Conditions of Metamorphism of the Garnet-Cordierite Gneisses from Malai Mahadeswara Hills, South India and the Origin of Zn-Cr-Rich Spinel

A spinel phase with unusually high ZnO (8.8-11.0) and Cr₂O₃ (13.2-15.8%) contents is found in garnet-cordierite-sillimanite bearing migmatised pelitic bands interbedded with tonalitic charnockites of Malai Mahadeswara (MM) Hills. The textural and microprobe data indicate that this spinel phase is associated with late iron-rich garnet (rim)-cordierite-sillimanite assemblage.

P-T conditions of cordierite-garnet assemblages vary from peak metamorphic conditions of greater than 8 kbar and 750°C to 6.7±1.4 kbar and 685 ±20°C. The last retrograde phase of metamorphism took place at P of 4.5 kbar and at T of 580°C. The formation of Zn and Cr rich spinel phase must have taken place during this waning stages of metamorphism by the activity of hydrothermal fluids.