Fold/cleavage relationships as indicator for late Variscan sinistral transpression at the Rheno-Hercynian-Saxo-Thuringian boundary zone, Central European Variscides
Stephan T, Kroner U, Hahn T, Hallas P, Heuse T (2016)
Publication Language: English
Publication Status: Published
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2016
Journal
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Book Volume: 681
Pages Range: 250-262
DOI: 10.1016/j.tecto.2016.03.005
Abstract
The boundary between the Rheno-Hercynian and the Saxo-Thuringian zones of the European Variscides is characterized by a NE-SW striking late orogenic fold-and-thrust belt affecting the intervening Rheic suture. Classical models used the first-order strike of this zone as an indicator for perpendicular plate convergence, i.e. NW-SE. We present structural data from both sides of the suture, focusing on fold-cleavage relationships. The statistical analysis reveals an orientation maximum of the youngest cleavage that deviates from the strike of the fold-and-thrust belt by c. 22 degrees. The presence of clockwise transection of the folds by the cleavage (up to 16) indicates pervasive sinistral transpression. Three types of fold-cleavage relationships are observed: NE trending folds (I) with or (II) without a transecting cleavage, and (III) non-transected ENE trending folds. We explain the occurrence of different fold-cleavage types by strain partitioning due to NNW convergence obliquely to pre-existent NE trending mechanical anisotropies. In terms of plate tectonics we propose that the classical boundary of the Rheno-Hercynian and the Saxo-Thuringian Zone represents an initial transform plate boundary that was finally affected by sinistral transpression. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt (LfU)
Germany (DE)
Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg
Germany (DE)
Thüringer Landesamt für Umwelt, Bergbau und Naturschutz (TLUBN)
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg
Germany (DE)
Thüringer Landesamt für Umwelt, Bergbau und Naturschutz (TLUBN)
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Stephan, T., Kroner, U., Hahn, T., Hallas, P., & Heuse, T. (2016). Fold/cleavage relationships as indicator for late Variscan sinistral transpression at the Rheno-Hercynian-Saxo-Thuringian boundary zone, Central European Variscides. Tectonophysics, 681, 250-262. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2016.03.005
MLA:
Stephan, Tobias, et al. "Fold/cleavage relationships as indicator for late Variscan sinistral transpression at the Rheno-Hercynian-Saxo-Thuringian boundary zone, Central European Variscides." Tectonophysics 681 (2016): 250-262.
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