Geologica Belgica Geologica Belgica -  volume 8 (2005)  number 4 - Avalonia-Moesia volume 

TIMING AND DURATION OF THE PROGRESSIVE DEFORMATION OF THE BRABANT MASSIF, BELGIUM

Timothy N. DEBACKER

Structural Geology & Tectonics Group, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Redingenstraat 16, B-3000 Leuven.

Stijn DEWAELE

Geodynamics & Geofluids Research Group, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200C, B-3000 Leuven.

Manuel SINTUBIN

Structural Geology & Tectonics Group, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Redingenstraat 16, B-3000 Leuven.

Jacques VERNIERS

Onderzoekseenheid Paleontologie, Vakgroep Geologie en Bodemkunde, Universiteit Gent, Krijgslaan 281, S8, B-9000

Philippe MUCHEZ

Geodynamics & Geofluids Research Group, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200C, B-3000 Leuven.

Ariël BOVEN

Eenheid Geochronologie, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussel

Abstract

A comparison of structural, geophysical, metamorphic, stratigraphical and sedimentological data suggests that the progressive deformation of the Brabant Massif, the Brabantian orogeny, is more diachronous than commonly thought. Apparently, the Cambrian core of the massif was already deforming by the late Llandovery, whereas the Ludlow deposits below the angular unconformity probably did not experience deformation prior to the late Pragian. Hence, the Brabant Massif experienced a long-lived deformation history, lasting for at least ~30 Ma.

The slow, progressive deformation model is supported by 40Ar/39Ar dating of syn- to post-cleavage, metamorphic muscovite/sericite grains. The 40Ar/39Ar spectra indicate that episodic metamorphic fluid circulation occurred between ~426 and ~393 Ma. This time interval corresponds to that of the progressive deformation inferred from structural, geophysical, metamorphic, stratigraphical and sedimentological observations.

Pour citer cet article

Timothy N. DEBACKER, Stijn DEWAELE, Manuel SINTUBIN, Jacques VERNIERS, Philippe MUCHEZ & Ariël BOVEN, «TIMING AND DURATION OF THE PROGRESSIVE DEFORMATION OF THE BRABANT MASSIF, BELGIUM», Geologica Belgica [En ligne], number 4 - Avalonia-Moesia volume, volume 8 (2005), 20-34 URL : https://popups.uliege.be/1374-8505/index.php?id=110.