High-pressure–low-temperature metamorphism and deformation in the Bündnerschiefer of the Engadine window: implications for the regional evolution of the eastern Central Alps

A study of the metamorphic and tectonic evolution of the Bündnerschiefer of the Engadine window shows that the individual nappes have been thinned by a large amount and that extension was active during and soon after nappe stacking.
Based on contrasting P–T  histories the Penninic Bündnerschiefer can be divided in two major units bounded by a horizontal contact. The lower (Mundin) unit shows typical high- P /low- T  parageneses in metapelites (Mg-carpholite) and in metabasites (glaucophane); metamorphic conditions are estimated around 12  kbar, 375  °C. The upper (Arina) unit contains no specific high- P minerals; metamorphic conditions are estimated around 7  kbar, 325  °C. A minimum pressure gap of 5  kbar is thus observed. The contact between the two units is marked by a mappable normal shear zone with top-to-the-north-west sense of shear. Near the shear zone, fresh carpholite fibres trend parallel to the regional stretching lineation, implying that the detachment is an early structure active from the depth of stability of the carpholite and persisting during subsequent exhumation. The good preservation of carpholite and the absence of retrograde chloritoid below the shear zone show that exhumation occurred along a cooling path, whereas the deeper units are exhumed along an isothermal path. Exhumation probably occurred during convergence and further nappe stacking during the earlier Eocene. These results suggest that pre-collisional tectonic thinning of the Penninic oceanic units may be more widespread and significant than generally recognized.
     

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.     

安徽省大别山东段江岭地区榴辉岩及其围岩的变质作用研究

安徽省大别山东段江岭地区的南大别碰撞杂岩主要由榴辉岩、云母片岩－变粒岩及片麻岩系组成,这三套岩石具有不同的变质演化阶段和Ｐ－Ｔ轨迹：榴辉岩有５个变质阶段,早期出现超高压型、高压型、晚期为中压型;云母片岩－变粒岩有４个变质阶段,早期出现高压型,晚期为中压型;片麻岩系仅有一期中压绿帘角闪岩相变质。三套岩石变质历史的差异,反映其所经历的构造过程不同,三者在构造作用下混杂到一起,构成碰撞混杂岩。     

Horizontal contraction or horizontal extension? Heterogeneous Late Eocene and early Oligocene general shearing during blueschist and greenschist facies metamorphism at the Pennine-Austroalpine boundary zone in the Western Alps

Mylonitic structures related to two orogenic events are described from the upper and lower contacts of the Combin zone and the immediately overlying upper Austroalpine Dent Blanche nappe/Mont Mary klippe and the directly underlying lower Austroalpine Etirol-Levaz slice. The first event, Late Eocene in age, commenced during blueschist facies P-T conditions, but pre-dated the peak of subsequent greenschist facies overprint. The second event, Early Oligocene in age, took place during retrograde greenschist facies conditions. Most sense of shear indicators associated with the retrograde mylonites indicate top SE shearing, but subordinate top NW displacing shear sense indicators have also been mapped. Mylonitic top SE shearing appears to be restricted to the Combin zone and its upper and lower contacts. Within the Dent Blanche nappe and Mont Mary klippe and at the base of the Etirol-Levaz slice, structures were observed which developed during blueschist/greenschist facies conditions and are, in conjunction with the P-T-t history of these rocks, inferred to be older. Associated kinematic data indicate a top NW shear sense. Comparable blueschist/greenschist facies shear sense indicators have not been observed in the Combin zone. Nonetheless, the foliation in the Combin zone shows a progressive evolution from blueschist facies to greenschist facies to retrograde greenschist facies conditions. This indicates that the Combin zone and the immediately over- and underlying Austroalpine units shared a common tectono-metamorphic evolution since the Late Eocene. Finite strain data reveal oblate strain fabrics, which are thought to result from a true flattening strain geometry. Flow path modelling reveals a general non-coaxial deformation régime and corroborates significant departures from a simple shear deformation. In the study area, mylonitic top SE shearing in the Combin zone is attributed to Early Oligocene backfolding and backthrusting of the Mischabel phase. Temperature-time curves suggest slight reheating in the Monte Rosa nappe underneath and cooling in the Dent Blanche nappe above the Combin zone, hence confirming a thrust interpretation for this event. The top NW displacing structures are thought to result from Late Eocene emplacement of the Dent Blanche nappe and the Combin zone onto the Middle Pennine Barrhorn series along the Combin fault. As related structures initiated during mildly blueschist facies conditions in the Dent Blanche nappe and the underlying Combin zone and both were emplaced together onto the greenschist facial Barrhorn series, it is concluded that the structures developed as the nappes moved upward relative to the earth's surface. Thus the Combin fault is regarded as a thrust. The geometry of this structure indicates that the Combin fault is an out of sequence thrust that locally cut down section. Hence, top NW out of sequence thrusting caused local thinning of the metamorphic/structural section in association with horizontal shortening. Out of sequence thrusts cutting down section, and back-thrusts, offer the possibility of explaining the pronounced break in the grade of metamorphism across the Combin fault, i.e. the contact between the eclogite facial Zermatt-Saas zone and the overlying lower grade Combin zone, by contractional deformation.     

Contrasting metamorphic evolution of metasedimentary rocks from the Çine and Selimiye nappes in the Anatolide belt, western Turkey

Abstract P–T conditions, mineral isograds, the relation of the latter to foliation planes and kinematic indicators are used to elucidate the tectonic nature and evolution of a shear zone in an orogen exhumed from mid‐crustal depths in western Turkey. Furthermore, we discuss whether simple monometamorphic fabrics of rock units from different nappes result from one single orogeny or are related to different orogenies. Metasedimentary rocks from the Çine and Selimiye nappes at the southern rim of the Anatolide belt of western Turkey record different metamorphic evolutions. The Eocene Selimiye shear zone separates both nappes. Metasedimentary rocks from the Çine nappe underneath the Selimiye shear zone record maximum P–T conditions of about 7 kbar and >550 °C. Metasedimentary rocks from the overlying Selimiye nappe have maximum P–T conditions of 4 kbar and c. 525 °C near the base of the nappe. Kinematic indicators in both nappes are related to movement on the Selimiye shear zone and consistently show a top‐S shear sense. Metamorphic grade in the Selimiye nappe decreases structurally upwards as indicated by mineral isograds defining the garnet‐chlorite zone at the base, the chloritoid‐biotite zone and the biotite‐chlorite zone at the top of the nappe. The mineral isograds in the Selimiye nappe run parallel to the regional S_R foliation, parallel the Selimiye shear zone and indicate that the Selimiye shear zone formed during this prograde greenschist to lower amphibolite facies metamorphic event but remained active after the peak of metamorphism. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar mica ages and the tectonometamorphic relationship with the Eocene Cyclades–Menderes thrust, which occurs above the Selimiye nappe in the study area, suggests an Eocene age of metamorphism in the Selimiye nappe. Metasedimentary rocks of the Çine nappe 20–30 km north of the Selimiye shear zone record maximum P–T conditions of 8–11 kbar and 600–650 °C. An age of about 550 Ma is indicated for amphibolite facies metamorphism and associated top‐N shear in the orthogneiss of the Çine nappe. Our study shows that simple monophase tectonometamorphic fabrics do not always indicate a simple orogenic development of a nappe stack. Preservation in some areas and complete overprinting of those fabrics in other areas apparently occur very heterogeneously.     

The nappe structure of the central Northern Calcareous Alps and its disintegration during Miocene tectonic extrusion—a contribution to understanding the orogenic evolution of the Eastern Alps

The classical concept of the nappe structure of the central Northern Calcareous Alps (NCA) is in contradiction with modern stratigraphic, structural, metamorphic and geochronological data. We first perform a palinspastic restoration for the time before Miocene lateral tectonic extrusion, which shows good continuity of structures, facies and diagenetic/metamorphic zones. We present a new nappe concept, in which the Tirolic unit practically takes the whole area of the central NCA and is divided into three subunits (nappes): Lower and Upper Tirolic subunit, separated by the Upper Jurassic Trattberg Thrust, and the metamorphic Ultra-Tirolic unit. The Hallstatt (Iuvavic) nappe(s) formed the highest unit, but were completely destroyed by erosion after nappe stacking. Remnants of the Hallstatt nappes are only represented by components of up to 1 km in size in Middle/Upper Jurassic radiolaritic wildflysch sediments ("Hallstatt Mélange" belonging to the Tirolic unit). Destruction of the continental margin started in Middle to Upper Jurassic time and prograded from the oceanic side towards the shelf. The original substratum of the external nappes (Bavaric units) of the NCA was largely the Austroalpine crystalline basement, of the internal nappes (Tirolic units) the weakly metamorphosed Palaeozoic sequences (Greywacke Zone and equivalents). Eocene movements caused limited internal deformation in the Tirolic unit.     

Coupling of oceanic and continental crust during Eocene eclogite-facies metamorphism: evidence from the Monte Rosa nappe,western Alps

High precision U–Pb geochronology of rutile from quartz–carbonate–white mica–rutile veins that are hosted within eclogite and schist of the Monte Rosa nappe, western Alps, Italy, indicate that the Monte Rosa nappe was at eclogite-facies metamorphic conditions at 42.6 ± 0.6 Ma. The sample area [Indren glacier, Furgg zone; Dal Piaz (2001) Geology of the Monte Rosa massif: historical review and personal comments. SMPM] consists of eclogite boudins that are exposed inside a south-plunging overturned synform within micaceous schist. Associated with the eclogite and schist are quartz–carbonate–white mica–rutile veins that formed in tension cracks in the eclogite and along the contact between eclogite and surrounding schist. Intrusion of the veins at about 42.6 Ma occurred at eclogite-facies metamorphic conditions (480–570°C, >1.3–1.4 GPa) based on textural relations, oxygen isotope thermometry, and geothermobarometry. The timing of eclogite-facies metamorphism in the Monte Rosa nappe determined in this study is identical to that of the Gran Paradiso nappe [Meffan-Main et al. (2004) J Metamorphic Geol 22:261–281], confirming that these two units have shared the same Alpine metamorphic history. Furthermore, the Gran Paradiso and Monte Rosa nappes underwent eclogite-facies metamorphism within the same time interval as the structurally overlying Zermatt-Saas ophiolite [∼50–40 Ma; e.g., Amato et al. (1999) Earth Planet Sci Lett 171:425–438; Mayer et al. (1999) Eur Union Geosci 10:809 (abstract); Lapen et al. (2003) Earth Planet Sci Lett 215:57–72]. The nearly identical P–T–t histories of the Gran Paradiso, Monte Rosa, and Zermatt-Saas units suggest that these units shared a common Alpine tectonic and metamorphic history. The close spatial and temporal associations between high pressure (HP) ophiolite and continental crust during Alpine orogeny indicates that the HP internal basement nappes in the western Alps may have played a key role in exhumation and preservation of the ophiolitic rocks through buoyancy-driven uplift. Coupling of oceanic and continental crust may therefore be critical in preventing permanent loss of oceanic crust to the mantle.     

Structural analysis of basement tectonites from the Aegean metamorphic core complex of Ios, Cyclades, Greece

The island of Ios in the Cyclades, Aegean Sea, Greece, exposes high pressure metamorphic rocks that were subjected to Miocene continental extension subsequent to the Alpine collisional orogeny. The pre-Alpine history of the lower-plate of this Aegean metamorphic core complex involves intrusion of granitoids into metasediments which subsequently underwent Hercynian amphibolite facies metamorphism. During the Alpine orogeny (D₂), these rocks were overthrust by the Cyclades blueschist nappe. Later, the lower plate was tectonically exhumed during Oligo-Miocene continental extension and associated plutonism. Final exhumation occurred as a result of the operation of a south-directed, crustal-scale shear zone and low-angle normal faults. This study shows that the Ios core complex reflects an intrinsic relationship between early thrusting and later extensional tectonism. Basement rocks have been exhumed from beneath the nappes that originally overrode them.     

