A decompressional P–T path, Reinbolt Hills, East Antarctica |
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| Authors: | G T NICHOLS R F BERRY |
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| Institution: | Geology Department, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Granulites exposed in the Reinbolt Hills, East Antarctica, are part of the extensive Late Proterozoic granulite complex of East Antarctica, which includes the Rauer Group to the east and the northern Prince Charles Mountains to the west. The deformation history includes three pervasive deformation phases. No chemical or mineralogical distinction between these phases has been detected and this is interpreted to be the result of complete re-equilibration at the end of the third deformation phase. Two late deformation phases post-date the metamorphism and record a medium-temperature cooling path. A short segment of the P–T path of these rocks was inferred from mineral reactions that occurred during these late deformation phases. The path passes from 800°C, 7 kbar to 690°C, 5 kbar, indicating strong decompression, which is typical of a thrust-dominated crustal thickening followed by rapid erosion or extensional collapse. |
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| Keywords: | Antarctica crustal thickening decompression granulites Proterozoic P–T path |
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