Exhumation of high- and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks by slab extraction

Abstract

Research Article| October 01, 2003 Exhumation of high- and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks by slab extraction Nikolaus Froitzheim; Nikolaus Froitzheim 1Geologisches Institut, Universität Bonn, Nußallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jan Pleuger; Jan Pleuger 1Geologisches Institut, Universität Bonn, Nußallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Sybille Roller; Sybille Roller 1Geologisches Institut, Universität Bonn, Nußallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Thorsten Nagel Thorsten Nagel 2Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, New York 10964, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Nikolaus Froitzheim 1Geologisches Institut, Universität Bonn, Nußallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany Jan Pleuger 1Geologisches Institut, Universität Bonn, Nußallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany Sybille Roller 1Geologisches Institut, Universität Bonn, Nußallee 8, D-53115 Bonn, Germany Thorsten Nagel 2Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, New York 10964, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 17 Apr 2003 Revision Received: 08 Jul 2003 Accepted: 09 Jul 2003 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2003) 31 (10): 925–928. https://doi.org/10.1130/G19748.1 Article history Received: 17 Apr 2003 Revision Received: 08 Jul 2003 Accepted: 09 Jul 2003 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Nikolaus Froitzheim, Jan Pleuger, Sybille Roller, Thorsten Nagel; Exhumation of high- and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks by slab extraction. Geology 2003;; 31 (10): 925–928. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G19748.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Exhumation of high- and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic rocks in collisional orogens may be explained by upward extrusion of these rocks, erosion of their overburden, or extensional thinning of the overburden. Some high-pressure terranes, such as the Adula nappe in the Central Alps, fit none of these scenarios. We propose an additional way in which part of the overburden may be removed: it may sink off into the deeper mantle (slab extraction). Structural and metamorphic relationships in and around the Adula nappe indicate that the emplacement of this Alpine high- to ultrahigh-pressure nappe (to 3.2 GPa) in a pile of lower-pressure nappes resulted from the interaction of two subduction zones that accommodated the closure of two ocean basins, ultimately leading to the extraction of the intervening slab. In terms of mechanics, the cause of the exhumation is, in this case, not the buoyancy of the high-pressure rocks, but the negative buoyancy of the extracted slab. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.