Abstract
Natural kyanites with Cr2O3 contents >1 wt% are very rare and known only from high-P environments, for example, eclogite-facies gabbroic cumulates containing Cr-spinel from the Pohorje Massif, Eastern Alps, Slovenia. In these rocks, turquoise-colored Cr-rich kyanites are present in two different textural types. A first type has formed as blocky crystals of several hundred micrometers in size around clusters of small drop-like Cr-spinels. This kyanite shows a highly irregular Cr distribution and may contain up to 15.6 wt% Cr2O3, which is one of the highest Cr2O3 contents reported so far. A second type is present as part of reaction coronas around large red-brownish Cr-spinel and forms deep-blue needle-like crystals that rarely exceed 100 μm in size. This kyanite contains up to 8.2 wt% Cr2O3 and is associated with Cr-rich corundum (≤9.1 wt% Cr2O3) and Cr-Al-rich pargasite (≤3.9 wt% Cr2O3). The formation of kyanite around Cr-spinel droplets is interpreted to be the result of increasing P-T conditions during prograde metamorphism where Cr-spinel and plagioclase or quartz react to Crkyanite, ±garnet, ±omphacite. In contrast, the formation of kyanite associated with Cr-rich corundum and Cr-rich pargasite within coronas around Cr-spinel occurred in an early stage of the retrogressive evolution of the gabbroic cumulates at eclogite-facies conditions of ~2.5 GPa and 750–800 °C triggered by the influx of H2O-rich fluids. The driving force for developing these coronas was an increase in the chemical potential of silica caused by the infiltrating hydrous fluid phase. P-T estimates using matrix mineral assemblage place the peak metamorphic conditions close to the quartz/coesite transition with temperatures in the range of 750–810 °C and pressures of ~2.9 GPa.
Acknowledgments
We thank Zmargo Zorg, Anton Gutschi, and Walter Postl for their support during fieldwork. We are particularly indebded to Zmargo Zorg who has been ranging the Pohorje Massif for eclogite occurrences for many years. Anton Pock, Juergen Neubauer, Karl Ettinger, and Reinhard Kaindl are thanked for thin section preparation, SEM support, performing EPMA analysis, and support for Raman analysis, respectively. We thank Håkon Austrheim, Gerhard Franz, and an unknown reviewer for their comments and corrections.
References cited
Altherr, R., Lugovic, B., Meyer, H.P., and Majer, V.(1995) Early Miocene post-collisional calc-alkaline-magmatism along the easternmost segment of theperiadriatic fault system (Slovenia and Croatia). Mineralogy and Petrology, 54, 225–247.10.1007/BF01162863Search in Google Scholar
Brandelik, A., and Massonne, H.J. (2004) PTGIBBS—an EXCEL Visual Basic program for computing and visualizing thermodynamic functions and equilibria of rock-forming minerals. Computers and Geosciences, 30, 909–923.10.1016/j.cageo.2004.06.001Search in Google Scholar
Chinner, G.A., Smith, J.V., and Knowles, C.R. (1969) Transition metal contents of Al2SiO5 polymorphs. American Journal of Science, 267-A, 96–113.Search in Google Scholar
Connolly, J.A.D. (1990) Multivariable phase-diagrams—an algorithm based on generalized thermodynamics. American Journal of Science, 290, 666–718.10.2475/ajs.290.6.666Search in Google Scholar
Cooper, A.F. (1980) Retrograde alteration of chromian kyanite in metachert and amphibolite whiteschist from the Southern Alps, New Zealand, with implications for uplift on the Alpine Fault. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 75, 153–164.10.1007/BF00389775Search in Google Scholar
Dachs, E. (2004) PET: Petrological Elementary Tools for Mathematica: an update. Computers and Geosciences, 30, 173–182.10.1016/j.cageo.2003.09.007Search in Google Scholar
Delor, C.P, and Leyreloup, A.F. (1986) Chromium-rich kyanite in an eclogite from the Rouergue area, French Massif Central. Mineralogical Magazine, 50, 535–537.10.1180/minmag.1986.050.357.19Search in Google Scholar
Exner, U., Fusseis, F., Grasemann, B., Habler, G., Linner, M., Sölva, H., Thiede, R., and Thöni, M. (2001) Cretaceous eclogite-facies metamorphism in the Eastern Alps: new insights, data and correlations from an interdisciplinary study. Journal of Conference Abstracts (Abstract volume EUG XI) 6, 387.Search in Google Scholar
Fodor, L.I., Balogh, K., and Dunkl, I. (2003) Structural evolution and exhumation of the Pohorje-Kozjak Mts., Slovenia. Annales Universitatis Scientarum Budapestinensis, Sectio Geologica, 35, 118–119.Search in Google Scholar
Fodor, L.I., Gerdes, A., Dunkl, I., and Koroknai, B. (2008) Miocene emplacement and rapid cooling of the Pohorje pluton at the Alpine-Pannonian-Dinaridic junction, Slovenia. Swiss Journal of Geosciences, doi:1007/s00015–008-1286–9.1007/s00015-008-1286-9Search in Google Scholar
Gil-Ibarguchi, J.I., Mendia, M., and Girardeau, J. (1991) Cr-rich staurolite and Cr-rich kyanite in high-pressure ultrabasic rocks (Cabo Ortegal, northwestern Spain). American Mineralogist, 76, 501–511.Search in Google Scholar
Grambling, J.A., and Williams, M.L. (1984) The effects of Fe3+ and Mn3+ on aluminum silicate phase relations in North-Central New Mexico, U.S.A. Journal of Petrology, 26, 324–354.10.1093/petrology/26.2.324Search in Google Scholar
Green, D.H., and Ringwood, A.E. (1967) An experimental investigation of the gabbro to eclogite transformation and its petrological applications. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 31, 767–833.10.1016/S0016-7037(67)80031-0Search in Google Scholar
Hauzenberger, C.A., Baumgartner, L.P, and Pak, T.M. (2001) Experimental study on the solubility of the “model”-pelite mineral assemblage albite + K-feldspar + andalusite + quartz in supercritical chloride rich aqueous solutions at 0.2 GPa and 600°C. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 65, 4493–4507.10.1016/S0016-7037(01)00741-4Search in Google Scholar
Hinterlechner-Ravnik, A., and Moine, B. (1977) Geochemical characteristics of the metamorphic rocks of the Pohorje Mountains. Geologija, 20, 107–140.Search in Google Scholar
Hinterlechner-Ravnik, A., Sassi, F.P., and Visona, D. (1991a) The Austridic eclogites, metabasites and metaultrabasites from the Pohorje area (Eastern Alps, Yugoslavia): 1. The eclogites and related rocks. Rendiconti Lincei, 2, 157–173.10.1007/BF03001419Search in Google Scholar
Hinterlechner-Ravnik, A., Sassi, F.P., and Visona, D. (1991b) The Austridic eclogites, metabasites and metaultrabasites from thePohorje area (EasternAlps, Yugoslavia): 2. The metabasites and metaultrabasites, and concluding considerations Rendiconti Lincei, 2, 175–190.10.1007/BF03001420Search in Google Scholar
Hoinkes, G., Kostner, A., and Thöni, M. (1991) Petrologic constraints for the Eo-alpine eclogite facies metamorphism in the Austro-Alpine basement. Mineralogy and Petrology, 43, 237–354.10.1007/BF01164529Search in Google Scholar
Holland, T.J.B., and Powell, R. (1998) An internally consistent thermodynamic data set for phases of petrological interest. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 16, 309–343.10.1111/j.1525-1314.1998.00140.xSearch in Google Scholar
Ippen, J.A. (1892) Zur Kenntnis der Eklogite und Amphibolite des Bachergebirges. Mitteilungen des Naturwissenschaftlichen Vereins für Steiermark, 328–369.Search in Google Scholar
Janàk, M., Froitzheim, N., Lupták, B., Vrabec, M., and Krogh Ravna, E.J. (2004) First evidence for ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism of eclogites in Pohorje, Slovenia: Tracing deep continental subduction in the Eastern Alps. Tectonics, 23, TC5014, doi:10.1029/2004TC001641.10.1029/2004TC001641Search in Google Scholar
Janàk, M., Froitzheim, N., Vrabec, M., Krogh Ravna, E.J., and de Hoog, J.C.M. (2006) Ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism and exhumation of garnet peridotite in Pohorje, Eastern Alps. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 24/1, 19–31.10.1111/j.1525-1314.2005.00619.xSearch in Google Scholar
Janàk, M., Cornell, D., Froitzheim, N., De Hoog, J.C.M., Broska, I., and Vrabec, M. (2009) Eclogite-hosting metapelites from the Pohorje Mountains (Eastern Alps): P-T evolution, zircon geochronology and tectonic implications. European Journal of Mineralogy, 21, 1191–1212.10.1127/0935-1221/2009/0021-1966Search in Google Scholar
Konzett, J., Krenn, K., Hauzenberger, Ch., Whitehouse, M., and Hoinkes, G. (2011). High-pressure tourmaline formation and fluid activity in Fe–Ti-rich eclogites from the Kreuzeck Mountains, Eastern Alps, Austria. Journal of Petrology, doi: 10.1093/petrology/egr057.10.1093/petrology/egr057Search in Google Scholar
Krogh, E.J. (2000) The garnet-clinopyroxene Fe2+-Mg geothermometer: an updated calibration. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 18, 211–219.10.1046/j.1525-1314.2000.00247.xSearch in Google Scholar
Krogh-Ravna, E.J., and Terry, P (2004) Geothermobarometry of UHP and HP eclogites and schists—an evaluation of equilibria among garnet-clinopyroxene-kyanite-phengite-coesite/quartz. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 22, 579–592.10.1111/j.1525-1314.2004.00534.xSearch in Google Scholar
Langer, K., and Seifert, F. (1974) High pressure-high temperature synthesis and properties of chromian kyanite, (Al,Cr)2SiO5. Zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine Chemie, 383, 29–39.10.1002/zaac.19713830104Search in Google Scholar
Manning, C.E. (2004) The chemistry of subduction-zone fluids. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 223, 1–16.10.1016/j.epsl.2004.04.030Search in Google Scholar
Miller, C. (1990) Petrology of the type locality eclogites from the Koralpe and Saualpe (Eastern Alps), Austria. Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 70, 287–300.Search in Google Scholar
Miller, C., and Konzett, J. (2005) Comment on First evidence for Ultrahigh pressure metamorphism of eclogites in Pohorje, Slovenia: tracing deep continental subduction in the eastern Alps by Janák et al. (2004). Tectonics, 24, TC6010, doi:10.1029/2004TC001765.10.1029/2004TC001765Search in Google Scholar
Miller, C., and Thöni, M. (1997) Eo-Alpine eclogitisation of Permian MORB-type gabbros in the Koralpe (Austria): new petrological, geochemical and geochronological data. Chemical Geology, 137, 283–310.10.1016/S0009-2541(96)00165-9Search in Google Scholar
Miller, C., Stosch, H.G., and Hoernes, S. (1988) Geochemistry and origin of eclogites from the type locality Koralpe and Saualpe, Eastern Alps, Austria. Chemical Geology, 67, 103–118.10.1016/0009-2541(88)90009-5Search in Google Scholar
Miller, C., Thöni, M., Konzett, J., Kurz, W., and Schuster, R. (2005a) Eclogites from the Koralpe and Saualpe type-localities, Eastern Alps, Austria. Mitteilungen Österreichische Mineralogische Gesellschaft, 150, 227–263.Search in Google Scholar
Miller, C., Mundil, R., Thöni, M., and Konzett, J. (2005b) Refining the timing of eclogite metamorphism: a geochemical, petrological, Sm-Nd and U-Pb case study from the Pohorje Mountains, Slovenia (Eastern Alps). Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 150, 70–84.10.1007/s00410-005-0004-0Search in Google Scholar
Miller, C., Zanetti, A., Thöni, M., and Konzett, J. (2007) Eclogitisation of gabbroic rocks: redistribution of trace elements and Zr in rutile thermometry in an Eo-alpine subduction zone (Eastern Alps). Chemical Geology, 239, 96–123.10.1016/j.chemgeo.2007.01.001Search in Google Scholar
Mioč, P., and Žnidarčič, M. (1977) Geological Map of SFRJ. Geological Survey, Ljubljana, Slovenia.Search in Google Scholar
Negulescu, E., and Sabau, G. (2012) Chromium-rich lawsonite in high-Cr eclogites from the Fagaras Massif (South Carpathians). American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting poster V23D-2862, .Search in Google Scholar
Pearce, J.A. (1983) A “user’s guide” to basalt discrimination diagrams. The Open University Report (unpublished).Search in Google Scholar
Pivin, M., Berger, J., and Demaiffe, D. (2011) Nature and origin of an exceptionally Cr-rich kyanite-bearing xenolith from Mbuji-Mayi kimberlite (DRC). European Journal of Mineralogy, 23, 257–268.10.1127/0935-1221/2011/0023-2086Search in Google Scholar
Rost, F., and Simon, E. (1972) Zur Geochemie und Färbung des Cyanits. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie Monatshefte, 9, 383–395.Search in Google Scholar
Sassi, R., Mazzoli, C., Miller, C., and Konzett, J. (2004) Geochemistry and metamorphic evolution of the Pohorje Mountain eclogites from the easternmost Austroalpine basement of the Eastern Alps (Northern Slovenia). Lithos, 78, 235–261.10.1016/j.lithos.2004.05.002Search in Google Scholar
Sobolev, N.V., Kusnetsova, I.K., and Zyuzin, N.I. (1968) The petrology of grospydite xenoliths from the Zagadochnaya pipe in Yakutia. Journal of Petrology, 9, 253–280.10.1093/petrology/9.2.253Search in Google Scholar
Sölva, H., Grasemann, B., Thöni, M., Thiede, R.C., and Habler, G. (2005a) The Schneeberg Normal Fault Zone: Normal faulting associated with Cretaceous SE-directed extrusion in the Eastern Alps (Italy/Austria). Tectonophysics, 401, 143–166.10.1016/j.tecto.2005.02.005Search in Google Scholar
Sölva, H., Grasemann, B., Thöni, M., and Habler, G. (2005b) The eo-Alpine high-pressure belt in the Eastern Alps: a kinematic exhumation model and its tectonic implications. Mitteilungen Österreichische Mineralogische Gesellschaft, 150–147.Search in Google Scholar
Thomkins, H.S., Powell, R., and Ellis, D.J. (2007) The pressure dependence of the zirconium-in-rutile thermometer. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 25, 703–713.10.1111/j.1525-1314.2007.00724.xSearch in Google Scholar
Thöni, M. (1999) A review of geochronological data from the Eastern Alps. Schweizer Mineral ogisch Petrographische Mitteilungen, 79, 209–230.Search in Google Scholar
Thöni, M. (2006) Dating eclogite facies metamorphism in the Eastern Alps-approaches, results, interpretations: a review. Mineralogy and Petrology, 88, 123–148.10.1007/s00710-006-0153-5Search in Google Scholar
Thöni, M., and Jagoutz, E. (1993) Isotopic constraints for Eo-Alpine high-P metamorphism in the Austroalpine nappes of the Eastern Alps: bearing on Alpine orogenesis. Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 73, 177–189.Search in Google Scholar
Vrabec, M., Janák, M., Froitzheim, N., and De Hoog, C.-J. (2012) Phase relations during peak metamorphism and decompression of the UHP kyanite eclogites, Pohorje Mountains (Eastern Alps, Slovenia). Lithos, 144–145, 40–55, doi:10.1016/j.lithos.2012.04.004.10.1016/j.lithos.2012.04.004Search in Google Scholar
Waters, D.J., and Martin, H.N. (1993) Geobarometry in phengite-bearing eclogites. Terra Abstracts, 5, 410–411.Search in Google Scholar
White, E.W., and White, W.B. (1967) Electron microprobe and optical absorption study of colored kyanites. Science, 158, 915–922.10.1126/science.158.3803.915Search in Google Scholar PubMed
Zack, T., Moraes, R., and Kronz, A. (2004) Temperature dependence of Zr in rutile: an empirical calibration of a rutile thermometer. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 148, 471–488.10.1007/s00410-004-0617-8Search in Google Scholar
Manuscript handled by Thomas Mueller
© 2016 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Highlights and Breakthroughs
- The deep continental crust has a larger Mg isotopic variation than previously thought
- Article
- Magnesium isotopic composition of the deep continental crust
- Review
- Cancrinite-group minerals: Crystal-chemical description and properties under non-ambient conditions—A review
- Amorphous Materials: Properties, Structure, and Durability
- Nepheline structural and chemical dependence on melt composition
- Chemistry and Mineralogy of Earth's Mantle
- Some thermodynamic properties of larnite (β-Ca2SiO4) constrained by high T/P experiment and/or theoretical simulation
- Minerals in the Human Body
- Growth dynamics of vaterite in relation to the physico-chemical properties of its precursor, amorphous calcium carbonate, in the Ca-CO3-PO4 system
- Special Collection: Perspectives on Origins and Evolution of Crustal Magmas
- Mafic replenishments into floored silicic magma chambers
- Special Collection: Perspectives on Origins and Evolution of Crustal Magmas
- Hafnium, oxygen, neodymium, strontium, and lead isotopic constraints on magmatic evolution of the supereruptive southern Black Mountains volcanic center, Arizona, U.S.A.: A combined LASS zircon–whole-rock study
- Special Collection: Perspectives on Origins and Evolution of Crustal Magmas
- Deciphering magmatic processes in calc-alkaline plutons using trace element zoning in hornblende
- Special Collection: Geology and Geobiology of Lassen Volcanic National Park
- The Lassen hydrothermal system
- Article
- Maruyamaite, K(MgAl2)(Al5Mg)Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)3O, a potassium-dominant tourmaline from the ultrahigh-pressure Kokchetav massif, northern Kazakhstan: Description and crystal structure
- Article
- The valence quadrupole moment
- Article
- Crystal chemistry and light elements analysis of Ti-rich garnets
- Article
- XRD-TEM-AEM comparative study of n-alkylammonium smectites and interstratified minerals in shallow-diagenetic carbonate sediments of the Basque-Cantabrian Basin
- Article
- Mechanical properties of natural radiation-damaged titanite and temperature-induced structural reorganization: A nanoindentation and Raman spectroscopic study
- Article
- Jianshuiite in oceanic manganese nodules at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary
- Article
- The effect of phosphorus on manganocolumbite and mangaotantalite solubility in peralkaline to peraluminous granitic melts
- Article
- Interpretation of the infrared spectra of the lizardite-nepouite series in the near- and mid-infrared range
- Article
- In situ spectroscopic study of water intercalation into talc: New features of 10 Å phase formation
- Article
- Phase relations on the K2CO3-CaCO3-MgCO3 join at 6 GPa and 900–1400 °C: Implications for incipient melting in carbonated mantle domains
- Article
- Genesis of chromium-rich kyanite in eclogite-facies Cr-spinel-bearing gabbroic cumulates, Pohorje Massif, Eastern Alps
- Article
- Ferri-kaersutite, NaCa2(Mg3TiFe3+)(Si6Al2)O22O2, a new oxo-amphibole from Harrow Peaks, Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica
- Article
- In defense of magnetite-ilmenite thermometry in the Bishop Tuff and its implication for gradients in silicic magma reservoirs
- Letter
- Incorporation of high amounts of Na in ringwoodite: Possible implications for transport of alkali into lower mantle
- New Mineral Names
- New Mineral Names*,†
- Review
- American Mineralogist thanks the year 2015 reviewers
Articles in the same Issue
- Highlights and Breakthroughs
- The deep continental crust has a larger Mg isotopic variation than previously thought
- Article
- Magnesium isotopic composition of the deep continental crust
- Review
- Cancrinite-group minerals: Crystal-chemical description and properties under non-ambient conditions—A review
- Amorphous Materials: Properties, Structure, and Durability
- Nepheline structural and chemical dependence on melt composition
- Chemistry and Mineralogy of Earth's Mantle
- Some thermodynamic properties of larnite (β-Ca2SiO4) constrained by high T/P experiment and/or theoretical simulation
- Minerals in the Human Body
- Growth dynamics of vaterite in relation to the physico-chemical properties of its precursor, amorphous calcium carbonate, in the Ca-CO3-PO4 system
- Special Collection: Perspectives on Origins and Evolution of Crustal Magmas
- Mafic replenishments into floored silicic magma chambers
- Special Collection: Perspectives on Origins and Evolution of Crustal Magmas
- Hafnium, oxygen, neodymium, strontium, and lead isotopic constraints on magmatic evolution of the supereruptive southern Black Mountains volcanic center, Arizona, U.S.A.: A combined LASS zircon–whole-rock study
- Special Collection: Perspectives on Origins and Evolution of Crustal Magmas
- Deciphering magmatic processes in calc-alkaline plutons using trace element zoning in hornblende
- Special Collection: Geology and Geobiology of Lassen Volcanic National Park
- The Lassen hydrothermal system
- Article
- Maruyamaite, K(MgAl2)(Al5Mg)Si6O18(BO3)3(OH)3O, a potassium-dominant tourmaline from the ultrahigh-pressure Kokchetav massif, northern Kazakhstan: Description and crystal structure
- Article
- The valence quadrupole moment
- Article
- Crystal chemistry and light elements analysis of Ti-rich garnets
- Article
- XRD-TEM-AEM comparative study of n-alkylammonium smectites and interstratified minerals in shallow-diagenetic carbonate sediments of the Basque-Cantabrian Basin
- Article
- Mechanical properties of natural radiation-damaged titanite and temperature-induced structural reorganization: A nanoindentation and Raman spectroscopic study
- Article
- Jianshuiite in oceanic manganese nodules at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary
- Article
- The effect of phosphorus on manganocolumbite and mangaotantalite solubility in peralkaline to peraluminous granitic melts
- Article
- Interpretation of the infrared spectra of the lizardite-nepouite series in the near- and mid-infrared range
- Article
- In situ spectroscopic study of water intercalation into talc: New features of 10 Å phase formation
- Article
- Phase relations on the K2CO3-CaCO3-MgCO3 join at 6 GPa and 900–1400 °C: Implications for incipient melting in carbonated mantle domains
- Article
- Genesis of chromium-rich kyanite in eclogite-facies Cr-spinel-bearing gabbroic cumulates, Pohorje Massif, Eastern Alps
- Article
- Ferri-kaersutite, NaCa2(Mg3TiFe3+)(Si6Al2)O22O2, a new oxo-amphibole from Harrow Peaks, Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica
- Article
- In defense of magnetite-ilmenite thermometry in the Bishop Tuff and its implication for gradients in silicic magma reservoirs
- Letter
- Incorporation of high amounts of Na in ringwoodite: Possible implications for transport of alkali into lower mantle
- New Mineral Names
- New Mineral Names*,†
- Review
- American Mineralogist thanks the year 2015 reviewers