Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

North Gondwana origin for exotic Variscan rocks in the Rhenohercynian zone of Germany

  • Published:
Geologische Rundschau Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Continental margin sediments of an exotic nature, which have been thrust over the Rhenohercynian zone of Central Germany, occur mainly in olistostromes of Lower Carboniferous age. A stratigraphy compiled from the exotic rocks reflects the wide spectrum of continental shelf and adjacent basinal facies that existed at least from the Early Ordovician to the Early Carboniferous. Facies and faunal relationships are comparable with those in the Palaeozoic of the western Mediterranean region, Saxothuringia (south-east Germany) and the Barrandian area (Czech Republic), which suggests deposition at the northern margin of the Gondwana Palaeozoic supercontinent. Among the exotic rocks, a Middle Devonian to Early Carboniferous facies, referred to as Flinzkalk, contains sediments showing characteristics of contourites. They may have originated from reworked turbidites, formed under a current which flowed parallel to the North Gondwana margin, similar to the Gulf Stream flowing along eastern North America today.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aifa T, Feinberg H, Pozzi JP (1990) Devonian-Carboniferous paleopoles for Africa: consequences for Hercynian geodynamics. Tectonophysics 179: 287–304

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alberti GKB (1977) Rabat-Tiflet area in Morocco. In: The Silurian- Devonain Boundary. IUGS Ser A, 5: 159–167

    Google Scholar 

  • Alberti GKB (1983) Trilobiten des jiingeren Silurs Bowie des Unterund Mitteldevons. Senck Leth 64: 1–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Alberti GKB (1986) Zu Lebensraum und Paläobiogeographie unterdevonischer Trilobiten aus Oberfranken-Ostthüringen. Mitt Gaol-Paaontol Inst Hamburg 61: 103–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Alberti H (1981) Lochkovium/Pragium-Trilobiten aus der Harzgeröder Faltenzone (Harz). N Jb Geol Palaontol Abh 162:164–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson TA (1975) Carboniferous subduction complex in the Harz Mts, Germany. Geol Soc Am Bull 86: 77–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bahlburg H (1985) Zur faziellen Entwicklung des herzynischen Paläozoikums der Lindener Mark (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge) bei Giessen. N Jb Geol Paläont Mh 11: 643–651

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes RP (1983) The stratigraphy of a sedimentary melange and associated deposits in S Cornwall, England. Proc Geol Assoc 94: 217–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes RP (1984) Possible Lizard-derived material in the underlying Meneage formation. J Geol Soc London 141: 79–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Becker G (1988) “Hercyn”-Ostrakoden aus N-Africa (Givetium, Marokko). N Jb Geol Paläontol Abh 177: 71–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Bender P (1989) Die Hörre und ihre Stellung im östlichen Rheinischen Schiefergebirge. Jb Mitt oberrh geol Ver 71: 347–356

    Google Scholar 

  • Bender P, Jahnke H, Ziegler W (1974) Ein Unterdevon-Profil bei Marburg a. d. Lahn. Notizbl. hess L-A Bodenf 102: 25–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Birkelbach M, Dörr W, Franke W, Michel H, Stibane F, Week R (1988) Die geologische Entwicklung der bstlichen Lahnmulde (Exkursion C am 7. April 1988). Jb Mitt oberrh geol Ver NF 70: 43–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Boucot AJ, Gray J (1983) A Paleozoic Pangaea. Science 222: 571–581

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brenchley P (1985) Storm influenced sandstone beds. Modern Geol 9: 369–386

    Google Scholar 

  • Brenchley P, Romano M, Gutierrez-Marco JC (1986) Proximal and distal facies on a wide Ordovician shelf in Iberia. In: Knight RJ, McLean JR (ads) Shelf Sands and Sandstones. Can Soc Petrol Geol Mem No 11, pp 2_41–255

  • Buchholz P, Wachendorf H, Zweig M (1990) Resedimente der Präflysch- und der Flysch-Phase — Merkmale für Beginn und Ablauf orogener Sedimentation im Harz. N Jb Geol Palaontol Abh 179: 1–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchholz P, Wachendorf H, Zellmer H (1991) Die Flinzfazies im Harz — eine Charakteristik mitteldevonisch-unterkarbonischer Hungerbecken-Sedimente. Geol Jb Hessen 119: 5–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Buggisch W (1991) The global Frasnian-Famennian “Kellwasser Event”. Geol Rundsch 80: 49–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burchette TP (1981) European Devonian reefs: a review of current concepts and models. In: Toomey DF (ed) European Fossil Reef Models. Soc Econ Palaontol Mineral Spec Publ No 30, pp 85–142

