Metamorphic Units Research Articles

Cementation of kerogen-rich marls by alkaline fluids released during weathering of thermally metamorphosed marly sediments. Part I: Isotopic (C,O) study of the Khushaym Matruk natural analogue (central Jordan)

The Khushaym Matruk site in central Jordan may represent a natural analogue depicting the interaction of alkaline solutions with a clayey sedimentary formation or with clay-rich confining barriers at the interface with concrete structures in waste disposal sites. In this locality, past spontaneous combustion of organic matter in a clayey biomicritic formation produced a ca. 60 m-thick layer of cement-marble containing some of the high-temperature phases usually found in industrial cements (e.g., spurrite, brucite, and Ca-aluminate). A vertical cross-section of the underlying sediments was used in order to study the interaction between cement-marbles and neighbouring clayey limestones under weathering conditions. A thermodynamic approach of the alteration parageneses (calcite–jennite–afwillite–brucite and CSH phases) in the cement-marbles constrains the interacting solutions to have had pH-values between 10.5 and 12. Over 3 m, the sediments located beneath the metamorphic unit were compacted and underwent carbonation. They display large C and O isotopic variations with respect to “pristine” sediments from the bottom of the section. Low δ 13C-values down to −31.4‰/PDB show the contribution of CO 2 derived from the oxidization of organic matter and from the atmosphere to the intense carbonation process affecting that particular sedimentary level. The size of the C isotopic anomalies, their geometrical extent and their coincidence with the variations of other markers like the Zn content, the structure of organic matter, the mineralogical composition, all argue that the carbonation process was induced by the percolation of high pH solutions which derived from the alteration of cement-marbles. The temperature of the carbonation process remains conjectural and some post-formation O isotopic reequilibration likely affected the newly-formed carbonate. Carbonation induced a considerable porosity reduction, both in fractures and matrixes. The Khushaym Matruk site may have some bearing to the early life of a repository site, when water saturation of the geological formations hosting the concrete structures is incomplete, enabling simultaneous diffusion of alkaline waters and gaseous CO 2 in the near field.

40Ar/39Ar geochronology constraints on the Middle Tertiary basement extensional exhumation, and its relation to ore-forming and magmatic processes in the Eastern Rhodope (Bulgaria)

The interaction of distinct geologic processes involved during late orogenic extensional exhumation history of the metamorphic units in the Eastern Rhodope is refined by new and reviewing 40Ar/39Ar geochronological and structural data. Minerals with different closure temperatures from metamorphic rocks investigated in this study are combined with those from magmatic and ore-forming hydrothermal rocks in two late stage metamorphic domes – the Kesebir-Kardamos and the Biala reka-Kehros domes. The 38-37 Ma muscovite and biotite cooling ages below 350°-300°C characterize basement metamorphic rocks that typified core of the Kesebir-Kardamos dome, constraining their exhumation at shallow crustal levels in the footwall of detachment. These ages are interpreted as reflecting last stage of ductile activity on shear zone below detachment, which continued to operate under low-temperature conditions within the semi-ductile to brittle field. They are close to and overlap with existing cooling ages in southern Bulgaria and northern Greece, indicating supportively that the basement rocks regionally cooled between 42-36 Ma below temperatures 350°-300°C. The spatial distribution of ages shows a southward gradual increase up structural section, suggesting an asymmetrical mode of extension, cooling and exhumation from south to the north at latitude of the Kesebir-Kardamos dome. The slightly younger 36.5-35 Ma crystallization ages of adularia in altered rocks from the ore deposits in the immediate hanging-wall of detachments are attributed to brittle deformation on high-angle normal faults, which further contributed to upper crustal extension, and thus constraining the time when alteration took place and deformation continued at brittle crustal levels. Silicic dykes yielded ages between 32-33 Ma, typically coinciding with the main phase of Palaeogene magmatic activity, which started in Eastern Rhodope region in Late Eocene (Priabonian) times. The 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages from the above distinct rock types span time interval lasting approximately ca. 6 Ma. Consequently, our geochronologic results consistently indicate that extensional tectonics and related exhumation and doming, epithermal mineralizations and volcanic activity are closely spaced in time. These new 40Ar/39Ar age results further contribute to temporal constraints on the timing of tectonic, relative to ore-forming and magmatic events, suggesting in addition that all above mentioned processes interfered during the late orogenic extensional collapse in the Eastern Rhodope region.

Zircon geochronology and Sm–Nd isotopic study: Further constraints for the Archean and Paleoproterozoic geodynamical evolution of the southeastern Guiana Shield, north of Amazonian Craton, Brazil

The eastern part of the Guiana Shield, northern Amazonian Craton, in South America, represents a large orogenic belt developed during the Transamazonian orogenic cycle (2.26–1.95 Ga), which consists of extensive areas of Paleoproterozoic crust and two major Archean terranes: the Imataca Block, in Venezuela, and the here defined Amapá Block, in the north of Brazil. Pb-evaporation on zircon and Sm–Nd on whole rock dating were provided on magmatic and metamorphic units from southwestern Amapá Block, in the Jari Domain, defining its long-lived evolution, marked by several stages of crustal accretion and crustal reworking. Magmatic activity occurred mainly at the Meso-Neoarchean transition (2.80–2.79 Ga) and during the Neoarchean (2.66–2.60 Ga). The main period of crust formation occurred during a protracted episode at the end of Paleoarchean and along the whole Mesoarchean (3.26–2.83 Ga). Conversely, crustal reworking processes have dominated in Neoarchean times. During the Transamazonian orogenic cycle, the main geodynamic processes were related to reworking of older Archean crust, with minor juvenile accretion at about 2.3 Ga, during an early orogenic phase. Transamazonian magmatism consisted of syn- to late-orogenic granitic pulses, which were dated at 2.22 Ga, 2.18 Ga and 2.05–2.03 Ga. Most of the ε Nd values and T DM model ages (2.52–2.45 Ga) indicate an origin of the Paleoproterozoic granites by mixing of juvenile Paleoproterozoic magmas with Archean components. The Archean Amapá Block is limited in at southwest by the Carecuru Domain, a granitoid-greenstone terrane that had a geodynamic evolution mainly during the Paleoproterozoic, related to the Transamazonian orogenic cycle. In this latter domain, a widespread calc-alkaline magmatism occurred at 2.19–2.18 Ga and at 2.15–2.14 Ga, and granitic magmatism was dated at 2.10 Ga. Crustal accretion was recognized at about 2.28 Ga, in agreement with the predominantly Rhyacian crust-forming pattern of the eastern Guiana Shield. Nevertheless, T DM model ages (2.50–2.38 Ga), preferentially interpreted as mixed ages, and ε Nd < 0, point to some participation of Archean components in the source of the Paleoproterozoic rocks. In addition, the Carecuru Domain contains an oval-shaped Archean granulitic nucleus, named Paru Domain. In this domain, Neoarchean magmatism at about 2.60 Ga was produced by reworking of Mesoarchean crust, as registered in the Amapá Block. Crustal accretion events and calc-alkaline magmatism are recognized at 2.32 Ga and at 2.15 Ga, respectively, as well as charnockitic magmatism at 2.07 Ga. The lithological association and the available isotopic data registered in the Carecuru Domain suggests a geodynamic evolution model based on the development of a magmatic arc system during the Transamazonian orogenic cycle, which was accreted to the southwestern border of the Archean Amapá Block.

Exhumation of the Saualpe eclogite unit, Eastern Alps: constraints from 40Ar/39Ar ages and structural investigations

The Cretaceous Eclogite-Gneiss unit and its tectonic overburden (Micaschist, Phyllite and Lower Magdalensberg units) and the underlying Preims subunit of the Saualpe, Eastern Alps, have been investigated in order to constrain the mode of exhumation of the type locality of eclogites. 40Ar/39Ar ages of white mica from the eclogite-bearing unit suggest rapid, uniform cooling and exhumation between 86 and 78 Ma (Santonian-Campanian). Overlying units show upwards increasingly older ages with an age of 261.7 ± 1.4 Ma in the uppermost, low-grade metamorphic unit (Lower Magdalensberg unit). We consider this Permian age as geologically significant and to record a Permian tectonic event. Rocks of phyllite and micaschist units along western margins of the Saualpe block yield amphibole and white mica ages ranging from 123 to 130 Ma. These are considered to closely date the age of nappe stacking, whereas a single biotite age of 66–68 Ma from a shear zone is interpreted to date retrogression during normal faulting. Biotite and amphibole of Micaschist and Eclogite-Gneiss units show variable contents of extraneous argon. Consequently, their ages are in part geologically meaningless whereas other samples yield meaningful ages. The white mica ages from the Eclogite-Gneiss unit range from 78 to 85 Ma and argue for cooling through ca. 400 °C during the time as the westerly adjacent Upper Cretaceous Krappfeld collapse basin formed. The Preims subunit with paragneiss and marbles is considered to represent a large synmetamorphic shear zone at the base of the overthrusting Eclogite-Gneiss unit. The unit comprises a flat-lying foliation and a SE-trending lineation. This zone is interpreted to represent a zone of top-NW thrusting. A major ductile low-angle normal fault with top to ESE shear has been detected between the Eclogite-Gneiss and overlying units, and between the Micaschist and Phyllite units. The ductile thrust at the base and the low-angle normal fault at the top are considered to confine a NW-ward extruding high-pressure wedge. The new observations argue for rapid exhumation of a subducted high-pressure wedge within a subduction channel. Rapid surface erosion of the exhuming wedge might have facilitated exhumation. Eroded sedimentary rocks are preserved within adjacent Gosau basins, although only pebbles of low-grade metamorphic rocks of the uppermost tectonic unit can be found in these basins.

Mesoproterozoic rocks of Namibia and their plate tectonic setting

Two main Mesoproterozoic provinces occur in southern Namibia: (1) The high-grade Namaqua Metamorphic Complex (NMC) composed of a supracrustal sedimentary succession and interpreted as a passive margin sequence in the west of the Kalahari craton; (2) The Sinclair Group and its northeastern correlatives, composed of two main magmatic and metamorphic units, reflecting northeast-directed subduction, which started before 1.37 Ga and lasted until about 1.1 Ga. These two units were tectonically juxtaposed during the 1.1–1.03 Ga Namaqua orogenic event. The Kairab–Kumbis Metamorphic Complex comprises metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks intruded by the 1.37 Ga arc-related Aunis tonalite. The mafic volcanic rocks from this complex have geochemical features of island arc calcalkaline basalts; they were emplaced and metamorphosed along an active margin before 1.37 Ga. The 1.2–1.1 Ga low-grade unmetamorphosed volcanic and immature sedimentary rocks of the Sinclair Group and its northwestern equivalents rest disconformably on the Kairab–Kumbis Complex. They occur in fault-bounded depocenters defining a regional arc-shape structure up to 100 km-wide and with a minimum length of 2000 km. The plate tectonic setting of this arc is best constrained by the composition of volcanic rocks from the ∼1.2 Ga Barby Formation and coeval granitoids; they comprise high-K calcalkaline rocks suggesting emplacement in an active continental margin setting. The final stage of this continental arc evolution is recorded in the <1.1 Ga tholeiites of the Opdam Formation. High Ti-content and flat REE-patterns in the tholeiites suggests an extensional event, whereas high Th/Ta and La/Nb ratios, low Ce/Pb values and negative anomalies for Nb–Ta suggest a subduction-related setting for the mantle source from which the mafic magmas were derived. Docking of continents led to the slab detachment, allowing interaction between the asthenospheric mantle and the mantle wedge enriched during the subduction process. The magmatic underplating related to this event induced the genesis of large-scale batholitic granitoid bodies in the NMC and a ∼1.1–1.0 Ga high-grade LP/HT metamorphism, with mineral assemblages indicating an anti-clockwise P–T–t path.

Whole-rock Ar-Ar dating for low-grade metavolcanics within the Dabie orogen and its geological significance

The genetic relationship between lowgrade and ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic units in the interior of the Dabie orogen has been controversial with respect to preservation of volcanic texture during continental subduction to mantle depths. In order to resolve this issue, whole-rock Ar-Ar dating was carried out for greenschist-facies metatuff that is in contact with UHP eclogite in Yuexi County, Anhui Province. One sample gave a plateau age of 784.4±2.0 Ma and an isochron age of 785.0±4.7 Ma, and the other sample a plateau age of 770.9±2.0 Ma and an isochron age of 769.5±3.1 Ma. It appears that the Ar isotopic system was not disturbed since the volcanic eruption at the middle Neoproterozoic. Because of the low closure temperature of Ar diffusion in volcanic rocks, retention of the Neoproterozoic ages indicates that the low-grade metavolcanics did not experience high-grade metamorphism up to eclogite-facies conditions during the Triassic subduction of continental crust. Furthermore, the Neoproterozoic Ar-Ar ages are also in agreement with protolith ages of UHP metaigneous rocks in the Dabie orogen. Therefore, the metatuff is interpreted as a tectonic relict that was scraped off during the Triassic subduction and thus was not subducted to mantle depths like the adjacent eclogite. This lends support to the model for crustal detachment between cover and basement during continental collision. A tectonic melange model is proposed to explain the occurrence of contrasting grades of metamorphic rock within the UHP metamorphic zone.

Partitioning of deformation within a subduction channel during exhumation of high-pressure rocks: a case study from the Western Alps

The metamorphic belt of the Western Alps was subjected to widespread extensional tectonism at the end of the Eocene (ca. 45–35 Ma). Extension was accommodated by hinterland-directed movements along gently inclined extensional shear zones, which facilitated rapid exhumation of high-pressure and ultra-high-pressure rocks. This deformation resulted in a normal metamorphic sequence. Extension in the inner parts of the Western Alps was coeval with shortening at the front of the belt (foreland-directed thrusts), which took place during decompression, and emplaced higher grade metamorphic units over lower grade metamorphic rocks, thus forming an inverse metamorphic sequence. Two mechanisms for this extensional episode are discussed: (1) collapse of an overthickened lithosphere, and (2) internal readjustments within the orogenic wedge due to subduction channel dynamics. We favour the latter mechanism because it can account for the development of the observed inverse and normal metamorphic sequences along foreland-directed thrusts and hinterland-directed detachments, respectively. This hypothesis is supported by published structural, metamorphic and geochronological data from four geological transects through the Western Alps. This study also emphasizes the importance of post-shearing deformation (e.g. horizontal buckling versus vertical flattening), which can modify the distribution of hinterland- and foreland-directed shear zones in orogenic belts.

Geochemical constraints from the Hafafit Metamorphic Complex (HMC): Evidence of Neoproterozoic back-arc basin development in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt

The Hafafit Metamorphic Complex (HMC) is a part of the Precambrian belt in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt. Two distinct metamorphic units were identified: gneisses and amphibolites. The gneisses are subdivided on mineralogical grounds into granitic gneiss, biotite-gneiss, hornblende-gneiss and psammitic gneiss. Using major elements discrimination criteria to discriminate between orthogneiss and paragneiss, the granitic gneiss shows igneous origin, whereas biotite-gneiss, hornblende-gneiss and psammitic gneiss show sedimentary origin. The mineralogical and chemical compositions of the granitic gneisses indicate that they are tonalitic to trondhjemitic and have compositions consistent with hydrous partial melting of a mafic source, suggesting subduction-related magmatism. Based on Si, Al and alkali contents of paragneisses, the psammitic gneiss could be classified as metamorphosed lithic arenite, whereas biotite- and hornblende-gneisses are classified as metamorphosed greywacke. Sedimentation may have occurred in a back-arc basin setting with transitional deposition from shallow-marine to terrestrial environment. This sedimentation was probably occurred on a tholeiitic basaltic oceanic crust. The amphibolites are subdivided according to mineralogical basis into clinopyroxene-amphibolite, garnet-amphibolite and garnet-free massive amphibolite. Chemical data of amphibolites shows tholeiitic affinity, which suggests a back-arc geotectonic setting. A generation of the leucogranite along thrust zones is related to the late phase of metamorphism of Hafafit rocks. This interpretation is supported by the similarity between metamorphic age and granite emplacement age.

PRELIMINARY APPROACH TO GENESIS OF BERYL GROUP MINERALS IN KAYMAZ, NW SÝVRÝHÝSAR, ESKÝÞEHÝR

Kaymaz (Sivrihisar) is located at 80 km east of the Eskiþehir. The study area consists of metamor- phites, ophiolites, phonolites and pegmatites. Beryl crystals are detected in the sediments which cut the meta- morphic units. Optical microscopic determinations show that beryl crystals have 35 µm diameter, green and pale greenish blue colours, hexagonal features, basal cleavages, no = 1.584 and ne = 1.584 refractive indexes, uni- axial (-) and euhedral hexagonal prismatic characters which was supported by scanning images (SEM). Be con- tent of phonolites between 9-31 ppm, of pegmatites between 4-17 ppm and of metamorphic units as 1 ppm were determined. Elements associated with beryllium in phonolites with F (260-440 ppm), Ba (1088-3106 ppm), La (300 ppm), Y (16-19 ppm) content, pegmatite with F (300 ppm), W (10 ppm), Sn (5 ppm) contents and presence of beryl crystals in the sediments cutting the metamorphic units which have tectonic relation with phonolite and pegmatite, seem to imply that formation of the beryl minerals have close releationship with these units.

Uniform Permian40Ar/39Ar detrital mica ages in the eastern Qaidam Basin (NW China): where is the source?

AbstractNew single‐grain40Ar/39Ar detrital white‐mica ages from the Lulehe section at the eastern Qaidam Basin yield uniform Permian ages between 250 ± 3 and 279 ± 3 Ma throughout the whole Cenozoic sequence. This is inconsistent with the present hinterland, which is composed of early Palaeozoic metamorphic units with subordinate early Palaeozoic and few Permian granites. The new data indicate that Permian tectonic units are likely more widespread at the north‐eastern margin of the Tibetan plateau as known at present, particularly within the Qilian Mountains. The preferred explanation is that the Qaidam block represents a rigid indenter, which indented during late Tertiary times into early Palaeozoic orogenic units. This is consistent with recent findings of a NW‐trending sinistral Permian ductile shear zone and a dextral, NW‐trending Tertiary fault system close to the north‐eastern margin of the Qaidam Basin.

GEOCHEMISTRY AND TECTONO-MAGMATIC SIGNIFICANCE OF HP/LT METAOPHIOLITES OF THE ATTIC-CYCLADIC ZONE IN THE LAVRION AREA (ATTICA, GREECE)

The Lavrion area corresponds to the northwestern end of the Attic-Cycladic Complex and mainly consists of metamorphic rocks formed during the Eocene high-pressure/low-temperature (HP/LT) event and the Upper Oligocene-Lower Miocene medium-pressure metamorphic event. These metamorphic rocks are found in two superimposed tectonic units: the Kamariza Unit, which includes metavolcanic rocks and the overlying Lavrion blueschist Unit, which is largely represented by metaophiolites. Protoliths of metavolcanic rocks in the Kamariza Unit are calc-alkaline basalts displaying a marked enrichment in Th, U, and LREE and depletion in Ta, Nb, Hf and Ti, which point to a genesis from a depleted mantle source further enriched by subduction components. The Lavrion blueschist Unit mainly includes metavolcanic rocks with tholeiitic composition, as well as subordinate metagranites and metavolcanic rocks with calc-alkaline affinity. The tholeiitic metavolcanic rocks are mainly represented by enriched-type (E-) mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) and subordinately by normal-type (N-) MORB. E-MORB chemistry implies a genesis from a depleted asthenospheric source modified by an OIB component, whereas the N-MORB has chemical features typical for rocks generated in a mid-ocean ridge setting from a primitive asthenospheric source. Previous works suggested that the magmatic protoliths of similar HP/LT metamorphic rocks from elsewhere in the Cyclades reflect an arc-back-arc tectonic setting, which developed during the Cretaceous closure of the Pindos oceanic basin. However, recent geological studies have shown that the Lavrion metamorphic Units, unlike similar units from the Cycladic zone, represent Triassic Pelagonian sequences metamorphosed under HP/LT conditions typical of the Cycladic zone. The geochemical and petrological characteristics of the Lavrion metamorphic rocks support this conclusion. In particular, calc-alkaline protoliths display many similarities with the Triassic calc-alkaline rocks associated with the rift of Gondwana, whereas MORB-type protoliths are similar to the Triassic MORB found in the Subpelagonian ophiolitic melanges. The magmatic protoliths of the Lavrion HP/LT metamorphic rocks are thus compatible with a paleotectonic evolution which encompasses the Triassic continental rift, followed by the early oceanization stage of the Pindos ocean, and emplaced on the border between the Pelagonian continental margin and the Pindos basin. These rocks were probably included into melanges during the Jurassic closure of the Pindos basin, and finally they were involved in the Eocene and Upper Oligocene-Lower Miocene metamorphic events that affected the Cycladic zone.

