Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
Understanding subduction rheology in both space and time has been a challenge since the advent of plate tectonics. We herein focus on "subduction infancy", that is the first ~1-5 My immediately following subduction nucleation, when a newly born slab penetrates into the upper plate mantle and heats up. The only remnants of this critical yet elusive geodynamic step are thin metamorphic soles, commonly found beneath pristine, 100-1000 km long portions of oceanic lithosphere emplaced on continents (i.e., ophiolites).Through the (i) worldwide compilation of pressure-temperature conditions of metamorphic sole formation augmented by pseudosection thermodynamic modeling, (ii) calculations of the viscosity of materials along the plate interface and (iii) generic numerical thermal models, we provide a conceptual model of dynamic plate interface processes during subduction infancy (and initiation s.l.).We show in particular how major rheological switches across the subduction interface control slab penetration, and the formation of metamorphic soles. Due to the downward progression of hydration and weakening of the mantle wedge with cooling, the lower plate (basalt, sediment) and the upper plate (mantle wedge) rheologies equalize and switch over a restricted temperature-time-depth interval (e.g., at ~800°C and ~1 GPa, during 0.1-2 My, for high-temperature metamorphic sole formation). These switches result in episodes of maximum interplate mechanical coupling, thereby slicing the top of the slab and welding pieces (basalt, sediment) to the base of the mantle wedge. Similar mechanical processes likely apply for the later, deeper accretion and exhumation of high-temperature oceanic eclogites in serpentinite mélanges, or for the accretion of larger tectonic slices.This model provides constraints on the effective rheologies of the crust and mantle and general understanding, at both rock and plate scale, for accretion processes and early slab dynamics.
AGU Fall Meeting 2015
San Francisco, United States

insu-01242103
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01242103

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Recent geochemical work shows that subduction-zone serpentinites are repositories for fluid-mobile elements absorbed during interaction with sediment-derived fluids. Unraveling the geochemical fingerprint of these rocks helps to define timing of tectonic accretion of sediments along the subduction interface and the role of serpentinite in element recycling to volcanic arcs. Here we present the trace element and isotopic composition (B–O–H, Sr, Pb) of high-pressure serpentinites from the Voltri Massif (Ligurian Western Alps, Italy), to discuss their role as incompatible element carriers and their contribution to recycling of sediment-derived components in subduction zones.The serpentinites presented here record metamorphic olivine growth during eclogite-facies metamorphism and show undeformed and mylonitic textures. Field relations show that undeformed rocks are enclosed in deformed ones and that no metasedimentary rocks are present nearby. Undeformed serpentinite has very high δ11BSRM951 (from +26‰ to +30‰), low Sr and Pb isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7053–0.7069; 206Pb/204Pb = 18.131–18.205) and low As and Sb contents (0.1 and 0.01 μg/g, respectively). Oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions are +4.5‰ and −67‰, respectively. In contrast, mylonitic serpentinite shows lower δ11B (from +22‰ to +17‰), significant enrichment in radiogenic Sr and Pb isotopes (87Sr/86Sr up to 0.7105; 206Pb/204Pb up to 18.725), and enrichment in As and Sb (1.3 and 0.39 μg/g, respectively). δ18O of the mylonitic serpentinites reaches values of +5.9‰, whereas δD is comparable with that of undeformed rocks (approximately −70‰). In mylonitic serpentinites, the B and Sr isotopic values and the fluid-mobile element (FME) concentrations are near those for the Voltri metasedimentary rocks (calc- and mica-schists). Pb systematics also reveal influx of a crust-derived component.Our dataset shows that undeformed serpentinite still preserves an oceanic geochemical fingerprint, whereas mylonitic serpentinite is reset in its concentrations of FME and its B, Sr and Pb isotope compositions, due to interaction with sediment- and crust-derived fluids. The environment of this interaction is either compatible with (i) an outer-rise zone setting, with percolation of seawater-derived fluids enriched in sedimentary components into bending-related fault structures, or with (ii) subduction channel domains, where ascending sediment-derived slab fluids infiltrate slices of former oceanic serpentinite accreted to the plate interface domain. Influx of sediment-derived subduction fluids along major deformation zones in serpentinite modifies the element budget of the rocks, with important implications for element recycling and the tectonic history of serpentinite. The B, Sr and Pb isotopic systematics, coupled with FME concentration in serpentinites are particularly helpful geochemical tracers of interaction between different reservoirs in subduction-interface environments, and are more sensitive than the traditionally applied stable oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions.
ISSN: 0016-7037

hal-01419940
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01419940
DOI : 10.1016/j.gca.2016.06.034

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : Corsica is located in the Mediterranean sea, about 90 km from the Italian coast of Tuscany and 175 km from the French Riviera. This relatively large island stretches for 180 km in the north-south direction and 85 Km east-west. The rugged landscape, with a mean elevation of ca. 500 m and the highest point at 2710 m (Monte Cinto) is interrupted only by a major plain along the east coast. CorseAlp 2011 was held in April 2011. A link to the website is here: CorseAlp 2011. The CorseAlp field trips were designed to introduce the participants to the general features of the geology of Alpine Corsica and to recent specific discoveries. Field trip 1 focused on the geology of the Ocean-Continent Transition preserved in the Monte San Petrone, in Central Corsica, which was subducted to eclogite facies conditions during the Alpine orogeny. The three days post-workshop field trip (Field trip 2) focused on the general architecture of Alpine Corsica in an EW transect between the Balagne region and Bastia. The main topics of Field trip 1 and 2 allow discussion about the overall evolution of Alpine Corsica in the framework of Mediterranean geodynamics, with a focus on the most controversial aspects.
Journal of the Virtual Explorer

