Tab. 2: U-Pb ion-microprobe ages from Taymyr peninsula

We present the initial results of a U-Th-Pb zircon ion-microprobe investigation on samples from the Central Belt of Taimyr, in order to constrain its tectono-magmatic evolution. The zircon samples are from a deformed twomica granite (Faddey Massif), deformed metamorphosed gabbroic dike entrained as pods and lenses within metamorphosed tholeiitic basalts of the Kunar-Mod volcanic suite (Klyaz'ma River region), a metamorphosed rhyolite of the same volcanic suite overlying the basic metavolcanic rocks, as well as an undeformed dolerite dike which intrudes the metamorphosed Kunar-Mod basic volcanic rocks. Preliminary results on zircons from the two-mica granite suggest a crystallization age of ~630 Ma for this rock, with inheritance from assimilated crust 840 Ma to 1.1 Ga in age. In the Klyaz'ma River region, zircons from the meta-rhyolite yield a concordant age of -630 Ma. Zircons from the entrained metagabbroic dikes have so far yielded an age of -615 Ma (1 grain), as well as Archean ages (5 grains, concordant at 2.6-2.8 Ga). It seems likely that the Archean grains represent assimilation of older crustal material. Zircons from the post-tectonic dolerite dike have a bimodal age distribution. A well-defined younger age of 281 ±9 Ma is interpreted to represent the crystallization age of the dike, while older, concordant ages of 2.6-2.9 Ga likely represent assimilation of Archean crust (Siberian craton at depth). Several important conclusions can be drawn from the data. (1) The mafic and felsic lithologies of the Kunar-Mod volcanic suite are genetically related and should be the same age. Ages of-630 Ma (meta-rhyolite) and -615 Ma (metagabbroic dikes representing the latest stage of mafic magmatism associated the Kunar-Mod suite) suggest that these lithologies may be the same age, but more data are required to confirm this hypothesis. (2) The 630 Ma two-mica granite is similar in age to the time of high-grade metamorphism, suggesting that syntectonic granite emplacement accompanied obduction of the accretionary Central Belt to the Siberian craton. (3) An Early Permian age is well defined for the undeformed dolerite dike. Dolerite dikes occur across the whole of Taimyr, but are deformed to the south. If related, this single magmatic event pre-dates Permo-Triassic Siberian trap magmatism. Furthermore, it suggests that deformation was localized to southeastern Taimyr.

A rare earth element study of complex zircons from early Archaean Amitsoq gneisses, Godthåbsfjord, south-west Greenland

We present high spatial resolution ion-microprobe rare earth element (REE) data for discrete growth phases of complex polyphase zircons from early Archaean Amitsoq gneisses, outer Godthabsfjord, SW Greenland. In Matsuda diagrams, the two major growth phases, >3.8 Ga cores and ca. 3.65 Ga rims, have steep positive slopes from La to Lu, prominent positive Ce anomalies and negative Eu anomalies that are consistent with growth in a melt. Exceptions to this are non-cathodolurnmescent zircon developed between the cores and rims, sometimes truncating zoning in the cores, and late Archaean prismatic tip overgrowths, both of which exhibit flatter light REE (LREE) patterns and have small or no Eu anomaly, which we interpret as the result of metamorphism and/or small-degree, isolated partial melting. Our data support previous interpretations that the ca. 3.65 Ga zircon phase was generated in a melt, with the >3.8 Ga phase representing either original protolith zircons in a large degree partial melt or inherited zircons in an introduced magma. Regardless which of these two interpretations is correct for these, and similar, rocks in the outer GodthAbsfjord, the 3.65 Ga event will have profoundly affected isotopic systems and obscured beyond recognition any earlier igneous features such as cross-cutting relationships, which may only be assigned a minimum 3.65 Ga age. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Inheritance of early Archaean Pb-isotope variability from long-lived Hadean protocrust

