The South Carpathians: Tectono-metamorphic units related to Variscan and Pan-African inheritance

Abstract

This overview of the pre-Mesozoic tectono-stratigraphic units from the South Carpathian basement is based on updating the published and unpublished maps with recent age determinations. Updating is focused on pre-Upper Carboniferous metamorphosed sequences and related magmatites, which yielded protoliths ages in the Neoproterozoic to Carboniferous time span. Within the Danubian Domain, the Upper Proterozoic (Pan-African/Cadomian) granitoid massifs are intruded in the metaterrigenous Lainici-PăiuÅŸ unit, while Paleozoic (Carboniferous and Lower Permian) granitoids and volcanics are present in both Neoproterozoic units, Lainici-PăiuÅŸ and DrăgÅŸan (oceanic type rock assemblages). A Devonian ophiolitic and tectonic paleosuture separating these two units is preserved in the Danubian Domain. In the Getic-Supragetic Domain, Neoproterozoic protoliths are recognised in the Lotru and Ursu units, Cambrian protoliths in the FăgăraÈ™ unit, while Lower Paleozoic (Ordovician) metagranitoids are associated to the Cumpăna and SebeÈ™ units. Variscan tectonic lines are cartographically identified based on simple shear zones and syn-tectonic parageneses, contrasting lithologies, structural-metamorphic features and the recognized paleosutures. The main feature of the gneissic units in the Getic-Supragetic basement is the exhumation of the deep seated shear zones and HP mafic-ultramafic rocks with Carboniferous izotopic ages, as well as the widespread metatectic migmatisation and anatexis.