Stages Of Garnet Growth Research Articles

Monazite in the eclogite and blueschist of the Svalbard Caledonides: its origin and forming-reactions

High-pressure low-temperature rocks from Svalbard are an excellent target for studying metamorphic reactions in Phanerozoic subduction zones. This study reveals the presence of monazite in an eclogite and a blueschist from the Vestgötabreen Complex, southwestern Svalbard. In order to investigate the monazite-forming reaction, we obtained pressure–temperature estimates coupled with U–Pb and Lu–Hf dating. Combined geothermobarometry allows to constrain three evolutionary stages of garnet growth in the eclogite: nucleation (1.6 ± 0.3 GPa at 460 ± 60 °C), peak-pressure (2.3 ± 0.3 GPa at 507 ± 60 °C), and peak-temperature (2.1 ± 0.3 GPa at 553 ± 60 °C). A zircon age of 482 ± 10 Ma is interpreted to belong to the prograde part of the pressure–temperature path. Monazite forms inclusions within garnet rims, or it is surrounded by allanite and apatite, altogether forming pseudomorphs of a tabular shape in the matrix. Textures, geothermobarometry and geochronology support the conclusion the monazite formed under high-pressure conditions at 471 ± 6 Ma. We propose that the monazite crystallization in the eclogite happened due to a decomposition of accessory phases during the decompression after peak-pressure of the metamorphic cycle. Monazite in the blueschist occurs as inclusions in garnet cores and gives an indicative age of 486 ± 6 Ma, which is interpreted to reflect the prograde growth of the garnet. Lu–Hf garnet dating resolves an age of peak-pressure metamorphism in the blueschist at 471.1 ± 4 Ma under conditions of 2.0 ± 0.03 GPa and 500 ± 30 °C. The Vestgötabreen Complex provides evidence for an early Ordovician modern-style subduction system in the proximity of the Baltica margin. Hence, this study also supports the tectonic models that favour a mixed Baltican and Laurentian provenance of south-western Svalbard.

Multistage growth of garnet fingerprints the behavior and property of metamorphic fluids in a Paleotethyan oceanic subduction zone

Metamorphic fluids released from the subducting crust are of great importance to understand the recycling of volatile materials at convergent plate margins. Garnet in metamorphic rocks can retain chemical zonation and crystal inclusions produced during crustal subduction, providing the record of geochemical recycling in subduction zones. This paper presents a combined study of mineralogy and geochemistry for metamorphic garnets in oceanic-type eclogite from the Paleotethyan subduction zone in the Hong'an orogen, east-central China. The results show distinct zonation of major and trace elements, crystal inclusions, water contents, and oxygen fugacity in garnet. Five stages of garnet growth were recognized based on the garnet composition and phase equilibrium modelling. Growth of Stage I to IV garnets occurs during prograde metamorphism of the Paleotethyan oceanic crust from blueschist to eclogite facies along low geothermal gradients of 7.8–9.7 °C/km. Stage V garnet was formed through dissolution and reprecipitation during mineral-fluid reaction in the early exhumation stage. Garnet grains exhibit a decrease of water content from core to rim, indicating a gradual decrease of bulk water content in host eclogite during the garnet growth. Combined with the theoretical calculation based on the mineral modes and mineral water contents, it is suggested that the subducting oceanic crust would release reduced amounts of fluids during prograde metamorphism from greenschist to eclogite facies. The different garnet zones have f O 2 values varying from ΔFMQ+1.77 to ΔFMQ+3.26, suggesting that the fluids released from the subducting oceanic crust were oxidizing during subduction to peak eclogite facies and its early exhumation stage. These garnet f O2 values are correlated with the water contents of water-saturated garnet, implying that the water content of metamorphic garnet is a potential means to recover the redox state of its host eclogite. The increase of f O2 values during prograde metamorphism of the eclogite indicates the breakdown of chlorite and possible fluid influx from serpentinite, whereas the significant drop of f O2 values during the early exhumation stage indicates the breakdown of lawsonite to release the oxidized fluid. This study demonstrates that a combined study of water content, major and trace elements, and mineral inclusions in metamorphic garnet can potentially provide a new perspective into the behavior and property of fluids released from the subducting oceanic crust. • Garnet exhibits zoning in inclusions, major-trace elements, water content and oxygen fugacity. • Multiple stages of garnet growth were recognized along the P-T path of Hong'an eclogite. • Garnet water contents reflect decrease of fluid release from subducting oceanic crust. • Garnet water contents are correlated with redox conditions of its host eclogite. • Oxidized fluid is released during the dehydration of the subducting oceanic crust.

Anatomy of Garnet from the Nanminghe Skarn Iron Deposit, China: Implications for Ore Genesis

Garnet is a common constituent of skarn type iron deposits and can be used to derive potential information on the genesis of skarn type deposits. Here, we investigate the petrologic, spectroscopic, and geochemical characteristics of garnet from the Nanminghe skarn iron deposit in China to elucidate the formation process, growth environment, and genesis. We employ a combination of multiple techniques including petrography, Infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman spectrum, electron microprobe, and LA-ICP-MS. The primary mineral assemblage in the skarn is garnet–diopside–magnetite–quartz–calcite–pyrite. The garnet occurs as granular aggregates or veins, and generally shows a combination form bounded by dodecahedral faces {110} and trapezohedron faces {211}. Oscillatory zoning and abnormal extinction of garnet are also noted. We identify at least three stages of garnet growth, with a gradual decrease in the iron content from early to late stage, accompanied by the precipitation of magnetite. Regarding the rare earth distribution model, the Nanminghe garnet is generally in the right-dipping mode enriched in LREE and depleted in HREE, which may be mainly controlled by adsorption. Major and trace elements of different generations of garnet suggest that the garnet in the iron skarn crystallized under high oxygen fugacity and is of hydrothermal origin.

Metamorphic P–T–t–d evolution of the Mesoproterozoic Pur‐Banera supracrustal belt, Aravalli Craton, northwestern India: Insights from phase equilibria modelling and zircon–monazite geochronology of metapelites

AbstractThe Pur‐Banera belt of metasedimentary rocks, in the Bhilwara region of the Aravalli Craton, northwestern India, constitutes a Mesoproterozoic rift‐related supracrustal sequence. The Pur‐Banera belt, while containing psammitic, calcareous, and ferruginous metasediments, is dominated by garnet–staurolite–kyanite‐bearing metapelites. Here we integrate data on outcrop‐ and microscopic‐scale deformation structures with pseudosection modelling and zircon–monazite geochronology to decipher the P–T–t–d evolution of these metapelites. The metapelites record three distinct deformation events. The first two (D1–D2) produced a composite S1//S2 foliation, and a younger event of dextral shearing (D3) produced crenulations superimposed on the foliation. Textural and compositional data indicate two stages of growth of garnet, whose core compositions were significantly altered during peak metamorphism. The textures combined with pseudosection modelling and conventional thermobarometry reveal that the garnet cores continued to grow up to staurolite‐grade prograde metamorphism, followed by a second stage of garnet growth (syn‐D2; 7.3–7.9 kbar and 665–690°C) during kyanite‐grade peak metamorphism. Fibrolite grew in the matrix during post‐peak readjustments due to uplift and decompression, whereas fluid‐induced retrograde metamorphism (480–540°C) resulted in the formation of euhedral staurolite prisms and narrow rims around garnet porphyroblasts. Detrital zircons of magmatic origin yield a weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb age of 1,827 ± 7 Ma (95% confidence) indicating a Palaeoproterozoic igneous source rock for the sediments, consistent with a Mesoproterozoic (1.6–1.3 Ga) age of deposition as inferred in previous work on the Pur‐Banera quartzofeldspathic gneisses. Monazite U–Th–(total) Pb ages indicate the timing of commencement of prograde metamorphism at c. 1.3 Ga, peak metamorphism at c. 1.2–1.1 Ga, and fluid‐induced retrograde metamorphism at c. 0.85–0.75 Ga. Our combined results indicate that the metapelites experienced two deformation events (D1 and D2) during the closure of the Pur‐Banera basin and the consequent burial of the sediments to lower crustal depths. These were followed by post‐collisional uplift and exhumation, and fluid‐induced retrograde metamorphism during D3 shearing. Southwestward tilting of the rocks during the D3 event, and subsequent erosion, have exposed rock units in the western, central, and southeastern parts of the belt which were buried deeper than those in the southwestern parts. This explains the observed northeastward increase in the metamorphic field gradient along the NE–SW strike of the belt. These new insights into the Meso‐ to Neoproterozoic tectonometamorphic evolution of the Pur‐Banera belt help relate it to the amalgamation and fragmentation of the supercontinent Rodinia.

Trace element and isotopic zoning of garnetite veins in amphibolitized eclogite, Franciscan Complex, California, USA

Here we present major element, trace element, and oxygen isotope data for garnet from an amphibolitized eclogite block from Ring Mountain, Franciscan Complex, California, USA. Garnetite veins 1–5 cm thick are laterally continuous up to 10 m within an Mg-rich blackwall zone of the eclogite block. Complex major and trace element zoning patterns reveal multiple stages of garnet growth in both the matrix and garnetite veins. Similarities in major and trace element zoning between matrix and vein garnet suggest that crystallization of the garnetite veins began toward the end of matrix garnet core growth, and continued throughout the garnet growth history of the rock. Oscillatory zoning in rare-earth elements suggests garnet growth in pulses, with matrix-diffusion-limited growth in between pulses. Oxygen isotope analyses of matrix and vein garnet have a range in δ18O values of 5.3–11.1 ‰. Differences in δ18O values of up to ~ 4 ‰ between garnet core and rim are observed in both the matrix and vein; garnet cores range from 9.8 to 11.1 ‰ (median 10.4‰), garnet mantles range from 8.3 to 10.0 ‰ (median 9.7 ‰), and garnet rims range from 5.8 to 7.8 ‰ (median 6.7 ‰). Late-stage vein crystallization appears as a garnet “cement” that fills in a network of small (typically 5–50 µm) garnet cores, and likely crystallized from an amorphous phase. The low δ18O values of this latest stage of garnet growth are consistent with interaction with serpentinites, and likely represent the physical incorporation of the eclogite block into the serpentinite matrix melange.

