Erstfeld-Gneiskomplex

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Representation and status

Index
GM-E
Color CMYK
(0%,16%,16%,2%)
Color RGB
R: 250 G: 190 B: 175
Rank
lithostratigraphic Formation
Validity
Unit is in Use
Status
informal term
Status discussion

Nomenclature

Deutsch
Erstfeld-Gneiskomplex
Français
Complexe gneissique d'Erstfeld
Italiano
Complesso gneissico di Erstfeld
English
Erstfeld Gneiss Complex
Origin of the Name

Erstfeld (UR) im Reusstal

Historical Variants

Erstfeldergneis (Baltzer 1880, Heim 1891, Sauer 1905, Staub 1911), Erstfelder-Gneiszone (Hugi 1934), gneiss d'Erstfeld (Gysin 1952a), Erstfelder-Gneis (Hügi 1955), série d'Erstfeld-Lötschental (Krummenacher 1959), Erstfeld Gneiss Complex (Berger et al. 2017), Erstfeld-Gneiskomplex (Gisler 2018)

Description

Description

Altkristallin des Aarmassivs: helle Biotit-Gneise von sehr variabler Textur (fluidal, plattig-parallel, massig), feinkörnigen Glimmergneis. / Meist helle, oft gebänderte Biotitgneise und -schiefer, Biotit-Sericit-Schiefer, Biotit-Chlorit-Schiefer (Metasedimente) oder granitische Orthogneise, Einschaltungen von Kalksilikat-Marmoren, Marmoren und Amphibolitschollen.

Hierarchy and sequence

Age

Age at top
  • Paleozoic
Age at base
  • Precambrian

Geography

Geographical extent
Nördliches Aarmassiv, von Erstfeld (mit eine maximale Breite von 4 km) bis zu Jungfrau - Lauterbrunnenbreithorn im Westen.
Type area
Reusstal / Erstfeldertal (UR)

Palaenography and tectonic

  • Pre-Variscan polycyclic basement of the Helvetic
Paleogeography
European Continent
Tectonic unit (resp. main category)
Metamorphism
polycyclic
Metamorphic facies
  • greenschist facies (epizone)
  • amphibolite facies
  • granulite facies
Note on metamorphism

high-grade metamorphism at least during the Ordovician and Variscan

References

Definition
Berger Alfons, Mercolli Ivan, Herwegh Marco, Gnos Edwin (2017) : Geological Map of the Aar Massif, Tavetsch and Gotthard Nappes. Geological Special Map 1:100'000, Explanatory Notes 129

p.29: Biotite-plagioclase gneiss with sillimanite, kyanite and garnet as accessory phases represents the dominant rock type of the Erstfeld Gneiss Complex. The structure of this gneiss is very heterogeneous, showing transitions between a centimetre-scale layering of leucocratic and melanocratic bands and containing locally spectacular ptygmatic folds. Larger (up to hundreds of metres) homogeneous leucocratic bodies were even interpreted in the past as separate single intrusions.
These structures result from different degrees of partial melting during anatexis of the same metasedimentary sequence. Heterogeneous polycyclic deformation overprints these originally already complex structures and is responsible for the present-day aspect of these gneisses (ABRECHT 1994 and references therein). Calcsilicate rocks, marble, amphibolite and ultramafic rocks occur as centimetre- to metre-sized inclusions in the biotite-plagioclase gneiss as well as larger coherent intercalations. In particular, in the region of the Sustenpass and in the Erstfeldertal, large sequences of metasedimentary gneiss, marble and calcsilicate rocks occur 
alternating with amphibolite (sometimes with relictic gabbroic textures), garnet amphibolite and ultramafic rocks: the “Silberberg Serie” (LOTZE 1914, SCHALTEGGER 1984, ABRECHT 1994), the “Graustock and Grüeni Gneisses” (LEHMANN 2008) and as exposures in the Gotthard Base Tunnel near Erstfeld (BEKADDOUR 2009). ABRECHT et al.(1991) interpreted this peculiar lithostratigraphic association of the “Silberberg Serie” as an ophiolitic olistostrome deposited in a flyschoid setting.
The relictic primary mineral association found in all rocks of the Erstfeld Gneiss Complex indicate metamorphic conditions at upper amphibolite- to granulite-facies conditions (ABRECHT 1994, LEHMANN, 2008). These mineral assemblages were subsequently overprinted in a complex way at lower metamorphic conditions. This complex polycyclic structural and metamorphic history indicates a multistage evolution of the Erstfeld Zone. This is further supported by isotope ages of different geochronometres, indicating the occurrence of high-grade metamorphism, at least during the Ordovician and Variscan cycles (SCHALTEGGER 1993, Tab. 2). Moreover, LEHMANN (2008) used electron microprobe chemical age dating to date complex-zoned monazites of the “Graustock Gneiss” yielding Variscan metamorphic ages but also age domains with a peak at ~520 Ma and relic cores of > 600 Ma. Similarly, the biotite-plagioclase gneiss and the “Grüeni Gneiss” yielded monazite ages of ~380 Ma and cores of > 500 Ma.

Material and varia

Images
Erstfeld_folded.jpg
  • Silberberg-Gneis

    Name Origin

    Silberberg (UR)

    Rank
    lithostratigraphic unit
    Status
    local name (informal)
    In short
    Petrographisch vielfältig zusammengesetzter Paragneiszug (metasedimentärer Gneis, Marmor und Kalksilikatfels wechsellagernd mit (Granat-) Amphibolite und ultramafische Gesteine) im Erstfeld-Gneiskomplex nördlich der Sustenpasshöhe.
    Age
    Precambrian
  • Graustock-Gneis

    Name Origin

    Graustock = Graw Stock (UR), Erstfeldertal

    Rank
    lithostratigraphic unit
    Status
    local name (informal)
    Valid term
    Erstfeld-Gneiskomplex
    Nomenclatorial Remarks
    <p>non: Graustock (BE) = Erstfeld-Gneis ; non: Graustock (NW) = Quinten-Fm. !!!</p>
    In short

    Paragneiszug innerhalb des Erstfeld-Gneiskomplexes im oberen Erstfeldertal.

    Age
    Precambrian
  • Grüeni-Gneis

    Name Origin

    Grüeni (UR), oberer Erstfeldertal

    Rank
    lithostratigraphic unit
    Status
    local name (informal)
    In short

    Kalksilikatfels und -marmor führender Paragneiszug (Biotit-Plagioklasgneis) im oberen Erstfeldertal.

    Age
    Precambrian
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