3D modelling of rifting through a pre-existing stack of nappes in the Gulf of Corinth (Greece): a mixed analogue/numerical approach

Abstract The Gulf of Corinth is a young (1 Ma) active rift currently extending N00, which displays significant contrasts in structural style along strike. A possible explanation for these variations is the presence of the Phyllades nappe in the basement of the western part of the Gulf. Previous 2D thermo-mechanical models have shown that a strong strength contrast between this metamorphic unit and the rest of the basement can explain the kinematics and the spacing of the faults in the western part. The rift, however, displays a wide variety of 3D features (e.g., en echelon faulting, N30 transverse normal faults) that cannot be taken into account using 2D modelling. To obtain 3D insights into the role of an inherited dipping weakness zone, analogue (sand and PDMS) experiments based on the results of the 2D numerical thermo-mechanical model have been performed. The analogue models show that a 30° discrepancy between the dipping direction of the weak nappe and the direction of extension leads to the formation of en echelon and N30 striking normal faults as observed in the Gulf of Corinth. However, fault spacing and graben width completely misfit both the data and the results of the thermo-mechanical models on which the analogue experiments were based. In order to understand those differences, numerical mechanical benchmarks of the analogue experiments have been run to test different factors (3D lateral displacements, values of the elastic parameters and bottom boundary conditions) that could have affected the dynamics of the analogue model. This approach highlights, for our case study, that the misfits are mostly related to the lack of isostatic compensation at the base of the analogue experiments.

‘Verrucano’ and ‘Pseudoverrucano’ in the Central-Western Mediterranean Alpine Chains: palaeogeographical evolution and geodynamic significance

Abstract The Anisian-Carnian Verrucano Group of the Tuscan Metamorphic Units and the Triassic-Hettangian Pseudoverrucano Formation of the homonymous unit are mainly continental redbeds occurring in Tuscany at the base of the Alpine orogenic cycle. A study carried out throughout the Apennine, Maghrebian and Betic Chains emphasized the presence in all these orogenic belts of deposits more or less coeval and similar both to the metamorphic Verrucano and to the unmetamorphosed Pseudoverrucano. Thus, the distinction of Verrucano and Pseudoverrucano successions has a palaeogeographical and geodynamic importance at the scale of the Western Mediterranean. Both successions developed during the continental rift stage of Pangaea, which led to later break-up at the edges of a future microplate, interposed between the Europe, Africa and Adria-Apulia plates, but they are characterized by different tectonometamorphic evolution. Pseudoverrucano-like deposits, devoid of Alpine metamorphism, characterize the highest tectonic units of the nappe stack and they overthrust units bearing Verrucano-like deposits. These latter show an Alpine tectonometamorphic history marked during the Miocene by intense deformation and HP/LT metamorphism (at pressures in the range of 0.8–2 GPa), followed by a retrograde phase associated with decompression, suggesting subduction and subsequent exhumation of continental crust. Intriguing palaeogeographical problems arise from the analysis of Verrucanobearing units, because the same evolution seems to characterize both units considered to belong to a realm similar to that of the north-verging Austroalpine nappe system and some units referred to the south-verging fold-thrust belt derived from the Adria-Apulia palaeomargin.

