Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Granulite facies metamorphism'

The Buffels River area of central Namaqualand comprises a sequence of Proterozoic volcano-sedimentary gneisses intruded by granitoid orthogneisses. This study concentrates on the mechanisms of granrilite-facies metamorphism in a small area of isofacial rocks. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of partial melting and the infiltration and buffering of metamorphic fluid is examined.

Fiordland is located southwest of South Island of New Zealand. The field area of this thesis is in northern Fiordland, at the boundary of pristine arc rocks (Median Tectonic Zone) and a belt of Paleozoic paragneisses and orthogneisses of variable age that represent the metamorphosed paleo-Pacific Gondwana margin.

A Nappe Lima Duarte está situada no sudeste do Orógeno Brasília. É constituída por paragnaisses migmatíticos com granada, sillimanita, biotita e muscovita, e ortoquartzitos grossos, com intercalações esparsas de gnaisses calciossilicáticos e de anfibolitos. O Complexo Mantiqueira, infraestrutura alóctone da nappe, ocorre na forma de lascas tectonicamente imbricadas na mesma. É constituído por ortognaisses migmatíticos e polimetamórficos, tipo TTG, com intercalações de rochas metabásicas granulíticas, na forma de enclaves máficos alongados e boudins, geralmente concordantes com a foliação principal. Também ocorrem rochas charnockíticas aparentemente intrusivas nos ortognaisses Mantiqueira, com rochas metabásicas associadas. A associação mineral observada nos paragnaisses (Grt + Bt + Sil + Pl + Rt +Ilm + Qtz ± Ms ± Kfs ± Ky) é relacionada a um metamorfismo progressivo de fácies anfibolito superior, caracterizado por reações de quebra de muscovita e geração de feldspato potássico. As condições de pico bárico obtidas no THERMOCALC para a associação com cianita são de 10 ± 0.6 kbar, a 807 ± 25ºC. O pico térmico de 827 ± 44ºC a 8.2 ± 1.8 kbar, no limite da curva de quebra da dumortierita, foi obtido no THERMOCALC com a associação mineral envolvendo sillimanita. As rochas metabásicas inseridas nos ortognaisses do Complexo Mantiqueira e rochas charnockíticas associadas apresentam a associação Grt-Cpx-Pl-Qtz±Opx+Hbl, que é diagnóstica do fácies granulito de alta pressão. São caracterizadas pela presença de texturas coroníticas progressivas de Grt-Cpx-Pl-Qtz nos contatos entre Opx, Pl e/ou opacos, aparentemente de origem ígnea, que marca a passagem do campo dos granulitos de pressão intermediária para o campo dos granulitos de alta pressão. As condições de pico registradas nos veios constituídos por Grt-Cpx-Pl nos metagabronoritos é de 831.8ºC, a 10 kbar. O granada granulito registra o pico metamórfico a 890 ± 41ºC, a 9.26 ± 1.93 kbar. Cálculos realizados no TWEEQU forneceram condições de equilíbrio de 801ºC, a 9.6 kbar para a associação de fácies granulito. As condições de pico bárico nas rochas charnockíticas são de 14.36 ± 1.9 kbar, a 680ºC, enquanto que as temperaturas máximas registradas são de 885.17ºC, a 10 kbar. Cálculos realizados no THERMOCALC forneceram temperatura de 771 ± 166ºC, a 11.8 ± 2.4 kbar. As rochas metabásicas relacionadas ao Complexo Mantiqueira apresentam baixas concentrações de elementos LILE, possivelmente devido ao empobrecimento destes elementos durante o metamorfismo através de perdas por reações de desidratação. Os dados geoquímicos apontam fontes do tipo E-MORB para grande parte das rochas metabásicas, embora sempre com enriquecimento em ETR maior, o que é sugestivo de fontes enriquecidas. O Grt-cpx anfibolito simplectítico apresenta assinaturas geoquímicas distintas, com enriquecimento maior em elementos LILE e ETRL, o que sugere uma origem a partir de fontes OIB. Os padrões de ETR e diagramas de variação multi-elementares de elementos traço sugerem que as rochas charnockíticas têm fontes relacionadas à ambientes de arco vulcânico. Os paragnaisses, em fácies anfibolito superior a granulito, registram uma trajetória inicial horária, descompressiva ao campo da sillimanita. É distinta da trajetória inicial anti-horária exibida pelas rochas metabásicas e charnockíticas, que registram nas coronas de Grt-Cpx-Pl o metamorfismo progressivo de fácies granulito de alta pressão. Sugere-se que esse relativo aumento de pressão tenha sido condicionado pela colocação dos metassedimentos da Nappe Lima Duarte sobre as rochas do Complexo Mantiqueira, porém no mesmo campo de temperatura. Assim, o avanço da nappe metassedimentar pode ter sido responsável pelo soterramento das rochas metabásicas e charnockíticas relacionadas com o Complexo Mantiqueira, o que justifica a pressão mais elevada nestes litotipos. A etapa de exumação foi compartilhada por ambas, o que é evidenciado nas semelhanças de condições metamórficas durante a trajetória de resfriamento quase isobárico, porém com os litotipos do Complexo Mantiqueira em nível crustal mais profundo.
The Lima Duarte Nappe is located in southeastern Brasília Orogen and is composed by migmatitic paragneisses presenting garnet, sillimanite, biotite and muscovite, and coarse-grained orthoquartzites, with few amphibolite and calc-silicate interlayers. The Mantiqueira Complex occurs as tectonic imbricated lenses in the Lima Duarte Nappe, resembling an allochthon structure. It comprises TTG-type migmatitic and polymetamorphic orthogneisses, presenting granulitic metabasic interlayers, as mafic bands and lenses, as well as boudins, which are often concordant with the main foliation. Charnockitic rocks are apparently intrusive in the Mantiqueira orthogneisses, with associated metabasic rocks. The mineral assemblage observed in paragneisses (Grt + Bt + Sil + Pl + Rt + Ilm + Qtz ± Ms ± Kfs ± Ky) is related to an upper amphibolite facies progressive metamorphism characterized by muscovite breakdown reactions producing potassic feldspar. The peak baric conditions obtained in the THERMOCALC processing software for the assemblage involving kyanite are 10 ± 0.6 kbar and 807 ± 25ºC. The thermal peak of 827 ± 44ºC and 8.2 ± 1.8 kbar obtained in THERMOCALC for the assemblage envolving sillimanite, is placed in the boundary of breakdown curve for dumortierite. The metabasic rocks interlayered in Mantiqueira Complex orthogneisses show the Grt-Cpx-Pl-Qtz±Opx+Hbl assemblage, indicating high pressure granulite facies. They are characterized by the presence of Grt-Cpx-Pl progressive coronitic textures between Opx, Pl and/or opaques boundaries, apparently with an igneous origin, which marks the transitions from intermediate pressure granulites field to high pressure granulite field. The peak conditions recorded in Grt-Cpx-Pl veins in metagabbronorites is 831.8ºC, and 10 kbar. The garnet granulite records the metamorphic peak at 890 ± 41ºC, and 9.26 ± 1.93 kbar. Thermobarometric calculations performed at TWEEQU revealed equilibrium conditions at 801ºC, and 9.6 kbar based on granulite facies mineral assemblage. The peak baric conditions achieved by the charnockitic rocks are 14.36 ± 1.9 kbar, and 680ºC, while maximum temperatures recorded are 885.17ºC, and 10 kbar. Thermobarometric calculations performed at THERMOCALC revealed temperatures of 771 ± 166ºC, and 11.8 ± 2.4 kbar. The metabasic rocks related to Mantiqueira Complex show low concentrations of LILE elements, possibly due to the depletion of these elements during metamorphism in dehydrating reactions. Geochemical data point out to E-MORB type sources for the great majority of metabasic rocks, even though with an REE enrichment, suggesting more enriched sources. The symplectitic Grt-Cpx amphibolite show distinct geochemical signatures, characterized by a greater enrichment in LILE and light-REE elements, suggesting an OIB source for their origin. REE patterns and trace element spidergrams suggest that charnockitic rocks sources are related to a volcanic arc tectonic setting. Paragneisses, in upper amphibolite to granulite facies, recorded an initial clockwise path, decompressing to the sillimanite field. It differs from initial counterclockwise path exhibited by the metabasic and charnockitic rocks, which preserves the progressive high pressure granulite facies metamorphism in Grt-Cpx-Pl coronae. This pressure increase is probally related to the metassediments of the Lima Duarte Nappe, that thrusted over the Mantiqueira Complex rocks, although in the same temperature field. The buried character of metabasic and charnockitic rocks may be caused by the thrust of the metassedimentary nappe, justifying the higher pressure found in these lithotypes. The exhumation phase was shared by both of them, which is confirmed in the metamorphic similarities conditions, as they cooled out together in a near isobaric path, although the Mantiqueira Complex lithotypes were in a deeper crustal level.

