High-resolution imaging of the crustal-scale structure of the Central Pyrenees and role of Variscan inheritance on its geodynamic evolution

The objective of the IMAGYN project is to obtain a high resolution image of the cortical structure of the Central Pyrenees and to analyze the role played by the previous variscan structures and the heterogeneity of their materials from the petrophysical point of view in the geodynamic evolution of the orogen.

The proposed project represents a continuation of the current GEOPIRI3D project whose main objective was the 2.5D and 3D characterization of the cortical structure of the Central Pyrenees with special attention to granitic bodies and permo-carboniferous volcanic-sedimentary basins from geological and geophysical data, mainly gravimetric and petrophysical data of the whole study area and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility in permo-carboniferous volcanic rocks of the Cadi basin.

The IMAGYN project proposes the characterization at higher resolution of an extended study area in the Central Pyrenees through the integration of geological data with geophysical data from different techniques. The reason for extending the study area to the north and east is to obtain a more accurate picture of the continuation of the structures, the possible relationship between the granites and gneisses that outcrop in the area and those that remain buried, and to find the markers that allow us to reconstruct the geological history of the Pyrenees since the Variscan orogeny.

To meet the proposed objectives, new gravimetric, petrophysical and magnetic susceptibility anisotropy data will be acquired to have the most homogeneous coverage possible of the entire study area. New magnetotelluric data and passive seismic data will be acquired to constrain the geometry of the main structures at depth. Surface magnetic data will also be acquired to complement the aeromagnetic data and to have more resolution in the models.

IMAGYN is part of the GAPCO project (Geodynamic and petrogenetic controls of the Permo-Carboniferous magmatism of the Catalan Pyrenees) and is coordinated with the MACIN project (Mantle/Crust interaction in the Permo-Carboniferous magmatism of the Catalan Pyrenees).