Tectono-metamorphic studies in the Alps

Project to be funded by Swiss National Science Foundation

Applicants: Stefan Schmid, Rainer Abart, Alfons Berger, Romain Bousquet
PhD students: Yvonne Fazis, N.N.



Summary of research proposal

Tectono-metamorphic studies involve the derivation of the pressure-temperature-time-deformation (P-T-t-d) path for specific areas of the Earth's crust. Such studies are a modern and interdisciplinary approach towards solving fundamental problems in orogeny by combining methods of structural geology and metamorphic petrology.
From a regional point of view this project proposes to extend former studies on the tectono-metamorphic evolution of the Adula nappe (PhD theses Partzsch, Meyre and Nagel), the Monte Rosa nappe (PhD theses Le Bayon, Kramer), and immediately underlying Antrona and Camughera-Moncucco units (PhD-work by L. Keller, subproject A of the precursor project terminated by now), i.e. units characterized by pressure-dominated metamorphism, into the rim of the so-called “Lepontine dome”, i.e. an area dominated by Barrow-type metamorphism.
Subproject B extends the study area of L. Keller (Antrona and Camughera-Moncucco units west of Valle d’Ossola, studied by subproject A of the precursor project) to the east, i.e. into the Southern Steep Belt in the area of Val Vigezzo (Italy). This allows us to link results from the Monte Rosa, Antrona and Moncucco areas with those of the research group of Prof. Engi in Bern on the Southern Steep Belt (Fig. 1). The newly defined subproject C extends the results from former NF-projects of the Basel research group on the Adula nappe, situated on the eastern side of the Lepontine dome into the NE rim of the “Lepontine dome” and into the Bündnerschiefer sediments found at the northern front of the Adula nappe, exhibiting a remarkable field metamorphic gradient from carpholite-bearing blueschist-facies overprint in the east to the classical Barrow-type amphibolite facies overprint of the Lucomagno area further west (Fig. 3).

From a process-oriented point of view the emplacement mechanism of eclogite-bearing terrains into upper crustal levels is still largely unknown and represents a first order problem in the study of orogenic belts, and in Earth Sciences in general. Eclogite facies metamorphic overprint, as well as structures related to the subduction and the early parts of the exhumation process are best preserved, although in fragments only, in the flat-lying parts of the eclogite bearing nappes. Going towards and into the Southern Steep Belt of the Alps the overprint by temperature-dominated (Barrowian or "Lepontine") metamorphism becomes prevailing. This overprint in the south is associated with late stage deformation and superposition with Penninic units that never experienced eclogite facies metamorphism, pervasively overprinting earlier structures. This raises questions regarding a second major problem, namely the question as to whether this late temperature-dominated overprint is associated with a temperature increase, and if yes, to what extent and due to which heat source (Fig. 4). Experience showed that this latter question cannot easily be answered in the Southern Steep Belt (subproject B of this proposal), hence it is now proposed to extend the investigations into the northeastern rim of the Lepontine dome (sub-project C of this proposal). While the transition from eclogite facies tectono-metamorphic terrains into the later stage temperature-dominated and partially migmatitic terranes of the Southern Steep Belt, appears to be smooth (area of sub-project B), there appears to be a rather abrupt metamorphic field gradient in the NE (area of subproject C). This points to the existence of a separate “Lepontine event” in this area, rather than a smooth transition as so far observed in the south in the framework of subproject A (PhD thesis Keller) that is by now terminated.

Keywords: Structural Geology, Tectonics, Alpine Geology, Metamorphic Petrology, Eclogites, Central and Western Alps, Radiometric Dating, Fission Track Dating, Subduction.


Results of the precursor projects (until end 2003)

The principal investigator, Prof. S. Schmid, has a long experience in structural geology and tectonics of the Alps (e.g. Schmid et al. 1996; Froitzheim et al. 1996; Schmid et al. in press) and other orogens (Davidson et al. 1997; Matenco and Schmid 1999; Schmid et al. 1998), including their tectono-metamorphic evolution. During the last 8 years he worked in the framework of another NF-project (the last project terminating March 31 2003 was project No. 20-63391.00) in the Italian-French Alps (Schmid and Kissling 2000; Fügenschuh et al. 1999; Ceriani et al. 2001; Bucher et al. 2003; Fügenschuh and Schmid 2003). Presently, he intends to concentrate his own Alpine research on the topics of the project presented here. In the framework of a series of precursor projects, originally initiated by the late Prof. M.Frey, he co-supervised a series of Ph-D students (Partzsch 1998; Meyre 1998; Nagel, 2000, see also Nagel, 2002a,b; Kramer 2002; Le Bayon, 2003) and he co-authored the following papers on the subject of these theses: Partzsch et al. (1994); Meyre et al. (1998); Le Bayon et al. (2002) Kramer and Schmid (2001), Kramer et al. (2003) and Nagel et al. (2002c). He also supervised diploma theses in the M. Rosa and Domodossola area (Keller and Schmid, 2001; Hess 2003). Regarding sub-project B he has experience from earlier work, e.g. Schmid et al. (1987), devoted to the Insubric Line and the Southern Steep Belt. He also collaborates with Dr. B. Fügenschuh (Hess, 2003) regarding fission track dating (Schmid and Fügenschuh 2003; Hess 2003). Dr. B. Fügenschuh agreed to also cooperate in the framework of the present project (fission track dating and structural geology), for his earlier contributions on this subject see Fügenschuh et al. (1999), Ceriani et al. (2001), Schmid et al. (1998). The area covered by subproject C is near to the working area of Partzsch (1998) and near a transect described by Schmid et al. (1996).

The second co-investigator, Prof. R. Abart, has contributed to several studies on polymetamorphic crystalline units from the eastern Alps (Abart and Martinelli 1988; Gregurek et al. 1997; Kaindl et al 1999; Schuster et al 2001; Kaindl and Abart 2002). In these studies his focus was on the interpretation of phase relations based on equlibrium phase-diagram calculations. More recently R. Abart was involved in process-oriented studies, which try to shed light on the kinetics of metamorphic mineral reactions (Keller et al. 2004). The kinetics of transport-controlled reactions was also the focus of his work on granulite facies rocks from the Ivrea zone (Abart et al. 2001; Abart and Sperb 2001) and in his communication on stable isotope fronts (Abart 2001). The microstructural features of a metamorphic rock, in particular the spatial and the size distribution of porphyroblasts, is largely controlled by intergranular diffusion. In this context, the expertise of R. Abart is highly relevant for the outcome of this project.

The third co-investigator, Dr. A. Berger, is currently working in the research group headed by Prof. Engi (Bern) on the metamorphic evolution of the Southern Steep Belt (Engi et al. 2001). His contribution will therefore be of particular relevance regarding sub-project B. This is because he is an expert on partial melting in the Alps (e.g. Rosenberg and Berger, 2001; Berger and Rosenberg, 2003) and elsewhere (e.g. Berger and Roselle 2001; Berger and Kalt 1999), in magmatic petrology and its links to structural geology (e.g. Berger et al. 1996), microstructures of metamorphic rocks (e.g.: Berger and Herwegh, in press, Berger 2004; Herwegh and Berger 2003) as well as in deformation mechanisms active at high temperatures (e.g. Berger and Stünitz 1996). He, as well the rest of the Bern group working on the Southern Steep Belt, will have much to contribute regarding questions such as for example partial melting and thermal modeling. He is also co-adviser of diploma theses (Gruskovnjak 2002, Leonardi 2003) in the southern Cima-Lunga-unit, which may be a key for the metamorphic evolution of the Central Alps. Two PhD-students of the University Bern, working on the metamorphic evolution in the Northern Steep Belt, are co-advised by A. Berger. These studies are linked to the tectono-metamorphic evolution of high-pressure units overprinted by Barrovian metamorphism.

