Eclogite
A rock classification type
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About Eclogite
A high P/T metamorphic rock composed of more than 75% vol. garnet (often pyrope or Mg-rich almandine) and omphacite (Na-Ca-Al-Mg clinopyroxene). Both must be present and neither component more than 75% vol.Rutile, kyanite, and quartz are typically present.
Eclogite can be confused with garnet bearing pyroxenite, such as garnet pyroxenite and garnet-websterite
Eclogites are often classified based on their geological setting and temperature of formation. A much used classification system is based on work by Coleman et al. (1965) and Carswell (1990). In this system the eclogite facies are subdivided into groups A, B or C:
Group A eclogites are formed at temperatures between 900 and 1100°C and are typically associated with kimberlites. Eclogites found in ultramafic layered igneous rocks are also often placed in this group. Eclogites in this group often contain olivine and orthopyroxene. They are often found as xenoliths alongside with peridotite mantle material. The origin of these eclogites is still debated, and several possible mechanisms may be possible. The most accepted theory is that they are generated from deeply subducted mafic oceanic lithosphere.
Group B eclogites are formed at temperatures between 550 and 900 °C and are typically associated with other high-grade metamorphic rocks like gneisses and migmatites. They are formed during orogenic prograde metamorphism and are found in many orogenic belts.
Group C eclogites are formed at temperatures between 450-550°C and are formed in subduction zones. They are recrystallized seafloor basalts (metabasalts) and often occurs as isolated blocks in association with blueschists.
An alternative classification is related to the peak pressure seen during metamorphosis (see Walsh et al. 2007). The peak pressure is manifested by the presence or non-presence of certain minerals:
Eclogite: Plagioclase is no longer stable. Plagioclase may still be present in some eclogites, but then in disequilibrium.
UHP eclogite with coesite: Quartz breaks down into its high-pressure polymorph, coesite. The introduction of coesite marks the border between the HP and the UHP domain. Coesite is rarely present in eclogite-facies rocks, but leave characteristic quartz pseudomorphs.
UHP eclogite with diamond: graphite breaks down into diamond.
Eclogite can be confused with garnet bearing pyroxenite, such as garnet pyroxenite and garnet-websterite
Eclogites are often classified based on their geological setting and temperature of formation. A much used classification system is based on work by Coleman et al. (1965) and Carswell (1990). In this system the eclogite facies are subdivided into groups A, B or C:
Group A eclogites are formed at temperatures between 900 and 1100°C and are typically associated with kimberlites. Eclogites found in ultramafic layered igneous rocks are also often placed in this group. Eclogites in this group often contain olivine and orthopyroxene. They are often found as xenoliths alongside with peridotite mantle material. The origin of these eclogites is still debated, and several possible mechanisms may be possible. The most accepted theory is that they are generated from deeply subducted mafic oceanic lithosphere.
Group B eclogites are formed at temperatures between 550 and 900 °C and are typically associated with other high-grade metamorphic rocks like gneisses and migmatites. They are formed during orogenic prograde metamorphism and are found in many orogenic belts.
Group C eclogites are formed at temperatures between 450-550°C and are formed in subduction zones. They are recrystallized seafloor basalts (metabasalts) and often occurs as isolated blocks in association with blueschists.
An alternative classification is related to the peak pressure seen during metamorphosis (see Walsh et al. 2007). The peak pressure is manifested by the presence or non-presence of certain minerals:
Eclogite: Plagioclase is no longer stable. Plagioclase may still be present in some eclogites, but then in disequilibrium.
UHP eclogite with coesite: Quartz breaks down into its high-pressure polymorph, coesite. The introduction of coesite marks the border between the HP and the UHP domain. Coesite is rarely present in eclogite-facies rocks, but leave characteristic quartz pseudomorphs.
