H₂O in metamorphism and unexpected behaviour in the preservation of metamorphic mineral assemblages

The preservation of mineral assemblages that were fluid‐present during their prograde history is primarily related to the consumption of the fluid by growth of more hydrous minerals as the retrograde history begins. The range of behaviour relating to the preservation of mineral assemblages is examined using calculated phase diagrams for fluid‐saturated conditions, contoured for the H 2 O content of the mineral assemblage. At equilibrium, as a mineral assemblage crosses contours of decreasing H 2 O content along a pressure–temperature path, it dehydrates, the fluid being lost from the rock. If the assemblage crosses contours of increasing H 2 O content, the mineral assemblage starts to rehydrate using any fluid on its grain boundaries. When the rock has consumed its fluid, the resulting mineral assemblage is that preserved in the rock. Conditions relating to the preservation of mineral assemblages are discussed, and examples of the consequences of different pressure–temperature paths on preservation in a metapelitic and a metabasic rock composition are considered on phase diagrams calculated with thermocalc .