Epidote Inclusions Research Articles

Preliminary data on the mineral chemistry of garnet from the skarn alteration associated with the Elatsite porphyry-copper gold deposit, Bulgaria

The skarn alteration is poorly preserved at the Elatsite, restricted to the hornfelses from the East, Southeast and Southern part of the deposit. The rocks are defined as exoskarns, with a mineral composition including garnets, epidote, pyroxene, amphiboles, carbonates, prehnite, quartz, sulphides. The newly formed minerals occur in poorly preserved layers. The garnet grains are subhedral with inclusions of epidote and quartz, while some of them are corrode with carbonate and zeolites formed in the fractures. The garnets are grossular-andradite type, with higher values for HREE over LREE, and low values for Rb, Sr, Ba, Pb and U. The skarn formation is related with the intrusion of the magma which causes the heating of the metamorphic rocks (rich in carbonate material – chlorite-sericite-carbonite, sericite-carbonate schists, etc.) from the low-grade metamorphic rocks. The Fe+3–Al+3 exchanges in the cores of the garnets indicate their formation from fluids with high oxygen fugacity.

HT overprint of HP granulites in the Oisans–Pelvoux massif: Implications for the dynamics of the Variscan collision in the external western Alps

The Oisans–Pelvoux massif belongs to the Paleozoic basement of the External western Alps and records high temperature (HT) metamorphism associated with intense migmatization during the syn to post-collisional stages of the Variscan orogeny. Metamorphic assemblages related to the early collision stages have been obliterated making it difficult to constrain the earlier evolution of the unit. In this study, we report the finding of new bodies of high pressure (HP) mafic granulites, which preserve relics of the prograde evolution. Relics of Mn-rich garnet cores containing inclusions of epidote, titanite, chlorite and rare white micas constrain an early prograde stage at 460–550 °C and 0.4–1.0 GPa. The HP assemblage consists in garnet + clinopyroxene+ quartz + rutile ± plagioclase ± amphibole ± biotite and yield peak-P conditions at 650–730 °C and 1.5–1.7 GPa. Decompression was associated with heating to HT granulite-facies conditions of 800–870 °C and 0.6–0.9 GPa, which led to the development of granoblastic polycrystalline mosaics over the resorbing HP assemblage. The U-Pb dating of magmatic zircon cores constrains the emplacement age of the mafic protoliths at 479 ± 5 Ma. Timing of the prograde to HP evolution is estimated around 345–330 Ma based on rutile U-Pb dating, which is contemporaneous with HP recorded in the other crystalline massifs of the western Alps. Zircon metamorphic rims yields U-Pb dates scattering between 337 and 294 Ma, which are interpreted to record crystallization during decompression and heating to granulite facies. Metamorphic conditions during the early prograde stage precludes scenarios involving subduction of a cold passive margin and are better reconciled with thickening of an orogenic wedge during collision. In contrast with other Variscan HP relics of the external Alps, the HP rocks of the Oisans–Pelvoux massif record heating to HT granulitic conditions during decompression, which may result from longer residence time in the lower crust before exhumation.

Evolution of fluids and melts in deeply subducted continental crust: Insights from an UHP eclogite–vein system in the Dabie terrane, China

