HR: 13:40h
AN: T23D-01 INVITED     [Abstracts]
TI: Metamorphism in Plate Boundary Zones
AU: * Brown, M
EM: mbrown@geol.umd.edu
AF: Univ. Maryland, Lab. for Crustal Petrology, Dept. of Geology, College Park, MD 20742 United States
AB: Accretionary orogenic systems (AOS) form at sites of subduction of oceanic lithosphere; these systems dominate during supercontinent break-up and dispersal. Collisional orogenic systems (COS) form where ocean basins close and subduction ultimately ceases; these systems dominate during crustal aggregation and assembly of supercontinents. It follows that COS may be superimposed on AOS, although AOS may exist for 100s Ma without terminal collision. AOS are of two types, extensional-contractional AOS in dominantly extensional arc systems, and terrane-dominated AOS in which accretion of allochthonous elements occurs during oblique convergence. On modern Earth, regional metamorphism occurs in plate boundary zones. Blueschists are created in the subduction zone and ultra-high pressure metamorphic (UHPM) rocks are created in collision zones due to deep subduction of continental lithosphere; granulites are created deep under continental and oceanic plateaus and in arcs and collision zones [high-pressure (HP) granulites, ultra-high temperature (UHT) granulites]. In extensional-contractional AOS, basement generally is not exposed, primitive volcanic rocks occur through the history, rift basins step oceanward with time, and a well-defined arc generally is absent. LP-HT metamorphism is dominant, with looping, CW or CCW P-T-t paths and peak metamorphic mineral growth syn-to-late in relation to tectonic fabrics. UHT and HP granulites are absent, and although rare, blueschists may occur early, but UHPM is not recorded. Short-lived contractional phases of orogenesis probably relate to interruptions in the continuity of subduction caused by features on the ocean plate, particularly plateaus. Extensive granite (s.l.) magmatism accompanies metamorphism. Examples include the Lachlan Orogen, Australia, the Acadian Orogen, NE USA and Maritime Canada, and the Proterozoic orogens of the SW USA. At plate boundaries, oblique convergence is partitioned into two components, one directed more orthogonal to the strike of the trench than the convergence vector, and the other directed parallel to the strike of the trench. The orthogonal component is accommodated by subduction, but the margin-parallel component gives rise to block rotations and extension, strike-slip motion, and shortening within the upper plate. In some AOS, it has been argued that `paired' metamorphic belts characterize the metamorphic pattern. Commonly, this is a false construct that results from failure to recognize orogen-parallel terrane migration and the limitations of particular chronological datasets. Whereas a HP-LT (blueschist-eclogite) metamorphic belt may occur outboard, it is generally separated from a LP-HT (And-Sil type) metamorphic belt by a terrane boundary. These are terrane-dominated AOS. In some AOS an additional feature of the orogenic process is ridge subduction, which is reflected in the pattern of LP-HT metamorphism and the magmatism. Granulites may occur at the highest grade of metamorphism in the LP-HT belt, where granite (s.l.) magmatism is common, but UHPM occurs only rarely in the outboard HP-LT belt. Examples include the Mesozoic metamorphic belts of Japan and the North American Cordillera. COS commonly are characterized by syntectonic index minerals that record CW P-T-t paths and Barrovian-type metamorphic field gradients generated by thickening followed by exhumation. However, during the Neoproterozoic, ultra-high temperature granulite facies metamorphism is common in orogens that suture Gondwana, whereas during the Phanerozoic, metamorphism to high-pressure granulite/medium temperature eclogite facies and extreme UHPM conditions commonly occurs and may be more typical of younger COS; examples include the Alpides, the Qinling - Dabie Shan - Sulu orogens, the Variscides and the Caledonides.
DE: 3654 Ultra-high pressure metamorphism
DE: 3660 Metamorphic petrology
DE: 8102 Continental contractional orogenic belts and inversion tectonics
DE: 8104 Continental margins: convergent
DE: 8170 Subduction zone processes (1031, 3060, 3613, 8413)
SC: Tectonophysics [T]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005