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The Collisional Orogeny in the Scandinavian Caledonides (COSC) project aims to provide a deeper understanding of mountain belt dynamics through scientific deep drilling in the central parts of the mountain belt of western Sweden. The main targets include a subduction related allochthon, the basal orogenic detachment and the underlying partially subducted Precambrian basement. Research covered by this thesis, focusing primarily on reflection seismic data, was done within the framework of the COSC project. The 55 km long composite COSC Seismic Profile (CSP) images the upper crust in high resolution and established the basis for the selection of the optimum location for the two 2.5 km deep COSC boreholes. Together with potential field and magnetotelluric data, these profiles allowed the construction of a constrained regional interpretation of the major tectonic units. Non-conventional pseudo 3D processing techniques were applied to the 2D data prior to the drilling of the first borehole, COSC-1, to provide predictions about the 3D geometry of subsurface structures and potential zones of interest for the sampling programs. COSC-1 was drilled in 2014 and reached the targeted depth with nearly complete core recovery. A continuous geological section and a wealth of information from on-site and off-site scientific investigations were obtained. A major post-drilling seismic survey was conducted in and around the borehole and included a 3D reflection seismic experiment. The structurally and lithologically complex Lower Seve Nappe proved difficult to image in detail using standard processing techniques, but its basal mylonite zone and underlying structures are well resolved. The 3D data, from the surface down to the total drilled depth, show good correlation with the initial mapping of the COSC-1 core as well as with preliminary results from on-core and downhole logging.   Good correlation is also observed between the 2D and 3D reflection seismic datasets. These will provide a strong link between the two boreholes and a means to extrapolate the results from the cores and boreholes into the surrounding rock. Ultimately, they will contribute to the deeper understanding of the tectonic evolution of the region, the Scandinavian Caledonides and the formation of major orogens. / Collisional Orogeny in the Scandinavian Caledonides

Exhumation of high-pressure and ultrahigh-pressure eclogites in large orogens and associated petrological change during the process remain enigmatic problems. This dissertation examines eclogites from high-pressure (HP) and ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terranes in the North-East Greenland Eclogite Province, aiming to decipher their metamorphic pressure-temperature (P-T) paths, evaluate spatial variation of P-T paths, and understand petrological changes during the exhumation. Kyanite-bearing UHP eclogites from North-East Greenland contain a peak mineral assemblage of phengite, garnet, omphacite, kyanite, coesite, rutile and probably epidote-group minerals. Thermodynamic modeling with an XRF-derived bulk composition yielded a peak P-T condition of 3.4 GPa and 920 °C. Petrographic textures, such as graphic intergrowth of amphibole and plagioclase, cusps of plagioclase into garnet and quartz, and neoblasts of garnet indicate that the eclogites were partially melted through dehydration melting of phengite and epidote-group minerals. Since thermodynamic modeling could not yield a satisfactory solidus curve, experimental phase relations were considered in interpreting the melting process, and show a near isothermal decompression path across the epidote mineral melting curve. Additional thermodynamic modeling of a symplectite after omphacite, consisting of amphibole, plagioclase and clinopyroxene, yields a P-T condition of ~ 1.2 GPa and 800 °C. Thermodynamic modeling of a melt pocket yields a further P-T constraint of 1.4 GPa and 740 °C. The HP zoisite eclogites from the Storstrømmen shear zone in the Sanddal area preserve partial melting textures both in garnet and in the matrix. The textures include multiphase solid inclusions of albite and K-feldspar in garnet, graphic intergrowth of amphibole and plagioclase, cuspate textures, and leucosome. Thermodynamic modeling combined with mineral composition and modes yielded an exhumation P-T path from subsolidus conditions at ~1.95 GPa and ~670 °C, to ~1.85 GPa and 715 °C at suprasolidus, to ~1.45 GPa and 640 °C. Paragonite, phengite, and amphibole were the major dehydration melted phases along the exhumation path. The HP kyanite eclogite from the Danmarkshavn area contains disequilibrium textures developed during retrograde stages. Petrographic observation documents two groups of textures: a strongly zoned plagioclase (anorthite to andesine) enclosing a poorly developed symplectite of sapphirine + spinel + plagioclase after kyanite, and a less zoned plagioclase (labradorite to andesine) enclosing a fully developed symplectite after kyanite. Thermodynamic modeling of the bulk rock returns a peak P-T condition of 1.9 GPa and 840 °C. Thermodynamic modeling of a symplectite domain yields poor P-T constraints of 0.8 – 1.3 GPa and 700 – 900 °C. Modeling also indicates the plagioclase development would be richer in Ca during decompression while progressive replacement of kyanite induced the plagioclase rim to be less Ca-rich. This study reveals that HP and UHP eclogites may experience partial melting on their exhumation path. Dehydration melting of hydrous minerals (e.g. phengite and zoisite) is the most plausible way in partially melt the eclogites, because of limited amounts of free fluid. The partial melting does not trigger exhumation of the eclogites, but may facilitate the exhumation process. The near-isothermal exhumation path for the UHP terranes suggests that it was initially exhumed through vertical extrusion. Lateral extrusion by the Storstrømmen and Germania Land shear zones is suggested to have further exhumed the HP and UHP rocks, which is analogous to the lateral escape tectonics in the Tibetan Plateau

Mineral chemistry and thermobarometry of mafic pods in the Liverpool Land Eclogite Terrane (LLET) provide insight into potential relationships with regional high-pressure (HP) and ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terranes such as the North East Greenland Eclogite Province (NEGEP), the Western Gneiss Region (WGR), and HP granulites in the East Greenland Caledonides at Payer Land. Grt-cpx thermometry and jadeite barometry performed on garnet and omphacite cores in a sequence of retrogressed eclogites give minimum and average P-T values across six samples for eclogite at 18.4 ± 3.7 kbar at 764 ± 156 °C. Granulite facies conditions based on early retrograde Opx-Plag symplectites, garnet rim compositions, and relict omphacite grains give P-T values at 12.7 ± 0.6 kbar at 860 ± 10 °C, based on grt-cpx thermometry and the opx-grt-pl-qtz equilibra. Late retrograde amphibolite facies conditions, marked by matrix plagioclase and biotite and orthopyroxene symplectite replacement by hornblende symplectites, give mean P-T values of 6.8 ± 0.4 kbar at 740 ± 150 °C, based on grt-cpx thermometry and the grt-hbl-plag-qtz equilibra. Thermometers and barometers yield a qualitative P-T path from lower eclogite facies pressures through the granulite facies via hot isothermal and static decompression, preserving symplectite textures, to amphibolite facies conditions via isobaric cooling. The path is consistent with low-pressure WGR eclogites and suggests affinities between the LLET and Baltica.

Too few documentative descriptions exist from the reactivated Proterozoic Nasa Basement window in Sweden. This re-exposed crustal piece predominantly consisting of 1.8 Ga granite and volcanic basement rock lack structural evidences on maps. The Western Gneiss region gave example of how rocks in extreme cases may experience protolith overprinting through collisional vertical granite basement subduction to eclogite ambient conditions, which would give traces in metamorphic quartz (coesite), muscovite, pyroxene and kyanite, and increased densities. Preliminary indications from literature points towards a locally passive Nasa Basement with limited translation, but because of too little documentation it cannot be assured metamorphic inertia under fluid absence has been unimportant in the basement evolution. To address this highly structural issue, field reconnaissance mapping and sampling was carried out, and aimed to achieve a structural characterisation of historic deformation back to Proterozoic time. Observations were collected from 166 outcrop vicinities, and 17 of 27 carefully examined thin sections aimed to describe microscopic structures, in addition to mineral relation to metamorphic minerals. Collected evidences in this project encompass a Proterozoic macroscopic concentric fold with axis striking NW-SE, as well as, mesoscopic folds striking WNW-ESE. Tectonic movements record syn-collisional top-SE and post- collisional top-SW translation, which truncate weakly shortened and foliated blocks. Basement blocks locally preserve igneous coarse but weakly recrystallized texture fabrics. Overall optically produced paleothermometry indicates low- to medium grade facies conditions of deformation, through widespread bulging recrystallization, occasional subgrain rotation and rare grain boundary migration in quartz. Feldspar response to deformation is brittle and rarely ductile. Hydrous biotite, chlorite and epidote are abundant. Mineralogy together with an observed average density of 2,6 g/cm3 can possibly reject the idea of unreacted local continental subduction to eclogite depths, due to the overall presence of hydrous mineral phases. Top-to-the shear sense proves Caledonian reactivation, but Bourguer anomaly indicates at least locally an important limited translation. NW-SE striking lineaments and strikes of foliation show best accordance with lineaments mapped in Norway and alignment with tectonic contacts in the Baltica interior, and do so show the best examples of candidates for Proterozoic structures.

The Caledonian alum shales of Sweden host a vast number of economically interesting metals. In Fetsjön, Västerbotten, the shales contain significant amounts of rare-earth elements, vanadium, molybdenum and uranium. As metals with a multitude of high-technological applications, the former rare-earth elements (REEs) are particularly attractive in a world where the supply may be exhausted as the demand continuously increase while new deposits are not being discovered fast enough. Meanwhile, the latter uranium notably constitutes as an unwanted secondary product during the extraction of rare-earth elements. As the mineral association of the REEs in Fetsjön is unknown, the intent of this study is to analyze and thus determine their mineralogical expression. The assumed REE-bearing mineral apatite was confirmed to host the rare-earths in the Fetsjön shales after microscopy and spectrometry analyses.

The Scandinavian Caledonides formed as a result of collision between the continents Baltica and Laurentia, in Silurian and Early Devonian time. The evolution of the orogen has been a topic of research since before the turn of the last century. However, there are still uncertainties regarding the character and timing of the orogenic processes involved in the formation of the Caledonian orogen. Identification and study of high-pressure terranes are a key to understanding the processes involved, and such terrains are found in Jämtland, central Sweden. The most well-known location is Mt. Åreskutan. This study focuses on the Helags Mountain, a locality potentially equivalent to Mt. Åreskutan. It has combined structural and mineralogical studies, pressure and temperature esti-mates, and monazite geochronology, in an attempt to obtain an overview of the metamorphic his-tory.The Helags Mt. geology, as on Åreskutan, is dominated by a klippe of high grade gneisses, overlying lower grade schists and amphibolites, both typical of the middle and lower part of the Seve Nappe Complex in the Swedish Caledonides. The gneisses are dominantly felsic and contain garnet. Two episodes of garnet growth, likely separated in time, are observed in the gneisses. The first episode probably took place in the presence of melt, as is evident from the presence of inclusion of so called nanogranites. This is further supported, but not fully confirmed, by observed homo-genization of the garnet core chemistry. Such processes take place at high temperature, above 700°C. Pressure estimates are less well defined and indicate about 1 GPa during this first garnet growth event. This event may be related to the observed migmatisation. The second garnet growth episode took place at lower pressure and temperature conditions, and similarities with garnet observed in studies elsewhere indicate a connection with shearing and emplacement of the Middle Seve unit. However, no garnets were observed in the studied shear zone, and it is with the available data not possible to confirm a relation to a specific event. Monazite geochronology has contributed Caledonian ages (400-480 Ma) but has not yielded any precise results with regard to the timing of the migmatisation and thrusting. / Den svenska fjällkedjan har en lång historia. Dess nuvarande utformning är ett resultat av att Iapetus-havet, en föregångare till dagens Atlanten, slöts och de tidigare kontinenterna Baltica och Laurentia kolliderade. Trots att fjällkedjan studerats flitigt sedan före sekelskiftet är det mycket som är okänt om de geologiska processerna som varit en del av bergens utveckling. För att bättre förstå fjällkedjans ut-veckling studeras bergarter från områden som varit särskilt kraftigt påverkade. Flera sådana områden påträffas i Jämtlandsfjällen. Denna studie har fokuserat på Helagsfjällets område, beläget i södra delen av Jämtlands län. Studier av det särskilt motståndskraftiga mineralet granat från områdets bergarter har tillsammans med dateringar av mineralet monazit givit ny information om områdets geologiska historia.Helagsfjällets geologi, liksom den välstuderade Åreskutan, utgörs av en enhet av granatförande gneisser, vilken överlagrar en undre enhet av lägre omvandlingsgrad. Detta är typiskt för den mellersta och lägre delen av det så kallade Sevekomplexet. Två generationer granater tyder på att minst två geologiska processer, skilda åt i tid, påverkat områdets bergarter. Den första av dessa granatgenerationer uppvisar bland annat inneslutningar vilka tolkas som bevarade delar av en tidigare smälta. Det är möjligt att denna granatgeneration är relaterad till den tidiga händelse som orsakat uppsmältning, av vilken spår kan studeras på flera platser i området. Tryck- och temperaturberäkningar visar att detta hände under tryck omkring 1 GPa, och temperaturer på över minst 600°C, kanske över 700°C. Den andra granat-generationen är mer svårtolkad. Tryck och temperatur var lägre, och likheter med granater observerade på andra platser tyder på att denna andra granattillväxt skedde i samband med skjuvning av den övre enheten, över den underliggande enheten. Försök att datera dessa två perioder av granattillväxt gav åldrar mellan 400 och 480 miljoner år. Liksom på Åreskutan tyder detta på en tektonisk historia som sträcker sig från Ordovicium till tidig Devon.

