Constraints on anthophyllite formation in thermally metamorphosed peridotites from southwestern Japan

Anthophyllite or another species of Mg‐amphibole commonly occurs in an intervening zone between the higher grade orthopyroxene zone and lower grade talc zone in progressively metamorphosed peridotites. However, the anthophyllite zone is absent in some of the thermally metamorphosed peridotite complexes in SW Japan despite the existence of the other zones. A comparative study presented here reveals similarities in rock composition and metamorphic pressure–temperature conditions at high‐grade zones between the metaperidotite complexes, and differences in the following respects. The metaperidotite complex that contains an anthophyllite zone has less abundant magnetite and olivine that is more homogeneous than the complex where the anthophyllite zone is absent. It is likely that the degree of cation diffusion in olivine crystals depends on duration of heat retention in metaperidotites during thermal metamorphism, which is supported by the variation in mineralogy of intrusive rocks and pelitic hornfelses surrounding the metaperidotites, and by calculations based on a simplified model of thermal conduction. The long duration of heat retention looks to be a necessary condition for the formation of anthophyllite crystals, which have a sluggish nucleation rate. In addition, the circulation of reducing fluids during prolonged metamorphism likely promoted the decomposition of magnetite and the growth of anthophyllite, into which iron is preferentially distributed. This study cautions about kinetic controls and redox conditions for anthophyllite formation in metaperidotites.