No abstract

The combined use of the illite “crystallinity” Kübler index (KI) and the conodont colour alteration index (CAI) has revealed the existence of three thermal episodes in an area affected by thin-skin tectonics, close to the internal zones of the Variscan orogen in NW Spain. In the southernmost part of the study area, the first episode gave rise to a regional syntectonic Variscan metamorphism. The associated deformation involves the development of a slaty cleavage, which is mainly recognized in Precambrian rocks. Towards the foreland, the syntectonic metamorphism disappears and only an incipient burial metamorphism, giving rise to anchizonal conditions in the basal part of the thrust units, is observed. Another metamorphic episode occurred close to the Carboniferous-Permian boundary in an extensional tectonic regime. This metamorphism is restricted to the northern part of the study area, where it reached anchizonal or epizonal conditions. It is associated with a subhorizontal or moderately north-dipping cleavage and can be considered as a late-Variscan episode. The last thermal episode occurred during the Permian. It was produced by heat flow due to hydrothermal fluids, whose migration was favoured by faults. The effects of this episode are irregularly distributed, and they are apparent in the unconformable Stephanian rocks in which anchizonal or epizonal conditions were reached. It is interpreted as a post-Variscan episode.

The palaeotemperature distribution in the transition from diagenesis to metamorphism in the western nappes of the Cantabrian Zone (Somiedo, La Sobia and Aramo Units) are analysed by conodont colour alteration index (CAI) and illite crystallinity (IC). Structural and stratigraphic control in distribution of CAI and IC values is observed. Both CAI and IC value distributions show that anchizonal conditions are reached in the lower part of the Somiedo Unit. A disruption of the thermal trend by basal thrusts is evidenced by CAI and IC values. There is an apparent discrepancy between the IC and CAI values in Carboniferous rocks of the Aramo Unit; the IC has mainly anchizonal values, whereas the CAI has diagenetic values. Discrepant IC values are explained as a feature inherited from the source area. In the Carboniferous rocks of the La Sobia Unit, both IC and CAI indicate diagenetic conditions. The anchimetamorphism predated completion of emplacement of the major nappes; it probably developed previously and/or during the early stages of motion of the units. Temperature probably decreased when the metamorphosed zones of the sheets rose along ramps and were intensely eroded. In the context of the Iberian Variscan belt, influence of tectonic factors on the metamorphism is greater in the internal parts, where the strain and cleavage are always present, than in the external parts (Cantabrian Zone), where brittle deformation and rock translation are dominant, with an increasing role of the burial on the metamorphism.

Analysis of the conodont colour alteration index and the Kübler index of illite allowed us the characterization of four types of very low‐ or low‐grade metamorphism in the Cantabrian Zone (CZ) and determination of their regional and temporal distribution. These types are: (1) an orogenic Variscan metamorphism present only in restricted areas of the western and north‐western parts of the CZ where epizonal conditions are reached; (2) a burial metamorphism that appears in the basal part of some nappes, where anchizonal conditions are sometimes achieved; the thermal peak preceded emplacement of the nappes; (3) a late‐Variscan metamorphism in the southern and south‐eastern parts of the CZ; a cleavage, cutting most of the Variscan folds, is associated with this metamorphism, which has been related to an extensional episode; (4) a contact metamorphism and hydrothermal activity associated with minor intrusive bodies. The extension continued after the Variscan deformation giving rise to hydrothermal activity during Permian times.

The transition from diagenesis to very low-grade metamorphism has been characterized by conodont colour alteration index (CAI), illite crystallinity (IC), clay-mineral assemblages and rock fabric in a transect (Cape PeAas-Cape Torres) located in the Cantabrian Zone (northwest Spain). IC values show a northwest to southeast change from epizonal to diagenetic values. CAI values show a general congruence for low-and high-grade areas. This correlation indicates that CAI values for the epizone are > 5.5, the anchizone 5.5 2 CAI > 4, and the diagenetic zone 5 4. Cleavage develops in incompetent rocks with CAI values greater than 3, mainly by pressure solution. Temperature increases towards the inner parts of the orogen (towards the northwest) and is considered to be related to the tectonic superposition caused by thrusting and folding. A gradient of 35 "Ckm is inferred for the transect. In the southeastern sector of the section there are several thermal anomalies that are attributed to the presence of epithermal fluids.