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Vol 278
Pages:
99-114
In press
Article
Geology

The problem of identifying lower crustal garnet-clinopyroxene granulites and mantle eclogites: a case study of xenoliths from the V.Grib pipe

Authors:
Ekaterina V. Stetskaya1
Laysan I. Salimgaraeva2
Aleksei V. Berezin3
Viktor N. Ustinov4
Roman N. Pendelyak5
About authors
Date submitted:
2025-10-16
Date accepted:
2025-12-24
Online publication date:
2026-04-03

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the mineralogical and geochemical features of xenoliths from the V.Grib kimberlite pipe, represented by lower crustal garnet-clinopyroxene granulites and mantle eclogites. A comparative characterization of the two xenolith types is conducted, as clear criteria for their distinction are currently lacking. The study identifies several distinctive features that unequivocally characterize mantle eclogites: elevated Cr contents (in garnets >300 ppm, in clinopyroxenes >1500 ppm), high pyrope content in garnet (>34 mol.%), and evidence of early metasomatism manifested as metasomatic garnet, spongy clinopyroxene replaced by pargasite, and phlogopite rims at garnet-clinopyroxene contacts. Evaluation of the pressure-temperature parameters of the V.Grib pipe xenoliths confirmed the mantle origin of eclogitic xenoliths formed at T = 800-1200 °C and P = 30-50 kbar, and did not refute the initial assumption of a lower crustal origin for granulitic xenoliths characterized by T = 750-800 °C and P = 14-15 kbar. To definitively resolve the issue of identifying lower crustal garnet-clinopyroxene granulites and mantle eclogites, a comprehensive comparison of the isotope-geochemical characteristics of “eclogitic” and “granulitic” zircon is proposed for future research.

Область исследования:
Geology
Keywords:
The V.Grib pipe P-T parameters lower crustal granulites mantle eclogites garnets clinopyroxenes xenoliths
Funding:

The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation Grant N 24-27-00121.

Go to volume 278

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