The Dinaric Ophiolite Belt: Microstructural observations from the metamorphic sole and its tectonic importance

The Dinaric Ophiolite Belt, an integral part of Inner Dinarides located in the Western Balkans, represents a significant piece of the Tethyan Mesozoic oceanic crust recording processes of subduction related metamorphism followed by exhumation. This study presents new microstructural data of the metamorphic sole from Zlatibor Ophiolite massif, located in Western Serbia, offering insight into the tectono-thermal evolution associated with the emplacement of oceanic lithosphere onto the continental margin during the Upper Jurassic.

Field observations from amphibolites of the metamorphic sole preserve a NW-SE trending mineral and stretching lineations associated with the main transport direction during obduction. Kinematic indicators in the Zlatibor massif are less clear and may reflect a strong flattening component during emplacement.

The ophiolite, dated to Middle to Upper Jurassic, provides a temporal framework for understanding the evolution of this segment of the Peri-Tethyan realm. Amphibolites within the metamorphic sole exhibit high pressure-medium temperature conditions, reflecting the thermal gradients typical for early stages of subduction.

The metamorphic sole of the Dinaric Ophiolite Belt serves as a good example for investigating the interplay between oceanic and continental lithosphere during the Jurassic. Understanding the timing and the mechanisms of ophiolite emplacement is critical for reconstructing the geodynamic evolution of the surrounding Tethyan domains.