Three-stage metamorphic history of a whiteschist from Sar e Sang, Afghanistan, as part of a former evaporite deposit

Abstract

Small volumes (in the cm3 range) of a talc-kyanite schist exhibit mosaic equilibria characterized by mineral assemblages conventionally attributed to vastly different pressure temperature conditions of metamorphism. On the basis of petrographic and microprobe studies these assemblages are attributed to three consecutive stages of metamorphism of a chemically exceptional rock composition falling largely into the model system MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O. Stage 1 typified by Mg chlorite-quartz-talc and some paragonite was followed during stage 2 by talc-kyanite, Mg gedrite-quartz, and the growth of large dravites. In stage 3 pure Mg cordierite formed with or without corundum and/or talc, and kyanite was partly converted into sillimanite. Pressures and temperature during this final stage of metamorphism were probably near 5–6 kb, 640 ° C. The preservation of this succession of mineral assemblages related to each other through isochemical reactions suggests that the main factors governing the metamorphic history of this whitheschist were compositional changes of the coexisting fluids with time, whereas pressure temperature variations may be subordinate. In the Sar e Sang area such chemical variations of the metamorphic fluids are probably caused by progressive metamorphism and mobilization of a former evaporite deposit. Microprobe analyses of the phases gedrite and talc indicate variable degrees of sodium incorporation into these phases according to the substitution NaAl→Si.