Neoproterozoic nappes and superposed folding of the Itremo Group, west-central Madagascar

The Precambrian geology of west-central Madagascar is reviewed and re-interpreted in light of new field observations, Landsat Thematic Mapper image analysis, and U–Pb geochronology. The bedrock of the area consists of: (1) late Archean (to Paleoproterozoic) migmatite gneiss and schist; (2) Mesoproterozoic stratified rocks (Itremo, Amborompotsy, and Malakialina Groups) perhaps deposited unconformably on the older metamorphic rocks (1, above); (3) Proterozoic ( 1000 Ma–720 Ma) plutonic rocks emplaced into both units above (1 and 2), and; (4) latest Neoproterozoic to middle Cambrian ( 570–520 Ma) granitoids emplaced as regionally discordant and weakly foliated plutons throughout the regions.

The effects of Neoproterozoic orogenic processes are widespread throughout the region and our observations and isotopic measurements provide important constraints on the tectonic history of the region: (i) Archean gneisses and Mesoproterozoic stratified rocks are the crystalline basement and platformal sedimentary cover, respectively, of a continental fragment of undetermined tectonic affinity (East or West Gondwanan, or neither). (ii) This continental fragment (both basement and cover) was extensively invaded by subduction-related plutons in the period from  1000 Ma to  720 Ma that were emplaced prior to the onset of regional metamorphism and deformation. (iii) Continental collision related to Gondwana's amalgamation began after  720 Ma and before  570 Ma. Collision related deformation and metamorphism continued throughout the rest of the Neoproterozoic with thermal effects that lasted until  520 Ma. The oldest structures produced during continental collision were km-scale fold- and thrust-nappes with east or southeast-directed vergence (present-day direction). They resulted in the inversion and repetition of Archean and Proterozoic rocks throughout the region. During this early phase of convergence warm rocks were thrust over cool rocks thereby producing the present distribution of regional metamorphic isograds. The vergence of the nappes and the distribution of metamorphic rocks are consistent with their formation within a zone of west or northwest-dipping continental convergence (present-day direction). (iv) Later upright folding of the nappes (and related folds and thrusts) produced km-scale interference fold patterns. The geometry and orientation of these younger upright folds is consistent with E–W horizontal shortening (present-day direction) within a sinistral transpressive regime. We relate this final phase of deformation to motion along the Ranotsara and related shear zones of south Madagascar, and to the initial phases of lower crustal exhumation and extensional tectonics within greater Gondwana.     

Patterns of stretch trajectories and strain rates within spreading-gliding nappes

Stretch trajectories in vertical flow planes through superficial nappes are thought to be specific for some classical mechanical models, so that their recognition in the field is of particular interest. In order to find a pattern of stretch trajectories related to a gravitational process, a strain factorization is attempted from experimental scale models of nappes where spreading and gliding are combined. The strain within this type of nappes is schematically considered as the simultaneous combination of two components: a simple shearing (γ) component and a pure shearing (α) component. Spatial and time distribution of these two components is computed from both time and spatial evolution of the strain pattern within the scale models. A better understanding of stretch trajectories in spreading-gliding nappes is consequently provided. Strain rates are also computed from scale models and the sudden increase of strain rate from top to bottom is explained. Finally, a mechanical model of spreading-gliding nappe is briefly discussed.     

Sediment dispersal and provenance in the Silesian,Dukla and Magura flysch nappes (Outer Carpathians,Poland)

