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Regional distribution of white K-mica polymorphs and their phengite content in the Central Alps

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Abstract

Some 150 white K-micas from the Central Alps were analysed for their polymorph and phengite content.

Pre-Alpine white K-micas and those belonging to the Meso-Alpine Lepontine Metamorphic “High” show exclusively the 2M1 polymorph. The 3T structural form, on the other hand, has been found in one third of the white K-micas formed during the Alpine regional metamorphism. In most cases this trigonal structure coexists with varying amounts of the 2M1 form. The 3T distribution pattern suggests that this polymorph originated during the Eo-Alpine high-pressure/“low temperature” metamorphism. Provided this interpretation is correct, the sporadic occurrence of this polymorph within the Meso-Alpine staurolite zone may be used as a tracer for the Eo-Alpine metamorphism.

The following improved correlation between the (060, 331) reflections of 2M1 white K-micas and the RM-content (= 2Fe2O3+FeO+MgO in molar proportions), based on 24 micas from granitoid rocks, is presented: d(060, 331)= 1.498+0.082 RM.

The phengite content of Alpine white K-micas belonging to the assemblage muscovite-biotite-K-feldspar-quartz was estimated from RM values or derived from chemical analyses and was found to be clearly related to metamorphic grade. Phengite-rich micas were formed during the Eo-Alpine high-P/“ low-T” metamorphism while aluminous muscovite was found within the Meso-Alpine thermal high of the Lepontine gneiss area. White K-micas from areas which underwent both the Eo-Alpine and the Meso-Alpine metamorphism display variable phengite contents. Although these micas show Tertiary Rb-Sr and K-Ar ages, the variable phengite content presumably reflects conditions during the Eo-Alpine high-P/“low-T” metamorphism. This interpretation implies that the cations occupying the interlayer positions are more easily equilibrated than those in octahedral and tetrahedral structural sites.

A compilation of 3T white K-mica occurrences described in the literature is given in the appendix.

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  1. Mineralogisch-Petrographisches Institut der Universität, Bernoullistrasse 30, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland

    M. Frey & W. B. Stern

  2. Abteilung für Isotopengeologie, Mineralogisch-Petrographisches Institut der Universität, Erlachstrasse 9a, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland

    J. C. Hunziker & E. Jäger

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  1. M. Frey
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Frey, M., Hunziker, J.C., Jäger, E. et al. Regional distribution of white K-mica polymorphs and their phengite content in the Central Alps. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 83, 185–197 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00373092

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