Ongoing Metamorphism Research Articles

U-Pb Geochronology and Hf Isotope Geochemistry of the Turtleback Complex and East Sound Group, San Juan Islands, Northwestern North American Cordillera

Abstract This study focuses on Paleozoic rocks of the Turtleback Complex (TBC) and East Sound Group (ESG) of northwestern Washington. These assemblages record a long and complex history of magmatism, sedimentation, and volcanism as part of the Chilliwack composite terrane. This study investigates the tectonic setting and magmatic evolution of the Chilliwack terrane by analyzing U-Pb geochronologic and Hf isotopic data from zircons extracted from igneous and sedimentary rocks of the TBC and ESG. Igneous rocks of the TBC yield U-Pb ages of ~420-~370 Ma for zircon rims, which are interpreted to record pluton crystallization, and ages of ~500-370 Ma for inherited cores and antecrysts. Zircons older than 410-400 Ma yield typical igneous values of U/Th and U concentration and somewhat more evolved εHft values (+5 to +10), whereas younger grains yield values of U/Th and U concentrations that record ongoing metamorphism and have more juvenile εHft values of +10 to +15. This evolution is interpreted to have occurred in a long-lived island arc that experienced a transition at ~410-400 Ma from crustal thickening to regional crustal extension. Detrital zircon grains from the ESG yield dominant ages of ~421-~366 Ma and εHft values of +8 to +15, both of which overlap with values from igneous rocks of the underlying TBC. Strata of the ESG also contain abundant older zircon grains, with a dominant age peak of ~1860 Ma and subordinate peaks at 2673, 2570, 1485, 1113, 736, and 553 Ma. When compared with similar results from other assemblages and terranes in the northern Cordillera, our results suggest possible connections with the Yellow Aster Complex of the nearby North Cascade Range. Our results also suggest general similarities with the Alexander terrane, Wrangellia terrane, and southeast Alaska portion of the Yukon-Tanana terrane. These similarities are consistent with previous interpretations that the Chilliwack composite terrane formed in association with the Alexander, Wrangellia, and southeast Alaska portion of the Yukon-Tanana terrane along the paleo-Arctic margin of Laurentia during early Paleozoic time. Our work also illustrates the importance of recycling of older magmatic rocks over millions of years within a juvenile island arc system.

STRATIGRAPHY AND THE GEOLOGIC-FORMATIONAL CORRELATION OF THE GRANULITE COMPLEXES OF THE UKRAINIAN SHIELD </br> Article 3. Stratigraphy of the granulite complexes of the megablocks infrastructure and summary correlation

Granulite-gneiss complexes and their diaphoritic analogs, together with the ultrametamorphic formations that replace them, are the most common on the surface of the basement of the Ukrainian Shield. These complexes are known in all megablocks and most likely have continuous development in the basement of the shield under the younger stratigenic complexes of the Lower Precambrian, which overlap them. In previous articles of the series the stratigraphy of Bug Area and Azov Area granulite complexes is considered, that compose overhead structural stage (suprastructure) of Podolsk and Azov Area megablocks, and also south part of Bug-Ros megablock. Data about composition and distribution of granulite complexes within the limits of Dnepr Area, Ingul and Volyn megablocks are presented in this article. In these megablocks granulite complexes are part of the lower structural stage (infrastructure) and are therefore limited in distribution. Summary geological-formational correlation of all granulite-gneiss complexes of the Ukrainian Shield demonstrates their good compatibility between themselves and with the key section of the Bug Area complexes. The common units for all megablocks, except for Volyn, are the enderbito-gneissic and leucogranulitic formations, and for Volyn megablock, the enderbito-gneissic and kintzigitic formations of the key section. An assumption was made about the formation of the initial strata of granulite-gneiss complexes in specific conditions of a global character that have not re-occurred throughout the Earth’s further development. This provides grounds not only for the geologic-formational, but also for the stratigraphic dating correlation among the disparate granulite-gneiss complexes. Based on the oldest isotope dating results of 3780- 3650 million years from the Bug complex ores, all granulite-gneiss complexes of the Ukrainian Shield belong to the Lower Archean. All more young dating of granulite-gneiss complexes is, most likely, due to their subsequent long and, probably, continuous stay in the conditions of granulite facies and ongoing metamorphism and ultrametamorphism.

Textural relations, P-T path, polymetamorphism and also geodynamic significance of metamorphic rocks of the Aligudarz-Khonsar region, Sanandaj-Sirjan zone, Iran

The metamorphic rocks of the Aligudarz-Khonsar region can be divided into nine groups: slate, phyllite, sericite schist, biotite-muscovite schist, garnet schist, garnet-staurolite schist, staurolite schist, mylonitic granite, and marble. In this metamorphic region, four phases of metamorphism can be identified (dynamothermal, thermal, dynamic and retrograde metamorphism) and there are three deformation phases (D1, D2 and D3). Paleozoic pelagic shales experienced prograde metamorphism and polymetamorphism from the greenschist to amphibolite facies along the kyanite geotherm. The metapelites show prograde dynamothermal metamorphism from the greenschist to amphibolite facies. Maximum degree of dynamothermal metamorphism is seen in the Nughan bridge area. Also development of the mylonitic granites in the Nughan bridge area shows that dynamic metamorphism in this area was more intense than in other parts of the AligudarzKhonsar metapelitic zone. The chemical zoning of garnets shows three stages of growth and syn-tectonic formation. With ongoing metamorphism, staurolite appeared, and the rocks reached amphibolite facies, but the degree of metamorphism did not increase past the kyanite zone. Thus, metamorphism of the pelitic sediments occurred at the greenschist to amphibolite facies (kyanite zone). Thermodynamic studies of these rocks indicate that the metapelites in the Aligudarz-Khonsar region formed at 490–550°C and 0.47–5.6 kbar.

Metamorphism and deformation of golpayegan metapelitic rocks, Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, Iran

The metapelitic schists of the Golpayegan region can be divided into four groups based on their mineral assemblages: (1) garnet-chloritoid schists, (2) garnet schists, (3) garnet-staurolite schists, and (4) staurolite-kyanite schists. Paleozoic pelagic shales experienced progressive metamorphism and polymetamorphism from greenschist to amphibolite facies along the kyanite geotherm. Mylonitic granites are concentrated in the central part of the region more than in other areas, and formed during the dynamic metamorphic phase by activity on the NW-SE striking Varzaneh and Sfajerd faults. The presence of chloritoid in the metapelites demonstrates low-grade metamorphism in the greenschist facies. The textural and chemical zoning of garnets shows three stages of growth and syntectonic formation. With ongoing metamorphism, staurolite appeared, and the rocks reached amphibolite facies, but the degree of metamorphism did not increase past the kyanite zone. Thus, metamorphism of the pelitic sediments occurred at greenschist to lower amphibolite facies. Thermodynamic studies of these rocks indicate that the metapelites in the north Golpayegan region formed at 511–618°C and 0.24–4.1 kbar.

The fate of subducted oceanic slabs in the shallow mantle: Insights from boron isotopes and light element composition of metasomatized blueschists from the Mariana forearc

Serpentine muds from South Chamorro Seamount (SCS), drilled during ODP Leg 195 at Site 1200 contain metamafic clasts that experienced blueschist-facies metamorphism (including the critical mineral assemblage pumpellyite – Na-amphibole – epidote). These schists represent fragments from the actual slab–mantle interface at ~ 27 km depth. Their heterogeneous lithology with a metasomatic character indicates significant mobility of major elements in the Mariana forearc, a region of mélange formation as it can also be observed in onland exposures such as the Catalina Schist. As the Mariana forearc blueschists show no late stage alteration they permit the direct study of material transfer during the subduction processes at an active convergent margin. This study presents the first data of detailed B isotope ( δ 11B) and light element variations in blueschist-facies minerals from the Mariana arc system. The primary foci are B and Li concentrations and δ 11B values analyzed by SIMS and ToF-SIMS techniques. Minerals such as (Na-rich) amphibole, phengite and chlorite are found to be strongly enriched in Li (up to 70 μg/g), Be (up to 8 μg/g) and B (up to 35 μg/g) and with δ 11B values of − 6 ± 4‰. These new data are consistent with isotopically heavy B being released into the Mariana forearc mantle wedge (serpentinization of dry mantle peridotite after interaction with B-rich slab-released high pH fluids) and confirm models of significant B-loss and B isotope fractionation during forearc (shallow) slab dehydration. The elevated Li, Be and B concentrations in minerals that comprise the bulk of the rocks, namely, amphibole, phengite, and chlorite bear a strong potential to further transport Li and B as well as the isotopically light component of B to greater depths in the mantle, where ongoing metamorphism is responsible for further isotope and elemental fractionation and the formation of distinct mantle reservoirs, e.g. volcanic arc and oceanic intra-plate (OIB) magmas.

Preferential magma extraction from K- and metal-enriched source regions in the crust

We compare melting of potassic alteration zones in metamorphosed gold deposits with that of unaltered rocks of the same protolith to examine their relative contributions to crust-derived magmas and to investigate the implications for ore genesis. Potassic hydrothermal alteration, at the crustal levels where orogenic gold deposits form, stabilizes a higher proportion of muscovite and biotite than is possible in unaltered rocks at high metamorphic grades. Because these micas contain water, they control the melt fraction generated through dehydration melting in that a greater proportion of micas permits more extensive melting. Orogenic gold deposits, in which mineralization is typically encapsulated by potassic alteration, form at deep-enough crustal levels to survive repeated tectonic activity, which can lead to their being metamorphosed. In the vicinity of this metamorphosed gold mineralization, the greatest proportion of felsic melt is generated in the more metal- and sulfur-rich rocks because of the associated potassic alteration. Ore minerals dissolve and are physically incorporated into the resulting felsic melt, which thereby becomes metal- and sulfur-enriched. Since melt fraction is the dominant control on strain partitioning and melt mobilization, increased melting in K-altered mineralized rocks implies that these sites will be the first to experience melt escape and will continue to be the focus of melt escape during ongoing metamorphism. This strain partitioning promotes shear zone development, and once shearing is localized to K-altered mineralized domains, it may attract external magma, allowing extension and linking with nearby active shear zones. In this way, mineralized zones may connect to a regional network of magma transfer, allowing metal enrichment of migrating magmas. Terrains that underwent widespread K alteration associated with mid-crustal gold enrichment are likely, when metamorphosed, to produce significant volumes of reduced, relatively metal- and sulfur-enriched felsic magma. The ages and relative tectonic preservation potential of different K alteration-associated ore types implies that Au, Ag, As, Sb, Bi, Te, and W may be recycled within the crust through this mechanism, whereas Cu and Mo are unlikely to be recycled and require mantle sourcing to form new intrusion-related ores. Silicate melt derived from preexisting zones of gold enrichment in the lower crust may contribute significantly to the metal budget of intrusion-related gold systems, and possibly some gold-rich porphyry deposits.

The evolution of the North German Basin and the metamorphism of the lower crust

In an integrated analysis, metamorphic processes in the accreted crust, potential field anomalies, temperature field and subsidence history are summarized into a model for the development of the North German Basin. The model integrates observed phenomena such as the high nitrogen content in natural gases in Permian sandstone reservoirs and the structure of the crust with model calculations. Rock density increase, subsequent volume reduction and loss of volatiles during metamorphism lead to a depression at the surface of the Earth. The load of the sediments, which will be deposited in the depression, enhances the subsidence and the ongoing metamorphism. The model provides an alternative to the application of existing tectonic stretching models for the explanation of the subsidence of sedimentary basins.

日本列島直下で現在進行中の広域変成作用

Recent advances in seismic studies have revealed that earthquakes have a close link with chemical processes, i.e. metamorphic dehydration. From this point of view, we provide a new scheme for observation of on-going regional metamorphism in a subduction zone.Combining the phase diagrams of MORB + water and peridotite + water with the thermal structure of the descending Pacific oceanic plate in NE Japan and in the Philippine Sea (PHS) plate in SW Japan, we can draw the distribution of metamorphic facies of regional metamorphism. However, the most uncertain parameter is thermal structure, even though it has been calculated numerically, because of the difficulty of evaluating frictional heating, heat transportation by dehydrated fluids and mantle convection in the hanging wall. To overcome this problem, we have carried out different approach from seismic observations in estimating the thermal structure of a subduction zone, by applying the dehydration-induced earthquake hypothesis. This hypothesis involves the assumptions as follows : 1) any dehydration in the subducted slab induces earthquakes, 2) peridotite of the subducting plate is more or less hydrated, as well as the oceanic crust, and 3) the dehydration reactions proceed in near equilibrium condition.Direct seismic determination of the depths of the blueschist or epidote-amphibolite facies to eclogite transformation, decomposition of serpentine (antigorite), and the stability limit of clinochlore enable us to establish fixed points for the slab temperature. The seismogenic zone (150°C to 350°C), the depth limit of non-volcanic tremor seismicity, and the slab melting in SW Japan (800-900°C) were also used to fix temperatures at given depths. Three profiles in NE-Japan and two profiles in SW-Japan were examined, and their P-T paths along the Wadati-Benioff zone were estimated to be anti-clockwise in all cases. The P-T paths are consistent with those of metamorphic facies series from well-studied on-land regional metamorphic belts. The P-T path of the subducting slab in NE-Japan is colder than that of the eastern-Shikoku section in SW-Japan, except for the Kii-peninsula section which has an almost similar P-T path to that in NE-Japan.Comparison between the on-going metamorphism beneath the Japanese islands and the on-land regional metamorphic belts in the Sanbagawa and Kokchetav shows that the P-T conditions of these two metamorphic belts are located between that of NE-Japan and of the eastern-Shikoku profile.A numerical model for wedge-mantle convection shows that the direction of the small corner flow of the wedge mantle causes a back current along the subducting slab. The area of the corner flow is wider in a shallow subduction zone corresponding to that in eastern Shikoku, and is narrower in a steeper subduction zone represented by NE-Japan. Since the exhumed metamorphic belts have intermediate P-T conditions between those in NE Japan and eastern Shikoku, We suggest that a change in the mode of wedge-corner flow from steep to shallow subduction plays some role in the exhumation of a metamorphic belt. Such a change in Cretaceous time from 120 Ma to 80 Ma may have promoted the exhumation of the Sanbagawa belt.

Paleocene plutonism and its tectonic implications, North Cascades, Washington

U-Pb zircon geochronology has identified a northwest-trending belt of Paleocene (68-59 Ma) plutons within the crystalline core of the North Cascades. Most of these plutons show amphibolite facies assemblages and solid-state foiliation. They document extensive Paleogene dynamothermal metamorphism in the core, and combined with other recent studies, demonstrate ongoing metamorphism from mid-Cretaceous to mid-Eocene time. The Paleocene plutons were emplaced during an interval that marked a magmatic lull throughout much of the northern Cordillera. The distribution of latest Cretaceous and Paleocene plutons suggests that magmatism in the North Cascades core records the same eastward retreat that occurred farther north in the Cordillera.