Mantle Evolution and Magmatism in an Evolving Ocean-Continent Transition: the Platta Nappe, Eastern Switzerland
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Research Collection Doctoral Thesis Mantle evolution and magmatism in an evolving ocean-continent transition: The Platta nappe, eastern Switzerland Author(s): Desmurs, Laurent Publication Date: 2002 Permanent Link: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-a-004282938 Rights / License: In Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Permitted This page was generated automatically upon download from the ETH Zurich Research Collection. For more information please consult the Terms of use. ETH Library Diss. ETH No 14429 Mantle evolution and magmatism in an evolving ocean- continent transition: The Platta nappe, eastern Switzerland A dissertation submitted to the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich For the degree of Doctor of natural sciences Presented by Laurent Desmurs DEA UPMC-PARIS VI Born November 1rst 1973 Citizen of France Accepted on the recommendation of Prof. Dr. D. Bernoulli ETH Zürich examiner Prof. Dr. J. P. Burg ETH Zürich co-examiner Prof. Dr. J. Girardeau Univ. Nantes co-examiner Prof. Dr. U. Schaltegger Univ. Geneva co-examiner Dr. G. Manatschal Univ. Strasbourg co-examiner Dr. O. Müntener Univ. Neuchatel co-examiner -2001- Contents Contents……………………………………………………………………………….…..I Abstract……………………………………………………………………………….….V Résumé………………………………………………………………………………....VII Zusammenfassung…………………………………………………………………..…..X Chapter 1: Introduction 1.Evolution of the interpretation of the Alpine ophiolite...............................................…..1 2. Geographic and tectonic overview...................................................................................2 3. Mesozoic evolution of the Ligurian Tethys passive margin............................................4 4. Aims and organization of the thesis.................................................................................5 Chapter 2: The Steinmann Trinity revisited: Mantle exhumation and magmatism along an ancient ocean-continent transition: the Platta nappe, eastern Switzerland. Abstract..............................................................................................................................11 General situation................................................................................................................13 The Platta nappe.................................................................................................................13 Alpine deformation................................................................................................14 Pre-Alpine situation and stratigraphy...............................…................................16 Mantle exhumation………………………………………………………………………17 Petrology and microstructure of the lower serpentinized peridotite.....................18 Petrology and deformation of the upper serpentinized peridotite.........................18 Mineral chemistry..................................................................................................20 Retrograde metamorphism of mantle rocks...........................................................21 Gabbroic Intrusion.............................................................................................................24 Field relationships.................................................................................................24 Contact with mantle rocks.....................................................................................25 Age.........................................................................................................................25 Magmatic and deformational texture.....................................................................26 Mineral chemistry..................................................................................................28 Condition of intrusion............................................................................................32 High-temperature deformation and hydration.......................................................32 I Low-temperature deformation...............................................................................33 Basalts and dolerites..........................................................................................................33 Discussion..........................................................................................................................34 Mantle exhumation.............................................................................................…34 Gabbro intrusion and exhumation.........................................................................35 Basalt extrusion and related dykes........................................................................35 Magmatic sources..................................................................................................36 Timing of emplacement of different rock types..................................................…36 Relationships between tectonic and magmatic processes......................................37 Conclusion.........................................................................................................................39 Chapter 3: Tectono-metamorphic and geochemical evolution of the mantle rocks of the Platta nappe. 1. Introduction....................................................................................................................49 2. Tectono-metamorphic evolution of the Platta mantle rocks..........................................50 2-1. Field relationships..........................................................................................50 2-2. Petrography and microtexture........................................................................53 2-3. Mineral chemistry...........................................................................................57 2-4. Thermobarometry and mineral equilibria......................................................67 2-5. Discussion.......................................................................................................69 3. Chemical evolution of the Platta mantle rocks..............................................................70 3-1. Whole rock chemistry.....................................................................................71 3-2. Discussion.......................................................................................................77 4. Discussion..................................................................................................................…79 4-1. Pre-rift location within the subcontinental mantle of the upper and lower serpentinite unit..............................................................80 4.2. Rifting evolution of the upper and lower serpentinite unit.........................…81 5. Summary and conclusion...........................................................................................…82 Chapter 4: The Transition from rifting to sea-floor spreading within a magma-poor rifted margin: field and isotopic constraints Abstract..........................................................................................................................…89 Introduction....................................................................................................................…90 The geological framework............................................................................................…92 II U-Pb, Hf, Sr and Nd isotopic data.................................................................................…93 Discussion......................................................................................................................…94 Conclusion.....................................................................................................................…95 Chapter 5: Onset of magmatic accretion within a magma-poor rifted margin: A case study from the Platta ocean-continent transition, eastern Switzerland Abstract........................................................................................................................…99 Introduction......................................................................................................................100 Regional geology.............................................................................................................101 Gabbros............................................................................................................................103 Field relationships...............................................................................................103 Petrography.........................................................................................................103 Mineral chemistry................................................................................................104 Whole rock composition......................................................................................109 Basalts and dolerites........................................................................................................110 Field relationships...............................................................................................110 Petrography.........................................................................................................111 Whole rock chemistry..........................................................................................112 Discussion........................................................................................................................113 Primitive liquids in ocean-continent transition...................................................113