The evolution of the polymetamorphic basement in the Central Alps unravelledby precise U-Pb zircon dating

Article Abstract:

Isotopic studies through U-Pb dating of zircon and rutile from the Aar massif were conducted to reconstruct the pre-Mesozoic history of the Central Alps. Cores of zircons in metasediments yielded Archean age and were interpreted as Pan-African detritus with Gondwana-affinity. The Central Alps basement was postulated as a Gondwana-derived complex of Hercynian massifs and Alpine nappes. The experiments also indicated that Aar, Gotthard and Black Forest attained its present configuration prior to the Caledonian orogeny at 456 Ma. Low-degree metamorphism of the Hercynian orogeny affected only the southern parts of the area, mainly Penninic and Austroalpine basement.

Geology, Stratigraphic, Stratigraphy, Alps, Archean Eon, Isotope geology, Nappes (Geology), Nappes

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Post-granulite facies monazite growth and rejuvenation during Permian to Lower Jurassic thermal and fluid events in the Ivrea Zone (Southern Alps)

Article Abstract:

Petrologic ages 293.4 +/- 5.8 Ma, 210 +/- 14 Ma, 210 +/- 12 Ma were discovered in U-Pb analyses of single monazite grains from two granulite facies metapelites in the Ivrea Zone in the Southern Alps. The monazite grains resulted from the cooling and exhumation of high-grade metamorphic terranes in orogenic belts. The superposition of the post-granulite facies, during the Permian to lower Jurassic period, tectono-thermal and fluid activities resulted in the apparent younging of monazite ages.

Granulite, Petrology, Swiss Alps, Monazite

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The age and source of late Hercynian magmatism in the central Alps: evidence from precise U-Pb ages and initial Hf isotopes

Article Abstract:

A study was conducted to examine U-Pb ages for zircon, titanite, allanite and epidote. In addition, the study tests initial Hf isotopic compositions for Upper Carboniferous zircon granites, diorites and syenites. Samples were taken from the Aar massif in the central Alps. Results show that the development of an isotopic character was conditioned by the generation of melts from a subcontinental mantle.

Plate tectonics, Magmatism

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