# Episodes of fissure formation in the Alps: connecting quartz fluid inclusion, fissure monazite age, and fissure orientation data

Edwin Gnos, Josef Mullis, Emmanuelle Ricchi, Christian Bergemann, Emilie Janots, Alfons Berger

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## To cite this version:

Edwin Gnos, Josef Mullis, Emmanuelle Ricchi, Christian Bergemann, Emilie Janots, et al.. Episodes of fissure formation in the Alps: connecting quartz fluid inclusion, fissure monazite age, and fissure orientation data. Swiss Journal of Geosciences, 2021, 114 (1), pp.14. 10.1186/s00015-021-00391-9. hal-04983775

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**ORIGINAL PAPER**

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# Episodes of fissure formation in the Alps: connecting quartz fluid inclusion, fissure monazite age, and fissure orientation data

Edwin Gnos¹*, Josef Mullis², Emmanuelle Ricchi³, Christian A. Bergemann⁴, Emilie Janots⁵ and Alfons Berger⁶

**Abstract**

Fluid assisted Alpine fissure-vein and cleft formation starts at prograde, peak or retrograde metamorphic conditions of 450–550 °C and 0.3–0.6 GPa and below, commonly at conditions of ductile to brittle rock deformation. Early-formed fissures become overprinted by subsequent deformation, locally leading to a reorientation. Deformation that follows fissure formation initiates a cycle of dissolution, dissolution/reprecipitation or new growth of fissure minerals enclosing fluid inclusions. Although fissures in upper greenschist and amphibolite facies rocks predominantly form under retrograde metamorphic conditions, this work confirms that the carbon dioxide fluid zone correlates with regions of highest grade Alpine metamorphism, suggesting carbon dioxide production by prograde devolatilization reactions and rock-buffering of the fissure-filling fluid. For this reason, fluid composition zones systematically change in metamorphosed and exhumed nappe stacks from diagenetic to amphibolite facies metamorphic rocks from saline fluids dominated by higher hydrocarbons, methane, water and carbon dioxide. Open fissures are in most cases oriented roughly perpendicular to the foliation and lineation of the host rock. The type of fluid constrains the habit of the very frequently crystallizing quartz crystals. Open fissures also form in association with more localized strike-slip faults and are oriented perpendicular to the faults. The combination of fissure orientation, fissure quartz fluid inclusion and fissure monazite-(Ce) (hereafter monazite) Th–Pb ages shows that fissure formation occurred episodically (1) during the Cretaceous (eo-Alpine) deformation cycle in association with exhumation of the Austroalpine Koralpe-Saualpe region (~90 Ma) and subsequent extensional movements in association with the formation of the Gosau basins (~90–70 Ma), (2) during rapid exhumation of high-pressure overprinted Briançonnais and Piemontais units (36–30 Ma), (3) during unroofing of the Tauern and Lepontine metamorphic domes, during emplacement and reverse faulting of the external Massifs (25–12 Ma; except Argentera) and due to local dextral strike-slip faulting in association with the opening of the Ligurian sea, and (4) during the development of a young, widespread network of ductile to brittle strike-slip faults (12–5 Ma).

**Keywords:** Fluid inclusions, Fissure monazite age, Alps, Quartz habit, Tectonic evolution, Stress field

**1 Introduction**

Fluid-assisted fissure-vein and cleft formation occurred in the Alps in metamorphic rocks due to fluid-assisted embrittlement under prograde, peak to retrograde metamorphic conditions at or below 450–550 °C and 0.3–0.6 GPa (e.g., Diamond & Tarantola, 2015; Heijboer et al., 2003a, 2006; Mullis & Tarantola, 2015; Mullis, 1974, 1976a, 1976b, 1983, 1991, 1996, 2011; Mullis et al., 1994; Poty, 1969; Poty et al., 2007, 2018;

Editorial handling: Adrian Pfiffner.

*Correspondence: edwin.gnos@ville-ge.ch

¹ Natural History Museum of Geneva, Route de Malagnou 1, 1208 Geneva, Switzerland

Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
Rauchenstein-Martinek et al., 2016; Sharp et al., 2005). The formation of these structures was related to the prevailing local stress fields induced by the collision of continental microplates with the European continental plate (e.g. Handy et al., 2010). Generated fissures are most commonly oriented perpendicular to foliation and lineation of their host rocks. Interaction of fluid-filled clefts with the surrounding rock led to dissolution of minerals in the wall rock and mineral precipitation in the fissures (e.g., Heijboer et al., 2006; Mullis, 1976a, 1995, 2011; Mullis & De Capitani, 2000; Mullis & Wolf, 2013; Mullis et al., 1994; Sharp et al., 2005; Weisenberger & Bucher, 2011). Fissures became either completely filled and became mineral veins, or were enlarged by subsequent tectonic activity to form fluid-filled dm- to m-sized clefts, in which large crystals grew from cleft formation down to temperatures < 200 °C. As long as deformation continued, minerals in fluid-filled clefts reacted to deformation via dissolution-precipitation cycles due to disequilibrium between fluid, rock wall and mineral assemblage within the cleft (Bergemann et al., 2019, 2020; Heijboer et al., 2003a, 2006; Mullis, 1976a, 2011; Ricchi et al., 2019, 2020a; Wolf & Mullis, 2012). Thus, minerals did not only grow following the initial fissure formation but continued to grow, to crystallize newly or to dissolve during subsequent deformation stages or other causes leading to chemical disequilibrium. Fissures forming in schists during prograde metamorphism became usually deformed until they formed foliation-parallel (e.g., Miron et al., 2013), more or less boudinaged veins. However, these veins provided important competence contrast, acting as an incipient point for retrograde formation of open fissures.

In contrast to the surrounding country rock and veins, fluid-filled fissures and clefts remained highly reactive at low temperature due to the presence of fluid, permitting registration of deformation steps through mineral growth or recrystallization (e.g., Bergemann et al., 2018, 2019, 2020; Berger et al., 2013; Mullis, 1976a, 1976b, 2011; Mullis & Wolf, 2013; Mullis et al., 2001a, 2001b; Ricchi et al., 2019, 2020a).

Fissure quartz fluid inclusions similarly revealed growth events related to tectonic activity and have been studied systematically in the Alps (Bernard, 1978; Cesare et al., 2001; Fabre et al., 2002; Heijboer et al., 2003a, 2003b, 2006; Kandutsch et al., 1998; Marshall et al., 1998a, 1998b; Miron et al., 2013; Mullis, 1975, 1976a, 1976b, 1983, 1991, 1995, 1996, 2011; Mullis et al., 1994, 2002, 2017; Poty, 1969; Rauchenstein-Martinek et al., 2016; Rossi & Rolland, 2014; Tarantola et al., 2007, 2009). A compilation of the dominant fissure quartz fluid inclusion type compiled in Poty et al. (2007) and complemented with additional data is shown in Fig. 1.

Fissure minerals are typically mm to cm in size, and easy to separate for further geochronological studies. This is the reason why potassium feldspars and micas from different localities were among the first minerals used for trying to date Alpine metamorphism (Purdy & Stalder, 1973). However, in many cases the authors found that the radiometric system of the fissure mineral was disturbed. For this reason, only a few meaningful fissure mineral ages existed (Köppel & Grünenfelder, 1975; Peretti et al., 1981; Purdy & Stalder, 1973; Rauchenstein-Martinek, 2014; Rolland et al., 2008; Sharp et al., 2005) before fissure monazite dating.

Fissure monazite most commonly crystallizes in Ca-poor lithologies (meta-pelites, meta-arenites, meta-granitoids). Once formed, diffusion in monazite is negligible under prevailing P–T conditions (Cherniak et al., 2004; Gardés et al., 2006, 2007) and hydrothermal monazite hence dates crystallization. Chemically and isotopically homogeneous crystals indicate a single, rapid growth episode (e.g., Grand’Homme et al., 2016a). Though crystals showing different growth domains indicative of successive growth episodes are most common. However, further hydrothermal processes can affect monazite after its initial crystallization (e.g., Janots et al., 2012). Alteration and dissolution-reprecipitation can lead to resetting of the monazite Th–U decay systems in parts or the entire crystal (e.g., Grand’Homme et al., 2016b; Seydoux-Guillaume et al., 2012). In other cases, parts or entire grains display a patchy zoning due to dissolution-reprecipitation processes (e.g., Ayers et al., 1999; Bergemann et al., 2019, 2020; Gnos et al., 2015; Grand’Homme et al., 2016b; Ricchi et al., 2019, 2020a), which is especially frequent in the Lepontine and Tauern metamorphic domes. The replacement process is associated with element fractionation resulting in crystal zones with often distinct U/Th values (Bergemann et al., 2017; Grand’Homme et al., 2016a, 2016b; Seydoux-Guillaume et al., 2012).

Although thermochronological data exist now for most parts of the Alps, constraining its exhumation history (e.g., Bertrand et al., 2015; Fox et al., 2016; Rosenberg & Berger, 2009; Vernon et al., 2008), it has been shown that Th–Pb fissure monazite domain ages, in some cases in combination with fluid inclusion data, are linkable to tectonic events (e.g., Bergemann et al., 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020; Berger et al., 2013; Janots et al., 2019; Ricchi et al., 2019, 2020a, 2020b). In some cases deformation is associated with fluid advection (e.g., Bergemann et al., 2019; Janots et al., 2019). On the other hand, since cleft monazite starts to crystallize typically ≤ 400 °C (much below the monazite closure temperature (Cherniak et al., 2004), it can be utilized to constrain successive deformation activity in fault and damage zones under low grade metamorphic conditions
<figure><img src="image_4.png" /><figcaption>**Fig. 1** Simplified tectonic map of the Alps based on Schmid et. al. (2004) and Bousquet et. al. (2012b), showing the distribution of the earliest fluid inclusion compositions in fissure quartz. The fluid inclusion compilation in Poty et. al. (2007) was completed with more recent data. The fluid inclusion compilation is based on numerous data (Barlier, 1974; Bergemann et al., 2017, 2018; Bernard, 1978; Cesare et al., 2001; Diamond & Tarantola, 2015; Felix & Mullis, 2013; Frey et al., 1980a, 1980b; Hasenberger, 1996; Heijboer et al., 2003a, 2003b; Hetherington et al. 2003; Jourdan et al., 2009; Kandutsch, 1989; Kandutsch & Wachtler, 2000; Kandutsch et al., 1998; Klemm et al. 2004; Luckscheiter & Morteani, 1980; Martin et al., 1982; Miron et al., 2013; Mullis, 1975, 1976a, 1976b, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1996, 2011; Mullis & De Capitani, 2000; Mullis & Ramseyer, 1996; Mullis & Tarantola, 2015; Mullis et al., 1994, 2001a, 2001b, 2002, 2003; Mullis Ferreiro-Mählmann et al., 2017; Niedermayr et al., 1984; Poty, 1969; Poty & Stalder, 1970; Poty et al., 1974; Proce et al., 2015; Rahn et al., 1995; Ramseyer & Mullis, 1990; Rauchenstein-Martinek, 2014; Rauchenstein-Martinek et al., 2016; Schmidt et al., 1997; Stalder & Touray, 1970; Stalder et al., 1980; Soom, 1986; Tarantola et al., 2007, 2009; Touray et al., 1970; Wachtler & Kandutsch, 2000; Wagner et al., 1972; Wolf & Mullis, 2012; Wolf et al., 2015; Zerlauth et al., 2015). Note the distribution of the fluid types and clustering of CO₂-dominated fluids in the Lepontine and Tauern metamorphic domes, as well as in the Koralau-Saalpe region east of the Tauern Window. Larger symbols indicate a higher frequency of the fluid inclusion type. The Gotthard Nappe belonging to the Penninic units shows an exhumation and fissure formation history comparable to the adjacent Aar Massif (Ricchi et al., 2019)</figcaption></figure>

(e.g., Bergemann et al., 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020; Berger et al., 2013; Ricchi et al., 2019, 2020a, 2020b). Compositional (e.g. Th/U; Grand'Homme et al. 2016a) and age zoning in hydrothermal monazite is attributed to re-equilibration at different P-T-X conditions, initiated by tectonic events. They are thus considered as syntectonic growth domains. Fissure monazite growth starts characteristically towards the end of the quartz growth, as shown by a well-investigated Alpine fissure from Zinggenstock in the Aar Massif (Mullis, 1995, 1996), where monazite occurs as solid inclusion in late quartz and started crystallizing at ≤ 380 °C. Most common is growth of monazite on the surface of quartz or adularia. This suggests that monazite generally provides a minimum age for fissure formation, except where its crystallization can be directly linked to the formation

of a new fissure generation (e.g. Bergemann et al., 2017, 2019; Ricchi et al. 2020a).

Beneath ~270 °C (methane and higher hydrocarbon (HHC) fluid zones; Fig. 1; see below), tectonic movements may cause monazite or florencite (CeAl₃(PO₄)₂(OH)₆) growth. The latter has been reported from fissures in the Urals (e.g., Repina, 2010). Neither monazite nor florencite have been found in Alpine open fissures in the methane or HHC zones (Fig. 1). For this reason, crystallization ages are lacking for these fluid zones (Figs. 1 and 2).

A compilation of the oldest growth domains of dated fissure monazite is given in Fig. 2. These ages will be used here as a proxy for distinguishing episodes of fissure formation in different parts of the Alps since geochronological systems permitting a direct dating of fissure formation are lacking. Thus intersecting temperatures derived from
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K/Na thermometry of the earliest fluid inclusion population (Poty et al., 1974) with the regional cooling path remains a good approach to estimate the fissure formation age (e.g., Mullis, 1996).

A compilation of best estimates for σ3 axes of paleostress orientations in the Alps, based on brittle deformation data obtained by many authors was provided in Bertrand and Sue (2017). These data can be compared with measured fissure orientations.

The aim of this study is to combine published information from fissure monazite dating, quartz morphology and fissure orientation in order to attribute existing quartz fluid inclusion data to different tectono-metamorphic episodes of fissure formation.

## 2 Tectonic and metamorphic setting of Alpine fissures

The European Alps, consisting of the E–W trending Eastern Alps and the arcuate Western Alps are the result of two orogenies. The first is Cretaceous in age, and the second Cenozoic (e.g., Froitzheim et al., 1996). The Alps are characterized by a deformed stack of large-scale nappes derived from the Adriatic continental plate, the Alpine Tethys ocean (including the Briançonnais continental basement) and the European

continental plate (e.g., Schmid et al., 2004; Schuster, 2015; Stampfli et al., 1998). During both orogenies the metamorphic peak followed nappe stacking and was followed by exhumation of metamorphic rocks (e.g., Engi et al., 2004; Oberhäsli et al., 2004; Schuster et al., 2004). The Cretaceous orogeny can be studied inside the Austroalpine and parts of the Austroalpine/Alpine Tethys contacts of the Eastern Alps (e.g., Schmid et al., 2004; Fig. 1). An overview of the age range of the eo-Alpine (Cretaceous) and Alpine (Neogene) peak metamorphism is provided in Bousquet et al. (2012a), and for the subduction related HP-LT metamorphism in Thöni (1999) and Berger and Bousquet (2008).

Abundant deformed quartz veins in metasedimentary rocks indicate that fissure formation is frequent during prograde metamorphism (e.g., Heijboer et al., 2003a; Mullis & Tarantola, 2015; Yardley, 1983), but fissures generally do not remain open and reactive in such rocks during progressive deformation and are eventually transposed into the foliation plane, and monazite enclosed in quartz cannot react with the fluid anymore. Open fissures that may reach dimensions of meter-sized clefts (e.g., Stalder et al., 1998) formed during peak to retrograde metamorphism. In the field, open fissures developing roughly perpendicular to foliation and lineation are
most common at higher grade. At lower grade en-eche-
lon fissures may occur (Mullis, 1974, 1976b).

Tectonic movements causing disequilibrium between
host rock, mineralizing fluid and cleft minerals lead to
dissolution/precipitation cycles (Bergemann et al., 2018,
2019, 2020; Grand'Homme et al., 2016a, 2016b; Mullis,
1976a, 2011; Mullis & De Capitani, 1997; Mullis et al.,
2001a, 2001b; Ricchi et al., 2019, 2020a, 2020b; Wolf
et al., 2015). In many cases, tectonic activity also leads
to cracking and deformation of cleft minerals or detach-
ment of fragments from the rock wall (Mullis, 1996,
2011; Mullis et al., 2001a, 2001b; Wolf & Mullis, 2012).
Primary/secondary fluid inclusion populations are not
only comparable within one cleft, but are also regionally
clustered (Barlier, 1974; Frey et al., 1980a, 1980b; Mul-
lis, 1976a, 1979, 1983, 1987; Poty, 1969; Poty et al., 1974;
Stalder & Touray, 1970).

3 Fissure- and cleft-filling fluid

Detailed studies by Barlier (1974), Mullis (1979, 1983), Frey et. al. (1980a, 1980b), Mullis et. al. (1994), and Rauchenstein-Martinek et. al. (2016) have shown that earliest fluid entrapped in fluid inclusions in fissure quartz, but also in metamorphic quartz (e.g., Touret, 1980), changes systematically with the regional metamorphic grade. The fluid inclusion studies also showed that crystallization in open fissures in amphibolite facies rocks or in retrogradely overprinted high-pressure rocks only formed under retrograde greenschist facies conditions.

A fluid composition zonation through the Central Alps
could be established by Frey et. al. (1980a, 1980b), Mul-
lis (1983) and Mullis et. al. (1994): at low- and medium-
grade diagenetic conditions the saline aqueous fluid
entrapped in fissure quartz is characterized by ~1 to
>80 mol% higher hydrocarbons (HHC zone; Barlier,
1974; Frey et al., 1980a, 1980b; Mullis et al., 1994; Tou-
ray et al., 1970), indicating formation temperatures and
pressures of ≤200 °C and ≤0.12 GPa respectively (Mul-
lis, 1979). In the upper diagenetic and low-grade anchiz-
one, fluid inclusion composition is generally dominated
by ~1 to ≥90 mol% methane (CH₄ zone; Barlier, 1974;
Frey et al., 1980a, 1980b; Mullis, 1976a, 1979, 1983;
Mullis et al., 1973, 1994; Stalder & Touray, 1970). These
methane-bearing to methane-rich fluid inclusions were
trapped at temperatures and pressures between ≥200
and 270±5 °C and between ≥0.12 and ≤0.18 GPa,
respectively (Mullis, 1979, 1987; Tarantola et al., 2009).
The metamorphic grade/fluid zonation correlation has
been verified for very low-grade conditions by compar-
ing fluid inclusion homogenisation temperatures with
illite crystallinity and vitrinite reflection measurements
in diagenetic and low-grade anchizonal terrains between
50 and 270 °C in the external parts of the Central Alps

(Mullis et al., 2002, 2017). Upper anchizone, greenschist (and greenschist-facies overprinted blueschist and eclogite) facies regions are dominated by saline aqueous fluid (H₂O-zone) (~80 to >99 mol% H₂O; Frey et al., 1980a, 1980b; Mullis et al., 1994; Poty, 1969; Poty & Stalder, 1970; Poty et al., 1974; Rauchenstein-Martinek et al., 2016). Finally, upper greenschist, amphibolite (and amphibolite-facies overprinted eclogite) facies regions are dominated by saline aqueous-carbonic fluid (CO₂ zone) (~10 to >60 mol% CO₂; Frey et al., 1980a; Hasenberger, 1996; Heijboer et al., 2006; Kandutsch, 1989; Mullis, 1983; Mullis et al., 1994; Proce et al., 2015; Rauchenstein-Martinek, 2014; Rauchenstein-Martinek et al., 2016; Touret, 1980; Weninger, 1981).

It is interesting to note that the fluid produced around
the metamorphic peak during the Tauern and Lepontine
dome formations also dominates the fissure fluid compo-
sition during fissure formation under retrograde meta-
morphic conditions. This means, that in an amphibolite
facies metamorphic terrain, fissures forming under upper
greenschist facies conditions are filled with a fluid that is
more or less characteristic of the amphibolite facies met-
amorphic grade and CO2-enriched (Fig. 1). Fissure fluids
in amphibolite facies overprinted eclogites of the Aus-
troalpine Saualpe-Koralpe region and the Western Alps
are similarly CO2-enriched.

Although fissure fluids are buffered by the host rock (e.g., Hoernes & Friedrichsen, 1980) and clefts usually behave as a more or less closed system upon deformation, there may be opening at times during exhumation, leading to loss or influx of fluid from external sources (e.g., Mullis, 1983, 1996; Mullis et al., 1994; Poty, 1969).

4 Linking fluid type with quartz habit

The prevailing fluid has also a remarkable effect on the
fissure quartz habit (e.g., Kandutsch et al., 1998; Mullis
et al., 1994; Mullis, 1976a, 1983, 1991; Poty, 1969; Stalder
& Touray, 1970). Judging by the fluid zonation in mono-
metamorphic sedimentary rocks, fissure quartz changes
systematically its morphology with changing fluid zone
(e.g., Mullis et al., 1994; Fig. 3) and increasing metamor-
phic grade of the host rock.

