Crustal anatexis up to ultra-high temperature conditions in Antarctica

Study of migmatites and granulites from HT to UHT terranes provide fundamental knowledge on anatexis, fluid regime of the deep crust and the formation of felsic magmas. The Antarctic continent represents the most remote place on Earth and notwithstanding, this far continent contains key information for the understanding of geodynamic processes in orogenic cycles from Neoarchean-Proterozoic to Paleozoic.  

The present project proposes a detailed investigation of anatectic rocks from HT to UHT terranes using existent samples from Antarctica accessible through a collaboration with world-renowned researchers in Italy, Japan and UK. The main goal is to better understand the HT-UHT metamorphism and crustal anatexis of different regions in Antarctica through i) the study of small inclusions of melt (nanogranitoids) included in peritectic minerals and ii) the geochronological investigation of migmatites and granulites using multiple techniques. 

Obtained results are expected to expand our current knowledge of the deep crust on several aspects: real H₂O/CO₂contents of melts of high-grade terranes, fluid regime during HT-UHT metamorphism, secular variations in composition of melt produced by Archean-Proterozoic hotter crust and the role of crustal melting to the geological carbon cycle. Petrology and geochronology of granulites will help to unravel the metamorphic evolution of poly-metamorphic basements and to reconstruct more precise geodynamic scenarios.

This research project will contribute in several ways to the excellence and competitiveness of PNRA science in Italy and in the European research context, providing and inspiring new concepts and ideas. All the derived scientific publications in highly ranked journals and future collaborations will bring direct gains in terms of international recognition and scientific productivity.