The Polish Outer Carpathians consist of several flysch series of unknown original basement. They were deposited from Late Jurassic to Miocene in a large basin dissected by tectonically uplifted ridges (cordillieras) which acted as source terrains. The actual nappe pile is correlated with palaeogeographic basin realms. From N to S the Skole, Silesian, Dukla and Magura basins are distinguished. Our paper presents a first compilation of heavy mineral data and pebble analysis in the various turbiditic fan systems. It is assumed that the heavy minerals primarily reflect the nature of basement rocks exposed in the source terrains.The individual flysch basins were supplied generally from unmetamorphosed granitic to highgrade metamorphic continental basement series. But staurolite-bearing high-grade metamorphics appear to have been present only in the northernmost provenance area (Silesian and Subsilesian ridges). A few reworked chromian spinel mineral grains in the northern parts of the basin were derived from small Caledonian/Variscan ultrabasic sutures present in the source ridges. Increased chromian spinel contents are revealed in the southern part of the basin (Maastrichtian-Eocene Magura series) and in Cretaceous Pieniny Klippen belt flysch formations. The chromian spinel in the Magura series was derived, either directly from Alpine oceanic crust obducted in the southern part of the Pieniny realm, or from re-eroded Pieniny flysch series. Hence, our heavy mineral data indicate that in the Outer Carpathian basin during Cretaceous convergence no Alpine ophiolitic crust was obducted. Therefore, an ophiolitic basement to the individual basins appears inprobable. The Outer Carpathians presumably occupied, with respect to the internal suture zone, the position of a deep continental basement floored foreland basin.

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Zusammenfassung Die Äußeren Karpathen in Polen bestehen aus mehreren von ihrem Untergrund abgescherten Flysch-Serien, die von oberem Jura bis Miozän in einem Großbecken abgelagert wurden, das durch mehrere tektonisch hochgehobene Rücken (Cordillieren oder Liefergebiete) in Teilbecken gegliedert war. Das ursprüngliche Substrat der verschiedenen Becken ist unbekannt und die heutige Deckenstruktur wird mit der ursprünglichen Beckenanordnung korreliert. Von N nach S werden die Skole-, Silesien-, Duklaund Magura-Becken unterschieden. Die vorliegende Arbeit präsentiert eine erste Zusammenfassung von Schwermineraldaten und Geröllanalysen in den verschiedenen turbiditischen Schüttungssystemen. Dabei wird davon ausgegangen, daß die Schwermineralgehalte der Sandsteine primär die Zusammensetzung des kristallinen Grundgebirges in den Liefergebieten widergeben.Die einzelnen Flyschbecken wurden zumeist von unmetamorphem granitischem bis hochgradig metamorphem kontinentalem Grundgebirge beliefert. Staurolith-führende hochgradige Metamorphite waren jedoch nur in den nördlichst gelegenen Liefergebietsprovinzen (Silesischer und Subsilesischer Rücken) anstehend. Geringe Vorkommen von Chromspinell in den nördlichen Beckenteilen stammen von kleineren caledonisch/variszischen ultrabasischen Einschlüssen (Suturen) in den Cordillieren. Erhöhte Chromspinellgehalte werden nur im südlichen Becken (Maastricht bis Tertiär des Magura-Beckens) und in kretazischen Flyschen der Pieniny-Klippen festgestellt. Der Chromspinell in den Magura-Serien stammt von alpiner ozeanischer Kruste, die während der Kreide im südlichen Pieniny-Raume obduziert wurde oder von neuerlich erodierten Flyschen aus den Pieniny-Becken. Unsere Schwermineraldaten weisen folglich darauf hin, daß während der kretazischen tektonischen Konvergenz im Bereich der Äußeren Karpathen keine alpin gebildete ophiolithische Kruste aufgeschuppt wurde. Die Anwesenheit eines ozeanischen Untergrundes der einzelnen Teilbecken erscheint deshalb unwahrscheinlich. Die Äußeren Karpathen nahmen deshalb vermutlich gegenüber der internen Suturzone die Stellung eines tiefen Foreland-Beckens über kontinentaler Kruste ein.

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Résumé Les Carpathes externes, en Pologne, sont composées de plusieurs séries de flysch d'âge jurassique à miocène déposées dans un grand bassin alimenté par l'érosion de rides tectoniques internes et externes (cordillères). Ces séries de flysch sont préservées en nappes, classiquement corrélées avec différents domaines paléogéographiques du bassin. Le substratum originel de ces bassins individuels n'est pas connu et reste discuté. On distingue, du nord au sud, les bassins de Skole, de Silésie, de Dukla et de Magura. Nous présentons ici les premiers résultats de l'analyse des minéraux lourds et des lithoclastes reconnus dans les principaux éventails turbiditiques sous-marins. Nous partons de l'hypothèse que le contenu des grès en minéraux lourds reflète la nature du socle cristallin qui était à l'affleurement dans les diverses régions-source.D'une manière générale, les bassins de flysch ont été alimentés par des terrains granitiques non métamorphiques et par des formations métamorphiques de moyenne et haute température. Il semble cependant que les terrains métamorphiques de haut degré à staurotide étaient présents seulement dans les sources les plus septentrionales (rides silésienne et subsilésienne). Le spinelle chromifère présent en petite quantité dans la partie nord du bassin peut être expliqué par la présence d'inclusions ultramafiques calédoniennes ou varisques (zones de sutures) dans les cordillères. Une proportion élevée de grains de spinelle chromifère ne s'observe que dans la partie méridionale du bassin des Carpathes externes (séries maastrichtiennes et tertiaires du bassin de Magura) et dans les flyschs crétacés des clippes de Pieniny. Il est suggéré que le spinelle chromifère du bassin de Magura a été fourni par la croûte océanique alpine, obductée au cours du Crétacé dans la partie interne du domaine des clippes de Pieniny, ou par l'érosion secondaire des flyschs de Pieniny.La rareté et l'origine probablement ancienne des spinelles chromifères dans la partie septentrionale indique que lors des mouvements convergents crétacés aucune roche ophiolitique alpine n'était exposée à l'érosion. Par conséquent, la présence de fonds océaniques dans ces bassins individuels semble peu probable. Les Carpathes externes représentent probablement un bassin profond, de type «foreland» par rapport à une zone de suture ophiolitique plus interne.

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Quartz c-axis fabric development and large-scale post-nappe folding (Wandfluhhorn Fold,Penninic nappes)

Quartz c-axis fabrics have been investigated within a suite of quartz veins and monomineralic layers around a major post-nappe fold hinge (the Wandfluhhorn Fold) in the Bosco area (Swiss-Italian border) within the lower Penninic nappes.Two kinematic domains which are separated by the axial plane trace of the Wandfluhhorn Fold are recognized; on the lower limb the measured quartz c-axis fabric asymmetry indicates a sense of shear in which the overlying layers move to the southwest (i.e. top-to-SW) whereas on the upper limb the shear sense is reversed with the top moving to northeast. The shear direction (N60°E–N80°E), however, is constant in both areas and oblique to an older stretching lineation as well as to the D₃ fold hinge. Such a distribution of asymmetric quartz c-axis fabrics and the constant orientation of their interpreted shear direction, which is apparent only from the fabric data and not from field evidence, indicates fabric development pre- or early syn-Wandfluhhorn folding, with subsequent folding and modification of the existing textures and possibly rotation of the initial fold axis.An overall westward-directed shear has been suggested for the whole of the Lepontine Alps. However, this study demonstrates that this simple general pattern has been modified locally by later folding. It also demonstrates that the dominant lineation may be a finite stretching lineation due to more than one phase of deformation and is not necessarily related to any particular transport direction.     

The Alpine geodynamic evolution of Penninic nappes in the eastern Central Alps

The eastern Central Alps consist of several Pennine nappes with different tectonometamorphic histories. The tectonically uppermost units (oceanic Avers Bündnerschiefer, continental Suretta and Tambo nappes, oceanic Vals Bündnerschiefer) show Cretaceous/early Tertiary W-directed thrusting with associated blueschist facies metamorphism related to subduction of the Pennine units beneath the Austroalpine continental crust. This event caused eclogite facies metamorphism in the underlying continental Adula nappe. The gross effect was crustal thickening. The tectonically lower, continental Simano nappe is devoid of any imprint from this event. In the course of continent-continent collision, high- T metamorphism and N-directed movements occurred. Both affected the whole nappe pile more or less continuously from amphibolite to greenschist facies conditions. Crustal thinning commenced during the regional temperature peak. A final phase is related to differential uplift under retrograde P–T conditions. Further thinning of the crust was accommodated by E- to NE-directed extensional deformation.     

