A rapid transition from subduction to Barrovian metamorphism: geochronology of mafic-ultramafic relicts of oceanic crust in the Central Alps, Switzerland.

Relicts of subducted oceanic lithosphere provide key information for the tectonic reconstructions of convergent margins. In the Central Alps, such relicts occur as isolated mafic-ultramafic lenses within the migmatites of the southern Adula nappe and Cima-Lunga unit. Analysis of the major-, minor-, and accessory minerals of these ophiolitic relicts, combined with zircon and rutile U-Pb ages and zircon oxygen isotopes, allows the reconstruction of different stages of their complex evolution. The mafic-ultramafic suite in Valle di Moleno consists of chlorite-harzburgites associated with metarodingites and retrogressed eclogites. Relic omphacite and kyanite in retrogressed eclogites provide evidence for subduction-related metamorphism. Increasing X_Prp in the garnet mantle towards the rim documents heating during high-pressure metamorphism up to 800-850 °C. Polyphase inclusions and chemical zoning in garnet suggest fluid-assisted melting during high-pressure metamorphism dated at 31.0 ± 0.9 Ma. In Val Cama, chlorite-harzburgites, metarodingites and calcsilicate-metasediments occur. Detrital zircon ages in the metasediment suggest a Mesozoic deposition. The metarodingite-metaperidotite-metasediment association and the low δ¹⁸O signatures of zircon (δ¹⁸O 3.0-3.7‰), inherited from seafloor metasomatism of the protoliths, show that the rocks are derived from former altered oceanic crust. Amphibolite facies metamorphism related to the Central Alps Barrovian evolution in Val Cama occurred at 28.8 ± 1.5 Ma. The combined data from Moleno and Cama indicate a rapid transition (~ 2 Ma) from subduction to collisional metamorphism with corresponding exhumation rates of 3-6 cm/year. Fast exhumation tectonics may have been favored by slab break-off or slab extraction. U-Pb dating of rutile from both localities yields ages of ~ 20 Ma, suggesting that these rocks remained at amphibolite-facies conditions for about 10 Ma and underwent a second fast exhumation of 3 cm/year associated with vertical movements along the Insubric line.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s00015-024-00462-7.