Tesis sobre el tema "Variscan orogeny"

Controlled source seismic methods were employed in this study to investigate the reflectivity and velocity structure of two Hercynian orogens – the Uralides and Variscides. Conventional common depth point (CDP) sections from five reflection seismic campaigns and a velocity model obtained from tomographic inversion of wide-angle observations were the main datasets studied from the Middle Urals. These were complemented with the near-vertical seismic sections and velocity models from the Southern Urals. In the Variscides, conventional CDP processing, along with non-standard processing and synthetic data modeling, were used to obtain and interpret reflection seismic images of the Southwestern Iberian crust. Although, the Uralian and Variscan belts were formed in Late Paleozoic time in apparently similar plate collisional settings, a comparison of the seismic results show that the crust of these two orogens looks quite different at depth. In the Urals, collision of Baltica with Asian terranes (Siberia and Kazakhstan) resulted in a highly diversely reflective crust of 40-45 km thickness. The axial zone of the orogen is characterized by a high velocity crustal root of diffuse reflectivity and an imbricated Moho, with a crustal thickness reaching 55-60 km. The Moho discontinuity is marked by a sharp decrease in reflectivity and is well imaged in most locations except in the crustal root zone. The Southwestern Iberian Variscan crust is 30-35 km thick and is characterized by a highly reflective two-layered structure that resulted from collision of Luarussia and Gondwana, including terranes in-between them. This type of crustal structure is very similar to those imaged in other regions of the Variscan belt in the Europe. The Moho discontinuity is flat and appears to be the deepest reflection. This thesis compares the deep structure of the two orogens and interprets mountain building processes related to late Paleozoic plate movements.

Os dados obtidos recentemente ao longo do litoral a norte da praia de Almograve permitiram um melhor conhecimento da primeira e mais importante fase de deformação varisca regional que apresenta uma orientação geral NW-SE. Os estudos anteriores mostravam que esta primeira fase tectónica foi caracterizada por um evento precoce (D1a) caracterizado por cisalhamentos conjugados, tinha estado activo um episódio de dobramento generalizado (D1b). Este trabalho mostra que estas dobras foram deslocadas por cisalhamentos conjugados subverticais (D1c): direitos NNE-SSW e esquerdos E-W. Os cisalhamentos NNE-SSW desempenharam posteriormente um papel fundamental durante a deformação intracontinental tardi-varisca (D2); nessa altura eles foram reactivados como desligamentos esquerdos devido à rotação de blocos num mecanismo do tipo dominó induzido pela cinemática direita associada a grandes cisalhamentos litosféricos E-W; ABSTRACT:New data along the cost north of the Almograve beach allow us to detail the tectonic evolution of the first and main regional variscan phase (D1) with a pervasive NW-SE trend. Previous studies show that this tectonic phase was characterized by an early event inducing conjugate shear zones (D1a) was followed by a generalized mesoscopic folding (D1b). This work shows that these folds where displaced by conjugate sub-vertical shears (D1c): dextral NNE-SSW and sinistral E-W. The NNE-SSW wrench faults played a major role during the intracontinental tardi-variscan deformation (D2); at that time they were reworked as sinistral shears due to the rotation of the blocks in a book-shelf mechanism induced by the dextral kinematics along the lithospheric E-W shears.

Structural, petrological, microstructural and geochronological studies were combined with pseudosection modeling in the Roc de Frausa Massif (Eastern Pyrenees). The massif is constituted by Upper Proterozoic–Early Cambrian rocks and represents a mid crustal section intruded by igneous rocks. The aim is to compare the thermal evolution of different crustal levels in a single orogenic event. The rocks constituting the massif were part of the northern margin of Gondwana and were involved in the Variscan orogeny when Gondwana collided with Laurentia-Baltica. Two main Variscan deformation events are distinguished. D1 is marked by tight to isoclinal small-scale folds and a sub-horizontal foliation. D2 structures are tight upright folds facing to the NW with steep NE–SW axial planes. In the high-grade metamorphic domains it transposes S1 foliation by a sub-vertical S2 foliation. D3 structures are characterized by NW–SE folds compatible with steep dextral shear zones that retrograde the pre-Variscan rocks and the Variscan intrusives to greenschist facies. N and S of the studied area F3 folds involve Mesozoic rocks, and therefore it can be attributed to the Alpine orogeny. In the micaschists of the Upper crustal levels, andalusite porphyroblasts with S1 inclusion trails and sillimanite in S1 pressure shadows indicate heating from 580 °C to 640 °C. Cordierite includes the former minerals and does not exhibit pressure shadows pointing to isothermal decompression from 3.4 to 2.6 kbar. A calc-alkaline granitoid intruded on top of this level interkinematically between D1 and D2 (314–311 Ma). Intermediate crustal levels are dominated by schists with sillimanite−biotite−muscovite in the S1 fabric overgrown by cordierite and K-feldspar with no pressure shadows. These assemblages point to decompression from 5 to 3 kbar at 640−660 °C. A gabbro-diorite stock intruded in this level coeval with the D2 in two magmatic pulses (312 and 307 Ma). In the inner aureole four types of migmatites have been characterized, with different textures, mineral assemblages, mineral chemistry and whole-rock compositions. The biotite−sillimanite−K-feldspar−garnet assemblage together with garnet zoning is compatible with heating within the S1 fabric at peak-pressure of 7 kbar and 730 °C. F2 folds with subvertical melt-filled S2 foliation were overgrown by cordierite indicating mainly syn-D2 decompression to 4.5 kbar. The different whole-rock and mineral compositions and the preservation of the mineral assemblages of migmatitic rocks can be explained by different episodes of melt-loss and fluid infiltration in the metasediments at 790 °C and 5.5 kbar and incorporation of the fluids into the melt. The fluids would be released by the crystallizing gabbro-diorite. Lower crustal levels are dominated by fold-structured migmatites occurred in the interval 320–315 Ma. They present a biotite−cordierite composite S1-S2 biotite-bearing fabric with relic garnet embedded in plagioclase, thus precluding deciphering the early metamorphic evolution. Cordierite overgrowing both S1 and S2 fabric points to late equilibration at 3 kbar and 700 °C. The early metamorphic history associated with the S1 fabric is interpreted as a result of lower crustal horizontal flow and could be related to moderate crustal thickening. D2 event is characterized by decompression associated to highly heterogeneous exhumation of the metamorphic complex during the last stages of the Variscan evolution.
Se ha realizado un estudio estructural, petrológico, geoquímico, geocronológico y de modelización térmica en rocas pelíticas e ígneas del macizo de Roc de Frausa (Pirineo oriental) con la finalidad de comparar la evolución térmica de diferentes niveles de la corteza terrestre en un mismo evento orogénico. Las rocas que conforman el macizo formaban parte del margen norte de Gondwana y quedaron involucradas en la orogenia varisca al colisionar Gondwana con Laurentia-Baltica. Las rocas constituyen una serie Proterozoica superior a Paleozoica inferior afectadas por tres episodios deformativos, los dos primeros de edad varisca y el tercero alpina. En los micaesquistos con andalucita–sillimanita del nivel cortical superior, la andalucita y la sillimanita indican un incremento de temperatura de 580 °C a 640 °C coetáneo a la fábrica S1. La cordierita indica una descompresión isotérmica de 3.4 kbar a 2.6 kbar. Por encima de este nivel se emplazó un granitoide calco-alcalino intercinemáticamente entre D1 y D2 (314–311 Ma). Los niveles corticales medios están formados por esquistos con sillimanita-biotita-moscovita sin-S1 sobrecrecidos por cordierita y feldespato potásico post-S1. Estas asociaciones señalan una descompresión desde 5 a 3 kbar a 640–660 °C. Un stock gabro-diorítico intruyó sincrónico a D2 en dos pulsos magmáticos (312 y 307 Ma). En la aureola de contacto se distinguen cuatro tipos de migmatitas con diferentes texturas, asociaciones minerales y composiciones de roca y mineral que se explican mediante un modelo de perdida de fundido alternando con episodios de infiltración de fluido. Las asociaciones minerales indican condiciones PT de 7 kbar y 730 °C sin-D1 y una descompresión sin-D2 a 4.5 kbar. Los niveles corticales inferiores están formados por migmatitas cristalizadas entre 320–315 Ma. La cordierita sobrecrece las fábricas S1 y S2 ricas en biotita y con granate relicto incluido en plagioclasa e indica un equilibrio tardío a 3 kbar y 700 °C. D1 se interpreta como el resultado de un flujo horizontal de la corteza inferior, que podría relacionarse con un engrosamiento cortical moderado. D2 se caracteriza por una descompresión isotérmica que puede explicarse por una exhumación varisca tardía de los complejos metamórficos.

Les Vosges sont caractérisées par la présence de nombreuses intrusions et extrusions magmatiques d’affinités variées. Elles constituent donc un excellent site d’étude pour contraindre, par la datation et la géochimie, l’évolution des évènements de ce segment de l’orogène Varisque. Ce travail révèle ainsi deux successions d’évènements magmatiques identiques, décalées dans le temps, caractérisent les domaines Moldanubien (360 à 320 Ma) et Saxothuringien (335 à 295 Ma). Ces successions d’évènements magmatiques résultent de deux processus majeurs. L’avancée des croûtes continentales subduites et sous-plaquées au niveau du Moho sous les blocs continentaux permet le passage du magmatisme calco-alcalin au magmatisme calco-alcalin riche en potassium. L’apport de chaleur par désintégration des éléments radiogéniques (K, U et Th) présents dans ces croûtes continentales subduites permet, dans un premier temps, la formation du magmatisme magnésio-potassique en profondeur. Dans un second temps, elle permet la formation du magmatisme d’origine crustale par l’intrusion du magmatisme magnésio-potassique, riche en K, U et Th, à la limite croûte moyenne - croûte supérieure. Ces successions d’évènements magmatiques et particulièrement, la présence des granites magnésio-potassiques, relient clairement les Vosges à la partie Est de l’orogène Varisque (Forêt Noire, Massif de Bohème, Alpes et Corse-Sardaigne)
The Vosges Mountains are characterized by the presence of numerous magmatic intrusions and extrusions of varied affinities. Accordingly, they constitute the best site to investigate, by dating and geochemistry, the evolution of the events affecting this segment of the Variscan orogeny. Two successions of identical magmatic events, shifted in the time, are identified, characterizing both Moldanubian (360 to 320 Ma) and the Saxothuringian (335 to 295 Ma) domains. These successions of magmatic events result of two major process. The progress of subducted and underplated continental crusts at Moho depth under continental blocks permits to shift from calc-alkaline to high potassic calc-alkaline magmatism. The radiogenic heat production from latter underplated continental crusts, in a first time, permits to generate magnesio-potassic magmas at depth. Then, this radiogenic heat permits to generate crustal magmas by intrusion of magnesio-potassic magmas rich in K, U and Th at mid-upper crust boundarie. These successions of magmatic events and particularly, the presence of the magnesio-potassic granites, imply a strong link between the Vosges Mts. and the eastern part of the Variscan orogeny (Black Forest, Bohemian Massif, the Alps and Corsica Batholith)

La formation de la croute continentale est une des conséquences majeures de la différenciation de la Terre. Les avancées récentes dans la compréhension de ce phénomène résultent de l’amélioration des techniques analytiques permettant la mesure in situ des compositions isotopiques en U-Pb-Hf-O de grains de zircon, minéral abondant dans les roches crustales. Cette étude reconstitue l’histoire du segment de croute affleurant dans l’est du Massif Central français (MCF), portion de la chaine Varisque d’Europe de l’Ouest, dans le but d’évaluer les limites d’utilisation des zircons pour retracer l’évolution crustale. L’origine et la signification géodynamique des principales unités lithologiques du MCF ont été étudiées en combinant les approches classiques de la pétrologie avec des données isotopiques U-Pb-Hf-O acquises sur zircon. Deux incohérences majeures existent entre nos résultats et les conclusions tirées de l’étude des zircons considérés hors de leur contexte pétrologique, approche généralement suivie pour analyser l’évolution crustale. Les âges modèles calculés à partir des données Hf suggèrent une importante croissance crustale au Mésoproterozoique dans le MCF, en contradiction avec le fait que 60% de la croute locale soit d’âge Néoproterozoïque. De plus, 5 à 10% de la croute du MCF a été formée durant l’orogènese Varisque sans que cela ne soit enregistré par le zircon. Dans les deux cas, ces incohérences résultent du caractère hybride des signatures isotopiques portées par les zircons. Celles-ci ne peuvent être correctement détectées et interprétées qu’en disposant de données pétrologiques complémentaires sur les roches contenant les grains analysés
The formation of the continental crust is a major consequence of Earth differentiation. Understanding how the crust formed and evolved through time is paramount to locate the vast mineral deposits hosted therein and address its influence on the global climate, ultimately affecting the development of terrestrial life. Recent advances on the topic of continental crust evolution benefited from improvements of analytical techniques enabling in situ measurements of U-Pb- Hf-O isotope compositions in zircon, a widespread accessory mineral of continental igneous rocks. The time constrains derived from the U-Pb chronometer coupled with the petrogenetic information retrieved from Hf-O isotope signatures are currently used to unravel the diversity and succession of magmatic events affecting the continental crust at the regional and global scales. This study reconstructs the evolutionary path followed by the crust segment today exposed in the eastern part of the French Massif Central (FMC), a portion of the Variscan belt of Western Europe, with the aim to investigate the potential flaws of the zircon record of crust evolution. In this scope, the origin and geodynamic significance of the constituent FMC lithological units are tackled by combining conventional petrological observations with zircon U-Pb-Hf-O isotope data. The results obtained following this integrated approach are then confronted to the conclusions that would have been drawn solely from zircon isotopic signatures, taken out of their petrological context, as is commonly performed in studies investigating crust evolution. The oldest rocks of the FMC correspond to Ediacaran (590_550 Ma) meta-sediments deposited in back-arc basins along the northern Gondwana margin. Such basins were fed by a mixed detritus originating from the adjacent Cadomian magmatic arc and a distal Gondwana source, presumably the Sahara Metacraton. Partial melting of these meta-sediments at the Ediacaran/Cambrian boundary led to voluminous S-type granitic magmatism, pinpointing a first major crust reworking event in the FMC. The origin of anatexis likely stems from the transient thickening of the hot, back-arc crust caused by the flattening of the Cadomian subduction. Subordinate melting of the depleted backarc mantle at that time is also documented. During the Lower Paleozoic, rifting of the northern Gondwana provoked coeval crust and (limited) mantle melting. Mantle-derived igneous rocks show markedly diverse trace element and isotopic signatures, consistent with a very heterogeneous mantle source pervasively modi_ed by the Cadomian subduction. Finally, the Variscan collision resulted in crustal melting as evidenced by the emplacement of S-type granites and the formation of migmatite domes, the spatial distribution of which being partly controlled by the crustal architecture inherited from pre-orogenic events. Synchronous intrusion of mafic mantle-derived magmas and their differentiates testify for Variscan post-collisional new continental crust production in the FMC. Two major inconsistencies exist between these results and the zircon record. First, zircon Hf model ages would point to substantial Mesoproterozoic crust formation in the FMC whereas more than 60% of the crust is actually Neoproterozoic in age. Second, new additions to the continental crust volume during the Variscan orogeny are not recorded even though 5 to 10% of the exposed crust formed at that time. The origin of both discrepancies inherently lies in the mixed isotopic signature carried by many zircon grains. Such equivocal information can only be detected when additional petrological constrains on the zircon host rocks are available and provide guidance in interpreting the zircon record of crust evolution

The South Portuguese Zone (SPZ), which host world-class massive sulphide deposits, forms the southern fold-and-thrust belt of the Iberian Variscan orogeny. This thesis focuses on seismic-reflection and seismic-refraction processing efforts on a subset of the IBERSEIS deep seismic-reflection data set aiming at resolving the SPZ upper crust in high resolution. A comparison of different crooked-line seismic-reflection imaging schemes showed that a processing sequence involving dip-moveout corrections, a common-midpoint projection, and poststack time migration of common-offset gathers provided the most coherent images considering the crooked acquisition geometry. Correlation with surface-geological data allows four units of different reflection character to be identified: the ~0–2 km deep Upper Carboniferous Flysch group, the highly reflective ~2–4 km thick and up to ~5 km deep Volcano-Sedimentary Complex (VSC) group, and two deep Paleozoic metasedimentary units, with the shallower Phyllite-Quartzite group exposed in an antiform. Prominent diffracted energy was enhanced using a modified Kirchhoff imaging routine. High reflectivity and distinct diffractions mark extensive dike bands at 6–12 km depth, possibly related to the intense hydrothermal activity that led to the formation of the ore-bearing VSC group. Source-generated noise obscures potential signals from depths shallower than ~500m depth on the seismic-reflection sections. P- and SV-wave first-arrival traveltimes were inverted for velocity models imaging the shallowest crust. Overall, the velocity models correlate well with surface-geological data marking high (>5.25 km/s) and uniform P-velocities for the Flysch unit in the southern SPZ. A prominent P-wave low-velocity body (~4.5 km/s) is resolved where the Phyllite-Quartzite unit forms the core of an antiform. P-velocities fluctuate the most in the northern SPZ with Flysch group units exhibiting high velocities (>5.25 km/s) and VSC group bodies showing intermediate velocities (~5 km/s). Low VP/VS-ratios (~1.8) computed for the southern profile part are interpreted as less deformed Flysch-group units, whereas high VP/VS-ratios (~1.9) indicate fractured units.

Située à l'extrême-ouest de la Méditerranée occidentale, la chaîne bético-rifaine s’est formée au travers d’une histoire orogénique alpine complexe, impliquant des processus de subduction liés à la convergence entre l’Afrique et l’Eurasie depuis le Crétacé. Une découverte importante de ces quatre dernières décennies d'investigations géologiques, a été la mise en évidence des vestiges d’un événement varisque dans les zones internes de la chaîne. Ces résultats soulignent bien la présence de deux systèmes orogéniques superposés, les zones internes de la chaîne bético-rifaine demeurent donc des zones privilégiées pour étudier l’importance de l’héritage structural et métamorphique dans les réactivations partielles ou totale par les évènements les plus récents. Ce travail est localisé dans le secteur de Beni Bousera, ou affleurent les roches crustales et mantéliques qui forment les unités les plus internes de la chaîne. Il s’appuie sur une étude menée à partir des analyses structurales et pétrologiques, des datations U-Th-Pb sur monazite et 40Ar-39Ar sur des micas et des amphiboles. Il nous permet de résumer l’histoire de la chaîne bético-rifaine de la manière suivante : 1) un événement de HP-HT affecte la base du domaine interne à ca 281 ± 3 Ma. Ces nouvelles données pétrologiques et géochronologiques obtenues dans le Rif interne sont corrélées avec les Bétiques, les Kabylies et le massif de l'Edough en Algérie, la ceinture mauritanienne et les Appalaches. Elles attestent d'un domaine convergent au cours du Carbonifère supérieur- Permien inférieur. Tous ces segments orogéniques font partie des Variscides nord-africains construits à la marge nord-ouest du Gondwana en réponse à une convergence entre cette dernière et la Laurentia. 2) autour de 29-26 Ma, un événement métamorphique avec un gradient de type Barrovien à Abukuma affecte les Sebtides (les unités les plus internes de la chaîne), et il est interprété comme résultant de l'évolution de la plaque supérieure d'une zone de subduction. Cet évènement alpin est caractérisé par un chemin prograde marqué par un réchauffement à la base des Sebtides entre 26 et 22 Ma. De telles conditions reflètent un amincissement et un réchauffement de la croûte liée à la remontée asthénosphérique due au retrait de la plaque plongeante ; cet événement marque le début d’un évènement extensif majeur. 3) Au Miocène inférieur à 22-20 Ma, les zones internes (ou domaine d’Alboran) sont affectées par une extension E-W contemporaine de l’ouverture du bassin d'Alboran dans un contexte arrière-arc, et par l’intrusion de filons granitiques dans les péridotites et les unités métamorphiques crustales du domaine interne. Cet évènement a permis l’exhumation finale des Sebtides. 4) Du Miocène inférieur au Miocène moyen, la chaîne bético-rifaine a acquis sa géométrie arquée (l’arc de Gibraltar) suite à la collision entre les zones internes et les zones externes, attestée par une phase de raccourcissement majeur de direction NE-SW à E-W, et 5) l’arc de Gibraltar est affecté par une phase de raccourcissement N-S ante-Pliocène de direction N-S, qui a modifié considérablement sa géométrie
Located at the extreme tip of the western Mediterranean, the Betic-Rif orogenic system is built through a complex alpine orogenic history involving processes of subduction related to convergence between Africa and Eurasia since the Cretaceous. A remarkable discovery during the last four decades of geological investigations, has been the remains of a variscan event in the internal zones of the belt. These results underline the presence of two superimposed orogenic systems, the internal zones of the belt thus remain a privileged area to study the importance of the structural and the metamorphic heritage in the partial or total reactivation by the most recent events. This work is located in the Beni Bousera sector, where crustal and mantle rocks that form the innermost units of the chain are exposed. Based on structural and petrological analyses, U-Th-Pb dating on monazite and 40Ar-39Ar dating on micas and amphiboles. The history of the Betic-Rif belt can be summarized as it follows: 1) a HP-HT event affects the base of the internal domain at around 281 ± 3 Ma. These new petrological and geochronological data obtained in the internal Rif, are correlated with the Betics, the Kabyle, the Edough massif of Algeria, the Mauritanian, and the Appalachian belts, attesting a convergent domain during the late Carboniferous – early Permian. All of these orogenic segments are part of the North African Variscides built at the north-western margin of Gondwana in response to convergence between the later and Laurentia. 2) at around 29-26 Ma, a Barrovian to Abukuma metamorphic event affects the Sebtides (the innermost units of the chain) and interpreted as the evolution of the upper plate of a subduction zone. This alpine event is typically characterized by a prograde metamorphic path marked by heating affecting the base of the Sebtides between 26 to 22 Ma, such conditions reflect thinning and heating of the crust related to the asthenosphere upwelling due to slab roll-back. This event marks the beginning of a major extensive event. 3) In the Miocene around 22-20 Ma, the internal zones are affected by an E-W extension contemporary to the opening of the Alboran Basin in a back-arc context, and the intrusion of granitic dykes into the peridotites and crustal metamorphic units, the exhumation of the Sebtides was complete at this time. 4) From early to middle Miocène, the Betic-Rif belt acquired its arcuate geometry (the Gibraltar Arc) during the collision between the Internal and the external zones, attested by de NE-SW to E-W shortening phases across the arc. 5) more lately prior to Pliocene, the Gibraltar arc was subjected to contractional possess related to a N-S shortening phase, which drastically altered its geometry

La zone d'Echassières (Massif Central) concentre un grand nombre de minéralisations magmatiques (Sn, Li, Ta, Nb) et hydrothermales (W, Sn, Sb) en quantité économique ou sub-économique. Les nouvelles données minéralogiques et inclusions fluides des différentes paragenèses hydrothermales de la zone, les signatures chimiques en éléments traces de plusieurs minéraux stratégiques (principalement le quartz, mais aussi les micas et la topaze), traitées par un large panel d'analyses multivariées, et les nouvelles datations U-Pb sur rutile, zircon et monazite, ont permis de mettre en évidence trois évènements hydrothermaux minéralisateurs majeurs à trois époques de l'histoire varisque (anté-Tournaisien, Viséen et Westphalien). Ces minéralisations seraient reliées à trois évènements magmatiques distincts, présentant des signatures en métaux spécifiques, mais induisant tous trois la cristallisation de wolframite
The Echassières area in the French Massif Central hosts a large number of economic to sub-economic magmatic (Sn, Li, Ta, Nb) and hydrothermal (W, Sn, Sb) mineralizations. This thesis produced new mineralogical and fluid inclusion data from various of the W-Sn mineralized hydrothermal systems, studied the trace chemical signature of several strategic gangue minerals (mostly quartz, but also micas and topaz) and processed the data using a spectrum of multivariate statistical approaches, obtained new U-Pb dating on rutile, zircon and monazite. Integration of all results made it possible to recognize the occurrence of three major mineralizing hydrothermal events in this region, which took place during three distinct periods of the variscan orogenic cycle (pre-Tournaisian, Visean and Westphalian). These mineralizations could be related to the intrusion of three distinct magmatic bodies, each with a specific paragenesis, yet, all leading to wolframite and cassiterite crystallization

The Start-Perranporth Zone is one of a number of E-W trending zones in S.W. England, which are characterised by an anomalous and structurally complex deformation history, and which are thought to reflect the influence of pre-existing basin architecture. The SPZ straddles the Start Complex in S. Devon, and is approximately coincident with the northern margin of the Gramscatho Basin in S. Cornwall. It appears to coincide with significant sedimentological, geochemical and metamorphic transitions, and may mark the site of a pre- to Early Devonian terrane boundary. This terrane boundary may have formed the northern margin to a series of small possibly transtensional basins, including the Start and Gramscatho Basins, in which thick successions accumulated prior to inversion during the Variscan orogeny. The pelitic sequences in these basins (Gramscatho Group sandstones, Start greyschists) are geochemically similar to one another, and to other Rhenohercynian basinal sequences in mainland Europe. Both the Gramscatho and Start basins are characterised by the presence of incipient ocean crust (Lizard ophiolite, Start greenschists), with a strongly depleted N-type MORB signature and evidence of ridge-related sub-oceanic early deformation. The interlayered green and grey schists of the Start Complex are separated from the shallow marine Meadfoot shales to the north by a steep north dipping normal fault, the Start Boundary Fault, which bears evidence of a long-lived movement history. This fault is intimately associated with large volumes of highly altered and replaced basic intrusives, and appears to be the surface manifestation of the basin bounding fault at depth. Approaching the SBF, the strain intensifies, primary folds tighten, the primary cleavage steepens to sub-vertical and mineral stretching lineations switch from SSE plunging (sub-parallel to the Variscan transport direction) to sub-horizontal approximately E-W trending. Immediately adjacent to the SBF, sheath folds occur, suggesting very high along strike shear strains. Small scale structures, e.g. shear bands, refold relationships, etc. consistently indicate that dextral simple shear is important during Variscan shortening. Similar, though somewhat more cryptic, evidence for dextral shear is also seen in the L. Devonian shales north of the SBF. In S. Cornwall there is a similar focusing of high strain along the northern Gramscatho margin, with a tightening of folds, a backsteepening of the primary cleavage, and the development of overprinting late crenulations. Primary stretching lineations lie E-W. There is no evidence for sheath folding on either coast, although broad phyllonite zones bearing dextrally asymmetric quartz augen provide evidence of long-lived dextral shear. Many of the high strain fabrics on the east coast are absent, probably faulted out along a major NW-SE dextral strike-slip fault (the Pentewan Fault).The small scale structural evidence along this zone consistently indicates that dextral transpression was the dominant deformation mechanism during Variscan orogenesis. The structural transitions are also suggestive of fault butttressing, e.g. secondary backfolding, backthrusting, etc. and it appears that the ~E-W trending basin bounding fault acted as an oblique buttress to the NNW directed Variscan nappes, the high angle obliquity of this collision inducing dextral transpression in the shortening cover sequence. This fault buttressing mechanism readily accounts for all of the observed anomalous small scale structures, and the marked along strike persistence of the anomalous zone.

Cette thèse présente une étude structurale qualitative et quantitative du socle paléozoïque des Pyrénées. Elle se base sur une étude de terrain et une compilation exhaustive et inédite des structures, harmonisées à l'échelle de toute la chaîne des Pyrénées. A partir de cette base de données, nous avons construit le champ de déformation régional varisque produit au Paléozoïque supérieur (310-295 Ma). On montre que lors du raccourcissement régional majeur, la déformation est partitionnée entre une croûte supérieure s'épaississant en régime transpressif et une croûte inférieure fluant latéralement. Une zone d' " attachement " a permis de maintenir la cohérence cinématique entre ces deux domaines aux comportements structuraux contrastés. Le fluage latéral au sein de la croûte inférieure permet l'emplacement de dômes extensifs dans ce contexte convergent. Le refroidissement progressif de la croûte favorise i) le couplage mécanique progressif entre ces deux domaines et ii) une localisation de la déformation dans des zones de cisaillement transpressives verticales d'échelle crustale. Bien que situées dans l'avant-pays de la chaîne varisque, les Pyrénées enregistrent une déformation typique d'une lithosphère anormalement chaude. Ce contexte thermique est l'expression d'une délamination progressive du manteau lithosphérique initiée dans les zones internes de l'orogène et qui a permis la fermeture de la syntaxe ibéro-armoricaine ainsi que l'échappement latéral de la croûte ductile pyrénéenne pris dans cette syntaxe. L'analyse quantitative du champ de déformation à partir d'outils géostatistiques montre que ce champ résulte d'une déformation assimilable à un cisaillement pur produit par un raccourcissement NS tandis que la composante dextre de la transpression se concentre aux bordures de plutons ou de dômes. Ainsi, la mise en place de ces objets structuraux gouverne l'hétérogénéité du champ de déformation. La cohérence du champ de déformation varisque met en question l'existence de nappes de socle lors de la construction du prisme orogénique pyrénéen à partir du Crétacé supérieur. En dehors de la bordure ouest et sud de la Zone Axiale, le socle n'est affecté que par des réactivations mineures, y compris dans les Pyrénées centrales où le chevauchement de Nogueres ne peut être enraciné. Ce chevauchement correspondrait plutôt à un décollement dans les séries paléozoïques supérieures, impliquant des quantités de raccourcissement moindres durant la collision pyrénéenne que celles calculées précédemment
We present a qualitative and quantitative structural study of the Paleozoic basement of the Pyrenees. Based on new observations and an extensive compilation of structural data that were harmonized at the scale of the orogen, we built the regional-scale Variscan strain field. The main Variscan deformation was partitioned between transpressional thickening of the upper crust and the laterally flowing lower crust. An attachment zone acted to maintain the kinematic coherency between these two structural domains. Lateral flow of the lower crust accompanied emplacement of syn-convergence extensional domes. Regional cooling progressively increases the degree of mechanical coupling between the two structural levels and enhanced strain localization in steep regional transpressive shear zones. Though part of the foreland of the Variscan orogen the Pyrenees developed strain patterns typical of hot crusts/lithospheres. Such a hot thermal context is due to lithospheric mantle delamination that initiated beneath the hinterland of the orogen and allowed the Iberian-Armorican syntax to close and extrude the soft Pyrenean crust trapped in it. Geostatistical analysis of the strain field suggests that it results bulk pure shear deformation with a dextral transpressional component restricted to the boundaries of plutons and domes. Emplacement of such structural objects governed the degree of heterogeneity of the strain field. The coherency of the strain field argues against the stacking of large basement nappes in the Axial Zone of the Pyrenees during building of the orogenic prism since the Late Cretaceous. Only the southern and western parts of the Axial Zone are affected by "Alpine" thrusting and only minor local reactivation occurred elsewhere in the Axial Zone. Therefore, the Nogueres thrust cannot root into the Axial Zone but is a decollement within Late Paleozoic series. This suggests a lower amount of Alpine shortening in this part of the Pyrenees than previously estimated

Mestrado em Geomateriais e Recursos Geológicos
O Complexo Migmatítico de Bemposta (CMB) aflora na parte norte da Zona Centro Ibérica (NE Transmontano, Portugal), numa área onde afloram sobretudo metassedimentos do Neoproterozoico/Câmbrico Inferior, pertencentes ao chamado Grupo do Douro do Complexo Xisto-Grauváquico e formações do Paleozoico Inferior, intruídas por granitoides variscos. As evidências tanto de campo como petrográficas mostram que o CMB foi afetado pelas três fases de deformação varisca (D1. D2 e D3), que provocaram a sua intensa deformação, metamorfismo e migmatização. O bandado migmatítico estromático é a estrutura mais penetrativa das rochas do CMB. Desenvolve-se paralelamente à foliação S2 regional e está localmente dobrado pela D3. Os paragnaisses que afloram na área terão sofrido fusão parcial no início do regime extensional da D2, que coincidiu com o pico metamórfico, mas as condições de anatexia deverão ter permanecido até ao início da D3. Apesar do caráter estromático de grande parte dos migmatitos, a maioria dos líquidos anatéticos não possui evidências de estar “in situ”, devendo os leucossomas ser provenientes de líquidos parentais gerados em níveis mais profundos, que foram injetados quando os seus hospedeiros estavam ainda parcialmente fundidos. O CMB parece representar, assim, um segmento crustal, onde se acumularam volumes significativos de magmas félsicos. Os dados geoquímicos e isotópicos (Sr-Nd) revelam que tanto os leucossomas como as rochas graníticas analisadas derivam da fusão parcial de protólitos com composição semelhante à dos paragnaisses hospedeiros, sendo as suas diferenças determinadas sobretudo por diferentes graus de fracionamento, diferenciação e contaminação dos líquidos anatéticos.
The Bemposta Migmatitic Complex (CMB) is located in the northern part of the Central Iberian Zone (NE Portugal), in an area mostly composed by metassediments of the Neoproterozoic/Lower Cambrian, that belong to the so-called Douro Group of the Schist and Metagreywacke Complex (CXG) and by formations of the Lower Paleozoic, intruded by variscan granites. Both field and petrographic evidences reveal that the CMB was affected by the three stages of variscan deformation (D1, D2 and D3), which provoked its intense deformation, metamorphism and migmatization. The stromatic banded is the dominant structure of the CMB. It develops parallel to the regional S2 foliation and is locally folded by D3. The paragneisses that outcrop in the area have been affected by partial melting at the beginning of the D2 extensional regimen, which coincided with the metamorphic peak, but the conditions of anatexia should have remained until the beginning of D3. In spite of the stromatic character of the migmatites, most of the anatetic melts have no evidence of being "in situ", and the leucosomes must derived from parental melts generated at deeper levels, injected when their hosts were still partially melted. The CMB seems to represent, therefore, a crustal segment, where significant volumes of felsic magmas accumulated. The geochemical and isotopic data (Sr-Nd) show that both the leucosomes and the granitic rocks analyzed derived from the partial fusion of protoliths with a composition similar to the outcropping paragneisses, and their differences are mainly determined by different degrees of fractionation, differentiation and contamination of the anatetic melts.

La chaîne varisque en France a été interprétée comme une chaîne de collision paléozoïque où l’essentiel des déformations et du métamorphisme résultent de l’épaissi-ssement crustal et de la relaxation thermique qui s’ensuit. L’analyse des relations entre métamorphisme et déformation au sein des massifs d’orthogneiss (principalement du Massif Central) et la datation du métamorphisme de haute pression d’éclo-gites mafiques démontrent : (i) le caractère précoce du métamorphisme de haute température reflété par la fusion partielle des éclogites au pic de pression à ~363 Ma ; (ii) l’exhumation et le refroidissement rapide des roches après le pic de pression datés à ~353 Ma ; (iii) le caractère rétrograde de l’essentiel des déformations des orthogneiss. Le métamorphisme et les déformations sont finalement interprétés dans le cadre d’un changement de dynamique de la zone de subduction suite à l’entrée en subduction de lambeaux de croûte continentale plutôt que dans celui d’une collision continentale succédant à la subduction océanique initiale
The Variscan belt in France is interpreted as a collisional orogen where crustal thickening and subsequent thermal relaxation account for most of the metamorphic and structural record. Detailed analysis of the relationships between metamorphism and deformation of ortho-gneisses, as well as petrologically constrained geochronology of mafic eclogites reveal : (i) an early high-temperature metamorphism demonstrated by partial melting of the eclogites close the peak P–T conditions at ~363 Ma; (ii) subsequent fast decompression followed by cooling dated at ~353 Ma; (iii) the retrograde metamorphic character of the deformation of most orthogneisses. The metamorphic and structural record are inferred to result from a switch of the dynamics of the subduction zone at the onset of subduction of small continental ribbons rather than from continental collision after the initial oceanic subduction

Cette thèse analyse l’impact de l’héritage sur le Cycle de Wilson de l'Atlantique Nord via (1) la cartographie des structures orogéniques, et de l’architecture et l'évolution temporelle des rifts ; (2) une synthèse de l'architecture des systèmes de rift hyper-étendus ; (3) la modélisation numérique de l'effet d'un sous-plaquage magmatique sur un épisode de rift subséquent. Conclusions : (1) Les caractéristiques du rift Nord Atlantique diffèrent significativement entre les lithosphères Calédonienne et Varisque; (2) Deux types extrêmes de systèmes de rift : (a) étroits et immatures, dont la fermeture mène à une orogenèse contrôlée par des processus mécaniques ; et (b) larges et matures, dont les orogenèses sont affectées par des processus magmatiques; (3) Le sous-plaquage mafique de la croûte continentale et/ou l'existence de manteau appauvri à l'aplomb d'une ancienne zone orogénique peut empêcher la réactivation des faiblesses héritées et entraîner le boudinage de la croûte continentale
In this thesis, I analyse the impact of inheritance on the Wilson Cycle in the North Atlantic: (1) I map the main orogenic structures, the first-order architecture of rift systems and the timing of major rifting events; (2) I synthesise the first-order architecture of rift systems; (3) I study, via numerical modelling, the impact of underplating on subsequent rifting. Conclusions: (1) The characteristics of the North Atlantic rift system vary significantly depending on whether it affects the Caledonian or Variscan orogenic lithosphere; (2) Two end-members for rift systems can be defined : (a) narrow and immature, whose closure results in orogenesis essentially controlled by mechanical processes; (b) wide and mature, whose closure and subsequent orogenesis is largely affected by magmatic processes; (3) Mafic underplating and/or mantle depletion beneath a former orogenic area may prevent the reactivation of the inherited weaknesses and may trigger the boudinage of the continental crust

