Tracking compositional changes within the High Arctic Large Igneous Province using zircon Hf isotopes from altered volcanic ash layers of the Sverdrup Basin, Canada

<p>During Late Cretaceous times the Sverdrup Basin, Arctic Canada, received considerable air-fall volcanic material. This is manifested as numerous centimetre- to decimetre-thick diagenetically altered volcanic ash layers (bentonites) that occur interbedded with mudstones of the Kanguk Formation. Previous research on bentonite samples from an outcrop section in the east of the basin (Sawtooth Range, Ellesmere Island) revealed two distinct volcanic sources for the bentonites: most of the bentonites analysed (n=9) are relatively thick (0.1 to 5 m), were originally alkaline felsic ashes, and were likely sourced from local volcanic centres on northern Ellesmere Island or the Alpha Ridge that were associated with the High Arctic Large Igneous Province (HALIP). Two thinner (<5 cm) bentonites with contrasting subalkaline geochemistry were also identified. These were inferred to have been derived from further afield, from volcanic centres within the Okhotsk-Chukotka Volcanic Belt, Russia.</p><p>To better understand volcanism within the vicinity of the Sverdrup Basin during Late Cretaceous times, and further test the above interpretations, a larger suite of bentonite samples was investigated, drawing on samples from outcrop sections in the central and eastern Sverdrup Basin. Whole-rock geochemical analyses and combined zircon U-Pb age and Hf isotope analyses were undertaken. The vast majority of bentonites analysed to date have alkaline geochemistry and were likely sourced from proximal volcanic centres related to the HALIP. The combined U-Pb and Hf isotope data from these bentonites show a progression from evolved (-2 to 0) to moderately juvenile (+9 to +10) εHf<sub>(t)</sub> values between late Cenomanian and early Campanian times (<em>c</em>. 97–81 Ma). This is interpreted to record compositional change through time within the local HALIP magmatic system.</p>

Contrasting styles of magmatism and rifting in the High Arctic LIP, Sverdrup Basin, Canadian Arctic

<p>Located along the Canadian polar continental margin, the Sverdrup Basin is an elongated, intracontinental sedimentary basin that originated during Carboniferous-Early Permian rifting. Starting in the Early Cretaceous, volcanic complexes (VC) were emplaced throughout the basin, which are associated with the High Arctic Large Igneous Province (HALIP). Geochronological and geochemical data on HALIP rocks exposed on Axel Heiberg Island and northern Ellesmere Island suggest several discrete stages of emplacement; (1) voluminous mafic intrusive activity of tholeiitic character accompanied by minor extrusive volcanism at <em>ca</em>. 125-110 Ma (VC1a<strong>); </strong>the eruption of tholeiitic flood basalts on Axel Heiberg Island at <em>ca</em>. 100-90 Ma (VC1b); the emplacement of mildly alkaline lava flows, sills and dykes on Ellesmere Island at <em>ca</em>. 100-90 Ma (VC2);<strong> </strong>and the eruption of a suite of alkaline lava flows from central volcanoes at <em>ca</em>. 85-75 Ma (VC3). Each magmatic episode is characterized by a distinctive eruptive style and coherent geochemical signature regardless of the mode of emplacement. In this context, onshore manifestations of the HALIP can be viewed as time-markers in the evolution of the adjacent polar continental margin.</p><p>We use digital plate tectonic models, constructed via the <em>GPlates</em> software, to explore the parallel development of the Sverdrup Basin and proto-Arctic Ocean (Amerasia Basin) during the Early Cretaceous, and the transition from a sedimentary to volcanic Sverdrup Basin. Plate reconstructions of the Amerasia Basin at <em>ca</em>. 125 Ma suggest two zones of extension; one within the Canada Basin, which may include seafloor spreading, (Zone 1, more distal to the Sverdrup Basin) and the second further northwards in the Alpha-Mendeleev Ridge and Makarov Basin domains offshore northern Ellesmere Island (Zone 2, proximal to the northeastern portion of the Sverdrup Basin). The potential for enhanced melting caused by mantle flow (possibly related to the arrival of a mantle plume) towards the Sverdrup Basin depocentre could explain widespread magmatism of tholeiitic character from <em>ca</em>. 125-90 Ma (VC1). The transition to mildly alkaline (VC2) and alkaline magmatism (VC3) at <em>ca</em>. 100 Ma may have signaled the end of extension in Zone 1. The persistence of localized extension in Zone 2 could explain the shift in magmatic style and compositional diversity of igneous rocks emplaced at intrusive complexes (VC2) vs constructional volcanic edifices (VC3). In addition, greater depth to Moho along the northeastern Sverdrup Basin may have contributed to restricted mantle flow in Zone 2. We propose that the spatio-temporal evolution of HALIP magmatism in the Sverdrup Basin during the Cretaceous relates to (1) different styles of tectonic extension (distal vs proximal, protracted vs discrete, widespread vs narrow, seafloor spreading vs hyper-extensional rifting), and (2) the presence of hot, thin lithosphere close to the basin depocentre vs cold and thick lithosphere in the northeastern part of the basin.</p>

Carbon isotope and sequence stratigraphy of the upper Isachsen Formation on Axel Heiberg Island (Nunavut, Canada): High Arctic expression of oceanic anoxic event 1a in a deltaic environment

<p>Oceanic anoxic event (OAE) 1a documents a major perturbation of the Early Cretaceous global carbon cycle with severe consequences for the ocean-climate-biosphere system. While numerous studies over the past decades have provided a relatively detailed picture of the environmental repercussions of OAE 1a at low and mid-latitudes, studies from high latitudes, in particular the High Arctic, are limited. In this study, we present a high-resolution carbon isotopic and sequence stratigraphic framework for the lower to lower upper Aptian interval of the Isachsen Formation of the High Arctic Sverdrup Basin (Canada). These data enable us to precisely locate the stratigraphic position of OAE 1a in a deltaic sedimentary environment. The carbon isotope record allows, for the first time, identification of the different carbon isotope segments (CISs) of OAE 1a in the Sverdrup Basin and thereby correlation of the High Arctic record with sections from lower latitudes. Based on this improved chemostratigraphy, we revise the age of upper Paterson Island, Rondon, and Walker Island Members, important regional lithostratigraphic marker units. Whole-rock geochemical data record two episodes of marine incursion into the Sverdrup Basin during OAE 1a (CISs Ap3 and Ap6), which are interpreted as regional maximum flooding surfaces. This information is used in conjunction with detailed sedimentological logs and geochemical grain-size proxies to refine the sequence stratigraphic framework for the upper Isachsen Formation. We propose that transgressive-regressive cycles in the Sverdrup Basin were mainly controlled by the combined effects of eustatic sea-level changes and regional tectonic uplift, potentially related to the emplacement of Alpha Ridge, which culminated at ca. 122 Ma during CIS Ap9.</p>

Upper Paleozoic stratigraphy and detrital zircon geochronology along the northwest margin of the Sverdrup Basin, Arctic Canada: insight into the paleogeographic and tectonic evolution of Crockerland

The upper Paleozoic succession along the northwest margin of the Canadian Arctic Sverdrup Basin is little studied and poorly understood yet has the potential to yield insights into the paleogeographic and tectonic evolution of the Arctic regions including Crockerland. Carboniferous and Permian drill cuttings were collected from five exploration wells on Brock, Mackenzie King, and Ellef Ringnes islands. Seven unconformity-bounded sequences were identified and correlated. Reflection seismic interpreted on Ellef Ringnes Island indicates that a major syn-sedimentary fault offsets the Mississippian succession bounding a down-to-the-north half-graben. Late Pennsylvanian (Gzhelian) fault reactivation, associated with the Melvillian Disturbance, created a depression that extended northward and was bordered to the south by a structural high. Episodic minor fault reactivation occurred until the Early–Middle Permian boundary. During the latest Early Permian (Kungurian), sand derived from Crockerland prograded southward onto the Sverdrup Basin’s northwest margin and continued into the Roadian. After a lull during the Wordian, clastic progradation resumed in the Capitanian. Detrital zircon U–Pb ages recovered from Kungurian and Roadian samples on Brock and Ellef Ringnes islands display Devonian Clastic Wedge (DCW) signatures. A Moscovian–Artinskian carbonate blanket likely covered Crockerland and sheltered DCW material from erosion, implying it was a subsiding, carbonate bank throughout most of the Pennsylvanian – Early Permian. Base level fall in the Kungurian, associated with a transition to a more humid climate, breached these carbonate rocks to allow erosion and transportation of DCW material. Recycling of the DCW started earlier (Artinskian) and peaked later (Wordian) along the southern margin of the basin.

Carbon isotope and sequence stratigraphy of the upper Isachsen Formation on Axel Heiberg Island (Nunavut, Canada): High Arctic expression of oceanic anoxic event 1a in a deltaic environment

The Early Cretaceous oceanic anoxic event (OAE) 1a documents a major perturbation of the global carbon cycle with severe consequences for the ocean-climate-biosphere system. While numerous studies over the past decades have provided a relatively detailed picture of the environmental repercussions of OAE 1a at low and mid-latitudes, studies from high latitudes, in particular the High Arctic, are limited. In this study, we present a high-resolution carbon isotopic and sequence stratigraphic framework for the lower to lower upper Aptian interval of the Isachsen Formation of the High Arctic Sverdrup Basin (Canada). These data enable us to precisely locate the stratigraphic position of OAE 1a in a deltaic sedimentary environment. The carbon isotope record allows, for the first time, identification of the different carbon isotope segments (CISs) of OAE 1a in the Sverdrup Basin and thereby correlation of the High Arctic record with sections from lower latitudes. Based on this improved chemostratigraphy, we revise the age of upper Paterson Island, Rondon, and Walker Island Members, important regional lithostratigraphic marker units. Whole-rock geochemical data record two episodes of marine incursion into the Sverdrup Basin during OAE 1a (CISs Ap3 and Ap6), which are interpreted as regional maximum flooding surfaces. This information is used in conjunction with detailed sedimentological logs and geochemical grain-size proxies to refine the sequence stratigraphic framework for the upper Isachsen Formation. We propose that transgressive-regressive cycles in the Sverdrup Basin were controlled mainly by the combined effects of eustatic sea-level changes and regional tectonic uplift, potentially related to the emplacement of Alpha Ridge, which culminated at ca. 122 Ma during CIS Ap9.

Finding the VOICE: organic carbon isotope chemostratigraphy of Late Jurassic – Early Cretaceous Arctic Canada

A new carbon isotope record for two high-latitude sedimentary successions that span the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary interval in the Sverdrup Basin of Arctic Canada is presented. This study, combined with other published Arctic data, shows a large negative isotopic excursion of organic carbon (δ13Corg) of 4‰ (V-PDB) and to a minimum of −30.7‰ in the probable middle Volgian Stage. This is followed by a return to less negative values of c. −27‰. A smaller positive excursion in the Valanginian Stage of c. 2‰, reaching maximum values of −24.6‰, is related to the Weissert Event. The Volgian isotopic trends are consistent with other high-latitude records but do not appear in δ13Ccarb records of Tethyan Tithonian strata. In the absence of any obvious definitive cause for the depleted δ13Corg anomaly, we suggest several possible contributing factors. The Sverdrup Basin and other Arctic areas may have experienced compositional evolution away from open-marine δ13C values during the Volgian Age due to low global or large-scale regional sea levels, and later become effectively coupled to global oceans by Valanginian time when sea level rose. A geologically sudden increase in volcanism may have caused the large negative δ13Corg values seen in the Arctic Volgian records but the lack of precise geochronological age control for the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary precludes direct comparison with potentially coincident events, such as the Shatsky Rise. This study offers improved correlation constraints and a refined C-isotope curve for the Boreal region throughout latest Jurassic and earliest Cretaceous time.

High latitude meteoric δ18O compositions from the Cenomanian Bastion Ridge Formation, Axel Heiberg Island, Canadian Arctic Archipelago: a palaeoclimate proxy from the Sverdrup Basin

Stable isotope analyses of a siderite-cemented siltstone from the Cenomanian Bastion Ridge Formation, Axel Heiberg Island, Canada, produce a range of δ18O values from −21.9 to −18.4‰ Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite (VPDB), and δ13C values ranging from 2.0 to 4.4‰ VPDB. A meteoric siderite line of −18.95 ± 0.33‰ VPDB is calculated from siderite cements of the authigenic component. At estimated palaeolatitude of 68–72° N and palaeotemperature range from 12.6 to 13.7°C, the calculated δ18O range of palaeoprecipitation is −23.3 to −23.0‰ Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water (VSMOW). This result is compatible with other published meteoric water δ18O datasets from Cretaceous Arctic studies, but is near the lower end of the range of estimated δ18O values. The modern δ18O empirical relationship of Dansgaard and Earth System models simulating meteoric δ18O values does not yield results for palaeopolar regions that match proxy δ18O datasets. Orographic effects of contemporaneous mountain belts and seasonal biases in groundwater recharge have been proposed to explain this paradox regarding depleted meteoric water δ18O values from proxy data in greenhouse worlds. Evidence for local to regional orographic effects and alpine snowmelt biasing groundwater recharge is lacking for the Sverdrup Basin deposits, further indicating that the Dansgaard relationship does not apply to ancient greenhouse worlds.