Petrology, geochemistry and Ar-Ar geochronology of eclogites in Jinshajiang orogenic belt, Gonjo area, eastern Tibet and restriction on Paleo-Tethyan evolution

As one of the important Paleo-Tethys suture zones in eastern Tibet,the Jinshajiang orogenic belt is of great significance to study the tectonic evolution of the main suture zone of Paleo-Tethys.In this paper,eclogites developed in the Jinshajiang suture zone in Gonjo area,eastern Tibet,are selected as specific research objects,and petrological,geochemical and Ar-Ar geochronological analyses are carried out.The major element data of the whole rock reveals that the eclogite samples have the characteristics of picritic basalt-basalt and belong to the oceanic low potassium tholeiites.The results of rare earth elements and trace elements of the samples show that the protoliths of eclogites have characteristics similar to oceanic island basalt(OIB)or normal mid ocean ridge basalt(N-MORB).Muscovite(phengite)from two eclogite samples yield the Ar-Ar plateau ages of 247±2 Ma and 248±2 Ma respectively,representing the peak metamorphic age of eclogite facies and the timing of complete closure of the Jinshajiang Paleo-Tethys Ocean.Muscovite and biotite selected from the hosting rocks of eclogite yield the Ar-Ar plateau ages are 238±2 Ma and 225±2 Ma respectively,reflecting the exhumation age of eclogites and their hosting rocks.Combined with the zircon U-Pb dating data(244 Ma)of eclogites obtained in previous work,it can be concluded that the Jinshajiang Paleo-Tethys ocean was completely closed and arc-continent collision was initiated at about 248-244 Ma(T21).Subsequently,due to the large-scale arc(continent)-collision orogeney between Deqin-Weixi continental margin arc and Zhongza block(T31-T32),the eclogites were rapidly uplifted to the shallow crust.

Rutile to Titanite Transformation in Eclogites and its Geochemical Consequences:An Example from the Sumdo Eclogite,Tibet

The formation of titanite coronae after rutile is common in retrograde high-to ultrahigh-pressure meta-mafic rocks,which provides a good opportunity to address the geochemical behavior of HFSE in crustal environments.In the Sumdo eclogite,titanite occurs either as a corona around rutile grains or as semi-continuous veins cross-cutting the major foliation,whereas rutile grains occur either as inclusions in garnet or omphacite or as a relict core surrounded by titanite.Textural relationships and trace elements characteristics of rutile and titanite with different occurrences indicate that both minerals preferentially incorporate Nb and Hf over Ta and Zr in aqueous fluid.Moreover,the breakdown of omphacite and epidote could release substantial amounts of aqueous fluids enriched in Ca,Si,Fe and REE,which would react with rutile to form titanite coronae and veins.During this process,water-insoluble elements,like HFSE and HREE,behave like mobile elements,but they do not migrate substantially out of the system,instead,tending to react in situ.This suggests that the aqueous fluids released during the retrograde metamorphic reactions in mafic rocks could not substantially transfer fluidimmobile elements into the overlying mantle wedge in subduction environments.

Geochemistry of eclogites of the Tso Morari complex, Ladakh, NW Himalayas:Insights into trace element behavior during subduction and exhumation

Whole rock major and trace element compositions of seven eclogites from the Tso Morari ultra-high pressure(UHP) complex, Ladakh were determined with the aim of constraining the protolith origins of the subducted crust. The eclogites have major element compositions corresponding to sub-alkaline basalts. Trace element characteristics of the samples show enrichment in LILE's over HFSEs(Rb, Th, K except Ba) with LREE enrichments((La/Lu)n = 1.28-5.96). Absence of Eu anomaly on the Primitive Mantle normalized diagram suggests the absence of plagioclase fractionation. Positive correlation between Mg# with Ni and Cr suggests olivine fractionation of mantle melts. Narrow range of(La/Yb)n(2.1-9.4) and Ce/Yb(6.2-16.2) along with Ti/Y(435-735) ratios calculated for the Tso Morari samples is consistent with generation of melts by partial melting of a garnet free mantle source within the spinel peridotite field. Ternary diagrams(viz. Ti-Zr-Y and Nb-Zr-Y) using immobile and incompatible elements show that the samples range from depleted to enriched and span from within plate basalts(WPB)to enriched MORB(E-MORB) indicating that the eclogite protoliths originated from basaltic magmas.Primitive Mantle normalized multi element plots showing significant Th and LREE enrichment marked by negative Nb anomalies are characteristic of continental flood basalts. Positive Pb, negative Nb, high Th/Ta, a narrow range of Nb/La and the observed wide variation for Ti/Y indicate that the Tso Morari samples have undergone some level of crustal contamination. Observed geochemical characteristics of the Tso Morari samples indicate tholeiitic compositions originated from enriched MORB(E-MORB) type magmas which underwent a limited magmatic evolution through the process of fractional crystallization and probably more by crustal contamination. Observed geochemical similarities(viz. Zr, Nb, La/Yb, La/Gd,La/Nb, Th/Ta ratios and REE) between Tso Morari eclogites and the Group I Panjal Traps make the trap basalt the most likely protoliths for the Tso Morari eclogites.

DIFFUSION MODELLING IN GARNET FROM TSO MORARI ECLOGITE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR EXHUMATION MODELS

The results of recent geothermobarometric and geochronological investigations of scarce eclogites of the NW Himalaya (Tso Morari (Ladakh), India and Kaghan Valley, Pakistan) have caused a major rethink of tectonometamorphic models for India\|Asia collision. Numerous petrologic studies have been undertaken on the age and origin of metamorphism in the Higher Himalayan Crystallines (HHC) and Lesser Himalaya formations (LH) and their relationship to granite magmatism and movements along the Main Central Thrust (MCT) and South Tibetan Detachment Fault (STDF). However, all of these events are essentially Miocene (or younger) in age and can clearly be distinguished from subduction and exhumation processes undergone by the eclogites which are of Eocene age (Tonarini et al. 1993; Spencer & Gebauer; 1996; de Sigoyer et al. 1999) and relate to the very early stages of the collision. Eclogites of eastern Ladakh are mafic lenses found in granitic gneisses (Ordovician intrusive age: Girard & Bussy 1999) and their surrounding late Pre\|Cambrian to early Cambrian sedimentary units in the Tso Morari dome (see Steck et al. 1998). Detailed petrological and geochronological studies (Guillot et al. 1997; de Sigoyer et al. 1997, 1999) have identified an eclogite facies stage (2000±300)MPa, (580±60)℃ followed by isothermal decompression associated with glaucophane growth at around (1100±200)MPa. Dating of different phases by different methods yielded ages around 55Ma for this stage ((55±17) Ma, U\|Pb, Aln; (55±12) Ma, Lu\|Hf, Grt\|Cpx\|Rt; (55±7) Ma, Sm\|Nd, Grt\|Gln\|Rt). A subsequent amphibolite facies overprint at slightly higher temperature (610±70)℃ was dated at 45～48Ma (metabasite: (47±11) Ma, Sm\|Nd, Grt\|Hbl; metapelite: (45±4) Ma, Rb\|Sr, Mu\|Ap\|WR and (48±2) Ma, Ar\|Ar, Phe). By (30±1) Ma (Ar\|Ar, Bt\|Mu) retrogression into the greenschist facies had occurred (de Sigoyer et al. 1999). These data indicate a two stage history with early exhumation being much faster (>4mm/a) than the later evolution (1～2mm/a).

