The `Cretan detachment` and adjacent units in eastern Crete: Structure, kinematics, deformation mechanisms, and metamorphic evolution

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Gernold Zulauf
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2002 to 2007
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5363787

The upper and lower Alpine nappes of Crete are separated by the 'Cretan detachment', which is commonly interpreted to represent a large-displacement extensional shear zone that contributed to exhume subducted rocks of the foot wall. Miocene extension is supposed to have been controlled by roll back of the Hellenic subduction zone. One reason to argue for extensional movements along the 'Cretan detachment' is the fact that supposed nonmetamorphic rocks of the hanging wall (Tripolitza unit) are resting on top of metamorphic rocks of the foot wall (PhylliteQuartzite or Plattenkalk unit). First microfabric, strain and illite-crystallinity data from eastern Crete, however, suggest inverse metamorphism when crossing the 'Cretan detachment', meaning that very-low grade metamorphic Tripolitza limestone is resting on almost nonmetamorphic rocks of the PhylliteQuartzite unit. Thus, in eastern Crete the 'Cretan detachment' might form a thrust, the movements of which should have led to crustal thickening. The present project will focus on this hypothesis because (1) the 'Cretan detachment' is of major importance for the Alpine geodynamics of the eastern Mediterranean area, and (2) the 'Cretan detachment' could be penetrated by ICDP drillings in the Mesara graben.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants