Fig. 6

Cross-sections illustrating possible scenarios for a subdivision of the Sesia–Dent Blanche nappes: a scenario after Compagnoni et al. (1977b), Gosso et al. (1979), Caby (1981), Spalla et al.(1991); b scenario after Babist et al. (2006), Konrad-Schmolke et al. (2006); c, d two possible interpretations discussed in the present study. AS Arolla Series of the Dent Blanche nappe s.s., VS Valpelline Series of the Dent Blanche nappe s.s., LU Lower Unit of the Mont Mary nappe, UU Upper Unit of the Mont Mary nappe, EMC Eclogitic Micaschist Complex, GMC Gneiss Minuti Complex, CZ Canavese Zone, CMB Cossato–Mergozzo–Brissago Line. The two slices depicted in blue in the GMC (d) represent presumed Mesozoic meta-sediments, such as described at Passo dell’Uomo Storto (Dal Piaz et al. 1971; Gosso et al. 1979) and in the Cima delle Pietre Bianche area (Compagnoni et al. 1977b; Vuichard 1987). See Sect. 4 for more details. Note that the internal structure of the Piemonte–Liguria units is not shown. In the Sesia–Dent Blanche nappes, thicker lines (in red for the RCSZ) mark the location of the main shear zones. The polyphase internal deformation of each unit cannot be represented at this scale