The fourth co-investigator, Dr. R. Bousquet, has worked on high-pressure metamorphism in the Valaisan units (Bousquet et al. 1998, Jolivet et al. 1998, Goffé and Bousquet 1997, Oberhänsli et al. 1995) and on modelling of the metamorphic evolution (Bousquet et al. 1997) He focussed on the characterization and the quantification of pressure-dominated metamorphic reactions in sedimentary rocks, for which the metamorphic petrology is not yet, or only poorly known, taking examples from the Alps. He showed that several areas that previously were considered as non- or only low-grade metamorphorphic were in fact overprinted by HP-LT metamorphism: in the Western Alps (Goffé & Bousquet, 1997), in the Central Alps (Oberhänsli et al., 1995; Bousquet et al., 2002) and in the Eastern Alps (Bousquet et al., 1998). Recently he concentrates on two major topics: (1) on the question as to how exactly HP metamorphism (blueschist and eclogite facies) and later greenschist facies overprint are related to the structural evolution (Bucher et al., 2003), and (2), on the relationships between petrology and timing regarding HP-LT-metamorphism, that may be followed (or not) by Barrow-type metamorphism in the Central Alps (Oberhänsli et al., 2004).

Ph D student Lukas Keller will have finished his work concerning sub-project A of the Precursor Project entitled "Tectono-metamorphism of the Camughera-Moncucco Unit and adjacent units". In fact, he has already published and/or submitted an amazing number of high-quality publications of both process-oriented and regional character (Keller et al. 2004, Keller at al. submitted a,b & c). He will no more be financed with by present project. His main results, to be summarized in the final report, are extremely relevant for the work in Sub-Project B, to be continued by PhD student Yvonne Fazis (see below).

PhD student Yvonne Fazis started her PhD work on sub-project B on April 1 2003. Below is a short account of his work achieved so far, i.e. since April 1. 2003, in the framework of the precursor project:


Results of previous work regarding Sub-Project B (The lateral transition of the Camughera-Moncuco-Antrona-M.Rosa nappe stack and the Simplon line into the Southern Steep Belt)

Tectonic framework

The study area, geographically located in the region of Val Vigezzo (N-Italy), at the border zone to SE Switzerland (Fig. 1(a) comprises the Sub-Penninic nappes in the north and the Lower- and Middle-Penninic nappes in the south which belong to the Southern steep belt (Schmid et al. in press). The Sub-Penninic nappes of the central Alps are cut by the Simplon normal fault in the southwest and Centovalli line in the south.
A first excursion to the study area of subprojects A and B was realized by Lukas Keller and Yvonne Fazis at the end of April 2003. In addition rock samples were collected from preferred outcrops along Val d’Ossola in order to reconstruct the thermal history of this part in the Central Alps all the way to the border with the Southern Alps. In order to extend the area of investigation from diploma student Maurus Hess (2003), fourteen samples were taken in the Southern steep belt from rocks of two tectonic units: (1) Sesia zone: gneissic basement rocks and (2) Ivrea zone: Southern Alps with kinzingites and amphibolites.
At the beginning of July 2003 a second trip to N-Italy took place between Yvonne Fazis, S. Schmid and A. Berger in order to combine structural geology and metamorphic petrology in the region of subproject B. We also compared and linked research in surrounding areas, particularly with the first results of L. Keller (subproject A) in the west, and the work of Tom Burri (PhD student at University Bern) in the east of subproject B.
In August, September and December 2003, Y. Fazis worked in the area around Domodossla and Val Vigezzo in order to carry out petrological and structural field studies. She collected rocks, mapped lithologies and measured structures. These were compiled in order to compose a digital tectonic map and cross-sections. Another meeting of three days with the group of the University of Bern tooks place in Intragnia/Centovalli. In the frame of this subproject B a field excursion to the eastward continuation took place, together with Alfons Berger und Tom Burri. We compared and discussed the lithologies in the Val Onsernone and Val Maggia.

Dating

The sampling for fission-track dating, supervised by B. Fügenschuh, was carried out along a N-S profile along Val d’Ossola in order combine new data from this area with those of Maurus HESS (2003) (Fig.2). The work of Hess (2003) shows an uninterrupted young uplift history in this region, starting approximately 20 Ma ago on apatite and zircon. Unfortunately the uppermost Penninic nappes are not included and still need to be investigated. Due to the remarkable results of M. Hess (2003), Y. Fazis decided to complete this profile up to the Insubric Line in the south.
The new samples were prepared and sent to Australia, in order to irradiate them in a nuclear reactor with thermal neutrons and will be analyzed in the near future.


Structural geology and tectonics

Large scale strucural mapping the geometry of the asymmetric Masera synform has been studied (Fig. 1(b)). Complexly deformed areas such as the Central Alps display a geometry of megafolds indicating that earlier isoclinal folds have been deformed by more sets of later open folds. The youngest generation of D1 and D2 nappe stacking and folding has a planar axial surface and is folded by younger generations of D4 with parasitic folds (Fig. 1(c)). Especially in this region D3 folds no longer are visible since they are stongly overprinted by D4 folds. The hinge of the first-order D4 Masera synform is subhorizontal, gently plunging to ENE.


The architecture of the Masera-Synform in revision: First results of a geological-petrological study of the Val Vigezzo area (Central Alps)
Multiple phases of deformation in the Central Alps cause changes in of metamorphic grade, multistage thrusting and nappe refolding. The tectonic framework of the study area is built up of amphibolite facies Sub-Penninic nappes (Isorno Series, Pioda di Crana zone, Moncucco-Camughera (MC)) in the north and the Lower- and Middle-Penninic nappes (Antrona and Monte Rosa) in the south (Schmid et al. in press). This nappe configuration is the reason for the triangular shape of this key region of the Lepontine Alps. The Sub-Penninic nappes are cut by the Simplon normal fault in the southwest and Centovalli line in the south. In the area of investigation four ductile and brittle deformation phases have been recognised but not all of them are well preserved. Despite difficulties in differentiating between these four deformation phases in this particular area it is possible to distinguish three major stages in the region's tectonic development. (i) During prograde metamorphism thrusting occurred with formation of D1/D2 major foliation and D3 isoclinal folding. (ii) Updoming in the Lepontine area and concurrent migration to the west of the Adriatic indenter some 20 Ma ago led to the late backfolding D4 of an open fold pair, composed of the Masera synform and Brevettola antiform. (iii) The ongoing extension (post D4) along the Simplon normal fault and dextral strike-slip faulting (Fig. 1d) along the Centovalli fault crosscuts all the ductile compression-related D4 folds. In the northern part of Val Vigezzo the Masera synform is composed of MC units and its hinge line is twice shifted to the NW along antithetic Riedel R2 brittle fractures caused by late dextral strike-slip movements along the Centovalli line in W-E direction. The greatest lateral displacement is about 600 m. The axial plane is oriented about 50° to the SSE and the hinge line dips to the E. This means that the brittle deformation postdates the ductile deformation and is therefore most likely associated with the latter tectonic event (iii). Furthermore, new stuctural and petrographical field studies led to the conclusion that the Val Isorno series does not correspond to the units denoted as "Orselina-Series" of the MC. The comparatively high quantity of carbonates, metabasalts and serpentinites in the Isorno Series confirms this statement because such lithologies are scarcely found in the "Orselina-Series".


Results of previous work regarding Sub-Project C (The transition from amphibolite facies meta-sediments of the Lepontine dome in the west to lithologically and stratigraphically equivalent low grade rocks characterized by HP-LT metamorphism in the east)

Occurrences of HP-LT metamorphism were discovered in large parts of the North Penninic realm of the Alps (Bousquet et al., 2002). The metamorphic conditions affecting these meta-sedimentary rocks vary from blueschist facies in the Tauern window (R. Bousquet, unpubl. data) and in the Grisons area (Oberhänsli et al., 1995; Bousquet et al., 1998) to eclogite facies in the Petit St. Bernard area (Goffé and Bousquet, 1997). These differences in the P-T conditions, in the shape of the P-T path or in the volume of exhumed HP metamorphic rocks are interpreted to be due to a geometric change of the Valaisan subduction from east to west (Bousquet et al., 2002). Recently, metamorphic minerals indicating blueschist metamorphic conditions (Fe-Mg carpholite, Chloritoid) were found much nearer to the Lepontine dome (within area of sub-project C, see Fig. 3) than hitherto known: in Val Safien, Val Lumnez, Valser Tal and Val Glogn (Oberhänsli et al., 2004) and near the lake of Luzzone (R. Bousquet, unpub. data)

In the North Penninic Bündnerschiefer of the Central Alps Barrow-type and blueschist facies metamorphism are spatially closely associated (Goffé et al., 2003). However, it is not clear at all, whether these two metamorphic overprints are syn-chroneous along the chain, or alternatively, if one (Barrovian metamorphism) replaced the other (blueschist facies) through time (Fig. 4).

Some recent publications by the investigators:

• Abart, R.(2001): Metasomatic reaction bands - a key to component mobilities at metamorphic conditions. Proceedings of the 10'th International Symposium on Water-Rock interaction, Balkema Publishers, 665-668.
  
  
• Abart, R. and Martinelli, W.(1988): Variszische und alpidische Entwicklungsgeschichte des Wölzer Kristallins. Mitt.Ges.Geol.Bergbaustud.Österr., 37, 1-14.
  
  
• Abart, R.& Sperb, R.(2001): Metasomatic coronas around hornblendite xenoliths in granulite facies marble, Ivrea Zone, N-Italy II: oxygen isotope patterns. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 141, 494-504.
  
  
• Abart, R., Schmid, R., Harlov, D.(2001): Metasomatic coronas around hornblendite xenoliths in granulite facies marble, Ivrea Zone, N-Italy I: constraints on component mobility. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 141, 473-493.
  
  
• Berger, A., & Kalt, A. (1999): Structures and melt fractions as indicators of rheology in Cordierite-bearing migmatites of the Bayrische Wals (Variscan Belt, Germany). Journ Petrol, 40, 1699-1719.
  
  
• Berger, A., and Herwegh, M. (in press): Grain coarsening of contact metamorphic carbonates: Effects of second phase particles, fluid flow and thermal perturbations: Journal of Metamorphic Geology.
  
  
• Berger, A. & Roselle, G. (2001): Crystallization processes in migmatites. American Mineralogist, 86, 214-226.
  
  
• Berger, A. & Stünitz H. (1996): Deformation and reaction of hornblende from magmatic flow to amphibolite facies conditions. Tectonophysics, 257, 149-174.
  
  
• Berger, A., Rosenberg, C., and Schmid, S.M., 1996. Ascent, emplacement and exhumation of the Bergell pluton within the Southern Steep Belt of the Central Alps. Schweiz. Mineral. Petrogr. Mitt., 76, 357-382.
  
  
• Bousquet R., Goffé B., Henry P., Le Pichon X. & Chopin C., 1997. Kinematic, thermal and petrological model of the Central Alps: Lepontine metamorphism in the upper crust and eclogitisation of the lower crust. In: Collision Orogens: Zones of Active Transfers between Crust and Mantle (eds. Touret, J. R. L. & Austrheim, H.) Tectonophysics, 273, n°1-2, 105-127.
  
  
• Bousquet R., Oberhänsli R., Goffé B., Jolivet L. & Vidal, O., 1998. High pressure-low temperature metamorphism and deformation in the „Bündnerschiefer“ of the Engadine window: Implications for the regional evolution of the eastern Central Alps. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 16, 653-674.
  
  
• Bousquet R., Goffé B., Vidal O., Patriat M., & Oberhänsli R., 2002. The tectono-metamorphic history of the Valaisan domain from the Western to the Central Alps: New constraints for the evolution of the Alps. GSA Bulletin, 114, 207-225.
  
  
• Bucher, S., Schmid, S. M., Bousquet, R. & Fügenschuh, B., 2003. Late-stage deformation in a collisional orogen (Western Alps): nappe refolding, back-thrusting or normal faulting? Terra Nova, 15(2), 109-117.
  
  
• Ceriani, S., Fügenschuh, B. and Schmid, S.M. (2001): Late-stage thrusting at the „Penninic Front“ in the Western Alps between Mont Blanc and Pelvoux massifs. Int. J. Earth Sciences, 90, 685-702.
  
  
• Davidson C., Grujic D.E., Hollister L.S. and Schmid S.M. (1997) Metamorphic reactions related to decompression and synkinematic intrusion of leucogranite, High Himalayan Crystallines, Bhutan. J. metamorphic Geol., 15, 593-612.
  
  
• Engi M., Berger, A., Roselle, G. (2001): The role of the tectonic accretion channel in collisional orogeny. Geology, 29: 1143-1146
  
  
• Froitzheim N., Schmid, S., Frey, M. (1996): Mesozoic paleogeography and the timing of eclogite facies metamorphism in the Alps: A working hypothesis. Eclogae Geologicae Helveticae, 89, 81-110.
  
  
• Fügenschuh, B. & Schmid, S. M., 2003. Late stages of deformation and exhumation of an orogen constrained by fission-track: A case study in the Western Alps. GSA Bulletin, 115(11), 1425-1440.
  
  
• Fügenschuh B., Loprieno A., Ceriani S. and Schmid S.M. (1999). Structural analysis of the Subbriançonnais and Valais units in the area of Moûtiers (Savoy, Western Alps): paleogeographic and tectonic consequences. Int. Journ. Earth Sciences, 88: 201-218.
  
  
• Goffé B. & Bousquet R., (1997). Ferrocarpholite, chloritoïde et lawsonite dans les métapelites des unités du Versoyen et du Petit St Bernard (zone valaisanne). Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrologische Mitteilungen, 77, 137-147.
  
  
• Gregurek, D., Abart, R., Hoinkes, G.(1997): Contrasting eoalpine P-T evolutions in the southern Koralpe crystalline complex, Eastern Alps. Mineralogy and Petrology, 60, 61-80.
  
  
• Gruskovnjak, A. (2002) Geologische und petrographische Untersuchungen im Lepontin im Grenzbereich von Maggia- und Simanodecke (Ticino) unveröffentlichte Diplomarbeit, Bern, Universität Bern.
  
  
• Herwegh, M., and Berger, A. (2003) Differences in grain growth of calcite: a field-based modeling approach: Contribution to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 145, p. 600-611.
  
  
• Hess, M. (2003): Die Kinematik der Simplonlinie im Val di Bognanco (Italien), sowie ihr Zusammenhang mit spröden Verwerfungen östlich Domodossola. 82 S., unveröffentlichte Diplomarbeit, Universität Basel.
  
  
• Jolivet L., Goffé B., Bousquet R., Oberhänsli R. & Michard A., 1998. The tectono-metamorphic signature of detachments in high-pressure mountain belts, Tethyan examples. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 160, (1-2), 31-47.
  
  
• Kaindl, R. & Abart, R. (2002): Preservation and reequilibration of fluid inclusions in garnet, kyanite, and quartz from medium grade metapelites of the Radenthein Complex, Austroalpine basement, Austria, Schweiz. Mineral. Petrogr. Mitt. 82, 467-486.
  
  
• Kaindl, R., Hoinkes G., Knoll, P., Abart, R. (1999): Fluid inclusions related to Variscan and Alpine metamorphism in the Eastern Alps (Austroalpine Ötztal Basement), Mineralogy and Petrology, 65, 29-49.
  
  
• Keller, L. M., Schmid, S. M., (2001). On the kinematics of shearing near the top of the Monte Rosa nappe and the nature of the Furgg zone in Val Loranco (Antrona valley, N. Italy): tectonometamorphic and paleogeographic cosequences. Schweiz. Mineral. Petrogr. Mitt. 80, 347-367
  
  
• Keller, L.M., Abart, R., Stünitz, H., and De Capitani, C. (2004): Deformation, mass transfer and mineral reactions in an eclogite facies shear zone in a polymetamorphic metapelite (Monte Rosa nappe, western Alps). J. metamorphic Geol. 22, 97-118.
  
  
• Keller, L.M., De Capitani C. and Abart R. (submitted a). The phengite-paragonite solvus I: A quaternary solution model for white micas based on natural coexisting phengite-paragonite pairs. Submitted to J. of Petrology.
  
  
• Keller, L.M., Abart, R., Schmid, S.M. and De Capitani C. (submitted b). The phengite-paragonite solvus II: Influence of solid solution (phengite-paragonite) on the phase relations in metampelites during decompression (Monte Rosa nappe and Camughera-Moncucco Unit, Western Alps). Submitted to J. of Petrology.
  
  
• Keller, L.M., Hess, M., Fügenschuh, B. and Schmid, S.M. (submitted c). Structural and metamorphic evolution of the Camughera-Moncucco and the Monte Rosa Units southwest of the Simplon Line. Submitted to Eclogae geol. Helv.
  
  
• Kramer, J. (2002) Structural evolution of the Penninic units in the Monte Rosa region (Swiss and Italian Alps). Referent: Prof. Dr. S.M. Schmid und Prof. Dr. R. Abart; Korreferent: Prof. Dr. N. Mancktelow (ETH Zürich).
  
  
• Kramer, J., Schmid, S.M., 2001: From ductile mass flow to discrete shear zones: evolution of the Penninic units of the Monte Rosa region, Switzerland/ Italy. XI. European Union of Geosciences meeting, Strasbourg, France, April 8-12, 2001. J. Conf. Abs. 6: 619.
  
  
• Kramer J., Abart R., Müntener O., Schmid S.M. and Stern W.B. (2003). Geochemistry of metabasalts from ophiolitic and adjacent distal continental margin units: Evidence from the Monte Rosa region (Swiss and Italian Alps). Schweiz. Mineral. Petrogr. Mitt. 83/2, 217-240.
  
  
• Kruse, R. & Stünitz, H. (1999): Deformation mechanisms and phase distribution in mafic high temperature mylonites from the Jotun nappe, Southern Norway. Tectonophysics 303, p. 223-249
  
  
• Le Bayon, R. (2003) Tectono-Metamorphic evolution of the Monte Rosa nappe and surrounding units (Western Alps): Implications for alpine geodynamics and exhumation of metamorphic terranes. Referent: Prof. Christian de Capitani; Korreferent: Prof. Michel Ballèvre (Rennes); Prüfungsvorsitz: Prof. Willem Stern.
  
  
• Le Bayon, R., Schmid S. M., De Capitani, C. (2001): The metamorphic evolution of the Monte Rosa nappe and its relation to exhumation by fore- and back-thrusting in the western Alps. Alpine Workshop in Obergurgl; Geologisch-Paläontologische Mitteilungen Innsbruck, 25, 132-133.
  
  
• Leonardi, U. (2003) Zur Abgrenzung und Entwicklung der Cima Lunga und angrenzende Einheiten im Gebiet von Valle di Drosina-Valle di Lodrino (Kanton Tessin) unveröffentlichte Diplomarbeit, Universität Bern.
  
  
• Matenco L. and Schmid S.M. (1999) Exhumation of the Danubian nappe system (South Carpathians) during Early Tertiary: inferences from kinematic and paleostress analysis at the Getic/Danubian nappe contact. Tectonophysics, 314, 401-422.
  
  
• Meyre, Ch., Marquer, D., Schmid, S.M. and Ciancarleoni, L. (1998): Syn-orogenic extension along the Forcola fault. Eclogae geol. Helv., 91, 409-420.
  
  
• Meyre, C., de Capitani, C, and Partzsch, J. (1997): A ternary solid solution model for omphacite and its application to geothermobarometry of eclogites from the Middle Adula nappe (Central Alps). J. metamorphic Geol. 15:687-700.
  
  
• Meyre, C., De Capitani, C., Zack, T., Frey, M., (1999). Petrology of High-PressureMetapelites from the Adula Nappe (Central Alps, Switzerland). Journal of Petrology, 40, 199-213.
  
  
• Nagel, T. (2000): Metamorphic and structural history of the southern Adula nappe (Graubünden, Switzerland). Diss Univ. Basel
  
  
• Nagel, T., de Capitani, C., Frey, M. (2002a): Isograds and P-T evolution in the Southeastern Lepontine Dome (Graubünden, Switzerland). J. metamorphic Geol. 20, 309-324.
  
