Metamorphism evolution of mafic granulite from the Larsemann Hills,East Antarctica

The Larsemann Hills are located in the central part of the Prydz tectonic belt in East Antarctica. The study of granulite metamorphism of this area is essential to understanding the tectonic nature of the Prydz belt. The petrographic study of the garnetbearing mafic granulite boulder collected from the region demonstrates that pre-peak prograde mineral assemblage( M1) consists of hb+ opx ± cpx + pl + bi + ilm ± q ± mt,and peak metamorphic assemblage( M2) comprises g + opx + cpx + hb + ilm ± mt ± q,whereas the symplectite opx + pl + bi + ilm ± mt represents a superimposed assemblage( M3) associated with a decompression event. Mineral chemistry shows that garnets and orthopyroxenes in the mafic granulite have weak compositional zonings. Through the use of THERMOCALC program,the thermodynamic modeling in the NCFMASHTO system has been undertaken for the mafic granulite.Combined with conventional thermobarometers and the average P-T estimates,P-T conditions of the different metamorphic stages are estimated as 650 ~ 750℃ /5. 5 ~ 6. 5kb( M1),850 ~ 950℃ /8 ~ 8. 5kb( M2),and 800 ~ 900℃ /5. 5 ~ 6. 5kb( M3),respectively.Its metamorphism evolution of the mafic granulite is a typical post-peak isothermal decompression( ITD) clockwise P-T path. Compared with the mafic granulites in this region,we argue that this sample may originate from basement in Larsemann Hills. Combined with available chronological data in the region,it is suggested that the peak metamorphism likely corresponds to the Greenville high-grade tectonism,whereas post-peak retrograde metamorphism may be related to the Pan-African high-grade tectonism,implying that the PanAfrican Prydz belt could be an intracontinental mobile belt.