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Phase relations of pyroxene and amphibole in greenstone, blueschist and eclogite of the Franciscan Complex, California

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Abstract

The phase relations of pyroxenes, amphiboles and associated minerals in metamorphic rocks of the Franciscan Complex can be graphically depicted on a ternary diagram which has at its apices the metamorphic clinopyroxene end members, viz NaAl-NaFe3+-Ca(Fe2+, Mg). Phases are plotted by projection from a constant subassemblage of minerals. This analysis allows interpretation of the effects of pressure, temperature, bulk rock composition and fluid composition on stability of minerals within the Franciscan.

Pyroxenes in meta-igneous rocks and metagraywackes have a limited compositional range and fall into two groups: the omphacites, with 50±5% diopside +hedenbergite component; and the jadeitic pyroxenes with 10±5% diopside+hedenbergite. Pyroxenes intermediate between these two groups are unstable relative to assemblages containing Na-amphibole+other minerals.

Coexisting pyroxenes and amphiboles in eclogites and associated coarse blueschists comprise equilibrium assemblages, and the proportion of pyroxene to amphibole is a function of rock composition. Eclogites are stable at higher temperature than regionally developed fine-grained greenstones and blueschists in the Franciscan, and at higher pressure than amphibolites. X H2O fluid is not an important factor in the stability of Franciscan eclogite relative to amphibolite.

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Author notes

  1. J. Y. Bradshaw

    Present address: Department of Geology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Western Washington University, 98225, Bellingham, Washington, USA

    E. H. Brown & J. Y. Bradshaw

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Brown, E.H., Bradshaw, J.Y. Phase relations of pyroxene and amphibole in greenstone, blueschist and eclogite of the Franciscan Complex, California. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 71, 67–83 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00371882

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