Two-sided Variscan thrust tectonics in the Vosges Mountains,northeastern France

Abstract

Variscan convergence produced two-sided (bivergent) crustal-scale thrusting in the Vosges Mountains. In the northern Vosges the central polymetamorphic crystallines were thrust to the NW over Cambrian to Silurian low-grade and very low-grade metamorphic clastics. Synorogenic upper Devonian - lower Carboniferous turbidites and volcanics were folded into NW-vergent structures which display SE-dipping slaty cleavage. The entire sequence shows increasing metamorphism and deformation from NW to SE. Late right-lateral strike-slip faulting along the Lalaye-Lubine fault zone outlasted thrusting. In the southern Vosges a lower Carboniferous turbiditic basin that was fringed on the south by a volcanic arc was tectonically shortened by south-directed tectonic imbrication of slivers of varied rocks including ultramafics, gneissic basement, and synorogenic elastics. The increasing degree of deformation and metamorphism towards the north suggests a thrust contact with the polymetamorphic gneisses of the central Vosges. The final stages of Variscan convergence were accompanied by voluminous granitic plutonism and by faulting along NNE-SSW and E-W-trending strike-slip faults. The tectonic evolution reflects progressive Variscan closure of a previously extended basinal crust in a high-temperature regime.     

Paleozoic evolution of continental crust in the Beaujolais-Lyonnais area,northeastern part of the Massif Central,France

In the Beaujolais-Lyonnais area of the northeastern Massif Central accretion of continental and possibly oceanic crustal fragments occurred between Cambrian (?) and early Carboniferous time. Three distinct lithotectonic units (terranes?) have been recognized. The southern (Lyonnais-) Unit consists of medium- to high-grade metamorphics and includes eclogites; it formed in the early Paleozoic. The Brévenne-Unit to the north contains low- to medium-grade metamorphic mafic and felsic volcanics and subordinate sedimentary rocks which possibly originated during the early Paleozoic until Devonian time, in a sialic back-arc environment or along an active continental margin. The Beaujolais-Unit is represented by volcanics on the south and predominantly shallow marine clastics and carbonates on the north. It developed in a late Devonian or early Carboniferous ensialic marginal basin. The peak of metamorphism in the Lyonnais-unit (HP/HT) was reached in Silurian time. Subsequent NW-SE to E-W oriented convergence produced mylonitic foliation, structural imbrication of the Lyonnais basement rocks with the Brévenne-Unit and SE-vergent folds accompanied by low- to medium-grade metamorphism. Late Visean to Namurian N-S to NW-SE directed N-vergent thrusting produced tectonic imbrication of the metamorphic northern Brévenne-Unit with the nonmetamorphic Beaujolais-Unit. In the southern Brévenne-Unit and in the Lyonnais-Unit updoming along right-lateral high-angle normal faults was followed by emplacement of voluminous granitic plutons of crustal origin. Late Carboniferous to early Permian crustal thinning in the Beaujolais-Lyonnais area was associated with N-S trending left-lateral strike-slip faults and E-W to NE-SW trending right-lateral strike-slip faults. Basins that developed along these faults contain continental red beds.     

Neoproterozoic collisional metamorphism in overthrust terranes of the Trans-Angarian Yenisey Ridge,Siberia

Four polymetamorphic complexes in the vicinity of regional faults in the Trans-Angarian region of the Yenisey Ridge were studied to determine their metamorphic evolution and to elucidate distinctive features of the regional geodynamic processes. Based on our geological and petrological studies using geothermobarometry and P–T path calculations, we show that a Neoproterozoic medium-pressure metamorphism of the kyanite-sillimanite type at c. 850 Ma overprinted regionally metamorphosed low-pressure andalusite-bearing rocks. A positive correlation between rock ages and P–T estimates for the kyanite-sillimanite metamorphism provides evidence for regional structural and tectonic heterogeneity. The medium-pressure recrystallization was characterized by (1) localized distribution of metamorphic zones in the area directly underlying thrust faults with a measured thickness of 2.5–8 km; (2) syntectonic formation of kyanite-bearing mineral assemblages related to thrusting; (3) gradual increase in metamorphic pressure towards the thrust faults associated with a low metamorphic field gradient (from 1–7 to 12°C/km); and (4) equally steep burial P–T paths recorded for the highest grade rocks. These specific features are typical of collisional metamorphism during overthrusting of continental blocks and are evidence of near-isothermal loading in accordance with the transient emplacement of thrust sheets. The proposed model for tectono-metamorphic evolution of the study areas due to crustal thickening at high thrusting rates and subsequent rapid exhumation explains these tectonic features. Data analysis allowed us to consider the medium-pressure kyanite-bearing metapelites as a product of collisional metamorphism, reflecting unidirectional thrusting of Siberian cratonal blocks onto Yenisey Ridge along regional deep faults (Angara, Mayakon, and Chapa areas) and by opposite movements in the zone of secondary splay faults (Garevka area).     

康古尔韧性剪切带变形特征及控矿作用

康古尔韧性剪切带具明显的遥感影像特征和区域重、磁异常变化特征。韧性剪切引起的变质作用表现为强应力下的岩石变质、变形，变质相序从绿片岩相到角闪岩相，变质岩石类型为千枚岩、片岩、变粒岩、糜棱岩及糜校岩化的岩石。韧性剪切变形和塑性流动形成的面理、线理、招皱、韧性断裂等构造形迹十分明显，构成一条东百长1000多千米，南北宽20～30km的狭长线形构造带（强应变带）；它经历了多期次、多种构造作用交替叠加的变化过程，按性质分类属大型平移断裂系统。康古尔韧性剪切带控制着重要的金矿、铜镍矿床及稀有金属等矿产，是新疆东部有重要找矿意义的成矿带。     

Kyanite–sillimanite metamorphism of the Precambrian complexes,Transangarian region of the Yenisei Ridge

Four Precambrian metamorphic complexes in the vicinity of regional faults in the Transangarian region of the Yenisei Ridge were examined. Based on geothermobarometry and P-T path calculations, our geological and petrological studies showed that the Neoproterozoic medium-pressure metamorphism of the kyanite–sillimanite type overprinted regionally metamorphosed low-pressure andalusite-bearing rocks at about 850 Ma. A positive correlation between rock ages and P-T estimates for the kyanite-sillimanite metamorphism provide evidence of the regional structural and tectonic heterogeneity. The medium-pressure metamorphism was characterized by (1) the development of deformational structures and textures, and kyanite-bearing blastocataclasites (blastomylonites) with sillimanite, garnet, and staurolite after andalusite-bearing regional metamorphic rocks; (2) insignificant apparent thickness of the zone of medium-pressure zonal metamorphism (from 2.5 to 7 km), which was localized in the vicinity of the overthrusts; (3) a low metamorphic field gradient during metamorphism (from 1–7 to 12 °C/km); and (4) a gradual increase in lithostatic pressure towards the thrust faults. These specific features are typical of collisional metamorphism during overthrusting of continental blocks and are evidence for near-isothermal loading. This event was justified within the framework of the crustal tectonic thickening model via rapid overthrusting and subsequent rapid uplifting and erosion. The results obtained allowed us to consider medium-pressure kyanite-bearing metapelites as a product of collision metamorphism, formed either by unidirectional thrusting of rock blocks from Siberian craton onto the Yenisei Ridge in the zones of regional faults (Angara, Mayakon, and Chapa areas) or by opposite movements in the zone of splay faults of higher orders (Garevka area).     

