The timing, duration, and pressure-temperature (P-T) conditions of metamorphism provide a direct record of the physical and chemical evolution of the crust and inform our knowledge and understanding of plate tectonics. The characteristic timescales and length-scales of metamorphism vary by orders of magnitude, depending on the driving tectonic process. Two fundamental problems with the retrieval of this information from the metamorphic rock record are insufficient temporal resolution and processes that overprint or obscure the full record of metamorphism. Understanding what processes are recorded, and why they are recorded, is critical for accurate models of tectonics. This dissertation examines these processes in the metamorphic rock record in two settings: the central Appalachian orogen and the Western Alps fossil subduction zone. Chapters 2 and 3 focus on poly-metamorphic migmatites from the Smith River Allochthon (SRA) in the central Appalachians. A combination of petrography, thermodynamic modeling, and geochemistry is used to document and quantify the metamorphic evolution of the SRA and determine the petrologic processes that control metamorphic re-equilibration in high-temperature metamorphic systems. Chapter 2 presents new constraints for Silurian high-temperature (~750℃, 0.5 GPa) contact metamorphism in response to mafic magmatism and a cryptic Alleghanian metamorphism (~600℃, 0.8 GPa). A combination of extensive and highly variable melt loss followed by H2O-flux melting during contact metamorphism is shown to produce a range of modified bulk rock compositions and domains with variable fertilities for metamorphic re-equilibration during the Alleghanian. In chapter 3, monazite, allanite, and zircon laser ablation split-stream petrochronology are used to constrain the timing of poly-metamorphism and develop a tectonic model for the SRA. The SRA preserves evidence for at least three orogenic events, each with a relatively short duration (< 10 Myr.), likely due to repeated magmatic heating. The full record of this punctuated heating is obscured by dissolution-reprecipitation reactions that variably recrystallize monazite and decouple trace element chemistry from isotopic age and significantly restrict equilibrium length-scales. Chapters 4 and 5 examine the dynamic interplay between transient fluid flow, episodic metamorphism, and deformation in subduction zones. In chapter 4, diffusional speedometry is applied to eclogite breccias from the Monviso ophiolite to quantify the periodicity of transient deformation and metamorphism at eclogite facies P-T conditions. The maximum timescale for repeated fracturing is constrained to ~1 Myr., likely caused by cyclic variations in fluid pressure and strain rate (not necessarily seismicity). While difficult to preserve and detect in the rock record, this periodic metamorphism may play an important role in detachment and exhumation processes in subduction zones worldwide. Finally, in chapter 4 a combination of thermodynamic modeling and Sm-Nd garnet geochronology are used to construct a model for subduction and exhumation of the Voltri ophiolite. Garnet growth occurs rapidly and close to peak P-T conditions (~520℃, 2.4 GPa) across the ophiolite, with large (>10 km2) areas preserving near-identical ages, suggesting that the Voltri ophiolite was exhumed as several large coherent units, aided by the presence of buoyant serpentinites. / Doctor of Philosophy / Metamorphism provides a direct record of the physical and chemical evolution of Earth's crust and informs our knowledge and understanding of how plate tectonics works on Earth. Differences in the physical conditions (e.g. pressure, temperature) and timescales of metamorphism can provide clues for the operation of unique tectonic processes, such as the intrusion and cooling of magma deep underground or the collision of two tectonic plates and formation of a mountain range. The key is to correctly "read" the metamorphic rock record. One inherent difficulty in reading and interpreting metamorphic rocks is that few current methods are able to resolve very short timescale events (much less that 1 million years (Myr.) in duration), such as earthquakes, in the rock record. Moreover, metamorphic rocks experience numerous distinct 'events', which partly overprint one another and produce a complicated and near impossible puzzle for geologists to unravel. Solving this puzzle is critical to fully understand how plate tectonics works on Earth. This dissertation addresses these problems and examines metamorphism in two locations: the core of the ancient supercontinent Pangea (central Appalachians) and a fossil subduction zone (the Western Alps). Chapters 2 and 3 focus on the central Appalachians. Chemical and textural analysis of metamorphic rocks are used to understand the major heat sources that operated in the crust during the formation of the Appalachians and determine the processes that control metamorphic re-crystallization at extremely high temperatures. Chapter 2 presents new constraints for high-temperature (~750℃) metamorphism in response to magmatic heating and provides evidence for a younger metamorphic event that is cryptically recorded. A combination of compositional changes caused by earlier high-temperature metamorphism and the later addition of water along reactive grain boundaries are shown to be important factors in the cryptic record of the younger metamorphic event. In chapter 3, U-Pb geochronology is used to the determine the timing of metamorphism and construct a tectonic model for the central Appalachians, which preserves evidence for at least three tectonic events over ~200 Myr, but with each occurring over a relatively short duration (< 10 Myr.). These events are interpreted to represent repeated magmatic heating 'pulses' during the formation of Pangea. However, the full record of this punctuated heating is partly obscured by subsequent fluid alteration. Chapters 4 and 5 examine the dynamic interplay between transient fluid flow, earthquakes, and metamorphism deep in subduction zones. In chapter 4, fracture sets within metamorphic garnet crystals from the French Alps (Monviso) are used to determine the timescale of repeated fracturing and recrystallization during subduction. The fracture timescales are estimated to be much less than 1 Myr. and are interpreted to record repeated fluid "pulses" and possibly deep earthquakes. While difficult to preserve and detect in the rock record, this process may play an important role in bringing metamorphic rocks back from deep in subduction zones to Earth's surface. In chapter 4, a combination of mineral chemistry and geochronology are used to construct a tectonic model for the subduction and exhumation of a portion of the Italian Alps (Voltri). Metamorphic reactions occur synchronously and immediately before exhumation across a wide area (> 10 km2). This suggest that large (> 10 km2) pieces of oceanic crust can metamorphose, detach, and exhume deep in subduction zones.

The Blue Ridge Province in southern and central Virginia is a complex slice of Precambrian basement emplaced on the margin of Laurentia during collisional events in the Paleozoic. This allochthonous basement is composed of Middle Proterozoic continental crust, Late Proterozoic intrusives, and Late Proterozoic-early Paleozoic metasediments and metavolcanics. Two distinct terranes within the Blue Ridge are separated by the northeast-trending and southeast dipping Fries-Rockfish Valley Fault Zone, exposed as a 1-10 km wide shear zone, formed during the middle Paleozoic Taconic Orogeny (425-450 Ma.). These terranes are referred to as the Pedlar massif, a high-grade granulite terrane, to the northwest and the Lovingston massif, a lower-grade amphibolite terrane to the southeast. The connection between these terranes has been debated for decades. A combined petrologic and geochemical approach has been applied in two transects across the shear zone, four kilometers apart along strike near Roanoke, Virginia, to study the geochemical and petrologic evidence of shearing along the fault and constrain the nature and timing of possible retrogressive and fluid infiltration events that affected these rocks. Mineral assemblages and microstructures at the northeastern Horsepen Mountain and at the southwestern Explore Park transects indicate that deformation occurred along the fault under greenshist facies conditions. / Master of Science

Metamorphic rocks constitute a vast volumetric proportion of the Earth’s continental lithosphere and are invaluable recorders of the mechanisms and rates of deformation and metamorphism that occur at the micro-, meso- and macro-scale. As such, they have the potential to provide detailed insight into important tectonic processes such as the subductive transport of material into, and back from, mantle depths and also folding, faulting and thickening of crust that occurs during collisional orogeny. The Himalayan-Karakoram-Tibetan orogen is the youngest and most prominent example of a continent-continent collisional mountain belt on Earth today and is a product of the on-going convergence of the Indian and Asian plates that initiated in the Early Eocene. Thus, it provides an exceptional natural laboratory for the investigation of such processes. Recent advances in the computational ability to replicate natural mineral assemblages through a variety of metamorphic modelling techniques have led to improvements in the amount (and quality) of petrographic data that may be obtained from a typical metamorphic rock. In this study, phase equilibria modelling (pseudosection construction) using THERMOCALC, amongst other techniques, has been integrated with in-situ U–Pb and Th–Pb geochronology of accessory monazite in order to constrain the tectonothermal evolution of four regions intimately associated with the Himalayan-Karakoram-Tibetan orogen. These regions comprise the Karakoram metamorphic complex (north Pakistan), the Tso Morari massif (north-west India), the eastern Himalayan syntaxis (south-east Tibet) and the Day Nui Con Voi metamorphic core complex of the Red River shear zone (North Vietnam). Each case study documents previously unreported metamorphic, magmatic or deformational events that are associated with the India-Asia collision. These data have allowed original interpretations to be made regarding the tectonic evolution of each individual region as well as the large-scale evolution of the Himalayan-Karakoram-Tibetan orogenic system as a whole.

Submitted by Regiane Andrade Fumes null (regianefumes@gmail.com) on 2017-01-23T17:15:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_Regiane.pdf: 29489950 bytes, checksum: 8c1114d1d274099ae6173d689a7d7124 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-01-26T12:23:04Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 fumes_ra_me_rcla.pdf: 29489950 bytes, checksum: 8c1114d1d274099ae6173d689a7d7124 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-26T12:23:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 fumes_ra_me_rcla.pdf: 29489950 bytes, checksum: 8c1114d1d274099ae6173d689a7d7124 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-01-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A Nappe Luminárias corresponde a uma estrutura alongada de orientação NNE-SSW com cerca de 40 km de extensão, situada na porção sul do Orógeno Brasília (idade neoproterozoica), bordejando o Cráton do São Francisco. Tal estrutura é composta majoritariamente por metapelitos e quartzitos do Grupo Carrancas. O presente trabalho foca na caracterização metamórfica de metapelitos e quartzitos do Grupo Carrancas na Nappe Luminárias. Para tal, utiliza-se modelagem metamórfica através de pseudosseções (THERMOCALC), química mineral e os geotermômetros Zr em rutilo e Ti em quartzo. Com base na mineralogia e nas relações texturais e estruturais observadas em lâmina, foram identificadas paragêneses distintas nas porções norte, centro-norte e sul da Nappe Luminárias. Na porção norte, a paragênese é Cld+Chl+Ky+Rt+Qtz+Ms. Na porção centro-norte, ocorre a paragênese St+Grt+Rt+Qtz+Ms, com biotita, clorita e ilmenita retrometamórfica. A assembleia de pico metamórfico registrada nas rochas da porção sul é Grt+Ky+St+Rt+Qtz+Ms com biotita, clorita e ilmenita retrometamórfica. Os resultados indicam a presença de um gradiente metamórfico com condições variando de fácies xisto-verde na porção norte (560˚C e 10kbar) e centro-norte (610˚C e 12,5kbar) a fácies anfibolito / eclogito na porção sul (630˚C e 15kbar). As rochas metapelíticas da Nappe de Luminárias evoluíram através de trajetórias P-T-t horárias, que indicam aquecimento seguido de uma forte descompressão. Análises de elementos traço em grãos de rutilo derivados de quartzito indicam que os mesmos podem ser utilizados para cálculo de temperatura utilizando-se o geotermômetro Zr no rutilo. Todavia, os dados indicam que a homogeneização, ou reequilíbrio, da concentração de Zr em rutilos detríticos em quartzitos ocorre em temperaturas mais elevadas que nos metapelitos, em torno de 580˚C. Não foi observada sillimanita nas rochas estudadas. Estes dados colocam em dúvida a extensão da Zona de Interferência entre as Faixas Brasília e Ribeira até a região de Luminárias. Além disso, os dados de modelagem do presente trabalho mostram que seria necessária descompressão isotérmica de aproximadamente 8 kbar para a cristalização de sillimanita, o que é incompatível com a superposição da Faixa Ribeira sobre a Faixa Brasília, que levaria a um soterramento ainda maior das unidades. / The Luminárias Nappe is a 40 km long, NNE-SSW elongated structure, located in the southern portion of the Neoproterozoic Brasília Orogen, which borders the São Francisco Craton (Minas Gerais, Brazil). It is composed of high aluminium metapelites and quartzites from the Carrancas Group. The present work focuses on the metamorphic characterization of the metapelites and the quartzites of the Luminárias Nappe by means of pseudosection modelling, mineral chemistry and the Zr-in-rutile thermometer. In the northern portion, the paragenesis is Cld + Chl + Ky + Rt + Qtz + Ms. In the center-north portion, the paragenesis is St + Grt + Rt + Qtz + Ms, with retro-metamorphic biotite, chlorite and ilmenite. The metamorphic peak assembly recorded in rocks from the southern portion is Grt + Ky + St + Rt + Qtz + Ms with retro-metamorphic biotite, chlorite and ilmenite. Results indicate the presence of a metamorphic gradient with conditions increasing from green-schist facies in the northern portion (560˚C and 10kbar) and center-north (610˚C and 12,5kbar) to amphibolite / eclogite facies in the southern portion (630˚C and 15kbar). Metapelitic rocks of the Luminárias Nappe followed a clockwise P-T-t path, characterised by an initial heating stage that is followed by strong decompression. Analyses of trace elements in rutile grains derived from quartzite indicate that they can be used for temperature calculation using the geothermometer Zr in rutile. However, the data shows that the homogenisation, or reequilibration, of the Zr content detrital rutile in quartzites occurs at higher temperatures than in the metapelites, at about 580˚C. No sillimanite has not been described in the studied rocks. Therefore, it suggests that the Interference Zone between the Brasília and Ribeira belts does not extent to the Luminárias Nappe region. In addition, our modelling shows that it would be require an isothermal decompression of approximately 8 kbar for the crystallization of sillimanite, which is incompatible with the overlapping of the Ribeira Belt over the Brasilia Belt, which would lead to an even greater burial of the units. / FAPESP: 2015/05230-0 / FAPESP: 2015/07750-0

In the Paleoproterozoic Trans-Hudson Orogen, a well exposed section of mid-crust on Hall Peninsula, southeastern Baffin Island, offers an opportunity to improve our understanding of mid-crustal tectonothermal processes in hot, collisional orogens. Additionally, more robust age constraints on the tectonic history of Hall Peninsula are important for plate tectonic reconstructions of the North Atlantic region. Recent mapping shows that the section comprises Archean crystalline basement overlain by Paleoproterozoic supracrustal rocks, which host felsic plutons on the western peninsula. There is a westward increase in peak metamorphic grade, from amphibolite- to granulite-facies, and three regional deformation events are recognized (D1, 2, 3). Equilibrium phase diagram modeling constrained by garnet compositions in pelite indicates peak conditions of ~720–740°C on the eastern peninsula and ~850°C further west, with pressures of ~6.25–7.35 kbar. Modeling and petrographical evidence suggest subsequent cooling, decompression, growth of retrograde biotite and, on the eastern peninsula, retrograde muscovite. In situ U-Pb monazite dating (~450 analyses) and U-Pb zircon depth profiling (~90 analyses) resolve the timing of regional metamorphism and crustal shortening between ca. 1860–1820 Ma, coincident with the accretion of crustal blocks and arc terranes during the amalgamation of the orogenic upper (Churchill) plate. Regionally-occurring ca. 1800–1750 Ma monazite domains and zircon rims are interpreted to result from fluid-assisted dissolution-reprecipitation. They likely record the terminal collision with the lower-plate Superior craton and post-orogenic thermal activity, possibly related to the emplacement of pegmatitic syenogranite dykes. The new data strengthen formerly tentative correlations with southern Baffin Island, West Greenland and northern Labrador. 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology on muscovite, biotite and phlogopite suggests that Hall Peninsula underwent slow cooling at rates of ~1–2.5ºC/Myr after peak metamorphism, remaining hotter than ~400°C until ca. 1670–1660 Ma. Analogous thermochronological ages from elsewhere in the Trans-Hudson Orogen imply orogen-wide slow cooling. Despite significant crustal thickening and elevated paleotemperatures, the Hall Peninsula crustal section does not record evidence of orogenic collapse, implying that it may not be a hallmark of all hot, thickened orogens.

Migmatites are a common rock type in the Adirondack Mountains, NY. We analyzed a single sample of biotite-garnet-sillimanite paragneiss with foliation parallel leucosome along Route 22 south of Whitehall, NY in order to determine the timing of melting using both in-situ monazite and zircon U/Pb geochronology from the restite and leucosome layers of the same rock. Monazite was analyzed via in-situ EMPA on the Ultrachron microprobe at the University of Massachusetts. Zircon was analyzed via LA-ICP-MS (in-situ and mounted mineral separates) at the LaserChron Center. Monazite analyses from the restite yielded six compositionally distinct populations with dates of 1178 ± 16, 1139 ± 4, 1064 ± 6, 1049 ± 4, 1030 ± 5, and 1004 ± 10 Ma. Yttrium and heavy REEs decrease in monazite in two steps: one dramatic drop from ca. 1150 to 1065 Ma and another between ca. 1065 and 1050, interpreted to reflect two periods of garnet growth and melting. Analyses from the restite zircon separate yielded a significant single peak near 1050 Ma. These zircon grains exhibit fir-tree sector zoning texture which is interpreted to indicate crystallization from melt. Monazite from leucosome yielded a unimodal population at ca. 1050 Ma, however, backscatter images document alteration of monazite to apatite on the edges of the grains, and abundant uranothorite inclusions. Leucosome zircon analyses yielded a ca. 1150 Ma population from cores and a 1050 Ma population from rims. Cathodoluminescence imaging reveals that the zircon rims have textures indicative of fluid alteration. The data are consistent with these rocks undergoing two periods of melting. The first event at ca. 1150 Ma may have involved a non-garnet producing melting reaction, such as muscovite dehydration-melting. The second event at 1065 Ma involved significant garnet growth, interpreted to represent biotite dehydration-melting. Subsequently, the rocks underwent hydrothermal alteration at 1050 Ma. Monazite grains with dates at 1030 ± 5 and 1004 ± 10 Ma have higher yttrium concentrations suggesting garnet breakdown and monazite growth during decompression and retrograde metamorphism. A combination of monazite and zircon dating techniques from each compositional layer is necessary to constrain leucosome-restite relationships and to accurately interpret the timing of melting from migmatites that have experienced multiple phases of melting.

Ophiolites - thrust sheets of oceanic lithosphere that have been emplaced onto the continental margin - provide the opportunity to explore the structure and genesis of oceanic crust. As many ophiolites formed above subduction zones, they also allow for the investigation of mantle wedge and subduction interface processes. This the- sis examines the Oman-United Arab Emirates (UAE) ophiolite, which is the largest and most intensely studied ophiolite on Earth. Three distinct problems are addressed. (1) Recent research has proposed that the architecture and tectonic evolution of the ophiolite in the UAE differs from in Oman. In Chapter 2, I test this hypothesis by integrating new geological mapping and field observations with previously published maps of the ophiolite in the UAE. My results indicate that the ophiolite is gently folded, but otherwise largely intact. I demonstrate that the architecture of the ophi- olite in the UAE is not significantly different from in Oman. Thus, there is no basis for a different tectonic evolution as recently proposed. (2) Observations from exper- iments and small-scale natural shear zones indicate that volumetrically-minor phases can control strain localization. In Chapter 3, I test the hypothesis that minor phases control strain-localisation at plate boundaries. To do so, I analyzed peridotites from the base of the ophiolite, a palaeosubduction interface. My results demonstrate that minor phases limited olivine grain growth, which led to rheological weakening. (3) The mechanisms by which metamorphic soles detached from the downgoing slab and accreted to the hanging-wall mantle is unclear. In Chapter 4, I examine a transect across the metamorphic sole in the UAE. My results reveal that granulite formation was more extensive than is typically considered. I propose that granulite formation resulted in rheological strengthening, which caused the subduction interface to migrate into the downgoing slab and accrete the metamorphic sole.

The Tibetan plateau is a vast, elevated region located in central Asia, which is underlain by the thickest crust known on Earth (up to 90 km). An outstanding question of importance to many fields within geology is how and why did the Tibetan plateau form? Models attribute the growth of the plateau to a consequence of the ongoing India-Asia continental collision, but differ in the details of how the crustal thickening was accommodated: was it by underplating of Indian lower crust or by homogeneous shortening? High-grade metamorphic rocks sampled from the region potentially hold the key to answering this question, as they contain a record of past tectonic events that can discriminate between the various proposed models. This record can be decoded by integrating field, thermobarometric and geochronological techniques, to elucidate a detailed thermotectonic understanding of a region. This methodology was applied to three case studies, each of which targeted rare tectonic windows into the mid-crust of the plateau. These regions comprise Danba in eastern Tibet, Basong Tso in south-eastern Tibet and the Western Nyainqentanglha in southern Tibet. Each case study documents previously unreported metamorphic events that have allowed original interpretations to be made regarding tectonic evolution: in Danba, all metamorphism is shown to be early Jurassic; in Basong Tso, two metamorphic belts are documented that reveal a late Triassic--early Jurassic orogenic event; and in the Western Nyainqengtanglha, Cretaceous--Neogene magmatism is shown to overprint late Triassic metamorphism. Integration of the results has enabled commentary on the large scale evolution of the Tibetan plateau from the Permian until the present day, and even hinted at its future. The results indicate that the closure of the Paleotethys played an important role in the construction of the Tibetan plateau, and suggest that homogeneous crustal thickening is not a viable model for the documented exposure levels.

Les zones de convergence sont des objets clés à la compréhension de la dynamique de la lithosphère. Elles sont le siège de déformations majeures comme en témoignent la concentration et l’intensité des séismes qui leur sont associées. A plus grande échelle de temps et d'espace, ces déformations résultent généralement en un empilement d’unités dont l’étude offre l'accès aux différents niveaux structuraux mis en jeu dans l'organisation de la chaîne de montagnes. Caractériser précisément la dynamique de structuration de ces unités ainsi que les paramètres contrôlant cette dynamique constitue une étape cruciale permettant d’aller plus loin, notamment quantitativement, dans notre connaissance de la dynamique lithosphérique. Cette thèse a comme double objectif (1) de préciser le comportement rhéologique des roches aux conditions Pressions-Température P-T du faciès éclogitique au sein de l' interface de subduction et (2) de caractériser et quantifier l' influence de la rhéologie de la plaque supérieure, et plus spécifiquement, le rôle de sa partie crustale, sur l'évolution spatio-temporelle des zones de convergence. Pour cela, une approche multi-disciplinaire a été utilisée. Dans un premier temps, je présente une analyse multi-échelle couplant travail de terrain et de pétrologie métamorphique qui a permis d'étudier la déformation au sein de roches HP-BT à l' interface de subduction au niveau de la klippe du Mont-Emilius (Alpes occidentales, Italie). Je détaille ensuite une étude quantitative alliant modélisation numérique thermo-mécanique 3D et 2D de zones de convergence. L'ensemble des modèles a permis d'analyser de nombreux paramètres influençant la structure rhéologique de la plaque supérieure tels que le géotherme initial, l'épaisseur de la lithosphère et de la croûte et la nature des matériaux impliqués. L'ensemble des modèles réalisés sont contraints/confrontés par/aux des données issues d'exemples naturels. Les résultats de l'étude sur des roches déformées au sein de l’interface de subduction mettent en évidence le possible comportement cassant des roches à des conditions de pression et température de l'ordre de 2.15-2.40 GPa, 500-550 °C, i.e., dans le faciès éclogitique. L’enregistrement d’un tel mode de déformation est d'une importance capitale car il remet en question le paradigme d’un comportement ductile sans résistance au niveau de l’ interface de subduction. Les résultats obtenus via les modèles numériques montrent par ailleurs que la rhéologie de la plaque supérieure, ainsi que celle de sa seule partie crustale, a une influence de premier ordre sur la dynamique globale des zones de convergence en modifiant notamment le mode de subduction, la cinématique de la fosse, le mode d'exhumation lors d'une collision, le timing de la déchirure du slab et de la formation de bassins d'arrière-arc, la répartition et l'intensité de la déformation au sein de la plaque supérieure. La combinaison des méthodes de pétrologie et de modélisation numérique a permis d'obtenir une analyse quantifiée de l' influence de la rhéologie des lithosphères impliquées dans les zones de convergence sur la dynamique de ces zones. Cette thèse présente ainsi de nouvelles contraintes à notre compréhension de la réponse mécanique de la lithosphère, en fonction de sa structuration rhéologique et de sa place au sein des zones de convergence à petite et grande échelle. Les nouvelles données présentées révèlent l' impact majeur de la rhéologie de la lithosphère dans les zones de convergence. Ce paramètre amène ainsi à reconsidérer notre vision actuelle des zones de convergence. / Convergence zones are key objects to the understanding of the lithosphere dynamics. They are the location correspond to places of intense deformation as evidenced by the concentration and magnitude of recorded earthquakes. On a larger scale of time and space, these deformations generally result in nappes stacking whose study offers access to the different structural levels involved in the mountain belt structuration. Precisely characterizing the structuring dynamics of these units as well as the parameters controlling this dynamic is a crucial step that would allow in particular a better quantification of lithospheric dynamics. The aim of this thesis is twofold: (1) clarifying the rheological behavior of rocks in the Pressure-Temperature (P-T) conditions of the eclogitic facies at the subduction interface and (2) characterizing and quantifying the influence of the overriding plate rheology, and more specifically, the role of its crustal part, on the spatio-temporal evolution of convergence zones. For this, I used a multi-disciplinary approach. First, I present a multi-scale analysis combining fieldwork and metamorphic petrology, which allowed me to study the deformation within High Pressure-Low Temperature (HP-LT) rocks at the subduction interface in the Mont-Emilius klippe (Western Alps, Italy). Then, I show the results of a quantitative study combining 3D and 2D thermo-mechanical modeling of convergence zones. The entire set of models allowed me to analyze different parameters influencing the rheological structure of the overriding plate, such as the initial geotherm, the thicknesses of the lithosphere and the crust, and the nature of the involved materials. All the performed models are constrained/compared by/with data from natural examples. The results of the study on deformed rocks within the subduction interface highlight the possible brittle behavior of rocks at pressure and temperature conditions on the order of 2.15-2.40 GPa and 500-550 °C, i.e., in the eclogitic facies. The recording of such a deformation mode is of paramount importance because it challenges the paradigm of subduction interface caracterized by ductile behavior without resistance. The results obtained with the numerical models show that the rheology of the overriding plate, as well as that of only its crustal part, has a first-order influence on the overall dynamics of the convergence zones by modifying the mode of subduction, trench kinematics, the mode of exhumation during collision, the timing for slab break-off and back-arc basin formation, the location and intensity of deformation within the overriding plate. The combination of petrology and numerical modeling methods allowed me to obtain a quantified analysis of the influence of the rheology of the lithospheres involved in convergence zones on the dynamics of these zones. This thesis presents new constraints for our understanding of the mechanical response of the lithosphere at different spatial scales as a function of its rheological structure. The new data presented here reveal the major impact of the lithosphere rheology in convergence zones. This parameter leads us to reconsider our current view of the convergence zones.

Les processus de subduction sont une étape clé de la formation des orogènes et induisent un métamorphisme de haute pression, localisé dans les faciès des schistes bleus et éclogites. Caractériser la durée et l’intensité de ce métamorphisme est ainsi une étape cruciale puisque amenant des contraintes quantitatives sur la géodynamique d’un orogène. Par une étude pétrologique et géochronologique, cette thèse a ainsi pour objectif de préciser les conditions et durées du métamorphisme de haute pression dans le sud du Massif Central Français (chaîne Varisque), à travers l’étude des massifs de Najac, de la Montagne Noire et du Lévézou. Cette thèse associe ainsi une géochronologie multiméthodes (U-Pb sur zircon, rutile et apatite, Lu-Hf et Sm-Nd sur grenat, 40Ar-39Ar sur biotite et muscovite) à des analyses pétrologiques impliquant des modélisations numériques d’équilibres de phases (Theriak-Domino et THERMOCALC). L’étude d’une éclogite du massif de Najac a ainsi permis de déterminer des conditions de 15 à 20 kbar et 560 à 630°C pour le métamorphisme de haute pression. Le début du faciès éclogite y est daté à ~383 Ma, tandis que le pic du métamorphisme éclogitique est atteint à 375.7 ± 1.2 Ma. La datation des éclogites de la Montagne Noire n’a pas permis de préciser un âge solide de l’évènement de haute pression. Néanmoins, les conditions de pression et température du faciès éclogite y sont estimées à ~ 21 kbar et ~ 750°C. L’étude des massifs de Najac et de la Montagne Noire a mis en évidence de potentiels découplages entre les systèmes de terres rares et le système isotopique U-Pb. Les protolithes des terrains éclogitiques du massif du Lévézou, tant mafiques que felsiques, se sont mis en place à ca. 470 Ma. Le métamorphisme éclogitique affectant les roches mafiques est estimé à 21-23 kbar pour 680- 800°C et atteint à ~358 Ma. L’exhumation, bien caractérisée, y est rapide : les terrains éclogitiques atteignent 8-9.5 kbar et ~600°C à ~352 Ma, impliquant une exhumation très rapide, suivie d’un refroidissement de plus de 50°C/Ma. Les granites du massif du Lévézou présentent des pseudomorphoses de cordiérite à disthène-grenat-muscovite-quartz, développées lors du métamorphisme de haute pression et équilibrées à ca. 15-17 kbar et ~670°C. La déformation majeure observée dans ces granites peut s’accompagner de fusion localisée, et semble se produire en différentes étapes, depuis ~352 Ma à ~340 Ma. Replacées dans un contexte général, ces données s’inscrivent pleinement dans les gammes d’âges de la haute pression décrites pour la chaîne varisque et permettent de reconsidérer la tectonique du Massif Central. / Subduction is one of the key stages of the mountain building processes. It leads to the development of high-pressure (HP) metamorphism in the rocks that typically equilibrate in the blueschist or eclogite-facies conditions. Dating the HP metamorphism and estimating its intensity is therefore a major challenge when reconstructing geodynamics through time. Through a petrological and geochronological study, this PhD dissertation aims to better constrain conditions, durations and timings of HP metamorphism in the southern French Massif Central (European Variscan Belt). The massifs of Najac, Montagne Noire and Lévézou were investigated by a multi-method geochronological approach (zircon, rutile and apatite U-Pb dating, garnet Lu-Hf and Sm-Nd dating, biotite and muscovite 40Ar-39Ar dating) associated with a petrological analysis including numerical modelling of phase equilibria (Theriak-Domino and THERMOCALC). The Najac eclogites reached 560-630 °C at 15-20 kbar and the prograde part of the highpressure metamorphic event lasted for ~ 7 Myr starting at ~ 383 and peaking at ~ 376 Ma. Eclogites hosted in sillimanite-bearing migmatites in the Montagne Noire dome (French Massif Central) reached c. 750°C, 21 kbar before significant decompression at high temperatures. However, none of the obtained geochronological dates could be associated with the HP event. The study of the Najac massif and the Montagne Noire Dome highlight potential decoupling between the REE and the U-Pb isotopic systems. The emplacement of the protoliths of felsic and mafic HP rocks in the Lévézou Massif was estimated at ca. 470 Ma. HP metamorphism peaked at 21-23 kbar and 680-800°C at ~358 Ma. The subsequent fast exhumation reached 8-9.5 kbar and ~600°C at ~352 Ma, highlighting a very fast exhumation followed by a cooling rate of 50°C/Ma. Granites from the Lévézou massif display kyanite-garnet-muscovite-quartz pseudomorphs after cordierite that equilibrated at ca. 15-17 kbar and ~670°C. The major deformation in these granites is associated with the exhumation stage, locally accompanied by partial melting, and seems to occur in different episodes, from ~352 Ma to ~340 Ma. On a larger scale, these results are fully in line with the HP ages described in the Variscan Belt and allow to reconsider the tectonics in the French Massif Central.