High- and Ultrahigh-pressure Metamorphism and Retrogressive Textures of Gneiss in the Donghai Area——Evidence from gneisses in drillhole ZK2304

In the gneisses from the drillhole ZK2304 of the Donghai area, there have been preserved high- and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic mineral assemblages, a series of complicated retrogressive textures and relevant metamorphic reactions. In addition to garnet, jadeititic-clinopyroxene and rutile, other peak stage (M2) minerals in some gneisses include phengite, aragonite and coesite or quartz pseudomorphs after coesite. The typical peak-stage mineral assemblages in gneisses are characterized by garnet + jadeitic-clinopyroxene + rutile + coesite, garnet + jadeitic-clinopyroxene + phengite + rutile ± coesite and garnet + jadeitic-clinopyroxene + aragonite + rutile ± coesite. The grossular content (Gro) in garnet is high and may reach 50. 1 mol%. The SiO2 content of phengite ranges from 54.37% to 54.84% with 3.54-3.57 p.f.u. Quartz pseudomorphs after coesite occur as inclusions in garnet.The gneisses of the Donghai area have been subjected to multistage recrystallization and exhibit a closewise P-T evolutional path characterized by the near-isothermal decompression. The inclusion assemblage (Hb+Ep+Bi+Pl+Qz) within garnet and other minerals has recorded a pre-peak stage (Mi) epidote amphibole fades metamorphic event. High- and ultrahigh-pressure peak metamorphism (M2) took place at T=750-860℃ and P>2.7 GPa. The symplectitic assemblages after garnet, jadeitic-clinopyroxene and rutile imply a near-isothermal decompression metamorphism (M3, M4) during the rapid exhumation. Several lines of evidence of petrography and metamorphic reactions indicate that both gneisses and eclogites have experienced ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism in the Donghai area. This research may be of great significance for an in-depth study of the metamorphism and tectonic evolution in the Su-Lu ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic belt.

On Continent-Continent Point-Collision and Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphism

Up to now it is known that almost all ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphism of non-impact origin occurred in continent-continent collisional orogenic belt, as has been evidenced by many outcrops in the eastern hemisphere. UHP metamorphic rocks are represented by coesite- and diamond-bearing eclogites and eclogite facies metamorphic rocks formed at 650-800℃ and 2.6-3.5 GPa, and most of the protoliths of UHP rocks are volcanic-sedimentary sequences of continental crust. From these it may be deduced that deep subduction of continental crust may have occurred. However, UHP rocks are exposed on the surface or occur near the surface now, which implies that they have been exhumed from great depths. The mechanism of deep subduction of continental crust and subsequent exhumation has been a hot topic of the research on continental dynamics, but there are divergent views. The focus of the dispute is how deep continental crust is subducted so that UHP rocks can be formed and what mechanism causes it to be subducted to great depths and again exhumed to the shallow surface. Through an analysis of the continental process and mechanical boundary conditions of the Dabie collisional belt-an UHP metamorphic belt where the largest area of UHP rocks in the world is exposed, this paper discusses the variations of viscous stresses and average pressure in the viscous fluid caused by tectonism with rock physical properties and the contribution of the tectonic stresses to production of UHP. Calculation indicates that the anomalous stress state on the irregular boundary of a continental block may give rise to stress concentration and accumulation at local places (where the compressional stress may be 5-9 times higher than those in their surroundings). The tectonic stresses may account for 20-35% of the total UHP. So we may infer that the HP (nigh-pressure)-UHP rocks in the Dabie Mountains were formed at depths of 60-80 km. Thus the authors propose a new genetic model of UHP rocks-the point-collision model. This model conforms to the basic principles of the mechanics and also to the geologic records and process in the Dabie orogenic belt. It can explain why UHP rocks do nol exist along the entire length of the collisional orogen but occur in some particular positions. The authors also propose that the eastern and western corners of the Himalaya collision zone are typical point-collision areas and that almost all UHP metamorphism of continental crustal rocks occurred in the two particular positions.

Extensional deformation of post ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism and exhumation process of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks in the Dabie massif,China

A detailed tectonic analysis demonstrates that the present ob served regional tectonic configuration of the ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic terrane in the Da bie massif was mainly formed by the extension processes of the post-lndosinian continent-continent oblique collision between the Sino-Korean and V’angtze cratons and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism (UHPM). The configuration is characterized by a regional tectonic pattern similar to metamorphic core complexes and by the development of multi-layered detachment zones. On the basis of the identification of compressional and extensional fabrics, it is indicated that the exhumation and uplift of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks from the mantle depth to the surface can be divided into at least three different decompression retrogressive metamo rphism and tectonic deformation stages, in which the subhorizontal crustal-scale extensional flow in the middle-lower crust under amphibolite facies conditions is an important geodynamic process in the

Chronology of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism in the Dabie Mountains and Su-Lu terrane: I. Sm-Nd isotope system

If the protolith of coesite-bearing eclogite was gabbro, it could undergo ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism under dry condition. In this case, the Hocking temperatures of those minerals could be higher, so that Nd isotope disequilibrium between minerals could be observed. If the protolith of coesite-bearing edogite was metabasalt, amphiboles in the metabasalt were decomposed during ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism and released water. Thus Nd isotope compositions between the minerals were in equilibrium because the blocking temperatures of those minerals could he lower. The secondary alteration and fluid-rock interaction in high-pressure are major problems for Sm-Nd dating of eclogite. The reliable Sm-Nd isotopic ages of coesite-bearing eclogite from the Dabie Mountains and Su-Lu terrane range from 221 to 232 Ma. They are slightly lower, but very close to the peak metamorphic ages of the eclogites. The cold eclogite from the Sujiahe complex could be oceanic subduction origin in the Paleozoic.

Could tectonic overpressure cause ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism?

Could ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks be caused, at depth of 32 km, by tectonic overpressure resulting from differential stress? The differential stress is limited by rock strength, which depends on strain rate and temperature. Therefore, tectonic overpressure could not go beyond 1 GPa, and could not cause the uitrahigh-pressure metamorphism.

A perspective view on ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism and continental collision in the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt

The study of continental deep-subduction has been one of the forefront and core subjects to advance the plate tectonics theory in the twenty-first century. The Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt in China crops out the largest lithotectonic unit containing ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks in the world. Much of our understanding of the world's most enigmatic processes in continental deep-subduction zones has been deduced from various records in the Dabie-Sulu rocks. By taking these rocks as the natural laboratory, earth scientists have made seminal contributions to understanding of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism and continental collision. This paper outlines twelve aspects of outstanding progress, including spatial distribution of the UHP metamorphic rocks, timing of the UHP metamorphism, timescale of the UHP metamorphism, the protolith nature of deeply subducted continental crust, subduction erosion and crustal detachment during continental collision, the possible depths of continental subduction, fluid activity in the continental deep-subduction zone, partial melting during continental collision, element mobility in continental deep-subduction zone, recycling of subducted continental crust, geodynamic mechanism of postcollisional magmatism, and lithospheric architecture of collision orogen. Some intriguing questions and directions are also proposed for future studies.

Partial melting of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks at convergent continental margins: Evidences, melt compositions and physical effects

Ultrahigh-pressure（UHP） metamorphic rocks are distinctive products of crustal deep subduction,and are mainly exposed in continental subduction-collision terranes. UHP slices of continental crust are usually involved in multistage exhumation and partial melting, which has obvious influence on the rheological features of the rocks, and thus significantly affect the dynamic behavior of subducted slices. Moreover,partial melting of UHP rocks have significant influence on element mobility and related isotope behavior within continental subduction zones, which is in turn crucial to chemical differentiation of the continental crust and to crust-mantle interaction.Partial melting can occur before, during or after the peak metamorphism of UHP rocks. Post-peak decompression melting has been better constrained by remelting experiments; however, because of multiple stages of decompression, retrogression and deformation, evidence of former melts in UHP rocks is often erased. Field evidence is among the most reliable criteria to infer partial melting. Glass and nanogranitoid inclusions are generally considered conclusive petrographic evidence. The residual assemblages after melt extraction are also significant to indicate partial melting in some cases. Besides field and petrographic evidence, bulk-rock and zircon trace-element geochemical features are also effective tools for recognizing partial melting of UHP rocks. Phase equilibrium modeling is an important petrological tool that is becoming more and more popular in P-T estimation of the evolution of metamorphic rocks; by taking into account the activity model of silicate melt, it can predict when partial melting occurred if the P-T path of a given rock is provided.UHP silicate melt is commonly leucogranitic and peraluminous in composition with high SiO_2,low MgO, FeO, MnO, TiO_2 and CaO, and variable K_2 O and Na_2 O contents. Mineralogy of nanogranites found in UHP rocks mainly consists of plagioclase ＋ K-feldspar ＋ quartz, plagioclase being commonly albite-rich.Trace element pattern of the melt is characterized by significant enrichment of large ion lithophile elements（LILE）, depletion of heavy rare earth elements（HREE） and high field strength elements（HFSE）,indicating garnet and rutile stability in the residual assemblage. In eclogites, significant Mg-isotope fractionation occurs between garnet and phengite; therefore, Mg isotopes may become an effective indicator for partial melting of eclogites.

Retrogressive Microstructures: A Key to Post-Collisional Uplift and Extension Tectonics of Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Rocks from Dabie Orogenic Belt, China

A wealth of retrogressive microstructures have been discovered from the UHP metamorphic rocks in Dabie orogenic belt, namely, the ultrahigh-pressure (URP) eclogites, jadeite quartzites and kyanite-zoisite-quartz vein. The most important are pseudomorphic replacements of UHP minerals like coesite, the corona reaction textures iuduced by solid-solid reactions as well as the corona and symplectites induced by reactions involving fluid. According to the textural relationships the sequence of mineral Paragenesis and the metamorphic stages in the UHP eclogites can be delineated; the mineral geobarothermometry of the various stages of retrograde metamorphism is studied and a clockwise, nearly isothermal decompressive metamorphic PT-trajectory for the UHP eclogites can be reconstructed. In terms of the PT-trajectory the two stage post collision uplirt and exhumation processes are reflected. When the UHP metumorphic rocks extruded to the lower-middle crust partial melting happened which bad in turn caused tke crustal extension and the further exhumation or the UHP metomorphic rocks. Based on the field strain analysis combined with geochronological data a scenario or post collision uplift aud exhumation model is presented.

^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar Dating of Deformation Events and Reconstruction of Exhumation of Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Rocks in Donghai, East China

Recent investigations reveal that the ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic (UHPM) rocks in the Donghai region of East China underwent ductile and transitional ductile-brittle structural events during their exhumation. The earlier ductile deformation took place under the condition of amphibolite facies and the later transitional ductile-brittle deformation under the condition of greenschist facies. The hanging walls moved southeastward during both of these two events. The 40Ar/39Ar dating of muscovites from muscovite-plagioclase schists in the Haizhou phosphorous mine, which are structurally overlain by UHPM rocks, yields a plateau age of 218.0±2.9 Ma and isochron age of 219.8Ma, indicating that the earlier event of the ampibolite-facies deformation probably took place about 220 Ma ago. The 40Ar/39Ar dating of oriented amphiboles parallel to the movement direction of the hanging wall on a decollement plane yields a plateau age of 213.1±0.3 Ma and isochron age of 213.4±4.1 Ma, probably representing the age of the later event. The dating of pegmatitic biotites and K-feldspars near the decollement plane from the eastern Fangshan area yield plateau ages of 203.4±0.3 Ma, 203.6±0.4 Ma and 204.8±2.2 Ma, and isochron ages of 204.0±2.0 Ma, 200.6±3.1 Ma and 204.0±5.0 Ma, respectively, implying that the rocks in the studied area had not been cooled down to closing temperature of the dated biotites and K-feldspars until the beginning of the Jurassic (about 204 Ma). The integration of these data with previous chronological ages on the ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism lead to a new inference on the exhumation of the UHPM rocks. The UHPM rocks in the area were exhumed at the rate of 3-4 km/Ma from the mantle (about 80-100 km below the earth's surface at about 240 Ma) to the lower crust (at the depth of about 20-30km at 220 Ma), and at the rate of 1-2 km/Ma to the middle crust (at the depth of about 15 km at 213 Ma), and then at the rate of less than 1 km/Ma to the upper crust about 10 km deep at about 204 Ma.

Partial Melting Processes During Exhumation of Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Rocks in Dabieshan, China

Study practice has proved that the ultrahigh pressure metamorphic rocks iu Dabieshan must have exPerienced botk the retrograde metumorphism and partial melting under decompression and amphibolite-facies conditions during their exhumation from mantel depth to lower-middle crust.The retrometamorphism and partial melting of the ultrahigh pressure rocks in association with thermal state changing in the middle-lower crust, under amphibolite-facies conditions, are important physical and chemical processes. It would result in a great detrease in the integrated yield strength, and the enhancement of the de formabilitY or the rocks, promoting the transition from contractional (collision) to extensional defoemational regime. The statement of tbe retrometamorphism and partial melting of the ultrahigh pressure rocks has proved the in-site model for the ultrahigh pressure rocks in Dabieshan. It not only clarifies the evolutiou from the UHP eclogite to the surrounding gneissic rock (so called UHP gueiss) and to the garnet-beariug roliated granites (non-UHP country rocks), but also provides scientific arguments for the establiskment of the dynamic model of the exhumation of UHP metamorphic rocks in Dabiesban. In general, Purely conductive heat transfer from the crust itself is probably insurficient to produce temperature conditions for partial melting, and additional heat sources must have been present during partial melting. We infer that the partial melting and extensional flow are probably driveu by delamination and magmatic underplating of thickeued lithospkeric mantle following the continental oblique collision.

The Lanshantou Kyanite-bearing Eclogite with Coesite Inclusions in the Sulu Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Belt and Its PTt Path

Coesite inclusions are found in kyanite from the Lanshantou eclogite in the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic belt. This discovery extends the stable region of kyanite to over 2.4 GPa. As an important UHP metamorphic belt in China, the Sulu eclogite belt is the product of A-subduction induced by strong compression of the Yellow Sea terrane to the Jiaodong-northereastern Jiangsu terrane during the interaction of the Eurasian plate and Palaeo-Pacific plate in the Indosinian. It stretches about 350 km and contains over 1000 eclogite bodies. Most eclogites in this belt belong to Groups B and C in the classification of Coleman et al., and commonly contain kyanite, while the Lanshantou eclogite belongs to Group A and contains coesite. The MgO, CaO and FeO contents in garnet and pyroxene show regular variation from the core to the rim, which reveals the PTt paths of progressive metamorphism during the Early Mesozoic (240-200 Ma) and retrogressive metamorphism during the Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic exhumation.

Subduction of Continental Crust in the Early Palaeozoic North Qaidam Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Belt, NW China:Evidence from the Discovery of Coesite in the Belt

Coesite was discovered as inclusions in zircon separates from pelitic gneissassociated with a large eclogite body in the North Qaidam ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrane. Somegraphite inclusions were also found. This finding suggested the occurrence of in-situ UHPmetamorphism and that the terrane was most likely recrystallized at pressures below the diamondstability field. It supported other previous indirect UHP evidence, such as polycrystalline quartzinclusions in eclogitic garnet, quartz lamellae in omphacite and P-T estimates for both eclogite andgarnet peridotite. The U-Pb and Sm-Nd ages of the North Qaidam eclogite indicated that subductionof continental crust occurred in the Early Palaeozoic, which probably recorded a collision betweenthe Sino-Korean and Yangtze plates.

Interpretation of Aeromagnetic Anomalies of the Sulu Ultrahigh-Pressure(UHP) Metamorphic Belt,Eastern China

The Sulu ultra-high pressure(UHP)metamorphic belt in Eastern China is well known as the eastern extension of the Qingling-Dabie orogenic belt formed by subduction and collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons.The main hole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling(CCSD)project is located at the southern segment of the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt(34°25′N/118°40′E),about 17 km southwest of Donghai County.Integrated geophysical investigations using gravity,magnetic,deep

Li and B Isotope Systematics of Ultrahigh-pressure Metamorphic Rocks from the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Program

1 Introduction Recent improvements in the precision of Li and B isotope measurements have demonstrated the potential of these elements in tracing a wide range of geological processes. The Li and B isotope systematics of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks provides a unique opportunity to investigate the behaviour of Li and B during fluid-rock interaction at high temperatures and very high pressures and to constrain the fluid budget and the recycling of subducted crustal materials into the mantle during UHP metamorphism. ……

High-Pressure and Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Belt in Tongbai-Dabie Mountains,Central China

There are four units of high - pressure to ultrahigh - pressure metamorphism extending from south to north across the Tongbai - Dabie Mountains : the epidote- blueschist - fades unit , the low - temperature eclogite facies unit , the ultrahigh - pressure eclogite facies unit and the medium-temperature eclogite facies unit . The later two units were formed during the Caledonian subduction between the Tongbai - Dabie microplate and the North China plate ;the former two units are the products of Indosinian continental - continental subduction and collision between the Yangtze and the North China plates.

New Findings in High-Pressure and Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Belt of Tongbaishan-Dabieshan Regions, Central China

The Tongbai Dabieshan high pressure (HP) and ultrahigh pressure (UHP) belt is sandwiched between the Yangtze and the Sinokorean cratons. It connects the Qinling orogenic belt in the west and links toward the east to the Sulu ultrahigh pressure (UHP) belt. At present there is a consensus that the UHP metamorphic rocks are the products of the oblique collision between the Yangtze and Sinokorean cratons during the Triassic. However, there is still a lot of controversies about the formation and exhumation of the HP and UHP metamorphic belts. The present research work on the composition and the structural geometry and kinetics of the HP and UHP metamorphic belt has shown the following new results: (1) The overall structural geometry pattern of Dabieshan is similar to the metamorphic core complex developed in the western North America; (2) The discoveries of HP and UHP metamorphic rocks in the north of Dabieshan indicate that the significance of Shuihou Wuhe fault should be re evaluated; (3) A series of micro structural evidence, including the newly found retrograde granulite facies assemblages in the garnet pyroxenites, substantiate the extensional processes following the collision event; (4) The discovery of partial melting phenomena in the UHP metamorphic belts illuminates the relationship between the HP and UHP metamorphic rocks and their associated granite gneiss. All of these new findings will greatly improve our understanding of the formation and exhumation of the high pressure and ultrahigh pressure metamorphic belts.

Investigation of Curie Point Depth in Sulu Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphic Belt,Eastern China

The Curie point depth of continental crust can reflect the regional tectonic pattern and geothermal structures. Analysis of magnetism is an efficient way to obtain the Curie point depth on a regional scale. This study systematically investigated the Curie point depth of Sulu （苏鲁） ultrahigh pressure （UHP） metamorphic belt （33°40＇N to 36°20＇N and 118°E to 120°E, ca. 60 000 km^2）, eastern China using aeromagnetic data. The results show that the Curie point depth of the Sulu region varies from 18.5 to 27 km. The shallowest Curie point depth （ca. 18.5 km） is located in Subei （苏北） subsidence, where the estimated temperature gradient value is about 31.35℃/km, which is comparable with the measured value of 30 ℃/km. In addition, a two-dimensional numerical solution of the heat conduction was used to calculate the temperature field to a depth of 30 km along the profile from Tancheng （郯城） to Lianshui （涟水） with a length of 139 km. The steady state model solved using the finite element method shows that the temperature around the Curie point depth is about 585.36 ℃, which is close to the Curie temperature （580℃） of magnetite at atmospheric pressure. These results provide new insights into the tectonic and continuous thermal structures of the Sulu UHP metamorphic belt.

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.

Structural,^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar Geochronological and Rheological Feature Analysis of the Guoxuepu Shear Zone:Indications for the Jitang Metamorphic Complex in the Northern Lancangjiang Zone

The Jitang metamorphic complex is key to studying the tectonic evolution of the Northern Lancangjiang zone.Through structural-lithological mapping,structural analysis and laboratory testing,the composition of the Jitang metamorphic complex was determined.The macro-and microstructural analyses of the ductile detachment shear zone(Guoxuepu ductile shear zone,2–4 km wide)between the metamorphic complex and the overlying sedimentary cap show that the shear sense of the ductile shear zones is top-to-the-southeast.The presence of various deformation features and quartz C-axis electron backscatter diffraction(EBSD)fabric analysis suggests multiple deformation events occurring at different temperatures.The average stress is 25.68 MPa,with the strain rates(έ)ranging from 9.77×10^(−14)s^(−1)to 6.52×10^(−16)s^(−1).The finite strain of the Guoxuepu ductile shear zone indicates an elongated strain pattern.The average kinematic vorticity of the Guoxuepu ductile shear zone is 0.88,implying that the shear zone is dominated by simple shear.The muscovite selected from the protomylonite samples in the Guoxuepu ductile shear zone yields a 40Ar-39Ar age of 60.09±0.38 Ma.It is suggested that,coeval with the initial Indo–Eurasian collision,the development of strike-slip faults led to a weak and unstable crust,upwelling of lower crust magma,then induced the detachment of the Jitang metamorphic complex in the Eocene.

TWO EPISODES OF MONAZITE CRYSTALLIZATION DURING METAMORPHISM AND CRUSTAL MELTING IN THE EVEREST REGION OF THE NEPALESE HIMALAYA

New monazite U\|Pb geochronological data from the Everest region suggest that 20～25Ma elapsed between the initial India—Asia collision and kyanite\|sillimanite grade metamorphism. Our results indicate a two\|phase metamorphic history, with peak Barrovian metamorphism at (32 2±0 4)Ma and a later high\|temperature, low\|pressure event (620℃, 400MPa) at (22 7±0 2)Ma.. Emplacement and crystallization of the Everest granite subsequently occurred at 20 5～21 3Ma. The monazite crystallization ages that differ by 10Ma are recorded in two structurally adjacent rocks of different lithology, which have the same post collisional p—T history.. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the younger monazite is elaborately shaped and grew in close association with apatite at grain boundaries and triple junctions, suggesting that growth was stimulated by a change in the fluid regime. The older monazite is euhedral, is not associated with apatite, and is commonly armoured within silicate minerals. During the low\|pressure metamorphic event, the armouring protected the older monazites, and a lack of excess apatite in this sample prevented new growth. Textural relationships suggest that apatite is one of the necessary monazite\|producing reactants, and spots within monazite that are rich in Ca, Fe, Al and Si suggest that allanite acted as a preexisting rare earth element host. We propose a simplified reaction for monazite crystallization based on this evidence.