Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ordovician orogeny in the Alps: a reappraisal

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

Abstract

An important part of the pre-Mesozoic basement of the Alps is the product of orogenic processes occurred in Ordovician times. Most of the geological constrains for this reconstruction have been obtained by the study of the Strona-Ceneri zone in the Southern Alps, where Alpine overprint was weak. The erosion of late Pan-African belts delivered large amounts of greywackes and pelites into subduction zones along Gondwana. The sediments were subducted and accreted to form wide complexes. As a result of the large sediment input, subduction retreated and the mantle-derived magmas intruded the base of the fertile “mud pile.” This initiated substantial anatexis to produce peraluminous magmas, which intruded and extruded syntectonically. Thereby, the predominantly steeply structured subduction–accretion complex provided ideal pathways for the uprising magmas, and down-thrusting host rocks to result in an isostatically stable crust. The SE Australian Lachlan fold belt is interpreted as an upper crustal analog of the Strona-Ceneri zone. Based on the combination of their geology, a crustal profile through an Alaskan type of orogen is drawn.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arnold A (1970) Die Gesteine der Region Nalps-Curnera im nordöstlichen Gotthardmassiv, ihre Metamorphose und ihre Kalksilikatfels-Einschlüsse (Petrographische Untersuchungen im Bereich der Anlagen der Kraftwerke Vorderrhein). Beiträge zur geologischen Karte der Schweiz, Neue Folge 138

    Google Scholar 

  • Barker F, Farmer GL, Ayuso RA, Plafker G, Lull JS (1992) The 50 Ma granodiorite of the Eastern Gulf of Alaska: melting in an accretionary prism in the forearc. J Geophys Res 97(B5):6757–6778

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boriani A (1970) The microstructure of “Cenerigneiss”. Rend. Soc. It. Min. Petr. 26:487–501

    Google Scholar 

  • Boriani A, Colombo A (1979) Gli “Gneiss chiari” tra la Valsesia e il Lago di Como. Rend. Soc. It. Min. Petr. 35(1):299–312

    Google Scholar 

  • Boriani A, Origoni Giobbi E, Del Moro A (1983) Composition, level of intrusion and age of the ‘Serie dei Laghi’ orthogneisses (Northern Italy-Ticino, Switzerland). Rend Soc Ital Miner Pet 38(1):191–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Boriani A, Giobbi Origoni E, Pinarelli L (1995) Paleozoic evolution of southern Alpine crust (northern Italy) as indicated by contrasting granitoid suites. Lithos 35:47–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borsi S, Del Moro A, Sassi FP (1980) Zirpoli G (1980) New petrographic and radiometric data on the Oetztal and Stubai orthogneisses (Eastern Alps). Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie. Monatshefte 2:75–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown M (1994) The generation, segregation, ascent and emplacement of granite magma: the migmatite-to-crustally-derived granite connection in thickened orogens. Earth-Sci Rev 36:83–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro A, Moreno-Ventas I, De la Rosa JD (1991) H-type (hybrid) granitoids: a proposed revision of the granite-type classification and nomenclature. Earth Sci Rev 31:237–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro A, Garcia-Casco A, Fernandez C, Corretgé LG, Moreno-Ventas I, Gerya T, Löw I (2009) Ordovician ferrosilicic magmas: experimental evidence for ultrahigh temperatures affecting a metagreywacke source. Gondwana Res 16:622–632

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chappell BW, White AJR (1974) Two contrasting granite types. Pac Geol 8:173–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Chappell BW, White AJR, Wyborn D (1987) The importance of residual source material (restite) in granite petrogenesis. J Petrol 28(6):1111–1138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chappell BW, White AJR, Williams IS (1991) A traverse section through granites of the Lachlan Fold Belt. Excursion guide, second Hutton symposium on granites and related rocks, Canberra, 15–21 September 1991, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics, Record 1991/22

