Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Thermobarometry of Gneisses from Soltanabad Metamorphic Complex (NE Sabzevar)

Soltanabad metamorphic complex cropped out in the ophiolitic range of NE Sabzevar. There is a distinct gneissic body exposed in this complex which is associated with metabasite, serpentinite and adakitic intrusions. Quartz, albite, epidote, amphibole, garnet and chlorite are the rock forming minerals of gneissic samples. Based on abundances of light and dark minerals, different types of felsic, intermediate and mafic gneisses are distinguishable. Metamorphic conditions of the Soltanabad complex gneisses is estimated as 462 (±39)°C at pressure of 12.4 (±2.15) kb indicating a hot thermal regime of a subduction setting. Based on the whole rock geochemistry gneisses have plagiogranitic composition and formed by partial melting of mafic sequence in oceanic crust. Isotopic ratio of zircon’s Hf and REE pattern confirm a MORB affinity of these gneisses. The Soltanabad metamorphic complex gneissesdisplay considerable compositional similarity with plagiogranite of Iran and Cyprus ophiolitic zones and thier geochemical characteristics are comparable with plagiogranites of supra-subduction zone setting. Probably gneisses and blueschists of the Soltanabad metamorphic complex are plagiogranites and mafic rocks of the Sabzevar oceanic lithosphere that experienced subduction zone metamorphism.