A (virtual) field excursion through the Oman ophiolite

The Oman ophiolite is probably the best preserved and best exposed ophiolite in the world. It forms a range of mountains on the northern coast of Oman which in places rise to over 2000 m and provide three‐dimensional exposure over a distance of about 450 km. Oman is well developed with a good network of tar roads, so that access is relatively easy and the semi‐arid climate means that exposure is excellent. Further, the Oman ophiolite has been intensively studied since the 1970s and there are a large number of maps and published works describing the geology.     

Long-term simulations of thermal and hydraulic characteristics in a mountain massif: The Mont Blanc case study, French and Italian Alps

 The use of hydrothermal simulation models to improve the prediction of water inflows in underground works during drilling is tested in the Mont Blanc tunnel, French and Italian Alps. The negative thermal anomaly that was observed during the drilling of this tunnel in 1960 is reproduced by long-term, transient hydrothermal simulations. Sensitivity analysis shows the great inertia of thermal phenomena at the massif scale. At the time of tunnel drilling, the massif had not reached thermal equilibrium. Therefore, a set of simulation scenarios, beginning at the end of the last glacial period, was designed to explain the anomaly encountered in the tunnel in 1960. The continuous cooling of alpine massifs due to infiltration of waters from the surface has occurred for 12,000 years and is expected to continue for about 100,000 years. Comparisons of water-discharge rates simulated in the tunnel with those observed indicate that this hydrothermal method is a useful tool for predicting water inflows in underground works. Received, May 1998 · Revised, March 1999 · Accepted, April 1999     

Multi-stage thrusting at the "Penninic Front" in the Western Alps between Mont Blanc and Pelvoux massifs

The different segments of the tectonic boundary between external (European) and internal (Penninic) units in the Western Alps, the so-called Penninic Front (PF), formed at different times and according to different kinematic scenarios. During a first episode (Eocene), the PF corresponds to a transpressive suture zone between Penninic and European units. North- to NNW-trending stretching lineations, found along internal nappe contacts within the Penninic units, are related to this episode. This subduction zone was sealed by the Priabonian flysch of the Aiguilles d'Arves, a detrital trench formation that formed during the final stages of subduction. During a second episode, starting in mid-Oligocene times, the PF, imaged along the ECORS-CROP profile, acted as a WNW-directed thrust. This thrust, the Roselend Thrust (RT), only partially coincides with the PF. South of Moûtiers, the RT propagates into the Dauphinois units, carrying the former Eocene PF (including the Priabonian flysch) passively in its hangingwall. South of the Pelvoux massif the RT finds its continuation along the "Briançonnais Front", an out-of-sequence thrust behind the Embrunais-Ubaye nappes. On a larger scale, our findings indicate oblique (sinistral) collision within the future Western Alps during the Eocene, followed by westward indentation of the Adriatic block.     

Post-collisional tectonics in the Northern Cottian Alps (Italian Western Alps)

Field mapping and structural analysis have allowed us to characterise the fault geometry and the post-metamorphic tectonics of an area located in the Northern Cottian Alps (inner Western Alps). Two main faulting stages were distinguished here. The first (Oligocene?-Early Miocene) is related to the development of an E–W-striking left-normal shear zone. This shear zone is interpreted as an antithetical of two regional, N–S right-lateral structures: the Col del Lis-Trana Deformation Zone (LTZ) and the Colle delle Finestre Deformation Zone (CFZ). The second faulting stage (post-Early Miocene) is related mainly to the development of N–S normal faults, coeval with the extensional reactivation of the LTZ and the CFZ. We discuss this kinematic evolution in the framework of the geodynamic evolution of the Western Alps.     

Late-glacial ice advances in the western Italian Alps

The extent of ice on the south side of the Mont Blanc massif during two late-glacial readvances is known primarily from the distribution of crystalline erratics on sedimentary and metasedimentary terrain, and from the distribution of end moraines and outwash remants. Similar dual moraine complexes are found elsewhere in upper Val d'Aosta and indicate that the pattern is regional in character. During the earlier readvance equilibrium-line altitudes were ca. 450 ± 50m lower than at present, whereas during the later readvance they were ca. 350 ± 50 m lower. The moraines, not yet closely dated, were deposited sometime after 14,200 ¹⁴C Years ago by which time Lago'd Alice near the margin of the würm moraine system at Ivrea had been deglaciated, and before 8400 years ago, at which time Rutor Glacier in upper Val d'Aosta was no larger than at present. The younger moraines are believed to correlate with Egesen moraines on the north side of the Alps, whereas the older set may either correlate with an early phase of the Egesen or with Daun advance.     

