The Cold Spring Melange and a possible model for Dunnage–Gander zone interaction in central Newfoundland

1990 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 1126-1134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold Williams ◽  
M. A. J. Piasecki

Structural relationships at Cold Spring Pond and the recognition of ophiolitic melange bear on the important questions of timing and style of structural superpositioning of Dunnage Zone rocks above Gander Zone rocks in central Newfoundland. The latest models emphasize ductile shear boundaries and orogen-parallel movements. Previous models proposed west-to-east or head-on obduction of Dunnage ophiolitic rocks across the Gander Zone.At the Dunnage (Exploits Subzone) – Gander (Meelpaeg Subzone) boundary at Cold Spring Pond, discrete, outcrop-size ultramafic blocks and smaller quartzite blocks are randomly distributed, and they are surrounded by, or are embedded in, homogeneous black graphitic shale or phyllite. The ultramafic blocks are typical of nearby Early Ordovician Dunnage ophiolite suites, the quartzite blocks are typical of adjacent Early Ordovician or earlier Gander clastic rocks, and the matrix black shales are similar to those of Middle or Early Ordovician age that occur throughout central Newfoundland. This chaotic mixture of almost coeval lithologies at Cold Spring Pond is interpreted as an olistostromal melange; the Cold Spring Melange. It resembles melanges that are dated as Ordovician elsewhere in Newfoundland.The Cold Spring Melange is overprinted by the full range of structures and metamorphic effects evident in adjacent rocks of the Exploits (Dunnage) and Meelpaeg (Gander) subzones. These include the development of lineations, cleavages, schistosities, zones of ductile shearing, regional metamorphism, and contact metamorphism. The oldest of these effects are interpreted as Silurian, based on isotopic dating in southern Newfoundland.The formation of olistostromal, ophiolitic melange implies disruption of the oceanic tract (Exploits Subzone of the Dunnage Zone), and in the case of the Cold Spring example, juxtapositioning or transport of Exploits Subzone ophiolite suites against or across the supracrustal rocks of the Meelpaeg Subzone (Gander Zone). The age and provenance of Cold Spring components, lack of post-Ordovician components, overprinting structural relationships, and comparison with other Newfoundland melanges all support an Ordovician age of formation. Overprinting relationships indicate that major ductile shears at other Dunnage–Gander zone boundaries postdate initial Dunnage–Gander superpositioning.

1966 ◽  
Vol 3 (7) ◽  
pp. 959-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. C. Taylor ◽  
E. A. Schiller

The Meguma group of lithic greywacke, feldspathic quartzite, slate siltstone, and argillite is Early Ordovician or older in age and has undergone both regional and contact metamorphism. Both types of metamorphism have resulted in recrystallization and locally in orientation of newly formed minerals. Metasomatism and retrogressive metamorphism are subordinate and only locally important. Regionally metamorphosed rocks are divided into greenschist and almandine–amphibolite facies, although some assemblages cannot be assigned with certainty. Locally, biotite and garnet isograds are mappable within the greenschist zone.Relationships between regional metamorphism and structural elements (folding) show that deformation preceded regional metamorphism. Intrusion of granitic rocks has produced a zone of contact metamorphism (hornblende–hornfels facies) that is superimposed upon regional greenschist facies rocks, which shows that granite emplacement occurred after the regional grade was reached. Gold–quartz veins are confined to areas lying in the greenschist zone of regional metamorphism, which suggests that the almandine–amphibolite zone is not favorable.


1990 ◽  
Vol 54 (376) ◽  
pp. 381-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent J. Morand

AbstractGraphitic, quartz-rich black slate within the Late Ordovician Abercrombie Beds, Lachlan Fold Belt, southeast Australia, has undergone contact metamorphism adjacent to the Siluro-Devonian Wyangala Batholith. This produced porphyroblasts of andalusite and cordierite, and smaller grains of pale green phengitic mica. Later regional metamorphism caused complete retrogression of cordierite and partial retrogression of andalusite, with margarite replacing some andalusite.The aluminous minerals andalusite, margarite and phengite all contain V and Cr substituting for Al. Andalusite has up to 1.39% V2O3 and 1.09% Cr2O3, margarite has up to 1.07% V2O3 and 0.37% Cr2O3, and phengitic mica has up to 6.93% V2O3 and 1.52% Cr2O3. This mica also has BaO contents of up to 1.96%.Chemical analyses reveal very high SiO2 contents for these rocks (about 89%), carbon contents of about 2%, and extremely low CaO, FeO, MgO and Na2O. Although V and Cr are prominent in aluminous minerals, their concentrations in the rock are only about average for black shales. However, Ba values range from 2000 to 6000 p.p.m., well above average for black shales. It is suggested that V and Cr probably precipitated from sea water, but Ba may have been concentrated by planktonic organisms such as radiolaria.


1976 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee C. Pigage

Pelitic metasediments immediately southwest of Yale, British Columbia contain mineral assemblages characteristic of staurolite through sillimanite zones of the Barrovian facies series. Microprobe analyses of major constituent phases in the pelites are combined with linear regression techniques to formulate probable kyanite- and sillimanite-forming reactions.A zone some 3 km wide contains the assemblage staurolite–kyanite–garnet–biotite–muscovite–quartz–plagioclase-ilmenite-rutile, which is univariant in AFM projection. Within precision limits of microprobe analysis, this assemblage is also univariant using linear regression techniques. Univariant relations are possible if [Formula: see text] with the composition of the fluid phase being buffered by the progressing reaction. This assemblage emphasizes the need for precise analyses when using the regression method, since minor components are often within permissible error limits rather than being balanced.Pelitic and calc-silicate assemblages from the metasediments restrict estimates of pressure–temperature conditions during regional metamorphism to 6–8 kbar and 550–770 °C. Pseudomorphs after andalusite indicate that contact metamorphism preceded regional upgrading of the pelites.


Clay Minerals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-375
Author(s):  
Annette Süssenberger ◽  
Solveig Pospiech ◽  
Susanne Theodora Schmidt

ABSTRACTThe [MnO|SiO2,Al2O3,FeO,MgO] balanced ratio (i.e. the isometric log-ratio of the MnO concentration relative to the concentration of SiO2, Al2O3, FeO and MgO) of chlorite and of whole-rock composition is an effective discriminant between Mesozoic stratigraphic formations in the Magallanes Basin (Chile). The MnO content in chlorite is only controlled by the host rock chemistry and is dependent on the geological environment. The MnO content in chlorite remains unchanged at low-grade metamorphic conditions. Single-grain chlorite analysis (n = 1042, electron microprobe) and whole-rock analysis (n = 40, X-ray fluorescence) were used to discriminate stratigraphic formations and to decipher differences in the depositional environment in the Magallanes Basin. The samples are from one Upper Jurassic and three Cretaceous sedimentary units that were affected either by low-grade regional metamorphism or by Miocene contact metamorphism. The highest [MnO|SiO2,Al2O3,FeO,MgO] values are recorded in the upper Zapata Formation. The Punta Barrosa, Cerro Toro and Tobífera Formations show slightly lower [MnO|SiO2,Al2O3,FeO,MgO] values. Elevated [MnO|SiO2,Al2O3,FeO,MgO] values at the transition between Zapata and Punta Barrosa Formations record an oxygenated shallow marine environment that can be linked to the closure of the Rocas Verdes Basin and the onset of fold-and-thrust belt formation. Decreasing [MnO|SiO2,Al2O3,FeO,MgO] values from the Punta Barrosa towards the Cerro Toro Formation indicate gradually increasing water depths during the Upper Cretaceous that correlate well with the global sea level.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Cagnard ◽  
Didier Lahondère ◽  
Benjamin Le Bayon ◽  
Aurore Hertout ◽  
Thierry Baudin ◽  
...  

<p>The event geological maps consist in innovative numerical maps that were just designed and produced for the first time, as part of the RGF (“French Geological Referential”) mapping program in the Pyrenees. Rocks acquire their mineralogical, structural and textural characteristics through a complex geological history reflecting successive stages of transformation (i.e. metamorphism, deformation, alteration…), so called “geological events”. Classical geological maps can only represent some of these events.  In the Pyrenean orogenic belt, which results from a polyphase tectono-metamorphic history over 600 Ma (from Precambrian to present), 3400 geological events were identified. Such geological events were classified by types (e.g. deposit, volcanism, intrusion, metamorphism, weathering, hydrothermal alteration…) and time periods. They were referenced into a database and associated to mapped features (120,000 polygons and lines), coming from a compilation of 60 geological maps at 1: 50,000 scale.</p><p>In the Pyrenees, Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) mostly occur in specific lithologies such as ultrabasic, basic and intermediate plutonic rocks, and meta-limestones. These rocks may be affected by different metamorphic events (i.e. hydrothermal alteration, greenschist and/or HT-LP regional metamorphism, contact metamorphism). We performed a GIS treatment to produce a predictive map of potential NOA hosting lithologies. This treatment crosses lithological and selected geological event informations (e.g different metamorphic and alteration events).</p><p>Subsequent geological field investigations with associated sampling and laboratory analyses (combining optical microscopy, microprobe and SEM analyses) allowed us to identify and characterize fibrous and asbestiform mineralogical species. Results of this work particularly emphasize: (i) the importance of actinolite-asbestos in doleritic rocks, and (ii) the occurrence of fibrous actinolite/tremolite in different marbles and skarns. Finally, we present a 1: 50,000 scale map of potential NOA occurrences in the Pyrenees.</p><p>Conversely, field observations allowed us to improve both the lithostratigraphic and the event geological maps, in particular with the identification of geological domains where intense hydrothermal alteration was not previously mapped. All the data (maps of potential NOA occurrences, field observations and results of laboratory analyses) are stored in a geospatial database, partly accessible to the public. This work illustrates a possible use of geological event maps as a powerful innovative and predictivity tool. This approach will be useful in the context of the evolution of French regulations now imposing the search for asbestos before all types of works in natural environments.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 33-40
Author(s):  
Lokendra Pandeya ◽  
Kabi Raj Paudyal

Geological mapping was carried out along Marsyangdi valley in the Khudi - Dahare -Tal area on a scale of 1: 50,000 covering about 142 square kilometers. Recent study aims to locate the Main Central Thrust (MCT) precisely based on lithostratigraphy, micro-structures, deformation, and metamorphism. Several thin sections were observed to study the metamorphism, deformation, and micro-structures developed in the rocks. The rocks sequences in both the Higher Himalaya and the Lesser Himalaya have undergone polyphase metamorphism and deformation. The Lesser Himalaya experienced first burial metamorphism (M1) followed by garnet grade inverted metamorphism related to the MCT activity (M2) followed by retrograde metamorphism (M3) whereas the Higher Himalaya has undergone regional high-pressure/ high-temperature kyanite/ sillimanite- grade prograde regional metamorphism (M1) followed by the (M2) related to ductile sharing which in turn is overprinted by the later post-tectonic retrograde garnet to chlorite grade metamorphism during exhumation. The polyphase deformation is indicated by the cross-cutting foliation and many other features. The deformation phase D1 is associated with the development of the bedding parallel foliation due to burial in both the Higher Himalaya and the Lesser Himalaya. Isoclinal folds and crenulation cleavage were developed before the collision is categorized as D2. Development of nearly N- S trending mineral and stretching lineation, south vergent drag folds, folded S2 cleavage and microscopic shear sense indicators, rotated syn- tectonic garnet grains, etc. were developed during the deformation D3 related to the ductile shearing through the MCT. Various brittle faults and shear zones cross-cutting all earlier features were developed during D4 during the upheaval. The rocks in the MCT zone are affected by intense sharing and mylonitization as indicated by the presence of many mylonitic structures in the thin sections throughout the Lesser Himalaya in the area. Features like polygonization and ribbon quartz with evidence of sub-grain rotation, mica fish, syn-tectonic rotated garnet grains indicate the ductile shearing in the MCT area suggesting the dynamic recrystallization in the MCT zone whereas rocks of the Higher Himalaya show the evidence of recrystallization under static condition. The MCT zone was mapped precisely based on the microstructures and deformation.


2012 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahboobeh JAMSHIDI BADR ◽  
Fariborz MASOUDI ◽  
Alan S. COLLINS ◽  
Ali SORBI

1979 ◽  
Vol 43 (326) ◽  
pp. 201-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Verma

SummaryThe Lower Cambrian Weymouth Formation at Nahant, Massachusetts, consisting of interbedded pelitic and calcareous rocks, was intruded by the Nahant Gabbro. The predominant metapelitic mineral assemblage of the contact aureole is quartz-muscovite-chlorite-magnetite-ilmenite. The calcareous hornfelses exhibit a varied mineral assemblage, and in some cases the variation can be spatially related to the intrusive. A number of cross-cutting thin mineral veins, many containing prehnite, are characteristically associated with these calcsilicate rocks.The minerals have been analysed by electron microprobe and this work indicates the presence of a possible solvus in the Fe3+-Al epidote solid solution series. At the physicochemical conditions of the formation of the Nahant hornfelses, the ferric mole fractions of coexisting epidotes are 0.49 and 0.98.Comparison with experimental work shows that the conditions of the contact metamorphism were T ≃ 500°C, Ptotal ≃ 2 kb, and XCO2 ≃ 0.2. However, the present assemblages are the result of a later low-grade regional metamorphism, the ultimate product of which was prehnite.


1973 ◽  
Vol 110 (6) ◽  
pp. 557-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. F. Holm

SummaryCharacteristics of mineralogy and texture, together with systematic changes in the enstatite content of orthopyroxene and in the anorthite content of plagioclase, indicate that intrusions of pyroxenite, norite and gabbro, and diorite and leucocratic diorite in the Dahomeyan gneiss of Ghana are genetically related, and that they belong to a subalkaline comagmatic series derived from a parental mafic magma. Partial recrystallization (deuteric) of the igneous rocks during and after intrusion and protoclasis produced minerals characteristic of temperatures higher than those that existed during the medium-grade regional metamorphism of the Dahomeyan gneiss, thus indicating that emplacement of the igneous rocks occurred late during, or perhaps after, the metamorphism. Contact metamorphism appears to have resulted in higher than normal anorthite contents of the plagioclase in the surrounding Dahomeyan gneiss.


1977 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 987-1003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold Williams

Ophiolitic mélange consists of a chaotic mixture of sedimentary rocks and igneous rocks derived from the ophiolite suite of rock units. Its formation involves surficial mass wastage, gravity sliding, and tectonism at consuming plate boundaries. Most worldwide examples relate to ophiolite obduction and the destruction of stable continental margins.The Fleur de Lys Supergroup of the northern Appalachians consists of polydeformed and metamorphosed, mainly clastic sedimentary rocks that accumulated at the Hadrynian to early Paleozoic stable continental margin of eastern North America. Greenschists at or near the top of the succession in the east (Birchy Complex) contain zones of typical ophiolitic mélange. These contain large blocks of serpentinized ultramafic rocks, actinolite–fuchsite alterations of smaller ultramafic blocks, altered gabbro, a variety of clastic sedimentary blocks, and marble. All of the rocks are multideformed and metamorphosed so that the mélange was subjected to the full range of Fleur de Lys deformations.The presence of polydeformed and metamorphosed ophiolitic mélange in the Fleur de Lys Supergroup implies an early disruption or imbrication of its rock units. This disruption and mélange formation are interpreted to be related to transport of ophiolite complexes such as the Bay of Islands Complex across an initially undisturbed continental rise prism, the Fleur de Lys Supergroup. Later polyphase deformation and metamorphism of the Fleur de Lys Supergroup are possible results of continued structural submergence and telescoping of the continental margin beneath a thick cover of transported ophiolite rock units.


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