The metamorphic evolution of Paleoproterozoic eclogites in Kuru-Vaara, northern Belomorian Province, Russia: Constraints from P-T pseudosections and zircon dating

Abstract

The rare occurrence of Precambrian eclogite has been used to argue when plate tectonics initiated. Well-preserved kyanite-bearing eclogites were collected in the Kuru-Vaara quarry, northern Belomorian Province, Fennoscandian Shield. Textural observations and phase equilibria modeling were applied to constrain their P-T evolution. The eclogite is characterized by the peak pressure assemblage garnet+omphacite+kyanite+amphibole+quartz. The garnet has inclusions of zoisite, omphacite and kyanite. This omphacite with high jadeite (up to 33mol%) and 5% Ca-Eskola content bears oriented rods of quartz, amphibole, and rutile. Omphacite was replaced by diopside+plagioclase±orthopyroxene symplectites and garnet surrounded by plagioclase coronas. Kyanite was mantled by the assemblage sapphirine+spinel+plagioclase±scapolite. The symplectites of diopside+plagioclase±orthopyroxene are further replaced by amphibole. P-T estimates of peak eclogite facies conditions are c. 18–20kbar and 720–820°C. The granulite facies assemblages formed at c. 11–13kbar and 870–915°C. Zircon U-Pb dating reveals the protolith ages of 2802–2929Ma for the eclogites. The c. 1896Ma zircon ages correspond to the time of prograde metamorphism in eclogite facies. The age of 1885±7Ma for a corundum-bearing mica pegmatite vein that intruded into the eclogites reflects the infiltration of fluid at amphibolite facies conditions. Thus, the Kuru-Vaara eclogite was metamorphosed during the Paleoproterozoic, not the Archean. The P-T path of Kuru-Vaara eclogites was characterized by eclogite facies metamorphism overprinted by granulite facies and retrograde amphibolite facies metamorphism within c. 10Ma. This process reflects the fast exhumation of the eclogites. The increase in temperature from eclogite to granulite facies in the HT-UHT domain suggests a hot Precambrian tectonic environment.