The effect of Fe-Mg substitution on phase relations in marly rocks of the Western Hohe Tauern (Austria)

Based on mineral assemblages and compositions in metamorphic marly rocks of the Western Hohe Tauern, the effect of Fe-Mg substitution on previously deduced phase relations in a simplified marly rock system (Hoschek 1980) is estimated. Fe-Mg partitioning in coexisting minerals is influenced, amongst others, by the F-OH substitution. Calculations with extrapolated mean K _D ^Fe-Mg values for F-free minerals and with the assumption of ideal Fe-Mg solid solution show similar effects of the Fe-Mg and the F-OH substitution on phase relations. The consideration of the Fe²⁺ and F distribution leads to a better compatibility between experimentally determined mineral stabilities and observed mineral assemblages in the marly rocks of the Western Hohe Tauern.     

Phase relations and metamorphic history of a clinohumite-chlorite-serpentine-marble from the Western Tauern Area (Austria)

Several different metamorphic events — an early or prevariscian regional, a variscian contact and the alpine regional — on marbles from the Schlegeistal (Western Tauern Area, Tyrol, Austria) have resulted in a great variety of mineral assemblages. These assemblages include calcite, dolomite, tremolite, diopside, forsterite, clinohumite-titanianclinohumite-chondrodite, chlorite-serpentine, brucite, and boron minerals karlite and ludwigite.Microprobe analysis fo the minerals indicate that three different generations of chlorite minerals exist (clinochlor, penninite, Al-serpentine). The occurence of these chlorites is explained by formation of serpentine component during the last (alpine) regional metamorphism from the breakdown of forsterite, humite-minerals and diopside. The phase relations are described in the system CaO-MgO-SiO₂-H₂O-CO₂-HF and a petrogenetic grid for the low low X _F ^mineral region is given. The reactions are typical for ophicarbonate rocks, but include clinohumite and chlorite, due to the presence of F and minor amounts of Al₂O₃.     

温冰川上的冰震——以奥地利Hohe Tauern地区Schlatenkees冰川为例

在奥地利Hohe Tauern的Schlatenkees冰川上布置了两组地震仪测量网,用电动力垂直地震仪记录到了约1200次冰震。找出了地震学参数彼此之间的几种关系。并根据优势频率,将冰震分成了4组。记录到的震动事件的震深为25—130m,震源半径为12—67m,地震矩为4.23×10~5—6.52×10~7Nm,地震能为9.1—1.34x10~5J,应力降为0.16—32.04hPa。     

Coexisting phengite,paragonite and margarite in metasediments of the mittlere Hohe Tauern,Austria

The assemblages phengite-paragonite, phengite-margarite and phengite-paragonitemargarite are very common in metasediments of a N-S profile in the middle sector of the Hohe Tauern. The Si⁴⁺-content of phengite shows no regular change with increasing temperature from north to south along the profile. The variations in the d ₀₀₂ basal spacings of phengite coexisting with paragonite are not only dependent on the Na⁺ content of phengite but also on the Mg²⁺+Fe²⁺ content of the micas. Neither the sodium content in phengite nor the potassium content in paragonite shows any dependence on temperature. Chemical analyses of coexisting phengite, paragonite and margarite give the extent of the three-phase-region which is characterized by a small amount of margarite in paragonite (4 Mol%), by a large quantity of Na⁺ in margarite (28 Mol% paragonite), and limited miscibility between phengite and paragonite.     

Geochemistry of blackwall sequences in the Habachtal emerald deposit,Hohe Tauern,Austria Part 1: Presentation of geochemical data

Summary The Habachtal emerald deposit, Hohe Tauern, is composed of blackwall sequences of the type: serpentinite — talc schist — ±chlorite schist or actinolite schist — biotite schist —albite gneiss and/or micaschist. 2 serpentinites, 33 blackwall rocks, 9 micaschists, 10 albite gneisses, and 5 aplitic gneisses were analyzed for major elements, and for Li, Be, Cr, Ni, Zn, Zr, Sn, in 36 samples also for Sc, Cu, Rb, Sr, Cs, Ba, W. The blackwall formation is due to a metasomatic exchange involving a transfer of Mg from the serpentinite to the silicic country rock, and of Si, Ca, K, and Al from the country rock to the serpentinite. Some of the trace elements were also mobile: Compared to serpentinite, Li and Be were enriched in all the blackwall rocks, and Sn and Cs in the actinolite, chlorite, and biotite schists; Sr was concentrated in the dolomite-bearing talc schists, and Zn, Rb, and Ba predominantly in the biotite schists.

