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The Granulite — Granite Connexion

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Granulites and Crustal Evolution

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASIC,volume 311))

Abstract

Granulites may be produced in either fluid-present or fluid-absent metamorphism. Fluid-present granulites can be formed by relatively low-T dehydration reactions, in the presence of a fluid dominated by a species other than H2O (e.g., CO2). Small quantities of H2O-rich fluid may be present at the onset of granulite facies conditions (≥ 650°C). This will promote limited degrees of partial fusion and the formation of granulitic migmatites, but will not produce mobile granitoid magma. Much of the lowermost crust is composed of non-restitic metagabbros and cumulates. However, the middle and lower crust also contain a substantial component of granulitic restite. This is derived through fluid-absent partial melting of common crustal rock-types that had been through earlier hydration cycles. Only fluid-absent granulites, produced at T ≥ 850°C, can have intimate, cogenetic connexions with voluminous granitoids. Non-restitic, mafic granulites represent basaltic magma that provided the heat source for metamorphism and melting of the overlying rocks. Restitic granulites are the refractory, residual complements of the granitoid magmas emplaced at higher levels. Silicic magmatism is most commonly a manifestation of crustal growth through under- and intra-plating of mantle-derived magma.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département des Sciences de la Terre, Université Blaise Pascal, 5 rue Kessler, 63038, Clermont-Ferrand Cédex, France

    J. D. Clemens

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  1. J. D. Clemens
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Département de Géologie, CNRS-URA 10, Université Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    D. Vielzeuf  & Ph. Vidal  & 

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© 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Clemens, J.D. (1990). The Granulite — Granite Connexion. In: Vielzeuf, D., Vidal, P. (eds) Granulites and Crustal Evolution. NATO ASI Series, vol 311. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2055-2_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2055-2_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7422-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-2055-2

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