Cette étude a visé à contraindre les processus tectoniques, magmatiques et métamorphiques actifs dans la croûte moyenne, du Permien à l’exhumation des roches pendant les riftings mésozoïques, en se focalisant sur un gabbro permien dans les nappes austroalpines (Italie du nord, sud-est de la Suisse). L’évolution du gabbro de Sondalo, mis en place dans l’unité de Campo, est examinée en combinant géologie structurale, pétrologie magmatique et métamorphique, et géochronologie. Les résultats de cette étude (1) apportent des contraintes sur les relations thermiques et mécaniques entre le pluton et l’encaissant pendant sa mise en place dans la croûte moyenne, (2) décrivent les mécanismes d’ascension de magmas mafiques au travers de la croûte continentale et (3) documentent l’exhumation et le refroidissement de l’unité de Campo et de l’unité sus-jacente de Grosina pendant la formation de la marge riftée adriatique
This study aims to unravel tectonic, magmatic and metamorphic processes active at midcrustal levels from the Permian to the exhumation of the rocks during the Mesozoic riftings by focusing on a Permian gabbro in the Austroalpine nappes (N–Italy, SE–Switzerland). The evolution of the Sondalo gabbro, emplaced in the Campo unit, is examined by combining structural geology, magmatic and metamorphic petrology, and geochronology. The results of this study bring constrains on (1) the thermal and mechanical relationship between the pluton and the host rock during its emplacement in the middle crust, (2) the mechanisms of mafic magmas ascent through the continental crust and (3) the exhumation and cooling history of the Campo unit and the overlying Grosina unit during the formation of the Adriatic rifted margin

Le Massif armoricain et le Massif central renferment la majeure partie des minéralisations filoniennes à antimoine du varisque français. Malgré leur intense exploitation, il n’existe pas de consensus sur leur modèle métallogénique et la relation entre antimoine et or reste obscure. Cette étude est centrée sur 4 districts : i) la Bellière, ii) la Vendée, iii) la Lucette pour le Massif armoricain et iv) le district de Brioude-Massiac dans leMassif central à fins de comparaisons. Nos résultats montrent que les minéralisations à antimoine étudiées sont très similaires entres elles avec une formation à faible profondeur (< 5 km), et une évolution en 2 stades : i) précoce à arsénopyrite formé entre 350-280°C, formé par des fluides aquo-carboniques principalement métamorphiques, ii) tardif à stibine-or entre 120-200°C formé en réponse à une baisse de température due à l’arrivée dans le système d’eau météorique de faible salinité. Toutes les minéralisations à antimoine et antimoine-or possèdent de l’or « invisible » piégé dans l’arsénopyrite (et la berthiérite ?), et de l’or natif associé avec la stibine. Cet or natif est responsable des fortes teneurs et relève essentiellement de processus de reconcentration (la Lucette). A l’échelle du Massif armoricain, les minéralisations à Sb sont contrôlées structuralement par les grands décrochements dextres d’échelle crustale qui drainent les fluides durant la période tardi-varisque, vers 310-300 Ma, un calage chronologique confirmé par la datation U-Pb ICP-MS de l’apatite de la Lucette. Elles sont donc postérieures aux minéralisations de type « or orogénique » du Massif armoricain (la Bellière) mises en place entre 340-325 Ma, mais synchrones de l’événement « or 300 » dans le Massif central. Nous proposons que l’ensemble des minéralisations à antimoine soit regroupé dans le sous type « épizonal » du modèle « or orogénique »
The French Variscan domains, particularly the Armorican Massif and the Central Massif, contain most of the antimony vein ore deposits. Despite their intense exploitation, there is no consensus on their general metallogenic model and on the relationships between antimony and gold remains unclear. This studyfocuses on 4 districts: i) la Bellière, ii) Vendée, iii) la Lucette, in the Armorican Massif, and, iv) Brioude-Massiac district in the Central Massif to compare with the Armorican Massif. Our results show that antimony ore deposits studied are very similar to each other with a shallow depth formation (<5 km), and an evolutionin 2 stages: i) an early one with arsenopyrite formed between 350-280°C, formed by metamorphic aquocarbonic fluids, ii) a late one with stibnite-gold between 120-200°C formed in response to a temperature drop due to arrival in the system of low-salinity meteoric water. All antimony and antimony-gold ore deposits have"invisible" gold trapped in arsenopyrites (and berthierite?), and/or native gold with stibnite. This native gold is responsible for high grade ore, and is largely due to reconcentration processes (la Lucette). At the scale of the Armorican Massif, the Sb ore is structurally controlled by large crustal-scale dextral strike-slip faults thatdrain fluids during the late-Variscan period, around 310-300 Ma. This chronological setting is confirmed by U-Pb dating by LA-ICP-MS on the apatites of la Lucette deposit. They are younger than the "orogenic gold" mineralization formation in the Armorican Massif (le Bellière) set-up between 340-325 Ma, but coeval withthe "or 300" event in the Central Massif. We propose that all antimony ore deposits can be grouped in the "epizonal" subtype of the "orogenic gold" model

The Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo–Lumbrales Anatectic Complex (FCR-LAC) is an example of a granite-migmatite complex formed during the Variscan Orogeny located within the autochthonous terrane of the Central Iberian Zone. The FCR-LAC contacts with an Ediacaran–Cambrian metasedimentary sequence (Douro–Beiras Supergroup – DBSG) through the Huebra and Juzbado–Penalva do Castelo shear zones. New U–Pb zircon and apatite ages constrain emplacement and migmatization ages, inherited ages and unprecedented cooling rates for the FCR–LAC lithologies. The granites emplacement ages cluster around 313–317 Ma while the migmatization age constrains the prograde metamorphic path (344 – 315 Ma) and the metamorphic peak at 316.8 ± 2.0 Ma. The migmatization/peak metamorphic ages suggest that the anatexis started during the D2 and culminated during the D3 Variscan phase, concomitantly with the emplacement of the S-type granites. The cooling (7 to 54 ºC/Ma) and exhumation rates (0.2 and 1.3 mm a-1) of the FCR–LAC imply fast cooling/exhumation conditions which are compatible with a tectonically-assisted mechanism where the shear zones have an important role. The elemental composition of the FCR-LAC reveals the existence of two distinct diatexite groups: diatexites type-1 produced via dehydration-melting of muscovite; and the diatexites type-2 formed by a fluid-present melting reaction. These two diatexite groups evolved in different stages of the prograde metamorphic path: 343.7 ± 2.5 Ma for diatexite type-2, 328.8 ± 3.4 Ma for a diatexite type-1, culminating in the metamorphic peak at 318.8 ± 2.6 Ma with a diatexite type-1. The different melting reactions justify the isotopic variability observed in the FCR-LAC. The U-Pb detrital zircon ages of the FCR-LAC and the DBSG reveal an important input of the Cadomian sediments. The zircon distribution ages of the Pinhão Formation (Douro Group) compared to the Beiras Group reinforce the existence of a physical barrier at south of the FCR-LAC. Younger inherited zircon from the anatectic rocks can be linked to the Ollo de Sapo magmatic rocks indicating that they melted alongside the DBSG showing the existence of source heterogeneity. This fact is also supported by the Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the FCR-LAC and explains the existence of two groups with distinct initial isotopic compositions, both composed by metatexites, diatexites and granites.

