Symplectites in High-Grade Pelitic Gneisses of Usilampatti, Tamil Nadu: P-T Conditions and Geochemistry

Occurrence of fine-grained, fingerprint-like symplectic intergrowths of cordierite, K-feldspar and quartz formed due to the retrogressive, garnet breakdown reactions following decompression during uplift, is reported here from metapelites of Usilampatti area. These metapelites consisting of cordierite, garnet, hypersthene, biotite, hercynitic spinel, sillimanite, K-feldspar assemblage were metamorphosed at 6.5-7.5 Kb and 750-800°C. The symplectites were formed at 600-670°C and 5 Kb pressure. The textural and mineralogical evolutions in these metapelites indicate a rapid decompressional P-T evolution. Petrological and geochemica1 data suggest that these metasediments were derived mostly from an evolved basement source of granodiorite-granite composition with a minor basic component.