Papeschi, Samuele

Magmatic and sub-solidus fabrics in intrusive rocks are frequently used to infer the relative timing of deformation with respect to magma emplacement and cooling. Here, we describe the relationships between strain and fabric development in leucogranite sheets (pegmatite, aplite) emplaced into shear zones that localized post-thermal peak deformation in the contact aureole of an upper crustal pluton (<0.2 GPa) on the Island of Elba, Italy. The leucogranite sheets present igneous, mylonitic, and cataclastic fabrics. Detailed meso- and microscopic structural analysis suggests that the dykes emplaced in the shear zones behaved as competent, rigid bodies during mylonitic deformation of the host rocks. Thermal modelling indicates that emplacement and cooling of the sheets occurred very rapidly (a few days to years) compared to typical tectonic strain rates and strain accumulation timescales in the host rocks. Such a fast cooling does not allow melt or magma-induced thermal softening in the host rocks during deformation. The development of mylonitic and cataclastic fabrics in the dykes was controlled by the localized activation of fluid-controlled reaction softening mechanisms (mylonitic fabric) and embrittlement during cooling in sites of high-strain (cataclastic fabric). We show that a broad spectrum of fabrics can form in igneous sheet intrusions emplaced at the same time and crustal level. The coexistence of isotropic (non-foliated igneous) versus anisotropic (mylonitic and cataclastic) fabrics in igneous sheet intrusions should therefore be evaluated in terms of tectonic strain rates, cooling rates, thermal state of the host, distribution of heterogeneous strain, and activation of strain softening mechanisms. Our observations highlight that the concepts of pre-, syn-, late- and post-tectonic fabrics in intrusive igneous rocks should be used with caution when interpreting relative timing relationships between deformation and magmatism.

In their paper, Spiess et al. (2021) published structural, geochronological, and EBSD data on one of the monzogranite apophyses (Capo Bianco) of the buried Porto Azzurro Pluton (island of Elba, Northern Apennines, Italy), a pluton emplaced in the upper crust (P < 0.2 GPa; e.g. Papeschi et al., 2019). The authors published a new U/Pb age of 6.4 ± 0.4 Ma, associated with the thermal peak, and a U-Th/He apatite age of 5.0 ± 0.6 Ma, indicating cooling below 60 ◦C. Spiess et al. (2021) use these ages to model the exhumation of the pluton controlled, in their model, by the Zuccale Fault, a subhorizontal fault with 6 km of eastward displacement (ZF; Keller & Coward, 1996). Their structural dataset from the macro to the microscale and EBSD analyses relies on a small section (about 100 m wide) in the NE part of the Calamita Peninsula. Based on their documentation of (1) vertical dykes in the monzogranite, (2) vertical to low-angle top-to-the-E extensional faults, and (3) later NWstriking oblique faults, they interpret the Porto Azzurro Pluton as emplaced in an extensional to transcurrent tectonic setting, extrapolating their findings to the entire Eastern Elba.

The hinterland of the Cenozoic Northern Apennines fold-and-thrust belt exposes the metamorphic roots of the chain, vestiges of the subduction-related tectono-metamorphic evolution that led to the buildup of the Alpine orogeny in the Mediterranean region. Like in other peri-Mediterranean belts, the tectono-metamorphic evolution of the Palaeozoic continental basement in the Apennines is still poorly constrained, hampering the full understanding of their Alpine orogenic evolution. We report the first comprehensive tectono-metamorphic study of the low-grade metasedimentary (metapsammite/metapelite) succession of the Monti Romani Complex (MRC) that formed after Palaeozoic protoliths and constitutes the southernmost exposure of the metamorphic domain of the Northern Apennines. By integrating fieldwork with microstructural studies, Raman spectroscopy on carbonaceous material and thermodynamic modelling, we show that the MRC preserves a D1/M1 Alpine tectono-metamorphic evolution developed under HP–LT conditions (~1.0–1.1 GPa at T ~ 400°C) during a non-coaxial, top-to-the-NE, crustal shortening regime. Evidence for HP–LT metamorphism is generally cryptic within the MRC, dominated by graphite-bearing assemblages with the infrequent blastesis of muscovite ± chlorite ± chloritoid ± paragonite parageneses, equilibrated under cold palaeo-geothermal conditions (~10°C/km). Results of this study allow extending to the MRC the signature of subduction zone metamorphism already documented in the hinterland of the Apennine orogen, providing further evidence of the syn-orogenic ductile exhumation of the HP units in the Apennine belt. Finally, we discuss the possible role of fluid-mediated changes in the reactive bulk rock composition on mineral blastesis during progress of regional deformation and metamorphism at low-grade conditions.

The E-vergent Northern Apennines formed by Oligocene-Miocene convergence and westward subduction of Adria beneath Europe. Extension ensued in the Mid-Late Miocene reflecting lower plate roll-back and causing opening of the back-arc Northern Tyrrhenian Sea. Post-orogenic extension is commonly advocated as the main driver of the exhumation of the belt's inner domain highpressure/ low-temperature (HP-LT) rock units. The Acquadolce Subunit of the Eastern Elba nappe stack contains HP-LT rocks recording peak blueschist conditions of 1.5–1.8 GPa at 320°C–370°C loosely dated to the Oligocene-Early Miocene. It is sandwiched by two Late Miocene, out-of-sequence top-to-the E thrusts between Jurassic LP serpentinites on top and HT–LP contact metamorphosed marbles at its base. We document widespread W-verging ductile asymmetries within the Acquadolce Subunit, which correspond to top-to-the W extensional shearing for the nappe stack current orientation. This allowed for early syn-orogenic exhumation from blueschist- to greenschist-facies conditions, wherein coeval W-directed extension at the top of the exhuming units acted synchronously with E-directed thrusting at their base causing exhumation by extrusion in an overall contractional setting. The basal, E-vergent thrusting is, however, challenging to document as the wedge has since been reworked by Late Miocene, E-verging compressive tectonics, contact metamorphism, and later extension, obliterating much of the evidence supporting exhumation by extrusion during the early stages of wedge build-up. Syn-orogenic exhumation by extrusion from deep structural levels within the orogenic wedge is a viable mechanism to account for other exhumed HP-LT units in the inner part of the belt.

We document the tectonic and metamorphic evolution of thrust nappes of the eastern island of Elba. The area exposes a natural cross section of the Northern Apennines hinterland, from the metamorphic basement units to the overlying continent- and ocean-derived nappes. We integrated mapping, analysis of structures and microstructures, and the interpretation of drill core logs with lithostratigraphic, metamorphic, and geochronological constraints, producing a novel geological map of eastern Elba (1:5'000 scale). We show that the area experienced polyphase Oligocene - Pliocene contractional tectonics marked by in-sequence and out-of-sequence thrusting accompanied by folding and overprinted by faulting in the Pliocene. Magmatism occurred during contraction with post-magmatic thrusting ultimately coupling HP-LT and LP-HT units. Drill core logs allow for the first time the reconstruction of the N-dipping character of the Zuccale Fault, which represents the youngest (late Miocene - early Pliocene) large-scale structure in the area.

The Acquadolce Subunit on the Island of Elba, Italy, records blueschist facies metamorphism related to the Oligocene-early Miocene stages of continental collision in the Northern Apennines. The blueschist facies metamorphism is represented by glaucophane- and lawsonite-bearing metabasite associated with marble and calcschist. These rock types occur as lenses in a schistose complex representing foredeep deposits of early Oligocene age. Detailed petrological analyses on metabasic and metapelitic protoliths, involving mineral and bulk-rock chemistry coupled with P-T and P-T-X(Fe2O3) pseudosection modelling using PERPLE_X, show that the Acquadolce Subunit recorded nearly isothermal exhumation from peak pressure-temperature conditions of 1.5-1.8 GPa and 320-370 degrees C. During exhumation, peak lawsonite- and possibly carpholite- or stilpnomelane-bearing assemblages were overprinted and partially obliterated by epidote-blueschist and, subsequently, albite-greenschist facies metamorphic assemblages. This study sheds new light on the tectonic evolution of Adria-derived metamorphic units in the Northern Apennines, by showing (a) the deep underthrusting of continental crust during continental collision and (b) rapid exhumation along 'cold' and nearly isothermal paths, compatible with syn-orogenic extrusion.

