Convergent margin on southeastern Laurentia during the Mesoproterozoic: tectonic implications

2000 ◽  
Vol 37 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 359-383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toby Rivers ◽  
David Corrigan
Keyword(s):  
Continental Crust ◽  
Continental Margin ◽  
Isotopic Signature ◽  
Convergent Margin ◽  
Grenville Province ◽  
Magmatic Arc ◽  
Marginal Basin ◽  
Arc Setting ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
Dyke Swarms

A continental-margin magmatic arc is inferred to have existed on the southeastern (present coordinates) margin of Laurentia from Labrador to Texas from ~1500-1230 Ma, with part of the arc subsequently being incorporated into the 1190-990 Ma collisional Grenville Orogen. Outside the Grenville Province, where the arc is known as the Granite-Rhyolite Belt, it is undeformed, whereas within the Grenville Province it is deformed and metamorphosed. The arc comprises two igneous suites, an inboard, principally quartz monzonitic to granodioritic suite, and an outboard tonalitic to granodioritic suite. The quartz monzonite-granodiorite suite was largely derived from continental crust, whereas the tonalitic-granodiorite suite is calc-alkaline and has a juvenile isotopic signature. Available evidence from the Grenville Province suggests that the arc oscillated between extensional and compressional settings several times during the Mesoproterozoic. Back-arc deposits of several ages, that formed during relatively brief periods of extension, include (1) mafic dyke swarms subparallel to the arc; (2) continental sediments, bimodal volcanics and plateau basalts; (3) marine sediments and volcanics formed on stretched continental crust; and (4) ocean crust in a marginal basin. Closure of the back-arc basins occurred during the accretionary Pinwarian (~1495-1445 Ma) and Elzevirian (~1250-1190 Ma) orogenies, as well as during three pulses of crustal shortening associated with the 1190-990 Ma collisional Grenvillian Orogeny. During the Elzevirian Orogeny, closure of the Central Metasedimentary Belt marginal basin in the southeastern Grenville Province was marked by subduction-related magmatism as well as by imbrication of back-arc deposits. The presence of a continental-margin magmatic arc on southeastern Laurentia during the Mesoproterozoic implies that other coeval magmatism inboard from the arc took place in a back-arc setting. Such magmatism was widespread and chemically diverse and included large volume "anorogenic" anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-granite (AMCG) complexes as well as small volume alkaline, quartz-saturated and -undersaturated "within-plate" granitoids. Recognition of the ~300 million year duration of the Mesoproterozoic convergent margin of southeastern Laurentia suggests that there may be useful parallels with the evolution of the Andes, which has been a convergent margin since the early Paleozoic.

New insights into the geologic evolution of the Grenvillian Trenton Prong inlier, Central Appalachian Piedmont, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 840-854
Author(s):  
Richard A. Volkert
Keyword(s):  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Hanging Wall ◽  
Sediment Source ◽  
Slow Cooling ◽  
Grenville Province ◽  
Magmatic Arc ◽  
Metamorphic History ◽  
Arc Setting ◽  
Appalachian Piedmont ◽  
Back Arc

New geochemical and 40Ar/39Ar hornblende and biotite data from the Grenvillian Trenton Prong inlier provide the first constraints for the identification of lithotectonic units, their tectonic setting, and their metamorphic to post-metamorphic history. Gneissic tonalite, diorite, and gabbro compose the Colonial Lake Suite magmatic arc that developed along eastern Laurentia prior to 1.2 Ga. Spatially associated low- and high-TiO2 amphibolites were formed from island-arc basalt proximal to the arc front and mid-ocean ridge basalt-like basalt in a back-arc setting, respectively. Supracrustal paragneisses include meta-arkose derived from a continental sediment source of Laurentian affinity and metagraywacke and metapelite from an arc-like sediment source deposited in a back-arc basin, inboard of the Colonial Lake arc. The Assunpink Creek Granite was emplaced post-tectonically as small bodies of peraluminous syenogranite produced through partial melting of a subduction-modified felsic crustal source. Prograde mineral assemblages reached granulite- to amphibolite-facies metamorphic conditions during the Ottawan phase of the Grenvillian Orogeny. Hornblende 40Ar/39Ar ages of 935–923 Ma and a biotite age of 868 Ma record slow cooling in the northern part of the inlier following the metamorphic peak. Elsewhere in the inlier, biotite 40Ar/39Ar ages of 440 Ma and 377–341 Ma record partial to complete thermal resetting or new growth during the Taconian and Acadian orogens. The results of this study are consistent with the Trenton Prong being the down-dropped continuation of the Grenvillian New Jersey Highlands on the hanging wall of a major detachment fault. The Trenton Prong therefore correlates to other central and northern Appalachian Grenvillian inliers and to parts of the Grenville Province proper.

