Mineral Reaction Textures Research Articles

High-grade metamorphism of banded iron formations: the role of saline fluids in promoting the growth of pyroxene and garnet reaction textures along magnetite-quartz grain boundaries

Metamorphosed banded iron formation (BIF) in granulite-amphibolite facies, tonalitic orthogneisses from a series of locations in the Kolli Massif of southern India are described and analysed with regard to their lithologies, whole rock chemistry, mineral reaction textures, and mineral chemistry. On the basis of their mineral reaction textures along magnetite-quartz grain boundaries these BIFs are grouped according to their predominant silicate mineralogy: 1) amphibole; 2) orthopyroxene; 3) orthopyroxene–clinopyroxene; 4) orthopyroxene-clinopyroxene-garnet; 5) clinopyroxene-garnet-plagioclase; and 6) Fe-Mg silicates are absent. Two-pyroxene and garnet-pyroxene Fe-Mg exchange thermometry, coupled with thermodynamic pseudo-section modelling of whole rock data from one of the magnetite-quartz-orthopyroxene-clinopyroxene-bearing lithologies, indicates that the magnetite-quartz-orthopyroxene-clinopyroxene-garnet assemblages formed at ~900 to 1200 MPa and 750 to 900 °C under relatively low H2O activities. Magnetite-quartz-orthopyroxene reaction textures were experimentally replicated at 800 and 900 °C and 1000 MPa in a synthetic BIF using isolated magnetite grains in a quartz matrix to which was added a hypersaline Mg- and Al-bearing fluid (approximately 1% by mass), which permeated along all the grain boundaries. The fact that Fe-Mg silicate reaction textures did not form in one of the BIF samples, which had experienced the same P-T conditions as the other BIF samples, suggests that, unless a BIF initially incorporated Mg, Al, and Ca during formation with or was infiltrated from the surrounding rocks by Mg-, Al-, and Ca-bearing saline fluids, these silicate minerals could not and would not have formed from the inherent magnetite and quartz during granulite-facies and amphibolite-facies metamorphism.

Petrology, phase equilibria modelling and zircon U-Pb geochronology of garnet-bearing charnockites from the Miyun area: Implications for microblock amalgamation of the North China Craton

The North China Craton (NCC) was amalgamated through Late Neoarchean amalgamation of seven microblocks along zones of ocean closure represented by granite-greenstone belts (GGB). Typical basement rocks of the Zunhua GGB between the Qianhuai and Jiaoliao microblocks are exposed in the Miyun area of the NCC. Here we report petrology, mineral chemistry, metamorphic P–T estimation and zircon U-Pb geochronology of newly identified garnet-bearing charnockites from the Miyun area. The prograde mineral assemblages are composed of quartz + biotite + clinopyroxene + plagioclase occurring as inclusions in garnet. The peak metamorphic mineral assemblages are identified as garnet + clinopyroxene + orthopyroxene + quartz + plagioclase + K-feldspar + ilmenite ± hornblende whereas the retrograde assemblages are characterized by the breakdown of garnet and formation of quartz + biotite association, together with K-feldspar moats around garnet and magnetite in the matrix. The prograde metamorphic P–T condition is defined at <770 °C and < 9.2 kbar. The peak metamorphic P–T conditions of the charnockite are constrained by a combination of quantitative pseudosection modelling and conventional geothermobarometry, and the results show peak conditions of 835–905 °C and 9.1–11.4 kbar indicating relatively high temperature and high pressure metamorphism. The zircon grains in the garnet-bearing charnockite display clear core-mantle-rim texture, with partial melting event recorded at 2499 ± 12 Ma and subsequent Early Paleoproterozoic retrograde cooling and decompression stage at 2463 ± 11 Ma. The clock-wise P–T trajectories inferred from mineral reaction textures and quantitative P–T pseudosection modelling, in combination with the widespread Late Neoarchean to Early Paleoproterozoic metamorphic ages (2525–2446 Ma) reported from elsewhere in the NCC suggest that the collisional assembly of microblocks and initial cratonization might have occurred during the Neoarchean-Paleoproterozoic transition.

Metamorphic P–T path and tectonic implications of medium-pressure pelitic granulites from the Jiaobei massif in the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt, North China Craton

Both medium- and high-pressure pelitic granulites were found in the Jiaobei massif in the southern segment of the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt, which is a Paleoproterozoic tectonic belt in the Eastern Block of the North China Craton. Studies on mineral assemblages and metamorphic reaction textures reveal that the medium-pressure pelitic granulites from the Jiaobei massif underwent four metamorphic stages: (1) the prograde stage (M1) represented by mineral inclusions within the core of garnet grains; (2) the peak stage (M2) indicated by the formation of sillimanite+K-feldspar and the growth of inclusion-free garnet mantle, (3) the decompression stage (M3) characterized by the cordierite+sillimanite symplectite, and (4) the decompression-cooling stage (M4) forming cordierite coronas. An integrated study of mineral reaction textures, mineral chemistry and pseudosection modelling in the NCFKMASHTO system with the THERMOCALC technique constrains the P–T conditions of 9.4–10kbar and 870–900°C for the M2 stage, 6.3–6.6kbar and 840–900°C for the M3 stage, and 4–5.2kbar and 815–830°C for the M4 stage. The P–T conditions of the early prograde (M1) assemblage cannot be estimated due to reworking at later metamorphic stages (M2–M4). The mineral assemblages of the M2–M4 stages and their P–T conditions define a clockwise P–T path involving isothermal decompression (ITD) and subsequent decompression-cooling for the medium-pressure pelitic granulites, which are consistent with a continent–continent collision environment. This suggests that the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt was not formed simply by the closure of a Paleoproterozoic rift basin as conventionally considered, but the tectonic evolution of its southern segment must have been involved in subduction and/or continent–continent collisional processes. Based on this study and previous data, we propose that the Jiao-Liao-Ji Belt represented a Paleoproterozoic rifting- and collision-belt along which the Langgang and Langrim Blocks amalgamated to form the Eastern Block of the North China Craton.

On the origin of multi‐layer coronas between olivine and plagioclase at the gabbro–granulite transition, Valle Fértil–La Huerta Ranges, San Juan Province, Argentina

AbstractTroctolitic gabbros from Valle Fértil and La Huerta Ranges, San Juan Province, NW‐Argentina exhibit multi‐layer corona textures between cumulus olivine and plagioclase. The corona mineral sequence, which varies in the total thickness from 0.5 to 1 mm, comprises either an anhydrous corona type I with olivine|orthopyroxene|clinopyroxene+spinel symplectite|plagioclase or a hydrous corona type II with olivine|orthopyroxene|amphibole|amphibole+spinel symplectite|plagioclase. The anhydrous corona type I formed by metamorphic replacement of primary olivine and plagioclase, in the absence of any fluid/melt phase at &lt;840 °C. Diffusion controlled metamorphic solid‐state replacement is mainly governed by the chemical potential gradients at the interface of reactant olivine and plagioclase and orthopyroxene and plagioclase. Thus, the thermodynamic incompatibility of the reactant minerals at the gabbro–granulite transition and the phase equilibria of the coronitic assemblage during subsequent cooling were modelled using quantitative μMgO–μCaO phase diagrams. Mineral reaction textures of the anhydrous corona type I indicate an inward migration of orthopyroxene on the expense of olivine, while clinopyroxene+spinel symplectite grows outward to replace plagioclase. Mineral textures of the hydrous corona type II indicate the presence of an interstitial liquid trapped between cumulus olivine and plagioclase that reacts with olivine to produce a rim of peritectic orthopyroxene around olivine. Two amphibole types are distinguished: an inclusion free, brownish amphibole I is enriched in trace elements and REEs relative to green amphibole II. Amphibole I evolves from an intercumulus liquid between peritectic orthopyroxene and plagioclase. Discrete layers of green amphibole II occur as inclusion‐free rims and amphibole II+spinel symplectites. Mineral textures and geochemical patterns indicate a metamorphic origin for amphibole II, where orthopyroxene was replaced to form an inner inclusion‐free amphibole II layer, while clinopyroxene and plagioclase were replaced to form an outer amphibole+spinel symplectite layer, at &lt;770 °C. Calculation of the possible net reactions by considering NCKFMASH components indicates that the layer bulk composition cannot be modelled as a ‘closed’ system although in all cases the gain and loss of elements within the multi‐layer coronas (except H2O, Na2O) is very small and the main uncertainties may arise from slight chemical zoning of the respective minerals. Local oxidizing conditions led to the formation of orthopyroxene+magnetite symplectite enveloping and/or replacing olivine. The sequence of corona reaction textures indicates a counter clockwise P–T path at the gabbro–granulite transition at 5–6.5 kbar and temperatures below 900 °C.

Origin of graphite, and temperature of metamorphism in Precambrian Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt, Orissa, India: A carbon isotope approach

The carbon isotope composition of graphite and carbon and oxygen isotope composition of associated calcite from different locations of the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt (EGMB) of Orissa have been measured in order to understand the origin of graphite. The δ 13C values of graphite range from −2.4‰ to −26.6‰. Forty-four of sixty-one samples have δ 13C values less than −20‰. Most of these low δ 13C values graphite corresponds to schists and disseminations in khondalite and calc-silicate granulites, thus indicating graphitization of organic matter. The remaining light-carbon–graphite occurs as veins which is the result of graphitization of transported organic matter. The graphite with intermediate δ 13C value (−13‰ to −19‰) indicates carbon contributions from both organic and carbonates sources and/or mantle sources. The higher δ 13C values graphite (−2.4‰ to −8.8‰) represent mantle carbon and/or carbonate sources without significant contribution from organic carbon. The temperatures of metamorphism have been estimated using carbon isotope ratios of graphite and associated calcite of calc-silicate granulites, where typical cation exchange thermometer assemblages are lacking and significant mineral reaction textures used to calculate pressure–temperature of metamorphic events are absent. Metamorphic temperatures obtained 945 °C are close to the ultrahigh-temperature reported from the EGMB. The minimum temperature estimated using the graphite–carbonate carbon isotope ratio is 90 °C. The lower estimates of temperatures probably indicate changes in the carbon isotope ratio of calcite by decarbonation reaction or armoring of carbonaceous matter in silicates during metamorphism preventing continuous exchange with calcite.

P–T–t evolution and textural evidence for decompression of Pan‐African high‐pressure granulites, Lurio Belt, north‐eastern Mozambique

AbstractPan‐African high‐pressure granulites occur as boudins and layers in the Lurio Belt in north‐eastern Mozambique, eastern Africa. Mafic granulites contain the mineral assemblage garnet + clinopyroxene + plagioclase + quartz ± magnesiohastingsite. Garnet porphyroblasts are zoned with increasing almandine and spessartine contents and decreasing grossular and pyrope contents from core (Alm46Prp32Grs21Sps2) to rim (Alm52Prp26Grs19Sps3). This pattern is interpreted as a retrograde diffusion zoning with the preserved core chemistry representing the peak metamorphic composition. Mineral reaction textures occur in the form of monomineralic and composite plagioclase ± orthopyroxene ± amphibole ± biotite ± magnetite coronas around garnet porphyroblasts. Thermobarometry indicates peak metamorphic conditions of up to 1.57 ± 0.14 GPa and 949 ± 92 °C (stage I), corresponding to crustal depths of ∼55 km. Zircon yielded an U–Pb age of 557 ± 16 Ma, inferred to date crystallization of zircon during peak or immediately post‐peak metamorphism. Formation of plagioclase + orthopyroxene‐bearing coronas surrounding garnet indicates a near‐isothermal decompression of the high‐pressure granulites to lower pressure granulite facies conditions (stage II). Development of plagioclase + amphibole‐coronas enclosing the same garnet porphyroblasts shows subsequent cooling into amphibolite facies conditions (stage III). Symplectitic textures of the corona assemblages indicate rapid decompression. The high‐pressure granulite facies metamorphism of the Lurio Belt, followed by near‐isothermal decompression and subsequent cooling, is in accordance with a long‐lived tectonic history accompanied by high magmatic activity in the Lurio Belt during the late Neoproterozoic–early Palaeozoic East‐African–Antarctic orogeny.

Pan-African high pressure granulites from SE-Kenya: Petrological and geothermobarometric evidence for a polycyclic evolution in the Mozambique belt

Two different Pan-African tectono-metamorphic events are recognised in the Taita Hill Tsavo East National Park/Galana river area, SE-Kenya (Mozambique belt) based on petrographic and geothermobarometric evidence. Structurally, this area can be subdivided into four units: (1) the easternmost part of the basement along the Galana river is characterized by subhorizontal slightly to the west and east dipping foliation planes. Migmatic paragneisses with intercalated marbles, calcsilicates and metapelites and bands of amphibolites are the dominant rock type. (2) The western part of the Galana river within the Tsavo East National Park is a ca. 25 km wide shear zone with subvertical foliation planes. The eastern part shows similar rocks as observed in unit 1, while towards west, metasedimentary units become rare and the main rock types are tonalitic gneisses with intercalated amphibolites. (3) A 10 km wide zone (Sagala Hills zone) between the strike slip zone (unit 2) and the Taita Hills (unit 4) is developed. This zone is characterized by elongated and folded felsic migmatic amphibole and garnet bearing orthogneiss bodies with intercalated bands of mafic rocks. (4) The Taita Hills are a slightly to the N dipping nappe stack. The main rock type in the Taita Hills are amphibole–biotite–plagioclase–quartz ± garnet ± clinopyroxene ± scapolite bearing migmatic gneisses with mafic bands. In the southern part, metapelites, marbles and some amphibolites are common. Although the geological structures are different in units 1 and 2, the calculated PT conditions are similar with peak PT of 760–820 °C and 7.5–9.5 kbar. Temperatures in unit 3 (Sagalla Hills zone) and unit 4 (Taita Hills) are slightly higher ca. 760–840 °C, but pressure is significantly higher, ranging from 10 to 12 kbar. Sillimanite growth around kyanite, garnet zonation pattern, mineral reaction textures, and PT calculations constrain a “clock-wise” PT-path with near isobaric cooling following the peak of metamorphism. The different PT conditions, tectonic setting, and a different age of metamorphism are evidence that units 1 and 2 (Galana river) belong to a different tectono-metamorphic event than unit 3 (Sagala Hills zone) and 4 (Taita Hills). The major shear zone (unit 2) marks a tectonic suture dividing the two different tectono-metamorphic domains. It is also likely that it played an important role during exhumation of the granulite facies rocks from units 3 and 4.

Calculated phase equilibria in K2O‐FeO‐MgO‐Al2O3‐SiO2‐H2O for sapphirine‐quartz‐bearing mineral assemblages

AbstractSapphirine, coexisting with quartz, is an indicator mineral for ultrahigh‐temperature metamorphism in aluminous rock compositions. Here a new activity‐composition model for sapphirine is combined with the internally consistent thermodynamic dataset used by THERMOCALC, for calculations primarily in K2O‐FeO‐MgO‐Al2O3‐SiO2‐H2O (KFMASH). A discrepancy between published experimentally derived FMAS grids and our calculations is understood with reference to H2O. Published FMAS grids effectively represent constant aH2O sections, thereby limiting their detailed use for the interpretation of mineral reaction textures in compositions with differing H2O.For the calculated KFMASH univariant reaction grid, sapphirine + quartz assemblages occur at P–T in excess of 6–7 kbar and 1005 °C. Sapphirine compositions and composition ranges are consistent with natural examples. However, as many univariant equilibria are typically not ‘seen’ by a specific bulk composition, the univariant reaction grid may reveal little about the detailed topology of multi‐variant equilibria, and therefore is of limited use for interpreting the P–T evolution of mineral assemblages and reaction sequences. Calculated pseudosections, which quantify bulk composition and multi‐variant equilibria, predict experimentally determined KFMASH mineral assemblages with consistent topology, and also indicate that sapphirine stabilizes at increasingly higher pressure and temperature as XMg increases. Although coexisting sapphirine and quartz can occur in relatively iron‐rich rocks if the bulk chemistry is sufficiently aluminous, the P–T window of stability shrinks with decreasing XMg. An array of mineral assemblages and mineral reaction sequences from natural sapphirine + quartz and other rocks from Enderby Land, Antarctica, are reproducible with calculated pseudosections. That consistent phase diagram calculations involving sapphirine can be performed allows for a more thorough assessment of the metamorphic evolution of high‐temperature granulite facies terranes than was previously possible. The establishment of a a‐x model for sapphirine provides the basis for expansion to larger, more geologically realistic chemical systems (e.g. involving Fe3+).

New constraints on metamorphism in the Rauer Group, Prydz Bay, east Antarctica

Abstract Granulite facies metapelites of the Mather and Filla Paragneisses within the Rauer Group, east Antarctica, possess markedly different compositions. The metamorphic evolution of the two metapelite types has been interpreted as temporally distinct, with the Rauer Group preserving at least two distinct granulite facies tectonothermal episodes. Calculated P–T pseudosections and orthopyroxene Al content indicate the revised maximum‐preserved P–T conditions within the Mather Paragneiss to lie in the vicinity of 950–975 °C and 10–10.6 kbar, less extreme than previous estimates. The range of possible P–T paths for the Mather Paragneiss consistent with mineral textural relationships and pseudosections contoured for mineral proportion are significantly shallower (dP/dT) than previous estimates. A near‐isothermal decompression P–T path, and extreme peak metamorphic conditions, are not necessary to explain the development of preserved mineral reaction textures. The Filla Paragneiss contains pelitic assemblages less amenable to rigorous quantitative analysis. Nevertheless, possibilities for the shared or otherwise metamorphic evolution of the Mather and Filla Paragneisses may be postulated on the basis of calculated pseudosections in the context of existing geochronology for the Rauer Group and preserved microstructures. A shared evolution, most likely during Pan‐African granulite facies metamorphism, is plausible and consistent with mineral assemblage development, geochronology and microstructures. A revised interpretation of the Rauer Group's preserved metamorphic evolution may warrant the revision of existing tectonic models, applicable also to the remainder of Prydz Bay. More generally, the employed approach may incite a revision of peak P–T and P–T paths in other granulite facies terranes.

Orthopyroxene–sillimanite–quartz assemblages: distribution, petrology, quantitative P–T–X constraints and P–T paths

AbstractGranulite facies magnesian metapelites commonly preserve a wide array of mineral assemblages and reaction textures that are useful for deciphering the metamorphic evolution of a terrane. Quantitative pressure, temperature and bulk composition constraints on the development and preservation of characteristic peak granulite facies mineral assemblages such as orthopyroxene + sillimanite + quartz are assessed with reference to calculated phase diagrams. In NCKFMASH and its chemical subsystems, peak assemblages form mainly in high‐variance fields, and most mineral assemblage changes reflect multivariant equilibria. The rarity of orthopyroxene–sillimanite–quartz‐bearing assemblages in granulite facies rocks reflects the need for bulk rock XMg of greater than approximately 0.60–0.65, with pressures and temperatures exceeding c. 8 kbar and 850 °C, respectively. Cordierite coronas mantling peak minerals such as orthopyroxene, sillimanite and quartz have historically been used to infer isothermal decompression P–T paths in ultrahigh‐temperature granulite facies terranes. However, a potentially wide range of P–T paths from a given peak metamorphic condition facilitate retrograde cordierite growth after orthopyroxene + sillimanite + quartz, indicating that an individual mineral reaction texture is unable to uniquely define a P–T vector. Therefore, the interpretation of P–T paths in high‐grade rocks as isothermal decompression or isobaric cooling may be overly simplistic. Integration of quantitative data from different mineral reaction textures in rocks with varying bulk composition will provide the strongest constraints on a P–T path, and in turn on tectonic models derived from these paths.

Relationships between chamber margin accumulates and pore liquids: evidence from arrested in situ processes in ejecta, Latera caldera, Italy

Biotite- and clinopyroxene-rich mafic nodules occur together with syenite ejecta in ca. 235 to 155 Ka tuffs surrounding the Latera caldera. Clinopyroxenites and leucite monzosyenites crystallized along the lower margins of a crustal magma system, and record complex crystallization histories of potassic magmas that were parental to a range of lava and tuff compositions. The mafic nodules have the mineral assemblage clinopyroxene >biotite>anorthite>orthoclase>leucite>hauyne >titanite>apatite±amphibole±olivine±phlogopite, and comprise mesocumulate and orthocumulate layers that commonly alternate on the scale of several centimeters. Despite the apparently “ultramafic” nature of the early cumulate assemblage, the common occurrence of intercumulate orthoclase, leucite, hauyne, salitic clinopyroxene and vesicular glass indicates that interstitial liquids underwent late-stage differentiation at relatively shallow depths but under highly variable conditions of volatile saturation. Many of the mafic nodules exhibit pronounced variations in the type and abundance of mineral reaction textures. These range from unreacted assemblages to nodules in which cumulate megacrysts are surrounded by well-developed symplectite halos. The textural variability indicates strongly localized disequilibrium between cumulate frameworks and vapor-saturated pore fluids, and is attributed to convective fractionation of liquids through permeable crystal mush. Lithologic discontinuities exhibited by the xenolith suite and host magmas are best explained by variable communication between a compositionally stratified magma reservoir and its partly crystallized lower chamber margins. Periodic replenishment of this system by less evolved magmas subsequently promoted mixing and hybridization that are characteristic features of many Latera lavas and tephra.