Eclogite facies is a high-pressure metamorphic facies characterized by the mineral assemblage of omphacite and garnet, often formed in subduction zones where oceanic crust is subjected to extreme pressures. This facies provides critical insights into the processes of plate tectonics and the deep carbon cycle due to its formation conditions and mineral composition.

Eclogite Facies

High-pressure metamorphic facies

Mineral assemblage refers to the specific combination of minerals that coexist in a rock or geological sample, reflecting the conditions of pressure, temperature, and chemical environment during its formation. Understanding mineral assemblages is crucial for interpreting the geological history and metamorphic processes of the Earth's crust.

Mineral Assemblage

Omphacite

Garnet

Subduction zones are regions where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, leading to intense geological activity such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountain ranges. These zones play a crucial role in the recycling of the Earth's crust and are key drivers of plate tectonics and seismic activity.

Subduction Zones

The oceanic crust is the outermost layer of Earth's lithosphere that forms the ocean basins, primarily composed of basaltic rock, which is denser and thinner than continental crust. It is continuously created at mid-ocean ridges and recycled back into the mantle at subduction zones, playing a crucial role in plate tectonics and the rock cycle.

Oceanic Crust

Extreme pressures

Plate tectonics is the scientific theory explaining the movement of Earth's lithosphere, which is divided into tectonic plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere beneath. This movement is responsible for major geological phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain building, and oceanic trench formation.

Plate Tectonics

The deep carbon cycle refers to the movement of carbon between the Earth's surface and its interior, affecting long-term carbon storage and influencing climate over geological timescales. This process involves the subduction of carbonates and organic matter into the mantle and their eventual re-emission into the atmosphere through volcanic activity.

Deep Carbon Cycle

Formation conditions

Mineral composition refers to the specific combination and proportion of minerals that make up a rock or geological sample, influencing its physical properties and classification. Understanding mineral composition is essential for determining the origin, history, and potential uses of geological materials.

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