Low-temperature metamorphism of the Franciscan complex at Pacheco Pass occurs at P-T conditions near the so-called jadeite isograd. Along Highway 152 in the Diablo Range, from west to east, four distinct prograde metamorphic zones are defined: (I) albite-quartz zone, (II) albite-rich, albite-quartz-clinopyroxene assemblage, (III) clinopyroxene-rich, albite-quartz-clinopyroxene assemblage, and (IV) clinopyroxene zone. Metamorphic pyroxenes are restricted to zones II, III, and IV in metagreywackes, but metabasites contain augite-rich pyroxenes even in zone I. With increasing grade, the compositions of pyroxene in metagreywackes change in X_Jd from nearly 100 in zone II to about 60 in zone III. The diopside component has little effect on the X_Jd of pyroxene. The apparent change of X_Jd reflects differences in pressure and temperature rather than in bulk rock composition. In metagreywackes, at the onset of zone II, albite breaks down to form Jd₁₀₀ according to the reaction Ab = Jd+Qz. With increasing grade, this reaction leads to less jadeitic pyroxene. From zones II to III, a continuous reaction is delineated: Qz+2 pyroxenes (Jd₈₀Ac₁₅Aug₅)=pyroxene (Jd₆₀Ac₃₀Aug₁₀) + Ab.

The metamorphic temperatures are estimated to be about 170°C in zones I and II, and about 230°C in zones II and III. The temperature variation recorded in a single rock is probably less than 30°C The pressure estimate depends on the choice of experimental data for the jadeite-albite-quartz curve; it ranges from 4.5 to 8 kbar. A gently folded thermal structure of the Cretaceous subduction zone metamorphism is postulated for this area.