Rae Craton As the Backstop for Proto-Laurentian Amalgamation by Slab Suction Paul F

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Rae Craton As the Backstop for Proto-Laurentian Amalgamation by Slab Suction Paul F Document generated on 09/26/2021 5:28 p.m. Geoscience Canada Journal of the Geological Association of Canada Journal de l’Association Géologique du Canada The Origin of Laurentia Rae Craton as the Backstop for Proto-Laurentian Amalgamation by Slab Suction Paul F. Hoffman Volume 41, Number 3, 2014 Article abstract Proto-Laurentia (i.e. pre-Grenvillian Laurentia) is an aggregate of six or more URI: https://id.erudit.org/iderudit/1027247ar formerly independent Archean cratons that amalgamated convulsively in geons 19 and 18 (Orosirian Period), along with non-uniformly distributed areas See table of contents of juvenile Paleoproterozoic crust. Subduction polarities and collision ages have been provisionally inferred between the major cratons (and some minor ones), most recently between the Rae and Hearne cratons. The oldest Orosirian Publisher(s) collisions bound the Rae craton: 1.97 Ga (Taltson- Thelon orogen) in the west, and 1.92 Ga (Snowbird orogen) in the southeast. All other Orosirian collision The Geological Association of Canada ages in proto-Laurentia are &lt; 1.88 Ga. The Rae craton was the upper plate during (asynchronous) plate convergence at its western and, tentatively, ISSN southeastern margins. Subsequent plate convergence in the Wopmay and Trans-Hudson orogens was complex, with the Rae craton embedded in the 0315-0941 (print) lower plate prior to the first accretion events (Calderian, Reindeer and Foxe 1911-4850 (digital) orogenies), but in the upper plate during major subsequent convergence and terminal collisions, giving rise to the Great Bear and Cumberland magmatic Explore this journal arcs, respectively. The ‘orthoversion’ theory of supercontinental succession postulates that supercontinents amalgamate over geoidal lows within a meridional girdle of mantle downwellings, orthogonal to the lingering Cite this article superswell at the site of the former supercontinent. If the downwelling nodes develop through positive feedback from the descent of cold oceanic slabs, then Hoffman, P. F. (2014). The Origin of Laurentia: Rae Craton as the Backstop for viscous traction should contribute to drawing the cratons together over the Proto-Laurentian Amalgamation by Slab Suction. Geoscience Canada, 41(3), downwelling node. Viewed in this way, the Rae craton was the first to settle 313–320. over the downwelling node and became the backstop for the other cratons that were drawn towards it by subduction. It was, literally, the origin of Laurentia. Whether the Rae craton was also the origin of Nuna, the hypothetical cogenetic supercontinent, depends on ages and subduction polarities of Orosirian sutures beyond proto-Laurentia. All Rights Reserved © The Geological Association of Canada, 2014 This document is protected by copyright law. Use of the services of Érudit (including reproduction) is subject to its terms and conditions, which can be viewed online. https://apropos.erudit.org/en/users/policy-on-use/ This article is disseminated and preserved by Érudit. Érudit is a non-profit inter-university consortium of the Université de Montréal, Université Laval, and the Université du Québec à Montréal. Its mission is to promote and disseminate research. https://www.erudit.org/en/ GEOSCIENCE CANADA Volume 41 2014 313 HAROLD WILLIAMS SERIES east. All other Orosirian collision ages moins six cratons archéens indépen- in proto-Laurentia are < 1.88 Ga. dants qui se sont amalgamés convul- The Rae craton was the upper sivement durant les géons 19 et 18 plate during (asynchronous) plate con- (Orosirien), le long de zones de croûtes vergence at its western and, tentatively, juvéniles paléoprotérozoïques réparties southeastern margins. Subsequent plate de manière hétérogène. Les polarités convergence in the Wopmay and de subduction et les âges de collision Trans-Hudson orogens was complex, entre les grands cratons (et d’autres with the Rae craton embedded in the moins grands) ont été provisoirement lower plate prior to the first accretion déduits, le plus récemment entre le cra- events (Calderian, Reindeer and Foxe ton de Rae et le craton de Hearne. Les orogenies), but in the upper plate dur- plus anciennes collisions orosiriennes The Origin of Laurentia: ing major subsequent convergence and ont soudé le craton de Rae : 1,97 Ga Rae Craton as the terminal collisions, giving rise to the (orogène de Taltson-Thelon) dans Great Bear and Cumberland magmatic l’ouest, et 1,92 Ga (orogène de Snow- Backstop for Proto- arcs, respectively. bird) dans le sud-est. Tous les autres Laurentian Amalgamation The ‘orthoversion’ theory of âges de collision en proto-Laurentie by Slab Suction supercontinental succession postulates sont inférieurs à 1,88 Ga. that supercontinents amalgamate over Le craton de Rae constituait la geoidal lows within a meridional girdle plaque supérieure durant la conver- Paul F. Hoffman of mantle downwellings, orthogonal to gence de plaque (asynchrone) à sa the lingering superswell at the site of marge ouest, et peut-être aussi à ses 1216 Montrose Ave the former supercontinent. If the marges sud-est. La convergence de Victoria, British Columbia downwelling nodes develop through plaque subséquente dans les orogènes V8T 2K4, Canada positive feedback from the descent of de Wopmay et Trans-Hudson a été E-mail: [email protected] cold oceanic slabs, then viscous trac- complexe, le craton de Rae étant encas- tion should contribute to drawing the tré dans la plaque inférieure avant les SUMMARY cratons together over the downwelling premiers événements d’accrétion Proto-Laurentia (i.e. pre-Grenvillian node. Viewed in this way, the Rae cra- (orogènes caldérienne, de Reindeer et Laurentia) is an aggregate of six or ton was the first to settle over the de Fox), puis dans la plaque supérieure more formerly independent Archean downwelling node and became the durant la grande convergence sub- cratons that amalgamated convulsively backstop for the other cratons that séquente et les collisions terminales, ce in geons 19 and 18 (Orosirian Period), were drawn towards it by subduction. qui a créé les arcs magmatiques de along with non-uniformly distributed It was, literally, the origin of Laurentia. Great Bear et de Cumberland respec- areas of juvenile Paleoproterozoic Whether the Rae craton was tivement. crust. Subduction polarities and colli- also the origin of Nuna, the hypotheti- La théorie de « l’orthoversion sion ages have been provisionally cal cogenetic supercontinent, depends » de la succession des supercontinents inferred between the major cratons on ages and subduction polarities of présuppose que les supercontinents s’a- (and some minor ones), most recently Orosirian sutures beyond proto-Lau- malgament au-dessus de creux géoï- between the Rae and Hearne cratons. rentia. daux en deça d’une gaine méridienne The oldest Orosirian collisions bound de convections mantéliques descen- the Rae craton: 1.97 Ga (Taltson- SOMMAIRE dantes, à angle droit d’un super-renfle- Thelon orogen) in the west, and 1.92 La proto-Laurentie (c.-à-d. la Laurentie ment persistant au site d’un ancien Ga (Snowbird orogen) in the south- pré-grenvillienne) est un agrégat d’au supercontinent. Si le nœud de convec- Geoscience Canada, v. 41, http://dx.doi.org/10.12789/geocanj.2014.41.049 © 2014 GAC/AGC® 314 Table 1. Estimated collision ages and subduction polarities for Orosirian sutures in proto-Laurentia Orogen Collision Upper plate Lower plate References Thelon - Taltson 1.97 Ga Rae Slave van Breemen et al. (1987); Bostock et al. (1987); James et al. (1988); van Breemen and Henderson (1988); Grotzinger and Royden (1990); Tirrul and Grotzinger (1990); Bowring and Grotzinger (1992); Thériault (1992); McDonough et al. (2000) Snowbird 1.92 Ga Rae Hearne Berman et al. (2007); Martel et al. (2008) Wopmay 1.88 Ga Hottah Slave Hildebrand et al. (2010); Hoffman et al. (2011) Foxe - Rinkian 1.88 Ga Rae Meta Incognita- Connelly et al. (2006); St-Onge et al. (2007) Disco Great Falls 1.87 Ga Medicine Hat Wyoming Mueller et al. (2002) Torngat - Nagssugtoqidian 1.86 Ga North Atlantic SE Churchill- Scott (1998); van Gool et al. (2002); Kolb (2014) Disco Penokean 1.85 Ga Marshfield Superior Schulz and Cannon (2007) Vulcan 1.84 Ga Medicine Hat Hearne Eaton et al. (1999) Wopmay 1.84(?) Ga Hottah Nahanni Cook (2011) Trans-Hudson (southern) 1.83 Ga Hearne Superior Corrigan et al. (2009); Maxeiner and Rayner (2011) New Quebec 1.82 Ga SE Churchill Superior Wardle et al. (2002) Trans-Hudson (northern) 1.82 Ga Rae Superior Machado et al. (1993); St-Onge et al. (2006, 2007); Berman et al. (2013) tion descendante s’établit par rétroac- called the North and South Keewatin Martel et al. 2008). tion positive de la descente de plaques cratons (Williams et al. 1991). With the Outside of largely ice-covered océaniques froides, la traction disappearance of the District of Kee- Greenland, the Snowbird tectonic zone visqueuse devrait contribuer à entraîner watin as a political entity, Hank’s cra- was the last of the major Orosirian les cratons ensembles au-dessus du tons reverted to their synonyms, the (2.05 – 1.80 Ga, Gradstein et al. 2012) nœud de convection descendante. Vu Rae and Hearne cratons respectively geosutures in proto-Laurentia to be de cette façon, le craton de Rae a été le (Hoffman 1988; Eglington et al. 2013). dated. The age sequence and inferred premier à s’établir au-dessus du nœud The collision zone between the two subduction polarity of sutures can now de convection descendante, ce qui en a cratons, originally inferred from recon- be tabulated (Table 1 and Fig. 1). Sub- fait la butée des autres cratons naissance geology, gravity gradient duction polarity refers to the time of entraînés par la subduction. Littérale- maps, aeromagnetic discontinuities, and large ocean closure leading to craton- ment, telle a été l’origine de la Lauren- seismic soundings (Taylor 1963; Sharp- craton collision, not to earlier arc- and tie. ton et al. 1987; Hoffman 1990; Ross et continental ribbon-accretion events Quant à savoir si c’est le cra- al.
Recommended publications
  • Long-Lived Deformation History Recorded Along the Precambrian Thelon and Judge Sissons Faults, Northeast Thelon Basin, Nunavut
    Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences Long-lived deformation history recorded along the Precambrian Thelon and Judge Sissons faults, northeast Thelon Basin, Nunavut Journal: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences Manuscript ID cjes-2020-0108.R2 Manuscript Type: Article Date Submitted by the 08-Nov-2020 Author: Complete List of Authors: Hunter, Rebecca; Laurentian University, Harquail School of Earth Sciences; British Columbia Geological Survey Branch Lafrance, Bruno; Laurentian University, Harquail School of Earth Sciences Draft Heaman, Larry; University of Alberta, Earth and Atmosphere Sciences Thomas, David; Cameco Corp Aberdeen Lake, strike-slip fault, U-Pb zircon geochronology, Rae domain, Keyword: Thelon fault, Judge Sissons fault Is the invited manuscript for consideration in a Special Not applicable (regular submission) Issue? : © The Author(s) or their Institution(s) Page 1 of 82 Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 1 Long-lived deformation history recorded along the Precambrian Thelon and Judge Sissons 2 faults, northeast Thelon Basin, Nunavut 3 4 R.C. Hunter, B. Lafrance, L.M. Heaman, and D. Thomas 5 6 R.C. Hunter (corresponding author): Mineral Exploration Research Centre, Harquail School of 7 Earth Sciences, Goodman School of Mines, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada P3E 8 2C6; e-mail: [email protected]; phone: 306-371-0020 9 10 Present address: British Columbia Geological Survey, 1810 Blanshard Street, Victoria, BC Canada 11 V8T 4J1; e-mail: [email protected]; phone: 250-419-8744 12 13 B. Lafrance: Mineral Exploration Research Centre, Harquail School of Earth Sciences, Goodman 14 School of Mines, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, Canada P3E 2C6; e-mail: 15 [email protected]; phone: 705-675-1151 16 17 L.M.
    [Show full text]
  • Palaeomagnetism, Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Palaeoproterozoic Rabbit Creek and Powder River Dyke Swarms: Implications for Wyoming in Supercraton Superia
    Downloaded from http://sp.lyellcollection.org/ by AJS on May 1, 2016 Palaeomagnetism, geochronology and geochemistry of the Palaeoproterozoic Rabbit Creek and Powder River dyke swarms: implications for Wyoming in supercraton Superia TAYLOR M. KILIAN1*, WOUTER BLEEKER2, KEVIN CHAMBERLAIN3, DAVID A. D. EVANS1 & BRIAN COUSENS4 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, 210 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT 06511, USA 2Geological Survey of Canada, 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1A 0E8 3Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071-3006, USA 4Ottawa–Carleton Geoscience Centre, Department of Earth Sciences, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1S 5B6 *Corresponding author (e-mail: [email protected]) Abstract: It is likely that Archaean cratons of Laurentia had different palaeogeographic histories prior to their amalgamation. New palaeomagnetic, geochronological and geochemical evidence supports a reconstruction of the Wyoming craton adjacent to the southern margin of the Superior craton at 2.16 Ga, before rifting (c. 2.1–2.0 Ga) and eventual reamalgamation after the Hudsonian Orogeny (c. 1.8 Ga). U–Pb ages (TIMS on baddeleyite) from five dykes yield two groups of ages at c. 2164 and 2155 Ma. The younger group of ages defines the Rabbit Creek swarm at 2161– 2152 Ma and precisely dates its palaeomagnetic pole. Two large and differentiated dykes (.100 m) in the Bighorn and Wind River uplifts are geographically related to the Rabbit Creek swarm but have slightly different orientations and yield slightly older ages at 2171–2157 Ma. These dykes may be parts of a single intrusion (the ‘Great Dyke of Wyoming’) that spans over 200 km between uplifts, possibly representing a different magmatic event.
    [Show full text]
  • Harold Williams Series
    GEOSCIENCE CANADA Volume 41 2014 313 HAROLD WILLIAMS SERIES east. All other Orosirian collision ages moins six cratons archéens indépen- in proto-Laurentia are < 1.88 Ga. dants qui se sont amalgamés convul- The Rae craton was the upper sivement durant les géons 19 et 18 plate during (asynchronous) plate con- (Orosirien), le long de zones de croûtes vergence at its western and, tentatively, juvéniles paléoprotérozoïques réparties southeastern margins. Subsequent plate de manière hétérogène. Les polarités convergence in the Wopmay and de subduction et les âges de collision Trans-Hudson orogens was complex, entre les grands cratons (et d’autres with the Rae craton embedded in the moins grands) ont été provisoirement lower plate prior to the first accretion déduits, le plus récemment entre le cra- events (Calderian, Reindeer and Foxe ton de Rae et le craton de Hearne. Les orogenies), but in the upper plate dur- plus anciennes collisions orosiriennes The Origin of Laurentia: ing major subsequent convergence and ont soudé le craton de Rae : 1,97 Ga Rae Craton as the terminal collisions, giving rise to the (orogène de Taltson-Thelon) dans Great Bear and Cumberland magmatic l’ouest, et 1,92 Ga (orogène de Snow- Backstop for Proto- arcs, respectively. bird) dans le sud-est. Tous les autres Laurentian Amalgamation The ‘orthoversion’ theory of âges de collision en proto-Laurentie by Slab Suction supercontinental succession postulates sont inférieurs à 1,88 Ga. that supercontinents amalgamate over Le craton de Rae constituait la geoidal lows within a meridional girdle plaque supérieure durant la conver- Paul F. Hoffman of mantle downwellings, orthogonal to gence de plaque (asynchrone) à sa the lingering superswell at the site of marge ouest, et peut-être aussi à ses 1216 Montrose Ave the former supercontinent.
    [Show full text]
  • Regional Exploration Guides for Diamondiferous
    Seismic Architecture of the Archean North American Mantle and its Relation to Diamondiferous Kimberlite Fields STÉPHANE FAURE1, STÉPHANIE GODEY2, FRANCINE FALLARA3 AND SYLVAIN TRÉPANIER1 1- CONSOREM Consortium de Recherche en Exploration Minérale, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal (Québec), Canada, H3C 3P8 [email protected] 2- EMSC/CSEM European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, Bruyères le Châtel 91680, France 3- URSTM Unité de Recherche et de Service en Technologie Minérale, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda (Québec), Canada, J9X 5E4 Published in Economic Geology, v. 106, pp. 223–240 (2011) 1 Abstract The seismic architecture of the average Archean-only mantle beneath exposed and sub- surface Archean crust of the U.S. and Canada is presented here in three dimensions (3D) for the first time using a high lateral resolution Rayleigh wave phase velocity model of the upper mantle (30-250 km depth). The morphology of the cratonic coherent mantle is compared with other regional and local geophysical models, geologic interpretations, and published xenolith barometric studies. In particular, the kimberlite magma source regions at the Lithosphere- Asthenosphere Boundary inferred from xenolith data are consistent with the bottom topography of the Archean seismic mantle signature. The characteristic fast seismic response found beneath much of the exposed Archean crust is also found in Canada beneath some covered terranes, sedimentary basins, and Proterozoic mobile belts. The northeastern and northwestern parts of the Superior craton host, with the central Hearne craton, the deepest mantle roots of North America (225 to 240 km depth). However, the southern portion of the Superior craton is characterized by an east-west channel that is 30 percent slower in seismic velocity than its northern counterpart.
    [Show full text]
  • Electromagnetic Images of the Trans-Hudson Orogen: the North American Central Plains Anomaly Revealed1, 2
    457 Electromagnetic images of the Trans-Hudson orogen: the North American Central Plains anomaly revealed1, 2 Alan G. Jones, Juanjo Ledo, and Ian J. Ferguson Abstract: Magnetotelluric studies of the Trans-Hudson orogen over the last two decades, prompted by the discovery of a significant conductivity anomaly beneath the North American Central Plains (NACP), from over 300 sites yield an extensive database for interrogation and enable three-dimensional information to be obtained about the geometry of the orogen from southern North Dakota to northern Saskatchewan. The NACP anomaly is remarkable in its continuity along strike, testimony to along-strike similarity of orogenic processes. Where bedrock is exposed, the anomaly can be associated with sulphides that were metamorphosed during subduction and compression and penetratively emplaced deep within the crust of the internides of the orogen to the boundary of the Hearne margin. A new result from this compilation is the discovery of an anomaly within the upper mantle beginning at depths of -80–100 km. This lithospheric mantle conductor has electrical properties similar to those for the central Slave craton mantle conductor, which lies directly beneath the major diamond-producing Lac de Gras kimberlite field. While the Saskatchewan mantle conductor does not directly underlie the Fort à la Corne kimberlite, which is associated with the Sask craton, the spa- tial correspondence is close. Résumé : Poussées par la découverte d’une importante anomalie de conductivité sous les plaines centrales de l’Amérique du Nord (« NACP »), les études magnétotelluriques de l’orogène trans-hudsonien au cours des deux der- nières décennies, dans plus de 300 sites, constituent une base de données extensive à interroger et qui fournira des in- formations en 3D sur la géométrie de l’orogène du sud du Dakota du Nord jusqu’au nord de la Saskatchewan.
    [Show full text]
  • UC Riverside UC Riverside Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    UC Riverside UC Riverside Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title Insights Into the Paleoproterozoic Paleogeography of the Superia Supercraton From Detrital Zircon Geochronology, Isotope Geochemistry, and Chemostratigraphy of Supracrustal Successions on the Southern Margin of the Wyoming Craton Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7t3062qk Author Mammone, Nicholas Michael Publication Date 2021 Supplemental Material https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7t3062qk#supplemental Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE Insights Into the Paleoproterozoic Paleogeography of the Superia Supercraton From Detrital Zircon Geochronology, Isotope Geochemistry, and Chemostratigraphy of Supracrustal Successions on the Southern Margin of the Wyoming Craton A Thesis submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geological Sciences by Nicholas Michael Mammone June 2021 Thesis Committee: Dr. Andrey Bekker, Chairperson Dr. Peter Sadler Dr. Heather Ford Copyright by Nicholas Michael Mammone 2021 The Thesis of Nicholas Michael Mammone is approved: Committee Chairperson University of California, Riverside Table of Contents General Background .....................................................................................1 Chapter 1: Insights into the early Paleoproterozoic paleogeography of the Superia supercraton from detrital zircon geochronology, and Sm-Nd and Pb-Pb isotope geochemistry of supracrustal
    [Show full text]
  • Wyoming on the Run—Toward Final Paleoproterozoic Assembly of Laurentia
    Wyoming on the run—Toward final Paleoproterozoic assembly of Laurentia Taylor M. Kilian1*, Kevin R. Chamberlain2, David A.D. Evans1, Wouter Bleeker3, and Brian L. Cousens4 1Department of Geology and Geophysics, Yale University, 210 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA 2Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071-3006, USA 3Geological Survey of Canada, 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E8, Canada 4Ottawa-Carleton Geoscience Centre, Department of Earth Sciences, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada ABSTRACT investigate their positions at a crucial time inter- Paleoproterozoic suture zones mark the formation of supercontinent Nuna and provide val, providing initial conditions for the subse- a record of North America’s assembly. Conspicuously young ages (ca. 1.715 Ga) associated quent series of collisions that stitched Laurentia with deformation in southeast Wyoming craton argue for a more protracted consolidation of together. Coupled to existing geochronologic Laurentia, long after peak metamorphism in the Trans-Hudson orogen. Using paleomagnetic constraints on suturing along Wyoming’s mar- data from the newly dated 1899 ± 5 Ma Sourdough mafic dike swarm (Wyoming craton), we gins, we present a novel kinematic model for the compare the relative positions of Wyoming, Superior, and Slave cratons before, during, and late stages of assembly of Laurentia. after peak metamorphism in the Trans-Hudson orogen. With these constraints, we refine a collisional model for Laurentia that incorporates Wyoming craton after Superior and Slave COLLISIONAL CONSTRAINTS cratons united, redefining the Paleoproterozoic sutures that bind southern Laurentia. The best exposures of Wyoming’s Paleopro- terozoic suture zones are found along the south- INTRODUCTION becoming a late addition to Laurentia (Chamber- eastern and northern margins of the craton.
    [Show full text]
  • Strongly Peraluminous Granites Across the Archean–Proterozoic
    J OURNAL OF Journal of Petrology, 2019, Vol. 60, No. 7, 1299–1348 doi: 10.1093/petrology/egz033 P ETROLOGY Advance Access Publication Date: 7 June 2019 Perspectives PERSPECTIVES Strongly Peraluminous Granites across the Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/petrology/article-abstract/60/7/1299/5512367 by California Institute of Technology user on 14 November 2019 Archean–Proterozoic Transition Claire E. Bucholz1* and Christopher J. Spencer2 1Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; 2Earth Dynamics Research Group, The Institute of Geoscience Research (TIGeR), School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia *Corresponding author. Telephone: 626-395-1315. E-mail: [email protected] Received February 11, 2019; Accepted June 3, 2019 Claire Bucholz is an assistant profes- Christopher Spencer is a senior re- sor in the Division of Geological and search fellow in The Institute of Planetary Sciences at the California Geoscience Research (TIGeR) and Institute of Technology. She earned School of Earth and Planetary her BS from Yale University before Sciences at Curtin University. He pursuing a PhD in Geochemistry earned his BS and MS from Brigham from the Massachusetts Institute of Young University and a PhD from Technology–Woods Hole Oceano the University of St Andrews in graphic Institution Joint Program in 2014. Using field work, mass spec- 2016. Her research focuses on the trometry, and isotope geochemistry, formation and evolution of the con- his research foci include isotopic tinental crust with a particular em- characteristics of plate tectonics and phasis on subduction-zone mag the secular change of orogenesis matism and strongly peraluminous and crustal growth through time.
    [Show full text]
  • Determining Nearest Neighboring Cratons During the Deposition of the Paleoproterozoic Murmac Bay Group
    RESEARCH Provenance approaches in polydeformed metasedimentary successions: Determining nearest neighboring cratons during the deposition of the Paleoproterozoic Murmac Bay Group C. Shiels, C.A. Partin, and B.M. Eglington DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN, 114 SCIENCE PLACE, SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN S7N 5E2, CANADA ABSTRACT The proximity and positions of cratons constituting the western Canadian Shield prior to and during the Rhyacian Period (2.30–2.05 Ga) are poorly known. In the absence of paleomagnetic data, stratigraphic correlation and detrital zircon isotopic data from sedimentary suc- cessions can be used to constrain relative craton positions during their time of deposition. The Murmac Bay Group, a multiply deformed meta sedimentary succession located on the Rae craton margin in Canada, provides an opportunity to test hypotheses regarding its nearest cratonic neighbors during deposition. The polydeformed nature of the Murmac Bay Group, however, presents challenges in determining detailed stratigraphic relationships in the upper succession, which lacks distinct marker beds. Provenance analysis from detrital zircon geochronology provides one strategy for overcoming these challenges. Previous U-Pb geochronology indicates the lower succession was deposited <2.32 Ga, and the upper succession was deposited between <2.17 Ga and >1.94 Ga. We provide new U-Pb detrital zircon ages for the upper succession, including a new maximum depositional age at <2.00 Ga. We integrate our new data with published detrital zircon ages and compare them with published and public-domain igneous crystallization ages stored within a large geochronological database to identify potential provenance locations. While there is no known local source for the ca.
