Ralf Schuster

• PhD
• Geologist at GeoSphere Austria

We investigated rare earth element (REE) minerals in low- to medium-grade metapelites sampled in two nappes of the Austroalpine Unit (Eastern Alps, Austria). Combining microstructural and chemical characterization of the main and REE minerals with thermodynamic forward modeling, Raman spectroscopy on carbonaceous material (RSCM) thermometry and in...

In the Graz Paleozoic in the Eastern Alps (Austria), stratiform Pb-Zn-Ag-Ba deposits have been mined in the past. They are classified as sedimentary-exhalative (SEDEX) deposits and are hosted by polyphase deformed greenschist facies metasediments and volcanics of the Schönberg Formation (Schöckel nappe; Drauzug-Gurktal nappe system), which is upper...

Der vorliegende Bericht beschreibt Kartierungsergebnisse rund um den Sölkpass, aus dem obersten Katschtal, Etrachtal, Großsölktal, Bräualmbachtal und Schödergraben auf den Kartenblättern ÖK50 Blatt 128 Gröbming, 129 Donnersbach, 158 Stadl a.d. Mur und 159 Murau (Abb. 1). Die bearbeiteten Areale schließen an Kartierungen aus den vergangenen Jahren a...

The Troiseck-Floning and Rosskogel nappes are part of the Austroalpine Unit in the eastern part of the Eastern Alps. The nappes are in tectonic contact and comprise Permian to Mesozoic lower greenschist facies metamorphic metasediments, but only the Troiseck-Floning Nappe consists of a pre-Permian crystalline basement (Troiseck Complex) as well. LA...

In this article, dumortierite from Croatia is described for the first time. Dumortierite formed in a pegmatite dyke cutting through Cretaceous two-mica leucogranite of the magmatic-metamorphic complex of Mt. Moslavačka Gora. The pegmatite dyke shows a magmatic mineral association of coarse-grained quartz, orthoclase, microcline and albite, less abu...

Kartierbericht

The Neo-Tethys margin evolution is preserved in the Northern Calcareous Alps (Eastern Alps), from Late Permian crustal stretching to Late Triassic oceanization. The Northern Calcareous Alps represent the salt-floored fold-and-thrust developed from the salt-influenced Triassic carbonate sedimentary cover of the ancestral European margin of the Neo-T...

Mapping report

Mapping report

There is an ongoing debate as to whether rare element pegmatite is always related to fractional crystallization of huge fertile granite bodies or whether it can also form directly from limited portions of enriched anatectic melt. In this contribution, we present a case study from the Eastern European Alps, showing the continuous evolution from melt...

The sedimentary exhalative (=SEDEX) deposits of the Graz Paleozoic (Austroalpine Unit, Eastern Alps) carry raw materials that have been important for basic supply for a long time (Ag, Pb and Zn). Some of the raw materials that are potentially available in these ores (barite, Co, In, Sb and Ge) have been put on the list of critical raw materials by...

The kinematic evolution of the Western Carpathian and Eastern Alpine orogenic belts shows similarities but also differences. In both orogens Eo-Alpine (Cretaceous) deformation is prevalent in the internal southeastern part, whereas nappe stacking in the northern frontal part occurred during the Neo-Alpine (Cenozoic) phase, which caused also back th...

The landforms of Austria are the direct consequence of a continuous interplay between tectonic and climatic forces that have built, destroyed and reshaped the surface of the most iconic mountain belt on Earth for almost 40 Million years. As such, landforms can only be understood with a thorough geological background. This paper gives an overview of...

Secondary minerals occur within the tholeiitic basalts of Salsette Island in the greater Mumbai region, as well as in other localities in the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP). However, the secondary minerals of Salsette Island show remarkable differences with respect to their mineral speciation and precipitation sequence, which are both due to their...

The Meran-Mauls nappe stack is part of the Austroalpine unit in South Tyrol (Italy). There it holds a special position directly in front of the Southalpine Dolomites indenter and west of the Tauern Window. It is situated in the hanging wall of the Southalpine unit, above a NW dipping segment of the Periadriatic fault system, namely the Meran-Mauls...

The Koralpe-Wölz nappe system, as part of the Austroalpine nappe complex, belongs to the crystalline basement of the Eastern Alps and is composed of different metasedimentary complexes with mono-, bi-, or polymetamorphic history (Schmid et al., 2004; Habler & Thöni, 2001; Thöni & Miller, 2009). Very little is known about the protoliths of the Koral...

This work describes the Freyenstein Fault System, which extends over 45 km in the southeastern part of the Bohemian Massif (Lower Austria). It represents a ductile shear zone overprinted by a brittle fault located at the eastern edge of the South Bohemian Batholith towards the Moldanubian nappes. It affects Weinsberg-and a more "fine-grained" grani...

The Koralpe-Wölz nappe system, as part of the Austroalpine nappe complex, belongs to the crystalline basement of the Eastern Alps and is composed of different metasedimentary complexes with mono-, bi-, or polymetamorphic history (SCHMID et al. 2004; HABLER & THÖNI 2001; THÖNI & MILLER 2009). This nappe system experienced high grade Eo-Alpine metamo...

At the northwestern margin of the Gurktal Alps (Eastern Alps), Eoalpine (Cretaceous) thrusting of carbonaceous material (CM) bearing metasediments formed a very low- to low-grade metamorphic nappe stack above higher-grade metamorphic basement nappes. Sedimentary burial as well as progressive metamorphism transformed the enclosed CM to anthracite, m...

The Mt. Papuk heteroadcumulate pyroxene–amphibole gabbronorites, which outcrops at the southern margin of the Tisza Mega-Unit, is suggested to stem from the deep oceanic crust formed by the in situ crystallisation in a supposed magma chamber. Amphibole oikocrystals are found to define a poikilitic texture of analysed rocks. A common enclosure in am...

The Dinaridic segment of Neotethys was affected by a widespread shortening and related subduction-accretion-obduction processes that commenced in the middle Jurassic. In the Dinarides, the Krivaja-Konjuh Ophiolite Complex (KKOC) stands as the largest ophiolite complex with a well-exposed metamorphic sole which is the key to understanding the dynami...

Georeferenced version of the tectonic map of Schmid et al. (2020; Plate 1) provided by Jan Pleuger, FU Berlin VERSION 1.0 (8.5.2020) The original map of Schmid et al. (2020) has been slightly modified (“Tectonic_map_Schmid_et_al_20200508.pdf”) in order to achieve a better accuracy for georeferencing. The dataset contains the georeferenced version...

A new geological map of the Oberwölz Basin (Styria/Austria) This report summarizes results from geological mapping of the Neogene Oberwölz Basin (Styria/Austria) and its immediately underlying basement. Micaschist, calcare¬ous schist, marble, quartzite and different types of metabasites belonging to the Murau Nappe and “Basal Micaschist Nappes” for...

New structural and thermochronological (zircon and apatite fission track) data from the eastern most Alps highlight distinct deformation phases affecting the Austroalpine unit along a major sinistral strike‐slip fault system, the Mur‐Mürz fault (MMF). The data link deformation to vertical motions prior to, during, and after the main phase of latera...

We present a map that correlates tectonic units between Alps and western Turkey accompanied by a text providing access to literature data, explaining the concepts used for defining the mapped tectonic units, and first-order paleogeographic inferences. Along-strike similarities and differences of the Alpine-Eastern Mediterranean orogenic system are...

Rare element pegmatite is an important host for critical elements crucial to the high-tech industry (Li, Nb, Ta …). All types are raditionally interpreted as products of highly fractionated granitic melts and thought to be genetically linked to large parental fertile granite bodies. Recent studies, however, suggest that some pegmatite fields includ...

The Koralpe-Wölz nappe system, as part of the Austroalpine nappe complex, is an element of the crystalline basement of the Eastern Alps. After SCHMID et al (2004), the Koralpe-Wölz nappe system is part of the Upper Austroalpine and is composed of different metasedimentary complexes with mono-, bi-, or polymetamorphic history (HABLER& THÖNI, 2001;...

In this study we present first data from U/Pb dating of detrital zircons measured on samples of several complexes of the Koralpe-Wölz nappe system. Additionally, we give an outlook on the samples which are already sampled and in progress at present. These age data will give information about potential provenance areas, maximum ages of sediment depo...

In den letzten Jahrzehnten wurden geologische Daten und Informationen immer umfangreicher und vielschichtiger. Um diese Daten zu sammeln und digital verfügbar zu machen, wurden und werden gerade an der Geologischen Bundesanstalt (GBA) verschiedene Datensätze entwickelt. Einer davon ist die Störungsdatenbank der GBA, die Informationen über verschied...

Flood basalts of the Deccan Volcanic Province erupted between about 67.5 to 60.5 Ma ago and reached a thickness of up to 3500 m. The main part consists of compound and simple lava flows with a tholeiitic composition erupted within 500,000 years at about 65 Ma. Within the compound lava flows, vesicles and cavities are frequent. They are filled by se...

In this study we present first data from U/Pb dating of detrital zircons measured on samples of several complexes of the Koralpe-Wölz nappe system (Eastern Alps). Additionally, we give an outlook on the samples which are already sampled and in progress at present. These age data will give information about potential provenance areas, maximum ages o...

The Kreuzeck Mountains are located between the Tauern Window in the north and the Southalpine unit in the south. They expose an Eoalpine (Cretaceous) nappe stack of Adria derived continental crust. The Koralpe–Wölz Nappe System in the footwall partly experienced Cretaceous eclogite-facies metamorphism, while the Drauzug-Gurktal Nappe System in the...

In the Eastern Alps (Central Europe), about two dozen spodumene pegmatite bodies extend heterogeneously over the Austroalpine Unit. They are spatially associated with leucogranites and simple pegmatites formed during the Permian extensional event. The pegmatites and leucogranites were overprinted during the Alpine orogeny with different intensities...

The Tisza and Dacia mega-units constitute a central part of the Alps-Carpathians-Dinarides orogenic system. Polyphase medium-grade metamorphism observed in mineral assemblages from the crystalline basement is often correlated with Variscan and pre-Variscan events. However, a mid-Cretaceous Sm–Nd garnet age (103.6 ± 1.8 Ma) from the Apuseni Mountain...

Detailed description of samples and methodology for U-Th-Pb measurement of monazite, thermobarometry and sample preparation for Sm-Nd garnet analyses

In this contribution, we present a scale-independent database for tectonic boundaries in Austria, with the aim of collecting and structuring available kinematic information in a searchable way. The database contains a hierarchical classification scheme for tectonic boundaries, which sorts (brittle) faults and (ductile) shear zones into groups of lo...

The rock avalanche of Auernig with a volume of 140–175 m3, a transport distance of about 6 km and a travel angel (Fahrböschung) of 15° is the largest reconstructed rapid landslide event in the Hohen Tauern mountain range. This study is based on detailed geological mapping, sedimentological investigations and radiometric dating. In addition, data fr...

The Tisza and Dacia mega-units constitute a central part of the Alps-Carpathians-Dinarides orogenic system. Polyphase medium-grade metamorphism observed in mineral assemblages from the crystalline basement has been correlated with Variscan and pre-Variscan events. However, a mid-Cretaceous Sm-Nd garnet age (104 ± 2 Ma) from the Apuseni Mountains is...

The explanatory notes for the map sheet 67 Gruenau/Almtal contain Information on the stratigraphy and tectonics of the Northern Calcareous Alps, the Rhenodanubian Nappe System (Flysch Zone) and the Molasse Zone in Upper Austria and on the stratigraphy of the Quaternary

The Variscan European Belt is a complex orogen with its southern margin partly obscured by Alpine tectonics and metamorphism. We present a study of one of the units, the Seckau Complex, that constitute the southern part of the Variscan European Belt in the Eastern Alps in order to clarify its origin, age and lithostratigraphy. The magmatic and geoc...

New Sm/Nd age data of the Szarvaskő plagiogranite, Szarvaskő Nappe, Bükk Mts., NE Hungary

The Austroalpine Units of the Eastern Alps are derived from the continental crust of the northern Adriatic continental margin. They consist of several basement and/or cover nappes, which were affected differently by Phanerozoic tectono-metamorphic events. This work presents new age and PT data from the Kreuzeck Mountains located to the south of the...

The Austroalpine Units of the Eastern Alps are derived from the continental crust of the northern Adriatic continental margin. They consist of several basement and/or cover nappes, which were affected differently by Phanerozoic tectono-metamorphic events. This work presents new age and PT data from the Kreuzeck Mountains located to the south of the...

Petrographic data evidences two separate medium-grade metamorphic overprints in both, Tisza and Dacia mega-units of the Apuseni Mountains. New Th-U-Pb monazite data in combination with Sm-Nd garnet analyses allows the correlation of one of these two medium-grade overprints to Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous times. Furthermore, different age clusters...

In the Austroalpine unit of the Eastern Alps, spodumene pegmatites spread heterogeneously over an EW distance of more than 400 km. These pegmatites are classified as albite-spodumene pegmatites of the rare element (RE) class (Černý & Ercit, 2005) and thought to be products of fractional crystallization of parent plutonic bodies (Göd, 1989). However...

During Permian and Triassic times the continental units of the present day Alps were affected by lithospheric extension, causing crustal basaltic underplating, high temperature-low pressure metamorphism and intense magmatic activity within the crust (Schuster & Stüwe, 2008; Thöni et al., 2008). In this abstract we discuss the distribution of Permia...

The changing shape of indenting crustal blocks during northward motion of the Adriatic microplate induced migration of Miocene doming and orogen-parallel extension of orogenic crust in the Tauern Window. New structural and kinematic data indicate that initial shortening of the Penninic nappe pile in the Tauern Window by upright folding and strike-s...

The polymetamorphic Austroalpine Units of the Eastern Alps were derived from the northern Adriatic continental margin and have been significantly reworked during the Eoalpine intracontinental subduction. Several major basement/cover nappe systems, which experienced a markedly different tectono-metamorphic history, characterize the complex internal...

The polymetamorphic Austroalpine Units of the Eastern Alps were derived from the northern Adriatic continental margin and have been significantly reworked during the Eoalpine intracontinental subduction. Several major basement/cover nappe systems, which experienced a markedly different tectono-metamorphic history, characterize the complex internal...

In the Austroalpine unit of the Eastern Alps spodumene bearing pegmatites occur heterogeneously distributed over an E-W distance of more than 400 km. They are usually associated with barren pegmatites which crystallisized in Permian time. There a two schools of thought about the genesis of the spodumene bearing pegmatites: Economic geologists bring...

Correlating the basement units of the Alps, Carpathians and Dinarides is challenging, because Neogene sediments of the Pannonian Basin cover large parts of the area. However, based on growing knowledge on the surrounding mountain belts and data from core material from the basement of the basin several compilations have been published (e.g Schmid et...

Basement rocks from the Biharia Nappe System in the Apuseni Mountains comprise several dolomite and calcite marble sequences or lenses which experienced deformation and metamorphic overprint during the Alpine orogeny. New Sr, O and C-isotope data in combination with considerations from the lithological sequences indicate Middle to Late Triassic dep...

Obtained Th-U-Pb ages of monazites from the Apuseni Mountains show significant peaks in the range between 128-148 Ma which are attributed to a Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous metamorphic event. The dataset clearly indicates Alpine orogeny in the Bihor Unit (Tisza Mega-Unit) and the Biharia Nappe System of the Dacia Mega-Unit. Permian monazite ages f...

New Ar–Ar muscovite and Rb–Sr biotite age data in combination with structural analyses from the Apuseni Mountains provide new constraints on the timing and kinematics of deformation during the Cretaceous. Time–temperature paths from the structurally highest basement nappe of the Apuseni Mountains in combination with sedimentary data indicate exhuma...

Seminar talk at the Friedrich-Schiller University

In diesem Beitrag werden jene Bereiche der Kartenblätter GK50 Blatt 103 Kindberg und 135 Birkfeld behandelt, die aus Gesteinen des Ostalpinen Kristallins aufgebaut werden (siehe dazu SCHUSTER , 2016: Abb. 2, 3). Das Ostalpine Kristallin wird in dieser Arbeit vollständig in tektonische und lithostratigrafische bzw. lithodemische Einheiten unterglied...

The core of the Alpine orogen in the Eastern Alps (Tauern Window) experienced a change from orogen-normal shortening and post-nappe doming to predominantly orogen-parallel extension and tectonic unroofing during late Oligocene to Miocene northward indentation of the Adriatic Microplate. A new 147 Sm/ 144 Nd isochron age of 25.7 ± 0.9 Ma on a garnet...

Permian metapegmatite muscovite from the Upper–Austroalpine Matsch Unit in Southern Tyrol (Italy) was investigated regarding its Rb/Sr and compositional retentivity during Cretaceous Upper–greenschist facies deformation. The data imply, that microstructurally relic Permian magmatic muscovite largely maintained its major and trace element compositio...

Mafic intrusive rocks are subordinately represented fragments of the oceanic crust in the ophiolite mélange exposed at Mts. Kalnik and Ivanščica located in the NW Dinaric-Vardar ophiolite zone. This ophiolite mélange occurs in the northern area of the Kalnik Unit and represents the SW surface boundary of the Zagorje-Mid-Transdanubian Shear Zone. Th...

New Rb-Sr biotite age data from meta-granitoids of the Seckau Nappe (Eastern Alps) are discussed to constrain its tectonometamorphic evolution. Within the basement of the Seckau Nappe a clear distinction between S- and I- Type granitoids can be established. The S- type granites are mainly part of the structurally uppermost sections and are covered...

In this study the P-T-t evolution of the Jenig Complex (Austroalpine) which is part of the crystalline basement of the Gail valley (Carinthia/Austria) has been investigated. The Jenig Complex covers an area of about 1.5 km2 on the slopes of the valley directly north of Jenig. It consists of mica schists, quarzitic mica schists, quartzites and parag...

This study presents new petrological data and Rb-Sr biotite ages from the southeastern margin of the Graz Paleozoic and the underlying complexes of the Anger Crystalline Unit. Recent mapping of the area constrains a new tectonic and lithostratigraphic subdivision. Some new lithostratigraphic units containing metapelites were introduced, and their m...

Petrological investigations on metapelites and metamarls from the Raasberg Mountain (Styria/Austria) in the southeastern part of the Paleozoic of Graz (GP) points to a polymetamorphic evolution. Chemical zoning pattern of garnets from mica schists show distinct cores with low X Gro-values of about 0.05 and rims with significantly higher X Gro-value...

New Ar-Ar ms, Rb-Sr bt and Sm-Nd grt age data in combination with microprobe analyses and structural data from the Apuseni Mountains provide new constraints for the tectonic evolution of the Tisza and Dacia Mega-Units during the Late Jurassic-Late Cretaceous time interval, which is of special importance for the present day arrangement of tectonic u...

In the Austroalpine unit of the Eastern Alps pegmatites containing the Li-pyroxene spodumene (LiAl[Si2O6]) occur heterogeneously distributed over a distance of more than 400 km. They are spatially associated with barren pegmatites lacking rare element mineralizations. There is a debate about the genesis of the pegmatites: Mining geologists argue fo...

The Apuseni Mountains in Romania occupy a central position within the Alpine-Carpathian-Dinaride system between the Pannonian basin in the West and the Transylvanian basin in the East. Following the final Late-Jurassic obduction of the East Vardar ophiolites, a NW-vergent nappe stack formed, which involves from bottom to top: Tisza- and Dacia-deriv...

Neogene orogen-parallel extensional in the Tauern and Rechnitz Windows and eastward lateral extrusion of the Eastern Alps are manifested, respectively, by exhumation and cooling and by subsidence of pull-apart basins. These events overlap in time, giving rise to the question of their relationship. The Tauern Window exposes relics of the European co...

Crystal structures, chemical (including light elements) and spectral data (optical and Mossbauer spectroscopies) were used to characterize coloured (brown, pink, green) tourmalines from three granitic pegmatites from the Moldanubian nappes (Konigsalm, Maigen and Blocherleitengraben; Lower Austria). The tourmalines can be classified as fluor-schorl,...