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Superposition of burial and hydrothermal events: post‐Variscan thermal evolution of the Erzgebirge, Germany
Author(s) -
Wolff Reinhard,
Dunkl István,
Lange JanMichael,
Tonk Christian,
Voigt Thomas,
Eynatten Hilmar
Publication year - 2015
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/ter.12159
Subject(s) - geology , thermochronology , zircon , hydrothermal circulation , cretaceous , paleontology , geochemistry , fission track dating , basement , sedimentary rock , mesozoic , geomorphology , structural basin , civil engineering , engineering
The post‐Variscan thermal history of the Erzgebirge (Germany) is the result of periods of sedimentary burial, exhumation and superimposed hydrothermal activity. The timing and degree of thermal overprint have been analysed by zircon and apatite (U–Th)/He and apatite fission track thermochronology. The present‐day surface of the Erzgebirge was exhumed to a near‐surface position after the Variscan orogeny. Thermal modelling reveals Permo‐Mesozoic burial to temperatures of up to 80–100 °C, although the sedimentary cover thins out towards the north resulting in maximum burial temperatures of less than 40 °C. This thermal pattern was locally modified by Cretaceous hydrothermal activity that reset the zircon (U–Th)/He thermochronometer along ore veins. The thermal models show no significant regional exhumation during Cenozoic times, indicating that the peneplain‐like morphology of the basement is a Late Cretaceous feature.