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A detailed field study reveals a gradual transition from high-grade solid-state banded orthogneiss via stromatic migmatite and schlieren migmatite to irregular, foliation-parallel bodies of nebulitic migmatite within the eastern part of the Gfo¨hl Unit (Moldanubian domain, Bohemian Massif). The orthogneiss to nebulitic migmatite sequence is characterized by progressive destruction of well-equilibrated banded microstructure by crystallization of new interstitial phases (Kfs, Pl and Qtz) along feldspar boundaries and by resorption of relict feldspar and biotite. The grain size of all felsic phases decreases continuously, whereas the population density of new phases increases. The new phases preferentially nucleate along high-energy like-like boundaries causing the development of a regular distribution of individual phases. This evolutionary trend is accompanied by a decrease in grain shape preferred orientation of all felsic phases. To explain these data, a new petrogenetic model is proposed for the origin of felsic migmatites by melt infiltration from an external source into banded orthogneiss during deformation. In this model, infiltrating melt passes pervasively along grain boundaries through the whole-rock volume and changes completely its macro-and microscopic appearance. It is suggested that the individual migmatite types represent different degrees of equilibration between the host rock and migrating melt during exhumation. The melt topology mimicked by feldspar in banded orthogneiss forms elongate pockets oriented at a high angle to the compositional banding, indicating that the melt distribution was controlled by the deformation of the solid framework. The microstructure exhibits features compatible with a combination of dislocation creep and grain boundary sliding deformation mechanisms. The migmatite microstructures developed by granular flow accompanied by melt-enhanced diffusion and/or melt flow. However, an AMS study and quartz microfabrics suggest that the amount of melt present did not exceed a critical threshold during the deformation to allow free movements of grains.

[1] High-grade orthogneisses from granulite-bearing lower crustal unit show extreme finite strains of both K-feldspar and plagioclase with respect to weakly deformed quartz aggregates. K-feldspar aggregate in the most intensely deformed sample shows interstitial grains of quartz and albite, which also mark some intragranular fractures within K-feldspar grains. Both interstitial grains and fractures are oriented mostly perpendicular to the sample stretching lineation. Quartz and albite grains within K-feldspar bands are interpreted as crystallized from interstitial melt and the petrology study shows that the melt was produced by a metamorphic reaction in plagioclase-mica bands. Thermodynamic Perple_X modeling shows that melt volume increase was negligible and melt amount was too small to generate considerable melt overpressure for calculated PT conditions. It is therefore suggested that dilation of K-feldspar aggregates and fracturing of its grains represent a final creep failure state, which resulted from the cavitation process accompanying grain boundary sliding controlled diffusion creep. The consequence of cavitation-driven dilation of K-feldspar aggregates is the local underpressure resulting in infiltration of melt from plagioclase bands. Analogy with metallurgy experiments shows that the cavitation process, exclusively developed in cryptoperthitic K-feldspar, can be attributed to its lower purity compared to more pure plagioclase. Contrasting rheological behavior of feldspars with respect to quartz prior to fracturing is attributed to different deformation mechanisms. Feldspars appear weaker due to grain boundary sliding accommodated by coupled melt-enhanced diffusion creep along grain boundaries and dislocation creep within grains, in contrast to quartz deforming via grain boundary migration accommodated dislocation creep.Citation: Závada, P., K. Schulmann, J. Konopásek, S. Ulrich, and O. Lexa (2007), Extreme ductility of feldspar aggregates-Meltenhanced grain boundary sliding and creep failure: Rheological implications for felsic lower crust,

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[1] The deformation study of midcrustal porphyritic granite reveals exceptionally high strain intensities of feldspar aggregates compared to stronger quartz. Three types of microstructures corresponding to evolutionary stages of deformed granite were recognized: (1) the metagranite marked by viscous flow of plagioclase around strong alkali feldspar and quartz, (2) quartz augen orthogneiss characterized by development of banded mylonitic structure of recrystallized plagioclase and K-feldspar surrounding augens of quartz, and (3) banded mylonite characterized by alternation of quartz ribbons and mixed aggregates of feldspars and quartz. The original weakening of alkali feldspar is achieved by decomposition into albite chains and K-feldspar resulting from a heterogeneous nucleation process. The subsequent collapse of alkaline feldspar and development of monomineralic layering is attributed to the onset of syn-deformational dehydration melting of Mu-Bi layers associated with production of $2% melt. The final deformation stage is marked by mixing of feldspars which is explained by higher melt production due to introduction of external water. An already small amount of melt is responsible for extreme weakening of the feldspar because of Melt Connectivity Threshold effect triggering grain boundary sliding deformation mechanisms. The grain boundary sliding controls diffusion creep at small melt fraction and evolves to particulate flow at high melt fractions. Strong quartz shows a dislocation creep deformation mechanism throughout the whole deformation history marked by variations in the activity of the slip systems, which are attributed to variations in stress and strain rate partitioning with regard to changing rheological properties of the deforming feldspars.Citation: Schulmann, K., J.-E. Martelat, S. Ulrich, O. Lexa, P. Š típská, and J. K. Becker (2008), Evolution of microstructure and melt topology in partially molten granitic mylonite: Implications for rheology of felsic middle crust,

International audienceThis study answers the question of origin and evolution of a granulitic microstructure typically developed in felsic granulites of the European Variscan belt. It shows that the precursor of the Variscan felsic granulites was a high-pressure alkali feldspar-rich coarse-grained layered orthogneiss. Its S1 subhorizontal layering is defined by the alignment of alkali feldspar porphyroclasts alternating with monomineralic bands of quartz and bands rich in plagioclase and garnet. The alkali feldspar porphyroclasts contain inclusions of quartz, garnet, kyanite, biotite and rutile, reflecting peak P-T conditions of 1.6-1.8 GPa and 850 degrees C during S1 formation. Superimposed steep folds and steep cleavage, S2, are associated with recrystallization of alkali feldspar, plagioclase and quartz, and garnet chemistry modifications that correspond to 0.9-1.0 GPa and 800 degrees C. During exhumation, involving 0.8 GPa decompression and cooling, the probably perthitic alkali feldspar underwent an unusual process of heterogeneous decomposition along irregular reaction fronts forming a fine-grained matrix composed of plagioclase and K-feldspar grains. Regular grain distributions in the matrix, nucleation-dominated crystal size distribution and preservation of lattice orientation of the parental perthite crystals are all explained by a discontinuous precipitation process. This heterogeneous decomposition of alkali feldspar solid solution is controlled by chemically and strain induced grain-boundary migration. During exhumation and decompression, the fine-grained matrix underwent viscous deformation, forming the typical microstructure of the Variscan granulites. Random phase distributions, minor coarsening and feldspar textures are interpreted as a result of strain softening due to diffusion creep-accommodated grain-boundary sliding. Subordinate large quartz ribbons were rheologically stronger than the feldspar-dominated matrix due to the activity of different deformational mechanisms. Finally, in mid-crustal levels, the subvertical structure was overprinted by a perpendicular steep fabric associated with the growth of sillimanite, heterogeneous hydration and local partial melting, development of aggregate phase distributions and significant coarsening. This evolution is accompanied with the development of a strong lattice preferred orientation of quartz, K-feldspar and plagioclase, reflecting a switch to dislocation creep mechanism and a general hardening of the granulites under amphibolite facies conditions

Deformation mechanisms of amphibole and plagioclase were investigated in two metagabbroic sheets (the eastern and western metagabbros from the Stars M~sto belt, eastern Bohemian Massif), using petrology, quantitative microstructural and electron backscattered diffraction methods. After the gabbroic pyroxene was replaced by amphibole, both gabbroic bodies became progressively deformed. The eastern metagabbros were deformed under temperature of c. 650 ~ and the western metagabbros under c. 750 ~ Subgrain rotation and dislocation creep, characterized by strong crystallographic and shape preferred orientations, operated in plagioclase of the eastern belt during the early stages of deformation. Subsequent randomizing of plagioclase crystallographic preferred orientation is interpreted to be due to grain boundary sliding in the mylonitic stage. Large (50-150 ixm) grain sizes during the mylonitic stages are interpreted to be due to low strain rates. Amphibole is stronger and deforms cataclastically, leading to important grain size reduction when the bulk rock strength drops substantially. In the western belt, plagioclase deformed by dislocation creep accompanied by grain boundary migration (possibly chemically induced) while heterogeneous nucleation and syndeformational grain growth in conjunction with dislocation creep were typical for amphiboles.