Occurrence and breakdown of paragonite and margarite in the Greiner Schiefer Series (Zillerthal Alps,Tyrol)

Margarite and Paragonite are found coexisting in amphibolites of the Untere Schieferhülle in the area of the upper Schlegeistal (Zillerthal Alps, Northern Tyrol). These amphibolites are metamorphosed under conditions of the low grade amphibolite facies. The chemical composition of the two micas was determined by the electron microprobe. A maximum of 14 Mol-% margarite and 18 Mol-% muscovite enters into the paragonite, the margarite being entered by 20 to 50 Mol-% paragonite and a maximum of 10 Mol-% muscovite. There seems to be a solubility gap between margarite and paragonite in a range between 15 and 50 Mol-% margarite.At their margins the margarites and paragonites breakdown into a mixture of feldspar and into a fine, microscopically not identifiable phase. Plagioclases having An 28 to An 42 result from breakdown of paragonite, feldspars between An 50 and An 60 probably arose from breakdown of margarite. A definite statement on this probelem is not possible because the smallness and the inhomogeneity of the feldspar grains.Based on the experimental data concerning the stability of margarite, paragonite (±quartz, ±CO₂) and kyanite, the P-T-range of the metamorphosis is discussed.