  • Burrett CF (1972) Plate tectonics and the Hercynian orogeny. Nature 239: 155–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carls P (1991) Früh-devonische Evolutions-Reihen in Keltiberien als Zeitskalen fur Sedimentationsraten und Subsidenz im Rheinland. Zbl Geol Palaontol Teil 1: 1300

    Google Scholar 

  • Chlupac I (1974) Early Middle Devonian fauna from Kristanovice (Northern Moravia) and its relationships. Casopis Mineral Geol 19: 391–401

    Google Scholar 

  • Chlupac I, Kukal Z (1988) Possible global events and the stratigraphy of the Paleozoic of the Barrandian (Cambrian—Middle Devonian, Czechoslovakia). Sbor geol ved, Geol 43: 83–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Cocks LRM, Fortey RA (1982) Faunal evidence for oceanic separations in the Palaeozoic of Britain. J Geol Soc London 139: 465–478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curtis CD (1990) Aspects of climatic influence on the clay mineralogy and geochemistry of soils, palaeosols and elastic sedimentary rocks. J Geol Soc London 147: 351–357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dietrich H (1982) Das Devon-Profil vom locus typicus des Ballersbachers Kalkes (Dillmulde, Rheinisches Schiefergebirge). Geol Jb Hessen 110: 27–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Edel JB (1987) Paleomagnetic evolution of the Central Massif (France) during the Carboniferous. Earth Planet Sci Lett 82: 180–192

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eder FW, Engel W, Franke W, Sadler PM (1983) Devonian and Carboniferous limestone—turbidites of the Rheinisches Schiefergebirge and their tectonic significance. In: Martin H, Eder FW (eds) Intracontinental Fold Belts. Springer, Heidelberg Berlin, pp 93–124

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Eigenfeld R, Eigenfeld-Mende I (1978) Die Zuordnung kristalliner Gerölle in Devon- und Kulmkonglomeraten zu Magmatiten und Metamorphiten innerhalb der Varisziden Deutschlands. Z Dtsch Geol Ges 129: 319–357

    Google Scholar 

  • Engel W, Franke W, Grote C, Weber K, Ahrendt H, Eder FW (1983) Nappe tectonics in the southeastern part of the Rheinisches Schiefergebirge. In: Martin H, Eder FW (eds) Intracontinental Fold Belts. Springer, Heidelberg Berlin, pp 267–287

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Floyd PA, Leveridge BE, Franke W, Shail R, Dörr W (1990) Provenance and depositional environment of Rhenohercynian synorogenic greywackes from the Giessen nappe, German. Geol Rundsch 79: 611–626

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franke W (1989) Variscan plate tectonics in Central Europe — current ideas and open questions. Tectonophysics 169: 221–228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franke W, Engel W (1982) Variscan sedimentary basins on the continent, and relations with south-west England. Proc Ussher Soc 5: 259–269

    Google Scholar 

  • Franke W, Engel W (1986) Synorogenic sedimentation in the Variscan belt of Europe. Bull Soc Géol Fr Sér 8 2: 25–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Franke W, Engel W (1988) Tectonic setting of synorogenic sedimentation in the Variscan Belt of Europe. In: Besley BM, Kelling G (eds) Sedimentation in a Synorogenic Basin Complex. Blackie, Glasgow, pp 8–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Franke W, Oncken O (1990) Geodynamic evolution of the north-central Variscides — a comic strip. In: Freeman R, Giese P, Mueller S (eds) The European Geotraverse. European Science Foundation, pp 187–194

  • Franke W, Walliser OH (1983) “Pelagic” carbonates in the Variscan belt — their sedimentary and tectonic environments. In: Martin H, Eder FW (eds) Intracontinental Fold Belts. Springer, Heidelberg Berlin, pp 77–92

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Franzke HJ, Bankwitz P, Bankwitz E, Benek R, Janssen C, Paech HJ (1988) Östliches Rhenoherzynikum. In: Excursionguide: Klass geol Geb Mitteleur, Fundament Deckgeb. Zentr Inst Phys Erde, Potsdam, pp 223–255

    Google Scholar 

  • Frisch W, Menot RP, Neubauer F, von Raumer JF (1990) Correlation and evolution of the Alpine basement. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 70: 265–285

    Google Scholar 

  • Havlicek V (1989) Climatic changes and development of benthic communities through the Mediterranean Ordovician. Sbor geol ved, Geol 44: 79–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaeger H (1962) Das Silur (Gotlandium) in Thüringen und am Ostrand des Rheinischen Schiefergebirges (Kellerwald, Marburg, Giessen). In: Erben HK (ed) 2. Intern Arbeitstag Silur/Devon-Gr Stratigr Silur Devon, Bonn Bruxelles 1960, Symposium band. Nägele and Obermiller, Stuttgart, pp 108–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaeger H (1976) Das Silur and Devon vom thüringischen Typ in Sardinien and seine regionalgeologische Bedeutung. In: Watznauer A (ed) Franz Kossmat Symp 25 May–1 June 1974. Nova Acta Leop NF 45, pp 263–299

