The Proterozoic P-T-t Evolution of the Kemp Land Coast, East Antarctica; Constraints from Si-saturated and Si-undersaturated Metapelites

Integrated metamorphic and geochronological data place new constraints on the metamorphic evolution of a Neoproterozoic orogen in east Antarctica. Granulite-facies rocks from a 150km stretch of the Kemp Land coast reflect peak conditions involving T 870-990C at P 74-10 kbar, with pressure increasing...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Petrology
Main Authors: Halpin, JA, White, RW, Clarke, GL, Kelsey, DE
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Oxford Univ Press 2007
Subjects:
Earth Sciences
Geology
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
East Antarctica
Kemp Land
Rayner
Antarc*
Antarctica
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egm020
http://ecite.utas.edu.au/75907
Description
Summary:Integrated metamorphic and geochronological data place new constraints on the metamorphic evolution of a Neoproterozoic orogen in east Antarctica. Granulite-facies rocks from a 150km stretch of the Kemp Land coast reflect peak conditions involving T 870-990C at P 74-10 kbar, with pressure increasing westward towards an Archaean craton. Electron microprobe-derived (Th + U)-Pb monazite ages from metapelitic assemblages indicate that the major mineral textures in these rocks developed during the c. 940Ma Rayner Orogeny. Complex compositional zoning in monazite suggests high-T recrystallization over c Myr. Diversity in metapelitic reaction textures reflects silica and ferromagnesian content: Si-saturated Fe-rich metapelites contain garnet that is partially pseudomorphed by biotite and sillimanite, whereas Si-saturated Mg-rich metapelites and Si-undersaturated metapelitic pods have reaction microstructures involving cordierite enclosing orthopyroxene, garnet and/or sapphirine, cordierite sapphirine + symplectites around sillimanite and coarse-grained orthopyroxene + corundum separated by sapphirine coronae. Interpretations based on P-T pseudosections provide integrated bulk-rock constraints and indicate a clockwise P-T-t path characterized by a post-peak P-T trajectory with dP/dT 15-20 bar/C. This moderately sloped decompressive-cooling P-T path is in contrast to near-isothermal decompression P-T paths commonly cited for this region of the Rayner Complex, with implications for the post-collisional tectonic response of the mid- to lower crust within this orogenic belt. The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Similar Items