Metamorphic P-T conditions and zircon U-Pb ages of amphibolite in Laojinchang area,southern Jilin Province

The Longgang Block is one of the most important parts of the eastern North China Craton,characterized by extensive Late Neoarchean(~2.5 Ga)granulite facies metamorphism.However,it remains uncertain whether it was influenced by Paleoproterozoic magmatism-metamorphism.The authors provide a comprehensive analysis of amphibolite in Laojinchang area,southern Jilin Province,through petrographic,geochemical,mineralogical,and zircon dating.The main findings are as follows:The mineral assemblage of amphibolite is Hb+Pl+Cpx+Bi+Kf+Q,characteristic of amphibolite facies;zircon U-Pb dating indicates that the metamorphic age of amphibolite is 1834±33 Ma;the amphibolite has geochemical characteristics of calcium alkaline,with depletion of Nb,Ta,Ti and P.The plagioclase in the amphibolite is oligoclase,belonging to acidic plagioclase.It is speculated that the protolith of the amphibolite is diorite;using geothermobarometer,the peak metamorphic P-T conditions of amphibolite are determined to be 536–593℃/3.4–5.0 kbar,and the post-peak conditions are 429–566℃/1.3–3.1 kbar.The above results indicate that the Paleoproterozoic metamorphism has been superimposed on Longgang Block,linked to a new orogenic event on the northern edge of North China Craton.

Geochemical Characteristics and LA-ICP-MS Zircon U-Pb Dating of Amphibolites in the Songshugou Ophiolite in the Eastern Qinling

Geochemical studies on the arnphibolites in the Songshugou ophiolite from Shangnan County, Shaanxi Province demonstrate that the protolith of the amphibolites is tholeiitic. The arnphibolites can be classified into two groups according to their REE patterns and trace element features. Rocks of the first group are depleted in LREE while rocks of the second group are slightly depleted in LREE or flat from LREE to HREE without significant Eu anomaly. The first group of rocks have (La/Yb)N=0.33-0.55, (La/Sm)N= 0.45-0.65, and their La/Nb, Ce/Zr, Zr/Nb, Zr/Y and Ti/Y ratios are averaged at 1.20, 0.12, 31.02, 2.92 and 198, respectively, close to those of typical N-MORB. The second group of rocks have (La/Yb)N=0.63-0.95, (La/ Sm)N = 0.69--0.90, and their average La/Nb, Ce/Zr, Zr/Nb, Zr/Y and Ti/Y ratios are 0.82, 0.83, 1.15, 0.16, 19.00, 2.58 and 225, respectively, which lie between those of typical N-MORB and E-MORB but closer to the former. The two groups of rocks both exhibit flat patterns from Th to Yb in the highly incompatible elements spider diagram, but the first group of rocks have lower element abundances than the modern N-MORB, indicating a derivation of their mantle source from more depleted mantle source than the present N-MORB. The abundances of Th, Ta, Nb, La and Ce in the second group of rocks are slightly higher than those of the present N-MORB, and other elements, such as Hf, Zr, Sm, Ti, Y and Yb, are close to those of the N-MORB, indicating that the original magma was derived from depleted mantle but mixed with the enriched mantle. These characteristics, combined with the regional geology and previous studies, provide further evidence that the mafic-ultramafic rocks have the features of a typical ophiolite.Zircon grains from the amphibolite are generally rounded, and in most of them a distinguishable core-mantle texture is preserved as shown in the cathodoluminescence (CL) images. The core or core-mantle parts of the zircon grains are also rounded, same as those in basalts from other regions of the world. The LA-ICP-MS trace element and U-Pb isotopic analyses show that the zircon grains from the amphibolites are similar to the typical magmatic zircon in terms of their very low U and Th contents (62.36-0.10 μg/g and 78.47-0.003 μg/g, respectively). Seven pits from the core and core-mantle parts of the zircon grains yielded an average weighted 206Pb/ 238U age of 973±35 (2σ) Ma with the Th/U ratios range from 0.01 to 8.38 and mostly greater than 0.23. This age is consistent within the error range with the whole-rock Sm-Nd isochron age of 1030±46 Ma for the same kind of rocks reported by Dong et al. (1997a). In a combined analysis with the zircon positions on the CL images and the corresponding Th/U ratios, the age of 973±35 Ma is probably the formation age of tholeiite, the protolith of the Songshugou amphibolite. The geochronological determination gives further evidence that the Songshugou ophiolite was formed during the Neoproterozoic. In addition, there is one pit from the rim of a zircon grain giving a 206Pb/ 238U age of 5721199 (1σ) Ma with a Th/U ratio of 0.08. It may represent the age of the accretionary zircon in the amphibolite-facies metamorphism.

High pressure garnet amphibolites in ophiolitic mélange from the Changning-Menglian suture zone, southeast Tibetan Plateau: P-T-t path and tectonic implication

The garnet amphibolites from the newly identified Wanhe ophiolitic mélange in the Changning-Menglian suture zone(CMSZ)provide a probe to elucidate the evolution of the Triassic Palaeo-Tethys.An integrated petrologic,phase equilibria modeling and geochronological study of the garnet amphibolites,southeast Tibetan Plateau,shows that the garnet amphibolites have a peak mineral assemblage of garnet,glaucophane,lawsonite,chlorite,rutile,phengite and quartz,and a clockwise P-T path with a prograde segment from blueschist-facies to eclogite-facies with a peak-metamorphic P-T conditions of 2000–2100 MPa and 495–515℃,indicating a cold geothermal gradient of about 240–260℃/GPa.Theretrograde metamorphic P-T path is characterized by nearly isothermal decompression to lower amphibolite-facies and subsequent cooling to greenschist-facies.The metamorphic zircons have fractionated HREE patterns and significant negative Eu anomalies,and therefore the obtained zircon U-Pb age of 231±1.5 Ma is interpreted to be the timing of the amphibolite facies metamorphism occurrence.The present study probably indicates that the garnet amphibolites in the Wanhe ophiolitic mélange was the retrograded highpressure eclogite-facies blueschist,instead of the previously proposed eclogites,and the garnet amphibolites recorded the subduction and exhumation process of the Palaeo-Tethys Oceanic crust in the Triassic.

Dehydration melting of amphibolite at 1.5 GPa and 800–950C:Implications for the Mesozoic potassium-rich adakite in the eastern North China Craton

Mesozoic intermediate-felsic magmatic rocks in the eastern North China Craton commonly show geochemical similarity to adakites.However,the lack of direct constraints from partial melting experiments at high pressures and temperatures fuels a debate over the origin of these rocks.In this work,we performed partial melting experiments at 1.5 GPa and 800–950℃on amphibolite samples collected from the vicinity of the Mesozoic potassium-rich adakitic rocks in the Zhangjiakou area,northern margin of the North China Craton.The experimental melts range from granitic to granodioritic compositions,with SiO_(2)=56.4–72.6 wt.%,Al_(2)O_(3)=16.1–19.3 wt.%,FeO^(*)=2.4–9.6 wt.%,MgO=0.3–2.0 wt.%,CaO=0.6–3.8 wt.%,Na_(2)O=4.7–5.3 wt.%,and K_(2)O=2.6–3.9 wt.%,which are in the ranges of the surrounding Mesozoic potassium-rich adakitic rocks,except for the higher Al_(2)O_(3)contents and the data point at 1.5 GPa and 800℃.Trace element compositions of the melts measured by LA-ICP-MS are rich in Sr(849–1067 ppm)and light rare earth elements(LREEs)and poor in Y(<10.4 ppm)and Yb(<0.88 ppm),and have high Sr/Y(102–221)and(La/Yb)n(27–41)ratios and strongly fractionated rare earth element(REE)patterns,whereas no obvious negative Eu anomalies are observed.The geochemical characteristics show overall similarity to the Mesozoic potassium-rich adakitic rocks in the area,especially adakites with low Mg#,again except for the data point at 1.5 GPa and 800℃.The results suggest that partial melting of amphibolite can produce potassium-rich adakitic rocks with low Mg#in the eastern North China Craton under the experimental conditions of 1.5 GPa and 850–950℃.The experimental restites consist of hornblende(Hbl)+plagioclase(Pl)+garnet(Grt)±clinopyroxene(Cpx),a mineral assemblage significantly different from that of the nearby Hannuoba mafic granulite xenoliths which consist of Cpx+orthopyroxene(Opx)+Pl±Grt.Chemically,the experimental restites contain higher Al_(2)O_(3)but lower MgO and CaO than the Hannuoba mafic granulite xenoliths.We therefore argue that the Hannuoba mafic granulite xenoliths cannot represent the direct products of partial melting of the experimental amphibolite.