<p>The North Kara Terrane (NKT), with Severnaya Zemlya as its main outcrop area, constitutes the Palaeozoic and older rocks of the northern part of the Kara Shelf. Potential field data suggest a continuation into the eastern Barents Shelf. Several lines of evidence imply that the NKT was a part of Baltica at least during the latter part of the Neoproterozoic, and probably was influenced by Timanian orogeny.</p><p>The Timanide type area is characterised by metaturbidites from the pre-Timanian passive margin of the East European Craton (EEC). Regional amphibolite facies metamorphism, as exposed on Kanin Peninsula, was probably followed by near-isothermal decompression. It is inferred that these conditions were reached by depression beneath the accreted outboard terranes. Subsequently, the metaturbidites were thrust into their present position onto the EEC’s pericratonic unmetamorphosed shelf sediments. The thrusting was accompanied by rapid exhumation. About 560 Ma late-orogenic granites intrude the Timanian accreted terranes.</p><p>On Severnaya Zemlya, Neoproterozoic turbidites, containing ca. 560 Ma zircons, are overlain by shelf deposits, which dominate the Palaeozoic until the end of the Silurian. The succession is interrupted by the regional Kan’on (canyon) River Unconformity and probably by a late Neoproterozoic unconformity. New U-Th-Pb ion-microprobe isotope-ages on volcanics and faunal evidence imply that the Kan'on River Unconformity developed in a short time span around the Cambrian-Ordovician boundary. Other isotope-ages demonstrate that intense igneous activity, which has been inferred to be related to rifting within the NKT, extended into the Arenig and was contemporaneous with the development of Baltica’s northeastern passive margin. Zircon xenocrysts (ca. 540 - 580 Ma) in these igneous rocks indicate a Timanian component in the crust below the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago. In the latest Silurian, Old Red Sandstone facies sedimentation began with the migration of an inferred Caledonian foreland basin into the area of Severnaya Zemlya. The Caledonian deformation front overrode the area in the latest Devonian or earliest Carboniferous.</p><p>The inferred late Caledonian deformation terminated, according to biostratigraphy and new isotope-ages from Bol'shevik Island granites, before the end of the Visean (ca. 345 Ma). Thus, the Uralian collision between the NKT and Siberia (ca. 300 Ma) apparently did not affect the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago.</p>

The North Kara Terrane (NKT), with Severnaya Zemlya as its main outcrop area, constitutes the Palaeozoic and older rocks of the northern part of the Kara Shelf. Potential field data suggest a continuation into the eastern Barents Shelf. Several lines of evidence imply that the NKT was a part of Baltica at least during the latter part of the Neoproterozoic, and probably was influenced by Timanian orogeny. The Timanide type area is characterised by metaturbidites from the pre-Timanian passive margin of the East European Craton (EEC). Regional amphibolite facies metamorphism, as exposed on Kanin Peninsula, was probably followed by near-isothermal decompression. It is inferred that these conditions were reached by depression beneath the accreted outboard terranes. Subsequently, the metaturbidites were thrust into their present position onto the EEC’s pericratonic unmetamorphosed shelf sediments. The thrusting was accompanied by rapid exhumation. About 560 Ma late-orogenic granites intrude the Timanian accreted terranes. On Severnaya Zemlya, Neoproterozoic turbidites, containing ca. 560 Ma zircons, are overlain by shelf deposits, which dominate the Palaeozoic until the end of the Silurian. The succession is interrupted by the regional Kan’on (canyon) River Unconformity and probably by a late Neoproterozoic unconformity. New U-Th-Pb ion-microprobe isotope-ages on volcanics and faunal evidence imply that the Kan'on River Unconformity developed in a short time span around the Cambrian-Ordovician boundary. Other isotope-ages demonstrate that intense igneous activity, which has been inferred to be related to rifting within the NKT, extended into the Arenig and was contemporaneous with the development of Baltica’s northeastern passive margin. Zircon xenocrysts (ca. 540 - 580 Ma) in these igneous rocks indicate a Timanian component in the crust below the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago. In the latest Silurian, Old Red Sandstone facies sedimentation began with the migration of an inferred Caledonian foreland basin into the area of Severnaya Zemlya. The Caledonian deformation front overrode the area in the latest Devonian or earliest Carboniferous. The inferred late Caledonian deformation terminated, according to biostratigraphy and new isotope-ages from Bol'shevik Island granites, before the end of the Visean (ca. 345 Ma). Thus, the Uralian collision between the NKT and Siberia (ca. 300 Ma) apparently did not affect the Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago.