Metamorphic solid salt (KCl-NaCl) in quartzo-feldspathic polyphase inclusions in the Sulu ultrahigh-pressure eclogite

Abstract

Unusual polyphase inclusions of K-feldspar + quartz + titanite + solid salt and K-feldspar + albite + quartz + epidote with textures similar to the other K-feldspar + quartz inclusions were found in omphacite grains from the Sulu ultrahigh pressure (UHP) eclogites. One of these inclusions contain square to round solid salt inclusions of KCl-NaCl composition. Such a mineral assemblage within K-feldspar-bearing inclusions hosted by UHP metamorphic phases suggests that (1) potassium granitic melts enriched in Cl components were presented during UHP metamorphism or at the early stage of rapid exhumation of deeply subducted continental slab; (2) they were resulted from reactions between the incoming granitic melts and quartz (or coesite); and (3) solid salt inclusions of NaCl-KCl were derived from dehydration and desiccation of Cl-bearing melts. Our new observations further demonstrate that during the tectonic evolution of UHP rocks, fertile components within deeply subducted continental materials could undergo partial melting, leading to the formation of Cl-bearing potassium granitic melts and substantial migration of fluid-conservative elements (e. g. Ti, Hf) within the UHP slab. © 2012 The Author(s).