Neogene kinematics of the central and western Alps: Evidence from fission-track dating

Abstract

Research Article| September 01, 1994 Neogene kinematics of the central and western Alps: Evidence from fission-track dating Diane Seward; Diane Seward 1Department Erdwissenschaften, ETH-Zentrum, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Neil S. Mancktelow Neil S. Mancktelow 1Department Erdwissenschaften, ETH-Zentrum, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Diane Seward 1Department Erdwissenschaften, ETH-Zentrum, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland Neil S. Mancktelow 1Department Erdwissenschaften, ETH-Zentrum, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1994) 22 (9): 803–806. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1994)022<0803:NKOTCA>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Diane Seward, Neil S. Mancktelow; Neogene kinematics of the central and western Alps: Evidence from fission-track dating. Geology 1994;; 22 (9): 803–806. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1994)022<0803:NKOTCA>2.3.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 Zircon and apatite fission-track analysis has established the continuation of a zone of rapid change in mineral ages extending from the Simplon fault zone in the Simplon Alps, through the Rhone Valley, and along the southeastern side of the Mont Blanc and Belledonne massifs. Apatite fission-track ages to the northwest of this zone generally range from 1.4 to 6 Ma, whereas those to the southeast range from 6 to 13 Ma: corresponding values for zircon are 11-13 and 16-26 Ma, respectively. The zone corresponds to the position of the Frontal Pennine thrust in the Mont Blanc-Belledonne region. This structure, a prominent feature on recent deep seismic profiles, may have been reactivated in the Neogene with an important normal-fault component. This is suggested by apatite and zircon fission-track ages in the footwall that are younger than those in the hanging wall and by the observed elimination of the lower Pennine (or Simplon) nappes along this fault zone in the Rhone Valley-Mont Blanc-Belledonne region, resulting in the juxtaposition of North Penninic and Helvetic-Ultra-helvetic nappes at the current erosion level. The distribution of fission-track ages reflects this movement and the related Neogene exhumation of the Mont Blanc and Belledonne external massifs, which has continued until less than 1.4 m.y. ago (i.e., it is almost certainly still active)and has tilted the overlying nappe sequence. 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.