Reply to Hüneke’s (2005) comment

Hüneke (Int J Earth Sci 2005) gives a new interpretation of the tectonic setting of five ⁴⁰K/⁴⁰Ar analyses published by Huckriede et al. (Int J Earth Sci 93: 414–431, 2004). In this context, Hüneke discusses the significance and provenance of Late Proterozoic ⁴⁰K/⁴⁰Ar-cooling ages of detrital muscovites from pre-flysch sediments of the Blankenburg and Harzgerode Zones (Harz Mountains). Hüneke’s reinterpretation is based on a wrong concept concerning the extend of the Blankenburg Zone. This wrong concept originates from the incorrect distinction between the greywackes of the Tanne Zone and the greywackes of the Gießen-Harz Nappe. These greywackes can be easily distinguished by petrographic methods. Hüneke additionally defends the assumption that large areas of the eastern Harz Mountains consist of Viséan olistostromes. There is no need for an extended discussion of this topic because Hüneke presents no arguments.