Metamorphic path constrained by metapelitic rocks from the inner Aiuruoca-Andrelândia nappe, south of the São Francisco craton, SE Brazil

Abstract

A Nappe system south to southwest of the São Francisco Craton represents the southern extension of the Brası́lia belt and describes an inverted metamorphic pile of greenschist facies toward amphibolite facies. The Aiuruoca-Andrelândia nappe is one of the nappes of this system. The hind portion of the Aiuruoca-Andrelândia nappe, south of Caxambu and Aiuruoca (MG), consists of a structural-metamorphic domain transported toward the E-NE. There is a metamorphic transition, from the kyanite zone to kyanite and sillimanite coexistence, until the sillimanite zone. Metapelitic rocks preserve high-pressure parageneses (Rt–Ky–Grt–Ms–Bt–Pl–Qtz) and contain retrograde eclogitic rocks. Sil–Pl–Qtz coronitic intergrowths around garnets are common decompressive textures. Kyanite schists register the P max of 11 kbar at 660 °C and define a decompressive path until 6–7.5 kbar at 650 °C. These P– T conditions represent the equilibrium in S 2 schistosity (amphibolite facies) and the beginning of the cooling path in the Ky–Sil transition. The decompressive path suggests an extrusional process, immediately after burying at about 60 km. Exhumation controlled by convergent events, related to the São Francisco Plate subduction and tectonic erosion, took these units, isothermally, to higher levels (20–33 km). Later, the metamorphic path shifted toward near-isobaric cooling.