Sub-greenschist facies metamorphism from the Variscides of SW Ireland an early syn-extensional peak thermal event

Illite crystallinity studies on metaclastics from the Variscides of SW Ireland range in value from 0.18 to 0.25°Δ2 θ indicating a metamorphic grade in the upper anchizone-lower epizone ( c. 275–325°C). Chlorite geothermometry yields a similar metamorphic temperature range (280–315°C). Combining these data with known overburden estimates for the area ( c. 5km) implies late Palaeozoic geothermal gradients in excess of 60°Ckm −1 . Fluid inclusion studies on quartz veins in these metaclastics reveal two vein types characterized by fluid densities of 0.7–0.93 g cm −3 (Group 1) and 0.9–1.0gcm −3 (Group 2) respectively. This variation in fluid density is thought to be dominantly controlled by temperature, with Group 1 veins linked to late Palaeozoic extension and high geothermal gradients and Group 2 veins associated with subsequent Variscan deformation and lower temperature conditions.