Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
We present a new 3-D GPS velocity solution for 182 sites for the region encompassing the Western Alps, Pyrenees, and southern France. The velocity field is based on a Precise Point Positioning (PPP) solution, to which we apply a common-mode filter, defined by the 26 longest time series, in order to correct for network-wide biases (reference frame, unmodeled large-scale processes, etc.). We show that processing parameters, such as troposphere delay modeling, can lead to systematic velocity variations of 0.1–0.5 mm yr−1 affecting both accuracy and precision, especially for short (< 5 years) time series. A velocity convergence analysis shows that minimum time-series lengths of  ∼  3 and  ∼  5.5 years are required to reach a velocity stability of 0.5 mm yr−1 in the horizontal and vertical components, respectively. On average, horizontal residual velocities show a stability of  ∼  0.2 mm yr−1 in the Western Alps, Pyrenees, and southern France. The only significant horizontal strain rate signal is in the western Pyrenees with up to 4  ×  10−9 yr−1 NNE–SSW extension, whereas no significant strain rates are detected in the Western Alps (< 1  ×  10−9 yr−1). In contrast, we identify significant uplift rates up to 2 mm yr−1 in the Western Alps but not in the Pyrenees (0.1 ± 0.2 mm yr−1). A correlation between site elevations and fast uplift rates in the northern part of the Western Alps, in the region of the Würmian ice cap, suggests that part of this uplift is induced by postglacial rebound. The very slow uplift rates in the southern Western Alps and in the Pyrenees could be accounted for by erosion-induced rebound.
ISSN: 1869-9529

hal-01395116
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01395116
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01395116/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01395116/file/nguyen2016.pdf
DOI : 10.5194/se-7-1349-2016

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : When the upper crust below the mountain ranges shows crustal extension with a direction collinear to the convergence direction, it is generally accepted that it is the result of gravitational collapse. However, recent studies challenge this paradigm by showing that erosion induces uplift and extension in the central part of the low convergent mountain ranges. In this study, we investigate the impact of denudation on the seismotectonic regime of mountain ranges.In order to identify a relationship between seismotectonic regime and erosion, the first part of this work presents a compilation of data in the mountain ranges. Based on these observations, a simple kinematic model is proposed to predict the seismotectonic regime of the study ranges.For low convergence rate and moderate mean elevation ranges, this model predicts an extension regime when the denudation rate is 15% higher than the convergence rate.The second part is devoted to the development of thermomechanical 2D finite element models to study the impact of surface processes on the deformation of the Pyrenees. The results show that the isostatic response to erosion reactivates pre-existing structures. The kinematics of an inherited fault plane can be predicted due to the gradient of the horizontal surface velocity profile. Thus, a plane located in the eroded zone is reactivated in normal fault when near the border of the erosion area, this same plane is reactivated in reverse fault. These results suggest that the current deformation in the North Pyrenean Zone could be the result of surface processes.Given the small number of studies quantifying erosion rates in the Pyrenees, the models developed in the second part suffer from high uncertainty. To remedy this, we study the central Pyrenees through a study that combines two types of data : watershed denudation rates from cosmogenic isotopes concentration, and incision rates from sediments buried in the karst. These results are presented in chapter 3. Denudation profiles obtained are consistent with reactivation of a normal fault plane located in the North Zone of the Central Pyrenees.From our study in the Pyrenees, a good correlation appears between the value of the rate of erosion and the glacier occupation. Given that the glaciers where more developed in the Alps, it raises the question of the impact of the late-würmian deglaciation on the present deformation of this range. A numerical model detailing this relationship is presented in the fourth chapter. Theresults show that deglaciation of the western Alps is controlled by the rheological heterogeneity of the crust. Some of our models predict uplift rates consistent with those highlighted by geodesy.
Lorsque l’extension de la croûte sous les parties hautes des chaînes de montagnes est colinéaire à la direction de convergence, il est traditionnellement admis que le moteur est l’effondrement gravitaire. Pourtant, des études récentes remettent en cause ce paradigme en montrant que l’érosion induit un soulèvement et de l’extension dans la partie centrale des chaînes de montagne à faible taux de convergence. L’objectif de notre étude est d’étudier l’impact de la dénudation de la topographie sur le régime sismo-tectonique des chaînes de montagnes.La première partie de ce travail présente une compilation de données dans les chaînes de montagnes afin de dégager des relations entre régime sismo-tectonique et érosion. Sur la base de ces observations, un modèle cinématique simple permettant de prévoir le régime de la chaîne est proposé. Ainsi, pour les chaînes à faible taux de convergence et d’élévation moyenne, ce modèleprédit de l’extension lorsque le taux de dénudation est 15% plus élevé que le taux de convergence.La deuxième partie est consacrée au développement d’un modèle thermo-mécanique 2D en éléments finis pour étudier l’impact des processus de surface sur la déformation des Pyrénées.Les résultats montrent que la réponse isostatique à l’érosion permet de réactiver des structurespré-existantes. La cinématique d’un plan de faille hérité peut être prédite grâce au gradient du profil des vitesses de surface horizontales. Ainsi, un plan situé dans la zone d’érosion est réactivé en faille normale alors qu’en bordure de cette zone une faille est réactivée en régime inverse. Ces résultats suggèrent que la déformation actuelle des Pyrénées pourrait être la conséquence d’unprocessus d’érosion.Compte tenu du faible nombre d’études quantifiant les taux d’érosion dans les Pyrénées, les modèles développés dans la deuxième partie souffrent d’une forte incertitude. Pour y remédier, nous avons cherché à les quantifier dans les Pyrénées Centrales grâce à une étude qui combine deux types de données : taux de dénudation des bassins versants à partir des isotopes cosmogéniques, et vitesses d’incision à partir des sédiments piégés dans les karsts. Ces résultats sontprésentés dans la troisième partie. Les profils de dénudation obtenus sont compatibles avec unrejeu en faille normale d’un plan situé dans la Zone Nord Pyrénéenne des Pyrénées Centrales.Notre étude dans les Pyrénées, montre une bonne corrélation entre la valeur du taux d’érosion et la cartographie de l’occupation glaciaire. Les glaciers ayant été plus développés dans les Alpes, cela pose la question de l’impact de la déglaciation tardi-Wurmienne sur la déformation actuelle de cette chaîne. Un modèle numérique détaillant cette relation est présenté dans le quatrième chapitre. Les résultats montrent que la déglaciation des Alpes occidentales est contrôléepar l’hétérogénéité rhéologique de la croute. Certains de nos modèles prédisent des vitesses de surrection compatibles avec celles mises en évidence par la géodésie.
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01262333

tel-01262333
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01262333
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01262333/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01262333/file/these-Genti-2015-postjury.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Geological Society of America
Résumé : International audience
Mechanisms that control seismic activity in low strain rate areas such as western Europe remain poorly understood. For example, in spite of low shortening rates of <0.5 mm/ yr, the Western Alps and the Pyrenees are underlain by moderate but frequent seismicity detectable by instruments. Beneath the elevated part of these mountain ranges, analysis of earthquake focal mechanisms indicates extension, which is commonly interpreted as the result of gravitational collapse. Here we show that erosional processes are the predominant control on present-day deformation and seismicity. We demonstrate, using fi nite element modeling, that erosion induces extension and rock uplift of the elevated region of mountain ranges accommodating relatively low overall convergence. Our results suggest that an erosion rate of ~1 mm/yr can lead to extension in mountain ranges accommodating signifi cant shortening of <3 mm/yr. Based on this study, the seismotectonic framework and seismic hazard assessment for low strain rate areas need to be revisited, because erosion-related earthquakes could increase seismic hazard.
ISSN: 0091-7613

insu-00817341
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00817341
DOI : 10.1130/G33942.1

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier Masson
Résumé : Normal faulting mechanisms observed in the northern foothills of the Central–Western Pyrenees are remarkable, since one expects thrust faults at a convergent plate boundary. To understand the mechanisms involved, we used numerical modeling and investigated the impact of the following processes: gravitational potential energy associated with topography and dense crustal blocks; isostatic compensation in response to denudation and/or sedimentation. To decipher the effects of each process, we designed three model geometries and added a pre-existing weak fault where most of the seismicity occurs. To evaluate our model results, we derived the fault slip rate from the focal mechanisms in the region where we have the fault in our model. We found a slip rate of ∼15 m/Ma, which is in agreement with our modelling results. We conclude that flexural rebound induced by surface processes is able to explain the seismicity in Central–Western Pyrenees.
ISSN: 1631-0713

hal-01346028
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01346028
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01346028/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01346028/file/Genti.pdf
DOI : 10.1016/j.crte.2015.08.004

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
The Cenozoic weathering of peninsular India has been advocated as a major driver of globalcooling, however, its timing remains virtually unconstrained such that proposed links betweentropical weathering of the Deccan Traps, regional monsoonal intensity and global climate remainsspeculative. To solve this conundrum we present here a revised weathering chronologybased on the identification of lateritic paleosurfaces and their dating using 40Ar/39Ar on supergeneK-rich manganese oxides. We focus on the Indian western passive margin where theWestern Ghats Escarpment (WGE) – a ~1000 m high topographic barrier resulting from thecontinental break up of Greater India – exposes exceptionally preserved weathering profilesfrom the western coastal lowlands to the eastern highland plateaus above the WGE. Four mainlateritic paleosurfaces have been identified: Three in the highland; a high landsurface (Al-Femostly bauxite) at elevation 1200-1000 m asl, an intermediate landsurface covered by a Feduricrustat 1000-900 m asl and a lower pediment landsurface at 850-600 m asl; and one inthe coastal lowland underneath a pediment landsurface at 150-50 m asl. The 40Ar/39Ar agesdocument three major weathering periods over the Cenozoic. The oldest weathering period(W1) is recorded between 53 Ma to 45 Ma both in the highland and the lowland. This correlatesto the Global Eocene climatic Optimum, and allows defining a bauxitic paleolandsurface acrossthe escarpment. Intense bauxitic weathering between ~ 45 and 47 Ma in the lowland indicatethat the WGE was stabilized before ~ 47 Ma on its margin and also implies low denudation rateat the foot of the WGE (<5 m Ma-1) since that time. The second weathering period between37 Ma to 19 Ma (W2) occurred in two distinctive stages (W2a and W2b). From 37 to 26 (W2a),weathering is only recorded in the highland and affect intermediate surfaces. The intensityof chemical weathering decreased sensibly between 32 and 29 Ma – potentially linked to theEarly Oligocene cooling – and resulted in the formation of the lower pediment surface. From~26 Ma to 19 Ma (W2b), only the western coastal lowland weathered while the highland surfacesare mostly dissected. This change and the highland/lowland weathering mitigation after~26 Ma documents a change in climatic patterns over peninsular India that signs the onset ofmodern-like monsoon regime. These results are being interpolated to the Deccan Traps basaltsto quantify their weathering and ultimately estimate of the contribution to CO2 fluxes of thesethree weathering periods and their potential link to Asian Monsoons and global cooling.
Source to Sink: a long term perspective of sediment budgets and sources characterization, Abstracts
Rennes, France