Tectonic significance of deformation patterns in granitoid rocks of the Menderes nappes, Anatolide belt, southwest Turkey

Deformation fabrics in Proterozoic/Cambrian granitic rocks of the Çine nappe, and mid-Triassic granites of the Bozdag nappe constrain aspects of the tectonometamorphic evolution of the Menderes nappes of southwest Turkey. Based on intrusive contacts and structural criteria, the Proterozoic/Cambrian granitic rocks of the Çine nappe are subdivided into older orthogneisses and younger metagranites. The deformation history of the granitic rocks documents two major deformation events. An early, pre-Alpine deformation event (D_PA) during amphibolite-facies metamorphism affected only the orthogneisses and produced predominantly top-to-NE shear-sense indicators associated with a NE-trending stretching lineation. The younger metagranites are deformed both by isolated shear zones, and by a major shear zone along the southern boundary of the Çine submassif. We refer to this Alpine deformation event as D_A3. D_A3 shear zones are associated with a N-trending stretching lineation, which formed during greenschist-facies metamorphism. Kinematic indicators associated with this stretching lineation reveal a top-to-south sense of shear. The greenschist-facies shear zones cut the amphibolite-facies structures in the orthogneisses. ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb dating of magmatic zircons from a metagranite, which crosscuts orthogneiss containing amphibolite-facies top-to-NE shear-sense indicators, shows that D_PA occurred before 547.2ǃ.0 Ma. Such an age is corroborated by the observation that mid-Triassic granites of the Çine and Bozdag nappes lack D_PA structures. The younger, top-to-south fabrics formed most likely as a result of top-to-south Alpine nappe stacking during the collision of the Sakarya continent with Anatolia in the Eocene.     

Fluid regimes in the deformation of the Helvetic nappes,Switzerland, as inferred from stable isotope data

The stable isotope composition of veins, pressure shadows, mylonites and fault breccias in allochthonous Mesozoic carbonate cover units of the Helvetic zone show evidence for concurrent closed and open system of fluid advection at different scales in the tectonic development of the Swiss Alps. Marine carbonates are isotopically uniform, independent of metamorphic grade, where ¹³C=1.5±1.5 (1 ) and ¹⁸O=25.4±2.2 (1 ). Total variations of up to 2 in ¹³C and 1.5 in ¹⁸O occur over a cm scale. Calcite in pre- (Type I) and syntectonic (Type II) vein arrays and pressure shadows are mostly in close isotopic compliance with the matrix calcite, to within ±0.5, signifying isotopic buffering of pore fluids by host rocks during deformation, and closed system redistribution of carbonate over a cm to m scale. This is consistent with microstructural evidence for pressure solution — precipitation deformation.Type III post-tectonic veins occur throughout 5 km of structural section, extend several km to the basement, and accommodate up to 15% extension. Whereas the main population of Type III veins is isotopically undistinguishable from matrix carbonates, calcite in the largest of these veins is depleted in ¹⁸O by up to 23 but acquired comparable ¹³C values. This generation of veins involved geopressurized hydrothermal fluids at 200 to 350° C where ¹⁸O H₂O=–8 to +20, representing variable mixtures of ¹⁸O enriched pore and metamorphic fluids, with ¹⁸O depleted meteoric water. Calc-mylonites ( ¹⁸O=25 to 11) at the base of the Helvetic units, and syntectonic veins from the frontal Pennine thrust are characterized by a trend of ¹⁸O depletion relative to carbonate protoliths, due to exchange with an isotopically variable reservoir ( ¹⁸O H₂O=20 to 4). The upper limiting value corresponds to carbonate-buffered pore fluid, whereas the lower value is interpreted as ¹⁸O-depleted formation brines tectonically expelled at lithostatic pressure from the crystalline basement. Carbonate breccias in one of the large scale late normal faults exchanged with infiltrating ¹⁸O-depleted meteoric surface waters ( ¹⁸O=–8 to –10).During the main ductile Alpine deformation, individual lithological units and associated tectonic vein arrays behaved as closed systems, whereas mylonites along thrust faults acted as conduits for tectonically expelled lithostatically pressured reservoirs driven over tens of km. At the latest stages, marked by 5 to 15 km uplift and brittle deformation, low ¹⁸O meteoric surface waters penetrated to depths of several km under hydrostatic gradients.     

