Phase equilibria of HP-UHP mica-schists in Jiangling,Eastern Dabieshan orogen

The HP-UHP metamorphic terrane of Jiangling, eastern Dabieshan comprises extensively distributed granitic gneisses, mica-schists and numerous eclogite blocks. The mica-schists generally contain garnet, phengitic muscovite, biotite, plagioclase, quartz, rutile and a small amount of epidote and hornblende. Study on petrography and phases equilibria in the NCKMnFMASH system indicates that the present mineral assemblages in mica-schists are not in equilibrium. The earlier stage of mineral assemblage represented by garnet and phengite reflects a HP-UHP condition. The garnet compositions and the phengite Si contents give a PT condition of 580-00 ℃ at 2.6-2.8 GPa. The garnet zonation records an earlier progressive metamorphic process which may be associated with the appearance of glaucophane, jadeite and lawsonite. The later stage of mineral assemblage characterized by the presence of biotite and plagioclase reflects a PT condition of 620-635℃ at 0.9-1.1 GPa, belonging to the HP amphibolite facies. The main mineral assemblage in mica-schists from the Jiangling region has recorded a complete HP-UHP metamorphic process.     

Thermodynamic evolution of lithosphere of the North China craton： Records from lower crust and upper mantle xenoliths from Hannuoba

Lithospheric thinning in East China attracts much attention of geologists. In many cases where a lithospheric thinning is inferred, the trigger for instability is a preced-ing episode of crustal thickening by the continental colli-sion[1]. Lithospheric processes (e.g. lithospheric thinning) could be recorded by the thermal history of the lower crustal and upper mantle xenoliths. Xu et al.[2] suggested that the cooling (from >1200 to 850℃) recorded by spinel harzburgite from Northeast China …     

Genesis of granulite in Himalayan lower crust: Evidence from experimental study at high temperature and high pressure

Here we present an insight into the genesis of Himalayan granulitic lower crust based on the experimental studies on the dehydration melting of natural biotite-plagioclase gneiss performed at the temperatures of 770-980℃ and the pressures of 1.0-1.4 GPa. The experiments produce peraluminous granitic melt and residual phase assemblage (Pl+Qz+Gat+Bio+Opx±Cpx+Ilm/Rut±Kfs). The residual mineral assemblage is similar to those of granu-lites observed at the eastern and western Himalayan syntax-ises, and the chemical compositions of characteristic minerals-garnet and pyroxene in the residual phase and the granu-lite are identical. Additionally, the modeled wave velocities of the residual phase assemblage are comparable well with those of the top part of lower crust beneath Himalayas. Hence, we suggest that (1) the top part of lower crust beneath Himalayas is probably made up of garnet-bearing intermediate granulite; (2) the formations of granulite and leucogranites in Himalayas are interrelated as the results of crustal anatexis; and (3) dehydration melting of bio-tite-plagioclase gneiss is an important process to form granulitic lower crust, to reconstitute and adjust the crustal texture. Moreover, experimental results can provide constraints on determining the P-T conditions of Himalayan crustal anatexis.     

Phase equilibria of HP–UHP mica-schists in Jiangling, Eastern Dabieshan orogen

The HP–UHP metamorphic terrane of Jiangling, eastern Dabieshan comprises extensively distributed granitic gneisses, mica-schists and numerous eclogite blocks. The mica-schists generally contain garnet, phengitic muscovite, biotite, plagioclase, quartz, rutile and a small amount of epidote and hornblende. Study on petrography and phases equilibria in the NCKMnFMASH system indicates that the present mineral assemblages in mica-schists are not in equilibrium. The earlier stage of mineral assemblage represented by garnet and phengite reflects a HP–UHP condition. The garnet compositions and the phengite Si contents give a PT condition of 580–600℃ at 2.6–2.8 GPa. The garnet zonation records an earlier progressive metamorphic process which may be associated with the appearance of glaucophane, jadeite and lawsonite. The later stage of mineral assemblage characterized by the presence of biotite and plagioclase reflects a PT condition of 620–635℃ at 0.9–1.1 GPa, belonging to the HP amphibolite facies. The main mineral assemblage in micaschists from the Jiangling region has recorded a complete HP–UHP metamorphic process.     

