Journal of Geosciences, 52 (2007), 9–28 DOI: 10.3190/jgeosci.005 Original paper Resolving the Variscan evolution of the Moldanubian sector of the Bohemian Massif: the significance of the Bavarian and the Moravo–Moldanubian tectonometamorphic phases Fritz FINGER1*, Axel GERDEs2, Vojtěch JANOušEk3, Miloš RENé4, Gudrun RIEGlER1 1University of Salzburg, Division of Mineralogy, Hellbrunnerstraße 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria;
[email protected] 2University of Frankfurt, Institute of Geoscience, Senckenberganlage 28, D-60054 Frankfurt, Germany 3Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3, 118 21 Prague 1, Czech Republic 4Academy of Sciences, Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics, V Holešovičkách 41, 182 09 Prague 8, Czech Republic *Corresponding author The Variscan evolution of the Moldanubian sector in the Bohemian Massif consists of at least two distinct tectonome- tamorphic phases: the Moravo–Moldanubian Phase (345–330 Ma) and the Bavarian Phase (330–315 Ma). The Mora- vo–Moldanubian Phase involved the overthrusting of the Moldanubian over the Moravian Zone, a process which may have followed the subduction of an intervening oceanic domain (a part of the Rheiic Ocean) beneath a Moldanubian (Armorican) active continental margin. The Moravo–Moldanubian Phase also involved the exhumation of the HP–HT rocks of the Gföhl Unit into the Moldanubian middle crust, represented by the Monotonous and Variegated series. The tectonic emplacement of the HP–HT rocks was accompanied by intrusions of distinct magnesio-potassic granitoid melts (the 335–338 Ma old Durbachite plutons), which contain components from a strongly enriched lithospheric mantle source. Two parallel belts of HP–HT rocks associated with Durbachite intrusions can be distinguished, a western one at the Teplá–Barrandian and an eastern one close to the Moravian boundary.