Comparison of initial Pb-isotope signatures of several early Archaean (3.65-3.82 Ga) lithologies (orthogneisses and metasediments) and minerals (feldspar and galena) documents the existence of substantial isotopic heterogeneity in the early Archaean, particularly in the Pb-207/Pb-204 ratio. The magnitude of isotopic variability at 3.82-3.65 Ga requires source separation between 4.3 and 4.1 Ga, depending on the extent of U/Pb fractionation possible in the early Earth. The isotopic heterogeneity could reflect the coexistence of enriched and depleted mantle domains or the separation of a terrestrial protocrust with a U-238/Pb-204 (mu) that was ca. 20-30% higher than coeval mantle. We prefer this latter explanation because the high-p signature is most evident in metasediments (that formed at the Earth's surface). This interpretation is strengthened by the fact that no straightforward mantle model can be constructed for these high-mu lithologies without violating bulk silicate Earth constraints. The Pb-isotope evidence for a long-lived protocrust complements similar Hf-isotope data from the Earth's oldest zircons, which also require an origin from an enriched (low Lu/Hf) environment. A model is developed in which greater than or equal to3.8-Ga tonalite and monzodiorite gneiss precursors (for one of which we provide zircon U-Pb data) are not mantle-derived but formed by remelting or differentiation of ancient (ca. 4.3 Ga) basaltic crust which had evolved with a higher U/Pb ratio than coeval mantle in the absence of the subduction process. With the initiation of terrestrial subduction at, we propose, ca. 3.75 Ga, most of the greater than or equal to3.8-Ga basaltic shell (and its differentiation products) was recycled into the mantle, because of the lack of a stabilising mantle lithosphere. We argue that the key event for preservation of all greater than or equal to3.8-Ga terrestrial crust was the intrusion of voluminous granitoids immediately after establishment of global subduction because of complementary creation of a lithospheric keel. Furthermore, we argue that preservation of !3.8-Ga material (in situ rocks and zircons) globally is restricted to cratons with a high U/Pb source character (North Atlantic, Slave, Zimbabwe, Yilgarn, and Wyoming), and that the Pb-isotope systematics of these provinces are ultimately explained by reworking of material that was derived from ca. 4.3 Ga (i.e. Hadean) basaltic crust.

Assigning dates to thin gneissic veins in high-grade metamorphic terranes: A cautionary tale from Akilia, southwest Greenland

A granodiorite from Akilia, southwest Greenland, previously suggested to date putative life-bearing rocks to greater than or equal to3.84 Ga, is re-investigated using whole-rock major and trace-element geochemistry, and detailed cathodoluminescence image-guided secondary ion mass spectrometer analyses of zircon U-Th-Pb and rare earth elements. Complex zircon internal structure reveals three episodes of zircon growth and/or recrystallization dated to c. 3.84 Ga, 3.62 Ga and 2.71 Ga. Rare earth element abundances imply a significant role for garnet in zircon generation at 3.62 Ga and 2.71 Ga. The 3.62 Ga event is interpreted as partial melting of a c. 3.84 Ga grey gneiss precursor at granulite facies with residual garnet. Migration of this 3.62 Ga magma (or melt-crystal mush) away from the melt source places a maximum age limit on any intrusive relationship. These early Archaean relationships have been complicated further by isotopic reworking in the 2.71 Ga event, which could have included a further episode of partial melting. This study highlights a general problem associated with dating thin gneissic veins in polyphase metamorphic terranes, where field relationships may be ambiguous and zircon inheritance can be expected.

Dating prograde fluid pulses during subduction by in situ U–Pb and oxygen isotope analysis

Keywords High-pressure fluids · Whiteschists · U–Pb dating · Oxygen isotopes · Ion microprobe · Metasomatism Introduction The subduction of crustal material to mantle depths and its chemical modification during burial and exhumation contribute to element recycling in the mantle and the formation of new crust through arc magmatism. Crustal rocks that Abstract The Dora-Maira whiteschists derive from metasomatically altered granites that experienced ultrahighpressure metamorphism at ~750 °C and 40 kbar during the Alpine orogeny. In order to investigate the P–T–time– fluid evolution of the whiteschists, we obtained U–Pb ages from zircon and monazite and combined those with trace element composition and oxygen isotopes of the accessory minerals and coexisting garnet. Zircon cores are the only remnants of the granitic protolith and still preserve a Permian age, magmatic trace element compositions and δ18O of ~10 ‰. Thermodynamic modelling of Si-rich and Si-poor whiteschist compositions shows that there are two main fluid pulses during prograde subduction between 20 and 40 kbar. In Si-poor samples, the breakdown of chlorite to garnet + fluid occurs at ~22 kbar. A first zircon rim directly overgrowing the cores has inclusions of prograde phlogopite and HREE-enriched patterns indicating zircon growth at the onset of garnet formation. A second main fluid pulse is documented close to peak metamorphic conditions in both Si-rich and Si-poor whiteschist when talc + kyanite react to garnet + coesite + fluid. A second metamorphic overgrowth on zircon with HREE depletion was observed in the Si-poor whiteschists, whereas a single metamorphic overgrowth capturing phengite and talc inclusions was observed in the Si-rich whiteschists. Garnet rims, zircon rims and monazite are in chemical and isotopic equilibrium for oxygen, demonstrating that they all formed at peak metamorphism at 35 Ma as constrained by the age of monazite (34.7 ± 0.4 Ma) and zircon rims (35.1 ± 0.8 Ma). The prograde zircon rim in Si-poor whiteschists has an age that is within error indistinguishable from the age of peak metamorphic conditions, consistent with a minimum rate of subduction of 2 cm/year for the Dora-Maira unit. Oxygen isotope values for zircon rims, monazite and garnet are equal within error at 6.4 ± 0.4 ‰, which is in line with closed-system equilibrium fractionation during prograde to peak temperatures. The resulting equilibrium Δ18Ozircon-monazite at 700 ± 20 °C is 0.1 ± 0.7 ‰. The in situ oxygen isotope data argue against an externally derived input of fluids into the whiteschists. Instead, fluidassisted zircon and monazite recrystallisation can be linked to internal dehydration reactions during prograde subduction. We propose that the major metasomatic event affecting the granite protolith was related to hydrothermal seafloor alteration post-dating Jurassic rifting, well before the onset of Alpine subduction.

Geochemistry of fallout tephra from ODP Hole 125-782A

Very rare, halogen-rich andesite melt inclusions (HRA) in bytownitic plagioclase phenocrysts (An89-90) from tephra fallout of the Izu arc volcanic front (Izu VF) provide new insights into the processes of fluid release from slab trenchward to the volcanic front in a cool subduction zone. These HRA are markedly enriched in Cl, F and Li - by factors of up to 8 (Cl, F) and 1.5 (Li) - but indistinguishable with respect to the fluid-mobile large-ion lithophile elements (LILE; K, Sr, Rb, Cs, Ba, Pb, U), rare earths (REE) or high field strength elements (HFSE) from the low-K tholeiitic magmas of the Izu VF. We suggest that the chemical signature of the HRA reflects the presence of a fluid in the mantle source that originated from the serpentinized mantle peridotite above the metacrust. This "wedge serpentinite" presumably formed by fluid infiltration beneath the forearc and was subsequently down-dragged with the slab to arc front depths. The combined evidence from the Izu VF (?110 km above slab) and the outer forearc serpentinite seamounts (~25 to 30 km above slab) suggests that the slab flux of B and Cl is highest beneath the forearc, and decreases with increasing slab depths. In contrast, the slab flux of Li is minor beneath the forearc, but increases with depth. Fluorine may behave similarly to Li, whereas the fluid-mobile LILE appear to be largely retained in the slab trenchward from the Izu VF. Consequently, the chemical signatures of both Izu trench sediments and basaltic rocks appear preserved until arc front depths.

Integrated Pb- and S-isotope investigation of sulphide minerals from the early Archaean of southwest Greenland

We present high-spatial resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) measurements of Pb and S isotopes in sulphides from early Archaean samples at two localities in southwest Greenland. Secondary pyrite from a 3.71 Ga sample of magnetite-quartz banded iron formation in the Isua Greenstone Belt, which has previously yielded unradiogenic Pb consistent with its ancient origin, contains sulphur with a mass independently fractionated (MIF) isotope signature (Delta(33)S =+3.3 parts per thousand). This reflects the secondary mineralization of remobilized sedimentary S carrying a component modified by photochemical reactions in the early Archaean atmosphere. It further represents one of the most extreme positive excursions so far known from the early Archaean rock record. Sulphides from a quartz-pyroxene rock and an ultramafic boudin from the island of Akilia, in the Godth (a) over circle bsfjord, have heterogeneous and generally radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions that we interpret to represent partial re-equilibration of Pb between the sulphides and whole rocks during tectonothermal events at 3.6, 2.7 and 1.6 Ga. Both these samples have Delta(33)S=0 (within analytical error) and therefore show no evidence for MIF sulphur. These data are consistent with previous interpretations that the rock cannot be proven to have a sedimentary origin. Our study illustrates that SIMS S-isotope measurements in ancient rocks can be used to elucidate early atmospheric parameters because of the ability to obtain combined S and Pb-isotope data, but caution must be applied when using such data to infer protolith. When information from geological context, petrography and chronology (i.e. by Pb isotopes) is combined and fully evaluated, Delta(33)S signatures from sulphides and their geological significance can be interpreted with a higher degree of confidence. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Imaging liver and brain glycogen metabolism at the nanometer scale.

In mammals, glycogen synthesis and degradation are dynamic processes regulating blood and cerebral glucose-levels within a well-defined physiological range. Despite the essential role of glycogen in hepatic and cerebral metabolism, its spatiotemporal distribution at the molecular and cellular level is unclear. By correlating electron microscopy and ultra-high resolution ion microprobe (NanoSIMS) imaging of tissue from fasted mice injected with (13)C-labeled glucose, we demonstrate that liver glycogenesis initiates in the hepatocyte perinuclear region before spreading toward the cell membrane. In the mouse brain, we observe that (13)C is inhomogeneously incorporated into astrocytic glycogen at a rate ~25 times slower than in the liver, in agreement with prior bulk studies. This experiment, using temporally resolved, nanometer-scale imaging of glycogen synthesis and degradation, provides greater insight into glucose metabolism in mammalian organs and shows how this technique can be used to explore biochemical pathways in healthy and diseased states. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: By correlating electron microscopy and ultra-high resolution ion microprobe imaging of tissue from fasting mice injected with (13)C-labeled glucose, the authors demonstrate a method to image glycogen metabolism at the nanometer scale.

Recrystallisation rims in zircon (Valle d'Arbedo, Switzerland): an integrated cathodoluminescence, LA-ICP-MS, SHRIMP, and TEM study

Recrystallization rims are a common feature of zircon crystals that underwent metamorphism. We present a microstructural and microchemical study of partially recrystallized zircon grains collected in polymetamorphic migmatites (Valle d'Arbedo, Ticino, Switzerland). The rims are bright in cathodo-luminescence (CL), with sharp and convex contacts characterized by inward-penetrating embayments transgressing igneous zircon cores. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging indicate that the rims are chemically and microstructurally different from the cores. The rims are strongly depleted in REE, with concentrations up to two orders of magnitude lower than in the cores, indicating a significant loss of REE during zircon recrystallization. Enrichment in non-formula elements, such as Ca, has not been observed in the rims. The microstructure of zircon cores shows a dappled intensity at and below the 100 nm scale, possibly due to radiation damage. Other defects such as pores and dislocations are absent in the core except at healed cracks. Zircon rims are mostly dapple-free, but contain nanoscale pores and strain centers, interpreted as fluid inclusions and chemical residues, respectively. Sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U-Pb ages show that the recrystallization of the rims took place >200 Ma ago when the parent igneous zircon was not metamict. The chemical composition and the low-Ti content of the rims indicate that they form at sub-solidus temperatures (550-650 degrees C). Recrystallization rims in Valle d'Arbedo zircon are interpreted as the result of the migration of chemical reaction fronts in which fluid triggered in situ and contemporaneous interface-coupled dissolution-reprecipitation mechanisms. This study indicates that strong lattice strain resulting from the incorporation of a large amount of impurities and structural defects is not a necessary condition for zircon to recrystallize. Our observations suggest that the early formation of recrystallization rims played a major role in preserving zircon from the more recent Alpine metamorphic overprint.

Garnet growth in the metasediments of the Zermatt-Saas Fee zone (western alps)

The Zermatt-Saas Fee Zone (ZSZ) in the Western Alps consists of multiple slices of ultramafic, mafic and metasedimentary rocks. They represent the remnants of the Mesozoic Piemonte-Ligurian oceanic basin which was subducted to eclogite facies conditions with peak pressures and temperatures of up to 20-28 kbar and 550-630 °C, followed by a greenschist overprint during exhumation. Previous studies, emphasizing on isotopie geochronology and modeling of REE-behavior in garnets from mafic eclogites, suggest that the ZSZ is buildup of tectonic slices which underwent a protracted diachronous subduction followed by a rapid synchronous exhumation. In this study Rb/Sr geochronology is applied to phengite included in garnets from metasediments of two different slices of the ZSZ to date garnet growth. Inclusion ages for 2 metapelitic samples from the same locality from the first slice are 44.25 ± 0.48 Ma and 43.19 ± 0.32 Ma. Those are about 4 Ma older than the corresponding matrix mica ages of respectively 40.02 ± 0.13 Ma and 39.55 ± 0.25 Ma. The inclusion age for a third calcschist sample, collected from a second slice, is 40.58 ± 0.24 Ma and the matrix age is 39.8 ± 1.5 Ma. The results show that garnet effectively functioned as a shield, preventing a reset of the Rb/Sr isotopie clock in the included phengites to temperatures well above the closure of Sr in mica. The results are consistent with the results of former studies on the ZSZ using both Lu/Hf and Sm/Nd geochronology on mafic eclogites. They confirm that at least parts of the ZSZ underwent close to peak metamorphic HP conditions younger than 43 m.y. ago before being rapidly exhumed about 40 m.y. ago. Fluid infiltration in rocks of the second slice occurred likely close to the peak metamorphic conditions, resulting in rapid growth of garnets. Similar calcschists from the same slice contain two distinct types of porphyroblast garnets with indications of multiple growth pulses and resorption indicated by truncated chemical zoning patterns. In-situ oxygen isotope Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) analyses along profiles on central sections of the garnets reveal variations of up to 5 %o in individual garnets. The complex compositional zoning and graphite inclusion patterns as well as the variations in oxygen isotopes correspond to growing under changing fluid composition conditions caused by external infiltrated fluids. The ultramafic and mafic rocks, which were subducted along with the sediments and form the volumetrically most important part of the ZSZ, are the likely source of those mainly aqueous fluids. - La Zone de Zermatt-Saas Fee (ZZS) est constituée de multiples écailles de roches ultramafiques, mafiques et méta-sédimentaires. Cette zone, qui affleure dans les Alpes occidentales, représente les restes du basin océanique Piémontais-Ligurien d'âge mésozoïque. Lors de la subduction de ce basin océanique à l'Eocène, les différentes roches composant le planché océanique ont atteint les conditions du faciès éclogitique avec des pressions et des températures maximales estimées entre 20 - 28 kbar et 550 - 630 °C respectivement, avant de subir une rétrogression au faciès schiste vert pendant l'exhumation. Différentes études antérieures combinant la géochronologie isotopique et la modélisation des mécanismes gouvernant l'incorporation des terres rares dans les grenats des éclogites mafiques, suggèrent que la ZZS ne correspond pas à une seule unité, mais est constituée de différentes écailles tectoniques qui ont subi une subduction prolongée et diachrone suivie d'une exhumation rapide et synchrone. Afin de tester cette hypothèse, j'ai daté, dans cette étude, des phengites incluses dans les grenats des méta-sédiments de deux différentes écailles tectoniques de la ZZS, afin de dater la croissance relative de ces grenats. Pour cela j'ai utilisé la méthode géochronologique basée sur la décroissance du Rb87 en Sr87. J'ai daté trois échantillons de deux différentes écailles. Les premiers deux échantillons proviennent de Triftji, au nord du Breithorn, d'une première écaille dont les méta-sédiments sont caractérisés par des bandes méta-pélitiques à grenat et des calcschistes. Le troisième échantillon a été collectionné au Riffelberg, dans une écaille dont les méta-sédiments sont essentiellement des calcschistes qui sont mélangés avec des roches mafiques et des serpentinites. Ce mélange se trouve au-dessus de la grande masse de serpentinites qui forment le Riffelhorn, le Trockenersteg et le Breithorn, et qui est connu sous le nom de la Zone de mélange de Riffelberg (Bearth, 1953). Les inclusions dans les grenats de deux échantillons méta-pélitiques de la première écaille sont datées à 44.25 ± 0.48 Ma et à 43.19 ± 0.32 Ma. Ces âges sont à peu près 4 Ma plus vieux que les âges obtenus sur les phengites provenant de la matrice de ces mêmes échantillons qui donnent des âges de 40.02 ± 0.13 Ma et 39.55 ± 0.25 Ma respectivement. Les inclusions de phengite dans les grenats appartenant à un calcschiste de la deuxième écaille ont un âge de 40.58 ± 0.24 Ma alors que les phengites de la matrice ont un âge de 39.8 ± 1.5 Ma. Pour expliquer ces différences d'âge entre les phengites incluses dans le grenat et les phengites provenant de la matrice, nous suggérons que la cristallisation de grenat ait permis d'isoler ces phengites et de les préserver de tous rééquilibrage lors de la suite du chemin métamorphique prograde, puis rétrograde. Ceci est particulièrement important pour expliquer l'absence de rééquilibrage des phengites dans des conditions de températures supérieures à la température de fermeture du système Rb/Sr pour les phengites. Les phengites en inclusions n'ayant pas pu être datées individuellement, nous interprétons l'âge de 44 Ma pour les inclusions de phengite comme un âge moyen pour l'incorporation de ces phengites dans le grenat. Ces résultats sont cohérents avec les résultats des études antérieures de la ZZS utilisant les systèmes isotopiques de Sm/Nd et Lu/Hf sur des eclogites mafiques. ils confirment qu'aux moins une partie de la ZZS a subi des conditions de pression et de température maximale il y a moins de 44 à 42 Ma avant d'être rapidement exhumée à des conditions métamorphiques du faciès schiste vert supérieur autour de 40 Ma. Cette étude détaillée des grenats a permis, également, de mettre en évidence le rôle des fluides durant le métamorphisme prograde. En effet, si tous les grenats montrent des puises de croissance et de résorption, on peut distinguer, dans différents calcschists provenant de la deuxième écaille, deux types distincts de porphyroblast de grenat en fonction de la présence ou non d'inclusions de graphite. Nous lions ces puises de croissances/résorptions ainsi que la présence ou l'absence de graphite en inclusion dans les grenats à l'infiltration de fluides dans le système, et ceci durant tous le chemin prograde mais plus particulièrement proche et éventuellement peu après du pic du métamorphisme comme le suggère l'âge de 40 Ma mesuré dans les inclusions de phengites de l'échantillon du Riffelberg. Des analyses in-situ d'isotopes d'oxygène réalisé à l'aide de la SHRIMP (Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe) dans des coupes centrales des grenats indiquent des variations jusqu'à 5 %o au sein même d'un grenat. Les motifs de zonations chimiques et d'inclusions de graphite complexes, ainsi que les variations du δ180 correspondent à une croissance de grenat sous des conditions de fluides changeantes dues aux infiltrations de fluides externes. Nous lions l'origine de ces fluides aqueux aux unités ultramafiques et mafiques qui ont été subductés avec les méta-sédiments ; unités ultramafiques et mafiques qui forment la partie volumétrique la plus importante de la ZZS.

Early Carboniferous age of the Versoyen ophiolites and consequences: non-existence of a "Valais ocean'' (Lower Penninic, western Alps)

Ophiolites occur at several places in the Lower Penninic of the W and Central Alps. They are generally ascribed to oceanic crust of a so-called ``Valais ocean'' of Cretaceous age which plays a fundamental role in many models of Alpine paleogeography and geodynamics. The type locality and only observational base for the definition of a ``Valais ocean'' in the W Alps is the Versoyen ophiolitic complex, on the French-Italian boundary W of the Petit St-Bernard col. The idea of a "Valais ocean'' is based on two propositions that are since 40 years the basis for most reconstructions of the Lower Penninic: (1) The Versoyen forms the (overturned) stratigraphic base of the Cretaceous-Tertiary Valais-Tarentaise series; and (2) it has a Cretaceous age. We present new field and isotopic data that severely challenge both propositions. (1) The base of the Versoyen ophiolite is a thrust. It overlies a wildflysch with blocks of Versoyen rocks, named the Mechandeur Formation. This ``supra-Tarentaise'' wildflysch has been confused with an (overturned) stratigraphic transition from the Versoyen to the Valais-Tarentaise series. Thus the contact Versoyen/Tarentaise is not stratigraphic but tectonic, and the Versoyen ophiolite has no link with the Valais basin. This thrust corresponds to an inverse metamorphic discontinuity and to an abrupt change in tectonic style. (2) The contact of the Versoyen complex with the overlying Triassic-Jurassic Petit St-Bernard (PSB) series is stratigraphic (and not tectonic as admitted by all authors since 50 years). Several types of sedimentary structures polarize it and show that the PSB series is younger than the Versoyen. Consequently the Versoyen ophiolitic complex is Paleozoic and forms the basement of the PSB Mesozoic sediments. They both belong to a single tectonic unit, named the Versoyen-Petit St-Bernard nappe. (3) Ion microprobe U-Pb isotopic data on zircons from the main gabbroic intrusion in the Versoyen complex give a crystallization age of 337.0 +/- 4.1 Ma (Visean, Early Carboniferous). These zircons show typical oscillatory zoning and no overgrowth or corrosion. and are interpreted to date the Versoyen magmatism. These U-Pb data are in excellent agreement with our field observations and confirm the Paleozoic age of the Versoyen ophiolite. The existence of a ``Valais ocean'' of Cretaceous age in the W Alps becomes very improbable. The eclogite facies metamorphism of the Versoyen-Petit St-Bernard nappe results from an Alpine intra-continental subduction, guided by a Paleozoic oceanic suture. This is an example of the lone term influence of inherited deep-seated structures on a Much younger orogeny. This might well be a major cause of of the inherent complexity of the Alps.