Interpretation of pressure-temperature-time paths
Pressure-temperature-time (PTt) paths inferred from mineral assemblages or compositions in metamorphic rocks are used to place constraints on metamorphic processes on several different scales. The purpose of this paper is to indicate the kind of questions that may be answered, and those that cannot, by interpretation of PTt data. The intensity of regional metamorphism depends both on the intensity of available heat sources and the length of time available for thermal relaxation; consequently the addition of reliable dates to a PT path is a crucial element in containing thermal history. For example, the question as to whether or not Archaean continental thermal regimes were similar to today's cannot be answered without PTt paths dated to a precision of better than 30 Myr. As there is always local perturbation due to tectonic, igneous or other fluid activity it is essential to obtain widespread PTt data before making estimates of thermal budgets for regional metamorphism. However, on the smaller scale, PTt paths may be used to infer tectonic style where structural data are ambiguous or lacking. Particular attention is paid to the problems of inferring extensional events from the PTt paths recorded by rocks from regional metamorphic belts.
- Research Organization:
- Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6643924
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8510489-
- Journal Information:
- Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States), Vol. 17; Conference: 98. annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, Orlando, FL, USA, 28 Oct 1985
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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