3D Modeling and Kinematics of the External Zone of the French Western Alps (Belledonne and Grand Châtelard Massifs, Maurienne Valley, Savoie)

International audienceThree dimensional geometric modeling was undertaken on the external crystalline massifs (Belledonne and Grand Châtelard) of the Western Alps. This external zone corresponds to the internal part of the European passive margin developed during Liassic rifting. It was thrust towards the northwest during Oligocene-Miocene compression resulting in tectonic inversion of the European continental margin. 1995; Jessell & Valenta 1996; Courrioux et al. 2001). In addition to providing useful geo-referenced data bases, this approach can be used as a tool for three dimensional visualization that can improve large scale geometrical, cartographic and structural models. The compatibility of complex stru