Geochemistry and magmatic evolution of Kohistan-Ladakh magmas 1.5.1.Inferences for juvenile continental crust construction 1.5.2.Isotopic composition, inferences on the mantle source and crustal assimilation, and implications for the timing of collisions 1.6.Tectonic reconstructions of Kohistan-Ladakh arc evolution 1.6.1.Scenario 1: south-dipping subduction zone 1.6.2.Scenario 2: north-dipping subduction zone 1.7.Conclusion 1.8.References
Here, we revise and update the biostratigraphy of larger foraminiferal assemblages in three sections of the Priabonian Sanetsch Formation in the Helvetic Nappes of theWestern Swiss Alps: The SexRouge (SE) and the Sanetsch Buvette (SA) sections in the Wildhorn Nappe Complex, and the Col des Essets (ETS) section in the most external Morcles Nappe. In the SE and SA sections, the Tsanfleuron and most of the Pierredar Limestone members of the formation are assigned to SBZ 19 (early Priabonian), while the uppermost part of the formation is assigned to SBZ 20 (late Priabonian). In the external ETS section the entire Sanetsch Formation contains assemblages characteristic of SBZ 19, suggesting an earlier, middle-late Priabonian onset of the hemipelagic Stad Formation (Globigerina Marls). Since it was established in 1998, the Shallow Benthic Zones (SBZ), a biozonation based on larger foraminifera, has been a useful tool in the biostratigraphy of the Paleogene. Biozonation proposals for the late middle-late Eocene are based mainly in biometrical subdivision of lineages of nummulitids and orthophragmines,which requiresmeasurements in oriented sections of isolated specimens. Here, we define previously unreported taxa from the Sanetsch Formation, which are considered characteristic for the Priabonian. They are easy to identify in random sections and thus useful biostratigraphical markers.We also describe a new orthophragminid genus, Virgasterocylina n. gen. (Orbitoclypeidae) characterized by the presence of rods, radial thickenings of calcite along ribs; a new species of Rotorbinella, R. epardi n. sp., and a new genus and new species of difficult suprageneric attribution, Sanetschella indeprensa n. gen., n. sp. We add the new taxa to the larger foraminiferal association characterizing the Priabonian (SBZ 19-20). The revision of the literature, together with our own sample collections revealed that these new taxa occur in Priabonian rocks from different basins in the western Tethys. Virgasterocylina n. gen. also occurs in the Caribbean bioprovince in the middle and upper Eocene. In the western Tethys, Virgasterocylina ferrandezi is subdivided into two subspecies, V. f. ferrandezi (Ozcan and Less) and V. f. lessi n. ssp., which characterize the SBZ 19 and 20 biozones respectively.
Abstract The Mont Fort nappe, former uppermost subunit of the Grand St-Bernard nappe system, is an independent tectonic unit with specific structural and stratigraphic characteristics (Middle Penninic, NW Italy and SW Switzerland). It consists in a Paleozoic basement, overlain by a thin, discontinuous cover of Triassic-Jurassic metasediments, mainly breccias, called the Evolène Series. The contact of this Series over the Mont Fort basement is debated: stratigraphic or tectonic? We present new observations that support the stratigraphic interpretation and consequently imply that the Evolène Series belongs to the Mont Fort nappe. We moreover show that the Mont Fort nappe was strongly affected by normal faulting during Jurassic. These faults went long unnoticed because Alpine orogenic deformation blurred the record. Alpine strain erased their original obliquity, causing confusion with an Alpine low-angle thrust. These Jurassic faults have been passively deformed during Alpine tectonics, without inversion or any other kind of reactivation. They behaved like passive markers of the Alpine strain. Detailed field observations reveal the link between observed faults and specific breccia accumulations. Areas where the Evolène Series is missing correspond to sectors where the fault scarps were exposed on the bottom of the sea but were too steep to keep the syn- to post-faulting sediments. The Mont Fort nappe thus represents an example of a distal rifted margin. The succession of synsedimentary extensional movements followed by orogenic shortening generated a situation where passively deformed normal faults mimic an orogenic thrust.
Ophiolites are fragments of ancient oceanic lithosphere, preserved in orogenic belts in a context of plate convergence. They are generated at mid-ocean ridges, in a supra-subduction zone or volcanic arc. Commonly, several magmatic events are recorded, as shown, for instance, in the Oman Ophiolite (Goodenough et al. 2014).
The Ophiolitic rocks of Eastern Ladakh are subdivided in two main groups, based on the geodynamic setting during their formation: the supra-subduction zone ophiolite and the ophiolitic “melanges”, corresonding both to the Indus Suture Zone. Recent detailed studies North-East of the Tso Moriri area revealed a large diversity of ophiolitic rocks and associated sediments. We identified three distinct tectonic units containing ophiolites: The Nidar Ophiolite, the Drakkarpo nappe and the Karzok-Ribil nappe.
The Nidar supra-subduction zone Ophiolite represents a complete ophiolitic sequence, from mantle to sediments, which underwent a low greenschist facies metamorphism. This ophiolitic sequence was thrusted towards the South. They record a first magmatic event in a mid-ocean ridge setting, and a second one in a supra-subduction zone at around 130 Ma. The Drakkarpo nappe is a “melange” unit composed of thick polygenic conglomerates and volcano-sedimentary rocks, mainly composed of tuffs and augite-basalts (OIB), serpentinites, pillow lavas and gabbros. This unit is interpreted as being a part of an accretionary wedge containing slices of oceanic islands arc. This nappe marks the Indus Suture Zone. The Karzok-Ribil nappe is a newly defined tectonic unit involved in the North Himalayan nappe stack. It can be followed at the top of the Tetraogal nappe and around the Tso Morari dome. The Karzok-Ribil nappe is composed of segments of ophiolitic sequence (serpentinites, gabbros, pillow lavas), radiolarites, polygenic conglomerates, agglomeratic slates from the indian margin, augite-basalts (OIB) and limestones. It is interpreted as being originally a seamount, located close to the Indian passive margin in a ocean-continent transition zone.
The new lithostratigraphy and structural analyses of the Eastern Ladakh ophiolites and their associated sediments allow us to better constrain the formation and emplacement mechanisms of these tectonic units. It defines or precises the paleogeography and geometry of the north Indian passive margin, prior to the Himalayan collision.
REFERENCES
Goodenough, Kathryn M., Robert J. Thomas, Michael T. Styles, David I. Schofield, and Christopher J. MacLeod. 2014. “Records of Ocean Growth and Destruction in the Oman–UAE Ophiolite.” Elements 10 (2): 109–114.
Abstract. Fold-and-thrust belts and associated tectonic nappes are common in orogenic regions. They exhibit a wide variety of geometries and often a considerable along-strike variation. However, the mechanics of fold-and-thrust belt formation and the control of the initial geological configuration on this formation are still incompletely understood. Here, we apply three-dimensional (3D) thermo-mechanical numerical simulations of the shortening of the upper crustal region of a passive margin to investigate the control of 3D laterally variable inherited structures on the fold-and-thrust belt evolution and associated nappe formation. We consider tectonic inheritance by applying an initial model configuration with horst and graben structures having laterally variable geometry and with sedimentary layers having different mechanical strength. We use a visco-plastic rheology with temperature dependent flow laws and a Drucker-Prager yield criterion. The models show the folding, detachment and horizontal displacement of sedimentary units, which resemble structures of fold and thrust nappes. The models further show the stacking of nappes. The detachment of nappe-like structures is controlled by the initial basement and sedimentary layer geometry. Significant horizontal transport is facilitated by weak sedimentary units below these nappes. The initial half-graben geometry has a strong impact on the basement and sediment deformation. Generally, deeper half-grabens generate thicker nappes and stronger deformation of the neighboring horst while shallower half-grabens generate thinner nappes and less deformation in the horst. Horizontally continuous strong sediment layers, which are not restricted to inital graben structures, cause detachment folding and not overthrusting. The amplitude of the detachment folds is controlled by the underlying graben geometry. A mechanically weaker basement favors the formation of fold nappes while stronger basement favors thrust sheets. The applied model configuration is motivated by the application of the 3D model to the Helvetic nappe system of the French-Swiss Alps. Our model is able to reproduce several first-order structural features of this nappe system, namely (i) closure of a half-graben and associated formation of the Morcles and Doldenhorn nappes, (ii) the overthrusting of a nappe resembling the Wildhorn and Glarus nappes and (iii) the formation of a nappe pile resembling the Helvetic nappes resting above the Infrahelvetic complex. Furthermore, the finite strain pattern, temperature distribution and timing of the 3D model is in broad agreement with data from the Helvetic nappe system. Our model, hence, provides a first-order 3D reconstruction of the tectonic evolution of the Helvetic nappe system based on thermo-mechanical deformation processes.
