Unraveling P-T-Time-Fluids Paths: in-situ Geochronology Combined with Oxygen Isotopes in Metamorphic Rocks

Abstract:

Geochronology of metamorphic rocks aims to determine pressure-temperature-time paths. The development of in-situ oxygen isotope analysis by ion microprobe permits to add fluid evolution to metamorphic histories. Accurate oxygen isotope analysis requires matrix-matched standards and, for chemically complex minerals, also appropriate matrix corrections. We will report on recent progresses on the analysis of oxygen isotopes in monazite, allanite and garnet using the SHRIMP ion microprobe.

Zircon is a prime candidate for retrieving the oxygen composition of the pre-metamorphic protolith, as inherited zircons are preserved in many high-grade rocks. Metamorphic zircon rims that differ from the cores in δ¹⁸O offer insight into the origin of the fluid and the timing as well as degree of fluid-rock interaction. Garnet is another exceptional recorder of multiple metamorphic stages. Highly zoned garnets are found in a variety of eclogite-facies rocks and they can preserve dramatic oxygen isotopic variations (differences of a few to 10 δ¹⁸O ‰ within single crystal).

Garnet and zircons from eclogite-facies metamorphic veins and shear zones within the metamorphosed Lago Superiore Unit from the Monviso ophiolite (W. Alps) have distinct growth zones with different oxygen isotopes composition. The shift in oxygen isotopes between the magmatic zircon core and the metamorphic zircon rim testifies to metasomatism by fluids equilibrated with serpentinites. The oxygen isotopes zoning in garnet confirms large scale fluid metasomatism concentrated in shear zones. It also indicates that some major shear zones from the Monviso ophiolitic sequence possibly underwent two stages of metasomatism, an event before or during early subduction and a later stage at around 550°C/2.5 GPa at peak pressure metamorphism.