  • Clift P, Vannucchi P (2003) Controls on tectonic accretion versus erosion in subduction zones: implications for the origin and recycling of the continental crust. Rev Geophys 42:1–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Colombo A, Siletto GB, Tunesi A (1994) Pre-Variscan magmatism in the central Southern Alps: the Monte Fioraro magmatic complex. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 74:127–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Crook KAW (1980) Fore-arc evolution and continental growth: a general model. J Struct Geol 2(3):289–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dalziel IWD (1992) Antarctica: a tale of two super-continents? Ann Rev Earth Planet Sci 20:501–526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dalziel IWD, Dalla Salda LH, Gahagan LM (1994) Paleozoic Laurentia–Gondwana interaction and the origin of the Appalachian–Andean mountain system. Geol Soc Am Bull 106:243–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Debon F, Le Fort P (1988) A cationic classification of common plutonic rocks and their magmatic associations: principles, method, applications. Bull Minér 111:493–510

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Lemos RS, Brown M, Strachan RA (1992) Granite magma generation, ascent and emplacement within a transpressive orogen. J Geol Soc Lond 149:487–490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis DJ, Obata M (1992) Migmatite and melt segregation at Cooma, New South Wales. Trans R Soc Edinburgh: Earth Sci 83:95–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eltrudis A, Franceschelli M, Gattiglio M, Porcu R (1995) Discontinuous metamorphic zonation in the Paleozoic units of the Hercynian chain of SW Sardinia, Italy: evidence from structural and illite crystallinity data. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 75:201–211

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Suárez J, Guitiérrez-Alonso G, Pastor-Galán D, Hofmann M, Murphy JB, Linnemann U (2014) The Ediacaran–Early Cambrian detrital zircon record of NW Iberia: possible sources and paleogeographic constraints. Int J Earth Sci 103:1335–1357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flood RH, Vernon RH (1978) The Cooma Granodiorite, Australia: an example of in situ crustal anatexis? Geology 6:81–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franz L, Romer RL (2007) Caledonian high-pressure metamorphism in the Strona-Ceneri Zone (Southern Alps of southern Switzerland and northern Italy). Swiss J Geosci 100(3):457–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frey M, Hunziker JC, Frank W, Bocquet J, Dal Piaz GV, Jäger E, Niggli E (1974) Alpine metamorphism of pelitic and marly rocks of the central Alps. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 54:489–506

    Google Scholar 

  • Frisch W, Meschede M (2011) Plattentektonik: Kontinentverschiebung und Gebirgsbildung. Primus Verlag, 4. Auflage

  • Hammer W (1925) Cordieritführende metamorphe Granite aus den Oetztaler Alpen. Tschermaks Mineral Petrogr Mitt 38:67–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Handy MR, Franz L, Heller F, Janott B, Zurbriggen R (1999) Multistage accretion and exhumation of the continental crust (Ivrea crustal section, Italy and Switzerland). Tectonophysics 18:1154–1177

    Google Scholar 

  • Häusler S (1993) Zu den Gesteinen im Gebiet der Greina-Hochebene/GR (Südostende des Gotthardmassivs). Unpubl. M.Sc. thesis, University of Bern, Switzerland

  • Heinisch H (1981) Zum ordovizischen „Porphyroid“-Vulkanismus der Ost- und Südalpen, Stratigraphie, Petrographie. Geochemie. Jahrbuch der Geologischen Bundesanstalt 124(1):1–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinisch H, Schmidt K (1982) Zur Genese der Augengneise im Altkristallin der Ostalpen. Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie. Monatshefte 4:211–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoinkes G, Thöni M (1993) Evolution of the Ötztal-Stubai, Scarl-Campo and Ulten basement units. In: Von Raumer JF, Neubauer F (eds) Pre-mesozoic geology in the Alps. Springer, Heidelberg, pp 485–494

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hoinkes G, Purtscheller F, Schantl J (1972) Zur Petrographie und Genese des Winnebachgranites (Oetztaler Alpen, Tirol). Tschermaks Mineral Petrogr Mitt 18:292–311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huber HM (1943) Physiographie und Genesis der Gesteine im südöstlichen Gotthardmassiv. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 23:72–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunziker JC (1974) Rb-Sr and K-Ar age determination and the Alpine tectonic history of the Western Alps. Mem. Ist. Geol. Min. Univ. Padova 31:1–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson SE, Vernon RH (1995) Stepping stones and pitfall in the determination of an anticlockwise P-T-t deformation path: the low-P, high-T Cooma Complex, Australia. J Metamorph Geol 13:165–183

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jurdy DM, Stefanick M, Scotese CR (1995) Paleozoic plate dynamics. J Geophys Res 100(B9):17965–17975

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Maitre RW (1976) The chemical variability of some common igneous rocks. J Petrol 17:589–637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis PC, Glen RA, Pratt GW, Clarke I (1994) Explanatory notes of the Bega-Mallacoota 1:250 000 geological sheet. Geological Survey of New South Wales, Sydney

    Google Scholar 

  • Liebetrau V (1996) Petrographie, Geochemie und Datierung der “Flüelagranitischen Assoziation” (sog. Jüngere Orthogneise) des Sivrettakristallins, Graubünden - Schweiz. Unpubl. Ph.D. thesis, University of Fribourg, Switzerland

  • Linnemann U, Gerdes A, Hofmann M, Marko L (2014) Neoproterozoic to early Cambrian crustal growth and orogenic zoning along the periphery of the West African Craton-Constraints from U-Pb zircon ages and Hf isotopes (Schwarzburg Antiform, Germany). Precambr Res 244:236–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maggetti M, Flisch M (1993) Evolution of the Silvretta nappe. In: von Raumer JF, Neubauer F (eds) Pre-mesozoic geology in the Alps. Springer, Berlin, pp 469–484

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • McDowell FW (1970) Potassium-argon ages from the Ceneri zone, southern Swiss Alps. Contrib Miner Petrol 28:165–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meert JG, Lieberman BS (2008) The Neoproterozoic assembly of Gondwana and its relationship to the Ediacaran-Cambrian radiation. Gondwana Res 14:5–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meinhold G, Morton AC, Avigad D (2013) New insights into peri-Gondwana paleogeography and the Gondwana super-fan system from detrital zircon U-Pb ages. Gondwana Res 23:661–665

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mercolli I, Biino GG, Abrecht J (1994) The lithostratigraphy of the pre-Mesozoic basement of the Gotthard massif: a review. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 74:29–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore JC, Diebold J, Fisher MA, Sample J, Brocher T, Talwani M, Ewing J, von Huene R, Rowe C, Stone D, Stevens C, Sawyer D (1991) EDGE deep seismic reflection transect of the eastern Aleutian arc-trench layered lower crust reveals underplating and continental growth. Geology 19:420–424

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy BJ, Nance DR (1989) Model for the evolution of the Avalonian–Cadomian belt. Geology 17:735–738

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oberholzer W (1955) Geologie und Petrographie des westlichen Gotthardmassivs. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 35:320–409

    Google Scholar 

  • Oberli F, Meier M, Biino GG (1994) Time constraints on the pre-Varsican magmatic/metamorphic evolution of the Gotthard and Tavetsch units derived from single-zircon U-Pb results. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 74:483–488

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearce JA, Harris NBW, Tindle AG (1984) Trace element discrimination for the tectonic interpretation of granitic rocks. J Petrol 25(4):956–983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peccerillo A, Poli G, Sassi FP, Zirpoli G, Mezzacasa G (1979) New data on the upper Ordovician acid plutonism in the Eastern Alps. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie. Abhandlungen 137(2):16–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Pettijohn FJ (1963) Chemical composition of sandstones—excluding carbonate and volcanic sands. U. S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 440-S

  • Pettke T (1991) Zur Geologie im oberen Val Camadra (südöstliches Gotthardmassiv, Tessin). Unpublished MSc thesis, University of Bern, Switzerland

  • Pinarelli L, Boriani A (2007) Tracing metamorphism, magmatism and tectonics in the southern Alps (Italy): constraints from Rb–Sr and Pb–Pb geochronology, and isotope geochemistry. Period Mineral 76:5–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinarelli L, Bergomi MA, Boriani A, Giobbi E (2008) Pre-metamorphic melt infiltration in metasediments: geochemical, isotopic (Sr, Nd, and Pb), and field evidence from Serie dei Laghi (Southern Alps, Italy). Mineral Petrol 93:213–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poli ME, Zanferrari A (1992) The Agordo basement (NE Italy): a 500 Ma-long geological record in the Southalpine crust. IGCP No. 276. Newsletter 5:283–296