Tectonic Evolution of the Dabie-Sulu UHP and HP Metamorphic Belts, East-Central China: Structural Record in UHP Rocks

The complex structural history of the Dabie-Sulu terrane is deduced from various scales of structural features studied in UHP metamorphic units combined with metamorphic and thermal data. Excluding pre-UHP events, the following sequence of distinct tectonometamorphic stages is suggested: (1) The first deformation, D1, produced weak foliation and lineation in massive eclogite in the P-T stability field of coesite/diamond under low differential stress. (2) The D2 event is mainly inferred from a dominant coesite eclogite-facies texture characterized by a stretching mineral lineation, mesoscale sheath-like folds, and a network of ductile shear zones. (3) D3 structures and fabrics developed shortly after the formation of granulite/amphibolite—facies symplectites. These structures are characterized by a regional, steeply dipping foliation and heterogeneous compositional layering, eclogite boudinages of various dimensions, intrafolial folds, and ductile shear zones forming an anastomosing pattern, leading to tectonic juxtaposition or nappe-like structures defining shear zone-bounded crustal slices. The D3 deformation event was associated with decompressional partial melting and intense retrogressive metamorphism. (4) Post-collisional ductile crustal thinning and extension affected the D3 foliation and compositional layering, producing a regional, gently dipping D4 main amphibolite-facies foliation and stretching lineation, dome- and arc-shaped structures, and low-angle and extensional detachments typified by different stretching directions. All of these structures formed prior to intrusion of Late Mesozoic plutons, faulting, basin development, and tectonic unroofing at shallow crustal levels (D5). The first two stages of ductile structures (D1 and D2) were related to subduction and collision between the Sino-Korean and Yangtze cratons at UHP (>27 kbar) and HP metamorphic conditions at 230-250 Ma. In contrast, D3 and D4 stages of Late Triassic to Jurassic (~230-170 Ma) ductile deformation accompanied exhumation of UHP and HP metamorphic rocks to crustal levels, initially driven by compression and later by extension. D4 structures dominate the map pattern of most UHP and HP metamorphic rocks in the orogen. The final D5 deformation largely controls the present-day geomorphology of the Dabie-Sulu region. A modified tectonic evolution model for the UHP and HP metamorphic belts is proposed. It involves continental subduction and collision between the Yangtze and Sino-Korean cratons, and subsequent polyphase exhumation of the UHP and HP metamorphic rocks.

Thrusting and faulting in metamorphic and sedimentary units of Ligurian Alps: an example of integrated field work and geochemical analyses

In a sector placed in the SE part of the Alps–Apennine junction, a kilometre-scale shear zone has been identified as the Grognardo thrust zone (GTZ), which caused the NE-directed thrusting of metaophiolites (Voltri Group) and polymetamorphic continental crust slices (Valosio Unit) of Ligurian Alps onto Oligocene sediments of an episutural basin known as “Tertiary Piemonte Basin”. The structural setting of the GTZ is due to syn- to late-metamorphic deformation, followed by a brittle thrusting that occurred in the Late Aquitanian times and can thus be related to one of the main contractional tectonic events suffered by northern Apennines. The GTZ was then sealed by Lower Burdigalian carbonate platform sediments (Visone Formation). Transtensive faulting followed in post-Burdigalian times along NW–SE regional faults and displaced the previously coupled sedimentary and metamorphic units. The GTZ thus underwent a plastic-to-brittle evolution, during which carbonate-rich fluids largely sustained the deformation. In these stages, a complex vein network originated within both the metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Field data and stable isotopic analyses (13C and 18O) of bulk rocks and veins show that fluid–rock interaction caused the carbonatisation of the rocks in the late-metamorphic stages and the cataclasis and recementation, by the action of isochemical cold carbonate groundwater during the thrusting events. Carbonate veins largely developed also during the transtensive faulting stages, with composition clearly different from that of the veins associated to thrust faults, as indicated by the strong depletion in 13C of carbonate fillings, suggesting the presence of exotic fluids, characterised by a high content of organic matter.

Genesis of the Dordogne (France) high-purity silica placers

This article describes the formation of the principal French high-purity silica placer (source for electrometallurgy of silicon and ferrosilicon), the Boudeau deposit in Dordogne, and of one of its subordinate deposits, the Pays Brule deposit. Boudeau has always been considered to be a colluvial deposit, formed in a trap produced by extensional tectonism. The present work suggests a new genetic interpretation, based on a combined study of the deposits and their underlying rocks. It shows that the quartz gravel deposits, laid down by stream flow within braided channels, were reworked by karstic progressive sinking, and that the mechanism responsible for the increase in the thickness of the economic formations is cryptokarstic corrosion. This undercovers weathering process, which involves dissolution of karstifiable rocks (oolitic and bioclastic limestones) at their interface with a permeable, non-karstifiable cover composed of chemically pure quartz gravels in a sandy-argillaceous matrix. A typological study of the gravels provides a basis for tackling the problem of their origin and their purity. They seem to be derived mainly from the synmetamorphic quartz mobilisates of the stripped metamorphic units (the lower and upper gneiss units forming the western edge of the Massif Central). Lastly, a dynamic model is suggested for the genesis of the high-purity silica deposits of Dordogne.

