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Tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) suites are the dominant component of Earth’s first continents, but their origins are debated. The trace element concentrations of these rocks are conventionally linked to their source depths and inferred geodynamic settings with the implicit assumption that TTG compositions are source-controlled. Alternatively, their variable compositions may be caused by fractional crystallization in TTG plutons after emplacement and less clearly linked to source depth. Most TTGs in Archean mid-crustal exposures are the dominant component of igneous gray gneiss complexes; the processes that influence the evolution of TTG magmas in this setting are poorly understood. We present a petrological–geochemical model that explains the coexistence of TTGs in the middle crust with low-pressure and high-pressure geochemical trends, irrespective of tectonic setting or depth of the TTG source. We propose that mid-crustal TTGs were long-lived crystal mushes with compositions controlled by the separation of early-crystallizing plagioclase and melt. Using phase equilibrium modeling, we demonstrate that a suite of TTGs from the southern Superior Province in Canada represents variably plagioclase-rich and melt-rich fractions from a common parent magma. The behavior of plagioclase may have a strong influence on the geochemical trends of TTGs, including the degree of rare earth element fractionation. Our results suggest that trace element compositions of TTGs may not primarily reflect the depth of the source and cannot be used alone to infer Archean geodynamic settings.

In the French Massif Central, the Rouergue-Albigeois area consists of three tectonic units stacked during the Hercynian orogeny. The structural analysis of the units and particularly the quartz c axis, textural and structural observations in the syntectonic Pinet-type plutons allow us to determine the deformation history. A first thrusting event, D1, is responsible for a southwestward emplacement of the high-grade Lévézou nappe, above the Lower Gneiss Unit itself overlying the para-autochthonous micaschists. In Late Devonian-Early Carboniferous, this stack of nappes experienced a second event, D2, characterized by a top-to-the-NW emplacement under medium pressure/medium temperature conditions of the paraautochtonous unit upon the Lower Gneiss Unit. During D2, the Pinet-type plutons were deformed by a shearing consistent with the kinematics recorded in the country rocks. In contrast to previous works, which considered the Pinet-type plutons emplacement to be coeval with the D2 event, we argue that the emplacement of the plutons occurred during the top-tothe-SW D1 nappe stacking. This work emphasizes the importance of the quartz c axis and microstructure analysis for the identification of the early structural history in polyphase deformed terranes.

Because of late metamorphic and tectonic overprints, the reconstruction of prograde parts of P-T paths is often difficult. In the SW Variscan French Massif Central, the Thiviers-Payzac Unit (TPU) is the uppermost allochthon emplaced above underlying units. The TPU experienced a Barrovian metamorphism coeval with a top-to-the-NW ductile shearing (D2 event) in Early Carboniferous times (ca. 360-350 Ma). The tectonic setting of the D2 event, compression or synconvergence extension, remains unclear. Using the THERMOCALC software and the model system MnNCKFMASH, the peak P-T conditions are estimated from garnet rims and matrix minerals and the prograde evolution is deduced from garnet core compositions. The combination of these two approaches demonstrates that the TPU experienced pressure and temperature increases before reaching peak conditions at 6.6-9.0 +/− 1.2 kbar and 615-655 +/− 35 °C. This kind of P-T path shows that the regional D2 event corresponds to crustal thickening.

In the French Massif Central, the Devonian-Carboniferous tectonic evolution of the Rouergue-Albigeois area is characterized by three phases of low-angle ductile shearing. The first event D1, which occurred probably in the Lower Devonian, is responsible for the south-westward thrusting of the high metamorphic Lévézou nappe which belongs to the Upper Gneiss Unit above the Lower Gneiss Unit overlying itself the Para-autochthonous Unit, (locally called the St-Serninsur-Rance nappe). In the late Devonian-early Carboniferous, this stack of nappes is reworked by a second event, D2, characterized by a top-to-the-NW shearing of the Para-autochthonous Unit upon the Lower Gneiss Unit developed under medium pressure/medium temperature metamorphism. The contact between the Lower Gneiss Unit and the Para-autochthonous Unit is a top-to-the NW low-angle fault that progressively evolues into a dextral strike-slip fault from west to east. The D2 event is followed by a top-to-the south D3 thrusting dated around 330–340 Ma. The main feature of the D3 compressional stage is the emplacement of the whole stack of nappes previously structured by D1 and D2 events upon the Albigeois series. The D3 event produced south-verging recumbent folds in the Albigeois, Mont-de-Lacaune and Montagne Noire. The significance of the D2 event either as thrusting or normal faulting is discussed.

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