Geodynamic models implying subduction of continental crust either consider this process happening during collision, when the continental margin of the lower plate attempts subduction, or in pre-collisional stages, when tectonic erosion of the upper plate or subduction of continental extensional allochthons drag continental crust in the subduction channel. In the Zagros orogen (W Iran), high-pressure rocks are known only from the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, NE of the Main Zagros Thrust. Here, eclogites of the North Shahrekord Metamorphic Complex suggest subduction of continental crust slices derived from the upper plate (Central Iran) during the onset of the Neo-Tethys subduction along the southern margin of Iran. Eclogites record a clockwise pressure-temperature-time path, with pre-eclogitic epidote-amphibolites-facies phase assemblages preserved in garnet cores, a high-pressure stage, and a subsequent retrogression at amphibolite-facies conditions. By means of forward thermodynamic modelling and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, the peak metamorphism has been constrained at 1.9-2.1 GPa and 550-600 °C, in the 191-194 Ma time span. The following retrogression during exhumation lasted at least until 144 Ma. Our data suggest that the onset of the Neo-Tethys subduction traces back prior to 190 Ma, involving together with the Neo-Tethys oceanic lithosphere also slices of the upper plate continental crust scraped off by means of tectonic erosion processes.

Gabbros and dolerites in the Western Gneiss Region of Norway have been subjected to a high P-T regime and preserve evidence of the existence of several stages in the consequent reaction sequence. Incomplete reaction stages are characterized by corona structures between relict igneous phases and by frequent pseudo-morphs after igneous olivine, plagioclase and augite. The increasing degree of reaction is recorded by successive increases of modal garnet, omphacite and phlogopite (±orthopyroxene) to produce eclogite, often with excellent pseudomorphic preservation of the igneous fabric.

Pseudomorphic replacement of olivine by orthopyroxene (in coronas and aggregates) and of plagioclase by local assemblages of garnet, spinel, and sodic plagioclase, is interpreted as a transient reaction stage with restricted and selective diffusion between the original mafic and felsic domains. Complete eclogitization is compatible with more extensive diffusion, especially of Na and Al (on a mm scale) leading to omphacite production by replacement of olivine, augite, and orthopyroxene. Concomitant reactions in the felsic domains lead to total replacement of the transient phases by garnet, with or without inclusions of minute omphacite grains.

Strong Ca zoning of garnet in the coronites is inter-preted as a relict growth zoning, attributed to local controls by diffusion and subreactions in the plagioclase host and to local garnet + plagioclase + spinel equilibria. In contrast, complete eclogitization is associated with diffusional homogenization of garnet by (Mg, Fe)Ca−1 and MgFe−1 exchange with omphacite ± phlogopite.

Amphibolites from the Grampian Moines of Scotland contain clinopyroxene-plagioclase symplectites and plagioclase-hornblende coronas around garnet. The clinopyroxene-plagioclase symplectites are interpreted as former omphacites. It is inferred that an eclogitic garne-tomphacite-quartz assemblage once existed, but has since undergone partial reaction to an amphibolite facies hornblende-plagioclase assemblage. An early high-pressure metamorphic event occurred in parts of the Moine.

Petrographic features and compositions of titanites in eclogites within the ultra-high pressure metamorphic terrane in central Dabieshan are documented and phase equilibria and thermobarometric implications discussed. Carbonate-bearing eclogite pods in marble at Shuanghe contain primary metamorphic aluminous titanites, with up to 39 mol.% Ca(Al,Fe3+)FSiO4 component. These titanites formed as part of a coesite-bearing eclogite assemblage and thus provide the first direct petrographic evidence that AlFTi−1O−1 substitution extends the stability of titanite, relative to rutile plus carbonate, to pressures within the coesite stability field. However, it is emphasised that A1 and F contents of such titanites do not provide a simple thermobarometric index of P—T conditions but are constrained by the activity of fluorine, relative to CO2, in metamorphic fluids — as signalled by observations of zoning features in these titanites.

These ultra-high pressure titanites show unusual breakdown features developed under more H2O-rich amphibolite-facies conditions during exhumation of these rocks. In some samples aluminous titanites have been replaced by ilmenite plus amphibole symplectites, in others by symplectitic intergrowths of secondary, lower Al and F, titanite plus plagioclase. Most other coesite-bearing eclogite samples in the central Dabieshan terrane contain peak assemblage rutile often partly replaced by grain clusters of secondary titanites with customary low Al and F contents.