Ng. Evans et al., SYNTECTONIC EMPLACEMENT OF THE MALADETA GRANITE (PYRENEES) DEDUCED FROM RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN HERCYNIAN DEFORMATION AND CONTACT-METAMORPHISM, Journal of the Geological Society, 155, 1998, pp. 209-216
The relationships between Hercynian deformation and contact metamorphi
sm in the aureole of the Aneto unit, a constituent pluton of the Malad
eta granite complex (Spanish Pyrenees), provide new data relevant to t
he controversy between the syn-and post-tectonic models of emplacement
for the Pyrenean granites. The deformation in the Aneto aureole is re
lated to two superimposed Hercynian episodes. The first was a 'top to
the SW' thrusting which induced SW-verging recumbent folds. The second
, which was essentially compressive in the Aneto area, is represented
by E-W-trending subvertical cleavage and folds with subhorizontal axes
. This second episode can be assigned to the D2 main Hercynian tectoni
c event of the Pyrenees. The contact metamorphic assemblages grew duri
ng the D2 event and were deformed by it close to the contact. The conc
lusion that the pluton was emplaced during D2 is strengthened by the s
tructural and kinematic similarities between the magmatic deformation
in the southern rim of the pluton and the D2 deformation in the countr
y rocks. This syntectonic timing is supported by new geochronological
data that conflict with an existing Rb-Sr post-tectonic Permian whole-
rock age for the Maladeta granite. More generally, in accordance with
some very recent structural and U-Pb zircon studies, our results contr
adict the geodynamical models of the Pyrenees which relate the granite
intrusions to a late extensional event.