Metamorphic evolution and Petrogenesis of garnet–corundum silica–undersaturated metapelitic granulites: A new case study from the Mianlüe Tectonic Zone of South Qinling, Central China

Newly identified garnet–corundum silica-undersaturated pelitic granulites in the Mianlüe Tectonic Zone of the South Qinling belt, central China, preserve a distinct mineral assemblage of garnet + corundum + biotite + plagioclase ± kyanite + sillimanite + staurolite and are therefore useful for deciphering the metamorphic evolution of the zone. Most of the garnet porphyroblasts preserve prominent major- and trace-element zoning, which provides evidence for two stages of garnet growth, under subsolidus conditions and then fluid-absent conditions, during prograde metamorphism. The distinctive yttrium annuli in garnet grains are most likely the result of the breakdown of xenotime. Four stages in the pressure–temperature (P–T) evolution of the granulites are inferred from the results of P–T pseudosection analysis together with petrographic observations. The first stage records the early prograde evolution, comprising isobaric heating at ~7 kbar from 580 to ~700 °C, and the later-stage prograde evolution with increasing pressure and temperature to the peak-pressure stage. The second stage is marked by the maximum XGrs in the garnet mantle, indicating the peak conditions in the high-P–high-T granulite facies of 830 °C at ~11.7 kbar. The third stage is characterized by a continued increase in pyrope in the garnet rim, suggesting decompression with slight heating from the peak pressure to reach the peak temperature at ~9.4 kbar and ~850 °C. The late retrograde cooling stage is represented by further decompression after the peak temperature, accompanied by the growth of staurolite. 7–13 mol% melt was produced during prograde metamorphism via the reaction sill + bi + pl → g + crn + melt. Although later melt loss reduced the bulk-rock Si and Al, the low-Si and high-Al–Fe bulk compositions of restite were inherited mainly from the protolith, which comprised high-Fe sediments (bauxites) derived from weathering of adjacent mafic rock. U–Pb dating of metamorphic zircon rims yielded two age clusters: ~227 Ma represents the timing close to peak-pressure conditions, and 222–217 Ma represents the timing of post-Tmax cooling to the solidus. Monazite U–Pb ages of 212–206 Ma are interpreted as the timing of further retrograde cooling under the solidus. The geochronological data and clockwise P–T paths indicate the garnet–corundum pelitic granulites record a complete metamorphic P–T–t history, including crustal thickening during continental collision/subduction and subsequent exhumation and cooling during the early Mesozoic. Combined with recent high-precision early Neoproterozoic data, we proposed that the MTZ was formed as a result of Grenvillian oceanic plate subduction and the assembly of Rodinia during the early Neoproterozoic and that it also records processes related to continental collision/subduction during the early Mesozoic.

Nucleation and Initial Growth of Garnet in Low-Grade Metamorphic Rocks of the Sanbagawa Metamorphic Belt, Kanto Mountains, Japan

The beginning of the recrystallization of minerals within a subducting oceanic plate provides a valuable record of dehydration within the subduction zone. Pelitic schists of the Nagatoro area, Kanto Mountains, Japan, record the initial stages of garnet growth. Consequently, these rocks were studied to analyze garnet nucleation and growth during metamorphism of the Sanbagawa metamorphic belt, one of the world’s most comprehensively studied subduction complexes. The garnet grains are small, euhedral, and occur only within micaceous lamellae that define the schistosity. Crystal size distribution analyses revealed most of the garnet grains follow the log-normal size distribution, indicating that they formed in the same event. A few exceptionally large garnet grains exist that do not seem to follow the log-normal distribution. The latter garnet grains contain a rounded fragmental area with a different chemical composition inside the core. It is possible that detrital fragments of garnet contribute to the irregular crystal size distribution of garnet in the studied area. Many of the smaller (log-normal) garnet grains have relatively large, homogeneous Mn-rich cores. The lack of chemical zoning within the garnet cores suggests that they grew under constant pressure and temperature in response to overstepping of the garnet-in reaction. The chemical composition changes very sharply at the boundary between the core and the surrounding mantle. The size of the Mn-rich core is different from sample to sample, suggesting that the nucleation was controlled by the local chemical condition of each sample.

Calculation of effective bulk composition and its application in metamorphic phase equilibria modeling

