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Age and nature of the basement in northeastern Washington and northern Idaho: isotopic evidence from Mesozoic and Cenozoic granitoids

M.J. Whitehouse·J. S. Stacey·F. K. Miller
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Abstract

K-feldspar Pb and whole rock Nd isotopic analyses from 25 Mesozoic and Cenozoic plutonic rocks and two gneisses from NE Washington and northern Idaho are used to elucidate the age and nature of the concealed cratonic basement. The plutons form two highly distinct isotopie groups: Group I (hornblende-biotite and two-mica plutons of all ages) have Pb isotopie compositions suggesting derivation from rocks of the Belt Supergroup or their metamorphosed equivalents, although Nd isotopie data can only support this model if there was a significant input of juvenile mantle-derived or ancient light REE-depleted material. Group II (hornblende-biotite of Eocene age) have highly retarded Pb isotopie compositions relative to the present day crustal average and require a source region with long-term U (and other LIL) depletion, characteristic of cratonic lower crust. A U-Pb zircon upper intercept age of ca. 2600 Ma obtained from one of the Group II samples, together with Sm-Nd data from the gneisses, indicates possible late-Archean crust at depth, which acted as a source region for Eocene extension-related plutonism. Isotopie compositions and apparent geochemical evolution do not support a direct correlation with the nearest exposed North American Craton in the Wyoming province. If it represents attenuated pre-Mesozoic craton, then it must have been accreted to the craton prior to development of the miogeocline in the Late Proterozoic. Alternatively, it may be part of the Cordilleria terrane accreted to the craton in the Early Cretaceous.

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M.J. Whitehouse, J. S. Stacey, F. K. Miller. 1992. Age and nature of the basement in northeastern Washington and northern Idaho: isotopic evidence from Mesozoic and Cenozoic granitoids. https://doi.org/10.1086/629622

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