New data on the metamorphic petrology of rocks from the Kuekvun uplift (Northern Chukchi Peninsula)

Abstract

The metamorphic rocks of the Kuekvun uplift are gneisses and schists that developed after Mid-Paleozoic sedimentary sequences, which consist mostly of terrigenous rocks with minor amounts of intermediate to mafic igneous rocks and subordinate carbonates. Two plagiogneiss samples that were selected for detailed analysis were taken from the axial part and flanks of the uplift. The mineral paragenesis and composition of coexisting garnet, biotite, and staurolite indicate a metamorphic temperature of 560–600°C and pressure of 2.5–4 kbar, corresponding to a depth of 8–12 km. These conditions suggest a relatively high geothermal gradient (about 60°C/km), approaching that for contact metamorphic aureoles. Garnets from the axial zone and flanks of the uplift display a similar zoning pattern. The difference is the presence of compositionally contrasting Ca-rich rims in garnets from the axial zone. These rims may be either the result of zoning within the entire metamorphic complex or a late local overprint, e.g., crystallization of granitic plutons, which are common within the study area.