Acebuches amphibolites in the Aracena hercynian metamorphic belt (southwest Spain): Geochemical variations and basaltic affinities

A 1500–2000 m sequence of amphibolites exhibits progressively increasing metamorphic grade from greenschist to the amphibolite/granulite facies transition. The chemical variations are considered to be principally inherited from the basaltic parent. The appearance of clinopyroxene is related to P,T and to bulk-rock composition during metamorphism. Excluding some basal rocks in the orthopyroxene zone, chemical variations related to metamorphism are minor. The small decrease in the K2O content from 0.3% to 0.1% with increasing grade suggests that the low K content was a characteristic of the basaltic precursor. These amphibolites have affinities with abyssal tholeiites.