Geochemistry and Tectonic Significance of Chlorite Amphibolite in Nanfen BIF, Benxi Area, Northeastern China

Benxi area, Northeastern China, is the main distribution area of Archean BIF-hosted iron deposits in China. In this area, Nanfen iron deposit is well known as the largest open-pit iron deposit not only in China but also in Asia. So far, the tectonic nature during Archean BIF formation period in Benxi area has been long disputed and the tectonic setting of Nanfen BIF had not been found. In this study, the geochemical characters of chlorite amphibolites closely associated with BIF have been investigated for the tectonic environment of Nanfen BIF. Chlortie amphibolites show the geochemical affinity to the back-arc basin basalt (BABB), indicating that the tectonic environment of Nanfen BIF is the back-arc basin. In conjunction with geological evidence of other BIFs at Benxi area, it is identified that BIF in Benxi area might be formed in the subduction-related back-arc basin, which provides a favorable sedimentary environment of Algoma-type BIF.

Selection of Influential Microfabric Properties of Anisotropic Amphibolite Rocks on Its Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS): A Comprehensive Statistical Study

Occasionally, in complex inherent characteristics of certain rocks, especially anisotropic rocks it may be difficult to measure the uniaxial compressive strength UCS. However, the use of empirical relationships to evaluate the UCS of rock can be more practical and economical. Consequently, this study carried out to predict UCS from microfabrics properties of banded amphibolite rocks using multiple regression analysis. Based on statistical results, rock microfabric parameters, which adequately represent the UCS of a given rock type have been selected. The results show that grain size, shape factor and quartz content have high significant correlation with UCS at 95% confidence level. From multiple regression model, approximately 84% of the variance of the UCS can be estimated by the linear combination of these three parameters. However, according to model performance criteria: correlation coefficient (R = 0.919), variance account for (VAF = 97%) and root mean square error (RMSE = 4.16) the study clearly indicates that the developed model is reliable to predict the UCS. Finally, this approach can be easily extended to the modeling of rock strength in the absence of adequate geological information or abundant data.

Source of the Ore-forming Adakitic Porphyry at the Beiya Super-large Au Deposit, Western Yangtze Craton: New Evidence from Zircon U-Pb Ages of the Amphibolite Xenoliths

Objective The Beiya super-large Au-rich porphyry deposit(304 t Au,2.4 g/t Au)is located within the western Yangtze craton,to the southeast of the Sanjiang Tethyan Orogen(Fig.1).The ore-forming porphyry is adakitic,characterized by high Sr/Y and La/Yb ratios coupled with low Y and Yb contents,and is generally thought to be derived from partial melting of thickened mafic lower crust.The lower crust underneath the western Yangtze craton is mainly composed of ancient crust with Archean ages,juvenile crust resulting from the Neoproterozoic subduction(740–1000 Ma),and late Permian juvenile crust related to the Emeishan mantle plume.Which lower crustal end-member has played a critical role in genesis of the Beiya ore-forming porphyry can be constrained by zircon U-Pb ages of amphibolite xenoliths hosted in the ore-forming porphyry,because these xenoliths represent direct samples of the source.In this study,we present new zircon U-Pb ages of these amphibolite xenoliths to have insight into the nature of the Beiya adakitic porphyry source.

Mineralogical and Petrological Characteristics of the Neoproterozoic Orthoamphibolite and Orthogneisses in the Mutki Area,the Bitlis Massif,Southeast Turkey

The rocks form as amphibolite±garnet±epidote and orthogneisses in the Pan-African basement of the Bitlis Massif.The petrochemical data of the studied metamorphic rocks suggest different igneous protoliths ranging from calcalkaline basalt to andesite in composition. Petrochemically,the rocks can be classified as group 1（low Zr and La） and group 2（high Zr and La）, all showing various enrichments in large ion lithophiles and light rare earth elements,and a depletion in high-field strength elements,suggestive of a destructive plate margin setting.The protoliths of the all samples might have formed mostly by the partial melting of an enriched source,possibly coupled with the fractional crystallization of plagioclase,apatite,and titaniferous magnetite±olivine±clinopyroxene±amphibole in relation with subduction-related magmatism neighboring the Andeantype active margins of Gondwana.The group 2 samples could,however,be generated by a relatively lower degree of the partial melting of an inhomogeneous source with a preponderance of a high-level, fractional crystallization process in comparison to group 1.The protoliths of the samples were metamorphosed up to amphibolite facies conditions,which destroys original igneous texture and mineral assemblages.Geothermobarometric calculations show that the metamorphic rocks are finally equilibrated between 540 and 610℃and～5 kbars,following a clockwise P-T-t path.

