Eclogites are defined as bi-mineralic, broadly basaltic rocks which have been classified into Groups A, B and C based on the chemistry of their primary mineral phases, garnet and clinopyroxene.[2][3] The classification distinguishes each group based on the jadeite content of clinopyroxene and pyrope in garnet.[3] The rocks are gradationally less mafic (as defined by SiO2 and MgO) from group A to C, where the least mafic Group C contains higher
alkali contents. [4]
The transitional nature between groups A, B and C correlates with their mode of emplacement at the surface. [3] Group A derive from
cratonic regions of Earth's crust, brought to the surface as xenoliths from depths greater than 150 km during
kimberlite eruptions. [2][3] Group B show strong compositional overlap with Group A, but are found as lenses or pods surrounded by
peridotitic mantle material.[3] Group C are commonly found between layers of
mica or
glaucophane schist, primarily exemplified by the New Caledonia tectonic block off the coast of California. [5]
Surface versus mantle origin
The broad range in composition has led a longstanding debate on the origin of eclogite xenoliths as either mantle or surface derived, where the latter is associated with the
gabbro to eclogite transition as a major driving force for
subduction. [6][7][8]
Group A eclogite xenoliths remain the most enigmatic in terms of their origin due to
metasomatic overprinting of their original composition. [9][10] Models proposing a primary surface origin as seafloor
protoliths strongly rely on the wide range in
oxygen isotope composition, which overlaps with obducted oceanic crust, such as the Ibra section of the
Samail ophiolite. [11][12] The variation found in some eclogite xenoliths at the Roberts Victor kimberlite pipe are a result of
hydrothermal alteration of basalt on the seafloor. [13] This process is attributed to both low- and high-temperature seawater exchange, resulting in large fractionations in oxygen isotope space relative to the upper mantle value typical of mid ocean ridge basalt glasses. [14][15] Other mechanisms proposed for the origin of Group A eclogite xenoliths rely on a
cumulate model, where garnet and clinopyroxene bulk compositions derive from residues of
partial melting within the mantle. [16] Support of this process is result of metasomatic overprinting of the original oxygen isotope composition, driving them back towards the mantle range. [17]
Eclogite facies
This facies reflects metamorphism at high pressure (at or over 12kbar) and moderately high to very high temperatures. The pressures exceed those of greenschist, blueschist, amphibolite or granulite facies.
Eclogites containing
lawsonite (a hydrous calcium-aluminium silicate) are rarely exposed at Earth's surface, although they are predicted from experiments and thermal models to form during normal subduction of
oceanic crust at depths between about 45–300 km (28–186 mi).[18]
Importance
Formation of igneous rocks from eclogite
Partial melting of eclogite has been modeled to produce
tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite melts.[19] Eclogite-derived melts may be common in the mantle, and contribute to volcanic regions where unusually large volumes of magma are erupted.[20] The eclogite melt may then react with enclosing peridotite to produce
pyroxenite, which in turn melts to produce basalt.[21]
Distribution
Occurrences exist in western North America, including the southwest[22] and the
Franciscan Formation of the
California Coast Ranges.[23] Transitional
granulite-eclogite facies granitoid,
felsic volcanics, mafic rocks and granulites occur in the Musgrave Block of the
Petermann Orogeny, central Australia. Coesite- and glaucophane-bearing eclogites have been found in the northwestern
Himalaya.[24] The oldest coesite-bearing eclogites are about 650 and 620 million years old and they are located in
Brazil and
Mali, respectively.[25][26]
^Wilke, Franziska D.H.; O'Brien, Patrick J.; Altenberger, Uwe; Konrad-Schmolke, Matthias; Khan, M. Ahmed (January 2010). "Multi-stage reaction history in different eclogite types from the Pakistan Himalaya and implications for exhumation processes". Lithos. 114 (1–2): 70–85.
Bibcode:
2010Litho.114...70W.
doi:
10.1016/j.lithos.2009.07.015.