Concepts of the evolution of the Austroalpine basement complex (Eastern Alps) during the Caledonian-Variscan cycle

The Austroalpine basement complex has a complicated pre-Alpidic history which begins with the Caledonian era. In the late Precambrian (?) and early Paleozoic a magmatic-sedimentary rock sequence is formed presumably in an island-arc or active continental margin environment. Subduction with eclogite formation is followed by collision, high-grade metamorphism and anatexis in the Ordovician. This Caledonian basement is preserved in parts of the Austroalpine crystalline mass. The post-Caledonian deposits are mainly shelf type sediments with intercalated volcanics, although there is evidence for an oceanic basin to the south. The Variscan facies zones are arranged in SW-NE direction, oblique to the Alpidic trend. In a first stage of Variscan orogeny in the Carboniferous, south(east)-vergent decollement nappes, syntectonic flysch deposits, and granitoids are formed along with regional metamorphism. This is followed by a second stage in the Permian with north(west)-vergent thrusting, renewed granite formation, and metamorphism. The Variscan nappe pile is today exposed in a deeper level in the west or northwest than in the east or southeast.