Geochronological constraints on the timing of granitoid magmatism, metamorphism and post-metamorphic cooling in the Hercynian crustal cross-section of Calabria

Exposed cross‐sections of the continental crust are a unique geological situation for crustal evolution studies, providing the possibility of deciphering the time relationships between magmatic and metamorphic events at all levels of the crust. In the cross‐section of southern and northern Calabria, U–Pb, Rb–Sr and K–Ar mineral ages of granulite facies metapelitic migmatites, peraluminous granites and amphibolite facies upper crustal gneisses provide constraints on the late‐Hercynian peak metamorphism and granitoid magmatism as well as on the post‐metamorphic cooling. Monazite from upper crustal amphibolite facies paragneisses from southern Calabria yields similar U–Pb ages (295–293±4 Ma) to those of granulite facies metamorphism in the lower crust and of intrusions of calcalkaline and metaluminous granitoids in the middle crust (300±10 Ma). Monazite and xenotime from peraluminous granites in the middle to upper crust of the same crustal section provide slightly older intrusion ages of 303–302±0.6 Ma. Zircon from a mafic to intermediate sill in the lower crust yields a lower concordia intercept age of 290±2 Ma, which may be interpreted as the minimum age for metamorphism or intrusion. U–Pb monazite ages from granulite facies migmatites and peraluminous granites of the lower and middle crust from northern Calabria (Sila) also point to a near‐synchronism of peak metamorphism and intrusion at 304–300±0.4 Ma. At the end of the granulite facies metamorphism, the lower crustal rocks were uplifted into mid‐crustal levels (10–15 km) followed by nearly isobaric slow cooling (c. 3 °C Ma^?1) as indicated by muscovite and biotite K–Ar and Rb–Sr data between 210±4 and 123±1 Ma. The thermal history is therefore similar to that of the lower crust of southern Calabria. In combination with previous petrological studies addressing metamorphic textures and P–T conditions of rocks from all crustal levels, the new geochronological results are used to suggest that the thermal evolution and heat distribution in the Calabrian crust were mainly controlled by advective heat input through magmatic intrusions into all crustal levels during the late‐Hercynian orogeny.     

Low-pressure metamorphism of Palaeozoic pelites in the Aspromonte, southern Calabria: constraints for the thermal evolution in the Calabrian crustal cross-section during the Hercynian orogeny

During Hercynian low-pressure/high-temperature metamorphism of Palaeozoic metasediments of the southern Aspromonte (Calabria), a sequence of metamorphic zones at chlorite, biotite, garnet, staurolite–andalusite and sillimanite–muscovite grade was developed. These metasediments represent the upper part of an exposed tilted cross-section through the Hercynian continental crust. P–T information on their metamorphism supplements that already known for the granulite facies lower crust of the section and allows reconstruction of the thermal conditions in the Calabrian crust during the late Hercynian orogenic event. Three foliations formed during deformation of the metasediments. The peak metamorphic assemblages grew mainly syntectonically (S2) during regional metamorphism, but mineral growth outlasted the deformation. This is in accordance with the textural relationships found in the lower part of the same crustal section exposed in the northern Serre. Pressure conditions recorded for the base of the upper crustal metasediments are c. 2.5 kbar and estimated temperatures range from <350 °C in the chlorite zone, increasing to 500 °C in the lower garnet zone, and reaching 620 °C in the sillimanite–muscovite zone. Geothermal gradients for the peak of metamorphism indicate a much higher value for the upper crust (c. 60 °C km^?1) than for the granulite facies lower crust (30–35 °C km^?1). The small temperature difference between the base of the upper crust (620 °C at c. 2.5 kbar) and the top of the lower crust (690 °C at 5.5 kbar) can be explained by intrusions of granitoids into the middle crust, which, in this crustal section, took place synchronously with the regional metamorphism at c. 310– 295 Ma. It is concluded that the thermal structure of the Calabrian crust during the Hercynian orogeny – as it is reflected by peak metamorphic assemblages – was mainly controlled by advective heat input through magmatic intrusions into all levels of the crust.     

