Petrological and mineral-chemical variations in blueschist facies metasedimentary rocks from a single outcrop in the lower complex of the Bôrka Nappe (Meliata Unit, Western Carpathians, Slovak Republic)

Abstract

Abstract A detailed petrographic and mineral-chemical study on metapelites from the Meliatic accretionary wedge complex (Borka Nappe, Western Carpathians, Slovak Republic) reveals the HP character of the samples using quantitative phase diagrams contoured with mineral composition, H2O mode isopleths and garnet-phengite thermometry. The presented PT pseudosections prove that small-scale differences in bulk rock composition are responsible for the variations in the mineral assemblages formed at the same PT conditions. The peak conditions indicate blueschist facies metamorphism (520–620 °C, 11–14 kbar) and are correlated with the 150–165 Ma subduction of the Mesozoic Meliata Oceanic branch of the Neotethys. Continuous decrease of P and T from peak conditions enabled the metapelitic rocks to preserve their HP assemblages. The presented HP conditions and retrograde PT path with decreasing P and T are characteristic of subduction zone tectonic settings which are in agreement with most of the geodynamic and tect...