We developed a 2D numerical model to simulate the evolution of two superposed ocean-continent-ocean subduction cycles with opposite vergence, both followed by continental collision, aiming to better understand the evolution of the Variscan belt. Three models with different velocities of the first oceanic subduction have been implemented. Striking differences in the thermo-mechanical evolution between the first subduction, which activates in an unperturbed system, and the second subduction, characterised by an opposite vergence, have been enlighten, in particular regarding the temperature in the mantle wedge and in the interior of the slab. Pressure and temperature (P-T) conditions predicted by one cycle and two cycles models have been compared with natural P-T estimates of the Variscan metamorphism from the Alps and from the French Massif Central (FMC). The comparative analysis supports that a slow and hot subduction well reproduces the P-T conditions compatible with data from the FMC, while P-T conditions compatible with data of Variscan metamorphism from the Alps can be reproduced by either a cold or hot oceanic subduction models. Analysing the agreement of both double and single subduction models with natural P-T estimates, we observed that polycyclic models better describe the evolution of the Variscan orogeny.

How many subductions in the Variscan orogeny? Insights from numerical models / A. Regorda, J. Lardeaux, M. Roda, A.M. Marotta, M.I. Spalla. - In: GEOSCIENCE FRONTIERS. - ISSN 1674-9871. - (2019 Nov 22). [Epub ahead of print] [10.1016/j.gsf.2019.10.005]

How many subductions in the Variscan orogeny? Insights from numerical models

A. Regorda
;
M. Roda;A.M. Marotta;M.I. Spalla
2019

Abstract

We developed a 2D numerical model to simulate the evolution of two superposed ocean-continent-ocean subduction cycles with opposite vergence, both followed by continental collision, aiming to better understand the evolution of the Variscan belt. Three models with different velocities of the first oceanic subduction have been implemented. Striking differences in the thermo-mechanical evolution between the first subduction, which activates in an unperturbed system, and the second subduction, characterised by an opposite vergence, have been enlighten, in particular regarding the temperature in the mantle wedge and in the interior of the slab. Pressure and temperature (P-T) conditions predicted by one cycle and two cycles models have been compared with natural P-T estimates of the Variscan metamorphism from the Alps and from the French Massif Central (FMC). The comparative analysis supports that a slow and hot subduction well reproduces the P-T conditions compatible with data from the FMC, while P-T conditions compatible with data of Variscan metamorphism from the Alps can be reproduced by either a cold or hot oceanic subduction models. Analysing the agreement of both double and single subduction models with natural P-T estimates, we observed that polycyclic models better describe the evolution of the Variscan orogeny.
Alps; double subduction; French Massif Central; numerical modelling; Variscan orogeny
Settore GEO/03 - Geologia Strutturale
Settore GEO/10 - Geofisica della Terra Solida
   NASCITA E MORTE DEI BACINI OCEANICI: PROCESSI GEODINAMICI DAL RIFTING ALLA COLLISIONE CONTINENTALE NEGLI OROGENI MEDITERRANEI E CIRCUM-MEDITERRANEI
   MINISTERO DELL'ISTRUZIONE E DEL MERITO
   2010AZR98L_008
22-nov-2019
22-nov-2019
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/692964
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