insu-01406455
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01406455

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Geophysical Union
Résumé : International audience
We investigate upper mantle anisotropy beneath the Pyrenean range along three N-S profiles across the mountain belt. The results of a first profile that operated in 1993 in the central part of the belt have been presented elsewhere. We present the results of two other profiles that ran in 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 in the eastern and western part of the belt, respectively and propose an interpretation of the whole results. Teleseismic shear waves (SKS, SKKS, and PKS) are used to determine splitting parameters: the fast polarization direction φ and the delay time δt. Teleseismic shear wave splitting in the eastern Pyrenees displays homogeneous φ values trending N100°E and δt values in the range 1.1 to 1.5 s. A station located in the southern Massif Central, 100 km north of the range, is characterized by different splitting parameters (φ = N70°E, δt = 0.7 s). In the western part of the belt, anisotropy parameters are similar across the whole belt (φ = N110°E and δt = 1.3 to 1.5 s). Most of the measured delay times, including those obtained in the central part of the range, are above the global average of the SKS splitting (around 1 s). At the belt scale, φ is generally poorly correlated with recent estimations of the absolute plate motion, which predicts a fast direction ranging between N50°E and N80°E. Instead, the orientation of φ (N100°E) is parallel to the trend of the Pyrenean belt but also to Hercynian preexisting structures. This parallelism supports an anisotropy primarily related to frozen or active lithospheric structures. We show that a signature related to the Pyrenean orogeny is likely for the stations located in the internal domains of the belt. By contrast, the anisotropy measured at the stations located on the external parts of the belt could reflect a pre-Pyrenean (Hercynian) deformation. We suggest that a late Hercynian strike-slip deformation is responsible for this frozen upper mantle anisotropy and that the Pyrenean tectonic fabric developped parallel to this preexisting fabric. Finally, no particularly strong splitting is related to the North Pyrenean Fault, commonly believed to represent the plate boundary between Iberia and Eurasia.
ISSN: 2169-9313

hal-01388841
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01388841
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01388841/document
http://hal.univ-reunion.fr/hal-01388841/file/Barruol_Aniso_Pyr_JGR1998.pdf
DOI : 10.1029/98JB02790

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier Masson
Résumé : International audience
The Chaînons Béarnais ranges (North-Pyrenean Zone, west-central Pyrenees) display a fold-and-thrust structure involving the Mesozoic sedimentary cover, decoupled from its substratum at the Keuper evaporites level and associated with a few peridotite bodies and scarce Palaeozoic basement lenses. In the western part of the Chaînons Béarnais, the newly described recumbent fold of the Saraillé massif comprises a peridotite body and several lenses of Palaeozoic basement wrapped by the Triassic to Aptian sedimentary cover. This structure represents a remnant of the distal portion of the Pyrenean paleo-rifted margin where mantle rocks have been exhumed during Albian–Cenomanian times. In this paper, we present the first detailed mapping and microstructural analysis of the Saraillé massif, providing new geological basis for reconstructing the evolution of this part of the paleo-margin. Our mapping (i) shows that the pre-rift Mesozoic cover forms a recumbent fold cored by mantle and crustal rocks and (ii) confirms that the prerift cover was detached from its bedrock along a layer of Triassic evaporites and slid onto the exhumed mantle rocks. Sliding of the prerift cover was associated with extreme crustal thinning and mantle exhumation along a major detachment fault, together with intense metasomatism affecting both the continental basement and the sedimentary cover. We show for the first time (1) that the Mesozoic pre-rift sediments experienced syn-metamorphic ductile thinning during mantle exhumation, and (2) that during its extreme attenuation, the continental basement was reduced to tectonic lenses some ten meters thick by ductile shearing.
ISSN: 1631-0713

insu-01265777
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01265777
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01265777/document
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01265777/file/corre-CRGeosc-2016.pdf
DOI : 10.1016/j.crte.2015.11.007

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The N-S Languedoc volcanic province between the French Massif Central and the Mediterranean Sea is characterized by sporadic scattered low volume (similar to 2 km(3)) and geochemically homogeneous alkali basaltic activity spanning from 161 to 05 Ma The existence of magmatic activity of such a long duration within such a small area (similar to 140 km long and similar to 60 km wide) in spite of the extensive shift to the East of the European plate (about 2500 km during the last 160 Ma) is problematic Trace-element abundances in lavas suggest low degrees of melting (1-5%) in the spinet-garnet transition zone of an enriched Iherzolitic source The lavas display rather large ranges in Sr isotopic ratios (0 70307-0 70436) The Nd-143/Nd-144 ratio variations are smaller (0 51268-0 51300) and these of Pb-206/Pb-204 Pb-208/Pb-204 and Pb-207/Pb-204 are 18 745-19 515 38 53239 228 and 15 567-15 680 respectively The Languedoc lithospheric mantle as sampled by xenoliths is globally similar to the Pyrenees lithosphere The xenoliths show also rather large Sr Nd and Pb isotopic variations (Sr-87/Sr-86 0 70287-0 70578 Nd-143/Nd-144 0 51256-0 51414 Pb-208/Pb-204 37772-39 041 Pb-206/Pb-204 17 901-19 353) except for Pb-207/Pb-204 (15 570-15 620) The Pb-206/Pb-204 and La/Sm ratios are positively correlated both in xenoliths and lavas The increase of the Pb-206/Pb-204 (which could be interpreted as participation of the European Asthenospheric Reservoir EAR) is probably related to volatile-rich (carbonated?) fluid percolation This is corroborated by LILE and HFSE patterns observed in several xenoliths Therefore our data on lavas and xenoliths suggest a lithospheric origin for this long lived magmatism We propose (1) that the role of the asthenosphere in the Languedoc volcanism was restricted to volatile-rich fluid supplying and (2) that the fluid injection within the lithosphere may be related to the arrival of the Central Atlantic Plume head beneath Western Europe about 70 Ma ago In this model the isotopic signature of the oldest lavas (>70 Ma) would be that of the mantle lithosphere inherited from Hercynian processes The signatures of the subsequent lavas would be driven by the metasomatic component stored within the lithosphere and preferentially mobilized during incipient melting This metasomatised lower lithosphere was close to its solidus and small changes in P (or T) triggered incipient melting leading to basaltic volcanism Successive local re adjustments of the lithospheric blocks which accompanied the Meso-Cenozoic evolution of the Thetys Ligurian margin towards the present Mediterranean margin are the probable cause of these changes and so the sporadic volcanic activity in Languedoc is unrelated to deep asthenospheric processes
ISSN: 0024-4937

hal-00558884
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00558884
DOI : 10.1016/j.lithos.2010.04.009

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The presence of two regional seismic networks in southeastern France provides us high-quality data to investigate upper mantle flow by measuring the splitting of teleseismic shear waves induced by seismic anisotropy. The 10 three-component and broadband stations installed in Corsica, Provence, and western Alps efficiently complete the geographic coverage of anisotropy measurements performed in southern France using temporary experiments deployed on geodynamic targets such as the Pyrenees and the Massif Central. Teleseismic shear waves (mainly SKS and SKKS) are used to determine the splitting parameters: the fast polarization direction and the delay time. Delay times ranging between 1.0 and 1.5 s have been observed at most sites, but some larger delay times, above 2.0 s, have been observed at some stations, such as in northern Alps or Corsica, suggesting the presence of high strain zones in the upper mantle. The azimuths of the fast split shear waves define a simple and smooth pattern, trending homogeneously WNW–ESE in the Nice area and progressively rotating to NW–SE and to NS for stations located further North in the Alps. This pattern is in continuity with the measurements performed in the southern Massif Central and could be related to a large asthenospheric flow induced by the rotation of the Corsica–Sardinia lithospheric block and the retreat of the Apenninic slab. We show that seismic anisotropy nicely maps the route of the slab from the initial rifting phase along the Gulf of Lion (30–22 Ma) to the drifting of the Corsica–Sardinia lithospheric block accompanied by the creation of new oceanic lithosphere in the Liguro–Provençal basin (22–17 Ma). In the external and internal Alps, the pattern of the azimuth of the fast split waves follows the bend of the alpine arc. We propose that the mantle flow beneath this area could be influenced or perhaps controlled by the Alpine deep penetrative structures and that the Alpine lithospheric roots may have deflected part of the horizontal asthenospheric flow around its southernmost tip.
ISSN: 0040-1951

hal-00109313
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00109313
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00109313/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00109313/file/barruol_TGRS_Tphy2004_hal.pdf
DOI : 10.1016/j.tecto.2004.08.002