Abstract
The diversity of recent regional metamorphic environments is related to plate boundaries. Modern theories predict that isothermal surfaces are inclined near oceanic spreading centres, volcanic arcs and in subduction zones. In a terrain where isobaric and isothermal surfaces are not parallel, the geothermal gradient has continous lateral and vertical variation, rather than one particular value. Rocks undergoing subduction move diagonally and their progressive metamorphism cannot correspond with the geothermal gradient, whatever its local value. Telescoping of metamorphic facies will occur if an inverted thermal gradient is established on the arc-side of a subduction zone. Relatively high pressure metamorphism will characterise this region, even though the thermal gradient has a high value and the geothermal gradient a negative value.
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