Thesis (DSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is an investigation of the anatectic history of high-grade paragneisses from the Ancient Gneiss Complex (AGC) in Swaziland. The work involved an integrated field, metamorphic, geochemical, geochronological and structural study of metasedimentary granulites from three separate, but spatially related areas of outcrop in south-central Swaziland, which were subjected to multiple high-grade partial melting events throughout the Meso- to Neoarchaean. The project has aimed to constrain the age(s) and conditions of metamorphism, so as to contribute to the understanding of geodynamic processes in the Barberton and AGC granite-greenstone terranes, as well as to investigate certain physical and chemical aspects of anatexis in the migmatites. The metamorphic record retained in these rocks, constrained by phase equilibria modelling as well as zircon and monazite SHRIMP and LA-ICP-MS geochronology, informs on the state of the mid- to lower-crust of the southeastern Kaapvaal Craton during key events associated with early lithosphere assembly and crustal differentiation. It also suggests that the region is comprised of more than one high-grade terrane. Two of the areas investigated experienced high-temperature metamorphism at ca. 3.23-3.21 Ga, in addition to a major 830-875º C, 6.5-7.6 kbar anatectic event at ca. 3.11-3.07 Ga. Intermediate and younger high-temperature events are recorded at ca. 3.18 Ga, ca. 3.16 Ga and 2.99 Ga. The timing of these metamorphic events coincided with the amalgamation of the eastern domain of the proto-Craton via subduction and accretion of micro-continental fragments at ca. 3.23 Ga, including the Barberton Greenstone Belt (BGB) and AGC terranes, as well as discrete episodes of crustal differentiation and potassic granitic magmatism between ca. 3.23 and 3.10 Ga. The third area investigated holds no record of Mesoarchaean metamorphism, but instead experienced a 830- 855 ºC, 4.4-6.4 kbar partial melting episode at ca. 2.73 Ga. This broadly coincided with the formation of a large continental flood basalt province, the ca. 2.71 Ga Ventersdorp LIP, and widespread intracratonic granitic magmatism on the Craton towards the end of the Neoarchaean. An explanation for the contrast in metamorphic record in the two terranes may be that the 2.71 Ga granulites represent a much younger sedimentary succession, and that granulites from the older terrane were left too restitic, after substantial partial melting during the Mesoarchaean, to record subsequent high-grade events. Finally, this study documents the details of S-type granitic magma production and extraction from a typical metapelitic source. Using the 2.73 Ga granulites from the AGC as a natural field laboratory, a case is made for the selective entrainment of peritectic garnet to the magma as a mechanism for generating relatively mafic, peraluminous S-type granite compositions. The work demonstrates the evolution of entrained peritectic garnet in such magmas, and is in strong support of a ‘peritectic phase entrainment’ process by which relatively mafic granite magmas are produced from melts which, in theory, should be highly leucocratic.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die anatektiese geskiedenis van hoëgraadse metasedimentêre gneise uit die Ancient Gneiss Complex (AGC) in Swaziland. Die werk behels 'n geïntegreerde veld, metamorfiese, geochemiese, geochronologiese en strukturele studie van metasedimentêre granuliete van drie afsonderlike, maar ruimtelik verwante gebiede in suid-sentraal Swaziland, wat aan verskeie hoëgraadse anatektiese gebeure onderworpe was gedurende die Meso-tot Neoargeïese tydsperiode. Die studie is daarop gemik om die ouderdomme en die kondisies van metamorfose vas te stel, om sodoende by te dra tot die begrip van die geodinamiese prosesse in die Barberton en AGC granietgroensteen terrein, asook om sekere fisiese en chemiese aspekte van die anatektiese proses te ondersoek. Die metamorfe rekord, bepaal deur mineraal ewewigsmodellering sowel as sirkoon en monasiet SHRIMP en LA-ICP-MS geochronologie, belig die toestand van die middel-tot laer-kors van die suidoostelike Kaapvaal Kraton tydens vroeë litosfeer samesmelting en differensiasie. Dit stel ook voor dat die streek uit meer as een hoëgraadse terrein bestaan. Twee van die gebiede het hoë-temperatuur metamorfose by 3.23-3.21 Ga ervaar, asook 'n hoof 830-875 ° C, 6.5-7.6 kbar anatektiese gebeurtenis by 3.11-3.07 Ga. Intermediêre en jonger hoë-temperatuur gebeure was ook by 3.18 Ga, 3.16 Ga en 2.99 Ga geregistreer. Die metamorfose van die gebied stem ooreen met die samesmelting van die oos Kaapvaal Kraton domein deur subduksie en aanwas van mikro-kontinente by 3.23 Ga, insluitend die Barberton en AGC terreine, asook diskrete episodes van kors differensiasie en kalium-ryke graniet magmatisme tussen 3.23 en 3.10 Ga. Die derde gebied hou geen rekord van Mesoargeïkum metamorfose nie. In plaas daarvan het dit 'n 830-855 ° C, 4.4-6.4 kbar anatektiese episode by 2.73 Ga ervaar, wat ooreenstem met die vorming van 'n groot kontinentale vloedbasalt provinsie, die 2.71 Ga Ventersdorp Supergroep, en wydverspreide intrakratoniese graniet magmatisme teen die einde van die Neoargeïkum. 'n Moontlike verduideliking vir die kontras in metamorfe rekord in die twee terreine mag wees dat die 2.71 Ga granuliete 'n jonger sedimentêre afsetting verteenwoordig, en dat granuliete van die ouer terrein te restieties gelaat was na aansienlike anateksis in die Mesoargeïkum, om daaropvolgende hoëgraadse gebeure te registreer. Ten slotte, hierdie studie dokumenteer die besonderhede van S-tipe graniet magma produksie en ontginning van 'n tipiese metasedimentêre bron. Die 2.73 Ga granuliete word gebruik as 'n natuurlike veld laboratorium om die selektiewe optel-en-meevoering van peritektiese granaat tot die magma te ondersoek. Die werk toon die evolusie van peritektiese granate in sulke magmas aan, en ondersteun lewering van relatiewe mafiese graniet magmas deur 'n ‘peritektiese fase optel-en-meevoerings’ proses.

The Namaqua Province of southwestern Africa is comprised of a number of distinct tectonostratigraphic subprovinces and terranes, which have in common a 1100-1200Ma structural and metamorphic imprint. In the western Bushmanland Subprovince, E-Wtrending belts of supracrustal gneisses are intruded by and infolded with granitic gneisses of varying ages. A central zone of rocks metamorphosed in the granulite facies is bordered to the north and south by amphibolite facies rocks. A portion of the Garies-Platbakkies supracrustal gneiss belt has been mapped on a 1:15 000 scale. The supracrustal succession was deposited on an unconfirmed basement. It is structurally juxtaposed and infolded with three different granitic augen gneisses. Large bodies of orthopyroxene-bearing granite are syntectonically emplaced in the succession. A wide variety of anatectic granites crop out as sills, dykes and pods varying in size between a few metres and a few hundred metres. These bodies commonly truncate pre-existing foliations. The metamorphosed supracrustal succession contains gneissic equivalents of felsic, mafic and intermediate volanics; pelitic, semi-pelitic, magnesian and granitic composition sediments; feldspathic quartzites; and subordinate quartzites, banded iron formation and calc-silicates. The mineral assemblages of all the rocks indicate metamorphism in the granulite facies. A variety of field evidence exists which suggests that the metamorphic peak was responsible for generating significant quantities of partial melt. The rocks of the study area contain an early Dl fabric. This is refolded in tight, E-plunging D2 crenulation folds. D2 mineral fabrics pre-date the metamorphic peak. D3 open, asymmetric folds are N-vergent and fold the crystalline products partial melting. The southern limbs of D3-folds are attenuated in 04 shear zones. The whole belt is cut by steep, N-S-trending faults. A wide variety of thermobarometers are tested for their applicability to mineral assemblages in the supracrustal rocks. The results of this application suggest that the metamorphic peak occurred at 780 ± 30°C and 5.0 ± 0.4 kbar. Assemblages in shear zones indicate an isobaric retrograde cooling path. The phase relations of melting near the solidus are reviewed with reference to common assemblages in the leucosomes of rocks with granitic and peraluminous bulk compositions. Isobaric T-a(H₂O) sections are constructed from available experimental and thermochemical data. Biotite dehydration and dehydration melting reactions are balanced using natural mineral compositions. The predicted results are compared with the modal abundances of natural product assemblages. The results suggest that dehydration melting was responsible for migmatization, and the consequent reduction of water activity. The amount of melt produced was controlled by the amount of water available from the dehydration of biotite. There is no evidence for the control of water activity by an external fluid reservoir. Limited amounts of water-undersaturated melts were extracted from their sites of generation. This process was responsible for the depletion of some leucosome assemblages with respect to K₂O, H₂O and in peraluminous rocks Na₂O. The partial melts were emplaced locally in developing shear zones.

The granulite-facies Hart-Jaune Terrane is the structurally lowermost tectonic assemblage in the Allochthonous Belt of the Grenville province exposed along the Manicouagan Reservoir transect in eastern Quebec.
The Hart-Jaune Terrane is composed of interbanded two-pyroxene/plagioclase mafic granulites and quartzofeldspathic gneisses, which are probably supracrustal, and of granulitic gabbros. Gneissic banding generally trends NNE with moderately steep southerly dips, and contains a SSW-plunging pyroxene mineral lineation that is parallel to the axes of intrafolial folds. These structures are rotated into the bounding Hart-Jaune and Gabriel shear zones about an axis parallel to the inferred direction of motion along the shear zones.
Metamorphism of the Hart-Jaune Terrane has resulted in the development of 3 distinct metamorphic assemblages. These are best preserved in mafic rocks and are: (1) an early high temperature granoblastic dry granulite assemblage which is intimately associated with anatectic melts dated at ca. 1.47 Ga (granulite-A); (2) a higher-pressure/lower temperature dry granulite assemblage in which garnet grows as rims between phases of the granulite-A assemblage (granulite-b); (3) a hydrated assemblage in which garnet and biotite grow in mafic rocks of the Hart-Jaune Terrane (@ ca..99 Ga) as a result of hydration along faults of the Gabriel Fault system.