A mylonitic quartzite with conjugate and synthetic shear bands was investigated by Electron Backscatter Diffraction and optical microscopy to obtain insights on recrystallization mechanisms and strain localization in quartz at plastic to semibrittle conditions close to the brittle‐ductile transition. The mylonitic quartzite deformed during late Miocene thrusting coeval with contact metamorphism in the high‐strain domains of the Calamita Schists (Elba Island, Italy). Mylonitic deformation occurred from amphibolite to lower greenschist facies conditions during cooling of the aureole. Dynamic recrystallization, dominated by the activity of dislocation creep by prism slip, produced recrystallized quartz layers mantling relic large quartz porphyroclasts. Under decreasing temperature and fluid‐rich conditions, quartz porphyroclasts acted as relatively rigid bodies and fractured along synthetic and conjugate C′ shear bands. Shear bands developed along kinematically favored orientations, just locally assisted by weak crystallographic planes in quartz. Fracturing along shear bands was assisted by cataclasis and fluid infiltration enhancing fracture propagation and healing by recrystallization and authigenesis of new quartz and phyllosilicate grains. The process enhanced the propagation of and strain localization in shear bands, with the development of bands of weak phyllosilicates. Furthermore, we observed the development of a c axis preferred orientation (CPO) related to dissolution and precipitation of new grains with their c axis oriented parallel to shear bands. This study highlights the importance of the interplay between brittle and crystal‐plastic processes and fluid ingress in the semibrittle regime to understand deformation partitioning and strain localization.

A network of shear zones that evolved through the brittle-ductile transition is exposed in the Calamita Schists, Elba Island, Italy. The shear zones formed during Late Miocene contractional deformation coeval with high grade contact metamorphism (∼650 °C) related to the emplacement of plutonic rocks at shallow crustal levels (∼7–10 Km). An early stage high metamorphic grade foliation was overprinted by mylonitic deformation that progressively localized on low-metamorphic grade shear bands producing S-C mylonites during cooling of contact aureole. Localization of deformation on shear bands was driven by temperature decrease that triggered strain partitioning between ‘hard’ high grade relics and ‘soft’ shear bands. Softening of shear bands occurred likely due to fluid influx and retrograde growth of fine-grained phyllosilicates. The interconnection of anastomosing shear bands and passive rotation of the relic high grade foliation caused widening of the shear bands producing mylonites with a composite mylonitic foliation and C′ shear bands. An estimate of the vorticity number Wk of the flow of ∼0.3–0.5 was obtained from the orientation of C′ shear bands measured at the meso- and thin sectionscale. Close to the brittle-ductile transition, the growth of soft phyllosilicates allowed C′ shear bands to act as precursory structures to brittle deformation localized into an array of low-angle faults and shear fractures.

We present an example of interaction between magmatism and tectonics at shallow crustal levels. In the Late Miocene the metamorphic units of the eastern Elba Island (northern Apennines) were intruded at very shallow crustal levels by a large pluton (> 60 km2) with the development of an hectometre-sized contact aureole defined by growth of low-pressure/high-temperature mineral assemblages (Pmax < 0.2 GPa, Tmax ~ 650 °C). Structural data show that the contact aureole is associated with a km-sized antiform of the foliation and by several metreto decametre-thick high-strain domains consisting of strongly foliated rocks containing synkinematic HT/LP mineral assemblages and ductile shear zones of variable thickness. These shear zones are characterized by a mylonitic foliation variably overprinted by cataclasis. Quartz microfabrics indicate that the dynamic crystallization processes progressively changed from grain boundary migration, associated with the thermal peak of contact metamorphism, to subgrain rotation and bulging recrystallization, the latter mostly associated with the cataclastic overprint. These transitions of recrystallization mechanisms in quartz are related to a progressive decrease of temperature during deformation. Deformation accompanied the development and cooling of the contact aureole, which recorded the switch from high temperature ductile to low temperature brittle conditions. The geometry of the studied deformation structures is consistent with the constraints of the regional tectonic evolution and its local interaction with the localized and transient thermal anomaly related to the coeval emplacement of igneous rocks.