  • Jaeger H (1991) Die Graptolithenzonen des Harzes. Zbl Geol Palaontol Teil 1: 1322–1323

    Google Scholar 

  • Junge P (1992) Sedimentologische Untersuchungen in der Wernigeröder Flinzfazies — ein Beitrag zur Kenntnisgewinnung fiberallodapische Kalke im östlichen Rhenoherzynikum (Harz). Z. geol Wiss 20: 245–250

    Google Scholar 

  • Kettner R, Remes M (1936) Auffindung von silurischen Schiefern mit einer Graptolithenfauna in Mähren. Centralbl N Jb Mineral Abt. B, 1936: 21–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovell JPB, Stow DAV (1981) Identification of ancient sandy contourites. Geology 9: 347–349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lütke F (1968) Die Geologic der Westlichen Harzgeröder Zone im Überblick (Silur und Devon); Harz. N Jb Geol Palaontol Mh 1968: 449–475

    Google Scholar 

  • Lütke F (1973) Sedimentation und Resedimentation im Unterharz. Z dtsch geol Ges 124: 355–362

    Google Scholar 

  • Lütke F (1976) Sedimentologische und geochemische Untersuchungen zur Genese der Flinzfazies im Harz (Givet und Oberdevon). Z dtsch geol Ges 127: 499–508

    Google Scholar 

  • Lütke F (1990) The Rhenian Shelf Sea — Ocean — Volcanic Arc Domain with Special Reference to the Structural Development of the Harz Mts. In: IGCP 233 Terranes in the circum-Atlantic orogen, Intern Conf Paleoz Orog Centr Eur, Gött/Giess Aug 1990, Abstracts

  • Lutzens H (1972) Stratigraphie, Faziesbildung and Baustil im Paläozoikum des Unter- und Mittelharzes. Geologie, Beih 74,105 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Lutzens H (1991) Flysch, Olistostrome und Gleitdecken im Unterund Mittelharz. Z geol Wiss 19: 617–623

    Google Scholar 

  • Matte P (1986) Tectonics and plate tectonics model of the Variscan belt of Europe. Tectonophysics 126: 329–374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKerrow WS, Ziegler AM (1972) Paleozoic oceans. Nature 240: 92–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Meischner KD (1962) Rhenaer Kalk und Posidonienkalk im Kulm des nordöstlichen Rheinischen Schiefergebirges und der Kohlenkalk von Schreufa (Eder). Abh hess LA Bodenf 39, 47 pp

  • Meischner KD (1991) Kleine Geologie des Kellerwaldes (Exkursion F am 5. April 1991). Jb Mitt oberrh geol Ver NF 73: 115–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Nokleberg WJ, Jones DL, Silberling NJ (1985) Origin and tectonic evolution of the Maclaren and Wrangellia terranes, eastern Alaska Range, Alaska. Geol Soc Am Bull 96: 1251–1270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oczlon MS (1990) Ocean currents and unconformities: the North Gondwana Middle Devonian. Geology 18: 509–512

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oczlon MS (1992a) Gondwana and Laurussia before and during the Variscan Orogeny in Europe and Related Areas. Heidelb Geowiss Abh 53: 1–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Oczlon MS (1992b) Examples of Palaeozoic contourites, tempestites and turbidites — Classification and Palaeogeographic Approach. Heidelb Geowiss Abh 53: 57–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Oczlon MS (1993) Palaeogeographic and metamorphic evolution of the Ligerian Belt in Europe. In: Gayer RA, Greiling RO, Tomek C, Vogel A (eds) Rhenohercynian and Subvariscan Fold Belts. Vieweg, Wiesbaden, pp 83–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Racheboeuf P (1986) Le groupe de Liévin, Pridoli-Lochkovien de l'Artois (N. France). Sédiment Paléont Stratigr Biostrat Paléoz 3, 215 pp

  • Racheboeuf P, Robardet M (1986) Le Pridoli et le Dévonien inférieur de la zone d'Ossa-Morena (Sud-Quest de la Péninsula ibérique); Etude des brachiopodes. Geol Palaeontol 20: 11–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Robardet M, Doré F (1988) The Late Ordovician diamitric formations from southwestern Europe: north-Gondwana glaciomarine deposits. Palaeogeogr, Palaeoclimatol, Palaeontol, 66: 19–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robardet M, Paris F, Racheboef PR (1990) Palaeogeographic evolution of southwestern Europe during Early Palaeozoic times. In: McKerrow WS, Scotese CR (eds) Palaeozoic Palaeogeography and Biogeography. Geol Soc London Mem No 12, pp 411–419

  • Ruchholz K (1978) Über Verbreitung und stratigraphische Bedeutung der Tentakuliten im Devon der DDR, II. Harz. Z geol Wiss 6: 541–556

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadler PM (1974) Trilobites from the Gorran Quartzites, Ordovician of South Cornwall. Palaeontology 17: 71–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Schallreuter R (1991) Mikrofossilien aus dem Ostrakodenkalk (Silur) der Lindener Mark bei Giessen (Hessen). N Jb Geol Palaontol Mh 1991: 105–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt W, Ziegler W (1970) Das Ordovizium. In: Erläuterungen zur geologischen Karte von Nordrhein-Westfalen 1:25000 B1 4713 Plettenberg: 23–33

  • Schönlaub HP (1992) Stratigraphy, Biogeography, and Paleoclimatology of the Alpine Paleozoic and its Implications for Plate Movements. Jb Geol BA 135: 381–418

    Google Scholar 

  • Schust F, Thomas U, Schwandtke E (1991) Erkenntnisfortschritte zur Geologie des Harzes. Z geol Wiss 19: 625–635

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwan W (1990) Geologic des Acker-Bruchberg-Ilsenburg-Zuges (Oberharz) — Derzeitiger Forschungsstand und Diskussion der Probleme. Zbl Geol Palaont Teil I 1990(7): 787–850

    Google Scholar 

  • Soper NJ, Strachan RA, Holdsworth RE, Gayer RA, Greiling, RO (1992) Sinistral transpression and the Silurian closure of the Iapetus. J Geol Soc London 149: 871–880

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stille H (1951) Das mitteleuropaische variszische Grundgebirge im Bilde des gesamteuropäischen. Geol Jb Beih 2, 138 pp

  • Stoppel D, Zscheked JG (1971) Zur Biostratigraphie und Fazies des höheren Mitteldevons and Oberdevons im Westharz mit Hilfe der Conodonten-und Ostracodenchronologie. Geol Jb Beih 108, 84 pp

  • Storch P (1990) Upper Ordovician — Lower Silurian sequences of the Bohemian Massif, central Europe. Geol Mag 127: 225–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Struve W (1975) Die altesten Fossilien Hessens. Natur Mus 109: 268–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Timm J (1981a) Die Faziesentwicklung der altesten Schichten des Ebbe-Antiklinoriums. Mitt Geol Paläontol Inst Hamburg 50: 147–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Timm J (1981b) Zur Trilobitenstratigraphie des Silur/Devon Grenzbereichs im Ebbe-Antiklinorium (Rheinisches Schiefergebirge). Mitt Geol Palaont Inst Hamburg 50: 91–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomczykowa E (1988) Silurian and Lower Devonian biostratigraphy and palaeocology in Poland. Biul Instyt Geol 359: 23–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Torsvik TH, Trench A (1991) The Ordovician history of the Iapetus Ocean in Britain: new palaeomagnetic constraints. J Geol Soc London 148: 423–425

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torsvik TH, Trench A (1992) The closure of the Iapetus Ocean and Tornquist Sea: new palaeomagnetic constraints. J Geol Soc London 149: 867–870

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vannier JMC, Siveter DJ, Schallreuter REL (1989) The composition and palaeogeographical significance of the Ordovician ostracode faunas of southern Britain, Baltoscandia, and Ibero-Armorica. Palaeontology 32: 163–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Hoegen J, Kramm U, Walter R (1990) The Brabant Massif as part of Armorica/Gondwana: U-Pb isotopic evidence from detrital zircons. Tectonophysics 185: 37–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walliser OH, Alberti H (1983) Flysch, Olistostromes and nappes in the Harz Mountains. In: Martin H, Eder FW (eds) Intracontinental Fold Belts. Springer, Heidelberg Berlin, pp 145–169

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Walther HW, Zitzmann A (1973) Geologische Karte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland and benachbarter Gebiete 1:1000000. BA Bodenf Hannover.

  • Weber K (1978) Das Bewegungsbild im Rheno-Hercynikum — Abbild einer variszischen Subfluenz. Z dtsch geol Ges 129: 249–281

    Google Scholar 

  • Wittig R (1974) Tiefoberdevonische Grauwacken unter der hessischen Senke. Notizbl hess LA Bodenf 102: 46–57

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut der Universität, INF 234, D-69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Martin Stefan Oczlon

Authors
  1. Martin Stefan Oczlon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Oczlon, M.S. North Gondwana origin for exotic Variscan rocks in the Rhenohercynian zone of Germany. Geol Rundsch 83, 20–31 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00211892

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00211892

Key words

Search

Navigation