Deformation-enhanced HP-UHP metamorphic transformation of two-pyroxene granite in ductile shear zones at Yangkou, Sulu UHP metamorphic belt, China.

We report that high strain deformation in ductile shear zones greatly enhanced high to ultrahigh pressure (HP-UHP) metamorphic transformation of a two-pyroxene granite in deep continental subduction zone. Integrated structural and petrologic study of rocks from the two-pyroxene granite block and shear zones in the block in the UHP shear complex at Yangkou, Sulu UHP metamorphic belt, reveals that the undeformed granite has preserved granitic texture and primary mineral assemblage of hypersthene, augite, plagioclase, K-feldspar, quartz and biotite. Metamorphic transformation of the granite is limited to grain boundaries due to low fluid activity and low reaction kinetics. In contrast rocks from the shear zones have a mylonitic texture and most of the primary minerals are transformed to HP-UHP phase minerals. Dislocation creep accommodated by dynamic recrystallization results in significant grain size reduction of the primary minerals in the mylonite, which increases reaction surface area and enhances metamorphic transformation. Fluid released by biotite transformation to HP-UHP minerals leads to diffusion mass transfer that greatly accelerates the metamorphic process in the shear zone. Deformation conditions are estimated ca 546 °C and pressure 2.5 GPa. • Undeformed pyroxene granite survived ultrahigh pressure metamorphism. • Deformation in shear zones in the granite enhanced metamorphic transformation. • Dislocation creep and fluid-enhanced diffusion creep are deformation mechanisms. • Deformation takes place at a minimum temperature 546 °C and pressure 2.5 GPa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]