Ductile Shearing and Focussed Rejuvenation: Records of High-P (eo-)Alpine Metamorphism in the Variscan Lower Crust (Serre Massif, Calabria—Southern Italy)

Abstract

In the present study, we unveil the real significance of mylonitic reworking of the polymetamorphic crystalline basement in the Serre Massif of Calabria (Southern Italy). We use a multidisciplinary approach to comprehend the structural, microstructural and petrologic changes that occurred along a, so far, not much considered shear zone affecting the Variscan lower crustal rocks. It was never before studied in detail, although some late Cretaceous ages were reported for these mylonites, suggesting that this shear zone is of prime importance. Our observations reveal now that the formation of the new structural fabric within the shear zone was accompanied by changes in mineral assemblages, in a dominant compressive tectonic regime. During this tectono-metamorphic event, high-P mylonitic mineral assemblages were stabilized, consisting of chloritoid, kyanite, staurolite, garnet and paragonite, whereas plagioclase became unstable. Average peak P–T conditions of 1.26–1.1 GPa and 572–626 °C were obtained using THERMOCALC software. These data question (i) that the Serre Massif represents an undisturbed continuous section of the Variscan crust, as generally suggested in the literature, and (ii) highlight the role of (eo-)Alpine high-P tectonics in the Serre Massif, recorded within mylonite zones, where the Variscan basement was completely rejuvenated.