Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Coupling of oceanic and continental crust during Eocene eclogite-facies metamorphism: evidence from the Monte Rosa nappe, western Alps

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

High precision U–Pb geochronology of rutile from quartz–carbonate–white mica–rutile veins that are hosted within eclogite and schist of the Monte Rosa nappe, western Alps, Italy, indicate that the Monte Rosa nappe was at eclogite-facies metamorphic conditions at 42.6 ± 0.6 Ma. The sample area [Indren glacier, Furgg zone; Dal Piaz (2001) Geology of the Monte Rosa massif: historical review and personal comments. SMPM] consists of eclogite boudins that are exposed inside a south-plunging overturned synform within micaceous schist. Associated with the eclogite and schist are quartz–carbonate–white mica–rutile veins that formed in tension cracks in the eclogite and along the contact between eclogite and surrounding schist. Intrusion of the veins at about 42.6 Ma occurred at eclogite-facies metamorphic conditions (480–570°C, >1.3–1.4 GPa) based on textural relations, oxygen isotope thermometry, and geothermobarometry. The timing of eclogite-facies metamorphism in the Monte Rosa nappe determined in this study is identical to that of the Gran Paradiso nappe [Meffan-Main et al. (2004) J Metamorphic Geol 22:261–281], confirming that these two units have shared the same Alpine metamorphic history. Furthermore, the Gran Paradiso and Monte Rosa nappes underwent eclogite-facies metamorphism within the same time interval as the structurally overlying Zermatt-Saas ophiolite [∼50–40 Ma; e.g., Amato et al. (1999) Earth Planet Sci Lett 171:425–438; Mayer et al. (1999) Eur Union Geosci 10:809 (abstract); Lapen et al. (2003) Earth Planet Sci Lett 215:57–72]. The nearly identical P–T–t histories of the Gran Paradiso, Monte Rosa, and Zermatt-Saas units suggest that these units shared a common Alpine tectonic and metamorphic history. The close spatial and temporal associations between high pressure (HP) ophiolite and continental crust during Alpine orogeny indicates that the HP internal basement nappes in the western Alps may have played a key role in exhumation and preservation of the ophiolitic rocks through buoyancy-driven uplift. Coupling of oceanic and continental crust may therefore be critical in preventing permanent loss of oceanic crust to the mantle.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agrinier P (1991) The natural calibration of 18O/16O geothermometers; application to the quartz-rutile mineral pair. Chem Geol 91:49–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amato JM, Johnson CM, Baumgartner LP, Beard BL (1999) Rapid exhumation of the Zermatt-Saas ophiolite deduced from high-precision Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr geochronology. Earth Planet Sci Lett 171:425–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong JT (1988) Quantitative analysis of silicate and oxide materials: comparison of Monte Carlo, ZAF, and ϕ(ρz) procedures. In: Newbury DE (eds) Microbeam analyses, proceedings of the 23rd annual conference of the microbeam analysis society. San Francisco Press, San Francisco, CA pp 239–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnaud NO, Kelley SP (1995) Evidence for excess argon during high pressure metamorphism in the Dora Maira Massif western Alps, Italy, using an ultra-violet laser ablation microprobe 40Ar/39Ar technique. Contrib Mineral Petrol 121:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ballèvre M, Kienast JR, Vuichard JP (1986) La nappe de la Dent Blanche: deux unités austroalpines indépendantes. Eclogae Geol Helv 79:57–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Ballèvre M, Merle O (1993) The combin fault: reactivation of a detachment fault. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 73:205–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnicoat AC, Fry N (1986) High-pressure metamorphism of the Zermatt-Saas ophiolite zone, Switzerland. J Geol Soc Lond 143:607–618

    Google Scholar 

  • Beccaluva L, Dal Piaz GV, Macciotta G (1984) Transitional to normal-MORB affinities in ophiolitic metabasites from the Zermatt-Saas, Combin and Antrona units, western Alps: implications for the paleogeographic evolution of the western Tethyan basin. Geol Mijnbow 63:165–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Bearth P (1952) Geologie und petrography des Monte Rosa. Beitr Geol Karte Schweiz 96:94

