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Geochronology and geochemistry of a dyke–host rock association and implications for the formation of the Bavarian Pfahl shear zone, Bohemian Massif

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Abstract

To place constraints on the formation and deformation history of the major Variscan shear zone in the Bavarian Forest, Bavarian Pfahl zone, SW Bohemian Massif, granitic dykes and their feldspar-phyric massive host rock (so-called “palite”), zircons were dated by the U–Pb isotope dilution and Pb-evaporation methods. The dated samples comprise two host rocks and four dykes from a K-rich calc-alkaline complex adjoining the SW part of the Bavarian Pfahl shear zone. The palites, which appear to be the oldest magmatic rocks emplaced in the shear zone, yield ages of 334±3, 334.5±1.1 Ma (average 207Pb/206Pb-evaporation zircon ages) and 327–342 Ma (range of U/Pb zircon ages) suggesting a Lower Carboniferous age for the initiation of the Pfahl zone. Absence of inherited older cores in all investigated zircons indicates that incorporation of crustal zircon material has played virtually no role or that the melting temperature was very high. Determination of the dyke emplacement age is complicated by partial Pb-loss in most of the fractions analysed. This Pb-loss can be ascribed to higher U content of the dyke zircons compared to those from host rock. Upper discordia intercept ages of the different dykes range from 322±5 to 331±9 Ma. The dykes are pre- to synkinematic with respect to penetrative regional mylonitisation along the Pfahl zone, and the upper intercept ages provide a maximum age for this tectonic event.

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Acknowledgements

This paper has benefited from reviews by U. Schaltegger and an unknown reviewer. We wish to thank G. Bartholomä, O. Nzegge, E. Reitter, C. Shang and B. Steinhilber for help in preparing the mineral separates and isotopic measurements, H. Schulz for assistance at the scanning electron microscope, Ch. Berthold for photographic work and H. Taubald for XRF analyses.

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  1. Institut für Geowissenschaften, Universität Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 56, 72074, Tübingen, Germany

    Wolfgang Siebel & Ulrich Blaha

  2. Laboratory for Radiogenic Isotope Geochemistry, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100029, Beijing, China

    Fukun Chen

  3. Bayerisches Geologisches Landesamt, Außenstelle Marktredwitz, Leopoldstraße 30, 95615, Marktredwitz, Germany

    Johann Rohrmüller

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  1. Wolfgang Siebel
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  4. Johann Rohrmüller
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Correspondence to Wolfgang Siebel.

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Siebel, W., Blaha, U., Chen, F. et al. Geochronology and geochemistry of a dyke–host rock association and implications for the formation of the Bavarian Pfahl shear zone, Bohemian Massif. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 94, 8–23 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-004-0445-0

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