High-pressure Metamorphism Research Articles

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of Kolah-Ghazi granitoids of Iran: Insights into the Jurassic Sanandaj-Sirjan magmatic arc

Kolah-Ghazi granitoid (KGG), situated in the southern part of the Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SNSZ), Iran, is a peraluminous, high K calc-alkaline, cordierite-bearing S-type body that is mainly composed of monzogranite, granodorite and syenogranite. Zircon U–Pb ages indicate that the crystallization of the main body occurred from 175 Ma to 167 Ma. Two kinds of xenoliths are found in KKG rocks: (i) xenoliths of partially melted pelites including cordierite xenocrysts and aluminoslicates, and (ii) mafic microgranular enclaves that reflect the input of mantle-derived mafic magmas. Field observations and geochemical data of KGG rocks are consistent with their derivation from a multiple sources including melts of metasediments and mantle-derived melts. We infer that these magmas originated by the anatexis of a metasedimentary source (mixture of metapelite and metagreywacke) in the mid- to lower-crust under low water-vapor pressures (0.5-1 Kbar) and temperature of ∼800°C. KGG is the product of biotite incongruent melting of this metasedimentary source. S-type granites are commonly thought to be produced in continent-continent collision tectonic environment. However, trace element discrimination diagrams show that S-type KGG rocks formed in an arc-related environment. The roll-back of Neo- Tethyan subducting slab accompanying oblique subduction in Late Triassic to Early Jurassic time induced trench rollback, back arc basin opening and filling with turbidite flysch and molasse- type siliciclastic sediments of the Shemshak Group on the overriding plate. Further changes in the subducting slab to flat subduction in Middle Jurassic time, the time of peak magmatism in the SNSZ, led to thickening and high temperature-low pressure metamorphism of the backarc turbidite deposits and consequent anatexis of the metasedimentary source to produce the KGG S- type rocks along with several other I-type granitoids in the SNSZ.

High-pressure mafic granulites of the South Muya Block (Central Asian Orogenic Belt)

Mineralogical, petrographic, and geochemical studies of mafic granulites of the South Muya Block (Central Asian Orogenic Belt) have been carried out. The granulite protoliths were olivine- and plagioclase- rich cumulates of ultramafic–mafic magmas with geochemical affinities of suprasubduction rocks. The isotope–geochemical characteristics of the granulites indicate the enriched nature of their source, associated with recycling into the mantle of either ancient crust or oceanic sediments, or intracrustal contamination of melts at the basement of the ensialic arc. Formation of garnet-bearing parageneses has occurred during high-pressure granulite metamorphism associated with accretion in the eastern part of the Baikal–Muya composite terrane.

Recycling of metal-fertilized lower continental crust: Origin of non-arc Au-rich porphyry deposits at cratonic edges

Recent studies argue that subduction-modified, Cu-fertilized lithosphere controls the formation of porphyry Cu deposits in orogenic belts. However, it is unclear if and how this fertilization process operates at cratonic edges, where numerous large non-arc Au-rich deposits form. Here we report data from lower crustal amphibolite and garnet amphibolite xenoliths hosted by Cenozoic stocks that are genetically related to the Beiya Au-rich porphyry deposits along the western margin of the Yangtze craton, China. These xenoliths are thought to represent cumulates or residuals of Neoproterozoic arc magmas ponding at the base of arc at the edge of the craton that subsequently underwent high-pressure metamorphism ca. 738 Ma. The amphibolite xenoliths are enriched in Cu (383–445 ppm) and Au (7–12 ppb), and a few garnet amphibolite xenoliths contain higher Au (6–16 ppb) with higher Au/Cu ratios (2 × 10 −4 to 8 × 10 −4 ) than normal continental crust. These data suggest that metal fertilization of the base of an old arc at the edge of the craton occurred in the Neoproterozoic via subduction modification, and has since been preserved. The whole-rock geochemical and zircon Hf isotopic data indicate that melting of the Neoproterozoic Cu-Au–fertilized low-crustal cumulates at 40–30 Ma provided the metal endowment for the Au-rich porphyry system at the cratonic edge. We therefore suggest that the reactivated cratonic edges, triggered by upwelling of asthenosphere, have the potential to host significant Au ore-forming systems, especially non-arc Au-rich porphyry deposits.

Late Archean high-pressure pelitic granulites in the Yinshan Block, North China Craton

Ancient high-pressure metamorphism provides constraints for the understanding of Archean tectonic processes. Archean high-pressure metamorphic rocks, however, are rarely preserved in old cratons. Here, we report the newly discovered Archean high-pressure metapelites in the Yinshan Block of the North China Craton. The peak metamorphic stage (M2) is represented by kyanite, garnet, plagioclase, K-feldspar, quartz, rutile and melt. Kyanite was replaced by sillimanite during post-peak (M3) decompression process. Phase equilibria modelling in the MnNCKFMASHT system indicates nearly isothermal decompression with peak conditions of 840–870°C and >14–11kbar. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) zircon U–Pb dating of leucosome (13XWL35) and monazite U–Pb dating of kyanite-garnet-bearing metapelite (13XWL22) yield similar ages of ∼2520Ma, which represent the crystallization age of granulite-facies melt. The high-pressure metapelites are enriched in Na2O (1.8–3.0wt.%), MgO (3.4–5.7wt.%), Cr (245–421ppm) and Ni (21.0–91.9ppm) contents, suggesting that volcanic rocks are probably the main sedimentary provenance. High δ18O(WR) values (up to 12.4‰) and zircon oxygen isotopes (av. 11.4‰) of the metasediment source indicate they have undergone low-temperature alteration. The pressure-temperature-time constraints of this study provide a rare record indicating that surficial sediments have been buried to a depth of >40km at ca. 2520Ma in the Yinshan Block. Such crustal thickening, combined with available synchronous magmatism suggests that high-pressure metamorphism was triggered in a late Archean deep arc setting in the Yinshan Block of the North China Craton.

Polyphase greenschist-facies reactivation of the Dent Blanche Basal Thrust (Western Alps) during progressive Alpine orogeny

This study assesses the significance, geometry, and kinematics of greenschist-facies deformation along the Dent Blanche Basal Thrust (DBBT), a major tectonic contact in the Internal Western Alps of Switzerland and Italy. The DBBT separates continental units of the Dent Blanche nappe, the structurally highest unit in the Western Alps, from underlying Piemont-Ligurian ophiolites. Mylonites and deformation structures along the contact provide a record of its retrograde greenschist-facies evolution after earlier high-pressure metamorphism. A first phase of foreland-directed, reverse-sense, top-(N)W shearing (D1) occurred between ca. 43 and 39 Ma, related to exhumation of the Dent Blanche nappe from high-pressure conditions. It led to the formation of mylonitic fabrics under high- to medium-grade greenschist-facies conditions along the entire DBBT. A phase of ductile normal-sense top-SE shearing (D2) at ca. 38–37 Ma was mainly localized within underlying ophiolitic units and only partly affected the DBBT. Another phase of ductile deformation (D3) under medium- to low-grade greenschist-facies conditions at ca. 36–35 Ma occurred in response to underthrusting of European continental margin units and resulted in the updoming of the nappe stack. Especially the southeastern DBBT was characterized by bulk top-NW shearing, partly conjugate top-NW/top-SE shearing, and resulting orogen-perpendicular crustal extension. Subsequently, the DBBT was affected by a phase of orogen-perpendicular shortening (D4) and formation of folds and crenulations at ca. 34–33 Ma due to increasing compressional tectonics. Finally, a phase of semi-ductile to brittle normal-sense top-NW and conjugate shearing (D5) from ca. 32 Ma onwards particularly affected the southeastern segment and indicates exhumation of the DBBT through the ductile–brittle transition. This was followed by brittle NW–SE extensional deformation. This study suggests that the DBBT experienced a polyphase deformation and reactivation history under decreasing greenschist-facies metamorphic conditions during which different segments of this major shear zone were variably affected.

Emplacement of Semail–Emirates ophiolite at ridge–trench collision

AbstractThe Oman‐Emirates is the largest and best‐exposed ophiolite; consequently, it has attracted significant interest among scientists, together with serious conflicts. Most geologists regard this ophiolite as having formed in an intra‐oceanic subduction zone before being accreted to the Arabian continent. Here, we propose an alternative scenario, supported by detailed field observations and integrated geophysics. The smaller Emirates part of the ophiolite was forced into a nearby continent, in the pre‐collision stage of Tethyan closure. The contraction led to the exhumation of the mantle floor of segmented basins accreted in a rifted system similar to the present‐day Gulf of California. The implied high temperature–high pressure metamorphism and the range of geochemical signatures were introduced during the process of rifting, whereas the larger Oman ophiolite was emplaced by obduction onto and along the subducting continental shore. This Ridge–Trench–Transform system might call for a new process to obduct over continents in particular Tethyan ophiolites.

Along-strike variations in the Hellenide Anatolide orogen: A tale of different lithospheres and consequences

Structure and exhumation history of the Hellenide-Anatolide Orogen in the Aegean Sea region and the adjacent Anatolian peninsula is controlled by along-strike variations of pre-Alpine palaeogeography. In the Hellenides, Mesozoic extension created ribbon-like continental fragments of thinned and dense lithosphere that pinch out eastwards. In the east, the relatively large Anatolide microcontinent mostly escaped Mesozoic extension and lithospheric thinning, presumably because it had a distinctly different, thicker and more depleted lithosphere. In the Aegean transect these alongstrike differences in lithosphere structure ultimately resulted in sustained highpressure metamorphism followed by progressive slab retreat since about 60 Ma. Further east, collision of the Anatolide microcontinent at about 42 Ma formed a south verging greenschist-facies thrust-and-fold belt. Pronounced slab retreat in the Aegean forced differential extension resulting in a broad sinistral wrench corridor that started to from at 24-23 Ma. Since then, extension in both regions mainly controlled denudation. This review highlights how differences in pre-orogenic architecture control lithospheric thickening and the subsequent exhumation of high-pressure rocks, and how large-scale continental extension evolves

Linking orogenesis across a supercontinent; the Grenvillian and Sveconorwegian margins on Rodinia

The Sveconorwegian orogeny in SW Baltica comprised a series of geographically and tectonically discrete events between 1140 and 920Ma. Thrusting and high-grade metamorphism at 1140–1080Ma in central parts of the orogen were followed by arc magmatism and ultra-high-temperature metamorphism at 1060–920Ma in the westernmost part of the orogen. In the eastern part of the orogen, crustal thickening and high-pressure metamorphism took place at 1050 in one terrane and at 980Ma in another. These discrete tectonothermal events are incompatible with an evolution resulting from collision with another major, continental landmass, and better explained as accretion and re-amalgamation of fragmented and attenuated crustal blocks of the SW Baltica margin behind an evolving continental-margin arc. In contrast, the coeval, along-strike Grenvillian orogeny is typically ascribed to long-lived collision with Amazonia. Here we argue that coeval, but tectonically different events in the Sveconorwegian and Grenville orogens may be linked through the behavior of the Amazonia plate. Subduction of Amazonian oceanic crust, and consequent slab pull, beneath the Sveconorwegian may have driven long-lived collision in the Grenville. Conversely, the development of a major orogenic plateau in the Grenville may have slowed convergence, thereby affecting the rate of oceanic subduction and thus orogenic evolution in the Sveconorwegian. Convergence ceased in the Grenville at ca. 980Ma, in contrast to the Sveconorwegian where convergence continued until ca. 920Ma, and must have been accommodated elsewhere along the Grenville–Amazonia segment of the margin, for example in the Goiás Magmatic Arc which had been established along the eastern Amazonian margin by 930Ma. Our model shows how contrasting but coeval orogenic behavior can be linked through geodynamic coupling along and across tectonic plates.

Quartz fabric variations across the greenschist facies shear zone separating the Zermatt-Saas and combin ophiolitic zones, Upper Val Gressoney, Western Alps

The Gressoney Shear Zone (GSZ) consists of a ca. 500 m thick, intensely deformed rock panel located at the top of the high-pressure ophiolitic rocks of the Zermatt-Saas Zone in the Western Alps. This greenschist-facies shear zone accommodated multiple non-coaxial deformation events with contrasting kinematics. In this study, detailed field mapping and structural analysis were integrated with the study of crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) from mylonites associated with the GSZ. Quartz CPO displays a systematic variation across the shear zone: moving from the basal shear zone boundary, the c-axes pattern changes from type II cross-girdle distribution, to an asymmetric pattern characterized by clustering of c-axes on one side of the Z-direction (inclined single girdle), to a central cluster in the Y-direction. The observed CPO patterns are consistent with increasing shear strain toward the basal contact, which probably controls the transition from broad peripheral maxima indicative of basal slip to an inclined single girdle with no maxima, which is indicative of prism slip, and finally an elongate single maximum at the girdle centre produced by a combination of prism and rhomb slip. Our results further indicate that basal slip is dominant in pure quartz domains, whereas with increasing proportion of second phases, prism slip is activated. These features confirm that CPOs obtained from the almost pure quartzites analysed in most published studies, and generally associated with the activation of distinct slip systems controlled by temperature, cannot be straightforwardly applied to the analysis of heterogeneous shear zones and/or polymineralic mylonites. From a regional point of view, the structures observed in the field and the fabric analyses are consistent with top-to-the-SE extension post-dating subduction-related high-pressure metamorphism and collisional nappe stacking in the studied sector of the Western Alps.

Protolith age of eclogites from the southern part of Pezhostrov Island, Belomorian belt: Protolith of metabasites as indicator of eclogitization time

Several types of metabasites of different age were identified in the southern part of Pezhostrov Island: eclogites with a magmatic protolith age of about 2200 Ma and 2500 Ma old metagabbroanorthosites that retained no eclogitic assemblage. It is shown that the Paleoproterozoic eclogites dominate volumetrically over Archean eclogites in the Belomorian eclogitic province. Eclogites with the youngest Jatulian protolith age (no older than 2200 Ma) occur with the same frequency as those with the Archean protolith age. A new find of eclogites with a Paleoproterozoic age of magmatic protolith and generalization of accumulated geochronological data confirm the recognition of an extended zone of high-pressure metamorphism with an age around 1900 Ma in the Belomorian mobile belt.

Early Mesozoic retrograded eclogite and mafic granulite from the Badu Complex of the Cathaysia Block, South China: Petrology and tectonic implications

The high-grade metamorphic terrane in the Badu region along the northeastern Cathaysia Block in South China preserves retrograded eclogites and mafic granulites. Here we present the petrology, mineral phase equilibria and P-T conditions based on pseudosection computations, as well as zircon U-Pb ages of these rocks. Mineral textures and reaction relationships suggest four metamorphic stages for the retrograded eclogite as follows: (1) eclogite facies stage (M1), (2) clinopyroxene retrograde stage (M2), (3) amphibole retrograde stage (M3), and (4) chlorite retrograde stage (M4). For the mafic granulite, three stages are identified as: (1) plagioclase-absent stage (M1), (2) granulite facies stage (M2) and (3) amphibolite facies stage (M3). Metamorphic evolution of both of the rock types follows clockwise P-T path. Conventional geothermometers and geobarometers in combination with phase equilibria modelling yield metamorphic P-T conditions for each metamorphic stage for the eclogite as 500–560°C, 23–24kbar (M1), 640–660°C, 14–16kbar (M2), 730–750°C, and 11–13kbar (M3). The chlorite retrograde stage (M4) is inferred to have occurred at lower amphibolite to greenschist facies conditions. Phase equilibria modelling of the mafic granulite shows P-T conditions for each metamorphic stage as 600–720°C, >13kbar (M1) and 860–890°C, 5–6kbar (M2) and M3 at amphibolite facies conditions. LA-ICPMS zircon U-Pb dating and trace element analysis show that the high pressure metamorphism occurred at 245–251Ma. Protolith age of the mafic granulite is 997Ma, similar to that of the mafic to ultramafic rocks widely distributed in the Cathaysia Block and also along the Jiangnan belt. Subduction of ancient oceanic lithospheric materials (or crustal thickening) during Mesozoic and formation of eclogites suggest that the Cathaysia Block was perhaps in the Tethyan oceanic domain at this time. The granulite formation might have been aided by Mesozoic mafic magma underplating associated with lithospheric delamination, heating and retrogression of the eclogite accompanied by rapid uplift.

High-temperature metamorphism of the Yushugou ophiolitic slice: Late Devonian subduction of seamount and mid-oceanic ridge in the South Tianshan orogen

The South Tianshan Orogenic Belt (STOB), representing the southern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), underwent a long-lived and subduction-related accretionary orogenic process. Revealing the petrogenesis of high-pressure (HP) metamorphic ophiolitic slices within this orogen is of crucial importance to understanding the geodynamic evolution of the STOB. In this study, we carry out a petrological, geochemical and geochronological study of HP mafic granulites from the Yushugou ophiolitic slice within the South Tianshan Accretionary Complex. Our results combined with previously published data suggest that the Yushugou mafic granulites, including garnet-clinopyroxene granulite, garnet two-pyroxene granulite and garnet-orthopyroxene granulite, are generally subalkaline to alkaline basalts, and show geochemical characteristics of MORB and OIB. The nominally anhydrous minerals of the mafic granulites contain certain but trace amounts of water in the manner of structural OH and sub-microscopic fluid inclusions. The granulites have a possible protolith age of ca. 400Ma and metamorphic age of 390–360Ma, and underwent HP and high-temperature (HT) granulite-facies metamorphism under conditions of 12–14kbar and 840–950°C and low H2O activity. Our study indicates that the Yushugou ophiolitic slice was probably derived from seamount that formed at mid-oceanic ridge closing to the oceanic trench and subduction zone during the Early Devonian, and then underwent metamorphism and deformation as a result of the subduction of the seamount and associated spreading ridge during the Middle to Late Devonian. Therefore, the Yushugou HP ophiolitic slice provides an important information of the Paleozoic tectonic evolutionary of the STOB.

Sedimentary serpentinite and chaotic units of the lower Great Valley Group forearc basin deposits, California: updates on distribution and characteristics

ABSTRACTSedimentary serpentinite and related siliciclastic-matrix mélanges in the latest Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous lower Great Valley Group (GVG) forearc basin strata of the California Coast Ranges reach thicknesses of over 1 km and include high-pressure (HP) metamorphic blocks. These units crop out over an area at least 300 km long by 50 km wide. The serpentinite also contains locally abundant blocks of antigorite mylonite. Antigorite mylonite and HP metamorphic blocks were exhumed from depth prior to deposition in the unmetamorphosed GVG, but the antigorite mylonite may be mistaken for metamorphosed serpentinite matrix in localities with limited exposure. These olistostrome horizons can be distinguished from intact slabs of serpentinized peridotite associated with the Coast Range Ophiolite (CRO) or serpentinite mélanges of the Franciscan subduction complex (FC) on the basis of internal sedimentary textures (absent in CRO), mixing/interbedding with unmetamorphosed siliciclastic matrix and blocks (differs from CRO and FC), and preserved basal sedimentary contacts over volcanic rocks of the CRO or shale, sandstone, and conglomerate of the GVG (differs from CRO and FC). Even in the relatively well-characterized Palaeo trench–forearc region of the California Coast Ranges the GVG deposits are difficult to distinguish from similar units in the FC and CRO. In typical orogenic belts that exhibit greater post-subduction disruption, distinguishing forearc basin olistostrome deposits, subduction complex, and opholite mantle sections is much more difficult. Forearc basin olistostromal deposits have probably been misidentified as one of the other trench–forearc lithologic associations. Such errors may lead to erroneous interpretations of the nature of large-scale material and fluid pathways in trench–forearc systems, as well as misinterpretations of tectonic processes associated with HP metamorphism and exhumation of the resultant rocks.

Late Carboniferous high-pressure metamorphism of the Kassan Metamorphic Complex (Kyrgyz Tianshan) and assembly of the SW Central Asian Orogenic Belt

High-pressure (HP) metamorphism of the Kassan Metamorphic Complex (KMC) in the western Kyrgyz Tianshan has been related to either late Ordovician or late Carboniferous-Permian subduction processes. We report Sm-Nd ages for retrogressed eclogite samples and 40Ar/39Ar cooling ages for enclosing garnet-muscovite samples from the KMC as new age constraints on HP metamorphism and rock exhumation. These data will be used for an upgraded paleogeographic model for late Paleozoic crustal consolidation in the southwestern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The retrogressed eclogite samples have transitional alkaline to tholeiitic affinity and trace-element patterns consistent with protoliths derived from garnet-bearing mantle sources at rifting plate margins. Geothermobarometric data for a retrogressed eclogite sample indicate peak-metamorphic conditions of 540 ± 30 °C at 1.6 ± 0.1 GPa. Samples from different lithotectonic units of the KMC provide coherent Sm-Nd garnet-whole rock ages of 317 ± 4 Ma and 316 ± 3 Ma (2σ). The prograde major-element zoning in the mm-sized garnets in combination with the moderate peak-metamorphic temperature, support our interpretation of the Sm-Nd garnet ages as unambiguous evidence for late Carboniferous HP metamorphism. The Sm-Nd garnet growth ages overlap within-error with the 40Ar/39Ar mica cooling ages of 314 ± 2 Ma and 313 ± 2 Ma (2σ) indicating rapid uplift of the subduction complex after peak metamorphism. The ca. 317-313 Ma HP-exhumation event of the KMC is contemporaneous with those of the Atbashi and Akeyazi (ca. 500 km east in NW China) HP complexes and implies similar collision histories at the South Tianshan Suture to the east and west of the Talas-Fergana Fault (TFF). The exhumation of the KMC and Atbashi HP complexes overlaps with the initiation of the TFF (Rolland et al., 2013) suggesting incipient separation of the Chatkal and Atbashi complexes during rock exhumation and early plate collision.

Redox processes in subducting oceanic crust recorded by sulfide-bearing high-pressure rocks and veins (SW Tianshan, China)

The oxidized nature of the sub-arc mantle and hence arc magmas is generally interpreted as a result of the migration of subduction-related oxidizing fluids or melts from the descending slab into the mantle wedge. This is of particular importance seeing that the oxidization state of sub-arc magmas seems to play a key role in the formations of arc-related ore deposits. However, direct constraints on the redox state of subducted oceanic crust are sparse. Here, we provide a detailed petrological investigation on sulfide- and oxide-bearing eclogites, blueschists, micaschists, eclogite-facies and retrograde veins from the Akeyazi high-pressure (HP) terrane (NW China) in order to gain insight into the redox processes recorded in a subducting oceanic slab. Sulfides in these rocks are mainly pyrite and minor pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, bornite, molybdenite, sphalerite and chalcocite, including exsolution textures of bornite–chalcopyrite intergrowth. Magnetite, ilmenite and pyrite occur as inclusions in garnet, whereas sulfides are dominant in the matrix. Large pyrite grains in the matrix contain inclusions of garnet, omphacite and other HP index minerals. However, magnetite replacing pyrite textures are commonly observed in the retrograded samples. The eclogite-facies and retrograde veins display two fluid events, which are characterized by an early sulfide-bearing and a later magnetite-bearing mineral assemblage, respectively. Textural and petrological evidences show that the sulfides were mainly formed during HP metamorphism. Mineral assemblage transitions reveal that the relative oxygen fugacity of subducted oceanic crust decreases slightly with increasing depths. However, according to oxygen mass balance calculations, based on the oxygen molar quantities (nO2), the redox conditions remain constant during HP metamorphism. At shallow levels (<60 km) in the subduction channel, interaction with oxidized fluid seems to have caused an increase of the oxygen fugacity and the oxidation state of exhuming HP rocks. This study suggests that oxygen components are not released in significant amounts during HP metamorphism of subducted oceanic crust and, thus, cannot be responsible for oxidizing the mantle wedge and increasing the oxidation state of sub-arc mantle melts.

Tectonics and Evolution of the Trans-Himalayan Mountains and Nagaland Ophiolite Belt

Scientific investigations in the Trans-Himalayan and Nagaland ophiolite belt during the period 2011-2015 incorporated various geological and geophysical aspects of evolution of these mountains, including large-scale tectonics of the Indian Plate, its sub-surface configuration, structure and metamorphism. Certain remote areas of Karakoram along the upper Shyok valley and Nagaland were covered for their metamorphism and high pressure metamorphism of ophiolite belts, respectively.

U–Pb zircon geochronology and phase equilibria modelling of a mafic eclogite from the Sumdo complex of south-east Tibet: Insights into prograde zircon growth and the assembly of the Tibetan plateau

The Sumdo complex is a Permian–Triassic eclogitic metamorphic belt in south-east Tibet, which marks the location of a suture zone that separates the northern and southern Lhasa terranes. An integrated geochronological and petrological study of a mafic eclogite from the complex has constrained its tectonometamorphic history and provides a case study of zircon growth in eclogite as a product of prograde dissolution–precipitation. In situ U–Pb geochronology indicates that the eclogite contains a single population of zircon with a crystallisation age of 273.6±2.8Ma. The morphology and chemistry of the zircon grains are consistent with growth by dissolution–precipitation of protolith magmatic zircon. The presence of zircon grains as inclusions in the cores of peak phases indicates that zircon dissolution–precipitation occurred during prograde metamorphism, and calculated pressure and temperature conditions over which mineral inclusions in zircon are stable suggest that the zircon most likely precipitated at ~15.5–16.5kbar and 500–560°C. Subsequent peak metamorphism is calculated to have reached pressure–temperature conditions of 27±1kbar and 670±50°C. Previous studies, which have documented a range of peak metamorphic conditions from high- to ultrahigh-pressure at c. 266–230Ma, indicate that the Sumdo complex is a composite belt that experienced protracted eclogite exhumation. The results of this study are consistent with this interpretation, and extend the age range of high-pressure metamorphism in the complex to over 40Myr. Analysis of published pressure–temperature–time data indicates two systematic behaviours within this spread. First, peak metamorphic temperatures declined over time. Second, eclogite exhumation occurred in two discrete intervals: soon after formation, and during the demise of the subduction zone. The latter behaviour serves as a reminder that eclogite exhumation is the exception rather than the rule.

Geochemical evolution of amphibolites and gneisses of the Belomorian mobile belt during Paleoproterozoic metamorphism

We present the results of a comparative study of the geochemical changes of amphibolites and gneisses from the Belomorian mobile belt in response to plagiomigmatization, high-pressure metamorphism, two-feldspar migmatization, and secondary amphibolization during Paleoproterozoic (Svecofennian) tectonometamorphic activation. It is established that most of the Paleoproterozoic metamorphic processes are nonisochemical for major and trace elements, which is possibly caused by the interaction of protolithic rocks with metamorphic fluids. The finds of eclogites within the Belomorian mobile belt are spatially and genetically related to the large fields of apoamphibolite and apogneiss plagiomigmatites. Apoamphibolite eclogites, Grt–Aug eclogite-like rocks, apoamphibolite and apogneiss plagiomigmatites were formed by a single process initiated by the influence of an alkaline fluid on the amphibolite–gneiss complex. This was accompanied by the depletion of the rocks in HREE, enrichment in LREE, disappearance of the negative and formation of the positive europium anomaly. The formation of later two-feldspar migmatites was related to the reworking of the gneiss–migmatite–amphibolite complex by more acid fluids, which led to the depletion of microclinized rocks in LREE. Secondary amphibolization and epidotization of the basites and metabasites did not affect their REE distribution pattern.

