Timing of syn-orogenic extension in the Western Alps revealed by calcite U-Pb and hematite (U-Th)/He dating

Abstract

Understanding fault activity over time provides valuable insights for reconstructing the tectonic history of an orogen, assessing seismological risks and understanding mineralization processes. In the Western Alps, one of the main controversies in existing tectonic models is the understanding of syn-orogenic extension. Seismological evidence shows widespread extensional deformation related to the reactivation of major lithospheric structures, such as the Penninic Frontal Thrust (PFT). However, the onset age and origin of extension are still debated due to the lack of suitable geochronological data. Fault hematite and calcite geochronology as well as clumped isotope data can be used to relate fluid regimes to fault activity. The analysis of calcite brecciae from extensional faults above the PFT shows that two distinct fluid regimes were present. The first regime, occurring before 2 Ma is associated with upwelling of deep fluids and is recorded by fault calcite at a temperature > 110°C. The second fluid regime is characterized by a meteoric signature and temperatures around 36 °C, representing crystallization since 2 Ma. This study presents a new model for the Miocene tectonic history of the Western Alps that combines (U-Th)/He and U-Pb geochronology on fault hematite (13.3 ± 0.8 to < 0.8 Ma) and calcite (5.3 ± 0.6 Ma). Results demonstrate a progression of extensional fault activity from east to west, from the Middle Miocene (ca. 13 Ma) to the Quaternary. The onset of extension in the inner part of the belt coincides with the development of the fold and thrust belt in the western Alpine foreland. Our new model proposes that extension occurs in the hanging wall of a large top-to-the-west thrust, known as the Alpine Frontal Thrust. This thrust, located to the west of the External Crystalline Massifs gives rise to their uplifting and extension at the rear.

Keywords

Western Alps / Briançonnais zone / Hematite (U-Th)/He / U-Pb calcite / Clumped isotopes / Syn-orogenic extension

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Antonin Bilau: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Project administration, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization. Yann Rolland: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Validation, Supervision, Project administration, Investigation, Funding acquisition, Conceptualization. Stéphane Schwartz: Writing – review & editing, Visualization, Validation, Supervision, Investigation, Funding acquisition, Conceptualization. Cécile Gautheron: Writing – review & editing, Validation, Supervision, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation. Thierry Dumont: Writing – review & editing, Visualization, Validation, Supervision, Investigation, Conceptualization. Dorian Bienveignant: Investigation. Benjamin Brigaud: Writing – review & editing, Validation, Supervision, Methodology, Data curation. Nicolas Godeau: Validation, Supervision, Methodology, Formal analysis, Data curation. Abel Guihou: Writing – review & editing, Validation, Supervision, Methodology, Data curation. Pierre Deschamps: Writing – review & editing, Funding acquisition. Xavier Mangenot: Formal analysis, Data curation. Marianna Corre: Formal analysis, Data curation. Rosella Pinna-Jamme: Formal analysis, Data curation. Nathaniel Findling: Formal analysis, Data curation.

Declaration of competing interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Acknowledgments

This work forms part of the first author’s Ph.D. project funded by the French BRGM in the frame of the RGF-Alps program (Référentiel Géologique de la France). The LA-ICP-MS hosted by the ENVITOP platform at CEREGE has received funding from the “Excellence Initiative” of the Aix Marseille University A*MIDEX – project DATCARB, a french “Investissement d’avenir” program. Special thanks to Fayçal Soufi and Pierre-Luigi Canepa for their preparation of polished thin-section. The authors thank the reviewers, Meinert Rahn and Martin Danišík, for their careful reading and insightful comments, and efficient editorial handling by Stijn Glorie (Associate Editor) and M. Santosh (Editorial Advisor), which greatly helped to improve this manuscript.

References

T. Allard, C. Gautheron, S. Bressan Riffel, E. Balan, B.F. Soares, R. Pinna-Jamme, A. Derycke, G. Morin, G.T. Bueno, N. do Nascimento. Combined dating of goethites and kaolinites from ferruginous duricrusts. Deciphering the Late Neogene erosion history of Central Amazonia. Chem. Geol., 479 (2018), pp. 136-150,

A.K. Ault. Hematite fault rock thermochronometry and textures inform fault zone processes. J. Struct. Geol., 133 (2020), Article 104002,

H. Balout, J. Roques, C. Gautheron, L. Tassan-Got, D. Mbongo-Djimbi. Helium diffusion in pure hematite (α-Fe2O3) for thermochronometric applications: a theoretical multi-scale study. Comput. Theor. Chem., 1099 (2017), pp. 21-28,

Barféty, J.-C., Lemoine, M., De Graciansky, P.-C., Tricart, P., Mercier, D., 1996. Notice explicative de la carte géologique de la France à 1/50 000. 823, Briançon. Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières, Orléans.

V. Bauve, R. Plateaux, Y. Rolland, G. Sanchez, N. Bethoux, B. Delouis, R. Darnault. Long-lasting transcurrent tectonics in SW Alps evidenced by Neogene to present-day stress fields. Tectonophysics, 621 (2014), pp. 85-100

N. Beaudoin, O. Lacombe, N.M.W. Roberts, D. Koehn. U-Pb dating of calcite veins reveals complex stress evolution and thrust sequence in the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, USA. Geology, 46 (2018), pp. 1015-1018,

N. Bellahsen, F. Mouthereau, A. Boutoux, M. Bellanger, O. Lacombe, L. Jolivet, Y. Rolland. Collision kinematics in the western external Alps. Tectonics, 33 (2014), pp. 1055-1088

M. Bellanger, R. Augier, N. Bellahsen, L. Jolivet, P. Monié, T. Baudin, O. Beyssac. Shortening of the European Dauphinois margin (Oisans Massif, Western Alps): new insights from RSCM maximum temperature estimates and 40Ar/39Ar in situ dating. J. Geodyn., 83 (2015), pp. 37-64,

R. Beucher, P. van der Beek, J. Braun, G.E. Batt. Exhumation and relief development in the Pelvoux and Dora-Maira massifs (Western Alps) assessed by spectral analysis and inversion of thermochronological age transects. J. Geophys. Res. Earth Surf., 117 (2012), p. F03030

A. Bilau, Y. Rolland, S. Schwartz, N. Godeau, A. Guihou, P. Deschamps, B. Brigaud, A. Noret, T. Dumont, C. Gautheron. Extensional reactivation of the Penninic frontal thrust 3 Myr ago as evidenced by U-Pb dating on calcite in fault zone cataclasite. Solid Earth, 12 (2021), pp. 237-251,

B. Blavoux, J. Dazy, J. Sarrot-Reynauld. Information about the origin of thermomineral waters and gas by means of environmental isotopes in eastern Azerbaijan, Iran, and southeast France. J. Hydrol., 56 (1982), pp. 23-38,

M. Bonifacie, D. Calmels, J.M. Eiler, J. Horita, C. Chaduteau, C. Vasconcelos, P. Agrinier, A. Katz, B.H. Passey, J.M. Ferry, J.-J. Bourrand. Calibration of the dolomite clumped isotope thermometer from 25 to 350 °C, and implications for a universal calibration for all (Ca, Mg, Fe)CO3 carbonates. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 200 (2017), pp. 255-279,

A. Boutoux, N. Bellahsen, U. Nanni, R. Pik, A. Verlaguet, Y. Rolland, O. Lacombe. Thermal and structural evolution of the external Western Alps: Insights from (U–Th–Sm)/He thermochronology and RSCM thermometry in the Aiguilles Rouges/Mont Blanc massifs. Tectonophysics, 683 (2016), pp. 109-123

B. Brigaud, M. Bonifacie, M. Pagel, T. Blaise, D. Calmels, F. Haurine, P. Landrein. Past hot fluid flows in limestones detected by Δ47–(U-Pb) and not recorded by other geothermometers. Geology, 48 (2020), pp. 851-856,

B. Brigaud, S. Andrieu, T. Blaise, F. Haurine, J. Barbarand. Calcite uranium–lead geochronology applied to hardground lithification and sequence boundary dating. Sedimentology, 68 (2021), pp. 168-195,

G. Calzolari, A.K. Ault, G. Hirth, R.G. McDermott. Hematite (U-Th)/He thermochronometry detects asperity flash heating during laboratory earthquakes. Geology, 48 (2020), pp. 514-518,

