In the central Antarctic Prince Charles Mountains

• Main Authors: A. F. Corvino, S. D. Boger, C. J. L. Wilson
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antarctic; Clemence Massif; Prince Charles Mountains; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.560.2092; http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1047/srp/srp062/of2007-1047srp062.pdf

Abstract The pressure (P) and temperature (T) conditions during metamorphism of a metapelitic sillimanite-garnet gneiss from Clemence Massif, Antarctic Prince Charles Mountains, are estimated using mineral abundance information and petrogenetic P–T pseudosections computed in the chemical system MnO–N2O–CaO–K2O–FeO–MgO–Al2O3– SiO2–H2O–TiO2–Fe2O3 (MnNCKFMASHTO). Calculated mineral equilibria for the appropriate bulk composition predict that the observed assemblage, of K-feldspar–garnet–quartz–sillimanite–biotite–ilmenite–rutile, stabilised at approximately 8–9 kbar and 760–790ºC. Reaction microstructures are rare, but the preservation of relic spinel inclusions in garnet indicates an earlier low-P, high-T component and possible anticlockwise path.