Yoann Denèle is a structural geologist, specializing in the tectonic evolution of the ductile domains of orogens.Julien Berger is a petrologist, specializing in the magmatic and metamorphic evolution of ancient orogenic belts and magmatic arcs.

• Preface ixYoann DENÈLE and Julien BERGERIntroduction xiYoann DENÈLE and Julien BERGERList of Figures xxiChapter 1 The Variscan Belt: History of the Evolution of Methods and Concepts 1Olivier VANDERHAEGHE1.1 Introduction 11.2 Beginnings of geology, from the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution 31.2.1 From Earth’s history to regional geology 31.2.2 Stratigraphy of the Paleozoic at the front of the Variscan belt 51.2.3 Concepts of deep magmatism and metamorphism 71.2.4 Microscopic analysis of crystalline rocks 91.2.5 Theory of magmatic uplifting 101.2.6 Geosynclinal theory developed from the Appalachians 121.2.7 Mountain belt vergence theory 131.3 Debate between fixists and mobilists from the late 19th to early 20th centuries 141.3.1 Geosynclinal theory and the European Variscan belt 141.3.2 Zoneography of metamorphism in the Variscan belt 151.3.3 Nappes, migmatites and plutons of the internal Variscan belt 181.3.4 The Variscan belt and continental drift 231.4 Unification of the Earth sciences in the late 1960s 271.4.1 The Variscan belt at the time of plate tectonics 271.4.2 Principal sutures and continental blocks 291.4.3 Paleogeographical reconstructions 311.4.4 Geodynamic tectonic models 311.5 Conclusion and challenges of the 21st century 331.6 References 34Chapter 2 Paleogeographical and Paleo-Geodynamic Context of the Variscan Belt 47Jean-Marc LARDEAUX and Karel SCHULMANN2.1 Introduction 472.2 Litho-tectonic zonation of the Variscan belt and identification of the principal "paleogeographical domains": contribution of great precursors and evolution of ideas 482.3 Paleogeographic reconstructions: paleontological, paleo-climatological and mineralogical data 692.4 Paleomagnetic data and paleogeographic reconstructions 772.4.1 First investigations: 1980-2010 772.4.2 Paleomagnetic, mantle and unified kinematic models: 2010-2020 822.5 Concluding remarks 882.6 References 89Chapter 3 Pre-collision Magmatism 111Julien BERGER3.1 Introduction 1113.2 Cadomian magmatism in brief 1123.3 Geochronological data: two magmatic phases in the Lower Paleozoic 1133.4 Cambrian-Ordovician magmatism 1173.4.1 Ophiolites 1173.4.2 Metabasites: amphibolites, eclogites and basic granulites of allochthonous units 1213.4.3 The leptyno-amphibolite complex 1253.4.4 Orthogneisses of allochthonous metamorphic units 1263.4.5 Magmatism of autochthonous and para-autochthonous units 1303.4.6 Summary, petrogenic and geodynamic proposals 1333.5 Devonian magmatism 1393.5.1 Calc-alkaline plutons 1403.5.2 Subalkaline lava 1423.5.3 Central and North American dolerites 1433.5.4 The ophiolites issue 1433.5.5 Summary, petrogenic and geodynamic proposals 1453.6 Conclusions and perspectives 1473.7 References 148Chapter 4 Early Metamorphisms and Deformations in the French Variscan Belt 163Michel FAURE4.1 Introduction 1634.2 Metamorphisms and deformations in the Moldanubian domain 1654.2.1 Eo-Variscan events 1704.2.2 Lower Carboniferous Variscan tectono-metamorphic events 1804.3 Metamorphisms and deformations in the Saxothuringian domain 1934.4 Metamorphisms and deformations in the eastern Variscan branch 1954.4.1 Massifs free of alpine superimposition: Maures-Tanneron and Corsica-Sardinia Massif 1954.4.2 Alpine Variscan substratum 2024.5 Conclusion 2074.6 References 208List of Authors 227Index 229