Metamorphic evolution of the southern part of the Hidaka belt, Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract The Hidaka metamorphic terrane in the Meguro-Shoya area, Hokkaido, Japan is divided into four progressive metamorphic zones: A—biotite zone; B—cordierite zone; C—cordierite–K-feldspar zone; and, D—sillimanite–K-feldspar zone of the andalusite–sillimanite facies series type of metamorphism. The metamorphic grade ranges from the higher temperature part of the greenschist facies (zone A) through the amphibolite facies (zones B and C) to the lower temperature part of the granulite facies (zone D). The zone boundaries intersect the bedding planes at high angles. P–T conditions estimated are 450–550°C and 2 kbar for zone A, 550–600°C and 2–2.5 kbar for zone B, 600–650°C and 2.5–3 kbar for zone C and 650–750°C and 3–4 kbar for zone D. The metapelites of zone D were partially melted.
At the later stage of the regional metamorphism which is early Oligocene to early Miocene in age, cordierite tonalite and biotite tonalite intrusives associated with segments of the highest grade rocks (zone D) were emplaced into the lower temperature part of the regional metamorphic rocks, giving rise to a contact metamorphic aureole. The thermally metamorphosed terrain (zone C') belongs to the amphibolite facies and its P–T conditions are estimated to have been 550–700°C and 2 kbar.
The P–T–t paths of the Hidaka metamorphism show a thickening–heating–uplifting process. The metamorphism is inferred to have taken place beneath an active island arc accompanied by partial melting of the crust.     

Tertiary deep crustal ultrametamorphism in the Hidaka metamorphic belt, northern Japan

The Main Zone of the Hidaka metamorphic belt is an imbricate stack of crustal material derived from an island arc in which a sequence of units with increasing metamorphic grade from low to high structural levels is exposed. The basal part of the metamorphic sequence underwent granulite facies metamorphism with peak P–T conditions of 7kbar, 870°C. In this zone pelitic granulite includes leucosomes which consist mainly of orthopyroxene-plagioclase-quartz.
To test whether the leucosome was derived by partial melting of the surrounding pelite, melting experiments of the pelitic granulite were carried out for water-saturated and dry systems at 7 kbar and 850°C. The chemical composition of the leucosome produced during these runs shows a peraluminous S-type tonalitic affinity and is located very close to the tie-line between the average melts produced in water-saturated systems and the average composition of the residual orthopyroxene + plagioclase. This therefore suggests that the lecosome in pelitic granulite was formed by incipient anatexis at close to the highest P–T condition of the Main Zone.
The age of the crustal anatexis is determined by the Rb-Sr whole rock isochron method for garnet-cordierite-biotite gneiss (host rock), garnet-orthopyroxene-cordierite gneiss (restite) and S-type tonalite (melt). This gives an age of 56.0 Ma with an initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of 0.705711. The S-type tonalite magmas that form large intrusive masses in the Main Zone were probably generated by crustal anatexis in deeper parts of the crust at the same time (late Palaeocene).     

Metamorphic petrology and zircon geochronology of high-grade rocks from the central Mozambique Belt of Tanzania: crustal recycling of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic material during the Pan-African orogeny