Tectonic inheritance and kinematic strain localization as trigger for the formation of the Helvetic nappes,Switzerland

The Helvetic nappes in Switzerland consist of sediments, which have been sheared off and thrust over the crystalline basement of the European passive continental margin during Alpine orogeny. Their basal shear zones usually root above the external crystalline massifs. However, the mechanisms that initiated the shear zones and the associated nappe formation are still debated. We perform two-dimensional numerical simulations of the shearing of linear viscous fluids above a linear viscous fluid with considerably higher viscosity (quasi-undeformable). The boundary between the fluid, mimicking the sediments, and the quasi-undeformable fluid, mimicking the basement, exhibits geometrical perturbations, mimicking half-grabens. These geometrical perturbations can trigger significant strain localization and the formation of shear zones within the linear viscous fluid although no rheological softening mechanism is active. This kinematic, ductile strain localization is caused by the half-grabens and the viscosity ratio between basement and sediments. The viscosity ratio has a strong control on the kinematics of strain localization, whereas the depth of the half-grabens has a weak control. For sediment viscosities in the order of 10²¹ Pas and typical half-graben geometries of 5 km depth and 25 km width the localization generates (a) low-angle shear zones at the basement-sediment interface, but also entirely within the sediments, (b) horizontal transport >10 km associated with the shear zones, (c) shear zones with thickness in the order of 100 m, (d) an ordered stacking of model nappes and (e) shear zones that root above the basement. The results suggest that tectonic inheritance in the form of half-grabens and associated kinematic strain localization could have been the triggering mechanism for Helvetic nappe formation, and not rheological softening mechanisms, which might, however, have subsequently further intensified shear localization significantly.     

Brittle faulting in the Rawil depression: field observations from the Rezli fault zones, Helvetic nappes, Western Switzerland

The Helvetic nappes in the Swiss Alps form a classic fold-and-thrust belt related to overall NNW-directed transport. In western Switzerland, the plunge of nappe fold axes and the regional distribution of units define a broad depression, the Rawil depression, between the culminations of Aiguilles Rouge massif to the SW and Aar massif to the NE. A compilation of data from the literature shows that, in addition to thrusts related to nappe stacking, the Rawil depression is cross-cut by four sets of brittle faults: (1) NE-SW striking normal faults, (2) NW-SE striking normal faults and joints, (3) ENE-WSW striking and (4) WNW-ESE striking normal plus dextral oblique-slip faults. Fault set 1 was probably initiated during sedimentation and reactivated during nappe stacking, whereas the other fault sets formed after emplacement of the Helvetic nappes. We studied in detail two well-exposed parallel fault zones from set 4, the Rezli fault zones (RFZ) in the Wildhorn Nappe. They are SW-dipping oblique-slip faults with a total displacement across the two fault zones of ~200 m vertically and ~680 m horizontally. The fault zones crosscut four different lithologies: limestone, intercalated marl and limestone, marl and sandstone. The internal architecture of the RFZ strongly depends on the lithology in which they developed. In the limestones, they consist of extension veins, stylolites, cataclasites and cemented gouge, in the intercalated marls and limestones of shear zones, brittle fractures and chaotic folds, in the marls of anastomosing shear zones, pressure solution seams and veins and in the sandstones of coarse breccia, brittle faults and extension veins. Sharp, discrete fault planes within the broader fault zones cross-cut all lithologies. Fossil fault zones in the Rezli area can act as a model for studying processes still occurring at deeper levels in this seismically active region.     

Kinematics of the Central Taurides during Neotethys closure and collision, the nappes in the Sultan Mountains, Turkey

In the Central Taurides, the Sultan Mountains comprise in ascending order the Çimendere unit and the Ak?ehir, Do?anhisar, Çay nappes composed of metasedimentary sequences deposited from Cambrian to Tertiary. The overthrust of the Çay nappe on the Lutetian Celepta? formation representing the uppermost stratigraphic position in the Çimendere unit indicates that the latest nappe emplacement occurred during the Middle Eocene. The Oligocene and Miocene rocks are in post-tectonic facies in the west Central Taurides. The kinematic data from these nappes related to closure of the Neotethys reveal a top-NE shear sense in the northwest part and a top-SE shear sense in the southeast part of the Sultan Mountains. The Sultan Mountains are located in the north part of the Isparta Angle which was tectonically assembled by the Lycian, Hoyran–Bey?ehir–Hadim and Antalya allochthons on the Bey Da?lar? and Anamas–Akseki autochthons from the Latest Cretaceous to the Late Pliocene. The previous paleomagnetic data showed that the west and east subsections of the Isparta Angle were subjected to post-Eocene 30°–40° anticlockwise and clockwise rotations, respectively. In consideration of these paleomagnetic data, the kinematic data measured in the Sultan Mountains might be restored into approximately E–W-trending linear fabric associated with a top-E shear sense. These new kinematic data from the nappes in the Sultan Mountains disagree with the existing tectonic models that suggest N–S nappe translation over the Central Taurides during the latest Cretaceous–Middle Eocene. The alternative tectonic model for the Antalya nappes in the core of the Isparta Angle related to east–west compression suggests westward and eastward nappe emplacements on the surrounding autochthons. However, the new kinematic data presented here point consistently to a top-E shear sense in all tectonostratigraphic units in the Sultan Mountains currently located in the north part of the Anamas–Akseki autochthon.     

Metamorphic and structural diachroneity in the Finnmarkian nappes of north Norway

Abstract Two periods of garnet growth (Gt₁ and Gt₂) have been found in the Finnmarkian nappes of north Norway. In the Kolvik Nappe (the lowest nappe) Gt₁ has preserved an S₂ syntectonic spiral inclusion fabric; in the Olderfjord Nappe an earlier S₁ fabric and an interkinematic inter-D₁–D₂ fabric have been preserved in Gt₁ whilst only the S₁ fabric has been found in Gt₁ in the Brennsvik Nappe (the highest nappe). In each nappe Gt₂ overgrew a penetrative fabric (S₂) wrapped around Gt₁. In the Kolvik Nappe inclusion fabrics may be continuous from Gt₁ into Gt₂ but in the higher nappes there is a distinct break. Gt₂ may have been partially syntectonic with D₃ in the Brennsvik Nappe. Chemically Gt₁ in the Kolvik Nappe and in parts of the Olderfjord and Brennsvik Nappes has antithetic Fe-Mn zoning. In all nappes X_Ca and X_Mg are weakly zoned in Gt₁; X_Mg increases outwards and is greater in the higher nappes in Gt₁ suggesting higher nucleation temperatures. In the Olderfjord and Brennsvik Nappes Gt₂ is marked by increasing X_Ca, probably due to changing garnet-plagioclase equilibria, although the Fe/Mg ratio remains constant. X_Mg is higher in Gt₂ than Gt₁. Basement rocks within the nappe pile have an early pre-Finnmarkian growth (Gt₁) and a later Finnmarkian growth (Gt_H) correlated with Gt₂ on the basis of chemical zoning patterns. The diachroneity of Gt₁ is ascribed to progressively earlier (compared to the structural development) cessation of overstepping of garnet-forming reactions before peak metamorphism in the higher nappes, resulting in earlier structural events being preserved.     

