Primordial geodynamics of Southern Carpathian-Balkan basements (Serbo-Macedonian Mass): Avalonian vs. Cadomian arc segments

This review deals with a highly complex set of dismembered peri-Gondwanan exotic polymetamorphic basement systems accommodated outside of the well-explored European Variscides, extending from the controversial Serbo-Macedonian hinterland up to the East Moesian Alpine foreland. The isotopic and limited detrital zircon ages are coupled with the lithotectonic and palinspastic record in order to restore the earliest peri-Gondwanan developments in modern-day South-east Europe (Carpatho-Balkanides and surrounding areas). The results suggest that these rather bewildering, occasionally underexplored tectonometamorphic suites exhibit Cadomian arc inheritance in a flanking part of this belt, whilst inferior Avalonian are positioned more internally. (C) 2018 The Geologists' Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.