Ductile-brittle transition in pre-Alpine amphibolite facies mylonites during evolution from water-present to water-deficient conditions (Mont Mary nappe, Italian Western Alps)

In the Austroalpine Mont Mary nappe (Italian Western Alps) discrete zones of mylonites–ultramylonites developed from coarse-grained, upper amphibolite facies metapelites of pre-Alpine age. The syn–mylonitic mineral assemblage is quartz–biotite–muscovite–plagioclase–garnet–sillimanite–ilmenite–graphite, and formed via the model hydration reaction: Grt₁+Kfs+H₂O=Bt₂+Ilm₂+Qtz+Ms± Sil .Grain-size reduction of about three orders of magnitude was accompanied by extensive recrystallization of all minerals except sillimanite, and by compositional changes of garnet and biotite. Deformation took place at temperatures of 510–580  °C under low-pressure conditions (0.25–0.45 GPa) and corresponds to the latest stages of pre-Alpine metamorphic evolution. The pre-Alpine mylonitization conditions were close to the brittle-ductile transition, as indicated by syn–mylonitic generation of pseudotachylytes and high differential stress inferred from quartz grain-size piezometry. The brittle-ductile behaviour at a relatively high temperature, and the absence of annealing textures in quartz aggregates, are suggestive of water-deficient conditions during mylonitization. These were accomplished through progressive consumption of water by syn–kinematic hydration reaction and by adsorption onto the greatly increased grain boundary area resulting from dynamic recrystallization.     

Alluvial fans of the Eastern Italian Alps: morphometry and depositional processes

Abstract

Alluvial fans are abundant in many valleys of the Alps, consisting of important sites for human settlements. Relationships between alluvial fan morphometry and drainage basin characteristics have been investigated in six valleys of the Eastern Italian Alps, displaying different geological and morphological conditions. Both debris flow fans and fluvial fans are present in the studied region, the latest occurring only in quite large basins. Expansion of alluvial fans is greatly determined by the topographic characteristics of receiving valleys. Fan gradient is mainly affected by basin ruggedness conditioning depositional processes, by debris size, and, in some cases, by post-depositional reworking of fan surfaces.     

From back-analysis to run-out prediction: a case study in the Western Italian Alps

Rock avalanches are complex phenomena that occur with a low frequency but which have a high destructive potential. As a consequence, the people who are responsible for the management of a territory are more and more interested in predicting the possible evolutions of well-known potential events. Tackling the above problems from a quantitative point of view, the RASH3D code, based on continuum mechanics concepts, has been here used to predict the evolution of a potential rock avalanche in the Western Italian Alps. A calibration-based approach, in which rheological parameters are constrained by systematic adjustment during trial-and-error back-analysis of past events similar to the landslide under investigation, is proposed to set rheological parameter values to be used for prediction purposes. The back-analysis of a 2?10⁶ m³ rock avalanche located in the Divedro Valley, close to the area of the potential event, has then been analysed using both a frictional and a Voellmy rheology. The characteristics of the slope and the dynamics of the event have made the frictional rheology more suitable to come to the correct simulation of the historical case. The back-analysis results have contributed not only in the selection of the rheological parameter values but also in the choice of the type of rheological law to use in the carried out forward-analyses.     

Matrix‐dependent garnet growth in polymetamorphic rocks of the Sesia zone,Italian Alps

Mushroom‐ and atoll‐shaped garnet crystals were found in high‐pressure quartz‐rich pelitic layers from the Monte Mucrone area (Western Alps, Italy). These garnet crystals are characterized by a peninsula‐shaped core surrounded by a partially crystallized, dodecahedral external rim. Textural observations and thermodynamic modelling point towards growth of the atoll garnet from the Monte Mucrone area during two distinct orogenic cycles. The core region and the inner part of the ring forming the edge of the atoll grew under Barrovian metamorphic conditions of likely Hercynian age, while the outer rim of the atoll structure developed under Alpine high‐pressure conditions. Electron backscatter diffraction analyses indicate that the atoll‐shaped structure has one single crystallographic orientation, despite its complex compositional zoning. Thermodynamic modelling reveals marked changes in equilibrium assemblage leading to changes in stoichiometry of the garnet‐forming reaction, which in turn explain the characteristic garnet morphology. Small amounts of quartz are consumed during the earlier stage of garnet growth history, whereas the production of garnet requires a much larger amount of quartz during the final stage of its growth. This leads to a change from initial poikiloblastic to non‐poikiloblastic textures. This change is responsible for the formation of atoll‐shaped garnet. Finally, garnet in intercalated mica‐rich layers forms idiomorphic crystals, continuous from the centre to rim. This study highlights the importance of the difference between the local matrix composition and the aggregate composition of the reactants needed for the garnet‐forming reaction. Finally, we show that interaction between matrix and reaction stoichiometry can lead to porphyroblast precipitation inside the already grown porphyroblast.     

Lateglacial and Holocene climate oscillations in the South-western Alps: An attempt at quantitative reconstruction

The high topographic complexity of the Alpine region is the origin of important climate differences that characterise the different areas of the Alps. These differences might have had a strong influence on vegetation and on migrations of human populations in the past. Based on an improved database containing about 3000 modern pollen samples, the standard “Modern Analogue Technique” has been applied to five pollen sequences from the subalpine belt of the South-western Italian Alps (Laghi dell’Orgials, 2240 m, Lago delle Fate, 2130 m, Torbiera del Biecai, 1920 m, Rifugio Mondovì, 1760 m, Pian Marchisio, 1624 m) to provide quantitative climate estimates for the Lateglacial and Holocene periods. Consistent climate trends are reconstructed for the different sequences. Sites recorded in detail the climate variations when they were located at the limit of two ecotones. Sites above the tree line recorded lower temperature values and less important variations. Climate was cold and dry during the Oldest and Younger Dryas and close to present-day values during the Bølling/Allerød interstadial. At the beginning of the Holocene, climate changed to warmer and moister conditions; a high number of climate fluctuations are recorded at several sites. A climate optimum is recorded in the Atlantic period, which caused a development of fir above its present-day altitudinal distribution. Climatic differences recorded at the various sites are discussed taking into account the limits of the method.     

Groundwater-driven temperature changes at thermal springs in response to recent glaciation: Bormio hydrothermal system,Central Italian Alps

Thermal springs are widespread in the European Alps, with hundreds of geothermal sites known and exploited. The thermal circulation and fluid outflows were examined in the area around Bormio (Central Italian Alps), where ten geothermal springs discharge from dolomite bodies located close to the regional Zebrù thrust. Water is heated in deep circulation systems and upwells vigorously at a temperature of about 40 °C. Heat and fluid transport is explored by steady and transient three-dimensional finite-element simulations taking into account the effect of the last glaciation, which in the study area was recognized to end around 11,000–12,000 years ago. The full regional model (ca. 700 km²) is discretized with a highly refined triangular finite-element planar grid. Numerical simulations suggest a reactivation of the system following the end of the Last Glacial Maximum. Results correctly simulate the observed discharge rate of ca. 2,400 L/min and the spring temperatures after ca. 13,000 years from deglaciation, and show a complete cooling of the aquifer within a period of approximately 50,000 years. Groundwater flow and temperature patterns suggest that thermal water flows through a deep system crossing both sedimentary and metamorphic lithotypes along a fracture network associated with the thrust system. This example gives insights into the influences of deep alpine structures and glaciations on groundwater circulation that control the development of many hydrothermal systems not necessarily associated with convective heat flow.     

Geochemistry of micas from the Finero spinel-lherzolite,Italian Alps

The Finero lherzolite is distinct amongst the tectonically emplaced slices of mantle in the Ivrea Zone (Italian Alps) for its abundant coarse phlogopite. An average composition (SiO₂ 39.9, TiO₂ 0.97, Al₂O₃ 16.0, Cr₂O₃ 1.16, FeO 2.73, MgO 24.5, NiO 0.16, BaO 0.31, Na₂O 0.58, K₂O 8.7, Rb₂O 0.056, Cl 0.03, F 0.10 wt.%) is similar in Fe, Cr, Ni, Ba and F/Cl to primary-textured micas from coarse garnet-lherzolite xenoliths from S. Africa, but is higher in Ti, Na, Rb, and Al, and lower in halogens. The distinct values of Ti and Fe for five specimens of Finero peridotites demonstrate local spatial variation. The overall ranges of TiO₂ (0.5–1.7) and FeO (2.3–3.6) fall within the range for secondary-textured micas in peridotite xenoliths from S. Africa. The Finero micas are lower in both K/Rb and K/Ba than the primary and secondary micas from S. Africa, and their mean values of K/Rb (110–220) and K/Ba (15–39) are lower than for almost all bulk rocks, but fit well with the ranges of 109–180 and 12–49 for the high-K lavas of the Roman region.Although all evidence is indicative rather than conclusive, the chemical properties of the Finero micas are consistent with introduction of an alkaline phase into peridotite during or before emplacement of the Finero complex from the upper mantle into the crust, and the coarse, partly-deformed textures can be explained by incomplete metamorphic equilibration during prolonged deformation. The alkaline phase is tentatively attributed to the uppermost mantle.     

Laser‐cut Rb–Sr microsampling dating of deformational events in the Mont Blanc‐Aiguilles Rouges region (European Alps)

Spatial control for in situ dating of mineral phases in fine‐grained rocks is a significant challenge in geochronology, and the precision of microsampling is a crucial factor in obtaining accurate results. In this study, a new microsampling approach to Rb–Sr geochronology has been applied to greenschist facies mylonitic shear zones in the Mont Blanc‐Aiguille Rouges region of the western European Alps. Using a laser‐ablation system for microsampling by laser cutting followed by conventional TIMS Rb–Sr isotopic analysis of μg‐sized samples provides an improved workflow for texturally controlled, quasi in situ dating of mineral phases. The automated cutting process minimizes material loss and the risk of handling errors, while facilitating sampling of complex shapes of almost any size, a significant improvement over earlier microscope‐mounted microdrills. The new Rb–Sr white mica–calcite ages of between 27 and 30 Ma indicate Oligocene deformation in Alpine shear zones from two specific areas in the Mont Blanc‐Aiguilles Rouges region.     

Timing of rockfalls in the Mont Blanc massif (Western Alps): evidence from surface exposure dating with cosmogenic <Superscript>10</Superscript>Be

Rockfalls and rock avalanches are a recurrent process in high mountain areas like the Mont Blanc massif. These processes are surveyed due to the hazard they present for infrastructure and alpinists. While rockfalls and rock avalanches have been documented for the last 150 years, we know very little about their frequency since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). In order to improve our understanding, it is imperative to date them on a longer timescale. A pilot campaign using Terrestrial Cosmogenic Nuclide (TCN) dating of five samples was carried out in 2006 at the Aiguille du Midi (3842 m a.s.l.). In 2011, a larger scale study (20 samples) was carried out in five other test sites in the Mont Blanc massif. This paper presents the exposure ages of the 2011 TCN study as well as the updated exposure ages of the 2006 study using newer TCN dating parameters. Most of these exposure ages lie within the Holocene but three ages are Pleistocene (59.87?±?6.10 ka for the oldest). A comparison of these ages with air temperature and glacier cover proxies explored the possible relationship between the most active rockfall periods and the warmest periods of the Holocene: two clusters of exposure ages have been detected, corresponding to the Middle Holocene (8.2–4.2 ka) and the Roman Warm Period (c. 2 ka) climate periods. Some recent rockfalls have also been dated (<?0.56 ka).     

Structural analysis of sheath-folds in a meta-chert from the Western Italian Alps

A detailed meso- and microscopic structural investigation of a laminated manganiferous meta-chert from the Western Italian Alps has resulted in the recognition of five deformation phases. During the third phase large subhorizontal shear movements took place, resulting in reorientation of pre-existing structures and sheath-fold formation. This was accompanied by a decrease in pressure, reflected by the zoning of blue-amphiboles and by microboudinage and the formation of stretching cracks in minerals. The orientation of amphiboles, together with some evidence from quartz c-axis fabrics suggest that the deformation took place by simple shear. During the late stages of sheath-fold formation the deformation became non-rotational.     

Quaternary deformations along the ‘Engadine–Gruf tectonic system’, Swiss–Italian Alps

The Engadine Line (EL) is a seismically active fault in southeastern Switzerland. In the field we studied its western segment, presently not affected by seismicity but characterised by features suggesting neotectonic motions, and the coterminous Gruf Line. Uphill‐ and downhill‐facing scarps, offset rivers, non‐equilibrium hydrological conditions and aligned deep‐seated gravitational slope deformations are dominant in the western sector of the EL in the Inn Valley. Landform offsets and the most recent fault striations point to oblique left‐lateral strike‐slip. Close to the EL, at the Maloja Pass, a huge collapse beheaded the Inn Valley. Trench excavation with palaeoseismic analysis, stratigraphic correlations of Quaternary deposits and optically stimulated luminescence dating indicate that the collapse and faulting mostly occurred in the Late Pleistocene. In the Bregaglia Valley, the Gruf Line stretches along the southwestern extension of the EL. Six deep‐seated gravitational slope deformations developed along the Gruf Line and were dated to pre‐ and post‐Last Glacial Maximum times. We suggest that the western sector of the EL moved also in a Pleistocene time interval during which tectonic forces in the area were probably larger than at present, favouring local uplift, widespread gravity deformation, and retrogressive slope failure at the Inn Valley head. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Alpine structures and metamorphism at the Pillonet Klippe — a remnant of the Austroalpine nappe system in the Italian Western Alps

A detailed petrofabric analysis leads to the following consequences at the Pillonet Klippe, a remnant of the Austroalpine Dent Blanche — Sesia Lanzo nappe system in the Western Alps. Two nappe forming events have to be distinguished: the first one marks the beginning, the second one the end of alpine tectonometamorphic evolution. While the first event is correlated to the early-alpine high-pressure low-temperature subduction zone metamorphism, the second event has no counterpart within the alpine metamorphic history. Post-Lepontine cold thrusts act at c. 250 °C cutting through early-alpine nappe boundaries and pile up a new sequence of nappes with different internal lithologies, structures and relics of late- and early-alpine metamorphism.Early-alpine deformation caused the penetrative first cleavage s₁ and stretching lineation str₁ and, subsequent two acts of folding D₂ and D₃ with axes parallel stretching. Nappe formation during this deformation started cold in a high crustal level and propagated into higher temperatures passing a boundary from clastic to plastic deformation. At the turning point of subduction c. 450 °C were reached, accompanied by static annealing. Until then glaucophane was stable.Late-alpine deformation caused different structures within different units of the latter klippe. They range from spectacular km-size 4th folds with NE-vergency in basement rocks to small 5th folds with NW-vergency in Mesozoic cover rocks. 5th folds postdate a static episode of Lepontine metamorphism with growth of albite porphyroblasts.Temperature had dropped markedly to less than 300 °C, when D₆ thrust faults emerged cutting the klippen units out of their source regions. Thrust nappes develop giving rise to nappe movements over several km in the high structural level of Austroalpine nappes. Thus all fabrics — except D₆ — are transported and are cut by these late and cold thrusts.

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Zusammenfassung Die Pillonet-Klippe ist ein Überrest des Austroalpinen Dent Blanche — Sesia Lanzo Dekkensystems in den italienischen W-Alpen. Detaillierte gefügekundliche Untersuchungen haben dort zu folgenden Ergebnissen geführt:Man muß zwei deckenbildende Deformationsakte unterscheiden. Der erste steht am Anfang, der zweite am Ende der alpinen Deformations-Metamorphose-Geschichte. Decken bilden sich zum ersten Mal bei eoalpiner Subduktion unter Hochdruck-Niedrigtemperatur-Metamorphose. Ein zweites Mal nach Lepontiner Metamorphose, wenn kalte Thrusts bei ca. 250 °C den eoalpinen Deckenbau zerschneiden und zu neuen Decken mit unterschiedlichen Gesteinsbeständen, Strukturen und Relikten der früh- und spät-alpinen Metamorphosen stapeln. Zwischen diesen Deformationsakten läßt sich an der Pillonet-Klippe folgende Gefügeentwicklung beobachten:Während eoalpiner Deformation wird allen Gesteinen eine durchdringende erste alpine Schieferung s₁ und Streckungsfaser str₁ überprägt. Danach folgen zwei Akte der Faltung um Achsen parallel der Streckungsfaser: D₂ und D₃. Die Bildung von Decken während D₁ beginnt kalt und klastisch in einem hohen Krustenstockwerk. Noch während D₁ werden die Gesteine zunehmend geheizt und gelangen in Bereiche plastischer Deformation. Im Wendepunkt der Subduktion sind ca. 450 °C erreicht und eine statische Metamorphose schließt die eoalpine Geschichte ab. Glaukophan ist bis in die statische Temperung stabil.Während spätalpiner Deformation lassen sich in verschiedenen Einheiten der späteren Pillonet-Klippe unterschiedliche Gefügeentwicklungen beobachten. Die Variation reicht von km-großen, NE-vergenten 4. Falten in Altkristallin-Gesteinen bis zu m-großen, NWvergenten 5. Falten in der mesozoischen Bedeckung. Ein Akt statischer Lepontin-Metamorphose mit Albit-Blastese fällt zwischen D₄ und D₅.Nach deutlichem Temperaturabfall bis unter 300 °C werden die Klippen-Einheiten aus ihren Herkunftsgebieten gestanzt und gehen als Decken auf die Reise über mehrere km. Sie benutzen mylonitisierende Thrusts, entsprechend dem hohen Austroalpinen Stockwerk. Damit sind — bis auf die D₆-Deckenbahnen — alle Gefüge der Pillonet-Klippe nicht dort erworben, sondern transportierte Gefüge, die von den späten, kalten Deckenbahnen geschnitten werden.

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Résumé L'Ecaille du Pillonet est une résidu du système de nappes austro-alpines de la Dent blanche-Sesia Lanzo dans les Alpes occidentales italiennes. Des études structurales détaillées ont conduit aux résultats suivants:On doit distinguer dans la formation des nappes deux actes de déformation, le premier au commencement, le second à la fin de l'histoire de la déformation et du métamorphisme alpins. Des nappes se forment pour la première fois au cours de la subduction éoalpine dans des conditions de métamorphisme de haute pression-basse température; une deuxième fois après le métamorphisme lépontien, lorsque des charriages froids, à quelque 250 °C recoupent l'édifice de nappes éoalpines et échafaudent de nouvelles nappes avec des lithologies et structures différentes et des restes du métamorphisme alpin ancien et récent. Entre ces deux actes de la déformation, se sont développées les structures suivantes dans l'Ecaille du Pillonet;Pendant la déformation éoalpine, toutes les roches ont été marquées par une première schistosité pénétrative alpine s₁ et une linéation str₁. Viennent ensuite deux actes de plissement, D₂ et D₃ avec axes parallèles à la linéation. La formation des nappes pendant la déformation D₁ commence dans des conditions froides et clastiques dans un étage crustal superficiel. Encore au cours de D₁ les roches s'échauffant peu à peu et pénètrent dans le domaine de la déformation plastique. Au moment de la subduction, la température de 450 °C est atteinte et un métamorphisme statique cloture l'histoire éoalpine. Le glaucophane reste stable jusqu'alors.Pendant la dernière déformation, différent développements texturaux peuvent être observés dans chacune des entités de la future Ecaille du Pillonet. Ils varient depuis des plis de type 4, de dimension kilométrique, déversés vers le NE dans le cristallin ancien, jusqu'à des plis de type 5, de dimension métrique, déversés vers le NW dans le revêtement mésozoïque. Un métamorphisme lépontin statique avec blastèse albitique survient entre D₄ et D₅.Après une chute notable de la température jusque en dessous de 300 °C, les entités de l'Ecaillé se sont détachées de leur lieu d'origine et ont migré comme nappes sur plusieurs km. à la faveur de charriages mylonitisants correspondant au niveau austroalpin élevé. De sorte que toutes les textures, sauf celles qui sont liées au charriage D₆, n'ont pas été acquises sur place, mais ont été transportées à froid par le dernier charriage.

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. : . , . . , ( 250 °) . : S₁ str₁. D₂ D₃. D₁ , . 450 ° . . . 4- 5- . D₄ D₅. 300 ° . , . . . , D₆, , .

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List of symbols D₁-D₃ 1st to 3rd deformational act of early alpine age - D₄-D₅ 4th and 5th deformational act of late alpine age - D₆ post-Lepontine deformation - s₁ str₁ First cleavage and first stretching lineation of early alpine age - s_2-3 B_2-3 Cleavage planes and axes of 2nd–3rd early alpine folds - s_4-5, B_4-5 Cleavage planes and axes of 4th–5th late alpine folds - s₆, L₆ Thrust planes and lineations of post-Lepontine nappes - km, m, cm, mm kilometre, metre, centimetre, millimetre     

Slope stabilization in difficult conditions: the case study of a debris slide in NW Italian Alps

A case study of a debris slide (estimated volume of about 35,000 m³) is described in this paper. This slide occurred in April 2009 in the North Western Italian Alps (Aosta valley) and damaged the SR25 road along the Valgrisenche valley. Ground investigations started with severe safety and logistic issues being posed. Given the need to open as soon as possible the road, the design of the landslide stabilization works was carried out using a “design as you go” approach. The stabilization measures were conceived to be flexible in order to allow for changes and integration during construction, in line with the progressive refinement of the geological–geotechnical slope model being developed. Back analysis by means of the limit equilibrium method (LEM) and the finite element method (FEM) was used. Groundwater level rise following heavy rainfall and spring snow melting was found to be the main cause of the debris slide. The stabilization works were designed by using both the LEM and FEM methods. The stability conditions of the engineered slope were assessed based on the available performance monitoring data.     

The geometry and timing of orogenic extension: an example from the Western Italian Alps

Contacts between rocks recording large differences in metamorphic grade are indicative of major tectonic displacements. Low-P upon high-P contacts are commonly interpreted as extensional (i.e. material points on either side of the contact moved apart relative to the palaeo-horizontal), but dating of deformation and metamorphism is essential in testing such models. In the Western Alps, the Piemonte Ophiolite consists of eclogites (T ≈550–600 °C and P≈18–20 kbar) structurally beneath greenschist facies rocks (T ≈400 °C and P≈9 kbar). Mapping shows that the latter form a kilometre-wide shear zone (the Gressoney Shear Zone, GSZ) dominated by top-SE movement related to crustal extension. Rb–Sr data from micas within different GSZ fabrics, which dynamically recrystallized below their blocking temperature, are interpreted as deformation ages. Ages from different samples within the same fabric are reproducible and are consistent with the relative chronology derived from mapping. They show that the GSZ had an extensional deformation history over a period of c. 9 Myr between c. 45–36 Ma. This overlaps in time with the eclogite facies metamorphism. The GSZ operated over the entire period during which the footwall evolved from eclogite to greenschist facies and was therefore responsible for eclogite exhumation. The discrete contact zone between eclogite and greenschist facies rocks is the last active part of the GSZ and truncates greenschist facies folds in the footwall. These final movements were therefore not a major component of eclogite exhumation. Pressure estimates associated with old and young fabrics within the GSZ are comparable, indicating that during extensional deformation there was no significant unroofing of the hangingwall. Since there are no known extensional structures younger than 36 Ma at higher levels in this part of the Alps, exhumation since the final juxtaposition of the two units (at 36 Ma) seems to have been dominated by erosion. Key words: deformation age, eclogite, exhumation, Rb–Sr dating, tectonic.     

Emplacement of Semail–Emirates ophiolite at ridge–trench collision

The Oman‐Emirates is the largest and best‐exposed ophiolite; consequently, it has attracted significant interest among scientists, together with serious conflicts. Most geologists regard this ophiolite as having formed in an intra‐oceanic subduction zone before being accreted to the Arabian continent. Here, we propose an alternative scenario, supported by detailed field observations and integrated geophysics. The smaller Emirates part of the ophiolite was forced into a nearby continent, in the pre‐collision stage of Tethyan closure. The contraction led to the exhumation of the mantle floor of segmented basins accreted in a rifted system similar to the present‐day Gulf of California. The implied high temperature–high pressure metamorphism and the range of geochemical signatures were introduced during the process of rifting, whereas the larger Oman ophiolite was emplaced by obduction onto and along the subducting continental shore. This Ridge–Trench–Transform system might call for a new process to obduct over continents in particular Tethyan ophiolites.