Low-grade metamorphic rocks from the Pulur complex, NE Turkey: implications for the pre-Liassic evolution of the Eastern Pontides

Topuz G., ALTHERR R., SATIR M., SCHWARZ W.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EARTH SCIENCES, vol.93, no.1, pp.72-91, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 93 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s00531-003-0372-5
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EARTH SCIENCES
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.72-91
  • Keywords: palaeotethys, Pulur complex, Sakarya Zone, Pontides, low-grade metamorphism, isotopic dating, SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS, TAUERN WINDOW, SUBDUCTION COMPLEX, PHASE-RELATIONS, MISCIBILITY GAP, HIGH-PRESSURE, WHITE MICAS, GREENSCHIST, TEMPERATURE, HORNBLENDE
  • Istanbul Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In the Pulur complex (Sakarya Zone, Eastern Pontides, Turkey) a low-grade tectonometamorphic unit (Dogankavak) is exposed in three tectonic windows beneath a complex medium-pressure high-temperature metamorphic unit of late Carboniferous age. The thrust plane between both units is transgressively covered by Liassic conglomerates. The Dogankavak unit comprises a sequence of metabasites with MORB-type chemical compositions and phyllites, with subordinate calcareous phyllites, marbles, quarzofeldspathic schists and metacherts. This sequence is interpreted as a former accretionary complex related to the consumption of the Palaeotethys. Mineral parageneses in the metabasites allow for the distinction of two domains with slightly different peak metamorphic conditions, i.e. 375-425 degreesC/ 0.5-0.8 GPa (greenschist facies) and 400-470 degreesC/0.6-1.1 GPa (albite-epidote amphibolite facies). The age of metamorphism is constrained at similar to 260 Ma (early Late Permian) by two Rb-Sr mineral-whole rock ages (hornblende, phengite) and one Ar-40/Ar-39 single step total fusion age (phengite). In conjunction with previous data on other accretionary complexes in the Sakarya zone in Northern Turkey, the data presented in this study suggest a continuous subduction of the Palaeotethys at least from Early/Late Permian to Late Triassic and a discontinuous preservation of accretion complexes in both space and time.