Lithotectonic units of the Western Carpathians: Suggestion of simple methodology for lithotectonic units defining, applicable for orogenic belts world-wide

摘要

New methodology of XD labelling for defining of lithotectonic units, tested in the Western Carpathians at a general scale of 1 : 2 000 000, as well as in the innermost W. Carpathians (Gemericum and adjacent units) at the detail scale of 1 : 50 000, has a uniform applicability for orogenic belts world-wide. Lithotectonic classification is based on orogenic (Wilson) cycles, being indicated in XD designation by the prefix X (paper suggests the prefixes for the orogenic cycles known within Europe), as well as an affiliation of individual lithological unit to particular orogenic phases D of these cycles: DO - divergent process of riftogenesis, Dl - convergent processes of subduction, obduction, closure of this elongated oceanic space by collision, D2 - post-collisional thermal / deformation processes, unroofing and metamorphic core complex evolution; D3 - intraplate consolidation (strike-slips, transpression, transtension, rotation of blocks, etc.) and D4 - regional extension (pure shear-type regional faults, Basin and Range-type tectonics). Possible is even more detail classification applying the subphases - e.g. Dla, Dlb, etc. Using extended set of prefixes for orogenic cycles besides Europe, makes proposed methodology universal. The W. Carpathians, as a segment of Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt, developed in Phanerozoic during multiple orogenic (Wilson) cycles of Intra-Pangea type. The Variscan (V; Paleozoic), Paleo-Alpine (Ap; Mesozoic) and Neo-Alpine (An; dominantly Cenozoic) orogenic cycles in this territory were proved by exact geological data, including revealed three suture zones (V; Ap; An) after elongated basins with oceanic crust in their axial zones and three generations of high-pressure rocks of subduction metamorphism (V; Ap; An). Two generations of dismembered ophiolite suites remains (V; Ap) and two proved metamorphic core complexes related to post-collisional evolution of Variscan and Paleo- Alpine orogenic cycles (V; Ap) complete the geodynamic interpretation of W. Carpathians. The youngest - Neo-Alpine (Cenozoic) orogenic cycle (An) has besides interpreted suture zone and accretionary prism also well-defined related volcano-sedimentary sequences.