Paleogene-early Miocene igneous rocks and geodynamics of the Alpine-Carpathian-Pannonian-Dinaric region: An integrated approach

Abstract

A review of Paleogene-early Miocene igneous rocks of the Alpine-Carpathian-Pannonian-Dinaric region is presented in this paper. We attempt to reveal the geodynamic link between Paleogene-early Miocene igneous rocks of the Mid-Hungarian zone and those of the Alps and Dinarides. Our summary suggests that Paleogene-early Miocene igneous rocks of all these areas were formed along a single, subduction-related magmatic arc. The study also highlights orthopyroxene-rich websterite mantle xenoliths from west Hungary and east Serbia that were formed in the vicinity of a subducted slab. We discuss the location and polarity of all potential subduction zones of the area that may account for the igneous rocks and orthopyroxene-rich mantle rocks. However, results of seismic tomography on subducted slabs beneath the studied area combined with geological data demonstrate that igneous rocks and mantle rocks cannot be explained by the same subduction process. We propose that the Paleogene-early Miocene arc was mainly generated by the Budva-Pindos subduction zone, subordinately by Penninic subduction, whereas mantle rocks were possibly formed in the vicinity of the older Vardar subduction zone. Continental blocks possibly moved together with their mantle lithosphere. The present diverging shape of the proposed arc has been achieved by considerable shear and rotations of those lithospheric blocks.