Garnet-pyroxene equilibria in the system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 (CMAS): prospects for simplified ('T-independent') lherzolite barometry and an eclogite-barometer

Abstract

New experimental data on compositions of garnets in two-pyroxene — garnet assemblages in the system CaO −MgO −Al2O3 −SiO2 (CMAS) are presented for conditions between 1,100 and 1,570° C and 30 to 50 kb. Garnets in these assemblages become less calcic with increasing pressure. Garnet-orthopyroxene barometry (Al-solubility-barometry) pertinent to geobarometry for garnet lherzolites has been evaluated with a set of experimental data covering the range 900 to 1,570° C and 15 to 100 kb. Various formulations of this barometer work well to 75 kb. Phase equilibria are not sufficient to positively verify the thermodynamic validity of any of such models. Empirical garnet-orthopyroxene barometry at least in the system CMAS can be formulated to obtain a pressure estimate without previous temperature estimation (P(kb)=34.4-19.175 1n X Al M1 +17.702 1n X Ca M2 ). The potential application of an analogous garnetclinopyroxene equilibrium is limited because the amount of Ca-Tschermaks in natural clinopyroxenes is usually quite small in garnet lherzolites and many eclogites. The Ca-Mg exchange between garnet and clinopyroxene appears however sufficiently sensitive to pressure to allow calibration of a CMAS barometer. The reaction 3CaMgSi2O6+Mg3Al2Si3O12=3Mg2Si2O6+Ca3Al2Si3O12 has a ΔV o of 3.5 cm3. The total pressure dependency of this reaction is however closer to a theoretical ΔV o of about 5 cm3 when excess volume properties of the phases involved are taken into account. We have calibrated such a barometer (mean error of estimate 2.8 kb) for assemblages with pyrope-rich (py>80) garnets and orthopyroxenes. This may provide the basis for a geobarometer for eclogites from kimberlites.