Provenance of flysch units on Elba Island, a detrital U-Pb zircon approach
This MSc project aims to improve our understanding of the role of flysch units within the Alpine–Apenninic orogenic wedge on Elba Island (Northern Apennines, Tuscany). The project will focus on reconstructing the sediment provenance of these flysch deposits using U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology.
Supervisors
Main supervisor: Joachim Jacobs, UiB-GEO
Co-supervisor: Sergio Rocchi, University of Pisa
Project title
Elba Island preserves a well-exposed orogenic wedge in which ophiolitic units are tectonically juxtaposed against the Adriatic continental margin. However, the geodynamic evolution of this system remains debated. Some models invoke a composite evolution involving both Alpine and Apenninic phases, including subduction flip, whereas others propose a prolonged, exclusively Apenninic, west-directed subduction history. These contrasting models make distinct predictions about sediment provenance, particularly whether flysch deposits record contributions from both Adria- and Europe derived sources, or predominantly European sources.
At present, no detrital zircon provenance data are available for the Elba flysch units. This project therefore offers the opportunity to generate a new dataset capable of directly testing competing geodynamic models.
The student will receive training in:
- U–Pb detrital zircon provenance analysis
- Mineral separation and sample preparation techniques
- Interpretation of provenance data in a tectonic framework
The project includes a small field component linked to the GEOV252 Geological Field Mapping course on Elba, where samples will be collected and placed in their structural and sedimentological context.
Field-, lab- and analysis work
Fieldwork linked to Geov252 Geological Field Mapping.
U-Pb zircon analyses, ICPMS, GEO