United States

The Acatlan Complex (Puebla state) is the largest outcrop of metamorphic Paleozoic rocks in Mexico. This Complex is built by metaigneous and metasedimentary units, including polydeformed metagabbros, metabasites, metapelites, serpentinites and granitoids, which have registered, at least, three independent orogenic events that occurred between the Ordovician-Silurian and the early Permian. The most pervasive of these events is the Acatecan Orogen of Early Mississippian age that is characterized for having reached metamorphic peak conditions in the eclogite facies, at up to 22 kbar and 760 °C (Hernández-Uribe et al., 2018). The resulting lithologic and structural diversity has been interpreted as evidence for tectonic processes that involved a complete Wilson cycle, as well as accretionary processes and the subduction of Paleozoic global oceans (e.g. Nance et al. 2006; Ortega-Gutiérrez et al., 2018). For this reason, the Acatlán Complex represents a superb natural laboratory for the complete study of deep-seated inhumation processes and those involved in the eventual exhumation of the rocks that occur in orogenic convergent margins.  In this work, we present a preliminary study based on the metamorphic retrogression of eclogitic rocks from the Acatlán Complex. Field and detailed petrographic observations of these eclogites and associated rocks reveal that their retrogression is preserved in different kinds of microstructures, from plagioclase-epidote and amphibole-plagioclase symplectites, to chlorite-epidote coronae on garnet and titanite rims around rutile. These rocks also record retrograde compositional zoning in garnet, tourmaline, epidote, amphibole and phengite, and different generations of clinopyroxene, garnet, epidote, zoisite, amphibole, plagioclase, biotite, chlorite and calcite. Our observations suggest that the retrogression and subsequent exhumation of this eclogitic rocks took place in at least three stages; thus, our data represents the basis for the reconstruction of critical retrograde segments for the P-T trajectories followed by the Acatlán Complex high pressure lithologies.  This approach provides new elements that eventually could help to solve how HP-rocks generated under more than 75 km deep where exhumed and brought back to the surface. 

SGI 2021

Exhumation of the HP eclogites from the Acatlán Complex (south Mexico): new insights from retrogressive microstructures

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L'Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e Geofisica Sperimentale - OGS e il Dipartimento di Matematica e Geoscienze dell'Università di Trieste sono orgogliosi di ospitare il 90° Congresso della Società Geologica Italiana a Trieste dal 14 al 16 settembre 2021. La modalità del congresso è interamente online.

Con il motto "Geologia senza frontiere" questo evento mira a promuovere le Scienze della Terra come disciplina scientifica proiettata nel futuro, oltre i confini geografici, politici e disciplinari, per comprendere meglio l'interno del Pianeta Terra e la struttura del sottosuolo, difendere la società da pericolosi eventi geologici, comprendere meglio la variabilità climatica, pianificare l'utilizzo delle georisorse in modo etico e nel rispetto dell'ambiente.


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The National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics - OGS and the Department of Mathematics and Geosciences of the University of Trieste are proud to host the 90th Congress of the Italian Geological Society in Trieste on 14-16 September 2021.  The Congress will be held entirely online.

With the motto "Geology Without Borders" this event aims to promote Earth Sciences as a scientific discipline projected into the future, beyond geographical, political and disciplinary boundaries, to better understand the interior of Planet Earth and the structure of the subsurface, defend society from dangerous geological events, better understand climatic variability, plan the use of geo-resources in an ethical way and respecting the environment.


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Earth Sciences should be understood not only as necessary for a better understanding of the interior of the planet Earth, but also as a defense of society from dangerous geological events, for the understanding of climatic variations, for the planning and use of georesources in a ethical and respecting and protecting the environment.

technical paper

The Tertiary Piedmont Basin of NE Italy is an episutural basin which lies at the junction between the Alpine and Apennine chains. Its late Eocene to Pliocene sedimentary fill is thus important because it may provide a record of a source to sink system modulated by tectonics. This study focuses on sedimentology and petrography of the sedimentary succession cropping out in the Arquata Scrivia-Carrosio area, a key sector separating the Alto Monferrato area to the west from the Borbera-Curone sub-basin to the east. The litostratigraphic succession indicates initial establishment of a conglomeratic fan-delta (Conglomerati di Savignone and Molare Fms., Rupelian), which is drowned and onlapped by slope hemipelagic marlstone and channelized turbidites (Gremiasco Fm., Chattian). These are followed up section by a suite of confined turbidites, mass transport deposits, and channelized turbidites (Castagnola and Costa Montada Fms., Aquitanian-Early Burdigalian pro-parte), which record a further deepening culminating in the establishment of a basin plain environment (Costa Areasa Fm., Early Burdigalian-Langhian). Lastly, from the late Langhian onward, tectonic uplift resulted in a regional unconformity capped by shelfal marly deposits with storm layers and hyperpycnites (Marne di Cessole Fm., Langhian). Quantitative petrographic analysis of the above succession allowed us to recognise 11 petrofacies, which were compared and contrasted in a stratigraphic perspective. In agreement with previous studies, we identified lithic fragments from the Voltri Group, the Sestri-Voltaggio Zone, the Ligurian Appenine Units and the Mortara Volcanic complex, which can be therefore regarded as the main sediment sources. Results show that quartz and feldspars fractions increase up-section, whereas that of lithics decreases. In the lithic fraction, a decrease in the content of metamorphic lithics is observed in favour of volcanic and sedimentary lithotypes. The increase in quartz and feldspars content requires further investigation to be linked to candidate source terrains (Dora Maira? Cristallino di Valosio?). On the other hand, the increase of the volcanic fraction is partly coeval to the Mortara Volcanic complex (Upper Oligocene-Lower Miocene), now buried about 50 km to the north of the study area, and may thus correlate to an acme of volcanic activity and/or dismantling of its products. Lastly, the increase of the carbonate fraction can be interpreted to reflect the establishment of carbonate platforms of similar age documented at outcrop both to the N and S of the study area (P. da Cantoni Fm. of the Basso Monferrato and Visone Fm. of the Alto Monferrato, respectively) and in the subsurface (Quargnento High) to the N.

Sedimentological and petrographic evolution of the Oligo-Miocene succession in the Carrosio and Arquata Scrivia area (eastern Tertiary Piedmont Basin, NW Italy) 

This work illustrates a combined modelling approach using digital photogrammetry and geological modelling to create a high detailed 3D facies model of the inner environment of the Monte Carrubba carbonate ramp outcropping in the South Sicily. The Monte Carrubba Formation is the youngest marine Miocene carbonate deposit of the Hyblean region, prior to the Messinian crisis of the Mediterranean. In particular, Faro Santa Croce outcrop shows the most proximal sector of this ramp.The Faro Santa Croce outcrop offers the opportunity to investigate and reproduce a highly-detailed facies heterogeneity 3D model for a very narrow and limited area of few squared kilometers, developed in a tectonically stable area. Within this small areal, five facies have been recognized and modelled revealing a high level of facies heterogeneity. In this area marine ooidal shoals (ooidal grainstone to packstone) interfingered with shallow water seagrass environment (green-algal-floatstone facies and bioclastic grainstone-to-packstone) with abundant mollusc fauna. The distal part of this vegetated environment (fine mollusc-packstone facies) pass basinward into coral mounds (coral boundstone). The combination of digital photogrammetry and 3D geological modelling software has allowed to obtain a very high-resolution model of facies heterogeneity, evidencing the complexity of facies associations and, in particular, the development of a facies mosaic that can be underestimated by a classical 1D or 2D field analysis, especially in limitedly-exposed outcrops.

Facies modelling of proximal environment in the upper Tortonian-lower Messinian carbonate ramp of Hyblean domain (Faro Santa Croce, Sicily, Central Mediterranean)

During Permian, the Pangea supercontinent experienced the most critical and dramatic restocking of its configuration. Meanwhile, in the Mediterranean region, the occurrence of late Paleozoic siliciclastic strata experienced peculiar tectonic and climatic environment. Here, we detail the Permian sedimentary succession types displayed in some portions of the circum-Mediterranean region, providing new insights about the composition of Permian siliciclastic strata of the basal Apulian Unit, in Puglia 1 well log, and the Sosio Valley succession in Sicily. Permian sandstones, and related mudrocks, record a synchronously phase of post-Variscan collision and subsequent final closure of Paleotethyan ocean. Sedimentological and stratigraphic framework, also associated to the distribution of mineralogical composition of sandstones and mudrocks, are pivotal factors to reconstruct the sedimentary evolution of the Permian paleogeography. The Apulia Unit played a critical role because it stood relatively still in the Mediterranean paleogeographical contest and received a great Permian sedimentary load. Nowadays these strata were intersected in Puglia 1 well between 7070 m to 6110 m in depth, for 960 m in thickness, with sandstone, mudstone and breccia mostly. Meanwhile a Sicily Permian succession (the San Calogero Formation) is well preserved, outcropping around the Sosio Valley (northwestern Sicily), by few tens of meters of marine sandstones and clays strata. Sandstones of the Puglia 1 Well are quartzolithic, with abundance of quartz and  metasedimentary lithic fragments (mainly phyllite and schist). Feldspars are minor. Sandstones of the San Calogero Fm. in Sicily, are more variable in composition, from quartz-rich sandstone, to hybrid arenites and calclithite, and include abundant extrabasinal carbonate fragments and metasedimentary lithic fragments, as such as important contributions of intrabasinal carbonate grains. Interbedded volcanic and volcaniclastic layers are also present. These siliciclastic strata experienced a diverse burial history. The Puglia 1 succession presents moderate carbonate cements, that are dominant, and consist of crystals of dolomite, ankerite and calcite (related to dedolomitization/calcitization processes of the first carbonates. Mudrocks display K-enrichments, intense paleoweathering under a hot, episodically humid, climate with a prolonged dry season, and sediment recycling processes. Meanwhile Sicily succession is pervaded by carbonatic poikilotopic cements mostly, siliciclastic matrix and less iron cements. Quartz overgrowths are locally present. In terms of provenance, sandstone detrital modes are typical of quartzolithic sandstones, hybrid arenite and calclithite: that should be related to the erosion of upper crustal levels of the Variscan orogenic terranes , with most of metasedimentary and sedimentary rocks occurring in Calabria-Peloritani, southern Alps and in internal domains of the Circum-Mediterranean orogens.

Detrital modes of Permian sandstones in southern Italy

International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 360 drilled 809 m-deep Hole U1473A into Atlantis Bank Oceanic Core Complex (57°E, Southwest Indian Ridge). A section of lower oceanic crust was recovered, and nine diabase dikes were sampled at different depths. Two diabase dikes in IODP Hole U1473A display magmatic mineral assemblage (clinopyroxene [Cpx] and plagioclase [Pl]) and textures suggesting late dikes emplacement in a relatively cool host rock. The other seven dikes, sampled between 292 and 469 mbsf, overall display granoblastic textures (named “granoblastic dikes” by the IODP Exp. 360 Scientific Party) and mostly consist of Pl and brown amphibole [Amph]. They also include minor Fe-Ti oxide phases and sulfides; minor proportions of Cpx and Opx locally occur in small discrete pockets. In this study, we investigate textures and mineral chemistry of the granoblastic dikes to comprehend their formation and to unravel the origin of their relatively high water contents, as documented by the amphibole modal amounts (~50 vol%). Cores of the granoblastic dikes typically display either intergranular textures with preserved prismatic Pl crystals, or fluidal textures defining a magmatic foliation. The dike rims are mainly characterized by granoblastic textures that often grade to foliated textures approaching the dike/host gabbro contact. Felsic material of dioritic to gabbronoritic composition occurs along most dike/gabbro boundaries. The felsic material generally shows sharp contacts with the host gabbro, whereas the dike/felsic material contact is irregular and characterized by a gradual decrease in crystals grain size and Pl/Amph modal ratio from the felsic material to the dike. The close association between felsic material and dikes suggests that the felsic material genesis is closely related to the granoblastic dikes. Brown Amph displays low Cl contents (<0.03 wt%) and lack of substantial chemical variability within single dikes. Overall, brown Amph has 57-67 Mg#, 7.4-11.4 wt% Al2O3, 1.9-3.1 wt% TiO2 and 1.6-2.8 wt% Na2O. Anorthite contents (An) in Pl are higher and K2O lower in the deepest dike 42-2b. Also, Pl chemistry vary between dike cores with higher An to dike rims showing relatively lower An (e.g., dike 42-2b: from An61 and 0.05 wt% K2O to An43 and 0.09 wt% K2O). Pl-Amph equilibrium temperatures range between 850 and 880 °C for the deepest analyzed dike and in the interval 750-810 °C for the shallower dikes. The temperature estimates, together with the observed granoblastic textures and mineral assemblage suggest that the granoblastic dikes equilibrated under granulite to upper amphibolite facies conditions. Compared to granoblastic dikes from fast-spreading environments, the U1473A granoblastic dikes contain remarkably higher modes of brown Amph documenting the involvement of water-rich fluids in their formation. The low Cl contents indicate that such fluids were not solely of seawater origin but included a magmatic component.

Granoblastic dikes in the lower oceanic crust exposed at Atlantis Bank (Southwest Indian Ridge)

This contribution presents the preliminary results derived from the mineralogical and petrographic study of hydrothermal alteration of deep seated mantle xenoliths. In ultramafic xenoliths, phyllosilicates are major products of hydrothermal alteration of the main mineral phases such as olivine, orthopyroxenes and clinopyroxenes. Xenolith rich outcrops were found within the Miocene tuff breccias from Valle Guffari. This locality is situated in the Hyblean Plateau (south-eastern corner of  Sicily, Italy), which consists of a thick meso-cenozoic carbonate sequence and of Neogene-Quaternary open shelf clastics with interbedded volcanic basic rocks. On the basis of petrographic and compositional features, collected xenolith population may be divided into: a) ultramafic, which consist of spinel facies peridotites and pyroxenites; b): feldspar bearing suite, mostly represented by metabasite rocks and anorthosites [Atzori et alii, 1999; Punturo et alii, 2000; Punturo, 2010]. Moreover, Manuella [2011] reports mineralogical investigations on some Hyblean harzburgite xenoliths, which show serpentinization and related secondary minerals (i.e. sulphides, aragonite, saponite). In this contest, the purpose of the present work is to describe the formation of phyllosilicates [Catalano et alii, 2014] obtained from mantle xenoliths from Miocene tuff breccias exposed, in the laboratory, to various hydrothermal conditions: temperature, 200–800 °C; pressure, 0.1–1.4 kbar; duration of treatment, 6–21 days. Xenoliths were characterized in detail before being used as starting material in hydrothermal synthesis. The starting material and run products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy with an energy-dispersive spectrometer (SEM/EDS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG).

Hydrothermal alteration of ultramafic xenoliths from Miocene tuff breccias from Valle Guffari (southern Sicily, Italy): results from laboratory tests

The geological record of deep seismic activity in subduction zones is generally limited due to common rock overprinting during exhumation and only a few regions allow studying well-preserved exhumed deep structures. The Northern Apennines (Italy) are one such area, granting access to continental units (Tuscan Metamorphic Units) that were subducted to high-pressure conditions, were affected by brittle-ductile deformation while accommodating deep tremor and slip and then exhumed back to surface, with only minor retrogression. Our approach is based on detailed fieldwork, microstructural and petrological investigations. Field observations reveal a metamorphosed broken formation composed of boudinaged metaconglomerate levels enveloped by metapelite displaying a pervasive mylonitic foliation. Dilational shear veins occur in both lithologies, but are more common and laterally continuous in the metapelite. They are mostly parallel to the foliation and composed of iso-oriented stretched quartz and Mg-carpholite (XMg>0.5) fibres, which are single-grains up to several centimetres long. These fibres define a stretching direction coherent with that observed in the metaconglomerate and metapelite, which is marked by K-white mica and quartz. Thermodynamic modeling constrains the formation of the high-pressure veins and the mylonitic foliation to ~ 1 GPa and 350°C, corresponding to c. 30-40 km depth in the subduction channel. Dilational shear veins developed in subducted (meta)sediments are a key indicator of episodic tremors and slip events (e.g. 1). We propose that these structures reflect the repeated alternation of localised brittle failure, with dilational shear veins development, and more diffuse viscous deformation. These cycles were probably related to the fluctuation of pore pressure that repeatedly reached lithostatic values. Concluding, these structures can be considered the geological record of episodic tremors and slip events occurring at >30 km of depth in the Apenninic subduction channel.

Brittle-ductile deformation in high-pressure continental units and deep episodic tremors and slip events

We present a detailed geochemical and petrographic study on samples from the Lar alkaline igneous complex, which is located in the Sistan belt (SE, Iran), a poorly studied area of the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt. The complex is composed of intrusive and hypabyssal rocks with shoshonitic to ultrapotassic affinity with variable silica saturation degree. The most alkaline rocks include lamprophyres, nepheline-syenites and felsic dykes of phonolitic composition, whereas silica-saturated and over-saturated rocks are represented by syenites/trachytic dykes and monzonites, respectively. Lamprophyres and nepheline-syenites show petrographic textures suggesting subsolidus unmixing processes between nepheline and K-feldspar recalling the occurrence of pseudoleucite and represent the most alkaline potassic rocks of the Oligocene magmatism in the Sistan-Lut collisional belt. Incompatible trace element patterns show geochemical features compatible with a subduction-related setting (i.e., LILE enrichments and HFSE depletions), with the alkaline potassic and silica-undersaturated rocks characterized by higher LREE/HREE fractionation (LaN/YbN from 12 to 22) with respect to the silica-saturated and -oversaturated rocks (LaN/YbN from 10 to 12). Preliminary investigation on the mineral chemistry highlights that lamprophyres (mg# 0.70-0.79) are in fact cumulates of olivine (Fo up to 75) and clinopyroxene (mg# up to 0.83), thus attesting the absence of near primary melts in the complex. Ne-syenites (mg# 0.50-0.60) show comparable clinopyroxene compositions (mg# up to 0.82) and equilibrium temperature around 950°C, in agreement with the results of phlogopite-melt geothermometer. The nepheline compositions in the pseudoleucite textures indicate stabilization temperatures under 700°C. The Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions are rather homogeneous and suggest a possible common mantle source for the Lar igneous rocks and that the crustal contamination/assimilation processes affect only the most differentiated products. A geochemical and isotopic-based modelling suggests that the metasomatic agents, which modified the mantle beneath the study area, are mainly constituted by melts derived from carbonate-rich sediments, whereas melts from carbonate-poor sediments are subordinate. In the general framework of the Alpine-Himalayan orogen, magmas of the Lar igneous complex show interesting geochemical similarities with those of the post-leucititic phase of the Neapolitan district in the Roman Magmatic Province, suggesting analogies in the magma genesis among different sectors of the Tethyan realm.

The Lar alkaline igneous complex: genesis and geochemical features of a subduction-related magmatic event in the Sistan belt (SE Iran)

In the geological setting of the Italian Western Alps, the Rocca Canavese Thrust Sheet Unit (RCT) is a small unit (only a few km2) marking the innermost sector of the Sesia-Lanzo Zone of the Austroalpine Domain, between the Eclogitic Micaschists Complex to the west and the Canavese Zone of the Southern Alpine Domain to the east. This unit has been described for the first time by Pognante (1989) as a series of thin thrust sheets made by pre-Alpine continental crust and upper mantle, separated by blueschists facies mylonites. Recently, the RCT has been referred to as a subducted-related mélange (Roda et al., 2018, 2019). This contribution presents new data on the structural and metamorphic evolution of the RCT. This unit is mainly made of ultramafic, mafic and metasedimentary rocks. Serpentinite crops out in the easternmost part of the unit in contact with orthoglaucophanite and metasediment, and embeds plurimetric bodies of metagabbro. Orthoglaucophanite consists of massive to gneissic rocks in contact with metasediment and serpentinite. Metasediments have significant compositional variations from pelitic/felsic (micaschist and gneiss) to mafic (Wm-rich glaucophanite). Moving to the boundary with the Canavese Zone, laterally discontinuous masses of mylonitic orthogneiss occur within serpentinite. Five tectono-metamorphic events have been recognized. The first event is recorded by a relict foliation preserved in microlithons or as introfolial folds, and whose mineralogical association (Wm+Lws+Gln in metasediment and orthoglaucophanite) is typical of Lws-blueschists facies conditions. The second event marks the eclogitic peak of the RCT because it is defined by the assemblage Jd/Omp+Grt (metasediment, orthoglaucophanite and metagabbro) and by millimetric Omp-veins (orthoglaucophanite). The third event is responsible for the development of a very pervasive transpositive foliation defined by Wm+Gln+Ep s.s. assemblages (metasediment and orthoglaucophanite), recording Ep-blueschists facies conditions. This event led to the formation of millimetric Omp+Chl+Ep s.s. veins in metagabbro. A general late retrogression under greenschists-facies conditions is recorded by the last two stages defined in this study: the former develops crenulation cleavage in serpentinite and open to close folds in the other lithologies; the latter is characterized by Pl+Chl millimetric to pluricentimetric veins in metasediment and orthoglaucophanite.

Structural and metamorphic evolution of the Rocca Canavese Thrust Sheet Unit (Sesia-Lanzo Zone, Western Alps, Italy)

In the ophiolitic sequences, are widespread low potassium albite-rich granite, trondhjemite, tonalite and granodiorite (e.g. Coleman & Peterman, 1975; Koepke et al., 2007). Concerning the Tethyan realm, plagiogranites have been recognized as dikes and beds in the ophiolithic rocks of the western Alps, in Corsica, and in the northern Apennines (Borsi et al., 1996; Castelli et al., 2002; Montanini et al., 2006). Also if the oceanic plagiogranites are volumetrically minor in the ophiolitic sequences, their origin has been largely debated due to importance of these rocks to understand the Earth’s continental lithosphere evolution of (Marien et al., 2019). Several authors (Beccaluva et al., 1999; Floyd et al., 2000; Niu et al., 2002; Rao et al., 2004; Berndt et al., 2005; Dylek & Thy, 2006) proposed that the plagiogranites are the products of fractional crystallization of mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) magma at low pressures conditions including, for instance, those exposed in the Oman, Cyprus, Serbia and Turkey ophiolitic sequences (Dylek and Furnes, 2011; Milovanovic et al., 2012; Kocsal et al., 2017; Marien et al., 2019). Others Authors (Koepke et al., 2004; 2007) have suggested an origin by partial melting (i.e. anatexis) of  cumulate gabbro (Koepke et al., 2004; Brophy, 2009; Brophy & Pu, 2012). A further model suggests that plagiogranites formed through the interaction of immiscible liquids with mafic solutions (Floyd et al., 2000; Kiliç, 2009). Geochemical studies (Koepke et al., 2007; Brophy 2009) stated that the distribution of some elements, including SiO2, TiO2, and REE, can be used in order to distinguish among these different processes. The aim of this research is to characterize for the first time, with a petrological and geochemical study, the plagiogranites from the ophiolitic rocks of the North Calabria Unit of Pollino Massif and to discuss their origin and geodynamic significance. We also compare the geochemical data of these plagiogranites with those of Western Alps (Castelli and Lombardo, 2007) and Northern Apennines (Borsi et al., 1996; Montanini et al., 2006) and with further Mediterranean plagiogranites such as Turkey (Koksal et al., 2017), Cyprus (Marien et al., 2019), Serbia (Milovanovic et al., 2012) and Oman (Dylek and Furnes, 2011). The results of this work will provide new contributions and constaints about the geodynamic evolution of the Tethyan realm.

Geochemistry and petrology of plagiogranites in the ophiolites from the Pollino Massif (Southern Italy): Origin and tectonic significance

The record of metamorphic conditions may be highly heterogeneous in spatially close rocks with different rheology and composition. The Cima di Gagnone area in the Central Alps represents such an example, where 1– to 100 s-meter scale ultrahigh–pressure and high–temperature ultramafic lenses are enveloped within amphibolite–facies metasediments. Structural investigation demonstrate that ultramafics and metapelites experienced a common Alpine deformation history, excluding their coupling within a tectonic mélange (Maino et al., 2021). In this contribution, we present new field observations, microstructural and petrological analyses, and thermodynamic modelling results focused on the metasediments, confirming that these rocks generally experienced medium pressure and medium temperature conditions of 1.0–1.2 GPa and 640–700 °C, followed by a retrograde stage around 0.6–0.8 GPa and 600–675 °C. However, a few samples from the immediate proximity of the ultramafic lenses record significantly higher P–T conditions of 1.3–1.7 GPa and 750–850 °C, approaching the high pressure and high temperature conditions of the ultramafic bodies (1.5–3.1 GPa, 650–850 °C). Mineral/bulk chemistry changes during growth of new mineral phases indicate to local melt/fluid interaction (i.e., metasomatism) between metasediments and ultramafics during the high temperature deformation. Preliminary U-Pb LA–ICP–MS dating suggests that zircon grains from the metasomatic reaction zone have been fully re–equilibrated during the early stage of Alpine exhumation (~36 Ma), while the large part of the metasediments records only pre–Alpine ages. Our results documented that, even though metasediments share the same structural evolution with UM, large differences in the local metamorphic conditions (Δ P up to 2 GPa; ΔT up to 160 °C) are recorded and are not randomly distributed but they are in relation to: 1) deformation (micro)structures, and 2) distance from the UM lenses. Moreover, fluid–assisted metasomatism is furthermore documented as being strongly localized at the interface between ultramafic lenses and the metapelitic host throughout all part of the metamorphic evolution, including the HP–HT stage. Therefore, in the Cima di Gagnone type–locality, the interplay between metapelites and ultramafic exerts a crucial first–order control to allow assemblage equilibrium during HT metamorphism and amphibolite–facies retrogression. Furthermore, the new findings exclude that the different metamorphic record may be attributed only to differential preservation during the retrograde path. We finally discuss these new data into the regional P–T–t–D paths and discuss the possible processes that controlled the exhumation of HP rocks.

Local variations of metamorphic record from compositionally heterogeneous rocks: Inferences on exhumation processes of HP rocks from the Adula-Cima Lunga unit

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Sedimentological and petrographic evolution of the Oligo-Miocene succession in the Carrosio and Arquata Scrivia area (eastern Tertiary Piedmont Basin, NW Italy)

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Sedimentological and petrographic evolution of the Oligo-Miocene succession in the Carrosio and Arquata Scrivia area (eastern Tertiary Piedmont Basin, NW Italy)

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Burial history and diagenesis: stable-isotope and fluid inclusion constraints on the timing of diagenetic events in the dolomitized Dolomia Principale Norian, Southern Alps of Italy)

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