Paleoproterozoic low-pressure metamorphism and crustal evolution in the northeastern Yeongnam Massif, Korea

The Yeongnam Massif, one of Precambrian basements in Korean Peninsula, is characterized by widespread occurrence of low-pressure/high-temperature (LP/HT) schists and gneisses accompanying extensive anatexis and granitic magmatism. Metapelitic mineral assemblages define three progressive metamorphic zones pertinent to low-pressure facies series: cordierite, sillimanite and garnet zones with increasing temperature. Metamorphic grade ranges from lower amphibolite to lower granulite facies and metamorphic conditions reach ca. 750-800 C and 4-6 kbar in migmatitic gneisses. Migmatitic gneisses are prominent in the sillimanite and garnet zones. Textural and petrogenetic relationshipsin leucosome suggest that migmatitic gneiss is the product of anatexis of metasedimentary rocks. The migmatite formation during the prograde metamorphism is governed initially by fluid-present melting and subsequently by biotite-dehydration melting. The large amount of leucosomes in the sillimaniteand garnet zones can be explained by the fluid-present molting possibly triggered by an external supply of aqueous fluid. Field and geochronologic relationships between leucogranites and migmatitic gneisses further suggest that leucogranite has providedfluid and heat required for widespread migmatization.