Granulite facies metamorphism and subsolidus fluid-absent reworking, Strangways Range, Arunta Block, central Australia

Abstract

Orthopyroxene-rich quartz-saturated granulites of the Strangways Range, Arunta Block, central Australia, record evidence of two high-grade metamorphic events. Initial granulite facies metamorphism (M1), at c. 1.7 Ga) involved partial melting and migmatization culminating in conditions of 8.5kbar and 850 °C. Preservation of the peak M1 mineral assemblages from these conditions indicates that most of the generated melt was lost from these rocks at or near peak metamorphic conditions. Subsequent reworking (M2, at c. 1.65 Ga) is characterized by intense deformation, the absence of partial melting and the development of orthopyroxene-sillimanite ± gedrite-bearing mineral assemblages. Gedrite is o..