Microfabrics and deformation processes in magmatic veins of the Thuringian Forest, Germany

Abstract

The research area is located in the Ruhla-Brotterode crystalline complex in the western part of the Thuringian Forest (Germany), about 20km southsouthwest of Eisenach. The investigated outcrops occur at the eastern and western flanks of the valleys north of the villages Trusetal and Hohleborn. Deformed magmatic veins only occur in the Hohleborn area. Both areas have relative fresh outcropping rocks, due to the steep relief, former quarries and fresh road cuts. According to Obst & Katzung (2000) several periods with the formation of magmatic veins with different chemical composition occur in the Ruhla-Brotterode crystalline complex. Presumably older lamprophyric veins and younger doleritic, syenitporphyric and granitporphyric veins have been identified (Obst & Katzung 2000). Benek & Schust (1988) already pointed out that some of these magmatic veins have experienced ductile deformation. The subject of this work is the occurrence of deformed magmatic veins in the Hohleborn area. The contact to their host rocks, their petrography and their microfabrics have been investigated and related to deformation processes, which led to a better understanding of their deformation conditions within the late-to post-variscan development of the area.