The Calabria-Peloritani Orogen, a composite terrane in Central Mediterranean; its overall architecture and geodynamic significance for a pre-Alpine scenario around the Tethyan basin

Authors

  • Rosolino Cirrincione <p>University of Catania<br />Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science</p>
  • Eugenio Fazio <p>University of Catania</p> <p>Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science<br /><br /></p>
  • Patrizia Fiannacca <p>University of Catania</p> <p>Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science</p>
  • Gaetano Ortolano <p>University of Catania</p> <p>Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science</p>
  • Antonino Pezzino <p>University of Catania</p> <p>Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science</p>
  • Rosalda Punturo <p>University of Catania</p> <p>Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science</p>

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2451/2015PM0446

Keywords:

Variscan crystalline basements, Alpine orogeny, paleogeography, Calabria and NE Sicily

Abstract

The Calabria-Peloritani Orogen is an arcuate segment of the peri-Mediterranean orogenic Alpine nappe system that comprises the whole Calabria and the north-eastern sector of Sicily. It comprises the Sila and Catena Costiera Massifs in northern Calabria, the Serre and Aspromonte Massifs in central and southern Calabria, and the Peloritani Mountains in Sicily.

In Sila and Catena Costiera Massifs, three tectonic complexes are recognisable: a) the basal Apennine Complex, which consists of carbonate platform sequences of passive continental margin; b) the intermediate Liguride Complex, made of oceanic-derived units, affected by HP/LT metamorphism; and c) the upper Calabride Complex, which represents a nearly entire section of continental crust. The Catanzaro Line separates the northern sector from the Serre Massif that also represents a nearly entire segment of Variscan continental crust unaffected by Alpine metamorphism. Further to the south, the Palmi Line separates the Serre from the Aspromonte Massif and the Peloritani Mountains. These two latter nappe edifices consist of either Variscan metamorphic units, Variscan units with Alpine overprint and units of continental derivation that are exclusively affected by Alpine metamorphism. The comparison between the geological evolutions of the various chain sectors, as well as their structural setting and their direction of tectonic transport, indicates that the Calabria-Peloritani Orogen is a composite terrane derived from the amalgamation of crustal blocks of different continental provenance. Northern Calabria represents a fragment of the Adria palaeomargin, whereas southern Calabria and northeastern Sicily are relics of an accretionary wedge resulting from the deformation of the European continental margin. As a consequence, nowadays a segment of the Europe-Adria collisional suture crops out in central Calabria.

Author Biographies

Rosolino Cirrincione, <p>University of Catania<br />Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science</p>

**********************************
Prof. Rosolino Cirrincione PhD.
Associate professor of Petrography and Petrology
*********************************

Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science
University of Catania
Phone: +39 095 7195638
Fax.:+39 095 7195760
E-Mail: r.cirrincione@unict.it

Eugenio Fazio, <p>University of Catania</p> <p>Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science<br /><br /></p>

**********************************
Dr. Eugenio Fazio PhD.
Researcher in Petrography and Petrology
*********************************

Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science
University of Catania
Phone: +39 095 7195752
Fax.:+39 095 7195760
E-Mail: efazio@unict.it

Patrizia Fiannacca, <p>University of Catania</p> <p>Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science</p>

**********************************
Dr. Patrizia Fiannacca PhD.
Researcher in Petrography and Petrology
*********************************

Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science
University of Catania
Phone: +39 095 7195738
Fax.:+39 095 7195760
E-Mail: pfianna@unict.it

Gaetano Ortolano, <p>University of Catania</p> <p>Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science</p>

**********************************
Dr. Gaetano Ortolano PhD.
Researcher in Petrography and Petrology
*********************************

Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science
University of Catania
Phone: +39 095 7195754
Fax.:+39 095 7195760
E-Mail: ortolano@unict.it

Antonino Pezzino, <p>University of Catania</p> <p>Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science</p>

**********************************
Prof. Antinino Pezzino
Full professor of Applied Petrography
*********************************

Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science
University of Catania
Phone: +39 095 7195746
Fax.:+39 095 7195760
E-Mail: pezzino@unict.it

Rosalda Punturo, <p>University of Catania</p> <p>Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science</p>

**********************************
Dr. Rosalda Punturo PhD.
Researcher in Petrography and Petrology
*********************************

Dept. of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science
University of Catania
Phone: +39 095 7195757
Fax.:+39 095 7195760
E-Mail: punturo@unict.it

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Published

2015-11-02

Issue

Vol. 84 No. 3B (2015): (Special Issue) Progresses in deciphering structures and compositions of basement rocks

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE