Phengite compositions and post-nappe high-pressure metamorphism in the pennine zone of the French Alps

A systematic study of relict highly substituted phengite micas (Si_3.6–3.7) formed in the less deformed and less recrystallized rocks of the internal zone of the French Alps shows that silica content “isograds” for phengites cut across major thrust boundaries. This indicates that a high-pressure metamorphism was post-nappe in the orogenic sequence. Little substituted, secondary phengites and those found in highly recrystallized rocks reflect metamorphic conditions which occurred during the later mountain building phases of the orogeny.Variations of mica phengite content within mineral facies zones indicate rather important differences in pressure along the Pennine zone in going from low- to high-temperature mineral facies.