scholarly journals Evidence for a late Cambrian juvenile arc and a buried suture within the Laurentian Caledonides of Scotland: Comparisons with hyperextended Iapetan margins in the Appalachian Mountains (North America) and Norway

Geology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 734-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dunk ◽  
R.A. Strachan ◽  
K.A. Cutts ◽  
S. Lasalle ◽  
C.D. Storey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Appalachian Mountains ◽  
Calc Alkaline ◽  
Passive Margins ◽  
Late Cambrian ◽  
Iapetus Ocean ◽  
Mineral Assemblages ◽  
Thrust Sheets ◽  
Late Neoproterozoic ◽  
Laurentian Margin ◽  
Tectonic Slice

Abstract Uranium-lead (U-Pb) zircon dating establishes a late Cambrian (Drumian) protolith age of 503 ± 2 Ma for a trondhjemitic gneiss of the calc-alkaline Strathy Complex, northern Scottish Caledonides. Positive εHf and εNd values from trondhjemitic gneisses and co-magmatic amphibolites, respectively, and an absence of any inheritance in zircon populations support published geochemistry that indicates a juvenile origin distal from Laurentia. In order to account for its present location within a stack of Laurentia-derived thrust sheets, we interpret the complex as allochthonous and located along a buried suture. We propose that a microcontinental ribbon was detached from Laurentia during late Neoproterozoic to Cambrian rifting; the intervening oceanic tract closed by subduction during the late Cambrian and formed a juvenile arc, the protolith of the Strathy Complex. The microcontinental ribbon was reattached to Laurentia during the Grampian orogeny, which transported the Strathy Complex as a tectonic slice within a nappe stack. Peak metamorphic conditions for the Strathy Complex arc (650–700 °C, 0.6–0.75 GPa) are intermediate in pressure between those published previously for Grampian mineral assemblages in structurally overlying low-pressure migmatites (670–750 °C, <0.4 GPa) that we deduce to have been derived from an adjacent backarc basin, and structurally underlying upper amphibolite rocks (650–700 °C, 1.1–1.2 GPa) that we interpret to represent the partially subducted Laurentian margin. This scenario compares with that of the northern Appalachian Mountains and Norway where microcontinental blocks are interpreted to have their origins in detachment from passive margins of the Iapetus Ocean during Cambrian rifting and to have been re-amalgamated during Caledonian orogenesis.

scholarly journals The Ocean – Continent Transition Zones Along the Appalachian – Caledonian Margin of Laurentia: Examples of Large-Scale Hyperextension During the Opening of the Iapetus Ocean

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Chew ◽  
Cees R. Van Staal
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Continental Margins ◽  
Transition Zones ◽  
Iapetus Ocean ◽  
Fold And Thrust Belt ◽  
Appalachian Orogen ◽  
Late Neoproterozoic ◽  
Laurentian Margin ◽  
Orogenic Belts ◽  
Detailed Nature

A combination of deep seismic imaging and drilling has demonstrated that the ocean-continent transition (OCT) of present-day, magma-poor, rifted continental margins is a zone of hyperextension characterized by extreme thinning of the continental crust that exhumed the lowermost crust and/or serpentinized continental mantle onto the seafloor. The OCT on present-day margins is difficult to sample, and so much of our knowledge on the detailed nature of OCT sequences comes from obducted, magma-poor OCT ophiolites such as those preserved in the upper portions of the Alpine fold-and-thrust belt. Allochthonous, lens-shaped bodies of ultramafic rock are common in many other ancient orogenic belts, such as the Caledonian – Appalachian orogen, yet their origin and tectonic significance remains uncertain. We summarize the occurrences of potential ancient OCTs within this orogen, commencing with Laurentian margin sequences where an OCT has previously been inferred (the Dalradian Supergroup of Scotland and Ireland and the Birchy Complex of Newfoundland). We then speculate on the origin of isolated occurrences of Alpine-type peridotite within Laurentian margin sequences in Quebec – Vermont and Virginia – North Carolina, focusing on rift-related units of Late Neoproterozoic age (so as to eliminate a Taconic ophiolite origin). A combination of poor exposure and pervasive Taconic deformation means that origin and emplacement of many ultramafic bodies in the Appalachians will remain uncertain. Nevertheless, the common occurrence of OCT-like rocks along the whole length of the Appalachian – Caledonian margin of Laurentia suggests that the opening of the Iapetus Ocean may have been accompanied by hyperextension and the formation of magma-poor margins along many segments.SOMMAIREDes travaux d’imagerie sismique et des forages profonds ont montré que la transition océan-continent (OCT) de marges continentales de divergence pauvre en magma exposée de nos jours, correspond à une zone d’hyper-étirement tectonique caractérisée par un amincissement extrême de la croûte continentale, qui a exhumé sur le fond marin, jusqu’à la tranche la plus profonde de la croûte continentale, voire du manteau continental serpentinisé.  Parce qu’on peut difficilement échantillonner l’OCT sur les marges actuelles, une grande partie de notre compréhension des détails de la nature de l’OCT provient d’ophiolites pauvres en magma d’une OCT obduite, comme celles préservées dans les portions supérieures de la bande plissée alpine.  Des masses lenticulaires de roches ultramafiques allochtones sont communes dans de nombreuses autres bandes orogéniques anciennes, comme l’orogène Calédonienne-Appalaches, mais leur origine et signification tectonique reste incertaine.  Nous présentons un sommaire des occurrences d’OCT potentielles anciennes de cet orogène, en commençant par des séquences de la marge laurentienne, où la présence d’OCT a déjà été déduites (le Supergroupe Dalradien d’Écosse et d'Irlande, et le complexe de Birchy de Terre-Neuve).  Nous spéculons ensuite sur l'origine de cas isolés de péridotite de type alpin dans des séquences de marge des Laurentides du Québec-Vermont et de la Virginie-Caroline du Nord, en nous concentrant sur les unités de rift d'âge néoprotérozoïque tardif (pour éviter les ophiolites du Taconique).  La conjonction d’affleurements de piètre qualité et de la déformation taconique omniprésente, signifie que l'origine et la mise en place de nombreuses masses ultramafiques dans les Appalaches demeureront incertaines.  Néanmoins, la présence fréquente de roches de type OCT tout le long de la marge Calédonnienne-Appalaches de Laurentia suggère que l'ouverture de l'océan Iapetus peut avoir été accompagnée d’hyper-étirement et de la formation de marges pauvres en magma le long de nombreux segments.

Chapter 19 Regional context and tectonostratigraphic framework of the early–middle Paleozoic Caledonide orogen, northwestern Sweden

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 481-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Gee ◽  
Michael B. Stephens
Keyword(s):  
Foreland Basin ◽  
Metasedimentary Rocks ◽  
Mafic Intrusions ◽  
Late Cambrian ◽  
Iapetus Ocean ◽  
Nappe Complex ◽  
Middle Paleozoic ◽  
Thrust Sheets ◽  
Seve Nappe Complex ◽  
Augen Gneiss

AbstractThe Scandian mountains in northwestern Sweden are dominated by the eastern part of the Scandinavian Caledonides, an orogen that terminated during the middle Paleozoic with Himalayan-style collision of the ancient continents of Baltica and Laurentia. In this foreland region, far-transported higher allochthons from an exotic continental margin (Rödingsfjället Nappe Complex) and underlying mostly oceanic-arc basin character (Köli Nappe Complex) were emplaced at least 700 km onto the Baltoscandian margin of Baltica. The thrust sheets below the Iapetus Ocean terranes were derived from the transition zone to Baltica (Seve Nappe Complex), comprising mainly siliciclastic metasedimentary rocks, hosting abundant metamorphosed c. 600 Ma mafic intrusions. They preserve evidence of subduction (eclogites, garnet peridotites and microdiamonds in host paragneisses), starting in the late Cambrian; exhumation continued through the Ordovician. Underlying allochthons derived from the outer margin of Baltica are less-metamorphosed Neoproterozoic sandstone-dominated successions, also intruded by Ediacaran dolerite dykes (Särv Nappes); they are located tectonically above similar-aged metasandstone and basement slices, devoid of dykes (Offerdal and Tännäs Augen Gneiss nappes and equivalents). Lowermost allochthons (Jämtlandian Nappes and equivalents), from the inner Baltoscandian margin, provide evidence of Cryogenian rifting, Ediacaran–Cambrian drifting and platformal sedimentation, followed by foreland basin development in the Ordovician and Silurian.

Torellian (c. 640 Ma) metamorphic overprint of Tonian (c. 950 Ma) basement in the Caledonides of southwestern Svalbard

2013 ◽  
Vol 151 (4) ◽  
pp. 732-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAROSŁAW MAJKA ◽  
YARON BE’ERI-SHLEVIN ◽  
DAVID G. GEE ◽  
JERZY CZERNY ◽  
DIRK FREI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Igneous Rocks ◽  
Ion Microprobe ◽  
Metamorphic Overprint ◽  
Iapetus Ocean ◽  
Facies Metamorphism ◽  
Thrust Sheets ◽  
Caledonian Orogeny ◽  
Late Neoproterozoic ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
Early Neoproterozoic

AbstractIon microprobe dating in Wedel Jarlsberg Land, southwestern Spitsbergen, provides new evidence of early Neoproterozoic (c. 950 Ma) meta-igneous rocks, the Berzeliuseggene Igneous Suite, and late Neoproterozoic (c. 640 Ma) amphibolite-facies metamorphism. The older ages are similar to those obtained previously in northwestern Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet where they are related to the Tonian age Nordaustlandet Orogeny. The younger ages complement those obtained recently from elsewhere in Wedel Jarlsberg Land of Torellian deformation and metamorphism at 640 Ma. The Berzeliuseggene Igneous Suite occurs in gently N-dipping, top-to-the-S-directed thrust sheets on the eastern and western sides of Antoniabreen where it is tectonically intercalated with younger Neoproterozoic sedimentary formations, suggesting that it provided a lower Tonian basement on which upper Tonian to Cryogenian sediments (Deilegga Group) were deposited. They were deformed together during the Torellian Orogeny, prior to deposition of Ediacaran successions (Sofiebogen Group) and overlying Cambro-Ordovician shelf carbonates, and subsequent Caledonian and Cenozoic deformation. The regional importance of the late Neoproterozoic Torellian Orogeny in Svalbard's Southwestern Province and its correlation in time with the Timanian Orogeny in the northern Urals as well as tectonostratigraphic similarities between the Timanides and Pearya (northwestern Ellesmere Island) favour connection of these terranes prior to the opening of the Iapetus Ocean and Caledonian Orogeny.

Early Ordovician alkali-ultramafic Zhilandy complex (Central Kazakhstan): structure and age of formation

2019 ◽  
Vol 484 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-65
Author(s):  
R. M. Antonuk ◽  
A. A. Tretyakov ◽  
K. E. Degtyarev ◽  
A. B. Kotov
Keyword(s):  
Complex Formation ◽  
Central Asian Orogenic Belt ◽  
Early Cambrian ◽  
Early Ordovician ◽  
Late Cambrian ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Geochronological Study ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Late Neoproterozoic ◽  
Quartz Monzodiorites

U–Pb geochronological study of amphibole-bearing quartz monzodiorites of the alkali-ultramafic Zhilandy complex in Central Kazakhstan, whose formation is deduced at the Early Ordovician era (479 ± 3 Ma). The obtained data indicate three stages of intra-plate magmatism in the western part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt: Late Neoproterozoic stage of alkali syenites of the Karsakpay complex intrusion, Early Cambrian stage of ultramafic-gabbroid plutons of the Ulutau complex formation, and Late Cambrian–Early Ordovician stage of formation of the Zhilandy complex and Krasnomay complex intrusions.

Paleogeography of the Matapédia basin in the Gaspé Appalachians: initiation of the Gaspé Belt successor basin

2004 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 553-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Malo
Keyword(s):  
Carbonate Platform ◽  
Source Area ◽  
Turbidity Currents ◽  
Northern Limit ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
The North ◽  
Iapetus Ocean ◽  
Thrust Sheets ◽  
Siliciclastic Rocks ◽  
Lime Muds

The Matapédia basin consists of the uppermost Ordovician – lowermost Silurian deep-water, fine-grained carbonate–siliciclastic rocks of the Honorat (Garin Formation) and Matapédia groups (Pabos and White Head formations), the lower rock assemblage of the Gaspé Belt in the Gaspé Appalachians. Paleogeographic maps of eight time slices from the Caradocian to the Llandoverian are presented to better understand the tectonosedimentary evolution of the Matapédia basin. Deposition evolved from siliciclastic (Garin Fm.) to argillaceous limestones (Pabos Fm.), to limestones (White Head Fm.). The overall change from terrigenous (Garin Fm.) to limestone facies (White Head Fm.) reflects a change in the source area. Paleocurrent directions and composition of sandstones indicate an orogenic source area to the south for the Garin Formation, which is believed to be the inliers of the Humber and Dunnage zones in the southern Gaspé and New Brunswick Appalachians. Lime muds deposited by turbidity currents coming from the north suggest the Anticosti active carbonate platform as the source area for the White Head Formation. The Matapédia basin was filled from south to north. First deposits, the Garin Formation, occurred south of the Taconian thrust sheets (Humber Zone) and also south of the Grenville basement. This region was the domain of the Ordovician Iapetus Ocean (Dunnage Zone). The northern limit of the basin migrated northward during deposition of the Matapédia Group in Ashgillian–Llandoverian times and reached its actual northern limit at the very end of the Llandoverian (C6), when siliciclastic facies of the lower Chaleurs Group were deposited.

A model for the origin of the Lac St. Jean anorthosite massif

1976 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 389-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Frith ◽  
K. L. Currie
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Partial Melting ◽  
Metamorphic Rocks ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Calc Alkaline ◽  
Grenville Province ◽  
Thermal Event ◽  
Anorthosite Massif ◽  
Mineral Assemblages ◽  
Potassic Rocks

An ancient tonalitic complex becomes migmatitic around the Lac St. Jean massif, ultimately losing its identity in the high grade metamorphic rocks surrounding the anorthosite. Field relations suggest extreme metamorphism and anatexis of tonalitic rocks. Experimental data show that extensive partial melting of the tonalite leaves an anorthositic residue. The same process operating on more potassic rocks would leave monzonitic or quartz syenitic residues. Synthesis of experimental data suggests that the process could operate at pressures of 5–8 kbar and temperatures of 800–1000 °C, which are compatible with mineral assemblages around the anorthosite massif. Slightly higher temperatures at the end of the process could generate magmatic anorthosite.Application of the model to the Grenville province as a whole predicts generation of anorthosite during a long-lived thermal event of unusual intensity. Residual anorthosite would occur as a substratum in the crust, overlain by high-grade metamorphic rocks intruded by anorthosite and syenitic rocks, while higher levels in the crust would display abundant calc-alkaline plutons and extrusives.

Fractionation of rare-earth elements during magmatic differentiation and weathering of calc-alkaline granites in southern Myanmar

2016 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenzo Sanematsu ◽  
Terumi Ejima ◽  
Yoshiaki Kon ◽  
Takayuki Manaka ◽  
Khin Zaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Rare Earth Element ◽  
Earth Element ◽  
Geochemical Characteristics ◽  
Magmatic Differentiation ◽  
Calc Alkaline ◽  
Mineral Assemblages ◽  
Weathering Resistance

AbstractGeochemical characteristics and rare-earth element (REE)-bearing minerals of calc-alkaline granites in southern Myanmar were investigated to identify the minerals controlling fractionation between light and heavyREE(LREE and HREE) during magmatic differentiation and weathering. The granites were classified on the basis of the mineral assemblages into two contrasting groups: allanite-(Ce)- and/or titanite-bearing granites; and more HREE-enriched granites characterized by hydrothermal minerals including synchysite(Y), parisite-(Ce), bastnäsite-(Ce), xenotime-(Y), monazite-(Ce), Y-Ca silicate, waimirite-(Y) and fluorite. This suggests that allanite-(Ce) and titanite are not stable in differentiated magma and HREE are eventually preferentially incorporated into the hydrothermal minerals. The occurrence of theREE-bearing minerals is constrained by the degree of magmatic differentiation and the boundary of two contrasting granite groups is indicated by SiO2contents of ∼74 wt.% or Rb/Sr ratios of ∼3–8. Fractionation between LREE and HREE during weathering of the granites is influenced by weathering resistance of theREE-bearing minerals, i.e. allanite-(Ce), titanite, theREEfluorocarbonates and waimirite-(Y) are probably more susceptible to weathering, whereas zircon, monazite-(Ce) and xenotime-(Y) are resistant to weathering. Ion-exchangeableREEin weathered granites tend to be depleted in HREE relative to the whole-rock compositions, suggesting that HREE are more strongly adsorbed on weathering products or that HREE remain in residual minerals.

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