The granulite-A assemblage probably reflects high-T and relatively low-P metamorphism that occurred during crustal thinning, probably related to rifting during geon 14. The high-P granulite-B assemblage probably reflects a subsequent crustal thickening event. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Ce travail regroupe un ensemble de chapitres traitant de différents aspects des granulites, en mettant l'accent sur les compositions basiques. Ces chapitres sont indépendants, mais sont reliés entre eux par des renvois de l'un à l'autre. La première approche pour l'étude des granulites est géochimique: il est montré, dans un article en collaboration avec Andriambololona D., que les éléments de transition, peu affectés par le métamorphisme, peuvent être utilisés pour caractériser les métabasites. La suite du travail est consacrée à une étude pétrologique des formations granulitiques de Madagascar et du Massif Central français. Au chapitre II, l'étude détaillée d'un assemblage coronitique à HB-Ky-Ga est l'occasion de proposer une grille pétrogénétique dans le système CMASFH. Cette étude explique clairement les associations observées, soulève le problème de la rareté du disthène dans ces roches et apporte une explication graphique à la diversité des associations minéralogiques observées dans les métabasites qui sont décrites dans les chapitres suivants. Dans les chapitres III et IV, sur l'exemple d'un massif troctolitique, on montre la diversité de faciès pétrographiques qui peut être obtenue au cours d'un métamorphisme isochimique ou métasomatique, avec variation de la pression des fluides. Des associations faisant intervenir des minéraux rares sont décrites: sérendibite, clintonite, staurotide magnésienne, saphirine. On s'interroge sur les relations chronologiques entre le métamorphisme et la métasomatose ; contemporains ou non ? Un parallélisme est fait avec les grospydites dont le problème de l'origine se pose dans les mêmes termes. Dans le chapitre V, est présentée une étude pétrogénétique d'un complexe gabbro-anorthositique du Sud malgache, formation semblable aux classiques suites anorthositiques (Adirondacks, par ex.). Le chapitre est divisé en trois parties : (1) description pétrographique détaillée des différents faciès ; (2) évaluation quantitative des paramètres extensifs du métamorphisme, grâce à une utilisation systématique des principaux géothermobarométriques conventionnels ; (3) discussion sur la mise en place du complexe plutonique et les relations avec le métamorphisme. L'étude des métasédiments associés à ce complexe (chapitre VI) confirme les évaluations thermodynamiques du chapitre V. C'est aussi l'occasion de décrire quelques associations rares à kornérupine, grandidiérite, Sp-Qz, etc. Le chapitre VII décrit la seule éclogite de basse température actuellement connue dans le précambrien: les implications géotectoniques sont discutées. Le chapitre VIII porte sur l'étude d'un métamorphisme de très hautes températures. Des conditions supérieures à 1000°C auraient affectées des métavolcanites métasomatisées. Il est intéressant de remarquer que ces conditions extrêmes passent totalement inaperçues en utilisant les géothermomètres usuels, puisque ceux-ci indiquent des températures de 600 à 700°C ! En guise de conclusion, s'appuyant sur les données pétrologiques recueillies, un modèle géodynamique faisant appel à une extension lithosphérique, suivi d'un épisode compressif, est proposé. Celui-ci s'intègre dans le modèle collisionnel envisagé pour la ceinture mobile mozambicaine, dont Madagascar représente la bordure orientale.

This item is only available electronically.
The Winnecke Gorge-Two Mile Bore region (Winnecke Domain) of the Arunta Block, central Australia, contains a highly condensed geological section from greenschist-facies Amadeus Basin cover sequences (Heavitree Quartzite and Bitter Springs Formation), through amphibolite-grade assemblages (Ankala gneiss), to granulite-facies mafic, felsic and calc-silicate lithologies (Strangways Metamorphic Complex). Juxtaposition of these blocks of widely varying metamorphic grade has been facilitated via the activation (and probable reactivation in many cases) of several major sub-parallel, E-W trending shear zones. Greenschist-facies shear zones to the immediate north of the Heavitree Quartzite have previously been demonstrated to have been associated with the Palaeozoic Alice Springs Orogeny. In this study, the petrological character of assemblages from across the Winnecke Domain have been investigated. Thermobarometric estimates (using THERMOCALC and other pressure-temperature estimators) have been used to constrain the change in pressure-temperature conditions across the Winnecke Domain. Pressures obtained from gneissic assemblages increase from around 4.0 kbars in the Winnecke South gneiss (the southern extent of the transect) to around 8.5 kbars in the Cadney metamorphics (the northern extent), and step significantly at major lithological boundaries (i.e. Erontonga metamorphics - Two Mile Bore shear zone contact). The range of pressures obtained from schistose assemblages is quite variable (between 3.3 and 6.8 kbars), and does not increase consistently towards the north. This possibly indicates several phases of activation of shear zones in the region, or it may reflect the presence of variable, but significant, amounts of non-KFMASH components (e.g. Mn) in phases such as garnet. Significant, but variable, potassium and iron metasomatism was typically associated with the development of schists throughout the Winnecke Domain, and was often accompanied by coarse grained biotite, muscovite and magnetite growth. The source of such large quantities of potassium in the potassium-poor granulite terrain is unknown at present. A significant occurrence of a whiteschist (kyanite/talc-bearing) assemblage, the first of its type documented from mainland Australia, is described from the southern margin of the Erontonga metamorphics. The first reported occurrence of a kyanite-bearing schist from the Cadney metamorphics (in the Marbles Bore region) is documented in this study.
Thesis (B.Sc.(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 1996

The high-grade metamorphic Epupa Complex (EC) of north-western Namibia constitutes the south-western margin of the Archean to Proterozoic Congo Craton. The north-eastern portion of the EC has been geochemically and petrologically investigated in order to reconstruct its tectono-metamorphic evolution. Two distinct metamorphic units have been recognized, which are separated by ductile shear zones: (1) Upper amphibolite facies rocks (Orue Unit) and (2) ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) granulite facies rocks (Epembe Unit). The rocks of the EC are transsected by a large anorthosite massif, the Kunene Intrusive Complex (KIC). The Orue Unit and the Epembe Unit were affected by two distinct Mesoproterozoic metamorphic events, as is evident from differences in their metamorphic grade, in the P-T paths and in the age of peak-metamorphism: (1) The Orue Unit consists of a Palaeoproterozoic volcano-sedimentary sequence, which was intruded by large masses of I-type granitoids and by rare mafic dykes. During the Mesoproterozoic (1390-1318 Ma) the Orue Unit rocks underwent upper amphibolite facies metamorphism. The volcano-sedimentary sequence is constituted by interlayered basaltic amphibolites and rhyolitic felsic gneisses, with intercalations of migmatitic metagreywackes, migmatitic metapelites, metaarkoses and calc-silicate rocks. The Orue Unit was subdivided into three parts, which record similar heating-cooling paths but represent individual crustal levels: Heating led to the partial replacement of amphibole, biotite and muscovite through dehydration melting reactions. The peak-metamorphic P-T conditions of c. 700°C, 6.5 +/- 1.0 kbar (south-eastern part), c. 820°C, 8 +/- 0.5 kbar (south-western part) and c. 800°C, 6.0 +/- 1.0 kbar (northern part) correlate well with the mineral assemblage in the metapelites, i.e. Grt-Bt-Sil gneisses and schist in the south-eastern and south-western region and (Grt-)Crd-Bt gneisses in the northern part. Peak-metamorphism was followed by retrograde cooling to middle amphibolite facies conditions. Contact metamorphism, related with the intrusion of the anorthosites, is restricted to the direct contact to the KIC and recorded by massive metapelitic Grt-Sil-Crd felses, formed under upper amphibolite facies conditions (c. 750°C, c. 6.5 kbar). (2) The Epembe Unit consists of a Palaeoproterozoic volcano-sedimentary succession, which was intruded by small bodies of S-type granitoids and by andesitic dykes. All these rocks underwent UHT granulite facies metamorphism during the early Mesoproterozoic (1520-1447 Ma). The volcano-sedimentary succession is dominated by interlayered basaltic two-pyroxene granulites and rhyolitic felsic granulites. Migmatitic metapelites and metagreywackes are intercalated in the metavolcanites. Sapphirine-bearing MgAl-rich gneisses occur as restitic schlieren in the migmatitic metagreywackes. Reconstructed anti-clockwise P-T paths are subdivided into several distinct stages: During prograde near-isobaric heating to UHT conditions at c. 7 kbar biotite- or hornblende-bearing mineral assemblages were almost completely replaced by anhydrous mineral assemblages through various dehydration melting reactions. A subsequent pressure increase of 2-3 kbar led to the formation of the peak-metamorphic mineral assemblages Grt-Opx and (Grt-)Opx-Cpx in the orthogneisses and Grt-Opx, Grt-Sil and (Grt-)(Spr-)Opx-Sil-Qtz in the paragneisses. UHT-Metamorphism is proved by conventional geothermobarometry (970 +/- 70°C; 9.5 +/- 2.5 kbar), by the very high Al content of peak-metamorphic orthopyroxene (up to 11.9 wt.% Al2O3) in many paragneisses and by Opx-Sil-Qtz assemblages in the MgAl-rich gneisses. Post-peak decompression is recorded by several corona and symplectite textures, formed at the expense of the peak-metamorphic phases: Initial UHT decompression of about ca. 2 kbar to 940 +/- 60°C at 8 +/- 2 kbar is mainly evident from the formation of sapphirine-bearing symplectites in the Opx-Sil gneisses. Subsequent high-temperature decompression to 6 +/- 2 kbar at 800 +/- 60°C resulted in the formation of Crd-Opx-Spl, Crd-Opx and Spl-Crd symplectites. Subsequent near-isobaric cooling to upper amphibolite conditions of 660 +/- 30°C at 5 +/- 1.5 kbar led to the re-growth of biotite, hornblende, sillimanite and garnet. During continued decompression orthopyroxene and cordierite were formed at the expense of biotite in several paragneisses. In a geodynamic model UHT metamorphism of the Epembe Unit is correlated with the formation of a large magma chamber at the mantle-crust boundary, which forms the source for the anorthosites of the KIC. In contrast, amphibolite facies metamorphism of the Orue Unit is ascribed to a regional contact metamorphic event, caused by the emplacement of the anorthositic crystal mushes in the middle crust
Epupa-Komplex (EK) Nordwest-Namibias bildet den südwestlichen Rand des archaischen bis proterozoischen Kongo-Kratons. Der nordöstliche Teil des EK wurde geochemisch und petrologisch untersucht, um seine tektono-metamorphe Entwicklung zu rekonstruieren. Hierbei wurden zwei unterschiedliche metamorphe Einheiten erkannt, die durch duktile Scherzonen getrennt sind: (1) Gesteine der oberen Amphibolitfazies (Orue-Einheit) und (2) Ultrahochtemperatur (UHT)-granulitfazielle Gesteine (Epembe-Einheit). Die Gesteine des EK werden von einem gewaltigen Anorthosit-Massiv, dem Kunene-Intrusiv-Komplex (KIK), durchschlagen. Unterschiede im Metamorphosegrad, in den P-T Pfaden und den Metamorphose-Altern belegen, dass die Orue-Einheit und die Epembe-Einheit von zwei unterschiedlichen mesoproterozoischen Metamorphosen erfasst wurden: (1) Die Orue-Einheit setzt sich aus einer paläoproterozoischen vulkano-sedimentären Abfolge zusammen, die von I-Typ Granitoiden und Basaltgängen intrudiert wurde. Während des Mesoproterozoikums (1390-1318 Ma) wurde die Orue-Einheit unter Bedingungen der oberen Amphibolitfazies metamorph überprägt. Die vulkano-sedimentäre Abfolge wird von einer Wechsellagerung von basaltischen Amphiboliten und rhyolitischen felsischen Gneisen aufgebaut, in die migmatitische Metagrauwacken, migmatitische Metapelite, Metaarkosen und Kalksilikate eingeschaltet sind. Die Orue-Einheit wurde in drei Regionen untergliedert, die ähnliche Aufheizungs-Abkühlungs-Pfade aufweisen, aber unterschiedliche Krustenbereiche repräsentieren: Aufheizung führte zur partiellen Verdrängung von Amphibol, Biotit und Muskovit durch Dehydratations-Schmelz-Reaktionen. Die höchstgradigen P-T Bedingungen von ca. 700°C, 6.5 +/- 1.0 kbar (südöstlicher Teil), ca. 820°C, 8 +/- 0.5 kbar (südwestlicher Teil) und ca. 800°C, 6.0 +/- 1.0 kbar (nördlicher Teil) stimmen mit den jeweiligen Mineralparagenesen der Metapelite überein (Grt-Bt-Sil-Gneise und –Schiefer im südöstlichen und –westlichen Teil und (Grt-)Crd-Bt-Gneise im nördlichen Teil). Abkühlung erfolgte unter Bedingungen der mittleren Amphibolitfazies. Kontaktmetamorphose, verbunden mit der Intrusion der Anorthosite, ist auf den direkten Kontaktbereich zum KIK beschränkt und durch undeformierte metapelitische Grt-Sil-Crd Felse überliefert, die unter Bedingungen der oberen Amphibolitfazies (ca. 750°C, ca. 6.5 kbar) gebildet wurden. (2) Die Epembe-Einheit besteht aus einer paläoproterozoischen vulkano-sedimentären Abfolge, die von kleinvolumigen S-Typ Granitoiden und Andesitgängen intrudiert wurde. Die Gesteine wurden im frühen Mesoproterozoikum (1520-1447 Ma) von einer UHT-granulitfaziellen Metamorphose erfasst. Die vulkano-sedimentäre Abfolge wird durch wechsellagernde basaltische Zwei-Pyroxen Granulite und rhyolitische felsische Granulite dominiert. Migmatitische Metapelite und Metagrauwacken sind in die Metavulkanite eingeschaltet. Sapphirin-führende MgAl-reiche Gneise treten als restititische Schlieren in den migmatitischen Metagrauwacken auf. Die rekonstruierten P-T Pfade verlaufen entgegen des Uhrzeigersinnes und sind in mehrere Stufen gegliedert: Während annähernd isobarer Aufheizung zu UHT-Bedingungen bei ca. 7 kbar wurden Biotit- und Hornblende-führende Mineralparagenesen weitgehend oder vollständig im Zuge von Dehydratations-Schmelzreaktionen verdrängt. Ein anschließender Druck-Anstieg um 2-3 kbar führte zur Bildung der höchstgradigen Mineralparagenesen Grt-Opx und (Grt-)Opx-Cpx in den Orthogneisen und Grt-Opx, Grt-Sil und (Grt-)(Spr-)Opx-Sil-Qtz in den Paragneisen. UHT-Metamorphose ist durch konventionelle Geothermobarometrie (970 +/- 70°C; 9.5 +/- 2.5 kbar), den sehr hohen Al-Gehalt von höchstgradigem Orthopyroxen (bis zu 11.9 Gew.% Al2O3) in zahlreichen Paragneisen und die Paragenese Opx-Sil-Qtz in den MgAl-reichen Gneisen belegt. Anschließende Dekompression ist durch zahlreiche Korona- und Symplektit-Gefüge um die höchstgradigen Minerale überliefert. Initiale UHT-Dekompression um ca. 2 kbar (940 +/- 60°C; 8 +/- 2 kbar) ist hauptsächlich durch Sapphirin-führende Symplektite in den MgAl-reichen Gneisen belegt. Anhaltende Dekompression unter granulitfaziellen Bedingungen (800 +/- 60°C; 6 +/- 2 kbar) führte zur Bildung von Crd-Opx-Spl, Crd-Opx und Spl-Crd Symplektiten. Anschließende annähernd isobare Abkühlung zu Bedingungen der oberen Amphibolitfazies (660 +/- 30°C; 5 +/- 1.5 kbar) führte zum Wiederwachstum von Biotit, Hornblende, Sillimanit und Granat. Während anhaltender Dekompression wurde in den Paragneisen Orthopyroxen und Cordierit auf Kosten von Biotit gebildet. In einem geodynamischen Model wird die UHT-Metamorphose wird mit der Bildung einer Magmenkammer an der Kruste-Mantel-Grenze in Zusammenhang gebracht, welche zugleich die Magmenquelle für die Anorthosite des KIK darstellt. Die amphibolitfazielle Metamorphose der Orue-Einheit wird dagegen mit einer regionalen Kontaktmetamorphose während der Platznahme der anorthositischen Magmen in Verbindung gebracht

