Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-p9bg8 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T16:50:24.141Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Zircon dissolution in a ductile shear zone, Monte Rosa granite gneiss, northern Italy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2018

T. J. Dempster ,
J. C. Martin  and
Z. K. Shipton
T. J. Dempster
Affiliation:
Department of Geographical and Earth Sciences, Gregory Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
J. C. Martin
Affiliation:
Present address: Department of Earth Sciences, University of Durham, Durham DH1 3HP, UK
Z. K. Shipton
Affiliation:
Department of Geographical and Earth Sciences, Gregory Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The sizes, distributions and shapes of zircon grains within variably deformed granite gneiss from the western Alps have been studied. Zircon shows numerous indicators of a metamorphic response in both the host gneiss and a 5 cm wide continuous ductile shear zone, within which the zircon grain sizes range from <1 urn to >50 μm. However, the very fine grain sizes are virtually absent from grain boundaries. Within this zone, zircons consistently have more rounded and embayed margins, which are interpreted as evidence of dissolution in response to fluid influx during shearing. Zircons are preferentially located near metamorphic muscovite in both the host gneiss and the shear zone and tend to show the poorest crystal shape, indicating that fluids linked to the formation and presence of muscovite may enhance both the crystallization of zircon and its subsequent dissolution. Larger zircon crystals typically show a brittle response to deformation when adjacent to phyllosilicates, with fractures consistently perpendicular to the (001) mica cleavage. The variety of metamorphic behaviour observed for zircon indicates that it may be highly reactive in sub-solidus mid-crustal metamorphic environments.

Keywords

zirconshear zonemetamorphismdissolutiondeformation
Type
Research Article
Information
Mineralogical Magazine , Volume 72 , Issue 4 , August 2008 , pp. 971 - 986
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Amelin, Y., Lee, D-C, Halliday, A.N. and Pidgeon, R.T. (1999) Nature of the Earth's earliest crust from hafnium isotopes in single detrital zircons. Nature, 399, 252–255.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Andersen, T. and Griffin, W.L. (2004) Lu-Hf and U-Pb isotope systematics of zircon from the Storgangen Intrusive Complex, SW Norway; implications for the composition and evolution of Precambrian lower crust in the Baltic shield. Lithos, 73, 271–288.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Balan, E., Neuville, D.R., Trocellier, P., Fritsch, E., Muller, J-P., and Calas, G. (2001) Metamictization and chemical durability of detrital zircon. American Mineralogist, 86, 1025–1033.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bearth, P. (1952) Geologie und Petrographie des Monte Rosa. Beitrage zur Geologischen Karte der Schweiz, 94 pp.Google Scholar
Black, L.P., Williams, I.S. and Compston, W. (1986) Four zircon ages from one rock: the history of a 3,930 Ma-old granulite from Mount Scones, Enderby Land, Antarctica. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 94, 427–437.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Boullier, A.M. (1980) A preliminary study on the behaviour of brittle minerals in a ductile matrix: example of zircons and feldspars. Journal of Structural Geology, 2, 211–217.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bowring, S.A. (1995) The Earth's early evolution. Science, 269, 1535–1540.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Butler, R.W., Casey, M., Lloyd, G.E., Bond, C, McDade, P., Shipton, Z.K and Jones, R. (2002) Vertical stretching and crustal thickening at Nanga Parbat, Pakistan Himalaya: a model for distributed continental deformation during mountain building. Tectonics, 21, 1–17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cashman, K.V. and Marsh, B.D. (1988) Crystal size distribution (CSD) in rocks and the kinetics and dynamics of crystallization. II: Makaopuhi lava lake. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 99, 292–305.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chakoumakos, B.C., Murakami, T., Lumpkin, G.R. and Ewing, R.C. (1987) Alpha-decay induced fracturing in zircon: The transition from the crystalline to the metamict state. Science, 236, 1556–1559.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cherniak, D.J., Hanchar, J.M. and Watson, E.B. (1997) Rare-earth diffusion in zircon. Chemical Geology, 134, 289–301.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dal Piaz, G.V. (2001) Geology of the Monte Rosa massif: historical review and personal comments. Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 81, 275–303.Google Scholar
Dal Piaz, G.V. and Lombardo, B. (1986) Early Alpine eclogite metamorphism in the Penninic Monte Rosa-Gran Paradiso basement nappes of the northwestern Alps. Pp. 249–265 in: Blueschists and Eclogites: (Evans, B.W. and Brown, E.H., editors), 164, Geological Society of America Memoir.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Degeling, H., Eggins, S. and Ellis, DJ. (2001) Zr budgets for metamorphic reactions, and the formation of zircon from garnet breakdown. Mineralogical Magazine, 65, 749–758.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dempster, T.J., Hay, D.C. and Bluck, BJ. (2004) Zircon growth in slate. Geology, 32, 221–224.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dempster, T.J., Hay, D.C, Gordon, S.H. and Kelly, N.M. (2008) Micro-zircon: origin and evolution during metamorphism. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 26, 499–507.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Engi, M., Scherrer, N.C. and Burri, T. (2001) Metamorphic evolution of pelitic rocks of the Monte Rosa nappe: Constraints from petrology and single grain monazite age data. Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 81, 305–328.Google Scholar
Ewing, R.C., Haaker, R.F. and Lutze, W. (1982) Leachability of zircon as a function of alpha dose. Scientific Basis for Radioactive Waste Management, 5, 389–397.Google Scholar
Farges, F. (1994) The Structure of Metamict Zircon: A Temperature-Dependant EXAFS Study. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 20, 504–514.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fraser, G.L., Pattison, D.R. and Heaman, L.M. (2004) Age of the Ballachulish and Glen Coe Igneous Complexes (Scottish Highlands), and paragenesis of zircon, monazite and baddeleyite in the Ballachulish Aureole. Journal of the Geological Society, London, 161, 447–462.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Frey, M., Hunziker, J.C., O'Neil, J.R. and Schwander, H.W. (1976) Equilibrium-disequilibrium relations in the Monte Rosa granite, western Alps: petrological, Rb-Sr and stable isotope data. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 55, 147–179.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gebauer, D., Schertl, H-P., Brix, M. and Schreyer, W. (1997) 35 Ma old ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism and evidence for very rapid exhumation in the Dora Maira Massif, Western Alps. Lithos, 41, 5–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Geisler, T., Ulonska, M., Schleicher, H., Pidgeon, R.T. and van Bronswijk, W. (2001) Leaching and differential recrystallization of metamict zircon under experimental hydrothermal conditions. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 141, 53–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Geisler, T., Pidgeon, R.T., Kurtz, R., van Bronswijk, W. and Schleicher, H. (2003) Experimental hydrothermal alteration of partially metamict zircon. American Mineralogist, 88, 1496–1513.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gulson, B.L. and Krogh, T.E. (1973) Old lead components in the young Bergell Massif, south-east Swiss Alps. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 40, 239–252.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hanchar, J.M. and Hoskin, P.W. (2003) Zircon. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 53, Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, DC, 500pp.Google Scholar
Harrison, T.M., Schmitt, A.K., McCulloch, M.T. and Lovera, O.M. (2008) Early (3=4.5 Ga) formation of terrestrial crust: Lu-Hf, 5 O, and Ti thermometry results for Hadean zircons. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 268, 476–486.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hoskin, P.W. and Black, L.P. (2000) Metamorphic zircon formation by solid-state recrystallization of protolith igneous zircon. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 18, 423–439.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hoskin, P.W. and Schaltegger, U. (2003) The Composition of Zircon and Igneous and Metamorphic Petrogenesis. Pp. 27–62 in: Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 53, Mineralogical Society of America, Washington, DC, 500pp.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hunziker, J.C. (1970) Polymetamorphism in the Monte Rosa, Western Alps. Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae, 63, 151–161.Google Scholar
Keller, L.M. and Schmid, S.M. (2001) On the kinematics of shearing near the top of the Monte Rosa nappe and the nature of the Furgg zone in Val Loranco (Antrona valley, N. Italy): tectonometamorphic and paleogeographical consequences. Schweizerische Mineralogische Petrographische Mitteilungen, 81, 347–367.Google Scholar
Keller, L.M., Abart, R., Stiinitz, H. and Capitani, C.D. (2004) Deformation, mass transfer and mineral reactions in an eclogite facies shear zone in a polymetamorphic metapelite (Monte Rosa nappe, western Alps). Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 22, 97–118.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols for rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279.Google Scholar
Kröner, A., Wendt, I., Liew, T.C., Compston, W., Todt, W., Fiala, J., vanková, V. and vanek, J. (1988) U-Pb zircon and Sm-Nd model ages of high-grade Moldanubian metasediments, Bohemian Massif, Czechoslovakia. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 99, 257–266.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lapen, T.J., Johnson, CM., Baumgartner, L.P., Dal Piaz, G.V., Skora, S. and Beard, B.L. (2007) Coupling of oceanic and continental crust during Eocene eclogite-facies metamorphism: evidence from the Monte Rosa nappe, western Alps. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 153, 139–157.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lee, J.K. and Tromp, J. (1995) Self-induced fracture generation in zircon. Journal of Geophysical Research, 100, 17753–17770.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liati, A., Gebauer, D., Froitzheim, N. and Fanning, CM. (2001) U-Pb SHRIMP geochronology of an amphibolitized eclogite and an orthogneiss from the Furgg zone (Western Alps) and implications for its geodynamic evolution. Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 81, 379–393.Google Scholar
Moller, A., O'Brien, P.J. and Kennedy, A. (2002) Polyphase zircon in ultrahigh-temperature granulites (Rogaland, SW Norway): constraints forPb diffusion in zircon. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 20, 727–740.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moller, A., O'Brien, P.J., Kennedy, A. and Kroner, A. (2003) Linking growth of zircon and metamorphic textures to zircon chemistry: an example from the ultrahigh-temperature granulites of Rogaland (SW Norway). Pp. 65–81 in: Geochronology: Linking the Isotopic Record with Petrology and Textures. (vance, D., Müller, W. and Villa, I.M., editors). Special Publication, 220. Geological Society of London.Google Scholar
Nasdala, L., Wenzel, M., Vavra, G., Irmer, G., Wenzel, T. and Kober, B. (2001) Metamictization of natural zircon: accumulation versus thermal annealing of radioactivity-induced damage. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 141, 125 — 144.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pawlig, S. and Baumgartner, L.P. (2001) Geochemistry of a talc-kyanite-chloritoid shear zone within the Monte Rosa granite, Val d'Ayas, Italy. Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 81, 329–346.Google Scholar
Rasmussen, B. (2005) Zircon growth in very low grade metasedimentary rocks: evidence for zirconium mobility at ∼250°C. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 150, 146–155.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reddy, S.M., Timms, N.E., Trimby, P., Kinny, P.D., Buchan, C and Blake, K (2006) Crystal-plastic deformation of zircon: A defect in the assumption of chemical robustness. Geology, 34, 257–260.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rubatto, D., Gebauer, D. and Compagnoni, R. (1999) Dating of eclogite-facies zircons: the age of Alpine metamorphism in the Sesia-Lanzo Zone (Western Alps). Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 167, 141–158.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rubatto, D., Williams, I.S. and Buick, I.S. (2001) Zircon and monazite response to prograde metamorphism in the Reynolds Range, central Australia. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 140, 458–468.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rubin, J.N., Henry, CD. and Price, J.G. (1989) Hydrothermal zircons and zircon overgrowths, Sierra Blanca Peaks, Texas. American Mineralogist, 72, 865–869.Google Scholar
Sammis, C, King, G. and Biegel, R. (1987) The kinematics of gouge deformation. Pure and Applied Geophysics, 125, 777–812.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schmidt, C, Rickers, K, Wirth, R., Nasdala, L. and Hanchar, J.M. (2006) Low-temperature Zr mobility: An in situ synchrotron-radiation XRF study of the effect of radiation damage in zircon on the element release in H2O + HC1 ± SiO2 fluids. American Mineralogist, 91, 1211–1215.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sergeev, S.A., Meier, M. and Steiger, R.H. (1995) Improving the resolution of single-grain U/Pb dating by the use of zircon extracted from feldspar: Application to the Variscan magmatic cycle in the central Alps. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 134, 37–51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Silver, L.T. and Deutsch, S. (1963) Uranium-lead isotopic variations in zircons: A case study. Journal of Geology, 71, 721–758.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sinha, A.K. and Glover, L. (1978) U/Pb systematics of zircons during dynamic metamorphism: A study from the Brevard Fault Zone. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 66, 305–310.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Steyrer, H.P. and Sturm, R. (2002) Stability of zircon in a low-grade ultramylonite and its utility for chemical mass balancing: the shear zone at Mieville, Switzerland. Chemical Geology, 187, 1–19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tomaschek, F., Kennedy, A.K., Villa, I.M., Lagos, M. and Ballhaus, C. (2003) Zircons from Syros, Cyclades, Greece — recrystallization and mobilization of zircon during high pressure metamorphism. Journal of Petrology, 44, 1977–2002.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Varva, G. (1990) On the kinematics of zircon growth and its petrogenetic significance: A cathodolumines-cence study. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 106, 90–99.Google Scholar
Vermeesch, P., Seward, D., Latkoczy, C, Wipf, M., Giinther, D. and Baur, H. (2007) α-Emitting mineral inclusions in apatite, their effect on (U-Th)/He ages, and how to reduce it. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Ada, 71, 1737–1746.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wayne, D.M. and Sinha, A.K. (1992) Stability of zircon U-Pb systematics in a greenschist-grade mylonite: An example from the Rockfish Valley Fault Zone, Central Virginia, USA. Journal of Geology, 100, 593–603.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wilde, S.A., Valley, J.W., Peck, W.H. and Graham, CM. (2001) Evidence from detrital zircons for the existence of continental crust and oceans on the Earth 4.4 Ga ago. Nature, 409, 175–178.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Williams, I.S. (1992) Some observations on the use of zircon U-Pb geochronology in the study of granitic rocks. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (Earth Sciences), 83, 447–458.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Williams, I.S. (2001) Response of detrital zircon and monazite, and their U-Pb isotopic systems, to regional metamorphism and host-rock partial melting, Cooma Complex, southeastern Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Science, 48, 557–580.CrossRefGoogle Scholar