Arc-related metamorphism in the Guadeloupe archipelago (Lesser Antilles active island arc): First report and consequences

Description

We unravel for the first time the expression of a low-grade metamorphic event affecting the deepest exposures of the Guadeloupe Island, central Lesser Antilles, Caribbean plate. The work offers a novel insight for the presence of young (<3 Ma) sub-greenschist facies metamorphism in the Lesser Antilles active arc and is consistent with the elevated geothermal gradients measured for the arc axis regionally. Quantitative pressure-temperature constraint (i.e. pseudosection) for this metamorphism as well as fluid/rock ratios are discussed. This paper offers the first report of "ductile" deformation mechanisms (i.e. pressure-solution) operating at shallow crustal levels of the Antilles volcanic arc system.

Abstract

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