The birth of the Alps: Ediacaran to Paleozoic accretionary processes and crustal growth along the northern Gondwana margin

Abstract New whole-rock geochemical and coupled U–Pb Lu–Hf LA-ICP-MS zircon data of metasedimentary rocks the Austroalpine, South Alpine Penninic basement domains are presented, to disentangle pre-Variscan tectonic evolution proto-Alps. The studied units seem record distinct stages protracted Late Ediacaran Carboniferous tectonosedimentary processes prior Variscan collision. In case Austroalpine units, nevertheless, no major differences in terms provenance observed, since most detrital samples characterized by a Pan-African peak. Their spectra from northeastern Saharan Metacraton Sinai at northern Arabian-Nubian Shield, being thus located along eastern Early Paleozoic Gondwana margin, whereas sources further west inferred for Unit, which might have been placed close Moldanubian Unit Bohemian Massif. any case, it is clear that remained position mainland least during Paleozoic. Silurian evolution, includes Cadomian Cenerian tectonometamorphic magmatic processes, continuum related retreating-mode accretionary orogen, with diachronous back-arc basin opening possibly discrete compressional/transpressional pulses linked changes subduction zone dynamics. On other hand, essentially comprises subordinate metaigneous rocks, very few Neoproterozoic relics. This was significantly reworked orogenic due anatexis and/or assimilation mantle-derived juvenile magmatism.