Alpine metamorphism of the Pan-African gneiss basement in the Menderes Massif, SW-Turkey. New constraints from Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd garnet geochronology.

• Applicant: Dr. Alexander Schmidt
• Subject Area: Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry
• Term: from 2013 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 245704921

This study will investigate garnet bearing rocks from the southern Menderes massif in southwest Turkey utilizing the Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd isotope systems for geochronology. The study area comprises rocks of the Pan-African basement of west Turkey which have been overprinted by an Alpine metamorphic event. The timing is yet only inadequately constrained, and especially garnets have not been subject to geochronological work so far. Rock samples of the study area contain garnet crystals with sizes ranging from millimeter to several centimeters. Large, euhedral garnet crystals up to 5cm in diameter will be used for a micro-sampling approach to constrain beginning and duration of the garnet growth. Preliminary results reveal Lu-Hf ages of a garnet core of 60 Ma and a ~20 Ma younger rim. Micro-sampling and Lu-Hf + Sm-Nd geochronology of core and rim sections of selected large garnet crystals is the main topic of this study. These ages will help to constrain the complex metamorphic history of the Menderes Massif.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Roland Oberhänsli