Age and metamorphic conditions of the Tjeliken garnet – phengite gneiss (Swedish Caledonides) [abstract]

Barnes

et al. 2018

The Seve Nappe Complex (SNC) of the Scandinavian Caledonides records a well‐documented history of high pressure (HP) and ultra‐high pressure (UHP) metamorphism. Eclogites of the SNC occur in two areas in Sweden, namely Jämtland and Norrbotten. The Jämtland eclogites and associated rocks are well‐studied and provide evidence for late Ordovician UHP metamorphism, whereas the Norrbotten eclogites, formed during the late Cambrian (Furongian)/Early Ordovician, have not been studied in such detail, especially in terms of the P–T conditions of their formation. Within the studied eclogite, clinopyroxene contains a high‐Na core and two rims: inner, medium‐Na and outer, low‐Na. Garnet consists of a high‐Ca euhedral core, low‐Ca inner rim and medium‐Ca outer rim. A similar pattern occurs within phengite, where high‐Si cores are enveloped by medium and low‐Si rims. The compositions of the mineral cores, inner rims and outer rims reflect three stages in the metamorphic evolution of the eclogite. Applied Quartz‐in‐Garnet geobarometry, coupled with Zr‐in‐rutile geothermometry reveal that garnet nucleation (E0 stage) took place at 1.5–1.6 GPa and 620–660°C. The eclogite peak‐pressure assemblage developed during the E1 stage, it consists of garnet+omphacite+phengite+rutile+coesite? and yields P–T conditions of 2.8–3.1 GPa and 660–780°C as constrained by conventional geothermobarometry and thermodynamic modelling in the NCKFMMnASHT system. Later, lower‐pressure stages E2 and E3 record conditions of 2.2–2.8 GPa, 680–780°C and 2.1 GPa, 735°C, respectively. The prograde metamorphic evolution of the eclogite is inferred from inclusions of epidote, amphibole and clinopyroxene within garnet. The presence of amphibole–quartz–plagioclase symplectites, secondary epidote/zoisite and titanite replacing rutile record the later retrograde changes taking place at <1.5 GPa (referred as E4 stage). The obtained P–T conditions indicate that the Norrbotten eclogites underwent a metamorphic evolution characterized by a clockwise P–T path with peak metamorphism reaching up to coesite stability field within a relatively cold subduction regime (7.8°C/km). The obtained results provide the first evidence for UHP metamorphism in the SNC above the Arctic Circle and document cold subduction regime and multistage exhumation of the deeply subducted Baltican margin at early stage of the Caledonian Orogeny.

Section: Geological Settingsupporting

confidence: 51%

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

UHP metamorphism recorded by phengite eclogite from the Caledonides of northern Sweden: P–T path and tectonic implications

Bukała

Barnes

et al. 2018

“…However, the most recent U–Pb zircon SIMS dating of the Tjeliken gneiss underlying the eclogite yielded an age of c . 459 ± 2 Ma (Andersson, ).…”

Section: Age Data For Hp‐uhp Metamorphism and Exhumation Of The Sncmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eclogite and garnet pyroxenite from Stor Jougdan, Seve Nappe Complex, Sweden: implications for UHP metamorphism of allochthons in the Scandinavian Caledonides

Janák

Majka

et al. 2015

Ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism (UHPM) has recently been discovered in far-travelled allochthons of the Scandinavian Caledonides, including finding of diamond in the Seve Nappe Complex. This UHPM of Late Ordovician age is older and less recognized than that in the Western Gneiss Region of southwestern Norway, which was related to terminal collision between Baltica and Laurentia. Here we report new evidence of UHPM in the Lower Seve Nappe, recorded by eclogite and garnet pyroxenite from the area of Stor Jougdan in northern J€ amtland, central Sweden. Peak-metamorphic assemblage of eclogite, garnet + omphacite + phengite + rutile + coesite? yields P-T conditions of 2.8-4.0 GPa and 750-900°C, constrained by conventional geothermobarometry and thermodynamic modelling in the NCKFMTASH system. The prograde metamorphic evolution of the eclogite is inferred from inclusions of zoisite and amphibole in garnet, which are stable at lower pressure, whereas the retrograde evolution is recorded by formation of diopsidic clinopyroxene + plagioclase symplectites after omphacite, growth of amphibole replacing these symplectites, and of titanite around rutile. In garnet pyroxenite the peak-metamorphic assemblage consists of garnet + orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + olivine. P-T conditions of 2.3-3.8 GPa and 810-960°C have been derived based on the conventional geothermobarometry and thermodynamic modelling in the CFMASH and CFMAS systems. Retrograde evolution has been recognized from replacement of pyroxene and garnet by amphibole. The results show that eclogite was metamorphosed during deep subduction of continental crust, most probably derived from the continental margin of Baltica, whereas the origin and tectonic setting of the garnet pyroxenite is ambiguous. The studied pyroxenite/peridotite of Baltican subcontinental affinity could have been metamorphosed as a part of the subducting plate and exhumed due to the downward extraction of a forearc lithospheric block.

“…A somewhat younger U-Pb TIMS zircon age of c. 446 Ma was presented for the Tjeliken eclogite, also located in northern J€ amtland (Root & Corfu, 2012). However, high-P phengitic gneisses hosting the above-mentioned eclogite have recently yielded a U-Pb ion microprobe zircon age of c. 458 Ma (Andersson, 2015), nearly identical to the Sm-Nd ages from that region. As in central J€ amtland, Ar/Ar data on hornblende in the SNC of northern J€ amtland (Dallmeyer & Gee, 1988) provided evidence of pre-Silurian retrogression of the eclogites.…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 71%

“…However, high‐ P phengitic gneisses hosting the above‐mentioned eclogite have recently yielded a U–Pb ion microprobe zircon age of c . 458 Ma (Andersson, ), nearly identical to the Sm–Nd ages from that region. As in central Jämtland, Ar/Ar data on hornblende in the SNC of northern Jämtland (Dallmeyer & Gee, ) provided evidence of pre‐Silurian retrogression of the eclogites.…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microdiamond on Åreskutan confirms regional UHP metamorphism in the Seve Nappe Complex of the Scandinavian Caledonides

Janák

Majka

et al. 2017

Metamorphic diamond in crustal rocks provides important information on the deep subduction of continental crust. Here, we present a new occurrence of diamond within the Seve Nappe Complex (SNC) of the Scandinavian Caledonides, on Åreskutan in Jämtland County, Sweden. Microdiamond is found in situ as single and composite (diamond+carbonate) inclusions within garnet, in kyanite‐bearing paragneisses. The rocks preserve the primary peak pressure assemblage of Ca,Mg‐rich garnet+phengite+kyanite+rutile, with polycrystalline quartz surrounded by radial cracks indicating breakdown of coesite. Calculated P–T conditions for this stage are 830–840 °C and 4.1–4.2 GPa, in the diamond stability field. The ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) assemblage has been variably overprinted under granulite facies conditions of 850–860 °C and 1.0–1.1 GPa, leading to formation of Ca,Mg‐poor garnet+biotite+plagioclase+K‐feldspar+sillimanite+ilmenite+quartz. This overprint was the result of nearly isothermal decompression, which is corroborated by Ti‐in‐quartz thermometry. Chemical Th–U–Pb dating of monazite yields ages between 445 and 435 Ma, which are interpreted to record post‐UHP exhumation of the diamond‐bearing rocks. The new discovery of microdiamond on Åreskutan, together with other evidence of ultrahigh‐pressure metamorphism (UHPM) within gneisses, eclogites and peridotites elsewhere in the SNC, provide compelling arguments for regional (at least 200 km along strike of the unit) UHPM of substantial parts of this far‐travelled allochthon. The occurrence of UHPM in both rheologically weak (gneisses) and strong lithologies (eclogites, peridotites) speaks against the presence of large tectonic overpressure during metamorphism.