Discovery of eclogites in Jinsha River suture zone, Gonjo County, eastern Tibet and its restriction on Paleo-Tethyan evolution

As the important component of the eastern Tethys tectonic region,the Jinsha River-Ailao Mountain suture zone is often considered to be an ophiolitic mé1ange belt.However,the P-T-t path and chronological framework of the metamorphic evolution in the collisional orogenetic process of this zone are still poorly understood owing to the lack of metamorphism research of symbolic high-pressure rocks.During a regional geological survey on a scale of 1:50000 in Gonjo County,Tibet Autonomous Region involved in this paper,(retrograde)eclogites lenses of different scales were found in Jinsha River suture zone,eastern Tibet for the first time.The(retrograde)eclogites can be divided into garnet-albite-chlorite-actinolite schists and eclogites according to retrograde degrees.The mainly mineral components of eclogites include garnet(45%-50%),clinopyroxene(about 25%),and hornblende(5%-10%)primarily,and biotite,quartz,rutile,and muscovite secondarily.According to the data of electron probe micro analysis(EPMA),clinopyroxenes feature high content of Na2O(5.6%-6%)and corresponding jadeite(Jd)molecules of 37%-44%,and they fall within the omphacite region in Quad-Jd-Ae diagram.The temperature and pressure of the metamorphism at peak are P≈2.2-2.34 GPa and T≈622-688℃respectively as measured with geobarometry Grt-Omp-Phe and geothermometer Grt-Omp.This will provide a new reference for the understanding of Paleo-Tethyan evolution.In this paper,two samples of eclogites were chosen for LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating and their 206pb/238U ages obtained are 240±3 Ma and 244±1 Ma respectively.Furthermore,the zircons feature extremely low Th/U ratio(<0.01),extremely low content ofNb,Ta,and HREE,and invisible negative Eu anomaly.Therefore,the genesis of the zircons shall be eclogites-facies metamorphism,indicating that the 240-245 Ma determined in this paper shall be the age of eclogites-facies metamorphism and may represent the westward subduction-collision epoch of Paleo-Tethys Ocean located between Zhongza Block and Qamdo Block.

Petrology and metamorphism of glaucophane eclogites in Changning-Menglian suture zone, Bangbing area, southeast Tibetan Plateau: An evidence for Paleo-Tethyan subduction

High/ultrahigh-pressure(HP/UHP)metamorphic complexes,such as eclogite and blueschist,are generally regarded as significant signature of paleo-subduction zones and paleo-suture zones.Glaucophane eclogites have been recently identified within the Lancang Group characterized by accretionary mélange in the Changning-Menglian suture zone,at Bangbing in the Shuangjiang area of southeastern Tibetan Plateau.The authors report the result of petrological,mineralogical and metamorphism investigations of these rocks,and discuss their tectonic implications.The eclogites are located within the Suyi blueschist belt and occur as tectonic lenses in coarse-grained garnet muscovite schists.The major mineral assemblage of the eclogites includes garnet,omphacite,glaucophane,phengite,clinozoisite and rutile.Eclogitic garnet contains numerous inclusions,such as omphacite,glaucophane,rutile,and quartz with radial cracks around.Glaucophane and clinozoisite in the matrix have apparent optical and compositional zonation.Four stages of metamorphic evolution can be determined:The prograde blueschist facies(M_(1)),the peak eclogite facies(M_(2)),the decompression blueschist facies(M_(3))and retrograde greenschist facies(M_(4)).Using the Grt-Omp-Phn geothermobarometer,a peak eclogite facies metamorphic P-T condition of 3000–3270 MPa and 617–658℃ was determined,which is typical of low-temperature ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism.The comparison of the geological characteristics of the Bangbing glaucophane eclogites and the Mengku lawsonite-bearing retrograde eclogites indicates that two suites of eclogites may have formed from significantly different depths or localities to create the tectonic mélange in a subduction channel during subduction of the Triassic Changning-Menglian Ocean.The discovery of the Bangbing glaucophane eclogites may represent a new oceanic HP/UHP metamorphic belt in the Changning-Menglian suture zone.

北大别超高压榴辉岩的快速折返与缓慢冷却过程

岩石学研究表明,北大别超高压榴辉岩经过了超高压和高压榴辉岩相变质作用以及麻粒岩相叠加和角闪岩相退变质作用。其中,高压麻粒岩相和角闪岩相变质阶段形成的后成合晶以及石榴子石和单斜辉石等矿物中成分分带的存在,证明该区榴辉岩经历了一个快速折返过程;而不同变质阶段的温度、压力和形成时代,却反映该区榴辉岩在峰期超高压变质作用之后又经历了一个缓慢冷却过程。超高压岩石折返期间的缓慢冷却过程也许正是北大别长期难以发现柯石英和有关超高压证据的重要原因。因此,本文为大别山不同超高压岩片的差异折返模型的建立提供了新的证据。

Zoned Zircon from Eclogite Lenses in Marbles from the Dabie-Sulu UHP Terrane,China: A Clear Record of Ultra-deep Subduction and Fast Exhumation

Eclogite lenses in marbles from the Dabie-Sulu ultrahigh-pressure （UHP） terrane are deeply subducted meta-sedimentary rocks. Zircons in these rocks have been used to constrain the ages of prograde and UHP metamorphism during subduction, and later retrograde metamorphism during exhumation. Inherited （detrital） and metamorphic zircons were distinguished on the basis of transmitted light microscopy, cathodoluminescence （CL） imaging, trace element contents and mineral inclusions. The distribution of mineral inclusions combined with CL imaging of the metamorphic zircon make it possible to relate zircon zones （domains） to different metamorphic stages. Domain 1 consists of rounded, oblong and spindly cores with dark-luminescent images, and contains quartz eclogite facies mineral inclusion assemblages, indicating formation under high-pressure （HP） metamorphic conditions of T = 571-668℃ and P =1.7-2.02 GPa. Domain 2 always surrounds domain 1 or occurs as rounded and spindly cores with white-luminescent images. It contains coesite eclogite facies mineral inclusion assemblages, indicating formation under UHP metamorphic conditions of T = 782-849℃ and P 〉 5.5 GPa. Domain 3, with gray-luminescent images, always surrounds domain 2 and occurs as the outermost zircon rim. It is characterized by low-pressure mineral inclusion assemblages, which are related to regional amphibolite facies retrograde metamorphism of T = 600- 710℃ and P = 0.7-1.2 GPa. The three metamorphic zircon domains have distinct ages; sample H1 from the Dabie terrane yielded SHRIMP ages of 245 ± 4 Ma for domain 1, 235 ± 3 Ma for domain 2 and 215± 6 Ma for domain 3, whereas sample H2 from the Sulu terrane yielded similar ages of 244 ± 4 Ma, 233 ± 4 Ma and 214 ± 5 Ma for Domains 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The mean ages of these zones suggest that subduction to UHP depths took place over 10-11 Ma and exhumation of the rocks occurred over a period of 19-20 Ma. Thus, subduction from - 55 km to 〉 160 km deep mantle depth took place at rates of approximately 9.5-10.5 km/Ma and exhumation from depths 〉160 km to the base of the crust at -30 km occurred at approximately 6.5 km/Ma. We propose a model for these rocks involving deep subduction of continental margin lithosphere followed by ultrafast exhumation driven by buoyancy forces after break-off of the UHP slab deep within the mantle.

Petrology, Metamorphic Process and Genesis of The Dabie--Sulu Eclogite Belt, Eastern--Central China

The Qinling-Dabie-Sulu high-pressure and ultra-high pressure metamorphic belt wasformed by subduction and collision between the North China and Yangtze plates. The study ofthe eclogite belt is very important in understanding the evolution of the Qinling Dabie orogen. Inthe present paper the geology, petrology, minerology and chronology of the eclogites in the Dabieand Sulu areas are described. The principal conclusions of this work are as follows: (1) Based up-on the field occurrence and the P-T conditions of the eclogites, two types of eclogite can be dis-tinguished: Type 1—the low-temperature and high-pressure eclogite in the mid-late Proterozoicmetamorphic series, and Type 2—the ultra-high pressure eclogite in the late Archaean to earlyProterozoic metamorphic complex. In the Dabie area, the ultra-high-pressure eclogite,high-pressure eclogite and epidote-blueschist units are nearly parallel to each other and stretchintermittently from north to south. (2) The P-T conditions of the high-pressure eclogites and ul-tra-high pressure eclogites have been estimated. The former are formed at 450-550℃ and1.4-1.6 GPa; while the latter at 650-870℃ and >2.7-2.9 GPa in the Dabie area and at820-1000℃ and >2.8-3.1 GPa in the Sulu area. The metamorphic temperatures of the eclogitesincrease progressively from west to east. (3) The ultra-high pressure eclogites were subjected to 5stages of metamorphism: pre-eclogite epidote amphibolite facies, peak coesite eclogite facies,post-eclogite amphibolite facies, epidote-blueschist facies or epidote amphibolite facies andgreenschist facies. The general features of the PTt path of the ultra-high pressure eclogite are:clockwise pattern, progressive metamorphism being a process of slow increasing temperature andrapid increasing pressure, and the retrogressive section with nearly isothermal decompression atthe early stage, isobaric cooling at the middle stage and nearly isothermal decompression at thelate stage. (4) At least two stages of high-pressure metamorphism occurred in the orogenic belt:the high-pressure eclogite and ultra-high pressure eclogite were formed by the subduction of theoceanic crust northward beneath the North China plate or the Dabie block during theCaledonian; while the epidote-blueschist belt came into being by subdution and collision be-tween the two continental plates during the Indosinian. (5) Due to the continuous sequentialsubduction of the cold plate, the ultra high-presssure metamorphic rocks were uplifted to thecrust by the underplating processes. They can be preserved just because of the 'frozen effect' re-sulting from the continuous subduction of the cold plate. (6) The carbonates, such as magnesite,breunnerite, aragonite and dolomite, and the H_2O-bearing minerals, such as phengite, epidoteand zoisite, were stable during the high-pressure and/or ultra-high pressure metamorphism.

Phase Equilibria of Hornblende-Bearing Eclogite in the Western Dabie Mountain,Central China

The high-pressure （HP） eclogite in the western Dabie Mountain encloses numerous hornblendes, mostly barroisite. Opinions on the peak metamorphic P-T condition, PT path and mineral paragenesis of it are still in dispute. Generally, HP eclogite involves garnet, omphacite, hornblendes and quartz, with or without glaucophane, zoisite and phengite. The garnet has compositional zoning with XMg increase, XCa and XMn decrease from core to rim, which indicates a progressive metamorphism. The phase equilibria of the HP eclogite modeled by the P-T pseudosection method developed recently showed the following： （1） the growth zonation of garnet records a progressive metamorphic PT path from pre-peak condition of 1.9-2.1 GPa at 508~C-514~C to a peak one of 2.3-2.5 GPa at 528~C-531~C for the HP eclogite; （2） the peak mineral assemblage is garnet＋omphacite＋glaucophane＋quartz_＋phengite, likely paragenetic with lawsonite; （3） the extensive hornblendes derive mainly from glaucophane, partial omphacite and even a little garnet due to the decompression with some heating during the post-peak stage, mostly representing the conditions of about 1.4-1.6 GPa and 580~C-640~C, and their growth is favored by the dehydration of lawsonite into zoisite or epidote, but most of the garnet, omphacite or phengite in the HP eclogite still preserve their compositions at peak condition, and they are not obviously equilibrious with the hornblendes.

Role of Water in Deformed Omphacite in UHP Eclogite from the Dabie Mountains,Eastern China

Omphacite grains from UHP eclogite of the Dabie Mountains in eastern China are elongated and show strong lattice preferred orientations (LPOs). Observations by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) identified not only structures of plastic deformation occurring as free dislocation, dislocation loops and dislocation walls, but also bubbles of water present in the deformed omphacite. The bubbles attach to the dislocation loops which are often connected to one another via a common bubble. Using infrared spectroscopy (IR), two types of hydrous components are identified as hydroxyl and free-water in the omphacite. An analysis of deformation mechanism of microstructure in omphacite suggests that the mineral deformed plastically under UHP metamorphic conditions by dislocation creep through hydrolitic weakening.

Discovery of the Dagele Eclogite in East Kunlun,Western China and Its Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb Ages:New Constrains on the Central Kunlun Suture Zone

Objective Eclogites are important indicators of ancient plate boundaries or paleosuture zones. Despite their great geological significance, very few investigations have been carried out in the Kunlun region. The Central East Kunlun fault zone was believed to be an Early Paleozoic suture zone, but there has been no reliable evidence for this, though studies on ophiolite, granite, and basic granulite indicate that the Early Paleozoic orogeny occurred in the East Kunlun. This work focused on the Dagele eclogites in Central East Kunlun to provide new constraints for the Central East Kunlun suture zone.

Eclogites of the Dabie Region: Retrograde Metamorphismand Fluid Evolution

Based upon fluid effects, retrograde metamorphism of eclogites in the Dabieregion can be divided into the fluid-poor, fluid-bearing and fluid-rich stages. The fluid-poor stageis marked by polymorphic inversion, recrystallization and exsolution of solid solutions, and isthought to represent eclogite-facies retrograde environments. The fluid-bearing stage is likely tohave occurred at the late stage of ecologite-facies diaphthorosis and is represented by kyaniteporphyroblasts, rutile, and sodic pyroxene in association with high-pressure hydrous minerals suchas phengite and zoisite (clinozoisite) without significant amount of hydrous minerals such asamphibole, epidote and biotite. The fluid-rich stage might have commenced concomitantly with loweramphibolite-facies diaphthoresis and persisted all the way towards the near-surface environment. Theproduct of this stage is characterized by plentiful hydrous and volatile-bearing phases.The dissemination-type rutile mineralizations in eclogites might have formed by preferentialshearing-induced pressure solution of gangue minerals at the fluid-bearing stage. The accompanyingvein rutile was precipitated from fluids of this stage after local transport and concentration, andmay hence represent proximal mobilization of titanium from the eclogite. Therefore, rutile veins canbe used as an exploration indicator for dissemination-type rutile deposits.

Subduction channel fluid-rock interaction:Indications from rutile-quartz veins within eclogite from the Yuka terrane,North Qaidam orogen

High-pressure(HP)or ultrahigh-pressure(UHP)rutile-quartz veins that form at mantle depths due to fluid-rock interaction can be used to trace the properties and behavior of natural fluids in subduction zones.To explore the fluid flow and the associated element mobility during deep subduction and exhumation of the continental crust,we investigated the major and trace elements of Ti-rich minerals.Additionally,U–Pb dating,trace element contents,and Lu–Hf isotopic composition of zircon grains in the UHP eclogite and associated rutile-quartz veins were examined in the North Qaidam UHP metamorphic belt,Yuka terrane.The zircon grains in the rutile-quartz veins have unzoned or weak oscillatory zonings,and show low Th/U ratios,steep chondrite-normalized patterns of heavy rare earth elements(HREEs),and insignificant negative Eu anomalies,indicating their growth in metamorphic fluids.These zircon grains formed in 431
3 Ma,which is consistent with the 432
2 Ma age of the host eclogite.As for the zircons in the rutile-quartz veins,they showed steep HREE patterns on one hand,and were different from the zircons present in the host eclogite on the other.This demonstrates that their formation might have been related to the breakdown of the early stage of garnet,which corresponds to the abundance of fluids during the early exhumation stage.The core-rim profile analyses of rutile recorded a two-stage rutile growth across a large rutile grain;the rutile core has higher Nb,Ta,W,and Zr contents and lower Nb/Ta ratios than the rim,indicating that the rutile domains grew in different metamorphic fluids from the core towards the rim.The significant enrichment of high field strength elements(HFSEs)in the rutile core suggests that the peak fluids have high solubility and transportation capacity of these HFSEs.Furthermore,variations in the Nb vs.Cr trends in rutile indicate a connection of rutile to mafic protolith.The zircon grains from both the rutile-quartz veins and the host eclogite have similar Hf isotopic compositions,indicating that the vein-forming fluids are internally derived from the host eclogite.These fluids accumulated in the subduction channel and were triggered by local dehydration of the deeply subducted eclogite during the early exhumation conditions.

Isotopic Geochronological Evidence for the Caledonian Xiongdian Eclogite in the Northwestern Dabie Mountains,China

A typical HP/MT (high pressure/medium temperature) eclogite from Xiongdian, northwestern Dabie Mountains, has been geochronologically studied using the single-zircon U-Pb, 40Ar-39Ar and Sm-Nd methods. Prismatic zircons occurring as inclusions within garnets define a minimum crystallization age of 399.5±1.6 Ma. 40Ar-39Ar dating on amphibole gives a plateau age.of 399.2 ± 4 Ma, which is interpreted as a retrogression age of amphibolite facies. This integrated study enables us to conclude that the age of high-pressure metamorphism is older than 399.5 ± 1.6 Ma, suggesting Caledonian collision between the North China and Yangtze plates. Round zircon within the aggregate of quartz and muscovite gives a concordant age of 301± 2 Ma, reflecting a later retrogression event. An age profile of post-eclogite metamorphism is documented, including amphibolite facies metamorphism at 399.2 Ma shortly after eclogitization and later retrogressive metamorphism at 301 Ma. Sm-Nd mineral isochron of garnet+omphacite gives an unreasonable age of 544 ± 23 Ma. which is quite older than that of prismatic zircon and may be attributed to isotopic disturbance by retrogression.

Preliminary Statistics of Temperatures and Pressures for Formation of Eclogites,Granulites and Peridotites in China

The rock forming temperatures and pressures represent the p T points of the local regions in the lithosphere at a certain age, providing some important information on rock formation. Based on the preliminary statistics on the temperatures and pressures for the formation of eclogites, granulites and peridotites in China, the variant ranges are given, in this paper, of temperatures, pressures and linear geothermal gradients of eclogites, granulites and peridotites. In addition, since the eclogite is different from granulite and peridotite in the p T diagram, these three rocks can be classified into two groups: the first group includes eclogites and the second group granulites and peridotites. Then, the p T correlation functions of these two groups of rocks are provided. Finally, the two groups of rocks have different geothermal gradients at the same pressure gradient or have different pressure gradients at the same geothermal gradient. The temperatures and pressures for the formation of the rocks can be calculated from the mineral chemical compositions, but the depths ( H ) for the rock formation can be calculated only under the hypotheses of given p H (or T H ) correlation functions. The explanations for the ultrahigh pressure metamorphism vary obviously with different hypotheses.

A Study on the Classification and Well-Logging Identification of Eclogite in the Main Hole of Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project

Eclogite, one of the important lithologies in the main hole of the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling （CCSD） Project, exists above the depth of 3 245 m and has distinctive responses of gamma-ray, compensating density and neutron well-logging, and so on. In this study, according to the diversities of minerals and chemical components and well-logging responses, edogites are classified from three aspects of origin, content of oxygen, and sub-mineral. We studied the logging identification method for eclogite sub-classes based on multi-element statistics and reconstructed 11 kinds of eclogite. As a result, eclogites can be divided into 6 types using well logs. In the light of this recognition, the eclogite in the main hole is divided into 20 sections, and the distribution characters of all sub-classes of eclogite are analyzed, which will provide important data for geological research of CCSD.

Mafic Archean continental crust prohibited exhumation of orogenic UHP eclogite

The absence of ultrahigh pressure(UHP)orogenic eclogite in the geological record older than c.0.6 Ga is problematic for evidence of subduction having begun on Earth during the Archean(4.0-2.5 Ga).Many eclogites in Phanerozoic and Proterozoic terranes occur as mafic boudins encased within low-density felsic crust,which provides positive buoyancy during subduction;however,recent geochemical proxy analysis shows that Archean continental crust was more mafic than previously thought,having greater proportions of basalt and komatiite than modern-day continents.Here,we show via petrological modelling that secular change in the petrology and bulk composition of upper continental crust would make Archean continental terranes negatively buoyant in the mantle before reaching UHP conditions.Subducted or delaminated Archean continental crust passes a point of no return during metamorphism in the mantle prior to the stabilization of coesite,while Proterozoic and Phanerozoic terranes remain positively buoyant at these depths.UHP orogenic eclogite may thus readily have formed on the Archean Earth,but could not have been exhumed,weakening arguments for a Neoproterozoic onset of subduction and plate tectonics.Further,isostatic balance calculations for more mafic Archean continents indicate that the early Earth was covered by a global ocean over 1 km deep,corroborating independent isotopic evidence for large-scale emergence of the continents no earlier than c.3 Ga.Our findings thus weaken arguments that early life on Earth likely emerged in shallow subaerial ponds,and instead support hypotheses involving development at hydrothermal vents in the deep ocean.

Formation Depth of Coesite-Bearing Eclogite,Dabie UHPM Zone,China

The plastic deformation of garnet in coesite bearing eclogite, quartz eclogite and garnet amphibolite of the UHPM complex in Yingshan County in the Dabie Mountains has been studied. The stress generated by the strong tectonic movement was an important component of the total pressure that resulted in the formation of the eclogite in the Dabie UHPM zone. The three dimensional tectonic principal stresses and additional tectonic stress induced hydrostatic pressure [ p s=( σ 1+ σ 2+ σ 3)/3] are reconstructed according to the differential stress and the strain ratio ( α ) of the garnet in the minor coesite bearing eclogite of the Yingshan County. Then the gravity induced hydrostatic pressure ( p g) is calculated following the equation p minus p s, where p is estimated to be 2.8 GPa based on the quartz coesite geobarmeter. Therefore, the thickness of the rock column overlying the coesite bearing eclogite in the Ying shan County is determined ≥32 km. This estimation, significantly different from ≥100 km, the previous one obtained solely based on the weight/specific weight ratio (W/SW), offers a proper explanation for the puzzle that no tracer of the addition of mantle derived material has been found in the Dabie UHPM zone during the process of UHPM, although a number of researchers claim that this process took place at the depth of the mantle (≥100 km). It is concluded that attention should be paid to the additional tectonic stress induced hydrostatic pressure in the study of UHPM zones.

SHRIMP U-Pb Dating of Zircons of a Dark Eclogite and a Garnet-bearing Gneissic Granitic Rock from Bixiling,Eastern Dabie Area,Anhui Province:Isotope Chronological Evidence of Neoproterozoic UHP Metamorphism

The paper reports SHRIMP U-Pb zircon data of a dark eclogite and a post-eclogite garnet-bearing gneissic granitic rock from the Bixiling area, Yuexi County, Anhui Province, in the eastern Dabie Mountains. The eclogite, which is metamorphosed basic tuff, contains very scarce zircons in omphacite or garnet, but more zircons in quartz. They usually exhibit a double-layered texture, as shown clearly in cathodoluminescence images. Their inner main parts give a 206Pb/238U age of 757±7 Ma, representing the approximate age of the high-pressure (HP)- ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic event during which the eclogite was formed. The outer peripheral parts of the zircons, which have been modified by late-stage fluids, give an age of 223±3 Ma. The granitic rock contains more zircons of anatectic origin found mostly in feldspar and quartz and usually also showing a similar composite texture. The inner main parts of the anatectic zircons with oscillatory zoning give a 206Pb/238U age of 727±15 Ma for the approximate age of the emplacement of the granitic rock, and their outer parts, an age of 219±3 Ma for a similar or even the same fluid event. It is thus suggested that the HP-UHP metamorphism of the Bixiling eclogite facies rocks took place during the Neoproterozoic Jinningian, and the Indosinian age values may only represent a late event in the nature of fluid activity.