Petrology and SHRIMP U–Pb dating of Xitieshan eclogite, North Qaidam UHP metamorphic belt, NW China

Abstract

Normal bimineralic and phengite-bearing eclogites have been recognized within mafic boudins (or lenses) enclosed in granitic and pelitic gneisses in the Xitieshan terrane, NW China. Bimineralic eclogite contains the primary M1 mineral assemblage Grt + Omp + Rt + Qtz+/−Zrn. Inclusions in M1 omphacite may be coesite pseudomorphs. Phengite eclogite consists of the M1 mineral assemblage Grt + Omp + Phn + Qtz + Rt+/−Zrn. Most eclogites are retrogressed to various degrees and contain hornblende, diopside and plagioclase, which commonly form symplectitic and/or kelyphitic intergrowths. The peak M1 P–T conditions of the Xitieshan eclogite are calculated to be P = 2.71–3.17 GPa and T = 751–791 °C, consistent with the presence of coesite pseudomorphs in omphacite. In addition, we have identified two stages of retrograde metamorphism; an early isothermal decompression stage (M2) followed by a later stage (M3) that developed under decreasing temperatures and pressures. During M2 internally-derived fluids played an important role, whereas during M3 and below externally-derived fluids dominated. The composition of garnet in M1changed little during M2 isothermal decompression (ITD), although pyrope contents in garnet locally decrease from core to rim where the grains have amphibole and pargasite + plagioclase coronas. Also the jadeite content (56%) of M1 omphacite decreased in the presence of active fluids during retrograde metamorphism. M1 phengite is replaced by the M2 assemblage Ms + Bt accompanied by K-feldspar + quartz. Amphibole compositions changed from magnesio-katophorite in M2 to pargasite in M3. Zircon U–Pb SHRIMP dating shows that the bimineralic eclogite has a magmatic protolith age of 877 ± 8 Ma and a metamorphic age of 439 ± 8 to 461 ± 4 Ma. We conclude that the Xitieshan metabasic rocks formed in the late Proterozoic and were subsequently subducted to depths of about 100 km, where they were metamorphosed to UHP eclogite during the late Ordovician (440–460 Ma). Based on these results, we suggest that the Xitieshan eclogites, together with other UHP terranes exposed in the western part of China, form a coherent part of the huge North Qaidam UHP metamorphic belt.