Tectonometamorphic evolution of the Sebadani eclogitic metagabbro and the Sambagawa schists, central Shikoku, Japan: 40Ar/39Ar mineral age constraints

Abstract The Sambagawa metamorphic belt exposed in central Shikoku records a high-P–T metamorphic event. It is represented by the Oboke nappe and structurally overlying, internally imbricated, Besshi nappe complex. These major structural units are in ductile thrust contact. A melange is developed along a ductile internal tectonic contact within the Besshi nappe complex. Tectonic emplacement of a high-T enclave (Sebadani eclogite) in the melange zone resulted in the development of a contact metamorphic aureole within the host Sambagawa rocks. ³⁶Ar/⁴⁰Ar versus ³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar isotope correlation ages recorded by hornblende from the Sambagawa basic schists which surround the Sebadani enclave are 83.4 ± 0.3 Ma (within contact aureole) and 83.6 ± 0.5 Ma (outside aureole). ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar plateau ages recorded by muscovite from the same samples are 87.9 ± 0.3 and 89.3 ± 0.4 Ma. Amphibole from the amphibolite within the Sebadani enclave records isotope correlation ages of 93.7 ± 1.1 and 96.5 ± 0.7 Ma (massive interior) and 84.6 ± 1.2 Ma (marginal shear zone). Amphibole within the massive amphibolite is significantly higher in X_Mg than that within the host Sambagawa basic schists. The older ages recorded by amphibole within the Sebadani enclave are interpreted to date cooling through somewhat higher closure temperatures than which characterize the more Fe-rich amphibole in surrounding schists. The younger amphibole age recorded within the marginal shear zone probably indicates that crystallization of amphibole continued until cooling through the relatively lower amphibole closure temperatures. These results, together with the previously published ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of the Sambagawa schists, suggest: (i) metamorphic culmination occurred in the Besshi nappe complex at c. 100–90 Ma; (ii) at c. 95 Ma the Besshi nappe complex was internally imbricated and tectonic enclaves were emplaced; (iii) at c. 85 Ma, the composite Besshi nappe was rapidly exhumed and tectonically emplaced over the Oboke nappe (which attained peak metamorphic conditions at c. 75 Ma); (iv) the Besshi and Oboke nappe complexes were further exhumed as a coherent tectonic unit and unconformably overlain by the Eocene Kuma Group at c. 50 Ma.