The Alps 1: A working geodynamic model for burial and exhumation of (ultra)high-pressure rocks in Alpine-type orogens

Butler, J. P.; Beaumont, Christopher; Jamieson, Rebecca Anne

doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2013.06.039

Cited by 64 publications

(89 citation statements)

References 78 publications

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“…For details of modeling method see Appendix A. c HP and UHP densities for WQ-based materials. Some densities were listed incorrectly in Table 1 in Butler et al [2013].…”

Section: Summary Of the Working Model (Model S And S′) 21 Model Desmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both Models S and S′ involve three main tectonic phases: (1) oceanic subduction followed by the onset of microcontinent collision and subduction, (2) exhumation of microcontinent and oceanic crust, and (3) bivergent deformation accompanying underthrusting of the procontinent margin [Butler et al, 2013]. Given that the results of Models S and S′ are very similar and that Model S was compared with the Alps in detail by Butler et al [2013], no detailed comparison is given here.…”

Section: Tectonic Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(a) Representative P-T paths. Gray boxes represent P-T estimates for Western Alpine (U)HP rocks derived from the literature (details in Butler et al [2013]). Comparison of representative P-T and P-t paths from Models V0.5, V1.5, and S′ (Figures 13a and 13c) reveals systematic variations in both the maximum P-T conditions and heat loss from the plume during decompression.…”

Section: Convergence Ratementioning

confidence: 99%

“…(a) Representative P-T paths for particles B, C, G, H, I, and J. Gray boxes represent P-T estimates for Western Alpine (U)HP rocks derived from the literature (details in Butler et al [2013]). (b) Starting positions of tracking particles in the microcontinent.…”

Section: 1002/2013jb010799mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Part 1 [Butler et al, 2013;Jamieson and Beaumont, 2013] presented a set of geodynamic models and compared the results with data on the Cenozoic tectonometamorphic evolution of the Western Alps.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Alps 2: Controls on crustal subduction and (ultra)high‐pressure rock exhumation in Alpine‐type orogens

2014

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Building on our previous results, we use 2-D upper mantle-scale thermomechanical numerical models to explore key controls on the evolution of Alpine-type orogens and the Alps per se, focusing on (ultra)high-pressure ((U)HP) metamorphic rocks. The models show that UHP rocks form and exhume by burial and subsequent buoyant ascent of continental crust in the subduction conduit. Here we test the sensitivity of the models to surface erosion rate, crustal heat production, plate convergence/divergence rates, geometry of the subducting continental margin, and strength of the retrocontinent. Surface erosion affects crustal exhumation but not early buoyant exhumation. Metamorphic temperatures increase with crustal radioactive heat production. Maximum burial depth prior to exhumation increases with plate convergence rates, but exhumation rates are only weakly dependent on subduction rates. Onset of absolute plate divergence does not trigger exhumation in these models. We conclude that contrasting peak pressures, exhumation rates, and volumes of (U)HP crust exhumed in the Alps orogen primarily reflect along-strike contrasts in the geometry, thermal structure, and/or strength of the subducting microcontinent (Briançonnais) and continental (European margin) crust. The experiments also support the interpretation that the Western Alps (U)HP Internal Crystalline Massifs exhumed as composite, stacked plumes and that these plumes drove local crustal extension during orogen-scale shortening. For weak upper plate retrocrusts, postexhumation retrothrusting forms a retrowedge. Overall, these results are consistent with predictions using the exhumation number (ratio of buoyancy to side traction forces in the conduit), which expresses the combined parameter control of the depth/volume of crustal subduction and the transition to buoyant exhumation.

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“…For details of modeling method see Appendix A. c HP and UHP densities for WQ-based materials. Some densities were listed incorrectly in Table 1 in Butler et al [2013].…”

Section: Summary Of the Working Model (Model S And S′) 21 Model Desmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Tectonic Evolutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Convergence Ratementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: 1002/2013jb010799mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Alps 2: Controls on crustal subduction and (ultra)high‐pressure rock exhumation in Alpine‐type orogens

2014

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Contrasting styles of (U)HP rock exhumation along the Cenozoic Adria‐Europe plate boundary (Western Alps, Calabria, Corsica)

Malusà

Faccenna

Baldwin

et al. 2015

Geochem Geophys Geosyst

118

145

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Since the first discovery of ultrahigh pressure (UHP) rocks 30 years ago in the Western Alps, the mechanisms for exhumation of (U)HP terranes worldwide are still debated. In the western Mediterranean, the presently accepted model of synconvergent exhumation (e.g., the channel-flow model) is in conflict with parts of the geologic record. We synthesize regional geologic data and present alternative exhumation mechanisms that consider the role of divergence within subduction zones. These mechanisms, i.e., (i) the motion of the upper plate away from the trench and (ii) the rollback of the lower plate, are discussed in detail with particular reference to the Cenozoic Adria-Europe plate boundary, and along three different transects (Western Alps, Calabria-Sardinia, and Corsica-Northern Apennines). In the Western Alps, (U)HP rocks were exhumed from the greatest depth at the rear of the accretionary wedge during motion of the upper plate away from the trench. Exhumation was extremely fast, and associated with very low geothermal gradients. In Calabria, HP rocks were exhumed from shallower depths and at lower rates during rollback of the Adriatic plate, with repeated exhumation pulses progressively younging toward the foreland. Both mechanisms were active to create boundary divergence along the Corsica-Northern Apennines transect, where European southeastward subduction was progressively replaced along strike by Adriatic northwestward subduction. The tectonic scenario depicted for the Western Alps trench during Eocene exhumation of (U)HP rocks correlates well with present-day eastern Papua New Guinea, which is presented as a modern analog of the Paleogene Adria-Europe plate boundary.

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Partitioning of crustal shortening during continental collision: 2‐D thermomechanical modeling

Liao

Gerya

2017

JGR Solid Earth

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Partitioning of crustal shortening between the colliding continental plates is highly variable in nature. Physical controls of such variability remain largely enigmatic and require quantitative understanding. In this study, we employ 2‐D thermomechanical numerical modeling to investigate the influence of the rheological properties of the continental crust on the dynamics and distribution of crustal shortening during continental collision. Three major physical parameters, (i) the mechanical strength of the upper crust, (ii) the Moho temperature, and (iii) the convergence rate, are investigated, and their influences on crustal shortening partitioning between the lower and upper plates are systematically documented. Numerical modeling results suggest that a strong upper crust of the lower plate, high Moho temperature, and slow convergence rate favor migration of crustal shortening from the lower to the upper plate. Our numerical modeling results compare well with natural observations from the Alpine orogenic system where variable partitioning of crustal deformation between the plates is documented.

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The Alps 1: A working geodynamic model for burial and exhumation of (ultra)high-pressure rocks in Alpine-type orogens

Cited by 64 publications

References 78 publications

The Alps 2: Controls on crustal subduction and (ultra)high‐pressure rock exhumation in Alpine‐type orogens

The Alps 2: Controls on crustal subduction and (ultra)high‐pressure rock exhumation in Alpine‐type orogens

Contrasting styles of (U)HP rock exhumation along the Cenozoic Adria‐Europe plate boundary (Western Alps, Calabria, Corsica)

Partitioning of crustal shortening during continental collision: 2‐D thermomechanical modeling

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