变质相平衡模拟是变质岩领域近几十年最重要的进展之一，它已经成为确定变质作用P-T-t轨迹和探索变质演化过程的有力工具。变质岩的矿物组合不但与其形成的温度（T）和压力（P）条件有关，而且受控于岩石的全岩成分（X）。但是变质岩通常是不均匀的并且往往保留两期以上的矿物组合，因此计算不同成分域或不同变质演化期次的有效全岩成分是模拟P-T视剖面图的核心问题之一。在中-低温变质岩中，石榴石变斑晶的生长会不断地将其核部成分冻结而不参与后续变质反应，这导致根据实测全岩成分计算的P-T视剖面图无法有效地模拟石榴石幔部或边部生长阶段的变质演化过程。瑞利分馏法和球体积法利用电子探针实测的石榴石成分环带可以模拟计算石榴石各个生长阶段所对应的有效全岩成分，本文推荐使用这两个方法来处理石榴石变斑晶的分馏效应问题。相比较而言，石榴石在高温变质岩中通常无法保留生长阶段的成分环带特征，这是因为石榴石成分在高温条件下会发生扩散再平衡，并同时与多数基质矿物达到热力学平衡，这时一般不需要考虑石榴石的分馏效应。但是高温变质岩通常会发生部分熔融并伴随熔体的迁移，进而改变岩石的有效全岩成分。因此，通过P-T视剖面图模拟熔体迁移前后的变质演化过程需要使用相平衡法计算迁移的熔体成分以及熔体迁移前后岩石的有效全岩成分。此外，后成合晶与反应边是变质岩中最常见的退变质反应结构，但是后成合晶或反应边中的矿物之间并未达到热力学平衡。这种情况需要结合岩相学观察和矿物成分，利用最小二乘法确定后成合晶或反应边中发生的平衡反应方程式，进而获取变质反应发生时的有效全岩成分并通过计算P-T视剖面图来估算退变质的温压条件。除此之外，岩石体系中三价铁（Fe₂O₃）和H₂O含量的估算一直以来都是相平衡模拟研究中的难点，本文推荐使用P/T-X（Fe³⁺/Fe^tot，MH₂O）视剖面图来确定这两个组分的含量，这是因为P/T-X图可以估算各个变质演化阶段或特定矿物组合的Fe₂O₃或H₂O含量。;Phase equilibria modeling is one of the most important advances in metamorphic petrology in recent decades,which has become a useful tool for determining the P-T-t paths and understanding the metamorphic evolution. The metamorphic mineral assemblages are not only determined by pressure (P) and temperature (T), but also controlled by the bulk-rock compositions (X). However, the metamorphic rocks are commonly heterogeneous and preserve two or more mineral assemblages. Thus, to perform P-T pseudosections, it is critical to calculate the effective bulk compositions of different compositional domains and/or mineral assemblages. In low-medium temperature metamorphic rocks,the growth of garnet porphyroblasts will continuously isolate the garnet core from the matrix. Thus, the P-T pseudosection calculated using the analyzed bulk-rock composition may not represent the metamorphic evolution related to the growth of garnet mantle or rim. Using the measured garnet zoning profiles, both Rayleigh fractionation and ball volume methods can be applied to calculate the effective bulk composition corresponding to each stage of garnet growth. Therefore, it is recommended to treat the garnet fractionation through these two methods. By contrast, garnet does not commonly show growth compositional zoning profile in high-temperature metamorphic rocks, because the garnet composition will suffer volume diffusion and re-equilibrated at high temperature conditions. This will lead to the thermodynamic equilibrium between garnet and matrix minerals. In this case, it is unnecessary to consider the garnet fractionation. However, high-temperature metamorphic rocks usually undergo partial melting and melt migration, which in turn changes the bulk-rock compositions. Therefore, to model the metamorphic evolutions before and/or after melt migration through the P-T pseudosection requires the phase equilibria method to calculate the migrated melt compositions and the effective bulk compositions before and/or after the melt migration. The symplectites and corona are the most common retrograde microstructures in metamorphic rocks, but the thermodynamic equilibrium has not been reached between the minerals in symplectites and corona. In this case, we suggest determining the equilibrium reaction equation that occurs in the symplectites and corona through the least square method combined with the petrographic observation and mineral compositions. Thus, the bulk composition of the reactants or products represents the effective bulk composition when the equilibrium reaction occurs. In addition,the estimation of ferric iron (Fe₂O₃) and H₂O content in bulk-rock composition is always critical to the phase equilibria modeling. It is suggested to apply the P/T-X (Fe³⁺/Fe^tot, MH₂O) pseudosections to determine the content of these two components. Because the P/T-X pseudosections are robust to estimate the Fe₂O₃ or H₂O content for any metamorphic evolution stage or mineral assemblage.

Two-stage garnet growth in coesite eclogite from the southeastern Papua New Guinea (U)HP terrane and its geodynamic significance

Mineral compositions and textures of Late Miocene coesite eclogite from Tomagabuna Island were investigated to constrain P–T conditions during UHP metamorphism and subsequent exhumation. Two stages of garnet growth (core and rim), at eclogite-facies conditions, were documented. In addition to core garnet (I), peak assemblages include omphacite, coesite, phengite, and rutile. Rim garnet (II), amphibole, paragonite, plagioclase, quartz, and accessory biotite and spinel were formed after peak pressure conditions. Although a compositional gradient is present at the core–rim garnet interface, the garnet core has a relatively flat compositional profile, suggesting its crystallization in the coesite stability field. Together with minerals formed subsequent to peak pressure (UHP) conditions, the composition of the garnet rim indicates heating of the eclogite during its decompression into the amphibolite facies mineral stability field. Based on compositional zoning in garnet and application of diffusion modelling, we propose that eclogite-facies metamorphism of the mafic protolith and its host lithologies occurred at, or near, UHP conditions. The core garnet (I) formed at 650 °C at 8 Myr in the coesite stability field and was partially resorbed during the onset of exhumation. We infer that garnet rim growth at < 7.1 Ma occurred at P–T conditions corresponding to the boundary between the eclogite and amphibolite facies fields. Diffusion modelling for the garnet core–rim boundary compositions suggests a transient heating event (0.3 Myr) occurred at 1.5 GPa that we infer resulted from heat transport within the Australian—Woodlark plate boundary zone as the coesite eclogite was exhumed. Results caution that apparent P–T paths documented for many UHP terranes may not result from isothermal decompression corresponding to peak temperatures. Instead, paths may link P–T points’ set during transient mineral growth events when the UHP rocks form within the subduction channel, and during subsequent heating events, when UHP rocks are exhumed from mantle depths.

High-pressure crystallization vs. recrystallization origin of garnet pyroxenite-eclogite within subduction related lithologies

Mafic layers displaying transition between clinopyroxenite and eclogite within peridotite from felsic granulite in the Bohemian Massif (Lower Austria) have been investigated. The mafic–ultramafic bodies shared a common granulite facies metamorphism with its hosting felsic rocks, but they still preserve evidence of eclogite facies metamorphism. The selected mafic layer for this study is represented by garnet with omphacite in the core of coarse-grained clinopyroxene, while fine-grained clinopyroxene in the matrix is diopside. In addition, garnet contains inclusions of omphacite, alkali feldspars, hydrous and other phases with halogens and/or CO2. Textural relations along with compositional zoning in garnet from the clinopyroxenite-eclogite layers favour solid-state recrystallization of the precursor minerals in the inclusions and formation of garnet and omphacite during subduction. Textures and major and trace element distribution in garnet indicate two stages of garnet growth that record eclogite facies and subsequent granulite facies overprint. The possible model explaining the textural and compositional changes of minerals is that the granulite facies overprint occurred after formation and exhumation of the eclogite facies rocks.

U‐Pb‐Hf‐REE‐Ti zircon and REE garnet geochemistry of the Cambrian Attunga eclogite, New England Orogen, Australia: Implications for continental growth along eastern Gondwana

AbstractThe timing and location of eclogite metamorphism is central to understanding subduction events responsible for the assembly of eastern Gondwana. The Attunga eclogite is one of only six eclogites in Australia and occurs as small blocks within a schistose serpentinite mélange known as the Weraerai terrane, along the Peel Fault of the southern New England Orogen. Our zircon data reveal the presence of high Th/U oscillatory zoned magmatic zircon with a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 534 ± 14 Ma and recrystallized metamorphic domains with an age of 490 ± 14 Ma. The latter have lower Th/U ratios, mostly no Eu anomalies and heavy rare earth element (HREE)‐depleted patterns. Garnet rims demonstrate that the final stages of garnet growth occurred in a HREE‐depleted environment, due to coeval formation with metamorphic zircon. Direct application of the Ti‐in‐zircon thermometer to metamorphic zircon yields temperatures of 770–610°C. Hf isotopic analyses of the zircons have an average εHf(t) of +13, indicating a juvenile crustal signature. We interpret the Attunga eclogite to be an indicator of Late Cambrian subduction beneath an oceanic suprasubduction zone prior to accretion against eastern Gondwanan in the latest Devonian. Phillips et al. () suggest two metamorphic age populations within the Attunga eclogite, based on U‐Pb zircon and 40Ar/39Ar phengite data. These are ~515 Ma and ~480 Ma. We confirm these data, but our zircon trace element chemistry data indicate that the Early Cambrian age (530 Ma) represents igneous protolith formation rather than eclogite metamorphism.

Decoding polyphase migmatites using geochronology and phase equilibria modelling

AbstractIn this study, in situ U–Pb monazite ages and Lu–Hf garnet geochronology are used to distinguish mineral parageneses developed during Devonian–Carboniferous and Cretaceous events in migmatitic paragneiss and orthogneiss from the Fosdick migmatite–granite complex in West Antarctica. SHRIMP U–Pb monazite ages define two dominant populations at 365–300 Ma (from cores of polychronic grains, dominantly from deeper structural levels in the central and western sectors of the complex) and 120–96 Ma (from rims of polychronic grains, dominantly from the central and western sectors of the complex, and from monochronic grains, mostly from shallower structural levels in the eastern sector of the complex). For five paragneisses and two orthogneisses, Lu–Hf garnet ages range from 116 to 111 Ma, c. 12–17 Ma older than published Sm–Nd garnet ages of 102–99 Ma from three of the same samples. Garnet grains in the analysed samples generally have Lu‐enriched rims relative to Lu‐depleted cores. By contrast, for three of the same samples, individual garnet grains have flat Sm concentrations consistent with high‐T diffusive resetting. Lutetium enrichment of garnet rims is interpreted to record the breakdown of a Lu‐rich accessory mineral during the final stage of garnet growth immediately prior to the metamorphic peak, and/or the preferential retention of Lu in garnet during breakdown to cordierite in the presence of melt concomitant with the initial stages of exhumation. Therefore, garnet is interpreted to be part of the Cretaceous mineral paragenesis and the Lu–Hf garnet ages are interpreted to record the timing of close‐to‐peak metamorphism for this event. For the Devonian–Carboniferous event, phase equilibria modelling of the metasedimentary protoliths to the paragneiss and a diatexite migmatite restrict the peak P–T conditions to 720–800 °C at 0.45–1.0 GPa. For the Cretaceous event, using both forward and inverse phase equilibria modelling of residual paragneiss and orthogneiss compositions, the P–T conditions after decompression are estimated to have been 850–880 °C at 0.65–0.80 GPa. These P–T conditions occurred between c. 106 and c. 96 Ma, determined from Y‐enriched rims on monazite that record the timing of garnet and biotite breakdown to cordierite in the presence of melt. The effects of this younger metamorphic event are dominant throughout the Fosdick complex.