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Geochemie der Blackwall-Folgen in der Smaragd-Lagerstätte Habachtal, Hohe Tauern, Österreich. Teil 1: Darstellung der geochemischen Daten

Zusammenfassung Die Smaragd-Lagerstätte Habachtal, Hohe Tauern, besteht aus Blackwall-Folgen vom Typ: Serpentinit — Talkschiefer — ±Chloritschiefer oder Aktinolithschiefer — Biotitschiefer — Albitgneis und/oder Glimmerschiefer. Von 2 Serpentiniten, 33 Blackwall-Gesteinen, 9 Glimmerschiefern, 10 Albitgneisen und 5 Aplitgneisen wurden chemische Analysen der Hauptelemente und von Li, Be, Cr, Ni, Zn, Zr, Sn vorgelegt; 36 Proben wurden auch auf Sc, Cu, Rb, Sr, Cs, Ba und W analysiert. Die Blackwall-Bildung geht auf einen metasomatischen Austausch zurück, bei dem Mg aus dem Serpentinit ins Nebengestein, Si, Ca, K und Al aus dem Nebengestein in den Serpentinit transportiert wurden. Daneben waren auch einige Spurenelemente mobil: Im Vergleich zum Serpentinit wurden Li und Be in allen Blackwall-Gesteinen, Sn und Cs in den Aktinolith-, Chlorit- und Biotitschiefern angereichert; Sr wurde(n) in den dolomitführenden Talkschiefern, Zn, Rb und Ba hauptsächlich in den Biotitschiefern konzentriert.

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With 5 Figures     

Alpine metamorphism of calcareous metasediments in the Western Hohe Tauern,tyrol: mineral equilibria in COHS fluids

During Tertiary regional metamorphism in the Western Hohe Tauern, reaching maximum P, T conditions around 6 kb, 550° C in calcareous metasediments, reaction of pyrite to pyrrhotite is suggested by regional distribution and textural relations. In rocks without graphite pyrite is common at all metamorphic grades. In graphite bearing rocks, however, the dominant Fe-sulfide is pyrite at lower grade and pyrrhotite at higher grade. Furthermore, in graphite bearing high grade rocks, pyrite is restricted to assemblages with Mg-rich silicates. Several factors control pyrite-pyrrhotite relations. Increase of temperature is most effective by increase of pyrrhotite vs. pyrite stability field, shift of silicate-sulfide reactions toward the stability field of pyrrhotite, creation of sulfur free fluids from devolatilization reactions, and increase in the proportions of sulfur bearing fluid species. Presence of graphite also favours progress of pyrite to pyrrhotite reaction, as shown by different -stabilities and changes in the amount of minerals and fluid during metamorphic heating of graphite bearing and graphite free assemblages. An opposite effect is shown by assemblages with low Fe-contents in Fe-Mg silicates, due to the enlarged stability field of such minerals with increasing Mg (and F) content. Another inhibition of pyrite to pyrrhotite reaction is suggested to be due to relatively high sulfur contents of H₂O rich infiltrating fluids.     

Zoisite- and clinozoisite-segregations in metabasites (Tauern Window, Austria) as evidence for high-pressure fluid–rock interaction

High-pressure zoisite- and clinozoisite-bearing segregations are common in garnet- and albite-bearing amphibolites of the Palaeozoic part of the Lower Schieferhülle, south-central Tauern Window, Austria. The zoisite segregations (primary assemblage: Zo+Qtz+Cal) formed during an early to pre-Hercynian high-pressure event (P≫0.6 GPa, T =500–550 °C) by hydrofracturing as a result of protolith dehydration. Zoisite is growth zoned from Fe³⁺-poor cores (Al₂Fe=9 mol%) to Fe³⁺-rich rims (17 mol%), and has high Sr, Pb and Ga contents and LREE-enriched REE patterns, controlling the trace element budget of the segregations. Hercynian deformation at c. 0.7 GPa/600 °C kinked and cracked primary zoisite and enhanced breakdown into secondary zoisite (13 mol% Al₂Fe), clinozoisite (40–55 mol% Al₂Fe), albite (an_<20), calcite and white mica during an Eoalpine high-pressure event at 0.9–1.2 GPa/400–500 °C. The clinozoisite segregations (primary assemblage: Czo+Qtz+Omp+Ttn+Chl+Cal) are mm- to cm-wide, vein-like bodies, cross-cutting fabric elements of the host garnet amphibolite. They formed during the Eoalpine high-pressure event at 0.9–1.2 GPa/400–500 °C. During Alpine exhumation, omphacite was pseudomorphed by amphibole, albite, quartz and clinozoisite. Oxygen isotope data suggest equilibrium between host metabasite and zoisite segregations and indicate an internal fluid source and fluid buffering by the protolith. Mobility of P, Nb and LREE changed the protolith’s trace element composition in the vicinity of the zoisite segregations: Mobilization of LREE is evidenced by decreasing modal amounts of LREE-rich epidote and decreasing LREE contents in LREE-rich epidote towards the segregations, changing the REE patterns of the host metabasite from LREE-enriched to LREE-depleted. Tectonic discrimination diagrams, based on the trace element content of metabasites, should be applied with extreme caution.     

Experimental studies on the formation of inclusions in plagioclases from metatonalites,Hohe Tauern,Austria (lower temperature stability limit of the paragenesis anorthite plus potash feldspar)

New experimental data are presented at stability conditions of paragenesis in the system K₂O-CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O. These results are used to estimate the pressure temperature conditions under which minute inclusions, mostly consisting of zoisite/clinozoisite and muscovite, have crystallized in calcic plagioclases from metatonalites and metadiorites (Hohe Tauern, Austria). In the pressure region 1.5–8 kb the following reactions were observed: zoisite+muscovite+quartz=anorthite+potash feldspar+water (1) grossularite+muscovite+quartz=anorthite+potash feldspar+water (2) zoisite+quartz=anorthite+grossularite+water (3) natural plagioclase with its inclusions (zoisite/clinozoisite and muscovite) (4) =more basic plagioclase without inclusions.In order to determine the curves of reaction (1), (2) and (3), runs were made in hydrothermal bombs using synthetic phases crystallized from gels as starting materials. The reaction curves (1), (2) and (3) intersect at an invariant point at 7.25±0.5 kb and 685±20° C. In runs to define the reaction (4), it could be demonstrated that the inclusion minerals zoisite/ clinozoisite and muscovite became instable at slightly lower temperatures than those occurring in reaction (1). These facts illustrate that the reaction curve (1), found in the pure system, gives possible information about the pressure temperature conditions during the formation of the inclusions.     

Geothermobarometry in metasediments of the southern Grossvenediger area (Tauern Window, Austria)

Metasediments in the southern Grossvenediger area (Tauern Window, Austria) were studied along a cross-section through rocks of increasing metamorphic grade from the margin of the Tauern Window in the south to the base of the Upper Schieferhülle, including the Eclogite Zone, in the north. In the southern part of the cross-section there is no evidence for a pre-late Alpine metamorphic history in the form of high-pressure relics or pseudomorphs. Mineral assemblages are characterized by the stability of tremolite + calcite, biotite + calcite and biotite + chlorite + calcite. In the northern part a more complete Alpine metamorphic evolution is preserved. Primary high-pressure assemblages are dolomite + quartz, tremolite + zoisite, zoisite + dolomite + quartz + phengite I and probably tremolite + dolomite + phengite I. Secondary, post-kinematic assemblages [tremolite + calcite, talc + calcite, phengite II + chlorite + calcite (+ quartz), biotite + chlorite + calcite, biotite + zoisite + calcite] formed as a result of the dominant late Alpine metamorphic overprint. The occurrence of biotite + zoisite + calcite is confined to the northernmost area and defines a biotite–zoisite–calcite isograd. P–T estimates based on standard thermobarometric techniques and on stability relationships of tremolite + calcite + dolomite + quartz and zoisite give consistent results. P–T conditions of the main Tertiary metamorphic overprint were 525° C, P= 7.5 ± 1 kbar in the northern part of the cross-section. The southern part was metamorphosed at lower temperatures of 430–470° C. The Si-content of phengites from this area is almost as high as that of phengites from the Eclogite Zone (Si^max= 3.4 pfu). Pressures > 10 kbar at 420° C are suggested by phengite barometry according to Massone & Schreyer (1987). In the absence of high-pressure relics or pseudomorphs, these phengites, which lack late Alpine re-equilibration, are the only record that rocks of the southern part probably also experienced an early non-eclogitic high-pressure metamorphism.     

