Abstract
The Mesozoïc sediments in the Eastern North Pyrenean Zone have suffered a high temperature-low pressure metamorphism which reached its climax before the major deformation event. The mineral associations in pelitic rocks are consistent with temperatures of 500°–600°C and a maximum pressure of 3–4 kb. Post-metamorphic brittle deformation has disturbed the initial thermal pattern. The Albo-Cenomanian (98–87 Ma) metamorphism is related to thermal anomalies contemporaneous with the crustal thinning in the North Pyrenean Zone. The distribution of paleotemperatures suggests that the intensity of metamorphism may have been related to the magnitude of crustal attenuation. High-grade rocks are associated with lherzolites and granulites, whereas low-grade rocks are associated with higher-level crustal material (gneisses and micaschists). Crustal thinning and metamorphism developed during sinistral transcurrent displacement of Iberia with respect to Europe.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aitken BG (1982) T-XCO2 stability and phase equilibria of a calcic carbonate scapolite. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 47: 351–362
Albarède F, Michard-Vitrac A (1978) Age and significance of the north pyrenean metamorphism. Earth Planet Sci Lett 40: 327–332
Alibert C (1985) A Sr−Nd isotope and REE study of late Triassic dolerites from the Pyrenees (France) and the Messejana dyke (Spain and Portugal). Earth Planet Sci Lett 73: 81–90
Ave Lallemant HG (1968) Structural and petrofabric analysis of an “alpine-type” peridotite: the lherzolite of the french Pyrenees. Leidse Geol Med 42: 1–57
Azambre B (1970) Les monchiquites et autres roches intrusives accompagnant les syénites néphéliniques des Corbières. CR Acad Sci Paris 272: 641–643
Azambre B, Rossy M (1976) Le magnatisme alcalin dans les Pyrénées occidentales et l'Arc basque; ses relations avec le métamorphisme et la tectonique. Bull Soc Geol France 18: 1725–1728
Azambre B, Ravier J, Thiebaut J (1971) A propos du phénomène de dipyrisation des roches éruptives d'âge secondaire des Pyrénées. C R Acad Sci Paris 272: 2137–2139
Bard JP (1980) Microtextures des roches magmatiques et métamorphiques. Masson, Paris, p 86
Bernus-Maury C (1984) Etude des paragenèses caractéristiques du métamorphisme mésozoique dans la partie orientale des Pyrénées. Thèse 3° cycle Paris VI, 253 p
Bilal A (1978) Les inclusions fluides des roches de la croûte continentale et du manteau supérieur. Thèse Doct Etat Paris, 311 p
Bilotte M, Peybernes B, Souquet P (1970) Sur la présence du Crétacé supérieur dans le synclinal d'Axat (Pyrénées audoises). Bull Soc Hist Nat Toulouse 106: 470–471
Bodinier JL, Dupuy C, Dostal J (1988) Geochemistry and petrogenesis of Eastern Pyrenean peridotites. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 52: 2893–2906
Burnell Jr JR, Rutherford MJ (1984) An experimental investigation of the chlorite terminal equilibrium in pelitic rocks. Am Mineral 69: 1015–1024
Capdevila R, Choukroune P (1971) Sur la présence de filons à zéolite et prehnite dans le Secondaire métamorphique de la Zone Nord Pyrénéenne orientale. CR Soc Geol France 12: 278–279
Casteras M (1933) Recherches sur la structure du versant nord des Pyrénées centrales et orientales. Bull Service Carte Geol Fr 37:527 p
Chatterjee ND (1976) Margarite stability and compatibility relations in the system CaO−Al2O3−SiO2−H2O as a pressure-temperature indicator. Am Mineral 61: 699–709
Chatterjee ND, Johannes W (1974) Thermal stability and standard thermodynamic properties of synthetic 2Mt-muscovite, KAl2 [AlSi3O10(OH)2], Contrib Mineral Petrol 48: 89–114
Choukroune P (1970) Contribution à l'étude structurale de la zone nord pyrénéenne, Tectonique et métmaorphisme des formations secondaires de la forœt de Boucheville (P.O.). Bull BRGM 14: 46–63
Choukroune P (1972) Relation entre tectonique et métamorphisme dans les terrains secondaires de la Zone Nord Pyrénéenne centrale et orientale. Bull Soc Geol France 14: 3–11
Choukroune P (1976) Structure et évolution tectonique de la Zone Nord Pyrénéenne, Analyse de la déformation dans une portion de chaîne à schistosité subverticale. Mem Soc Geol France LV 127: 1–116
Choukroune P, Le Pichon X, Seguret M, Sibuet JC (1973) Bay of Biscay and Pyrenees, Earth Planet Sci Lett 18: 109–118
Choukroune P, Mattauer M (1978) Tectonique des plaques et Pyrénées: sur le fonctionnement de la faille tranformante nord pyrénéenne; comparaison avec des modèles actuels. Bull Soc Geol France 20: 687–700
Choukroune P, Meurisse M (1970) Phases de déformation superposées dans le Mésozoique de la Zone Nord Pyrénéenne sur la transversale du massif de Salvezines (Aude). CR Acad Sci Paris 270: 14–17
Davidson PM, Grover J, Lindsley DH (1982) (Ca,Mg)2Si2O6 clinopyroxenes: a solution model based on non convergent site-dis-order. Contrib Mineral Petrol 80: 88–102
Debroas EJ (1976) Nouvelles observations sur les relations entre métamorphisme et tectonique dans les terrains secondaires des Pyrénées. C R Acad Aci Paris 283: 1707–1710
Debroas EJ (1985) Géométrie et position structurale des fossés albiens nord-pyrénéens: l'exemple des Pyrénées centrales. Strata Toulouse 12: 99–106
Debroas EJ (1987) Modèle de bassin triangulaire à l'intersection de décrochements divergents pour le fossé albo-cénomanien de la Ballongue (Zone Nord Pyrénéenne, France). Bull Soc Geol France (8) III 5: 887–898
Dick LA, Robinson EW (1979) Chlorine bearing potassian hastingsite from a sphalerite skarn in southern Yukon, Can Mineral 17: 25–26
Dixon JE, Fiton JG, Frost RTC (1981) The tectonic significance of post-carboniferous igneous activity in the North Sea basin. In: Illing LV (ed) Petroleum geology of the continental shelf of North-West Europe. Proceedings of the second Conference, Heyden and Son, London UK, pp 121–137
Elders WA, Rex RW, Meidav T, Robinson PT, Biehjler S (1972) Crustal speading in southern California. Science 178: 15–24
Ellis DE (1978) Stability and phase equilibria of chloride and carbonate bearing scapolites at 750°C and 4000 bars. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 42: 1271–1281
Evans BW, Shaw DM, Haughton DR (1969) Scapolite stoichiometry. Contrib Mineral Petrol 24: 293–305
Ferry JM, Spear FS (1978) Experimental calibration of the partitionning of Fe/Mg between biotite and garnet. Contrib Mineral Petrol 66: 113–117
Flowers CG, Helgeson HC (1983) Equilibrium and mass transfer during progressive metamorphism of siliceous dolomites. Am J Sci 283: 230–286
Fuis GS, Mooney WD, Healy JH, McMechan JH, Lutter WJ (1984) A seismic refraction survey of the Imperial Valley region, California. J Geophys Res 89: 1165–1189
Golberg JM (1987) Le métamorphisme mésozoique dans la partie orientale des Pyrénées: relations avec l'évolution de la chaîne au Crétacé. Doc Trav Centre Geol Geophys Montpellier 14: 235 p
Golberg JM, Maluski H, Leyreloup AF (1986) Petrological and age relationship between emplacement of magmatic brecia, alkaline magmatism, and static metamorphism in the North Pyrenean Zone. Tectonophys 129: 275–290
Golberg JM, Maluski H (1988) Données nouvelles et mise au point sur l'âge du métamorphisme pyrénéen. CR Acad Sci Paris 306 II: 429–435
Golberg JM, Guiraud M, Maluski H, Seguret M (1988) Métamorphisme en contexte distensif du bassin sur décrochement de Soria (Crétacé inférieur, Nord Espagne). CR Acad Sci Paris 307 II: 521–527
Goldman DS, Albee AL (1977) Correlation of Fe/Mg partitionning between garnet and biotite with 18O/16O partitionning between quartz and magnetite. Amer J Sci 277: 750–767
Goldsmith JR, Newton RC (1969) P-T-X relations in the system CaCO3−MgCO3 at high temperatures and pressures. Am J Sci 267A: 160–190
Goujou JC (1987) Le métamorphisme mésozoïque dans les Pyrénées centrales: exemple du bassin de la Ballongue (Ariège, Haute-Garonne). D E A Montpellier: 81 p
Goujou JC, Golberg JM, Leyreloup AF (1988) Réaction de décarbonatation et de formation de biotite et de plagioclase ou de plagioclase et feldspath K dans les roches calcaro-pélitiques de la Ballongue (Zone Nord Pyrénéenne). CR Acad Sci Paris 307 II: 39–44
Greenwood HJ (1967) Wollastonite: Stability in H2O−CO2 mixtures and occurence in a contact-metamorphic aureole near Salmo, British Columbia, Canada. Am Mineral 52: 1669–1680
Guiraud M, Séguret M (1986) A releasing solitary overstep model for the late Jurassic-early Cretaceous (Wealdian) Soria strikeslip basin (Northen Spain), in: Strike-slip deformation, basin formation, and sedimentation. Ed: N, Christie-Blick and KT Biddle SPEM spec publ no37: 159–175
Haselton HT, Hovis GL, Hemingway BS, Robie RA (1983) Calorimetric investigation of the excess entropy of mixing in albitesanidine solid solution: lack of evidence for Na, K short range order and implication for two-feldspar thermometry. Am Mineral 68: 398–413
Hewitt DA (1973) Stability of the assemblage muscovite-calcitequartz. Am Mineral 58: 785–791
Hodges KV, Spear FS (1982) Geothermometry, geobarometry and the Al2SiO5 triple point at Mt Moosilonke, New Hampshire. Am Mineral 67: 1118–1182
Holdaway MJ (1971) Stability of andalusite and the alumino-silicates phase diagram. Amer J Sci 271: 97–131
Holdaway MJ, Lee SM (1977) Fe−Mg cordierite stability in high-grade pelitic rocks based on experimental, theoretical, and natural observations. Contrib Mineral Petrol 63: 175–198
Holland TJB, Powell R (1985) An internally consistent thermodynamic dataset with uncertainties and correlations: II. Data and results. J Metamorphic Geol 3: 327–342
Ito E, Anderson AT (1983) Submarine metamorphism of gabbros from the Mid-Cayman Rise: petrographic and mineralogic constraints on hydrothermal processes at slow-spreading ridges. Contrib Mineral Petrol 82: 371–388
Jenkins DM Chernosky SV (1986) Phase equilibria and crystallochemical properties of Mg-Chlorite. Am Mineral 71: 924–936
Kerrick DM (1974) Review of metamorphic mixed-volatile (H2O−CO2) equilibria. Am Mineral 59: 729–762
Kwak TAP (1977) Scapolite compositional change in a metamorphic gradient and its bearing on the identification of a metaevaporite sequences. Geol Mag 114: 343–354
Lacroix A (1895) Les phénomènes de contacts de la lherzolite et de quelques ophites des Pyrénées. Bull Service Carte Géol Fr 300: 71–74
Leake BE (1978) Nomenclature of amphiboles. Mineral Mag 42: 533–563
Le Pichon X, Bonnin J, Sibuet JC (1970) La faille Nord Pyrénéenne: Faille transformante liée à l'ouverture du Golfe de Gascogne. CR Acad Sci Paris 271: 1941–1944
Le Pichon X, Bonnin J, Francheteau J, Sibuet JC (1971) Une hypothèse d'évolution tectonique du Golfe de Gascogne. In: Histoire structurale du Golfe de Gascogne. Technip Paris I 11: 1–44
McDowell SD, Elders WA (1980) Authigenic layer silicate minerals in borehole Elmore I, Salton Sea Geothermal Field, California, USA, Contrib Mineral Petrol 74: 293–310
McDowell SD, Elders WA (1983) Allogenic layer silicate minerals in borehole Elmore 1, salton Sea Geothermal Field, California. Am Mineral 68: 1146–1159
Magné J, Mattauer M (1968) Sur la présence de Cénomanio-Turonien dans la série schisteuse de la couverture de la zone axiale des Pyrénées au sud de Quillan (Aude). Bull BRGM 1 3: 39–43
Marty F (1976) Relations géologiques entre le massif du Saint-Bartélémy et les séries post-hercyniennes du Pays de Sault. 3o cycle thesis Toulouse, 161 p
Mattauer M (1968) Les traits structuraux essentiels de la chaîne pyrénéenne. Rev Geogr Phys Geol Dyn 10: 3–12
Mattauer M, Proust F (1962) Sur l'âge post-albien de quelques brèches réputées jurassiques ou néocomiennes des Pyrénées orientales. C R Somm Soc Geol Fr 10: 304
Mattauer M, Proust F, Ravier J (1964) Remarques sur l'âge du métamorphisme pyrénéen. CR Somm Soc Geol France 3: 129
Meurisse M (1970) Existence du Crétacé supérieur dans la Zone Nord Pyrénénne orientale. CR Somm Soc Geol Fr 7: 245–246
Meurisse M (1973) Etude structurale de la Zone Nord Pyrénéenne orientale. Thése 3éme cycle Paris VI, 325 p
Meurisse M (1975a) Essai d'interprétation lithostratigraphique du secondaire métamorphique de la Zone Nord Pyrénéenne orientale. Bull BRGM 14: 275–284
Meurisse M (1975b) Données nouvelles sur les brèches rouges éocènes et la tectogenèse de la Zone Nord Pyrénéenne orientale. Datation et conséquences. Arch Sc Genève, 28: 67–79
Miyashiro A (1973) Metamorphism and metamorphic belts. London, George Allen and Unwin, 492 p
Monchoux P (1971) Comparaison et classement des massifs de lherzolite de la zone mésozoique nord pyrénéenne. Bull Soc Hist Nat Toulouse 107: 393–407
Montigny R, Azambre B, Rossy M, Thuizat R (1986) K−Ar study of cretaceous magmatism and metamorphism from the Pyrenees: Age and length of rotation of the iberian peninsula. Tectonophys 129: 257–273
Muffler LPJ, White DE (1969) Active metamorphism of Upper Cenozoic sediments in the Salton Sea geothermal field and the Salton Trough, South-eastern California. Geol Soc Am Bull 80: 157–182
Olivet JL, Bonnin J, Beuzart P, Auzende JM (1984) Cinématique de l'Atlantique Nord et Central. Publ CNEXO, Rapp Sci Tech 54: 108 p
Orville PM (1975) Stability of scapolite in the system Ab−An−NaCl−CaCO3 at 4 kbars and 750°C. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 39: 1091–1105
Papike JJ, Cameron KL, Baldwin K (1974) Amphiboles and pyroxenes: characterization of other than quadrilateral components and estimates of ferric iron from microprobe data. Geol Soc Am Abstr with Prog 6
Pattison D, Harte B (1985) A petrogenetic grid for pelites in the Ballachulish and other Scottish thermal aureoles. J Geol Soc London 142: 7–28
Powell R, Condliffe DM, Condliffe E (1984) Calcite-dolomite geothermometry in the system CaCO3−MgCO3−FeCO3: an experimental study. J Metamorphic Geol 2: 33–41
Powell R, Holland TJB (1985) An internally consistent thermodynamic dataset with uncertainties and correlations. I. Methods and a worked example. J Metamorphic Geol 3: 327–342
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
