Accretionary complex structure and kinematics during Paleozoic arc–continent collision in the southern Urals

Abstract

The southern Urals contain a well-preserved accretionary complex that has overthrust the continental margin during arc–continent collision between the East European Craton (EEC) and the Magnitogorsk island arc in the Late Devonian. Within the accretionary complex, we study three tectonic units that differ in deformation style, and each provides a unique geodynamic implication. The Zilair Nappe, the largest and best exposed unit, consists of 5–6 km of syncollisional, arc-derived Upper Devonian to Lower Carboniferous polymictic and graywacke turbidites that were deposited across the continental margin and incorporated by frontal accretion into the accretionary complex. The Zilair Nappe is a bivergent thrust imbricate where the west-vergent thrusts dominate and have associated kilometer-scale ramp anticlines with well developed east-dipping axial planar cleavage. Along its eastern contact, however, the cleavage fans until it dips moderately westward and the folds are east-vergent. Following its emplacement, west-vergent, basement-involved thrusting that breached the whole accretionary complex imbricated the Zilair Nappe. The Timirovo Duplex is structurally beneath the Zilair Nappe, and outcrops for several tens of kilometers along its northwestern margin. The duplex forms a west-vergent thrust stack composed of a highly deformed and sheared Lower and Middle Devonian reef carbonates of the former EEC margin platform. These rocks were shallowly underplated at the base of the accretionary complex during emplacement over the margin. The Suvanyak Complex outcrops along the eastern contact of the Zilair Nappe, and consists of polydeformed greenschist facies metasediments of the former EEC slope that were offscraped, underplated and incorporated at the rear of the accretionary complex.