Basement–cover relationships in the East Greenland Caledonides: evidence from the Eleonore Bay Supergroup at Ardencaple Fjord

1993 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. J. Soper ◽  
A. K. Higgins
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
East Greenland ◽  
Early Proterozoic ◽  
Basement Rocks ◽  
Erosion Level ◽  
Isotopic Studies ◽  
Extensional Faulting ◽  
Proterozoic Basement ◽  
Shed Light

AbstractThe Eleonore Bay Supergroup (EBG) is a 16 km-thick shallow-water sequence of Neoproterozoic age that is preserved within the East Greenland Caledonides in several tracts, surrounded by crystalline gneisses and schistose supracrustal rocks. The apparent downward transition from non-metamorphic EBG into gneiss gave rise to the classic ‘stockwerke’ hypothesis, in which all the metamorphism was regarded as Caledonian, and differences in grade were ascribed to the ascent of a migmatite front to different levels within the orogen. Field and isotopic studies in the 1970s however revealed that the underlying gneisses and schists had undergone orogenic reworking in mid-Proterozoic time; the EBG–basement contact was then interpreted as an approximately bedding-parallel décollement with apparent lag geometry, that is with EBG cover rocks in its hangingwall.Recent work in the northernmost EBG tract, at Ardencaple Fjord, has shed light on the problems posed by the basal relationships of the EBG, and together with regional structural and stratigraphic data leads to the following interpretation. There are two regionally important basement-cover interfaces within the East Greenland Caledonides. The earlier one is between Archaean/early Proterozoic gneisses and early Proterozoic supracrustal rocks, which were pervasively deformed in mid-Proterozoic time and form the basement to the Neoproterozoic Eleonore Bay cover sequence. This was deposited on a vast, continually subsiding shelf that is now preserved in East and NE Greenland and Svalbard, and contains Grenville detritus. EBG deposition was terminated by major extensional faulting of Vendian age; the succeeding Tillite Group is interpreted as a syn-rift sequence, presumably associated with the opening of Iapetus.The EBG–basement contacts that are not late faults are inferred to be extensional shear zones of Vendian age. These were reactivated in compression during the Caledonian orogeny in the Silurian, with metamorphic and fabric convergence, which accounts for the apparent downward transition from sedimentary rocks through schists into gneisses. Caledonian shortening was not large; inversion of the Vendian grabens was incomplete, so that the marginal shear zones retained their lag geometry and large tracts of low grade Eleonore Bay sediments are preserved at the present erosion level, surrounded by Proterozoic basement rocks, within the Caledonian belt of East Greenland.

scholarly journals Structure of the Eleonore Bay Supergroup at Ardencaple Fjord, North-East Greenland

1994 ◽  
Vol 162 ◽  
pp. 91-101
Author(s):  
A.K Higgins ◽  
N.J Soper
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
The Other ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Precambrian Basement ◽  
East Greenland ◽  
Late Proterozoic ◽  
North East ◽  
Basement Rocks ◽  
Erosion Level ◽  
Caledonian Orogeny

The Caledonian structures in the late Proterozoic Eleonore Bay Supergroup of the Ardencaple Fjord area were controlled by the position and shape of the contacts with older basement rocks. Those contacts that are not late faults are likely to have been extensional shear zones of Vendian age which were reactivated in compression during the Caledonian orogeny. This interpretation may aIso be applied to the other large tracts of low grade Eleonore Bay Supergroup sediments in East Greenland, and explains their preservation at the present erosion level, surrounded by Precambrian basement rocks.

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 Isotopic studies in the East Greenland Caledonides (72°–74°N) – Precambrian and Caledonian ages

1981 ◽  
Vol 104 ◽  
pp. 47-72
Author(s):  
D.C Rex ◽  
A.R Gledhill
Keyword(s):  
Crystalline Rocks ◽  
Reference Line ◽  
Published Data ◽  
East Greenland ◽  
Early Proterozoic ◽  
Late Proterozoic ◽  
Isotopic Studies ◽  
Data Points ◽  
Proterozoic Age

Rb-Sr isotopic studies on crystalline rocks from different rock units of the East Greenland Caledonides have given a number of isochron and 'errorchron' ages, as well as sets of inconclusive data. All the results are presented here as an illustration of the problems encountered, though previously published data is given in summary form. Eleven collections from Archaean - early Proterozoic rock units have given seven early Proterozoic Rb-Sr whole rock isochrons, while one set of data points plot about a 2450 m.y. reference line. Seven collections from metasediments of presumed middle to late Proterozoic age produced only one 'errorchron' of c. 1245 m.y., but data points from all the collections plot about a 1250 m.y. reference line. Six collections from a suite of 'older' granites gave four isochron ages of 1080, 1000,765 and 650 m.y. Eight collections from Caledonian granites gave four isochron ages, three 'errorchrons' and one mineral-whole rock isochron; the ages fall in the range 377-550 m.y.

scholarly journals Geologic field studies of the Miki Fjord Area, East Greenland

1985 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 219-236
Author(s):  
D. K. Bird ◽  
M. T. Rosing ◽  
C. E. Manning ◽  
N. M. Rose
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Crustal Extension ◽  
Geothermal Systems ◽  
Skaergaard Intrusion ◽  
East Greenland ◽  
Mafic Intrusions ◽  
Basement Rocks ◽  
Fracture Systems ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Field relations between Tertiary intrusions and the lithologic units near Miki Fjord provide a record of physical and chemical processes associated with crustal extension and the formation of the East Greenland continental margin. At several localities the Precambrian basement has been remobilized and partly incorporated in the large macrodikes northeast of the Skaergaard intrusion. Blocks of vesicular basalts sank into the macro­dike magma and were metamorphosed to equigranular aggregates of olivine and ortho- and clinopyrox­enes with concentrations of plagioclase filling amygdale-like structures. We suggest that contact metamor­phic dehydration of hydrous alteration minerals in the basaltic xenoliths and diffusion of this water into the macrodike magma were responsible for the abundant rhythmic layering that occurs near swarms of the xenoliths in a manner similar to that proposed by Taylor & Forester (1979) and Mc Birney & Noyes (1979) for the Skaergaard intrusion. Concentrations of xenoliths of leucogabbro and migmatitic basement gneis­ses are found near the top of one macrodike and in six smaller mafic dikes and sills that intrude the lower lavas. In contrast to the basalt blocks, the leucocratic xenoliths appear to have floated to the top of these mafic intrusions, thus providing an effective mechanism for transport of basement material during the early stages of crustal extension. Basement rocks and Tertiary basalts of the area have undergone hydrothermal alteration that is con­centrated in fracture systems near the intrusive bodies. Alteration mineralogy in the basalts consists of calc-silicate assemblages similar to those found in active geothermal systems in Iceland. Extensive calcium metasomatism is evident in a number of coast parallel dolerite dikes that are mineralized by iron-rich prehnite. Thermodynamic analysis of the dehydration of prehnite to form epidote and garnet indicates that the fluids responsible for the formation of prehnite mineralized dikes were at temperatures less than about 250°C. Mineralized shear zones and mafic dikes of presumed Proterozoic age define a pronounced structural trend in the basement of the area. This east - west trend is parallel with the coastal dike swarm north of 68°N and with topographical trends within the basalts. We therefore suggest that the pre-Tertiary struc­tures may in part control the deflection of the coastline at 68°N and other aspects of the Tertiary structural and intrusive development.

The Adola Fold and Thrust Belt, southern Ethiopia: a re-examination with implications for Pan-African evolution

1989 ◽  
Vol 126 (6) ◽  
pp. 647-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. “Beraki ◽  
F. F. Bonavia ◽  
T. Getachew ◽  
R. Schmerold ◽  
T. Tarekegn
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Thrust Belt ◽  
Progressive Development ◽  
Detailed Structural Analysis ◽  
Pan African ◽  
Basement Rocks ◽  
Fold And Thrust Belt ◽  
Dominant Structure

AbstractThe Adola Fold and Thrust Belt of Ethiopia is a late- Precambrian, north–south trending belt of volcanic-sedimentary and ophiolite–like units overlying ‘basement rocks’ (gneisses and granitic gneisses). Detailed structural analysis and data from microfabrics have documented two thrusting events (D1, D5) and three folding phases (F2, F3, F4). All deformations have affected both the rocks of the Adola Fold and Thrust Belt and the ‘older basement’. The structural history is recorded as follows: (1) formation of ductile shear zones (Dl); (2) progressive development of recumbent folds (F2); (3) a superimposed north-south trending, tight to isoclinal, upright penetrative folding phase (F3), which imparted the dominant structure of the region; (4) F3 was later gently affected, at right angles to F3, by the last folding event (F4). Metamorphic conditions during this deformational cycle reached highest greenschist to medium amphibolite facies conditions. Close to major thrust contacts imbrication produced metamorphic discontinuities. Marked retrograde metamorphism in narrow horizons indicates a continuation of minor movements along the major thrusts, postdating the metamorphic peak. Evidence of a second thrusting/faulting episode (D5) is only recorded at the mesoscale. This latter event was accompanied by very low to low grade metamorphic conditions. In accepting the previously reported age of 1030±40 Ma for the volcanic–sedimentary unit of the Adola Fold and Thrust Belt, and the interpretation of these units as an immature island arc, a possibly early Pan-African oceanic accretion is postulated.

scholarly journals 40Ar/39Ar mineral age constraints on the timing of deformation and metamorphism, North-East Greenland

1994 ◽  
Vol 162 ◽  
pp. 153-162
Author(s):  
R.D Dallmeyer ◽  
R.A Strachan
Keyword(s):  
Middle Devonian ◽  
East Greenland ◽  
Early Proterozoic ◽  
North East ◽  
Regional Deformation ◽  
Proterozoic Basement ◽  
Age Constraints

40Ar/39Ar mineral ages have been determined from basement gneisses and cover sequences exposed in the Caledonides of North-East Greenland. These range between c. 438 Ma and c. 370 Ma (Early Silurian – Middle Devonian). They are interpreted as dating cooling folIowing polyphase Caledonian metamorphism which completely rejuvenated intracrystalline argon systems within the (early Proterozoic) basement gneisses. The 40Ar/39Ar results indicate that thrust-related regional deformation.

Mafic igneous rocks and mineralisation in the Palaeoproterozoic Ketilidian orogen, South-East Greenland: project SUPRASYD 1996

1997 ◽  
pp. 66-74
Author(s):  
Henrik Stendal ◽  
Wulf Mueller ◽  
Nicolai Birkedal ◽  
Esben I. Hansen ◽  
Claus Østergaard
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Igneous Rocks ◽  
Border Zone ◽  
The South ◽  
East Greenland ◽  
North West ◽  
Arc Setting

NOTE: This article was published in a former series of GEUS Bulletin. Please use the original series name when citing this article, for example: Stendal, H., Mueller, W., Birkedal, N., Hansen, E. I., & Østergaard, C. (1997). Mafic igneous rocks and mineralisation in the Palaeoproterozoic Ketilidian orogen, South-East Greenland: project SUPRASYD 1996. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 176, 66-74. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v176.5064 _______________ The multidisciplinary SUPRASYD project (1992–96) focused on a regional investigation of the Palaeoproterozoic Ketilidian orogenic belt which crosses the southern tip of Greenland. Apart from a broad range of geological and structural studies (Nielsen et al., 1993; Garde & Schønwandt, 1994, 1995; Garde et al., 1997), the project included a mineral resource evaluation of the supracrustal sequences associated with the Ketilidian orogen (e.g. Mosher, 1995). The Ketilidian orogen of southern Greenland can be divided from north-west to south-east into: (1) a border zone in which the crystalline rocks of the Archaean craton are unconformably overlain by Ketilidian supracrustal rocks; (2) a major polyphase pluton, referred to as the Julianehåb batholith; and (3) extensive areas of Ketilidian supracrustal rocks, divided into psammitic and pelitic rocks with subordinate interstratified mafic volcanic rocks (Fig. 1). The Julianehåb batholith is viewed as emplaced in a magmatic arc setting; the supracrustal sequences south of the batholith have been interpreted as either (1) deposited in an intra-arc and fore-arc basin (Chadwick & Garde, 1996), or (2) deposited in a back-arc or intra-arc setting (Stendal & Swager, 1995; Swager, 1995). Both possibilities are plausible and infer subduction-related processes. Regional compilations of geological, geochemical and geophysical data for southern Greenland have been presented by Thorning et al. (1994). Mosher (1995) has recently reviewed the mineral exploration potential of the region. The commercial company Nunaoil A/S has been engaged in gold prospecting in South Greenland since 1990 (e.g. Gowen et al., 1993). A principal goal of the SUPRASYD project was to test the mineral potential of the Ketilidian supracrustal sequences and define the gold potential in the shear zones in the Julianehåb batholith. Previous work has substantiated a gold potential in amphibolitic rocks in the south-west coastal areas (Gowen et al., 1993.), and in the amphibolitic rocks of the Kutseq area (Swager et al., 1995). Field work in 1996 was focused on prospective gold-bearing sites in mafic rocks in South-East Greenland. Three M.Sc. students mapped showings under the supervision of the H. S., while an area on the south side of Kangerluluk fjord was mapped by H. S. and W. M. (Fig. 4).

The Wathaman batholith: largest known Precambrian pluton

1984 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 1082-1097 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Fumerton ◽  
M. R. Stauffer ◽  
J. F. Lewry
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Island Arc ◽  
Pacific Rim ◽  
Early Proterozoic ◽  
Northern Saskatchewan ◽  
Internal Deformation

The Early Proterozoic Wathaman batholith, in northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, is a 900 km long, megacrystic granite–granodiorite intrusion that straddles the junction between ensialic miogeoclinal and probably ensimatic eugeoclinal–island-arc terranes of the "Trans-Hudson Orogen," of the western Churchill Province. Although the largest Precambrian batholith known, it is, apart from marginal complexities, remarkably homogeneous throughout and, unlike comparably sized and situated Phanerozoic batholiths, shows no evidence of multiple intrusion, nor does it have comagmatic early mafic phases. However, it may be considered as just one phase of a larger batholithic belt that also includes numerous smaller plutons. Taken as a whole the composite batholithic belt is similar in many aspects to Mesozoic Pacific rim batholithic belts, and like them probably was emplaced during plate collision.The batholith is affected by pervasive internal deformation, is bounded on the northwest by major blastomylonite zones, and is transected internally by splaying shear zones. It is a mid- to late-synkinematic Hudsonian intrusion, emplaced within a markedly compressional, crustal regime. On the basis of petrological, geochemical, and isotopic criteria the batholith is an "I-type" intrusion, but the origin of the magma and the emplacement mechanisms are still unresolved problems.

scholarly journals Extraction of Boron from Ludwigite Ore: Mechanism of Soda-Ash Roasting of Lizardite and Szaibelyite

Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Guanghui Li ◽  
Jinxiang You ◽  
Jian Wang ◽  
Jun Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Carbonate ◽  
Energy Dispersive Spectrometer ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Selective Activation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Soda Ash ◽  
Scanning Electron

Ludwigite ore is a typical low-grade boron ore accounting for 58.5% boron resource of China, which is mainly composed of magnetite, lizardite and szaibelyite. During soda-ash roasting of ludwigite ore, the presence of lizardite hinders the selective activation of boron. In this work, lizardite and szaibelyite were prepared and their soda-ash roasting behaviors were investigated using thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS) analyses, in order to shed light on the soda-ash activation of boron within ludwigite ore. Thermodynamics of Na2CO3-MgSiO3-Mg2SiO4-Mg2B2O5 via FactSage show that the formation of Na2MgSiO4 was preferential for the reaction between Na2CO3 and MgSiO3/Mg2SiO4. While, regarding the reaction between Na2CO3 and Mg2B2O5, the formation of NaBO2 was foremost. Raising temperature was beneficial for the soda-ash roasting of lizardite and szaibelyite. At a temperature lower than the melting of sodium carbonate (851 °C), the soda-ash roasting of szaibelyite was faster than that of lizardite. Moreover, the melting of sodium carbonate accelerated the reaction between lizardite with sodium carbonate.

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.

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