Timing of tectonic events in the Alpujárride Complex, Betic Cordillera, southern Spain

Ar–Ar and fission-track dating from four low-grade sections in the Alpujárride Complex sheds light on the timing of the early contractional history of these high-pressure metamorphic units, and their subsequent exhumation during the early Miocene extensional collapse of the Betic orogen. White mica grains from the lowest-grade rocks yield partly reset detrital Ar–Ar ages; where deformation and recrystallization are more intense, however, they yield reproducible ages as old as c . 48 Ma, which we interpret as the approximate timing of the main contractional event and associated high-pressure metamorphism in these units. Rocks from slightly higher-grade sections give reproducible Ar–Ar ages between 30 and 40 Ma, but these younger ages probably reflect the interplay of growth and cooling in fine-grained micas heated to between 300 °C and 400 °C during prograde metamorphism. In each of the four areas studied the low-grade rocks are separated by an extensional detachment or shear zone from medium-grade rocks below. In two areas these detachments have been folded around major overturned north-vergent folds. Ar–Ar data from structurally below the detachments, and fission-track ages from all structural levels, indicate the onset of significant cooling in the early Miocene, which corresponds to the age of the extensional event. The folds must therefore be early Miocene or younger.

Ion microprobe (SHRIMP) dating of detrital zircon grains from quartzites of the Eckergneiss Complex, Harz Mountains (Germany): implications for the provenance and the geological history

The Eckergneiss Complex (EGC) is a geologically unique medium- to high-grade metamorphic unit within the Rhenohercynian domain of the Mid-European Variscides. A previously, poorly defined conventional lower U–Pb intercept age of about 560 Ma from detrital zircons of metasedimentary rocks has led to speculations about an East Avalonian affinity of the EGC. In order to unravel the provenance and to constrain the age of the sediment protolith, we carried out sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe U–Pb analyses on detrital zircons from five different EGC quartzite occurrences. The obtained age spectrum indicates a SW Baltica provenance of the detritus. Sveconorwegian ages between 0.9–1.2 Ga are particularly well represented by analyses from metamorphic recrystallization/alteration zones penetrating into igneous zircon. Cadomian (Pan-African) ages, which might reflect a metamorphic event, could not be substantiated. Instead, zircons of igneous origin yielded concordant Lower Devonian and Silurian ages of 410±10, 419±10, and 436±6 Ma (1σ), implying that sedimentation of the EG protolith must have taken place after 410±10 Ma. The lower age limit of the EGC metamorphism is constrained by 295 Ma intrusion ages of the adjacent, nonmetamorphosed Harzburg Gabbronorite and Brocken Granite. Sedimentation and metamorphism must thus have taken place between about 410 Ma and 295 Ma. Given that this time span coincides with most of the sedimentation within the virtually nonmetamorphosed (lowest grade) Rhenohercynian in the Harz Mountains, including the direct vicinity of the EGC, along with the high-grade metamorphism, the EGC can hardly be seen as uplifted local basement. A possible candidate for the root region is an easterly, concealed marginal segment of the Rhenohercynian domain of the Variscides, which is tectonically overridden and suppressed by the Mid-German Crystalline Rise during continent collision. However, based on the concept of strike-slip movement of Variscan terranes with different P–T–t histories as a result of postaccretion intraplate deformation, the EGC could also represent a fault-bounded complex with an origin located far east or south east of the present location.

Rift-Drift, Seafloor Spreading, and Subduction Tectonics of Albanian Ophiolites

Albanian ophiolites in the Dinaride-Albanide-Hellenide mountain system in the Balkan Peninsula represent oceanic remnants of the Mesozoic Pindos-Mirdita basin and structurally overlie the peripheral tectonic units, composed mainly of volcanosedimentary rift assemblages and conjugate passive margin sequences. These tectonic units and the ophiolites collectively record the rift-drift, seafloor spreading, and subduction evolution of the Pindos-Mirdita basin, which developed as a Tethyan seaway between the Apulian and Korabi-Pelagonian microcontinents. The peripheral tectonic units on the west include, from west to east, the Apulian platform (Sazani, Ionian, and Kruja zones), Apulian passive margin sequences (Krasta-Cukali Zone), volcanosedimentary unit (Triassic-Upper Jurassic), subophiolitic mélange, and metamorphic assemblages; the Korabi-Pelagonian platform and its passive margin sequences bound the ophiolites on the east. Metamorphic assemblages include amphibolite, micaschist, and marble that generally display inverted field gradients, analogous to metamorphic soles beneath other ophiolites in the eastern Mediterranean region. Some metamorphic assemblages with cooling ages >169 Ma in southern Albania may represent, instead, dynamothermally metamorphosed volcanosedimentary rocks developed during advanced stages of continental rifting, prior to the onset of seafloor spreading. The subophiolitic mélange contains blocks and clasts of material derived from ophiolites, metamorphic units, platform carbonates, and passive margin sequences, and represents a subduction-accretion complex formed during initial displacement and tectonic emplacement of the ophiolites. The supra-opholitic mélange and the overlying flysch deposits (Tithonian-Valanginian) and neritic limestones (Barramian-Upper Cretaceous) unconformably rest on the ophiolites and the platform carbonates, and constrain the timing of ophiolite emplacement onto the Korabi-Pelagonian continental margin as the latest Jurassic-Early Cretaceous. The Pindos-Mirdita basin initially developed as a broad transtentional, intra-continental rift system with highly oblique, ultraslow rifting and spreading. Ophiolites in the Mirdita region show a transition from MORB to IAT and boninitic affinities from west to east and structurally upwards, indicating magma genesis from highly depleted, refractory mantle sources increasingly affected by subduction-derived fluids. These spatial, temporal, and chemostratigraphic relations point to a suprasubduction zone origin of the eastern ophiolites above a west-dipping, intra-oceanic subduction zone, whose rollback resulted in lithospheric extension and the formation of a boninitic "proto-arc" in the upper plate. This subduction-accretion system was terminated by collision of the Korabi-Pelagonian margin with the trench that facilitated eastward emplacement of the ophiolites. Subsequent oblique collision of Apulia with Eurasia during the Maastrichtian-Paleogene transported the Albanian ophiolites westward onto the Apulian margin. The bidivergent emplacement tectonics of the Albanian ophiolites is hence a result of two separate collisional events at different times.

