Conditions of formation of serpentinites in Pyrenees and new constraints on the model of exhumation of mantle peridotites
Résumé
Since the mid-80’s, several models of emplacement of Pyrenean peridotites
have been suggested. The most recent one, published by Lagabrielle
et al. in 2010, proposed two types of geological setting for the
formation of peridotites : i) sedimentary as debris flows deposits or ii)
tectonic via detachment exhumation. In order to bring new constraints
on this exhumation model and to integrate it in the Pyrenean history,
we studied the conditions of serpentinization of peridotites in several
massifs of the Pyrenees. A detailed petrological study reveals that lherzolites
were heterogeneously affected by serpentinization all over the
Pyrenees. Three different stages of serpentinization have be distinguished
: i) massive serpentinization with development of a mesh texture,
ii) formation of fibrous or crack-seal chrysotile veins and iii) formation
of antigorite veins, in locations with important deformation (Sarailhé).
In some localities (Urdach, Espechère), a late stage of CO2-rich fluid
circulation precipitated abundant carbonates, similarly to ophicalcites.
Serpentinites show similar multi-elementary spectra, with positive anomalies
in Cs, U, Ta and Pb ; however, differences reside in concentrations
(from 3 to 250 times primitive mantle). REE patterns are broadly
flat with a slight enrichment in HREE. A negative Ce anomaly is observed
for some samples attesting of interaction with seawater. First d18O
values measured on serpentinites seem to argue that serpentinization in
the western Massifs (Urdach, Saraillé) occurred at lower temperatures (a
few tens of degrees) than in other massifs. Combination of all these petrological
and geochemical data suggest that Pyrenean peridotites were,
at some point of their exhumation history, affected by interaction with
seawater.