Metamorphic P-T conditions and retrograde path of high-pressure Barrovian metamorphic zones near Cairn Leuchan, Caledonian orogen, Scotland

The metamorphic P-T conditions and associated relationships of the Barrovian zones near Glen Muick were re-examined by focusing on the petrology and thermodynamics of rocks at Cairn Leuchan, where garnetite lenses and layers occur in surrounding garnet amphibolite in the highest-grade sillimanite zone. The representative mineral assemblages in the garnet-rich lenses and garnet amphibolite are garnet + quartz + clinopyroxene + plagioclase + amphibole ± epidote, and garnet + amphibole + quartz + plagioclase ± clinopyroxene ± epidote, respectively. The chemical compositions of constituent minerals are the same in both garnetite and garnet amphibolite. The metamorphic P-T conditions of these rocks were estimated by thermodynamic calculations. The results show that the rocks underwent high-pressure granulite facies metamorphism at P = c. 1.2-1.4 GPa and T = c. 770-800°C followed by amphibolite facies metamorphism at P = c. 0.5-0.8 GPa and T = c. 580-700°C. Integration of our new results with previously published data suggests that the retrograde P-T trajectory of the highest-grade Barrovian metamorphic rocks marks a temperature decrease during decompression from a crustal depth of the high-pressure granulite facies, which is much deeper than previously considered.