Structural and thermal evolution of an infant subduction shear zone:
Insights from sub-ophiolite metamorphic rocks recovered from Oman
Drilling Project Site BT-1B
Abstract
The thermal structure of the subduction interface changes drastically
within the first few million years following subduction initiation (i.e.
subduction infancy), resulting in changing metamorphic conditions
and degree of mechanical coupling. Metamorphic soles beneath ophiolites
record snapshots of subduction infancy. Beneath the Samail Ophiolite
(Oman), the sole comprises structurally higher high-temperature (HT) and
lower low-temperature (LT) units. This apparent inverted metamorphic
gradient has been attributed to metamorphism under different
Pressure-Temperature (P-T) conditions along the interface. However, peak
P-T and timing of LT sole subduction are poorly constrained. Samples
from Oman Drilling Project core BT-1B (104 m of metamorphic rocks)
reveal that the LT sole subducted to similar peak P as the HT sole, but
experienced ~300˚C lower peak T. Prograde fabrics in
meta-sedimentary and meta-mafic rocks record Si-in-phengite values and
amphibole chemistries consistent with peak P-T of ~8-12
kbar and ~450-550˚C in the epidote-amphibolite facies.
Retrograde fabrics record a transition from near pervasive ductile to
localized brittle strain under greenschist facies conditions. Titanite
U-Pb ages (two samples) constrain timing of peak LT sole subduction to
95.7 ± 1.1 Ma, which may post-date the HT sole by ~6-8
Myr. In light of previous HT sole thermobarometry and geochronology,
these new results support a model of protracted subduction and accretion
while the infant subduction zone cooled at rates of
~100˚C/Myr for ~1-5 Myr. Temporal
overlap of LT sole metamorphism and ophiolite crust formation suggests
that underthrusting and cooling may lead to interface weakening,
facilitating upper plate extension and forearc spreading.