Timing and nature of metamorphism in the Irumide belt, Zambia

with Ian Fitzsimons and Simon Johnson

This project involves the use of U-Pb SHRIMP dating of metamorphic zircon rims to constrain the timing of (near) peak metamorphism in high-grade metapelites and migmatites in the southern part of the Serenje 1:100,000 map sheet (central Irumide belt).

Samples from these migmatites are analyses on the electron microprobe, and contain garnet-plagioclase-biotite-sillimanite assemblages. Metamorphic mineral chemistry is used to constrain PT conditions which indicate peak pressures at 7 kbar and peak temperatures at 750C.