The Piolit, Pelat and Baiardo Upper Cretaceous flysch formations (western Alps): geodynamic implications at the time of the Pyrenean tectonic phases

Abstract

The Piolit, Pelat (French Alps) and Baiardo (Italian Maritime Alps) units contain Upper Cretaceous carbonate turbidites formations, with minor siliciclastic components. They are flysch formations, linked with the Pyrenean compressive events through their ages and their “subbrianconnais” structural position. Sedimentological, mineralogical (heavy minerals), and geochemical analysis, point to a potential “Pyrenean signature” which would testify the Late Cretaceous collision between the Ibero-Brianconnais terrane and the European plate. A “Dauphinois” origin and basin inversion erosion is proposed for the zircon-tourmaline-rutile (ZTR) bearing Piolit flysch, deposited from the Coniacian to the Campanian. A Penninic origin with tectonic inversion and erosion of former tilted blocks of the European margin from the Turonian to the Paleocene is proposed for the ZTR bearing Pelat flysch. Comparison with the Niesen (Swiss Prealps) and La Ciotat (Provence) flysch depositional context, allows to better constrain the Pyrenean compressive event in the Alpine domain. The Senonian part of the Baiardo flysch, that contains a garnet-dominated heavy mineral association and distinct geochemical trends, is allotted to the Liguro-Piemontais domain and to the Alpine collision stricto sensu.