From diagenesis to anchimetamorphism, upper Austroalpine sedimentary cover in Bavaria and Tyrol

AbstractVitrinite reflectance and illite crystallinity of a great number of samples of fine-grained Mesozoic sediments from the Northern Calcareous Alpes between Allgau and the Karwendel Mountains have been investigated. Coalification varies from 0,4 % Rr to 6,2 % Rmax and allows a significant description of the low diagenetic temperature distribution in the greatest part of this area. For most stratigraphiC units, reliable correlations between vitrinite reflectance and illite crystallinity can be established. By means of both methods the fields of diagenesis and anchimetamorphism are subdivided into five stages.A comprehensive coal rank map, based on outcrop specimen is published. It represents the amount and the distribution of the weak alpidic temperature effects within the uppermost Austroalpine nappes. From the northern to the southern rim of the Northern Calcareous Alps and in each tectonic unit, a general temperature increase is charateristic. Nevertheless, rank disconformities and anomalies are wi...