Timing and modes of granite magmatism in the core of the Alboran Domain, Rif chain, northern Morocco: Implications for the Alpine evolution of the western Mediterranean

The Betic-Rif orogen forms the western termination the Alpine orogenic system in the Mediterranean . The precise timing, structural evolution, distribution of high-grade metamorphic units (Alpine versus pre-Alpine) in the inner zones of the orogen (Alboran Domain) remain controversial issues. In paper we report occurrence of distinct generations peraluminous granitic bodies intruded within Beni peridotites and their amphibolite-to-granulite envelope, in the core of the Alboran Domain of Rif chain (northern Morocco). These granitic bodies central to the reconstruction of the high-grade evolution the Alboran Domain because they provide -order structural markers to assess the P-T-t-deformation of the high-grade terranes. Here we the petrography and structural relationships the host rocks and constrain the timing of granite using laser ablation.inductively coupled .mass spectrometry U-Pb zircon and/or monazite , complemented by 40Ar/39Ar dating. The indicate that granite emplacement occurred two major episodes of anatectic magmatism, during Hercynian (circa 300 Ma) and Alpine (circa 22 Ma) , respectively. These data (1) provide conclusive for an important phase of Hercynian magmatism high-grade metamorphism in the Alboran and (2) permit a revaluation of the significance the high-grade early Miocene event documented in Alboran Domain in terms of a late stage, thermal that reworked a polymetamorphic (Hercynian Alpine) nappe pile. These results provide new for construction of a feasible tectonometamorphic for the Alpine evolution of the western .