Cretaceous tectonics in Eastern Alps, Carpathians and Dinarides: two-step microplate collision and Andean-type magmatic arc associated with orogenic collapse

Franz Neubauer (a)
(a) Dept. Geography and Geology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria. Corresponding email: franz.neubauer@sbg.ac.at

A new, alternative model for the Cretaceous tectonic evolution for internal sectors of the Alpine-Balkan-Carpathian-Dinaridic (ABCD) orogen is proposed. Whereas the western part (Eastern Alps and West Carpathians of the originally E-W trending orogenic is characterized by Early Cretaceous collision and subduction of continental crust following the Middle-Late Jurassic closure of the Middle Triassic Meliata oceanic rift, UHP/HP metamorphism and associated thick-skinned tectonics. The eastern part is affected by Late Cretaceous subduction and closure of the Severin-Ceahlau oceanic rift superimposed on the Early Cretaceous nappe stack.

Alps, Carpathians, orogenic collapse, Severin-Ceahlau oceanic rift, thick-skinned tectonics.