M. Campani, A. Mulch, O. Kempf, F. Schlunegger, N. Mancktelow. Miocene paleotopography of the Central Alps. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 337–338 (2012), pp. 174-185,

G.L. Cardello, S.M. Bernasconi, M.G. Fellin, M. Rahn, R. Rosskopf, C. Maden, N.S. Mancktelow. Carbonate deformation through the brittle-ductile transition: the case of the SW Helvetic nappes, Switzerland. J. Struct. Geol., 181 (2024), Article 105083,

C.E. Cederbom, H.D. Sinclair, F. Schlunegger, M.K. Rahn. Climate-induced rebound and exhumation of the European Alps. Geology, 32 (2004), pp. 709-712

B. Cenki-Tok, J.R. Darling, Y. Rolland, B. Dhuime, C.D. Storey. Direct dating of mid-crustal shear zones with synkinematic allanite: new in situ U-Th-Pb geochronological approaches applied to the Mont Blanc massif. Terra Nova, 26 (2014), pp. 29-37,

S. Ceriani, S.M. Schmid. From NS collision to WNW-directed post-collisional thrusting and folding: structural study of the Frontal Penninic Units in Savoie (Western Alps, France). Eclogae Geol. Helvetiae, 97 (2004), pp. 347-369

S. Ceriani, B. Fügenschuh, S.M. Schmid. Multi-stage thrusting at the“ Penninic Front” in the Western Alps between Mont Blanc and Pelvoux massifs. Int. J. Earth Sci., 90 (2001), pp. 685-702

C.P. Chamberlain, M.A. Poage. Reconstructing the paleotopography of mountain belts from the isotopic composition of authigenic minerals. Geology, 28 (2000), pp. 115-118,

J.D. Champagnac, P. Molnar, R.S. Anderson, C. Sue, B. Delacou. Quaternary erosion-induced isostatic rebound in the western Alps. Geology, 35 (2007), pp. 195-198

M. Danišík, N.J. Evans, E.R. Ramanaidou, B.J. McDonald, C. Mayers, B.I.A. McInnes. (U–Th)/He chronology of the Robe River channel iron deposits, Hamersley Province, Western Australia. Chem. Geol., 354 (2013), pp. 150-162,

K.J. Dennis, H.P. Affek, B.H. Passey, D.P. Schrag, J.M. Eiler. Defining an absolute reference frame for ‘clumped’ isotope studies of CO2. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 75 (2011), pp. 7117-7131,

T. Dumont, S. Schwartz, S. Guillot, T. Simon-Labric, P. Tricart, S. Jourdan. Structural and sedimentary records of the Oligocene revolution in the Western Alpine arc. J. Geodyn., 56 (2012), pp. 18-38

T. Dumont, S. Schwartz, S. Guillot, M. Malusà, M. Jouvent, P. Monié, A. Verly. Cross-propagation of the western Alpine orogen from early to late deformation stages: evidence from the Internal Zones and implications for restoration. Earth-Sci. Rev., 232, 104106 (2022),

N.S. Evenson, P.W. Reiners, J.E. Spencer, D.L. Shuster. Hematite and Mn oxide (U-Th)/He dates from the Buckskin-Rawhide detachment system, western Arizona: gaining insights into hematite (U-Th)/He systematics. Am. J. Sci., 314 (2014), pp. 1373-1435,

K.A. Farley. Helium diffusion parameters of hematite from a single-diffusion-domain crystal. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 231 (2018), pp. 117-129,

M. Frey, R. Ferreiro Mählmann. Alpine metamorphism of the Central Alps. Schweizerische mineralogische und petrographische. Mitteilungen, 79 (1999), pp. 135-154

R.G. Gastil, M. Delisle, J. Morgan. Some effects of progressive metamorphism on zircons. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 78 (1967), p. 879,

C. Gautheron, R. Pinna-Jamme, A. Derycke, F. Ahadi, C. Sanchez, F. Haurine, G. Monvoisin, D. Barbosa, G. Delpech, J. Maltese, P. Sarda, L. Tassan-Got. Technical note: analytical protocols and performance for apatite and zircon (U–Th)∕He analysis on quadrupole and magnetic sector mass spectrometer systems between 2007 and 2020. Geochronology, 3 (2021), pp. 351-370,

J.B. Girault, N. Bellahsen, M. Bernet, R. Pik, N. Loget, E. Lasseur, C.L. Rosenberg, M. Balvay, M. Sonnet. Exhumation of the Western Alpine collisional wedge: new thermochronological data. Tectonophysics, 822 (2022), Article 229155,

B.M. Heller, S.B. Riffel, T. Allard, G. Morin, J.-Y. Roig, R. Couëffé, G. Aertgeerts, A. Derycke, C. Ansart, R. Pinna-Jamme, C. Gautheron. Reading the climate signals hidden in bauxite. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 323 (2022), pp. 40-73,

F. Hofmann, J. Treffkorn, K.A. Farley. U-loss associated with laser-heating of hematite and goethite in vacuum during (U–Th)/He dating and prevention using high O2 partial pressure. Chem. Geol., 532 (2020), Article 119350,

A. Kalifi, P.H. Leloup, P. Sorrel, A. Galy, F. Demory, V. Spina, B. Huet, F. Quillévéré, F. Ricciardi, D. Michoux. Chronology of thrust propagation from an updated tectono-sedimentary framework of the Miocene molasse (western Alps). Solid Earth, 12 (2021), pp. 2735-2771

R.A. Ketcham, C. Gautheron, L. Tassan-Got. Accounting for long alpha-particle stopping distances in (U–Th–Sm)/He geochronology: refinement of the baseline case. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 75 (2011), pp. 7779-7791,

S.-T. Kim, J.R. O’Neil. Equilibrium and nonequilibrium oxygen isotope effects in synthetic carbonates. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 61 (1997), pp. 3461-3475,

E. Krsnik, K. Methner, M. Campani, S. Botsyun, S.G. Mutz, T.A. Ehlers, O. Kempf, J. Fiebig, F. Schlunegger, A. Mulch. Miocene high elevation in the Central Alps. Solid Earth, 12 (2021), pp. 2615-2631,

O. Lacombe, N.E. Beaudoin. Timing, sequence, duration and rate of deformation in fold-and-thrust belts: a review of traditional approaches and recent advances from absolute dating (K–Ar illite/U–Pb calcite) of brittle structures. Comptes Rendus Géosci., 356 (2024), pp. 1-28,

J.M. Lardeaux, S. Schwartz, P. Tricart, A. Paul, S. Guillot, N. Béthoux, F. Masson. A crustal-scale cross-section of the south-western Alps combining geophysical and geological imagery. Terra Nova, 18 (2006), pp. 412-422,

C. Larroque, B. Delouis, B. Godel, J.M. Nocquet. Active deformation at the southwestern Alps-Ligurian basin junction (France–Italy boundary): evidence for recent change from compression to extension in the Argentera massif. Tectonophysics, 467 (1–4) (2009), pp. 22-34

F. Lemot, P.G. Valla, P. van der Beek, M. Jagercikova, S. Niedermann, J. Carcaillet, E.R. Sobel, S. Andò, E. Garzanti, X. Robert, M. Balvay, M. Bernet, J. Glodny, L. Mocochain. Miocene cave sediments record topographic, erosional and drainage development in the Western European Alps. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 621 (2023), Article 118344,

N. Looser, H. Madritsch, M. Guillong, O. Laurent, S. Wohlwend, S.M. Bernasconi. Absolute age and temperature constraints on deformation along the basal décollement of the Jura fold-and-thrust belt from carbonate U-Pb dating and clumped isotopes. Tectonics, 40, (2021),

M. Maino, L. Casini, A. Ceriani, A. Decarlis, A. Di Giulio, S. Seno, M. Setti, F.M. Stuart. Dating shallow thrusts with zircon (U-Th)/He thermochronometry—The shear heating connection. Geology, 43 (2015), pp. 495-498,

M.G. Malusà, L. Zhao, E. Eva, S. Solarino, A. Paul, S. Guillot, S. Schwartz, T. Dumont, C. Aubert, S. Salimbeni, S. Pondrelli, Q.C. Wang, R.X. Zhu. . Earthquakes in the western Alpine mantle wedge. Gondwana Res., 44 (2017), pp. 89-95

