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Exhumation controlled by transcurrent tectonics: the Argentera–Mercantour massif (SW Alps)
Author(s) -
Sanchez Guillaume,
Rolland Yann,
Jolivet Marc,
Brichau Stéphanie,
Corsini Michel,
Carter Andrew
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
terra nova
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.353
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-3121
pISSN - 0954-4879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3121.2011.00991.x
Subject(s) - massif , geology , sinistral and dextral , seismology , tectonics , extensional definition , transpression , geomorphology , paleontology
Terra Nova, 23, 116–126, 2011 Abstract New apatite fission track (AFT) and (U‐Th)/He ages from the Argentera–Mercantour External Crystalline Massif of the SW Alps document an exhumation history along transcurrent dextral faults. Significant AFT age differences across the strikes of the main faults have been obtained from the NE (12.9 Ma) to the SW (5.2 Ma) and are linked to vertical uplifts along these right‐lateral transpressional structures. Such segmentation is not observed in AHe ages. AHe ages have preserved younger ages (4–5 Ma) on the eastern hangingwall side of the High Durance extensional system. Such an exhumation history is interpreted to result from a transition of transpressional to transtensional regimes at 8–5 Ma during continuing Adria–Europe convergence. These data show that recent extensional deformation in the SW Alps can be related to the development of a transtensional domain in the Ubaye–Embrunais depression linked to ongoing strike‐slip deformation along the Argentera–Mercantour.