Aragonite and omphacite-bearing metapelite from Besshi region, Sambagawa belt in central Shikoku, Japan and its implication

Aragonite and omphacite-bearing metapelite occurs in the albite–biotite zone of the Togu (Tohgu) area, Besshi region, Sambagawa metamorphic belt, central Shikoku, Japan. This metapelite consists of alternating graphite-rich and graphite-poor layers that contain garnet, phengite, chlorite, epidote, titanite, calcite, albite, and quartz. A graphite-poor layer contains a 1.5-cm ivory-colored lens that mainly consists of phengite, calcite, albite, and garnet. Aragonite, omphacite, and paragonite occur as inclusions in the garnet of the ivory lens. The aragonite has a composition that is close to the CaCO₃ end-member: the FeCO₃ and MnCO₃ components are both less than 0.3 mol% and the SrCO₃ component is about 1 mol%. The aragonite + omphacite + quartz assemblage in garnet indicates equilibrium conditions of P  > 1.1–1.3 GPa and T  = 430–550°C. Quartz grains sealed in garnet of the aragonite and omphacite-bearing sample and other metapelites in the Togu area preserve a high residual pressure that is equivalent to the Sambagawa eclogite samples. These facts suggest that: (i) the Togu area experienced eclogite facies metamorphism; and (ii) thus, eclogite facies metamorphism covered the Sambagawa belt more extensively than previously recognized.