Discovery of Late Paleozoic retrograded eclogites from the middle part of the northern margin of North China Craton

The northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC), located between the Paleo-Asian Ocean tectonic region on the north and the NCC on the south, is a key region for studying the tectonic evolution of NCC. A Pre-cambrian retrograded eclogite (2500 Ma or 1800 Ma) was reported in Baimashi near Hengshan Mountain in the NCC, which is characterized by the vermicular symplec-tite of diopside and plagioclase with absence of ompha-cite[1,2]. In Hongqiyingzi Group from the middle part of the …     

Discovery of super-silicic and super-titanic garnets in garnet-pyroxenite in Zhaheba and its geological significance

Super-silicic garnet which exists stably at more than 5 GPa is a typical ultra-high pressure mineral. The super-silicic garnet and super-titanic garnet were discovered for the first time in garnet-pyroxenlte of early Paleozoic Zhaheba-Aermantai orogenic belt in north Xinjiang. Our study indicates that these su per-silicic garnets as well as super-Utanic garnets were formed at a depth of at least 300 km. Their host rock-garnet-pyroxenite is one kind of ultra-pressure metamorphic rocks which is related to the ultra-deep subduction of the oceanic crust. Thus, the early Paleozoic Zhaheba-Aermantai orogenic belt is related to the ultra-deep aubduction of the Paleo-Aaian oceanic crust.     

Sapphirine-bearing high pressure mafic granulite and its implications in the south Altyn Tagh

Sapphirine is a relatively uncommon mineral whichgenerally occurs in granulite with bulk compositions richin both Mg and Al. It was mainly recognized in Al-richrocks of Precambrian granulite terrane[1]. Recently, it wasalso reported from the HP/HT metamorphic rocks in thePhanerozoic collision orogens[2,3]. In China, up to now,sapphirine was only reported in Precambrian Al-richgneisses from the Daqingshan area, Inner Mongolia[4].Sapphirine often forms from the breakdown of earlieraluminou…     

Science Letters： Discovery of ultrahigh-T spinel-garnet granulite with pure CO2 fluid inclusions from the Altay orogenic belt, NW China

We first report discovery of the spinel-garnet-orthopyroxene granulite with pure CO2 fluid inclusions from the Fuyun region of the late Paleozoic Altay orogenic belt in Central Asia, NW China. The rock is characterized by an assemblage of garnet, orthopyroxene, spinel, cordierite, biotite, plagioclase and quartz. Symplectites of orthopyroxene and spinel, and orthopyroxene and cordierite indicate decompression under UHT conditions. Mineral chemistry shows that the orthopyroxenes have high XMg and Al2O3 contents (up to 9.23 wt%). Biotites are enriched in TiO2 and XMg and are stable under granulite facies conditions. The garnet and quartz from the rock carry monophase fluid inclusions which show peak melting temperatures of around -56.7℃, indicating a pure CO2 species being presented during the ultrahigh-T metamorphism in the Altay orogenic belt. The inclusions homogenize into a liquid phase at temperatures around 15.3-23.8℃ translating into CO2 densities of the order of 0.86-0.88g/cm^3. Based on preliminary mineral paragenesis, reaction textures and petrogenetic grid considerations, we infer that the rock was subjected to UHT conditions. The CO2-rich fluids were trapped during exhumation along a clockwise P-T path following isothermal decompression under UHT conditions.     

Lower time limit on the UHPM rock exhumation: Discovery of eclogite pebbles in the Late Jurassic conglomerates from the northern foot of the Dabie Mountains, eastern China

Eclogite pebbles are first discovered in late Jurassic conglomerates of the Fenghuangtai Formation from the northern foot of the Dabie Mountains, eastern China. The eclogite shows relatively strong retrograde metamor- phism. The major remnant minerals are garnet, phengite, quartz, rutile, clinozoisite, fingerprint(or worm)-form sym- plectite and pseudomorphic enclosure of coesite in garnet. End-member components of the garnet mainly made up of grossular (27.7%-37.8%), almandinc (45.5%-49.0%) and pyrope (12.3%-25.7%). End-member components of the pyrope is less than 30%, i.e. equivalent to C type eclogite. Si-cations of the phengite are 3.44-3.54 p.f.u. (taking O=11 as standard). It is estimated that the pressures are 2.5-3.2 GPa, the temperatures are 600-900℃. Discovery of the eclogite pebbles in the late Jurassic conglomerates from the northern foot of the Dabie Mountains suggests that the HP-UHP metamorphic rocks of the Dabie Mountains, which were formed in Triassic, had been exposed to the surface in the late Jurassic or before it by exhumation.     

Discovery and implications of the high-pressure pelitic granulite from the Jiaobei massif

The high pressure pelitic granulite with peak assemblage of garnet kyanite ternary feldspar muscovite rutile was discovered in Qixia area in the Precambrian Jiaobei massif, where high pressure basic granulites are widely distributed. The metamorphic peak conditions for the pelitic granulite were calculated as T=800-840℃ and P=1.0-1.25 GPa on the basis of P-T pseudosection. The post peak P-T path is characterized first by an isothermal decompression (ITD) pattern and then by an isobaric cooling (IBC) pattern, indicating a geodynamic process related to thinning of thickened continental crust.     

Discovery of the granulite xenoliths in Cenozoic volcanic rocks from Hoh Xil,Tibetan plateau

Two-pyroxene granulite and clinopyroxene granulite xenoliths have been recently discovered in the Late Paleogene toNeogene volcanic rocks (with ages in the range of 4.27～44.60 Ma) that outcropped in Hoh Xil, central Tibetan plateau. Based on theelectron microprobe analysis data, the xenoliths provide constraints for the formation equilibrium temperatures of the two-pyroxene gran-ulite being about 783 to 818℃ as determined by two-pyroxene thermometry and the forming pressure of the clinopyroxene granulite beingabout 0.845 to 0.858 GPa that is equivalent to 27.9～28.3 km depth respectively. It indicates that these granulite xenoliths represent thesamples from the middle part of the thickened Tibetan crust. This discovery is important and significant to making further discussion onthe component and thermal regime of the deep crust of the Tibetan plateau.     

Implications of micro-compositions of garnet and biotite from high-grade meta-pelites

Based on detailed studies on the compositional zoning of garnet and biotite in pelitic rocks from the Jingshan group of granulite facies in north Jiaodong, P-T pseudosections with isopleths of Fe/(Fe + Mg) in garnet and biotite were calculated in the KF-MASH system for two representative rocks of sillimanite-garnet-cordierite-biotite gneiss ( Vbi/ Vg>1 ) and sillimanite-garnet gneiss (Vbi/ Vg<0.2) using the software THERMOCALC and the internally consistent thermodynamic dataset. With a comparison of the calculated Fe/(Fe+ Mg) values in garnet and biotite in the peak P-T fields constrained by peak mineral assemblages with the measured ones, it is concluded that the coarse garnet crystals with diffusion zoning from high grade meta-pelites can preserve their peak compositions even when they have experienced a cooling event, and that biotite crystals surrounded by fetsic minerals in biotite-rich rocks with Vbi/Vg> 1 can nearly preserve their peak compositions, and biotites in garnet-rich rocks with Vbi/Vg<0. 2 cannot preserve their peak compositions due to the influence of grain-boundary fluid.     

Garnet Sm-Nd and U-Pb systems: A case study of a granulite from the European Variscan belt

This study presents zircon and garnet ages of a mafic granulite from the high-grade Variscan basement of the Black Forest, Germany and discuss isotope closure temperature of garnet Sm-Nd and U-Pb systems. Zircon grains yield 207Pb/206Pb ages between ～340 and ～414 Ma by the U-Pb and evaporation methods. In contract, garnet dating gives Sm-Nd and Pb-Pb isochron ages of (398±3) Ma and (411±14) Ma, respectively, which are older than most of zircon ages. These data imply that most of zircons lost radiogenic Pb, probably due to metamictization or recrystallisation during the granulite-facies metamorphism (～800℃) at ～340 Ma. Garnet Sm-Nd and U-Pb systems preserve chronological information of pro-grade metamorphism, probably profiting from a fluid-absence metamorphic environment. These results demonstrate that garnet mineral can be a better candidate than zircon mineral to date high-grade metamorphism by the U-Pb and Sm-Nd methods in some cases.     

Confirmation of pelitic granulite in the Altai orogen and its geological significance

The existence of pelitic granulite in the Altai orogen was confirmed for the first time by detailed petrographic research and P-Tpseudosection modeling. The pelitic granulite has the assemblage of garnet ＋ cordierite ＋ K-feldspar ＋ biotite ＋ sillimanite ＋ plagioclase ＋ quartz with some samples containing the paragenesis of cordierite ＋ spinel. Peak conditions of the pelitic granuUte determined from the P-T pseudosection involved P = 0.5-0.6 GPa, T= 780-800℃ belonging to medium- to low-pressure type. SHRIMP U-Pb dating of zircon presented a metamorphic age of 292.8 ± 2.3 Ma. The discovery of pelitic granulite reflects an extensional environment with high heat flow in the southern margin of the Altai orogen during the Early Permian, which provides an important petrological constraint on the evolution of the Altai orogen.     

Eocene high grade metamorphism and crustal anatexis in the North Himalaya Gneiss Domes,Southern Tibet

Determination of the timing and geochemical nature of early metamorphic and anatectic events in the Himalayan orogen may provide key insights into the physical and chemical behavior of lower crustal materials during the early stage of tectonic evolution in large-scale collisional belts.The Yardoi gneiss dome is the easternmost dome of the North Himalayan Gneiss Domes(NHGD),and contains three types of amphibolites with distinct mineral assemblage,elemental and radiogenic isotope geochemistry,as well as various types of gneisses.SHRIMP zircon U/Pb analyses on the garnet amphibolite and garnet-bearing biotite granitic gneiss yield ages of nearly peak metamorphism at 45.0±1.0 Ma and 47.6±1.8 Ma,respectively,which are 2 to 4 Ma older than the age for partial melting in migmatitic garnet amphibolite(43.5±1.3 Ma).Available data have demonstrated that ultra-high pressure metamorphism in the Tethyan Himalaya occurred at ～55 Ma,and high amphibolite facies to granulite facies metamorphism at 45 to 47 Ma.In addition,partial melting at thickened crustal conditions occurred at 43.5±1.3 Ma,which led to the formation of high Sr/Y ratios two-mica granites.The high-grade metamorphic rocks in the NHGD may represent the subducted front of the Indian continental lithosphere.In large collisional belts,fertile components in crustal materials could melt and form granitic melts with relatively high Na/K and Sr/Y ratios under thickened crustal conditions,significantly different from those formed by decompressional melting during rapid exhumation.     

Finding of high-pressure mafic granulites in the Amdo basement,central Tibet

High-pressure mafic granulites with a peak mineral assemblage of garnet + clinopyroxene + rutile + quartz were found in the Amdo basement, central Tibet. Two kinds of symplectites were identified that are composed of orthopyroxene + plagioclase ± spinel and hornblende + plagioclase around garnet, which were interpreted to develop during the retrogressing stages in the granulites. P-T estimates suggested that peak metamorphic conditions were about 860–920°C and 1.46–1.56 GPa, which retrogressed from post-peak phase at 820–890°C and 0.88–1.15 GPa to amphibolite facies at 550–670°C and 0.52–0.65 GPa. These three stages define a clockwise P-T path with near-isothermal decompression and cooling following the peak high-pressure metamorphism. This suggests that the Amdo granulites underwent an initial subduction to a deep crustal level of ~50 km and then were rapidly exhumed to a shallow crustal level (~20 km). The formation of Amdo granulites is considered to result from the arc-continent collision between the Amdo basement and the Qiangtang terrane in the middle Jurassic, which is a crucial step to the tectonic evolution of the Tibetan Plateau.     

辽西太古代“建平变质杂岩”的变质作用演化

“建平变质杂岩”是辽宁省西部太古代的最下部的地体,它由连续性很差的表壳岩、TTG岩石及其它深成侵入岩构成。基本岩石类型有镁铁质岩石(包括角闪岩、辉石岩、斜长角闪岩等)、麻粒岩、紫苏花岗岩、片麻岩及少量的超镁铁质岩和磁铁石英岩。常见且主要的矿物相是斜方辉石、单斜辉石、石榴石、角闪石、斜长石和石英。岩相学研究确定了指示变质作用不同阶段的三个变质反应的存在,并且它们与推测的矿物相的转化关系吻合,结合地质温压的限定,本文得出了本区太古代末期的强烈的变质热事件的反时针的P-T-t演化轨迹,并推测出此变质热事件与大量的岩浆增聚密切相关。     

Discovery of ultrahighpressure magnesite-bearing garnet lherzolite (>3.8 GPa) in the Altyn Tagh,Northwest China

Magnesite-bearing garnet lherzolite from the Altyn Tagh, associated with garnet pyroxenite, and garnet-bearing felsic gneiss, crops out as lenses in Proterozoic gneiss about 100 km east of the Jianggelasayi River. The garnet lherzolite, together with the eclogite in western Jianggelasayi, composes a high-pressure to ultrahigh- pressure metamorphic belt in the southern margin of the Altyn Tagh. Parageneses of minerals from magnesite-bearing garnet lherzolite indicate that the rock evolved a multi-stage metamorphism. The peak-stage metamorphism produces an assemblage of Grt+Ol+Opx+Cpx±Mgs, in which Al₂O₃ content of Opx is very low (0.30 — 0.66wt%). The calculated P-T condition of the peak stage is 3.8—5.1GPa and 880—970℃, some exsolution rods of clinopyroxene and rutile occur in the Grt and magnesite is rimed by dolomite and orthopyroxene, all implying that the peak stage was a UHP metamorphic process. Together with regional geological studies, isotopic dating and the discovery of coesite inclusions in zircon separates from felsic gneiss from the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin, the presence of a very long UHP metamorphic belt in northwest China is suggested.     

纳米结构碳化钽在超高压力下硬度的研究

通过利用国产DS6×800T铰链式六面顶压机装置高温高压烧结了纳米结构的碳化钽样品,研究和表征了纳米结构碳化钽在超高压力下的物性行为。样品在3 GPa/1 500℃下进行烧结,其相对密度为93%。实验结果表明超高压力更有利于样品的致密化,并且可以降低烧结温度。通过烧结实验,得到了纳米结构碳化钽在压力为3 GPa时的维氏硬度为17.2 GPa,平均断裂韧度为(5.0±0.2)MPa m1/2。     

Ultrahigh-pressure (4.5–5.5 GPa) experimental research on pyroxene-garnet transition and its significance

Conclusions The transition from natural Al-enstatite to garnet and Al-poor pyroxene has taken place under the condition of about 1000°C and 4.5–5.5 GPa, and new phases of garnet and corundum have formed when 15% Al₂O₃ was added to the initial natural Al-enstatite. This experimental result has explained the ultrahigh pressure (3.5–5.0 GPa) and relatively low temperature (< 1000°C) genesis of the ultramafic rock of high-pressure metamorphic zone in Dabieshan-northern Jiangsu-Jiaodong and of red corundum garnetite coexisting with garnet peridotite. From the genetic mineralogy, petrology andP-T equilibrium conditions of garnet peridotite of the high-pressure metamorphic zone, kimberlite and Cenozoic basalt and the ultrahigh pressure experimental result, it is inferred that the upper mantle garnet peridotite is transformed with the increase of depth from Al-rich pyroxene garnet peridotite (80–120 km) to Al-poor pyroxene garnet peridotite (greater than 120–150 km).