P-T-D Path of Eclogite from the Sambagawa Belt Deduced from Combination of Petrological and Microstructural Analyses

Both structural and petrological data can be used to constrainthe P–T path of an eclogitic schist unit (the Seba basicschist) in the Sambagawa belt of SW Japan. The relationshipsbetween these two sets of data are well defined by porphyroblasticand other microstructures. The derived P–T path for theSeba basic schist has an overall clockwise trajectory with thedecompression, or exhumation-related, path taking place undera lower P/T gradient than the burial, or subduction-related,path. The clockwise nature of the P–T path is qualitativelysupported by chemical zoning of amphibole coexisting with eclogiticminerals. The significant feature of the P–T path is thepresence of two temperature maxima, the first in the eclogitefacies and the second in the epidote-amphibolite facies. Theexistence of two temperature maxima gives a simple explanationfor the observation that metamorphic zonal boundaries postdatingthe eclogite facies metamorphism cross-cut the distributionof the main eclogite bodies in the Sambagawa belt. Estimatesof metamorphic pressure using the jadeite content of clinopyroxenein the Seba area demonstrate the existence of a tectonic discontinuitybetween the eclogitic schist and surrounding non-eclogitic schist.Structural studies show that although these two units have experiencedvery different peak metamorphic conditions, they became juxtaposedduring a single ductile deformation affecting both units. Thisdeformation is related to exhumation of the eclogitic schistand subduction of the non-eclogitic schist, indicating thatboth were formed during the same subduction event. The presenceof a major tectonic boundary between two units with a similarorigin as subducted and accreted material, but contrasting metamorphichistories, can be interpreted in terms of nappe tectonics, andthe existence of an ‘eclogite nappe’, the thirdnappe of the Sambagawa belt, is proposed. KEY WORDS: deformation stage; dual thermal maxima; eclogite; P–T–D path; Sambagawa belt