In the HHC zone (≤200 °C), freely grown quartz is
short prismatic and is often overgrown by sceptre quartz.
Bipyramidal quartz can also be observed. In oil rich flu-
ids, fissure quartz tends to develop a steep rhombohedral
habit (Mullis, 1991; Mullis et al., 1994; Fig. 3). All quartz
crystals of the HHC zone are generally a few millimetres
in size.

In the CH₄ zone, that covers the upper diagenetic
and low-grade anchizone (T ≥ 200 °C to ≤ 270 °C;
Fig. 3), prismatic, sceptre (more rarely bipyramidal)
and skeletal ('window' shaped) quartz is characteristic.
<table><thead><tr><th>HHC zone<br>Higher<br>hydrocarbons</th><th>CH<sub>4</sub> zone</th><th>H<sub>2</sub>O zone<br>Saline water</th><th>H<sub>2</sub>O zone<br>Saline water</th><th>CO<sub>2</sub> zone</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>~50-200 °C</td><td>~200-270 °C</td><td>~270-350 °C</td><td>~270-450 °C</td><td>>450 °C</td></tr><tr><td>zoned<br>quartz</td><td>zoned<br>quartz</td><td>zoned<br>lamellar<br>quartz</td><td>macromosaic<br>quartz</td><td>macromosaic<br>quartz</td></tr><tr><td>prismatic<br>steep<br>rhombohedral<br>sceptre</td><td>prismatic<br>skeleton<br>(window)<br>quartz<br>sceptre</td><td>long<br>prismatic<br>Dauphiné<br>and<br>Muzo habitus</td><td>long<br>prismatic<br>twisted<br>quartz<br>(gwindel)</td><td>Tessin<br>habitus<br>with<br>steep<br>rhombohedral<br>faces</td></tr></tbody></table>

**Fig. 3** Compilation of most common fissure quartz habits as a function of fluid type (Kandutsch, 1989; Mullis & Ramseyer, 1996; Mullis et al., 1994; Mullis, 1976a, 1983, 1991; Poty, 1969; Stalder & Touray, 1970). Quartz crystals of the higher hydrocarbon zone are generally mm-sized. Note that in amphibolite facies rocks (or in eclogites overprinted by amphibolite facies) fissures and clefts form only during retrograde greenschist facies deformation. The quartz habit is a result of fluid generated at final prograde, peak- to beginning retrograde metamorphic conditions, or during the Barrow-type metamorphic overprinting of high-pressure rocks. In general, the quartz habit developing during the early growth stages of fissure quartz predominates, but retrograde quartz overgrowth is locally common (e.g., Mullis, 1976a, 1983, 1991; Mullis et al., 1994; Niedermayr, 1993; Poty, 1969; Rykart, 1995). —c— indicates the orientation of the c-axis. The quartz morphologies and temperature estimates are compiled in Poty et. al. (2007)
Water-methane unmixing (immiscibility) causes fast growth along corners and edges, responsible for scep- tre and ‘window’ shaped quartz growth (Fig. 3; Mullis, 1976a, 1991; Mullis et al., 1994).

In the H₂O zone covering anchizational and lower greenschist facies metamorphic conditions (≥ 270 °C to ~450 °C), fluids are hydrous, saline and contain <10 mol% of dissolved CO₂. Quartz crystallizing in such a fluid is prismatic in shape, shows complex macro-mosaic twinning (Friedlaender, 1951) and char- acteristic sutures on prism faces (Fig. 3).

In zones with prolonged tectonic activity, such as nappe contacts or the interface of crystalline basem- ment rocks with the overlying metasedimentary cover of sub-greenschist metamorphic conditions (≥ 270 °C to ~350 °C), lamellar quartz of Dauphiné habit (Bam- bauer et al., 1961) characteristically forms. The Dau- phiné habit is characterized by the development of one pyramid face growing much larger than the other five faces (e.g., Jourdan et al., 2009; Kandutsch & Wachtler, 2000; Kürsteiner et al., 2015; Mullis, 1980, 1991; Mullis & Ramseyer, 1996; Poty, 1969; Soom, 1986; Fig. 3). In some cases, the disappearance of prism faces towards the pyramid of quartz leads to the Muzo habit (Gansser, 1963; Fig. 3) that has been reported from several locali- ties of the Eastern Alps (e.g. Glas, 1992; Hasenberger, 1996; Kandutsch, 1989; Kandutsch & Wachtler, 2000; Rykart, 1995).

In the CO₂ zone Tessin habit quartz is omnipresent and characterized by the predominance of steep pyrami- dal faces over prism faces giving the quartz a pointed shape (Fig. 3). Characteristic sutures occur on prism/ steep pyramidal faces. This habit is most pronounced in fissures of meta-sedimentary rocks that underwent high- grade greenschist or amphibolite facies metamorphism (Frey et al., 1980a; Hasenberger, 1996; Kandutsch, 1989; Kandutsch et al., 1998; Lukscheiter & Morteani 1980; Mullis, 1991, 1996; Mullis et al., 1994). Quartz in grani- toid lithologies of comparable metamorphic grade and with a CO₂ content of > 2 to < 10 mol% CO₂ (Mullis et al., 2001a, 2001b), is generally less pointed but displays a mix between prismatic and steep pyramidal faces leading to a characteristic horizontal striation on the prism faces. Both, Tessin habit quartz and prismatic quartz with steep pyramidal faces show macro-mosaic twinning (Fried- laender, 1951) and sutures on their prism faces (Fig. 3).

Fluid immiscibility in the CO₂-zone (Mullis, 1983; Mul- lis et al. 1994) and late infiltration of a CO₂-enriched fluid in the CO₂ and water zone (Mullis et al., 1994; Poty, 1969) at temperatures between ~330 and 250 °C lead to scep- ter quartz overgrowths (often amethyst) on both, Tessin habit and prismatic quartz, respectively (e.g., Burgsteiner, 2004; Hossfeld, 1977; Mullis, 1983; Mullis & Ramseyer,

1996; Mullis et al., 1994; Poty, 1969; Stalder et al., 1998; Wagner et al., 1972). Amethyst shows lamellar growth.

Along a section showing increasing Barrow-type meta- morphic grade, this supports the preliminary conclusion that metamorphic grade, fluid composition and quartz habit (Fig. 3) are directly linked.

## 5 Fissure monazite ages and fissure orientation

A large and homogeneous set of cleft monazite growth domain ages covering most parts of the Alps is now available (Bergemann et al., 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020; Berger et al., 2013; Gasquet et al., 2010; Gnos et al., 2015; Grand'Homme et al. 2016a, 2016b; Janots et al., 2012; Ricchi et al., 2019, 2020a, 2020b; Fig. 2). Recalculated values for some monazites from the Aar Massif and the Gotthard Nappe are provided in the supplement (Addi- tional file 1: Table S1 and Fig. S1). In most cases, fissure monazite crystallization does not date fissure formation, because it starts to crystallize typically <300–350 °C (e.g., Bergemann et al., 2019; Gnos et al., 2015; Mullis, 1996; Ricchi et al.,2020a), although growth at higher tempera- ture was recently reported (Janots et al., 2019). Monazite characteristically crystallizes a few million years after cleft formation, towards the end of the fissure quartz growth (e.g., Gnos et al., 2015; Mullis, 1996). Only in some cases was it possible to revisit the exact monazite find location to collect complementary structural data. A compilation of fissure and cleft orientations for areas where fissure monazite was reported is provided in Fig. 4. Gasquet et. al. (2010) were the first to date fissure mona- zite derived from an older generation of horizontal and a younger generation of vertical fissures in the Belledonne and Pelvoux massifs, using the LA-ICP-MS technique. This yielded ages between 17.6±0.3 and 5.4±0.5 Ma. They could show that ages between 11 and 5 Ma were related to two stages of dextral strike-slip faulting. Janots et. al. (2012) used the SIMS technique, providing higher spatial resolution, and dated growth domains in two grains from horizontal fissures located in the Aar Massif and the Gotthard Nappe. They obtained ages of 15.2±0.3 to 13.5±0.4 Ma. One grain showed a stage of dissolution between two growth domains. Berger et. al. (2013) and Bergemann et. al. (2017) used fissure monazite for dating a younger generation of vertical fissures in the Aar Mas- sif at 11.75±0.41 to 6.32±0.20 Ma and could show that dextral strike-slip faulting in the Aar Massif occurred roughly coeval with strike-slip faulting in the Belledonne Massif (Fig. 1). Systematic studies by Bergemann et. al. (2019, 2020) covering the Mont Blanc/Aiguilles Rouges massifs and the Lepontine Dome and by Ricchi et. al. (2019, 2020a) covering the Aar Massif/Gotthard Nappe and the entire Tauern Window confirmed the wide- spread formation of late, vertical fissures that formed in
<figure><img src="image_6.png" /></figure>

association with sinistral (Tauern Window) and dextral strike-slip faulting (Simplon-Rhone fault and faults in the Aar, Gotthard, Mont Blanc, Aiguilles Rouges, Belledonne and Pelvoux massifs) starting at ~12 Ma. Sinistral strike-slip faulting in the Tauern Window resulted in vertical fissures (Ricchi et al., 2020a), oriented subparallel to the older generation (Fig. 4). Coeval dextral strike-slip faults in the Western Alps have corresponding vertical fissures that strike SE in the Aar Massif and E-W in the Mont Blanc, Aiguilles Rouges, Belledonne and Pelvoux massifs (Fig. 4). From this time on, episodic reactivation of the strike-slip faults occurred (Bergemann et al., 2017, 2019; Berger et al., 2013; Gasquet et al., 2010; Ricchi et al., 2019, 2020a, 2020b; Schneider et al., 2013), with the youngest recorded fissure monazite domain age is ~5 Ma (Bergemann et al., 2020). Present day faulting shows the same kinematics and inferred stress field, indicating constant stress fields over the last several millions of years (e.g., Bertrand & Sue, 2017).

In the Tauern and Lepontine metamorphic domes, fissure formation is very common during extensional unroofing, and the oldest growth domains record an age range of 21.7±0.4 to 11.92±0.26 Ma (Bergemann et al., 2020; Gnos et al., 2015; Ricchi et al., 2020a; Fig. 2).

Fissures are vertical, N to NE striking in the Eastern, and SE striking in the Western Tauern Window and mostly NW striking in the Lepontine structural and metamorphic dome (Fig. 4).

At the same time fissure monazite crystallization also occurred in the external massifs and, except for Argentera, in association with reverse faulting (Bergemann et al., 2019; Gasquet et al., 2010; Janots et al., 2012; Ricchi et al., 2019). For this reason, fissures of this generation are oriented roughly horizontal in the Aar Massif/Gotthard Nappe, the Mont Blanc/Aiguilles Rouges massifs and the Belledonne/Pelvoux massifs (Fig. 4).

The orientation of early vertical fissures in high-pressure regions of the Western Alps differs from those of the external massifs and the Lepontine dome. The fissures were dated to 36.6±0.6 Ma to 30.2±0.5 Ma in the Briançonnais Unit and strike regionally quite homogenously SE (Grand'Homme et al. 2016a; Ricchi et al., 2020b; Fig. 4). However, the fissures located just southwest of the Simplon detachment fault may have been affected by younger tectonic movements during the Lepontine dome formation.

Vertical fissures associated with dextral strike-slip faults are E striking in the Briançonnais and ENE striking
in the Argentera Massif (Fig. 4). These fissures are older
than those forming after ~12 Ma during dextral strike-
slip faulting in all other external massifs.

At the other end of the Alps, much older, eo-Alpine fis-
sure monazites were found in Austroalpine units located
east of the Tauern Window, where monazite crystalliza-
tion occurred around 90 Ma in association with strike-
slip faulting (Bergemann et al., 2018), during exhumation
of the Koralpe-Saualpe region. These fissure monazites
partially recrystallized in association with extensional
tectonics associated with the formation of the Gosau
basins between ~90 and 70 Ma.

In general, very few data exist for the Austroalpine
units and no data are available for the region west of the
Tauern Window. In the Koralpe-Saualpe region Cre-
taceous fissures are vertical and roughly ENE striking,
whereas north of it, in the Greywacke Zone, they also
show a N-S orientation (Fig. 4).

Monazite ages have been compiled in Fig. 2 (see fig-
ure caption for references). They are attributed to fissure
generations that formed: (1) During exhumation of dif-
ferent Austroalpine units in the Cretaceous (eo-Alpine),
(2) during exhumation of the Penninic high pressure
units, (3) during metamorphic dome formation, steep
reverse faulting in the external massifs and during early
strike-slip faulting affecting the high pressure units of the
Western Alps and the Argentera Massif, and (4) during
late strike-slip faulting affecting the metamorphic dome
regions and all external massifs, except Argentera. All
available monazite crystallization domain ages and spot
age ranges are compiled in Table 1. A compilation of fis-
sure and cleft orientations for areas where fissure mona-
zite was reported is provided in Fig. 4.

**6 Discussion**

The formation of open fissures and fissure monazite crys-
tallization occurs in the upper crust at conditions at or
below 450–550 °C and 0.3–0.6 GPa (e.g., Diamond &
Tarantola, 2015; Heijboer et al., 2003a, 2006; Mullis, 1974,
1976a, 1976b, 1983, 1991, 1996, 2011; Mullis & Taran-
tola, 2015; Mullis et al., 1994; Poty, 1969; Poty et al., 2007,
2018; Rauchenstein-Martinek et al., 2016; Sharp et al.,
2005), in association with regional scale deformation or
localized faulting.

**6.1 Fluid inclusion type, metamorphic grade and quartz habit**

In most open fissures the fluid derived from the sur-
rounding rock and formed at or near the peak of meta-
morphism. For this reason it changes systematically with
regional metamorphic grade (Fig. 1), causing a change
in the quartz habit with changing fluid zones. There are
cases (e.g., Bedretto Valley, Ticino; Mullis, 1991) where

late tectonic movements produced fissures that are ori-
ented parallel to an earlier generation, but can easily be
recognized due to its different quartz habit. Such occur-
rences help to recognize discrete faults, where the corre-
sponding lineation is only developed on few, narrow fault
planes. Complemented with fluid inclusion thermometry
(Fig. 3) the quartz habit is very useful for constraining the
temperature of formation of the fissure.

**6.2 Alpine fissure formation over time**

The Alps are the result of two major orogenies (e.g., Froitzheim et al., 1996), Cretaceous and Cenozoic in age. Different Alpine units underwent exhumation at different times, and hence, fissure formation occurred in association with different tectonic settings. Crosscutting fissure relationships may locally be found in the external massifs (Aar, Gotthard, Mont Blanc, Aiguilles Rouges, Belle-donne, Pelvoux (e.g., Ricchi et al., 2019; Steck, 1968). In rare cases, multiple deformation results in complex fissure shapes or intersecting fissures (e.g., Ricchi et al., 2019; Steck, 1968). In other areas, fissures that formed at different episodes show subparallel orientations. Meaning that often only the study of the surrounding rock fabric, in combination with the deformation history, may provide additional clues about the formation and evolution of a fissure. Due to such tectonic reactivations, fissure mineral growth is thus in many cases the result of multiple, more or less pronounced, regional deformation events (Burkhard & Kerrich, 1988; Heijboer et al., 2003b; Mullis, 1975, 1976b, 1996, 2011; Mullis et al., 2001a, 2001b; Wolf & Mullis, 2012).

P–T estimates based on quartz fluid inclusions indicate that in the higher hydrocarbon and methane fluid inclusions zones (Fig. 1) and in parts of the water zone located in lower greenschist facies rocks, fissure formation occurred roughly coeval with the metamorphic peak. This concerns the thrust European foreland, Helvetic nappes, the most external parts of the External Massifs, and probably also parts of the Australpine regions (Fig. 1). Fissures located in higher grade greenschist and amphibolite facies rocks in the water and CO2 fluid zones formed after nappe stacking and metamorphic peak under retrograde greenschist facies conditions. This concerns large parts of the External Massifs, the Penninic nappes, and in the Austroalpine nappes the Koralpe-Saualpe region and probably also other regions. In strike-slip settings, fissure formation is related to tectonic activity under low grade greenschist facies to very-low grade metamorphic conditions.

The quartz fluid inclusion map shown in Fig. 1 shows
that fissures are rare in some regions, but abundant
in others. In the Austroalpine units, "rareness" may
be linked to the lack of knowledge of discovered and
<table><caption>**Table 1** Fissure monazite <sup>208</sup>Pb/<sup>232</sup>Th domain and spot age ranges</caption><thead><tr><th>Sample</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Spot age range</th><th>References</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td colspan="8"><strong>Eastern Alps</strong></td></tr><tr><td>T5</td><td>90.6 ± 3.6</td><td>89.2 ± 1.8</td><td>78.3 ± 1.9</td><td></td><td></td><td>92.78 ± 2.49 to 71.05 ± 1.96</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2018)</td></tr><tr><td>RAHM2</td><td>80.7 ± 1.6</td><td>81.0 ± 1.5</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>84.20 ± 2.21 to 71.19 ± 2.09</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2018)</td></tr><tr><td>SCHO1</td><td>89.6 ± 1.9</td><td>75.5 ± 1.7</td><td>73.4 ± 2.6</td><td></td><td></td><td>95.15 ± 2.52 to 75.16 ± 2.14</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2018)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="8"><strong>Tauern window</strong></td></tr><tr><td>TAUERN1</td><td>18.99 ± 0.55</td><td>17.56 ± 0.55</td><td>16.25 ± 0.55</td><td>15.00 ± 0.51</td><td></td><td>18.48 ± 0.54 to 14.53 ± 0.52</td><td>Gnos et al. (2015)</td></tr><tr><td>TAUERN2</td><td>15.12 ± 0.48</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>15.44 ± 0.43 to 14.96 ± 0.63</td><td>Gnos et al. (2015)</td></tr><tr><td>TAUERN3</td><td>18.06 ± 0.42</td><td>17.18 ± 0.49</td><td>15.49 ± 0.15</td><td></td><td></td><td>18.53 ± 0.44 to 15.29 ± 0.37</td><td>Gnos et al. (2015)</td></tr><tr><td>TAUERN4</td><td>15.56 ± 0.70</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>15.98 ± 0.39 to 14.81 ± 0.36</td><td>Gnos et al. (2015)</td></tr><tr><td>INNB1</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>11.52 ± 0.2 to 10.4 ± 0.2</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>ZEI1</td><td>10.0 ± 0.2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>10.8 ± 0.3 to 7.2 ± 0.2</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>SCHR1</td><td>20.9 ± 0.6</td><td>20.3 ± 0.2</td><td>19.7 ± 0.4</td><td></td><td></td><td>21.9 ± 0.5 to 19.3 ± 0.5</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>MAYR4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>11.8 ± 0.2 to 8.9 ± 0.2</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>PFIT1</td><td>17.3 ± 0.3</td><td>13.2 ± 0.3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>17.8 ± 0.4 to 12.9 ± 0.3</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>BURG2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>17.1 ± 0.4 to 12.1 ± 0.3</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>PLAN1</td><td>11.9 ± 0.2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>12.6 ± 0.3 to 7.8 ± 0.2</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>SCHEI1</td><td>18.3 ± 1.1</td><td>17.4 ± 0.4</td><td>16.6 ± 0.2</td><td></td><td></td><td>18.9 ± 0.5 to 15.9 ± 0.4</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>HOPF2</td><td>12.2 ± 0.4</td><td>12.2 ± 0.5</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>13.7 ± 0.4 to 11.0 ± 0.3</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>GART1</td><td>16.3 ± 0.2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>16.9 ± 0.3 to 14.5 ± 0.4</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>NOWA3</td><td>15.8 ± 0.5</td><td>14.9 ± 1.1</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>17.0 ± 0.2 to 13.8 ± 0.8</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>GART3</td><td>15.5 ± 0.5</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>16.1 ± 0.4 to 12.0 ± 0.4</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>STEI2</td><td>17.2 ± 0.2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>17.5 ± 0.4 to 16.8 ± 0.4</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>KNOR1</td><td>10.8 ± 0.3</td><td>10.6 ± 0.3</td><td>10.4 ± 0.2</td><td></td><td></td><td>11.6 ± 0.4 to 10.8 ± 0.3</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>KAIS6</td><td>21.2 ± 0.5</td><td>20.9 ± 0.2</td><td>20.6 ± 0.5</td><td>18.8 ± 0.5</td><td></td><td>22.1 ± 0.6 to 17.6 ± 0.6</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>SALZ18</td><td>18.3 ± 0.4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>19.5 ± 0.5 to 15.8 ± 0.4</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>LOHN4</td><td>21.1 ± 0.2</td><td>18.4 ± 0.6</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>22.9 ± 0.6 to 17.3 ± 0.6</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>ORT1</td><td>18.4 ± 0.3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>19.0 ± 0.6 to 17.0 ± 0.7</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>EUKL2</td><td>21.7 ± 0.4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>22.3 ± 0.5 to 21.2 ± 0.5</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>HOAR1</td><td>20.4 ± 0.2</td><td>19.9 ± 0.3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>21.2 ± 0.7 to 19.0 ± 0.9</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>MOKR1</td><td>18.8 ± 0.5</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>22.6 ± 0.4 to 14.4 ± 0.2</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>SAND1</td><td>17.0 ± 0.8</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>22.0 ± 0.3 to 14.7 ± 1.0</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td>REIS1</td><td>16.2 ± 0.5</td><td>13.6 ± 0.6</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>17.8 ± 0.6 to 13.5 ± 0.8</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020a)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="8"><strong>Lepontine</strong></td></tr><tr><td>VANI 6</td><td>14.68 ± 0.47</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>16.80 ± 0.31 to 10.62 ± 0.18</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>BETT 11</td><td>9.96 ± 0.30</td><td>7.53 ± 0.31</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>10.55 ± 0.33 to 7.34 ± 0.26</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>DURO 1</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>10.82 ± 0.26 to 8.21 ± 0.20</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>DURO 2</td><td>7.63 ± 0.13</td><td>7.18 ± 0.18</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>11.48 ± 0.28 to 7.02 ± 0.18</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>DUTH 6</td><td>11.92 ± 0.26</td><td>9.74 ± 0.22</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>12.60 ± 0.37 to 9.33 ± 0.32</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>GRAESER 1</td><td>11.88 ± 0.23</td><td>10.18 ± 0.24</td><td>8.93 ± 0.14</td><td>7.73 ± 0.17</td><td></td><td>12.14 ± 0.30 to 7.57 ± 0.19</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>GRAESER 3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>15.60 ± 0.61 to 6.36 ± 0.39</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>GRAESER 4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>12.25 ± 0.51 to 11.88 ± 0.47</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>KLEM 1</td><td>10.43 ± 0.24</td><td>9.47 ± 0.18</td><td>8.36 ± 0.17</td><td></td><td></td><td>10.64 ± 0.26 to 7.97 ± 0.20</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>KLEM 2</td><td>13.44 ± 0.32</td><td>11.81 ± 0.30</td><td>10.16 ± 0.28</td><td></td><td></td><td>13.65 ± 0.33 to 9.47 ± 0.40</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>KLEM 3</td><td>12.24 ± 0.35</td><td>8.9 ± 1.2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>12.96 ± 0.46 to 8.43 ± 0.32</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>SCHIESS 1</td><td>9.56 ± 0.25</td><td>7.02 ± 0.23</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>9.94 ± 0.25 to 6.78 ± 0.18</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>VANI 4</td><td>8.03 ± 0.44</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>9.27 ± 0.43 to 6.89 ± 0.37</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>VANI 5</td><td>7.22 ± 0.27</td><td>5.27 ± 0.31</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>8.07 ± 0.36 to 4.86 ± 0.24</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>BLAS 1</td><td>12.83 ± 0.39</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>14.49 ± 0.26 to 7.82 ± 0.22</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>DUTH 2</td><td>13.41 ± 0.70</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>14.34 ± 0.41 to 11.15 ± 0.43</td><td>Bergemann et al. (2020)</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><caption>**Table 1 (continued)**</caption><thead><tr><th>Sample</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Spot age range</th><th>References</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>DUTH 3</td><td>13.95 ± 0.33</td><td>12.73 ± 0.35</td><td>10.95 ± 0.33</td><td></td><td></td><td>14.53 ± 0.43 to 10.61 ± 0.34</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>LUCO 1</td><td>14.30 ± 0.21</td><td>10.14 ± 0.42</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>14.74 ± 0.30 to 9.90 ± 0.17</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>SALZ 2</td><td>12.92 ± 0.25</td><td>10.87 ± 0.27</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>14.28 ± 0.74 to 10.51 ± 0.39</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>TAMB 1</td><td>18.85 ± 0.77</td><td>17.37 ± 0.42</td><td>14.95 ± 0.70</td><td>13.08 ± 0.32</td><td></td><td>19.02 ± 0.47 to 12.32 ± 0.52</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td>VALS</td><td>15.27 ± 0.35</td><td>14.77 ± 0.42</td><td>14.70 ± 0.41</td><td>13.80 ± 0.49</td><td>12.94 ± 0.49</td><td>16.43 ± 0.61 to 12.09 ± 0.57</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2020)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="8">Aar Massif and Gotthard Nappe</td></tr><tr><td>GRIESS1</td><td>14.7 ± 0.5</td><td>13.8 ± 0.2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>16.0 ± 1.0 to 12.9 ± 0.5</td><td>Janots et. al. (2012)</td></tr><tr><td>BLAU1</td><td>15.5 ± 0.2</td><td>15.2 ± 0.3</td><td>13.6 ± 0.4</td><td></td><td></td><td>15.9 ± 0.8 to 13.2 ± 0.4</td><td>Janots et. al. (2012)</td></tr><tr><td>BALT2</td><td>8.03 ± 0.22</td><td>6.60 ± 0.18</td><td>6.32 ± 0.20</td><td></td><td></td><td>8.05 ± 0.22 to 6.17 ± 0.16</td><td>Berger et. al. (2013)</td></tr><tr><td>BALT4</td><td>7.71 ± 0.40</td><td>7.40 ± 0.17</td><td>6.49 ± 0.25</td><td>6.25 ± 0.60</td><td></td><td>9.18 ± 0.30 to 6.11 ± 0.15</td><td>Berger et. al. (2013)</td></tr><tr><td>PK2</td><td>11.61 ± 0.29</td><td>11.35 ± 0.34</td><td>10.85 ± 0.36</td><td></td><td></td><td>11.75 ± 0.41 to 10.55 ± 0.42</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2017)</td></tr><tr><td>GRIM4</td><td>11.44 ± 0.23</td><td>11.15 ± 0.19</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>11.69 ± 0.29 to 11.07 ± 0.27</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2017)</td></tr><tr><td>GRIM3</td><td>11.21 ± 0.22</td><td>11.28 ± 0.22</td><td>7.02 ± 0.31</td><td></td><td></td><td>11.66 ± 0.29 to 6.75 ± 0.17</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2017)</td></tr><tr><td>NEAT1<sup>#</sup></td><td>11.4 ± 0.2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>11.5 ± 0.3 to 6.8 ± 0.2</td><td>Ricchi et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>JOLI2<sup>#</sup></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>8.2 ± 0.2 to 5.6 ± 0.1</td><td>Ricchi et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>GAST1<sup>#</sup></td><td>8.6 ± 0.1</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>9.9 ± 0.2 to 7.2 ± 0.2</td><td>Ricchi et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>GUTT1</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>14.24 ± 0.94 to 8.68 ± 0.62</td><td>Ricchi et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>GOSCH1</td><td>11.99 ± 0.56</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>12.92 ± 0.45 to 8.94 ± 0.35</td><td>Ricchi et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>SALZ21</td><td>10.90 ± 0.29</td><td>10.63 ± 0.29</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>11.38 ± 0.34 to 8.36 ± 0.29</td><td>Ricchi et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>MUTT1<sup>#</sup></td><td>12.5 ± 0.6</td><td>12.0 ± 0.5</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>13.2 ± 0.3 to 10.2 ± 0.3</td><td>Ricchi et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>UNTE1<sup>#</sup></td><td>14.6 ± 0.4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>15.6 ± 0.4 to 11.0 ± 0.4</td><td>Ricchi et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>CAVR1<sup>#</sup></td><td>13.0 ± 0.3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>14.2 ± 0.2 to 10.4 ± 0.2</td><td>Ricchi et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>GOTT1<sup>#</sup></td><td>13.1 ± 0.2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>13.8 ± 0.3 to 11.6 ± 0.3</td><td>Ricchi et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="8">Mont Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges</td></tr><tr><td>VDG*</td><td>11.1 ± 0.2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>11.4 ± 0.6 to 10.7 ± 0.7</td><td>Grand'Homme et. al. (2016a)</td></tr><tr><td>AIGG1</td><td>10.23 ± 0.41</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>13.94 ± 0.83 to 9.47 ± 0.44</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>BLANC2</td><td>9.50 ± 1.10</td><td>8.12 ± 0.79</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>10.94 ± 0.57 to 7.16 ± 0.34</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>CAT2</td><td>9.77 ± 0.23</td><td>8.12 ± 0.79</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>12.90 ± 1.09 to 7.20 ± 0.33</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>HEL1</td><td>11.41 ± 0.50</td><td>11.14 ± 0.20</td><td>10.92 ± 0.39</td><td>8.24 ± 0.38</td><td></td><td>11.95 ± 0.30 to 7.69 ± 0.22</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>SALZ10</td><td>9.03 ± 0.19</td><td>7.91 ± 0.26</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>9.34 ± 0.33 to 7.23 ± 0.37</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>SALZ11</td><td>11.57 ± 0.30</td><td>11.42 ± 0.23</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>11.96 ± 0.47 to 7.76 ± 0.34</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>SALZ14</td><td>10.90 ± 0.50</td><td>9.64 ± 0.23</td><td>6.71 ± 0.23</td><td></td><td></td><td>11.29 ± 0.35 to 6.58 ± 0.15</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td>SALZ15</td><td>9.17 ± 0.26</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>9.90 ± 1.38 to 6.58 ± 0.33</td><td>Bergemann et. al. (2019)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="8">Belledonne and Pelvoux Massifs</td></tr><tr><td>EDR1*</td><td>11.7 ± 0.2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>11.7 ± 0.8 to 8.1 ± 0.4</td><td>Gasquet et. al. (2010)</td></tr><tr><td>EDR3*</td><td>11.5 ± 0.7</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>8.6 ± 1.4 to 7.2 ± 0.8</td><td>Gasquet et. al. (2010)</td></tr><tr><td>EDR4*</td><td>11.3 ± 0.7</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>8.1 ± 0.4 to 7.1 ± 0.5</td><td>Gasquet et. al. (2010)</td></tr><tr><td>MoE*</td><td>6.7 ± 0.9</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>12.2 ± 0.5 to 7.6 ± 0.5</td><td>Gasquet et. al. (2010)</td></tr><tr><td>MoB*</td><td>7.2 ± 0.4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>13.0 ± 0.5 to 12.1 ± 0.5</td><td>Gasquet et. al. (2010)</td></tr><tr><td>MoG*</td><td>5.4 ± 0.5</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>7.1 ± 0.4 to 6.5 ± 0.3</td><td>Gasquet et. al. (2010)</td></tr><tr><td>PdI*</td><td>17.6 ± 0.3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>11.7 ± 0.8 to 8.1 ± 0.4</td><td>Gasquet et. al. (2010)</td></tr><tr><td>RDN*</td><td>10.3 ± 0.5</td><td>8.3 ± 0.1</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>8.6 ± 1.4 to 7.2 ± 0.8</td><td>Grand'Homme et. al. (2016a)</td></tr><tr><td>LCO*</td><td>7.6 ± 0.2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>8.1 ± 0.4 to 7.1 ± 0.5</td><td>Grand'Homme et. al. (2016a)</td></tr><tr><td>KER*</td><td>7.5 ± 0.3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>12.2 ± 0.5 to 7.6 ± 0.5</td><td>Grand'Homme et. al. (2016a)</td></tr><tr><td>SOY*</td><td>11.8 ± 0.1</td><td>7.5 ± 0.2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>13.0 ± 0.5 to 12.1 ± 0.5</td><td>Grand'Homme et. al. (2016a)</td></tr><tr><td>E2R*</td><td>12.4 ± 0.1</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>7.1 ± 0.4 to 6.5 ± 0.3</td><td>Grand'Homme et. al. (2016a)</td></tr><tr><td>SAV*</td><td>6.7 ± 0.1</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>8.4 ± 0.5 to 6.0 ± 0.5</td><td>Grand'Homme et. al. (2016a)</td></tr><tr><td>SMC*</td><td>7.9 ± 0.3</td><td>6.3 ± 0.2</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>8.4 ± 0.5 to 6.0 ± 0.5</td><td>Grand'Homme et. al. (2016a)</td></tr></tbody></table>
<table><caption>**Table 1 (continued)**</caption><thead><tr><th>Sample</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Domain age</th><th>Spot age range</th><th>References</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td colspan="8">Argentera Massif</td></tr><tr><td>ISO*</td><td>20.6 ± 0.3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>22.0 ± 0.9 to 20.2 ± 0.8</td><td>Grand'Homme et al. (2016a)</td></tr><tr><td>MORI1</td><td>15.2 ± 0.3</td><td>15.1 ± 0.4</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>15.9 ± 0.4 to 14.2 ± 0.3</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020b)</td></tr><tr><td>VINA1</td><td>16.4 ± 0.2</td><td>15.3 ± 0.3</td><td>14.4 ± 0.5</td><td></td><td></td><td>16.7 ± 0.3 to 13.0 ± 0.2</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020b)</td></tr><tr><td>GESS1</td><td>14.9 ± 0.3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>16.2 ± 0.4 to 12.1 ± 0.3</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020b)</td></tr><tr><td colspan="8">Briançonnais and Piemontais</td></tr><tr><td>MTC*</td><td>32.3 ± 0.3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>32.9 ± 1.4 to 31.6 ± 1.2</td><td>Grand'Homme et al. (2016a)</td></tr><tr><td>MTV*</td><td>23.0 ± 0.3</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>23.9 ± 0.9 to 22.0 ± 0.8</td><td>Grand'Homme et al. (2016a)</td></tr><tr><td>VIU1</td><td>30.2 ± 0.5</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>33.2 ± 0.5 to 28.5 ± 0.5</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020b)</td></tr><tr><td>BALZI2</td><td>36.0 ± 0.6</td><td>30.3 ± 0.5</td><td>25.4 ± 0.5</td><td></td><td></td><td>50.1 ± 0.6 to 11.2 ± 0.6</td><td>Ricchi et al. (2020b)</td></tr></tbody></table>

