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Low pressure cordierite-bearing migmatites from Kelly's Mountain, Nova Scotia

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Abstract

The Kelly's Mountain gneiss complex of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, is a migmatitic paragneiss dominated by biotite- and cordierite-bearing assemblages. Metamorphic grade throughout the complex is in the upper amphibolite facies, with garnet absent and only retrograde muscovite present. In the high grade core of the complex the reaction biotite+andalusite+quartz=cordierite+K-feldspar+sillimanite+ilmenite+H2O is preserved. The pelitic migmatites contain cordierite- and K-feldspar-rich leucosomes and biotite-rich melanosomes. Minor clinopyroxene-bearing amphibolite in the complex does not show migmatitic textures. The migmatites are interpreted as in situ peraluminous partial melts on the basis of phase relations and textural criteria. Retrograde metamorphism under conditions of high fluid pressure locally produced muscovite after K-feldspar and muscovite+green biotite+chlorite after cordierite in paragneiss, and sphene after ilmenite in amphibolite. Peak metamorphic conditions of 1–3.5 kb and 580–700° C are estimated. The high geothermal gradient inferred from these conditions was probably caused by the intrusion of diorites associated with the gneiss complex. The Kelly's Mountain complex represents a rare example of migmatites formed in the low-pressure facies series, and illustrates some of the reactions involving melting in high grade pelitic rocks.

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  1. Department of Geology, Dalhousie University, B3H 3J5, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    R. A. Jamieson

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Jamieson, R.A. Low pressure cordierite-bearing migmatites from Kelly's Mountain, Nova Scotia. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 86, 309–320 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01187136

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