Young Alpine dykes south of the Tauern Window (Austria): a K-Ar and Sr isotope study

Fortyfive new K-Ar ages and Sr isotope data on amphiboles, biotites, clinopyroxenes and whole rock samples from subvolcanic dykes south of the Tauern Window establish, that alkalibasaltic dykes were intruded 30 m.y. ago and shoshonitic volcanism occured between 30 and 24 m.y. ago. Two calc-alkaline rocks of high-potassium composition yielded ages of 40 and 26 m.y. resp., a spread which may or may not be real. Calc-alkaline dykes with medium and low potassium contain excess argon and are hence undatable. Alkalibasaltic dykes have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.7056–0.7070, shoshonitic rocks 0.7075–0.7133, potassium rich calc-alkaline dykes 0.7077–0.7100. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of all other calc-alkaline rocks scatter between 0.7074 and 0.7150. Sr data indicate that dykes studied do not represent closed Sr systems, but that Sr characteristics result from selective strontium assimilation en route to surface. Primary Sr isotopic ratios of alkalibasaltic dykes point to an origin of these rocks in enriched sub-continental upper mantle. The source region of shoshonitic and high-potassium calcalkaline rocks could have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr around 0.707, which is assigned to the input of a component rich in alkalies, LREE and LIL elements. Genetic relationships with other Tertiary magmatites of similar geotectonic position are explained in terms of plate tectonic models of the Eastern Alps.     

Oxygen and hydrogen isotope studies on minerals from alpine fissures and their gneissic host rocks,Western Tauern Window (Austria)

Fourteen cogenetic quartz-biotite pairs from gneissic wall rocks, and 22 quartz, 16 calcite, and 8 biotite samples and 1 sample of albite from fissure-filling veins in the Western Tauern Window were analyzed for their oxygen isotope composition. The δ¹⁸O values show the following ranges: (a) quartz, +6.0 in fissure in amphibolite to +10.3 in fissures in granite gneisses; (b) biotite, +2.5 to +6.7; and (c) calcite, +7.0 to +8.9. The δ¹⁸O value of albite is +7.1. Only a small variation in the hydrogen isotope composition of biotite was detected. δD values of 7 biotites from gneisses and fissure fillings varied from −54 to −59. There is no significant difference in the hydrogen isotope composition of fissure biotite and biotite from the host rock. This indicates that a common water source of probably deep-seated origin existed, with no detectable contribution from isotopically light meteoric water. Oxygen isotope fractionations between coexisting quartz and biotite of 3.5 to 7.0‰ indicate equilibrium temperatures of 640 ° to 450 ° C, respectively, using the fractionation curve of Hoernes and Friedrichsen (1978). The highest temperatures of equilibration are for the rocks at the Alpenhauptkamm, i.e., the central part of the Tauern Window. Successively lower temperatures are found to the north and to the south of the Alpenhauptkamm along a traverse through Penninic units of the Tauern Window. The metamorphism of the host rocks and the filling of fissures has occurred at the same temperature in a given sample locality.     

The Tauern Window (Eastern Alps, Austria): a new tectonic map, with cross-sections and a tectonometamorphic synthesis

We present a tectonic map of the Tauern Window and surrounding units (Eastern Alps, Austria), combined with a series of crustal-scale cross-sections parallel and perpendicular to the Alpine orogen. This compilation, largely based on literature data and completed by own investigations, reveals that the present-day structure of the Tauern Window is primarily characterized by a crustal-scale duplex, the Venediger Duplex (Venediger Nappe system), formed during the Oligocene, and overprinted by doming and lateral extrusion during the Miocene. This severe Miocene overprint was most probably triggered by the indentation of the Southalpine Units east of the Giudicarie Belt, initiating at 23–21 Ma and linked to a lithosphere-scale reorganization of the geometry of mantle slabs. A kinematic reconstruction shows that accretion of European lithosphere and oceanic domains to the Adriatic (Austroalpine) upper plate, accompanied by high-pressure overprint of some of the units of the Tauern Window, has a long history, starting in Turonian time (around 90 Ma) and culminating in Lutetian to Bartonian time (45–37 Ma).     

The Al-Fe(III)epidote miscibility gap in a metamorphic profile through the penninic series of the Tauern window,Austria

The compositional variations in epidotes, Ca₂Al₂(Fe³⁺, Al)-Si₃O₁₂(OH), from a prograde Mesozoic rock series in the Eastern Alps, Austria, are systematically related to metamorphic grade and the oxidation state of the rock. With increasing metamorphic grade the average composition of the zoned epidotes shifts to Fe³⁺-poorer compositions reflecting not only the effect of temperature and total pressure but also the concomitant decrease of the oxidation state of the rocks. Oxidized hematite-bearing assemblages are: 90 mole % Al₂FeEp (greenschists) 70 mole % Al₂FeEp (garnet amphibolites) 58 mole % Al₂FeEp (eclogites); reduced sulfidebearing assemblages are: 42 mole % Al₂FeEp (greenschists) 24 mole % Al₂FeEp (garnet amphibolites) 23 mole % Al₂FeEp (eclogites).A similar compositional evolution of the epidotes as in the spatial sequence of the samples can be observed within the single zoned crystals, reflecting the temporal changes of temperature, total pressure and oxygen fugacity during the prograde crystallization. The Fe³⁺-contents of core and rim decrease with increasing metamorphic grade and decreasing oxidation state. Generally the zoned epidotes consist of a Fe³⁺-rich core (90 to 63 mole % Al₂FeEp) and a Fe³⁺-poorer rim (55 to 23 mole % Al₂FeEp). Core and rim of the epidote crystals are separated by a compositional gap the extension of which is independent of the bulk rock composition, the oxidation state, and the mineralogical composition of the assemblages but becomes smaller with increasing metamorphic grade: 7253 mole % Al₂FeEp (low grade greenschists, 400° C) 6355 mole % Al₂FeEp (higher grade greenschists, 500° C), and 6055 mole % Al₂FeEp (garnet amphibolites, 500–550° C). At the temperature conditions of the highest grade garnet amphibolites and eclogites (550° C) the compositional gap closes at a composition of 58 mole % Al₂FeEp.The data presented thus confirm clearly the existence of an asymmetric miscibility gap in the monoclinic Al-Fe(III)-epidote solid solution series, which, for the first time, has been assumed by Strens (1964, 1965).A model is proposed that describes the prograde compositional evolution of the epidotes studied through the competing mechanisms of growth and diffusional Al-Fe³⁺ exchange and their dependence on metamorphic grade and oxidation state.     

Unravelling the pre-Variscan evolution of the Habach terrane (Tauern Window, Austria) by U-Pb SHRIMP zircon data

The U-Pb SHRIMP age determinations of zircons from the Habach terrane (Tauern Window, Austria) reveal a complex evolution of this basement unit, which is exposed in the Penninic domain of the Alpine orogen. The oldest components are found in zircons of a metamorphosed granitoid clast, of a migmatitic leucosome, and of a meta-rhyolitic (Variscan) tuff which bear cores of Archean age. The U-Pb ages of discordant zircon cores of the same rocks range between 540 and 520 Ma. It is assumed that the latter zircons were originally also of Archean origin and suffered severe lead loss, whilst being incorporated into Early-Cambrian volcanic arc magmas. The provenance region of the Archean (2.64-2.06 Ga) zircons is assumed to be a terrane of Gondwana affinity: i.e., the West African craton (Hoggar Shield, Reguibat Shield). The Caledonian metamorphism left a pervasive structural imprint in amphibolite facies on rocks of the Habach terrane; it is postdated by discordant zircons of a migmatitic leucosome at <440 Ma (presumably ca. 420 Ma). Alpine and Variscan upper greenschist- to amphibolite-facies conditions caused partial lead loss in zircons of a muscovite gneiss ('white schist') only, where extensive fluid flow and brittle deformation due to its position near a nappe-sole thrust enhanced the grains' susceptibility to isotopic disturbance. The Habach terrane - an active continental margin with ensialic back-arc development - showed subduction-induced magmatic activity approx. between 550 and 507 Ma. Back-arc diorites and arc basalts were intruded by ultramafic sills and subsequently by small patches of mantle-dominated unaltered and (in the vicinity of a major tungsten deposit) altered granitoids. Fore-arc (shales) and back-arc (greywackes, cherts) basin sediments as well as arc and back-arc magmatites were not only nappe-stacked by the Caledonian compressional regime closing the presumably narrow oceanic back-arc basin and squeezing mafic to ultramafic cumulates out of high-level magma chambers (496-482 Ma). It also induced uplift and erosion of deeply rooted crystalline complexes and triggered the development of a successor basin filled with predominantly clastic greywacke-arkosic sediments. The study demonstrates that the basement rocks exposed in the Habach terrane might be the 'missing link' between similar units of the more westerly positioned External domain (i.e., Aar, Aiguilles Rouges, Mont Blanc) and the Austroalpine domain to the east (Oetztal, Silvretta).     

Phase relations in the partial melting of the Baldissero spinel-lherzolite (Ivrea-Verbano zone,Western Alps,Italy)

The occurrence of various types of mobilizates in the Baldissero spinel lherzolite is due to partial melting of the same body. The study of the relationships between the peridotite and its mobilizates demonstrates that olivine did not take an active part in the fusion. Estimates of the degree of partial melting vary from 10% for the average composition, to 20% for the most depleted samples. These values refer to an initial pyrolitic composition, and thus are relative, as they can vary depending on the actual primary composition.The calculated composition of the liquid generated by partial melting is quite similar to that of a picritic basalt, and is practically the same irrespective of the 10% and 20% fusion. This fact provides strong evidence that melting took place at a unique invariant point of the natural system, producing a liquid with a remarkably constant composition.Projection of the liquid in the fo-an-di-si diagram is fairly well aligned with the modal compositions of the solid residua, but does not coincide with the minimum of the simplified system. The proposed solution is based on the enlargement of the spinel field (at constant pressure), due to the Cr content in this phase. Therefore, the position of the invariant minimum is not fixed, but rather controlled by the Cr content of the spinel. Is is suggested that, by an increase in the Cr content, spinel might at a given moment become refractory. Thus, saturated or over-saturated magmas are produced depending on the phase relations between olivine, orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene. This would happen in the case of very advanced fusions or in the case of fusion of already depleted peridotites.The relationships between mobilizates of different generations suggest a non adiabatic mantle upwelling.     

Multistage Variscan magmatism in the central Tauern Window (Austria) unveiled by U/Pb SHRIMP zircon data

U/Pb SHRIMP ages of nine Variscan leucocratic orthogneisses from the central Tauern Window (Austria) reveal three distinct pulses of magmatism in Early Carboniferous (Visean), Late Carboniferous (Stephanian) and Early Permian, each involving granitoid intrusions and a contemporaneous opening of volcano-sedimentary basins. A similar relationship has been reported for the Carboniferous parts of the basement of the Alps further to the west, e.g. the “External massifs” in Switzerland. After the intrusion of subduction-related, volcanic-arc granitoids (374?±?10?Ma; Zwölferkogel gneiss), collisional intrusive-granitic, anatectic and extrusive-rhyolitic/dacitic rocks were produced over a short interval at ca. 340?Ma (Augengneiss of Felbertauern: 340?±?4?Ma, Hochweißenfeld gneiss: 342?± 5?Ma, Falkenbachlappen gneiss: 343?±?6?Ma). This Early Carboniferous magmatism, which produced relatively small volumes of melt, can be attributed to the amalgamation of the Gondwana-derived “Tauern Window” terrane with Laurussia–Avalonia. Probably due to the oblique nature of the collision, transtensional phenomena (i.e. volcano-sedimentary troughs and high-level intrusives) and transpressional regimes (i.e. regional metamorphism and stacked nappes with anatexis next to thrust planes) evolved contemporaneously. The magmas are mainly of the high-K I-type and may have been generated during a short phase of decompressional melting of lithospheric mantle and lower crustal sources. In the Late Carboniferous, a second pulse of magmatism occurred, producing batholiths of calc-alkaline I-type granitoids (e.g. Venediger tonalite: 296?±?4?Ma) and minor coeval bodies of felsic and intermediate volcanics (Heuschartenkopf gneiss: 299?±?4?Ma, Peitingalm gneiss: 300?±?5?Ma). Prior to this magmatism, several kilometres of upper crust must have been eroded, because volcano-sedimentary sequences hosting the Heu- schartenkopf and Peitingalm gneisses rest unconformably on 340-Ma-old granitoids. The youngest (Permian) period of magma generation contains the intrusion of the S-type Granatspitz Central Gneiss at 271?±?4?Ma and the extrusion of the rhyolitic Schönbachwald gneiss protolith at 279?±?9?Ma. These magmatic rocks may have been associated with local extension along continental wrench zones through the Variscan orogenic crust or with a Permian rifting event. The Permian and the above-mentioned Late Carboniferous volcano-sedimentary sequences were probably deposited in intra-continental graben structures, which survived post-Variscan uplift and Alpine compressional tectonics.     

Alpine geodynamic evolution of passive and active continental margin sequences in the Tauern Window (eastern Alps, Austria, Italy): a review

The Penninic oceanic sequence of the Glockner nappe and the foot-wall Penninic continental margin sequences exposed within the Tauern Window (eastern Alps) have been investigated in detail. Field data as well as structural and petrological data have been combined with data from the literature in order to constrain the geodynamic evolution of these units. Volcanic and sedimentary sequences document the evolution from a stable continent that was formed subsequent to the Variscan orogeny, to its disintegration associated with subsidence and rifting in the Triassic and Jurassic, the formation of the Glockner oceanic basin and its consumption during the Upper Cretaceous and the Paleogene. These units are incorporated into a nappe stack that was formed during the collision between a Penninic Zentralgneis block in the north and a southern Austroalpine block. The Venediger nappe and the Storz nappe are characterized by metamorphic Jurassic shelf deposits (Hochstegen group) and Cretaceous flysch sediments (Kaserer and Murtörl groups), the Eclogite Zone and the Rote Wand–Modereck nappe comprise Permian to Triassic clastic sequences (Wustkogel quartzite) and remnants of platform carbonates (Seidlwinkl group) as well as Jurassic volcanoclastic material and rift sediments (Brennkogel facies), covered by Cretaceous flyschoid sequences. Nappe stacking was contemporaneous to and postdated subduction-related (high-pressure) eclogite and blueschist facies metamorphism. Emplacement of the eclogite-bearing units of the Eclogite zone and the Glockner nappe onto Penninic continental units (Zentralgneis block) occurred subsequent to eclogite facies metamorphism. The Eclogite zone, a former extended continental margin, was subsequently overridden by a pile of basement-cover nappes (Rote Wand–Modereck nappe) along a ductile out-of-sequence thrust. Low-angle normal faults that have developed during the Jurassic extensional phase might have been inverted during nappe emplacement.     

The H contents of quartz from alpine veins from the penninic rocks of the central and western Tauern Window (Austria/Italy)

Summary The hydrogen content of 29 quartz crystals originating from the Penninic series of the central and western Tauern Window (Tyrol, Austria) was determined by IR spectroscopy. The hydrogen contents are between 7 and 66 H/10⁶ Si-atoms. In one sample showing a mimetic lamellar structure H-contents up to 140 H/10⁶ Si-atoms could be found. In most cases no difference exists between the hydrogen contents of margins and cores of the crystals. No clear relationships between the hydrogen content of the quartz lattice and the metamorphic temperature ranging from about 600°C to about 450°C can be found.

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Der H-Gehalt von Quarzen aus alpinen Klüften der Penninischen Gesteine des westlichen Tauernfensters (Österreich/Italien)

Zusammenfassung Der Wasserstoffgehalt von 29 Quarzkristallen aus den alpinen Zerrklüften der penninischen Gesteine des zentralen und westlichen Tauernfensters (Tirol, Österreich) wurde IR-spektroskopisch bestimmt. Der H-Gehalt schwankt zwischen 7 und 66 H/10⁶ Si-Atome. In einer Quarzprobe, die auch eine Lamellenstruktur zeigt, wurde ein H-Gehalt bis zu 140 H/10⁶ Si-Atome gemessen. In den meisten Quarzkristallen konnte kein Unterschied in den H-Gehalten des inneren und des äußeren Bereiches gefunden werden. Es konnte auch kein Zusammenhang zwischen den Metamorphosetemperaturen, die zwischen ca. 600 und 450°C liegen, und dem H-Gehalt der Quarzkristalle gefunden werden.