  
• Nagel T., de Capitani C. , M. Frey (2002b): Isograds and P-T evolution in the eastern Lepontine Alps (Graubünden, Switzerland). Eur. J. Mineral. 14.
  
  
• Nagel, T., de Capitani, C., Frey, M., Froitzheim, N., Stünitz, H., and Schmid, S.M. (2002c): Structural and metamorphic evolution during rapid decompression in the Lepontine dome (southern Simano and Adula nappes, Central Alps, Switzerland). Eclogae geol. Helv., 95, 301-321.
  
  
• Meyre, C. (1998): High-pressure metamorphism and deformation of the middle Adula nappe (Central Alps, Switzerland). Diss. Univ. Basel
  
  
• Oberhänsli R., Bousquet R., & Goffé B., 2004. Comment to „Chloritoid composition and formation in the eastern Central Alps: a comparison between Penninic and Helvetic occurrences“. Schweizerische Mineralogische und Petrologische Mitteilungen, in press.
  
  
• Oberhänsli R., Goffé B. & Bousquet R., 1995. Record of a HP-LT metamorphic evolution in the Valais zone: geodynamic implications. In: Studies on metamorphic rocks and minerals of the Western Alps. A volume in Memory of Ugo Pognante. B. Lombardo (Ed.) Bolletino del Museo Regionale dei Scienze Naturali. Torino, vol. 13, suppl. 2, 221-239.
  
  
• Partzsch, J. (1998): The tectono-metamorphic evolution of the middle Adula nappe, Central Alps, Switzerland. Diss Univ. Basel
  
  
• Partzsch, J.H., Frey M., Kruspan, P., Meyre, C. and Schmid, S.M. (1994): Die tektono-metamorphe Entwicklung der mittleren Adula-Decke (Zentralapen, Schweiz). Göttinger Arb.Geol.Paläont., Sb1, 124-126.
  
  
• Rosenberg, C. & Berger, A. (2001): Syntectonic melt pathways in granitic gneisses, and melt-induced transition in deformation mechanisms. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 26, 287-293.
  
  
• Schmid S.M., Zingg A. and Handy M.(1987): The kinematics of movements along the Insubric Line and the emplacement of the Ivrea Zone. Tectonophysics, 135, 47-66.
  
  
• Schmid, S.M., Pfiffner, O.A., Froitzheim, N., Schönborn, G., and Kissling, E., (1996): Geophysical-geological transect and tectonic evolution of the Swiss-Italian Alps. Tectonics, 15, 1036-1064.
  
  
• Schmid S.M., Berza T., Diaconescu V., Froitzheim N., Fügenschuh B. (1998): Orogen-parallel extension in the Southern Carpathians. Tectonophysics, 297, 209-228.
  
  
• Schmid, S. M., Kissling, E. (2000): The arc of the western Alps in the light of geophysical data on deep crustal structure. Tectonics 19, 62-85
  
  
• Schmid, S.M., Fügenschuh, B., Kissling, E. and Schuster, R. (in press). Tectonic map and overall architecture of the Alpine orogen. Eclogae Geol. Helv.
  
  
• Schuster, R., Scharbert, S., Abart, R., Frank, W.(2001): Permo-Triassic crustal extension and related HTLP metamorphism in the Austroalpine-South Alpine realm, Mitt.Geol.Bergbaustd.Österr., 45, 111-141.
  
  
• Stipp, M., Stünitz, H., Heilbronner, R. and Schmid, S.M., 2002. Dynamic recrystallization of quartz: correlation between natural and experimental conditions. In: S. De Meer, M.R. Drury, J.H.P. De Bresser and G.M. Pennock (Editors), Deformation Mechanisms, Rheology and Tectonics: Current Status and Future perspectives. Geological Society Special Publication of London, London, pp. 171-190.
  
  
• Stipp, M., Stünitz, H., Heilbronner, R. and Schmid, S.M., 2002. The eastern Tonale fault zone: a `natural laboratory' for crystal plastic deformation of quartz over a temperature range from 250 to 700 °C. Journal of Structural Geology, 24(12): 1861-1884.