Evidence for two burial/exhumation stages during the evolution of the Variscan belt, as exemplified by P–T–t–d paths of metabasites in distinct allochthonous units of the Maures massif (SE France)

Abstract

This paper examines the metamorphic evolution of three juxtaposed units of the Maures massif (France) with respect to the tectonic processes related to the Variscan orogeny. All sampled rocks are metabasalts or metagabbros metamorphosed during Palaeozoic tectonic events. The inferred metamorphic evolution takes into account the relative chronology of mineral parageneses with respect to microstructures, the mineral chemistry of zoned amphiboles, and calculated P–T–t–d paths derived from each unit. Three successive and contrasting tectono-metamorphic events are clearly identified. The D1 event is associated with coarse-grained amphiboles of an early S1–L1 fabric that recorded prograde/retrograde anticlockwise paths at high-grade amphibolite facies conditions (7–8 kbar/700–750 °C). The D2 event is related to fine-grained amphiboles of the main S2 foliation that recorded prograde/retrograde clockwise paths at MP–MT conditions (4–6 kbar/550–650 °C). The D3 event corresponds to late post-S2 amphiboles crosscutting the main foliation and recording retrograde clockwise paths at lower grade conditions (4–2 kbar/500–350 °C). The D1 event results from Silurian–Devonian continental subduction and subsequent thrust tectonics during an early stage of the Variscan evolution, before the Carboniferous. The D2 event is connected to the Visean continental collision, marked by nappe stacking (burial) then crustal folding and sinistral strike-slip shearing (exhumation). The D3 event is an effect of the Namurian late-orogenic extension (late exhumation) that mostly affected the previously thickened whole central block. This paper demonstrates that the whole metamorphic history of the Maures massif consists of two successive stages of burial/exhumation at different metamorphic conditions during the Variscan mountain building. Similar stages of subduction-uplift then collision-uplift processes have also been recognised in others parts of the Variscan belt and in the Alpine orogen.