Ravier J (1959) Le métamorphisme des terrains secondaires des Pyrénées. Mem Soc Geol France T XXXVIII 86: 250 p
Ravier J, Thiebaut J (1982) Sur l'origine lagunaire des marbres et cornécnne mésozoiques du col d'Agnes (Ariège). CR Acad Sci Paris 294: 127–130
Rogers DA (1980) Analysis of pull-apart basin development produced by en echelon strike-slip faults. In: Ballance PF, Reading HG (ed) Sedimentation in oblique-slip mobile zones: International Association of Sedimentologists. Spec Publ 4: 27–41
Salje T (1986) Heat capacities and entropies of andalusite and sillimanite: the influence of fibrolitization on the phase diagram of the Al2SiO2 polymorphs. Am Mineral 71: 1355–1366
Sandiford M, Powell R (1986) Deep crustal metamorphism during continental extension: modern and ancient examples. Earth Planet Sci Lett 79: 151–158
Seguret M, Choukroune P (1973) Carte structurale des Pyrénées. Elf ERAP, Boussens
Seifert F (1970) Low-temperature compatibility relations of cordierite in haplopelites of the system K2O−MgO−Al2O3−SiO2−H2O. J Petrol 11: 73–99
Seifert M (1976) Stability of the assemblage cordierite+K-feldspar+quartz. Contrib Mineral Petrol 57: 179–185
Serdyuchenko DP (1975) Some Precambrian scapolite-bearing rocks evolved from evaporites. Lithos 8: 1–7
Souquet P, Debroas EJ (1980) Tectognèse et évolution des bassins de sédimentation dans le cycle alpin des Pyrénées. In: A Autran, J Dercourt (eds) Evolution géologique de la France. Mem Bur Rech Geol Min 107: 213–233
Souquet P, Peybernes B, Billote M, Debroas EJ (1977) La chaîne alpine des Pyrénées. Geol Alpine 53: 193–216
Spry A (1969) Metamorphic textures. Pergamon, London, 350 p
Storre B, Nitsch KH (1972) Die reaktion 2 zoisit+1 CO2→3 Anorthit+1 Calcit+1 H2O. Contrib Mineral Petrol 35: 1–10
Tchalenko JS (1970) Similarities between shear-zones of different magnitudes. Geol Soc Am Bull 81: 1625–1640
Thompson AB (1975) Mineral reactions in a calc-micaschist from Gassets, Vermont, USA. Contrib Mineral Petrol 53: 105–127
Thompson AB, Tracy RJ (1979) Model systems for anatexis of pelitic Rocks II. Facies series Melting and reactions in the system CaO−KAlO2−NaAlO2−Al2O3−SiO2−H2O. Contrib Mineral Petrol 70: 429–438
Vernon RH (1978) Porphyroblasts-matrix microstructural relationships in deformed metamorphic rocks. Geol Rundsch 67: 288–305
Vielzeuf D, Kornprobst J (1983) Crustal splitting and the emplacement of pyrenean lherzolites and granulites. Earth Planet Sci Lett 67: 87–96
Volfinger M, Robert JL, Vielzeuf D, Neiva AM (1985) Structural control of the chlorine content of OH-bearing silicates (micas and amphiboles). Geochim Cosmochim 49: 37–48
Wickham SM, Oxburgh ER (1985) Continental rifts as a setting for regional metamorphism. Nature 328: 330–333
Whitney JA, Stormer JC (1977) The distribution of NaAlSi3O8 between coexisting microcline and plagioclase and its effect on geothermometric calculations. Am Mineral 62: 687–691
Williams CA (1973) A fossil triple junction in the NE Atlantic West of Biscay. Nature 244: 86–88
Winkler HGF (1974) Petrogenesis of metamorphic rocks, 3edn. In: Froese (ed) Springer study edition. Berlin Heidelberg New York, 320 p
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Golberg, J.M., Leyreloup, A.F. High temperature-low pressure Cretaceous metamorphism related to crustal thinning (Eastern North Pyrenean Zone, France). Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 104, 194–207 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306443
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306443