New data on the metamorphic petrology and zircon geochronology of high‐grade rocks in the central Mozambique Belt (MB) of Tanzania show that this part of the orogen consists of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic material that was structurally reworked during the Pan‐African event. The metamorphic rocks are characterized by a clockwise P–T path, followed by strong decompression, and the time of peak granulite facies metamorphism is similar to other granulite terranes in Tanzania. The predominant rock types are mafic to intermediate granulites, migmatites, granitoid orthogneisses and kyanite/sillimanite‐bearing metapelites. The meta‐granitoid rocks are of calc‐alkaline composition, range in age from late Archean to Neoproterozoic, and their protoliths were probably derived from magmatic arcs during collisional processes. Mafic to intermediate granulites consist of the mineral assemblage garnet–clinopyroxene–plagioclase–quartz–biotite–amphibole ± K‐feldspar ± orthopyroxene ± oxides. Metapelites are composed of garnet‐biotite‐plagioclase ± K‐feldspar ± kyanite/sillimanite ± oxides. Estimated values for peak granulite facies metamorphism are 12–13 kbar and 750–800 °C. Pressures of 5–8 kbar and temperatures of 550–700 °C characterize subsequent retrogression to amphibolite facies conditions. Evidence for a clockwise P–T path is provided by late growth of sillimanite after kyanite in metapelites. Zircon ages indicate that most of the central part of the MB in Tanzania consists of reworked ancient crust as shown by Archean (c. 2970–2500 Ma) and Palaeoproterozoic (c. 2124–1837 Ma) protolith ages. Metamorphic zircon from metapelites and granitoid orthogneisses yielded ages of c. 640 Ma which are considered to date peak regional granulite facies metamorphism during the Pan‐African orogenic event. However, the available zircon ages for the entire MB in East Africa and Madagascar also document that peak metamorphic conditions were reached at different times in different places. Large parts of the MB in central Tanzania consist of Archean and Palaeoproterozoic material that was reworked during the Pan‐African event and that may have been part of the Tanzania Craton and Usagaran domain farther to the west.     

Dehydration melting, fluid buffering and decompressional P–T path in a granulite complex from the Eastern Ghats, India

A suite of metapelites, charnockites, calc-silicate rocks, quartzo-feldspathic gneisses and mafic granulites is exposed at Garbham, a part of the Eastern Ghats granulite belt of India. Reaction textures and mineral compositional data have been used to determine the P–T–X evolutionary history of the granulites. In metapelites and charnockites, dehydration melting reactions involving biotite produced quartzofeldspathic segregations during peak metamorphism. However, migration of melt from the site of generation was limited. Subsequent to peak metamorphism at c . 860° C and 8 kbar, the complex evolved through nearly isothermal decompression to 530–650° C and 4–5 kbar. During this phase, coronal garnet grew in the calc-silicates, while garnet in the presence of quartz broke down in charnockite and mafic granulite. Fluid activities during metamorphism were internally buffered in different lithologies in the presence of a melt phase. The P–T path of the granulites at Garbham contrasts sharply with the other parts of the Eastern Ghats granulite belt where the rocks show dominantly near-isobaric cooling subsequent to peak metamorphism.     

Archaean granulite facies metamorphism of the Lewisian of Tiree, Inner Hebrides, north-west Scotland

The Lewisian of Tiree, north-west Scotland, underwent granulite facies metamorphism prior to 2.4 Ga. The temperatures and pressures estimated from garnet–clinopyroxene, garnet–orthopyroxene, hornblende–plagioclase and garnet–biotite geothermometers and clinopyroxene–plagioclase–garnet–quartz and orthopyroxene–plagioclase–garnet–quartz geobarometers are 810 ± 50° C and 10.5 ± 1.5 kbar. The imprecision of pressure estimates stems largely from uncertainties in garnet activity models. Calculations of blocking temperatures for Fe–Mg interdiffusion in clinopyroxene and garnet suggest that these temperatures and pressures represent only slightly reset peak-metamorphic conditions.
Down-temperature re-equilibration resulted in chemical zoning over the outer 50–100 μm of the mafic minerals. P–T paths calculated from this mineralogical zoning suggest nearly isobaric cooling. However, the growth of late sillimanite in metapelites requires that the retrograde P–T path had a significant decompression component, suggesting that the mineralogical zonation does not define the retrograde P–T path. The discrepancy between the P–T path calculated from mineralogical zonation and that implied by mineral reactions probably results from the net-transfer geobarometry reactions closing at higher temperatures than the exchange geothermometers.
The Tiree rocks have a similar history to the mainland Scourian complex. Granulite facies metamorphism accompanied by partial melting occurred prior to the intrusion of the Scourie dykes at c. 2.4 Ga, and the rocks underwent retrogression both prior to and after dyke emplacement. However, peak metamorphic temperatures and pressures on Tiree were lower than those recorded in the Scourian complex, and the Tiree rocks may have been at a different crustal level at that time.     

Garnet evolution in pre-Variscan pelitic rocks from the Lake Emosson area, Aiguilles Rouges Massif, Western Alps

Abstract The chemical evolution of garnets from pelitic rocks of probable Palaeozoic age corresponds to a complex metamorphic evolution of the host rocks.
Among the almandine-rich garnets (Alm_60–80), two main types of evolution can be distinguished. Early Mn-rich garnets coexisting with kyanite may be replaced by plagioclase and then, during a late stage, by biotite and/or sillimanite. The second type of evolution corresponds to an overgrowth of Mn-poor late-stage garnet on older Mn-rich garnets which corresponds to a thermal peak with sillimanite-type of metamorphism. This new garnet may appear either as an overgrowth with a strong discontinuity, or as small, new euhedral garnet or as skeletal garnet.
This chemical evolution of garnet corresponds to an early collisional stage of metamorphism (of high pressure type with high Mn values) of probable Ordovician age followed by uplift and a thermal peak (low Mn values) in Devonian times.     

Granulite facies metamorphism in the Mallee Bore area, northern Harts Range: implications for the thermal evolution of the eastern Arunta Inlier, central Australia

The Mallee Bore area in the northern Harts Range of central Australia underwent high-temperature, medium- to high-pressure granulite facies metamorphism. Individual geothermometers and geobarometers and average P–T  calculations using the program Thermocalc suggest that peak metamorphic conditions were 705–810 °C and 8–12 kbar. Partial melting of both metasedimentary and meta-igneous rocks, forming garnet-bearing restites, occurred under peak metamorphic conditions. Comparison with partial melting experiments suggests that vapour-absent melting in metabasic and metapelitic rocks with compositions close to those of rocks in the Mallee Bore area occurs at 800–875 °C and >9–10 kbar. The lower temperatures obtained from geothermometry imply that mineral compositions were reset during cooling. Following the metamorphic peak, the rocks underwent local mylonitization at 680–730 °C and 5.8–7.7 kbar. After mylonitization ceased, garnet retrogressed locally to biotite, which was probably caused by fluids exsolving from crystallizing melts. These three events are interpreted as different stages of a single, continuous, clockwise P–T  path. The metamorphism at Mallee Bore probably occurred during the 1745–1730 Ma Late Strangways Orogeny, and the area escaped significant crustal reworking during the Anmatjira and Alice Springs events that locally reached amphibolite facies conditions elsewhere in the Harts Ranges.     

Thermobarometry and P–T–t paths: the granulite to eclogite transition in lower crustal xenoliths from eastern Australia

‘Lower crustal’ suite xenoliths in basaltic and kimberlitic magmas are dominated by mafic granulites and may also include eclogites and garnet pyroxenites. Pressures of up to 25 kbar obtained from such xenoliths are well in excess of an upper value of c. 12 kbar for exposed granulite terranes. Palaeogeotherms constructed from xenoliths for the lower crust beneath the Phanerozoic fold belts of eastern Australia (SEA) and beneath the eastern margin of the Australian craton (EMAC) indicate two distinct thermal regimes. The two geotherms have similar form, with the EMAC curve displaced c. 150°C to lower temperatures. Reaction microstructures show the partial re-equilibration of primary igneous assemblages to granulite and eclogite assemblages and are interpreted to reflect the cooling from magmatic temperatures. Variations in mineral compositions and zoning are used to constrain further the history of several EMAC xenoliths to near-isobaric trajectories. Detailed graphical models are constructed to predict compositional changes for isobaric P–T paths (at 7, 14 & 21 kbar) to transform an SEA-type geotherm to a cratonic geotherm. The models show that for the assemblage grt + cpx ± ky + plag + qtz, the changes associated with falling temperature in X_gr, X_jd (increase) and X_an (decrease) will be greater at higher pressures. These results indicate that discernible zoning is more likely to be preserved in the higher pressure xenoliths. The zoning recorded in clinopyroxene from mafic granulite xenoliths over the pressure range c. 12–22 kbar suggests isobaric cooling of a large crustal thickness (30–35 km). An isobaric cooling path is consistent with magma accretion models for the transition of a crust–mantle boundary from an SEA-type geotherm to a cratonic geotherm. The coexistence of granulite and eclogite over the depth range 35–75 km beneath the EMAC indicates that the granulite to eclogite transition in the lower crust is controlled by P–T conditions, bulk chemistry and kinetic factors. At shallower crustal levels, typified by exposed granulite terranes, isobaric cooling may not result in the transition to eclogite.     

Metamorphism and tectonic evolution of the Shangdan fault zone, Shaanxi, China

Abstract The Shangdan fault in the Qinling Orogenic Belt of China is an important boundary between the Caledonian North Qinling Fold Belt and the Hercynian South Qinling Fold Belt. In the Danfeng area, the fault zone strikes WNW–ESE and comprises four strongly deformed zones and three weakly deformed domains parallel to each other. The fault zone has a complex history of multiple deformation and each domain has a different tectonic style that was formed at different stages of the deformation.
The rocks exposed in the weakly deformed domains belong to the Qinling, Danfeng and Liuling Groups. In this paper, the mineral chemistry and mineral assemblages are used to infer the metamorphic conditions and the P–T paths of these units. The metamorphic units in and near the fault zone have different metamorphic conditions and histories that are correlated with the tectonic evolution of the fault zone. Caledonian–Hercynian uplift and southward thrusting of the Proterozoic Qinling Group, over the Danfeng and the Liuling Groups, produced the main metamorphic and tectonic features of the fault zone. Folding of both the Liuling Group and the thrust faults during the Hercynian–Indosinian was accompanied by northward thrusting.     

Metamorphic history and tectonic evolution of the Qinling Complex, eastern Qinling Mountains, China

Abstract The metamorphic history and tectonic evolution of the Qinling Complex is divided into formation and modification stages. During the Proterozoic formation stage, three deformational sequences are recognized. Andalusite–muscovite, sillimanite–muscovite and sillimanite–K-feldspar zones of amphibolite facies regional metamorphism are earlier than, or synchronous with the first or second phase of folding. Ductile shear zones were formed and Caledonian granites were emplaced during the modification stage. The granites superimposed contact aureoles (garnet–K-feldspar zone) on the regional metamorphic fabric.
Metamorphic reactions, P–T conditions of metamorphism and P–T–t paths were estimated by analysis of mineral textures and standard thermobarometric techniques. The P–T–t path of the Proterozoic tectonometamorphic cycle shows prominent clockwise decompression. The P–T–t path of the Caledonian tectonometamorphic cycle is characterized by an early rise of pressure and temperature, followed by isothermal decompression (rapid uplift) and finally with isobaric cooling.
The P–T–t paths of the two tectonometamorphic cycles reflect two major stages of collision and uplift in the evolution of the Qinling orogenic belt during the Proterozoic and Caledonian–Hercynian periods, respectively.     

Metamorphism of the Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex, Turkey: influence of orogen-normal collision vs. wrench-dominated tectonics on P–T–t paths

The Central Anatolian Crystalline Complex (CACC) is a microcontinent in the Alpine–Himalayan belt. It has previously been considered as a coherent structural entity, but, although the entire CACC is comprised of similar rocks (primarily metasedimentary rocks and granitoids), it consists of at least four tectonic blocks characterized by different P–T–t paths. These blocks are the K?r?ehir (north‐west), Akda? (north‐east), Ni?de (south) and Aksaray (west) massifs. The northern massifs experienced thrusting and folding during collision and were slowly exhumed by erosion; metamorphic rocks are characterized by clockwise P–T paths at moderate P–T and local low‐P–high‐T (LP–HT) overprinting in the highest grade rocks. Apatite fission track ages are Eocene to Oligocene (47–32 Ma). The Aksaray block represents the hot, shallow mid‐crust of a Late Cretaceous–early Tertiary arc. It is dominated by intrusions; rare metapelitic rocks record low‐P (< 4 kbar) regional metamorphism overprinted by LP–HT contact metamorphism. Apatite fission track ages are 50–45 Ma. The Ni?de massif is different from the other CACC blocks because it evolved as a core complex in a wrench‐dominated setting. It is characterized by clockwise P–T paths at moderate P–T followed by widespread LP–HT metamorphism. Apatite fission track ages are Miocene (12–9 Ma), significantly younger than those in the northern massifs. Ni?de rocks resided in the mid‐crust at a time when the rest of the CACC was at or near the Earth's surface. Variations in P–T–t and tectonic histories — especially timing of exhumation — between the northern and southern CACC reflect the difference between head‐on collision vs. mid‐crustal wrenching.     

Metamorphic Evolution of the Ribeira Belt: Evidence from Outcrops in the Rio de Janeiro Area, Brazil

Migmatitic granulites and arc-related felsic intrusives of Pan-Africanage form the bedrock in the Rio de Janeiro area, SE Brazil.These rocks preserve a partial record of three parageneses.The earliest assemblage (M₁) grew during fabric formation inthe rocks (D₁) and is characterized by the mineral assemblagePl + Bt + Sil + Kfs + Qtz. Peak metamorphic conditions (M₂)are characterized by the assemblage Bt + Crd + Kfs + Pl + Grt+ liq + Qtz and are inferred to have developed during D₂ foldingof the rocks at T = 750–800°C and P = 7 kbar. M₃ reactiontextures overprint the M₂ assemblage and comprise symplectiticintergrowth of cordierite(II) and quartz that formed after garnet,whereas secondary biotite formed as a result of reactions betweengarnet and K-feldspar. By comparing the observed modal abundanceswith modal contours of garnet, cordierite and quartz on therelevant pseudosection a post M₂ P–T vector indicatingcontemporaneous cooling and decompression can be deduced. Theinferred equilibrium assemblage and reaction textures are interpretedto reflect a clockwise P–T path involving heating followedby post-peak decompression and associated cooling. We inferthat metamorphism occurred in response to advective heatingby the abundant syn-collisional (arc-related) I-type granitoidsin the region, consistent with the unusually high peak T/P ratio. KEY WORDS: advective heating; Ribeira belt; granulite; partial melting; P–T pseudosection     

Spatially-focussed melt formation in aluminous metapelites from Broken Hill, Australia

Large garnet poikiloblasts hosted by leucosome in metapelitic gneiss from Broken Hill reflect complex mineral–melt relationships. The spatial relationship between the leucosomes and the garnet poikiloblasts implies that the growth of garnet was strongly linked to the production of melt. The apparent difficulty of garnet to nucleate a large number of grains during the prograde breakdown of coexisting biotite and sillimanite led to the spatial focussing of melting reactions around the few garnet nuclei that formed. Continued reaction of biotite and sillimanite required diffusion of elements from where minerals were reacting to sites of garnet growth. This diffusion was driven by chemical potential gradients between garnet‐bearing and garnet‐absent parts of the rock. As a consequence, melt and peritectic K‐feldspar also preferentially formed around the garnet. The diffusion of elements led to the chemical partitioning of the rock within an overall context in which equilibrium may have been approached. Thus, the garnet‐bearing leucosomes record in situ melt formation around garnet porphyroblasts rather than centimetre‐scale physical melt migration and segregation. The near complete preservation of the high‐grade assemblages in the mesosome and leucosome is consistent with substantial melt loss. Interconnected networks between garnet‐rich leucosomes provide the most likely pathway for melt migration. Decimetre‐scale, coarse‐grained, garnet‐poor leucosomes may represent areas of melt flux through a large‐scale melt transfer network.     

Cretaceous high-P granulites at Milford Sound, New Zealand: metamorphic history and emplacement in a convergent margin setting

Granulite facies orthogneiss of the Arthur River Complex (ARC) at Milford Sound, western Fiordland records a complex Early Cretaceous magmatic and orogenic history for the Pacific Gondwana margin that culminated in the emplacement and burial of a dioritic batholith, the Western Fiordland Orthogneiss (WFO). Enstatite-bearing mafic to intermediate protoliths of the ARC and WFO intruded the middle to upper crust. The early deformation history of the ARC is preserved in the Pembroke Granulite, where two-pyroxene S1 assemblages that reflect P <8 kbar and T  >750 °C were only patchily recrystallized during later deformation. S1 is cut by garnet-bearing, leucogabbroic to dioritic veins, which are cut by distinctive D2 fractures involving anorthositic veins and garnet–diopside–plagioclase-bearing reaction zones. These zones are widespread in the ARC and WFO and record conditions of P ≈14 kbar and T  >750 °C. Garnet–clinopyroxene-bearing corona reaction textures that mantle enstatite in both the ARC and WFO reflect Early Cretaceous burial by approximately 25 km of continental crust. Most of the ARC is formed from the Milford and Harrison Gneisses, which contain steeply dipping S4 assemblages that envelop the Pembroke Granulite and involve garnet, hornblende, diopside, clinozoisite, rutile and plagioclase, with or without kyanite. The P–T history of rocks in western Fiordland reflects pronounced Early Cretaceous convergence-related tectonism and burial, possibly related to the collision and accretion of island arc material onto the Pacific Gondwana margin.     

Metamorphic evolution of exhumed middle to lower crustal rocks in the Mojave Extensional Belt, southern California, USA

The Waterman Metamorphic Complex of the central Mojave Desert was exposed as a consequence of early Miocene detachment-dominated extension. However, it has evidence consistent with a more extensive geological history that involves collision of a crustal fragment(s), tectonic thickening by overthrusting and two periods of extension. The metamorphic complex contains granitoid intrusives and felsic mylonitic gneisses as well as polymetamorphic rocks that include marble, calc-silicate, quartzite. mafic granulite, pyribolite, amphibolite, migmatite and biotite schist. The latter group of rocks was affected by an initial series of high-grade metamorphic events (M1 and M2) and a localized lower grade overprint (M3). The initial metamorphism (M1) can be separated into two stages along its high-grade P–T path: M1a, a granulite facies metamorphism at 800–850° C and 7.5–9 kbar and Mlb, an upper amphibolite facies overprint at 750–800° C and 10–12 kbar. M1a developed mineral assemblages and textures consistent with granulite facies conditions at a reduced activity of H₂O and is associated with intense ductile deformation (D1) and minor local partial melting. M1b overprinted the granulite assemblages with a series of hydrous phases under conditions of increasing pressure and H₂O activity and is accompanied by little or no deformation. M2 developed at lower pressures and temperatures (650–750° C, 4.5–5.5 kbar) and is distinguished by a second local overprint of hydrous phases that reflects an input of aqueous fluids probably associated with the intrusion of a series of granitic dykes and veins. Effects of M3 are confined to the Mitchel detachment zone, an anastomosing early Miocene detachment fault, and are characterized by local ductile/brittle deformation (D2) of the pre-existing high-grade rocks and granitoid intrusives and by the production of mylonites and mylonitic gneisses under greenschist facies conditions (300–350° C, 3–5 kbar). The initial overprint (M1a) represents metamorphism, devolatilization and minor partial melting of supracrustal rocks under granulite facies conditions as a consequence of tectonic and, possibly, magmatic thickening. The increasing pressure transition of M1a to M1b reflects a period of continued compressional tectonism, thrusting and influx of H₂O, in part, locally related to crystallization of partial melts. The near isothermal decompression between M1b and M2 probably represents a pre-112-Ma extensional episode that may have been the result of a decompressional readjustment of a thickened crust. Following the initial extensional event, the metamorphic complex remained at depths of 10–17 km for at least 90 Ma until it was uplifted following Miocene extension. M3 develops locally in response to this second extensional period resulting from the early Miocene detachment faulting.     

冈底斯岩浆弧东段晚白垩世花岗岩的变质作用：新生地壳生长与再造

青藏高原南部的冈底斯岩浆弧形成于中生代新特提斯大洋岩石圈俯冲过程中。在冈底斯岩浆弧东段出露的中—高级变质岩代表岩浆弧的中- 下地壳组成，是探索大陆地壳形成与演化的窗口。作为这些中—高级变质岩原岩主要组成部分的里龙岩基由晚白垩世辉长岩、闪长岩和花岗岩组成。本文对由里龙岩基上部花岗岩变质形成的片麻岩进行了岩石学与年代学研究，探讨其原岩时代、成因、变质作用条件、时间及构造意义。所研究的片麻岩由斜长石、钾长石、石英、黑云母、绿帘石和白云母组成，含或不含角闪石，SiO2含量为61. 94%~74. 39%，铝饱和指数(A/CNK)为0. 89~1. 03，属于高钾钙碱性、准铝质到弱过铝质岩石。这些岩石具有轻稀土元素富集和重稀土元素亏损的配分模式，并表现为富集大离子亲石元素和相对亏损高场强元素的特征。片麻岩中的锆石由继承的岩浆核和变质边组成，岩浆核获得了92~86 Ma的结晶年龄，变质边获得了81~72 Ma的变质年龄，锆石岩浆核具正的εHf(t)值(+10. 2~+12. 1)。这些片麻岩的变质条件为740~750 ℃和0. 5~0. 6 GPa。本文和现有研究表明，里龙岩基是形成在晚白垩世新特提斯洋俯冲过程中具有亏损地幔地球化学特征的弧岩浆岩，经历了强烈的结晶分异作用，所研究的花岗岩是残余岩浆结晶产物。笔者认为，晚白垩世早期新特提斯洋中脊俯冲过程中巨量幔源岩浆的增生导致了冈底斯弧发生了显著的新生地壳生长；在晚白垩世晚期残余新特提斯洋岩石圈平缓俯冲过程中的弧地壳强烈缩短加厚使里龙岩基被运移到中下地壳，并发生了中—高级变质和部分熔融。冈底斯岩浆弧新生地壳在大洋岩石圈俯冲晚期经历了明显再造。     

Amphibolite to granulite transition in aluminous greywackes from the Sierra de Comechingones, Córdoba, Argentina

We discuss upper-amphibolite to granulite facies, early Palaeozoic metamorphism and partial melting of aluminous greywackes from the Sierra de Comechingones, SE Sierras Pampeanas of Central Argentina. Consistent P–T estimates, obtained from equilibria involving Al and Ti exchange components in biotite and from more traditional thermobarometric equilibria, suggest that peak metamorphism of the exposed section took place at an essentially constant pressure of 7–8 kbar, and at temperatures ranging from 650 to 950 °C. Mineral compositions record an initial decompression, after peak metamorphism, of c. 1.5 kbar, which was accompanied by a cooling of c. 100 °C. Upper-amphibolite facies gneisses consist of the assemblage Qtz+Pl+Bt+Grt+Rt/Ilm. The transition to the granulite facies is marked by the simultaneous appearance of the assemblage Kfs+Sil and of migmatitic structures, suggesting that the amphibolite to granulite transition in the Sierra de Comechingones corresponds to the beginning of melting. Rocks with structural and/or chemical manifestations of partial melting range from metatexites, to diatexites, to melt-depleted granulites, consisting of the assemblage Grt+Crd+Pl+Qtz+Ilm±Ath. The melting stage overlapped at least partially with decompression, as suggested by the occurrence of cordierite, in both the migmatites and the residual granulites, of two distinct textural types: idiomorphic porphyroblasts (probably representing peritectic cordierite) and garnet-rimming coronas. Metapelitic rocks are unknown in the Sierra de Comechingones. Therefore, it appears most likely that the Al-rich residual assemblages found in the migmatites and residual granulites were formed by partial melting of muscovite- and sillimanite-undersaturated metagreywackes. We propose a mechanism for this that relies on the sub-solidus stabilization of garnet and the ensuing changes in the octahedral Al content of biotite with pressure and temperature.     

Partial melting and the formation of granulite facies assemblages in Namaqualand, South Africa

Abstract Dehydration-melting reactions, in which water from a hydrous phase enters the melt, leaving an anhydrous solid assemblage, are the dominant mechanism of partial melting of high-grade rocks in the absence of externally derived vapour. Equilibria involving melt and solid phases are effective buffers of aH₂,o. The element-partitioning observed in natural rocks suggests that dehydration melting occurs over a temperature interval during which, for most cases, aH₂o is driven to lower values. The mass balance of dehydration melting in typical biotite gneiss and metapelite shows that the proportion of melt in the product assemblage at T± 850°C is relatively small (10–20%), and probably insufficient to mobilize a partially melted rock body. Granulite facies metapelite, biotite gneiss and metabasic gneiss in Namaqualand contain coarse-grained, discordant, unfoliated, anhydrous segregations, surrounded by a finer grained, foliated matrix that commonly includes hydrous minerals. The segregations have modes consistent with the hypothesis that they are the solid and liquid products of the dehydration-melting reactions: Bt + Sil + Qtz + PI = Grt ° Crd + Kfs + L (metapelite), Bt + Qtz + Pl = Opx + Kfs + L (biotite gneiss), and Hbl + Qtz = Opx + Cpx + Pl + L (metabasic gneiss). The size, shape, distribution and modes of segregations suggest only limited migration and extraction of melt. Growth of anhydrous poikiloblasts in matrix regions, development of anhydrous haloes around segregations and formation of dehydrated margins on metabasic layers enclosed in migmatitic metapelites all imply local gradients in water activity. Also, they suggest that individual segregations and bodies of partially melted rock acted as sinks for soluble volatiles. The preservation of anhydrous assemblages and the restricted distribution of late hydrous minerals suggest that retrograde reaction between hydrous melt and solids did not occur and that H₂O in the melt was released as vapour on crystallization. This model, combined with the natural observations, suggests that it is possible to form granulite facies assemblages without participation of external fluid and without major extraction of silicate melt.     

Collision structure in the upper crust beneath the southwestern foot of the Hidaka Mountains, Hokkaido, Japan as derived from explosion seismic observations

The P-wave velocity structure of the upper crust beneath a profile ranging from Niikappu to Samani in the southwestern foot of the Hidaka Mountains, Hokkaido, Japan was obtained through analysis of refraction and wide-angle reflection data. The mountains are characterized by high seismicity and a large gravity anomaly. The present profile crosses the source region of the 1982 Urakawa-oki earthquake (M_s 6.8). The length of the profile is 66 km striking northwest and southeast. Along the profile, 64 vertical geophones were set up and 5 shot points were chosen. For each shot, a 400–600 kg charge of dynamite was detonated. The studied area is composed of four major geological belts: Neogene sedimentary rocks, the Kamuikotan belt, the Yezo Group, and the Hidaka belt. The measurement line crosses these geological trend at an oblique angle. The structure obtained is characterized by remarkable velocity variations in the lateral direction and reflects the surface geological characteristics. A thin, high-velocity layer (HVL) was found between low-velocity materials in the central part of the profile, beneath the Kamuikotan Metamorphic Belt, at a depth ranging from 0.5 to 6 km, overthrusting toward the west on the low-velocity materials consisting of Neogene sedimentary rocks, and forming gentle folds. Outlines of the velocity structure of the Hidaka Mountains yielded by other studies have shown a large-scale overthrust structure associated with the collision of the Outer Kurile and the Outer Northern Honshu Arcs. The shallow velocity structure inferred by the present study showed a similar (although small scale) overthrust structure. The obtained structure shows that the composite tectonic force, comprising westward movement of the Outer Kurile Arc and northward movement of the Outer Northern Honshu Arc, plays an important role in the evolution of the tectonic features of the crust and upper mantle in a wide depth range beneath the Hidaka Mountains.