Dating multistage paleofluid percolations: A K-Ar and O/O study of fracture illites from altered Hercynian plutonites at the basement/cover interface (Poitou High, France)

Isotopic age determination of fluid events in basement fractures is of prime importance for the reconstruction of paleo-hydraulic regimes. However, material from fracture or wall-rock is not generally easily dated. In the case of fractures filled by minerals such as phyllosilicates, it can be expected that subsequent fluid circulation may cause partial alteration or recrystallization of the previous phyllosilicates, disturbing the isotope signature. Using a specific methodology, including the extraction process without contamination of the finest (<0.2 μm) authigenic fractions, identification of clay fractions by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, and electron microprobe, analysis of stable isotope composition (D/H, δ¹⁸O) and K-Ar dating, fluid event ages can be estimated. This methodology was applied to the northwestern margin of the French Massif Central, where basinal brines have interacted with the sedimentary cover (infra-Toarcian formations) and the fractured Hercynian crystalline basement. During periods of unknown age, precipitates from brines sealed most basement fractures as carbonates, and a recrystallization of early Hercynian phengite (+chlorite) into illite and illite/smectite minerals occurred in the earlier fractures.XRD patterns show that the clay fraction is dominated by illite and ordered mixed-layer minerals having a relatively high amount of illite (I-S R3). In the shallowest samples beneath the paleo-surface, a late assemblage is identified as a mixture of I-S minerals, a part of them being characterized by significant amounts of swelling layers (I-S R0).The δD values of the clay fractions are fairly constant around −50 ± 10‰, but δ¹⁸O values of the same clay fractions display a wide range from 8‰ to 18‰ (SMOW). The study of the size fractions between 2 and 0.2 μm reveals a correlation between K-Ar ages and δ¹⁸O values, which cannot be related to a change in the relative amounts of clay minerals. Deep fractures (at depths of 570 and 923 m) are characterized by δ¹⁸O values around 10.3 ± 0.4‰ SMOW and old ages ranging from 253 to 272 Ma. The finest fractions (<0.2 μm) of clays located at shallow level (<300 m) beneath the paleo-surface yield the highest δ¹⁸O values (15.7-18.2‰) and the youngest K-Ar dates (188 to 198 Ma). These dates are likely to record the extensional episode and thermal anomaly related to the rifting of central Atlantic Ocean (c. 190 Ma). The other important thermal/extensional episode which affected the Aquitaine Basin, namely the opening of the Gascogne gulf at c. 120 Ma, is not detected by the K-Ar method on the clay fractions. We believe that resetting of clay-type K-Ar ages linked to recrystallization was favoured in the upper part of the basement where the ancient (Hercynian) clay minerals were destabilized by subaerial low-temperature alteration during Permo-Triassic times.From a methodologic point of view, the analytical characterization of several size fractions of clays from reactivated fractures, using both stable isotope geochemistry and K-Ar isotope geochemistry, can be considered as a powerful tool for dating fluid events when no suitable material for conventional methods is available.     

Isotopic dating of pre-Alpidic rocks from the island of Ios (Cyclades,Greece)

The lower tectonic unit of Ios provides evidence of an at least four stage metamorphic and intrusive history which well might be generalized for large parts of the internal Pelagonian.Metamorphic country rocks of unknown age were intruded about 500 Ma ago, as concluded from a Rb-Sr whole rock (WR) isochron on relic tonalites to granodiorites which largely escaped the polyphase postmagmatic overprints.A Hercynian amphibolite facies metamorphism, during which the igneous rocks were partly recrystallized to orthogneisses, is dated by a lower intercept age of 300–305 Ma of U-Pb determinations on zircons and by three almost concordant Rb-Sr muscovite-WR ages of 295 to 288 Ma.K-Ar analyses on these muscovites and on biotites, and Rb-Sr tie lines WR-biotite and WR with other relic magmatic minerals yielded various apparent ages between 260 and 60 Ma. They are interpreted as mixed ages between a Hercynian cooling age and the two stage Alpidic overprints.White micas formed during the Eocene high P/T and/or Oligocene/Miocene Barrovian-type overprints yielded K-Ar dates ranging from 82 to 26 Ma, as well as a single Rb-Sr date of 13 Ma. These Alpidic dates resemble the more detailed age patterns of other Cycladic islands. But they are not sufficient for an independent dating of the Tertiary evolution on Ios island.     

Detrital zircon U–Pb provenance and palaeogeography of Triassic rift basins in the Marrakech High Atlas

The Marrakech High Atlas contains some of the best exposures of the Triassic early‐rift strata related to Atlantic opening in NW Africa. We present the first detrital zircon U–Pb data of five Triassic redbed samples from the Tizi n'Test basin to quantify sediment provenance, transport and dispersal patterns during early rifting. These U–Pb ages document dominant sediment sourcing from the south, the Anti‐Atlas domain, with very limited to absent input from the Variscan Meseta domain to the north. This combined with stratigraphic and thermochronologic information points to a highly asymmetric palaeogeography during Triassic rifting. Furthermore, the occurrence of Archaean detrital zircon grains in Triassic sandstone, likely recycled from the Reguibat shield, suggests the presence of a fully developed regional drainage system with rivers and catchments reaching hundreds of kilometres into the hinterland of the rift flank.     

Sedimentary K-Ar signatures in clay fractions from Mesozoic marine shelf environments in Israel

The K-Ar system in clay fractions from shallow marine carbonate shelf environments was investigated on silicate fractions (clay minerals, feldspar) separated from 20 Lower Jurassic to Upper Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, deposited in the southern Tethys ocean. The range of lithologies investigated included dolomite and chalk [IR (insoluble residue)<10%], marl, shale (IR= 70–85%) and sandstone (IR>90%). The results show that K-bearing clay fractions often have K-Ar ages similar to the suggested age of deposition, which means either supply of land-derived authigenic K-bearing clays or synsedimentary diagenetic authigenesis, or both. This K-Ar synsedimentary signal is recorded in clay fractions from the whole range of studied lithologies and stratigraphic units. Among the clay minerals, the synsedimentary K-Ar signature was recorded and retained in illite/smectite of the <2-um and <0.2-um fractions. A prominent synsedimentary signature is found in K-feldspars, from shaly and especially from calcareous rocks, which is substantiated by their authigenic origin based on idiomorphic crystal morphology and their limited size distribution (4–10 um). Post-depositional closure of the K-Ar system is indicated by ages up to 15 Ma younger than the stratigraphic age in different lithologies from dispersed localities. A distinct late diagenetic (20–25 Ma younger) event is recorded in the formation of authigenic K-feldspar within Upper Cretaceous chalk and shale. In the IR and >10-um fractions the K-Ar ages reflect the contribution of detrital mica and feldspar which accompanies the kaolinite-dominated samples. The overall results differ considerably from K-Ar age patterns observed in deep-sea sediments, a difference which may be connected with the occurrence of brines in these shelf deposits. The findings indicate the potential in the K-Ar dating of fine IR fractions of marine shelf sediments in terms of geochronological-stratigraphic and palaeogeographical aspects as well as in the petrology of clay minerals themselves.     

Zircon fission‐track ages from Newfoundland—A proxy for high geothermal gradients and exhumation before opening of the Central Atlantic Ocean

Following Appalachian orogenesis, metamorphic rocks in central Newfoundland were exhumed and reburied under Tournaisian strata. New zircon fission‐track (ZFT) ages of metamorphic rocks below the Tournaisian unconformity yield post‐depositionally reset ages of 212–235 Ma indicating regional fluid‐absent reheating to at least ≥220°C. Post‐Tournaisian sedimentary thicknesses in surrounding basins show that burial alone cannot explain such temperatures, thus requiring that palaeo‐geothermal gradients increased to ≥30–40°C/km before final late Triassic accelerated cooling. We attribute these elevated palaeo‐geothermal gradients to localized thermal blanketing by insulating sediments overlying radiogenic high‐heat‐producing granitoids. Late Triassic rifting and magmatism before break up of Pangaea likely also contributed to elevated heat flow, as well as uplift, triggering late Triassic accelerated cooling and exhumation. Thermochronological ages of 240–200 Ma are seen throughout Atlantic Canada, and record rifting and basaltic magmatism on the conjugate margins of the Central Atlantic Ocean preceding the onset of oceanic spreading at ~190 Ma.     

