H 2 O}-T data are: 1 kb: 470–490° C 2 kb: 510–530° C 3 kb: 540–560° C 4 kb: 560–580° C 5 kb: 590–600° C The univariant curve pertaining to the equilibrium paragonite + quartz=albite + kyanite + H₂O runs through the following P _{H 2 O}-T-intervals: 5 kb: 570–625° C 6 kb: 600–630° C 7 kb: 620–640° C Thermodynamic calculations of S ₂₉₈ ⁰ , H _f,298 ⁰ and G _f,298 ⁰ of the phase paragonite from the experimental data presented above and those obtained from the equilibria of the reaction paragonite=albite + corundum + H₂O (Chatterjee, 1970), agree within the limits of uncertainty. This prompts the idea that Zen's (1969) suggestion of a possible error of approximately 7 kcal in G _f,298 ⁰ of the Al₂SiO₅ polymorphs may in fact be due to an error of similar magnitude in G _f,298 ⁰ of corundum.A best estimate of S ₂₉₈ ⁰ , H _f,298 ⁰ and G _f,298 ⁰ of paragonite based on these considerations yield: S ₂₉₈ ⁰ : 67.61±3.9 cal deg^–1 gfw^–1 H _f,298 ⁰ : –1411.4±2.7 kcal gfw^–1 G _f,298 ⁰ : –1320.9±4.0 kcal gfw^–1 These numbers will be subject to change when better thermochemical data on corundum and albite are available.In medium-grade metamorphic rocks the assemblage paragonite + quartz is commonly found in stable coexistence with such other phases as muscovite, staurolite, andalusite, kyanite, but not with cordierite or sillimanite. However, the assemblage paragonite-sillimanite has been reported to be stable in the absence of quartz. All these petrologic observations can be explained on the basis of the stability data of the phases and phase assemblages concerned.