The P–T–X conditions of staurolite-garnet metabasites, NW Iran: Implications for metamorphism during Arabia-Eurasia collision

The staurolite-bearing Avajiq metabasites (AMB) crop out near the NW border of Iran with Turkey and contain the peak assemblage garnet + Ca-amphibole + staurolite + biotite + chlorite1 + ilmenite. The AMB record peak pressure–temperature (P-T) conditions of >1 GPa at ∼650 °C; the moderately high pressure is consistent with the presence of staurolite in metabasalt. Garnets exhibit a weak prograde zoning, with relatively homogenous cores and a slight increase in Mg and decrease in Ca, Fe, and Mn toward the rim, consistent with garnet growth during a clockwise P-T path. Texturally late margarite + biotite + muscovite correspond to retrograde P-T conditions of ∼0.5 GPa at ∼500 °C. This stage was followed by further retrogression under greenschist facies conditions recorded by late pumpellyite + paragonite ± calcite. Based on the MORB-like composition of the AMB, it has been unclear whether the metabasites are associated with Neo-Tethyan ophiolites in the area or formed within a continental setting. However, the petrologic association of metabasites with micaschist, gneiss and marble and upper amphibolite facies conditions of metamorphism indicate that the basaltic rocks likely metamorphosed during Arabia-Eurasia continental collision, following consumption of the intervening Neo-Tethys Ocean and emplacement of the ophiolitic rocks in the region.