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J. metamorphic Geol., 2005, 23, 649–666 doi:10.1111/j.1525-1314.2005.00601.xContrasting textural record <strong>of</strong> two distinct metamorphic events <strong>of</strong>similar P–T conditions <strong>and</strong> different durationsO. LEXA, 1,2 P. ŠTÍPSKÁ, 1,2 K. SCHULMANN, 1,2 L. BARATOUX 1 AND A. KRÖNER 31 Institute <strong>of</strong> Petrology <strong>and</strong> Structural Geology, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 43 Prague, Czech Republic(lexa@natur.cuni.cz)2 Université Louis Pasteur, CGS/EOST, UMR 7517, 1 rue Blessig, Strasbourg 67084, France3 Institut für Geowissenschaften, Universität Mainz, 55099 Mainz, GermanyABSTRACTA <strong>structural</strong>, metamorphic <strong>and</strong> geochronological study <strong>of</strong> the Stare´ Meˇsto belt implies the existence <strong>of</strong>two distinct metamorphic events <strong>of</strong> similar peak P–T conditions (700–800 °C, 8–10 kbar) during theCambro-Ordovician <strong>and</strong> the Carboniferous tectonometamorphic events. The hypothesis <strong>of</strong> two distinctperiods <strong>of</strong> metamorphism was suggested on the basis <strong>of</strong> <strong>structural</strong> discordance between an undoubtedlyCarboniferous granodiorite sill intrusion <strong>and</strong> earlier Cambro-Ordovician fabrics <strong>of</strong> a b<strong>and</strong>edamphibolite complex. The analysis <strong>of</strong> crystal size distribution (CSD) shows high nucleation density(N 0 ) <strong>and</strong> low average growth rate (Gt) for Carboniferous mylonitic metagabbros <strong>and</strong> myloniticgranodiorites. The parameter N 0 decreases whereas the quantity Gt increases towards highertemperatures progressively approaching the values obtained from the Cambro-Ordovician b<strong>and</strong>edamphibolite complex. The spatial distribution <strong>of</strong> amphibole <strong>and</strong> plagioclase shows intense mechanicalmixing for lower-temperature mylonitic metagabbros. In high-temperature mylonites a strong aggregatedistribution is developed. Cambro-Ordovician amphibolites unaffected by Carboniferous deformationshow a regular to anticlustered spatial distribution resulting from heterogeneous nucleation <strong>of</strong> individualphases. This pattern, together with CSD, was subsequently modified by the grain growth <strong>and</strong> texturalequilibration controlled by diffusive mass transfer during Carboniferous metamorphism. The differencesbetween the observed textures <strong>of</strong> the amphibolites are interpreted to be a consequence <strong>of</strong> the differentdurations <strong>of</strong> the Carboniferous <strong>and</strong> Cambro-Ordovician thermal events.Key words: Cambro-Ordovician <strong>and</strong> Carboniferous metamorphism; quantitative textural analysis;crystal size distributions; grain contact frequencies.INTRODUCTIONIdentifying distinct metamorphic episodes in domainswith a polymetamorphic history is possible providingthe P–T conditions <strong>of</strong> a younger metamorphic eventare markedly different from those <strong>of</strong> a preceding one.The problem becomes more complex when the morerecent metamorphic event affects units which previouslysuffered a metamorphic event <strong>of</strong> a similar grade.In this particular case it is only the geological context<strong>and</strong> geochronological data that can indicate the existence<strong>of</strong> distinct tectonometamorphic episodes.Polymetamorphic domains are commonly studiedusing analysis <strong>of</strong> polyphase deformations <strong>and</strong> individualtectonic events are attributed to distinctdeformational phases (Turner & Weiss, 1963). Infavourable situations tectonic regimes responsible forthe formation <strong>of</strong> two distinct deformational phases canbe distinguished. However, polyphase structures commonlyresult from the continuous activation <strong>of</strong> localmechanical instabilities during a single deformationevent (Burg, 1999).The tools <strong>of</strong> metamorphic petrology are able toprovide P–T estimates <strong>of</strong> peak metamorphic conditions,<strong>and</strong> important fragments <strong>of</strong> P–T paths can bereconstructed when thermodynamic <strong>modelling</strong> isapplied (Powell & Holl<strong>and</strong>, 1988). However, metamorphic<strong>and</strong> phase petrology do not reveal informationabout the duration <strong>of</strong> metamorphic events.The time span between individual metamorphicdeformationevents <strong>and</strong> the duration <strong>of</strong> metamorphicreworking can be determined in principle bygeochronology.When metamorphic rocks are reworked by a followingtectonometamorphic event after a significantperiod <strong>of</strong> time but under similar P–T conditions, it isunlikely that the duration <strong>of</strong> events, strain rates <strong>and</strong>kinematics <strong>of</strong> deformation are also the same. However,the texture <strong>of</strong> metamorphic tectonites results fromnucleation, grain growth <strong>and</strong> various recrystallizationmechanisms that are strongly controlled by temperature,time <strong>and</strong> strain rate/stress ratio (Hickey & Bell,1996). Therefore, the analysis <strong>of</strong> metamorphic texturesis a method that is capable <strong>of</strong> distinguishing betweentwo metamorphic events under similar P–T conditions<strong>of</strong> different durations.Here, we consider an example <strong>of</strong> Cambro-Ordovicianmetamorphism associated with crustal thinningÓ 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd 649231

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