Interrelations between extensional shear zones and synkinematic intrusions: The example of Ikaria Island (NE Cyclades, Greece)

Abstract

The Aegean extensional backarc domain is an ideal place to investigate the interrelations between syntectonic intrusions and large-scale detachments, understanding whether the intrusions have a triggering effect on the inception of metamorphic core complex formation or not. A new field study of Ikaria Island (NE Cyclades, Greece) in two Miocene granitoid plutons intruding a high-temperature metamorphic dome, namely the Raches and Karkinagrion granites, leads to the identification of a major structure that has been omitted in previous studies: the Gialiskari Detachment. This regional-scale detachment is correlated with the North Cycladic Detachment System. Structural fieldwork at the scale of the entire Raches and Karkinagrion intrusions allows us to propose a map of strain intensity in these granites. This map, based on macrostructural criteria, highlights a strong strain gradient in both intrusions from base to top, when approaching the Gialiskari Detachment. Along the strain gradient, a continuum of top-to-the north shearing deformation is recognized, including i) syn-magmatic deformation, ii) high-temperature ductile deformation at submagmatic state, iii) mylonitic to ultramylonitic deformation, and iv) low-temperature brittle deformation. A scenario of the interactions between the detachment and the Raches and Karkinagrion intrusions during their emplacement is proposed. We show that these granites were emplaced while the exhumation of the Ikaria metamorphic dome was already underway. We conclude that these plutons do not initially localize detachments, and instead that detachments localize and control the ascent of plutons. Intrusions then interact with detachments, accommodating their upward migration in the crust. This scenario is described on other Cycladic islands such as on Tinos or Mykonos. At a larger scale, the final emplacement of plutons may result from the flow of molten crust toward metamorphic core complex during extension.