UHP eclogite with diamond: graphite breaks down into diamond.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
48628
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:48628:8
Classification of Eclogite
Sub-divisions of Eclogite
Mineralogy of Eclogite
Essential minerals - these are minerals that are required within the classification of this rock:
| Garnet Group | X3Z2(SiO4)3 |
| Pyroxene > Clinopyroxene > Omphacite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(AleFe3+fFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 |
Non-essential minerals - these minerals are common, sometimes major components, but are not always present:
| Kyanite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| Paragonite | NaAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| Pyroxene > Orthopyroxene | A petrological term for Orthopyroxene Subgroup. |
| Rutile | TiO2 |
| Silica > Quartz | SiO2 |
Pronunciation of Eclogite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| TiO2 | 2.94 % | 0.56 % |
| Al2O3 | 13.1 % | 15.95 % |
| Fe2O3 | 18.7 % | 8.18 % |
| MnO | 0.27 % | 0.14 % |
| MgO | 6.76 % | 8.96 % |
| CaO | 10.87 % | 9.03 % |
| Na2O | 2.53 % | 1.80 % |
| K2O | 0.07 % | 1.18 % |
| P2O5 | 0.17 % | 0.13 % |
| LOI | 0.1 % | 0.95 % |
| SiO2 | 44.56 % | 52.04 % |
| Total: | 100.07 % | 98.92 % |
Empirical formulas:
| Sample ID | Empirical Formula |
|---|---|
| 1 | n/a |
| 2 | n/a |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kovalo eclogites, Kechros, Arriana, Rhodope, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece | Fresh eclogite sample consisting primarily of omphacite and garnet ( ~80% modal) with minor amphibole, plagioclase, epidote group, rutile and titanite. | |
| 2 | Charakoma eclogite, Soufli, Evros, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece | Bulk rock chemistry of a kyanite-eclogite sample. Average of 6 analyses. |
Other Language Names for Eclogite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Eclogite associated with Garnet Group | X3Z2(SiO4)3 |
| 6 photos of Eclogite associated with Omphacite | (NaaCabFe2+cMgd)(AleFe3+fFe2+gMgh)Si2O6 |
| 4 photos of Eclogite associated with Kyanite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| 3 photos of Eclogite associated with Almandine | Fe2+3Al2(SiO4)3 |
| 3 photos of Eclogite associated with 'Hornblende' | AnCa2(Z2+5-mZ3+m)(Si8-(n+m)Al(n+m))(OH,F,Cl)2 |
| 2 photos of Eclogite associated with Clinopyroxene Subgroup | |
| 1 photo of Eclogite associated with Sillimanite | Al2(SiO4)O |
| 1 photo of Eclogite associated with 'Almandine-Pyrope Series' | |
| 1 photo of Eclogite associated with Orthopyroxene Subgroup | |
| 1 photo of Eclogite associated with Pyrope | Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 |
Internet Links for Eclogite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-48628.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
References for Eclogite
Reference List:
Haüy, René Just (1822) Traité de Minéralogie (2nd ed.) Vol. 4. Bachelier, Paris. p.548 - First description of eclogite
White, A. J. R. (1964) Clinopyroxenes from eclogites and basic granulites. American Mineralogist, 49 (7-8) 883-888
COLEMAN, R. G., LEE, D. E., BEATTY, L. B., BRANNOCK, W. W. (1965) Eclogites and Eclogites: Their Differences and Similarities. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 76 (5) 483 doi:10.1130/0016-7606(1965)76[483:eaetda]2.0.co;2
Mottana, A., Church, W. R., Edgar, A. D. (1968) Chemistry, mineralogy and petrology of an eclogite from the type locality (Saualpe, Austria) Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 18 (4) 338-346 doi:10.1007/bf00399695
Reid, Arch M., Brown, R. W., Dawson, J. B., Whitfield, G. G., Siebert, J. C. (1976) Garnet and pyroxene compositions in some diamondiferous eclogites. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 58 (2) 203-220 doi:10.1007/bf00382185
Caron, Jean-Michel, Péquignot, Guy (1986) The transition between blueschists and lawsonite-bearing eclogites based on observations from Corsican metabasalts. Lithos, 19 (3) 205-218 doi:10.1016/0024-4937(86)90023-x
Lardeaux, Jean-Marc, Caron, Jean-Michel, Nisio, Pascal, Péquignot, Guy, Boudeulle, Micheline (1986) Microstructural criteria for reliable thermometry in low-temperature eclogites. Lithos, 19 (3) 187-203 doi:10.1016/0024-4937(86)90022-8
Duchêne, Stéphanie, Albarède, Francis (1999) Simulated garnet-clinopyroxene geothermometry of eclogites. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 135 (1) 75-91 doi:10.1007/s004100050499
Carson, C.J.; Clarke, G.L.; Powell, R. (2000) Hydration of eclogite, Pam Peninsula, New Caledonia. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 18 (1). 79-90 doi:10.1046/j.1525-1314.2000.00245.x
Godard, Gaston (2001) Eclogites and their geodynamic interpretation: a history. Journal of Geodynamics, 32 (1). 165-203 doi:10.1016/s0264-3707(01)00020-5
Nakamura, Daisuke (2003) Stability of phengite and biotite in eclogites and characteristics of biotite- or orthopyroxene-bearing eclogites. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 145 (5) 550-567 doi:10.1007/s00410-003-0469-7
Nakamura, D., Hirajima, T. (2005) Experimental evaluation of garnet–clinopyroxene geothermometry as applied to eclogites. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 150 (6) 581-588 doi:10.1007/s00410-005-0023-x
Walsh, E. O., Hacker, B. R., Gans, P. B., Grove, M., Gehrels, G. (2007) Protolith ages and exhumation histories of (ultra)high-pressure rocks across the Western Gneiss Region, Norway. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 119 (3) 289-301 doi:10.1130/b25817.1
Auzanneau, Estelle, Schmidt, M. W., Vielzeuf, D., D Connolly, J. A. (2010) Titanium in phengite: a geobarometer for high temperature eclogites. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 159 (1) 1-24 doi:10.1007/s00410-009-0412-7
BROVARONE, A. VITALE, GROPPO, C., HETÉNYI, G., COMPAGNONI, R., MALAVIEILLE, J. (2011) Coexistence of lawsonite-bearing eclogite and blueschist: phase equilibria modelling of Alpine Corsica metabasalts and petrological evolution of subducting slabs. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 29 (5) 583-600 doi:10.1111/j.1525-1314.2011.00931.x
Massonne, H.- J. (2012) Formation of Amphibole and Clinozoisite-Epidote in Eclogite owing to Fluid Infiltration during Exhumation in a Subduction Channel. Journal of Petrology, 53 (10) 1969-1998 doi:10.1093/petrology/egs040
Beyer, C., Frost, D. J., Miyajima, N. (2015) Experimental calibration of a garnet–clinopyroxene geobarometer for mantle eclogites. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 169 (2) doi:10.1007/s00410-015-1113-z
Vitale Brovarone, Alberto, Chu, Xu, Martin, Laure, Ague, Jay J., Monié, Patrick, Groppo, Chiara, Martinez, Isabelle, Chaduteau, Carine (2018) Intra-slab COH fluid fluxes evidenced by fluid-mediated decarbonation of lawsonite eclogite-facies altered oceanic metabasalts. Lithos, 304. 211-229 doi:10.1016/j.lithos.2018.01.028
Ashchepkov, Igor, Logvinova, Alla, Spetsius, Zdislav, Downes, Hilary, Ntaflos, Theodoros, Ivanov, Alexandr, Zinchenko, Vladimir, Kostrovitsky, Sergey, Ovchinnikov, Yury (2022) Eclogite Varieties and Their Positions in the Cratonic Mantle Lithosphere beneath Siberian Craton and Archean Cratons Worldwide. Minerals, 12 (11) 1353 doi:10.3390/min12111353
Sudholz, Z. J., Green, D. H., Yaxley, G. M., Jaques, A. L. (2022) Mantle geothermometry: experimental evaluation and recalibration of Fe–Mg geothermometers for garnet-clinopyroxene and garnet-orthopyroxene in peridotite, pyroxenite and eclogite systems. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 177 (8) doi:10.1007/s00410-022-01944-3
Localities for Eclogite
Showing 261 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Algeria | |
| Sidali et al. (2019) | |
Angola | |
| Nikitina et al. (2012) +1 other reference |
Antarctica | |
| Ghiribelli et al. (2002) |
| Sun et al. (2011) |
| Ghiribelli et al. (2002) |
Australia | |
| LOVERING et al. (1964) |
| Och et al. (2003) |
| Hertzberger et al. (1978) |
| Råheim et al. (3) |
Austria | |
| [Kyanite-eclogite] Mottana et al. (1968) +1 other reference |
| Krenn et al. (2025) |
| Heritsch (1934) |
| Heritsch (1933) | |
| Krenn et al. (2025) |
| Keyser et al. (2024) |
| Faryad et al. (2013) |
| [Kyanite-eclogite] Miller et al. (2005) |
| Martin Reich collection |
| Rogowitz et al. (2024) |
| [Kyanite-eclogite, Quartz-eclogite] Miller et al. (2005) | |
| - (n.d.) |
| [Kyanite-eclogite] Hoschek (2001) +1 other reference |
| [Kyanite-eclogite] Hoschek (2004) |
| THOMAS et al. (1988) |
| Faryad et al. (2013) |
Botswana | |
| Debswana Diamond Company Ltd |
Brazil | |
| Nascimento et al. (2026) |
| Nascimento et al. (2026) | |
| Bulanova et al. (2010) |
| Soares et al. (2018) |
| Gervasoni et al. (2022) |
Bulgaria | |
| [Kyanite-eclogite] Janák et al. (2011) |
Cameroon | |
| Njinchuki et al. (2026) |
Canada | |
| Caro et al. (2004) |
| Ootes et al. (2006) |
| Harris et al. (2018) |
China | |
| Ji-xi et al. (2008) |
| Proyer et al. (2014) |
| - (n.d.) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Kang et al. (2026) |
| Kang et al. (2026) | |
| Yan et al. (2022) |
| - (n.d.) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Li et al. (2026) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Jambor et al. (2001) |
| - (n.d.) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Yang et al. (2023) | |
| - (n.d.) |
| Chang et al. (2024) | |
| Lü et al. (2027) | |
| Chang et al. (2024) | |
| Guo et al. (2024) |
| Wang +10 other references |
| Yuan et al. (2022) |
| Fei et al. (2022) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Kaijun Zhang et al. (2006) |
| Zhang et al. (2025) | |
| - (n.d.) |
Czech Republic | |
| Perraki M (2014) |
| Ackerman (2005) | |
| Heinz Bieler Collection |
| Perraki et al. (2014) |
| Franěk et al. (2006) |
| Vrtiskova et al. (2024) |
| Locality description |
Dominican Republic | |
| Hertwig A et al. (2014) |
Ecuador | |
| John et al. (2010) |
| Aspden et al. (1995) |
Europe | |
| Filippi et al. (2023) |
France | |
| - (n.d.) |
| Dauteuil et al. (1995) |
| Lukas (1978) |
| Godard et al. (1999) | |
| Godard et al. (2024) |
Germany | |
| Pape (1974) |
| - (n.d.) |
| - (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| - (n.d.) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Massonne (2001) +1 other reference | |
| Ferrero et al. (2026) |
| Ferrero et al. (2026) |
| Dera et al. (2023) +2 other references |
Greece | |
| [Kyanite-eclogite] Mposkos et al. (2011) |
| Mposkos et al. (2011) |
| Schumacher et al. (2008) |
Greenland | |
| [Kyanite-eclogite] Cao (2016) |
| Diamond exploration in West Greenland – the Qaamasoq prospect. in Abdurrahman et al. (Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. B) |
Guatemala | |
| Li et al. (2023) +1 other reference | |
| Harlow (1994) +1 other reference | |
| Harlow et al. (2011) |
India | |
| Smith et al. (2013) +1 other reference |
| Ashchepkov et al. (2022) |
| Mukherjee et al. (2000) |
| Sachan et al. (1999) |
Indonesia | |
| Miyazaki et al. (1998) |
| Hsia et al. (2023) |
Italy | |
| Lecacheur et al. (2024) |
| Zambonini (1902) |
| Rebay et al. (2026) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Tumiati et al. (2018) |
| Lombardo et al. (1978) +1 other reference |
| Lombardo et al. (1978) +1 other reference | |
| Lombardo et al. (1978) |
| Santoro et al. (2025) | |
| Balestro et al. (2009) |
| Nicolas (1966) +1 other reference |
| Novarese (1896) +2 other references |
| Lombardo et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
| Franchi (1897) |
| Zuccali et al. (2011) |
| Nicolas (1966) |
| Monte Soglio-Rocca Canavese +4 other references | |
| Compagnoni et al. (2014) |
Japan | |
| Miura et al. (2018) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Alfredo Petrov specimens |
| Yoshida et al. (2021) |
Kazakhstan | |
| Bespaev et al. (n.d.) |
| Ogasawara et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
| Kogarko et al. (1995) | |
| Pilitsyna et al. (2018) |
Kyrgyzstan | |
| OROZBAEV et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
Madagascar | |
| Giuliani et al. (2020) +1 other reference |
Mexico | |
| Ortega-Gutierrez +2 other references |
Mongolia | |
| Ionov (1986) +6 other references |
| Karimov et al. (2024) |
Myanmar | |
| - (n.d.) |
Namibia | |
| Schmädicke et al. (2011) |
New Zealand | |
| Dickey (1968) +4 other references |
Norway | |
| [Kyanite-eclogite] Robinson et al. (2008) |
| Mørk (1985) | |
| Mørk (1985) | |
| Svensen et al. (1999) |
| Garmo et al. (2017) |
| Root et al. (2005) |
| Root et al. (2005) | |
| Knut Edvard Larsen observation in field ... | |
| Root et al. (2004) | |
| Cutts (2019) |
| Smith (1971) |
| Garmo (2006) |
| Root et al. (2005) |
| Garmo (2018) +1 other reference |
| Mysen et al. (1971) |
| Straume et al. (1999) | |
| Nordrum (2005) |
| - (n.d.) | |
| Mysen et al. (1971) | |
| Seljebotn (2016) |
| - (n.d.) | |
| Seljebotn (2016) | |
| Lappin (1960) | |
| Cuthbert et al. (2008) | |
| Carswell (1981) | |
| Lappin (1960) | |
| - (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Broska et al. (2014) |
| Ravna et al. (2017) | |
| Bøe (1997) | |
| BINGEN (2001) |
| Boundy et al. (2002) |
| Boundy et al. (2002) | |
| - (n.d.) |
| Engvik et al. (2000) | |
| Garmo (2003) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Green et al. (1972) |
| Garmo et al. (2017) | |
| Garmo (1998) | |
| - (n.d.) | |
| - (n.d.) |
| - (n.d.) | |
| Worthington et al. (2013) |
| Carswell et al. (2003) | |
| Lappin et al. (1978) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Lappin (1960) | |
| Carswell et al. (2003) |
| Lappin (1960) | |
| - (n.d.) |
| Cotkin (1997) |
| Carswell et al. (2003) | |
| Lappin (1960) | |
| aps.ngu.no (2022) |
| Krogh (1980) |
| - (n.d.) |
| Binns (1967) | |
| - (n.d.) | |
Oman | |
| Adam Stephens Collection |
Pakistan | |
| Kouketsu et al. (2016) +1 other reference |
Papua New Guinea | |
| Baldwin et al. (2021) |
Poland | |
| Gil et al. (2022) |
| Dulski et al. (2025) |
| Lis et al. (1986) |
| Lis et al. (1986) |
| Ilnicki et al. (2023) |
Romania | |
| Negulescu et al. (2012) |
| Săbău et al. (2002) |
Russia | |
| Kargin et al. (2019) |
| Leech et al. (2000) +1 other reference |
| Palandzhjan (1986) |
| Doroshkevich et al. (2019) |
| Khodorevskaya (2012) |
| Balagansky et al. (2015) |
| Balagansky et al. (2015) | |
| Gorkovetz et al. (2012) |
| Ashchepkov et al. (2022) |
| [Kyanite-eclogite] Mikhailenko +6 other references |
| Nimis et al. (2009) | |
| Ashchepkov et al. (2022) +2 other references |
| Trunilina et al. (2022) |
| Ashchepkov et al. (2022) |
| Shabutdinov et al. (2024) | |
| Salimgaraeva et al. (2024) |
Sierra Leone | |
| Hills et al. (1989) |
Slovakia | |
| Tarnai (1997) |
| Juraj Majzlan et al. (2021) |
South Africa | |
| VILJOEN et al. (2005) |
| Hughes et al. (2021) |
| Griffin et al. (1971) |
Spain | |
| Puga et al. (2025) |
| Puga et al. (2025) | |
| Casillas et al. (2024) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2018) |
| García-Tudela et al. (2024) | |
Sweden | |
| Bukała +5 other references |
| Bukała +5 other references | |
| - (n.d.) | |
Switzerland | |
| Meyre et al. (1999) |
| Abrecht et al. (1991) |
| Abrecht et al. (1991) |
| Lecacheur et al. (2024) |
The Caribbean | |
| Green et al. (1968) | |
Turkey | |
| Oberhänsli et al. (2013) |
| Çagatay (1987) | |
| Kiray et al. (2024) |
| [Kyanite-eclogite] Okay et al. (1985) |
| Turan et al. (2026) |
| Günay et al. (2016) |
UK | |
| White (1964) |
| Bloxam et al. (1959) +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Tyner et al. (1986) |
| Dunn (2002) |
| Dummett (1987) | |
| - (2005) |
| - (2005) |
| Hausel (2007) |
| - (2005) |
Pohorje Mountains, Slovenia