Transition from eclogite to amphibolite-facies metamorphism in the Austroalpine Ulten Zone

The Ulten Zone of the Austroalpine crystalline basement south-west of Meran (Italy) contains metapelitic schists and granoblastic paragneisses, leucocratic orthogneisses, migmatites (in both gneiss-lithologies), metabasites and ultramafic lenses. Metamorphic textures of the metapelitic schists and granoblastic paragneisses indicate two different metamorphic events, characterized by two mineral assemblages, which differ in mineral chemistry: (1) an eclogite facies mineral assemblage (M1) comprising Grt-Ky I-Bt. Ms-Kfs-PI-Qtz-Rt, and (2) an amphibolite facies mineral assemblage (M2) comprising Grt-KyII-Bt-Ms-PI-Qtz-Ilm±St. For the M1 event, pressures of at least 15kbar and temperatures of about 700°±50°C can be estimated. The later amphibolite facies overprint occurred at pressures of 6 to 8kbar and about 600°±50°C. The M1 and M2 assemblages belong to a continuous clockwise metamorphic evolution during the Variscan orogeny. Evidence for Alpine metamorphism can only be detected by sericite rims around kyanite and reset biotite ages. The migmatites, which contribute about 15–30vol.% of all rocks in the investigated area, were formed on the prograde path during the M1 event. Dissolution of H2O in the melted part of the migmatites resulted in a CO2dominated fluid, which was trapped in primary kyanite (M1) fluid inclusions. Secondary H2O-rich fluid inclusions are found in quartz grains and may represent the fluid which enabled a pervasive equilibration during M2.