Physicochemical simulation of the conditions for the mafic granulite formation (Bunger Hills, East Antarctica)

Abstract

The article presents the results of mineral thermobarometry and physico-chemical simulation of the formation of garnet-enstatite gneiss from the Mesoproterozoic metamorphic suite of the Bunger Hills, East Antarctica. As a result, the water activity, temperature and pressure of rock formation were estimated. It is shown that the peak temperature of metamorphism could reach 900 °С or more. Such temperature conditions indicate the prerequisites for the occurrence of UHT-metamorphism during the formation of the East Antarctic Shield.