Ion microprobe dating of fissure monazite in the Western Alps: insights from the Argentera Massif and the Piemontais and Briançonnais Zones

Abstract

Ion probe ²⁰⁸Pb/²³²Th fissure monazite ages from the Argentera External Massif and from the high-pressure units of the Western Alps provide new insights on its Cenozoic tectonic evolution. Hydrothermal monazite crystallizes during cooling/exhumation in Alpine fissures, an environment where monazite is highly susceptible to fluid-mediated dissolution-(re)crystallization. Monazite growth domains visualized by BSE imaging all show a negative Eu anomaly, positive correlation of Sr and Ca and increasing cheralite component (Ca + Th replacing 2REE) with decreasing xenotime (Y) component. The huttonite component (Th + Si replacing REE and P) is very low. Growth domains record crystallization following chemical disequilibrium in a fissure environment, and growing evidence indicates that they register tectonic activity. Fissure monazite ages obtained in this study corroborate previous ages, recording crystallization at ~ 36 Ma, ~ 32–30 Ma, and ~ 25–23 Ma in the high-pressure regions of the Western Alps, interpreted to be respectively related to top-NNW, top-WNW and top-SW thrusting in association with strike-slip faulting. During this latter transpressive phase, younger fissure monazite crystallization is recorded between ~ 20.6 and 14 Ma in the Argentera Massif, interpreted to have occurred in association with dextral strike-slip faulting related to anticlockwise rotation of the Corsica-Sardinia Block. This strike-slip activity is predating orogen-parallel dextral strike-slip movements along and through the internal part of all other External Crystalline Massifs (ECM), starting only at ~ 12 Ma. Our combined compositional and age data for hydrothermal monazite track crystallization related to tectonic activity during unroofing of the Western Alps for over more than 20 million years, offering chronologic insights into how different tectonic blocks were exhumed. The data show that fissures in the high-pressure units formed during greenschist to amphibolite facies retrograde deformation, and later in association with strike-slip faulting.

1 Introduction

Thorium-Pb dating of hydrothermal monazite-(Ce), hereafter called monazite, offers the possibility to constrain deformation along the retrograde path of a cooling orogen. Recent studies conducted in several parts of the Alpine chain and in the Mexican orogen have acquired numerous Th-Pb monazite crystallization ages that have proven complementary to published chronological and thermochronological data (Bergemann et al. 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020; Berger et al. 2013; Fitz-Diaz et al. 2019; Gasquet et al. 2010; Gnos et al. 2015; Grand’Homme et al. 2016a; Janots et al. 2012; Ricchi et al. 2019, 2020). Hydrothermal (or fissure) monazite, a Light Rare Earth Element (LREE) phosphate ((LREE³⁺,Th⁴⁺,U⁴⁺)P⁵⁺O²⁻₄) that is commonly mm-sized, crystallizes in fluid-filled Alpine-type fissures in a temperature range of ~ 400–200 °C (Gnos et al. 2015; Janots et al. 2019). Alpine fissures form at P–T conditions at or below 0.3–0.4 GPa lithostatic pressure and 450–500 °C (e.g. Mullis 1996; Sharp et al. 2005; Stalder et al. 1998). The fissures are usually oriented perpendicular to the main foliation and lineation of the host-rock (e.g. Gnos et al. 2015). When a fissure opens and becomes filled by aqueous fluid, chemical disequilibrium between the fluid and host-rock wall leads to dissolution of host-rock wall minerals, resulting in a porous and commonly bleached alteration envelope (e.g. Gnos et al. 2015). Within the fissure, this results in the crystallization of strongly zoned hydrothermal minerals. The dissolution and reprecipitation of fissure minerals is generally a cyclic process triggered when chemical disequilibrium occurs, commonly related to tectonic activity (e.g. fissure propagation, exposure or delamination of fissure wall).

In monazite-bearing fissures, quartz and adularia typically form at an early stage of fissure formation (< 500–450 °C), whereas monazite crystallizes at later stages (between 400–200 °C) (e.g. Gnos et al. 2015). Thus, monazite dating does not yield the formation of the fissure but only subsequent stages of hydrothermal activity, usually caused by deformation under greenschist to sub-greenschist facies metamorphic conditions.

Fissure monazite is reliably dated by the ²³²Th-²⁰⁸Pb system, as it typically incorporates high Th contents (e.g. Janots et al. 2012) and no Pb (e.g. Gardés et al. 2007) during its crystallization. Moreover, Th and Pb diffusion are negligible under hydrothermal monazite crystallization conditions (< 400 °C) due to the high closure temperature of monazite (> 800 °C; e.g. Cherniak et al. 2004; Cherniak and Pyle 2008; Gardés et al. 2006, 2007). The ²³²Th-²⁰⁸Pb isotopic system can thus only be disturbed or reset by chemical disequilibrium induced by the presence of hydrous fluids resulting in the dissolution and/or re-precipitation of monazite (e.g. Cherniak et al. 2004; Cherniak and Pyle 2008; Grand’Homme et al. 2016b; Seydoux-Guillaume et al. 2002, 2012), a process that commonly results in patchy monazite replacing prior monazite (e.g. Grand’Homme et al. 2016b). Each dissolution, replacement or growth of a monazite domain corresponds to a reaction induced by chemical disequilibrium, which might be related to deformation events (see above), and can usually be identified texturally (e.g. patchy texture, growth zoning, cross cutting relationships) and chemically (distinct Th/U ratio; e.g. Grand’Homme et al. 2016a; Grand’Homme et al. 2016b; Seydoux-Guillaume et al. 2012). Thus, dating of hydrothermal monazite growth domains within a single sample has the potential to identify a sequence of tectonic events.

Previous studies on fissure monazite grains from the French parts of the Western Alps have provided weighted mean ages between 11.6 ± 0.3 and 6.7 ± 0.2 Ma in the Mont-Blanc Massif (Bergemann et al. 2019; Grand’Homme et al. 2016a), between 9.2 ± 0.3 and 7.9 ± 0.3 Ma in the Aiguilles Rouges Massif (Bergemann et al. 2019), between 12.4 ± 0.1 and 5.4 ± 0.5 Ma in the Belledonne Massif (Gasquet et al. 2010; Grand’Homme et al. 2016a), 17.6 ± 0.3 Ma in the Pelvoux Massif (Gasquet et al. 2010), 20.6 ± 0.3 Ma in the Argentera Massif (Grand’Homme et al. 2016a) and 23.0 ± 0.3 and of 32.3 ± 0.3 Ma in the Briançonnais Zone (Grand’Homme et al. 2016a; Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

Tectonic map of the study area modified after Schmid et al. (2004), Sanchez et al. (2011a), Steck et al. (2013) and Bergemann et al. (2019). Stars correspond to monazite samples from this study (yellow) and from Gasquet et al. (2010), Grand’Homme et al. (2016a) and Bergemann et al. (2019) (green stars). Weighted mean age or age range of growth domains in monazite are indicated. The internal domains are labelled as follow: MR: Monte Rosa, DB: Dent Blanche, S: Sesia, GP: Grand Paradiso, Am: Ambin, DM: Dora Maira

This study was undertaken in order to confirm with supplementary data that fissure monazites in the Argentera Massif and the Piemontais and Briançonnais zones are older than monazites from other parts of the Western Alps. Fissures are relatively rare in these parts of the Alps. For this reason, only five fissure monazites were available for this study (Table 1). In addition to backscatter electron images, we also tried to use trace and rare earth elements to distinguish growth domains in the monazites.

2 Geological setting

The Western Alps are the result of the closure of the Ligurian part of the Tethys and the collision of the European with the Apulian plate (e.g. Lemoine et al. 1986; Schmid et al. 2004). This process lasted from the Cretaceous to the Eocene (e.g. Rubatto et al. 1999; Rubatto and Hermann 2001; Table 2).

Table 1 Summary of monazite-(Ce) samples considered in this study with information on sample locality, host-rock lithology and metamorphic degree, fissure mineral association and orientation

This study focuses on the westernmost part of the Alps, an arcuate and roughly N-S oriented segment of the Alpine orogen characterized by the exposure of European (or external) units in the west, separated tectonically from Penninic (or internal) units by the Penninic Front (PF) (Fig. 1). The external crystalline massifs (ECM) derive from the European margin and consist of the Aar, Gotthard, Mont Blanc, Aiguilles Rouges, Belledonne, Pelvoux and Argentera massifs and their corresponding sedimentary cover (Helvetic and Dauphiné units), whereas the internal units formed during subduction-collision of the Tethyan Ocean and the European margin and consists of lower and middle Penninic units (Valais and Briançonnais Zones) and upper Penninic units (Piemontais, Schistes Lustrés and Austro-Alpine Units; Fig. 1; e.g. Ceriani et al. 2001; Schmid et al. 2004). The different units of the Piemontais and Briançonnais Zones show Alpine eclogite/greenschist and blueschist/greenschist metamorphism, whereas the Argentera and other external Massifs show greenschist facies metamorphism (Bousquet et al. 2012).

In the external Alps, shortening started during the main collisional phase of the orogen, at the transition between the Late Eocene and the Early Oligocene (Ceriani et al. 2001). According to that study, the boundary between the external and internal units (the PF) acted first as a transpressive suture zone that became sealed by Priabonian flysch. This first activation of the PF, related to the underthrusting of the ECM below the internal units, occurred in the Eocene and ended at ~ 35 Ma (e.g. Ceriani et al. 2001; Grand’Homme et al. 2016a; 1st episode/stage on Table 2). It was then reactivated between 35 and 25 Ma according to Schmid et al. (2017), where it acted as a WNW-directed thrust: the Roselend Thrust. At larger scale, this indicates an oblique (sinistral) collision during the Eocene, followed by westward indentation of the Ivrea mantle wedge (portion of the Adria mantle lithosphere), associated with backfolding and backthrusting (e.g. Ceriani et al. 2001; Collombet et al. 2002; Schmid et al. 2017; 2nd episode/stage on Table 2). This indentation overprinted the Eocene regime of sinistral transpression in the area of the Western Alps (Laubscher 1991) and was followed by a Miocene shortening phase related to the exhumation of the ECM (Table 2). During the Neogene, orogen-parallel deformation developed at the expense of NW-directed thrusting (e.g. Hubbard and Mancktelow 1992). This NE-trending deformation was associated with extensional movements along the Simplon normal fault due to exhumation of the Lepontine structural and metamorphic dome (e.g. Bergemann et al. 2020), accommodated by dextral strike-slip faults, bordering and cutting the ECM, and by SW-directed thrusting along the Digne Thrust (Table 2). The top-SW thrusting affecting the southern part of the Western Alps is related to the formation of the Apennines leading to oroclinal bending. Simultaneously, anticlockwise rotation of the Corsica-Sardinia block between 20.5 and 16 Ma accommodates the opening of the Liguro-Provençal Basin (Gattacceca et al. 2007; Maffione et al. 2008; Schmid et al. 2017; stage 3 on Table 2). From the Pliocene onwards, brittle normal faulting developed following the reactivation of the northern and southern Houiller and Penninic Front (Fügenschuh et al. 1999; 3rd episode of Ceriani et al. 2001, Table 2). Seismological data attest that the Penninic core of the Western Alps is still affected by this orogen-perpendicular extension (Sue et al. 1999).

Whereas the timing of fissure formation in the external massifs (except Argentera) is well constrained by monazite data (Gasquet et al. 2010; Grand’Homme et al. 2016a, b; Bergemann et al. 2019; Ricchi et al. 2019), such data are sparse for the Argentera Massif and the high-pressure overprinted units.

3 Methods

In situ Th-Pb dating of five monazite grains was carried out at the SwissSIMS Ion microprobe facility, equipped with a Cameca IMS 1280 HR instrument, at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland (Table 3). Preliminary sample preparation and backscattered electron (BSE) imaging was conducted for identifying distinct chemical and textural domains, following the procedure of Bergemann et al. (2017). The SIMS spot measurements were distributed on the basis of domains visible to capture the crystallization duration. In order to obtain more robust growth domain ages, the selected domains were large enough to place a minimum of three measurement spots. The instrument was run using the same procedure as Janots et al. (2012) and the same parameters as Ricchi et al. (2019, 2020). The SIMS measurements were performed focusing a -13 kV O₂^– primary beam on the samples with an intensity of ca. 3nA creating a spot with a 15 μm diameter. Applying a mass resolution between 4300–5000 depending on analytical session (M/ΔM, at 10% peak height) and an energy window at 40 eV, with data collected in peak hopping mode using an ion-counting electron multiplier. USGS-44069 monazite (425 Ma; Aleinikoff et al. 2006) was selected to standardise the data; the uncertainty on the standard ²⁰⁸Pb/²³²Th–ThO/Th calibration was between 1.01 to 2.56%. Data reduction and standardization was also carried out using the same parameters as Ricchi et al. (2020); namely, common lead Pb_c correction was calculated at time zero applying the terrestrial Pb evolution model of Stacey and Kramers (1975) using the Cameca Customisable Ion Probe Software (CIPS) and Isoplot 4.15 (Ludwig 2003) software. Isoplot 4.15 was also employed for weighted average age calculations and plotting. Uncertainties on single ages are quoted at 1 sigma level and weighted mean ages, hereafter called average ages, are quoted at 95% confidence level throughout the text (Table 4).

Table 2 Summary of deformation phases in the Western Alps

Table 3 Ion microprobe Th-U–Pb analyses of fissure monazite

Previous studies have shown that U-Th contents seem to be the easiest way to differentiate domains and to identify altered zones (e.g., Gnos et al. 2015; Bergemann et al. 2017). Since new crystallization or alteration is associated with a change in chemical composition and likely happened in equilibrium with the surrounding fluid, any age cluster within a chemical group must be due to the simultaneous formation or alteration of those monazite parts. Spatially close BSE regions displaying a comparable grey shade, showing chemical grouping and providing comparable age spots are treated as one growth domain. Some domains were too small to provide robust average ages, and single spot ages may still provide hints about the crystallization history. Weighted mean ²⁰⁸Pb/²³²Th ages were calculated for each growth domain following the approach of Bergemann et al. (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) and Ricchi et al. (2019, 2020). Since fissure monazite is dissolved and re-precipitated under changing chemical conditions (e.g. Grand’Homme et al. 2018), spot analyses affected by Pb_c (as indicated by older dates related to higher Pb_c, i.e. positive age-f₂₀₈ correlation), or those with high uncertainty (1σ absolute > 1) were removed from the dataset. However, analyses located on dissolution trails, generally providing younger dates, were considered in the age ranges because they likely record a later phase of monazite alteration.

Laser-Ablation Inductively-Coupled-Plasma Mass-Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analyses were carried out to obtain the concentration of major and trace elements in the investigated fissure monazites (Table 5). The measurements were done using a GeoLas-Pro 2006 193 nm ArF Excimer laser system (Lambda Physik / Coherent) interfaced to a Perkin Elmer Elan DRC-e quadrupole mass spectrometer at the University of Bern. The ablation was performed following procedures as documented in Bergemann et al. (2017) and Gnos et al. (2015), using beam sizes of 24 to 60 μm to measure as close as possible to the ion probe spots in the same growth domain, with an energy density on the sample of 4–5 J/cm² and a laser repetition rate of 10 Hz. The ICP-MS settings were optimized to maximum signal to background intensity ratios with (²³²Th¹⁶O)⁺ production rates tuned to below 0.2% and robust plasma conditions as monitored by equal sensitivities of U and Th. Two reference materials were used, GSD-1G for external calibration and the synthetic SRM 610 glass from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for quality control, employing preferred element concentration data from GeoRem (https://georem.mpch-mainz.gwdg.de/). Data quantification used total oxides for internal standardisation (i.e., summation of the measured major element oxides (P₂O_5, CaO, Y₂O₃, La₂O₃, Ce₂O₃, Pr₂O₃, Nd₂O₃, Sm₂O₃, Eu₂O₃, Gd₂O₃, Tb₂O₃, Dy₂O₃, ThO₂) to 100 wt%; e.g. Gray 1985). Data reduction was performed using the SILLS software (Guillong et al. 2008) with improved calculation of the limit of detection (Pettke et al. 2012).

Table 4 Summary of fissure monazite growth domains weighted mean ages and spot age ranges

Table 5 LA-ICP-MS analyses of element concentrations in monazite domains (μg/g). Note that Yb and Lu correspond to maximum concentrations because of potential GdO and TbO interferences during measurement

4 Results

4.1 Alpine fissures in the Western Alps

Two fissure monazites analysed in this study were collected in the high-pressure regions of the Western Alps, sample VIU1 is from the Piemontais Zone (eclogite/greenschist facies) and sample BALZI2 from the Briançonnais Zone (blueschist/greenschist facies). Samples MORI1, VINA1 and GESS1 were collected in the Argentera Massif (greenschist facies) (Table 1; Fig. 1). All the dated grains come from vertical fissures hosted by gneiss, except BALZI2 sample for which information on fissure orientation is missing (metarhyolite block in scree; Table 1).

