Thermochronology of the high-pressure metamorphic rocks of Crete, Greece: Implications for the speed of tectonic processes

Abstract

Research Article| March 01, 1998 Thermochronology of the high-pressure metamorphic rocks of Crete, Greece: Implications for the speed of tectonic processes Stuart N. Thomson; Stuart N. Thomson 1Institut für Geologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Bernhard Stöckhert; Bernhard Stöckhert 1Institut für Geologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Manfred R. Brix Manfred R. Brix 1Institut für Geologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Stuart N. Thomson 1Institut für Geologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany Bernhard Stöckhert 1Institut für Geologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany Manfred R. Brix 1Institut für Geologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, D-44780 Bochum, Germany Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1998) 26 (3): 259–262. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0259:TOTHPM>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 Stuart N. Thomson, Bernhard Stöckhert, Manfred R. Brix; Thermochronology of the high-pressure metamorphic rocks of Crete, Greece: Implications for the speed of tectonic processes. Geology 1998;; 26 (3): 259–262. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026<0259:TOTHPM>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 New fission-track thermochronologic data from the high-pressure (P)–low-temperature (T) rocks of Crete, Greece, combined with pressure, temperature, and stratigraphic constraints reveal that their subduction began between 36 and 29 Ma. Metamorphism took place in western Crete at peak conditions of 10 ± 2 kbar and 400 ± 50 °C between 24 and 19 Ma, and rapid exhumation to <10 km and <300 °C at a minimum rate of 4 km/m.y. was completed before 19 Ma. Constraints from the thermal history of the plate above the inferred extensional detachment reveal that tectonic unroofing contributed 85% to 90% of the overall exhumation of the high-P–low-T rocks of Crete. We propose that the Hellenic subduction zone has acted as a retreating plate boundary since at least the early Oligocene, and collision and extension during this time were driven by roll-back associated with slab-pull rather than by gravitational collapse as a consequence of crustal thickening. The speed of subduction and exhumation of the high-P–low-T rocks of Crete within ∼10 m.y. has important implications for other orogenic belts, showing that rocks can be subducted, metamorphosed at high pressure, and exhumed, despite slow overall plate convergence, within the uncertainties of many paleontologic and isotopic age data. 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.