Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

U–Pb zircon dating and nature of metavolcanics and metarkoses from the Monte Grighini Unit: new insights on Late Ordovician magmatism in the Variscan belt in Sardinia, Italy

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

Abstract

In the external units of the Sardinian Variscides Nappe Zone, volcanic and volcanoclastic successions of Middle Ordovician age follow Lower Paleozoic calc-alkaline magmatism developed at the northern Gondwana margin. We present geochemical and zircon U–Pb isotopic data for the Truzzulla Formation, a low-to-medium-grade metamorphic volcanic–volcanoclastic succession belonging to the Monte Grighini Unit, the deepest unit in the Nappe Zone. Geochemical and radiometric data allow us to define a Late Ordovician (Katian) magmatic (volcanic) event of calc-alkaline affinity. These new data, in conjunction with previously published data, indicate that in the Sardinian Variscides, the age of Lower Paleozoic Andean-type calc-alkaline magmatism spans from Middle to Late Ordovician. Moreover, the age distribution of calc-alkaline volcanics and volcanoclastic rocks in the Nappe Zone is consistent with a diachronous development of Middle–Late Ordovician Andean-type magmatic arc through the portion of the northern Gondwanian margin now represented by the Sardinian Variscides. This reconstruction of the Sardinian Variscides reflects the complex magmatic and tectonic evolution of the northern margin of Gondwana in the Lower Paleozoic.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barbera G, Mazzoleni P, Critelli S, Pappalardo A, Lo Giudice A, Cirrincione R (2006) Provenance of shales and sedimentary history of the Monte Soro Unit, Sicily. Per Min 75:313–330

    Google Scholar 

  • Bussy F, von Raumer JF (1994) U–Pb geochronology of Paleozoic magmatic events in the Mont-Blanc Crystalline Massif, Western Alps. Schweiz Min Petrog Mitt 76:217–233

    Google Scholar 

  • Calderoni G, Masi U, Maccioni L, Nicoletti M, Petrucciani C, Padalino G (1984) Geochemistry and geochronology of the Caledonian “Porphyroids” from central Sardinia, (Italy). Rend Soc It Min Petrol 39:261–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmignani L, Carosi R, Di Pisa A, Gattiglio M, Musumeci G, Oggiano G, Pertusati PC (1994) The Hercynian chain in Sardinia. Geodin Acta 7:31–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Carmignani L, Oggiano G, Barca S, Conti P, Eltrudis A, Funedda A, Pasci S, Salvadori I (2001) Geologia della Sardegna. Note illustrative della Carta Geologica della Sardegna in scala 1:200,000. Memorie descrittive della Carta Geologica d’Italia LX, p 283

  • Carosi R, Palmeri R (2002) Orogen-parallel tectonic transport in the Variscan belt of north-eastern Sardinia (Italy): implications for the exhumation of medium-pressure metamorphic rocks. Geol Mag 139:95–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carosi R, Musumeci G, Pertusati PC (1991) Le Unità di Castello Medusa e Monte Grighini (Sardegna centro-meridionale) nell’evoluzione tettonica del basamento ercinico. Boll Soc Geol It 109:643–654

    Google Scholar 

  • Casas JM, Castineiras P, Navidad M, Liesa M, Carreras J (2010) New insights into the Late Ordovician magmatism in the Eastern Pyrenees: U–Pb SHRIMP zircon data from the Canigó massif. Gondwana Res 17:317–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casas JM, Navidad M, Castineiras P, Montserat L (2012) Ordovician magmatism in NE Iberia, comparison with the Iberian Massif and Sardinia. Geol de la France BRGM 1:79–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Conti P, Carmignani L, Funedda A (2001) Change of nappe transport direction during the Variscan collisional evolution of central-southern Sardinia (Italy). Tectonophysics 332:255–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costamagna LG, Cruciani G, Franceschelli M, Puxeddu M (2012) A volcano-sedimentary sequence with albitite layers in the Variscan basement of NE Sardinia: a petrographical and geochemical study. Per Min 81:179–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Dack AV (2009) Internal Structure and geochronology of the Gerrei Unit in the Flumendosa area, Variscan External Nappe Zone, Sardinia, Italy. Phd Thesys, Boise State University, p 116

  • Demoux A, Scharer U, Corsini M (2008) Variscan evolution of the Tanneron massif, SE France, examined through U–Pb monazite ages. J Geol Soc 165:467–478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Simplicio P, Ferrara G, Ghezzo C, Guasparri G, Pellizzer R, Ricci CA, Rita F, Sabatini G (1974) IL metamorfismo ed il magmatismo paleozoico della Sardegna. Rend Soc It Min Petrol 30:979–1068

    Google Scholar 

  • Elter FM, Musumeci G, Pertusati PC (1990) Late Hercynian shear zones in Sardinia. Tectonophysics 176:387–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elter FM, Faure M, Ghezzo C, Corsi B (1999) Late Hercynian shear zones in northeastern Sardinia (Italy). Géol de la France 2:3–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Fettes D, Desmons J (eds) (2007) Metamorphic Rocks: a classification and glossary of terms. Recommendations of the international union of geological science Subcommission on the systematic of metamorphic rocks. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p 244

    Google Scholar 

  • Floyd PA, Leveridge BE (1987) Tectonic environment of the Devonian Gramscatho basin, south Cornwall: framework mode and geochemical evidence from turbiditic sandstones. J Geol Soc Lon 144:531–542

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franceschelli M, Puxeddu M, Cruciani G (2005) Variscan metamorphism in Sardinia, Italy: review and discussion. In: Carosi R, Dias R, Iacopini D, Rosenbaum G, (eds) The southern Variscan belt, Journal of the Virtual Explorer, Electronic Edition, Vol 19, Paper 2

  • Gaggero L, Oggiano G, Funedda A, Buzzi L (2012) Rifting and arc-related early Paleozoic volcanism along the north Gondwana Margin: geochemical and geological evidence from Sardinia (Italy). J Geol 120:273–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garbarino C, Naitza S, Rizzo R, Tocco S, Barca S, Farci A, Forci A, Serri R (2005) New evidence of Pre-Hercynian volcanics from Southern Sulcis (Southwestern Sardinia). Boll Soc Geol It 124:69–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghezzo C, Ricci CA (1980) Relazioni fra rocce granitiche e metamorfiche nella Sardegna centro-settentrionale. Nota II-I porfiroidi della regione Bolotana-Illorai. Rend Soc It Min Petrol 26:3–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Giacomini F, Bomparola RM, Ghezzo C, Guldbransen H (2006) The geodynamic evolution of the Southern European Variscides: constraints from the U/Pb geochronology and geochemistry of the lower Palaeozoic magmatic-sedimentary sequences of Sardinia (Italy). Contrib Min Petrol 152:19–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gorton MP, Schandl ES (2000) From continents to island arcs: a geochemical index of tectonic setting for arc-related and within-plate felsic to intermediate volcanic rocks. Can Min 38:1065–1073

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guillot F, Schaltegger U, Bertrand JM, Deloule E, Baudin T (2002) Zircon U–Pb geochronology of Ordovician magmatism in the polycyclic Ruitor Massif (Internal W-Alps). Int J Earth Sci 91:964–978

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris NBW, Pearce JA, Tindle AG (1986) Geochemical characteristics of collision-zone magmatism. In: Coward MP, Reis AC (eds) Collision tectonics. Geol Soc London Spec Publ 19:67–81

  • Helbing H, Tiepolo M (2005) Age determination of Ordovician magmatism in NE Sardinia and its bearing on Variscan basement evolution. J Geol Soc Lon 162:689–700

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horstwood MSA, Foster GL, Parrish RR, Noble SR, Nowell GM (2003) Common-Pb corrected in situ U–Pb accessory mineral geochronology by LA-MC-ICP-MS. J Anal At Spectrom 18:837–846

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson SE, Pearson NJ, Griffin WL, Belousova EA (2004) The application of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry to in situ U–Pb zircon geochronology. Chem Geol 211:47–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ketchum JWF, Jackson SE, Culshaw NG, Barr SM (2001) Depositional and tectonic setting of the Paleoproterozoic Lower Aillik Group, Makkovik Province, Canada: evolution of a passive margin–foredeep sequence based on petrochemistry and U–Pb (TIMS and LAM-ICP-MS) geochronology. Precambrian Res 105:331–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ludwig KR (2000) Isoplot: a geochronological toolkit for Microsoft Excel. Berkeley Geochronology Center. Berkeley, Spec Publ, 1a:1–53

  • Matte P (2001) The Variscan collage and orogeny (480–290 Ma) and the tectonic definition of the Armorica microplate. Terra Nova 13:122–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Memmi I, Barca S, Carmignani L, Cocozza T, Elter FM, Franceschelli M, Gattiglio M, Ghezzo C, Minzoni N, Naud G, Pertusati PC, Ricci CA (1983) Further geochemical data on the pre-Hercynian igneous activities of Sardinia and on their geodynamic significance. IGCP N.5. Newsletter 5:87–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller JS, Matzel JEP, Miller CF, Burgess SD, Miller RB (2007) Zircon growth and recycling during the assembly of large, composite arc plutons. J Volc Geotherm Res 167:282–299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Musumeci G (1992) Ductile wrench tectonics and exhumation of Hercynian metamorphic basement in Sardinia: Monte Grighini complex. Geodin Acta 5:119–133

    Google Scholar 

  • Naud G (1979) Tentative de synthése sur l’évolution géodinamique de la Sardaigne anterpermienne. Mem Soc Geol It 20:85–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Nesbitt HW, Young GM (1982) Early Proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of lutites. Nature 299:715–717

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oggiano G, Gaggero L, Funedda A, Buzzi L, Tiepolo M (2010) Multiple early Palaeozoic volcanic events at the northern Gondwana margin: U–Pb age evidence from the Southern Variscan branch (Sardinia, Italy). Gondwana Res 17:44–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pavanetto P, Funedda A, Northrup CJ, Schmitz M, Crowley J, Loi A (2012) Structure and U–Pb zircon geochronology in the Variscan foreland of SW Sardinia, Italy. Geol J 47:426–445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearce JA, Harris NBW, Tindle AG (1984) Trace element discrimination diagrams for the tectonic interpretation of granitic rocks. J Petrol 25:956–983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pillola GL, Piras S, Serpagli E (2008) Upper Tremadoc-Lower Arenig? Anisograptid-dichograptid fauna from the Cabitza Formation (Lower Ordovician, SW Sardinia, Italy). Rev Micropaléontol 51:167–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roger F, Respaut J-P, Brunel M, Matte P, Paquette J-L (2004) Première datation U–Pb des orthogneiss oeillés de la zone axiale de la Montagne noire (Sud du Massif central): nouveaux témoins du magmatisme ordovicien dans la chaîne Varisque. C R Geosc 336:19–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubatto D, Schaltegger U, Lombardo B, Colombo F, Compagnoni R (2001) Complex Paleozoic magmatism and metamorphism in the Argentera Massif deciphered by conventional and in situ U–Pb age determinations. Schweiz Min Petrog Mitt 81:213–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaltegger U, Abrecht J, Corfu F (2003) The Ordovician orogeny in the Alpine basement: constraints from geochronology and geochemistry in the Aar Massif (Central Alps). Schweiz Min Petrog Mitt 83:183–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Stampfli GM, von Raumer JF, Borel GD (2002) The Palaeozoic evolution of pre-Variscan terranes: from Gondwana to the Variscan collision. In: Martinez-Catalan JR, Hatcher RD, Arenas R, Diaz Garcia F (eds) Variscan-Appalachian dynamics: the building of the late Palaeozoic basement. Geol Soc Am Spec Paper 364:263–280

  • Sun SS, McDonough WF (1989) Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: implications for mantle composition and processes. In: Magmatism in the Ocean Basins Saunders AD, Norry MJ (eds) Geol Soc London Spec Publ 42:313–345

  • Tiepolo M (2003) In situ Pb geochronology of zircon with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-sector field mass spectrometry. Chem Geol 199:159–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trombetta A, Cirrincione R, Corfu F, Mazzoleni P, Pezzino A (2004) Mid-Ordovician U–Pb ages of porphyroids in the Peloritan Mountains (NE Sicily): palaeogeographical implications for the evolution of the Alboran microplate. J Geol Soc Lon 161:265–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Achterbergh E, Ryan CG, Jackson SE, Griffin W (2001) Data reduction software for LA-ICP-MS. In: Laser Ablation-ICPMS in the Earth Science, Sylvester P (ed) Mineralogical Association of Canada: St. John’s Newfoundland, 29:239–243

  • von Raumer JF (1998) The Palaeozoic evolution in the Alps-from Gondwana to Pangea. Geol Rund 87:407–435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Raumer JF, Stampfli GM (2008) The birth of the Rheic Ocean—early Palaeozoic subsidence patterns and subsequent tectonic plate scenarios. Tectonophysics 461:9–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Raumer JF, Stampfli GM, Borel G, Bussy F (2002) Organization of pre-Variscan basement areas at the north-Gondwanan margin. Int J Earth Sci 91:35–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiedenbeck M, Alle P, Corfu F, Griffin WL, Meier M, Ober F, von Quadt A, Roddick JC, Spiegel J (1995) Three natural zircon standards for U–Th–Pb, Lu–Hf, trace element and REE analysis. Geostand Newsl 19:1–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wimmenauer W (1984) Das praevariszische Kristallin im Schwarzwald. Forscht Min Beih 62:69–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Winchester JA, Floyd PA (1977) Geochemical discrimination of different magma series and their differentiation products using immobile elements. Chem Geol 20:325–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

M. E. Spano gratefully acknowledges the Sardinia Regional Government for the financial support to her PhD scholarship (P. O. R. Sardegna F. S. E. Operational Programme of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, European Social Found 2007–2013—Axis IV Human Resources, Objective l.3, Line of Activity l.3.1.). Financial support from the University of Cagliari is acknowledged. We are grateful to reviewers L. Gaggero (University of Genova) and J. Wotzlaw (University of Geneva) for their helpful comments and criticism. The authors wish to thank the Ente Foreste della Regione Autonoma della Sardegna for hospitality during the field work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Università di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy

    Gabriele Cruciani, Marcello Franceschelli & Maria Elena Spano

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Giovanni Musumeci

  3. Sezione di Pavia, CNR, Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse, Pavia, Italy

    Massimo Tiepolo

Authors
  1. Gabriele Cruciani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marcello Franceschelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Giovanni Musumeci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Maria Elena Spano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Massimo Tiepolo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marcello Franceschelli.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Cruciani, G., Franceschelli, M., Musumeci, G. et al. U–Pb zircon dating and nature of metavolcanics and metarkoses from the Monte Grighini Unit: new insights on Late Ordovician magmatism in the Variscan belt in Sardinia, Italy. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 102, 2077–2096 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-013-0919-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-013-0919-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation