First finding of microdiamond, coesite and other UHP phases in felsic granulites in the Moldanubian Zone: Implications for deep subduction and a revised geodynamic model for Variscan Orogeny in the Bohemian Massif

Heavy mineral fractions and polished thin sections from felsic granulites from the Moldanubian Zone of the Bohemian Massif were thoroughly studied by means of Raman microspectroscopy combined with optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The following phases were identified, among others, as inclusions in robust minerals such as garnet and zircon: Diamond, characterized by an intense narrow peak at 1332 cm(-1), was found in two inclusions in zircon. They have a size of similar to 5 mu m. Coesite, identified by its very characteristic peak at similar to 520 cm(-1), was found in an inclusion in garnet together with quartz. Coesite has been almost completely transformed into quartz; only minor coesite nano-domains remain. Kumdykolite, the orthorhombic polymorph of NaAlSi3O8, characterized by strong peaks at 220,456 and 492 cm(-1), occurs either as single crystals or as a part of multiphase inclusions in garnet and in zircon along with other mineral phases such as K-feldspar, phengite, rutile. Moissanite, SiC, exhibiting the characteristic Raman bands at similar to 767, 788 and 969 cm(-1), occurs as inclusions in garnet. Diamond and coesite are considered to have formed at the peak ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic (UHPM) conditions. Kumdykolite has been proposed to be a metastable phase formed during rapid cooling from high temperature. Moissanite points to extremely reduced conditions during subduction to great depths. The finding of UHP phases in felsic granulites in the Moldanubian Zone is clear evidence for subduction of crustal materials to mantle depths. The garnet hosting the UHP phase inclusions usually preserves prograde compositional zoning; this in combination with the UHPM mineral inclusions suggests that the felsic material should have passed UHP metamorphism at a low-temperature gradient. Isothermal decompression (the commonly accepted model) at temperatures of 850-950 degrees C would have substantially modified and homogenized the garnet composition eliminating any compositional zoning. Therefore, the UHPM felsic rocks could have experienced only a short-term granulite fades metamorphism after they were exhumed to crustal levels. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.