Reactions and textures in grossular–wollastonite–scapolite calc–silicate granulites from Maligawila, Sri Lanka: evidence for high-temperature isobaric cooling in the meta-sediments of the Highland Complex

Abstract

Grossular–wollastonite–scapolite calc–silicate granulites from Maligawila in the Buttala klippe, which form part of the overthrusted rocks of the Highland Complex of Sri Lanka, preserve a number of spectacular coronas and replacement textures that could be effectively used to infer their P–T–fluid history. These textures include coronas of garnet, garnet–quartz, and garnet–quartz–calcite at the grain boundaries of wollastonite, scapolite, and calcite as well as calcite–plagioclase and calcite– quartz symplectites or finer grains after scapolite and wollastonite respectively. Other textures include a double rind of coronal scapolite and coronal garnet between matrix garnet and calcite. The reactions that produced these coronas and replacement textures, except those involving clinopyroxene, are modelled in the CaO–Al2O3–SiO2–CO2 system using the reduced activities. Calculated examples of T–XCO2 and P–XCO2 projections indicate that the peak metamorphic temperature of about 900–875 C at a pressure of 9 kbar and the peak metamorphic fluid composition is constrained to be low in XCO2 (0.1<XCO2<0.30). Interpretation of the textural features on the basis of the partial grids revealed that the calc–silicate granulites underwent high-temperature isobaric cooling, from about 900–875 C to a temperature below 675 C, following the peak metamorphism. The late-stage cooling was accompanied by an influx of hydrous fluids. The calc–silicate granulites provide evidence for high-temperature isobaric cooling in the meta-sediments of the Highland Complex, earlier considered by some workers to be confined exclusively to the meta-igneous rocks. The coronal scapolite may have formed under open-system metasomatism. D 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved