The correlation of the geological elements of the Maures Massif with those of the Sardinia-Corsica block, suggests a similar tectonic and metamorphic evolution of the Migmatitic Complex (Maures) and of the HGMC (Sardinia-Corsica). Moreover, the Grimaud Fault can be easily correlated with the Posada Valley Shear Zone (Figure 9). The union of the these tectonic lineaments in a single main shear zone outlines one of the most important tectonic element in the palinspastic reconstructions of the southern part of the Variscan belt. Both shear zones correspond to zones of early crustal weakness; their evolution under amphibolite facies conditions and their important strike-slip motion obliterated their original tectonic significance.
Geochemical data indicates an oceanic affinity for the amphibolite bodies in the PVSZ (Torpè amphibolites) which suggest that the Posada-Asinara and the Grimaud Fault shear zones could represent the reactivation of part of the Variscan suture zone. Therefore; the Migmatitic Complex of the Maures Massif (EB) and the HGCM in Sardinia would be part of the same plate ("Variscides Centrales") while the Upper Western Unit (UWU) of Maures Massif and the INZ in Sardinia would represent a different western plate (Variscides Externes) respect to the "Variscides Centrales", prior to Variscan orogeny. This hypothesis fits well in the structural evolution of the whole Variscan belt, particularly with the extensional features identified in some parts of the PVSZ and with the clockwise P-T-t path defined by these rocks. A major detachment fault (or thrust?) possibly developed in these early zones of weakness, and it was successively reactivated during the strike-slip movements which occurred 320-300 Ma ago all over the Southern Europe. The union of the HGMC in Sardinia-Corsica with the Migmatitic Complex of the Maures Massif may represent parts of the Hercynian Gneiss Dome (Elter et al., 1995) not involved in Alpine orogeny.
The pre-Triassic crystalline successions of the Northern Apennines can be correlated with correspondent units of Central (?Late Cambrian-Devonian Tuscan Successions = External Nappe Zone) and NE Sardinia (Micaschist Complex= Internal Nappe Zone and Posada Valley Zone pp.; Gneiss Complex= Posada Valley Zone pp. and/or sil+mu zone of HGMC) (Figure 10). In addition, all these successions suffered the same late- to post-tectonic thermometamorphism due to the Late Carboniferous-Early Permian granitoid intrusions. Therefore, in spite of the severe tectonic transpositions and slicing within the original Variscan crust occurred during the Alpine Orogeny in Tuscany, the data suggest a possible continuation of the Grimaud-Asinara-Posada Line within the Tuscan sector of the Variscan chain.