Argon, oxygen, and boron isotopic evidence documenting 40ArE accumulation in phengite during water-rich high-pressure subduction metasomatism of continental crust

The Luliang Shan area of the North Qaidam high pressure (HP) to ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamorphic terrane in northwestern China features thick, garnet- and phengite-rich metasomatic selvages that formed around gneiss-hosted mafic eclogite blocks during HP conditions. Here we present new 40Ar/39Ar, δ18O, and δ11B results from a previously studied 30 m, 18 sample traverse that extends from the host gneiss into a representative eclogite block. Previous thermobarometry and new mica-quartz oxygen isotope thermometry from the traverse reveal that the phengite-rich selvage formed at temperatures similar to those recorded by the eclogites at peak pressure. Quartz and white mica δ18O data from the selvage cannot be explained by simple mixing of gneiss and eclogite, and indicate a fluid/rock ratio >1 during regional-scale infiltration of high δ18O (ca. 14‰) fluids. Heavy δ18O overgrowths of metamorphic zircon over lighter δ18O detrital grains indicate that the gneiss was similarly affected. Starkly contrasting boron content and δ11B compositions for the host gneiss and the selvage also cannot be explained by local-scale devolatilization of the gneiss to form the selvage. Instead, the boron systematics are best attributed to two distinct phases of fluid infiltration: (1) low-boron selvage phengite with δ11B from −10 to −30‰ grew under HP conditions; and (2) tourmaline and boron-rich muscovite with generally positive δ11B crystallized in the host gneiss under subsequent lower pressure epidote–amphibolite facies conditions as the Luliang Shan gneiss terrane was exhumed past shallower portions of the subduction channel. Consistent with observations made worldwide, we were able to identify uptake of excess argon (40ArE) in phengite as a high pressure phenomenon. Phengite 40Ar/39Ar ages from massive eclogite exceed the ca. 490 Ma zircon U–Pb age of eclogite metamorphism by a factor of 1.5. However, phengite ages from the more permeable schistose selvage were even older, exceeding the time of eclogite formation by a factor of 1.7. In contrast, lower pressure retrograde muscovite present within the host gneiss and in discrete shear zones cutting the selvage yield 40Ar/39Ar ages that were younger than the time of HP metamorphism and consistent with regional cooling age patterns. Our observation of high 40ArE concentrations in phengite from schistose rocks infiltrated by regionally extensive fluids at HP conditions runs contrary to widely held expectations. Conventional wisdom dictates that low phengite/fluid partition coefficients for argon (Dphg/fluidAr=10−3to10−5) coupled with the dry, closed systems conditions that are widely reported to characterize HP metamorphism of continental crust explains why high concentrations of 40ArE partitions are able to accumulate within phengite. We alternatively propose that phengite/fluid partition coefficients for argon increase linearly with pressure to values as high as 10−2 to allow phengites to accumulate large amounts of 40ArE from aqueous fluids under HP to UHP conditions.

Early Miocene subduction in the western Mediterranean: Constraints from Rb-Sr multimineral isochron geochronology

The Betic Cordillera of southern Spain is a complex orogen formed in the context of convergence between Africa and Iberia from the Mesozoic to the present. The internal zone of the orogen includes three tectonic complexes, two of which have been subducted to high-pressure conditions, then exhumed back to the surface during subsequent extension. Subduction in the structurally lower complex, known as the Nevado-Filabride Complex (NFC), has been a topic of debate for several years due to conflicting geochronological data. Here we use multimineral isochron 87Rb/86Sr dating on carefully selected mineral samples from high-pressure metamorphic rocks in the NFC to better constrain the timing of high-pressure metamorphism and subduction in the region. Out of five samples analyzed, statistically valid multimineral isochrons were obtained for one eclogite and two schists, yielding ages of 20.1 ± 1.1, 16.0 ± 0.3, and 13.3 ± 1.3 Ma, respectively. Despite that the other two eclogite samples appeared to preserve prograde mineral assemblages, low 87Rb/86Sr ratios in white mica precluded precise age calculations. These new ages are in close agreement with previously published Lu-Hf ages on garnet and U-Pb ages on metamorphic zircon overgrowths for the same rocks, but are substantially younger than published data from the 40Ar/39Ar technique. Combined with recently published tomographic images of slab structure beneath the Alboran Sea, the new ages support a tectonic model in which subduction occurred both prior to the Miocene and during the early to mid-Miocene, but that it was punctuated in time by a pulse of extensional exhumation in the early Miocene associated with lithospheric delamination and/or slab tearing.