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P–T–t evolution of spinel–cordierite–garnet gneisses from the Sauwald Zone (Southern Bohemian Massif, Upper Austria): is there evidence for two independent late-Variscan low-P/high-T events in the Moldanubian Unit?

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Abstract

The Sauwald Zone, located at the southern rim of the Bohemian Massif in Upper Austria, belongs to the Moldanubian Unit. It exposes uniform biotite + plagioclase ± cordierite paragneisses that formed during the post-collisional high-T/low-P stage of the Variscan orogeny. Rare metapelitic inlayers contain the mineral assemblage garnet + cordierite + green spinel + sillimanite + K-feldspar + plagioclase + biotite + quartz. Mineral chemical and textural data indicate four stages of mineral growth: (1) peak assemblage as inclusions in garnet (stage 1): garnet core + cordierite + green spinel + sillimanite + plagioclase (An35–65); (2) post-peak assemblages in the matrix (stages 2, 3): cordierite + spinel (brown-green and brown) ± sillimanite ± garnet rim + plagioclase (An10–45); and (3) late-stage growth of fibrolite, muscovite and albite (An0–15) during stage 4. Calculation of the P–T conditions of the peak assemblage (stage 1) yields 750–840°C, 0.29–0.53 GPa and for the stage 2 matrix assemblage garnet + cordierite + green spinel + sillimanite + plagioclase 620–730°C, 0.27–0.36 GPa. The observed phase relations indicate a clockwise P–T path, which terminates below 0.38 GPa. The P–T evolution of the Sauwald Zone and the Monotonous Unit are very similar, however, monazite ages of the former are younger (321 ± 9 Ma vs. 334 ± 1 Ma). This indicates that high-T/low-P metamorphism in the Sauwald Zone was either of longer duration or there were two independent phases of late-Variscan low-P/high-T metamorphism in the Moldanubian Unit.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support through FWF-projects 12248 and 15133 (to F.F.) is gratefully acknowledged. Edgar Mersdorf is thanked for his assistance on the electron microprobe, and Gudrun Riegler for drawing the geological map and the T-t path. The discussions with Erich Knop at the initial stages of the project are greatly appreciated. Kurt Krenn is thanked for obtaining the additional micro-Raman spectra of cordierite. The constructive reviews of the journal reviewers Christoph Hauzenberger and Patrick O’Brien, as well as the editorial handling by Christian Dullo, are also greatly appreciated.

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  1. Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences, Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria

    P. Tropper, I. Deibl & R. Kaindl

  2. Division of Mineralogy and Material Sciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, III, Salzburg, 5020, Austria

    F. Finger

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  1. P. Tropper
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Correspondence to P. Tropper.

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Tropper, P., Deibl, I., Finger, F. et al. P–T–t evolution of spinel–cordierite–garnet gneisses from the Sauwald Zone (Southern Bohemian Massif, Upper Austria): is there evidence for two independent late-Variscan low-P/high-T events in the Moldanubian Unit?. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 95, 1019–1037 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-006-0082-x

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