M.G. Malusà, S. Guillot, L. Zhao, A. Paul, S. Solarino, T. Dumont, S. Schwartz, C. Aubert, P. Baccheschi, E. Eva, Y. Lu, C. Lyu, S. Pondrelli, S. Salimbeni, W. Sun, H. Yuan. The deep structure of the alps based on the CIFALPS seismic experiment: a synthesis. Geochem. Geophys. Geosystems, 22(3), e2020GC009466 (2021),

G. Manatschal. New models for evolution of magma-poor rifted margins based on a review of data and concepts from West Iberia and the Alps. Int. J. Earth Sci., 93 (2004), pp. 432-466,

X. Mangenot, S. Larmier, J.-P. Girard, V. Dyja-Person, J.M. Eiler. Diagenetic history of calcite fractures in Vaca Muerta shales (Argentina) inferred from paired Δ47 and fluid inclusion geothermometry. Mar. Pet. Geol., 160 (2024), Article 106630,

M. Mathey, A. Walpersdorf, C. Sue, S. Baize, A. Deprez. Seismogenic potential of the High Durance Fault constrained by 20 yr of GNSS measurements in the Western European Alps. Geophys. J. Int., 222 (2020), pp. 2136-2146,

M. Mathey, C. Sue, C. Pagani, S. Baize, A. Walpersdorf, T. Bodin, L. Husson, E. Hannouz, B. Potin. Present-day geodynamics of the Western Alps: new insights from earthquake mechanisms. Solid Earth, 12 (2021), pp. 1661-1681,

M. Mathey, M.-P. Doin, P. André, A. Walpersdorf, S. Baize, C. Sue. Spatial heterogeneity of uplift pattern in the Western European alps revealed by InSAR time-series analysis. Geophys. Res. Lett., 49 (2022)

R.G. McDermott, A.K. Ault, J.P. Evans, P.W. Reiners. Thermochronometric and textural evidence for seismicity via asperity flash heating on exhumed hematite fault mirrors, Wasatch fault zone, UT, USA. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 471 (2017), pp. 85-93,

R.G. McDermott, A.K. Ault, J.S. Caine. Dating fault damage along the eastern Denali fault zone with hematite (U-Th)/He thermochronometry. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 563 (2021), Article 116872,

Mercier, D., 1977. Les modalités de la transgression jurassique dans la zone briançonnaise (Région de briançon, Hautes Alpes). Etude stratigraphique et sédimentologique (Theses). Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris VI.

Nouibat, A., Stehly, L., Paul, A., Schwartz, S., Bodin, T., Dumont, T., Rolland, Y., Brossier, R., Cifalps Team and AlpArray Working Group, 2022. Lithospheric transdimensional ambient-noise tomography of W-Europe: implications for crustal-scale geometry of the W-Alps. Geophys. J. Int. 229, 862–879. Doi:

M. Pagel, M. Bonifacie, D.A. Schneider, C. Gautheron, B. Brigaud, D. Calmels, A. Cros, B. Saint-Bezar, P. Landrein, C. Sutcliffe, D. Davis, C. Chaduteau. Improving paleohydrological and diagenetic reconstructions in calcite veins and breccia of a sedimentary basin by combining Δ47 temperature, δ18Owater and U-Pb age. Chem. Geol., 481 (2018), pp. 1-17,

O. Parizot, Y. Missenard, F. Haurine, T. Blaise, J. Barbarand, A. Benedicto, P. Sarda. When did the Pyrenean shortening end? Insight from U-Pb geochronology of syn-faulting calcite (Corbières area, France). Terra Nova, 33 (2021), pp. 551-559,

C. Paton, J. Hellstrom, B. Paul, J. Woodhead, J. Hergt. Iolite: Freeware for the visualisation and processing of mass spectrometric data. J. Anal. at. Spectrom., 26 (2011), p. 2508,

M.A. Poage, C.P. Chamberlain. Empirical relationships between elevation and the stable isotope composition of precipitation and surface waters: considerations for studies of paleoelevation change. Am. J. Sci., 301 (2001), pp. 1-15

Poulain, P.A., 1977. Les eaux minérales et thermominérales dans le département des Hautes-Alpes- Alpes françaises. 197.

