Pyrometamorphic Rocks in the Molinicos Basin (Betic Cordillera, SE Spain): Insights into the Generation of Cordierite Paralavas

A singular thermal anomaly occurred in the Molinicos Miocene, lacustrine, intramontane basin (Betic Cordillera). This gave place to vitreous vesicular materials (paralavas) and baked rocks (clinker) inside of a sequence of marly diatomites and limestones. The chemical composition of the paralavas (SiO2 = 52–57, Al2O3 ≈ 20, Fe2O3 = 10–20, K2O + Na2O < 2.5, CaO < 4.5, and MgO < 1.5, % in weight), which is very different from typical igneous rocks, and their high-T mineralogy (cordierite, sillimanite, anorthite, mullite, and high-T silica polymorphs) suggest that they formed during a pyrometamorphic event. The occurrence of dry intervals in the lacustrine depositional system, the high Total Organic Carbon contents (>4% in weight) of dark clay layers and the existence of tectonic fractures give the right context for a combustion process. Short-term heating favoured the generation of paralavas, clinker and marbles. Thermodynamic modelling constrains the onset of melting at 870–920 °C for