Abstract
The analysis of the crustal structure of the Hercynian mountain system in Central Furope using geophysical and geological data suggests that this orogen has been formed by thin- and thick-skinned tectonics. The compressional movements started from an attenuated crust which was stretched and thinned by rifting processes. During the orogeny sedimentary and basement complexes were detached from their underlying stratum, horizontally displaced and stacked. As a result the crust has been thickened by a factor of 2–3, that means a crustal thickness between 35–45 km has been achieved at the end of the Hercynian orogeny. Crustal segments with a great thickening underwent a correspondingly strong uplift and erosion, e g. the Mid-German Crystalline Rise. In principle this model is in good agreement with results from COCORP studies in the southern Appalachians which confirm the hypothesis that horizontal or near-horizontal thrusting can carry large volumes of crustal material over great distances.
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Giese, P., Jödicke, H., Prodehl, C., Weber, K. (1983). The Crustal Structure of the Hercynian Mountain System — A Model for Crustal Thickening by Stacking. In: Martin, H., Eder, F.W. (eds) Intracontinental Fold Belts. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-69124-9_19
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