VARIATIONS IN KAMILA AMPHIBOLITES FROM SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE KOHISTAN ISLAND-ARC TERRANE,PAKISTAN

The Kohistan terrane in N.Pakistan is sandwiched between the Shyok Suture in the north and Indus Suture in the south.The SE base of the terrane is occupied by the stratiform Sapat mafic\|ultramafic complex,which overrides the crust of the Indian plate along the Indus Suture.The complex was intruded into the base of a thick pile of metavolcanics (now amphibolites) of different environments (the Kamila belt).The Kamila amphibolite belt has a vast distribution in southern part of Kohistan.Previously,it was considered that the belt occupies the entire southern part of the Kohistan terrane between the Main Mantle Thrust (MMT) or Indus Suture (IS) in the south and the Chilas Complex in the north.In the Indus Valley,the unit was considered to overlie the Jijal Complex which occupies the hanging wall of the MMT.Recent mapping during this study has revealed that the Kamila amphibolite belt is in direct contact with the MMT only in the extreme eastern (i.e..,Bunar valley) and western parts of the Kohistan terrane.In the area between t he Babusar Pass in the east and the Indus Valley in the west,the belt is separated from the MMT by a basal ultramafic\|mafic layered complex in the hanging wall of the MMT,termed the Sapat Complex.To the north,the belt is bounded by the Chilas Complex which occupies an axial position in the Kohistan terrane.The Kamila amphibolites do not occur as a single,extensive body in the studied area but they occur in three main linear belts (from south to north as Bausar,Jal\|Niat,and Sumal)with small patches and screens within or between plutons of different compositions from diorites to granodiorites,trondhjemites and granites.Sumal is a thin slice within the Jal\|Niat belt.Babusar and Jal\|Niat are tholeiitic while Sumal is calc\|alkaline in nature.The tholeiitic amphibolites are further divided into two:Babusar amphibolites contain low TiO\-2 and very low Zr as compared to the Jal\|Niat.The Jal\|Niat amphibolites show flat patterns with slight increase in slope towards HFS and are unaffected by subduction,this implies that these rocks are developed in mid\|ocean ridge setting from a more heterogeneous and enriched mantle source.The Babusar amphibolites are depleted in LILE,show spiked pattern and the involvement of subduction zone fluids which indicate their affinity with within\|plate oceanic or continental settings.Sumal amphibolites are developed in subduction related island\|arc setting and may be produced due to partial melting of the metasomatized mantle or from a hetrogeneous mantle source.

Magnetic Characterization of Amphibolites from the Fomopéa Pluton(West Cameroon):Their Implication in the Pan-African Deformation of the Central African Fold Belt

The Fomopea granitic pluton is emplaced in gnessic and amphibolitic basement. These gneissic and amphibolitic basement rocks are represented in the pluton＇s body as sub-rounded, elongated or stretched xenoliths. Amphibolitic xenoliths display testimonies of two main tectonic events namely： （i） El flattening deformation event characterized by a NW-SE to E-W foliation with a best pole at 246/57 and a mineral stretched lineation with a best line at 293/47; and （ii） E2 compressive event typified by （1） N-S to NNE-SSW steeply dipping foliation; （2） S-type flexion-fold indicating a sinistral shear movement. These amphibolite rocks indicate a magnetic susceptibility magnitude （Km） range from 418 ~SI to 90092 IISI for 87% of the stations showing a ferromagnetic behavior. K-T curves reveal the presence of Ti-poor magnetite as susceptibility mineral carrier. Magnetic foliation and lineation suggest that the N-S strike direction observed in the Bamendou amphibolite is, as pointed out elsewhere in the Central African Fold Belt, of paramount importance in the tectonic evaluation of the Fomopea area, since it has most likely acted as major deformation phase in the second tectonic event in the belt.

Phase equilibrium modelling of the amphibolite facies metamorphism in the Yelapa-Chimo Metamorphic Complex, Mexico

The Yelapa-Chimo Metamorphic Complex forms part of the Jalisco Block in western Mexico and exposes a wide range of Early Cretaceous metamorphic rocks;such as paragneiss,orthogneiss,amphibolites,and migmatites.However,the pressure-temperature(P-T)conditions of metamorphism and partial melting remain poorly studied in the region.To elucidate metamorphic P-T conditions,phase equilibrium modelling was applied to two sillimanite-garnet paragneisses,one amphibole-orthogneiss,and one amphibolite.Sillimanite-garnet paragneisses exhibit a lepidoblastic texture with a biotite+sillimanite+kyanite+garnet+quartz+plagioclase+K-feldspar mineral assemblage.Amphibole-orthogneiss and amphibolite display a nematoblastic texture with an amphibole+(1)plagioclase+quartz+(1)titanite assemblage and an amphibole+(2)plagioclase+(2)titanite+ilmenite retrograde mineral assemblage.Pseudosections calculated for the two sillimanite-garnet paragneiss samples show P-T peak conditions at~6-7.5 kbar and~725-740℃.The results for amphibole-orthogneiss and the amphibolite yield P-T peak conditions at~8.5-10 kbar and~690-710℃.The mode models imply that metasedimentary and metaigneous units can produce up to~20 vol%and~10 vol%of melt,respectively.Modelling within a closed system during isobaric heating suggests that melt compositions of metasedimentary and metaigneous units are likely to have direct implications for the petrogenesis of the Puerto Vallarta Batholith.Our new data indicate that the Yelapa-Chimo Metamorphic Complex evolved through a metamorphic gradient between~23-33℃km^-1and the metamorphic rocks formed at depths between~22 km and~30 km with a burial rate of~2.0 km Ma^-1.Finally,the P-T data for both metasedimentary and metaigneous rocks provide new constraints on an accretionary framework,which is responsible for generating metamorphism and partial melting in the YelapaChimo Metamorphic Complex during the Early Cretaceous.

Metamorphism and geochronology of garnet amphibolite from the Beishan Orogen,southern Central Asian Orogenic Belt:Constraints from P-T path and zircon U-Pb dating

Numerous lenses of garnet amphibolite occur in the garnet-bearing biotite-plagioclase gneiss belt in the Baishan area of the Beishan Orogen,which connects the Tianshan Orogen to the west and the Mongolia-Xing’anling Orogen to the east.The study of metamorphism in Beishan area is of great significance to explain the tectonic evolution of Beishan orogen.According to the microstructures,mineral relationships,and geothermobarometry,we identified four stages of mineral assemblages from the garnet amphibolite sample:(1) a pre-peak stage,which is recorded by the cores of garnet together with core-inclusions of plagioclase(Pl1);(2) a peak stage,which is recorded by the mantles of garnet together with mantle-inclusions of plagioclase(Pl2)+amphibole(Amp1)+Ilmenite(Ilm1)+biotite(Bt1),developed at temperature-pressure(P-T) conditions of 818.9-836.5℃ and7.3-9.2 kbar;(3) a retrograde stage,which is recorded by garnet rims + plagioclase(Pl3)+amphibole(Amp2)+orthopyroxene(Opx1)+biotite(Bt2)+Ilmenite(Ilm2),developed at P-T conditions of 796.1-836.9℃ and5.6-7.5 kbar;(4) a symplectitic stage,which is recorded by plagioclase(Pl4)+orthopyroxene(Opx2)+amphibole(Amp3)+biotite(Bt3) symplectites,developed at P-T conditions of 732 ±59.6℃ and 6.1 ±0.6 kbar.Moreover,the U-Pb dating of the Beishan garnet amphibolite indicates an age of 301.9 ±4.7 Ma for the protolith and 281.4±8.5 Ma for the peak metamorphic age.Therefore,the mineral assemblage,P-T conditions,and zircon U-Pb ages of the Beishan garnet amphibolite define a near-isothermal decompression of a clockwise P-T-t(Pressure-Temperature-time) path,indicating the presence of over thickened continental crust in the Huaniushan arc until the Early Permian,then the southern Beishan area underwent a process of thinning of the continental crust.

The ^(40)Ar-^(39)Ar ages of hornblendes in Grt-Pl-bearing amphibolite from the Larsemann Hils,East Antarctica and their geological implication

In this paper we reported the 40 Ar 39 Ar dating results of hornblendes in Grt Pl bearing amphibolite from the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica. Their apparent ages respectively are 1586 Ma, 1011 1080 Ma, 761 Ma, 529 582 Ma. Their plateau ages of 1036 Ma and 554 Ma as well as an Ar Ar isochron age of 1010 Ma have also been obtained respectively. These isotopic dating results for the first time by the Ar Ar method for hornblendes completely record almost all the structural metamorphic thermal events that this region experienced, and provide an answer to the controversial question on the structural metamorphic thermal events of this region in recent several years, namely, which one is more important, the late Proterozoic 1000 Ma event (Grenvillian) or the early Palaeozoic 500 Ma event ( Pan African), as well as whether the former exists or not. The 40 Ar 39 Ar dating results of hornblendes show that the Larsemann Hills experienced a complicated poly metamorphic evolutionary history, and their protoliths were probably formed in early to mid Proterozoic. The late Proterozoic 1000 Ma event (Grenvillian) has been confirmed to be a predominant tectonothermal event whilst the early Palaeozoic 500 Ma event (Pan African) has been confirmed just to be the last strong tectonothermal event in this region.

Mineral Chemistry and Nomenclature of Amphiboles of Garnet Bearing Amphibolites From Thana Bhilwara,Rajasthan,India

Amphiboles are frequently observed in the medium to high grade metamorphic rocks of garnet bearing amphibolites from Thana.In present work,authors have discussed the mineral chemistry and nomenclature of amphiboles.On the basis of mineral chemistry,the amphibole from garnet bearing amphibolite are normally varies from Hastingsite,Ferropargasite to Tschermakite variety.

Geochemistry, Mineral Chemistry and Thermobarometry of Boneh-Shorou Amphibolites in Gelmandeh Massive (Saghand-Central Iran)

The Gelmandeh Massive is located in the Central part of Iranian Microcontinent. Amphibolitic rocks occupy the main portion of Gelmandeh complex, which consists of hornblendite, garnet amphibolites, and gneiss. Geochemical investigations indicate that the ratio of Eu/Eu* separates samples into two categories: first category with ratio of Eu/Eu* > 1 and the second with ratio of Eu/Eu* < 1, which the former indicates an enriched mantle origin while the latter points to crustal contamination. Generally, amphibolites can be differentiated into two separate series. First series is characterized with calc-alkaline to alkaline composition with enriched mantle origin, and the second one has calc-alkaline to tholeiitic nature and it is of continental type that underwent crustal contamination within subduction zone. The microprobe electron analysis shows that the amphiboles were a member of the calcic group and hastingsite-tschermakite series. Geo-barometric studied and mineral paragenesis show that the metamorphism is of Barovian type with PT condition upto 7 K bar and 580°C.

Metamorphic Evolution of the Amphibolites from Bundelkhand Craton, Central India: P-T Constraints and Phase Equilibrium Modelling

The amphibolites from the Mauranipur and Babina regions are located in the central part of the Bundelkhand Craton(BuC),northern India.During the geodynamic evolution of the BuC,these amphibolites underwent medium-grade metamorphism.This study combines textural observations of amphibolites from two distinct regions(Mauranipur and Babina)with mineral chemistry and phase equilibrium modelling.Observations suggest that the amphibolites of both areas have gone through three stages of metamorphism.The pre-peak stage in the amphibolites from the Mauranipur and Babina regions is marked by the assemblages Ep-Amp-Cpx-Pl-Ilm-Ru-Qz and Ep-Amp-Cpx-Pl-Ab-Ilm-Qz respectively;the peak metamorphic stage is characterized by the mineral assemblages Amp-Cpx-Pl-Ilm-Ru-Qz and Amp-Cpx-Pl-Ilm-Qz-H_(2)O,which is formed during the burial process,and the post-peak stage is represented by the assemblages Amp-Pl-Ilm-Ru-Qz and Amp-Pl-Ilm-Qz-H_(2)O respectively,which is formed by exhumation event.By applying the phase equilibria modelling in the NCFMASHTO system,the P-T conditions estimated from pre-peak,peak to post-peak stages are characterized as 6.7 kbar/510 oC,7.3 kbar/578ºC and>3.0 kbar/>585ºC,respectively,for the Mauranipur amphibolites;and 6.27 kbar/520ºC,5.2 kbar/805ºC and>3.0 kbar/>640ºC respectively for Babina amphibolites.The textural association and P-T conditions of both amphibolites suggest that these rocks were affected by burial metamorphism followed by an exhumation process during subduction tectonism in the BuC.

Microstructures, Fabrics, and Seismic Properties of Mylonitic Amphibolites: Implications for Strain Localization in a Thickening Anisotropic Middle Crust of the North China Craton

Strain localization processes in the continental crust generate faults and ductile shear zones over a broad range of scales affecting the long-term lithosphere deformation and the mechanical response of faults during the seismic cycle.Seismic anisotropy originated within the continental crust can be applied to deduce the kinematics and structures within orogens and is widely attributed to regionally aligned minerals,e.g.,hornblende.However,naturally deformed rocks commonly show various structural layers(e.g.,strain localization layers).It is necessary to reveal how both varying amphibole contents and fabrics in the structural layers of strain localization impact seismic property and its interpretations in terms of deformation.We present microstructures,petrofabrics,and calculate seismic properties of deformed amphibolite with the microstructures ranging from mylonite to ultramylonite.The transition from mylonite to ultramylonite is accompanied by a slight decrease of amphibole grain size,a disintegration of amphibole and plagioclase aggregates,and amphibole aspect ratio increase(from 1.68 to 2.23),concomitant with the precipitation of feldspar and/or quartz between amphibole grains.The intensities of amphibole crystallographic preferred orientations(CPOs)show a progressively increasing trend from mylonitic layers to homogeneous ultramylonitic layers,as indicated by the JAm index increasing from 1.9–4.0 for the mylonitic layers and 4.0–4.8 for the transition layer,to 5.1–6.9 for the ultramylonitic layers.The CPO patterns are nearly random for plagioclase and quartz.Polycrystalline amphibole aggregates in the amphibolitic mylonite deform by diffusion,mechanical rotation,and weak dislocation creep,and develop CPOs collectively.The polymineralic matrix(such as quartz and plagioclase)of the mylonite and the ultramylonite deform dominantly by dissolution-precipitation,combined with weak dislocation creep.The mean P and S wave velocities are estimated to be 6.3 and 3.5 km/s,respectively,for three layers of the mylonitic amphibolite.The respective maximum P and S anisotropies are 1.5%–6.4%and 1.8%–4.5%for the mylonite layers of the mylonitic amphibolite,and 6.0%–6.9%and 4.5%–5.0%for the transition layers;but for the ultramylonite layers,these values increase significantly to 8.0%–9.1%and 5.1%–6.0%,respectively.Furthermore,increasing strain(strain localization)generates significant variations in the geometry of the seismic anisotropy.This effect,coupled with the geographical orientations of structures in the Hengshan-Wutai-Fuping complex terrains,can generate substantial variations in the orientation and magnitude of seismic anisotropy for the continental crust as measured by the existing North China Geoscience Transect.Thickened amphibolitic layers by extensively folding or thrusting in the middle crust can explain the strong shear wave splitting and the tectonic boundary parallel fast shear wave polarization beneath the Hengshan-Wutai-Fuping complex terrains.Therefore,signals of seismic anisotropy varying with depth in the deforming continent crust need not deduce depth-varying kinematics or/and tectonic decoupling.

Metamorphic Evolution of Garnet Amphibolite from the Yaganbuyang Area in the South Altyn Orogen,West China:Insights from Phase Equilibria Modeling and Geochronology

Garnet amphibolite is one of the common metabasic rocks exposed in collisional orogenic belt,the metamorphic evolution of which is associated closely with orogenic processes.The Yaganbuyang garnet amphibolites occur as blocks hosted by massive granitic gneiss,and consist mainly of hornblende,garnet,clinopyroxene,plagioclase,biotite,quartz with minor rutile/ilmenite and phengitic muscovite.These garnet amphibolites were interpreted to have experienced decompression-dominated evolution that can be divided into three generations(M1,M2,M3),based on the petrographic observations and phase equilibria modeling calculated by THERMOCALC.The assemblage of the first generation(M1)is inferred to possibly be dominated by garnet+omphacite+rutile+phengite+quartz,which is modeled to be roughly stable at P>25 kbar and T>800℃.The second generation(M2)is characterized by the local symplectites of clinopyroxene+plagioclase produced from omphacite,indicating a near-isothermal decompression from~23.8 kbar/875℃to~10 kbar/852℃.The third generation(M3)is marked by the kelyphitic rims of plagioclase+hornblende around garnet and of hornblende+ilmenite around clinopyroxene,involving the late-stage retrogression from~9.8 kbar/848℃to~5.8 kbar/645℃.Zircon U-Pb dating yielded one group metamorphic age of c.500 Ma that is interpreted to represent the timing of the peak eclogite-facies metamorphism.A combination of petrography observation,phase modeling results and geochronology data suggests that the Yaganbuyang garnet amphibolites have once undergone eclogite-facies metamorphism by continental subduction rather than crustal thickening.Therefore,the Yaganbuyang area is an eastward extension part of the South Altyn HP-UHP metamorphic belt.

Dehydration melting of solid amphibolite at 2.0 GPa: Effects of time and temperature

Two sets of dehydration-melting with a natural solid amphibolite, collected from North Himalayan structure zone, Tibet, have been carried out in multi-anvil apparatus at 2.0 GPa and 800―1000℃, for 12―200 h. One is keeping the pressure at 2.0 GPa and the annealing time of 12 h, changing the temperature (800―1000℃). The other is keeping the pressure at 2.0 GPa and temperature at 850℃, varying the annealing time (12―200 h). The products are inspected with microscope and electron probe. The results indicate that at 2.0 GPa, annealing time of 12 h, garnets, melts and clinopyroxenes occur in amphibolite gradually with increasing temperature and the chemical compositions of melt vary from tonalite to granodiorite, and then to tonalite. However, at 2.0 GPa and 850℃, with the annealing time increasing, the garnets, melts and cli-nopyroxenes also occur in amphibolite gradually and the chemical compositions of melt vary from tonalite to granodiorite. In both cases, melts interconnect with each other when the contents of melt are over the 5 vol.%. the viscosities of the melt produced in amphibolite at temperature higher than 850℃ are on a level with 104 Pa·s. The interconnected melt with such a viscosity may segregate from the source rock and form the magma over reasonable geological time. Therefore, it is believed that at the lower part of the overthickened crust, the tonlitic and grano-dioritic magma may be generated through the dehydration melting of amphibolite.

Metamorphic Petrology of Clinopyroxene Amphibolite from the Xigaze Ophiolite,Southern Tibet: P-T Constraints and Phase Equilibrium Modeling

The clinopyroxene amphibolite from the Bailang terrane is located in the central section of the Yarlung Zangbo suture zone(YZSZ),southern Tibet.The study of it is expected to provide important clues for the subduction of the Neo-Tethyan Ocean below the Asian Plate and thus for better understanding of the development of the India-Asia collision zone.Based on integrated textural,mineral compositional,metamorphic reaction history and geothermobarometric studies of the clinopyroxene amphibolite within a serpentinite mélange,four overprinted metamorphic stages are established.They are the first metamorphic record of M1 stage indicated by a relict assemblage of plagioclase+clinopyroxene+amphibole,an early M2 stage characterized by an assemblage of medium-grained clinopyroxene+amphibole+plagioclase+quartz as well as rutile inclusion in titanite,which is formed during burial process,an isobaric cooling M3 stage which is characterized by an assemblage of clinopyroxene+amphibole+plagioclase+titanite,and a decomposing retrograde stage M4,which is represented by the amphibolite+plagioclase symplectite+titanite+rutile+quartz.By applying the THERMOCALC(versions 6.2 and 6.3)technique in the NCFMASHTO system,the P-T conditions estimated from M1 to M4 stages are ca.8.6 kbar/880℃,10.8–13.4 kbar/800–840℃,12.7–13.2 kbar/650–660℃ and<11.2 kbar/640℃,respectively.The mineral assemblages and their P-T conditions define a counterclockwise P-T path for the clinopyroxene amphibolite of the Xigaze ophiolite,suggesting that the rocks underwent a cooling process during burial from magmatic protolith,and a decompressing stage after the pressure peak metamorphic conditions,which implies that the Bailang terrane of the Xigaze ophiolite may have experienced subduction/collision-related tectonic processes.The peak metamorphism reaches to the transitional P-T conditions among amphibolite facies,granulite facies and eclogite facies with a burial depth of 30–40 km.After exhumation of the ophiolitic unit to the shallow crustal levels,the clinopyroxene amphibolite exposes to a high fO2 condition on the basis of the stable epidotebearing assemblage in the T-MO2 diagrams.A late subgreenschist facies overprinting subsequently occurs,the relevant mineral assemblage is prehnite+albite+chlorite+epidote+quartz.