scholarly journals Subduction interface processes recorded by eclogite-facies shear zones (Monviso, W. Alps)

Lithos ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 127 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 222-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Angiboust ◽  
P. Agard ◽  
H. Raimbourg ◽  
P. Yamato ◽  
B. Huet
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Eclogite Facies

Evolution of brittle structures in plagioclase-rich rocks at high-grade metamorphic conditions – Linking laboratory results to field observations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Incel ◽  
Jörg Renner ◽  
Bjørn Jamtveit
Keyword(s):  
Structural Evolution ◽  
Confining Pressure ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Ductile Shear Zones ◽  
Laboratory Results ◽  
Experimental Laboratory ◽  
Eclogite Facies ◽  
Ductile Shear ◽  
Host Rocks ◽  
Lower Crustal

<p>Plagioclase-rich lower crustal granulites exposed on the Lofoten archipelago, N Norway, display pseudotachylytes, reflecting brittle deformation, as well as ductile shear zones, highlighting plastic deformation. Pristine pseudotachylytes often show no or very little difference in mineral assemblage to their host-rocks that exhibit limited, if any, metamorphic alteration. In contrast, host-rock volumes that developed ductile shear zones exhibit significant hydration towards amphibolite or eclogite-facies assemblages within and near the shear zones. We combine experimental laboratory results and observations from the field to characterize the structural evolution of brittle faults in plagioclase-rich rocks at lower crustal conditions. We performed a series of deformation experiments on intact granulite samples at 2.5 GPa confining pressure,  a strain rate of 5×10<sup>-5</sup> s<sup>-1</sup>,  temperatures of 700 and 900 °C, and total strains of either ~7-8 % or ~33-36 %. Samples were either deformed ‘as-is’, i.e. natural samples without any treatment, or with ~2.5 wt.% H<sub>2</sub>O added. Striking similarities between the experimental and natural microstructures suggest that the transformation of precursory brittle structures into ductile shear zones at eclogite-facies conditions is most effective when hydrous fluids are available in excess.</p>

scholarly journals Deeply subducted continental fragments – Part 1: Fracturing, dissolution–precipitation, and diffusion processes recorded by garnet textures of the central Sesia Zone (western Italian Alps)

Solid Earth ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Giuntoli ◽  
Pierre Lanari ◽  
Martin Engi
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Diffusion Processes ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Granulite Facies ◽  
Thermodynamic Modelling ◽  
Italian Alps ◽  
Eclogite Facies ◽  
Compositional Patterns ◽  
And Diffusion ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract. Contiguous continental high-pressure terranes in orogens offer insight into deep recycling and transformation processes that occur in subduction zones. These remain poorly understood, and currently debated ideas need testing. The approach we chose is to investigate, in detail, the record in suitable rock samples that preserve textures and robust mineral assemblages that withstood overprinting during exhumation. We document complex garnet zoning in eclogitic mica schists from the Sesia Zone (western Italian Alps). These retain evidence of two orogenic cycles and provide detailed insight into resorption, growth, and diffusion processes induced by fluid pulses in high-pressure conditions. We analysed local textures and garnet compositional patterns, which turned out remarkably complex. By combining these with thermodynamic modelling, we could unravel and quantify repeated fluid–rock interaction processes. Garnet shows low-Ca porphyroclastic cores that were stable under (Permian) granulite facies conditions. The series of rims that surround these cores provide insight into the subsequent evolution: the first garnet rim that surrounds the pre-Alpine granulite facies core in one sample indicates that pre-Alpine amphibolite facies metamorphism followed the granulite facies event. In all samples documented, cores show lobate edges and preserve inner fractures, which are sealed by high-Ca garnet that reflects high-pressure Alpine conditions. These observations suggest that during early stages of subduction, before hydration of the granulites, brittle failure of garnet occurred, indicating high strain rates that may be due to seismic failure. Several Alpine rims show conspicuous textures indicative of interaction with hydrous fluid: (a) resorption-dominated textures produced lobate edges, at the expense of the outer part of the granulite core; (b) peninsulas and atoll garnet are the result of replacement reactions; and (c) spatially limited resorption and enhanced transport of elements due to the fluid phase are evident along brittle fractures and in their immediate proximity. Thermodynamic modelling shows that all of these Alpine rims formed under eclogite facies conditions. Structurally controlled samples allow these fluid–garnet interaction phenomena to be traced across a portion of the Sesia Zone, with a general decrease in fluid–garnet interaction observed towards the external, structurally lower parts of the terrane. Replacement of the Permian HT assemblages by hydrate-rich Alpine assemblages can reach nearly 100 % of the rock volume. Since we found no clear relationship between discrete deformation structures (e.g. shear zones) observed in the field and the fluid pulses that triggered the transformation to eclogite facies assemblages, we conclude that disperse fluid flow was responsible for the hydration.

Timing and exhumation of eclogite facies shear zones, Musgrave Block, central Australia

1997 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 735-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. CAMACHO ( [email protected]. ◽  
W. COMPSTON ◽  
M. McCULLOCH ◽  
I. McDOUGALL
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Central Australia ◽  
Eclogite Facies

Superplasticity in garnet from eclogite facies shear zones in the Haram Gabbro, Haramsøya, Norway

Geology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Terry ◽  
Florian Heidelbach
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Eclogite Facies

Composition of fluids released along a subduction interface with increasing depth: insights from fluid inclusions analysis on the Schistes Lustrés - Monviso transect (Western Alps)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clément Herviou ◽  
Anne Verlaguet ◽  
Philippe Agard ◽  
Hugues Raimbourg ◽  
Michele Locatelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oceanic Crust ◽  
Fluid Inclusions ◽  
Subduction Zones ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Free Fluid ◽  
Accretionary Wedge ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Dehydration Reactions ◽  
Eclogite Facies ◽  
Fluid Sources

<p>Important amounts of fluids are released in subduction zones by successive dehydration reactions occurring both in the previously hydrated oceanic crust (and mantle) and overlying sedimentary cover. The release and circulation of such fluids in rocks have major consequences on both their mechanical and chemical behavior. Indeed, the presence of a free fluid phase strongly modifies the rock rheology, fracturing properties, and could be implicated in both intermediate-depth earthquake and slow slip events nucleation. Moreover, the scale of mass transfer, associated chemical changes in infiltrated rocks and element recycling in subduction zones are controlled by both the rock permeability and the amount and composition of such fluids. Thus, there is a crucial need to identify the major fluid sources, amounts and pathways to better constrain their impact on subduction dynamics.</p><p>Metamorphic veins, as well as mineralized fractures and shear zones in exhumed fossil subduction zones are the best witnesses of fluid-rock interactions and fluid circulation pathways. However, their interpretation in terms of fluid sources, residence time, scale of circulation requires a good knowledge of the composition of potential fluid sources. In order to determine the composition of the fluid released by both oceanic crust and sediments at various depth along their subduction, we analyzed the composition of fluid inclusions contained in vein minerals formed at peak P-T conditions, in rock units buried at various depths in the Alpine subduction zone.</p><p>The Schistes Lustrés complex is a slice-stack representing the deep, underplated part of the former Alpine accretionary wedge. These Alpine Tethys rocks are mainly composed of oceanic calcschists with fewer mafic and ultramafic rocks, buried to various depths before exhumation. From West to East, the juxtaposed Schistes Lustrés units show increasing peak P-T conditions from blueschist (300-350°C - 1.2-1.3 GPa) to eclogite facies (580°C - 2.8 GPa). This study focuses on the Schistes Lustrés - Monviso transect, which shows an almost continuous increase in metamorphic grade.</p><p>In the Schistes Lustrés blueschist-facies sediments, fluid inclusions were analyzed in quartz from high-pressure veins, i.e. quartz that co-crystallized with prograde to peak metamorphic minerals such as lawsonite and Fe-Mg carpholite. In the metamorphosed mafic rocks, we analyzed fluid inclusions from the peak metamorphic assemblages, i.e. glaucophane +/- omphacite in blueschist facies rocks, omphacite in eclogite-facies slices. Raman spectroscopy data on these fluid inclusions suggest that fluids released during dehydration of calcschists in blueschist-facies conditions are aqueous fluids with low-salinity and small amounts of CO<sub>2</sub> and CH<sub>4</sub>. In contrast, eclogitic fluids released from metagabbros are highly saline brines with low N<sub>2 </sub>content. These results, which will be associated with LA-ICP-MS analysis of fluid inclusions in metasedimentary quartz veins, will contribute to better constrain the evolution of composition of the fluids liberated by dehydration reactions with depth and protolith composition along the subduction interface.</p>

Fluid inclusions in granulites and eclogites from the Bergen Arcs, Caledonides of W. Norway

1990 ◽  
Vol 54 (375) ◽  
pp. 145-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Andersen ◽  
H. Austrheim ◽  
E. A. J. Burke
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Inclusions ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Granulite Facies ◽  
Mole Percent ◽  
Molar Volumes ◽  
Granulite Facies Metamorphism ◽  
Laser Raman ◽  
Granulite Metamorphism ◽  
Facies Metamorphism ◽  
Eclogite Facies

AbstractThe Grenvillian granulite-facies complex on Holsnøy island, Bergen Arcs, W. Norway, has been metamorphosed at eclogite-facies conditions during the Caledonian orogeny (ca. 425 Ma). The granulite-eclogite facies transition takes place along shear zones and fluid pathways. Mineral thermobarometry indicates PT conditions of 800–900°C and 8–10 kbar for the Proterozoic granulite facies metamorphism and 700–800°C and 16–19 kbar for the eclogite-forming event. Quartz in the granulite facies complex contains CO2 fluid inclusions with less than 2.5 mole percent N2; the molar volumes are compatible with the PT conditions of the Proterozoic granulite metamorphism. Quartz in pegmatitic quartz + omphacite and quartz + phengite/paragonite veins coeval with shear-zone eclogites contain N2 ± CO2 fluid inclusions. Combined laser Raman microanalysis and microthermometry show that the least disturbed inclusions have XCO2 = 0.1–0.3, and molar volumes less than 40 cm3/mole, which may agree with the PT conditions during Caledonian high-pressure metamorphism. Younger, low-density N2 and N2-H2O fluid inclusions are the results of decrepitation and redistribution of early inclusions during the retrograde PT evolution of the eclogites.

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