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Geophysical evidences for large-scale mullion-type structures at the mantle–crust interface in southern Madagascar: implications for Neoproterozoic orogeny

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Abstract

This study uses gravimetric data integrated with recent seismic data published on south Madagascar to investigate geometry of crust–mantle interface. The regional tectonic framework of Madagascar is characterised by anastomosing network of up to 15-km-wide, 600-km-long and north-oriented high-strain zones, which originated during Neoproterozoic convergence. The studied Bouguer anomalies obtained from the International Gravimetric Bureau were high-pass filtered to emphasise short-wavelength gravimetric variations (shorter than 200 km). The Pan-African high-strain zones coincide with the positive gravimetric anomalies suggesting a link with deep seated high-density material. Considering the present-day thickness of the crust (35 km) and its seismic velocity record, the gravimetric anomalies can be visualised as narrow vertical tabular bodies located at the base of the Moho. Modelling further confirmed that such narrow vertical bodies could be stable over geologic time scale since these structures are relatively small (10 to 30 km wide). The vertical tabular bodies possibly reflect material transfer such as vertical motion of sub-crustal weak and possibly partially molten mantle along vertical deformation zones. It is proposed that these structures were initiated by folding of weak mantle–crust interface characterised by low-viscosity contrast between weak mantle and stronger granulitized lower crust during bulk pure shear-dominated horizontal shortening. It is proposed that the cuspate-lobate “mullion-type” geometry mimics rheological inversions of mafic and felsic rocks and shape of folds of variable scale observed in southern Madagascar. The formation of such mega-mullion structures is possibly an expression of “crème brulée” rheological model, where the deformation of the lithosphere is governed by stronger granulitic lower crust and weaker partially molten and/or hydrated mantle.

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Fig. 1

Modified from Randrianasolo (2009), Roig et al. (2012) and Martelat et al. (2012). Red and black stars are taken on PT evaluation or on specific mineral parageneses (Nicollet 1988, 1990a, b; Nirihaja et al. 2010; Jöns and Schenk 2011; Martelat et al. 2012; Horton et al. 2016; Holder et al. 2018)

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Modified from Martelat et al. (2000, 2014), Randrianasolo (2009), Rakotovao et al. (2014) and Boger et al. (2008a, 2015)

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all Madagascan and international geoscientists who performed an impressive cartographic work throughout the Island. We thank Stanisław Mazur and Anonymous Reviewer for their helpful and constructive comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UCBL, ENSL, CNRS, Laboratoire de Géologie LGL-TPE, Université de Lyon, 69622, Villeurbanne, France

    Jean-Emmanuel Martelat & Hervé Cardon

  2. GEOAZUR, Université Nice, UMR 6526, 250 rue Albert Einstein Sophia, Antipolis, 06560, Valbonne, France

    Jean-Marc Lardeaux

  3. Laboratoire Magmas et Volcans, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, IRD, OPGC, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    Christian Nicollet

  4. Institut de Physique du Globe, UMR 7516, Université de Strasbourg, 1 rue Blessig, 67084, Strasbourg, France

    Karel Schulmann

  5. Center for Lithospheric Research, Czech Geological Survey, Klárov 3, 118 21, Prague 1, Czech Republic

    Jean-Marc Lardeaux & Karel Schulmann

  6. CEA, DAM, DIF, 91297, Arpajon, France

    Eric Pili

  7. Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS, 1 rue Jussieu, 75238, Paris Cedex 05, France

    Eric Pili

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  1. Jean-Emmanuel Martelat
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Correspondence to Jean-Emmanuel Martelat.

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Martelat, JE., Cardon, H., Lardeaux, JM. et al. Geophysical evidences for large-scale mullion-type structures at the mantle–crust interface in southern Madagascar: implications for Neoproterozoic orogeny. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 109, 1487–1500 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-020-01840-w

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