Early Proterozoic basement exposures in the southern Canadian Cordillera: core gneiss of Frenchman Cap, Unit I of the Grand Forks Gneiss, and the Vaseaux Formation

1991 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 1169-1201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Lee Armstrong ◽  
Randall R. Parrish ◽  
Peter van der Heyden ◽  
Krista Scott ◽  
Dita Runkle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regional Metamorphism ◽  
The United States ◽  
Granitic Rocks ◽  
Crustal Rock ◽  
Canadian Cordillera ◽  
Early Proterozoic ◽  
Late Proterozoic ◽  
Grand Forks ◽  
Proterozoic Basement ◽  
Early Cenozoic

The protolith age of high-grade metamorphic rocks exposed in structurally deep parts of the Omineca Crystalline Belt has been the subject of investigation and controversy for decades. We have applied multiple isotopic dating techniques to rocks of three structural culminations: the Monashee complex (which includes the Frenchman Cap and Thor–Odin gneiss domes), the Grand Forks horst, and the Vaseaux Formation, which lies in the footwall of the Okanagan Valley fault.Frenchman Cap core gneisses contain highly radiogenic Sr that scatters about a 2206 ± 117 Ma (1σ) Rb–Sr isochron with 87Sr/86Sr initial ratio of 0.700 ± 0.002. Monazite and zircon dates for the same rocks are 1851 ± 7 to 2103 ± 16 Ma (only U–Pb dates are given with 2σ errors), with lower intercepts from about 100 to 300 Ma. Sm–Nd whole-rock and crustal-residence (TDM) dates are 2.3 ± 0.2 Ga. Mafic–felsic layering in the core gneiss is also of Early Proterozoic age. There is no geochronometric evidence for Late Proterozoic or Mesozoic migmatization.Frenchman Cap mantling gneisses, including samples from above the Monashee décollement, have radiogenic Sr and unradiogenic Nd compositions that are not consistent with current inferences of a Late Proterozoic to Paleozoic depositional age. Two intrusive granitic rocks, which cut mantling gneiss, are either Early Proterozoic or Mesozoic–Cenozoic with a Proterozoic Sr isotopic signature acquired by assimilation of core gneiss. One other intrusive studied is probably Paleocene Ladybird granite. The age of the mantling gneiss is not yet consistently resolved.Grand Forks Gneiss Unit I paragneiss gives radiogenic whole-rock Sr, zircon U–Pb upper intercept, and Sm–Nd whole-rock crustal-residence dates of 1.7 ± 0.4 Ga, 1681 ± 3 Ma (2σ, but the apparent high precision is very dependent on the assumption made about the time of Pb loss), and 1.9 ± 0.3 Ga, respectively. Unit II and younger Grand Forks Gneiss units are Late Proterozoic or Phanerozoic. All isotope systems have been considerably reset on a centimetre to metre scale by Mesozoic–Cenozoic regional metamorphism. Grand Forks Sr, Pb, and Nd isotope data are much like those for Spokane area pre-Purcell basement.Vaseaux Formation micaceous schist and gneiss give radiogenic whole-rock Sr, zircon U–Pb upper intercept, and Sm–Nd crustal-residence dates of 2.1 ± 0.6 Ga, 1899 ± 49 Ma (2σ), and 2.2 ± 0.1 Ga, respectively. Hornblende-bearing schist and gneiss contain much less radiogenic Sr and more radiogenic Nd. The latter are either tectonic intercalations of Late Proterozoic to Paleozoic eugeosynclinal rocks or Mesozoic–Cenozoic mixtures of mantle-derived magma and older crustal rock. The Vaseaux Formation paragneiss is similar isotopically to paragneiss in the Frenchman Cap core gneiss. This may indicate a similar age, or that Vaseaux sedimentary rocks could be much younger and isochemically derived from a basement of Frenchman Cap character. The first alternative is favored because the three isotope systems are usually not preserved in unison through sedimentary processes. Sr isotopes, in particular, do not usually preserve a provenance age.In all three areas, late Mesozoic to early Cenozoic metamorphic monazite, hornblende, muscovite, and biotite dates provide a record of cooling from a Cretaceous to Paleocene culmination of regional metamorphism, with particularly rapid cooling during Paleocene to Eocene crustal extension and tectonic unroofing.The localities studied are tectonic windows on structural culminations that expose basement that we infer to be part of North America. Their ages fit the pattern of basement ages established for the stable craton. Their extent is consistent with the reconstruction of compressed miogeoclinal rocks. The eastern half of the Cordilleran region on both sides of the United States – Canada border is underlain by Early Proterozoic basement that was attenuated in Late Proterozoic time, compressed during Mesozoic–Cenozoic orogeny, and finally extended in early Cenozoic collapse of the thickened crust. During Mesozoic–Cenozoic orogeny the sedimentary cover of that basement was pushed approximately 200 km eastward and replaced by allochthonous terranes. The tectonic displacements documented in the southern Canadian Cordillera are truly exceptional.

Age constraints on basement of the Midland Valley of Scotland

1984 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Aftalion ◽  
O. van Breemen ◽  
D. R. Bowes
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Potassium Feldspar ◽  
Detrital Zircons ◽  
Early Proterozoic ◽  
Common Lead ◽  
Granite Emplacement ◽  
Isochron Diagram ◽  
Lower Palaeozoic ◽  
Proterozoic Basement ◽  
Age Constraints

ABSTRACTThe existence of a basement of granulite beneath the Midland Valley is supported by investigations of inclusions in volcanic rocks and the geophysical studies of the LISPB experiment. To establish age constraints for this basement, a compilation is presented of available Rb–Sr whole-rock, common lead, U–Pb zircon and Sm–Nd radiometrie data for crystalline rocks in Scotland from the earliest recognised crust (c. 2900 Ma) to 380 Ma (“end” of Caledonian orogeny) including xenoliths in volcanic vents and boulders in conglomerates.For rocks within the Midland Valley, isotopic data provide four lines of evidence. (1) An upper intercept U–Pb age of c. 1700 Ma for detrital zircons from a lower Palaeozoic greywacke from Dalmellington corresponds to a late stage of the Laxfordian orogenic episode (early Proterozoic) with possibly some overprinting during the Grenvillian episode (mid Proterozoic). (2) The common lead composition of the Distinkhorn granite suggests the participation of early Proterozoic basement during granite emplacement. (3) For xenoliths from the Carboniferous Partan Craig vent, one gives a Sm–Nd CHUR model age of 1180 ± 55 Ma, a second yielded a Sm–Nd garnet—potassium feldspar age of 356 ± 6 Ma and an upper intercept U–Pb age from zircons from the third is c. 2200 (± 240) Ma; for xenoliths from other vents, an Rb–Sr whole-rock isochron of 1101 ± 63 Ma and an Sm–Nd model age of c. 1100 Ma arerecorded. (4) A linear array corresponding to an apparent age of 770 ± 180 Ma on a Pb–Pb isochron diagram for Tertiary igneous rocks of Arran points to an underlying basement of late Precambrian orthogneiss.The existence of basement made of products of the Grenvillian episode, or predominantly so, similar to the basement N of the Highland Boundary fault, is not inconsistent with the available evidence. However, zircons and other rock components appear to have an ultimate Lewisian provenance. At least in parts, there is also a strong late Proterozoic imprint. Further studies are required for an unequivocal solution.

scholarly journals Precambrian metamorphic complexes in the East Greenland Caledonices (72°–74°N) – their relationship to the Eleonore Bay Group, and Caledonian orogenesis

1981 ◽  
Vol 104 ◽  
pp. 5-46
Author(s):  
A.K Higgins ◽  
J.D Friderichsen ◽  
T Thyrsted
Keyword(s):  
Metamorphic Complex ◽  
East Greenland ◽  
Late Proterozoic ◽  
Isotopic Studies ◽  
Lower Palaeozoic ◽  
Caledonian Orogeny ◽  
Proterozoic Basement ◽  
Basement Gneiss ◽  
Metamorphic Complexes ◽  
Middle Proterozoic

Results are presented of regional geological reconnaissance and local detailed studies. The new fjeld work, together with isotopic studies, has made possibie a provisional reassignment of metamorphic, plutonic and deformational events recorded in the different rock units to Archaean and Proterozoic, as well as Caledonian, orogenic episodes. The infracrustal elements of the 'central metamorphic complex' are considered to be essentiaIly Archaean - early Proterozoic basement gneiss complexes, and are overlain by middle Proterozoic metasedimentary sequences. The late Proterozoic and Lower Palaeozoic sediments have arestricted outcrop at present levels of exposure. During the Caledonian orogeny the late Proterozoic cover sequences appear to have become detatched from their older metamorphic 'basernent' along a decollement surface, but the nature of this contact is usually obscured by Caledonian metamorphic effects. The main characteristics of the different rock units are described. Detailed relationships are illustrated by studies of four areas: Nunatakgletscher-Eremitdal, Knækdalen and adjacent areas, Kap Hediund, and Tærskeldal-Forsblads Fjord-Randenæs.

scholarly journals Reconnaissance P,T studies of Proterozoic crustal evolution of the Ammassalik area, East Greenland

1989 ◽  
Vol 146 ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
A.P Nutman ◽  
C.R.L Friend
Keyword(s):  
Regional Metamorphism ◽  
Crustal Thickening ◽  
Mobile Belt ◽  
Crustal Evolution ◽  
Intrusive Complex ◽  
East Greenland ◽  
Early Proterozoic ◽  
Northern Half

The Ammassalik area of East Greenland lies in the centre of a 300 km wide early Proterozoic mobile belt, dominated by Archaean gneisses and early Proterozoic metasediments. Regional Proterozoic synkinematic metamorphism was associated with crustal thickening by southerly-directed thrusting and isoclinal folding. Maximum P, T conditions recorded during the regional metamorphism are found in the northern half of the mobile belt and are 9.5 kbar (equivalent to 30 km burial) and c. 700°C. Following some erosion and uplift, the late kinematic 1885 Ma Ammassalik Intrusive Complex (AIC) was intruded at pressures of c. 7 kbar (equivalent to a depth of 20 km). Temperatures in the metamorphic aureole of the AIC reached 800°C. Following further erosion and uplift, post kinematic, c. 1575 Ma granite-diorite-gabbro complexes were intruded, under pressures of 2.5 kbar (equivalent to a depth of 8 km).

Geochemistry of Late Proterozoic amphibolites and ultramafic rocks, southeastern Canadian Cordillera

1988 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1323-1337 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H. Sevigny
Keyword(s):  
Partial Melting ◽  
Major And Trace Elements ◽  
Ultramafic Rocks ◽  
Canadian Cordillera ◽  
Elemental Abundances ◽  
Late Proterozoic ◽  
Group I ◽  
Heterogeneous Mantle ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Ree Patterns

Late Proterozoic amphibolites and ultramafic rocks from the southeastern Canadian Cordillera have been analysed for major and trace elements in order to determine the nature and origin of the protoliths. Geologic relations indicate that these rocks were produced during an episode of continental rifting in the Precambrian. Based on rare-earth-element (REE) patterns, immobile-incompatible-element ratios, and characteristic elemental abundances, amphibolites are subdivided into alkaline and tholeiitic metabasalts. Alkaline basalts are recognized by their steep REE patterns, high Zr/Y, high TiO2 and P2O5 abundances, and low Y/Nb and Ti/Zr. Tholeiitic basalts are subdivided into three groups: (I) high-Mg#, high-field-strength-element (HFSE)-depleted, light-REE (LREE)-enriched tholeiites with flat heavy REE (HREE) patterns; (II) LREE-enriched tholeiites depleted in HREE; and (III) low-Mg# tholeiites with flat REE patterns. Ultramafic rocks occur as boudins of partially recrystallized Cr-spinel-bearing harzburgite or therzolite, enriched in LREE (Ce/Sm = 1.7–1.9), HFSE, CaO, Al2O3, and TiO2 relative to depleted mantle.Geochemical data suggest that the basalts were derived from a heterogeneous mantle source that underwent different degrees of partial melting with variable amounts of subsequent crystal fractionation of the melts. High Mg#, high Cr and Ni abundances, low HFSE abundances, and high olivine saturation temperatures suggest that group I tholeiites are primary mantle melts produced by a relatively high degree of partial melting of a LREE-enriched, HFSE-depleted source. Group II and III basalts have undergone moderate olivine and pryoxene and limited plagioclase fractionation. Mass-balance calculations suggest that the ultramafic rocks represent a crustally contaminated primary-mantle-derived melt.Les éléments majeurs et traces des amphibolites et des ultramafites, d'âge protérozoïque tardif, du sud-est de la Cordillère canadienne ont été analysés dans le but de déterminer la nature et l'origine des protolithes. Les relations géologiques indiquent que ces roches se sont formées durant un épisode de rifting continental dans le Précambrien. Les diagrammes des terres rares, les rapports des éléments immobiles et incompatibles et les compositions chimiques caractéristiques ont permis de subdiviser les amphibolites en métabasaltes tholéiitiques et alcalins. Les basaltes alcalins sont reconnus par les courbes abruptes dans les diagrammes des terres rares, les rapports Zr/Y élevés et les fortes teneurs en TiO2 et P2O5 et les rapports Y/Nb et Ti/Zr faibles. Les basaltes tholéiitiques sont subdivisés en trois groupes : (I) avec Mg# élevé, appauvrissement en éléments de force de champ élevée, tholéiites enrichies en terres rares légères avec courbe horizontale des terres rares lourdes; (II) tholéiites enrichies en terres rares légères et appauvries en terres rares lourdes; et (III) tholéiites avec Mg# faible et avec courbe horizontale des variations des terres rares. Les ultramafites se présentent en boudins formés d'harzburgite incluant un spinelle chromifère partiellement recristallisé ou de therzolite qui sont enrichies en terres rares légères (Ce/Sm = 1,7–1,9), en éléments à force de champ élevée, en CaO, Al2O3 et TiO2, comparativement à un manteau appauvri.

Determination of the characteristics of crystalline rocks by field experiments: a review

1986 ◽  
Vol 319 (1545) ◽  
pp. 139-156 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
The United States ◽  
Crystalline Rocks ◽  
Granitic Rocks ◽  
Rock Types ◽  
Basement Rocks ◽  
Deep Boreholes ◽  
High Level ◽  
Underground Research Laboratory

Crystalline rocks, particularly granitic rocks and basalts, are one of the principal rock types under consideration as a potential host rock for a high-level radioactive waste repository. Permeability in such rocks is related to discontinuities of various scales, and the quantification and prediction of groundwater flow within both the fractures and the intact rock between the fractures is the major goal of field experiments. The Canadian Underground Research Laboratory is unique in that the hydrogeological conditions within a large volume of rock surrounding the experimental shaft are being monitored before, during and after excavation and the results compared with model predictions. In Switzerland twelve deep boreholes are being drilled to over 1000 m to investigate crystalline basement rocks beneath a cover of sediments. The Stripa Mine in Sweden has hosted a major experimental programme including heater tests to stimulate the thermal effect of radioactive waste and hydrogeological tests at various scales down to individual fractures. The United States of America, the United Kingdom, France and Finland have also embarked on major experimental programmes. Continuing research is needed, with an emphasis on field experiments and research in underground rooms, to provide the data on which detailed risk assessments can be based.

Where are the Eburnian–Transamazonian collisional belts?

1990 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 1382-1393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Michel Bertrand ◽  
Emmanuel Ferraz Jardim de Sá
Keyword(s):  
West African ◽  
High Grade ◽  
The West ◽  
West African Craton ◽  
Early Proterozoic ◽  
Late Proterozoic ◽  
Nappe Tectonics ◽  
Pan African ◽  
Orogenic Belts ◽  
Lower Crustal

The reconstruction of Early Proterozoic crustal evolution and geodynamic environments, in Africa and South America, is incomplete if cratonic areas alone are studied. If the presence of high-grade gneisses is considered as a first clue to past collisional behaviour, 2 Ga high-grade gneisses are more abundant within the Pan-African–Brasiliano mobile belts than in the intervening pre-Late Proterozoic cratons. The West African craton and the Guiana–Amazonia craton consist of relatively small Archaean nuclei and widespread low- to medium-grade volcanic and volcanoclastic formations intruded by Early Proterozoic granites. By contrast, 2 Ga granulitic assemblages and (or) nappes and syntectonic granites are known in several areas within the Pan-African–Brasiliano belts of Hoggar–Iforas–Air, Nigeria, Cameroon, and northeast Brazil. Nappe tectonics have been also described in the Congo–Chaillu craton, and Early Proterozoic reworking of older granulites may have occurred in the São Francisco craton. The location of the Pan-African–Brasiliano orogenic belts is probably controlled by preexisting major structures inherited from the Early Proterozoic. High-grade, lower crustal assemblages 2 Ga old have been uplifted or overthrust and now form polycyclic domains in these younger orogenic belts, though rarely in the cratons themselves. The Congo–Chaillu and perhaps the São Francisco craton are exceptional in showing controversial evidence of collisional Eburnian–Transamazonian assemblages undisturbed during Late Proterozoic time.

CAMBRIAN AND PRECAMBRIAN PETROLEUM AN APPRAISAL

1965 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Grover E. Murray
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Sedimentary Rocks ◽  
The United States ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Early Paleozoic ◽  
Precambrian Rocks ◽  
Late Proterozoic ◽  
Organic Evolution ◽  
Early Phases

Accumulated evidence indicates that (1) the major portion of chemical and organic evolution occurred during the 3-5 x 109 years of the earth's history preceding the Paleozoic; (2) the basic elements constituting petroleum existed in the early phases of the earth's history; (3) unmetamorphosed Precambrian and Cambrian lithic types are similar to younger ones; and (4) the population of the later Precambrian and early Paleozoic seas was relatively rich and varied, though hard skeletal parts are notably absent in the Precambrian rocks and, in all probability, were not widely developed.As petroleum is now generally considered of organic origin and is a widely disseminated and integral part of most sedimentary rocks, unmetamorphosed Precambrian and Cambrian strata should be prospective for petroleum. Discoveries of large reserves of oil in the Cambrian in parts of North Africa, Russia and the United States support this asserted prospectivity. Shows of indigenous gas in the late Proterozoic of the Amadeus Basin, Northern Territory, Australia, indicate that unmetamorphosed Precambrian strata may also yield commercial amounts of hydrocarbons.

A Review of Geophysical Studies in the Canadian Cordillera

1971 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 788-801 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Berry ◽  
W. R. Jacoby ◽  
E. R. Niblett ◽  
R. A. Stacey
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Heat Flow ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vancouver Island ◽  
Geophysical Data ◽  
Fault System ◽  
Canadian Cordillera ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Juan De Fuca

Geophysical studies of the crust and upper mantle have been conducted in the Canadian Cordillera for over two decades, but only recently have sufficient data been collected to permit a synthesis and a correlation with the major geological units. The studies have included gravity, heat flow, and magnetotelluric observations, geomagnetic depth sounding, and high level aeromagnetics as well as both small and large scale refraction and reflection seismic surveys.It now appears that major crustal units may be recognized geophysically:(i) Seismic and gravity data suggest that the Plains and Rocky Mountains are underlain by two units of the North American craton with a crustal section 45–50 km thick. The northern unit appears to terminate at the Rocky Mountain Trench while the southern unit may extend to the Omineca Geanticline.(ii) The combined geological and geophysical data suggest that the Rocky Mountain Trench and possibly the Kootenay Arc near the 49th parallel mark the edge of the Precambrian continental margin and that the western Cordillera was formed by a complex succession of plate interactions with repeated reactivation of block boundaries.(iii) A combination of magnetic and heat flow data suggest that the region between the Rocky Mountain Trench and the Fraser Lineament is part of the Cordilleran Thermal Anomaly Zone recognized by Blackwell in the United States.(iv) Seismic data in Central British Columbia suggest that the Pinchi Fault system is a boundary between two crustal blocks.(v) The crustal thickness of the Coast Geanticline appears to increase gradually to the west to approximately 40 km and, at least in southern British Columbia, does not have a root zone below the mountains.(vi) The crustal section beneath Vancouver Island is abnormally thick and there is some paleomagnetic data which suggest that the Island may not have been formed in its present position, contiguous to the Cordillera. The crustal section for the northern part of the Insular Trough is significantly thinner.(vii) The active spreading of the Juan de Fuca Rise – Explorer Trench is now well documented. The geophysical data suggest active subduction of the Juan de Fuca plate beneath Oregon, Washing-ton, and southern Vancouver Island. However, further north there is no evidence for subduction.

U–Pb constraints on the thermotectonic evolution of the Vernon antiform and the age of the Aberdeen gneiss complex, southeastern Canadian Cordillera

2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Glombick ◽  
R I Thompson ◽  
P Erdmer ◽  
L Heaman ◽  
R M Friedman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zone ◽  
Hanging Wall ◽  
Ductile Deformation ◽  
Granitic Rocks ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
Canadian Cordillera ◽  
Metamorphic Complex ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Gneiss Complex ◽  
Shuswap Metamorphic Complex

The Aberdeen gneiss complex is composed of complexly deformed migmatitic orthogneiss and paragneiss situated within the core of the Vernon antiform, a structure defined by a series of subparallel reflectors visible at upper to middle crustal depths (6–18 km) in seismic reflection data from the Vernon area of the Shuswap metamorphic complex. The Vernon antiform and the Aberdeen gneiss complex lie within the footwall of the gently west dipping (top to the west) Kalamalka Lake shear zone. Migmatitic gneiss exposed within the antiform records evidence (recorded as age domains in complexly zoned zircon grains) of three metamorphic events, occurring at 155–150, 90, and 66–51 Ma. The timing of magmatic events within the antiform includes emplacement of diorite at ~232 Ma, tonalite at ~151 Ma, granodiorite at 102 Ma, and monzonite at 52 Ma. Middle to Late Jurassic metamorphism resulted in widespread migmatization. Early Tertiary metamorphism (66–51 Ma) was coeval with the emplacement of granitic rocks and exhumation typical of other areas of the Shuswap metamorphic complex. Highly deformed orthogneiss situated within the hanging wall of the Kalamalka Lake shear zone, comprising the superstructure, was emplaced at ~171 Ma. Ductile deformation had ceased by 162 Ma. The complex metamorphic and magmatic evolution of the Vernon antiform, which is similar to other areas of the southern Canadian Cordillera including the Nicola horst, Mount Lytton – Eagle plutonic complex, Cariboo Mountains, and Mica Creek area, may reflect episodic tectonic activity at the plate margin.

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