Thermochronological evidence for Mio-Pliocene late orogenic extension in the north-eastern Albanides (Albania)

New apatite and zircon (U-Th)/He and apatite fission-track (FT) data allow constraining the timing of Miocene-Pliocene extensional exhumation that affected the central part of the Dinarides-Albanides-Hellenides orogen. Apatite (U-Th)/He ages in the northern and western Internal Albanides range from 57 to 17Ma, contrasting to younger ages of 5.2-9.3Ma in the eastern Internal Albanides. Eastward younging is also reflected in zircon (U-Th)/He ages varying from 101Ma in the north-western Internal Albanides to 19-50Ma in the east, as well as in recently published apatite FT ages. Thermal history predictions with the new data point to a phase of rapid exhumation of the eastern Internal Albanides around 6-4Ma, while the western Internal Albanides record slower continuous exhumation since the Eocene. This asymmetric exhumation pattern is most likely linked to extensional reactivation of NE-SW-trending thrusts east of the Mirdita zone and within the Korabi zone of the eastern Internal Albanides.