Collision metamorphism of precambrian complexes in the Transangarian Yenisei Range

Three complexes in the zones of the Ishimbinskii and Tatarka deep faults in the Transangarian part of the Yenisei Range were studied to reproduce their metamorphic evolution and elucidate distinctive features of regional geodynamic processes. The results of our geological and petrological studies with the application of geothermobarometry and P-T metamorphic paths indicate that the Neoproterozoic kyanite-sillimanite intermediate-pressure metamorphism overprinted regionally metamorphosed rocks of low pressure of Middle Riphean age. The kyanite-sillimanite metamorphism was characterized by (1) the development of deformational structures and textures and kyanite-bearing blastomylonites with sillimanite, garnet, and staurolite after andalusite-bearing regional-metamorphic mineral assemblages; (2) insignificant apparent thickness of the zone of intermediate-pressure zonal metamorphism (from 2.5 to 7 km), which was localized near overthrusts; (3) a low geothermal gradient during metamorphism (from 1–7 to 12°C/km); and (4) a gradual increase in the total metamorphic pressure from southwest to northeast with approaching the overthrusts. These features are typical of collisional metamorphism during the thrusting of continental blocks and testify that the rocks subsided nearly isothermally. The process is justified within the scope of a model for the tectonic thickening of the crust via rapid thrusting and subsequent rapid exhumation and erosion. The analysis of our results with regard for the northeastern dips of the thrusts allowed us to consider the intermediate-pressure metapelites as products of collision metamorphism, which were formed in the process of a single thrusting of ancient rock blocks from the Siberian Platform onto the Yenisei Range.     

A “Granulitgebirge” at Cabo Ortegal (N.W. Spain)

A metamorphic rock complex, strongly resembling the so-called “Granulitgebirge” of Saxony, occurs in the Spanish region Galicia. Stratigraphically, these rocks are overlain by migmatites, supracrustal metamorphites and finally by early palaeozoic strata cropping out in Western Asturias and Northern Portugal. Structurally the complex constitutes a mushroom-shaped dome which has been raised through a thin mantle of schists and gneisses along blastomylonitic borderzones containing tectonic “fish”. Petrologically it consists predominantly of rather coarsely banded, lenticular or massive rocks belonging for the greater part to the hornblende-clinozoisite granulite subfacies ofEskola's granulite facies, closely associated with eclogites, serpentinites, amphibolites and gneisses. Indications of progressive metamorphism and migmatization (especially that of a pegmatoid nature) are of strictly local occurrence, but on the other hand there is abundant evidence of one or more stages of retrograde metamorphism, particularly in the blastomylonitic horizons. The chemistry of granulites and eclogites and of their typomorphic minerals is briefly mentioned together with their metamorphic facies relations. Finally, petrogenesis and tectogenesis of the rock complex are discussed.     

A horizontal tectonic regime in the Archaean of Greenland and its implications for early crustal thickening

The Archaean complex of Greenland consists of a layered sequence of gneisses whose history can be traced back from 2,600 m.y. to before 3,750 m.y. ago. Quartzo-feldspathic gneisses that are considered to be derived from intrusive granitic rocks make up more than 80% of the complex. They were emplaced during at least two separate periods of plutonism. The remainder of the complex consists of supracrustal rocks, mainly amphibolites and semipelitic gneisses with smaller amounts of quartzite and calcarous rocks, and metamorphosed basic igneous rocks dominated by leucogabbros and anorthosites. Lithologic units of different ages and provenances were intercalated by nappe-like folding and thrusting and were intruded by syntectonic sheets of calc-alkaline granitic rocks. The resulting sequence was repeatedly folded and deformed under high grade metamorphic conditions and the layering was further emphasised. This combination nappe-like folding, thrusting and granite injection is considered to have resulted in a considerable amount of crustal thickening. Granulite facies metamorphism ensued at depth as the base of the thickened sialic mass dried out. In this way a stable continental mass was formed with a refractory base of high grade rocks depleted in radioactive elements. It is suggested that the driving force responsible for the folding, thrusting and generation and intrusion of calc-alkaline magmas was some form of sub-horizontal movement within the mantle and between the mantle and thin crust. This dominantly horizontal tectonic regime is contrasted with the dominantly vertical tectonic regime described from the greenstone belt—granite terrain of southern Africa.     

Sub-ophiolite metamorphic rocks from NW Anatolia, Turkey

The metamorphic rocks from near Kütahya in north-west Anatolia record different stages in the history of closure of the Neo-Tethyan İzmir–Ankara–Erzincan ocean. Sub-ophiolite metamorphic rocks within the Tavşanlı zone are a tectonically composite sequence of quartz–mica schists, amphibole schists, amphibolites and garnet amphibolites. They show increasing metamorphic grade towards the base of the ophiolite. A first metamorphic event, typical of sub-ophiolite metamorphic sole rocks, was characterized by high-grade assemblages, and followed by retrograde metamorphism. A second event was marked by a medium-to high-pressure overprint of the first-stage metamorphic assemblages with assemblages indicating a transition between the blueschist and greenschist facies. The chemistry of the sub-ophiolite metamorphic rocks indicates an ocean island basalt origin, and Ar–Ar dating indicates a high temperature metamorphic event at 93±2 Ma. Counter-clockwise P–T–t paths recorded by the sub-ophiolite metamorphic rocks are interpreted to result from intra-oceanic thrusting during the closure of the İzmir– Ankara–Erzincan ocean, initiating subduction, which formed the high-temperature assemblages. Further subduction then produced the widespread blueschists of the Tavşanlı zone during the Late Cretaceous. Later cold thrusting obducted the ophiolite (with the metamorphic sole welded to its base), ophiolitic melanges and blueschists onto the Anatolide passive margin in the latest Cretaceous. All these events pre-date the final Anatolide–Pontide continent–continent collision.     

内蒙石板井—小黄山与蛇绿岩相伴的变质岩及其演化

在内蒙古石板井－小黄山蛇绿岩带发现了具典型热变质特征的红柱石堇 青石角岩和以兰绿色角闪石、硬绿泥石、黑硬绿泥石等矿物代表的中高压区域变质角闪片岩。据变质作用时序和相拓朴图两个方面的研究,表明石板井和小黄山两地的变质岩属同一构造混杂岩,其中的变质岩先经过与火成作用有关的热变质作用,反又叠架了中高压变质作用,即经历过一反时钟PT轨迹。它的热高峰为620℃,压力高峰近0．65GPa。     

The Kedrovyi–Butachikha dynamic metamorphic zone (Rudny Altai): a tectonic model

Structures of dynamic metamorphism have been traditionally studied proceeding from their similarity with faults, according to stratigraphic criteria and with reconstructions of predeformation settings. Using the example of the Kedrovyi–Butachikha shear zone in Rudny Altai, we suggest to distinguish zones with abundant dynamic metamorphic rocks (tectonites) as a special class of structures. Their diagnostic features are (i) dense fault populations, with mostly strike slip geometry of motion and intense mechanic failure and rework of the substrate; (ii) generally coordinated orientations (anisotropy) of structural elements at all hierarchic levels; and (iii) ordered patterns of laminar and turbulent flow. Complexes of tectonites in the Kedrovyi–Butachikha shear zone have been classified into dynamic clastics, tectonic schists, tectonic mixtites, and mechanic metasomatites according to their lithological and structural features. The new classification is used to image the architecture of the dynamic metamorphic zone in a map model which shows the pattern of tectonite complexes with their substrate unevenly reworked by shear-induced metamorphism.     

苏鲁超高压带内石桥浅变质岩的地质成因及其研究意义

苏鲁造山带超高压变质带内部出露仅经过绿片岩相变质作用的浅变质岩系,地质调查显示,石桥浅变质岩与周边超高压变质岩呈构造接触(构造片岩);地球化学研究证实,该浅变质岩形成于扬子板块北缘大陆边缘厚地壳上裂陷或沉积盆地的构造背景;单矿物电子探针分析结果显示,其部分浅变质岩发育多硅白云母,形成于中-高压相变质环境,说明这些浅变质岩曾经历大陆板块俯冲的动力变质作用过程。在此基础上,进一步讨论浅变质岩的成因机制及其与超高压变质岩和扬子板块俯冲之间的关系。     

变形分解作用与中条山上玉坡变基性侵入岩席的厘定

通过对中条山胡家峪—上玉坡背斜核部正变质基性岩的变形分解及变质作用的研究以及变形变质系列的建立,结合成因矿物学的研究及铜矿峪地区绛县群变基性火山岩的岩石学和岩石化学的对比,确认背斜核郎的黑云片岩系为与中条运动早期区域性伸展有关的沿剥离断层侵入的基性岩席的变形变质产物。从而否定了长期以来一直把它定为“绛县群铜矿峪组（或西井沟组变基性火山岩）”的论断,对中条山变基性浸入岩的形成和演化作出了新的解释。     

滇中小江走滑剪切带晚新生代挤压变形研究

对滇中小江走滑剪切带中的挤压变形作用进行研究发现,尽管这些变形多发生于中元古界昆阳群浅变质岩中,其形成时代却可能是第三纪末和第四纪初,和小江断裂带的走滑运动有成因关系,并导致了走滑位移量的衰减。昆阳群的隆起可能主要是第四纪变形的结果。     

The Whole‐Rock Geochemical Composition of the Wudaogou Group in Eastern Yanbian,NE China–New Clues to Its Relationship with the Gold and Tungsten Mineralization and the Evolution of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean

The late Paleozoic Wudaogou Group, one of the oldest metamorphic units in the eastern Yanbian area, has important tectonic and metallogenic significance. Here, we provide new insights into their protoliths, tectonic setting of the metamorphic rocks and their relationships with the gold and tungsten mineralization, using new petrographic and whole‐rock geochemical data for various lithologies within the Wudaogou Group. The protolith of the metamorphic rocks of the Wudaogou Group was intermediate–basic volcanic rocks (e.g. basaltic andesite, trachyandesite, and basalt) and sedimentary rocks including argillaceous rocks, quartz sandstone, arkose and clayish greywacke, as well as pyroclastic sedimentary rock, covering tuffaceous sandstone. Before undergoing late Paleozoic epidote–amphibolite facies regional metamorphism, these protoliths were formed during the middle–late Permian in an island arc setting within a continental margin collage zone. Combined with the regional tectonic evolution, it can be speculated that the formation and the subsequent metamorphism of the protoliths of the metamorphic rocks from the Wudaogou Group were influenced by the change from subduction to collision of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean. Similarities of the rare earth element (REE) patterns and parameters among the metamorphic rocks within the Wudaogou Group, auriferous ores from the Xiaoxi'nancha gold (copper) deposit, and scheelites from the Yangjingou tungsten deposit, together with the favorable metallogenic element contents within the metamorphic rock series, imply that the Wudaogou Group could provide parts of metallic material for the gold and tungsten mineralization in the eastern Yanbian area, as exemplified by the Yangjingou deposit and Xiaoxi'nancha deposit, respectively. Further, the metamorphic sedimentary rocks, especially the metamorphic sandstones, quartz schists and quartz mica schists within the Wudaogou Group, have closer genetic relationships with the Yangjingou tungsten mineralization. However, the specific lithologies within this group which control the gold mineralization are still uncertain, and need further research.     

大别—苏鲁超高压变质带内部的浅变质岩

大别苏鲁超高压变质带内部零星出露有若干呈构造残片状产出的浅变质岩，主要以变质碎屑岩－千枚岩－大理岩组合为代表，遭受过低绿片岩相变质和脆－韧性变形作用的改造，与围岩均为构造接触（断层或韧性剪切带）。微古生物化石研究表明，其原岩为震旦纪前后扬子板块北缘的浅海相沉积。同位素年代学研究指示，它们经历过加里东期和印支期构造热事件的影响，与区域超高压岩石经受的构造热事件时间一致；氧同位素研究得到，部分浅变质岩原岩曾遭受过高温大气降水热液蚀变，与区域超高压岩石经受的构造热事件时间一致；氧同位素研究得到，部分浅变质岩原岩曾遭受过高温大气降水热液蚀变，与区域超高压岩石的同位素特征一致。这些浅变质岩的原岩为扬子板块北缘震旦系沉积岩及其中的火山碎屑岩，构造上具有板块俯冲过程中的刮削岩片－构造加积楔的产状和形成机制，因此可以是大陆板块俯冲加积楔的一部分。     

浅变质岩在示踪大别—苏鲁造山带大陆板块俯冲与折返过程中的意义

中国大别-苏鲁造山带为大陆板块俯冲形成的碰撞造山带,该带北缘和内部产有原岩时代为新元古代-晚古生代的浅变质岩。这些浅变质岩对应于扬子板块北缘前寒武变质基底和扬子板块北缘古生代大陆架沉积物,形成过程于印支期扬子板块向北俯冲过程中的刮削作用密切相关,与大洋板块俯冲过程中刮削形成的加积楔具有类似的动力学过程。对大别-苏鲁造山带浅变质岩的深入研究,不仅有助于揭示大陆板块俯冲过程中高压-超高压岩石形成与折返过程,而且确定了扬子板块与华北板块之间的缝合线位置位于大别造山带北淮阳带的北部和苏鲁造山带的五莲-蓬莱群的北侧。     

SYN-AND POST-THICKENING EXTENSIONS IN THE YULONG—HABA MOUNTAIN RANGE IN SOUTHWEST CHINA

SYN-AND POST-THICKENING EXTENSIONS IN THE YULONG—HABA MOUNTAIN RANGE IN SOUTHWEST CHINA     

A Large-Scale Palaeozoic Dextral Ductile Strike-Slip Zone:the Aqqikkudug-Weiya Zone along the Northern Margin of the Central Tianshan Belt,Xinjiang,NW China

The nearly E-W-trending Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone, more than 1000 km long and about 30 km wide, is an important segment in the Central Asian tectonic framework. It is distributed along the northern margin of the Central Tianshan belt in Xinjiang, NW China and is composed of mylonitized Early Palaeozoic greywacke, volcanic rocks, ophiolitic blocks as a mélange complex, HP/LT-type bleuschist blocks and mylonitized Neoproterozoic schist, gneiss and orthogneiss. Nearly vertical mylonitic foliation and sub-horizontal stretching lineation define its strike-slip feature; various kinematic indicators, such as asymmetric folds, non-coaxial asymmetric macro- to micro-structures and C-axis fabrics of quartz grains of mylonites, suggest that it is a dextral strike-slip ductile shear zone oriented in a nearly E-W direction characterized by "flower" strusture with thrusting or extruding across the zone toward the two sides and upright folds with gently plunging hinges. The Aqqikkudug-Weiya zone experienced at least two stages of ductile shear tectonic evolution: Early Palaeozoic north vergent thrusting ductile shear and Late Carboniferous-Early Permian strike-slip deformation. The strike-slip ductile shear likely took place during Late Palaeozoic time, dated at 269(5 Ma by the40Ar/39Ar analysis on neo-muscovites. The strike-slip deformation was followed by the Hercynian violent S-type granitic magmatism. Geodynamical analysis suggests that the large-scale dextral strike-slip ductile shearing is likely the result of intracontinental adjustment deformation after the collision of the Siberian continental plate towards the northern margin of the Tarim continental plate during the Late Carboniferous. The Himalayan tectonism locally deformed the zone, marked by final uplift, brittle layer-slip and step-type thrust faults, transcurrent faults and E-W-elongated Mesozoic-Cenozoic basins.