Proterozoic blueschist belt in western China: Best documented Precambrian blueschists in the world

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 1989 Proterozoic blueschist belt in western China: Best documented Precambrian blueschists in the world J. G. Liou; J. G. Liou 1Department of Geology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S. A. Graham; S. A. Graham 1Department of Geology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar S. Maruyama; S. Maruyama 2Department of Earth Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar X. Wang; X. Wang 1Department of Geology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar X. Xiao; X. Xiao 3Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar A. R. Carroll; A. R. Carroll 1Department of Geology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. Chu; J. Chu 4Department of Applied Earth Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Y. Feng; Y. Feng 5Xian Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Xian, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar M. S. Hendrix; M. S. Hendrix 4Department of Applied Earth Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Y. H. Liang; Y. H. Liang 6Xinjiang Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Xinjiang, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar C. L. McKnight; C. L. McKnight 4Department of Applied Earth Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Y. Tang; Y. Tang 3Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Z. X. Wang; Z. X. Wang 3Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar M. Zhao; M. Zhao 3Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar B. Zhu B. Zhu 5Xian Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Xian, China Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information J. G. Liou 1Department of Geology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 S. A. Graham 1Department of Geology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 S. Maruyama 2Department of Earth Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan X. Wang 1Department of Geology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 X. Xiao 3Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China A. R. Carroll 1Department of Geology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 J. Chu 4Department of Applied Earth Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 Y. Feng 5Xian Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Xian, China M. S. Hendrix 4Department of Applied Earth Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 Y. H. Liang 6Xinjiang Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Xinjiang, China C. L. McKnight 4Department of Applied Earth Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 Y. Tang 3Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China Z. X. Wang 3Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China M. Zhao 3Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China B. Zhu 5Xian Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Xian, China Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1989) 17 (12): 1127–1131. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1989)017<1127:PBBIWC>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation J. G. Liou, S. A. Graham, S. Maruyama, X. Wang, X. Xiao, A. R. Carroll, J. Chu, Y. Feng, M. S. Hendrix, Y. H. Liang, C. L. McKnight, Y. Tang, Z. X. Wang, M. Zhao, B. Zhu; Proterozoic blueschist belt in western China: Best documented Precambrian blueschists in the world. Geology 1989;; 17 (12): 1127–1131. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1989)017<1127:PBBIWC>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract A coherent blueschist terrane near Aksu, northwestern China, is unconformably overlain by unmetamorphosed sedimentary rocks of Sinian age (ca. 600-800 Ma). The pre-Sinian metamorphic rocks, termed the Aksu Group, have maintained stratal continuity and were derived from shale, sandstone, basaltic volcanic rocks, and minor pelagic sediments. They have undergone multistage deformation and transitional blueschist-greenschist facies metamorphism, and are represented by strongly foliated chlorite-stilpnomelane-graphite schist, stilpnomelane-phengite psammitic schist, greenschist, blueschist, and minor quartzite, metachert, and metamorphosed ironstone. Metamorphic minerals present in blueschists include crossitic amphibole, epidote, chlorite, albite, quartz, and actinolite. Mineral parageneses and composition of sodic amphibole suggest blueschist facies recrystallization at about 4 to 6 kbar and about 300-400 °C. Post-tectonic alkali diabase dikes cut the Aksu Group. The basal conglomerate of the overlying Sinian to Eocambrian sedimentary succession contains clasts of both the metamorphic and dike rocks, clearly demonstrating that conditions required for blueschist facies metamorphism were attained at least 800 m.y. ago. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. 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