Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Variscan continental collision of the West Sudetes and the Brunovistulian terrane: a contribution from structural and metamorphic record of the Stronie Formation, the Orlica-Śnieżnik Dome, SW Poland

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

An Erratum to this article was published on 28 October 2008

Abstract

Structural, petrological and geochronological data from marbles and mica schists combined with those from highly disputable gneisses and eclogites of the Orlica-Śnieżnik Dome (OSD), gave new insights into Variscan evolution of eastern borderland of the West Sudetes. It is shown that the Variscan tectonometamorphic evolution of the OSD began with E–W oriented subhorizontal shortening (D1 stage) related to the collision of the West Sudetes terranes and the Brunovistulian terrane. The shortening led to generally upright folding, which resulted in formation of the steep N–S trending metamorphic planar fabric S1, thickening of the lithosphere and burial of the Stronie Formation under greenschist facies conditions. As a consequence of subsequent, near-coaxial gravity-controlled vertical shortening (D2), the S1 foliation was deformed in tight recumbent folds F2. The flattening strain was associated with the progression to amphibolite-facies conditions (from ca. 510 upto ca. 620°C) and uplift from depths corresponding to 9–10 kbar to depths corresponding to 7–8 kbar. On microscale, the flattening strain is documented by rotation of the mineral fabric overgrown by syn-D2 prograde garnet porphyroblasts. The Sm–Nd Grt–WR isochron age, correlated with the D2 event yields 346.5 ± 4.4 Ma. Further deformation and progressive metamorphism led to development of the subhorizontally disposed S2 axial plane schistosity, which terminated at the metamorphic temperature peak. During retrogression but still under ductile conditions of deformation, the S2 planes were reactivated during successive top-to-the-N shear movement of the OSD (D3 stage). Due to the mutual interaction of the OSD with the adjacent terranes the shear deformations were localized within marginal parts of these units. Finally, as a result of the NE–SW and the NW–SE oriented shortenings (D4 stage and D5 stage, respectively), both the structural surfaces and metamorphic isograds were regionally folded with W(NW)-ward plunges. A synthesis of new and existing data shows an overall similarity in sequence of Variscan deformations (D1–D2–D3) in the West Sudetes borderland to that observed in the eastern flank of the Moldanubian domain.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aleksandrowski P, Mazur S (2002) Collage tectonics in the northeasternmost part of the Variscan Belt: the Sudetes, Bohemian Massif. In: Winchester JA, Pharoah TC, Verniers J (eds) Palaeozoic Amalgamation of Central Europe. Geological Society, London, Special Publication 201, pp 237–277

  • Aleksandrowski P, Kryza R, Mazur S, Pin C, Zalasiewicz JA (2000) The Polish Sudetes: Caledonian or Variscan? Trans R Soc Edinb Earth Sci 90:127–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Anczkiewicz R, Szczepański J, Mazur S, Storey C, Crowley Q, Villa IM, Thirlwall MF, Jeffries TE (2007) Lu–Hf geochronology and trace element distribution in garnet: implications for uplift and exhumation of ultra-high pressure granulites in the Sudetes, SW Poland. Lithos 95:363–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Annovitz LM, Essene EJ (1987) Phase equilibria in the system CaCO3–MgCO3–FeCO3. J Petrol 28:389–414

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakun-Czubarow N (1992) Quartz pseudomorphs after coesite and quartz exsolutions in eclogitic clinopyroxenes of the Złote Mountains in the Sudetes (SW Poland). Arch Mineral 48:3–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell TH, Johnson SE (1989) Porphyroblast inclusion trails: the key to orogenesis. J Metamorphic Geol 7:279–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharya A, Mohanty L, Maji A, Sen SK, Raith M (1992) Non-ideal mixing in the phlogopite–annite binary: constrains from experimental data on Mg–Fe partitioning and a reformulation of biotite–garnet thermometer. Contrib Mineral Petrol 111:87–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blenkinsop TG, Treloar PJ (1995) Geometry, classification and kinematics of S–C and S–C′ fabrics in the Mushandike area, Zimbabwe. J Struct Geol 12:397–408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borkowska M, Choukroune P, Hameurt J, Martineau F (1990) A geochemical investigation of age, significance and structural evolution of the Caledonian–Variscan granite–gneisses of the Śnieżnik metamorphic area (central Sudetes, Poland). Geol Sudetica 25(1–2):1–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Bröcker M, Klemd R (1996) Ultra-high pressure metamorphism in the Śnieżnik Mountains (Sudetes, Poland): P–T constraints and geological implications. J Geol 104:417–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brueckner HK, Medaris LG, Bakun-Czubarow N (1991) Nd and Sr age and isotope patterns from Variscan eclogites of the eastern Bohemian Massif. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie Abhandlungen 163(2/3):169–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Burg JP, Podladchikov Yu (1999) Lithospheric scale folding: numerical modelling and application to the Himalayan syntaxes. Int J Earth Sci 88:190–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cymerman Z, Piasecki MAJ, Seston R (1997) Terranes and terrane boundaries in the Sudetes, Northeast Bohemian Massif. Geol Mag 134:717–725

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Don J (1964) Góry Złote i Krowiarki jako elementy składowe metamorfiku Śnieżnika. Geol Sudetica 1:79–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Don J (2001) The tectonic position and the regional implications of the eclogites in the Międzygórze Anticline. Special papers. Mineral Soc Poland 19:195–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Don J, Dumicz M, Wojciechowska I, Żelaźniewicz A (1990) Lithology and tectonics of the Orlica-Śnieżnik Dome, Sudetes—recent state of knowledge. N Jahr Geol Paläontol Abhandlungen 197(2/3):159–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Don J, Skácel J, Gotowała R (2003) The boundary zone of the East and West Sudetes on the 1:50 000 scale geological map of the Velké Vrbno, Staré Město and Śnieżnik Metamorphic Units. Geol Sudetica 35:25–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Dumicz M (1979) Tectogenesis of the metamorphosed series of the Kłodzko District: a tentative explanation. Geol Sudetica 14:29–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Essene EJ (1983) Solid solutions and solvi among metamorphic carbonates with applications to geologic thermobarometry. In: Carbonates: mineralogy and chemistry. Rev Mineral 11:77–96

  • Fischer G (1936) Der Bau des Glatzer Scheegebirger. Jahrbuch Preussiches Geologisches Landesamt 56:712–732

    Google Scholar 

  • Franke W, Żelaźniewicz A (2000) The eastern termination of the Variscides: terrane correlation and kinematic evolution. In: Franke W, Haak V, Oncken O, Tanner D (eds) Orogenic processes: quantification and modelling in the Variscan Belt. Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 179:63–86

  • Gordon SM, Schneider DA, Manecki M, Holm DK (2005) Exhumation and metamorphism of an ultrahigh-grade terrane: geochronometric investigations of the Sudete Mountains (Bohemia), Poland and Czech Republic. J Geol Soc Lond 162:841–855

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grześkowiak A, Żelaźniewicz A, Fanning M (2005) Early Palaeozoic syntectonic migmatization preceded Variscan metamorphism in the Orlica-Śnieżnik Dome, Sudetes: U–Pb SHRIMP evidence. Geolines 19:46–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Hackler RT, Wood BJ (1989) Experimental determination of Fe and Mg exchange between garnet and olivine and estimation of Fe–Mg mixing properties in garnet. Am Mineral 74:994–999

    Google Scholar 

  • Holland TJB, Powell R (1998) An internally consistent thermodynamic data set for phases of petrological interest. J Metamorphic Geol 16:309–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jastrzębski M (2005) The tectonometamorphic evolution of the marbles in the Lądek-Śnieżnik Metamorphic Unit, West Sudetes. Geol Sudetica 37:1–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Karwacki A (1990) Litologia i petrogeneza marmurów kłodzkich. Sci Bull Stanisław Staszica Acad Mining Metall 47:1–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Klemd R, Bröcker M (1999) Fluid influence on mineral reactions in ultrahigh-pressure granulites: a case study in the Śnieżnik Mts. (West Sudetes, Poland). Contrib Mineral Petrol 136:358–373

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Košuličova M, Schulmann K, Montigny R, Štipská P, Dobeš P (2006) Temporal investigations and retrograde metamorphism of the North Eastern part of the Bohemian Massif. Geolines 20:72–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Kretz R (1983) Symbols for rock-forming minerals. Am Mineral 68:277–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Kröner A, Jaeckel P, Hegner E, Opletal M (2001) Single zircon ages and whole-rock Nd isotopic systematic of early Paleozoic granitoid gneisses from the Czech and Polish Sudetes (Jizerske hory, Karkonosze Mountains and Orlica-Śnieżnik complex). Int J Earth Sci 90:304–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kryza R, Pin C, Vielzeuf D (1996) High pressure granulites from the Sudetes (SW Poland): evidence of crustal subduction and collisional thickening in the Variscan belt. J Metamorphic Geol 14:531–544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuźniar J (1960) O warunkach występowania marmurów w północno-zachodniej części Krowianek. Kwart Geologiczny 4:217–262

    Google Scholar 

  • Lange U, Bröcker M, Mezger K, Don J (2002) Geochemistry and Rb–Sr geochronology of a ductile shear zone in the Orlica-Śnieżnik Dome (West Sudetes, Poland). Int J Earth Sci 91:1005–1016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lange U, Bröcker M, Armstrong R, Trappi E, Mezger K (2005) Sm–Nd and U–Pb dating of high-pressure granulites from the Złote and Rychleby Mts (Bohemian Massif, Poland and Czech Republic). J Metamorphic Geol 23:133–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lexa O, Štípská P, Schulmann K, Baratoux L, Kröner A (2005) Contrasting textural record of two distinct metamorphic events of similar P–T conditions and different durations. J Metamorphic Geol 23:649–666

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maluski H, Rajlich P, Souček J (1995) Pre-Variscan, Variscan and early Alpine thermo-tectonic history of the north-eastern Bohemian Massif: Ar40/Ar39Ar study. Geol Rundsch 84:345–358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marheine D, Kachlík V, Maluski H, Patočka F, Żelaźniewicz A (2002) The Ar–Ar ages from the West Sudetes (NE Bohemian Massif): constraints on the Variscan polyphase tectonothermal development. In: Winchester JA, Pharaoh TC, Verniers J (eds): Palaeozoic Amalgamation of Central Europe. Geol Soc Lond Spec Publ 201:133–155

  • Murtezi M (2006) The acid metavolcanic rocks of the Orlica-Śnieżnik Dome: their origin and tectono-metamorphic evolution. Geol Sudetica 38:1–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Nowak I, Żelaźniewicz A (2002) Metabasites from Stronie Schists in the Lądek–Śnieżnik Metamorphic Unit, West Sudetes: geochemistry and P–T–d path. Geolines 14:72–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver GJH, Corfu F, Krogh TE (1993) U–Pb ages from SW Poland: evidence for a Caledonian suture zone between Baltica and Gondwana. J Geol Soc Lond 150:355–369

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parry M, Štípská P, Schulmann K, Hrouda F, Ježek J, Kröner A (1997) Tonalite sill emplacement at an oblique boundary: northeastern margin of the Bohemian Massif. Tectonophysics 280:61–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Powell R, Holland TJB (1988) An internally consistent dataset with uncertainties and correlations. 3. Applications to geobarometry, worked examples and a computer program. J Metamorphic Geol 6:173–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Přikryl R, Schulmann K, Melka R (1996) Perpendicular fabrics in the Orlické hory orthogneisses (western part of the Orlice-Sněžník Dome, Bohemian Massif) due to high temperature E–W deformational event and late lower temperature N–S overprint. J Czech Geol Soc 41:156–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Rathmell MA, Streepey MM, Essene EJ, van der Pluijm BA (1999) Comparison of garnet–biotite, calcite–graphite, and calcite–dolomite thermometry in the Grenville Orogen; Ontario, Canada. Contrib Mineral Petrol 134:217–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rey P, Vanderhaeghe O, Teyssier C (2001) Gravitational collapse of the continental crust: definition, regimes and modes. Tectonophysics 342:435–449

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Romanová M, Štipská P (2001) Structural and metamorphic evolution of the Stronie Formation near Javorník. Mineral Soc Poland Spec Pap 19:147–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Sawicki L (1995) Geological Map of Lower Silesia with adjacent Czech and German Territories 1:100 000. Państwowy Instytut Geologiczny, Warszawa

  • Scherer EE, Cameron KL, Blichert-Toft J (2000) Lu–Hf garnet geochronology: closure temperature relative to the Sm–Nd system and the effects of trace mineral inclusions. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 64:3413–3432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider DA, Zahniser SJ, Clascock JM, Gordon SM, Manecki M (2006) Thermochronology of the West Sudetes (Bohemian Massif): rapid and repeated eduction in the eastern Variscides, Poland and Czech Republic. Am J Sci 306:846–873

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schoneveld C (1977) A study of typical inclusion patterns in strongly paracrystalline-rotated garnets. Tectonophysics 39:453–471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulmann K, Gayer R (2000) A model of an obliquely developed continental accretionary wedge: NE Bohemian Massif. J Geol Soc Lond 156:401–416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulmann K, Kroner A, Hegner E, Wendt I, Konopásek J, Lexa O, Štípská P (2005) Chronological constraints on the pre-orogenic history, burial and exhumation of deep-seated rocks along the eastern margin of the Variscan orogen, Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic. Am J Sci 305:407–448

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smulikowski K (1979) Ewolucja polimetamorficzna krystaliniku Śnieżnika Kłodzkiego i Gór Złotych w Sudetach. Geol Sudetica 14(1):7–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Stawikowski W (2002) Contacts between high-P eclogites and gneisses in the Lądek–Śnieżnik Metamorphic Unit, the West Sudetes. Geolines 14:84–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Steltenpohl MG, Cymerman Z, Krogh EJ, Kunk MJ (1993) Exhumation of eclogitized continental basement during Variscan lithospheric delamination and gravitational collapse, Sudety Mountains, Poland. Geology 21:1111–1114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Štípská P, Schulmann K, Thompson AB, Ježek J, Kröner A (2001) Thermo-mechanical role of a cambro-ordovician paleorift during the Variscan collision: The NE margin of the Bohemian Massif. Tectonophysics 332:239–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Štípská P, Schulmann K, Kröner A (2004) Vertical extrusion and middle crust spreading of omphacite granulite: a model of syn-corvengent exhumation (Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic). J Metamorphic Geol 22:179–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suess FE (1926) Intrusionstektonik und Wandertektonik im variszischen Grundgebirge. Borntraeger, Berlin, pp 1–268

  • Tajčmanová L, Konopásek J, Schulmann K (2006) Thermal evolution of the orogenic lower crust during exhumation within a thickened Moldanubian root of the Variscan belt of Central Europe. J Metamorphic Geol 24:119–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Turniak K, Mazur S, Wysoczański R (2000) SHRIMP zircon geochronology and geochemistry of the Orlica-Śnieżnik gneisses (Variscan belt of Central Europe) and their tectonic implications. Geodin Acta 13:312–393

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Breemen O, Aftalion M, Bowes DR, Dudek A, Mísař Z, Povondra P, Vrána S (1982) Geochronological studies of the Bohemian Massif, Czechoslovakia, and their significance in the evolution of Central Europe. Trans R Soc Edinb Earth Sci 73:89–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Vernon R (2004) A practical guide to rock microstructure. Cambridge University Press, London, pp 1–594

  • Wojciechowska I (1972) Sequence of deformations in the Stronie complex of Ołdrzychowice (Eastern Sudetes–Lądek–Śnieżnik metamorphic area). Bull Acad Polonaise Sci Terre 20:279–285

    Google Scholar 

  • Žačková E, Štípská P (2004) Differential exhumation in an orogenic root domain: Snieznik Dome. Geolines 17:106–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Żelaźniewicz A (1988) Orthogneisses due to irrotational extension, a case from the Sudetes, Bohemian massif. Geol Rundsch 77:671–682

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Żelaźniewicz A, Bakun-Czubarow N (2002) A polyphase exhumation of UHP eclogites from Nowa Wieś in the Lądek–Śnieżnik Metamorphic Unit, the Sudetes. Geolines 14:107–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Żelaźniewicz A, Larionov A (2008) The Cambrian contractional event in the West Sudetes: structural and isotopic evidence from Zabřeh Group. In: Proceedings and excursion guide of the 6th meeting of the Central European tectonic studies group, pp 154–155

  • Żelaźniewicz A, Dörr W, Bylina P, Franke W, Haack U, Heinisch H, Schastok J, Grandmontagne K, Kulicki C (2004) The eastern continuation of the Cadomian orogen: U–Pb zircon evidence from Saxo-Thuringian granitoids in south-western Poland and the northern Czech Republic. Int J Earth Sci 93:773–781

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Żelaźniewicz A, Nowak I, Larionov A, Presnyakov S (2006) Syntectonic Lower Ordovician migmatite and post-tectonic Upper Viséan syenite in the western limb of the Orlica-Śnieżnik Dome, West Sudetes: U–Pb SHRIMP data from zircons. Geol Sudetica 38:63–80

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study is a main part of my PhD thesis generously supported by the State Committee for Scientific Research through grant KBN 3 PO4D 043 24. I would particularly thank my supervisor, Prof. Andrzej Żelaźniewicz for his helpful comments, critical review and valuable improvement on this paper. I am indebted to an anonymous reviewer and Prof. Karel Schulman for their constructive criticism and suggestions on earlier versions of this paper, which significantly improved the quality of the manuscript. I acknowledge co-workers from the Institute of Geological Sciences of Polish Academy of Sciences for mutual stimulating discussions and logistic support. I especially thank Dr Ryszard Orłowski for the assistance with the microprobe analyses. The careful reading of the English version of the manuscript by Dr Grzegorz Lis is gratefully appreciated.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Podwale 75, 50-449, Wrocław, Poland

    Mirosław Jastrzębski

Authors
  1. Mirosław Jastrzębski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mirosław Jastrzębski.

Additional information

An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00531-008-0380-6

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jastrzębski, M. A Variscan continental collision of the West Sudetes and the Brunovistulian terrane: a contribution from structural and metamorphic record of the Stronie Formation, the Orlica-Śnieżnik Dome, SW Poland. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 98, 1901–1923 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-008-0357-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-008-0357-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation