Chapter 3 Archean (>2.6 Ga) and Paleoproterozoic (2.5–1.8 Ga), pre- and syn-orogenic magmatism, sedimentation and mineralization in the Norrbotten and Överkalix lithotectonic units, Svecokarelian orogen

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Bergman ◽  
Pär Weihed

AbstractTwo lithotectonic units (the Norrbotten and Överkalix units) occur inside the Paleoproterozoic (2.0–1.8 Ga) Svecokarelian orogen in northernmost Sweden. Archean (2.8–2.6 Ga and possibly older) basement, affected by a relict Neoarchean tectonometamorphic event, and early Paleoproterozoic (2.5–2.0 Ga) cover rocks constitute the pre-orogenic components in the orogen that are unique in Sweden. Siliciclastic sedimentary rocks, predominantly felsic volcanic rocks, and both spatially and temporally linked intrusive rock suites, deposited and emplaced at 1.9–1.8 Ga, form the syn-orogenic component. These magmatic suites evolved from magnesian and calc-alkaline to alkali–calcic compositions to ferroan and alkali–calcic varieties in a subduction-related tectonic setting. Apatite–Fe oxide, including the world's two largest underground Fe ore mines (Kiruna and Malmberget), skarn-related Fe oxide, base metal sulphide, and epigenetic Cu–Au and Au deposits occur in the Norrbotten lithotectonic unit. Low- to medium-pressure and variable temperature metamorphic conditions and polyphase Svecokarelian ductile deformation prevailed. The general northwesterly or north-northeasterly structural grain is controlled by ductile shear zones. The Paleotectonic evolution after the Neoarchean involved three stages: (1) intracratonic rifting prior to 2.0 Ga; (2) tectonic juxtaposition of the lithotectonic units during crustal shortening prior to 1.89 Ga; and (3) accretionary tectonic evolution along an active continental margin at 1.9–1.8 Ga.

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Högdahl ◽  
Stefan Bergman

AbstractDuctile shear zones with dextral transpressive deformation separate the Ljusdal lithotectonic unit from the neighbouring units (Bothnia–Skellefteå and Bergslagen) in the 2.0–1.8 Ga Svecokarelian orogen. Sedimentation steered by regional crustal extension at c. 1.86–1.83 Ga was sandwiched between two separate phases of ductile strain with crustal shortening and predominantly high-grade metamorphism with plutonic activity. Metamorphism occurred under low-pressure, medium- to high-temperature conditions that locally reached granulite facies. The earlier shortening event resulted in the accretion of outboard sedimentary and c. 1.89 Ga volcanic rocks (formed in back- or inter-arc basin and volcanic arc settings, respectively) to a continental margin. Fabric development (D1), the earlier phase of low-pressure and variable temperature metamorphism (M1) and the intrusion of a predominantly granitic to granodioritic batholith with rather high εNd values (the Ljusdal batholith) occurred along this active margin at 1.87–1.84 Ga. Thrusting with westerly vergence, regional folding and ductile shearing (D2–3), the later phase of low-pressure and variable temperature metamorphism (M2), and the subsequent minor shear-related intrusion of granite, again with relatively high εNd values, prevailed at 1.83–1.80 Ga. Mineral deposits include epithermal Au–Cu deposits hosted by supracrustal rocks, V–Fe–Ti mineralization in subordinate gabbro and norite bodies inside the Ljusdal batholith, and graphite in metasedimentary rocks.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael B. Stephens ◽  
Nils F. Jansson

AbstractFelsic volcanic rocks (c. 1.91–1.89 Ga) and interlayered limestone, hosting Zn–Pb–Ag ± Cu ± Au ± Fe sulphide and Fe oxide deposits, characterize the Bergslagen lithotectonic unit, Svecokarelian orogen, south-central Sweden. Three sulphide mines are currently in operation. Siliciclastic sedimentary rocks stratigraphically envelop this volcanic succession and all the rocks are intruded by a dominant calc-alkaline, c. 1.91–1.87 Ga plutonic suite. Fabric development associated with folding and localized shear deformation followed at c. 1.87–1.86 Ga (D1) and was succeeded by strongly partitioned strain (D2). Dextral transpression along steeply dipping, WNW–ESE or NW–SE shear zones prevailed in the northern and southern domains, whereas major folding with east to northeasterly axial surface traces and shearing along limbs occurred in the central domain. Open folding (D3) subsequently affected the western areas. Polyphase metamorphism under low-pressure and variable temperature conditions included anatexis at c. 1.86 Ga (M1) and 1.84–1.80 Ga (M2). More alkali–calcic magmatic activity, combined with the emplacement of anatectic granite and pegmatite, overlapped and succeeded the M1 and M2 migmatization events at c. 1.87–1.83 Ga and c. 1.82–1.75 Ga, respectively. The younger granites are genetically linked in part to W skarn deposits and host Mo sulphide mineralization. Switching between retreating and advancing subduction systems during three separate tectonic cycles along a convergent, active continental plate margin is inferred.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (18) ◽  
pp. 305
Author(s):  
Daï Bi Seydou Mathurin ◽  
Ouattara Gbele ◽  
Koffi Gnammytchet Barthélémy ◽  
Gnanzou Allou ◽  
Coulibaly Inza

The lithological and structural observations of the region of Brobo (Central Côte d'Ivoire) indicate a succession of metasedimentary rocks (micaschists with cordierite, silstones, graphitic sediments, sandstones with amphibole-garnet, etc.) intermixed with volcanic rocks (rhyolite, dacite, andesite, basalt and the volcanoclastics). The whole is intruded by granites with one or two micas, sometimes porphyries, granodiorites, gabbros, and granite gneisses. Interpretations of Landsat ETM+ , RadarSat-1 and SRTM remote sensing imageries, as well as field data, revealed several lineament directions which, after field control, correspond to major faults and shear zones. These large structures show the N-S, NE-SW, NNE-SSW, E-W, NWSE, and NNW-SSE orientations. The field data also made it possible to describe several structures and to propose a preliminary geodynamic model for the setting and structuring of the formations of this region. This model suggests that the geodynamic took place in three stages: distension with a deformation of basement formations generating a gneissocity (D1), as well as deposits of sediments in the basins; followed by a NW-SE to E-W convergence generating a cleavage in the volcanogenic series (D2). This phase of deformation continues while creating, locally, a strain slip cleavage or a transposed schistosity. The third cleavage affects the volcanogenic series (fractures cleavages, D3) and ends in large corridors of ductile shear zones and associated faults.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael B. Stephens

AbstractAn intimate lithostratigraphic and lithodemic connection between syn-orogenic rock masses inside the different lithotectonic units of the 2.0–1.8 Ga (Svecokarelian) orogen, Sweden, is proposed. A repetitive cyclic tectonic evolution occurred during the time period c. 1.91–1.75 Ga, each cycle lasting about 50–55 million years. Volcanic rocks (c. 1.91–1.88 Ga) belonging to the earliest cycle are host to most of the base metal sulphide and Fe oxide deposits inside the orogen. Preservation of relict trails of continental magmatic arcs and intra-arc basins is inferred, with differences in the depth of basin deposition controlling, for example, contrasting types of base metal sulphide deposits along different trails. The segmented geometry of these continental magmatic arcs and intra-arc basins is related to strike-slip movement along ductile shear zones during transpressive events around and after 1.88 Ga; late orogenic folding also disturbed their orientation on a regional scale. A linear northwesterly orogenic trend is suggested prior to this structural overprint, the strike-slip movement being mainly parallel to the orogen. A solely accretionary orogenic model along an active margin to the continent Fennoscandia, without any trace of a terminal continent–continent collision, is preferred. Alternating retreating and advancing subduction modes that migrated progressively outboard and southwestwards in time account for the tectonic cycles.


1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. V. Mikhalsky ◽  
J. W. Sheraton ◽  
A. A. Laiba ◽  
B. V. Beliatsky

Fisher Massif consists of Mesoproterozoic (c. 1300 Ma) lower amphibolite-facies metavolcanic rocks and associated metasediments, intruded by a variety of subvolcanic and plutonic bodies (gabbro to granite). It differs in both composition and metamorphic grade from the rest of the northern Prince Charles Mountains, which were metamorphosed to granulite facies about 1000 m.y. ago. The metavolcanic rocks consist mainly of basalt, but basaltic andesite, andesite, and more felsic rocks (dacite, rhyodacite, and rhyolite) are also common. Most of the basaltic rocks have compositions similar to low-K island arc tholeiites, but some are relatively Nb-rich and more akin to P-MORB. Intermediate to felsic medium to high-K volcanic rocks, which appear to postdate the basaltic succession, have calc-alkaline affinities and probably include a significant crustal component. On the present data, an active continental margin with associated island arc was the most likely tectonic setting for generation of the Fisher Massif volcanic rocks.


Author(s):  
Dennis Sánchez-Mora ◽  
Christopher R.M. McFarlane ◽  
James A Walker ◽  
David R. Lentz

Gold mineralization at Williams Brook in northern New Brunswick is hosted within the Siluro-Devonian, bimodal, volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Tobique-Chaleur Zone (Wapske Formation). Gold mineralization occurs in two styles: 1) as disseminations (refractory gold) in rhyolite, and 2) in cross-cutting quartz veins (free gold). Dating of the felsic volcanic host rocks by in situ LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb geochronology returned ages of 422 ± 3, 409 ± 2, 408 ± 3, 405 ± 2, 401 ± 9 Ma. Zr/Y of subvolcanic felsic intrusion (<8 for syn-mineralization and >8 for post-mineralization) suggests evolution from transitional to more alkalic affinities. Two mineralizing events are recognized; the first is a disseminated mineralization style formed at ~422–416 Ma and the second consists of quartz vein-hosted gold emplaced at 410–408 Ma. Felsic rocks from Williams Brook and elsewhere in the Tobique Group (i.e. Wapske, Costigan Mountain, and Benjamin formations), and the Coastal Volcanic Belt have similar Th/Nb ratios of ~0.1 to 1, reflecting similar levels of crustal contamination, and similar Nb and Y content, suggesting A-type affinities. These data indicate a similar environment of formation. Regionally, mafic rocks show similar within-plate continental signatures and an E-MORB mantle source that formed from partial melts of 10–30%. Mafic volcanic rocks from Williams Brook have a more alkaline affinity (based on Ti/V), and derivation from lower percentage partial melting (~5%). The chemical and temporal variations in the Williams Brook rocks suggest that they were erupted in an evolving transpressional tectonic setting during the oblique convergence of Gondwana and Laurentia.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Schrank

&lt;p&gt;About 50 years ago, John Ramsay and colleagues established the thorough foundation for the field-scale observational and mathematical description of the structures, deformation, and kinematics in ductile shear zones. Since then, these probably most important instabilities of the ductile lithosphere enjoyed an almost explosive growth in scientific attention. It is perhaps fair to say that this tremendous research effort featured four main themes:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;[1] The historic scientific nucleus &amp;#8211; quantification of shear-zone geometry, strain and associated kinematic history from field observations&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;[2] Qualitative and quantitative analysis of microphysical deformation mechanisms in the field and the laboratory&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;[3] Shear-zone rheology&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;[4] The development of physically consistent mathematical models for shear zones, mainly using continuum mechanics.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In concert, these four cornerstones of shear-zone research enabled tremendous progress in our understanding of why and how ductile shear zones form. So, what are some of the outstanding problems?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A truly comprehensive model for ductile shear zones must account for the vast range of length and time scales involved, each easily covering ten orders of magnitude, as well as the associated intimate coupling between thermal, hydraulic, mechanical, and chemical processes. The multi-scale and multi-physics nature of ductile shear zones generates scientific challenges for all four research themes named above. This presentation is dedicated to highlighting exciting challenges in themes 2, and 3 and 4.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In the microanalytical arena [2], the nano-scale is an exciting new frontier, especially when it comes to the interplay between metamorphism and ductile deformation. The nano-frontier can be tackled with new synchrotron methods. I showcase some applications to fossil shear-zone samples and discuss opportunities for in-situ experiments. In the domain of rheology [3], I present some simple experiments with strain-softening materials and field observations that support the notion: transient rheological behaviour is very important for shear localisation. In the modelling domain [4], some recent examples for the intriguing physical consequences predicted by new multi-physics and cross-scale coupling terms in ductile localisation problems are illustrated.&lt;/p&gt;


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evgenia Salin ◽  
Krister Sundblad ◽  
Yann Lahaye ◽  
Jeremy Woodard

&lt;p&gt;The Fr&amp;#246;deryd Group constitutes a deformed volcanic sequence, which together with the 1834 Ma B&amp;#228;ckaby tonalites occurs as a xenolith, within the 1793-1769 Ma TIB 1b unit of the Transscandinavian Igneous Belt (TIB) in southern Sweden. The B&amp;#228;ckaby tonalites, together with coarse-grained clastic metasedimentary sequences of the Vetlanda Group, belong to the Oskarshamn-J&amp;#246;nk&amp;#246;ping Belt (OJB; Mansfeld et al., 1996). In turn, the Fr&amp;#246;deryd Group was considered to be an older, probably Svecofennian, unit by Sundblad et al. (1997).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Fr&amp;#246;deryd Group is composed of ca. 80% mafic and ca. 20% felsic volcanic rocks, with subordinate carbonate units. Mafic rocks are represented by tholeiitic basalts and spilitized pillow lavas with MORB affinity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this study, a sample from a metamorphosed rhyolite, belonging to the Fr&amp;#246;deryd Group, was dated at 1849.5&amp;#177;9.8 Ga U-Pb zircon age (LA-ICPMS). This age is significantly younger than the Svecofennian crust, which was formed from 1.92 to 1.88 Ga. Instead, it is coeval with the oldest TIB granitoid generation (TIB 0), which intruded into the southwestern margin of the Svecofennian Domain, but the Fr&amp;#246;deryd Group is still the oldest crustal component southwest of the Svecofennian Domain.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Geochronological, petrographical studies and field observations have shown that the southern margin of the Svecofennian Domain was affected by ductile deformation shortly after the intrusion of the 1.85 Ga TIB granites (Stephens and Andersson, 2005). This took place during an intra- or back-arc rifting above a subduction boundary in a retreating mode and caused formation of augen gneisses and emplacement of 1847 Ga dykes into the TIB 0 granitoids. Rifting was followed by a collision of the rifted slab with the Svecofennian crust which is evidenced from emplacement of pegmatitic leucosomes during 1.83-1.82 Ga into the 1.85 Ga orthogneisses.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is interpreted, that the Fr&amp;#246;deryd Group was formed within an oceanic rifting environment, collided with the rifted Svecofennian slab and later amalgamated onto the Svecofennian Domain. The proposed geological evolution includes two deformation events during the period of ca. 1.85-1.82 Ga, which is in accordance with R&amp;#246;shoff (1975). Furthermore, it is evident that the Fr&amp;#246;deryd Group was formed as a separate unit outside the Svecofennian Domain, although they have a common geological history.&amp;#160; &amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;References&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Mansfeld, J., 1996. Geological, geochemical and geochronological evidence for a new Palaeoproterozoic terrane in southeastern Sweden. Precambrian Res. 77, 91&amp;#8211;103.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;R&amp;#246;shoff, K., 1975. Some aspects of the Precambrian in south-eastern Sweden in the light of a detailed geological study of the Lake N&amp;#246;mmen area. Geologiska F&amp;#246;reningens i Stockholm F&amp;#246;rhandlingar 97, 368&amp;#8211;378.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Stephens, M.B. and Andersson, J., 2015. Migmatization related to mafic underplating and intra- or back-arc spreading above a subduction boundary in a 2.0&amp;#8211;1.8 Ga accretionary&amp;#160;orogen. Sweden. Precambrian Res. 264, 235&amp;#8211;257.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sundblad, K., Mansfeld, J. and S&amp;#228;rkinen, M., 1997. Palaeoproterozoic rifting and formation of sulphide deposits along the southwestern margin of the Svecofennian Domain, southern Sweden. Precambrian Res. 182, 1&amp;#8211;12.&lt;/p&gt;


2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (8) ◽  
pp. 905-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Bedeaux ◽  
Lucie Mathieu ◽  
Pierre Pilote ◽  
Silvain Rafini ◽  
Réal Daigneault

The Piché Structural Complex (PSC) extends over 150 km within the Cadillac – Larder Lake Fault Zone (CLLFZ), a gold-endowed, east-trending, and high-strain corridor located along the southern edge of the Archean Abitibi Subprovince. The PSC consists of discontinuous units of volcanic rocks (<1 km thick) that host multiple gold deposits. It is spatially associated with molasse-type Timiskaming sedimentary basins. This study describes and interprets the origin of structures and lithologies within the poorly understood PSC to unravel the tectonic evolution of the CLLFZ. Field mapping, chemical analyses, as well as interpretations of cross-sections from drill-hole data, were used to interpret the geometry and structure of the PSC. The PSC is subdivided into six homogeneous fault-bounded segments or slivers. These slivers consist mostly of ultramafic to intermediate volcanic rocks and include some felsic volcanic flows and intrusions. Volcanic facies, chemical compositions, and isotopic ages confirm that these slivers are derived from the early volcanic units of the southern Abitibi greenstone belt, which are located north of the CLLFZ. Cross-cutting relationships between volcanic rocks of the PSC and the Timiskaming-aged intrusions suggest that the slivers were inserted into the CLLFZ during the early stages of the accretion-related deformation (<2686 Ma) and prior to Timiskaming sedimentation and ductile deformation (>2676 Ma). The abundant ultramafic rocks located within the CLLFZ may have focused strain, thereby facilitating the nucleation of the fault as well as the displacements along this crustal-scale structure.


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