Upload
bel-monico
View
218
Download
4
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Descripción Basamento de las sierras de quilmes, argentina
Citation preview
Available online 3 June 2005
pegmatites. A younger group of pegmatites was emplaced in the country rocks at the end of the Ordovician (~440 Ma, RbSr
mineral isochrons), postdating most of the retrograde shear zones. Resetting of the muscovite KAr and 40Ar39Ar system in
Lithos 83 (2005) 143181
www.elsevier.com/locate/lithosAbstract
Towards unravelling the geodynamic setting of the northern Sierras Pampeanas (NW Argentina) we describe the tectono-
metamorphic and geochronologic evolution of sub-greenschist to granulite facies metamorphic sediments, granitoid plutons,
and pegmatites in the Ordovician Sierra de Quilmes metamorphic complex. The protoliths of the metasediments are represented
by a sequence of turbidites and minor calcsilicate rocks of the Neoproterozoic to Cambrian Puncoviscana Formation. The
metamorphic complex consists of four zones including the (1) chlorite, (2) biotitemuscovite, (3) garnetcordieritesillimanite,
and (4) orthopyroxene zones. Zones (3) and (4) show an increasing degree of anatexis, reaching large-scale diatexis in the
orthopyroxene zone at PT conditions exceeding ~800 8C and 600 MPa. At, or shortly after the metamorphic peak, the graniticto tonalitic Cafayate pluton intruded approximately along the boundary between anatectic and non-anatectic rocks. Retrograde
near-isobaric cooling of the middle crust was accompanied by non-penetrative ductile shearing at granulite to amphibolite facies
PT conditions. Evidence for significant prograde deformation is absent in the Sierra de Quilmes metamorphic complex.
Monazite and titanite UPb isotopic data constrain the metamorphic peak in migmatites and calcsilicate rocks to be at or
slightly prior to ~470 Ma. Retrograde amphibolite facies mineral reactions led to continuous formation of monazite and titanite
during slow cooling between ~470 Ma and 455 Ma (UPb data). The composite Cafayate pluton intruded over a time interval of
several million years between ~477 Ma (SmNd isochron) and ~460 Ma (monazite and titanite UPb isochron), followed byOrdovician metamorphism and plutonism in the Sierra de Quilmes
metamorphic complex: Implications for the tectonic setting of
the northern Sierras Pampeanas (NW Argentina)
S.H. Bqttnera,b,T, J. Glodnyc, F. Lucassenc, K. Wemmerd, S. Erdmannb,e,R. Handlerf, G. Franzb
aDepartment of Geology, Rhodes University Grahamstown, South AfricabInstitut fur Angewandte Geowissenschaften, Technische Universitat Berlin, Germany
cGeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, GermanydInstitut fur Geologie und Dynamik der Lithosphare (IGDL), Universitat Gottingen, Germany
eDalhousie Department of Earth Sciences, Nova Scotia, CanadafInstitut fur Geologie, Universitat Salzburg, Austria
Received 30 April 2004; accepted 26 January 20050024-4937/$ - s
doi:10.1016/j.lit
T CorrespondiE-mail addree front matter D 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.
hos.2005.01.006
ng author. Department of Geology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa.
ess: [email protected] (S.H. Bqttner).
covi
s me
f ma
phic
osed
lt tec
etting
dime
ronolo
LithosThe Ordovician high-grade metamorphism of the
Famatinian event was accompanied by the formation
of extensional marine sediment basins particularly at
the northern margin of the Sierras Pampeanas (e.g.
Bahlburg, 1991).
Despite a large number of publications, the
evolution and geodynamic setting of the Sierras
Pampeanas is still the subject of controversy. Two
conflicting models have been proposed, both with
internal variations by different authors and, in the light
of increasing data density and quality over the past 20
years, evolutionary modifications. One school of
thought follows concepts initially published by
Ramos et al. (1986) and Ramos (1988) that have
indicating subduction-related metamorphism are
absent. The concept of continent collision and terrane
amalgamation has been questioned in numerous
publications on the basis of field observation, bio-
stratigraphic, palaeomagnetic, sedimentological, geo-
chemical, geochronological, and petrological data
(e.g., Mon and Hongn, 1991; Bahlburg and Herve,
1997; Bock et al., 2000; Franz and Lucassen, 2001;
Acenolaza et al., 2002). The existence of proposed
terranes in the northern Sierras Pampeanas and
northern Chile has been challenged because of a
consistent and uniform geochronologic and petrologic
evolution across proposed suture zones (e.g., Lucas-
sen et al., 2000). In a contrasting model, Lucassen etweakly deformed pegmatites and crystallisation of new mus
attributed to minor late greenschist and sub-greenschist facie
The massive Early Ordovician heat transfer, the absence o
of non-penetrative deformation in the high-grade metamor
thickening and continent collision models, as have been prop
or stepwise extensional tectonics in a back-arc or a mobile be
the northern Sierras Pampeanas in general. An extensional s
agreement with the coeval formation of marine extensional se
Argentina and southern Bolivia.
D 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: PTt(d) path; Anatexis; Near-isobaric cooling; Geoch
1. Introduction
The Sierras Pampeanas in northwestern Argentina
(Fig. 1) were consolidated at the southwestern margin
of Gondwana during the Middle Cambrian Pampean
and the Ordovician to Devonian/Silurian Famatinian
orogenies (e.g., Pankhurst and Rapela, 1998a; Lucas-
sen and Becchio, 2003). The Sierras Pampeanas
consist mainly of metamorphic equivalents of turbi-
ditic sediments of the late Neoproterozoic to Early
Cambrian Puncoviscana Formation, which have been
interpreted as passive margin deposits formed along
the palaeo-Pacific continental margin (e.g., Jezek et
al., 1985). Large parts of the Puncoviscana Formation
underwent regional metamorphism of up to granulite
facies conditions during both the Pampean and
Famatinian events, leading to large-scale anatexis
and widespread plutonism in the Sierras Pampeanas.
S.H. Buttner et al. /144favoured eastward subduction along an active Gond-
wana margin, leading to the formation of a magmaticte in low-grade metamorphic sediments at ~400416 Ma is
tamorphism and deformation.
jor prograde deformation, and subsequent, prolonged phases
zones during slow near-isobaric cooling contradict crustal
for the southern Sierras Pampeanas. We suggest continuous
tonic environment for the Ordovician Sierra de Quilmes, and
of the northern Sierras Pampeanas in the Ordovician is in
nt basins in vicinity of the Sierras Pampeanas in northwestern
gy; Extensional tectonics
arc and to successive and repeated collisional accre-
tion of exotic and parautochthonous terranes in the
latest Proterozoic and in the early Palaeozoic. These
models are based mainly on large-scale structural
patterns, tectonic models, and palaeo-magnetic data.
They have been widely accepted, used, and modified
in numerous later publications (e.g., Willner, 1990;
Dalla Salda et al., 1992; Ramos, 1995; Rapela et al.,
1998a; several contributions in Pankhurst and Rapela,
1998b; Omarini et al., 1999), or served as tectonic and
geodynamic background information for local and
petrogenetic studies undertaken in the Sierras Pam-
peanas (e.g., Otamendi et al., 1998, 1999).
However, typical indications for the subduction of
oceanic lithosphere, such as mafic or ultramafic rocks
that have been interpreted as ophiolites (Lottner and
Miller, 1986), are rare in the Sierras Pampeanas.
Blueschist or eclogite facies metamorphic rocks
83 (2005) 143181al. (2000) have interpreted the Pampean and Famati-
nian orogenies as contiguous stages in the evolution
ithosCalama
22 S
Very low-grade to unmetamor-phosed Puncoviscana FormationMetamorphic and igneous base-
Ordovician basin sediments
Boliv
ia70 W 66 W22 S
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lof an intra-cratonic mobile belt close to the south-
western Gondwana margin. The evolution of the
mobile belt culminated in widespread low-P/high-T
metamorphism at 525500 Ma, followed by a long-
standing high-thermal gradient regime in the mid
crust, which persisted until Silurian time (Lucassen
and Becchio, 2003).
The tectono-metamorphic evolution of the northern
Sierras Pampeanas is shown in a tilted segment of the
crustal migmatites and high-grade metamorphic
gneisses grade into upper-crustal medium- to very
Sierrade Quilmes
Tucuman
Salta
26 S
32 S70 W 66 W
Cafayate
? ment of the Sierras Pampeanas
Chile
Arge
ntin
a
200 km
26 S
32 S
Chile Argentina
Parag.
Ur.
Bra.
Fig. 1. Outcrop of the pre-Devonian basement (modified after
Lucassen et al., 2000; SEGEMAR, 1997) including the central and
northern Sierras Pampeanas, the Puncoviscana Formation, and the
exposed relicts of the Ordovician sediment basins in northwestern
Argentina. In the northern Sierra de Quilmes sediments of the
Neoproterozoic to Cambrian Puncoviscana Formation grade in
metamorphic rocks. Ordovician basins cover the basement of the
Sierras Pampeanas and the Puncoviscana Formation. Mesozoic and
Cenozoic westeast crustal shortening during the Andean Orogeny
caused the northsouth trending outcrop of all units. The box shows
the location of the map in Fig. 2.low-grade metasediments, exposing a metamorphic
complex in a tilted crustal segment (Fig. 2). We
consider the Sierra de Quilmes as a key area for the
understanding of the crustal evolution in the northern
Sierras Pampeanas, because rocks of various meta-
morphic grades are accessible which sheare the same
geological history at different levels of the crust.
The sedimentary protoliths of the metamorphic
rocks belong to the Neoproterozoic to Cambrian
Puncoviscana Formation, which consists mainly of
turbidites (Acenolaza et al., 1988; Jezek, 1990;
Omarini et al., 1999) deposited in a large sediment
basin that extended from Bolivia to central Argentina
(~338S) roughly between 648 and 688W (Rapela et al.,1990). Sediment sources were cratonic parts of south-upper to middle crust forming the Sierra de Quilmes
metamorphic complex. In this paper we present
integrated data on the metamorphic and geochrono-
logical evolution of a metapelitic to meta-greywacke
sequence in a high thermal gradient environment, and
correlate the PTt evolution with the timing of
regional tectonics and granitic and pegmatitic pluton-
ism. We discuss the tectono-metamorphic evolution in
the high-grade metamorphic basement in the context
of the coeval formation of sediment basins, which
have covered large parts of the Sierras Pampeanas in
northwestern Argentina. We propose a non-colli-
sional, most likely extensional, geodynamic setting
of the northern Sierras Pampeanas in the Ordovician
and Silurian periods.
2. Geologic setting of the Sierra de Quilmes
The Sierras Pampeanas form large northsouth
trending mountain ranges in central and northwestern
Argentina between 248 and 348S and 648 and 688W(Fig. 1) and consist mainly of gneisses, schists,
migmatites, phyllites, and, less commonly, marbles
and metabasites. Low-P/high-T metamorphism with
crustal anatexis, associated granitic plutonism and
polyphase deformation are typical and widespread
phenomena in the Sierras Pampeanas. At their north-
ern end, in the Sierra de Quilmes (~268S, 668W), mid-
83 (2005) 143181 145west Gondwana (Acenolaza et al., 1988; Schwartz and
Gromet, 2004). The maximum stratigraphic age is
Tolombn
Colalao del Valle
Cafayate
?
Chlorite zone
Biotite-muscovite zone
Garnet-cordierite-sillimanite zone
Cafayate pluton
Pegmatite swarms
Sample loc. for geochronology
Other loc. mentioned in text
Opx
Opx
Opx
Chl
Bt+Ms
532 Loc./sample No.
Orthopyroxene zone and unclas-sified high-grade metamorphic basement
PVCL/ sedimentary bedding
55 Cleavage and stretching lineation in ductile shear zones
52
?
?
?
?
?
Bt+Ms
Sil+CrdG
rt
?
?
?
?
?
43510 (K-Ar)
45011 (K-Ar)
45714 (K-Ar)
42012 (K-Ar)
468 (U-Pb)
4429 (Sm-Nd) (a)
4548 (Ar-Ar)
4087 (Ar-Ar)
4087 (Ar-Ar)
4428 (Ar-Ar)
4385 (Rb-Sr)
4405 (Rb-Sr)
441 (Rb-Sr)
47711 (Sm-Nd)4608 (U-Pb)
4603 (U-Pb)
~ 4028 (K-Ar)
473 (U-Pb)
~ 3858 (K-Ar)
459 (U-Pb)
552
MM 110MM72
540, 542
620
0 1 0km
MM 61
477
MM 22 MM 53
551
MM 26
(12 km south)
619
526523
515
513
465
557
482/83
488
496
510
472
506
532528
556537
554
Angastaco Formation (Miocene)
63
47
4651
67
56
78
52
56
69 58
43
6382
51
30
655762
73
5382
59
5649
71
55
45
55
6277
55
5174
48
62
76
32
39
51
49
65
San Antonio
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lithos 83 (2005) 143181146
unknown but is probably Neoproterozoic (Schwartz
and Gromet, 2004; and references therein). Sedimen-
tation in the Puncoviscana basin ended at ~530 Ma
(Durand, 1996, as cited in Rapela et al., 1998a).
of plutons within, and in the vicinity of, the study area
yielded Cambro-Ordovician ages (Rapela et al., 1982;
Miller et al., 1991). Lower Ordovician-aged plutonism
~50 km north of the study area has been established
(Becchio et al., 1999; Lucassen et al., 2001). Tectono-
metamorphic events of Mesozoic and Palaeogene age
ral n
ester
photo
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lithos 83 (2005) 143181 147Considerable proportions of the metamorphic rocks in
the Sierras Pampeanas, including the Sierra de
Quilmes, are metamorphic equivalents of Puncovis-
cana sedimentary rocks (e.g., Jezek et al., 1985; Rapela
et al., 1998a; Schwartz and Gromet, 2004).
The Middle Cambrian Pampean Orogeny is
believed to be a collisional event associated with
terrane accretion and late-orogenic extensional col-
lapse (Rapela et al., 1998a). Neither petrological nor
geochronological data suggest that the Pampean
Orogeny was of major importance in the Sierra de
Quilmes. Although Pampean deformation at low
temperatures of metamorphism might be hidden in
the metamorphic complex, the Pampean Orogeny is
not discussed in this study. During the consecutive
Famatinian Orogeny (~490350 Ma; e.g., Rapela et
al., 1998a) Ordovician sediments were deposited
discordantly on top of the Puncoviscana Formation
and other Cambrian sediments in marine extensional
basins (Bahlburg, 1991, 1998; Bahlburg and Herve,
1997; Bock et al., 2000). Relicts of these basins cover
large parts in northwestern Argentina and southern
Bolivia (Fig. 1), including the Puna, that adjoins the
Sierra de Quilmes on the western side. Apart from
minor and local occurrences of Early Silurian and
Early Devonian sediments, no post-Ordovician sedi-
ment record prior to the latest Carboniferous exists in
northwestern Argentina (Bahlburg and Herve, 1997).
Earlier studies on the Sierra de Quilmes have
presented petrographic and some geothermobaromet-
ric data from the southern part of the study area and
determined medium-pressure granulite facies meta-
morphism and deformation at high temperature (Rossi
de Toselli et al., 1976; Toselli et al., 1978). Rapela
(1976a,b) and Rapela et al. (1990) have studied the
geochemical composition of several plutons and
metamorphic Puncoviscana rocks in the northern
Sierra de Quilmes. RbSr WR (whole rock) dating
Fig. 2. The metamorphic complex of the Sierra de Quilmes. Mine
metamorphic zones (abbreviations after Kretz, 1983). Note that the w
Lithology and zone boundaries are assumed from aerial and satelliteof the metamorphic complex. (a)SmNd mineral isochron of a migmatitic
discussed in the text.are not documented, or are of minor importance
within the study area, and are therefore not described
here. Details concerning the post-Palaeozoic evolution
can be found in Del Papa (1999) and Salfity and
Marqillas (1994). The Palaeozoic basement is overlain
by fluvial conglomerates and arenites of the Miocene
Angastaco Formation (Hongn et al., 1998), in the
northern part of the study area (Fig. 2).
3. Petrography of metamorphic zones in the Sierra
de Quilmes metamorphic complex
Between San Antonio and Tolombon (Fig. 2), the
Sierra de Quilmes shows a continuous, northeast to
southwest transition from very low- and low-grade
metamorphic clastic sediments into amphibolite facies
and migmatitic rocks. The protoliths were mainly
turbiditic sediments of the Puncoviscana Formation
(e.g., Toselli, 1990; Toselli and Rossi de Toselli,
1990). Except for rare calcsilicate lenses and some
metabasites, this metamorphic zonation is defined in
rocks of a uniform psammo-pelitic to greywacke
ames along zone boundaries highlight the index mineral(s) of the
nmost parts of the area (marked with a b?Q) have not been mapped.graphs, gravel in river valleys, and extrapolation from mapped partsbased on UPb monazite data (467476 Ma; Lork and
Bahlburg, 1993). KAr WR ages betweem ~450 and
~470 Ma (Adams et al., 1990) from Puncoviscana
Formation metasediments in contact aureoles north of
the study area were interpreted as recording Ordovi-
cian contact metamorphism. More recent studies in
the area of Colalao del Valle (Fig. 2) indicated an age
of 442F9 Ma for the regional metamorphism anddeformation (SmNd mineral isochrons, Lucassen et
al., 2000). The radiogenic isotope composition (Sr,
Nd, Pb) of the Puncoviscana siliciclastic metasedi-
ments and the Cafayate pluton indicate large propor-
tions of recycled Palaeo- to Mesoproterozoic crustgneiss from Lucassen et al. (2000). The geochronological data are
Lithoscomposition. The composite granitic to tonalitic
Cafayate pluton crosscuts the metasediments. Follow-
ing the pluton emplacement, numerous pegmatites
penetrated the pluton and its country rocks.
The following sections describe important macro-
scopic and microscopic characteristics of the meta-
morphic zones and the plutonic rocks. In the high-
grade metamorphic zones biotite, sillimanite and
garnet have formed at different stages on the PT
path. Subsript b1Q indicates mineral phases that haveformed prior to or during partial melting, whereas
subscript b2Q refers to phases that have formed duringretrograde cooling. In cases, we also distinguish
between mineral assemblages in the neosome and
the mesosome. The latter consists of mineral assemb-
lages that have formed during prograde heating but do
not show evidence of anatexis. In the neosome
leucocratic minerals dominate, melanosomes are
generally rare. We use mineral reactions and petroge-
netic grids to determine minimum temperatures for the
peak and retrograde metamorphism in individual
metamorphic zones. Geothermobarometric data from
selected samples are presented in Section 4.
3.1. The chlorite zone
Very low-grade metamorphic Puncoviscana sedi-
ments are common to the east and north of San
Antonio (Fig. 2). This unit consists mainly of layered
psammo-pelitic to greywacke sedimentary rocks with
local occurrences of phyllites northeast of San
Antonio. Sedimentary structures including Bouma
sequences, compositional layering and cross-bedding
(Fig. 3a) are well preserved and dominate their
appearance in the field (Fig. 4a). Quartz-rich layers
are generally thicker than psammo-pelitic layers, the
average grain size is b10 Am, and there is no evidencefor temperature-controlled grain coarsening. Psammo-
pelitic layers consist of quartz, chlorite, illitic clay
minerals, extensively altered detrital biotite, white
mica, K-feldspar, and occasional plagioclase. Grey-
wacke layers are quartzfeldspar dominated. Locally,
a non-penetrative, steeply west-dipping crenulation
cleavage crosscuts the generally southeast dipping
sedimentary bedding (Fig. 2). Due to lack of
metamorphic assemblages suitable for thermobarom-
S.H. Buttner et al. /148etry, no precise PT data for the chlorite zone are
available. Illite crystallinity data from two samples(samples 620 A and C, Fig. 2) suggest very low-grade
metamorphic conditions (available in the Electronic
Data Supplement).
3.2. The biotitemuscovite zone
Increasing temperature of regional metamorphism
is indicated by the presence of muscovite and
brownish biotite neoblasts and by the breakdown of
chlorite suggesting the reaction:
Chl Kfs Ms Bt Qtz V 1(abbreviations after Kretz, 1983).
In the chemical system KFMASH, reaction (1)
takes place at upper greenschist facies conditions
(~440 8C; Simpson et al., 2000; Fig. 5a). Theassemblage of the biotitemuscovite zone is Qtz
BtMsPlFKfsFopaque mineral. Relicts of graded-and cross-bedding, and layers enriched in heavy
minerals indicate a sedimentary origin of the composi-
tional layering. Static quartz growth and recrystallisa-
tion become increasingly important towards the west
of the biotitemuscovite zone. The size of polygonal,
microscopically strain-free quartz grains in psammitic
layers increases from 30 to 50 Am near the chloritezone to 70150 Am at the margin to the garnetcordieritesillimanite zone, indicating temperature-
controlled grain coarsening. The meta-greywacke
layers do not show any secondary foliation. In the
psammo-pelitic layers, biotite and muscovite show a
shape-preferred orientation oblique to the sedimentary
bedding (Fig. 3b). The absence of cleavage domains
and microlithons, or any other evidence for pressure
solution, indicates low-strain conditions associated
with the generation of this foliation, or static oriented
mica nucleation in a non-hydrostatic stress field
(Passchier and Trouw, 1996).
The compositional layering of initially sedimentary
origin, manifested now by metamorphic or coarsened,
initially detrital minerals, is referred to as Puncovis-
cana compositional layering (PVCL, Figs. 3b and 4a).
Domains, layers, or rafts showing the PVCL are
present in all metasediments of the Cafayate area,
including the migmatites and diatexites in the high-
grade metamorphic zones, suggesting similar proto-
liths in all zones of the metamorphic complex.
83 (2005) 143181In the centre and the western part of the biotite
muscovite zone, microcline twinning in K-feldspar
1 mm
(a)
S2
PVCL
(b)
1 mm
Mes
BtNPlN
PlNQtzN
QtzN
(d)(c)
Sil1Bt1
700 m 1 mm
BtN
Opx
Crd
Pl
Grt
Grt
Pl
Bt1Grt
Pl
Qtz
(e) (f)
Crd/Pin
MsC
BtC
1 mm
Opx
BtC
MsRMsC
BtR
Opx3 mm
CrdSil+Ms
(g)
Opx1 mm
Mag QtzSil2
St
Crd
Crd
(h)
Opx50 m
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lithos 83 (2005) 143181 149
(j)
Lithos(i) CrdPin
Grt1
S.H. Buttner et al. /150suggests SiAl ordering during cooling below ~500 8C(Kroll et al., 1991). Further indication for amphibolite
facies metamorphism are chessboard subgrain patterns
in quartz, indicating PT conditions within the
stability field of high-quartz (Kruhl, 1996; Fig. 5a).
Bt2Bt1
Bt1
Grt2
Ky
500 m
CrdSil+Bt2
Bt1
Bt1
StKy Sil
StKy
Pin+Sil(k) (l)
350 m
Fig. 3. (a) Crossbedding in Puncoviscana Formation from the chlorite z
Sample 477B, plane-polarised light (PPL). (b) Static or low-strain foliati
(PVCL) obliquely. The absence of cleavage domains, microlithons, and elo
Sample 488A, PPL. (c) Peak metamorphic sillimanite1 and biotite1 from t
Migmatitic fabric in the garnetcordieritesillimanite zone. Quartz in n
subgrains and local grain boundary migration. Magmatic PlN is undeformed
growth during the formation of melt. The mesosome (Mes) consists of
polarised light (CPL). (e) Orthopyroxenegarnetcordierite assemblage of
Euhedral cotectic garnet shows flat zonation patterns (Fig. 7). The garnet
growth. Rim compositions are similar to those of garnet in sample 532A
Sample 557G, PPL. (f) Contact metamorphic growth of biotite (BtC), musc
strain regional foliation defined by muscovite (MsR) and biotite (BtR). Pin
contact aureole. Biotitemuscovite zone; sample 513, PPL. (g) Synkine
retrograde ductile shear zone. Sample MM22, CPL. (h) Formation of retrog
recrystallised cordierite. Phases were characterised using the SEM EDS det
free cotectic garnet (Grt1) is mantled by a retrograde growth rim (Grt2) s
breaks down to biotite2, sillimanite2/kyanite and garnet2 (reaction (5b)). In
orthopyroxene zone, PPL. (j) Static replacement of peak-metamorphic g
cooling. Cordierite is largely pinitised. Sample MM53, orthopyroxene zone
and cordierite breakdown. Local formation of sillimanite and biotite2 sugge
PPL. (l) Static retrograde replacement of sillimanite1 by muscovite. Biotite1supply according to reaction (5e). Sample 526/2; 250 m west of Loc. 52683 (2005) 143181Chessboard patterns occur along the western margin of
the biotitemuscovite zone and in all higher-grade
zones of the Sierra de Quilmes. The western margin of
the biotitemuscovite zone is also defined by musco-
vite breakdown reactions (see below).
Grt
Pin
Crd
Sil+Bt2
1mm
Ms
Sil Ms
Ms
Bt1
Bt1
1 mm
one. The mineral assemblage is QtzChlIllopaque mineralFKfs.on intersecting the horizontal Puncoviscana compositional layering
ngated quartz grains indicates absence of major plastic deformation.
he eastern garnetcordieritesillimanite zone. Sample 510, PPL. (d)
eosome (QtzN) is slightly deformed as indicated by formation of
. Random orientation of biotite in the neosome (BtN) indicates static
finer-grained quartz, biotite, and plagioclase. Sample 528A, cross-
the orthopyroxene zone. Biotite1 is part of the melano- or mesosome.
at the lower right shows irregular shape due to retrograde solid state
(Fig. 7). Note euhedral magmatic plagioclase inclusions in garnet.
ovite (MsC) and poikiloblastic cordierite (Crd) overgrowing the low-
itisation of cordierite is associated with hydrothermal activity in the
matic replacement of cordierite by sillimanite and muscovite in a
rade sillimanite, staurolite, magnetite and quartz along boundaries of
ector. Garnetcordierite zone, SEM image, sample 496. (i) Inclusion-
howing inclusions of sillimanite and biotite. Cordierite and biotite1a later stage, cordierite breaks down to pinite (Pin). Sample MM26B,
arnet and cordierite by sillimanite and biotite2 during near-isobaric
, PPL. (k) Retrograde formation of staurolite and kyanite by biotite1sts a retrograde PT path crossing the SilKy isograd. Sample 532A,
does not show evidence for breakdown, suggesting fluid-assisted K+
, CPL.
ithosDespite the large temperature range of ~440650
8C within the biotitemuscovite zone the rocks areuniform in their mineral assemblage. The mineral
assemblage and microstructures clearly indicate upper
greenschist and amphibolite facies temperatures of
metamorphism. The relatively low Al2O3 content of
~15 wt.% in the bulk composition of the Puncoviscana
sediments (Becchio et al., 1999; Lucassen et al., 2001),
which are greywackes rather than pelites (Taylor and
McLennan, 1985), prevented the formation of pyro-
phyllite. Consequently, neither chloritoid nor staurolite
or garnet was formed during prograde greenschist and
amphibolite facies metamorphism (Spear, 1993).
A PT estimation for rocks along the boundary of
the biotitemuscovite and the garnetcordieritesilli-
manite zone (Fig. 2) is based on mineral reactions and
field and thin section observation. In the field, the
muscovite-out reaction
Ms Qtz Kfs Sil1 V; 2the appearance of leucosomes (Fig. 4b) according to
the reaction
Ms=Kfs Pl Qtz V L; 3aand the low-/high-quartz transition (on the evidence of
chessboard subgrain patterns; Kruhl, 1996) were
mapped in an approximately 400 m wide zone. The
isograds defining the three mineral reactions are
closest to each other in PT space at 360 MPa and
650 8C (Fig. 5a). We assume that these PTconditions, with an arbitrarily chosen uncertainty of
F30 8C and F50 MPa, are the conditions of themetamorphic peak along the boundary of the biotite
muscovite and the garnetcordieritesillimanite zone.
3.3. The garnetcordieritesillimanite zone
The garnetcordieritesillimanite zone is charac-
terised by the formation of high-temperature mineral
assemblages, anatexis and large-scale modification
and overprinting of the PVCL. Increasing maximum
temperature of metamorphism in the southern and
western part of the study area led to increasing partial
melting. The characteristic feature of these migmatites
is the separation of mesosome and neosome, forming
a usually parallel but locally anastomosing migmatitic
S.H. Buttner et al. / Llayering (Fig. 4bd). Biotite-rich melanosomes are
rare but occur locally along the eastern zone margin.Rafts and layers of non-anatectic plagioclasebiotite
gneisses (Fig. 4c) of up to several meters in size are
present in both the garnetcordieritesillimanite and
the orthopyroxene zones. The gneissic rafts show the
same mineral assemblage, texture, and layering as do
the amphibolite facies rocks in the western part of the
biotitemuscovite zone, indicating that all three zones
derive from identical protoliths, i.e., the metasedi-
ments of the Puncoviscana Formation. In both, the
garnetcordieritesillimanite and the orthopyroxene
zones, intercalated Kfsporphyric granites are com-
mon. Their boundaries to the migmatites are diffuse,
irregular, and gradational. The granite bodies vary in
size from several meters to several hundred meters.
Within the garnetcordieritesillimanite zone
increasing grade of metamorphism from northeast to
southwest is documented by (1) the formation of
sillimanite, (2) the formation of QtzPlFKfs-bearingleucosome, (3) cordierite and/or garnet in leucosome,
and (4) progressively increasing grain size in the
leucosome reaching 11 cm (cordierite) to 18 cm
(garnet) in diameter.
Most likely, the muscovite breakdown and silli-
manite forming reaction at the northeastern margin of
the zone is reaction (2) (see above), forming the new
mineral assemblage sillimanite1, biotite1, K-feldspar,
plagioclase, and quartz (Fig. 3c). No relict textures of
prograde white mica breakdown have been observed
in thin section, suggesting that the reaction went to
completion. The paragenesis sillimanite1biotite1 is
common in the less anatectic eastern part, but occurs
locally throughout the zone, possibly as a metastable
relict. Occasionally, cordierite overgrows biotite and
sillimanite, suggesting the reaction
Bt1 Sil1 Qtz Crd Kfs V: 3bAnatexis is indicated by the presence of leucosome
veins up to 5 mm thick and locally folded (Fig. 4b),
and melt pockets of mm to cm in size, which become
more abundant and larger going westward away from
the eastern zone margin. The easternmost veins are
garnet and cordierite-free and contain quartz, plagio-
clase, and some K-feldspar suggesting reaction (3a).
The magmatic origin of the veins is indicated by the
euhedral shape of the feldspars (Vernon, 1986).
Magmatic textures in folded veins suggest syn-
83 (2005) 143181 151magmatic folding. Veins and leucosome layers with
the assemblage QtzPlFKfs occur also towards the
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lithos 83 (2005) 143181152
west of the garnetcordieritesillimanite zone and in
the orthopyroxene zone, suggesting that reaction (3a)
took place in all migmatites during crustal heating but
became less important with increasing temperature or
after the consumption of muscovite.
In the leucosome veins and layers further towards
the west, cordierite and garnet become more common.
Depending on the melt forming reaction and the Fe/
Mg ratio in the protolith and in the magma either
garnet or cordierite, or both can be present. The latter
garnet, plagioclase, and quartz (Fig. 3e), and in most
cases with K-feldspar. The mesosome contains biotite,
plagioclase and quartz. Nowhere are biotite1, garnet1,
and quartz in contact, suggesting biotite breakdown
according to the reactions:
Bt1 Grt1 Qtz V Opx L 4a
Bt1 Qtz V Opx L 4b
hlorit
onspi
CL,
igmat
pres
zone.
stals
ovisc
ne. S
) abo
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lithos 83 (2005) 143181 153assemblage is more common in the central and
western part of the garnetcordieritesillimanite zone.
Occasionally, K-feldspar is absent as a cotectic phase,
suggesting fluid-present melting. We address the
significance and relative importance of fluid-present
or fluid-absent melting in the migmatites of the Sierra
de Quilmes metamorphic complex at the end of
Section 3.4. Cordierite and/or garnet suggests break-
down of sillimanite and biotite by the reactions:
Bt1 Sil1 Qtz Grt1 Crd Kfs L 3cBt Sil Qtz Pl V Grt1 L 3dBt Sil Qtz Pl Grt1 Kfs L 3eBt1 Sil1 Qtz V Grt1 L 3f
Most of these reactions indicate minimum temper-
atures of metamorphism in excess of 650750 8C.Fig. 5a shows the positions of the isograds, the
literature sources are referenced in the figure caption.
3.4. The orthopyroxene zone
The westernmost zone in the metamorphic com-
plex of the Sierra de Quilmes contains orthopyroxene
in leucosomes, usually coexisting with cordierite,
Fig. 4. (a) Low-grade metamorphic Puncoviscana Formation in the c
interbedding of greywacke and psammo-pelitic layers (PVCL) less c
Antonio valley (see Fig. 2). (b) Magmatic veins crosscutting the PV
garnetcordieritesillimanite zone. 250 m northeast Loc. 472. (c) M
escaped along syn-magmatic shear zones (msz). Relics of PVCL are
the garnetcordieritesillimanite zone, close to the orthopyroxene
Leucosome layers contain mainly garnet. Occasional cordierite cry
metamorphic cordierite in psammo-pelitic/pelitic layers of the Punc
Cafayate, eastern margin of the Cafayate pluton. (f) Ductile shear zo
top-west) displacement. Loc. 540. (g) Two ductile shear zones (SZOutside the shear zones the migmatitic fabrics remain largely undefo
plagioclase and quartz show only minor anatexis or none.Bt1 Qtz Pl Opx Kfs L 4c
Bt1 Grt1 Qtz Opx Crd Kfs L 4dIn greywackes and pelitic systems (XMg close to
0.5) and in the stability field of sillimanite the
reactions (4a) and (4b) take place between ~780 8Cand ~820 8C (Vielzeuf and Holloway, 1988). At mid-crustal level, the fluid-absent reactions (4c) and (4d)
indicate minimum temperatures of ~750 8C (Clemensand Wall, 1981), and ~830 8C (Spear et al., 1999),respectively.
Apart from the mineral assemblage, the migmatites
of the orthopyroxene zone are similar to those in the
garnetcordieritesillimanite zone, although the
degree of partial melting and the proportion of
unfoliated layers of syn-migmatitic granite is generally
higher. Locally, these granites contain orthopyroxene.
In this area cordierite is less common or absent, which
possibly marks pressure-related cordierite breakdown.
The peak-metamorphic mineral assemblages in the
migmatites of the Sierra de Quilmes can be explained
by either fluid-present (e.g., reactions (3a), (3d), and
(4a)) or fluid-absent partial melting (e.g., reactions
(3c), (3e), and (4c)). Several studies (e.g., Stevens and
Clemens, 1993; Clemens and Droop, 1998) have
e zone. The absence of metamorphic biotite makes the sedimentary
cuous than in zones of higher-grade metamorphism. Loc. 551, San
and gathering of magma in melt pockets, are characteristics of the
ite from the central garnetcordieritesillimanite zone. Magma has
erved in rafts. Upper San Antonio Valley. (d) Layered migmatite in
A calcsilicate lens is oriented parallel to the migmatitic layering.
reach up to 4 cm diameter. 250 m east of Loc. 557. (e) Contact
ana Formation. Biotitemuscovite zone, 5 km southsouthwest of
C-fabrics, CV shear bands, and j-clasts indicate top-to-the right (i.e.ut 1 cm thick overprint the migmatitic layering in sample MM61.rmed. Small mesosome (Mes) domains of fine-grained biotite,
shown that fluid-excess in high-grade metamorphic
terrains is unlikely and that hydrous fluids, if present,
are immediately dissolved in the melt, lowering aH2O.
Therefore, fluid-present melting reactions are assumed
to be less efficient than fluid-absent melting. However,
in the Sierra de Quilmes the production of excess
hydrous fluids is obvious by the prograde breakdown
of chlorite and muscovite. These reactions can be
inferred to have taken place in the migmatitic zones
during crustal heating, because the migmatites derive
from the same protoliths as the biotitemuscovite zone
and the chlorite zone, where solid state dehydration
reactions are obvious. Partial solid-state biotite break-
does not crystallise from granitic/granodioritic melt at
temperatures above ~720 8C (Whitney, 1975, 1988).This temperature was exceeded in most migmatites of
the Sierra de Quilmes. We assume that melt produced
by fluid-present melting reactions was removed from
the source at, or shortly after, the thermal peak, and
crystallised as intercalated Kfsporphyric granites.
The diffuse and gradational contacts of the intercalated
granites indicate the close relationship of granite
formation and anatexis. At a larger scale, the formation
of the Cafayate granite can be seen in this context (see
below). After consumption of the excess hydrous fluid,
anatexis continued by fluid-absent melting (reactions
memb
~475
atite
nterpr
etrog
aximu
onstra
2A: g
haded
int oc
4b), (
eege (
tiphas
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lithos 83 (2005) 143181154down (3b) might have supplied additional fluid during
crustal heating or at the thermal peak in the high-grade
metamorphic zones. It seems to be likely that the fluid
phase remained close to its source and was available
for fluid-present partial melting reactions at least in the
early stages of anatexis. Two observations support this
assumption: (1) Evidence for the efficient removal of
fluids, such as abundant hydrothermal veins in the
non- or weakly anatectic parts of the metamorphic
complex, is absent. (2) K-feldspar, or another potas-
sium-bearing mineral, is frequently absent in cordier-
ite-, garnet-, or orthopyroxene-bearing leucosomes,
although the melting reaction was biotite breakdown.
This shows that K-feldspar was not always a cotectic
phase, which fluid-absent melting reactions would
have produced (e.g., (3c), (3e), and (4d)). It is obvious
that potassium-rich melt has been removed after
crystallisation of the cotectic mineral (Crd, Grt,
Opx), and quartz and plagioclase. At mid-crustal
levels and moderate or high water content, K-feldspar
Fig. 5. (a) PTt evolution of medium- and high-grade metamorphic
isobaric cooling of the migmatites after peak metamorphism at
deformation ceased at amphibolite facies temperature before the migm
data calculated from core compositions of the peak assemblage, i
calculated from rim compositions of peak metamorphic minerals or r
of mid-crustal migmatites in the Sierra de Quilmes. We assume m
However, most calculated temperatures are in agreement with and c
Samples 557G and MM61: orthopyroxene zone. Samples 506 and 53
zone in the orthopyroxene zone. 513A: biotitemuscovite zone. S
between biotitemuscovite and garnetcordieritesillimanite zone (jo
(2): Spear and Cheney (1989); (3a): Holland (1979); (3b), (3f), (4a), (
(1999); (3d), (3e), and (4c): Clemens (1984); (8): van Groos and H
Massonne and Schreyer (1987). (b) (f) PT calculations using mulSolid lines show equilibria of the peak assemblage, dashed lines those
conventional geothermobarometry are indicated in (c), (d), and (e).(3c), (3e), (4c), and (4d)), producing cotectic K-
feldspar, which is present in many leucosomes. The
importance of fluid-absent or fluid-present partial
melting has varied locally and temporally in depend-
ence of fluid availability, pressure, and temperature.
3.5. The Cafayate pluton and its contact
metamorphism
The composite Cafayate pluton intruded roughly
along the boundary between the biotitemuscovite and
the garnetcordieritesillimanite zone, hence, at the
transition between non-anatectic and anatectic Punco-
viscana metasediments (Fig. 2). The pluton consists of
at least four different granitoids ranging in composi-
tion from granites to tonalites. The different types
appear to be peraluminous (cordierite- and sillimanite-
bearing) to metaluminous (epidote-bearing). More
detailed petrographic and geochemical descriptions
have been published previously (Rapela, 1976b;
ers of the Sierra de Quilmes metamorphic complex. Retrograde near-
Ma is accompanied by non-penetrative ductile shearing. Ductile
s reached the stability field of kyanite at ~440 Ma (see text). C : PT
eted as peak metamorphic conditions; R : retrograde equilibration
rade assemblages. The arrow indicates the approximate cooling path
m uncertainties of F100 MPa and F50 8C for PT calculations.ined by critical mineral assemblages and petrogenetic grids as well.
arnetcordieritesillimanite zone. 542: Mylonite from a ductile shear
circular field: metamorphic peak conditions along the boundary
currence of reactions (2), (3a), and (8)). (1): Simpson et al. (2000);
6) and (7): Vielzeuf and Holloway (1988); (3c) and (4d): Spear et al.
1973); Al2SiO5 phase diagram: Holdaway (1971); Si in muscovite:
e equilibria (TWEEQU 1.02 and 2.02; Berman, 1988, 1991, 1992).of the retrograde stage (details are given in the text). Results of
KyAnd
Chl K
fsBt
Ms
Qtz
V[1]
Si (Ms)=3
.12
Si (Ms
)=3.08
reg. met.513 A
cont. met.
KySil
low
-Qt
zhi
gh-Qt
z
SilAnd
400 500 600 700 800 900T [C]
[2]
[3f]
200
400
600
800
P [M
Pa]
[6]
[8]
~475 Ma
[4d]
[4b]
[7][3c
]
[2] Ms+Qtz=Kfs+Sil+V[3a] Ms/Kfs+Pl+Qtz+V=L [3b] Bt+Sil+Qtz=Crd+Kfs+V[3c] Bt+Sil+Qtz=Grt+Crd+Kfs+L[3d] Bt+Sil+Qtz+Pl+V=Grt+L[3e] Bt+Sil+Qtz+Pl=Grt+Kfs+L[3f ] Bt+Sil+Qtz+V=Grt+L[4a] Bt+Grt+Qtz+V=Opx+L[4b] Bt+Qtz+V=Opx+L[4c] Bt+Qtz+Pl=Opx+Kfs+L[4d] Bt+Grt+Qtz=Opx+Crd+Kfs+L [6] Bt+Crd+Qtz+V=Grt+L [7] Bt+Crd+Qtz+V=Opx+L [3d]
[2]
[3a ]
[3a]
[4a]
[3e]
[4c]
532AR
??
557GC
532AC
542R
506C
542C
~475 Ma
~475 Ma
~440 Ma
506R
MM61C
MM61R ??
557GR
[3b]
100
300
500
700
300 500 700 900
900
P [M
Pa]
T [C]
Sample 506
6An+2Pyp
+3Qtz
2Gross+3C
rd
Gros
s+Qt
z+2P
yp3C
rd
Alm
+Ph
lPy
p+An
n
6Sil+
5Gro
ss+3C
rd+
2Ann
2Alm
+15
An+2P
hl
[1] [2]
[1] 2Alm+2Phl+5Qtz+4Sil=3Crd+2Ann[2] 6Sil+5Gross+3Crd+2Ann=2Alm+15An+2Phl[3] 2Alm+4Ky+2Phl+5Qtz=3Crd+2Ann
4Sil+5Qtz+2Pyp3Crd
Alm
+Ph
lPy
p+An
n
4Ky+2Py+
5Qtz
3Crd
[3]
a
b
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lithos 83 (2005) 143181 155
100
300
500
700
300 500 700 900
4Sil+5Qtz+2Pyp
3Crd3Q
tz+2Pyp+6A
n
3Crd
+2Gross
6Sil+
5Gro
ss+3C
rd
15An
+2P
yp
Gros
s+Qt
z+2S
il
3An
900P
[MPa
]
66Sil+10Pyp+8Alm
+12V
15Crd
+6St
8Alm+46Ky+12V
6St+25Qtz
12St+
65Qtz
+46P
yp
16Alm
+69C
rd+24
V
5Qtz+4K
y+2Pyp
3Crd
5Qtz+
2Pyp+
4Ky
3Crd
6St+
25Qt
z8A
lm+
69Cr
d+24
V
Sample 532A
[1]
[1] Alm+Phl=Pyp+Ann (Holdaway et al. 1997)
9Qtz+6Pyp+4Ann
3Crd+6Fsl+4Phl
Alm
+Ph
lPy
p+An
n
6Alm
+2Ph
l+9Qt
z
6Fsl+
3Crd+
2Ann
4Alm+
2Pyp+9
Qtz
6Fsl+3C
rdSample 557G
T [C]
300 500 700 900 T [C]
Alm
+Ph
lPy
p +An
n
6An
+2Pyp+3Q
tz
2Gross+3C
rd
[1] 2Qtz+2Phl+6An+2Alm=2Ann+3Crd+2Gross[2] Alm+Phl=Pyp+Ann
(Holdaway et al., 1997; Holdaway, 2000)[3] Crd-Bt thermobaromerty
(Holdaway and Lee, 1977)
[1]
[2]
[3]
c
100
300
500
700
900
P [M
Pa]
d
Fig. 5 (continued).
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lithos 83 (2005) 143181156
ithose 900
S.H. Buttner et al. / LRapela et al., 1998b, 1990). Parts of the contacts
between different granitoids are irregular and diffuse,
indicating their coexistence as magmas; others are
300 500
300 500
Sample 542
[1]
[1] Gross+Qtz+2Sil=2An[2] Alm+Phl=Pyp+Ann
100
300
500
700
P [M
Pa]
100
300
500
700
P [M
Pa]
f
Sample MM61
H: Bt-Grt thermometry and GASP barometry (Holdaway et al., 1997; Hol
Fig. 5 (contiross
83 (2005) 143181 157straight, suggesting intrusion into solid pre-existing
parts of the pluton. At the eastern, northern, and
southern pluton margins, the intruding magma cross-
700 900
700 900 T [oC]
T [oC]
3Sil+K
fs+2G
ross
+Alm+
V
Ann+
6An
Sil+Q
tz+Gr
oss
3An
Kfs+
Alm
+V
Ann+
Qtz+
Sil
2Alm+G
ross+Kfs+2V
3Qtz+2An+2Ann
[2]
[2]
2Sil+
Qtz+
G3A
n
Phl+
Alm
Ann+
Pyp
Phl+
Alm
Ann
+Py
p
2Sil+
Qtz+
Gros
s3A
n
H
H
daway, 2000)
nued).
Lithoscuts the Puncoviscana metasediments litparlit with
sharply defined and discordant contacts. Particularly
along the southern margin the intrusive magma cuts
the migmatitic layering. In contrast, the western
contact is partly diffuse with gradual transitions from
intrusive granite to in situ migmatite, suggesting the
coexistence of plutonic and anatectic melt.
Macroscopically conspicuous contact metamor-
phism formed hornfels, cordierite and tourmaline
schists at the eastern, northern, and locally at the
southern margin of the pluton. Tourmaline (13 mm
length), cordierite (13 cm diameter; Fig. 4e),
muscovite and biotite (12 mm) are the most common
contact-metamorphic minerals. There is no such
evidence for contact metamorphism along the western
contact, where the pluton grades into layered migma-
tites, indicating near-peak PT conditions of the
country rock during pluton emplacement.
Contact-metamorphic minerals overgrow the pre-
existing layering and the low-strain foliation of the
Puncoviscana metasediments of the biotitemuscovite
zone (Figs. 3f and 4e). Locally, regional metamorphic
biotitemuscovite assemblages show grain coarsening
or are overgrown by static new micas with slightly
different composition (see Section 4). These new
micas are overgrown by large cordierite crystals,
possibly reflecting polyphase intrusions leading to
several generations of contact minerals.
3.6. Pegmatites
Pegmatites occur as three distinct types. The oldest
group of pegmatites has been seen only in the
orthopyroxene zone and consists of disrupted, centi-
metre- to meter-thick leucocratic dykes and lenses
with diffuse margins, frequently intruding parallel to,
but locally also discordant to the migmatitic layering
of the country rock. This suggests a formation of the
pegmatitic melt during regional anatexis and emplace-
ment during or shortly after the formation of the
migmatitic layering. These pegmatites consist of
quartz, K-feldspar, and plagioclase. Tourmaline is
rare and white mica is absent.
A second, younger group of pegmatites (type 2)
crosscuts its country rock along sharp contacts. They
are most common in the garnetcordieritesillimanite
S.H. Buttner et al. /158and biotitemuscovite zones but occur in all metamor-
phic zones of the complex except the northern part ofthe chlorite zone. This group of pegmatites occurs as
near-vertical dykes and dyke swarms. Their thickness
varies between several centimetres and several meters.
Most of them strike NNWSSE, parallel to the long
axis of the pluton and the regional metamorphic
layering. A minority strikes EW. The pegmatites are
coarse- to very coarse-grained and contain K-feldspar,
plagioclase, quartz, muscovite,Ftourmaline,Fapatite,Fgarnet, andFzircon. Some show evidence of plasticdeformation but most are undeformed and cut ductile
shear zones (see Section 3.7). Magmatic quartz of
isometric or irregular shape is weakly deformed with
coarsely sutured grain boundaries, suggesting minor
grain boundary migration but no recrystallisation (i.e.,
no formation of new grains). Chessboard patterns, as
well as prism-parallel subgrain boundaries are present,
suggesting that the pegmatites crystallised at temper-
atures near the high-/low-quartz transition (Kruhl,
1996). Their crosscutting relationship with the mig-
matitic layering and the shear zones indicates that the
pegmatites postdate the anatexis and most of the
ductile deformation in their host rocks. However, the
formation of the pegmatitic melt might be related to
continuing anatexis or plutonism at crustal levels
deeper than the orthopyroxene zone. The persistence
of high temperature until the upper Silurian (~ 420
Ma) in the basement of the northern Sierras Pampea-
nas has been shown by Lucassen and Becchio (2003).
A third group of pegmatites (type 3) intruded into
the Cafayate pluton. These pegmatites are petrograph-
ically similar to the second group, but show transitional
features to miaroles, suggesting a genetic relationship
with the Cafayate pluton. We have dated type 2
(samples 472B, 552, MM72, and MM110) and type 3
pegmatites (samples 515B and 526; see Section 5).
3.7. Shear zones and retrograde metamorphism
The migmatites of the garnetcordieritesillimanite
and orthopyroxene zones are affected by retrograde
mineral reactions, which are partly associated with
syn- to post-migmatitic ductile shear zones. Lower-
grade metamorphic zones of the complex are much less
deformed. In the migmatites, the earliest increment of
deformation is coeval with the production of melt, as
indicated by the escape of magma along syn-magmatic
83 (2005) 143181shear zones in meta- and diatexites (Fig. 4c) and by
syn-magmatic folding of leucosome veins (Fig. 4b).
Hence, the onset of deformation occurred at the
thermal peak. Deformation in the migmatites contin-
ued under high-grade metamorphism but in the solid
state. Non-penetrative east-dipping ductile shear zones
are oriented parallel to the migmatitic layering and
show top-to-the west or top-to-the northwest sense of
shear (Fig. 4f). The shear zone thickness ranges from a
few centimetres to ~300 m. Ductile shearing also
affected the Cafayate pluton. The shear zones overprint
the migmatitic or magmatic mineral assemblage by
recrystallisation and pressure solution, the latter
indicated by enrichment of biotite in cleavage
domains. Feldspar and cordierite show recrystallisa-
tion. In other shear zones, cordierite is replaced by
sillimanite (Fig. 3g). Recrystallised cordierite shows
fine-grained staurolite, sillimanite2, quartz, and mag-
netite along the grain boundaries (Fig. 3h), indicating
amphibolite facies temperatures of deformation.
Due to the non-penetrative style of deformation
most migmatites do not show significant plastic
deformation, and retrograde mineral assemblages with
static textures and random mineral orientation are
typical in these rocks. The retrograde metamorphic
overprint is strongest in cordierite and garnet
cordierite-bearing assemblages. Common reactions
are inferred from replacement textures:
Opx Kfs V Bt2 QtzFMag 5a
Crd Bt1 Grt2 Bt2 Sil2=KyFV 5b(Fig. 3i)
Grt1 Crd V Bt2 Sil2 5c(Fig. 3j)
Bt1 Crd St Bt2 Sil2=KyFV 5d(Fig. 3k)
Sil1 V Ms 5e(Fig. 3l).
Garnet2, formed by reaction (5b), does not form
individual crystals but poikilitic rim zones around
garnet1, with small biotite, sillimanite, or quartz
inclusions (Fig. 3h). The greenish biotite2 has slightly
A
2
il/Ky
d bio
506B
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lithos 83 (2005) 143181 159F
Bt12.0-3.5 wt% TiO
St0.5-1.4 wt% ZnO
S
Grt
Bt1+Crd=St+Sil/Ky+Bt2
532A
Fig. 6. AFM diagram for the retrograde breakdown of cordierite an
cooling from granulite to amphibolite facies temperatures. Sampleshatched and shaded fields show the retrograde assemblage of samples 532
contribution of garnet to the retrograde formation of staurolite and biotiteM
+ Qtz+ Kfs+ H2O
Bt20.0-1.1 wt% TiO2
black symbols: sample 506white symbols: sample 532A
Crd
506
tite1 to biotite2, aluminosilicate and staurolite during near-isobaric
and 532A come from the garnetcordieritesillimanite zone. TheA and 506, respectively. Petrographic evidence does not suggest the
2 (Fig. 3k).
higher XMg than biotite1 and significantly lower TiO2content (Fig. 6). Garnet1 in the crystal core is
compositionally identical to euhedral cotectic garnet1from other samples (Fig. 7). Garnet2 of the rim zone
shows an increase in almandine and decrease in
pyrope contents compared with garnet1. As sillimanite
is absent at peak conditions, and the core of the garnet
had formed during the magmatic stage, it is unlikely
that the rim-proximal sillimanite inclusions are
inherited relicts of the prograde stage. Thus, we
interpret this texture as retrograde growth of garnet2 at
the expense of biotite1 and cordierite, according to
reaction (5b). Occasionally, spessartine contents
increase slightly towards the rim (sample 532A; Fig.
7). Retrograde garnet resorption cannot be excluded in
these cases. However, manganese fractionation during
retrograde garnet growth might be equally possible as
manganese becomes available from cordierite break-
down (reaction (5b)). Cordierite contains up to 0.5
wt.% MnO (Table 1 and Electronic Data Supplement).
All cordierite breakdown reactions produce amphib-
olite facies index minerals, similar to the reactions
observed in the retrograde shear zones. Kyanite occurs
exclusively in static environments or post-kinemati-
cally in shear zones, suggesting that deformation had
ceased when the PT conditions of the migmatites
reached the stability field of kyanite.
4. Mineral chemistry and geothermobarometry
Microchemical analyses were obtained using a
wavelength dispersive CAMECA Cambax Microbeam
(PAP/XMAS correction) at the Technische Universit7tBerlin and a JEOL JXA 733 Superprobe (ZAF
correction) at Rhodes University. We used an accel-
erating potential of 20 kVand a beam current of 1518
nA. Beam widths were 5 Am for garnet and orthopyr-oxene analyses and 10 Am for feldspar, cordierite, andmica analyses. Ferric iron has been calculated for
garnet and orthopyroxene according to charge balance
and lattice site occupation. Fe3+ concentrations are
core rimCrd
350 m557G
25
MM 61
40
Alm -
Prp
Sps
Grs
And
XMg*
rim rim 1.6 mm core
PlQtz
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lithos 83 (2005) 1431811600
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
rim rim 5 mm core
PlBt 532A
mol%
mol%
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
1 4 876532 9 10 11 12
Grt2Grt1
Grt2
Grt2Grt1Fig. 7. Zonation patterns of garnet from the high-grade metamorphic zones
and interpretation see Section 4.1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 190
5
10
15
20
mol%0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
30
35
40rim rim 900 m core
Bt Bt542
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
40
100
Grt1
Grt2Grt2
Grt1
mol%. Mineral phases in contact with garnet are indicated. For discussion
Table 1
Representative electron microprobe analyses
Sample Biotite
MM61 MM61 MM61 557G 557G 557G 532A 532A 506A 506A 513 513
Bt1 Bt2 Bt2 R Grt C I Opx R Crd Bt1 Bt2 Bt1 Bt2 rm cm
SiO2 35.83 35.86 35.89 34.87 34.68 35.51 35.26 37.20 36.25 38.00 36.06 35.77
TiO2 4.84 4.87 5.24 5.49 5.34 4.83 2.40 0.58 2.56 0.04 1.47 1.79
Al2O3 16.75 17.08 16.89 15.79 15.47 16.52 18.09 19.01 16.32 18.47 18.93 18.80
MgO 10.51 10.83 12.69 10.29 10.39 11.65 11.98 12.35 11.62 14.03 10.82 10.60
CaO 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.08 0.03 0.02 0.00 0.09 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.05
MnO 0.01 0.08 0.02 0.13 0.10 0.00 0.03 0.15 0.30 0.17 0.12 0.14
FeO 17.84 17.09 14.39 18.01 17.94 16.30 16.51 15.37 19.36 14.36 17.48 17.89
Na2O 0.01 0.04 0.03 0.07 0.04 0.07 0.29 0.31 0.29 0.46 0.33 0.32
K2O 8.32 8.41 8.48 9.56 9.25 9.36 9.63 8.90 9.66 9.42 8.82 9.03
F 0.58 0.67 0.77 1.01 0.90 1.28 0.49 0.54 0.33 0.63 0.40 0.37
Total 94.75 94.93 94.52 95.29 94.13 95.53 94.68 94.58 96.71 95.59 94.46 94.76
Cations: O=22
Si 5.39 5.36 5.32 5.38 5.40 5.40 5.38 5.59 5.48 5.64 5.49 5.45
Ti 0.55 0.55 0.58 0.64 0.63 0.55 0.28 0.07 0.29 0.00 0.17 0.20
Al 2.97 3.01 2.95 2.87 2.84 2.96 3.25 3.37 2.91 3.23 3.39 3.37
Mg 2.36 2.41 2.80 2.36 2.41 2.64 2.72 2.77 2.62 3.10 2.45 2.41
Ca 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01
Mn 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.02 0.02
Fe 2.24 2.14 1.78 2.32 2.34 2.07 2.11 1.93 2.45 1.78 2.22 2.28
Na 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.02 0.09 0.09 0.08 0.13 0.10 0.09
K 1.59 1.60 1.60 1.88 1.84 1.82 1.87 1.71 1.86 1.78 1.71 1.75
F 0.27 0.32 0.36 0.49 0.44 0.62 0.23 0.25 0.16 0.30 0.19 0.18
Total 15.38 15.40 15.43 15.99 15.92 16.10 15.93 15.81 15.74 15.70 15.75 15.76
XMg 0.51 0.53 0.61 0.50 0.49 0.44 0.56 0.59 0.52 0.64 0.52 0.51
Sample Garnet
MM61 MM61 557G 557G 532A 532A 542 542 506A 506A
R C C R Crd C R Bt C R Bt Grt1 Grt2
SiO2 38.17 38.48 37.20 37.09 37.38 37.57 38.52 37.39 37.26 37.25
TiO2 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.14 0.03 0.00
Al2O3 21.79 21.94 21.24 21.47 21.60 21.28 21.61 21.93 21.39 21.34
Cr2O3 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.07 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.05 0.00 0.00
Fe2O3 0.00 0.00 1.00 0.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.80 0.00
MgO 6.25 7.35 6.36 5.84 5.66 3.53 6.05 4.07 4.89 3.65
CaO 1.23 1.23 1.05 1.01 1.02 1.06 1.62 1.49 1.46 0.99
MnO 1.84 1.88 2.11 1.34 2.48 3.74 1.58 1.39 4.02 3.38
FeO 31.23 29.93 30.54 31.94 30.88 32.91 31.25 32.97 30.51 33.18
Total 100.51 100.83 99.52 99.37 99.02 100.08 100.66 99.43 100.35 99.80
Cations: O=24
Si 5.98 5.97 5.91 5.91 5.96 6.02 6.02 5.97 5.92 5.99
Ti 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00
Al 4.02 4.01 3.98 4.03 4.06 4.02 3.98 4.13 4.00 4.04
Cr 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00
Fe3+ 0.00 0.00 0.12 0.07 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.00
Mg 1.46 1.70 1.51 1.39 1.35 0.84 1.41 0.97 1.16 0.88
Ca 0.21 0.20 0.18 0.17 0.17 0.18 0.27 0.25 0.25 0.17
(continued on next page)
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lithos 83 (2005) 143181 161
Sample Garnet
MM61 MM61 557G 557G 532A 532A 542 542 506A 506A
R C C R Crd C R Bt C R Bt Grt1 Grt2
Mn 0.24 0.25 0.28 0.18 0.34 0.51 0.21 0.19 0.54 0.46
Fe2+ 4.09 3.88 4.06 4.26 4.12 4.41 4.09 4.40 4.05 4.46
Total 16.01 16.02 16.04 16.03 16.00 15.97 15.98 15.94 16.03 15.99
XMg 0.26 0.30 0.27 0.25 0.25 0.16 0.26 0.18 0.22 0.16
Sample Cordierite
557G 557G 532A2 532A2 506B 513
C R Grt C R Grt Rn cm
SiO2 48.14 48.91 49.04 48.38 49.29 48.39
TiO2 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.01
Al2O3 33.47 33.81 32.45 32.34 32.16 32.65
MgO 9.79 10.91 8.39 8.80 8.64 8.54
CaO 0.02 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.01
MnO 0.07 0.07 0.41 0.47 0.34 0.43
FeO 6.00 4.67 6.85 5.91 7.28 6.87
Na2O 0.05 0.10 0.27 0.17 0.26 0.55
K2O 0.02 0.05 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.01
Total 97.58 98.56 97.45 96.15 98.00 97.45
Cations: O=18
Si 4.95 4.95 5.06 5.04 5.07 5.01
Ti 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Al 4.05 4.03 3.95 3.97 3.90 3.98
Mg 1.50 1.65 1.29 1.37 1.32 1.32
Ca 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Mn 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.04
Fe 0.52 0.40 0.59 0.52 0.63 0.59
Na 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.03 0.05 0.11
K 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 11.03 11.05 10.99 10.98 11.01 11.06
XFe 0.26 0.19 0.31 0.27 0.32 0.31
Sample Staurolite
532A 532A 506B
R C Rn
SiO2 36.96 39.73 26.75
TiO2 0.03 0.28 0.65
Al2O3 46.86 43.91 54.11
MgO 1.60 1.89 1.57
CaO 0.01 0.09 0.03
MnO 0.65 0.51 0.70
FeO 10.50 9.55 12.90
ZnO 0.67 0.52 0.84
Na2O 0.02 0.01 0.02
K2O 0.04 0.38 0.01
Total 97.34 96.87 97.57
Cations: O=23
Si 5.03 5.39 3.74
Ti 0.00 0.03 0.07
Al 7.51 7.02 8.92
Table 1 (continued)
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lithos 83 (2005) 143181162
Sample Staurolite
532A 532A 506B
R C Rn
Mg 0.32 0.38 0.33
Ca 0.00 0.00 0.00
Mn 0.07 0.06 0.08
Fe 1.19 1.08 1.51
Zn 0.07 0.05 0.09
Na 0.00 0.00 0.01
K 0.01 0.07 0.00
Total 14.22 14.10 14.73
XFe 0.79 0.74 0.82
Sample Plagioclase
C R
Crd
R
Opx
R
Grt
R
Opx/Grt
Rn
Opx
C C Rn R R C Rn R C C Rn R
557G 557G 557G 557G 557G 557G 557G 506A 506A 506A 532A1 532A1 532A1 542 542 MM61 MM61 MM61
SiO2 59.94 59.69 60.46 61.42 59.62 59.58 64.22 59.43 60.42 60.22 60.91 60.51 59.77 59.08 60.42 60.80 59.99 59.70
Al2O3 25.08 24.99 24.73 24.11 25.00 24.71 22.84 25.22 25.72 25.92 25.15 24.25 24.79 25.86 24.72 25.15 25.22 26.26
CaO 6.33 6.52 6.52 5.76 6.44 6.44 4.04 6.95 6.97 6.92 6.19 5.72 5.68 8.25 6.96 6.25 6.33 7.24
MnO 0.01 0.04 0.04 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.07 0.07 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00
FeO 0.06 0.20 0.22 0.00 0.22 0.33 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.16 0.16 0.13 0.09 0.03 0.15 0.20 0.00
Na2O 7.58 7.48 7.41 8.64 7.34 7.49 0.00 7.67 7.68 7.16 7.94 8.22 8.25 7.02 7.67 7.46 7.57 6.82
K2O 0.26 0.25 0.29 0.05 0.26 0.26 9.42 0.13 0.14 0.22 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.16 0.13 0.05 0.09 0.07
Total 99.25 99.19 99.68 99.96 98.87 98.80 100.80 99.43 100.95 100.46 100.50 99.01 98.74 100.50 99.95 99.89 99.39 100.09
Cations: O=8
Si 2.69 2.68 2.70 2.73 2.68 2.69 2.82 2.66 2.67 2.66 2.69 2.72 2.69 2.63 2.69 2.70 2.68 2.65
Al 1.32 1.32 1.30 1.26 1.33 1.31 1.18 1.33 1.34 1.35 1.31 1.28 1.32 1.36 1.30 1.32 1.33 1.37
Ca 0.30 0.31 0.31 0.27 0.31 0.31 0.19 0.33 0.33 0.33 0.29 0.28 0.27 0.39 0.33 0.30 0.30 0.34
Mn 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Fe 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00
Na 0.66 0.65 0.64 0.74 0.64 0.65 0.00 0.67 0.66 0.61 0.68 0.72 0.72 0.61 0.66 0.64 0.66 0.59
K 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.80 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.00
Total 4.99 4.99 4.98 5.01 4.98 4.99 5.00 5.01 5.00 4.97 4.99 5.00 5.01 5.00 4.99 4.96 4.98 4.96
An 31.1 32.0 32.1 26.8 32.2 31.7 19.1 33.4 33.4 34.8 30.0 27.7 27.5 39.0 33.2 31.7 31.6 36.9
Ab 67.4 66.5 66.2 72.9 66.3 66.8 79.8 66.1 66.1 64.4 69.6 72.0 72.2 60.1 66.1 68.1 68.0 62.8
Or 1.5 1.5 1.7 0.2 1.5 1.5 1.4 0.7 0.8 1.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.9 0.7 0.3 0.5 0.4
Sample Orthopyroxene
C R Bt1 R Grt Rn Grt
557G 557G 557G 557G
SiO2 46.99 46.78 49.17 48.59
TiO2 0.13 0.12 0.13 0.13
Al2O3 5.62 5.59 3.79 4.07
Cr2O3 0.06 0.08 0.02 0.00
Fe2O3 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
MgO 14.99 14.94 17.96 17.23
CaO 0.10 0.10 0.12 0.06
MnO 1.01 0.99 0.53 0.53
FeO 30.55 30.88 27.47 28.78
Na2O 0.03 0.04 0.01 0.00
Table 1 (continued)
(continued on next page)
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lithos 83 (2005) 143181 163
R Bt1
557G
0.01
99.53
1.84
0.00
0.26
0.00
0.00
0.87
0.00
0.03
1.01
0.00
0.00
4.03
53.6
ntion
tioned
ct me
Lithosgenerally very low. In biotite the total iron is given as
FeO. Representative microprobe analyses are shown in
Sample Orthopyroxene
C
557G
K2O 0.00
Total 99.49
Cations: O=6
Si 1.84
Ti 0.00
Al 0.26
Cr 0.00
Fe3+ 0.00
Mg 0.88
Ca 0.00
Mn 0.03
Fe2+ 1.00
Na 0.00
K 0.00
Total 4.02
XFe 53.2
C: core composition; R: rim composition (neighbouring phase is me
rim, usually closer than 30 Am); I: inclusion (host phase can be menphase is mentioned); M: composition of a matrix crystal; cm: conta
Table 1 (continued)
S.H. Buttner et al. /164Table 1 and in the Electronic Data Supplement. The
essential petrographic characteristics of the samples
used for geothermobarometry are given below; more
information can be found in the Electronic Data
Supplement.
Temperatures and pressures were calculated using
analyses from minerals in contact with each other
using the multiphase equilibria (TWEEQU; Berman,
1991), and several methods of conventional geo-
thermobarometry. We have preferred the Berman
method where possible. For thermobarometry we
used both single analyses from co-existing mineral
grains and average compositions. The results obtained
from single analyses and average compositions show
only minor differences and, if not mentioned other-
wise, we present only the results obtained from
average mineral compositions. Average compositions
were calculated from at least five single analyses per
mineral phase involved. Unless otherwise noted we
have used the TWEEQU 2.02 and the BA95/BA96
(Berman, 1988; Berman and Aranovich, 1996), and
Fuhrman and Lindsley (1988) mixing models for
biotite, garnet, cordierite, orthopyroxene, and plagio-
clase, respectively. A water activity of aH2O=1 wasassumed and only stable reactions were calculated.
Petrologic equilibrium was assumed from textural
R Grt Rn Grt
557G 557G
0.02 0.02
99.21 99.42
1.90 1.88
0.00 0.00
0.17 0.19
0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00
1.03 1.00
0.00 0.00
0.02 0.02
0.89 0.93
0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00
4.01 4.02
46.1 48.3
ed, if applicable); Rn: brim-nearQ composition (analysis close to the); Pr: analysis in a profile (when rim composition, the neighbouring
tamorphic crystal; rm: regional metamorphic crystal.
83 (2005) 143181evidence, such as straight grain boundaries, foam, or
magmatic textures. More detailed petrographic and
chemical descriptions, detailed EPM analyses, and
GPS coordinates of sample locations are provided in
the Electronic Data Supplement.
In support of the PT estimations from mineral
assemblages and reactions, and petrogenetic grids
(Section 3) we have selected six samples from the
biotitemuscovite zone (513A), the garnetcordierite
sillimanite zone (506, 532A), and the orthopyroxene
zone (557G, MM61, and 542) for geothermobarom-
etry. The sample locations are shown in Fig. 2.
Sample 513A is a layered Puncoviscana metasedi-
ment of the regional metamorphic mineral assemblage
QtzMsBtPlKfs from the biotitemuscovite zone.
Contact metamorphic muscovite, biotite and cordierite
overgrew the foliation of the regional metamorphic
peak in the course of Cafayate pluton emplacement.
Using average mica compositions for biotitemusco-
vite geothermobarometry (Hoisch, 1989) in combina-
tion with phengite barometry (Massonne and
Schreyer, 1987), the regional metamorphic assem-
blage was determined to have equilibrated at 459
(F25) 8C and 280 (F100) MPa (Fig. 5a). The contact
ithosmetamorphic overprint occurred at slightly higher
temperature but similar pressure (532 8C (F25) and240 (F100) MPa).
Sample 506 comes from the central garnet
cordieritesillimanite zone west of Tolombon (Fig.
2). The leucosome consists of the assemblage QtzPl
KfsCrdFGrtFBt1. Biotite1 and sillimanite1 occur inthe mesosome. Biotites in the mesosome and in the
leucosome are compositionally identical. During the
retrograde PT evolution, cordierite- and biotite1-
breakdown formed staurolite and sillimanite2. Aver-
age core compositions of the leucosome minerals
CrdGrtPlQtzBt have been used to determine P
and T using multiphase equilibria, yielding the
intersection of seven independent mineral reactions
close to 540 MPa and 745 8C (Fig. 5b). The rimcompositions equilibrated at 504 8C and 432 MPa, inagreement with the stability field of retrograde
staurolite and kyanite. The latter is not present in
sample 506 but occurs in samples from a locality
nearby, and is a common retrograde mineral through-
out the garnetcordieritesillimanite zone.
Sample 532A is a migmatite from the garnet
cordierite zone close to the margin of the orthopyr-
oxene zone (Fig. 2), consisting of the assemblage Grt
CrdPlBt1KfsQtz. In sample 532A, biotite1 coex-
ists with garnet and cordierite, suggesting that reaction
(3c) stopped after consumption of sillimanite1. The
garnet zonation (Fig. 7) shows an almandine and
spessartine increase towards the rim whereas pyrope
decreases, leading to a drop in XMg from 0.25 to 0.15.
Using average core compositions of garnet, cordierite,
biotite1, and plagioclase, multiphase equilibria yielded
an intersection of four independent mineral reactions
at 806 8C and 620 MPa (Fig. 5c). A similar pressureof 570590 MPa has been obtained from cordierite
biotitegarnet core compositions (Holdaway and Lee,
1977). We interpret ~800 8C and ~600 MPa asmetamorphic peak conditions along the margin
between the orthopyroxene and the garnetcordier-
itesillimanite zones in the central part of the study
area (Fig. 2). To constrain the PT conditions of the
retrograde equilibration, the TWEEQU 1.02 software
(Berman, 1992) has been used, because it allows the
calculation of mineral reactions involving staurolite.
Average garnet-, cordierite-, biotite-, and plagioclase-
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lrim compositions yielded two intersections at 620 8Cand 456 MPa (three reactions) and 575 8C and 422MPa (four intersections). In good agreement with
these results, conventional biotitegarnet thermometry
(Holdaway et al., 1997; Holdaway, 2000) yielded 590
8C at 400 MPa using average rim compositions ofgarnet and biotite2. Hence, we interpret 420450 MPa
and ~600 8C as conditions of the retrograde equilibra-tion of migmatites in the garnetcordieritesillimanite
zone close to the orthopyroxene zone. The presence of
retrograde sillimanite2 and kyanite (Fig. 3k) indicates
the continuation of the PT path crossing the SilKy
isograd.
Sample 557G is a migmatite of the leucosome
assemblage CrdPlQtzGrt1KfsOpx (Fig. 3e). The
corresponding mesosome consists of biotite1, plagio-
clase, and quartz. Locally, biotite forms a melanosome
along the margin of leucosome and mesosome.
Zoning profiles of cotectic garnet1 are flat, with a
similar composition to garnet cores from sample 532
A (Fig. 7). In contact with biotite of the melanosome,
slightly higher almandine and lower pyrope contents
led to a decrease in XMg from ~0.26 to ~0.21,
suggesting retrograde garnet2 growth and equilibra-
tion. PT values of 812 8C and pressures of 560 MPawere obtained by multiphase equilibria determinations
(Fig. 5d). OpxGrtPl geothermobarometry (Lal,
1993) yielded 825 8C at slightly higher pressure of610 MPa, supported by 810 8C (calculated for 600MPa) obtained from GrtOpx average core composi-
tions (Bhattacharya et al., 1991; Aranovich and
Berman, 1997). Using pairs of single orthopyroxene
and garnet core analyses, temperature determinations
scatter in an interval of 780840 8C (600 MPa). ThePT interval of 560610 MPa and ~800 8C is inagreement with the presence of orthopyroxene in
felsic leucosomes in both fluid-absent and fluid
present conditions (reactions (4a)(4d); see Section
3.4 and Fig. 5a), and is interpreted as the PT
maximum along the eastern margin of the orthopyr-
oxenegarnet zone. Rims of garnet, biotite, plagio-
clase and cordierite are assumed to have re-
equilibrated after the thermal peak, reflecting PT
conditions of the retrograde metamorphism. Average
rim compositions yield an intersection of three
independent mineral reactions at 450 MPa and 705
8C (Fig. 5d). Conventional thermobarometry usinggarnetbiotite thermometry (Holdaway et al., 1997;
83 (2005) 143181 165Holdaway, 2000) and biotitecordierite thermobarom-
etry (Holdaway and Lee, 1977) gives slightly lower
Lithostemperatures but similar pressures of 620 8C and 400430 MPa. We have included the results of both
conventional thermobarometry and multiphase equi-
libria in the interpretation of the retrograde PT path.
Sample MM61 comes from the southwestern part
of the orthopyroxene zone, approximately 6 km west
of the orthopyroxene-in isograd (Fig. 2). This sample
is a coarse-grained, layered diatexite dominated by
QtzKfsPl-rich leucosome, GrtBt2-rich melano-
some, and small relics of a QtzBt1PlIlm-rich
mesosome (Fig. 4g). For geothermobarometry we
used garnet, biotite, and plagioclase core composi-
tions from the neosome. Garnet shows composition-
ally homogeneous cores (Fig. 7). In contact with the
mesosome, biotite and ilmenite inclusions occur
occasionally. Where garnet overgrows the mesosome,
its composition becomes more iron- and calcium-
rich, whereas the pyrope content drops. The spessar-
tine content remains constant, suggesting that the rim
zone reflects retrograde growth (garnet2). Garnet
biotite thermometry using core compositions of
neosome minerals yielded a fairly broad range of
temperatures, depending on the calibration used,
ranging from ~806 8C (Holdaway et al., 1997) to890940 8C (Thompson, 1976; Hodges and Spear,1982) and ~900 8C (TWEEQU 2.02, Berman, 1991;all calculated for 800 MPa). The mineral assemblage
in the neosome includes plagioclase, garnet, and
biotite, but no sillimanite as a magmatic phase.
Sillimanite occurs only as fibrolite along plagioclase
garnet grain boundaries and is most likely a retro-
grade mineral. Hence, the results of GASP barom-
etry, 824 MPa (TWEEQU) and 622 MPa (Holdaway,
2000), are both controversial and equivocal. How-
ever, the intersection of the multiphase equilibria
curves in particular (~900 8C and 824 MPa; Fig. 5e)is in good agreement with the metamorphic field
gradient defined by peak conditions of samples 513,
506, 532A, and 557G (Fig. 5a). Garnetbiotite
temperatures of ~900 8C are lower than the biotitebreakdown at low aH2O (~950 8C/800 MPa;Vielzeuf and Montel, 1994), and therefore not
unrealistic for sample MM61, which comes from
the highest-grade metamorphic part of the study area.
Using average biotite, garnet and plagioclase rim
compositions, garnetbiotite thermometry and GASP
S.H. Buttner et al. /166yield 595 MPa and 694 8C, using TWEEQU 2.02.(Berman, 1991). Again, garnetbiotite temperaturesand GASP pressures using the calibrations of Hold-
away et al. (1997) and Holdaway (2000, 2001) are
lower in P and T (386 MPa and 652 8C for averagerim compositions). The results of geothermobarom-
etry from sample MM61 confirm the high peak
temperatures, exceeding 800 8C at middle to lowercrustal levels in the orthopyroxene zone, which have
been obtained from sample 557G and from petroge-
netic grids. The pressures calculated with conven-
tional methods and multiphase equilibria differ by
~200 MPa for both, peak and retrograde equilibra-
tions. The higher PT values from multiphase
equilibria appear more plausible because the migma-
tites at the sample location MM61 should have
experienced higher pressure and temperature than the
samples from close to the orthopyroxene-in isograd
(532A and 557G). For methodological reasons
(uncertain presence of Sil at the thermal peak) we
have not used the results from MM61 to support our
geodynamic model (see below).
Sample 542 is a medium-grained mylonite from a
retrograde shear zone within the orthopyroxene zone,
consisting of the assemblage QtzBtGrtSilPl
pinite. Elongated quartz lenses show chessboard
patterns indicating deformation and annealing within
the stability field of high-quartz (Kruhl, 1996). Both
multiphase equilibria (Fig. 5f) and conventional
garnetbiotite/GASP thermobarometry (TWEEQU
2.02; Holdaway et al., 1997; Holdaway, 2000,
2001) yield nearly identical results for both, core
and rim compositions. Average core compositions
yield 430 MPa and 665 8C (conventional methods)and 449 MPa and 675 8C with a slightly higher GrtBt temperature estimation (TWEEQU 2.02; Fig. 5f).
These conditions were interpreted as the PT
minimum for the onset of retrograde plastic solid
state shearing in the orthopyroxene zone. Using the
same methods as for core compositions, the rim
compositions equilibrated at 440 MPa/610 8C and436 MPa/612 8C, respectively. These PT dataprobably reflect post-kinematic equilibration, because
chessboard subgrain patterns in quartz indicate the
formation of the quartz lenses at higher temperatures,
in the stability field of high-quartz (Kruhl, 1996). As
sample 542 comes from the orthopyroxene zone, it is
evident that the peak conditions of the pre-mylonitic
83 (2005) 143181protolith were similar to those of samples 557G or
MM61.
5. Geochronology
In order to gather age data on regional meta-
morphism, magmatic activity, retrograde shearing,
and subsequent cooling, we selected six felsic
pegmatites, one garnetaplite, one tonalite, two
migmatites, two low-grade metapelites, and two
calcsilicate rocks for isotopic dating. The pegmatites
have been described in Section 3.6, while petro-
graphic descriptions of other dated rock types can be
on Re-single filaments. U and Pb isotopic analyses
were conducted using a Finnigan MAT 262 at the
GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ) Postdam. Instrumental
mass-fractionation was corrected by 0.1% per a.m.u.
The 2r reproducibility of the NBS SRM 981 Pbstandard is better than 0.1% for the 206Pb/204Pb and207Pb/204Pb ratios. Monazite U/Pb data were corrected
for excess 206Pb following Scharer (1984), assuming a
whole rock Th/U ratio of 0.5. The raw data were
processed and ages calculated using the program
] STP
S.H. Buttner et al. / Lithos 83 (2005) 143181 167found in the Electronic Data Supplement. Sample
locations are shown in Fig. 2. KAr and 40Ar39Ar
data on muscovite are presented in Table 2 and Fig. 8.
RbSr, SmNd, and UPb internal mineral system-
atics are given in Tables 35, and in the Electronic
Data Supplement. The geochronological data set is
summarised in Table 6. Petrographic descriptions and
additional information on the geochonological data set
can be found in the Electronic Data Supplement. The
critical mineral assemblage of each dated rock is
given in Table 6.
5.1. Analytical methods
5.1.1. UPb
Monazite and titanite were separated using a
magnetic separator and heavy liquids. Grains free of
inclusions and alterations were hand-picked under the
binocular microscope. Two different size fractions of
monazite (~200 Am and ~100 Am) could be distin-guished in the sample 465. Before the addition of a205Pb235U tracer and dissolution of the sample in
conc. H2SO4 (monazite) or HF (titanite) on a hot
plate, the grains were cleaned in hot, dilute HNO3,
ultraclean H2O, and acetone. Standard methods were
used for chemical separation of Pb and U and loading
Table 2
KAr age determination
Sample Spike [no.] K2O [wt.%]40Ar* [nl/g
472 B Ms 2247 10.68 162.91
515 B Ms 2246 10.23 171.35
552 Ms 2245 10.21 161.87
526 Ms 2244 10.41 171.29
620 A Msb2Am 2699 5.69 83.08620 A Ms b0.2Am 2701 5.35 75.57
620 C Ms b2Am 2700 6.29 90.72620 C Ms b0.2Am 2693 6.08 82.69packages PBDAT (rev. 1.24; Ludwig, 1993) and
Isoplot/Ex (rev. 2.49; Ludwig, 2001).
5.1.2. SmNd
Sm and Nd concentrations were determined by
isotope dilution using a mixed 149Sm150Nd spike.
Sm and Nd isotope analyses were carried out on a
Finnigan MAT 262 at the GFZ Postdam. Nd was
analysed in dynamic, Sm in static mode. For age
calculations, standard errors of F0.004% for143Nd/144Nd ratios and F1% for 147Sm/144Nd ratioswere assigned to the results. The value obtained for143Nd/144Nd of the La Jolla standard during the period
of analytical work was 0.511852F0.000006 (n=6).Further analytical details are given in Kuhn et al.
(2001).
5.1.3. RbSr
Both Rb and Sr concentrations were determined by
isotope dilution using mixed 87Rb84Sr spikes.
Determinations of Sr isotope ratios were carried out
on a VG Sector 54 multicollector TIMS instrument
(GFZ Potsdam) in dynamic mode. The value obtained
for 87Sr/86Sr of the NBS standard SRM 987 during the
period of analytical work was 0.710266F0.000012(n=25). Rb analyses were done on a VG Isomass 54
40Ar* [%] Age [Ma] 2r-Error [Ma] 2r-Error [%]
96.33 420 12 2.8
97.75 457 14 2.9
98.31 435 10 2.3
97.00 450 11 2.4
98.49 404 8 2.0
97.51 392 8 2.197.99 400 8 2.0
96.27 379 8 2.1
00
00
Lithos300
350
400
450
500
300
350
400
450
500
0 20 40 60 80 1
app
aren
t age
[Ma]
app
aren
t age
[Ma]
472 B
515 B
total gas age: 408 7 Ma
total gas age: 454 8 Ma
cumulative percentage 39Ar released
0 20 40 60 80 139
S.H. Buttner et al. /168single collector mass spectrometer (GFZ Postdam).
The observed ratios were corrected for 0.25% per
a.m.u. mass fractionation. Total procedural blanks
were consistently below 0.15 ng for both Rb and Sr.
For calculations of isochron parameters, standard
errors of F0.005% for 87Sr/86Sr ratios and of F1%for Rb/Sr ratios were applied if individual analytical
errors were smaller than these values. Further details
are given in Hetzel and Glodny (2002).
5.1.4. KAr
Prior to analysis, purified micas were ground in
pure ethanol to remove altered rims that might have
suffered a loss of Ar or K. Argon isotopic composi-
tions were measured in a Pyrex glass extraction and
purification line coupled to a VG 1200 C noble gas
mass spectrometer operating in static mode. The
amount of radiogenic 40Ar was determined by isotope
dilution using a highly enriched 38Ar spike from
Schumacher, Bern (Schumacher, 1975). The spike
was calibrated against the biotite standard HD-B1
(Fuhrmann et al., 1987). The age calculations are
based on the radioactive decay constants recommen-
cumulative percentage Ar released
Fig. 8. 40Ar39Ar laser step heating age-spectra of pegmatitic muscovite.
symbols represents F1r.MM 110
MM 72 B
integrated age: 408 7 Ma
integrated age: 442 8 Ma
300
350
400
450
500
app
aren
t age
[Ma]
300
350
400
450
500
app
aren
t age