A kinematic evolutionary model for the Penninic sector of the central Ligurian Alps

The nappe pile presently cropping out in the central sector of the Ligurian Alps, is represented by some principal groups of tectonic units. Starting from the foreland, the outer and lower, weakly metamorphic (up to 0.3 GPa) Briançonnais units support the high-pressure (up to 1.3 GPa) ensemble of inner Briançonnais nappes, in turn overridden by the Prepiedmont units, sourced from the European continental margin. Prepiedmont units form two superposed groups. The lower is composed only of a pre-Namurian basement (Alpine metamorphism up to 0.6 GPa); and the upper is mainly composed of a slightly metamorphic (greenschist facies) post-Namurian cover. At the top lie the high-pressure metamorphosed (up to 0.8 GPa in the sector here considered) ophiolitic units. The group of the non-metamorphic Helminthoid Flysch nappes (original stratigraphic cover of the ophiolitic units) has travelled the greatest distance and is presently mainly set onto the outer part of the chain. Only events up to the stacking of the nappe pile are discussed, disregarding late-stage deformation. As the examined sector is located at a considerable distance from the collisional zone, late processes did not change the overall order of superposition formerly acquired. The model proposes the development of two major, subhorizontal detachment surfaces. The first, shallower one confines at the base a very thin-skinned set of nappes, nearly totally made up of Prepiedmont sedimentary covers that are bounded at their top by the Helminthoid Flysch units. Both these groups underwent a mainly horizontal outwards transport. In contrast, the underlying Prepiedmont crust and the adjoining Briançonnais inner sector (separated by the second, deeper major detachment surface) were progressively dragged into the subduction zone under the ophiolitic units and duplexes were generated. Exhumation of the metamorphic units occurred along the subduction channel, as did stacking of the nappe pile.     

A transform margin in the Mesozoic Tethys: evidence from the Swiss Alps

Remnants of the Liguria-Piemont Ocean with its Jurassic ophiolitic basement are preserved in the South Pennine thrust nappes of eastern Switzerland. Analysis of South Pennine stratigraphy and comparison with sequences from the adjacent continental margin units suggest that South Pennine nappes are relics of a transform fault system. This interpretation is based on three arguments: (1) In the highly dismembered ophiolite suite preserved, Middle to Late Jurassic pelagic sediments are found in stratigraphic contact not only with pillow basalts but also with serpentinites indicating the occurrence of serpentinite protrusions along fracture zones. (2) Ophiolite breccias (»ophicalcites«) occurring along distinct zones within peridotite-serpentinite host rocks are comparable with breccias from present-day oceanic fracture zones. They originated from a combination of tectonic and sedimentary processes: i.e. the fragmentation of oceanic basement on the seafloor and the filling of a network of neptunian dikes by pelagic sediment with locally superimposed hydrothermal activity and gravitational collapse. (3) The overlying Middle to Late Jurassic radiolarian chert contains repeated intercalations of massflow conglomerates mainly comprising components of oceanic basement but clasts of acidic basement rocks and oolitic limestone also exist. This indicates a close proximity between continental and oceanic basement. The rugged morphology manifested in the mass-flow deposits intercalated with the radiolarites is draped by pelagic sediments of Early Cretaceous age.     

Alpine polyphase tectono-metamorphic evolution of the South Carpathians: A new overview

The main terrains involved in the Cretaceous–Tertiary tectonism in the South Carpathians segment of the European Alpine orogen are the Getic–Supragetic and Danubian continental crust fragments separated by the Severin oceanic crust-floored basin. During the Early–Middle Cretaceous times the Danubian microplate acted initially as a foreland unit strongly involved in the South Carpathians nappe stacking. Multistage folding/thrusting events, uplift/erosion and extensional stages and the development of associated sedimentary basins characterize the South Carpathians during Cretaceous to Tertiary convergence and collision events. The main Cretaceous tectogenetic events responsible for contraction and crustal thickening processes in the South Carpathians are Mid-Cretaceous (“Austrian phase”) and Latest Cretaceous (“Laramide” or “Getic phase”) in age. The architecture of the South Carpathians suggests polyphase tectonic evolution and mountain building and includes from top to bottom: the Getic–Supragetic basement/cover nappes, the Severin and Arjana cover nappes, and Danubian basement/cover nappes, all tectonically overriding the Moesian Platform. The Severin nappe complex (including Obarsia and Severin nappes) with Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous ophiolites and turbidites is squeezed between the Danubian and Getic–Supragetic basement nappes as a result of successive thrusting of dismembered units during the inferred Mid- to Late Cretaceous subduction/collision followed by tectonic inversion processes.

Early Cretaceous thick-skinned tectonics was replaced by thin-skinned tectonics in Late Cretaceous. Thus, the former Middle Cretaceous “Austrian” nappe stack and its Albian–Lower Senonian cover got incorporated in the intra-Senonian “Laramide/Getic” stacking of the Getic–Supragetic/Severin/Arjana nappes onto the Danubian nappe duplex. The two contraction events are separated by an extensional tectonic phase in the upper plate recorded by the intrusion of the “Banatitic” magmas (84–73 Ma). The overthrusting of the entire South Carpathian Cretaceous nappe stack onto the fold/thrust foredeep units and to the Moesian Platform took place in the Late Miocene (intra-Sarmatian) times and was followed by extensional events and sedimentary basin formation.     

An Andean type Palaeozoic convergence in the Bohemian Massif

The geological inventory of the Variscan Bohemian Massif can be summarized as a result of Early Devonian subduction of the Saxothuringian ocean of unknown size underneath the eastern continental plate represented by the present-day Teplá-Barrandian and Moldanubian domains. During mid-Devonian, the Saxothuringian passive margin sequences and relics of Ordovician oceanic crust have been obducted over the Saxothuringian basement in conjunction with extrusion of the Teplá-Barrandian middle crust along the so-called Teplá suture zone. This event was connected with the development of the magmatic arc further east, together with a fore-arc basin on the Teplá-Barrandian crust. The back-arc region – the future Moldanubian zone – was affected by lithospheric thinning which marginally affected also the eastern Brunia continental crust. The subduction stage was followed by a collisional event caused by the arrival of the Saxothuringian continental crust that was associated with crustal thickening and the development of the orogenic root system in the magmatic arc and back-arc region of the orogen. The thickening was associated with depression of the Moho and the flux of the Saxothuringian felsic crust into the root area. Originally subhorizontal anisotropy in the root zone was subsequently folded by crustal-scale cusp folds in front of the Brunia backstop. During the Visean, the Brunia continent indented the thickened crustal root, resulting in the root's massive shortening causing vertical extrusion of the orogenic lower crust, which changed to a horizontal viscous channel flow of extruded lower crustal material in the mid- to supra-crustal levels. Hot orogenic lower crustal rocks were extruded: (1) in a narrow channel parallel to the former Teplá suture surface; (2) in the central part of the root zone in the form of large scale antiformal structure; and (3) in form of hot fold nappe over the Brunia promontory, where it produced Barrovian metamorphism and subsequent imbrications of its upper part. The extruded deeper parts of the orogenic root reached the surface, which soon thereafter resulted in the sedimentation of lower-crustal rocks pebbles in the thick foreland Culm basin on the stable part of the Brunia continent. Finally, during the Westfalian, the foreland Culm wedge was involved into imbricated nappe stack together with basement and orogenic channel flow nappes.     

Two subduction events in a polycyclic basement: Alpine and pre-Alpine high-pressure metamorphism in the Suretta nappe, Swiss Eastern Alps

This study is essentially based on coupling macrostructures, microstructures and metamorphic petrology in polymetamorphic mafic rocks from the Swiss Eastern Alps (Suretta nappe, Penninic domain). Petrographic criteria are used in conjunction with structural analysis and microprobe work to define crystallization/deformation relationships and to establish a relative but precise sequence of tectono-metamorphic events. A first eclogite facies overprint and related exhumation occurred before emplacement of late Palaeozoic intrusives. During the Alpine cycle, the Suretta nappe was part of the thinned European continental margin. The Tertiary burial due to subduction and collision is responsible for D1 ductile thrusting and blueschist facies metamorphism. Late deformation phases, related to exhumation, are responsible for the development of extensional structures under greenschist facies conditions. Quantitative metamorphic petrology based on Gibbs free energy minimization (DOMINO by de Capitani) gives a constraint on the P–T  conditions during the polymetamorphic and polycyclic evolution. The first high- P metamorphic event related to pre-Alpine structures occurred at c . 700  °C and at least 2.0  GPa. These conditions are compatible with pre-Alpine high- P re-equilibration already described in several Alpine units. The Alpine high- P metamorphism occurred under blueschist facies conditions at c . 400–450  °C and 1.0  GPa. Similar high- P , low- T  conditions have already been described in the Mesozoic and Permian rock types. The two high- P events are clearly related to two different geothermal regimes and geodynamic environments.     

The Gramscatho Basin, south Cornwall, UK: Devonian active margin successions

Deep marine deposits of the Gramscatho Basin of south Cornwall reflect two tectonic regimes; Early to Middle Devonian rifting of continental lithosphere with formation of oceanic lithosphere to the south, and Middle Devonian to earliest Carboniferous convergence along its southern margin. Sediments on thinned continental crust to the north and oceanic lithosphere to the south were juxtaposed in the Late Devonian when nappes of deep water flysch and olistostrome were thrust up on to the northern continental margin of the basin. Basin closure was accommodated by forward propagating thrust nappes, accompanied by penecontemporaneous sedimentation. The stratigraphical sequences of major nappes illustrate the progradation of flysch with climactic sedimentation of olistostrome in late Mid- to Late Devonian times. The Lizard Complex, including the Lizard ophiolite, within that nappe stack, constitutes part of one of the GCR sites which are largely in the allochthonous rocks. Many of those sites feature the olistostrome, Roseland Breccia Formation, with its great variety of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic clasts (up to 1.5 km), and the association of ocean floor basalt and penecontemporaneous acidic volcanics indicative of the coming together of oceanic and continental plates. A site at the top of the parautochthonous continental margin succession displays the erosion products of the youngest nappe as it emerged and advanced across the sediment surface, marking closure of the oceanised Gramscatho Basin and continental collision.     

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.     

Geochemical evidence for the nature of the crust beneath the eastern North Penninic basin of the Mesozoic Tethys ocean

The North Penninic basin was a subbasin in the northern part of the Mesozoic Tethys ocean. Its significance within the framework of this ocean is controversial because it is not clear whether it was underlain by thinned continental or oceanic crust. Remnants of the eastern North Penninic basin are preserved in the Alps of eastern Switzerland (Grisons) as low metamorphic "Bündnerschiefer" sediments and associated basaltic rocks which formed approximately 140–170 Ma ago (Misox Bündnerschiefer zone, Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous). Nb/U, Zr/Nb, and Y/Nb ratios, as well as Nd–Sr isotopic and REE data of most of the metabasalts point to a depleted MORB-type mantle origin. They have been contaminated by magmatic assimilation of Bündnerschiefer sediments and by exchange with seawater, but do not prove the existence of a subcontinental lithospheric mantle or continental crust beneath the North Penninic basin. This suggests that the studied part of the North Penninic realm was underlain by oceanic crust. Only the metabasalts from two melange zones (Vals and Grava melanges) show a more important contamination by crustal material. Since this type of contamination cannot be observed in the other tectonic units, we suggest that its occurrence is related to melange formation during the subduction of the North Penninic basin in the Tertiary. The North Penninic basin was probably, despite the occurrence of oceanic crust, smaller than the South Penninic ocean where the presence of oceanic crust is well established. Modern analogues for the North Penninic basin could be the transitional zone of the Red Sea or the pull-apart basins of the southernmost Gulf of California where local patches of oceanic crust with effusive volcanism have been described.     

Geologic and geochronologic data from the Guerrero terrane in the Tejupilco area,southern Mexico: new constraints on its tectonic interpretation

The eastern part of the Guerrero terrane contains two tectonically juxtaposed metavolcanic-sedimentary sequences with island arc affinities: the lower, Tejupilco metamorphic suite, is intensely deformed with greenschist facies metamorphism; the upper, Arcelia-Palmar Chico group, is mildly to moderately deformed with prehnite-pumpellyite facies metamorphism. A U–Pb zircon age of 186 Ma for the Tizapa metagranite, and Pb/Pb isotopic model ages of 227 and 188 Ma for the conformable syngenetic Tizapa massive sulfide deposit, suggest a Late Triassic–Early Jurassic age for the Tejupilco metamorphic suite. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and K–Ar age determinations of metamorphic minerals from different units of the Tejupilco metamorphic suite in the Tejupilco area date a local early Eocene thermal event related to the emplacement of the undeformed Temascaltepec granite. The regional metamorphism remains to be dated. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of 103 and 93 Ma for submarine volcanics support an Albian–Cenomanian age for the Arcelia-Palmar Chico group, although it may extend to the Berriasian. U–Pb isotopic analyses of zircon from the Tizapa metagranite, together with Nd isotopic data, reveal inherited Precambrian zircon components within units of the Tejupilco metamorphic suite, precluding the generation of Tejupilco metamorphic suite magmas from mantle- or oceanic lithosphere-derived melts, as was previously considered to be the case. Instead, these data, together with high-grade gneiss xenoliths with Grenvillian Nd isotopic affinity in Oligocene subvolcanics, indicate the presence of pre-Mesozoic continental crust beneath at least the eastern part of the Guerrero terrane. As a Late Triassic–Early Jurassic basement unit in the eastern part of the Guerrero terrane, the Tejupilco metamorphic suite may therefore represent an evolved volcanic arc developed on old crust with assimilated craton-derived sediment. This would imply a tectonic cycle of deformation, metamorphism and erosion during the Middle–early Late Jurassic that was probably related to the accretion and consolidation of part of the Guerrero terrane into the Acatlán Complex, the pre-Mississippian poly-deformed and metamorphosed basement of the Mixteco terrane.     

Alpine metamorphism of Hercynian hornblende granodiorite beneath the blueschist facies schistes lustrés nappe of NE Corsica

Abstract The Hercynian granitic basement which forms the Tenda Massif in NE Corsica represents part of the leading edge of the European Plate during middle-to-late Cretaceous (Eoalpine) high P metamorphism. The metamorphism of this basement, induced by the overthrusting of a blueschist facies (schistes lustrés) nappe, was confined to a major ductile shear zone (c. 1000m thick) within which deformation increases upwards towards the overlying nappe. Metamorphism within the basement mostly records lower blueschist facies conditions (crossite + epidote) except near the base of the shear zone where the greenschist facies assemblage albite + actinolitic amphibole has developed instead of crossite. Study of the primary mafic phase breakdown reactions within hornblende granodiorite reveals the following metamorphic zonation. Zone 1: biotite to chlorite. Towards zone 2: biotite to phengite. Zone 2: Hornblende to actinolitic Ca-amphibole + albite + sphene, and biotite to actinolitic Ca-amphibole + albite + phengite + Ti-ore + epidote. Zone 3: Hornblende to crossite + low Ti-biotite + phengite + sphene, and biotite to crossite + low Ti-biotite + phengite + Ti-ore + sphene ± epidote. P-T conditions at the base of the shear zone are estimated to have been 390-490°C at 600-900 M Pa (6-9kbar) and the Corsican basement is therefore deduced to have been buried to 20-30 km during metamorphism. This relatively shallow metamorphism contrasts with some other areas in the Western Alps where the Eoalpine event apparently buried the European continental crust to depths of 80 km or more. As there is no evidence for a long history of blueschist facies metamorphism prior to the involvement of the European continent, it is deduced that the Eoalpine blueschists were produced during the collision of the Insubric plate with Europe, rather than during Tethyan intraoceanic subduction. Coherent blueschist terrains such as the schistes lustres probably record buovant feature collision and obduction tectonics rather than any preceding oceanic subduction.     

Evolution of mass-transfer during progressive oblique under-thrusting of the Variscan foreland: eastern Bohemian Massif

Abstract

Four ductile shear zones were sampled in the autochthonous Thaya basement and the Upper Bíte? nappe (Moravian unit) at the Eastern margin of the Bohemian massif. In both studied units, the tectono-metamorphic evolution and the chemical mass transfer are different. Two deformational events are recognised: the first deformation stage under amphibolite facies conditions is overprinted by a second event under greenschist facies conditions.

The first deformation affected the western margin of the Thaya basement and the whole Bíte? nappe: microstructures are characterised by dynamic recrystallisation of feldspars and quartz, and occurrence of myrmekites and grain-boundary migration of quartz. None or weak chemical mass transfer is related to this medium to high temperature deformation. This deformation corresponds to the thrusting of Moldanubdian units on the Brunovistulian units (Moravian nappes and autochthonous Thaya basement).

The second deformation generated shear zones in the until then preserved Thaya basement and reactivated both shear zones of the western margin of the Thaya basement and those of the Bíte? nappe. This deformation is retrograde and mainly associated with chemical mass transfer: a decrease of CaO, FeO, FeO/Fe₂O₃ and an increase of MgO, K₂O and H₂O. These chemical changes are related to greenschist metamorphic reactions leading to the destabilisation of feldspars and the crystallisation of white micas and Ca-silicates. The large chemical mass transfer is associated with the circulation of a large volume of fluids. A model of progressive fluid circulation correlated with Variscan prograde and retrograde metamorphism during the collision of Moldanubian and Brunovistulian units is proposed.     

Low-pressure metamorphism of Palaeozoic pelites in the Aspromonte, southern Calabria: constraints for the thermal evolution in the Calabrian crustal cross-section during the Hercynian orogeny

During Hercynian low-pressure/high-temperature metamorphism of Palaeozoic metasediments of the southern Aspromonte (Calabria), a sequence of metamorphic zones at chlorite, biotite, garnet, staurolite–andalusite and sillimanite–muscovite grade was developed. These metasediments represent the upper part of an exposed tilted cross-section through the Hercynian continental crust. P–T information on their metamorphism supplements that already known for the granulite facies lower crust of the section and allows reconstruction of the thermal conditions in the Calabrian crust during the late Hercynian orogenic event. Three foliations formed during deformation of the metasediments. The peak metamorphic assemblages grew mainly syntectonically (S2) during regional metamorphism, but mineral growth outlasted the deformation. This is in accordance with the textural relationships found in the lower part of the same crustal section exposed in the northern Serre. Pressure conditions recorded for the base of the upper crustal metasediments are c. 2.5 kbar and estimated temperatures range from <350 °C in the chlorite zone, increasing to 500 °C in the lower garnet zone, and reaching 620 °C in the sillimanite–muscovite zone. Geothermal gradients for the peak of metamorphism indicate a much higher value for the upper crust (c. 60 °C km^?1) than for the granulite facies lower crust (30–35 °C km^?1). The small temperature difference between the base of the upper crust (620 °C at c. 2.5 kbar) and the top of the lower crust (690 °C at 5.5 kbar) can be explained by intrusions of granitoids into the middle crust, which, in this crustal section, took place synchronously with the regional metamorphism at c. 310– 295 Ma. It is concluded that the thermal structure of the Calabrian crust during the Hercynian orogeny – as it is reflected by peak metamorphic assemblages – was mainly controlled by advective heat input through magmatic intrusions into all levels of the crust.