Field images showing fissures in high-pressure overprinted regions are displayed in Fig. 2b–f, between the Saas Fee locality in the north and the Costa Balzi Rossi locality in the south (Fig. 1). Alpine fissures from these regions are all oriented subvertically with a strike ranging between N145-180 (Fig. 2a), as seen in Fig. 2b–e. The Costa Balzi Rossi area (Fig. 2f) is a famous locality for REE minerals (Bracco et al. 2012). As the analysed monazite was found in a block in scree (R. Bracco, pers. comm.), the original orientation of the fissure is not known. Samples VIU1 and BALZI2 were collected in the Valle di Viù (Fig. 2d) and Costa Balzi Rossi (Fig. 2f) localities, respectively.

In the Argentera Massif, Alpine fissures are also oriented vertically (Fig. 2 g–h) with a strike in the range between N005-N020 (Fig. 2a). Samples MORI1 and VINA1 were collected in the Stura Valley near the Sambuco locality and GESS1 grain further south, in the Gesso Valley (Fig. 1; Table 1).

4.2 Fissure monazite dating

In this section, chemical, textural and chronological data are presented in detail for each grain. Figure 3 gives information on Th-U content obtained by ion probe (left) and on chemical domains distinguishable on BSE images (centre). These combined data were used to define mineral growth domains, allowing calculation of weighted mean ²⁰⁸Pb-²³²Th ages (right) for growth domains. Ion probe and LA-ICP-MS spot locations are indicated on BSE images as solid and dashed circles, respectively.

Fig. 2

a Stereographic projection of planes and their poles of subvertical Alpine fissure in the Western Alps. Localities are indicated in Fig. 1. Fissures in high pressure regions and in the Argentera Massif are presented in b-f and g-h, respectively. b NNE (N020) striking vertical fissure in amphibolite facies metabasalt of the Zermatt-Saas high-pressure zone. At the locality of Mittaghorn, Saas Fee, Switzerland, the vertical fissure shown contains crystals of albite (pericline), quartz and chlorite (the wall of the fissure is indicated by the blue arrow). c Subvertical, SSE (N145) striking fissure in Permo-Carboniferous metaconglomerates at Montvalezan, Savoie, France (yellow-dashed lines), associated with strike-slip faulting (note horizontal lineation). The fissure is located in greenschist-facies overprinted blueschist facies rocks. d N (N000) striking, subvertical fissures (green-dashed lines) in greenschist facies overprinted eclogite facies metasedimentary rocks at Margone, Val di Viù, Piedmont, Italy. Sample VIU1 is from this locality. e Meta-granitoid rocks at Montoso, Piedmont, exploited as "Pietra di Luserna". The steeply oriented, NE (N050) striking fissures (indicated by red-dashed lines) cutting the horizontal foliation caused bleaching (dissolution of biotite) in the adjacent host rock. Fissure monazite was reported from these quarries (Finello et al. 2007). f Permian metarhyolites and metasedimentary rocks forming the mountains of Costa Balzi Rossi, Magliolo, Liguria, Italy. The dated monazite sample BALZI1 derives from fissures located in the wall-forming metarhyolites (Bracco et al. 2012), but was collected in the scree. g Vertical N-S (N005) striking fissures (indicated by orange-dashed lines) at the locality Sambuco, Valle Stura, Argentera Massif. Monazite is reported from fissures of this area. Monazites from Vinadio (VINA1) and Moriglione (MORI1) in Valle Stura are from comparable fissures. h NNE (N020) striking fissure in metamorphic Permian siltstones of the Argentera Massif, France, ca. 1.5 km north of Saint-Dalmas de Tende, showing milky quartz crystals on fissure wall (violet arrow).

4.2.1 Grains from high-pressure regions

VIU1 is a ~ 700 μm-long grain (Fig. 3a) composed of two major chemical domains. Domain A comprises the bright bottom part in BSE image with Th/U ratio close to 100. Domain B, comprising the major part of the grain, is characterised by a darker colour in BSE image, related to lower Th and U contents of ~ 12,000–22,200 and 240–260 µg/g respectively (Table 3). A weighted mean age of 29.9 ± 0.5 Ma (MSWD = 3.7, n = 14) is calculated for domain B (Table 4).

BALZI2 (Fig. 3b) is a complex grain that underwent several alteration episodes as indicated by the presence of dissolution trails (red-dashed lines on Fig. 3b) and pores (indicated by red arrows on Fig. 3b) visible on the BSE image. The oldest part of the mineral is mainly preserved in the lower-right part of the grain (BALZI2-A domain): it yields a distinct Th/U ratio of between 6 and 50 and providing a weighted mean age of 36.0 ± 0.6 Ma (MSWD = 0.79, n = 5; Table 4). Spots 34 to 40 of BALZI2-A domain display older and scattered dates, which may indicate a complex early history of the grain. Most analyses located in the rim and in the upper part of the grain, BALZI2-B, C and D domains, display Th/U ratios ranging between 20 and 140 overlapping with domain A chemistry (Table 3). BALZI2-B and C domains are chemically comparable, but provide distinct weighted mean ages of 30.3 ± 0.5 Ma (MSWD = 2.80, n = 10) and 25.4 ± 0.5 Ma (MSWD = 0.69, n = 10; Table 4). A few analyses (spot 1, 2, 12, 14, 23, 24, 25 and 31, open symbols) sit on or close to dissolution trails and give younger ages (Table 3). These analyses are excluded from weighted mean age calculations. Two additional spot analyses (20 and 51, open blue symbols), located in the upper part of the grain, are also sitting on dissolution trails and provide the youngest dates for this grain at around ~ 11 Ma. These youngest dates, labeled BALZI2-D, most likely record the latest phase of monazite alteration.

4.2.2 Monazites from the Argentera Massif

Sample MORI1 (Fig. 3c) displays two distinct Th and U clusters ranging between 1200 and 5000 and 4–70 µg/g, respectively labelled as MORI1-A and B domains (Table 3). No clear textural evidence allows distinguishing the different domains without chemical information: but the low and high U contents can be used to distinguish two groups (A = 5–20 µg/g and B = 40–70 µg/g). Identical weighted mean ages of 15.2 ± 0.3 (MSWD = 2.3, n = 13) and 15.1 ± 0.4 Ma (MSWD = 2.6, n = 9) were calculated for domains A and B, respectively (Table 4).

The crystal VINA1 (Fig. 3d) is nearly homogeneous in U content (29 µg/g on average), but displays decreasing Th contents from core to rim (Table 3), i.e. from domain A (~ 11,200–37,000 µg/g, red symbols), to domain B (~ 1800–8400 µg/g, orange symbols), to domain C (~ 3600–4200 µg/g, green and blue symbols), also visible on the BSE image as decreasing brightness. Weighted mean ages of 16.4 ± 0.2 (MSWD = 0.97, n = 7), 15.2 ± 0.6 (MSWD = 3.3, n = 5), 15.4 ± 0.5 Ma (MSWD = 3.0, n = 6) and 14.4 ± 0.5 Ma (MSWD = 2.4, n = 5) were calculated for domains A, B, C1 and C2 (Table 4). Spot analyses 18, 19 and 21 located in domain A (red open symbols), record a younger age that can be explained by the presence of a dissolution trail/pores, probably corresponding to a younger alteration episode.

The grain GESS1 (Fig. 3e) is composed of a patchy and inclusion-rich core (GESS1-A domain), characterized by Th/U ratios ranging between 260 and 90 (Table 3), and providing the oldest spot dates of the grain of up to ~ 16 Ma. One analysis, spot 24 (open red circle), sits on a dissolution trail and give a younger date (Table 3). The second domain (GESS1-B) constitutes the major part of the crystal and is chemically and isotopically heterogeneous with a Th/U ratio ranging between 20 and 180. A weighted mean age of 14.9 ± 0.3 (MSWD = 2.2, n = 14) is calculated for this second domain (Table 4), but scattered spot ages as young as ~ 12 Ma are also observed (blue open circles in Fig. 3e; Table 4), likely recording a later phase of monazite alteration that has barely affected the chemistry.

4.3 Fissure monazite chemistry

Trace element LA-ICP-MS analyses of dated fissure monazite domains are listed in Table 5. However, due to the larger spot size (24–60 µm) of the LA-ICP-MS, some of the dated domains were too small to be analyzed. Thorium and U contents measured by ion probe and LA-ICP-MS are comparable, which confirms the chemical groups described in Fig. 3.

CI-chondrite-normalised (McDonough and Sun 1995) fissure monazite REE patterns are displayed in Fig. 4. The patterns are generally comparable with some variation in the slope of the HREE: sample VIU1 and GESS1 having a lower content in HREE than BALZI2, MORI1. There are also minor differences in the negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = Eu_N / (Sm_N x Gd_N)^0.5 McLennan 1989): average values of 0.72, 0.46, 0.28, 0.27 and 0.27 for grains VIU1, BALZI2, MORI1, VINA1 and GESS1. Again, sample VIU1 is distinct with respect to the other grains by a less pronounced Eu anomaly (Fig. 4). Only the MORI1 grain clearly shows different REE patterns in its two age domains (see Additional file 1: Figure S1; Table 5).

Fig. 3

Chemical, textural, and geochronological information for the five fissure monazite grains analysed in this study. Colour-filled and open-dashed circles on BSE images, respectively, correspond to ion probe and LA-ICP-MS spot locations. The defined growth domains (A, B, C…) are indicated on BSE images with a distinct colour code (red, orange, blue …) and referred to as groups in Table 3. Spot ages considered in the weighted mean age calculations are indicated by colour-filled bars whereas spot ages only considered in the age range are indicated by open bars (bar length representing the spot age plus its 2 σ uncertainty). Red arrows point to pores indicating dissolution-reprecipitation reactions

Distinct chemical trends of fissure monazites from this study are presented in bivariate plots in Fig. 5a–c. Th and U contents of BALZI2, MORI1 and GESS1 grains cluster below 10,000 µg/g Th and below 130 µg/g U, whereas VIU1 and VINA1 grains show higher values and distinct average Th/U ratios close to 65 and 500 respectively (Fig. 5a). A positive correlation of Sr and Ca is observed for all the grains (Fig. 5b) whereas Y is correlated negatively with Ce (Fig. 5c).

The main chemical variations present in the cationic site of the studied fissure monazites are displayed in a Ca-Y-Th triangular plot (Fig. 5d). Th and Ca increase is related to Y decrease, this corresponds to an increase of the cheralite component, (Ca²⁺,Th(U)⁴⁺)(P⁵⁺O²⁻₄)₂, and to a decrease of the xenotime-(Y) component (Y³⁺P⁵⁺O²⁻₄). The lack of Si in the studied monazites (below detection limit of 500 µg/g on average) indicates that the Th pole of the Ca-Y-Th triangular plot corresponding to the huttonite (Th(U)⁴⁺Si⁴⁺O²⁻₄) component is very low (Table 5). The Y pole represents the xenotime-(Y) component. The chernovite-(Y), Y³⁺As⁵⁺O²⁻₄ component is negligible due to low As content (average As content: 330 µg/g; Table 5). In summary, VINA1 and VIU1 grains display a higher cheralite component (2 REE³⁺ substituted by Th⁴⁺ and Ca²⁺) whereas the other grains (BALZI2, MORI1 and GESS1) tend to a higher xenotime component (REE³⁺ substituted by Y³⁺) (Fig. 5d). In some cases, REE and trace elements show clear differences between different growth domains, but in many cases differences are too small to distinguish growth domains. Moreover, our data do not show systematic compositional changes with age (Fig. 5 and Additional file S1). Thus, as described above, growth domains discrimination was essentially based on the combination of textural observations and U-Th contents variation.

5 Discussion

5.1 Fissure monazite crystallization ages

In the Briançonnais Zone, fissure monazite ages record crystallization at ~ 32 and ~ 23 Ma (Grand’Homme et al. 2016a) and at ~ 36, ~ 30 and 25 Ma in the BALZI2 grain (Figs. 1, 3 and 6). The distinct age domains recorded in BALZI2 capture a crystallization duration of ~ 11 Ma, possibly up to ~ 40 Ma if the isolated dates in the core of the grain are considered (Fig. 3; Table 4). Older spot ages around ~ 45 Ma may indicate that fissure formation occurred already during deformation at high-pressure greenschist facies conditions in this area (Bousquet et al. 2012). The VIU1 monazite grain from the Piemontais Zone records monazite growth mostly at ~ 30 Ma, possibly with an earlier episode already at ~ 32 Ma (Figs. 1, 3 and 6; Table 4). Our data thus confirm that fissure formation occurred in the Briançonnais and Piemontais zones mainly in association with the retrograde metamorphic overprinting of the high-pressure rocks during its exhumation, and later in association with strike-slip faulting.

Fig. 4

Chondrite-normalised REE element patterns of studied fissure monazites

Fig. 5

a–c Compositional bivariate plots of studied fissure monazites. Each point represents the average of a growth domain. d Ca-Y-Th triangular diagram (atomic proportions) displaying main cationic variation of monazite from this study. Note that A, B, etc. labels correspond to sample domains reported in Fig. 3 and Table 5.

Fig. 6

Summary of fissure monazite ages from this study compared to published crystallization and cooling ages.[1] Bergemann et al. (2019); Gasquet et al. (2010); Grand’Homme et al. (2016a); [2] Grand’Homme et al. (2016a); [3] Gasquet et al. (2010); Leutwein et al. (1970); Marshall et al. (1998); Rossi and Rolland (2014); [4] Gasquet (1979); [5] Agard et al. (2002); Bellanger et al. (2015); Corsini et al. (2004); Crespo-Blanc et al. (1995); Kirschner et al. (2003); Lanari et al. (2014); Rolland et al. (2008); Sanchez et al. (2011a); Simon-Labric et al. (2009); Strzerzynski et al. (2012); Villa et al. (2014); [6] Freeman et al. (1997, 1998); [7] Cenki-Tok et al. (2014); [8] Beucher (2009); Beucher et al. (2012); Bigot-Cormier et al. (2006); Bogdanoff et al. (2000); Fügenschuh et al. (1999); Fügenschuh and Schmid (2003); Lelarge (1993); Leloup et al. (2005); Malusà et al. (2005); Sabil (1995); Sanchez et al. (2011b); S. Schwartz et al. (2007); Seward and Mancktelow (1994); Seward et al. (1999); Soom 1990; Tricart et al. (2007); van der Beek et al. (2010); [9] Beucher (2009); Bigot-Cormier et al. (2006); Carpéna (1992); Crouzet et al. (2001); Fügenschuh and Schmid (2003); Glotzbach et al. (2011); Malusà and Vezzoli (2006); Schwartz et al. (2007); Schwartz (2000); Seward and Mancktelow (1994); Soom (1990); van der Beek et al. (2010); Vance (1999); [10] Sanchez et al. (2011b). AFT: apatite fission track, ZFT: zircon fission track, N: north, S: south. Square brackets to the left delimit the main periods of monazite growth discussed in the text: (1) Top-NNW thrusting, (2) Top-WNW thrusting, (3) Top-SW thrusting and orogen parallel deformation

In the ECM of the Western Alps, fissure monazite yield a wide range of ages: (i) ~ 17.6 Ma for the Pelvoux Massif (Gasquet et al. 2010), (ii) ~ 20.6 and ~ 16–14 Ma for the south-western (Grand’Homme et al. 2016a) and north-eastern (MORI1, VINA1 and GESS1 grains) border of the Argentera Massif, (iii) ~ 12–11 and ~ 8–5 Ma for the Belledonne Massif (Gasquet et al. 2010; Grand’Homme et al. 2016a) and (iv) ~ 12–7 Ma for the Aiguilles Rouges and Mont Blanc Massifs (Bergemann et al. 2019; Grand’Homme et al. 2016a; Figs. 1 and 6). However, the ~ 17.6 Ma fissure monazite from the Pelvoux Massif (Gasquet et al. 2010) is related to the formation of horizontal fissures that formed in association with the development of a steeply oriented foliation, while in the Argentera Massif only vertical fissures developed in association with strike-slip faulting. This shows that the Alpine tectonic evolution of Argentera is different to all other ECM. Our monazite data indicate that strike-slip faulting ceased in the Argentera Massif at ~ 14 Ma, whereas dextral strike-slip movements along the western ECM started at ~ 11–12 Ma (e.g., Steck and Hunziker 1994; Bergemann et al. 2017).

5.2 Comparison with deformation, cooling ages and tectonic evolution of the Western Alps

In order to interpret the newly obtained ²⁰⁸Pb/²³²Th monazite crystallization ages (Fig. 6) in a tectonic context, they are compared to available crystallization/deformation and cooling/exhumation ages for the areas of interest, i.e. Argentera Massif, Briançonnais Zone and Piemontais Zone.

5.2.1 Top-NNW thrusting (> 35 Ma)

The oldest fissure monazite age of the Western Alps is recorded at ~ 36 Ma by BALZI2 grain from the Briançonnais Zone (Figs. 1 and 6) and is interpreted to be related to Late Eocene—earliest Oligocene top-NNW thrusting (episode (1); Table 2) which started at or before 38 Ma (Cardello et al. 2019). This deformation was coeval with the development of the main foliation during emplacement of the Siviez-Mischabel Nappe dated at 41–36 Ma (Markley et al. 1998). Ar–Ar dating of syn-kinematic phengite from the Modane-Aussois area, west of Ambin (Am on Fig. 1; Strzerzynski et al. 2012), suggest that top-NNW thrusting ended at around ∼37 Ma during decompression, giving way to WNW-directed thrusting (episode (2) on Fig. 6; Table 2) from ∼35 Ma down to at least ∼32 Ma. A xenotime grain from a fissure located further north in the same high-pressure terrane records an average age of ~ 35 Ma (Grand’Homme et al. 2016a; Fig. 6). According to Freeman et al. (1997), the onset of backthrusting in the Briançonnais is constrained at ~ 34 Ma by Rb–Sr dating of syn-kinematic white mica formed under mid-greenschist facies conditions near the western and northern border of the Grand Paradiso (GP) internal massif (Fig. 6). The fissure monazite domain age constrains the minimal onset of exhumation in the Briançonnais Zone at ~ 36 Ma, but isolated spot ages in BALZI2 point at an even earlier start at ~ 45 Ma. In the Piemontais Zone, greenschist conditions are constrained between ~ 40 and 35 Ma by Ar–Ar dating of phengite (Agard et al. 2002; Fig. 6). Note that fissure monazite and xenotime ages from high-pressure terranes are older than the zircon fission track (ZFT) record, suggesting that these fissure minerals crystallized above a maximum temperature of ~ 380–190 °C (e.g. Glotzbach et al. 2010; Ricchi et al. 2019).

5.2.2 Top-WNW thrusting (35–25 Ma)

Slightly younger fissure monazite crystallization ages are recorded in the Briançonnais Zone between ~ 32 and 30 Ma (BALZI2 grain from this study and MTC grain from Grand’Homme et al. 2016a) and in the Piemontais Zone at ~ 30 Ma (VIU1 grain; Figs. 1, 3a, b and 6). These ages correspond to a rapid uplift episode, i.e. exhumation of high-pressure units, that affected the Dora Maira internal massif between ~ 32 and 30 Ma (e.g. Dumont et al. 2012; Rubatto and Hermann, 2003; Schmid et al. 2017). This uplift episode occurred in response to the WNW-directed indentation of the Ivrea mantle wedge (Table 2). Rb–Sr dating of syn-kinematic phengites from Freeman et al. (1997, 1998) show that this second episode of WNW-directed thrusting started at ~ 34 Ma in the eastern part of the Briançonnais Zone (along the NW border of the GP Massif), migrated westward, reaching the current western border of the Briançonnais Zone at ~ 31 Ma (see also Egli et al. 2016), and ended between ~ 27 and 23 Ma (Fig. 6). An ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar synkinematic muscovite from the Argentera Massif indicates that dextral strike-slip faulting started at 33.6 ± 0.6 Ma during this period.

5.2.3 Strike slip and top-SW thrusting (25–0 Ma)

The top-WNW-directed thrusting along the PF led to backfolding, backthrusting, and later to the exhumation of the ECM together with westward migration of the deformation front (Table 2). NE-striking dextral strike-slip movements started to develop around and through the internal border of the western ECM. This orogen-parallel deformation episode ((3) on Fig. 6) also coincides with the development of SW-directed normal faulting along the Simplon Fault and SW-directed thrusting along the Digne Thrust (Hubbard and Mancktelow 1992; Grasemann and Mancktelow 1993).

Fissure monazite crystallization recorded at ~ 23 Ma by Grand’Homme et al. (2016a) related to shear zones activity the Briançonnais Zone Houillère (MTV in Figs. 1 and 2c) occurred during the westward indentation of the Adriatic plate constrained to between 26.8 ± 0.7 Ma and 20.5 ± 0.3 Ma by Ar–Ar dating of syn-kinematic phengite from the Argentera Massif (Sanchez et al. 2011a; Fig. 6) and the onset of the Liguro-Provençal Basin ocean spreading starting during the Aquitanian (e.g. Gattacceca et al. 2007).

The grain BALZI2 records a domain age at ~ 25 Ma (Figs. 1 and 6). We suggest that this monazite domain crystallized at ~ 25 Ma also in association with shear zone activity related to the earliest stages of ocean spreading in the Liguro-Provençal Basin (e.g. Gattacceca et al. 2007; Sanchez et al. 2011a; Schmid et al. 2017).

At the South-Western border of the Argentera Massif, younger monazite crystallization is dated at ~ 20.6 Ma (ISO grain from Grand’Homme et al. 2016a), interpreted to be related to NW-striking dextral shear zones (Grand’Homme et al. 2016a; Fig. 1). This age is in the range of synkinematic phengite of 26.8 ± 0.7 Ma and 20.5 ± 0.3 Ma dated by Sanchez et al. (2011a). This fissure monazite age is contemporaneous with the onset of the anticlockwise rotation of the Corsica-Sardinia block constrained at 20.5 Ma (e.g. Gattacceca et al. 2007; Schmid et al. 2017; stage 3 in Table 2). Most of the Corsica-Sardinia anticlockwise rotation (30°), accommodating the opening of the Liguro-Provençal Basin, occurred between 20.5 and 18 Ma and was active until 16–15 Ma, resulting in a total rotation of 45° (Gattacceca et al. 2007). This age range corresponds almost exactly with the activity of the orogen-parallel stretching related to the Simplon Fault (Grasemann and Mancktelow 1993; Campani et al. 2010). Contemporaneous with this rotational phase, deformation during uplift of the Pelvoux Massif is recorded at ~ 17.6 Ma by a fissure monazite from a horizontal vein (Gasquet et al. 2010). In the north-eastern part of the Argentera Massif, younger fissure monazite ages of 16–14 Ma are interpreted to constrain dextral fault activity related to the end of the Corsica-Sardinia anticlockwise rotation as described by Gattacceca et al. (2007), and mark the onset of (re)-activation of dextral strike-slip faulting along and through the internal border of the western ECM (Figs. 1 and 6).

The middle Miocene dextral strike-slip record movement affecting the western ECM, occurred earlier in the Argentera Massif and shifted then to the other ECMs. Indeed, the fissure monazite ages recording fault activity along the BSZ or VSZ dextral shear zones in the Argentera Massif (Fig. 1) are between ~ 16 and 14 Ma (MORI1, VINA1 and GESS1 grains), followed by dextral faulting between ~ 12 and 11 Ma and between ~ 8 and 5 Ma in the Belledonne Massif (Gasquet et al. 2010; Grand’Homme, et al. 2016a), and between ~ 12 and 7 Ma in the Aiguilles Rouges and Mont Blanc massifs (Bergemann et al. 2019; Grand’Homme, et al. 2016a; Figs. 1 and 6). Note that fissures-bearing monazite related to dextral strike-slip movements from the Aiguilles Rouges, Mont-Blanc and Belledonne massifs are sub-vertical and E-W striking (Bergemann et al. 2019; Grand’Homme et al. 2016a). However, NNE-striking vertical fissures are observed between the southern termination of the Argentera Massif and Saint-Dalmas de Tende locality (Fig. 2 h), suggesting that these fissures may have had a similar orientation, but underwent 45°- anticlockwise rotation caused by the opening of the Liguro-Provençal Basin.

Finally, an overall decreasing trend of cooling ages is observed from the internal high-pressure regions toward the western ECM (Fig. 6) implying that exhumation first affected the internal units before progressively propagating toward the external units, (e.g. Fügenschuh and Schmid 2003). In the high-pressure regions, the minimal onset of exhumation (i.e. the maximal age of the start of exhumation) is constrained at ~ 36 Ma by fissure monazite (this study) and phengite crystallization (Agard et al. 2002) under greenschist facies conditions. These ages are older than ZFT cooling ages (Fig. 6), whereas in the western ECM the minimal onset of exhumation follows ZFT ages, and fissure monazite crystallization is systematically observed between ZFT and AFT cooling ages. These observations suggest slower cooling rates in the internal units with respect to the external ones.

5.3 Fissure monazite composition

The composition of fissure monazites provides hints on dissolved host-rock minerals and oxidation condition, in the fissure. Trace element analyses of fissure monazite show a negative Eu anomaly, most likely resulting from co-crystallization of albite. The difference in negative Eu/Eu* is interpreted to be inherited from the host rock and is distinct in VIU1 (Piemontais Zone) compared to the other grains (Fig. 4). Generally, the REE content of fissure monazite does not change systematically over time, but seems mainly controlled by dissolution of available REE-bearing accessory minerals.

The high Th/U content of the VINA1 grain indicates a strongly oxidizing environment of crystallization in association with hematite, as described by Gnos et al. (2015) (Fig. 5a). It has indeed been mentioned that hematite is not rare in fissures in this area (Piccoli 2002). Sr and Ca correlation indicates dissolution of host-rock plagioclase or carbonate as a source (Gnos et al. 2015; Fig. 5b). Samples from the Argentera Massif (MORI1, VINA1 and GESS1) have nearly identical Sr/Ca ratios (average Sr/Ca = 0.22), suggesting a similar source for these elements. In contrast, samples from the high-pressure regions have average Sr/Ca = 0.39 (BALZI2) and 0.17 (VIU1). An increase in Ce correlated with a decrease in Y suggests that more monazite or allanite, (Ce³⁺,La³⁺,Nd³⁺,Ca²⁺,Y³⁺)₂(Al³⁺,Fe²⁺,Fe³⁺)₃(SiO₄)₃(OH), was dissolved with respect to xenotime (Fig. 5c). Finally, an increase in cheralite component (Ca + Th replacing 2REE) related to a decrease of xenotime component (Y) is observed for grains VINA1 and VIU1 (Fig. 5). Only in few cases REE and trace elements show sufficient variation helping to separate growth domains in the hydrothermal monazites studied here. There is also no systematic compositional change over time.

6 Conclusions

The oldest ages recorded by fissure monazite found in the Briançonnais Zone are related to exhumation along the PF during top-NNW thrusting in sinistral transpression. This first exhumation episode was overprinted by subsequent top-WNW thrusting recorded between ~ 32 and 30 Ma in fissure monazites from the Briançonnais and Piemontais zones. During top-SW thrusting, fissure monazite crystallization is recorded in association with strike-slip faulting in the Briançonnais Zone Houillère at ~ 23 Ma, likely related to the progressive opening of the Liguro-Provençal Basin. Later, at ~ 20.6 Ma, fissure monazite from a fault zone located in the south-western border of the Argentera Massif is attributed to the onset of the anticlockwise rotation of the Corsica-Sardinia Block. By contrast, monazite crystallization recorded at ~ 16–14 Ma in a fault zone of the north-eastern Argentera Massif likely constrains the end of the Corsica-Sardinia block rotation. Contemporaneous with this rotation, deformation during the exhumation of the Pelvoux Massif is recorded at ~ 17.6 Ma. Finally, successively younger episodes of dextral strike-slip related to increasing concentration of deformation along the Rhone-Simplon/Penninic Front fault system are recorded at ~ 12–11 and ~ 8–5 Ma in the Belledonne Massif and at ~ 12–7 Ma in the Mont-Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges massifs, marking the jump from thrusting to dextral strike-slip faulting toward the northern ECM of the Western Alps.

Chemical observations of the investigated fissure monazites suggest a similar source of Sr and Ca for the grains from the Argentera Massif, generally higher amounts of monazite or allanite dissolution from the host-rock with respect to xenotime and corroborate previous observations of extremely high Th/U content formed under oxidizing conditions.