Detrital zircon sources in the Ordovician metasedimentary rocks of the Moroccan Meseta: Inferences for northern Gondwanan passive-margin paleogeography

ABSTRACT Detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology has been widely used to constrain the pre-Carboniferous geography of the European and, to a lesser extent, the Moroccan Variscides. The latter have been generally considered as part of a long-lasting passive margin that characterized northern Gondwana from Ordovician to Devonian time, and was subsequently involved in the late Paleozoic Variscan orogeny. We report detrital zircon ages for three Early to Late Ordovician samples from the Beni Mellala inlier in the northeastern part of the Western Moroccan Meseta in order to discuss the temporal evolution of the sources of sediments in this region. The detrital zircon spectra of these samples, characterized by two main populations with mean ages of 630–610 Ma and 2170–2060 Ma, are typical of Cambrian–Devonian rocks from the Moroccan Variscides and confirm their link to the West African craton. A minor Stenian–Tonian population (peak at ca. 970 Ma) suggests the influence of a distant and intermittent NE African source (Sahara metacraton), which was probably interrupted after Ordovician time. Our data support previous interpretations of the Moroccan Meseta (and the entire northern Moroccan Variscides) as part of the northern Gondwana passive margin. The main sources of these sediments would have been the West African craton in the western regions of the passive margin (Moroc- can Meseta and central European Paleozoic massifs), and the Arabian-Nubian Shield and/or Sahara metacraton in the eastern areas (Libya, Egypt, Jordan, central and NW Iberian zones during Paleozoic time), where the 1.0 Ga detrital zircon population is persistent throughout the Ordovician–Devonian time span.

Geochemistry and tectonic setting for the deposition of IOG siliciclastics at the western margin of Bonai Granite, Singhbhum-Orissa Craton, India

Bagiyabahal and Birtola areas are located in the south-western extension of the Noamundi-Koira Iron Ore Group (IOG) basin. Rock types exposed in the area comprises of siliciclastics and volcanics which occurs unconformably over the basement tonalite-trondhjemite granite-gneiss (Bonai Granite Phase-I). The cover rocks show sheared contact with the porphyritic Bonai Granite Phase-II. The IOG basin margin is suggested to be a part of a ‘volcanic passive margin’ as indicated by the geochemical behaviour of the siliciclastics as well as massive emplacements of mafic intrusives (doleritic sill, dyke and gabbro) and extrusives (basaltic lava flow) along faulted continental blocks. The siliciclastics comprise of U and Au bearing quartz-pebble conglomerate (QPC) and quartzite succession. It was deposited along the western margin of the Bonai granite (phase I) in anoxic conditions as indicated by their low Th/U ratios and presence of detrital uraninite grains. Repeated cycles of sedimentation and volcanism led to the formation of alternate layers of siliciclastics and basic bodies in the area. Major, trace and rare earth elements (REE) geochemical data suggests a semi-humid to humid palaeo-climatic environment of during the deposition in the passive continental margin setting characterized by fault-controlled sedimentation over a rift related faulted continental crust and shelf. Geochemical data suggests chemically weathered provenance dominated by clay minerals. Higher content of U, Th, Au, Cr, REE, platinum group of elements (PGE) and other geochemical ratios suggest a mixed provenance for the deposition of the siliciclastics comprising a predominantly acidic/granitic source possibly from the Bonai Granitic Complex (BGC) along with granite derived reworked quartzose sediments, minor basic and ultrabasic sources of Older Metamorphic Group (OMG). This paper attempts to characterize the geochemical behaviour, tectonic setting and provenance of the siliciclastics of Birtola and Bagiyabahal areas by analyzing drill core and surface samples.

Contrasting transform and passive margin subsidence history and heat flow evolution: insights from 3D thermo-mechanical modelling

Transform and passive margins developed during the continental rifting and opening of oceanic basins are fundamental elements of plate tectonics. It has been suggested that inherited structures, plate divergence velocities and surface processes exert a first order control on the topographic and bathymetric evolution and thermal history of these margins and related sedimentary basins. Their complex spatial-temporal dynamics have remained controversial. Here, we conducted 3D magmatic-thermo-mechanical numerical experiments coupled with surface processes modelling to simulate the dynamics of continental rifting, continental transform fault zone formation and persistent oceanic transform faulting and zero-offset oceanic fracture zones development. Numerical modelling results allow to explain the first order observations from passive and transform margins, such as diachronous rifting, heat flow rise and cooling in individual depocenters and contrasting basin tectonics of extensional and transtensional origin. In addition, the models reproduce the rise of both marginal ridges and transform marginal plateaus and their interaction with erosion and sedimentation. Comparison of model results with observations from natural examples yield new insights into the tectono-sedimentary and thermal evolution of several key passive and transform continental margins worldwide.Supplementary material at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5756555

The Geochemical and Isotopic Record of Wilson Cycles in Northwestern South America: From the Iapetus to the Caribbean

Isotopic and geochemical data delineate passive margin, rift and active margin cycles in northwestern South America since ~623 Ma, spanning from the Iapetus Wilson Cycle. Ultramafic and mafic rocks record rifting associated with the formation of the Iapetus Ocean during 623–531 Ma, while the initiation of subduction of the Iapetus and Rheic oceans is recorded by continental arc plutons that formed during 499–414 Ma, with alternating compressive and extensional stages. Muscovite 40Ar/39Ar dates suggest there may have been a phase of Carboniferous metamorphism, although this remains tentative. A Passive margin was modified by active margin magmatism that started at ~294 Ma and culminated with collisional tectonics that signaled the final stages of the amalgamation of western Pangaea. Early Pangaea fragmentation included back-arc rifting during 245–216 Ma, leading to a Pacific active margin that spanned from 213–115 Ma. Trench retreat accelerated during 144–115 Ma, forming a highly attenuated continental margin prior to the collision of the Caribbean Large Igneous Province at ~75 Ma.

Anabar-Lena Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element, Northern East Siberia

Anabar-Lena Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element (AL CTSE) is located in the northern East Siberia extending for c. 700 km along the Laptev Sea coast between the Khatanga Bay and Lena River delta. AL CTSE consists of rocks from Mesoproterozoic to Late Cretaceous in age with total thickness reaching 14 km. It evolved through the following tectonic settings: (1) Meso-Early Neoproterozoic intracratonic basin, (2) Ediacaran - Early Devonian passive margin, (3) Middle Devonian - Early Carboniferous rift, (4) late Early Carboniferous - latest Jurassic passive margin, (5) Permian foreland basin, (6) Triassic to Jurassic continental platform basin and (7) latest Jurassic - earliest Late Cretaceous foreland basin. Proterozoic and lower-middle Paleozoic successions are composed mainly by carbonate rocks while siliciclastic rocks dominate upper Paleozoic and Mesozoic sections. Several petroleum systems are assumed in the AL CTSE. Permian source rocks and Triassic sandstone reservoirs are the most important play elements. Presence of several mature source rock units and abundant oil- and gas-shows (both in wells and in outcrops), including a giant Olenek Bitumen Field, suggest that further exploration in this area may result in economic discoveries.

Definition of tectono-sedimentary elements for rifted continental margins of the Norwegian and Greenland seas

The geology of the conjugate continental margins of the Norwegian and Greenland Seas reflects 400 Ma of post-Caledonian continental rifting, continental breakup between early Eocene and Miocene times, and subsequent passive margin conditions accompanying seafloor spreading. During Devonian-Carboniferous time, rifting and continental deposition prevailed, but from the mid-Carboniferous, rifting decreased and marine deposition commenced in the north culminating in a Late Permian open seaway as rifting resumed. The seaway became partly filled by Triassic and Lower Jurassic sediments causing mixed marine/non-marine deposition. A permanent, open seaway established by the end of the Early Jurassic and was followed by the development of an axial line of deep marine Cretaceous basins. The final, strong rift pulse of continental breakup occurred along a line oblique to the axis of these basins. The Jan Mayen Micro-Continent formed by resumed rifting in a part of the East Greenland margin in Eocene to Miocene times. This complex tectonic development is reflected in the sedimentary record in the two conjugate margins, which clearly shows their common pre-breakup geological development. The strong correlation between the two present margins is the basis for defining seven tectono-sedimentary elements (TSE) and establishing eight composite tectono-sedimentary elements (CTSE) in the region.

Geoacoustic Estimation of the Seafloor Sound Speed Profile in Deep Passive Margin Setting Using Standard Multichannel Seismic Data

Seafloor geoacoustic properties are important in determining sound propagation in the marine environment, which broadly affects sub-sea activities. However, geoacoustic investigation of the deep seafloor, which is required by the recent expansion of deep-water operations, is challenging. This paper presents a methodology for estimating the seafloor sound speed, c0, and a sub-bottom velocity gradient, K, in a relatively deep-water-compacting (~1000 m) passive-margin setting, based on standard commercial 2D seismic data. Here we study the seafloor of the southeastern Mediterranean margin based on data from three commercial seismic profiles, which were acquired using a 7.2 km-long horizontal receiver array. The estimation applies a geoacoustic inversion of the wide-angle reflections and the travel times of the head waves of bending rays. Under the assumption of a constant positive K, the geoacoustic inversion converges to a unique set of parameters that best satisfy the data. The analysis of 24 measurement locations revealed an increase in the average estimates of c0 from 1537 ± 13 m s−1 to 1613 ± 12 m s−1 for seafloor depths between ~1150 m and ~1350 m. K ranged between 0.75 and 0.85 m s−1 with an average of 0.80 ± 0.035 s−1. The parameters were consistent across the different locations and seismic lines and they match the values that were obtained through depth-migration-velocity analysis and empiric relations, thereby validating our estimation methodology.

Velocity Models for the Crust Hosting the Main Aftershock Cluster of the 2011 Mineral, Virginia, Earthquake

Three-dimensional P- and S-wave velocity (VP and VS) models are determined for the crust containing the main aftershock cluster of the 2011 Mineral, Virginia, earthquake using local earthquake tomography. The inversion uses a total of 5125 arrivals (2465 P- and 2660 S-wave arrivals) for 324 aftershocks recorded by 12 stations. The inversion volume (22 × 20 × 16 km) is completely contained within the Piedmont Chopawamsic metavolcanic terrane. The models are well resolved in the central portion of the inversion volume in the depth range 1–5 km; good resolution does not extend to the hypocenter depth of the mainshock. Most aftershocks are located within a northeast-trending, southeast-dipping region containing negative VP anomalies, positive VS anomalies, and VP/VS ratios as low as 1.53. These velocity results strongly argue for the presence of quartz-rich rocks, which we attribute to either the presence of a giant quartz vein system or metamorphosed orthoquarzite sandstones originally deposited on the Laurentian passive margin and subsequently incorporated into the Chopawamsic thrust sheets during island arc collision in the Taconic orogeny.