This thesis presents research on high-temperature metamorphic processes. A recent development in petrological modelling of granulite facies rocks is reintegration of melt generated and lost during metamorphism. The aim of melt reintegration is to create bulk compositions suitable for modelling prograde subsolidus evolution. Melt reintegration methodology was applied to a low-pressure granulite assemblage containing unambiguous textural evidence for subsolidus andalusite. Melt reintegration methodology resulted in a bulk composition that stabilised subsolidus and modally correct andalusite, providing validation of this petrological modelling technique. Melting and melt loss modifies rock chemistry and a long-standing paradigm is that melting depletes rocks in heat producing elements (HPEs). However, comprehensive K–U–Th datasets taken from a number of terranes show that in metapelites, melting and melt loss does not deplete U–Th concentrations, with overall terrane averages suggesting bulk heat production partitioning between melt and residuum is essentially 1:1. Modelling of HPE concentrations derived from terrane-scale elemental mapping in central Australia show that low-pressure (150–175 °C/kbar) granulite-facies metamorphism was driven by elevated crustal heat production. This energy source resulted in extremely long-lived (> 150 Ma) low-P–high-T metamorphism. High thermal gradient metamorphism driven by this energy source is characterised by contractional structures, kinematically late temperature maxima, and tight clockwise P–T loops. Petrochronology (the nexus between the isotopic age of a mineral and its compositional controls) is being increasingly used to interrogate the thermobarometric record contained in metamorphic rocks. Combined zircon and monazite REE-isotopic U–Pb compositions from interlayered metapelite and metabasic granulites show essentially identical peak metamorphic assemblages were achieved by substantially different P–T–t paths. The metabasic rock composition reached peak conditions at least 30 Ma before the metapelite. While speculative, the thermal delay recorded by the metapelite may reflect thermal buffering associated with partial melting and persistent structurally focussed melt streaming.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Physical Sciences, 2019

M.Sc. (Geology)
The Proterozoic Namaqua-Natal Mobile Belt of southern Africa represents a succession of high grade metamorphosed igneous and sedimentary rocks rimming the southern and western extents of the Kaapvaal craton. Different petrological processes associated with the onset of granulite facies metamorphism were investigated with the emphasis on the processes on anatexis and migmatitization and the influence of the fluid phase on these processes. The investigation took place in the Margate Terrane of the Southern Natal Metamorphic Province. The Umzimkulu and Louisiana Quarries near Port Shepstone formed the bulk of the field area for this investigation. The Umzimkulu and Louisiana quarries expose two s-type granitic lithologies, namely, the Glenmore Biotite Gneiss (GBGn) and the slightly younger, intrusive Margate Leucogranite (MLGn), both of which have been metamorphosed to granulite facies. Geothermobarometric calculations on the metamorphism of the Margate Terrane all indicate temperatures and pressures of peak metamorphism be 850oC+50oC at +6 kbar. The high grade metamorphic history of the lithologies is recorded by the formation of concordant, lens-shaped, prograde anatectic leucosomes. The leucosomes are concentrically surrounded by biotite selvage zones, followed by melanosomes, and lastly undisturbed host rock material. This investigation revealed that the formation of both the charnockite veins and the prograde leucosomes occurred through processes of anatexis. Field relations suggest that the charnockitic veins formed in situ, and were structurally controlled, which is evident from their linearity. Petrographic and geochemical data provide evidence for melt involvement. This is in strong contrast to theories of charnockite formation ascribed to subsolidus granulite formation by the flushing of host lithologies by a pervasive, carbonic fluid, as has been suggested to have occurred in Southern India. The so-called "incipient charnockites" of Southern India are both morphologically and geochemically similar to the charnockite veins described in the SNMP, suggesting that an anatectic origin may be common to both.