摘要

Ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) metamorphism represents extreme crustal metamorphism with peak metamorphic temperatures exceeding 900 oC and pressures ranging from 7 to 13 kbar with or without partial melting of crusts, which is usually identified in the granulite-facies rocks. UHT rocks are recognized in all major continents related to both extensional and compressive tectonic environments. UHT metamorphism spans different geological ages from Archean to Phanerozoic, providing information of the nature, petrofabric and thermal evolution of crusts. UHT metamorphism is traditionally identified by the presence of a diagnostic mineral assemblage with an appropriate bulk composition and oxidation state in Mg-Al-rich metapelite rocks. Unconventional geothermobarometers including Ti-in-zircon (TIZ) and Zr-in-rutile (ZIR) thermometers and phase equilibria modeling are increasingly being used to estimate UHT metamorphism. Concentrated on the issues about UHT metamorphism, this review presents the research history about UHT metamorphism, the global distribution of UHT rocks, the current methods for constraints on the UHT metamorphism, and the heat sources and tectonic settings of UHT metamorphism. Some key issues and prospects about the study of UHT metamorphism are discussed, e.g., identification of UHT metamorphism for non-supracrustal rocks, robustness of the unconventional geothermometers, tectonic affinity of UHT metamorphic rocks, and methods for the constraints of age and duration of UHT metamorphism. It is concluded that UHT metamorphism is of great importance to the understanding of thermal evolution of the lithosphere.