hal-00688965
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00688965

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The Hengshan–Wutaishan area forms part of the Trans-North-China Belt developed in response to the final amalgamation of the North China Craton. The Hengshan–Wutaishan domain and the adjacent Fuping massif constitute the largest and the most representative rock exposure of the belt. A structural study allows us to redefine the lithological and tectonic units that compose the architecture of the Hengshan–Wutaishan domain and to propose that the Trans-North-China Belt was built up through a polyphase tectonic evolution within the period 1900–1800 Ma. The first event (D1) corresponds to the emplacement of lower and upper nappes herein called the Orthogneiss and Volcanites Unit (OVU) and the Low Grade Mafic Unit (LGMU), respectively. The OVU mainly consists of rocks formed in an arc system and metamorphosed under amphibolite facies conditions whereas the LGMU represents oceanic crust rocks with an arc component that underwent greenschist facies metamorphism. The syn-metamorphic D1 deformation is characterized by a NW–SE stretching and mineral lineation with a top-to-the SE sense of shear that corresponds to the sense of nappe motion. U–Th–Pb EPM chemical dating on monazite from three metapelites of the OVU gives isochron ages of 1884 ± 11 Ma, 1886 ± 5 Ma and 1887 ± 4 Ma interpreted as the age of the prograde amphibolite facies metamorphism coeval with nappe stacking during the D1 event. The D2 event corresponds to a widespread crustal melting of the OVU and underlying basement rocks in Hengshan related to the exhumation of deep structures about 20–30 Ma after nappe emplacement. The migmatite contains blocks of retrograded eclogite or HP-granulitic restites, and is characterized by the development of a pervasive foliation and lineation. A late D2 event represents the folding stage of the migmatitic foliation during the completion of a dome. The Orthogneiss and Volcanics Unit and the Low Grade Mafic Unit are unconformably covered by weakly metamorphosed to unmetamorphosed sediments belonging to the Hutuo Supergroup. These rocks were deformed by a ductile D3 event, characterized by a NW–SE trending stretching lineation, south verging folds associated with an axial planar slaty cleavage and an E–W crenulation lineation. Lastly, a left-lateral wrenching along the Zhujiafang Shear Zone separates the northern and southern parts of Hengshan. Our structural study shows that there is no significant difference between the southern part of Hengshan and the lower part of Wutaishan, both areas belong to OVU and show a structural continuity. We suggest that this polyphase deformation developed in response to a north-westward subduction of an old ocean, named the Lüliang Ocean, beneath the Western Block, followed by collision with a micro-continent named the Fuping Block at not, vert, similar1890–1880 Ma.
ISSN: 0301-9268

insu-00151594
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00151594
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00151594/document
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00151594/file/Trap-PrecambrainResearch-2007.pdf
DOI : 10.1016/j.precamres.2007.03.001

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Serpentinites are one of the major components of the oceanic lithosphere and are stable in the slab and the mantle wedge up to 100-150 km depth in subduction zones. During oceanic mantle hydration and alteration, they trap trace and fluid mobile (FME: B, Li, As, Sb, Rb, Ba, Cs, Sr, U and Pb) elements that participate to elemental transfer occurring between the dehydrating slab and the mantle wedge in subduction context. The Lanzo massif is an eclogitized oceanic lithosphere that preserved its oceanic structure and recorded different steps of serpentinization/de-serpentinization from oceanic lizardite to prograde antigorite in subduction context, up to its dehydration and secondary olivine crystallization, and finally retrograde antigorite during massif exhumation. It constitutes a suitable place to study trace element behavior during serpentinization/de-serpentinization processes and associated chemical transfers between the different envelopes of the oceanic lithosphere and the mantle wedge. Geochemical analyses of serpentine and associated minerals show that the serpentinization/de-serpentinization of the Lanzo massif took place in a relatively closed system without significant trace element transfer between the different parts of the oceanic lithosphere. In the deeper part of the lithosphere, from the slightly serpentinized mantle peridotites (SSP, < 20% serpentinization) to the paleo-Moho, composed of massive serpentinites (MS, 80% serpentinization), the trace elements mobility is reduced. The chemical composition of lizardite and antigorite is homogenized with the local degree of serpentinization: in SSP, serpentine veins composition is inherited from the host mineral while, in MS, their composition is homogenous between destabilized phases at the scale of the outcrop (~ 5 m). In the shallowest part of the oceanic lithosphere, from the paleo-Moho to the oceanic paleo-seafloor, the serpentinites are foliated (FS, > 90% serpentinization). In that zone, the alpine deformation enhances the mobility of trace elements and permits their redistribution and the homogenization of antigorite composition at massif scale. Locally, in the SSP and MS, the crystallization of metamorphic veins of ~ 1-2 m corresponds to channelized fluid flows that allowed fluid transfers - and thereby trace elements - to longer distance. The successive crystallizations of antigorite and then olivine are accompanied by a diminution of some FME (B, Li, As, Sb, Ba, Rb) and Eu contents attesting that these elements are removed from slab to mantle wedge during subduction.
ISSN: 0009-2541

hal-00937661
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00937661
DOI : 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2013.08.025