A dynamic model of the structural evolution of the Hercynian Pyrenees

The structural history of the Hercynian Pyrenees is considered with respect to the relationships between the metamorphism and the successive deformations, the characteristics and mode of emplacement of the gneissic and anatectic cores of the metamorphic domes, the migmatization and the intrusions of plutonic and basic and ultrabasic rocks.The metamorphism can be shown to have progressed upwards with time, attaining the presently exposed levels just before, during and a short time after the major penetrative regional deformation.The intrusion of major plutonic, anatectic and gneissic massifs, which has determined the metamorphic domes in country rocks, was roughly synchronous with the progression of the metamorphism, but seems to have continued later in the uppermost levels.The basic and ultrabasic rocks uplifted by the intrusion of the anatectic cores of the metamorphic domes have been deformed and foliated by the major regional penetrative deformation, thus showing that their intrusion predated this deformation in the lowermost levels.These results, together with the presently available sedimentological data, lead us to propose a dynamic model of the tectonic evolution of the Hercynian Pyrenees.The first step was a crustal extension and thinning, attaining its maximum during Frasnian time, marked in the upper levels by a “ horst and graben” controlled sedimentation and in the lower crust by intrusions of basic magmas and the onset of the very low-pressure metamorphism and anatexis characteristic of the Hercynian Pyrenees.The second step was a crustal shortening marked by large-scale crustal thrusting followed by widespread regional penetrative deformation. The flysch troughs formed in front of the progressing and emerging thrusts. In lower levels, the thrusts are believed to have controlled the progressive ascent of the plutonic and anatectic magmas which continued their uplift and emplacement during major penetrative regional deformation in the actual mesozone and probably after it in the uppermost levels.     

Metamorphic evolution of the Sesia-Lanzo Zone,Western Alps: time constraints from multi-system geochronology

 The Sesia-Lanzo Zone is a polymetamorphic unit containing Hercynian granulite relics overprinted by eclogite and greenschist facies metamorphism and deformation during the Alpine orogeny. Different parts of the unit record different stages on the P-T-deformation evolution, allowing multi-system isotopic studies to unravel the precise timing of the metamorphic history. New Rb–Sr white mica and U–Pb sphene data constrain the age of eclogite facies metamorphism and deformation to 60–70 Ma. This substantially alters the common view of early- to mid-Cretaceous eclogite facies metamorphism in this unit. The new results are more consistent with the established geotectonic framework for the Alpine orogeny, since they do not require a prolonged period of depressed geothermal gradient at a time when the region was in extension. It is also more concordant with recent studies of other units that demonstrate post-Cretaceous high-pressure metamorphism. Step-heated ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar analysis of phengites yields good plateaux giving ages older than the corresponding Rb–Sr age. Such anomalously high ages indicate the presence of radiogenic argon-rich fluids in the grain boundary network under the fluid/pressure conditions acting during this high-pressure metamorphic event. The U–Pb sphene ages are variable in polymetamorphic rocks, and show inheritance of older Pb or sphene crystals into the high-pressure event. Two monometamorphic assemblages yield concordant ages at 66±1 Ma, reflecting crystallisation of the eclogite facies assemblage. The Gneiss Minuti Complex (GMC) lies structurally below the Eclogitic Micaschists, and its pervasive greenschist facies fabric yields tightly clustered Rb–Sr white mica ages at 38–39 Ma. This greenschist event did not affect the majority of the EMC. The ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar ages of micas formed at this time were very disturbed, whereas micas surviving from an earlier higher pressure assemblage had their ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar system reset. The greenschist event did not strongly affect U–Pb systematics in Hercynian age sphenes, suggesting that the GMC did not uniformly suffer an eclogite facies metamorphism during the Alpine cycle, but was juxtaposed against the EMC later in the orogeny. This model still requires that the locus of deformation and metamorphism (and possibly fluid flux) moved outboard with time, leaving the Sesia-Lanzo basement as a shear-bounded unreactive block within the orogenic wedge. Received: 12 October 1995/Accepted:25 June 1996     

Timing of metamorphism in the Tauern Window, Eastern Alps: Rb-Sr ages and fabric formation

The Peripheral Schieferhülle of the Tauern Window of the Eastern Alps represents post-Hercynian Penninic cover sequences and preserves a record of metamorphism in the Alpine orogeny, without the inherited remnants of Hercynian events that are retained in basement rocks. The temperature-time-deformation history of rocks at the lower levels of these cover sequences have been investigated by geochronological and petrographic study of units whose P-T evolution and structural setting are already well understood. The Eclogite Zone of the central Tauern formed from protoliths with Penninic cover affinities, and suffered early Alpine eclogite facies metamorphism before tectonic interposition between basement and cover. It then shared a common metamorphic history with these units, experiencing blueschist facies and subsequent greenschist facies conditions in the Alpine orogeny. The greenschist facies phase, associated with penetrative deformation in the cover and the influx of aqueous fluids, reset Sr isotopes in metasediments throughout the eclogite zone and cover schists, recording deformation and peak metamorphism at 28-30 Ma. The Peripheral Schieferhülle of the south-east Tauern Window yields Rb-Sr white mica ages which can be tied to the structural evolution of the metamorphic pile. Early prograde fabrics pre-date 31 Ma, and were reworked by the formation of the large north-east vergent Sonnblick fold structure at 28 Ma. Peak metamorphism post-dated this deformation, but by contrast to the equivalent levels in the central Tauern, peak metamorphic conditions did not lead to widespread homogenization of the Sr isotopes. Localized deformation continued into the cooling path until at least 23 Ma, partially or wholly resetting Sr white mica ages in some samples. These isotopic ages may be integrated with structural data in regional tectonic models, and may constrain changes in the style of crustal deformation and plate interaction. However, such interpretations must accommodate the demonstrable variation in thermal histories over small distances.     

Crustal stacking and extension recorded by tectonic fabrics of the SE margin of the Tauern Window, Austria

Structural and metamorphic analyses show that Alpine deformation in the Austroalpine-Pennine contact zone around the margin of the SE Tauern Window can be divided into two main stages: (i) early crustal thickening associated with prograde metamorphism; and (ii) a younger history of ductile flow that added to cumulative displacement of the upper units to the NW quadrant but was associated with substantial subvertical attenuation of the contact zone, and most probably of the overriding Austroalpine plate as well. During the history of this region strain localization progressively shifted down section. Radiometric ages constrain the early deformation to be older than 75 Ma. The onset of contact-zone attenuation and upper-plate extension was after this date but before 35 Ma (before major involvement of European basement in the collisional orogen), and associated with both retrograde metamorphism and a degree of non-coaxiality less than simple shear. Estimates of thinning in the contact zone and on a regional scale are in good agreement and indicate vertical attenuation of approximately 40%. These results suggest that pre-collisional tectonic thinning of the Austroalpine domain may be more widespread and significant than generally recognized.     

Structural analysis of basement tectonites from the Aegean metamorphic core complex of Ios, Cyclades, Greece

The island of Ios in the Cyclades, Aegean Sea, Greece, exposes high pressure metamorphic rocks that were subjected to Miocene continental extension subsequent to the Alpine collisional orogeny. The pre-Alpine history of the lower-plate of this Aegean metamorphic core complex involves intrusion of granitoids into metasediments which subsequently underwent Hercynian amphibolite facies metamorphism. During the Alpine orogeny (D₂), these rocks were overthrust by the Cyclades blueschist nappe. Later, the lower plate was tectonically exhumed during Oligo-Miocene continental extension and associated plutonism. Final exhumation occurred as a result of the operation of a south-directed, crustal-scale shear zone and low-angle normal faults. This study shows that the Ios core complex reflects an intrinsic relationship between early thrusting and later extensional tectonism. Basement rocks have been exhumed from beneath the nappes that originally overrode them.     

The Bocchigliero Palaeozoic sequence in the context of the Calabrian–Peloritan Hercynian Range (Italy)

The Calabrian–Peloritan Hercynian Range includes three weakly metamorphosed Palaeozoic sequences cropping out in north-eastern Sila (Bocchigliero sequence), southern Sila, Serre and Aspromonte (Stilo sequence), and in the Peloritan Mountains (Peloritan sequence). The work reported here considers the Bocchigliero sequence and comprises part of a geological, petrological and geochemical research programme on the Palaeozoic evolution of the Calabrian–Peloritan Arc. The Bocchigliero sequence constitutes the lower tectonic unit of the Hercynian Caiabrian–Peloritan Range and is overthrusted by the metamorphic Mandatoriccio Unit. The Bocchigliero sequence is a terrigenous–carbonate–volcanic association, is affected byclow grade metamorphism, contains Cambro-Ordovician fossils and extends in age from the Cambrian to the Devonian. The terrigenous material is represented by meta-arenites and metapelites (Cambrian–Devonian); the volcanics include metatuffites (Cambrian and Ordovician), metabasalts (Cambro-Ordovician), metaandesites and metarhyolites (Ordovician and Siluro-Devonian); limestone beds are present in the Devonian. It is believed that the Palaeozoic Bocchigliero basin formed in the Cambrian on a continental crust in which the rocks constituting today's Mandatoriccio Unit were located at 3–8 km depth. The crustal thinning in the Cambro-Ordovician led to fracturing and upwelling of alkaline within-plate basaltic magmas, whereas in the Ordovician the thinning took place under conditions of higher plasticity. In this latter period an increase in temperature resulting from mantle upwelling produced crustal partial melts of andesite and rhyolite composition. In addition, this thermal uprise was responsible for regional metamorphism characterized by low pressures and by the absence of penetrative deformation. The effects of this metamorphism are well developed in the rocks of the Mandatoriccio Unit. In the Silurian and Devonian, progressive closing of the basin took place. The Palaeozoic sequence was then subjected to Variscan low pressure–low temperature metamorphism and Alpine deformation.     

Hercynian anatexis in the envelope of the Beni Bousera peridotites (Alboran Domain,Morocco): Implications for the tectono-metamorphic evolution of the deep crustal roots of the Mediterranean region

The metamorphic core of the Betic-Rif orogenic chain (Alboran Domain) is made up of lower crustal rocks forming the envelope of the Ronda (Spain) and Beni Bousera (Morocco) peridotites. The deepest sections of the crustal envelopes are made of migmatitic granulites associated with diffuse acidic magmatic products, making these exposure and ideal site to investigate the textural and petrological connection between crustal anatexis and granite magmatism in the contintental crust. However, still debated is the timing of intracrustal emplacement of the peridotite bodies, with models proposing either Alpine (early Miocene) or Hercynian ages, and still uncertain is the linkage between peridotite emplacement and crustal anatexis. In this study, by combining rock textures with whole-rock geochemistry, metamorphic thermobarometry, the U-Pb zircon geochronology and the analysis of the garnet and zircon REE chemistry, we document the P-T-t evolution of the granulite facies migmatites that form the immediate envelope of the Beni Bousera peridotites of the Rif belt. A main episode of Permo-Carboniferous (ca. 300–290 Ma) deep crustal anatexis, melt extraction and migration is documented that we link to the crustal emplacement of the Beni Bousera peridotites during collapse of the Hercynian orogen. Correlation at a regional scale suggests that the Beni-Bousera section can be tentatively correlated with the pre-Alpine (Permo-Carboniferous) basement units tectonically interleaved within the orogenic structure of the Alpine chain. The results of this study provide ultimate constraints to reconstruct the tectono-metamorphic evolution of the Alboran Domain in the Western Mediterranean and impose re-assessment of the modes and rates through which Alpine orogenic construction and collapse occurred and operated in the region.     

Contribution of magmatism,partial melting buffering and localized crustal thinning on the late Variscan thermal structure of the Agly massif (French Pyrenees)

Low pressure-high temperature (LPHT) metamorphism, with geothermal gradients in the order of 50–100°C/km, is a common feature of the late evolution of collisional orogens. These abnormal thermal conditions may be the results of complex interactions between magmatism, metamorphism and deformation. The Agly massif, in the French Pyrenees, preserves the metamorphic footprints of the late Variscan thermal structure of an almost continuous section from the upper and middle continental crust. The upper crust is characterized by a very high geothermal gradient of ~55°C/km, evolving from greenschist to amphibolite facies, while the middle crust, exposed in a gneissic core, exhibits granulite facies conditions with a near isothermal geothermal gradient (<8°C/km) between 740 and 790°C. The abnormal and discontinuous crustal geothermal gradient, dated at c. 305 Ma on syn-granulitic monazite by LA-ICP-MS, is interpreted to be the result of magmatic intrusions at different structural levels in the crust: the Ansignan charnockite (c. 305 Ma) in the deepest part of the gneissic core, the Tournefort granodiorite (c. 308 Ma) at the interface between the gneissic core and the upper crust and the Saint-Arnac granite (c. 304 Ma) in the upper section of the massif. The heat input from these magmas combined with the thermal buffering effect of the biotite dehydration-melting reaction resulted in the near isothermal geothermal gradient in the gneissic core (melt-enhanced geotherm). The higher geothermal gradient (>50°C/km) in the upper crust is only due to conduction between the hot middle crust and the Earth's surface. The estimated maximum finite pressure range suggests that ~10 to 12 km of crust are exposed in the Agly massif while the present-day thickness does not exceed 5–6 km. This pressure/depth gap is consistent with the presence of several normal mylonitic shear zones that could have contributed to the subtraction of ~5 km of the rock pile. Monazite U–Th–Pb ages carried out on monazite overgrowths from a highly mylonitized sample suggest that this vertical thinning of the massif occurred at c. 296–300 Ma. This later Variscan extension might have slightly perturbed the 305 Ma geothermal gradient, resulting in an apparent higher conductive geothermal gradient in the upper crust. Although the Agly massif has been affected by Cretaceous extension and Eocene Alpine compression, we suggest that most of the present-day thickness of the column rock was acquired by the end of the Palaeozoic.     

The Alpine geodynamic evolution of Penninic nappes in the eastern Central Alps

The eastern Central Alps consist of several Pennine nappes with different tectonometamorphic histories. The tectonically uppermost units (oceanic Avers Bündnerschiefer, continental Suretta and Tambo nappes, oceanic Vals Bündnerschiefer) show Cretaceous/early Tertiary W-directed thrusting with associated blueschist facies metamorphism related to subduction of the Pennine units beneath the Austroalpine continental crust. This event caused eclogite facies metamorphism in the underlying continental Adula nappe. The gross effect was crustal thickening. The tectonically lower, continental Simano nappe is devoid of any imprint from this event. In the course of continent-continent collision, high- T metamorphism and N-directed movements occurred. Both affected the whole nappe pile more or less continuously from amphibolite to greenschist facies conditions. Crustal thinning commenced during the regional temperature peak. A final phase is related to differential uplift under retrograde P–T conditions. Further thinning of the crust was accommodated by E- to NE-directed extensional deformation.     

Evidence of late oligocene/early miocene backthrusting in the central alpine “root zone”

Abstract

Two groups of stretching lineations can be distinguished in the Central Alpine " root zone " between Ticino and Mera :

1) Steeply plunging lineations formed during retrograde metamor-Phism under amphibolite/greenschist facies conditions indicate an uplift movement of the Central Alps. The lineations can be related to an important back-thrusting event of late Oligocene/early Miocene age.

2) Gently plunging lineations formed under lower greenschist facies conditions display a pattern typical of a dextral strike-slip system. These lineations are of early Miocene age.

This cpmbined movement, achieved by ductile deformation along the lnsubric line was followed by a stage of brittle deformation in a dextral strike-slip system (= Tonale line).

The signification of this interpretation is shown in a new crustal cross section through the Central Alpine/Southern Alpine border zone in the Iicino area.     

豫南熊店高压变质岩的pttD轨迹

豫南熊店高压变质岩块体经历了６期变形和变质作用,即从深地壳层次挤压缩短体制下的不均匀韧性剪切、榴辉岩进变质作用,到中地壳层次挤压体制下的逆冲推覆、钠长绿帘角闪岩相退变质作用,到地壳浅层伸展体制下的脆性—韧性滑脱、绿片岩相变质作用,以及更浅层次的脆性变形,动力变质作用。高压变质岩的形成与向地壳中、浅层次的大幅度抬升均是在挤压机制下韧性变形作用的结果,而高压变质岩暴露到地表是伸展滑脱、断块升降和差异抬升所致。     

Importance of Hercynian tectonics within the framework of the Southern Alps

The Hercynian remnants present within the Alpidic structural zones of the Southern Alps are reviewed. The pattern of Hercynian metamorphism is zonal from granulites in the western area to anchimetamorphic facies in the eastern one. In the folded zone at the eastern margin a severe Hercynian folding phase took place during the Westphalian. Thrust sheets comprising sequences of different facies ranging in age from Caradocian to early Westphalian are sutured by late Westphalian molasse deposits. The assumption that the Southern Alps and the external Dinarides remained outside the Hercynian folding front is contradicted by field evidence.     

Record of plate boundary metamorphism during Gondwana breakup from Lu–Hf garnet geochronology of the Alpine Schist,New Zealand

The Zealandia portion of the Pacific–Gondwana margin underwent widespread extension, fragmentation, separation and subsidence during the final stages in the breakup of Gondwana. Although these processes shaped the geology of New Zealand, their timing and the timing of subduction cessation in the region remain unclear. To investigate the timing of these processes, we used Lu–Hf garnet geochronology to date six samples of the Alpine Schist, which represents the metamorphic section of the former Zealandia margin. The garnet dates range from 97.3 ± 0.3 to 75.4 ± 1.3 Ma. Compositional zoning in garnet indicates that the spread in ages results from diachronous metamorphism in the upper plate at the Pacific–Gondwana margin, occurring concurrently with rifting of Zealandia from East Gondwana via opening of the Tasman Sea. Clear spatial trends in the timing of garnet growth throughout the Alpine Schist are absent, indicating that either regional age trends were offset by post‐metamorphic deformation, or that metamorphism did not result from a single regional heat source, and was instead driven by short‐duration, spatially dispersed processes such as episodic fluid‐fluxing or mechanical heating. Diachronous metamorphism of the Alpine Schist can be attributed to heat conduction from the rising upper mantle during widespread extension, progressive burial and heating of accretionary wedge sediments during ongoing horizontal shortening, or fluid‐fluxing sourced from a subducting and dehydrating Hikurangi Plateau. These results indicate that during separation of Zealandia from East Gondwana in the late Cretaceous, the crust at the Pacific–Gondwana margin remained hot, potentially facilitating the extensive thinning of the Zealandia lithosphere during this time.     

Evolution of the lithospheric mantle during passive rifting: Inferences from the Alpine–Apennine orogenic peridotites

This paper presents an updated review of recent field/structural and petrologic/geochemical studies on orogenic peridotites from the Alpine–Apennine ophiolites (NW Italy). Results provide determinant constraints to the evolution of the lithospheric mantle during passive rifting of the fossil Ligurian Tethys oceanic basin.The pre-rift, spinel lherzolites precursors, preserved in the mantle section of the Ligurian ophiolites, were resident in the lithosphere along an intermediate geothermal gradient (T about 1000 °C, P compatible with spinel-peridotite facies). Passive rifting by far-field tectonic forces induced whole-lithosphere extension and thinning (the a-magmatic stage). After significant thinning of the lithosphere, the passively upwelling asthenosphere underwent decompression melting along the axial zone of extension. Silica-undersaturated melt fractions infiltrated via diffuse/focused porous-flow through the lithospheric mantle under extension (the magmatic stage) and underwent pyroxenes-dissolving/olivine-crystallizing interaction with the percolated host peridotite.Pyroxenes assimilation and olivine deposition modified the melt compositions into silica-saturated. These derivative liquids migrated to shallower, plagioclase-peridotite facies levels, where they stagnated and impregnated/refertilized the lithospheric mantle. Melt thermal advection by melt infiltration heated to temperatures higher than 1200 °C the lithospheric mantle column above the melting asthenosphere.The syn-rift magmatic and tectonic processes induced significant rheological softening/weakening that destabilized the lithospheric mantle of the Europe–Adria plate along the axial zone of extension. The presence of destabilized lithospheric mantle between the future continental margins played a determinant role in promoting the geodynamic evolution from pre-oceanic rifting to oceanic spreading.The active upwelling of hotter/deeper asthenosphere inside the destabilized axial zone promoted transition to active rifting, enhancing continent break-up. Asthenosphere underwent partial melting and formed aggregated MORB liquids that migrated inside high-porosity dunite channels. The MORB liquids formed olivine-gabbro intrusions and pillowed lava flows (the oceanic crustal rocks).This paper evidences the primary role of mantle destabilization by melt infiltration in the geodynamic evolution of the Ligurian Tethys rifting.     

阿尔泰海西造山带区域变质作用类型与地壳演化

新疆阿尔泰海西造山带主要发育两期区域变质作用.第一期变质作用属于区域低温动力变质作用类型,以形成低绿片岩相矿物组合为特征,变质温度较低,而应力作用较强,是造山作用初期热流活动较弱,构造变形强烈环境下的产物.第二期变质作用属于区域动力热流变质作用类型,以形成典型的递增变质带为特征.这一期代表造山作用主期热流活动强烈,伴随有构造变形和岩浆活动.不同的变质作用类型代表了不同的大地构造环境,记录了造山带的演化历史和动力学过程.     

华夏地块显生宙的变质作用期次和特征

华夏地块主要存在四期变质作用。加里东期变质作用呈北东向展布于华夏的大部分地区,变质作用可达麻粒岩相,且麻粒岩断续分布平行于造山带,此期变质作用是在挤压造山构造背景下发生,很可能与扬子地块向冈瓦那大陆北缘聚合–碰撞,造成大陆边缘沉积物变形–变质有关。根据粤东梅县片麻岩和兴宁混合岩的LA–ICPMS锆石U–Pb定年以及邻区独居石U–Pb年代学的研究,海西的变质作用主要发生在260~280 Ma,年轻于欧洲典型的海西期造山时代。华夏地块的海西期变质作用分布局限,它们可能形成于拉张构造背景。印支期变质岩在华夏有较广泛的分布,西南端大容山—十万大山的印支期变质作用可达麻粒岩相,其他地区的变质作用具有中低压相系的特征,记录了造山后期伸展构造背景。LA–ICPMS锆石U–Pb定年指示华夏中部粤中地区的印支期变质作用发生在231~232 Ma。燕山期变质岩主要分布于东南沿海和台湾中央山脉,显示了双变质带的特点,表明与太平洋板块向东南沿海俯冲作用密切相关。从印支期到燕山期,变质带的方向发生了转变,说明影响华夏地块变质作用的构造域发生了改变。     

Two subduction events in a polycyclic basement: Alpine and pre-Alpine high-pressure metamorphism in the Suretta nappe, Swiss Eastern Alps

This study is essentially based on coupling macrostructures, microstructures and metamorphic petrology in polymetamorphic mafic rocks from the Swiss Eastern Alps (Suretta nappe, Penninic domain). Petrographic criteria are used in conjunction with structural analysis and microprobe work to define crystallization/deformation relationships and to establish a relative but precise sequence of tectono-metamorphic events. A first eclogite facies overprint and related exhumation occurred before emplacement of late Palaeozoic intrusives. During the Alpine cycle, the Suretta nappe was part of the thinned European continental margin. The Tertiary burial due to subduction and collision is responsible for D1 ductile thrusting and blueschist facies metamorphism. Late deformation phases, related to exhumation, are responsible for the development of extensional structures under greenschist facies conditions. Quantitative metamorphic petrology based on Gibbs free energy minimization (DOMINO by de Capitani) gives a constraint on the P–T  conditions during the polymetamorphic and polycyclic evolution. The first high- P metamorphic event related to pre-Alpine structures occurred at c . 700  °C and at least 2.0  GPa. These conditions are compatible with pre-Alpine high- P re-equilibration already described in several Alpine units. The Alpine high- P metamorphism occurred under blueschist facies conditions at c . 400–450  °C and 1.0  GPa. Similar high- P , low- T  conditions have already been described in the Mesozoic and Permian rock types. The two high- P events are clearly related to two different geothermal regimes and geodynamic environments.     

桐柏-大别-苏鲁UHP和HP变质带的结构及流变学演化

在岩石圈流变学基本原理指导下，运用现代构造解析学方法，在不同尺度上差别和分析了桐柏－大别－苏鲁UHP和HP变质带内深俯冲，同碰撞构造及UHP和HP岩石折返过程中的变形特征，重点讨论同碰撞形成的高角度网结状榴辉岩切带阵列，高角闪岩相剪切及有关变形组合以及碰撞期后伸展韧性薄化变形样式，强调指出不同地壳层次和物理条件下变形分解作用的重要性，而且，在UHP和HP变质带内最有效的应变体制是剪切作用，并在三维空间上形成不同格式的剪切带网状系统，以构造学记录为主线，结合已有可利用的岩石学，变质作用pT轨迹和同位素年代学资料，提出一个UHP和HP变质带尺度上的流变学演化模式，其中，UHP和HP变质岩石由地幔深度折返到地壳表层，经历了楔状挤出，碰撞期后地壳韧性薄化及晚造山伸展塌陷，揭顶作用等多个阶段的动力学过程。