External Lower Penninic of Central Switzerland

Representation and status

Color RGB
R: 239 G: 237 B: 235
Rank
tectonic subdomain
Validity
Unit is not in Use
Status
local name (informal)

Nomenclature

Deutsch
Externes Unterpenninikum der Zentralschweiz
Français
Pennique Inférieur externe de Suisse centrale
Italiano
Pennidico Inferiore esterno della Svizzera centrale
English
External Lower Penninic of Central Switzerland
Historical Variants

Lower Penninic of Central and Eastern Switzerland (TK500 / Gouffon et al. 2024)

Palaenography and tectonic

Tectonic unit (resp. main category)
Kind of protolith
  • tectonic
Metamorphism
non metamorphic

References

Definition
Gouffon Yves (Editor) (2024) : Tectonic Map of Switzerland 1:500000, Explanatory notes. Federal Office of Topography swisstopo, Wabern

p.71: The Lower Penninic subdomain of central and eastern Switzerland is represented by flysch nappes of controversial origin in the external part of the Alps and essentially by metasedimentary, mostly shaly-calcareous units (so called “Bündnerschiefer”) further south, deposited in the oceanic Valaisan Basin. Ophiolitic remnants are found at the base of some of the “Bündnerschiefer-type” nappes. The Chiavenna Nappe is a large ophiolitic slice found below the Middle Penninic Tambo Nappe and against the Gruf Complex, and thus considered as a remnant of the Valaisan oceanic crust. Lower Penninic sediment units form the Prättigau Half-Window and the core of the Lower Engadine Window.

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