Timing of attainment of the spinel+quartz coexistence in garnet-sillimanite leucogneiss from Skallevikshalsen, Luetzow-Holm Complex, East Antarctica

Abstract

Spinel in direct contact with quartz is newly found in the Grt-Sil leucogneiss from Skallevikshalsen, Lutzow-Holm Complex, East Antarctica. It is included in the outermost core of the garnet porphyroblast and is characterized by low ZnO content (2.77-3.83 wt%) and very low Cr2O3 content (0-0.09 wt%). Incorporation of 2.77-3.39 wt% ZnO stabilized the Spl + Qtz assemblage to lower temperatures for about 50 degrees. As a result, their coexistence can be attained around the peak P-T conditions of Skallevikshalsen. The occurrence of relic staurolite, kyanite and breakdown texture of staurolite to spinel and kyanite included in the garnet core suggests that prograde stage is preserved in the garnet core and breakdown of staurolite itself was attained in the kyanite stability field. The Spl + Qtz assemblage is included at outermost part of the garnet core, suggesting that outermost core of the garnet was formed near the peak metamorphic conditions. Decrease in anorthite content of plagioclase included in the garnet core from that found in the rock matrix suggests that decompression took place during garnet formation. Attainment of these reaction sequences requires clockwise P-T path as previously proposed for the Lutzow-Holm Complex.