Deciphering western Mediterranean kinematics using metamorphic porphyroblasts from the Alpujárride Complex (Betic Cordillera)

3D microstructural analysis of porphyroblast inclusion trails using X-ray Computed Tomography is integrated with analysis of field structures to unravel the Alpine deformation history of the Alpujárride Complex, which constitutes the partially submerged metamorphic core of the Gibraltar Arc. Prograd...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Ruiz-Fuentes, Alejandro, Aerden, Domingo G.A.M
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/342800
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/342800
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Alpujárride complex
Betic cordillera
Alpine orogeny
Foliation intersection axes
X-ray computed tomography
Descripción
Sumario:3D microstructural analysis of porphyroblast inclusion trails using X-ray Computed Tomography is integrated with analysis of field structures to unravel the Alpine deformation history of the Alpujárride Complex, which constitutes the partially submerged metamorphic core of the Gibraltar Arc. Prograde metamorphism in the complex has been traditionally linked to a 'D' event witnessed by inclusion trails in garnet porphyroblasts. Orientation data for these microstructures reveal three age groups with differently oriented axes of inclusion-trail curvature (known as FIA). The successive development of FIAs trending WNW-ESE, ENE-WSW and NNW-SSE is shown and correlated with the Paleogene-Neogene relative plate-motion paths of Africa, Iberia and the Alborán Domain as known from paleomagnetic data. During the late-metamorphic evolution of the Alpujárride Complex, after garnet growth had ceased, two steeply dipping crenulation cleavages and associated folds with roughly suborthogonal N–S and E-W trends developed, in addition to two subhorizontal ones. Inclusion trails are also found to exhibit a general preference for subvertical and subhorizontal orientations, suggesting a protracted orogenic evolution characterized by multiple stress permutations causing alternations of crustal shortening and gravitational collapse.