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On the interpretation of TitaniQ and ZiR thermobarometry in subduction complexes

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Abstract

Titanium and zirconium analyses of quartz and rutile from blueschist samples from the eclogite–blueschist unit (EBU) in northern Sifnos, Greece, have been evaluated to determine the extent to which the intersection of the Ti-in-quartz (TitaniQ) and zirconium-in-rutile (ZiR) thermometers reflect peak metamorphic P–T conditions. Ti concentrations range from 100 to 530 ppb and Zr concentrations range from 14 to 44 ppm; there is no significant zoning observed in any grains and no significant differences in concentrations in samples south and north of the Vroulidia shear zone (VSZ). Lines of equal Keq from the TitaniQ and ZiR thermometers intersect at around 450–500 °C and 2.2–2.4 GPa, which is similar to the peak metamorphic conditions of 530 °C, 1.9 GPa for samples north of the VSZ. However, the intersection is inconsistent with the peak metamorphic conditions of 525 °C, 1.1–1.4 GPa for samples south of the VSZ even when TitaniQ temperatures are corrected for reduced activity of TiO2. Rather, TitaniQ temperatures are consistent with Ti values being incorporated into quartz during prograde metamorphism along a subduction geotherm of 10–12 deg/km at around 300 °C. ZiR temperatures are consistent with rutile nucleation and growth at around 450–500 °C along a similar metamorphic geotherm after the rutile-in reaction was overstepped by around 1 kJ/mol-O. The TitaniQ and ZiR thermometers do not, therefore, reflect peak metamorphic P–T conditions in these rocks but rather record recrystallization or growth processes during prograde subduction.

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Data availability statement

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article (and its supplementary information files).

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Acknowledgements

This work has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation 1447468 and 1750674 (to Spear) and the Edward P. Hamilton Distinguished Professor Chair (Rensselaer). Insightful reviews by Z. Osborne and two anonymous reviewers greatly improved the presentation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy, NY, 12180, USA

    Frank S. Spear & Oliver M. Wolfe

  2. Department of Geology, Amherst College, 220 South Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA, 01002, USA

    John T. Cheney

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  1. Frank S. Spear
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  2. Oliver M. Wolfe
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Correspondence to Frank S. Spear.

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Communicated by Mark S Ghiorso.

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Spear, F.S., Wolfe, O.M. & Cheney, J.T. On the interpretation of TitaniQ and ZiR thermobarometry in subduction complexes. Contrib Mineral Petrol 178, 8 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-022-01989-4

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