Abstract
Pre-Variscan sequences of the central and eastern part of the Tauern window consist of amphibolites, plagioclase gneisses and minor intercalations of metapelites and metacherts. They were analyzed geochemically and, in addition, morphological studies of their zircon crystals were carried out. The metabasaltic rocks in the eastern Tauern window (Storz Group) geochemically represent a transitional island-arc-back-arc geotectonic setting. They are intercalated with acid plagioclase gneisses in some places which, as is implied from the characteristics of their zircon crystal faces, are most probably mantle-derived metarhyolites. Biotite-plagioclase gneisses with detrital zircon populations predominate over the amphibolites and are interpreted as metagreywackes derived from the nearby volcanic arc. A dismembered ophiolite complex (Stubach group) in the central Tauern window shows chemical characteristics of a back-arc oceanic crust. It is overlain mainly by metabasalts, metaandesites and metarhyolites (Habach group) with low-K to calc-alkaline geochemistry representing a primitive island-arc. In conclusion, the pre-Variscan sequences of the Tauern window were formed in an oceanic setting and represent supra-subduction oceanic crust and a primitive island-arc. Cratonization of the area did not occur until the intrusion of large masses of S- and I-type granitoids during the Variscan orogeny.
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