Zoisite-clinozoisite relations in low- to medium-grade high-pressure metamorphic rocks and their implications

SummaryCoexisting zoisite and clinozoisite in seventeen specimens from six localities in Japan have been studied with the electron-probe microanalyser. Zoisite and clinozoisite are commonly zoned, but compositional gaps between them are systematic. Referring to the metamorphic grade of the host rocks, a temporary and schematic phase-diagram for the system Ca2Al3Si3O12-(OH)-Ca2Al2Fe3+Si3O12(OH) is presented. With increasing temperature, in the range of low- to medium-grade metamorphism, the compositional gap between the two epidote-group minerals shifts towards higher Fe3+compositions.