Geochemistry, geochronology, and geodynamic setting of Ni–Cu ± PGE mineral prospects hosted by mafic and ultramafic intrusions in the Portneuf–Mauricie Domain, Grenville Province, QuebecGéologie Québec Contribution 8439-2008-2009-5. Geological Survey of Canada Contribution 20080511.

2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 331-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.-A. Sappin ◽  
M. Constantin ◽  
T. Clark ◽  
O. van Breemen
Keyword(s):  
Trace Element ◽  
Crustal Contamination ◽  
Island Arc ◽  
Geodynamic Setting ◽  
Grenville Province ◽  
Magmatic Arc ◽  
Andean Type ◽  
Trace Element Signature ◽  
Arc Setting ◽  
Back Arc

The Portneuf–Mauricie Domain in the Grenville Province consists of the Montauban group rocks (1.45 Ga), intruded by the La Bostonnais complex plutons (1.40–1.37 Ga). This assemblage was formed in a magmatic arc setting. The sequence was intruded by mafic–ultramafic tholeiitic plutons, some of which host Ni–Cu ± PGE (platinum group element) prospects. U–Pb zircon ages determined from these plutons indicate that the mineralized intrusions were emplaced between 1.40 and 1.39 Ga and that they are coeval with the La Bostonnais complex plutons. The Ni–Cu ± PGE-bearing intrusions have mature island-arc trace element signatures, with strong chemical evidence for differentiation (Mg# and Cr content; MgO and TiO2 contents) and crustal contamination (enrichments in K2O, Rb, Ba, Th, and light rare-earth elements; Th/Yb and Ta/Yb ratios). However, one intrusion displays a back-arc trace element signature associated with evidence for weak crust assimilation. The evolution of the Portneuf–Mauricie Domain is interpreted as follows: (1) 1.45 Ga — Northwesterly directed Andean-type subduction beneath the Laurentian craton margin. Furthermore, northwest-dipping intraoceanic subduction offshore from the continent formed the Montauban island arc. (2) 1.45 to 1.40 Ga — Andean-type subduction led to the formation of a back-arc basin behind the Montauban arc. (3) 1.40 Ga — Emplacement of the La Bostonnais complex plutons, some hosting Ni–Cu ± PGE prospects, into the Montauban arc. (4) 1.39 Ga — Subduction beneath Laurentia led to arc–continent collision and to closure of the back-arc basin. Intrusion of the Ni–Cu ± PGE-bearing plutons ceased. (5) 1.37 Ga — Intrusion of all La Bostonnais complex plutons ceased.

A U/Pb age for the Sulitjelma Gabbro, North Norway: further evidence for the development of a Caledonian marginal basin in Ashgill–Llandovery time

1991 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolf-Birger Pedersen ◽  
Harald Furnes ◽  
Greg Dunning
Keyword(s):  
Continental Margin ◽  
Pillow Lava ◽  
Late Ordovician ◽  
Trace Element Geochemistry ◽  
Element Geochemistry ◽  
Marginal Basin ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
Dyke Swarms ◽  
North Norway ◽  
Norwegian Caledonides

AbstractThe Sulitjelma Gabbro in the central Norwegian Caledonides has been dated with the U/Pb zircon/sphene method to 437±2 Ma. Geological relationships as well as trace-element geochemistry and Nd and Sr isotopic compositions suggest that the gabbro and associated dyke swarms and pillow lava formed during the initial stages of back-arc spreading. The age constrains the timing of juxtaposition of an older island-arc terrane and continental-margin lithologies exposed within the Caledonian nappes. The age of the gabbro is similar to that of the Solund–Stavfjord Ophiolite in west Norway, and confirms that spreading-related magmatism and marginal-basin development took place along the margin of Iapetus in late Ordovician–early Silurian times.

A U–Pb geochronological review of the Proterozoic history of the eastern Grenville Province

2002 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 795-829 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles F Gower ◽  
Thomas E Krogh
Keyword(s):  
Continental Margin ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Passive Margin ◽  
Grenville Province ◽  
Mafic Magmatism ◽  
Magmatic Arc ◽  
The North ◽  
Geological Evolution ◽  
Thrust Zone ◽  
Laurentian Margin

The geological evolution of the eastern Grenville Province can be subdivided into three stages. During the first stage, namely pre-Labradorian (> 1710 Ma) and Labradorian (1710–1600 Ma) events, a continental-marginal basin was created and subsequently destroyed during accretion of a magmatic arc formed over a south-dipping subduction zone. Subduction was short-lived and arrested, leading to a passive continental margin. The second stage addresses events between 1600 and 1230 Ma. The passive margin lasted until 1520 Ma, following which a continental-margin arc was constructed during Pinwarian (1520–1460 Ma) orogenesis. Elsonian (1460–1230 Ma) distal-inboard, mafic and anorthositic magmatism, decreasing in age northward, is explained by funnelled flat subduction, possibly associated with an overridden spreading centre. As the leading edge of the lower plate advanced, it was forced beneath the Paleoproterozoic Torngat orogen root between the Archean Superior and North Atlantic cratons, achieving its limit of penetration by 1290 Ma. Static north-northeast-trending rifting then ensued, with mafic magmatism flanked by felsic products to the north and south. Far-field orogenic effects heralded the third stage, lasting from 1230 to 955 Ma. Until 1180 Ma, the eastern Grenville Province was under the distal, mild influence of Elzevirian orogenesis. From 1180 to 1120 Ma, mafic and anorthositic magmatism occurred, attributed to back-arc tectonism inboard of a post-Elzevirian Laurentian margin. Quiescence then prevailed until Grenvillian (1080–980 Ma) continent–continent collision. Grenvillian orogenesis peaked in different places at different times as thrusting released stress, thereby precipitating its shift elsewhere (pressure-point orogenesis). High-grade metamorphism, thrusting and minor magmatism characterized the Exterior Thrust Zone, in contrast to voluminous magmatism in the Interior Magmatic Belt. Following final deformation, early posttectonic anorthositic–alkalic–mafic magmatism (985–975 Ma) and late posttectonic monzonitic–syenite–granite magmatism (975–955 Ma) brought the active geological evolution of this region to a close.

Timing of events in an Early Cretaceous island arc–marginal basin system on South Georgia

1979 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. W. G. Tanner ◽  
D. C. Rex
Keyword(s):  
Continental Crust ◽  
Island Arc ◽  
Magmatic Arc ◽  
South Georgia ◽  
Marginal Basin ◽  
Early Mesozoic ◽  
Mafic Complex ◽  
Minimum Age ◽  
Radiometric Ages ◽  
Basin System

Summary19 new K–Ar mineral ages of 78-201 Ma and 3 Rb–Sr whole rock isochron ages of 81 ± 10, 127±4 and 181±30 Ma are presented from units of continental crust, mafic complex and island arc assemblage on South Georgia. The Drygalski Fjord Complex, part of the possible floor of the marginal basin in the southern part of the island, includes granodiorite and gabbro plutons of minimum age 180–200 Ma. Together with older metasediments they have been affected by a major thermal event at about 140 Ma, thought to have resulted from the emplacement of a mafic complex (Larsen Harbour Formation) during the initial opening of the marginal basin. Rocks of the Larsen Harbour Formation are cut by the Smaaland Cove intrusion dated by Rb–Sr whole rock isochron at 127±4 Ma. An island arc assemblage exposed to the SW of South Georgia consists of pyroclastic rocks cut by monzodiorite and andesite intrusions, which give radiometric ages of 81–103 Ma. These data suggest that the marginal basin opened during the late Jurassic (pre-140 Ma); that part of an earlier (early Mesozoic) magmatic arc is preserved in continental crust making up part of the floor of the basin; and that subduction continued beneath the island arc until at least the Senonian time. The younger plutons in the arc were emplaced at roughly the same time as turbidite facies rocks at deep levels in the marginal basin were being affected by penetrative deformation and metamorphism. The timing of events on South Georgia agrees closely with that deduced for the continuation of the same island arc–marginal basin system in South America. The 180–200 Ma plutons correlate with an older suite of plutonic rocks reported from the Antarctic Peninsula and southern Andes; they are part of a once-continuous magmatic arc related to subduction of the Pacific plate beneath Gondwanaland during the early Mesozoic.

scholarly journals The Geon 14 arc-related mafic rocks from the central Grenville Province

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 545-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barun Maity ◽  
Aphrodite Indares
Keyword(s):  
Granulite Facies ◽  
Crustal Thickening ◽  
Grenville Province ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Crustal Thinning ◽  
Isotopic Analyses ◽  
Southeastern Margin ◽  
Intermediate Unit ◽  
Arc Setting ◽  
Back Arc