PT-path reconstruction via unraveling of peculiar zoning pattern in atoll shaped garnets via image assisted analysis: an example from the Santa Lucia del Mela garnet micaschists (northeastern Sicily-Italy)

Garnet micaschists nearby Santa Lucia del Mela - Peloritani Mountains (North-eastern Sicily, Italy), were studied by integrating information obtained from petrographic and image-assisted analyses of mineral phase compositions by using X-ray maps and thermodynamic modeling. These rocks are characterized by the presence of atoll garnets, and preserve a continuous array of textures from pristine garnets, through peninsula or island textures, to atoll textures. Completely substituted garnets represent the final stage of the process. These textures result from the metamorphic evolution of the rocks, consisting of two main stages of recrystallization-deformation events. The sequence of mineral parageneses associated to successive deformation events is as follows: early D1 is characterized by the assemblage wm1 + chl1 + bt1 + pl1 + grt1 + qtz + ilm + ap; late D1 by grt2 + wm2 + chl2+ bt2 + pl2 + qtz + ilm + ap + hem; D2 (associated to garnet core transformation) by grt3 + bt3 + pl3 + wm3 + qtz + chl3 + ilm. On the basis of textural observations and mineral parageneses, the atoll formation is related to the substitution of garnet cores during the D2 stage, with the consumption of garnet cores (grt1) and production of new garnet rim (grt3) with wm, bi, qtz and pl. The recognition of the different stages of garnet growth and associated parageneses has been obtained using image analysis coupled with compositional maps, performed via multivariate statistical analysis of four selected X-Ray map arrays. Following the textural and mineral-chemical analyses, PT conditions associated to the three recrystallisation stages have been determined via pseudosection computations. Results indicate that the analyzed rock-types have recorded a clock-wise PT trajectory during the Variscan orogeny, defined by a prograde evolution, in amphibolite facies conditions, preserved in relic garnet cores, followed by an initial decompressional evolution toward lower amphibolite facies conditions associated to a partial heating. During this last stage the multi stadial atollization process took place, retrogradely evolving toward a green-schist facies conditions, constrained through the compositions of the pseodomorphyc mineral aggregates gradually substituting previously formed garnets.

Polyphase growth of garnet in eclogite from the Hong'an orogen: Constraints from garnet zoning and phase equilibrium

Abstract Major and trace element profiles as well as mineral inclusions were analyzed in garnets from massive and foliated eclogites from the low-T/high-P eclogite-facies zone in the Hong'an orogen, China. Garnets in the two types of eclogites show different core–rim zoning and mineral inclusions. At least two stages of garnet growth are evident for most garnet grains. Garnets in the massive eclogite contain abundant mineral inclusions such as quartz, chlorite, amphibole, rutile and phengite in cores, but only a few mineral inclusions such as quartz, rutile and titanite in rims. These garnet grains exhibit increasing MgO but decreasing CaO and REE contents from core to rim. Together with pseudosection calculations it is suggested that hydrous minerals such as chlorite, epidote and amphibole were probably the major reactants for the growth of garnet cores during prograde subduction, whereas the growth of garnet rims involves amphibole breakdown and/or dissolution of previously formed garnet. On the other hand, garnets in the foliated eclogite exhibit nearly constant MgO, decreasing MnO but increasing CaO and heavy REE contents (HREE) from core to rim. Along with pseudosection calculations it is inferred that the decomposition of epidote would consistently contribute to the growth of garnet core and rim. This is also supported by epidote zoning in matrix, with the occurrence of low-jadeite omphacite inclusions in the core and a few rutile inclusions in the rim. The enrichment of light REE (LREE) and depletion of HREE in the epidote rim relative to the core indicate that the epidote rim was recrystallized in equilibrium with the garnet rims. For protolith compositions, the foliated eclogite shows higher SiO2, Na2O, K2O and MgO contents but lower Al2O3, Fe2O3 and TiO2 contents than the massive eclogite. Along with phase equilibrium modeling, it is concluded that the differences in the protolith compositions of eclogites primarily dictate the differences in the garnet zoning patterns and the mineral assemblages of matrix and inclusions. The decomposition of hydrous minerals such as chlorite, amphibole and epidote is necessary for garnet growth during subduction-zone metamorphism.

Middle Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous mid-crustal tectono-metamorphism in the northern Canadian Cordillera: Recording foreland-directed migration of an orogenic front

In situ sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe monazite geochronology and garnet isopleth thermobarometry reveal a previously unrecognized Middle Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous mid-crustal tectono-metamorphic event in the eastern part of the Yukon-Tanana terrane (Finlayson Lake district, southeast Yukon) in the northern Canadian Cordillera. Intersection of garnet end-member compositional isopleths applied to single-stage, growth-zoned garnet records progressive garnet growth from 550 °C and 6.1–6.6 kbar to 600 °C and 7.5 kbar. Monazite textures, chemical zoning, and in situ U-Pb ages record a single protracted episode of monazite growth from ca. 169 to 142 Ma coeval with the development of transposition fabrics and the late stages of garnet growth. This event post-dates widespread Early Jurassic exhumation of Yukon-Tanana terrane rocks west of the Tintina fault in west-central Yukon, which were previously ductily deformed and metamorphosed in the Permo-Triassic. The lack of evidence for Permo-Triassic ductile deformation and high-grade metamorphism within the Finlayson Lake district, and its position east of the Permian arc center and west of Permian blueschists and eclogites, suggests this eastern part of the terrane occupied the cool forearc at this time. These data indicate younger, more protracted mid-crustal orogenesis in the northern Cordillera than was previously recognized, with deformation and metamorphism migrating toward the foreland and downwards in the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, in part contemporaneous with and analogous to that in the southeastern Canadian Cordillera.

Garnet variety and zircon ages in UHP meta-sedimentary rocks from the Jubrique zone (Alpujárride Complex, Betic Cordillera, Spain): evidence for a pre-Alpine emplacement of the Ronda peridotite

The Ronda peridotite is a group of lherzolite slabs (1.5 to 2 km thick) in southern Spain. Despite clear evidence that pre-Alpine events affected pre-Permo-Triassic units from the Alborán domain (internal zone of the Betic-Rif Cordillera, Spain, and Morocco), numerous papers continue to emphasize Alpine metamorphic and structural evolution. Here, we evaluate the pre-Cenozoic evolution of the Ronda peridotite by reporting new petrographic and U–Pb SHRIMP zircon dating of meta-sedimentary rocks from the Jubrique zone (Alpujárride Complex, Betic Cordillera, Spain) directly overlying the Ronda peridotite. Field inspection and petrographical study revealed generalized migmatitic textures and a gradual transition mainly defined by garnet content (from ~30 to <3 wt.%) and size (from 1.5 cm to <0.5 mm) in the overlying granulite-gneiss sequence, suggesting that most garnet grew as a consequence of the peridotite emplacement. Garnet shows notable variations in composition and inclusion types, which are interpreted as reflecting different stages of garnet growth. Diamond-bearing garnets are only well-preserved in gneisses from the uppermost part of the sequence, whereas the large garnets from rocks overlying the peridotite mainly record later thermal events. SHRIMP zircon dating indicates two age peaks at 330 ± 9 and 265 ± 4 Ma. The oldest age characterizes rims overgrowing detrital cores and reflects an early Hercynian metamorphism; the younger age characterizes zircon with magmatic oscillatory zoning, reflecting anatexis. On the basis of these data and of previous dating of monazite included in the large garnets, we conclude that the peridotite was emplaced either shortly before or during early Hercynian times, ~330 Ma.

Petrology of microdiamond-bearing schists from the Torrox unit, Betic Cordillera, Spain

Microdiamond inclusions in garnet have been identified in pre-Triassic schists of unknown age from the Torrox unit in the Alpujarride complex, Internal Zone of the Betic Cordillera, Spain. Prior to this, ultrahigh-pressure (UH P ) phases have been identified in granulites and gneisses associated with peridotites in the western zone of the Cordillera and in the NW of the Rif Mountains. This new finding reveals that the UH P metamorphism affected a crustal sequence notably thicker than previously assumed. In contrast with granulites and gneisses, in which only the UH P event and the local thermal effect of the peridotite emplacement have been identified, schists record a complex poly-metamorphic history, which contrasts with previous interpretations based on an exclusively Alpine metamorphic scenario. In addition to the UH P event, the schists show clear signals of two later metamorphic events, recorded by several stages of garnet growth, by staurolite–andalusite parageneses, and by matrix micas. In this study the metamorphic sequence is established, but the timing of the different metamorphic events remains uncertain.

Evaluation of residual pressure in an inclusion-host system using negative frequency shift of quartz Raman spectra

Raman spectra of quartz inclusions in garnet hosts of low-pressure/temperature metamorphic rocks from the Yanai district in the Ryoke belt (around 0.1–0.3 GPa/500–600 °C), Southwest Japan, exhibit frequency (peak position) shifts toward lower wavenumbers as compared to those of a quartz standard measured at ambient conditions. The observed negative frequency shifts indicate that tensile normal stress is exerted on the quartz–garnet boundary and therefore, quartz inclusions are subjected to negative residual pressure. Elastic modeling that assumed the constant elastic properties of minerals cannot explain this negative residual pressure. This study estimated the residual pressure based on a new scheme of elastic modeling with equation of state (EOS) of quartz and garnet, which takes into account the pressure- and temperature-dependency of compressibility and expansivity. The calculated residual pressure was converted into frequency shifts of quartz Raman spectrum based on the experimentally determined relation. The results showed that the quartz inclusions in garnets retain residual pressure of about −0.3 GPa, and logically reproduced the observed frequency shifts in the direction of lower wavenumbers. The new elastic modeling also simulates positive frequency shifts retained by quartz inclusions in garnets of high-pressure metamorphic rocks from the Sambagawa metamorphic belt in Southwest Japan, and from the Motagua fault zone in Guatemala. The degree and direction of Raman frequency shifts of quartz inclusion in garnet depend on metamorphic conditions when the quartz was included in the host garnet. Conversely, the metamorphic conditions prevailing when a set of a quartz inclusion and garnet host was recrystallized can be inferred from Raman frequency shifts of quartz inclusion in garnet. The proposed Raman spectroscopic analysis should be a powerful and useful tool to decipher information at earlier stage of garnet growth even in samples of highly recrystallized matrix phases during exhumation and retrograde stages.

Modeling of zoning patterns in garnet: Thermodynamic and kinetic aspects

Results from the modeling of compositional zoning patterns in garnet porphyroblasts from the medium-grade metapelitic schist of northern Ladoga area are considered. The P-T pseudosections in the model KMnFMASH system were calculated for this purpose using THERMOCALC software (Powell et al., 1998). Particular emphasis is placed upon the effect of garnet growth kinetics on the model zoning profiles for Mn (Gulbin, 2013). They fit the observed profiles if intergranular diffusion-controlled growth is assumed for porphyroblasts. Additionally, a model of metamorphic fractional crystallization is used to characterize the oscillations in both the garnet core and rim. Starting from the assumption that a reservoir, where garnet grows, consists of chlorite, and that this mineral is intensely replaced with biotite and staurolite at the onset of crystallization, a partial release of Mn from the chlorite structure and the concentration of this component in intergranular space is inferred. In terms of the model under consideration, the coefficient of the Mn partition between garnet and reservoir temporarily increases at the early stage of garnet growth, giving rise to the enrichment of the intermediate zone of porphyroblasts in Mn. In addition to the modeling of garnet growth zoning, its subsequent diffusion modification is estimated on the basis of intracrystalline diffusion profile simulation. The reverse zoned, Mn-rich and Mg-poor garnet rims are related to retrograde growth of garnet at the late stage of porphyroblast formation. The data obtained are used to constrain metamorphic evolution and the P-T-t path of staurolite-bearing rocks in the northern domain of the studied area.

A window into the Early to mid‐Cretaceous infrastructure of the Yukon‐Tanana terrane recorded in multi‐stage garnet of west‐central Yukon, Canada

AbstractAmphibolite facies metasedimentary schists within the Yukon‐Tanana terrane in the northern Canadian Cordillera reveal a two‐stage, polymetamorphic garnet growth history. In situ U‐Th‐Pb Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe dating of monazite provide timing constraints for the late stages of garnet growth, deformation and subsequent decompression. Distinct textural and chemical growth zoning domains, separated by a large chemical discontinuity, reveal two stages of garnet growth characterized in part by: (i) a syn‐kinematic, inclusion‐rich stage‐1 garnet core; and (ii) an inclusion‐poor, stage‐2 garnet rim that crystallized with syn‐ to post‐kinematic staurolite and kyanite. Phase equilibria modelling of garnet molar and compositional isopleths suggest stage‐1 garnet growth initiated at ~600 °C, 8 kbar along a clockwise P–T path. Growth of the compositionally distinct, grossular‐rich, pyrope‐poor inner portion of the stage‐2 overgrowth is interpreted to have initiated at higher pressure and/or lower temperature than the stage‐1 core along a separate P–T loop, culminating at peak P–T conditions of ~650–680 °C and 9 kbar. Stage‐2 metamorphism and the waning development of a composite transposition foliation (ST) are dated at c. 118 Ma from monazite aligned parallel to ST, and inclusions in syn‐ to post‐ST staurolite and kyanite. Slightly younger ages (c. 112 Ma) are obtained from Y‐rich monazite that occurs within resorbed areas of both stage‐1 and stage‐2 garnet, together with retrograde staurolite and plagioclase. The younger ages obtained from these texturally and chemically distinct grains are interpreted, with the aid of phase equilibria calculations, to date the growth of monazite from the breakdown of garnet during decompression at c. 112 Ma. Evidence for continued near‐isothermal decompression is provided by the presence of retrograde sillimanite, and cordierite after staurolite, which indicates decompression below ~4–5 kbar prior to cooling below ~550 °C. As most other parts of the Yukon‐Tanana terrane were exhumed to upper crustal levels in the Early Jurassic, these data suggest this domain represents a tectonic window revealing a much younger, high‐grade tectono‐metamorphic core (infrastructure) within the northern Cordilleran orogen. This window may be akin to extensional core complexes identified in east‐central Alaska and in the southeastern Canadian Cordillera.