阿尔泰造山带的铅同位素地质及其构造意义

阿尔泰遣山带中各构造带混合岩、片麻状花岗岩、钾长花岗岩的17个单矿物长石铅同位素测试分析表明:阿尔泰造山带中普遍存在前海西基底,模式年龄l₁年龄段为:1286²483Ma,对应着陆壳的增生事件及初始成岩年龄.模式年龄l₂年龄段为:389⁴12Ma,311³46Ma,166¹96Ma,分别对应着晚志留-海西早期大陆裂谷作用;海西中晚期强烈挤压遣山和斜向逆冲及印支期造山期后花岗岩的侵入作用.t₂中各时间段与各构造环境的判别相吻合.     

Lead isotope behaviour in a polyphased Pb-Zn ore deposit: Les Malines (Cévennes,France)

Les Malines Mine (Cévennes, France) provides an example of Pb-Zn ore bodies that underwent a polyphased evolution. On the Pb-Pb diagram, experimental points of the Les Malines ore types always plot in the central part of the field defined for the Cévennes metallogenic province. This homogeneity, the similarities with the Pb isotopic compositions of the surrounding rocks and the comparison with Pb isotopes evolution of whole rocks and minerals of the neighbouring continental lands, which emerged during Triassic and Liassic times, rule out the participation of extraneous Pb during the successive concentration stages and agree with an initial metal stock transformed and mobilized in a Pb closed system. Hercynian K-feldspars are the main source of the Pb preconcentrated during Triassic times. Most of the Cévennes Pb-Zn ore bodies could derive from this Triassic metal stock; nevertheless, local Pb isotopic anomalies suggest hydrothermal sources for some Pb-Zn ore bodies located along the Cévennes fault.     

Silurian-Devonian and Jurassic Thermal Events in the Ordos Basin, China: Indications from K-Ar Dating on Illites

In the Ordos basin, two distinct thermal events of different ages have been identified for the first time by means of K-Ar dating combined with illite crystallinity analysis. For the Late Triassic and Late Permian samples, the K-Ar ages of the < 0.2μm fractions (159-173 Ma) reflect an illitization age related to the Yanshanian movement and indicate a short thermal event in the Middle Jurassic; the K-Ar ages of the <2 μm fractions (210-308 Ma) are interpreted as mixed ages of detrital material and authigenic illites. The K-Ar ages of both < 0.2μm and < 2μm fractions of a Middle Cambrian sample (368 Ma and 419 Ma) correspond to the ages of the metamorphism and earliest granite intrusion in the northern Caledonian Qinling fold zone (380-420 Ma) and show a thermal event during Silurian-Devonian time.     

K-Ar Ages of Tin-Polymetallic Mineralization in the Oruro Mining District, Central Bolivian Tin Belt

Abstract. K-Ar age determinations were carried out on vein- and rock-forming minerals from five vein-type tin-polymetallic ore deposits of the Oruro mining district in the central part of the Bolivian tin belt. The sericite from vein selvedges and an altered host rock provides good estimates of the ages of hypogene mineralization, and supergene alunite and jarosite provide ages for erosional and weathering episodes. It is concluded that hypogene mineralization in the Oruro mining district took place during the early to middle Miocene: 15.8±0.8 Ma at San José, 20.1±l.l Ma at Morococala, 20.5±1.0 Ma at Avicaya, and 19.6±1.0 Ma at Llallagua. Fine grained supergene alunite (δ³⁴S = -10.1 960) and jarosite yield K-Ar ages of 6.7±0.7 Ma at Avicaya and 3.9±0.7 Ma at Bolivar, respectively, suggesting that erosion and chemical weathering were active at those times.     

Influence de la diagenèse d''enfouissement sur l''homogénéisation isotopique K-Ar des illites: exemple du Jurassique-Crétacé du bassin d''Agadir, Maroc

The clay assemblages of the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous sediments of the Agadir Basin are affected by burial diagenesis. Apparent ages of these formations, from the K-Ar dating of fine grain size fractions (< 2 μm), decrease downward. This indicates an opening of the K-Ar isotopic system of detrital Hercynian minerals during burial. The extent of the isotopic rehomogenisation is more important in sandstones than in clayey marl facies. During burial diagenesis, a temperature of 165°C in clayey marl and 110°C in sandstone can be enough for isotopic rehomogenisation of fine-grained Hercynian illite. The migration of pore water seems to favour the diffusion of radiogenic ⁴⁰Ar in sandstones.     

Isotopic evidence of middle proterozoic magmatism from bombay high field: Implications to crustal evolution of western offshore of India

Precambrian granitic basement rocks obtained from well BH-36 of Bombay High Field, western offshore of India has been studied both by Rb-Sr and K-Ar dating methods. Seven basement samples chosen from two cores have yielded whole rock Rb-Sr isochron age of 1446 ± 67 Ma with an initial⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of 0.7062 ± 0.0012. This age has been interpreted as the formation/emplacement time of the granite. Two biotite fractions of different grain size separated from a sample CC6B2T have yielded Rb-Sr mineral isochron age of 1385 ± 21 Ma. However, these fractions when studied by K-Ar dating method have yielded slightly higher but mutually consistent ages of 1458 ± 43 Ma and 1465 ± 43 Ma, respectively. Further, two biotites separated from additional samples CC5B9T and CC6B3B have yielded K-Ar ages of 1452 ± 42 Ma and 1425 ± 40 Ma with an overall mean age of 1438 ± 19 Ma. This mean K-Ar age is indistinguishable from whole rock Rb-Sr isochron as well as mineral isochron age within experimental error. The similarity in the whole rock and biotite ages obtained by different isotopic methods suggests that no thermal disturbance has occurred in these rocks after their emplacement/formation around 1450 Ma ago. The present study provides the evidence for the existence of an important Middle Proterozoic magmatic event around 1400-1450 Ma on the western offshore of India which, hitherto, was thought to be mainly confined to the eastern Ghats, Satpura and Delhi fold belt of India. This finding may have an important bearing on the reconstruction of Proterozoic crustal evolution of western Indian shield.     

Mesozoic thermal history of the Prebetic continental margin (southern Spain): Constraints from apatite fission-track analysis

Apatite fission-track analysis was applied to Triassic and Cretaceous sediments from the South-Iberian Continental Margin to unravel its thermal history. Apatite fission-track age populations from Triassic samples indicate partial annealing and point to a maximum temperature of around 100–110 °C during their post-depositional evolution. In certain apatites from Cretaceous samples, two different fission-track age populations of 93–99 and around 180 Ma can be distinguished. Track lengths associated with these two populations enabled thermal modelling based on experimental annealing and mathematical algorithms. These thermal models indicate that the post-depositional thermal evolution attained temperatures ≤ 70 °C, which is consistent with available vitrinite-reflectance data. Thermal modelling for the Cretaceous samples makes it possible to decipher a succession of cooling and heating periods, consisting of (a) a late Carboniferous–Permian cooling followed by (b) a progressive heating episode that ended approximately 120 Ma at a maximum T of around 110 °C. The first cooling episode resulted from a combination of factors such as: the relaxation of the thermal anomaly related to the termination of the Hercynian cycle; the progressive exhumation of the Hercynian basement and the thermal subsidence related to the rifting of the Bay of Biscay, reactivated during the Late Permian. Jurassic thermal evolution deduced from the inherited thermal signal in the Cretaceous sediments is characterized by progressive heating that ended around 120 Ma. This heating episode is related to thermal subsidence during Jurassic rifting, in agreement with the presence of abundant mantle-derived tholeiitic magmas interbedded in the Jurassic rocks. The end of the Jurassic rifting is well marked by a cooling episode apparently starting during Neocomiam times and ending at surface conditions by Albian times.     

Unexpected Jurassic to Neogene vertical movements in ‘stable’ parts of NW Africa revealed by low temperature geochronology

In Morocco, it is generally considered that post‐Hercynian vertical movements were limited to the Atlas system, the passive continental margin and the Rif. Apatite FT and He ages from the Moroccan Meseta (Rehamna and Zaer Massif) document instead two episodes of subsidence and exhumation in Jurassic‐Early Cretaceous and during the Late Cretaceous to Neogene. The Meseta subsided to >3 km depth during the Late Triassic to Middle Jurassic and was exhumed to the surface before the Late Cretaceous, during the rift and post‐rift stages of Central Atlantic opening. Erosion of the exhuming rocks is responsible for a thick package of terrigenous sands found in the Moroccan offshore and elsewhere along the NW Africa margin. About 1 km of subsidence affected the Meseta during the Late Cretaceous to Eocene. During the Neogene, these areas were brought back to the surface in association with bimodal folding with wavelengths of 100–150 km and >500 km.     

