Investigations on temperature and pressure of formation of schists and gneisses of the Allahyarlu complex, NW Iran

The ophiolitic-metamorphic complex of Allahyarlu, attributed to pre-Cretaceous, is exposed at the core of Allahyarlu anticline in NW Iran and NE of Meshginshahr. The metamorphic rocks are important constituents of this complex. These rocks include garnet schist, garnet gneiss, amphibolite, marble, associated with blocks of serpentinite and tectonic slices of gabbro, dunite and diabase. Quartz, garnet, biotite, muscovite and chlorite are the primary minerals in the garnet schists, while zircon, secondary chlorite, opaque minerals and plagioclase make the minor phases. The main minerals in the garnet gneiss samples are K-feldspar, quartz, plagioclase, muscovite, biotite and garnet and tourmaline, zircon and secondary chlorite are the minor phases. Garnet in garnet schists and garnet gneisses is almandine-rich and white mica is muscovite –rich. According to microprobe analyses, brunvigite is the main constituent in chlorite solid-solution. Te average temperature estimated for metamorphism of garnet schists and garnet gneisses, using different methods is 530 to 570 C. Using apetrogenetic grid indicates pressure of ca. 4.5 kbar for the paek of metamorphism. The estimated pressure and temperature are in accordance of Barrovian metamorphic gradient for these rocks, which occurs in crustal thickenning zones such as island arcs, volcanic arcs and collision zones.