    [Show full text]
  • UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE Insights Into The
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA RIVERSIDE Insights Into the Paleoproterozoic Paleogeography of the Superia Supercraton From Detrital Zircon Geochronology, Isotope Geochemistry, and Chemostratigraphy of Supracrustal Successions on the Southern Margin of the Wyoming Craton A Thesis submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geological Sciences by Nicholas Michael Mammone June 2021 Thesis Committee: Dr. Andrey Bekker, Chairperson Dr. Peter Sadler Dr. Heather Ford Copyright by Nicholas Michael Mammone 2021 The Thesis of Nicholas Michael Mammone is approved: Committee Chairperson University of California, Riverside Table of Contents General Background .....................................................................................1 Chapter 1: Insights into the early Paleoproterozoic paleogeography of the Superia supercraton from detrital zircon geochronology, and Sm-Nd and Pb-Pb isotope geochemistry of supracrustal successions on the southern margin of the Wyoming craton .........................................................................................................................9 Abstract .......................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 11 Regional Geology ........................................................................................................ 15 Paleoproterozoic stratigraphy
    [Show full text]
  • Lithospheric Architecture and Tectonic Evolution of the Hudson Bay Region
    University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Science Science Research & Publications 2010 Lithospheric architecture and tectonic evolution of the Hudson Bay region Eaton, David W.; Darbyshire, Fiona Elsevier Eaton, D. W. & Darbyshire, F. "Lithospheric architecture and tectonic evolution of the Hudson Bay region". Tectonophysics 480 (2010) 1-22. http://hdl.handle.net/1880/47836 journal article Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca Lithospheric architecture and tectonic evolution of the Hudson Bay region David W. Eaton 1 ,Fiona Darbyshire 2 University of Calgary, Department of Geoscience, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4 Université du Québec à Montréal, Centre GEOTOP, CP 8888, succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3C 3P8 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Tectonophysics 480 (2010) 1-22 Keywords : Abstract Trans-Hudson orogen; Hudson Bay; Hudson Bay conceals several fundamental tectonic elements of the intracratonic basin; lithospheric root North American continent, including most of the ca. 1.9-1.8 Ga Trans- Hudson orogen (THO) and the Paleozoic Hudson Bay basin. Formed due to a collision between two cratons, the THO is similar in scale and tectonic style to the modern Himalayan-Karakorum orogen. During collision, the lobate shape of the indentor (Superior craton) formed an orogenic template that, along with the smaller Sask craton, exerted a persistent influence on the tectonic evolution of the region resulting in anomalous preservation of juvenile Proterozoic crust. Extensive products of 2.72-2.68 Ga and 1.9-1.8 Ga episodes of subduction are preserved, but the spatial scale of corresponding domains increases by roughly an order-of-magnitude (to 1000’s km, comparable to modern subduction environments) from the Archean to the Proterozoic.
    [Show full text]
  • Magnetotelluric Investigations of the Lithosphere Beneath the Central Rae
    PUBLICATIONS Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth RESEARCH ARTICLE Magnetotelluric investigations of the lithosphere 10.1002/2013JB010221 beneath the central Rae craton, mainland Key Points: Nunavut, Canada • Resistivity structure of the litho- sphere beneath the central Rae Jessica E. Spratt1, Thomas Skulski2, James A. Craven2, Alan G. Jones3, David B. Snyder2, craton is modeled 3 • Upper mantle regional resistivity varia- and Duygu Kiyan tions beneath the central Rae craton 1 fi 2 3 are noted Independent Consultant, Wake eld, Quebec, Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Dublin • Lower crustal conductivity interpreted Institute for Advanced Studies, Dublin, Ireland as Archean metasedimentary rocks Abstract New magnetotelluric soundings at 64 locations throughout the central Rae craton on mainland Nunavut constrain 2-D resistivity models of the crust and lithospheric mantle beneath three regional Correspondence to: J. E. Spratt, transects. Responses determined from colocated broadband and long-period magnetotelluric recording [email protected] instruments enabled resistivity imaging to depths of > 300 km. Strike analysis and distortion decomposition on all data reveal a regional trend of 45–53°, but locally the geoelectric strike angle varies laterally and with depth. – Citation: The 2-D models reveal a resistive upper crust to depths of 15 35 km that is underlain by a conductive layer Spratt, J. E., T. Skulski, J. A. Craven, A. G. that appears to be discontinuous at or near major mapped geological boundaries. Surface projections of the Jones, D. B. Snyder, and D. Kiyan (2014), conductive layer coincide with areas of high grade, Archean metasedimentary rocks. Tectonic burial of these Magnetotelluric investigations of the lithosphere beneath the central Rae rocks and thickening of the crust occurred during the Paleoproterozoic Arrowsmith (2.3 Ga) and Trans-Hudson craton, mainland Nunavut, Canada, orogenies (1.85 Ga).
    [Show full text]