Timing and evolution of Middle Triassic magmatism in the Southern Alps (northern Italy)

Abstract

Middle Triassic magmatism in the Southern Alps (northern Italy) consists of widespread volcanoclastic deposits, basaltic lava flows and intrusive complexes. Despite their importance in understanding the geodynamic evolution of the westernmost Tethys, the timing of magmatic activity and the links between the different igneous products remain poorly understood. We present a comprehensive high-precision zircon U–Pb geochronology dataset for the major intrusive complexes and several volcanic ash layers and integrate this with a high-resolution stratigraphic framework of Middle Triassic volcano-sedimentary successions. The main interval of Middle Triassic magmatism lasted at least 5.07 ± 0.06 myr. Magmatic activity started with silicic eruptions between 242.653 ± 0.036 and 238.646 ± 0.037 Ma, followed by a Supplementary material: Isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry U–Pb and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry trace element data tables, sample coordinates, supplementary geochemical data, cathodoluminescence images of isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry dated zircons and supplementary field documentation are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4287506