Continuous out-of-sequence ductile thrusting in the Norwegian Caledonides

Abstract

AbstractPeak metamorphic conditions (up to sillimanite grade) in a unit of rocks beneath the evolving Kalak Nappe Complex (Finnmarkian Caledonides) developed prior to its incorporation as a nappe within the complex. The presence of displacement textures in peak metamorphic por-phyroblasts indicates that they grew in a hydrostatic stress regime and thus that the emplacement of tectonically higher units caused little or no deviatoric stress in the footwall rocks except close to the thrust plane.The developing geotherm in the incipient nappe was disrupted by the onset of thrusting (D2 deformation), which placed hot rocks on colder rocks. This led to the cessation of prograde metamorphism and accounts for the ubiquitous association of nappe emplacement and the meta morphic peak. Later deformation (D3/D4) occurred at lower grades (biotite/chlorite). Consideration of nappe translation rates and the likely erosion/cooling rates indicates that nappe movements must have occurred ‘continuously out-of-sequence’ within the Kalak Nappe Complex.