Late Cadomian crustal tilting and Cambrian transtension in the Teplá–Barrandian unit (Bohemian Massif, Central European Variscides)

The Cadomian basement of the Teplá–Barrandian unit is characterized by a classic Barrovian-type metamorphism, the degree of which increases considerably towards the west reaching amphibolite facies conditions in the Domaz?lice crystalline complex (DCC). The number and volume of plutons also increases towards the west. The emplacement ages of the Te?s?ovice granite and the Mrac?nice trondhjemite have been determined at 521.7±2?Ma and 523+4/–5?Ma, respectively, applying conventional U–Pb analyses of zircons. Pervasive high-temperature prolate fabrics and north-/northwest-dipping, dextral oblique-slip shear zones within the Mrac?nice trondhjemite suggest a synkinematic melt emplacement within a Lower Cambrian transtensional setting. Transtension is probably related to early-stage rifting that introduced the separation of the Teplá–Barrandian unit (as part of Armorica) from Gondwana. Structural and petrological data of the country rocks show that the Barrovian-type metamorphism and two deformation stages (D₁ with unknown kinematics and D₂ top-to-the-north shearing) are older than the melt emplacement, and thus can be attributed to the Cadomian orogeny. The intrusion depth of both plutons is nearly the same (ca. 7?km), although the degree of Barrovian-type metamorphism differs significantly within the country rocks. This suggests late Cadomian eastward tilting of the metamorphic isograd planes. The weak post-plutonic, lower-greenschist to subgreenschist facies folding and thrusting result from Variscan northwest/southeast compression.