Evidence for UHP metamorphism of eclogites from the Altun Mountains

Ultrahigh pressure (UHP) metamorphism refers to metamorphism that has occurred at pressures for the stability of coesite. The polycrystalline quartz inclusions showing the characteristic texture within garnets of eclogites indicates the pre-existence of coesites under the peak metamorphic condition. The unusual exsolution textures in ompacites and apatites, and the pressure estimations of phengite-bearing eclogites have been taken to provide further proof of eclogite formation under the UHP conditions. Combined with the fact that coesites have been observed in country rocks of eclogites in North Qaidam Mountains, another UHP metamorphic belt cut by the large-scale strikeslip fault in the Altun-North Qaidam area of China is confirmed.