The late Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1.7–1.2 Ga) evolution of the active southeastern margin of Laurentia terminated with the Grenvillian continental collision and the development of a large, hot, long-duration orogen at ca. 1.09–0.98 Ga. As a result, much of the hinterland of the Grenville Province consists of Paleoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic rocks, mostly preserved as an imbricate stack of high-grade gneisses, that represent a potential repository of active-margin processes. This study presents geochronologic, geochemical, and isotopic analyses of two granulite-facies suites of ca. 1.45–1.40 Ga mafic tholeiites from the Canyon domain (Manicouagan area, central Grenville Province). One suite consists of 1439 +76/–68 Ma high-FeTi mafic sills with εNd values of –0.4 (TDM 2.57–2.72 Ga), indicate derivation from variably depleted to enriched MORB-type mantle sources, probably in an extensional back-arc setting, before intrusion in a ca. 1.5 Ga supracrustal metasedimentary sequence. The other, previously dated, 1410 ± 16 Ma Mafic to intermediate unit exhibits εNd values of 0.0 to +0.9 (TDM 2.02–2.25 Ga), and variably enriched MORB to arc geochemical signatures, for which formation in a transitional back-arc to arc setting is suggested. Integrated with published information, the new data support a model of a long-lived continental-margin arc and intermittent back-arc development on southeast Laurentia during the mid-Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1.5–1.4 Ga), in which repeated short periods of extension and crustal thinning in the back-arc or intra-arc regions were followed by compression and crustal thickening.

scholarly journals CARACTERIZAÇÃO GEOTECTÔNICA DO SETOR SETENTRIONAL DO CINTURÃO RIBEIRA: EVIDÊNCIA DE ACRESÇÃO NEOPROTEROZÓICA NO LESTE DE MINAS GERAIS, BRASIL.

1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antônio Gilberto Costa ◽  
Carlos Alberto Rosiére ◽  
Luciano Melo Moreira ◽  
Daniele Piuzana
Keyword(s):  
Continental Margin ◽  
Oceanic Lithosphere ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Island Arc ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
Magmatic Arc ◽  
High K ◽  
Alternative Hypotheses ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
Early Neoproterozoic

The early neoproterozoic evolution of eastern Minas Gerais is characterized by a history of a continental margin activity, including the accretion of suspect terranes. The Manhuaçu Terrane is one of those and is represented by a granitic continental plutonic arc and terrigeneous metasediments that reflect a continental margin. A metasedimentary gneiss belt at this margin with shallow to deep marine clastic lithologies as well as metavulcanic and metaplutonic mafic rocks was interpreted as an extensive tectonic segment with suspect development in a back-arc setting. Fragments of a volcanic arc are identified and interpreted as an evidence for a probable island-arc domain. In the studied region the Juiz de Fora and Paraiba do Sul Complexes are domains of these terranes. The distribution of magmatism in the studied region shows from west to east three different suites : 1) tholeiitic, 2) a medium to high-K cal-alkalic and 3) a high-K calc-alcalic/shoshonitic(?) magmatism which attests the evolution of early magmatism arcs (volcanic and plutonic) initially relates to ocean-plate subduction, followed by a continent-continent collision. Petrological, structural and geochemical data of mesoproterozoic/neoproterozoic metamorphic and magmatic suites of rocks are in agreement with the development of an accretionary orogeny. After a vulcanic-(island-arc) and a back-arc basin formation (by rifting of a continental margin with no spreading) in connection with eastward subduction, the island arc was accreted to a continental margin. Further subduction beneath it and a mechanism of flattening of the slab during the subduction process was responsible for the development of as granitic continental plutonic-arc (Andean-type batholith) eastwardly in a compressional setting. Continental plates became sutured and all intervening oceanic lithosphere was subducted beneath one of the converging masses. This resulted in the accretion of the Manhuaçu Microplate to the São Francisco Craton Domain. Plates continued to converge and the inversion of subduction polarity occurs resulting in a new subduction system (westward subduction) to the back of the Manhuaçu Microplate, in a easternward of the Espírito Santo state, with the establishment of a new magmatic arc of late neoproterozoic to eopaleozoic age. In this paper, only the probable early neoproterozoic volcanic (tholeiitic magmatism transitional between N-type MORB and island are basalts) and the plutonic (early continental calc-alkalic magmatism) arcs characterized by rocks with a very particular geochemistry and the back-arc basin setting will be discussed. Two alternative hypotheses to explain the evolution of these terranes may be postulated: 1) an island arc orogeny related to a westward subduction followed by a cordillerean type orogeny. With the advance of the island-arc and continent with offshore sediments, in  different plates, a collision between these domains occurred. The old subduction zone was replaced by another one, eastward directed and the development of a continental magmatic arc occurred. Continental plates became sutured and all intervening oceanic lithosphere was subducted beneath one of the converging masses. Against this model are the presence of metavulcanic basic and intermediate rocks intercalated with marine and continental margin; 2) an extensional ensialic setting (aborted marginal basin) in the continental margin formed during the opening of a rapidly subsiding basin, with moderately rapid mantle upwelling, pronounced thinning of the continental crust and slight crustal contaminanton, without formation of oceanic crust or an island-arc may explain the association of basic metavulcanic rocks with marine and continental metasediments. Here, the low potassium contents of a few studied metavulcanic basic rocks and theire oceanic tholeiitic affinity are not well in agreement with this setting where continental basalts (flood basalts), or rocks ( basalts or basaltics andesites) belong to the high-K calc-alkaline series are expected to occur. Nevertheless, our evidences are not unequivocal enough for theire disapprovals.

scholarly journals Comparative geochemical study on Furongian (Toledanian) and Ordovician (Sardic) felsic magmatic events in south-western Europe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Javier Álvaro ◽  
Teresa Sánchez-García ◽  
Claudia Puddu ◽  
Josep Maria Casas ◽  
Alejandro Díez-Montes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Magmatic Arc ◽  
Metasedimentary Rocks ◽  
Eastern Pyrenees ◽  
Structural Framework ◽  
Geochemical Study ◽  
Continental Lower Crust ◽  
Arc Setting ◽  
Early Palaeozoic ◽  
Back Arc

Abstract. A geochemical comparison of Early Palaeozoic felsic magmatic episodes throughout the south-western European margin of Gondwana is analysed. The comparison is made between (i) Furongian–Early Ordovician (Toledanian) activies recorded in the Central Iberian and Galicia-Trás-os-Montes Zones of the Iberian Massif, and (ii) Early–Late Ordovician (Sardic) activities in the eastern Pyrenees, Occitan Domain (Albigeois, Montagne Noire and Mouthoumet massifs) and Sardinia. Both phases are related to uplift and denudation of an inherited palaeorelief, and stratigraphically preserved as distinct angular discordances and paraconformities involving gaps of up to 30 m.y. The geochemical features of the Toledanian and Sardic, felsic-dominant activies point to a predominance of byproducts derived from the melting of metasedimentary rocks, rich in SiO2 and K2O and with peraluminous character. Zr / TiO2, Zr / Nb, Nb / Y and Zr vs. Ga / Al ratios, and REE and ƐNd values suggest the contemporaneity, for both phases, of two geochemical scenarios characterized by arc and extensional features evolving to distinct extensional and rifting conditions associated with the final outpouring of mafic tholeiitic-dominant lava flows. The Toledanian and Sardic phases are linked to neither metamorphism nor penetrative deformation; on the contrary, their unconformities are associated with foliation-free open folds subsequently affected by the Variscan deformation. The geochemical and structural framework precludes a subduction scenario reaching the crust in a magmatic arc to back-arc setting, but favours partial melting of sediments and/or granitoids in a continental lower crust triggered by the underplating of hot mafic magmas during extensional events related to the opening of the Rheic Ocean.

Stratigraphy, structure and geochemistry of Archaean supracrustal rocks from Oqaatsut and Naajaat Qaqqaat, north-east Disko Bugt, West Greenland

1999 ◽  
pp. 65-78
Author(s):  
Henrik Rasmussen ◽  
Lars Frimodt Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Trace Element Geochemistry ◽  
Element Geochemistry ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
North West ◽  
North East ◽  
Metavolcanic Rocks ◽  
Arc Setting ◽  
Area North ◽  
Back Arc

NOTE: This article was published in a former series of GEUS Bulletin. Please use the original series name when citing this article, for example: Rasmussen, H., & Frimodt Pedersen, L. (1999). Stratigraphy, structure and geochemistry of Archaean supracrustal rocks from Oqaatsut and Naajaat Qaqqaat, north-east Disko Bugt, West Greenland. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 181, 65-78. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v181.5114 _______________ Two Archaean supracrustal sequences in the area north-east of Disko Bugt, c. 1950 and c. 800 m in thickness, are dominated by pelitic and semipelitic mica schists, interlayered with basic metavolcanic rocks. A polymict conglomerate occurs locally at the base of one of the sequences. One of the supracrustal sequences has undergone four phases of deformation; the other three phases. In both sequences an early phase, now represented by isoclinal folds, was followed by north-west-directed thrusting. A penetrative deformation represented by upright to steeply inclined folds is only recognised in one of the sequences. Steep, brittle N–S and NW–SE striking faults transect all rock units including late stage dolerites and lamprophyres. Investigation of major- and trace-element geochemistry based on discrimination diagrams for tectonic setting suggests that both metasediments and metavolcanic rocks were deposited in an environment similar to a modern back-arc setting.

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