Assessing the importance of H2O content in the tectono-metamorphic evolution of shear zones: A case study from the Dora-Maira Massif (Western Alps)

Abstract

Metamorphic reactions are commonly driven to completion within shear zones thanks to fluid circulation, making the re-equilibration of the mineral assemblage one of the dominant processes. Despite the important role of H₂O in such processes, forward thermodynamic modelling calculations commonly assume either H₂O-saturated conditions or only fluid loss during prograde evolution to peak conditions. These assumptions influence the understanding of shear zones during the retrograde evolution. Here, we investigate the P–T–MH₂O retrograde evolution of the Mt. Bracco Shear Zone (MBSZ), an Alpine ductile tectonic contact which marks the boundary between two HP units in the Dora-Maira Massif (Western Alps, Italy). After the eclogite-facies peak (at 500–520°C and 1.8–2.2 GPa), the subsequent mylonitic event is constrained at amphibolite-facies conditions, continuing its evolution at decreasing pressure and temperature during rock exhumation, from ~590°C, 1.0 GPa down to ~520°C, 0.7 GPa. The P/T–MH₂O forward modelling highlights different behaviour for the two analysed samples. After reaching a minimum H₂O content at the transition from eclogite- to amphibolite-facies conditions, a significant fluid gain is modelled for only one of the two analysed samples just before the mylonitic event. The MBSZ then evolves towards H₂O-undersaturated conditions. This work thus underlines the necessity of investigating the H₂O evolution within shear zones, as the H₂O content is susceptible to change through the P–T path, due to dehydration reactions or fluid infiltration events. Furthermore, lithological heterogeneities influence possible different fluid circulation regimes in shear zones, resulting in externally or internally derived fluid gain.