Peak-temperature patterns of polyphase metamorphism resulting from accretion, subduction and collision (eastern Tauern Window, European Alps) – a study with Raman microspectroscopy on carbonaceous material (RSCM)

Raman microspectroscopy on carbonaceous material (RSCM) from the eastern Tauern Window indicates contrasting peak-temperature patterns in three different fabric domains, each of which underwent a poly-metamorphic orogenic evolution: Domain 1 in the northeastern Tauern Window preserves oceanic units (Glockner Nappe System, Matrei Zone) that attained peak temperatures (Tp) of 350–480 °C following Late Cretaceous to Palaeogene nappe stacking in an accretionary wedge. Domain 2 in the central Tauern Window experienced Tp of 500–535 °C that was attained either within an exhumed Palaeogene subduction channel or during Oligocene Barrovian-type thermal overprinting within the Alpine collisional orogen. Domain 3 in the Eastern Tauern Subdome has a peaktemperature pattern that resulted from Eo-Oligocene nappe stacking of continental units derived from the distal European margin. This pattern acquired its presently concentric pattern in Miocene time due to post-nappe doming and extensional shearing along the Katschberg Shear Zone System (KSZS). Tp values in the largest (Hochalm) dome range from 612 °C in its core to 440 °C at its rim. The maximum peak-temperature gradient (≤70 °C km 1) occurs along the eastern margin of this dome where mylonitic shearing of the Katschberg Normal Fault (KNF) significantly thinned the Subpenninic- and Penninic nappe pile, including the pre-existing peak-temperature gradient.