Ultra-deep (>5 GPa) subduction of paragneiss and metagranite in the Dabie UHP Terrane, central China: Constraints from zircon inclusions, phase equilibrium modelling and U-Pb geochronology

Abstract

In the Dabie orogen, central China, the ultrahigh pressure metamorphism (UHPM) was best recorded from meta-mafic and ultramafic rocks occurring as lenses within voluminous amphibolite-facies metafelsic rocks. However, whether or not these metafelsic rocks experienced ultra-deep subduction (>5 GPa) has been rarely quantified because of the rare preservation of peak diagnostic assemblages. In this study, we reconstruct the P-T-t paths for paragneisses and metagranites from the Dabie region to better elucidate their metamorphic evolution based on detailed petrological, mineralogical and Raman micro-spectrometer analysis of zircon inclusion combined with conventional geothermobarometry, phase equilibrium modelling and U-Pb dating. At least three stages of metamorphic evolution are identified for these lithologies. The UHPM is represented by the assemblages of coesite + garnet Ia/Ib + jadeite + phengite + K-feldspar + aragonite for paragneiss and diamond + aragonite + magnesite + phengite + rutile + garnet for metagranite, respectively. The paragneiss experienced peak conditions of 4.5–6.0 GPa/690–720 °C, followed by a decompression heating to 3.5–4.6 GPa/750–850 °C. Also, the diamond + aragonite + magnesite inclusions in zircon from the metagranite provide the first direct mineralogical evidences for ultra-deep subduction. Furthermore, the minimum peak pressure was defined at 5.4 GPa based on pseudosection for metagranite. As a result, this study provides the first mineralogical and modelling evidences of ultra-deep subduction for the metafelsic rocks in the Dabie orogen. The dating results suggest that the UHPM, anatexis and amphibolite-facies overprint occurred at 236 ± 3 Ma, 226 ± 1 Ma and 195 ± 4 Ma, respectively. The estimated average exhumation rate is 5.8–7.2 km/Ma from peak UHP to amphibolite-facies stages. Moreover, a comparison of different collisional orogens suggests that the preservation of UHP minerals in metafelsic rocks strongly depends on exhumation rate.