    Google Scholar 

  • Poller U, Nägler TF, Liebetrau V, Galetti G (1997) The Mönchalpgneiss—geochemical characteristics and Sm–Nd data of a polymetamorphic S-type granitoid (Silvretta nappe/Switzerland). Eur J Mineral 9:411–422

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Powell CM, Li ZX, Thrupp GA, Schmidt PW (1990) Australian Palaeozoic palaeomagnetism and tectonics—I. Tectonostratigraphic terrane constraints from the Tasman Fold Belt. J Struct Geol 12(5/6):553–565

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rino S, Kon Y, Sato W, Maruyama S, Santosh M, Zhao D (2008) The Grenvillian and Pan-African orogens: world’s largest orogenies through geologic time, and their implications on the origin of superplume. Gondwana Res 14:51–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sample JC, Moore CJ (1987) Structural style and kinematics of an underplated slate belt, Kodiak and adjacent islands, Alaska. Geol Soc Am Bull 99:7–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schaltegger U, Gebauer D (1999) Pre-Alpine geochronology of the Central, Western and Southern Alps. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 79:79–87

    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 Mineral Petrogr Mitt 83:183–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidegg O (1936) Steilachsige Tektonik und Schlingenbau auf der Südseite der Tiroler Zentralalpen. Jahrbuch der Geologischen Bundesanstalt 86:141–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt K (1965) Zum Schlingenbau tiefer Gebirgsetagen. Krystallinikum 3:133–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Schönlaub HP, Heinisch H (1993) The classic fossiliferous Palaeozoic units of the Eastern and Southern Alps. In: von Raumer JF, Neubauer F (eds) Pre-mesozoic geology in the Alps. Springer, Berlin, pp 395–422

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Schulz B (1988) Deformation und Metamorphose im ostalpinen Altkristallin südlich des Tauernfensters (südliche Deferegger Alpen, Oesterreich). Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 68:397–406

    Google Scholar 

  • Sengör AMC, Natal’in BA (1996) Turkic-type orogeny and its role in the making of the continental crust. Annu Rev Earth Planet Sci 24:263–337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sengör AMC, Okurogullari AH (1991) The role of accretionary wedges in the growth of continents. Asiatic examples from Argand to plate tectonics. Eclogae Geol Helv 84:535–597

    Google Scholar 

  • Sengör AMC, Natal’in BA, Burtman VS (1993) Evolution of the Altaid tectonic collage and Palaeozoic crustal growth in Eurasia. Nature 364:299–307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seyfert CK, Sirkin LA (1973) Earth history and plate tectonics, an introduction to historical geology. Harper & Row, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Siever R (1988) Sand. Scientific American Library

  • Söllner F, Schmidt K, Baumann A (1982) Zur Altersstellung des Winnebach-Migmatits im Oetztal (Ostalpen). Verhandlungen der Geologischen Bundesanstalt 2:95–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Stampfli G (2000) Tethyan oceans. In: Bozkurt F, Winchester JA, Piper IDA (eds) Tectonics and magmatism in Turkey and the surrounding area, vol 173. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, pp 1–25

  • Stampfli GM, Hochard C, Vérard C, Wilhem C, von Raumer J (2013) The formation of Pangea. Tectonophysics 593:1–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Streckeisen A (1928) Geologie und Petrographie der Flüelagruppe (Graubünden). Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 8:87–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Thöny WF, Tropper P, Schennach F, Krenn E, Finger F, Kaindl R, Bernhard F, Hoinkes G (2008) The metamorphic evolution of migmatites from the Ötztal complex (Tyrol, Austria) and constraints on the timing of the pre-Variscan high-T event in the Eastern Alps. Swiss J Geosci 101(1):111–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torsvik TH, Cocks RM (2011) The Paleozoic paleogeography of central Gondwana. In: Van Hinsbergen DJJ, Buiter SJH, Torsvik TH, Gaina G, Webb SJ (2011) The formation and evolution of Africa vol 357. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, pp 137–166

  • Van Kranendonk MJ, Kirkland CL (2013) Orogenic climax of earth: the 1.2-1.1 Ga Grenvillian superevent. Geology 41:735–738

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Staal CR, Hatcher RD Jr (2010) Global setting of Ordovician orogenies. In: Finney SC, Berry WBN (eds) The Ordovician earth system. Geological Society of America special paper 466, pp 1–11

  • Vielzeuf D, Holloway JR (1988) Experimental determination of the fluid-absent melting relations in the pelitic system. Consequences for crustal differentiation. Contrib Miner Petrol 98:257–276

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Von Raumer JF (1998) The Paleozoic evolution in the Alps: from Gondwana to Pangea. Geol Rundsch 87:407–435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Von Raumer JF, Bussy F (2004) Mont-Blanc and Aiguilles-Rouges: geology of their polymetamorphic basement (External massifs, France-Switzerland). Mém Géol (Lausanne) 42:1–203

    Google Scholar 

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

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Von Raumer JF, Stampfli GM, Bussy F (2003) Gondwana-derived microcontinents—the constituents of the Variscan and Alpine collisional orogens. Tectonophysics 365:7–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Von Raumer JF, Bussy F, Schaltegger U, Schulz B, Stampfli GM (2013) Pre-Mesozoic Alpine basements: their place in the European Paleozoic framework. Bull Geol Soc Am 125(1–2):89–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wenk E (1934) Beiträge zur Petrographie und Geologie des Silvrettakristallins. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 14:196–278

    Google Scholar 

  • White AJR, Chappell BW (1990) Per migma ad magma downunder. Geol J 25:221–225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyborn D, White AJR, Chappell BW (1991) Enclaves in the S-type Cowra granodiorite. Excursion guide, second Hutton symposium on granites and related rocks, Canberra, 25 September 1991, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics, Record 1991/24

  • Zurbriggen R (1996) Crustal genesis and uplift history of the Strona-Ceneri zone (Southern Alps). Unpubl. PhD thesis, University of Bern, Switzerland

  • Zurbriggen R, Franz L, Handy MR (1997) Pre-Variscan deformation, metamorphism and magmatism in the Strona-Ceneri Zone (southern Alps of northern Italy and southern Switzerland). Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 77:361–380

    Google Scholar 

  • Zurbriggen R, Kamber BS, Handy MR, Nägler TF (1998) Dating synmagmatic folds: a case study of Schlingen structures in the Strona-Ceneri Zone (Southern Alps, northern Italy). J Metamorph Geol 16:403–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

I want to thank Ivan Mercolli, my teacher who became the most important colleague for these works. His profound knowledge and enthusiasm for granites and gneisses allowed us to plunge deep into the crust and far back in time. I also thank Jürgen von Raumer, Leander Franz, and Cees van Staal for critical reading and valuable discussions. Many thanks belong to the members of the Institute of Geological Sciences of the University of Bern where I enjoyed my studies. I am thankful for the travel grant of the Swiss Academy of Sciences for academic studies and field excursions in Down Under during April and May of 1995. In the person of Erwin Scheibner, I had my base contact in Sydney. From there, I could join geologists from the Australian Geological Survey on their field trips, namely Richard Glen, Elisabeth Morgan, and Alice Warren. Ulricke Troitzsch guided me to the Cooma granodiorite. They and many more geologists at the universities between Sydney and Melbourne took their time to meet and were so kind to provide me with excursion guides, maps and papers, and most valuable hints for the best outcrops in the Lachlan fold belt. I am glad for the unforgettable meetings with Albert Streckeisen, Paul Greater, Tjerk Peters, Fred Barker, Keith Crook, Bruce Chappell, and Allan White. Their advice and support was greatest motivation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Feldmatt 10, 6206, Neuenkirch, Switzerland

    Roger Zurbriggen

Authors
  1. Roger Zurbriggen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roger Zurbriggen.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zurbriggen, R. Ordovician orogeny in the Alps: a reappraisal. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 104, 335–350 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-014-1090-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-014-1090-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation