ALBERT

Description: We investigate the evolution of the three‐dimensional thermal structure of a palaeo‐subduction channel exposed in the Penninic units of the central Tauern Window (Eastern Alps). Structural and petrological observations reveal a sheath fold with an amplitude of some 20 km that formed under high‐P conditions (~2 GPa). The fold is a composite structure that isoclinally folded the thrust of an ophiolitic nappe derived from Alpine Tethys Ocean onto a unit of the distal European continental margin, also affected by the high‐P conditions. This structural assemblage is preserved between two younger domes at either end of the Tauern Window. The domes deform isograds of the T‐dominated Barrovian metamorphism that itself overprints the high‐P metamorphism partly preserved in the sheath fold. Using Raman spectroscopy on carbonaceous material (RSCM), we are able to distinguish peak‐temperature domains related to the original subduction metamorphism from domains associated with the later temperature‐dominated (Barrovian) metamorphism. The distribution of RSCM temperatures in the Barrovian domain indicates a lateral and vertical decrease of peak temperature with increasing distance from the centres of the thermal domes. This represents a downward increase of palaeo‐temperature, in line with previous studies. However, we observe the opposite palaeo‐temperature trend in the lower limb of the sheath fold, namely an upward increase. We interpret this inverted palaeo‐temperature domain as the relic of a subduction‐related temperature field. Towards the central part of the sheath fold's upper limb, RSCM temperatures increase to a maximum of ~520°C. Further upsection in the hangingwall of the sheath fold, palaeo‐peak temperatures decrease to where they are indistinguishable from the peak temperatures of the overprinting Barrovian metamorphism. Peak‐temperature contours of the subduction‐related metamorphism are oriented roughly parallel to the folded nappe contacts and lithological layering. The contours close towards the northern, western and eastern parts of the fold, resulting in an eye‐shaped, concentric pattern in cross‐section. The temperature contour geometry therefore mimics the fold geometry itself, indicating that these contours were also folded in a sheath‐like manner. We propose that this sheath‐like pattern is the result of a two‐stage process that reflects a change of the mode of nappe formation in the subduction zone from thrusting to fold nappe formation. First, thrusting of a hot oceanic nappe onto a colder continental nappe created an inverted peak‐thermal gradient. Second, sheath folding of this composite nappe structure together with the previously established peak‐temperature pattern during exhumation. This pattern was preserved because temperatures decreased during retrograde exhumation metamorphism and remained less than the subduction‐related peak temperatures during the later Barrovian overprint. The fold ascended with diapir‐like kinematics in the subduction channel.

Description: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001659

Description: Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2016. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Taylor & Francis for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in International Geology Review 59 (2017): 702-720, doi:10.1080/00206814.2016.1233834.

Description: In order to determine the effects of fluid–rock interaction on nitrogen elemental and isotopic systematics in high-pressure metamorphic rocks, we investigated three different profiles representing three distinct scenarios of metasomatic overprinting. A profile from the Chinese Tianshan (ultra)high-pressure–low-temperature metamorphic belt represents a prograde, fluid-induced blueschist–eclogite transformation. This profile shows a systematic decrease in N concentrations from the host blueschist (~26 μg/g) via a blueschist–eclogite transition zone (19–23 μg/g) and an eclogitic selvage (12–16 μg/g) towards the former fluid pathway. Eclogites and blueschists show only a small variation in δ15Nair (+2.1 ± 0.3‰), but the systematic trend with distance is consistent with a batch devolatilization process. A second profile from the Tianshan represents a retrograde eclogite–blueschist transition. It shows increasing, but more scattered, N concentrations from the eclogite towards the blueschist and an unsystematic variation in δ15N values (δ15N = + 1.0 to +5.4‰). A third profile from the high-P/T metamorphic basement complex of the Southern Armorican Massif (Vendée, France) comprises a sequence from an eclogite lens via retrogressed eclogite and amphibolite into metasedimentary country rock gneisses. Metasedimentary gneisses have high N contents (14–52 μg/g) and positive δ15N values (+2.9 to +5.8‰), and N concentrations become lower away from the contact with 11–24 μg/g for the amphibolites, 10–14 μg/g for the retrogressed eclogite, and 2.1–3.6 μg/g for the pristine eclogite, which also has the lightest N isotopic compositions (δ15N = + 2.1 to +3.6‰). Overall, geochemical correlations demonstrate that phengitic white mica is the major host of N in metamorphosed mafic rocks. During fluid-induced metamorphic overprint, both abundances and isotopic composition of N are controlled by the stability and presence of white mica. Phengite breakdown in high-P/T metamorphic rocks can liberate significant amounts of N into the fluid. Due to the sensitivity of the N isotope system to a sedimentary signature, it can be used to trace the extent of N transport during metasomatic processes. The Vendée profile demonstrates that this process occurs over several tens of metres and affects both N concentrations and N isotopic compositions.

Description: Support of this project was partly provided by National Science Foundation grant EAR-0711355 to GEB.

Description: 2017-10-10