Geology of the southern Dora-Maira Massif: insights from a sector with mixed ophiolitic and continental rocks (Valmala tectonic unit, Western Alps)

Abstract

In the Valmala sector of the southern Dora Maira Massif (Western Alps), two different eclogite- and blueschist-facies units (i.e. the Rocca Solei and Dronero units, respectively), are separated by a shear zone (i.e. the Valmala Tectonic Unit), which peculiarly consists of mixed slices of ophiolitic and continental rocks. A detailed geological map at 1:10,000 scale allowed to point out that the tectonic slices within the Valmala Tectonic Unit consist of ‘native’ rock slices wrenched from the overlying Dronero Unit, and ‘exotic’ rocks likely sourced from other units of the Dora Maira and from a continental margin and an oceanic basin. On the contrary, rock slices sourced from the underlying Rocca Solei Unit are lacking. The overall tectonic stack results after an early subduction-related deformation phase (i.e. the D1), and the pervasive overprinting of two subsequent exhumation-related deformation phases (i.e. the D2 and D3). The Valmala Tectonic Unit is inferred to have played a role in decoupling the southern Dora Maira Massif during subduction, and/or in driving exhumation of the ultra-high pressure rocks occurring in the adjoining Brossasco-Isasca Unit.

Keywords

• alpine tectonics
• dora-maira massif
• tectonic mélanges
• ophiolites
• shear zone