Ages marked with * were obtained by LA-ICP-MS, all other data by ion microprobe. Ages marked with # differ from Ricchi et al. (2019) due difference in data reduction (see Additional file 1 for detailed explanation)

investigated fissures, weathering and vegetation cover. The rareness of clefts in the southeastern sector of the Lepontine dome (Fig. 1) indicates that fluids were either efficiently drained or not available on the melt bearing level of the dome (e.g., Burri et al., 2005), or the area highly overprinted due to large and non-localized deformation in this region. The latter is most likely, due to the frequent high-grade quartz veins in this area (i.e., sillimanite/kyanite-quartz veins; Allaz et al., 2005; Beitter et al., 2008), possibly indicating fluid escape in veins at amphibolite conditions.

Fissure monazite dating shows that fissure formation in association with metamorphism and tectonic movements occurred several times during the Alpine evolution (Fig. 5). In comparison with published orogenic timetables of the Alps (e.g., Pfiffner (2015) and references therein, fissure formation occurred after main thicken-ing and nappe development, mainly during post-nappe deformation. These post-nappe deformation stages were mainly related to exhumation processes. A special example of exhumation process occurred in the Tauern Window, where large scale folding was contemporaneous with normal faulting and strike-slip movements (Rosenberg et al., 2018). The vertical fissures developed mainly during these movements (Brenner-Katschberg phase in Pfiffner (2015)). Post-nappe deformation in the Central Alps included large scale folding and normal faulting (e.g., Chièra folding, Forcola- and Simplon normal faulting). In the external massifs (Aar Massif/Gotthard Nappe, Mont Blanc/Aiguilles Rouges Massifs and Belledonne/Pelvoux Massifs) fissure formation occurred during phases of dominant reverse faulting (e.g., Handegg deformation phase in the Aar Massif; Herwegh et al., 2020; Ricchi et al., 2019). This phase is related to the well-known post-nappe deformation of the Helvetic units (Ruchi phase in the east, Kiental phase in the west; Pfiffner 2011, 2015).

In the very-low grade metamorphic European foreland sediments fissures show two main orientations (Fig. 4). Their formation is related to late detachments and extensional movements in association with the exhumation of the external massifs. In the high-pressure dominated regions of the Western Alps, fissure formation occurred also during exhumation and Barrow-type metamorphic overprinting of the high-pressure units. In the Austroalpine units, eo-Alpine fissures formed in the Koralpe-Saualpe region during the exhumation following crustal thickening and Barrow-type metamorphism. The orientation (Fig. 4) indicates that they formed during the D3 deformation phase of Kurz and Fritz (2003). Fissures that formed in association with strike-slip faulting belong to the youngest generation in all areas.

Fissure monazite growth domain ages constrain the following episodes of fissure formation.

### 6.2.1 Cretaceous (eo-Alpine) episodes
110–90 Ma

This time range covers the eo-Alpine (Cretaceous) oceanic and continental subduction followed by continental thickening (e.g., Schuster et al., 2004; Thöni, 1999) including HP-LT and Barrovian metamorphism (e.g., Bousquet et al., 2012b; Frey et al. 1999). Locally, fissures, which formed at the latest around ~90 Ma (Bergemann et al., 2018; Fig. 5) are preserved. Depending on the metamorphic grade reached, fissure fluid is dominated by CO₂ or saline water (Fig. 6a). Fissures and clefts are vertical and ENE striking in the metamorphic regions of Saualpe-Koralpe (Koralpe-Wölz and Silvretta-Sekau Nappe Systems; e.g., Schuster et al., 2013) but very few data are available. Fissures have also been reported from the Pohorje ultra-high pressure unit (Niedermayr, 1992) and presumably formed at a similar time. A paleogeographic reconstruction from Handy et al. (2010),
<figure><img src="image_7.png" /><figcaption>**Fig. 5** Compilation of fissure monazite domain ages (dots with error bars) for different Alpine units. The vertical grey bars indicate the spot age range. Important events leading to fissure formation are marked with dashed red lines and boxes</figcaption></figure>

displaying in which tectonic situation Cretaceous fissure formation occurred, is shown in Fig. 7.

In the region south of the eastern Tauern Window, thermochronology shows Cenozoic metamorphic overprinting (e.g., Rosenberg & Berger, 2009; Rosenberg et al., 2015, 2018). Although we cannot exclude that Cenozoic fissures may exist in this area, we attribute these fissures to have formed during the Cretaceous orogeny (Fig. 6). Unfortunately, data are also lacking for the Austroalpine regions west of the Tauern Window. However, mica cooling ages (Satir, 1975; Thöni, 1981) indicate an eo-Alpine

metamorphism for this region, implying fissures in this area to be also Cretaceous in age.

## 90–70 Ma

Following exhumation, extensional movements along normal faults led to subsidence and formation of the Gosau basins in the Eastern Alps between 90 and 70 Ma (e.g., Wagreich, 1995). Locally, existing fissure monazite recrystallized during this tectonic activity (Bergemann et al., 2018). Quartz fluid inclusion data attributed to this deformation stage are shown in Fig. 6a.
(See figure on next page.)

**Fig. 6** Simplified tectonic map of the Alps (based on Bousquet et al., 2012b; Schmid et al., 2004), showing the prevailing quartz fluid inclusion compositions compiled in Poty et. al. (2007) and this study, attributed to tectonic episodes constrained by fissure monazite age dating. a Fissures located in Austroalpine units formed during the Cretaceous (eo-Alpine) Barrow-type metamorphism and subsequent Gosau basin formation at 90–70 Ma old. b Areas containing 36–30 Ma old fissure monazites correlate with fluid inclusion data that formed during greenschist to amphibolite facies overprinting of high- to ultrahigh-pressure areas (Briançonnais and Piemontais zones). c 22–5 Ma old fissure monazites domains correlating with areas where quartz fluid inclusions became trapped during regional scale metamorphism in association with the exhumation of the Tauern metamorphic dome, the Engadine Window (and probably also the Rechnitz Window), the Lepontine metamorphic dome, and the external Aar, Gotthard, Mont-Blanc, Aiguilles Rouges, Belledonne and Pelvoux massifs. In addition, fissure formation and fluid trapping also occurred in association with strike-slip faulting in the Central and Western Tauern Window, in the Lepontine dome, in the overprinted high-pressure units of the Western Alps, and in the external massifs. This is due to escape tectonics following maximal steepening of the external massifs. 10–5 Ma old monazite growth domains indicate subsequent episodic reactivation of strike-slip movements

## 6.2.2 Cenozoic episodes

### 36–30 Ma

The subduction of the European oceanic and fol-
lowing continental lithosphere produced the different
HP-LT metamorphism in the Western Alps (e.g., Agard
et al., 2003; Berger & Bousquet, 2008). Slab breakoff and
underthrusting of (ultra)high-pressure metamorphic
units by the European continental crust caused rapid
post-nappe exhumation, decompression and metamor-
phic overprinting of the HP assemblages at greenschist
to amphibolite facies conditions (e.g., Manzotti et al.,
2018; Schenker et al., 2015). Schenker et. al. (2015) pro-
posed that decompression of the HP Dora Maira, Monte
Rosa, Gran Paradiso, Adula-Cima Lunga and Zermatt-
Saas units down to ~1 GPa occurred within <2 Ma. The
associated fluid-assisted fissure formation may have been
triggered by this decompression tectonics. The vertical
to sub-vertical fissures in the HP Briançonnais and Pie-
montais units are all roughly NNW-striking (Fig. 4) indi-
cating an ENE striking of σ3. Fissures of this age show a
similar orientation from the Zermatt-Saas to the Dora
Maira regions (Fig. 4) and are oriented perpendicular to
the prevailing flat foliation and lineation. This probably
indicates that the younger counterclockwise rotations
of units (Collombet et al., 2002; Maffione et al., 2008;
Thomas et al., 1999) related to the opening of the Ligu-
rian basin mainly affected units located south of Dora
Maira/Pelvoux regions.

Monazite from fissures in these HP-LT regions of the Western Alps yielded crystallization ages of 36–30 Ma (Fig. 2). A paleogeographic reconstruction from Handy et. al. (2010) for 35 Ma showing the location of fissure formation in the exhuming Briançonnais units is given in Fig. 7. Faults active at 32 Ma are shown in Fig. 8. The prevailing fissure fluid is saline water, in the Dora Maira unit also CO2-rich (Fig. 6b). Fissure formation is also common in rodingites in ultramafic units of the Piemontais (e.g., Piccoli et al., 2007) and probably occurred roughly coevally.

Despite the lack of fissure monazite data from HP-LT regions between the Lepontine and Tauern domes (Fig. 2), radiometric and fission track data indicate that the decompression, and hence fissure formation likely occurred between 35 and 27 Ma in the Engadine Window, between 32 and 29 Ma in the Hinterrhein region (Wiederkehr et al., 2008) and between 33 and 32 Ma in the Adula Nappe (Liati & Gebauer, 2009). The areas of decompression from the HP-LT into greenschist facies (locations without a Barrovian overprint) have a different fissure record than the areas with a Barrovian overprint. However, in some areas, the “decompression greenschist” and the “Barrovian greenschist” are difficult to distinguish (Wiederkehr et al., 2008). Fissure monazites VALS and TAMB1 from the Adula and Tambo nappes analyzed by Bergemann et. al. (2020) and listed in Table 1 crystallized in association with the exhumation of the Lepontine Dome and not during the exhumation of the high-pressure rocks.

Even though fissure mineral crystallization ages are lacking for the western boundary of the Austroalpine to the Penninic units, fissures shown in Fig. 4 are interpreted to have formed in association with exhumation of high-pressure overprinted rocks.

### 25–12 Ma

The collision of the western Adria (Ivrea indenter) with Europe led to upward movements of the central part of the Alps in combination with strike slip movements along the Insubric Line (Schmid et al., 1989; Fig. 8). In the Lepontine dome region this led to the formation of large scale-upright asymmetric antiforms, an E–W extension and doming, with fissure orientations (Fig. 4) most commonly perpendicular to the foliation and rock lineation. This tectonic evolution seems connected to the counterclockwise rotation of Adria. Rotation has been related to the development of basins and oceanic crust west of this part of Adria (see van Hinsbergen et al., 2020) and includes the development of the Provençal basin, Ligurian basin and the Gulf of Lyon, which developed from the Oligocene to today (e.g., Dewey et al., 1989; Facenna
<figure><img src="image_8.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_9.png" /></figure>

<figure><img src="image_10.png" /></figure>
(See figure on next page.)

**Fig. 7** Paleogeographic reconstruction and cross sections from Handy et. al. (2010), depicting the main stages of fissure formation in association with extensional exhumation following nappe stacking during the Cretaceous and Cenozoic at 94 Ma, 35 Ma and 20 Ma. Open fissure form typically at 450–550 °C and 0.3–0.6 GPa or below (Mullis et al. 1994; Poty et al. 2007, 2018). The situation at 94 Ma is associated with exhumation of the Koralpe-Saualpe region. The situation at 35 Ma depicts the early exhumation of the high-pressure units in the future Western Alps, following the subduction of the Penninic units. Open fissures are NW striking and vertical in orientation. The reconstruction at 20 Ma shows the situation during early exhumation of the Tauern and Lepontine metamorphic and structural domes and of the external massifs. Open fissure forming until ~12 Ma are vertical in orientation and “N–S” oriented in the metamorphic domes (Fig. 4). Open fissure in the external massifs are horizontal in orientation (Fig. 4) and caused by reverse faulting (vertical foliation and down-dip lineation)

et al., 2001; Schmid et al., 2017; van Hinsbergen et al., 2020). The here interesting stage of oceanization in the Liguro-Provençal Basin occurred between 21 and 16 Ma and was accommodated by a ~50° counter-clockwise rotation of Sardinia–Corsica relative to Europa (Gattacceca et al., 2007). Paleomagnetic data (Collombet et al., 2002; Maffione et al., 2008; Thomas et al., 1999) show that this is connected to the 47–117° counterclockwise rotation of blocks inside the Liguran Alps and the area of Piemonte. This tectonic of the southern part of the Western Alps is related to stage 3 of forming the Western Alpine Arc in the sense of Schmid et. al. (2017). The related fissure formation occurs in association with greenschist and sub-greenschist facies ductile to brittle, dextral shear zones (e.g., Corsini et al., 2004). Corresponding fissures in the Argentera Massif are vertical and NE oriented (Fig. 4), and monazite yielded domain ages of 20.6±0.3 Ma (Grand’Homme et al., 2016a, 2016b) to 14.4±0.5 Ma (Ricchi et al., 2020b; Fig. 5). Dextral faulting along another shear zone in the Argentera Massif had started at 33.6±0.6 Ma (Sanchez et al., 2011), thus during exhumation of high-pressure units in the Western Alps. However, the fissure monazite record indicates that fault activity seems to have ceased at 14.4±0.5 Ma (Ricchi et al., 2020b). Faults considered active at 21 and 17 Ma are shown in Fig. 8.

Using the paleomagnetic data for backrotation brings the strike-slip faults of the Argentera Massif to a N–S orientation and this would indicate that corresponding fissures were originally E–W striking.

At ~22 Ma steep reverse faulting and formation of horizontal fissures and clefts started in the Mont Blanc Massif (e.g., Leloup et al., 2005; Poty et al., 2018). This reverse faulting (and related fissure generation) may have started at a slightly different age in the Aiguilles Rouges, Belledonne, Pelvoux and Aar massifs and in the Gotthard nappe. During strike-slip movements in the Maritime Alps (including the Argentera) and reverse faulting in the external massifs, fissure monazite domain ages as old as 21.7±0.4 Ma developed in the eastern Tauern Window (Ricchi et al., 2020a). These fissures are related to uplift of the Tauern Window in combination with strike-slip movement (e.g., Rosenberg et al., 2018). This deformation

is related to the Dolomite indenter tectonics, which may have ceased at ~15 Ma, consistent with the fissure monazite record of the eastern Tauern Window (Ricchi et al., 2020a). The geodynamically different movement of the Dolomite indenter (eastern Adria) versus the slightly different timing and deformation in the western part of Adria is consistent with paleogeographic reconstructions proposed by van Hinsbergen et. al. (2020).

A paleogeographic reconstruction at 20 Ma (Fig. 7) from Handy et. al. (2010) displays the tectonic situation and the location where fissure formation occurred. The stress field and related fissure orientations were changing to strike-slip movements at ~12 Ma, which will be discussed in the next section.

### ~12–5 Ma

At about 12 Ma (Fig. 8) strike-slip faults formed along the northern boundary of the Lepontine dome (Bergemann et al., 2020), along the boundaries and in sub-parallel fault zones within the external massifs and its activity has been dated with monazite (Bergemann et al., 2019; Berger et al., 2013; Gasquet et al., 2010; Grand’Homme et al., 2016; Ricchi et al., 2019). The strike-slip movements are accompanied with normal faulting (i.e. Simplon Fault; Mancktelow, 1992; Fig. 8). The kinematics of large system like the Simplon and the Rhone-Simplon faults produce veins (Haertel & Herwegh, 2014). Fissure and cleft monazites record ages as young as 5 Ma (Bergemann et al., 2020; Fig. 5) related to the strike-slip movements along the lateral ramp. Comparable young ages are found in the Aar Massif (Bergemann et al., 2017; Berger et al., 2013), along the Rhone-Simplon fault in the Lepontine Dome and the Mont Blanc/Aiguilles Rouges massifs (Bergemann et al., 2019, 2020) and in the Belledonne Massif (Gasquet et al., 2010; Grand’Homme et al., 2016). Monazite growth appears to have ceased around that time, most likely due to penetrating meteoric water giving way to very low grade cleft mineral crystallization such as zeolithes and clay minerals (e.g., Mullis et al., 2001a, 2001b; Sharp et al., 2005; Weisenberger & Bucher, 2010; Weisenberger et al., 2012).

Muscovite new growth in strike-slip faults (Schneider et al., 2013) and fissure monazite domain ages (Ricchi et al., 2020a) indicate an episodic reactivation of the
<figure><img src="image_11.png" /></figure>

strike-slip faults between ~12 and 9 Ma in the central and western Tauern Window (Fig. 8), probably coeval with activity along the Brenner detachment fault. Fissures

that formed during these different strike-slip movements show vertical orientation (Fig. 4), roughly parallel to the
(See figure on next page.)

**Fig. 8** Simplified tectonic map of the Alps based on Pleuger et. al. (2012), complemented with recent data. In addition to references listed in Pleuger et. al. (2012), fissure monazite age data (Bergemann et al. 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020; Berger et al., 2013; Gasquet et al., 2010; Gnos et al., 2015; Grand'Homme et al. 2016a; Janots et al., 2012; Ricchi et al., 2019, 2020a, 2020b) and data from Schönborn (1992) were considered. Using the present tectonic constellation, the drawings show schematically Cenozoic faults active at 32 Ma, 21 Ma, 17 Ma, 12 Ma and 9 Ma. During Alpine collision, frontal faulting shifted progressively to more external parts, but fault and thrust reactivation occurred also in internal parts. The oldest monazites dated in association with strike-slip faulting derive from the exhumed high-pressure units of the Western Alps and the Argentera Massif. Fissure monazites recording < 12 Ma fault activity are mainly found in the Central and Western Tauern Window (Ricchi et al., 2020a), the northern, western and southern limits of the Lepontine dome (Bergemann et al., 2020), and in all the external massifs, except Argentera (e.g., Bergemann et al., 2019; Ricchi et al., 2020b; Fig. 4). Many of the faults active at 9 Ma are still active today

older fissure generation. Faults active at 12 and 9 Ma are shown in Fig. 8.

## 6.3 Fissures and the σ3 orientation

By interpreting fissures as mode 1 fractures (e.g., Twiss & Moores, 2007), the measured orientations of fissures give additional information about the stress field during their formation. However, from fissure orientation only no related movement can be inferred. Therefore, the fissure data give not the same quality of information as palaeostress analysis using additionally lineations on faults or seismic data using beach-ball analysis. Moreover, the local dynamics of cleft opening may include reorientation of the local relationship of preexisting fractures and stress field. The latter can for example be recognized by sigmoidal-shaped veins or sigmoidal ending of clefts. Such differences can locally be recognized by detail field work, but the most frequent clefts are large, more or less straight openings, developing at least initially during mode 1 fracturing.

A compilation of best estimates for the σ3 axes of palaeostress orientations based on brittle structures was provided by Bertrand and Sue (2017) and is shown in Fig. 4 together with the fissure orientation. The orientation of fissures, that formed in the 12–5 Ma range in the Lepontine dome and in the external massifs, except Argentera, are generally in good agreement with the inferred σ3 directions of Bertrand and Sue (2017) (Fig. 4). These fissures are mainly related to dextral strike-slip faulting. This is also true for the sinistral strike-slip related fissures in the Tauern Window and the estimated stress field (Bertrand et al., 2015). Stress ellipsoid orientation obtained from earthquake analysis is also comparable with this late faulting (e.g., Fréchet et al., 2011). However, the Plio-Quaternary σ3 directions of Bertrand and Sue (2017) in the Western Alps are not represented in our fissure orientation dataset (Fig. 4). The inferred Plio-Quaternary σ3 directions are influenced by the exhumation and topographic evolution of the mountain belt. In contrast to missing insights in the youngest history, fissure orientations have the potential to preserve older stress fields (Fig. 4). Combining the presented fissure

orientations of > 25 Ma old fissures in the Austroalpine and the high pressure units of the Western Alps, the data show that stress fields of different age may be similar in orientation.

## 6.4 Fluid evolution

In most cases, the initial fissure-filling fluid is of metamorphic origin and the composition is rock-buffered (Heijboer et al., 2003a; Mangenot et al., 2021; Mullis, 1996; Mullis & De Capitani, 2000; Mullis & Tarantola, 2015; Mullis et al., 1994, 2017; Poty, 1969; Tarantola et al., 2007, 2009). This fluid composition and physical conditions (P/T) determine the habit of quartz (Fig. 3; Mullis, 1991; Mullis et al., 1994), the dominating mineral in most fissures. On the other hand, the quartz habit allows for a fluid zone assessment where fluid inclusion data are lacking. The later fluid evolution in the same region may be different. For example, a fissure may become overprinted, as has been shown by Bergemann et. al. (2017) in the Aar Massif, where a horizontal fissure that had formed during reverse faulting was later overprinted by strike slip movements. The reopening of the fissure fluid system during a change in the stress field (from reverse faulting to strike-slip faulting) caused chemical disequilibrium within the fissures. In several areas of the saline water zone in the external massifs renewed fissure deformation was associated with localized infiltration of a CO₂-rich fluid, causing mineral reactions, fluid unmixing and sceptre quartz (often amethyst) overgrowths on previously crystallized long prismatic or Tessin habit quartz (e.g., Burgsteiner, 2004; Hossfeld, 1977; Mullis, 1991, 1996; Mullis & De Capitani, 1997; Mullis et al., 1994; Poty, 1969; Stalder et al., 1998).

More generalized, with decreasing temperature different types of fluid evolution have been observed (Mullis et al., 1994): (1) Decrease in the amount of volatiles and dissolved salt at an increase of bulk fluid inclusion density; (2) Episodes of volatile (CH₄ or CO₂) enrichment leading to formation of sceptre and ‘window-shaped’ quartz (amethyst overgrowth), and (3) Strong salt enrichment due to attribution of channelized fluids derived from evaporates.
ca. 9 Ma
(Tortonian)

<figure><img src="image_12.png" /></figure>

ca. 12 Ma
(Serravallian)

<figure><img src="image_13.png" /></figure>

ca. 17 Ma
(Burdigalian)

<figure><img src="image_14.png" /></figure>

ca. 21 Ma
(Aquitanian)

<figure><img src="image_15.png" /></figure>

ca. 32 Ma
(Rupelian)

<figure><img src="image_16.png" /></figure>
At temperatures below ~300 °C, meteoric water may penetrate some fissure systems (Bergemann et al., 2017; Bucher & Weisenberger, 2013; Heijboer et al., 2003b, 2006; Mullis, 2011; Mullis et al., 1994, 2001a, 2001b; Sharp et al., 2005; Wolf & Mullis, 2012; Wolf et al., 2015) and dilute the fissure-filling fluid. This is commonly associated with a late growth of zeolite minerals in the fissures due to changes in fluid composition (e.g., Weisenberger & Bucher, 2010).

## 7 Conclusion

The combination of fluid inclusion data, crystal habit observations, isotope dating and structural data illustrate the complex and long lasting process for fissure/cleft formation in the Alps. Whereas the fluid history and the related mass transfer is locally controlled and depending on the composition of the country rock, the structural setting and timing of the fissures will give insights into the evolution of the Alps. Where fluid inclusion data are lacking, the quartz habit may be used to estimate quartz formation temperature and fluid type (Fig. 3).

The concentration of open fissures and clefts is most elevated in the Tauern Window, the Lepontine Dome and the external massifs, but fissures occur locally in all parts of the Alps (Fig. 1). The unequal distribution of fissures may be related to metamorphic grade, the connected rheology, the amount and distribution of deformation, and fluid availability. Areas with high amounts of non-localized deformation have little fissure preservation potential due to ongoing overprinting (see for example veins in the southern Lepontine dome).

Our data show that fissure formation occurred in different regions of the Alps at different times:

1. In the Austroalpine region fissure mineral formation is constrained between 90 and 70 Ma (Bergemann et al., 2018), in association with metamorphic dome formation and shear zone activity during Barrow-type metamorphism overprinting high-pressure metamorphic areas. The ENE orientation of the fissures indicates a SSE-NNW directed extension during exhumation of the Koralpe-Saualpe region.

2. In the high to ultrahigh pressure region of the Western Alps (and possibly also in corresponding units of the Tauern and Engadine Windows) fissure formation is associated with folding and exhumation of subducted material (e.g., Ceriani et al., 2001; Fügenschuh & Schmid, 2003). At least in the Western Alps this exhumation followed a cool decompression path including backthrusting and normal faulting into the greenschist facies. This led to fissure monazite crystallization between 36 and 30 Ma.

3. In the Tauern Window and the Lepontine Dome, fissure monazite crystallization occurred in association with dome formation between 22 and 12 Ma. Fissure formation started at >22 Ma in the Tauern, and somewhat later in the Lepontine dome (Fig. 6). Reverse faulting and related large fissure formations in the external massifs started also at ~22 Ma. Fissure formation in association with shear zone activity occurred coevally in the Argentera Massif and in the Briançonnais zone. The fissure formation in the Argentera Massif and in the Briançonnais zone are linked to dextral strike-slip movements lasting at least until $14.4 \pm 0.5$ Ma (Ricchi et al., 2020b).

4. Strike-slip movements starting at ~12 Ma and lasting until today were producing vertical fissures and clefts in different regions of the Alps (Fig. 8). Fissure formation is concentrated (or limited) to regions. Episodic reactivation of strike-slip movements of faults and connected fissures is best documented in the fissure monazite record.

Combining different methods (isotope dating, fluid inclusions, structures) open fissures provide important complementary information about the thermal-, fluid- and geodynamic evolution of the Alps and other orogens. Where fluid inclusion data are lacking, the quartz habit can be used to constrain the fluid type. Fissures are highly concentrated in areas where the brittle/ductile transition is preserved. Some areas with exhumed medium-grade amphibolite facies of higher-grade metamorphism contain either no fissures or completely overprinted fissures described as veins. In areas of missing competence contrast of the material, the brittle-ductile transition may never be reached and fissures are hence rare or completely missing.

## Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s00015-021-00391-9.

**Additional file 1: Table S1.** Th-U-Pb analyses of monazite by ion micro-probe (SwissSIMS). Analyses resulting in unreliable dates (e.g. presence of cracks, affected by Pbc causing high uncertainty) were not considered and are written in italic. **Figure S1.** Chemical, textural, and geochronological information for fissure monazite grains originally published in Ricchi et. al. (2019). Colour-filled circles on BSE images, correspond to ion probe spot locations. The defined growth domains (A, B, C...) are indicated on BSE images with a distinct colour code (red, orange, blue...). Spot ages considered in the weighted mean age calculations are indicated by colour-filled bars whereas spot ages only considered in the age range are indicated by open bars (bar length representing the spot age plus its 2 σ uncertainty).

## Acknowledgements

Romain Bousquet is thanked for having provided the tectonic map of the Alps in cylindrical-projection for this study and Franz Walter for information
about fissure orientations. This work was funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, projects 200021-143972 and 200020-165513. We thank the two anonymous reviewers and Adrian Pfiffner for their very helpful comments.

**Authors' contributions**

The original fluid inclusion compilation was drawn by JM, and complemented by EG. Fluid inclusion evolution, quartz morphologies and their fluid inclusion derived formation temperatures are mainly contributed by JM. Fissure orientation data are from EG and JM. ER recalculated some monazite age data and provided Fig. 5. EG prepared the manuscript, with contributions from all coauthors. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

**Funding**

This work was funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, projects 200021-143972 and 200020-165513.

**Availability of data and materials**

All data used are from published papers. Unpublished material is provided in Additional file.

**Declarations**

**Ethics approval and consent to participate**

Not applicable.

**Consent for publication**

All authors have given their consent for publication.

**Competing interests**

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

**Author details**

¹Natural History Museum of Geneva, Route de Malagnou 1, 1208 Geneva, Switzerland. ²Department of Earth Sciences, University of Basel, Bernoullistrasse 32, 4056 Basel, Switzerland. ³Department of Earth Sciences, University of Geneva, Rue de Maraîchers 13, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland. ⁴Institute of Geosciences, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 236, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. ⁵University of Grenoble, ISterre, 38041 Grenoble, France. ⁶Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 8+10, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.

Received: 20 July 2020 Accepted: 3 April 2021

Published online: 10 May 2021

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