P.W. Reiners, M.T. Brandon. Using thermochronology to understand orogenic erosion. Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci., 34 (2006), pp. 419-466,

N. Roberts, R.E. Holdsworth. Timescales of faulting through calcite geochronology: A review. J. Struct. Geol., 158 (2022), p. 104578

N.M.W. Roberts, E.T. Rasbury, R.R. Parrish, C.J. Smith, M.S.A. Horstwood, D.J. Condon. A calcite reference material for LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology. Geochem. Geophys. Geosystems, 18 (2017), pp. 2807-2814,

N.M.W. Roberts, R.J. Walker. U-Pb geochronology of calcite-mineralized faults: absolute timing of rift-related fault events on the northeast Atlantic margin. Geology, 44 (2016), pp. 531-534,

Y. Rolland, A. Bilau, T. Cardinal, A. Nouibat, D. Bienveignant, L. Boschetti, S. Schwartz, M. Bernet. Bridging the gap between long-term orogenic evolution (>10 Ma Scale) and geomorphological processes that shape the western alps: insights from combined dating approaches. Geosciences, 12 (2022), p. 393,

L. Royden, B.C. Burchfiel. Are systematic variations in thrust belt style related to plate boundary processes? (The western Alps versus the Carpathians). Tectonics, 8 (1989), pp. 51-61,

S. Schmid, E. Kissling. The arc of the western Alps in the light of geophysical data on deep crustal structure. Tectonics, 19 (2000), pp. 62-85

S. Schwartz, J.M. Lardeaux, P. Tricart, S. Guillot, E. Labrin. Diachronous exhumation of HP–LT metamorphic rocks from south-western Alps: evidence from fission-track analysis. Terra Nova, 19 (2007), pp. 133-140

S. Schwartz, P. Tricart, J.-M. Lardeaux, S. Guillot, O. Vidal. Late tectonic and metamorphic evolution of the Piedmont accretionary wedge (Queyras Schistes lustrés, western Alps): evidences for tilting during Alpine collision. GSA Bull., 121 (2009), pp. 502-518,

S. Schwartz, C. Gautheron, L. Audin, T. Dumont, J. Nomade, J. Barbarand, R. Pinna-Jamme, P. van der Beek. Foreland exhumation controlled by crustal thickening in the Western Alps. Geology, 45 (2017), pp. 139-142

S. Schwartz, Y. Rolland, A. Nouibat, L. Boschetti, D. Bienveignant, T. Dumont, M. Mathey, C. Sue, F. Mouthereau. Role of mantle indentation in collisional deformation evidenced by deep geophysical imaging of Western Alps. Commun. Earth Environ., 5 (2024), pp. 1-9,

J. Selverstone. Are the alps collapsing?. Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci., 33 (2005), pp. 113-132,

D. Seward, M. Ford, J. Bürgisser, H. Lickorish, E.A. Williams, L.D. Meckel III. Preliminary results of fission-track analyses in the southern Pelvoux area. SE France. Mem. Sci. Geol. Padova, 51 (1999), pp. 25-31

T. Simon-Labric, Y. Rolland, T. Dumont, T. Heymes, C. Authemayou, M. Corsini, M. Fornari. 40Ar/39Ar dating of Penninic Front tectonic displacement (W Alps) during the Lower Oligocene (31–34 Ma). Terra Nova, 21 (2009), pp. 127-136

L. Smeraglia, N. Looser, O. Fabbri, F. Choulet, M. Guillong, S.M. Bernasconi. U-Pb dating of middle Eocene-Pliocene multiple tectonic pulses in the Alpine foreland. Solid Earth, 12 (2021), pp. 2539-2551,

L. Smeraglia, O. Fabbri, F. Choulet, M. Jaggi, S.M. Bernasconi. The role of thrust and strike-slip faults in controlling regional-scale paleofluid circulation in fold-and-thrust belts: Insights from the Jura Mountains (eastern France). Tectonophysics, 829 (2022), Article 229299,

P. Sternai, C. Sue, L. Husson, E. Serpelloni, T.W. Becker, S.D. Willett, C. Faccenna, A. Di Giulio, G. Spada, L. Jolivet, P. Valla, C. Petit, J.-M. Nocquet, A. Walpersdorf, S. Castelltort. Present-day uplift of the European Alps: evaluating mechanisms and models of their relative contributions. Earth-Sci. Rev., 190 (2019), pp. 589-604,

C. Sue, B. Delacou, J.-D. Champagnac, C. Allanic, P. Tricart, M. Burkhard. Extensional neotectonics around the bend of the Western/Central Alps: an overview. Int. J. Earth Sci., 96 (2007), pp. 1101-1129,

C. Sue, P. Tricart. Late alpine brittle extension above the Frontal Pennine Thrust near Briançon, western Alps. Eclogae Geol. Helvetiae, 92 (1999), pp. 171-181

C. Sue, P. Tricart. Neogene to ongoing normal faulting in the inner western Alps: a major evolution of the late alpine tectonics. Tectonics, 22(5), 1050. (2003)

P.K. Swart, S.J. Burns, J.J. Leder. Fractionation of the stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon in carbon dioxide during the reaction of calcite with phosphoric acid as a function of temperature and technique. Chem. Geol. Isot. Geosci. Sect., 86 (1991), pp. 89-96,

M. Tardy, E. Deville, S. Fudral, S. Guellec, G. Ménard, F. Thouvenot, P. Vialon. Interprétation structurale des données du profil de sismique réflexion profonde ECORS-CROP Alpes entre le front Pennique et la ligne du Canavese (Alpes occidentales). Mém. Socété Géologique Fr., 156 (1990), pp. 217-226

Thouvenot, F., Fréchet, J., 2006. Seismicity along the northwestern edge of the Adria microplate, in: The Adria Microplate: GPS Geodesy, Tectonics and Hazards. Springer, pp. 335–349.

P. Tricart. From passive margin to continental collision: a tectonic scenario for the Western Alps. Am. J. Sci., 284 (1984), pp. 97-120

P. Tricart. From extension to transpression during the final exhumation of the Pelvoux and Argentera massifs. Western Alps. Eclogae Geol. Helvetiae, 97 (2004), pp. 429-439,

P. Tricart, S. Schwartz, C. Sue, G. Poupeau, J.-M. Lardeaux. La denudation tectonique de la zone ultradauphinoise et l’inversion du front brianconnais au sud-est du Pelvoux (Alpes occidentales); une dynamique miocene a actuelle. Bull. Société Géologique Fr., 172 (2001), pp. 49-58

P. Tricart, J.-M. Lardeaux, S. Schwartz, C. Sue. The late extension in the inner western Alps: a synthesis along the south-Pelvoux transect. Bull. Société Géologique Fr., 177 (2006), pp. 299-310

P. Tricart, P. Van Der Beek, S. Schwartz, E. Labrin. Diachronous late-stage exhumation across the western Alpine arc: constraints from apatite fission-track thermochronology between the Pelvoux and Dora-Maira Massifs. J. Geol. Soc., 164 (2007), pp. 163-174,

P. Vermeesch. IsoplotR: A free and open toolbox for geochronology. Geosci. Front., 9 (2018), pp. 1479-1493,

P. Vernant, F. Hivert, J. Chéry, P. Steer, R. Cattin, A. Rigo. Erosion-induced isostatic rebound triggers extension in low convergent mountain ranges. Geology, 41 (2013), pp. 467-470,

F. von Blanckenburg, J.H. Davies. Slab breakoff: a model for syncollisional magmatism and tectonics in the Alps. Tectonics, 14 (1995), pp. 120-131,

A. Walpersdorf, L. Pinget, P. Vernant, C. Sue, A. Deprez, the RENAG team. Does long-term GPS in the Western Alps finally confirm earthquake mechanisms?. Tectonics, 37 (2018), pp. 3721-3737,

R.S. Wernicke, H.J. Lippolt. 4He age discordance and release behavior of a double shell botryoidal hematite from the Schwarzwald, Germany. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, 58 (1994), pp. 421-429,

J.D. Woodhead, J.M. Hergt. Strontium, neodymium and lead isotope analyses of NIST glass certified reference materials: SRM 610, 612, 614. Geostand. Geoanalytical Res., 25 (2001), pp. 261-266,