Empirical calibration of the silica–Ca-tschermak's–anorthite (SCAn) geobarometer

The pressure-sensitive equilibrium among anorthite, quartz and the Ca-tschermak component in clinopyroxene (CaAl₂SiO₆; CaTs), CaAl₂SiOCpx6+SiOQtz2=CaAl₂Si₂OPl8 (SCAn) ,can be used as a geobarometer in granulites with the proper assemblage, and has been calibrated using mineral composition data from partial melting experiments of natural assemblages and from phase equilibrium experiments on the end-member CMAS system. The experimental data cover the P – T  range 4–32  kbar and 900–1400  °C. Linear least-squares regression analysis of the experimental data resulted in the following empirical expressions for pressure in terms of composition and temperature: P = 5.066 ±0.760]+ 1300 ±800] T  ?ln K 276 ±16] · T  ±2.5  kbar]or P = 6.330 ±0.116]?ln K 301 ±9]· T  ±1.0  kbar] ,where K = a PlAn a CpxCaTs  .The first equation incorporates an enthalpy term, but is less accurate than the second equation, in which the enthalpy of reaction is ignored. Application of these expressions to natural and experimental equilibrium mineral assemblages demonstrates that the empirical barometers are applicable over a wide range of pressures (≥4  kbar), temperatures (≥700  °C) and bulk compositions (Mg#≥32.5).