The upper Hawasina nappes in the central Oman Mountains: stratigraphy,palinspastics and sequence of nappe emplacement

Abstract

In the Oman mountains, a succession of sedimentary decollement nappes, the Hawasina nappes, is sandwiched between the Samail ophiolite nappe and its underlying melange and the “autochthonous” sequences of the Arabian platform. The sediments of the Hawasina nappes document the Mesozoic evolution of the northeastern Arabian continental margin and the adjacent Tethys Ocean. In earlier paleogeographic reconstructions, based on simple telescoping of the tectonic units, the upper Hawasina nappes represent the distal part and the lower nappes the proximal part of the margin. New stratigraphic data suggest a revision of the paleogeography and a more complex model for nappe emplacement in the central Oman mountains. The lower Hawasina nappes with their Jurassic and Cretaceous base of slope and basin sediments (Hamrat Duru, Wahrah) form the original cover of part of the upper Hawasina nappes. In the latter (Al Ayn, Haliw), Triassic pelagic sediments, locally overlain by massive sandstone successions are preserved. Complete Mesozoic sequences with pelagic Cenomanian sediments as youngest dated elements are found in the highest Hawasina units (Al Aridh and Oman Exotics). The stratigraphic data indicate polyphase thrusting in the central Oman mountains. Downward propagation of thrusting in front of the Samail is responsible for cutting the original stratigraphie sequence into a number of thrust-sheets, involving successively older and more external formations. This kind of thrust propagation eventually leads to the observed superposition of originally lower stratigraphie units onto their original cover. Regional deformation of the nappe contacts in post-nappe culminations (J. Akhdar, Saih Hatat) is related to ramp-flat-systems in the Arabian foreland.     

Paleomagnetic evidence for non-apenninic origin of the sila nappes (Calabria)

The magnetization of Lower Permian rocks from Sila has a mean direction D = 56.5°, I= +20.4° with ₉₅ = 9.1° after correction for Upper Neogene tilting. A further correction for the attitude of the nappes after their Middle Miocene emplacement establishes paleolatitudes consistent with those from the Lower Permian Tethys. The remarkable internal consistency of the data has not supported the distinction of units with opposite vergences within the Sila crystalline nappes. The declination indicates that the Sila massif has rotated counter-clockwise by about 90° relative to the Apennines, Sardinia and the Southern Alps and therefore the well-known Apenninic rotation alone does not account for the total change of direction in tectonic transport. Accordingly, the structural trends of tectonic phases older than the emplacement time of the Calabrian nappes should no longer be referred to present-day geographic coordinates. The post-Late Cretaceous motion relative to the north Calabrian Apennines enhances the geotectonic role of the northern boundary of the Calabrian—Peloritan arc, since its sinistral-shear character permits both tectonic transport from the west and counter-clockwise motion during tectonic transport.     

The emplacement of giant ophiolite nappes I. Mesozoic—cenozoic examples

The occurrence of ophiolite nappes has been considered evidence for the siting of ancient subduction zones. A study of the detailed stratigraphy and plate motions associated with Upper Mesozoic to Pliocene ophiolite nappes of the Pacific, Indian and Mediterranean shows that transcurrent faulting during changes in relative plate motions is the major cause of initial ophiolite nappe emplacement. Giant ophiolite nappes are not related to subduction zones or island arcs.     

El Sibai gneissic complex,Central Eastern Desert,Egypt: Folded nappes and syn-kinematic gneissic granitoid sheets – not a core complex

The El Sibai area of the Central Eastern Desert (CED) of Egypt consists of an ophiolitic association of arc metavolcanics, ophiolitic rocks, mélange, metasediments and minor mafic intrusions; and a gneissic association of amphibolite, gneissic diorite, tonalite, granodiorite and granite. Previous studies of the El Sibai area have identified the gneissic association as a lower crustal infrastructure in sheared contact with upper crustal ophiolitic association suprastructure, and have presented it as an example of a metamorphic or magmatic core complex. Detailed structural remapping of the El Sibai area reveals that the gneissic association rocks are not infrastructural but form a unit within the ophiolitic association nappes. Furthermore, the El Sibai structure is not domal in shape, and is not antiformal. The main gneissic association rocks are tabular intrusions roughly concordant with the shears dividing the ophiolitic association into nappes, and are syn-kinematic with the nappe stacking event (∼700–650 Ma). The gneissic granite tabular intrusions and their ophiolitic host were later folded about upright NW–SE trending mainly open folds during a NE–SW directed shortening event (∼625–590 Ma). Subsequently, NW–SE regional extension effects became evident including low angle normal ductile shear zones and mylonites. The latest gneissic red granites are syn-kinematic with respect to these shear zones. Probably continuing from the low-angle shearing event were steep normal faults, and sinistral WNW and N–S trending transcurrent faults (∼590–570 Ma). The normal faults mark the southeastern and maybe also the northwestern limits of the El Sibai gneissic association rocks. The El Sibai complex is not a core complex, but exemplifies the overlap of NW–SE folding and NW–SE extensional which is a significant theme of CED regional structure.     

Geometry and kinematics of early Alpine nappes in a Briançonnais basement (Ambin Massif,Western Alps)

Petrological and structural observations from the Ambin pre-alpine basement dome and from its Briançonnais and Piedmont covers show an early D1 nappe-forming event overprinted by a major D2 (+?D3) ductile shearing deformation. The D1 event is characterised by garnet-blueschist facies metamorphic assemblages retrogressed to greenschist facies conditions during D2 then D3 stages near the top of the dome. North-verging D1 structures preserved in the core of the dome are consistent with alpine evolutionary models, in which exhumation of HP–LT metamorphic alpine rocks occurs initially in a north–south direction. To cite this article: J. Ganne et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Fluid migration through thrust faults in the Helvetic nappes (Western Swiss Alps)

The δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values of calcite and organic matter were measured for carbonate mylonites from numerous thrusts in the Helvetic Alps. Carbonate mylonites in most of the thrusts retain essentially unaltered protolith δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values, consistent with there having been little to no advection of isotopically distinct fluid through these faults. Only carbonate mylonites from the basal thrusts of the largest nappes have δ¹⁸O and/or δ¹³C values that differ from those of their protoliths. The zone of isotopic alteration/exchange is confined to c. 10 to 20 meters of these fault contacts. We propose the fluids that migrated through these faults contained variable amounts of organically derived carbon and radiogenic strontium, and were probably derived from dewatering of the sedimentary rocks and prograde metamorphic reactions in the nappes' root zones. Apart from the basal thrusts of the largest nappes that behaved as narrow, laterally extensive conduits for fluids, there is little isotopic evidence that large quantities of fluids passed through most of the carbonate-hosted thrusts in the Helvetic Alps. Received: 25 August 1998 / Accepted: 26 February 1999     

Sense of overthrust shear in the Alpine nappes of Calabria (Southern Italy)

Southern Italy consists tectonically of ophiolite and basement nappes thrust over the Apenninic sedimentary nappes. Whilst all more recent authors agree that the sediments of the Apenninic nappes were deposited on Apulian basement (i.e. on African continental crust), and that the ophiolites were associated with the oceanic basement of the Mesozoic Tethys, the provenance of the basement nappes is still debated.New data based on microstructural criteria have shown that the main shear sense of the ophiolite nappes and of the overlying basement nappes in Northern Calabria is from west to east, in today's co-ordinate system. The basement nappes might not therefore be of Austroalpine (African) provenance, but could be of European origin.