40Ar/39Ar Dating of Paleoproterozoic Shear Zones in the Ellesmere-Devon Crystalline Terrane, Nunavut, Canadian Arctic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon Caswell ◽  
J.A. Gilotti ◽  
Laura E. Webb ◽  
William C. McClelland ◽  
Karolina Kośmińska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regional Metamorphism ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Granulite Facies ◽  
Ellesmere Island ◽  
Ductile Deformation ◽  
Mobile Belt ◽  
Tectonic Zone ◽  
Granulite Facies Metamorphism ◽  
North West ◽  
Ductile Shearing

Paleoproterozoic gneisses of the Ellesmere–Devon crystalline terrane on southeast Ellesmere Island are deformed by m-scale, E-striking mylonite zones. The shear zones commonly offset pegmatitic dikes and represent the last episode of ductile deformation. Samples were dated by the <sup>40</sup>Ar/<sup>39</sup>Ar step-heating method to put an upper limit on the time of deformation. Biotite from one tonalitic protolith and five shear zones give geologically meaningful results. Clusters of unoriented biotite grains pseudomorph granulite-facies orthopyroxene in some of the weakly deformed gneisses, whereas the shape preferred orientation of biotite defines the mylonitic fabric. The intrusive age of the tonalitic protolith is 1958 ± 12 Ma, based on previous U-Pb dating of zircon. 40Ar/39Ar analysis of biotite from the same sample gave a plateau age of 1929 ± 23 Ma, which is interpreted as cooling from regional granulite facies metamorphism. Three nearby samples of mylonitic tonalite have <sup>40</sup>Ar/<sup>39</sup>Ar ages that range from ≈1870–1840 Ma. Biotite from two granitic mylonites over 80 km away return high-resolution Ar spectra in the same range, implying that widespread ductile shearing occurred between ≈1870–1840 Ma, or ≈90 m.y. after cooling from regional metamorphism. Although the 2.0–1.9 Ga gneisses of southeast Ellesmere Island correlate with the Inglefield Mobile Belt in North-West Greenland and the Thelon Tectonic Zone, the late shear zones are superimposed on that juvenile arc long after the 1.97 Ga Thelon orogeny.

scholarly journals Outline of the Nagssugtoqidian mobile belt of East Greenland

1979 ◽  
Vol 89 ◽  
pp. 9-18
Author(s):  
D Bridgwater ◽  
J.S Myers
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Granulite Facies ◽  
Tectonic Activity ◽  
Mobile Belt ◽  
East Greenland ◽  
The North ◽  
Marginal Areas ◽  
High Level ◽  
North And South ◽  
Wide Zone

The Nagssugtoqidian mobile belt is a 240 km wide zone of deformation and plutonic activity which cuts across the Archaean craton of East Greenland. The belt was established 2600 m.y. ago by the formation of vertical E-W shear zones and the syntectonic intrusion of basic dykes. Tectonic activity along the E-W shear zones was followed by the emplacement of tonalitic intrusions, the Blokken gneisses, 2350 m.y. ago in the central parts of the mobile belt. The emplacement of the Blokken gneisses was accompanied and followed by further emplacement of basic dykes. These are synplutonic in the centre of the mobile belt but are emplaced into more rigid crust in the marginal areas of the belt and in the Archaean craton to the north and south. During a second major tectonic and thermal episode circa 1900 m.y. ago, the region was deformed by thrusting from the north. In the southem part of the mobile belt the earlier steep shear zones are cut by shear zones dipping gently northwards in which rocks are downgraded to greenschist facies. The grade of metamorphism increases northwards and shear zones are replaced by open folds with axial surfaces which dip gently northwards. The increasing ductility in the centre of and northem part of the belt is associated with the intrusion of charnockitic plutons and their granulite facies aureoles. Regional uplift occurred before the intrusion of high level post-tectonic plutons of diorite and granite 1550 m.y. ago.

Geometry of the allochthonous Daly Bay Complex, Northwest Territories: a model constrained by geology and a three-dimensional gravity interpretation

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 1292-1302
Author(s):  
Terence M. Gordon ◽  
Donald C. Lawton
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Outer Part ◽  
Complex Form ◽  
Granulite Facies ◽  
Ductile Deformation ◽  
Lower Grade ◽  
Crustal Material ◽  
Tectonic Event ◽  
Granulite Facies Metamorphism ◽  
Dimensional Gravity

The Daly Bay Complex is one of several metamorphic complexes making up the Aqxarneq gneisses north of Chesterfield Inlet in central District of Keewatin. Granulite-facies metamorphism (0.55 GPa, 750 °C) and ductile deformation have affected all of the rocks in the complex. A 1–15 km wide, inward-dipping, ductile shear zone forms the outer part of the complex and contains strongly deformed equivalents of rocks in the core. Mesoscopic structures and metamorphic mineralogy suggest the Daly Bay Complex was emplaced into the surrounding lower grade rocks by northward-directed thrusting. A three-dimensional gravity model, constrained by structural observations and 1091 surface density measurements, shows that the relatively dense rocks of the complex form a spoon-shaped structure with a long axis trending northwest–southeast. It is approximately 50 km by 120 km in lateral extent and reaches a maximum depth of about 9 km. The thin-skinned geometry of the Daly Bay Complex supports the notion that the crust in central Keewatin between the Daly Bay Complex and Baker Lake comprises a series of undulating imbricated gneiss sheets of middle and lower crustal material, which were juxtaposed by a major tectonic event sometime between 2.5 and 1.9 Ga. The interpreted basal décollement is comparable to seismic features in many orogens, and a predictable consequence of increased ductility with depth in the crust.

scholarly journals EVOLUÇÃO PETROLÓGICA E ESTRUTURAL DA PORÇÃO ORIENTAL DO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAIS E SUAS IMPLICAÇÕES GEOTECTÔNICAS

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Gilberto Costa ◽  
Carlos Alberto Rosière ◽  
Lydia Maria Lobato ◽  
Fernando V. Laureano
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Granulite Facies ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Magmatic Differentiation ◽  
Metamorphic Belt ◽  
Quartz Crystals ◽  
Granulite Facies Metamorphism ◽  
Minas Gerais State ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Basic Rocks

A metamorphic terrain with high-grade rocks of the Atlantic Metamorphic Belt underlies the eastern part of Minas Gerais State, from south of the town of Manhuaçu to Caratinga. This terrain comprises peraluminous gneisses, igneous and meta-igneous rocks. Granulites occur as small nucleus and vary in composition between peraluminous and basic  to intermediate, the latter represented by enderbitic mobilizate. Their formation, as well as that of migmatites of granitic composition, is considered to be related to mafic and ultramafic intrusions. In basic granulites, garnet-bearing mineral assemblages, with the development of corona textures, attest the effects of granulite facies metamorphism, although igneous assemblages and textures are still well preserved. Retrograde alteration assemblages are locally preserved. Despite of the diversity of metamorphic  phenomena in this area, T and P calculations reveal consistent results. Temperature and pressure calculations were undertaken in basic granulites slightly affected by the retrograde process. Using Fe +²/Mg exchange between garnet and ortopyroxene as geothermometers  and the exchange reaction:  An +En = 2/3Pyr + 1/3Grs + Qz as geobarometers peak metamorphic temperatures in the range of 660 to 760°C, at 4,8 to 6,6 Kbar are obtained. Mineral, textural and geochemical evidences indicate that the  metamorphic conditions have changed with time and suggest that the formation of the granulites is caused by the underplating of magmas, probably mantle-derived, at the base of the crust. Several rations between major, trace and rare earth elements have been employed. The basic rocks are similar in composition to tholeiites generated in within-plate tectonic settings. Positive correlations netween K2O and SiO2 and negative between MgO and SiO2 in fresh gabbro-noritic rocks and enderbites indicate magmatic differentiation. The geochemical character of altered basic rocks displays an unsystematic dispersion in correlations diagrams. This lack of correlation coupled with field and petrographic suggest the effects of a late metasomatic event on these rocks. This metasomatism comprises the dispersed development of charnockitic rocks with large K-feldspars and quartz crystals. Later dynamic processes gave place to subvertical shear zones with a well defined foliation.

scholarly journals Reaction of Precambrian high-grade gneisses to mid-crustal ductile deformation in western Dove Bugt, North-East Greenland

1994 ◽  
Vol 162 ◽  
pp. 53-70
Author(s):  
B Chadwick ◽  
C.R.L Friend
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Ductile Deformation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
High Grade ◽  
East Greenland ◽  
North West ◽  
North East ◽  
Basin Development ◽  
Ductile Shear Zones ◽  
Partial Melts

Mid-crustal deformation of an Early Proterozoic high-grade gneiss complex in western Dove Bugt gave rise to at least two sets of nappes. Structures in mylonites in low-angle ductile shear zones associated with the younger nappes indicate north-easterly-directed displacements. The nappes and mylonites are folded by upright to inclined folds that verge north-west and which appear to be associated with decollements that dip south-east. Hornblende, sillimanite and anatectic partial melts that developed with the nappes, mylonites and younger folds show that deformation took place under amphibolite facies conditions. Several lines of evidence suggest that the younger nappes, the mylonites and the upright to inclined folds formed during the Caledonian orogeny. Some pre-Caledonian deformation may be represented by the oldest isoclinal folds. Numerous, small-scale, ductile extensional shear zones and more brittIe fractures that were superimposed across the Caledonian structures are believed to have formed during orogen-parallel collapse which may be related IO Devonian basin development farther south in central East Greenland. Younger fauIts and major joints are correlated with Carboniferous, Mesozoic and Tertiary basin development in North-East Greenland.

scholarly journals The structure of south Renland, Scoresby Sund. With special reference to the tectono-metamorphic evolution of a southern internal part of the Caledonides of East Greenland

1975 ◽  
Vol 112 ◽  
pp. 1-67
Author(s):  
B Chadwick
Keyword(s):  
Granulite Facies ◽  
Normal Faults ◽  
Mobile Belt ◽  
Minimum Thickness ◽  
East Greenland ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South West ◽  
Igneous Activity ◽  
Group Form

Renland occupies an internal position within the southern extreme of the outcrop of the Caledonian mobile belt of East Greenland exposed between latitudes 70° and 82° N. In south-west Renland migmatised paragneisses derived from sediments comparable to the late Precambrian Lower Eleonore Bay Group form a multilayered sequence with a minimum thickness of 1500 m. The migmatites are interleaved with thick concordant sheets of garnetiferous augen granite, the formation of which may be linked with the low-pressure granulite or transitional amphibolite-granulite facies conditions attained during migmatisation of the paragneisses. These conditions persisted during the folding together of paragneisses and granites into regional structures of nappe dimensions which had a north or north-west direction of transport. Refolding of the nappes under continued high-grade conditions gave rise to structures locally coaxial with nappe axes. Reversals of facing of nappes occur in backfolds. Linear fabrics of sillimanite and biotite and prolate ellipsoidal augen of feldspar are parallel to fold axes and show that constrictional deformation dominated the later stages of the nappe phase and the refolding event. The constriction is attributed to compressing of rocks in south-west Renland between nappes advancing from the south and a rising mass of granite and basement gneisses in the north. Intrusion of concordant sheets of biotite-rich hypersthene monzonite (mangerite) followed the nappe deformation in south-east Renland. The principal sheet, which is 500 m thick, forms the rim to part of a lopolithic basin. Thinner sheets of monzonite injected into migmatites within the basin have been disrupted by further migmatisation and granitisation. Stable assemblages in pyribolite restite suggest this later event, which was restricted largely to the basin, attained conditions of hornblende-granulite facies. Open warps attributed to monzonite injection and the basin formation are superimposed on nappes west of the principal sheet. Normal faults with downthrow to east and west relate to the formation of troughs filled with Upper Palaeozoic and Mesozoic sediments in the Scoresby Sund region. The distribution of the faults suggests Renland was a horst area in Upper Palaeozoic times. Tertiary igneous activity in south Renland is represented by rare dykes of olivine dolerite and scattered plugs of pyroxenite which locally contain large blocks of host gneisses.

scholarly journals The Proterozoic mobile belt in the Ammassalik region, South-East Greenland (Ammassalik mobile belt): an introduction and re-appraisal

1989 ◽  
Vol 146 ◽  
pp. 5-12
Author(s):  
B Chadwick ◽  
P.R Dawes ◽  
J.C Escher ◽  
C.R.L Friend ◽  
R.P Hall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Zones ◽  
Granulite Facies ◽  
Mobile Belt ◽  
The South ◽  
Southern Limit ◽  
Late Archaean ◽  
Early Proterozoic ◽  
The North ◽  
Layer Cake ◽  
Dyke Swarms

The Ammassalik mobile belt is characterised by a regional layer cake structure of tectonically interleaved sheets of quartzo-feldspathic orthogneisses and supracrustal rocks. The sheets of supracrustal rocks are most abundant in the north of the belt and they include semi-pelitic kyanite-sillimanite gneisses, graphitic schists, marble, amphibolites and local peridotite. The sheets are regarded as parts of a disrupted supracrustal sequence, here termed the Siportoq supracrustal association. Preliminary isotopic age data suggest that most of the orthogneisses are late Archaean, although some have early Proterozoic ages. The Siportoq supracrustal association has yielded an early Proterozoic age. Amphibolite dyke swarms were emplaced at various stages in the evolution of the mobile belt. The Ammassalik belt has an ill-defined northern limit marked by heterogeneous retrogression of a granulite facies terrain up to 100 km wide. Most of the belt is at amphibolite facies, with its southern limit lying to the south of the area considered here. The structure in the south is dominated by nappes and shear zones dipping NE within a wide tract of late Archaean orthogneisses intruded by amphibolite dyke swarms with relatively well preserved primary characteristics. The structure in the north is characterised by more pervasive deformation which gave rise to complex sequences of thrusting and nappe development propagating from the north. Large domes were superimposed on the nappe pile, perhaps as buoyancy phenomena. The dioritic Ammassalik Intrusive Complex (c. 1885 Ma) with its granulite facies assemblages is regarded as a late kinematic phenomenon. Major post-tectonic complexes of granite, diorite and gabbro (c. 1580 Ma) were intruded at a high level well after the close of the tectonism in the Ammassalik mobile belt.

scholarly journals Precise Location and Mapping of the Main Central Thrust Zone in Reference to Micro-Structures and Deformation along Khudi-Tal Area of Marsyangdi Valley

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 33-40
Author(s):  
Lokendra Pandeya ◽  
Kabi Raj Paudyal
Keyword(s):  
Regional Metamorphism ◽  
Static Condition ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Geological Mapping ◽  
Lesser Himalaya ◽  
Main Central Thrust ◽  
Thin Sections ◽  
Ductile Shearing ◽  
Shear Sense ◽  
Micro Structures

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.

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