Eclogites of southern Henan and northern Hubei Provinces, central China

Abstract According to field occurrence and P-T condition, eclogites of southern Henan and northern Hubei Provinces can be divided into two types: medium temperature (MT) and low temperature (LT) eclogites. MT eclogite occurs as layers or lenticular bodies within migmatized gneiss of the Dabie Group. This study is the first to report an occurrence of the assemblages coesite and kyanite + talc in this area. Garnet exhibits a distinct prograde compositional zoning and has mineral inclusions with rotational textures indicating syntectonic growth. Five evolutionary stages are outlined. (1) Pre-eclogite stage, determined by the inclusions of barroisite + zoisite + quartz in the cores of zoned garnets. (2) Eclogite stage, characterized by garnet + omphacite + kyanite ± talc + coesite + rutile, represents the peak metamorphism. The peak conditions are estimated to be T = 600-700°C, P >27 kb. (3) Glaucophane stage, without an appearance of plagioclase, is assigned to a transitional stage. Blades of glaucophane form rims around garnet grains as a result of the reaction talc + jadeite = glaucophane. This marks the beginning of retrograde metamorphism. (4) Symplectite stage, where eclogitic minerals break down, and Amp + Pl symplectite develops around garnet or omphacite; (5) Later retrograde stage is represented by epidote-amphibolite assemblages. Low temperature eclogite appears as blocks in the Qijiaoshan Formation (part of the Susong Group). Four stages can be identified: (1) Pre-eclogite stage, amphibole + epidote + sphene inclusions occur in garnet core; (2) Eclogite stage, consists of garnet + omphacite + rutile + quartz + phengite + glaucophane + zoisite. The peak conditions are T = 490-560°C, P <15 kb; (3) Symplectitic stage, is characterized by the breakdown of eclogitic minerals; (4) Greenschist facies stage, is recorded by a greenschist facies assemblage. The difference between the two types of eclogites suggests contrasting processes. A model is proposed whereby partial melting of continental crust and the emplacement of tonalite occurs during the exhumation of ultrahigh-pressure eclogite terrain.