On thermobarometry

• Published in: Journal of metamorphic geology Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 155 - 179
• Main Authors: POWELL, R., HOLLAND, T. J. B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-02-2008
• Subjects: Geology; Geophysics; ideal analysis; Metamorphic rocks; Pressure; pseudosection; Temperature; thermobarometry; thermocalc
• ISSN: 0263-4929; 1525-1314
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-1314.2007.00756.x

Thermobarometry, the estimation of the pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions of metamorphism, can be undertaken by using pseudosection calculations as well as by conventional methods. Conventional thermobarometry uses only the equilibrium thermodynamics of balanced reactions between end‐members of minerals, combined with the observed compositions of minerals. In contrast, pseudosections involve a forward calculation of mineral equilibria for a given rock composition. When related to observed rock data such as mineral assemblages, mineral proportions and mineral compositions, pseudosections have the power to provide valuable additional thermobarometric information. This is because the rock composition provides added constraints on P–T, unavailable in conventional thermobarometry, such as when minerals in the mineral assemblage are no longer stable, or when additional minerals join the mineral assemblage. Considering both conventional and pseudosection thermobarometry, a minimum requirement is that they use the same thermodynamic data and activity–composition models for the minerals involved. A new thermocalc facility is introduced that allows pseudosection datafile coding to be used for conventional thermobarometry. Guidelines are given and pitfalls discussed relating to pseudosection modelling and conventional thermobarometry. We argue that, commonly, pseudosection modelling provides the most powerful thermobarometric tools.