scholarly journals The crystalline units of the High Himalayas in the Lahul–Zanskar region (northwest India): metamorphic–tectonic history and geochronology of the collided and imbricated Indian plate

1990 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Pognante ◽  
D. Castelli ◽  
P. Benna ◽  
G. Genovese ◽  
F. Oberli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Crustal Thickening ◽  
Indian Plate ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Lesser Himalaya ◽  
Medium Temperature ◽  
Polyphase Metamorphism ◽  
Early Palaeozoic ◽  
Northwest India

AbstractIn the High Himalayan belt of northwest India, crustal thickening linked to Palaeogene collision between India and Eurasia has led to the formation of two main crystalline tectonic units separated by the syn-metamorphic Miyar Thrust: the High Himalayan Crystallines sensu stricto (HHC) at the bottom, and the Kade Unit at the top. These units are structurally interposed between the underlying Lesser Himalaya and the very low-grade sediments of the Tibetan nappes. They consist of paragneisses, orthogneisses, minor metabasics and, chiefly in the HHC, leucogranites. The HHC registers: a polyphase metamorphism with two main stages designated as M1 and M2; a metamorphic zonation with high-temperature recrystallization and migmatization at middle structural levels and medium-temperature assemblages at upper and lower levels. In contrast, the Kade Unit underwent a low-temperature metamorphism. Rb–Sr and U–Th–Pb isotope data point to derivation of the orthogneisses from early Palaeozoic granitoids, while the leucogranites formed by anatexis of the HHC rocks and were probably emplaced during Miocene time.Most of the complicated metamorphic setting is related to polyphase tectonic stacking of the HHC with the ‘cooler’ Kade Unit and Lesser Himalaya during the Himalayan history. However, a few inconsistencies exist for a purely Himalayan age of some Ml assemblages of the HHC. As regards the crustal-derived leucogranites, the formation of a first generation mixed with quartzo-feldspathic leucosomes was possibly linked to melt-lubricated shear zones which favoured rapid crustal displacements; at upper levels they intruded during stage M2 and the latest movements along the syn-metamorphic Miyar Thrust, but before juxtaposition of the Tibetan nappes along the late- metamorphic Zanskar Fault.

The structure and geological development of the Erickson gold mine, Cassiar District, British Columbia, with implications for the origin of mother-lode-type gold deposits

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 2645-2660 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. Anderson ◽  
C. Jay Hodgson
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
High Heat ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Crustal Thickening ◽  
Orthorhombic Symmetry ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Gold Mine ◽  
The North

The Erickson gold mine is a typical gold quartz vein deposit. The veins are hosted by a thrust-imbricated, gently dipping, synformal allochthon of low-grade metamorphic, Devonian to Upper Triassic basalts, argillites, and peridotites of oceancrustal origin belonging to the Sylvester Group, part of the Slide Mountain assemblage. The Sylvester allochthon lies concordantly on Devonian miogeoclinal sedimentary rocks of the North American continental margin and was emplaced in the Middle Jurassic as a result of the collision of the Quesnel arc with North America. The veins in the mine are hosted mainly by a moderately dipping system of shear zones with approximately orthorhombic symmetry, indicating a triaxial bulk, inhomogeneous strain pattern superimposed on the earlier formed, gently dipping thrusts. Steeply dipping extension veinlets, rotation of schistosity, and downdip slickenlines indicate the maximum shortening axis was subvertical. The veins display complex superimposed ribbon and breccia textures, indicating incremental growth. Most of the gold occurs in association with tetrahedrite, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite in steeply dipping, late, grey quartz veinlets localized within and striking perpendicular to the main veins. The vein-forming event, dated at 130 Ma, appears to have been related to extension and high heat flow associated with the rise of the Omenica geanticline, in turn the result of crustal thickening caused by the collision of the amalgamated Quesnel arc – North America plate with Stikinia in the Middle Jurassic.

The geochemical and tectonic evolution of the central Karakoram, North Pakistan

1988 ◽  
Vol 326 (1589) ◽  
pp. 229-255 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Cretaceous ◽  
Crustal Thickening ◽  
Indian Plate ◽  
Contact Aureole ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Metamorphic Complex ◽  
The South ◽  
Northern Margin ◽  
North Pakistan ◽  
Mantle Component

The Main Karakoram Thrust (MKT) separates the Karakoram Plate from the accreted Kohistan—Ladakh Terranes and Indian Plate to the south. Within the central Karakoram three geologically distinct zones are recognized: from south to north (i) the Karakoram metamorphic complex, (ii) the Karakoram batholith and (iii) the northern Karakoraih sedimentary terrane. Magmatic episodes of Jurassic and mid-Upper Cretaceous age are recognized before India-Asia collision at ca. 50-45 Ma. Both reveal subduction-related petrographic and geochemical signatures typical of Andean-type settings. Associated with the Jurassic event was a low-pressure metamorphism (Ml). Synchronous with the mid-Upper Cretaceous episode was the passive accretion of the Kohistan-Ladakh terrane to the Karakoram and closure of the Shyok Suture Zone (SSZ). The main collision between the Indian and Asian Plates resulted in crustal thickening beneath the Karakoram and development of Barrovian metamorphism (M2). Early postcollisional plutons dated at 36-34 Ma cross-cut regional syn-metamorphic foliations and constrain a maximum age on peak M2 conditions. Uplift of the Karakoram metamorphic complex in response to continued crustal thickening was synchronous with culmination collapse along the inferred Karakoram Batholith Lineament (KBL). A combination of thermal re-equilibration of thickened continental crust and the proposed addition of an enriched mantle component promoted dehydration, partial melting and generation of the Baltoro Plutonic Unit (BPU). It was subsequently emplaced as a hot, dry magma into an extensional mid-crustal environment. A contact aureole (M3) was imposed on the low-grade sediments along the northern margin, whereas isograds in uplifted metamorphic rocks to the south were thermally domed with in situ migmatization.

Collision tectonics of the Ladakh-Zanskar Himalaya

1988 ◽  
Vol 326 (1589) ◽  
pp. 117-150 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Crustal Thickening ◽  
Indian Plate ◽  
Normal Faulting ◽  
Main Central Thrust ◽  
Palaeomagnetic Data ◽  
Late Tertiary ◽  
Ca 50 ◽  
The Right

The collision of the Indian Plate with the Karakoram-Lhasa Blocks and the closing of Neo-Tethys along the Indus Suture Zone (ISZ) is well constrained by sedimentologic, structural and palaeomagnetic data at ca. 50 Ma. Pre-collision high P— low T blueschist facies metamorphism in the ISZ is related to subduction of Tethyan oceanic crust northwards beneath the Jurassic-early Cretaceous Dras island arc. The Spontang ophiolite was obducted south westwards onto the Zanskar shelf before the Eocene closure (Dl). The youngest marine sediments on the Zanskar shelf and along the ISZ are Lower Eocene, after which continental molasse deposition occurred. After ocean closure, thrusting followed a SW-directed piggy-back sequence (D2). This has been modified by late-stage breakback thrusts, overturned thrusts and extensional normal faulting associated with culmination collapse and underplating. The ISZ and northern Zanskar shelf sequence are affected by late Tertiary redirected backthrusting (D3), which also affects the Indus molasse. A 50 km wide ‘pop-up’ zone with divergent thrust vergence was developed across the Zanskar Range. Balanced and restored cross sections indicate a minimum of 150 km of shortening across the Zanskar shelf and ISZ. Post-collision crustal thickening by thrust stacking resulted in widespread Barrovian metamorphism in the High Himalaya that reached a thermal climax during Oligocene-Miocene times. Garnet-biotite-muscovite + tourmaline granites were generated by intracrustal partial melting during the Miocene within the Central Crystalline Complex. Their emplacement on the hangingwall of localized ductile shear zones was associated with SW-directed thrusting along the Main Central Thrust (MCT) zone and concomitant culmination collapse normal faulting along the Zanskar Shear Zone (ZSZ) at the top of the slab. Metamorphic isograds have become inverted by post-metamorphic SW-verging recumbent folding and thrusting along the base of the High Himalayan slab. Along the top of the slab, isograds are the right way up but are structurally and thermally telescoped by normal faulting along the ZSZ. 1

Understanding pre- and syn-orogenic tectonic evolution in western Himalaya through age and petrogenesis of Palaeozoic and Cenozoic granites from upper structural levels of Bhagirathi Valley, NW India

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Aranya Sen ◽  
Koushik Sen ◽  
Amitava Chatterjee ◽  
Shubham Choudhary ◽  
Alosree Dey
Keyword(s):  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Normal Fault ◽  
Western Himalaya ◽  
Indian Plate ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
The North ◽  
Plasma Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Structural Levels

Abstract The Himalaya is characterized by the presence of both pre-Himalayan Palaeozoic and syn-Himalayan Cenozoic granitic bodies, which can help unravel the pre- to syn-collisional geodynamics of this orogen. In the Bhagirathi Valley of Western Himalaya, such granites and the Tethyan Himalayan Sequence (THS) hosting them are bound to the south by the top-to-the-N extensional Jhala Normal Fault (JNF) and low-grade metapelite of the THS to its north. The THS is intruded by a set of leucocratic dykes concordant to the JNF. Zircon U–Pb laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICP-MS) geochronology of the THS and one leucocratic dyke reveals that the two rocks have a strikingly similar age distribution, with a common and most prominent age peak at ~1000 Ma. To the north of the THS lies Bhaironghati Granite, a Palaeozoic two-mica granite, which shows a crystallization age of 512.28 ± 1.58 Ma. Our geochemical analysis indicates that it is a product of pre-Himalayan Palaeozoic magmatism owing to extensional tectonics in a back-arc or rift setting following the assembly of Gondwana (500–530 Ma). The Cenozoic Gangotri Leucogranite lies to the north of Bhaironghati Granite, and U–Pb dating of zircon from this leucogranite gives a crystallization age of 21.73 ± 0.11 Ma. Our geochemical studies suggest that the Gangotri Leucogranite is a product of muscovite-dehydration melting of the lower crust owing to flexural bending in relation to steepening of the subducted Indian plate. The leucocratic dykes are highly refracted parts of the Gangotri Leucogranite that migrated and emplaced along extensional fault zones related to the JNF and scavenged zircon from the host THS during crystallization.

Timing of Paleoproterozoic granitoid magmatism along the northwestern Superior Province margin: implications for the tectonic evolution of the Thompson Nickel BeltThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme of Geochronology in honour of Tom Krogh.

2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Machado ◽  
L. M. Heaman ◽  
T. E. Krogh ◽  
W. Weber ◽  
M. T. Corkery
Keyword(s):  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Crustal Thickening ◽  
Superior Province ◽  
Granitoid Magmatism ◽  
Continental Block ◽  
Granitic Magmatism ◽  
Peak Metamorphism ◽  
Granite Magmatism ◽  
Superior Craton ◽  
Superior Margin

The U–Pb geochronology of three granitoid plutons and three granitic pegmatite dykes, largely from the Thompson Nickel Belt located along the northwestern Superior craton margin, was investigated to place constraints on the timing of felsic magmatism associated with closure of the Manikewan Ocean and final continent–continent collision to form the Trans-Hudson Orogen. These data indicate that 1840–1820 Ma granite magmatism along the Superior margin was more active than previously thought and that some magmatism extended beyond the Thompson Nickel Belt sensu stricto, including the 1836 ± 3 Ma Mystery Lake granodiorite, 1822 ± 5 Ma Wintering Lake granodiorite, and the 1825 ± 8 Ma Fox Lake granite located in the Split Lake Block. Granitic pegmatites within the Thompson Nickel Belt were emplaced late in the collisional history in the period 1.79–1.75 Ga and include a 1770 ± 2 Ma dyke exposed at the Thompson pit, a 1767 ± 6 Ma dyke at the Pipe Pit, and a 1786 ± 2 Ma dyke located at Paint Lake. The final stage of crustal amalgamation in the eastern Trans-Hudson Orogen involved Superior Province crustal thickening and partial melting forming 1.84–1.82 Ga granite magmas and then final collision at ∼1.8 Ga between the Superior Province and a continental block to the west consisting of the previously amalgamated Sask and Hearne cratons. Heating of the Superior craton margin and granitic magmatism continued past peak metamorphism (1790–1750 Ma); this thermal event is represented by the emplacement of numerous late pegmatite dykes and evidenced by cooling dates recorded by metamorphic minerals (e.g., titanite) in reworked Archean gneisses and Proterozoic intrusions.

scholarly journals Geology and Mineral Resources of Phalamdada-Dhuwakot Section of West-Central Nepal, Lesser Himalaya

2018 ◽  
pp. 59-64
Author(s):  
Arjun Bhattarai ◽  
Kabiraj Paudyal
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Resources ◽  
Geological Mapping ◽  
Metamorphic Rocks ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Lesser Himalaya ◽  
Central Nepal ◽  
West Central ◽  
Metallic Mineral ◽  
Geological Control ◽  
Core Part

Geological mapping was carried out along the Phalamdanda-Dhuwakot section of west-central Nepal in the Lesser Himalaya. The aim of geological mapping was to prospect the metallic mineral resources in the area especially to assess the geological control of mineralization as prognostic mapping and study the genesis of mineralization. The area has developed low-grade metamorphic rocks of the Nawakot Group. Geological rock units like the Kuncha Formation, Fagfog Quartzite, Dandagaon Phyllite, Nourpul Formation and Dhading Dolomite are mapped in the area. Jal Bhanjyang Thrust carries the more older rocks of the Nourpul Formation over the Dhading Dolomite. The area is highly deformed as indicated by presence of folds. Outliers of Fagfog Quartzite and Dhading Dolomite are developed at the core part of the syncline. Phalamdada iron and Anbu Khaireni as well as Dharapani copper are the major metallic deposits reported in the area. Both deposits are considered as the syngenetic in nature. Bulletin of Department of Geology, vol. 20-21, 2018, pp:59-64

Macro- and microstructural analysis of the Zhujiafang ductile shear zone, Hengshan Complex: Tectonic nature and geodynamic implications of the evolution of Trans−North China orogen

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lingchao He ◽  
Jian Zhang ◽  
Guochun Zhao ◽  
Changqing Yin ◽  
Jiahui Qian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zone ◽  
North China ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Crustal Thickening ◽  
Slip Systems ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Ductile Shear Zone ◽  
Crustal Rocks ◽  
Ductile Shear ◽  
Lower Crustal

In worldwide orogenic belts, crustal-scale ductile shear zones are important tectonic channels along which the orogenic root (i.e., high-grade metamorphic lower-crustal rocks) commonly experienced a relatively quick exhumation or uplift process. However, their tectonic nature and geodynamic processes are poorly constrained. In the Trans−North China orogen, the crustal-scale Zhujiafang ductile shear zone represents a major tectonic boundary separating the upper and lower crusts of the orogen. Its tectonic nature, structural features, and timing provide vital information into understanding this issue. Detailed field observations showed that the Zhujiafang ductile shear zone experienced polyphase deformation. Variable macro- and microscopic kinematic indicators are extensively preserved in the highly sheared tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) and supracrustal rock assemblages and indicate an obvious dextral strike-slip and dip-slip sense of shear. Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) was utilized to further determine the crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of typical rock-forming minerals, including hornblende, quartz, and feldspar. EBSD results indicate that the hornblendes are characterized by (100) <001> and (110) <001> slip systems, whereas quartz grains are dominated by prism <a> and prism <c> slip systems, suggesting an approximate shear condition of 650−700 °C. This result is consistent with traditional thermobarometry pressure-temperature calculations implemented on the same mineral assemblages. Combined with previously reported metamorphic data in the Trans−North China orogen, we suggest that the Zhujiafang supracrustal rocks were initially buried down to ∼30 km depth, where high differential stress triggered the large-scale ductile shear between the upper and lower crusts. The high-grade lower-crustal rocks were consequently exhumed upwards along the shear zone, synchronous with extensive isothermal decompression metamorphism. The timing of peak collision-related crustal thickening was further constrained by the ca. 1930 Ma metamorphic zircon ages, whereas a subsequent exhumation event was manifested by ca. 1860 Ma syntectonic granitic veins and the available Ar-Ar ages of the region. The Zhujiafang ductile shear zone thus essentially record an integrated geodynamic process of initial collision, crustal thickening, and exhumation involved in formation of the Trans−North China orogen at 1.9−1.8 Ga.

scholarly journals Effects of tectonically induced fabrics on geomechanical properties of rocks, NW Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (9) ◽  
pp. 4905-4916
Author(s):  
Asghar Ali ◽  
Saddam Hussain ◽  
Shehzad Khan ◽  
Awal Sher Khan ◽  
Sohail Mabood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Applied Load ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Indian Plate ◽  
Uniaxial Tensile ◽  
Geomechanical Properties ◽  
Uniaxial Tensile Strength ◽  
The Core ◽  
Core Samples ◽  
Crenulation Cleavage

Abstract The Chakdara Granitic Gneisses (CGG) of the Indian plate and Kamila Amphibolite of the Kohistan Island Arc (KIA) along the Main Mantle Thrust (MMT) in Shigo Kas, Talash Dir Lower, indicate that tectonically induced foliations and lineations strongly affected the geomechanical properties of these rocks. The earlier S1 crenulated cleavages are well preserved in the microlithon of a well-developed ENE-WSW trending S2 crenulation cleavage. The pervasive S2 foliations, D2 fold axes, and L22 lineations are induced by NNW-SSE horizontal bulk shortening. The core samples obtained parallel and perpendicular to the main ENE-WSW trending S2 and L22 have higher and lower uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) values, respectively. The UCS and uniaxial tensile strength (UTS) average values of four core samples obtained parallel and perpendicular to the main S2 are 51.8 MPa and 12.21 MPa versus 45.65 MPa and 12.45 MPa, respectively. Core samples from the weakly foliated S-2 specimen shows little variation in the UCS and UTS values. The variation in the UCS values in the core samples cut perpendicular and parallel to the main tectonic fabric has been controlled by micro-shear zones at the contact zones of crenulated and crenulation cleavages and sigmoidal mica fish. The UCS values are higher in the core samples parallel to the pervasive S2 and L22 because the parallel shear on the sigmoidal crenulated cleavages in microlithon of the S2 and S2 mica fish counterbalance the parallel external applied load. However, the UCS values decrease in the core samples that were cut perpendicular to the pervasive S2 and L22 because the perpendicular shear on the sigmoidal crenulated cleavages in microlithon of the S2 and S2 mica fish enhances the external applied load, which lead to the failure of core samples.

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