Comment on “The ultimate arc: Differential displacements, oroclinal bending, and vertical axis rotation in the External Betic‐Rif arc” by J. P. Platt et al.

[1] Platt et al. [2003a] have made a major contribution to our knowledge of the Gibraltar arc by documenting the kinematics of the Betic-Rif External zones through structural and palaeomagnetic measurements. They suggest that the ‘‘External Betic-Rif arc’’ is a thin-skinned fold-andthrust belt formed in Miocene time as a result of two causes, i.e., first, the westward component of motion of the ‘‘indenting Alboran Domain’’ (Betic-Rif Internal zones) relative to the convergent Iberian and African plates; and second, the extensional collapse of the Alboran Domain. [2] The concept of an ‘‘indenting Alboran Domain’’ goes back to the work of Andrieux et al. [1971], who referred to an ‘‘Alboran microplate.’’ We argue hereafter that the ‘‘Alboran Domain’’ did not act as an indenter, and that both its collapse and the external Betic and Rif fold belts are consequences of a slab retreat process. We also emphasize that defining the Betic and Rif external fold-and-thrust belts as a single, thin-skinned arc is misleading. [3] The crucial role of the late orogenic collapse in the building of the Betic-Rif chain goes back to the work of Platt and Vissers [1989], who assumed that it was an intracontinental collisional orogen, formed at the expense of the neighboring Iberian and African margins, without any oceanic domain nor exotic terrane in between. However, relics of lost oceans do occur (1) along the African margin, i.e., the Beni Malek serpentinites and basalts at the very edge of the margin [Michard et al., 1992] and the spilites and radiolarites at the bottom of the exotic Flyschs [Durand-Delga et al., 2000], which altogether document a former Maghrebian ocean, and (2) on top of the NevadoFilabrides units of central eastern Betics, i.e., the metaserpentinites and metabasalts of the Mulhacen complex, which document a former Betic ocean [Puga et al., 1999, 2002a, 2002b]. The occurrence of former oceanic domains makes necessary to consider subduction processes there. Some authors even assume that two subduction zones operated, first the SE dipping Alpine-Betic subduction, then the NW dipping Apenninic-Maghrebian subduction [Rehault et al., 1984; Torres-Roldan et al., 1986; Andrieux et al., 1989; Guerrera et al., 1993; Doglioni et al., 1998, 1999; Frizon de Lamotte et al., 2000; Chalouan et al., 2001; Michard et al., 2002; Chalouan and Michard, 2004]. Consistently, east dipping active subduction beneath the Gibraltar arc is currently evidenced [Morales et al., 1999; Gutscher et al., 2002]. [4] Platt et al. [2003a] accept the concept of an easterly, allochthonous ‘‘Alboran Domain.’’ In fact, the latter includes two different tectonic systems, the Nevado-Filabrides (NF) at the bottom, and the ‘‘Alboran Terrane’’ on top, which in turn consists of the metamorphic Alpujarrides-Sebtides (AS) overlain by the Malaguide-Ghomarides and Dorsale Calcaire units [Chalouan et al., 2001; Michard et al., 2002, and references therein]. The NF consists of the HT-LP Veleta schists overlain by the HP-LT Mulhacen Complex, which has the characters of a subduction tectonic complex [Puga et al., 1999, 2002a, 2002b]. Only the Alboran Terrane does represent an exotic domain of easterly origin [Bouillin et al., 1986; Michard et al., 1991, 2002]. As the Alboran Terrane formed at the onset of Neogene times an orogenic prism made of young, ductile metamorphic units, it can hardly be regarded as an ‘‘indenter,’’ which would be the initial cause of the ‘‘External Arc’’ building. We rather suggest considering that the Alboran Terrane operated as a backstop related to the subduction of the Maghrebian Tethys (see section 6). [5] Platt et al. [2003a] argue that ‘‘the present dramatic geometry of the arc is a result of extensional collapse of the Alboran Domain during the Miocene.’’ They agree that the subduction rollback hypothesis [Frizon de Lamotte et al., 1991; Lonergan and White, 1997] could be ‘‘reasonably’’ proposed, but prefer the collapse mechanism that they also consider as the cause of the opening of the Algerian basin TECTONICS, VOL. 24, TC1005, doi:10.1029/2003TC001603, 2005