Contrasting Eoalpine P-T evolutions in the southern Koralpe, Eastern Alps

The Koralpe crystalline complex and the Plankogel unit represent two lithologically distinct units within the Koralpe region of the southeastemmost Austroalpine crystalline basement. The Eoalpine P-T evolution of these two units is derived from new petrographical data. The Plankogel unit and the Koralpe crystalline complex show markedly different P-T evolutions during the early stages of the Eoalpine event. The rocks of the Koralpe crystalline complex experienced eclogite facies conditions with minimum pressures in the range of 15–16 kbar and temperatures in excess of 700°C. At the same time the Plankogel unit resided in a shallower environment at pressures of 10–11 kbar and temperatures of less than 600°C. The tectonic emplacement of the Plankogel unit into its present position on top of the Koralpe crystalline complex took place after the eclogite facies event in a relatively shallow crustal level. After their juxtaposition the Koralpe crystalline complex and the Plankogel unit were affected by a common amphibolite facies metamorphic overprint. The distinctly different P-T evolution during the early stages of the Eoalpine event and a common history at later stages imply that major tectonic processes were operative in this part of the Austroalpine crystalline basement during the Cretaceous. Such processes may have involved subduction of oceanic and continental lithosphere which may have lead to significant crustal shortening within the Austroalpine basement.