Both slab-derived high-pressure (HP) or ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) aqueous fluids and hydrous melts are important agents for material cycling in subduction zones. Although numerous studies have investigated the genesis of both fluid phases, the temporal–spatial relationship and the chemical difference between aqueous fluids and hydrous melts during subduction-zone metamorphism remain mysterious. In this study, we present detailed petrological and geochemical studies on the UHP eclogites and enclosed epidote-quartz veins in the Dabie terrane (eastern China) to understand the compositions and behaviors of fluids/melts in subduction zones. The eclogites consist mainly of garnet, omphacite, and hydrous minerals (epidote, phengite, and paragonite). Two stages of epidote, including epidote inclusions in omphacite (Ep-in) and porphyroblastic epidote (Ep-p), are recognized in the eclogites. The obviously higher contents of strontium (Sr) and light rare earth elements (LREEs) in Ep-p than in Ep-in demonstrate the previous coexistence of lawsonite and Ep-in. The combination of petrographic analyses, epidote Sr isotopes, and phase equilibria modeling indicates lawsonite in the eclogite breakdown at ~2.2–2.7 GPa and 620–750 °C during the initial exhumation, accompanied by the significant release of H2O-rich fluids. This process led to the growth of Ep-p in eclogite and the precipitation of vein omphacite, quartz, and epidote (Ep-v1). On the other hand, many lines of evidence for partial melting in the eclogites are found, including (1) multiphase solid inclusions (MSIs) of Ky + Kfs ± other phases, which represent the in situ products of phengite partial melting; (2) MSIs of Kfs ± Pl ± Qz, which represent the crystallized products of hydrous melts; and (3) veinlets of Kfs ± Di that crosscut the omphacite. Importantly, the MSIs in texture (1) are exclusively hosted in the Ep-p, which formed by lawsonite breakdown. This distinctive phenomenon indicates that the partial melting of phengite was most likely triggered by the injection of H2O from the lawsonite breakdown (i.e., water-fluxed melting). Phase equilibria modeling suggests that the partial melting of phengite occurred at ~1.5–2.0 GPa and 700–750 °C during the further exhumation stage of the eclogites. The occurrence of Ep (Ep-v2) + Pl + Kfs in the veins indicates that melts derived from the eclogites infiltrated the vein system. The compositions of the fluids and melts are quantitatively constrained using the epidote compositions (Ep-v1 and Ep-v2, respectively) and epidote–fluid/melt partition coefficients. The results indicate that the fluids have trace element patterns similar to those of the melts with high contents of large ion lithophile elements (LILEs), Th, U, Pb, and LREEs. Thus, aqueous fluids have the ability to transfer significant amounts of mobile elements from the slab like the hydrous melts, if the appropriate P–T conditions and chemical characteristics of wallrocks can be satisified.Our study reveals multistage metamorphic-fluid/melt evolution in the UHP eclogites, involving metamorphic dehydration and subsequent partial melting during the exhumation of subducted continental crust. We provide petrological evidence linking fluid liberation to the occurrence of partial melting in eclogites. Moreover, this study indicates that the development of vein systems in HP–UHP rocks may provide high-permeability channels that allow the flow and escape of melts formed during later-stage process. We propose that the occurrence of early-stage dehydration events in deeply subducted slabs facilitates the generation of hydrous melts and their transport in subduction zones.

UHP metamorphism recorded by phengite eclogite from the Caledonides of northern Sweden: P–T path and tectonic implications

AbstractThe Seve Nappe Complex (SNC) of the Scandinavian Caledonides records a well‐documented history of high pressure (HP) and ultra‐high pressure (UHP) metamorphism. Eclogites of the SNC occur in two areas in Sweden, namely Jämtland and Norrbotten. The Jämtland eclogites and associated rocks are well‐studied and provide evidence for late Ordovician UHP metamorphism, whereas the Norrbotten eclogites, formed during the late Cambrian (Furongian)/Early Ordovician, have not been studied in such detail, especially in terms of the P–T conditions of their formation. Within the studied eclogite, clinopyroxene contains a high‐Na core and two rims: inner, medium‐Na and outer, low‐Na. Garnet consists of a high‐Ca euhedral core, low‐Ca inner rim and medium‐Ca outer rim. A similar pattern occurs within phengite, where high‐Si cores are enveloped by medium and low‐Si rims. The compositions of the mineral cores, inner rims and outer rims reflect three stages in the metamorphic evolution of the eclogite. Applied Quartz‐in‐Garnet geobarometry, coupled with Zr‐in‐rutile geothermometry reveal that garnet nucleation (E0 stage) took place at 1.5–1.6 GPa and 620–660°C. The eclogite peak‐pressure assemblage developed during the E1 stage, it consists of garnet+omphacite+phengite+rutile+coesite? and yields P–T conditions of 2.8–3.1 GPa and 660–780°C as constrained by conventional geothermobarometry and thermodynamic modelling in the NCKFMMnASHT system. Later, lower‐pressure stages E2 and E3 record conditions of 2.2–2.8 GPa, 680–780°C and 2.1 GPa, 735°C, respectively. The prograde metamorphic evolution of the eclogite is inferred from inclusions of epidote, amphibole and clinopyroxene within garnet. The presence of amphibole–quartz–plagioclase symplectites, secondary epidote/zoisite and titanite replacing rutile record the later retrograde changes taking place at <1.5 GPa (referred as E4 stage). The obtained P–T conditions indicate that the Norrbotten eclogites underwent a metamorphic evolution characterized by a clockwise P–T path with peak metamorphism reaching up to coesite stability field within a relatively cold subduction regime (7.8°C/km). The obtained results provide the first evidence for UHP metamorphism in the SNC above the Arctic Circle and document cold subduction regime and multistage exhumation of the deeply subducted Baltican margin at early stage of the Caledonian Orogeny.

Pseudosection modelling and garnet Lu–Hf geochronology of HP amphibole schists constrain the closure of an ocean basin between the northern and southern Lhasa blocks, central Tibet

AbstractThe P–T–t path of high‐P metamorphic rocks in subduction zones may reveal valuable information regarding the tectonic processes along convergent plate boundaries. Herein, we present a detailed petrological, pseudosection modelling and radiometric dating study of several amphibole schists of oceanic affinity from the Lhasa Block, Tibet. The amphibole schists experienced an overall clockwise P–T path that was marked by post‐Pmax heating–decompression and subsequent isothermal decompression following the attainment of peak high‐P and low‐T conditions (~490°C and 1.6 GPa). Pseudosection modelling shows that the amphibole schists underwent water‐unsaturated conditions during prograde metamorphism, and the stability field of the assemblage extends to lower temperatures and higher pressures within the water‐unsaturated condition relative to water‐saturated model along the prograde path. The high‐P amphibole schists were highly reduced during retrograde metamorphism. Precise evaluation of the ferric iron conditions determined from the different compositions of epidote inclusions in garnet and matrix epidote is crucial for a true P–T estimate by garnet isopleth thermobarometry. Lu–Hf isotope analyses on garnet size separates from a garnet‐bearing amphibole schist yield four two‐point garnet–whole‐rock isochron ages from 228.2 ± 1.2 Ma to 224.3 ± 1.2 Ma. These Lu–Hf dates are interpreted to constrain the period of garnet growth and approximate the timing of prograde metamorphism because of the low peak metamorphic temperature of the rock and the well‐preserved Mn/Lu growth zoning in garnet. The majority of zircon U–Pb dates provide no constraints on the timing of metamorphism; however, two concordant U–Pb dates of 222.4 ± 3.9 Ma and 223.3 ± 4.2 Ma were obtained from narrow and uncommon metamorphic rims. Coexistence of zircon and sphene in the samples implies that the metamorphic zircon growth was likely assisted by retrogression of rutile to sphene during exhumation. The near coincident radiometric dates of zircon U–Pb and garnet Lu–Hf indicate rapid burial and exhumation of the amphibole schists, suggesting a closure time of c. 224–223 Ma for the fossil ocean basin between the northern and southern Lhasa blocks.

Indications of HP events in the volcanosedimentary succession of the Orlica–Śnieżnik Dome, NE Bohemian Massif: data from a marble-amphibolite interface

A volcanosedimentary succession of the Młynowiec-Stronie Group (MSG) in the Orlica–Śnieżnik Dome (OSD), the Sudetes, NE Bohemian Massif underwent multiple folding and shearing during the Variscan Orogeny. In the sheared domains, there are less deformed pods in which rocks preserve better records of metamorphic events prior to the regional temperature peak. In one such pod, near Gniewoszów on the western limb of the dome, marbles enclosed by massive amphibolites occur. In these rocks, zoned plagioclase with actinolite and epidote inclusions and zoned amphibole grains allowed recognition of three mineral assemblages and three P-T stages at: (1) 310°C/3–4 kbar, (2) 480–500°C/10.5 kbar, (3) 500–530°C/6–6.5 kbar, based on isopleth intersections and checked against conventional thermobarometry. These define a steep clockwise P-T path and a geothermal gradient of 17°C/km before peak conditions were attained, which suggests subduction of the metavolcano-sedimentary rocks (Stronie Formation of the MSG) on the western limb of the OSD, with a transient yet discrete higher pressure episode. Mineral relicts capable of demonstrating a higher pressure event are scarce in the supracrustal rocks of the dome, mainly because they became more thoroughly equilibrated and obliterated during the temperature peak at mid-amphibolite facies conditions and the subsequent ubiquitous greenschist facies overprint.

Magmatic zoisite and epidote in tonalite of the Ryoke belt, central Japan

Magmatic epidote and zoisite commonly occur in Cretaceous tonalite of the Hazu area in the Ryoke belt, central Japan. The tonalite is mainly composed of amphibole, biotite, plagioclase, quartz, and epidote/zoisite with minor ilmenite, magnetite, pyrite, zircon, and apatite. Small amounts of K-feldspar occur as an interstitial phase between other felsic phases or perthitic patches in plagioclase. Epidote occurs as inclusions in plagioclase, as interstitial phase in the matrix, and as secondary phase in chlorite pseudomorphs after biotite, and in saussuritized plagioclase. The XFe [= Fe3+/(Al + Fe3+)] value of the secondary epidote ranges from 0.27 to 0.39. Epidote inclusions in plagioclase and interstitial grains contain less Fe3+ (XFe = 0.08–0.29), Fe3+-poor epidote with XFe 0.20 and their host plagioclase. Epidote grains with XFe > 0.20 in plagioclase and the matrix are a magmatic phase that crystallized directly from the tonalite magma. The Fe3+-poor epidote (XFe < 0.20) and zoisite were probably formed by a local reaction between the trapped melt and its host plagioclase, and these are considered not to have been in equilibrium with the tonalite magma. Compositions of amphibole-plagioclase assemblages allowed for temperature estimates in the range of 730–770 °C and minimum pressures of 0.47–0.57 GPa for the epidote/zoisite-bearing tonalites of the Hazu area. Epidote/zoisite-free tonalites occur in other areas of the Ryoke belt. There may be several tonalite bodies that record different intrusion processes and solidification depths in the Ryoke belt.

In situ Sr isotopic analyses of epidote: tracing the sources of multi-stage fluids in ultrahigh-pressure eclogite (Ganghe, Dabie terrane)

This study presents in situ strontium (Sr) isotope and Sr content data on multi-stage epidote crystals from ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) eclogites and omphacite–epidote veins therein at Ganghe (Dabie terrane, China), determined using LA-MC-ICP-MS. The Ganghe eclogites occur as lenses in mainly leucocratic UHP gneisses, and therefore, our data provide insights into the origin, composition, and transport scale of the discrete multi-stage fluids in UHP eclogites during the subduction and exhumation of a continental crust. Four textural types of epidote that record compositional and isotopic signatures of fluid at various metamorphic P–T conditions have been distinguished based on petrographic observations and compositional analyses. They are (1) fine-grained high-pressure (HP) epidote inclusions (Ep-In) in omphacite that define the earliest stage of epidote formation in the eclogite; (2) coarse-grained UHP epidote porphyroblasts (Ep-P) that contain omphacite with Ep-In inclusions in the eclogite; (3) fine-grained HP epidote in omphacite–epidote veins (Ep-V) as well as (4) the latest-stage epidote in disseminated amphibolite-facies veinlets (Ep-A), which crosscut the Ep-P or matrix minerals in the eclogite and HP vein. Both Ep-P and Ep-V crystals exhibit significant and complex chemical zonations with respect to the XFe (= Fe/(Fe + Al)) ratio and Sr content. In contrast to the varying Sr contents, Ep-In, Ep-P, and Ep-V have similar and narrow ranges of initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (from 0.70692 to 0.70720 for Ep-In, from 0.70698 to 0.70721 for Ep-P, and from 0.70668 to 0.70723 for Ep-V), which are significantly different from those in Ep-A (from 0.70894 to 0.71172). The initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio of Ep-A is closer in value to the initial Sr isotopic composition of the gneisses (from 0.710790 to 0.712069) which enclose the UHP eclogite. These data indicate different sources of the eclogite-facies fluids and retrograde amphibolite-facies fluid in the Ganghe eclogites. The HP–UHP fluids responsible for the large amounts of hydrous minerals in the eclogites were internally derived and buffered. The omphacite–epidote veins were precipitated from the channelized solute-rich HP–UHP fluids released from the host eclogite. However, hydrated amphibolite-facies metamorphism during exhumation was mainly initiated by the low-Sr and high-87Sr/86Sr external fluid, which infiltrated into the eclogite from the surrounding gneisses. The eclogite-facies fluids in the Ganghe eclogites were locally derived, whereas the infiltration of the retrograde amphibolite-facies fluid from the gneisses required a long transport, most likely longer than 80 m. This study highlights that the in situ Sr isotopic analysis of multi-stage epidote can be employed as a powerful geochemical tracer to provide key information regarding the origin and behavior of various-stage subduction-zone metamorphic fluids.

High-pressure garnet amphibolite from the Funaokayama unit, western Kii Peninsula and the extent of eclogite facies metamorphism in the Sanbagawa belt

Quantitative analyses of garnet-bearing epidote amphibolite (hereafter garnet amphibolite) from the Funaokayama unit, western Kii Peninsula of the Sanbagawa belt reveal a previously unrecognized high-grade part of the Sanbagawa metamorphism. Petrographic observations suggest that the garnet amphibolite underwent three stages of metamorphism (M1, M2 and M3). Records of M1 are preserved as syn-tectonic prograde-zoned garnet and its inclusions. Pseudosection modeling reproduces the observed M1 assemblage garnet + amphibolite + epidote + phengite + quartz and the growth zoning of garnet records the pressure (P)-temperature (T) evolution from 0.8 GPa, 570 °C to 1.3 GPa, 590 °C. Therefore, this garnet growth and associated deformation (D1) took place during subduction up to eclogite facies conditions. The garnet rim compositions and inclusions of epidote, titanite, rutile and quartz (5titanite + 2clinozoisite = 5rutile + 3grossular + 2quartz + H2O) give consistent peak-P estimates of 1.3-1.9 GPa. The garnet contains quartz inclusions retaining residual pressures of up to ∼ 0.7 GPa, which is as high as the values reported in well-characterized eclogite samples in central Shikoku. The inferred peak-P conditions in the eclogite facies is further supported by the occurrence of aragonite in associated pelitic schist. The assemblage hornblende + epidote + titanite + quartz + albite in the matrix and its equilibrium conditions of ∼ 0.8 GPa, 580 °C suggest decompression to the epidote-amphibolite facies (M2). The M2 minerals locally show replacement by the mineral assemblage actinolite + epidote + chlorite + titanite + calcite + quartz + albite, suggesting a partial re-equilibration in the greenschist facies (M3). M2 and M3 are synchronous with the main phase of ductile deformation during exhumation (D2). Despite the absence of the omphacite + quartz assemblage, it is likely that eclogite facies metamorphism in the Sanbagawa belt can be extended to western Kii Peninsula.

Evidence for palaeo-Tethyan oceanic subduction within central Qiangtang, northern Tibet

The mechanism of formation of blueschist–eclogite belts and their space-time distribution are important in understanding the tectonics associated with convergent plate boundaries. Here we investigate the garnet-bearing blueschists from Rongma area of central Qiangtang in northern Tibet. The mineral assemblage in these rocks is characterized by porphyroblastic garnet set within a matrix of fine-grained amphibole, white mica, epidote, chlorite, albite and quartz with accessory rutile, titanite and apatite. The garnet porphyroblasts exhibit core and rim portions, and the cores carry abundant inclusions of Na amphibole, quartz and rutile, as well as rhomb-shaped inclusions of paragonite and epidote which are interpreted as pseudomorphs after lawsonite. The rims are characterized by coarse-grained inclusions of epidote as well as the absence of paragonite and epidote aggregates, clearly suggesting that the transition from garnet core to rim marks a metamorphic transformation from lawsonite- to epidote-stability field. The Mn content of the garnet porphyroblasts decreases from core to rim, whereas the Fe and Mg contents show an increasing trend. In the matrix, we identify two stages of Na amphibole rimmed by Na-Ca amphibole and albite. Retrograde chlorite is rimmed by fine-grained biotite. Based on microstructural observations and pseudosection modelling, we trace the P–T path for the Rongma garnet blueschist from 1.92GPa and 490°C (lawsonite eclogite field) to about 1.68GPa and 535°C (epidote eclogite field), marking an initial increase in temperature and decrease in pressure. This stage is followed by a decrease of pressure through the blueschist facies down to P–T conditions of about 0.6GPa and 530°C. In combination with previous work including the available isotopic age data, the P–T path obtained in the present study suggests the deep subduction of palaeo-Tethyan oceanic crust between southern and northern Qiangtang blocks, supporting the model that the blueschist belt defines the location of the palaeo-Tethyan suture zone within northern Tibet. T-X(O) pseudosection modelling further reveals that the transformation of lawsonite to epidote occurred under high O contents. Our results provide important clues to better understand the subduction-related late Permian to early Triassic magmas in northern Tibet.

Geochemical and U–Pb age constraints on the occurrence of polygenetic titanites in UHP metagranite in the Dabie orogen

Relict magmatic titanite was identified in the core of a few titanite grains with the overgrown rim of metamorphic titanite in UHP metagranite in the Dabie orogen. LA–ICPMS U–Pb dating gave Neoproterozoic ages for the magmatic titanite but Triassic ages for the metamorphic titanite. The magmatic and metamorphic titanites are clearly distinct by differences in petrological and geochemical compositions. The magmatic titanite occurs as residual cores that show bright BSE, the presence of allanite and quartz inclusions, low contents of CaO, Al2O3 and TiO2 but high contents of Fe2O3 and MgO. In trace elements, the magmatic titanite exhibits high REE and HFSE contents, distinctly negative Eu anomalies with flat MREE–HREE patterns, and high Th/U ratios. In contrast, the metamorphic titanite occurs as rims and grains of homogeneously dark BSE that contain inclusions of epidote, quartz, K-feldspar, rutile, biotite and phengite, and have relatively high contents of CaO, Al2O3 and TiO2, but low contents of Fe2O3 and MgO, and relatively low REE and HFSE contents, slightly negative Eu anomalies with HREE depletion relative to MREE, and low Th/U ratios. The Zr-in-titanite thermometry yields 727 to 877°C at 0.5 to 1.0GPa for the magmatic titanite, and 729 to 870°C at 1.5 to 2.0GPa for the metamorphic titanite. The Neoproterozoic U–Pb chronometric system of magmatic titanite survived the Triassic continental subduction-zone HP–UHP metamorphism. This suggests a relatively high closure temperature of >800°C for the titanite U–Pb system. The metamorphic titanite is principally a product of retrograde metamorphism during decompression exhumation at the transition from HP eclogite-facies to amphibolite-facies. Therefore, titanite holds a great potential to geochronological and petrogenetic studies of continental subduction-zone metamorphic rocks.

Metamorphic evolution of the Naga Hills eclogite and blueschist, Northeast India: implications for early subduction of the Indian plate under the Burma microplate

AbstractTectonic slices and lenses of eclogite within mafic and ultramafic rocks of the Early Cretaceous–Eocene Naga Hills ophiolite were studied to constrain the physical conditions of eastward subduction of the Indian plate under the Burma microplate and convergence rate prior to the India–Eurasia collision. Some of the lenses are composed of eclogite, garnet‐blueschist, glaucophanite and greenschist from core to margin, representing a retrograde hydrothermal alteration sequence. Barroisite, garnet, omphacite and epidote with minor chlorite, phengite, rutile and quartz constitute the peak metamorphic assemblage. In eclogite and garnet‐blueschist, garnet shows an increase in Mg and Fe and decrease in Mn from core to rim. In chlorite in eclogite, Mg increases from core to rim. Inclusions of epidote, glaucophane, omphacite and quartz in garnet represent the pre‐peak assemblage. Glaucophane also occurs profusely at the rims of barroisite. The matrix glaucophane and epidote represent the post‐peak assemblage. The Fe3+ content of garnet‐hosted omphacite is higher than that of matrix omphacite, and Fe3+ increases from core to rim in matrix glaucophane. Albite occurs in late stage veins. P–T pseudosection analysis indicates that the Naga Hills eclogites followed a clockwise P–T path with prograde metamorphism beginning at ∼1.3 GPa/525 °C and peaking at 1.7–2.0 GPa/580–610 °C, and subsequent retrogression to ∼1.1 GPa/540 °C. A comparison of these P–T conditions with numerical thermal models of plate subduction indicates that the Naga Hills eclogites probably formed near the top of the subducting crust with convergence rates of ∼ 55–100 km Myr−1, consistent with high pre‐collision convergence rates between India and Eurasia.

P-T Evolution of Eclogites and Blueschists from the Luk Ulo Complex of Central Java, Indonesia

Rocks of the Lok Ulo Complex crop out over a small area in the vicinity of Karangsambung in central Java. They are part of a belt of Cretaceous accretionary-collision complexes that appear sporadically in an arc extending from Java to Kalimantan and Sulawesi. The complex consists of dismembered ophiolites, sedimentary rocks, and crystalline schists and gneisses occurring as tectonic slabs in a black-shale matrix tectonic mélange. High-pressure rocks such as eclogite, glaucophane rock and blueschist crop out in a thin zone between the low-grade schists and a serpentinite zone along the Muncar and Gua rivers. Some of the eclogite blocks contain tourmaline, which is restricted to the outer shells of—and veins in—such blocks. The early metamorphic stage (stage I) of the Lok Ulo eclogites comprises garnet (core) and omphacite + Ca-Na amphibole + phengite + rutile + epidote inclusions in the garnet core. Stage II is characterized by garnet (rims of porphyroblasts) + omphacite + rutile + phengite + Ca-Na amphibole. The matrix constituents, which are similar to those of stages I and II, are related to stage III (late or "peak" eclogitic stage). The blueschist overprint of the eclogites occurred during stage IV. The corresponding assemblage is Na amphibole + chlorite + albite + epidote + quartz + titanite + ilmenite. Subsequently, poikiloblastic tourmaline and apatite grew at the expense of chlorite, epidote, and other minerals in some eclogites (stage V). The P-T path of tourmaline-bearing eclogites is characterized by rising pressures at decreasing temperatures (stage I to stage III: P = 22.5 kbar and T = 365°C), whereas the normal eclogites show rising temperatures at increasing pressure (stage III: P = 20.5 kbar and T = 410°C). Thus, these eclogites were subducted to ~70 km depth at a geothermal gradient of ~6 C°/km. Stage IV is limited to the P-T range of 8-10 kbar and 350-400°C for both eclogite types. The different P-T paths (counterclockwise and clockwise) are explained by metamorphism within a subduction channel. The low geothermal gradient is probably due to a high rate of subduction of a cold oceanic plate.

Petrogenesis of lawsonite and epidote eclogite and blueschist, Sivrihisar Massif, Turkey

AbstractThe Sivrihisar Massif, Turkey, is comprised of blueschist and eclogite facies metasedimentary and metabasaltic rocks. Abundant metre‐ to centimetre‐scale eclogite pods occur in blueschist facies metabasalt, marble and quartz‐rich rocks. Sivrihisar eclogite contains omphacite + garnet + phengite + rutile ± glaucophane ± quartz + lawsonite and/or epidote. Blueschists contain sodic amphibole + garnet + phengite + lawsonite and/or epidote ± omphacite ± quartz. Sivrihisar eclogite and blueschist have similar bulk composition, equivalent to NMORB, but record different P–T conditions: ∼26 kbar, 500 °C (lawsonite eclogite); 18 kbar, 600 °C (epidote eclogite); 12 kbar, 380 °C (lawsonite blueschist); and 15–16 kbar, 480–500 °C (lawsonite‐epidote blueschist). Pressures for the Sivrihisar lawsonite eclogite are among the highest reported for this rock type, which is rarely exposed at the Earth's surface. The distribution and textures of lawsonite ± epidote define P–T conditions and paths. For example, in some lawsonite‐bearing rocks, epidote inclusions in garnet and partial replacement of matrix epidote by lawsonite suggest an anticlockwise P–T path. Other rocks contain no epidote as inclusions or as a matrix phase, and were metamorphosed entirely within the lawsonite stability field. Results of the P–T study and mapping of the distribution of blueschists and eclogites in the massif suggest that rocks recording different maximum P–T conditions were tectonically juxtaposed as kilometre‐scale slices and associated high‐P pods, although all shared the same exhumation path from ∼9–11 kbar, 300–400 °C. Within the tectonic slices, alternating millimetre–centimetre‐scale layers of eclogite and blueschist formed together at the same P–T conditions but represent different extents of prograde reaction controlled by strain partitioning or local variations in fO2 or other chemical factors.

Field and geochemical characteristics of the Mesoarchean (∼ 3075 Ma) Ivisaartoq greenstone belt, southern West Greenland: Evidence for seafloor hydrothermal alteration in supra-subduction oceanic crust

The Mesoarchean (ca. 3075 Ma) Ivisaartoq greenstone belt in southern West Greenland includes variably deformed and metamorphosed pillow basalts, ultramafic flows (picrites), serpentinized ultramafic rocks, gabbros, sulphide-rich siliceous layers, and minor siliciclastic sedimentary rocks. Primary magmatic features such as concentric cooling-cracks and drainage cavities in pillows, volcanic breccia, ocelli interpreted as liquid immiscibility textures in pillows and gabbros, magmatic layering in gabbros, and clinopyroxene cumulates in ultramafic flows are well preserved in low-strain domains. The belt underwent at least two stages of calc-silicate metasomatic alteration and polyphase deformation between 2963 and 3075 Ma. The stage I metasomatic assemblage is composed predominantly of epidote (now mostly diopside) + quartz + plagioclase ± hornblende ± scapolite, and occurs mainly in pillow cores, pillow interstitials, and along pillow basalt-gabbro contacts. The origin of this metasomatic assemblage is attributed to seafloor hydrothermal alteration. On the basis of the common presence of epidote inclusions in diopside and the local occurrence of epidote-rich aggregates, the stage I metasomatic assemblage is interpreted as relict epidosite. The stage II metasomatic assemblage occurs as concordant discontinuous layered calc-silicate bodies to discordant calc-silicate veins commonly associated with shear zones. The stage II metasomatic assemblage consists mainly of diopside + garnet + amphibole + plagioclase + quartz ± vesuvianite ± scapolite ± epidote ± titanite ± calcite ± scheelite. Given that the second stage of metasomatism is closely associated with shear zones and replaced rocks with an early metamorphic fabric, its origin is attributed to regional dynamothermal metamorphism. The least altered pillow basalts, picrites, gabbros, and diorites are characterized by LREE-enriched, near-flat HREE, and HFSE (especially Nb)-depleted trace element patterns, indicating a subduction zone geochemical signature. Ultramafic pillows and cumulates display large positive initial ε Nd values of + 1.3 to + 5.0, consistent with a strongly depleted mantle source. Given the geological similarities between the Ivisaartoq greenstone belt and Phanerozoic forearc ophiolites, we suggest that the Ivisaartoq greenstone belt represents Mesoarchean supra-subduction zone oceanic crust.