Granulite-Facies Metamorphism at Molodezhnaya Station, East Antarctica

Granulite-facies quartzofeldpathic gneisses metamorphosed 1000m.y. ago are exposed around Molodezhnaya Station (67°40'S,46°E) in East Antarctica. In addition to quartz, K-feldspar,and plagioclase, the fourteen samples studied in detail consistof the assemblages biotite-orthopyroxene-magnetite, biotite-garnet-orthopyroxene-ilmenite±magnetite, biotite-garnet ± ilmenite ± magnetite,biotite-garnet-sillimanite-ilmenite ± rutile, and biotite-garnet-cordierite-ilmenite-(sillimanite-rutile).Garnets are pyrope-almandine (13 to 34 mol per cent pyrope).Biotite (X_Fe = 0.33 to 0.57) is rich in TiO₂ (4 to 6.3 wt percent) and its Al₂O₃ content depends on the mineral assemblage.Orthopyroxene (X_Fe = 0.45 to 0.60) contains 1.5 to 3.0 weightper cent Al₂O₃. By and large, the minerals are chemically homogeneousand compositional variations are systematic, which indicatecrystallization under equilibrium conditions. On the basis ofthe compositions of coexisting garnet-biotite, garnet-cordierite,garnet-plagioclase (with sillimanite), and garnet-plagioclase-orthopyroxene,temperatures and pressures during the granulite-facies metamorphismare estimated to be 700°C ± 30°C and 5.5 ±1 kb. Water pressure apparently was significantly less thantotal pressure. Alteration during events following the granulite-facies metamorphismhas resulted in chemical zoning in garnet, in which grain edgesare more iron-rich than cores, heterogeneous biotite compositions,and anomalous trends involving MnO. Temperatures based on biotiteand garnet-edge compositions range from 410 to 580°C. Differences in the chemical potential (µ) of water andoxygen in the fluid phase can explain compositional variationsamong the three sillimanite-bearing samples and the relativelyiron-rich compositions of garnet and biotite associated withcordierite. Apparently, the water released by the formationof cordierite remained in the rock, forcing µH₂O to increaseas cordierite formed. Buffering of fluid phase composition bythe mineral assemblage suggests that water was not removed fromthe Molodezhnaya rocks by flushing with CO₂-rich fluids duringmetamorphism, a hypothesis evoked to explain ‘dry’mineral assemblages in other granulite-facies terrains.