Permo-Carboniferous Rifting and Magmatism in Europe (PCR) [1997-2001]

The major aim of the PCR project was to understand the geodynamics of Permo-Carboniferous rifting and associated magmatism in the northern foreland of the Variscan orogenic belt. For comparative purposes, the project also included a detailed study of Permo-Carboniferous rifting in the Iberian Peninsula, within the Variscan orogen.

Six participants in five different countries were involved, including a consortium of industrial partners co-ordinated by the hydrocarbon company Norsk Hydro*, Norway. Marjorie Wilson was the Network coordinator.

• Participant 1: Leeds University, UK
• Participant 2: Universitetet i Oslo, Norway
• Participant 3: Norsk Hydro, Norway*
• Participant 4: GEOMAR, Kiel, Germany
• Participant 5: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam,Netherlands
• Participant 6: Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales(CSIC), Madrid, Spain

The PCR project was funded by the European Commission as a Framework IV TMR Network with a total budget of ca 1.08 million euros.

PCR: Original Objectives

• To determine the relationship between the onset of magmatism, regional uplift and extensional tectonics.
• To determine, by high quality Ar-Ar and U-Pb zircon dating, the chronology of magmatic events within the province.
• To evaluate the role of thermally anomalous mantle i.e a mantle plume or super-plume in the petrogenesis of the magmas and to evaluate the excess mantle temperature via geochemical, He-Ne-Ar and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic studies of the most primitive mafic magmas erupted within the province.
• To determine the onset and magnitude of uplift and thermal subsidence across the area, in order to evaluate the magnitude of any thermal pulse.
• To integrate petrological/geochemical data with both onshore and offshore geophysical (seismic, gravity, magnetic) and geological data to understand the dynamics of the Permo-Carboniferous rifting and its associated magmatism.
• To evaluate the thermal evolution of the lithosphere in the northern foreland of the Variscan orogen during Permo-Carboniferous times. This has important implications with respect to the maturation of hydrocarbon source rocks.

PCR Publications

Wilson, M., Neumann, E.-R., Davies, G.R., Timmerman, M.J., Heeremans, M. & Larsen, B.T. (2004) Permo-Carboniferous Magmatism and Rifting in Europe. Geological Society, London, Special Publication 223.