Modelling phase–assemblage diagrams for magnesian metapelites in the system K2O–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O: geodynamic consequences for the Monte Rosa nappe, Western Alps

Abstract

Magnesian metamorphic rocks with metapelitic mineral assemblage and composition are of great interest in metamorphic petrology for their ability to constrain P–T conditions in terranes where metamorphism is not easily visible. Phase–assemblage diagrams for natural and model magnesian metapelites in the system KFMASH are presented to document how phase relationships respond to water activity, bulk composition, pressure and temperature. The phase assemblages displayed on these phase diagrams are consistent with natural mineral assemblages occurring in magnesian metapelites. It is shown that the equilibrium assemblages at high pressure conditions are very sensitive to a(H2O). Specifically, the appearance of the characteristic HP assemblage chloritoid–talc–phengite–quartz (with excess H2O) in the magnesian metapelites of the Monte Rosa nappe (Western Alps) is due to the reduction of a(H2O). Furthermore, the mineral assemblages are determined by the whole-rock FeO/(FeO+MgO) ratio and effective Al content X A as well as P and T. The predicted mineral associations for the low- and high-X A model bulk compositions of magnesian metapelites at high pressure are not dependent on the X A variations as they show a similar sequence of mineral assemblages. Above 20 kbar, the prograde sequence of assemblages associated with phengite (with excess SiO2 and H2O) for low- and high-X A bulk compositions of magnesian metapelites is: carpholite–chlorite → chlorite–chloritoid → chloritoid–talc → chloritoid–talc–kyanite → talc–garnet–kyanite → garnet–kyanite ± biotite. At low to medium P–T conditions, a low-X A stabilises the phengite-bearing assemblages associated with chlorite, chlorite + K-feldspar and chlorite + biotite while a high-X A results in the chlorite–phengite bearing assemblages associated with pyrophyllite, andalusite, kyanite and carpholite. A high-X A magnesian metapelite with nearly iron-free content stabilises the talc–kyanite–phengite assemblage at moderate to high P–T conditions. Taking into account the effective bulk composition and a(H2O) involved in the metamorphic history, the phase–assemblage diagrams presented here may be applied to all magnesian metapelites that have compositions within the system KFMASH and therefore may contribute to gaining insights into the metamorphic evolution of terranes. As an example, the magnesian metapelites of the Monte Rosa nappe have been investigated, and an exhumation path with P–T conditions for the western roof of the Monte Rosa nappe has been derived for the first time. The exhumation shows first a near-isothermal decompression from the Alpine eclogite peak conditions around 24 kbar and 505°C down to approximately 8 kbar and 475°C followed by a second decompression with concomitant cooling.