    Google Scholar 

  • Bearth P (1958) Uber einen Wechsel der Mineral-fazies in der Wurzelsone des Penninikums. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 38:363–373

    Google Scholar 

  • Bigi G, Castellarin A, Coli M, Dal Piaz GV, Sartori R, Scandone P, Vai GB (1990) Structural model of Italy, 1:500.000, Sheet 1. C.N.R., Progetto Finalizzato Geodinamica, SELCA Firenze

  • Bistacchi A, Dal Piaz G, Massironi M, Zattin M, Balestrieri M (2001) The Aosta-Ranzola extensional fault system and oligocene-present evolution of the Austroalpine-Penninic wedge in the northwestern Alps. Int J Earth Sci 90:654–667

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bocquet J, Delaloye M, Hunziker JC, Krummenaker D (1974) K-Ar and Rb-Sr dating of blue amphiboles, micas and associated minerals from the western Alps. Contrib Mineral Petrol 47:7–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Borghi A, Compagnoni R, Sandrone R (1996) Composite P-T paths in the internal Penninic massifs of the western Alps: petrological constraints to their thermo-mechanical evolution. Eclog Geol Helv 89/1:345–367

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowtell SA, Cliff RA, Barnicoat AC (1994) Sm-Nd isotopic evidence on the age of eclogitization in the Zermatt-Saas ophiolite. J Metamorph Geol 12:187–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bucher K, Fazis Y, de Capitani C, Grapes R (2005) Blueschists, eclogites and decompression assemblages of the Zermatt-Saas ophiolite: high-pressure metamorphism of subducted Tethys lithosphere. Am Mineral 90:821–835

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bussy F, Eichenberger M, Giroud N, Masson H, Meilhac C, Presniakov S (2005) Early Carboniferous age of the Versoyen magmatism and consequences: non-existence of a Valais Ocean in the western Alps. Third Swiss Geoscience Meeting, Zurich

  • Carswell DA, Brueckner HK, Cuthbert SJ, Mehta K, O’Brian PJ (2003) The timing of stabilisation and the exhumation rate for ultra-high pressure rocks in the Western Gneiss region of Norway. J Metamorphic Geol 21:601–612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cartwright I, Barnicoat AC (2002) Petrology, geochronology, and tectonics of Shear Zones in the Zermatt-Saas and Combin Zones of the western Alps. J Metamorphic Geol 20:263–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cherniak DJ (2000) Pb diffusion in rutile. Contrib Mineral Petrol 139:198–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chopin C (1984) Coesite and pure pyrope in high-grade blueschists of the western Alps: a first record and some consequences. Contrib Mineral Petrol 86:107–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chopin C, Maluski H (1980) 40Ar-39Ar dating of high-pressure metamorphic micas from the Gran Paradiso area (western Alps): evidence against the blocking-temperature concept. Contrib Mineral Petrol 74:745–749

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chopin C, Monié P (1984) A unique magnesiochloritoid-bearing, high-pressure assemblage from the Monte Rosa, western Alps: petrological and 40Ar/39Ar radiometric study. Contrib Mineral Petrol 87:388–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Compagnoni R, Dal Piaz GV, Hunziker JC, Gosso G, Lombardo B, Williams PF (1977) The Sesia-Lanzo zone, a slice of continental crust with Alpine high pressure-low temperature assemblages in the Western Italian Alps. Rend Soc It Min Petr 33:281–334

    Google Scholar 

  • Cortiana G, Dal Piaz GV, Del Moro A, Hunziker JC, Martin S (1998) 40Ar/39Ar and Rb-Sr dating of the Pillonet klippe and Sesia-Lanzo basal slice in the Ayas valley and evolution of the Austroalpine-Piedmont nappe stack. Mem Soc Geol Ital 50:177–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Coward M, Dietrich D (1989) Alpine tectonics—an overview. In: Coward MP, Dietrich D, Park RG (eds) Alpine tectonics. Geol Soc Spec Publ 45:1–33

  • Dal Piaz GV (1971) Nuovi ritrovamenti di cianite alpine nel cristallino antico del Monte Rosa. Rend Soc It Min Petr 27:437–477

    Google Scholar 

  • Dal Piaz GV (1993) Evolution of Austro-Alpine and Upper Penninic basement in the northwestern Alps from Variscan convergence to post-Variscan extension. In: Von Raumer J, Neubauer F (eds) Pre-Mesozoic geology in the Alps. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp 327–344

    Google Scholar 

  • Dal Piaz GV (1999) The Austroalpine-Piedmont nappe stack and the puzzle of Alpine Tethys. Mem Sci Geol Padova 51(1):155–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Dal Piaz GV (2001) Geology of the Monte Rosa massif: historical review and personal comments. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 81:275–303

    Google Scholar 

  • Dal Piaz GV, Bistacchi A, Massironi M (2003) Geological outline of the Alps. Episodes 26(3):175–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Dal Piaz GV, Hunziker JC, Martinotti G (1972) La zona Sesia-Lanzo e l’evoluzione tettonico-metamorfica delle Alpi nordoccidentali interne. Mem Soc Geol It 11:433–466

    Google Scholar 

  • Dal Piaz GV, Gatto G (1963) Considerazioni geologico-petrografiche sul versante meridionale del Monte Rosa. Rend Acc Naz Lincei Cl Sci Fis 34:190–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Dal Piaz GV, Cortiana G, Del Moro A, Martin S, Pennacchioni G, Tartarotti P (2001) Tertiary age and paleostructural inferences of the eclogitic imprint in the Austroalpine outliers and Zermatt-Saas ophiolite, western Alps. Int J Earth Sci 90:668–684

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dal Piaz GV, Ernst WG (1978) Areal geology and petrology of eclogites and associated metabasites of the Piemonte ophiolite nappe, Breuil-St. Jacques area, Italian western Alps. Tectonophysics 51:99–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dal Piaz G, Lombardo B (1986) Early Alpine eclogite metamorphism in the Penninic Monte Rosa-Gran Paradiso basement nappes of the northwestern Alps. Geol Soc Am Mem 164:249–265

    Google Scholar 

  • Darbellay B (2005) Polymetamorphism history of the Monte Rosa nape and isotopic constraints, Val d’Ayas, Italy. Master’s Thesis, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland

  • Droop GTR (1987) A general equation for estimating Fe3+ concentrations in ferromagnesian silicates and oxides from microprobe analysis, using stoichiometric criteria. Mineral Mag 51:431–435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Engi M, Scherrer N, Burri T (2001a) Metamorphic evolution of pelitic rocks of the Monte Rosa nappe: constraints from petrology and single grain monazite age data. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 81:305–328

    Google Scholar 

  • Engi M, Berger A, Roselle GT (2001b) Role of the tectonic accretion channel in collisional orogeny. Geology 29:1143–1146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ernst WG (1971) Metamorphic zonation of presumably subducted lithospheric plates from Japan, California and the Alps. Contrib Mineral Petrol 34:43–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ernst WG, Maruyama S, Wallis S (1997) Buoyancy-driven, rapid exhumation of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphosed continental crust. Proc Natl Acad Sci 94:9532–9537

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Escher A, Beaumont C (1997) Formation, burial and exhumation of basement nappes at crustal scale: a geometric model based on the western Swiss-Italian Alps. J Struct Geol 19(7):955–974

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Escher A, Hunziker JC, Marthaler M, Masson H, Sartori M, Steck A (1997) Geologic framework and structural evolution of the Western Swiss-Italian Alps. In: Pfiffner OA, Lehner P, Heitzman P, Mueller S, Steck A (eds) Deep structure of the Swiss Alps. Results of NRP 20. Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel, pp 223–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrando J (2002) Evoluzione tettonica e metamorfica delle eclogiti incluse nella crosta continentale del Monte Rosa. Unpublished Thesis, Fac. Science, University Genova, Genova, Italy

  • Ferrando J, Scambelluri M, Dal Piaz GV, Piccardo GB (2002) The mafic boudins of the southern Furgg-Zone, Monte Rosa nappe, NW-Italy: from tholeiitic continental basalts to Alpine eclogites and retrogressed products. 81 Riunione Estiva Soc. Geol. It., Torino 10–12 September 2002 (abstract)

  • Frey M, Hunziker JC, Frank W, Bocquet J, Dal Piaz GV, Jäger E, Niggli E (1974) Alpine metamorphism of the Alps: a review. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 54:247–290

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey M, Hunziker JC, O’Niel JR, Schwander HW (1976) Equilibrium-disequilibrium relations in the Monte Rosa granite, western Alps: petrological, Rb-Sr, and stable isotope data. Contrib Mineral Petrol 55:147–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Froitzheim N (2001) Origin of the Monte Rosa nappe in the Pennine Alps—a new working hypothesis. GSA Bulletin 113(5):604–614

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gosso G, Dal Piaz GV, Piovano V, Polino R (1979) High pressure emplacement of early-alpine nappes, postnappe deformations and structural levels (internal northwestern Alps). Mem Sci Geol 32:16

    Google Scholar 

  • Hacker BR, Calvert AT, Zhang RY, Ernst WG, Liou JG (2003) Ultra-rapid exhumation of ultrahigh pressure diamond-bearing metasedimentary rocks of the Kokchetav Massif Lithos 70:61–75

  • Holland TJB (1983) The experimental determination of activities in disordered and short-range ordered jadeitic pyroxenes. Contrib Mineral Petrol 82(2):214–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hunziker JC (1970) Polymetamorphism in the Monte Rosa, western Alps. Eclogae Geol Helv 63:151–161

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunziker JC (1974) Rb-Sr and K-Ar age determination and the alpine tectonic history of the western Alps, vol 31. Memoir Ist. Mineral. Petrogr. Univ. Padova, Padova, Italy, pp 1–55

  • Hunziker JC, Bearth P (1969) Rb-Sr Altersbestimmungen aus den Walliser-Alpen: biotitalterswerte und ihre Bedeutung für die Abkühlungsgeschichte der alpinen metamorphose. Eclogae Geol Helv 62:205–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunziker JC, Desmons J, Hurford AJ (1992) Thirty-two years of geochronological work in the Central and western Alps: a review on seven maps. Mémoires de Géologie (Lausanne), 59 pp

  • Hurford AJ, Hunziker JC (1989) A revised thermal history for the Gran Paradiso massif. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 69:319–329

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurford AJ, Hunziker JC, Stöckhert B (1991) Constraints on the late thermotectonic evolution of the western Alps: evidence for episodic rapid uplift. Tectonics 10(4):758–769

    Google Scholar 

  • Inger S, Ramsbotham W, Cliff RA, Rex DC (1996) Metamorphic evolution of the Sesia Lanzo Zone, western Alps: time constraints from multi-system geochronology. Contrib Mineral Petrol 126:152–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inger S, Ramsbotham W (1997) Syn-convergent exhumation implied by progressive deformation and metamorphism in the Valle del’Orco transect, NW Italian Alps. J Geol Soc 154:667–677

    Google Scholar 

  • Gasparik T (1985) Experimentally determined compositions of diopside-jadeite pyroxene in equilibrium with albite and quartz at 1200-1350 degrees C and 15-34 kbar. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 49:865–870

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghent ED (1988) A review of chemical zoning in eclogite garnets. In: Smith DC (eds) Eclogites and Eclogite-Facies Rocks. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 207–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Gosso G, Dal Piaz GV, Piovano V, Polino R (1979) High pressure emplacement of early-Alpine nappes, postnappe deformations and structural levels. Mem Sci Geol 32:15

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson CM, Beard BL (1999) Correction of instrumentally-produced mass fractionation during isotopic analysis of Fe by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Int J Mass Spectrom 193:87–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keller LM (2004) Relationships between metamorphism and deformation: examples on the micro- to macro-scale from the western Alps. PhD Dissertation, University of Basel, Basel

  • Kurz W, Froitzheim N (2002) The exhumation of eclogite-facies metamorphic rocks; a review of models confronted with examples from the Alps. Int Geol Rev 44:702–743

    Google Scholar 

  • Lapen TJ, Johnson CM, Baumgartner LP, Mahlen NJ, Beard BL, Amato J (2003) Burial rates during prograde metamorphism of an ultra-high-pressure terrane: an example from Lago di Cignana, western Alps, Italy. Earth Planet Sci Lett 215:57–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lange S, Nasdala L, Poller U, Baumgartner LP, Todt W (2000) Crystallization age and metamorphism of the Monte Rosa granite, western Alps. Seventeenth Swiss Tectonic Studies Group Meeting, Zürich, p51

  • Lardeaux JM, Spalla MI (1991) From granulites to eclogites in the Sesia zone (Italian western Alps): a record of the opening and closure of the Piedmont Ocean. J Metamorphic Geol 9:35–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Bayon R, de Capitani C, Chopin C, Frey M (2000) Modeling of the sequential evolution of whiteschist assemblages: HP in the Monte Rosa (western Alps). Beih Eur J Min 12:111

    Google Scholar 

  • Liati A, Gebauer D, Froitzheim N, Fanning MC (2001) U-Pb SHRIMP geochronolgy of an amphibolitized eclogite and an orthogneiss from the Furgg zone (western Alps) and implications for its geodynamic evolution. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 81:379–393

    Google Scholar 

  • Ludwig KR (1980) Calculation of uncertainties of U-Pb isotope data. Earth Planet Sci Lett 46:212–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ludwig KR (2001) User’s manual for Isoplot/Ex rev.2.49, a geochronological toolkit for Microsoft Excel. Berkeley Geochronol Center Spec Publ 1a:59

  • Matthews A (1994) Oxygen isotope geothermometers for metamorphic rocks. J Metamorphic Geol 12:211–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer A, Abouchami W, Dal Piaz GV (1999) Eocene Sm-Nd age for the eclogitic metamorphism of the Zermatt-Saas ophiolite in Ayas Valley, western Alps. Eur Union Geosci 10:809 (abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Meffan-Main S, Cliff RA, Barnicoat AC, Lombardo B, Compagnoni R (2004) A Tertiary age for Alpine high-pressure metamorphism in the Gran Paradiso Massif, western Alps; a Rb-Sr microsampling study. J Metamorphic Geol 22:261–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michard A, Goffé B, Chopin Ch, Henry C (1996) Did the western Alps develop through an Oman-type stage? Eclogae Geol Helv 89:43–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Oberhänsli R et al (eds) (2004) Metamorphic structure of the Alps and explanatory notes. Mitt Oesterr Min Ges 149:115–226

  • Paquette JL, Chopin C, Peucat JJ (1989) U-Pb zircon, Rb-Sr, and Sm-Nd geochronology of high- to very-high-pressure meta-acidic rocks from the western Alps. Contrib Mineral Petrol 101:280–289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pawlig S, Baumgartner LP, Hauzenberger CA (2001) Geochemistry of a talc-chloritoid-kyanite shear zone within the Monte Rosa granite, Val d’Ayas, Italy. In: Engi M, Nievergelt P (eds) Contributions to the geology of the Monte Rosa Nappe. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 81(3):329–346

  • Pfiffner OA, Lehner P, Heitzman PZ, Mueller S, Steck A (1997) Deep structure of the Swiss Alps—results from NRP 20. BirkhaYser AG, Basel, 380p

  • Ravna EKJ (2000) The garnet-clinopyroxene geothermometer, an updated calibration. J Metamorphic Geol 18:211–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy SM, Wheeler J, Cliff RA (1999) The geometry and timing of orogenic extension: an example from the western Italian Alps. J Metamorph Geol 17:573–589

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy SM, Wheeler J, Butler RWH, Cliff RA, Freeman S, Inger S, Pickles C, Kelly SP (2003) Kinematic reworking and exhumation within the convergent Alpine orogen. Tectonophysics 365:77–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke T (1991) Very high–pressure metamorphism and uplift of coesite-bearing metasediments from the Zermatt-Saas zone, western Alps. Eur J Mineral 3:7–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Ring U, Merle O (1992) Forethrusting, backfolding, and lateral gravitational escape in the northern part of the western Alps (Monte Rosa region). Bull Geol Soc Am 104:901–914

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roure F, Heitzmann P, Polino R (eds) (1990) Deep structure of the Alps. Mem Soc Geol Fr 156:1–367

  • Rubatto D, Gebauer D (1999) Eo/Oligocene (35 Ma) high-pressure metamorphism in the Gornergrat zone (Monte Rosa, western Alps): implications for paleogeography. Schweiz Mineral Petrogr Mitt 79:353–362

    Google Scholar 

  • Rubatto D, Gebauer D, Fanning M (1998) Jurassic formation and Eocene subduction of the Zermatt-Saas Fee ophiolites: implications for the geodynamic evolution of the central and western Alps. Contrib Mineral Petrol 132:269–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubatto D, Hermann J (2001) Exhumation as fast as subduction? Geology 29(1):3–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruffet G, Gruau G, Ballevre M, Feraud G, Philippot P (1997) Rb–Sr and 40Ar/39Ar laser probe dating of high-pressure phengites from the Sezia zone, western Alps: underscoring of excess argon and new age constraints on the high-pressure metamorphism. Chem Geol Isot Geosci Sect 141:1–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz S, Allemand P, Guillot S (2001) Numerical model of the effect of serpentinites on the exhumation of eclogitic rocks: insights from the Monviso ophiolitic massif (western Alps). Tectonophysics 342:193–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharp ZD (1992) In situ laser microprobe techniques for stable isotope analysis. Chemical Geol 101:3–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Spalla IM, Lardeaux JM, Dal Piaz GV, Gosso G, Messiga B (1996) Tectonic significance of Alpine eclogites. J Geodynamics 21:257–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stampfli GM, Marchant RH (1997) Geodynamic evolution of the Tethyan margins of the western Alps. In: Pfiffner OA, Lehner P, Heitzman P, Mueller S, Steck A (eds) Deep structure of the Swiss Alps. Results of NRP 20. Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel, pp 223–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Venturelli G, Thorpe RS, Dal Piaz GV, Del Moro A, Potts PJ (1984) Petrogenesis of calcalcaline, shoshonitic and associated ultrapotassic Oligocene volcanic rocks from the Northwestern Alps, Italy. Contrib Mineral Petrol 86:209–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vry JK, Baker JA (2006) LA-MC-ICPMS Pb-Pb dating of rutile from slowly cooled granulites: confirmation of the high closure temperature for Pb diffusion in rutile. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 70:1807–1820

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler J (1991) Structural evolution of a subducted continental sliver: the northern Dora Maira massif, Italian Alps. J Geol Soc Lond 148:1101–1113

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by National Science Foundation grant EAR 0309853 (CMJ), the U.W. Madison Morgridge Graduate Fellowship (TJL), the Geological Society of America (TJL), and a summer research grant from the Department of Geology and Geophysics, U.W. Madison. We thank Benita Putliz for her assistance with the oxygen isotope analyses as well as Andrew Hein and Nancy Mahlen for their assistance in the field. Journal reviews were provided by Kurt Bucher and an anonymous reviewer.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA

    Thomas J. Lapen, Clark M. Johnson & Brian L. Beard

  2. Institute of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Lukas P. Baumgartner & Susanne Skora

  3. Department of Geology, Paleontology and Geophysics, University of Padova, Padova, Italy

    Giorgio V. Dal Piaz

  4. Department of Geosciences, Science and Research 1, University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun Rd, Houston, TX, 77204, USA

    Thomas J. Lapen

Authors
  1. Thomas J. Lapen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Clark M. Johnson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lukas P. Baumgartner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Giorgio V. Dal Piaz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Susanne Skora
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Brian L. Beard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas J. Lapen.

Additional information

Communicated by: J. Hoefs.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lapen, T.J., Johnson, C.M., Baumgartner, L.P. et al. Coupling of oceanic and continental crust during Eocene eclogite-facies metamorphism: evidence from the Monte Rosa nappe, western Alps. Contrib Mineral Petrol 153, 139–157 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-006-0144-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-006-0144-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation