Late Variscan deformation events in the Bardo Syncline revealed by biotite K-Ar dating of Ludlow-age tuffite (Holy Cross Mountains, Poland)

Abstract

In the Bardo Syncline (Holy Cross Mountains, Poland), two beds of tuffite (named the Niewachlów tuffites) have been discovered within greywackes of Ludlow (Silurian) age. K-Ar dating of the lower bed yielded an age of 292.8 ±4.0 Ma, while the upper bed provided an age of 341.9 ±4.3 Ma. The dates pertain to metamorphic alteration of the tuffite, related to reactivation of the Daleszyce Fault Zone. In this zone, biotite crystals present in the foliation zones were recrystallized and their K-Ar isotopic system was rejuvenated in a temperature range of ~270–300°C. The dates that were obtained define the ages of two tectono-metamorphic episodes and reflect the timing of displacements along the fault which, in turn, reflect two deformation phases during the Variscan Orogeny (Mississippian and Early Permian). Moreover the dates may be correlated with Late Variscan magmatic activity in the Holy Cross Mountains and adjacent areas. The deformation of the Daleszyce Fault Zone may be regarded as resulting from displacements of lithospheric blocks within the Trans European Suture Zone during the Late Variscan reconstruction of the Baltica palaeocontinent margin