Ultramafic and gabbroic ocean floor of the Ligurian Tethys (Alps, Corsica, Apennines): In search of a genetic imodel

Abstract

Research Article| July 01, 1987 Ultramafic and gabbroic ocean floor of the Ligurian Tethys (Alps, Corsica, Apennines): In search of a genetic imodel Marcel Lemoine; Marcel Lemoine 1Laboratoire de Géodynamique sous-marine, B.P. 48, 06230 Villefranche-Sur-Mer, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Pierre Tricart; Pierre Tricart 2Département de Géologie, Ecole Nationale d'lngénieurs, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gilbert Boillot Gilbert Boillot 3Laboratoire de Géodynamique sous-marine, B.P. 48, 06230 Villefranche-Sur-Mer, France Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Marcel Lemoine 1Laboratoire de Géodynamique sous-marine, B.P. 48, 06230 Villefranche-Sur-Mer, France Pierre Tricart 2Département de Géologie, Ecole Nationale d'lngénieurs, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia Gilbert Boillot 3Laboratoire de Géodynamique sous-marine, B.P. 48, 06230 Villefranche-Sur-Mer, France Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1987) 15 (7): 622–625. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1987)15<622:UAGOFO>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Marcel Lemoine, Pierre Tricart, Gilbert Boillot; Ultramafic and gabbroic ocean floor of the Ligurian Tethys (Alps, Corsica, Apennines): In search of a genetic imodel. Geology 1987;; 15 (7): 622–625. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1987)15<622:UAGOFO>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The ophiolites of the Alps, of Corsica, and of the Apennines, which originate from the basement of the Ligurian segment of the Mesozoic Tethys ocean, are not consistent with the classical mid-ocean ridge spreading models; neither a continuous and thick basaltic layer nor a true sheeted-dike complex ever existed. The first oceanic floor that appeared between the divergent European and Apulian passive margins was made up of mantle-derived serpentinite and associated minor gabbro bodies; some of the ocean-floor gabbros were already foliated and metamorphosed to amphibolite facies. To explain these features, we suggest use of the model of Wernicke, which postulates a major, oblique, normal detachment fault that cuts across the lithosphere. The model explains some asymmetrical features on both sides of the preoceanic continental rift. An increase of the offset of the detachment fault may lead to the tectonic denudation of the upper mantle and thus give birth to an ultramafic ocean floor. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.