Archimedes and the Tauern eclogites: the role of buoyancy in the preservation of exotic eclogite blocks

England, P.C. and Holland, T. J. B. (1979) Archimedes and the Tauern eclogites: the role of buoyancy in the preservation of exotic eclogite blocks. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 44 (2). pp. 287-294. ISSN 0012-821X DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(79)90177-8

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Abstract

The eclogite fragments of the Tauern Window formed at pressures around 20 kbar and temperatures in the region 600-650°C; these pressures are higher by 10-12 kbar than those experienced by the units now surrounding the eclogite-bearing zone. The eclogites probably formed in a subduction zone prior to the main Austroalpine collision: downward shearing forces dominated over buoyancy forces in the subduction zone mélange, permitting the subduction of relatively light material to great depth. At the cessation of subduction this buoyant material returned to the surface, carrying eclogite blocks that were too small to sink rapidly through it. A similar mechanism could account for the emplacement of certain Alpine-type garnet peridotites.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	05 - Petrology - Igneous, Metamorphic and Volcanic Studies
Divisions:	05 - Petrology - Igneous, Metamorphic and Volcanic Studies
Journal or Publication Title:	Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Volume:	44
Page Range:	pp. 287-294
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(79)90177-8
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	28 Jul 2011 11:56
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2013 10:02
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/2146

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