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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Geochemistry, tectonic setting and geodynamic significance of late orogenic dikes in the Melibocus Massif, Bergsträsser Odenwald

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description

The Melibocus Massif forms a tonalite pluton in the W’ Bergstrasser Odenwald, which is interpreted as part of a magmatic arc of Devonian to Carboniferous age. Dikes of various compositions intrude frequently this tonalite. Different dike-lithologies are associated with different strike directions. Most dikes show evidence of high-temperature shearing. A probable maximum paleostress direction of ca. 060° can be estimated, i.e. nearly parallel to the known Variscan subduction zone in the Northwest. Due to their ductile deformation under conditions around the Ar-closing temperature of amphibole, intrusion likely occurred during the Carboniferous (Mississippian). The gabbroic to dioritic dikes (malchites) have calc-alkaline composition. Comparison with modern analogues suggests subduction-related arc magmatism. Rare earth element distributions indicate more than 5% partial melting of the mantle source with limited amounts of residual garnet. In contrast to the tonalite pluton the granitoid dikes (alsbachites) are of S-type origin, as indicated by primary muscovite and chemical composition. This requires involvement of continental material in the dike’s source rather than in the tonalite host rock’s source. The trace element chemistry of these dikes indicates magma formation in a convergent plate tectonic situation, i.e. a magmatic arc regime. Therefore, the dikes are probably the late part of the same subduction-related magmatism, which produced the tonalitic and other plutons of the Bergstrasser Odenwald. In contrast to the large pluton-forming magmas, formation of the dikes during late or post-collisional extension or transtension followed by a phase of compression or transpression is probable.