The geology of the polymetamorphic complex of Ios, Cyclades, Greece and its significance for the Cycladic Massif

Abstract

The geological structure of the island of Ios, Cyclades, Greece, is a dome consisting of an augengneiss core and a mantle of garnet-mica schists that together form the Basement which is overthrust by a marble-schist Series. This Series is mainly made up of meta-volcanics and metamorphosed sediments, presumably Mesozoic in age. It is a tectonically composed pile of marbles alternating with glaucophane schists, actinolite schists and chlorite schists. Petrological relations and isotope dating indicate the polymetamorphic character of Ios. Two Alpine metamorphic phases, M1 and M2, and relicts of a high grade metamorphic or magmatic phase (Mo), that only affected the Basement, are demonstrated. Radiometric ages obtained for the Basement confirm the interpretation that the Mo phase is Pre-Alpine. The M1 and M2 were dated at 43 Ma and 25 Ma respectively. The P-T conditions of metamorphism are estimated as 9–11 kb and 350 to 400° C for the M1 phase and 5–7 kb and 380–420° C for the M2 phase. The metamorphic history of the Cyclades is discussed and it is suggested that Pre-Alpine Basement occurs also on Sikinos and Naxos.