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Global Reconstruction and Database Project*

By

Gérard M. Stampfli1, Cyril Hochard1, Caroline Wilhem1, and Juergen von Raumer2

 

Search and Discovery Article #30055 (2008)

Posted April 3, 2008

 

*Adapted from oral presentation at First MAPG International Conference & Exhibition, October 28-31, 2007, Marrakech, Morocco, and corresponding abstract entitled “600 Ma of Peri-Gondwana Plate Tectonics and Geodynamic Evolution.”

 

1University of Lausanne, IGP, Anthropole, CH 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ([email protected])

2University of Fribourg, Sciences de la Terre, CH 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland

 

Abstract 

A new global plate tectonic scheme has been developed for the last 600 Ma, based on a large database including major geodynamic events affecting key-areas and related to plate boundary conditions in space and time. This new scheme is made in a GIS based software, allowing plate velocities and other plate characteristics to be measured along the geological time. This scheme is totally different from continental drift models proposed so far, as continents are now imbedded in plates, and thus, plate boundary conditions became a severe constraining factor in reconstructing the paleodynamics of the moving continents. Analysis of continental margins stratigraphy, sedimentology, magmatism, and tectonics is the key factor in this effort to integrate paleogeography and geodynamics. Gondwana and its periphery have been analyzed in detail, in order to propose a new fit where continental fragments, now dispersed in many continental areas, can find their original place. These fragments are part of major terranes that left Gondwana mainly in the Paleozoic, such as Avalonia, the Hun superterrane, the Galatian superterrane, and the Cimmerian superterrane. Some were amalgamated to Laurasia first, to be reunited with Gondwana later on. This is the case of the Moroccan Meseta, first part of an active peri-Gondwanan margin in the early Paleozoic, then drifting away from it, together with the Galatian superterrane and opening of Paleotethys, to be accreted to Laurussia in the Devonian-Carboniferous and soon after to Gondwana (Pangea) again. During the Jurassic it drifted away from Laurasia together with Gondwana.

 

 

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Selected Figures

Eovariscan and Variscan cyles (Stampfli et al., 2001). Gondwana drift history (in sequence) from Late Silurian to Late Carboniferous. IC=Indochina, including Borneo; KT= Karakum-Turan; KZ=Kazakhstan; Mug=Mugdozar ocean; nC=north China; nT=north Tibet (Qiantag); Pp=Paphlagonian ocean; sC=south China; Tm=Tarim.

Variscan model (in cross-section), 500 Ma – 300 Ma..

Click to view cross-sections in sequence.

Paleogeographic reconstructions (in sequence), 600 Ma – 394 Ma.

Paleogeographic reconstructions (in sequence), 394-290 Ma.

 

Selected References 

Becker, G., H. Blumenstengel, A. Braun, D.Bruehl, I. Chlupac, M. Ginter, U. Jansen, S. Loboziak, P. Lukes, B.P. Luette, K.H. Ribbert, P. Sartenaer, G. Schraut, S. Schroeder, M. Streel, and O.H. Walliser, 1998, Devon-Korrelationstabelle: Senckenbergiana Lehaea, v. 77, no. 1-2, p. 289-326.

Chlupac, Ivo, et al., 1998, Post-symposium excursions, Day 1, Stop 1 (Krasovice) and Stop 4 (Tocnik), in Pre-Variscan terrane analysis of “Gonwanan Europe:” international conference; excursion guides and bastracts: Schriften des Staatlichen Museums fuer Mineralogie und Geologie zu Dresden, v. 9, p. 76-77, 84-85.

Ebner, F., S. Kovacs, and H.P. Schonlaub, 1998, Stratigraphic and facial correlation of the Szendro-Upony Paleozoic (NE Hungary) with the Carnic Alps – South Karawanken Mountains and Graz Paleozoic (southern Alps and central Eastern Alps); some paleogeographic implications: Acta Geologica Hungarica, v. 41, no. 4, p. 355-388.

Gutiérrez-Marco, J.C., and S.B. Esteban, 2003, Reappraisal of the Tremadocian graptolite sequence of the Famitina System, NW Argentina, in Proceedings of the 7th international graptolite conference & field meeting of the International Subcommission on Sillurian Stratigraphy: Serie Correlacion Geologica, v. 18, p. 39-44.

Gozalo, R., E. Linan, T. Palacios, J.A. Vintaned, and E. Mayoral, 2003, The Cambrian of the Iberian Peninsula: an overview, in Advances in the knowledge of the Cambrian system: Geologica Acta, v. 1, no. 1, p. 102-112.

Hoepffner, C., A. Soulaimani, and A. Pique,2005, The Moroccan Hercynides, in Phanerozoic Evolution of Africa: Journal of African Earth Sciences, v. 43, p. 144-165. :

Hoepffner, C., M.R. Houari, and M. Bouabdelli, 2006, Tectonics of the North African Variscides (Morocco, western Algeria): an outline, in Some Recent Developments on the Maghreb Geodynamics: Comptes Rendus – Academie des Sciences, Geoscience, v. 338, no. 1-2, p. 25-40.

Kriz, J., J.M. Degardin, A. Ferretti, W. Hansch, J.C. Gutierrez-Maarco, F. Paris, J.M. Picarra-d-Almeida, M. Robardet, H.P. Schoenlaub, and E. Serpagli, 2003, Silurian stratigraphy and paleogeography of Gondwanan and Perunican Europe, in Silurian lands and seas; paleogeography outside of Laurentia: Bulletin New York State Museum, p. 105-178.

Linnemann, U., N.J. McNaughton, R.L. Romer, M. Gehmlich, K. Drost, and C. Tonk, 2004, West African provenance for Saxo-Thuringia (Bohemian Massif): Did Armorica ever leave pre-Pangean Gondwana?: Geologische Rundschau=International Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 93, no. 5, p. 683-705.,

Piersen, A.P. P. Herranz, J.C. Gutierrez-Marco, M.A. San Jose, and M. Robardet, 2004, Lithostratigraphic revision of the Ordovician sequence of the Castillian arm of the Iberian System (translated), in 6th Geologic Congress of Spain, v. 2, p. 199-202.

Radig, F., 1964, Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Grenzschichten Devon-Karbon im Kantabrischen Gebirge (Nordspanien): Neues Jahrbuch fuer Geologie und Palaeontologie, Monatshefte 3, p. 150-162.

Stampfli, G.M., J. Marcoux, and A. Baud, 1991, Tethyan margins in space and time: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 87, p. 373-410.

Stampfli, G.M., J. Mosar, R. Marchant, D. Marquer, T. Baudin, and G. Borel, 1998, Subduction and obduction processes in the western Alps, in Continents and their mantle roots: Tectonophysics, v. 296, no. 1-2, p. 159-204.

Stampfli, G.M., G.D. Borel, W. Cavazza, J. Mosar, and P.A. Ziegler, 2001a, Palaeotectonic and palaeogeographic evolution of the western Tethys and PeriTethyan domain: Episodes, v. 24, no. 4, p. 222-228.

Stampfli, G.M., J. Mosar, P. Favre,A. Pillevuit, and J-C. Vannay, 2001b, Permo-Mesozoic evolution of the western Tethyan realm: the Neotethys/East- Mediterranean connection, in Ziegler, P.A., W. Cavazza, A.H.F. Robertson, and S. Crasquin-Soleau, eds., PeriTethys, Memoir 6: Peritethyan rift/wrench basins and passive margins, IGCP 369: Mém. Museum Nat. Hist., v. 186: p. 51-108.

Stampfli, G.M., and G.D. Borel, 2002a, A plate tectonic model for the Paleozoic and Mesozoic constrained by dynamic plate boundaries and restored synthetic oceanic isochrons: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 196, p. 17-33.

Stampfli, G.M., G. Borel, R. Marchant, and J. Mosar, 2002b, Western Alps geological constraints on western Tethyan reconstructions. Journal Virtual Explorer, v. 8, p. 77-106.

Stampfli, G.M., J. von Raumer, and G.D. Borel, 2002c, The Palaeozoic evolution of pre-Variscan terranes: From peri-Gondwana to the Variscan collision, in Variscan Appalachian Dynamics: The building of the Upper Paleozoic basement:GSA Special Paper 364, p. 263-280.

Stampfli, G.M., H. Kozur, and G.D. Borel (in press), Europe from Variscan to the Alpine cycles, in Gee, D.G., and R. Stephenson, eds.: European Lithosphere Dynamics. Memoir of Geological Society (London).

 

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