沧参1井石炭,二叠纪地层粘土矿物年代学研究

笔者对沧参1井石炭、二叠纪地层中的粘土矿物特征进行研究,并对不同深度的粘土矿物进行了K－Ar、40Ar－39Ar及Rb－Sr法同位素地质年龄测定,得出至少存在三期伊利石的结论;碎屑伊利石,年龄为400Ma左右,在235—243Ma时受到热扰动;海西期末一印支早期形成的高温伊利石,其年龄为214—234Ma,在145Ma时经受一次热扰动;早侏罗世时期形成的伊利石,年龄为180Ma左右,分布比较普遍。这一研究结果无疑将有助于深入探讨区域地热场的演化,以及进一步研究有关地层的生、储油气能力。     

塔里木盆地典型砂岩油气储层自生伊利石K-Ar同位素测年研究与成藏年代探讨

塔里木盆地共发现 8套砂岩油气储层 ,对其中的 5套典型砂岩油气储层进行了自生伊利石K Ar同位素测年分析与研究。利用该项技术对其成藏史进行初步探讨是本次研究的主要目的。中央隆起下志留统沥青砂岩的自生伊利石年龄为 383.4 5～ 2 35 .17Ma ,表明志留系古油藏形成于加里东晚期—海西晚期 ;上泥盆统东河砂岩的自生伊利石年龄为 2 6 3.82～ 2 31.34Ma ,表明东河砂岩油气藏主要形成于海西晚期 ;库车坳陷依南 2气田 (依南 2井 )下侏罗统阳霞组砂岩的自生伊利石年龄为 2 8.0 8～ 2 3.85Ma ,表明油气充注发生在中新世以来 ;喀什凹陷阿克莫木气田 (阿克 1井 )下白垩统砂岩的自生伊利石年龄为 2 2 .6 0～ 18.79Ma ,表明中新世可能有古油气运移或古油藏形成 ;库车坳陷迪那 2气藏 (迪那 2 0 1井 )古近系砂岩中的伊利石主要为碎屑成因 ,不能用于进行油气成藏史研究 ,但该气藏白垩系砂岩的自生伊利石年龄为 2 5 .4 9～ 15 .4 7Ma ,表明可能为中新世成藏。本次研究表明 ,该项技术在塔里木盆地初步显示出较好的应用效果 ,具有较为广阔的应用前景。     

New Insights into the Late Triassic Nadigangri Formation of Northern Qiangtang,Tibet, China: Constraints from U‐Pb Ages and Hf Isotopes of Detrital and Magmatic Zircons

We report here U-Pb age and in situ Hf isotopic results for detrital and magmatic zircons from one conglomerate and four tuffite samples from the Late Triassic Nadigangri Formation across the North Qiangtang depression, Tibet. Coupled with previously published data in the region, this paper proposes new insights into the geochronological framework for the Nadigangri Formation. The deposition ages of tuffite from top to bottom in the Woruo Mountain, Quem Co and Dongqu River, are 203 Ma, 226 Ma, 221.5 Ma and 221.1 Ma, respectively. The detrital zircons yield a younger cluster of ages of 201.5–225 Ma from the conglomerate of the Quem Co Formation. The Late Triassic Nadigangri Formation defines a temporal range approximately between 201 and 225 Ma(Norian-Rhaetian), including three predominant groups of 220–225 Ma, 210–217 Ma and 201–205 Ma, which correspond with the three main rifting episodes of initial rifting, further rifting and final rifting. Positive εHf(t) value and low model ages in younger detrital zircons suggests a juvenile character. However, the Hf isotopes of magmatic zircons display the presence of reworked ancient crust with 1.1–1.8 Ga. These results provide strong constraints not only on the temporal range of the Late Triassic Nadigangri Formation, but also on the onset of the Qiangtang Mesozoic rift basin.     

Timing of the cataclastic deformation along the Akaishi Tectonic Line,central Japan

This paper describes K-Ar ages of cataclasites and fault gouges from the Akaishi Tectonic Line (ATL), central Japan. Petrological and mineralogical features of these rocks are also examined. Based on the results, we test the hypothesis that the K-Ar ages of these rocks represent the age of hydrothermal alteration associated with the fault movement. Intensity of deformation and alteration increase passing from host rock into cataclasite and finally into fault gouge. This increase corresponds to an increase of the value of crystallinity index (Kübler index) of the micaceous minerals contained in these rocks. Furthermore, the degree of rejuvention of K-Ar ages of the micaceous minerals increases in the same sense. A correlation of K-Ar ages (plotted on the y axis) versus Kübler index (plotted on the x axis) yields a concave curve asymptotically parallel with the x axis at approximately 15 Ma. This curve is interpreted to represent the mode of decrease of the relative amounts of inherited argon in the K-Ar system of the micaceous minerals, corresponding to an increase in the intensity of deformation and alteration. Inclination of the curve becomes zero if all the inherited argon is lost from the K-Ar system of the micaceous minerals. Thus, it is concluded that the hydrothermal alteration occurred at approximately 15 Ma. The strike-slip basin along the ATL formed the middle Miocene. The K-Ar dating of ATL gouges indicates that the ATL was active simultaneously with formation of the strike-slip basin along its trace during the middle Miocene.     

Reliability of K-Ar Dating of Clays and Silicifications Associated with vein Mineralizations in Western Europe

K-Ar ages were determined on fine fractions and one massive silicification associated with vein mineralizations in uranium, barium, fluorine and related base metals in Western Europe. The reliability of the potassic materials analysed, once the mineralogical and geochemical relationships to the low-temperature mineralization have been established, is demonstrated. The isotopic ages are concentrated between nearly 190 and 170 MA. This epoch corresponds to that of the rifting of the future Atlantic and Tethys oceans. This type of low-temperature mineralization thus seems to be better explained by extensional phenomena.     

大别造山带在大陆裂解、地壳的俯冲-折返及山根垮塌期间的多期部分熔融作用

大别造山带发育了与大陆俯冲-折返和碰撞造山等相关的不同构造岩石单位.针对存在的问题,本项研究开展了宿松变质带、中大别超高压带和北大别杂岩带等不同俯冲岩片花岗质岩石的野外地质调查以及岩石学、元素-同位素地球化学和锆石年代学等方面系统研究.研究结果表明:（1）宿松变质带花岗片麻岩的原岩时代包括晚太古代（2.5~2.7 Ga）和新元古代（770~830 Ma）两大类,其中新元古代花岗片麻岩的原岩是由经历了~2.0 Ga变质作用的晚太古代岩石在新元古代大陆裂解过程中发生重熔作用形成的;（2）首次揭示中大别花岗片麻岩至少包含两种不同的原岩时代（~750 Ma和780~800 Ma）与岩石成因,并在三叠纪俯冲-折返期间经历了~230 Ma和~220 Ma两期部分熔融作用;（3）北大别混合岩中发育折返早期（209±2 Ma）因高温减压而引起的黑云母脱水熔融以及山根垮塌期间（110~145 Ma）有水加入的加热熔融（水致熔融）形成的多种浅色体;（4）发现并限定了北大别变质闪长岩是在燕山期山根垮塌期间,由三叠纪深俯冲的新元古代镁铁质下地壳岩石发生部分熔融作用而形成的.因此,这为大别造山带在新元古代大陆裂解、印支期地壳的俯冲-折返及燕山期山根垮塌期间发生的多种部分熔融作用提供了新的制约.      

Zircon and apatite fission-track thermochronology of Late Carboniferous volcanic rocks of the NE German Basin

Zircon and apatite fission-track analyses from Late Carboniferous felsic volcanic rocks of the NE German Basin (Halle area and Friedland drilling) reveal at least two major post-emplacement thermal events. After initial cooling at ca. 300 Ma, the volcanic pile underwent a major thermal event at ca. 200 Ma that reached in most places ca. 250-280 °C and led to the new growth of clay minerals. This event is recorded in the zircon fission-track data and can be related to Jurassic-Triassic rifting in Europe. Another thermal event is recorded in the apatite samples at ca. 100 Ma. A close correlation is observed between apatite fission-track age, texture, and sample alteration. Coarse-grained samples are stronger altered and have younger fission-track ages. Hydrothermal alteration coupled with advective heating probably caused these Upper Cretaceous fission-track ages. The latter event can be related to block faulting and inversion of the European plate during the early stages of the Alpine orogeny.