5 English abstract The introduction of the thesis represents a profound research of current knowledge and survey results to date about the geodynamic tectonic boundary development of the Teplá- Barrandien unit/Moldanubian senzu stricto and the Královský Hvozd unit in the Šumava Mountains. It also describes in detail lithology of the Královský Hvozd unit and historical as well as contemporary opinions of the tectonometamorphic development of the Královský Hvozd unit and adjacent Moldanubian unit and Teplá-Barrandien unit. The research part of the thesis brings results of the analysis of the Královský Hvozd unit tectonic development in relation with the tectonic development of broader surrounding area. The research combines field structural data, detailed microstructure data acquired from collected samples and results of studying deformation mechanisms on orthogneiss samples from the Královský Hvozd unit using the EBSD (Electron Back Scattered Diffraction) performed on partly recrystalised quartz aggregates. The research output is a construction of a tectonic development model of the Královský Hvozd unit and the adjacent area. Four main deformation events (D1-D4) were determined on the basis of structural record and their time sequence in the rocks of the Královský Hvozd unit. On the basis of kinematic...

ENGLISH ABSTRACT The Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous kinematic evolution of the Teplá-Barrandian/Moldanubian boundary The Staré Sedlo complex (SSC) is a relic of meta-igneous arc-related pluton in the southern part of the Sedlčany-Krásná Hora roof pendant, intruded by granitoids of the Central Bohemian Plutonic Complex along the boundary of Teplá-Barrandian (TBU) and Moldanubian units (MU), Bohemian Massif. The SSC mainly comprises deformed orthogneisses of calc-alkaline granodiorite to tonalite protoliths of Late Devonian age (380−365 Ma; Košler et al., 1993) that were commonly mingled with minor basic magmas. Locally preserved subhorizontal intrusive contacts of the orthogneisses against their meta-sedimentary host rock indicate that these magmas intruded as a sill complex. The SSC preserves a rather unusual flat-lying subsolidus foliation (dip <40ř) associated with subhorizontal ~NE-SW-trending mineral lineation. Mesoscopic structures, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS), and deformational microstructures indicate prolate shape of the strain ellipsoid with dominant coaxial pure shear regime. The solid state microstructures record cooling of the orthogneiss protolith down to the ambient greenschist facies conditions followed by its static recrystallization due to the intrusion of the younger...

Diploma thesis - Kateřina Schlöglová - 2011 1/2 English abstract Granulites of the Rychleby Mts. represent relics of high-pressure eclogite-facies metamorphic rocks that are scattered in various crustal and mantle segments of the Variscan orogen in central Europe. These rocks may provide important insights into early stages of Variscan plate convergence and burial as well as exhumation mechanisms. We use mineral assemblages and chemistry to reconstruct the pressure-temperature paths, mechanisms of melting, and conditions of mineral preservation of high-pressure granulites, as well as whole- rock geochemistry to aid in interpretation of granulite precursors and their geodynamic setting. The mafic granulites consist of garnet, omphacite, two feldspars, and quartz with accessory rutile and zircon. The peak assemblage was partly replaced by pargasitic amphibole and biotite. Garnet grains are zoned from Grs36Py10Alm54 (core) to Grs20Py38Alm42 (rim), and host inclusions of phengite, omphacite, unmixed feldspars, kyanite, and rutile. Omphacite composition varies from Di44Hd14Jd42 (inclusions in garnet) through Di63Hd20Jd17 (porphyroblasts) and Di63Hd24Jd13 (symplectitic intergrowths with plagioclase). Reintegrated composition of the feldspar porphyroblasts is Or43Ab53An04. The felsic granulite variety is composed...

Variscan dike swarms associated with the Central Bohemian Plutonic Complex (CBPC) at the boundary between the Teplá-Barrandian and Moldanubian Units of the Bohemian Massif represent one of the most interesting geological phenomena. Frequency of dykes and their chemical variability do not have any comparable analogy in the whole European Variscides. This work is focused on the study of dyke rocks in the NE periphery of CBPC in geologically very complicated area with intrusions of predominantly deformed granitoids, contact metamorphosed sediments and magmatic rocks of "Islet Zone" with different protolith ages (forming remnants of the original roof of CBPC), deformed basic rocks of uncertain origin and age. The area extends up to the western boundary of the northernmost part of the Moldanubian high-grade metamorphic complex, the boundary itself being also tectonically problematic. Several localities with dyke rocks under study are situated in the area east of Senohraby (SE of Prague), on the northern side (right coast) of the Sázava river, and extend up to the area of Stříbrná Skalice. This area is rich in dykes of gabbro to diorite porphyry accompanied in some places with tonalite (rarely quartz diorite) porphyry and more rarely with amphibole lamprophyres (spessartite). Significantly younger dykes...

The origin of the Cantabrian orocline of the Variscan orogen in NW Iberia remains a topic of debate. We present a structural study of the Ponga Unit, a Cambrian to Carboniferous tectonostratigraphic package within the Variscan foreland fold and thrust belt that lies within the core region of the Cantabrian orocline. Our primary goal is to determine if the structure of the Ponga Unit is attributable to secondary orocline formation or if west-plunging regional folds in the area reflect lateral ramps in underlying Variscan thrust sheets. Our mapping and structural analysis within the Ponga Unit focuses on the Laviana, Rioseco and Campo de Caso thrust sheets, and associated bounding thrusts. More than 800 structural orientation measurements were collected across the study area during a four-week field campaign. These data, coupled with data compiled from regional geological maps, allow for analysis of the crustal structure. West-plunging folds of the Laviana, Rioseco and Campo de Caso thrust sheets form km-scale anticline-syncline pairs, producing a complex fold interference pattern that is characteristic of the Ponga Unit. Our analysis shows that: 1) the geometry of the west-plunging folds is inconsistent with a lateral-ramp related interpretation; 2) the map pattern resembles a mushroom fold interference pattern that is the result of two deformation phases including secondary, orocline-related N-S shortening immediately after the cessation of E-W Variscan shortening; and 3) paleomagnetic data, notably a ‘B’ remanence magnetism, in the Ponga Unit likely overlaps in time with the cessation of Variscan deformation and records post-Variscan deformation associated with the onset of oroclinal buckling. Our results indicate that early N-S trending folds, which resulted from Variscan orogenesis, were refolded by a N-S oriented compressive stress that is attributable to the secondary buckling of the Cantabrian orocline.
Graduate