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Results for “Journal of Metamorphic Geology”

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USGS1994

The Death Valley turtlebacks reinterpreted as Miocene Pliocene folds of a major detachment surface

Determining the origin of extension parallel folds in metamorphic core complexes is fundamental to understanding the development of detachment faults. An excellent example of such a feature occurs in the Death Valley region of California where a major, undulatory, detachment fault is exposed along the well-known turtleback (antiformal) surfaces of the Black Mountains. In the hanging wall of this detachment fault are deformed strata of the Copper Canyon Formation. New age constraints indicate that the Copper Canyon Formation was deposited from ~6 to 3 Ma. The formation was folded during deposition into a SE-plunging syncline with an axial surface coplanar with that of a synform in the underlying detachment. This relation suggests the turtlebacks are a folded detachment surface formed during large-scale extension in an overall constrictional strain field. The present, more planar, Black Mountains frontal fault system may be the result of out-stepping of a normal fault system away from an older detachment fault that was deactivated by folding.

The Journal of Geology↗

USGS2011

Sedimentary response to orogenic exhumation in the northern Rocky Mountain Basin and Range province, Flint Creek basin, west-central Montana

Middle Eocene through Upper Miocene sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the Flint Creek basin in western Montana accumulated during a period of significant paleoclimatic change and extension across the northern Rocky Mountain Basin and Range province. Gravity modelling, borehole data, and geologic mapping from the Flint Creek basin indicate that subsidence was focused along an extensionally reactivated Sevier thrust fault, which accommodated up to 800 m of basin fill while relaying stress between the dextral transtensional Lewis and Clark lineament to the north and the Anaconda core complex to the south. Northwesterly paleocurrent indicators, foliated metamorphic lithics, 64 Ma (40Ar/39Ar) muscovite grains, and 76 Ma (U-Pb) zircons in a ca. 27 Ma arkosic sandstone are consistent with Oligocene exhumation and erosion of the Anaconda core complex. The core complex and volcanic and magmatic rocks in its hangingwall created an important drainage divide during the Paleogene shedding detritus to the NNW and ESE. Following a major period of Early Miocene tectonism and erosion, regional drainage networks were reorganized such that paleoflow in the Flint Creek basin flowed east into an internally drained saline lake system. Renewed tectonism during Middle to Late Miocene time reestablished a west-directed drainage that is recorded by fluvial strata within a Late Miocene paleovalley. These tectonic reorganizations and associated drainage divide explain observed discrepancies in provenance studies across the province. Regional correlation of unconformities and lithofacies mapping in the Flint Creek basin suggest that localized tectonism and relative base level fluctuations controlled lithostratigraphic architecture.

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences↗

USGS2012

Crustal structure and composition of the southern Foothills Metamorphic Belt, Sierra Nevada, California, from seismic data

The Foothills Metamorphic Belt is an accreted terrane consisting of Paleozoic and Mesozoic metamorphic rocks that separates the Great Valley from the Sierra Nevada batholith in northern and central California. Until recently, the only available geophysical data for this area were reconnaissance refraction surveys, and gravity and magnetic data. New insights into the structure of the deep crust are provided by the interpretation of a seismic reflection profile (CC‐2), acquired in 1984 by the U.S. Geological Survey at the southern end of the Foothills Metamorphic Belt. Our interpretation is constrained by a new seismic velocity model derived from coincident microearthquake data. Earthquake hypocenters that occur at unusually great depths of 12 to 30 km make the data set particularly useful for obtaining deep crustal velocity information. The velocity model shows velocities of 5.2 to 6.3 km s −1 for the upper 12 km of the crust, and 6.7 to 6.8 km s −1 from 12 km to an estimated Moho at 32 km. The upper crustal velocities correspond to metamorphic rocks and serpentinites of the Foothills Metamorphic Belt as well as to diorites and granodiorites of the Sierra Nevada batholith, while the lower crustal velocities are interpreted to represent intermediate to mafic granulites. The majority of the earthquake hypocenters as well as a 6.7 km s −1 layer in the velocity model corresponds in depth to thick zones of west dipping midcrustal reflections that may represent major shear zones formed during the late Jurassic Nevadan orogeny or synbatholithic ductile shear zones that accommodated crustal extension associated with batholith intrusion. These reflections are truncated updip by an inferred subvertical contact that coincides with the western edge of the Sierra Nevada batholith and the southward trace of the Bear Mountains fault zone. The updip truncation of midcrustal shear zones and high lower crustal velocities indicate that strike‐slip faulting and magmatic underplating can be important processes during the docking and welding of an accreted terrane.

California↗

USGS1965

Ages of minerals from metamorphic and igneous rocks near Iron Mountain, Michigan

More than 100 independent isotopic ages have been determined for minerals from an area in northern Michigan about 35 miles square. Granites, pegmatites, and metamorphosed sedimentary and volcanic rocks have yielded Rb-Sr ages for feldspar, muscovite, and biotite, K-Ar ages for hornblende, muscovite, biotite, and feldspar, and U-Pb and Th-Pb ages for zircon. It was anticipated that we would learn from the measurements both the intrusive and metamorphic history of the area and would be able to place limits on the age of the Precambrian sediments in this area. The conclusions may be summarized as follows: (1) Granites and pegmatites with approximate ages of 2,700 and 1,900 m.y. have been found. (2) The major mineral -forming metamorphic event occurred between 1,800 and 2,000 m.y. ago. (3) The Precambrian sedimentary rocks called Animikie are older than 1, 900 m.y. and younger than 2,700 m.y. (4) Biotite Rb-Sr and K-Ar ages and muscovite K-Ar ages were strongly modified by the equivalent of a rise in temperature approximately 1,350 m.y. ago, although no mineral -forming event in this interval has been observed. (5) The K-Ar system was further affected by a thermal rise at about 1,100 m.y. This later event is probably recorded geologically by a few diabase dikes.The resistance to post-formation thermal events shown by the various minerals and decay systems tested may be classified as follows (lowest to highest): feldspar K-Ar, biotite K-Ar, muscovite K-Ar, biotite Rb-Sr, zircon U 238 -Pb 206 , zircon Th-Pb 208 , zircon U 235 -Pb 207 , muscovite Rb-Sr, feldspar Rb-Sr. The few hornblende K-Ar measurements indicate that the resistance of this system is about comparable to that of muscovite and feldspar Rb-Sr. The Pb 207 -Pb 206 age derived from the two U-Pb ages is somewhat more resistant to change than the feldspar Rb-Sr ages .

Michigan↗

USGS1993

Geology, geochemistry, and geochronology of the central Giants Range batholith, northeastern Minnesota

The Giants Range batholith is a large composite granitoid body that intrudes deformed supracrustal rocks in the western part of the Wawa Subprovince of the Archean Superior Province. Peak fabric development in the supracrustal rocks coincides with D 2 deformation, the product of regional transpression across the southern Superior Province. U–Pb zircon ages on two phases of the Giants Range batholith bracket D 2 deformation to an interval between 2685 and 2669 Ma. Two well-exposed components of the central part of the Giants Range batholith are the pre- to syn-D 2 Britt granodiorite, which contains a linear D 2 metamorphic fabric, and the syn- to post-D 2 Shannon Lake granite, which cuts deformation fabrics in the Britt granodiorite and the supracrustal rocks. Geochemical discrimination plots imply emplacement of the Britt granodiorite in an arc environment and the Shannon Lake granite in a collision setting. Zircons yield U–Pb ages of 2681 ± 4 and 2685 ± 4 Ma for the Britt granodiorite and 2674 ± 5 and 2674 ± 27 Ma for the Shannon Lake granite. Timing of D 2 deformation near the Giants Range batholith corresponds well with similar rocks exposed along strike 170 km to the east near Shebandowan Lake, Ontario, where the end of D 2 deformation has been bracketed between 2692 and 2681 Ma. The slightly younger ages for D 2 deformation in Minnesota reflect later volcanic-arc development and associated plutonism than at Shebandowan Lake, possibly due to oblique convergence along a westward-migrating tectonic front.

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences↗

USGS1991

Geochemical recognition of a captured back-arc basin metabasaltic complex, southwestern Oregon

An extensive fault-bounded amphibolite terrane of Late Jurassic ( ) metamorphic age occurring in the northeastern Klamath Mountains of southern Oregon has been recognized as the remnants of an ancient back-arc basin. In spite of thorough metamorphic recrystallization under amphibolite-facies conditions, the amphibolite locally displays relict igneous textures which suggest that the protoliths included basaltic dikes or sills, shallow diabase intrusions, and gabbros. The major- and minor-element chemistry of the amphibolite indicates that some alteration of original compositions has occurred. Nevertheless, certain elements (e.g. Zr, Ti, Y, Hf, P, Th, Ta, and the REE) were probably immobile and retain their original igneous abundances. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns are similar to those of mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB): concave-downward and flat or slightly LREE-depleted, with abundances about six to 30 times chondritic values. Patterns are slightly LREE-enriched and HREE-depleted relative to average MORB. Most samples plot in or near MORB fields in tectonomagmatic discrimination diagrams, but relative enrichment in Th and the LREE suggest the involvement of subduction-related fluids in magma genesis. In this regard, the amphibolite is very similar to some back-arc basin basalts. The geochemical data, together with the present-day geologic context, indicate that the tectonic setting of eruption/intrusion was probably within a back-arc basin that existed inboard (east) of a pre-Nevadan volcanic arc. The basalt (now amphibolite) and the overlying sediments (now the May Creek Schist) were metamorphosed and deformed during accretion to North America during the Late Jurassic Nevadan orogeny.

Journal of Geology↗

USGS2002

SHRIMP and Conventional UPb ages of Ordovician granites and tonalites in the central Appalachian Piedmont: Implications for Paleozoic tectonic events

Discordant Cambrian U-Pb ages of questionable reliability for metamor-phosed plutonic rocks in the central Appalachian Piedmont of northern Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia have led to different regional geologic interpretations and controversies. In this study, we use the sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) for dating 25-m diameter areas on individual zircons from Piedmont granitoids in an effort to resolve previous controversial ages. Cathodoluminescence images of zoning within the zircons are used to select pristine areas of cores and overgrowths for dating and to help interpret the results. For comparison, hand-picked fractions of zircons from most of the samples were also dated by the conventional isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) U-Pb method. The combined SHRIMP and TIMS results of this study demonstrate that the Dale City Quartz Monzonite, Norbeck Intrusive Suite, Kensington Tonalite, Goldvein pluton, Lake Jackson pluton, Falls Church Intrusive Suite, Occoquan Granite (main batholith and satellite Bull Run Marina pluton), Georgetown Intrusive Suite, Dalecarlia Intrusive Suite, and related granitoids are parts of an extensive Early to Middle Ordovician magmatic arc. Emplacement of these plutons from about 485 to 450 Ma generally was contemporaneous with major regional deformation and metamorphism, called the Taconic orogeny in rocks of the northern Appalachians. The Ordovician ages supersede most of the discordant Cambrian(?) to Neoproterozoic dates that previously suggested a Potomac or Penobscot orogeny in Piedmont rocks of the Potomac Valley, raising questions about the nature and timing of that event. The Devonian Guilford Granite crosscuts all structures, providing a minimum age for these Paleozoic events.

Virginia, Maryland↗

USGS1991

Fluid inclusion gas chemistry as a potential minerals exploration tool: Case studies from Creede, CO, Jerritt Canyon, NV, Coeur d'Alene district, ID and MT, southern Alaska mesothermal veins, and mid-continent MVT's

Recent advances in instrumentation now permit quantitative analysis of gas species from individual fluid inclusions. Fluid inclusion gas data can be applied to minerals exploration empirically to establish chemical (gas composition) signatures of the ore fluids, and conceptually through the development of genetic models of ore formation from a framework of integrated geologic, geochemical, and isotopic investigations. Case studies of fluid inclusion gas chemistry from ore deposits representing a spectrum of ore-forming processes and environments are presented to illustrate both the empirical and conceptual approaches. We consider epithermal silver-gold deposits of Creede, Colorado, Carlin-type sediment-hosted disseminated gold deposits of Jerritt Canyon, Nevada, metamorphic silver-base-metal veins of the Coeur d'Alene district, Idaho and Montana, gold-quartz veins in accreted terranes of southern Alaska, and the mid-continent base-metal sulfide deposits of Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT's). Variations in gas chemistry determine the redox state of the ore fluids, provide compositional input for gas geothermometers, characterize ore fluid chemistry (e.g., CH 4 CO 2 , H 2 SSO 2 , CO 2 /H 2 S, organic-rich fluids, gas-rich and gas-poor fluids), identify magmatic, meteoric, metamorphic, shallow and deep basin fluids in ore systems, locate upwelling plumes of magmatic-derived volatiles, zones of boiling and volatile separation, interfaces between contrasting fluids, and important zones of fluid mixing. Present techniques are immediately applicable to exploration programsas empirical studies that monitor fluid inclusion gas threshold concentration levels, presence or absence of certain gases, or changes in gas ratios. We suggest that the greater contribution of fluid inclusion gas analysis is in the integrated and comprehensive chemical dimension that gas data impart to genetic models, and in the exploration concepts based on processes and environments of ore formation derived from these genetic models.

Journal of Geochemical Exploration↗

USGS2007

Diagenesis of diatomite from the Kolubara Coal Basin, Baroševac, Serbia

Diatomite associated with the Kolubara Coal Basin was studied to better understand early stage silica diagenesis of shallow water deposits. The Kolubara Basin consists of Neogene siliciclastic rocks, diatomite, marlstone and rare carbonates. Palaeozoic metamorphic and Mesozoic sedimentary and igneous basement rocks are transgressively overlain by Upper Miocene sandstone, siltstone, shale and mudstone. This Upper Miocene section is transgressively overlain by the Pontian section, which contains diatomite and coal beds. White and grey diatomite forms beds 0.7-2.2 m thick that are continuous over an area of about 2 km 2 . Siliceous rocks vary in composition from diatomite (81-89 per cent SiO 2 ) to diatom-bearing shale (58-60 per cent SiO 2 ). Siliceous deposits are laminated in places, with the laminae defined by variations in clay minerals, organic matter and diatoms. Diatomite shows only incipient diagenesis characterized by the fragmentation of diatom frustules, the minor to moderate corrosion of frustules and the formation of minor amounts of opal-A' (X-ray amorphous inorganic opal) cement. The low degree of diagenesis results from the young age of the deposits, low burial temperatures and possibly also from the presence of abundant organic matter and the dissolution of kaolinite. The presence of only weak diagenesis is also reflected by the characteristically poor consolidation of the rocks and low rank of the associated coal.

Baroševac↗

USGS1991

New evidence on the hydrothermal system in Long Valley caldera, California, from wells, fluid sampling, electrical geophysics, and age determinations of hot-spring deposits

Data collected since 1985 from test drilling, fluid sampling, and geologic and geophysical investigations provide a clearer definition of the hydrothermal system in Long Valley caldera than was previously available. This information confirms the existence of high-temperature (> 200??C) reservoirs within the volcanic fill in parts of the west moat. These reservoirs contain fluids which are chemically similar to thermal fluids encountered in the central and eastern parts of the caldera. The roots of the present-day hydrothermal system (the source reservoir, principal zones of upflow, and the magmatic heat source) most likely occur within metamorphic basement rocks beneath the western part of the caldera. Geothermometer-temperature estimates for the source reservoir range from 214 to 248??C. Zones of upflow of hot water could exist beneath the plateau of moat rhyolite located west of the resurgent dome or beneath Mammoth Mountain. Lateral flow of thermal water away from such upflow zones through reservoirs in the Bishop Tuff and early rhyolite accounts for temperature reversals encountered in most existing wells. Dating of hot-spring deposits from active and inactive thermal areas confirms previous interpretations of the evolution of hydrothermal activity that suggest two periods of extensive hot-spring discharge, one peaking about 300 ka and another extending from about 40 ka to the present. The onset of hydrothermal activity around 40 ka coincides with the initiation of rhyolitic volcanism along the Mono-Inyo Craters volcanic chain that extends beneath the caldera's west moat. ?? 1991.

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research↗

USGS1996

Crustal structure of the Colorado Plateau, Arizona: Application of new long-offset seismic data analysis techniques

The Colorado Plateau is a large crustal block in the southwestern United States that has been raised intact nearly 2 km above sea level since Cretaceous marine sediments were deposited on its surface. Controversy exists concerning the thickness of the plateau crust and the source of its buoyancy. Interpretations of seismic data collected on the plateau vary as to whether the crust is closer to 40 or 50 km thick. A thick crust could support the observed topography of the Colorado Plateau isostatically, while a thinner crust would indicate the presence of an underlying low-density mantle. This paper reports results on long-offset seismic data collected during the 1989 segment of the U.S. Geological Survey Pacific to Arizona Crustal Experiment that extended from the Transition Zone into the Colorado Plateau in northwest Arizona. We apply two new methods to analyze long-offset data that employ finite difference travel time calculations: (1) a first-arrival time inverter to find upper crustal velocity structure and (2) a forward-modeling technique that allows the direct use of the inverted upper crustal solution in modeling secondary reflected arrivals. We find that the crustal thickness increases from 30 km beneath the metamorphic core complexes in the southern Basin and Range province to about 42 km beneath the northern Transition Zone and southern Colorado Plateau margin. We observe some crustal thinning (to ∼37 km thick) and slightly higher lower crustal velocities farther inboard; beneath the Kaibab uplift on the north rim of the Grand Canyon the crust thickens to a maximum of 48 km. We observe a nonuniform crustal thickness beneath the Colorado Plateau that varies by ∼15% and corresponds approximately to variations in topography with the thickest crust underlying the highest elevations. Crustal compositions (as inferred from seismic velocities) appear to be the same beneath the Colorado Plateau as those in the Basin and Range province to the southwest, implying that the plateau crust represents an unextended version of the Basin and Range. Some of the variability in crustal structure appears to correspond to preserved lithospheric discontinuities that date back to the Proterozoic Era.

Journal of Geophysical Research B: Solid Earth↗

USGS2012

The crustal structure of the Wrangellia Terrane along the East Glenn Highway, eastern‐southern Alaska

Recently acquired seismic refraction data from eastern‐southern Alaska provide new information on the structure and composition of the Wrangellia and adjacent terranes. The data comprise a 160‐km‐long refraction profile along the East Glenn (Tok‐Cutoff) Highway that was collected as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's multidisciplinary Trans‐Alaska Crustal Transect program. The upper 3 km of the Wrangellia terrane and associated rocks is characterized by low compressional wave velocities (V p = 1.9, 3.3, 4.6, 5.6 km s −1 ) and high‐velocity gradients common to most onshore seismic refraction profiles. There is also clear seismic expression of the West Fork fault system as a steep, down‐to‐the‐southwest fault that separates the Peninsular terrane to the southwest and the metamorphic complex of Gulkana River to the northeast. In contrast, no seismic expression occurs for the Paxson Lake fault, which separates the Wrangellia terrane from the metamorphic complex of Gulkana River. Adjacent to the Denali fault, within the Wrangellia terrane, two high‐velocity bodies (V p = 6.6 km s −1 ) occur in the upper crust. One of these extends to ∼10‐km depth and correlates with a late Paleozoic dioritic complex, suggesting that the Wrangellia terrane is at least 10 km thick in this part of Alaska. From 5 to 23 km depth, the crust appears seismically homogeneous, with velocity increasing from V p = 6.2 to V p = 6.6 km s −1 . Beneath this level, the crust is less well resolved, although evidence exists for a low‐velocity zone between 23 and 26 km and a possible southwest dipping interface at 35 km. No identifiable mantle refraction or reflection is observed, possibly indicating a crust as thick as 55 km. The relatively low seismic velocities in the upper 23 km of the crust compare favorably with laboratory‐measured velocities on pelitic schists and intermediate‐composition plutonic rocks (granites and granodiorites), both of which are recognized in Wrangellia. We interpret the seismic velocities to indicate that silicic‐to‐intermediate‐composition rocks are important constituents of the basement of this part of Wrangellia. Geologic evidence indicates that the Alaskan part of the Wrangellia terrane is a Paleozoic and Mesozoic island arc: our seismic evidence indicates it may have been built mostly on continental crust as opposed to the fragment of Wrangellia from Vancouver Island which was probably built on oceanic crust.

Alaska↗

USGS2012

Bedrock geology and tectonic evolution of the Wrangellia, Peninsular, and Chugach terranes along the Trans-Alaska Crustal Transect in the Chugach Mountains and southern Copper River Basin, Alaska

The Trans-Alaskan Crustal Transect in the southern Copper River Basin and Chugach Mountains traverses the margins of the Peninsular and Wrangellia terranes, and the adjacent accretionary oceanic units of the Chugach terrane to the south. The southern Wrangellia terrane margin consists of a polymetamorphosed magmatic arc complex at least in part of Pennsylvanian age (Strelna Metamorphics and metagranodiorite) and tonalitic metaplutonic rocks of the Late Jurassic Chitina magmatic arc. The southern Peninsular terrane margin is underlain by rocks of the Late Triassic (?) and Early Jurassic Talkeetna magmatic arc (Talkeetna Formation and Border Ranges ultra-mafic-mafic assemblage) on Permian or older basement rocks. The Peninsular and Wrangellia terranes are parts of a dominantly oceanic superterrane (composite Terrane II) that was amalgamated by Late Triassic time and was accreted to terranes of continental affinity north of the Denali fault system in the mid- to Late Cretaceous. The Chugach terrane in the transect area consists of three successively accreted units: (1) minor greenschist and intercalated blueschist, the schist of Liberty Creek, of unknown protolith age that was metamorphosed and probably accreted during the Early Jurassic, (2) the McHugh Complex (Late Triassic to mid-Cretaceous protolith age), a melange of mixed oceanic, volcaniclastic, and olistostromal rocks that is metamorphosed to prehnite-pumpellyite and lower greenschist facies that was accreted by middle Cretaceous time, and (3) the Upper Cretaceous Valdez Group, mainly magmatic arc-derived flysch and lesser oceanic volcanic rocks of greenschist facies that was accreted by early Paleocene time. A regional thermal event that culminated in early middle Eocene time (48–52 Ma) resulted in widespread greenschist facies metamorphism and plutonism.

Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth↗

USGS2016

Reevaluating the age of the Walden Creek Group and the kinematic evolution of the western Blue Ridge, southern Appalachians

An integrated synthesis of existing datasets (detailed geologic mapping, geochronologic, paleontologic, geophysical) with new paleontologic and geochemical investigations of rocks previously interpreted as part of the Neoproterozoic Walden Creek Group in southeastern Tennessee suggest a necessary reevaluation of the kinematics and structural architecture of the Blue Ridge Foothills. The western Blue Ridge of Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia is composed of numerous northwest-directed early and late Paleozoic thrust sheets, which record pronounced variation in stratigraphic/structural architecture and timing of metamorphism. The detailed spatial, temporal, and kinematic relationships of these rocks have remained controversial. Two fault blocks that are structurally isolated between the Great Smoky and Miller Cove-Greenbrier thrust sheets, here designated the Maggies Mill and Citico thrust sheets, contain Late Ordovician-Devonian conodonts and stable isotope chemostratigraphic signatures consistent with a mid-Paleozoic age. Geochemical and paleontological analyses of Walden Creek Group rocks northwest and southeast of these two thrust sheets, however, are more consistent with a Late Neoproterozoic (550–545 Ma) depositional age. Consequently, the structural juxtaposition of mid-Paleozoic rocks within a demonstrably Neoproterozoic-Cambrian succession between the Great Smoky and Miller Cove-Greenbrier thrust sheets suggests that a simple foreland-propagating thrust sequence model is not applicable in the Blue Ridge Foothills. We propose that these younger rocks were deposited landward of the Ocoee Supergroup, and were subsequently plucked from the Great Smoky fault footwall as a horse, and breached through the Great Smoky thrust sheet during Alleghanian emplacement of that structure.

North Carolina, Tennessee↗

USGS2011

Neoproterozoic extension in the greater dharwar craton: A reevaluation of the "betsimisaraka suture" in madagascar

The Precambrian shield of Madagascar is reevaluated with recently compiled geological data and new U-Pb sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) geochronology. Two Archean domains are recognized: the eastern Antongil-Masora domain and the central Antananarivo domain, the latter with distinctive belts of metamafic gneiss and schist (Tsaratanana Complex). In the eastern domain, the period of early crust formation is extended to the Paleo-Mesoarchean (3.32-3.15 Ga) and a supracrustal sequence (Fenerivo Group), deposited at 3.18 Ga and metamorphosed at 2.55 Ga, is identified. In the central domain, a Neoarchean period of high-grade metamorphism and anatexis that affected both felsic (Betsiboka Suite) and mafic gneisses (Tsaratanana Complex) is documented. We propose, therefore, that the Antananarivo domain was amalgamated within the Greater Dharwar Craton (India + Madagascar) by a Neoarchean accretion event (2.55-2.48 Ga), involving emplacement of juvenile igneous rocks, high-grade metamorphism, and the juxtaposition of disparate belts of mafic gneiss and schist (metagreenstones). The concept of the "Betsimisaraka suture" is dispelled and the zone is redefined as a domain of Neoproterozoic metasedimentary (Manampotsy Group) and metaigneous rocks (Itsindro-Imorona Suite) formed during a period of continental extension and intrusive igneous activity between 840 and 760 Ma. Younger orogenic convergence (560-520 Ma) resulted in east-directed overthrusting throughout south Madagascar and steepening with local inversion of the domain in central Madagascar. Along part of its length, the Manampotsy Group covers the boundary between the eastern and central Archean domains and is overprinted by the Angavo-Ifanadiana high-strain zone that served as a zone of crustal weakness throughout Cretaceous to Recent times.

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences↗

USGS2004

U-Pb zircon constraints on the tectonic evolution of southeastern Tibet, Namche Barwa area

The eastern syntaxis of the Himalayas is expressed in the crust as a pronounced southward bend in the orogen. The change in strike of geologic features coincides with the high topography of the Namche Barwa region, the exposure of granulite-grade metamorphic rocks, and a 180-degree bend in the Yalu Tsangpo. We have conducted a geochronologic and geochemical investigation of several suites of granitoids collected from the Namche Barwa massif and subjacent terranes of southeastern Tibet, ranging from cm-scale dikes and sills to larger, outcrop-scale intrusions. U-Pb SHRIMP-RG zircon ages establish at least five magmatic episodes: ∼400 to 500 Ma, ∼120 Ma, 40 to 70 Ma, 18 to 25 Ma, and 3 to 10 Ma . These episodes broadly correlate to spatial patterns in sample localities, as follows: 400 to 500 Ma ages occur in zircon cores collected from within the massif proper; ∼120 Ma granites, related to early Gangdese arc plutonism, are primarily located northeast of Namche Barwa; later (40-70 Ma) Gangdese activity is expressed in granites west of Namche Barwa. 18 to 25 Ma granites occur both along the suture zone west of Gyala Peri, and directly north of Namche Barwa along the area of the Jiali fault zone, and are attributed both to shearing within the Jiali fault zone and to an early Miocene Gangdese Thrust event. Exceptionally young (<10 Ma) zircon ages are clustered near the core of the massif, along the Yalu Tsangpo gorge. Trace-element geochemical data indicates the presence of both fluid-present and fluid absent melts, with a fluid-absent (decompression) melting regime dominating near the core of Namche Barwa.

Tibet↗

USGS1981

Regional geochemical studies in the Patagonia Mountains, Santa Cruz County, Arizona

The Patagonia Mountains in southern Arizona contain the deeply buried porphyry copper system at Red Mountain as well as a number of other base- and precious-metal mines and prospects. The range contains complex Basin and Range geology with units ranging in age from Precambrian to Holocene. Rock types present include igneous intrusive and extrusive units as well as sedimentary and metamorphic units, most of which have been tectonically disturbed. A total of 264 stream-sediment samples were collected and analyzed for 32 elements. Geochemical maps for Sb, Ag, Pb, Te, B, Mn, Au, Zn, Cu (total), Cu (cold-extractable), and Mo, as well as for Cu (cold-extractable)/Cu (total) and Fe/Mn, are presented. Anomaly patterns for these elements generally occur over the Red Mountain deposit and (or) along a north-northwest trend parallel to the major Harshaw Creek Fault. Much of the entire area sampled contains widespread anomalies for Pb, Te, and Cu; the other elements are only locally anomalous. Various plots of ratios of Cu (cold-extractable) to Cu (total) did not produce any new information not readily apparent on either one of the two copper maps. A plot of ratios of Fe to Mn delineated many areas of pyrite mineralization. Several of these areas may represent the pyritic halos around deeply buried porphyry copper systems. The best ore guide for the Red Mountain porphyry system is the coincidence of positive anomalies of Mo, Pb, and Te and a negative anomaly of Mn. Other areas with anomalies of the same suite of elements are present within the Patagonia Mountains. It is concluded that geochemical sampling, even in a highly contaminated area, can be useful in delineating major geologic features, such as porphyry copper belts and major faults. Multielement geochemical surveys on a regional scale can effectively locate large, deeply buried, zoned mineral systems such as that at Red Mountain. Plots of element ratios, where adequately understood, can provide geochemical information not readily discernible from plots of single elements alone.

Arizona↗

USGS1976

The source of hydrothermal solutions at Puerto Maunabo and its bearing on the base-metal-potassium feldspar association in Puerto Rico

A quartz oligoclase porphyry exposed near Puerto Maunabo may provide evidence to further our understanding of the base-metal-potassium feldspar association known to occur in many of the porphyry-type copper deposits of Puerto Rico. The porphyry appears to be a magmatic differentiate on the border of the San Lorenzo batholith that may represent a source of mineralizing hydrothermal solutions. The porphyry intrudes an albitized quartz diorite border phase of the batholith that contains large roof pendants of metavolcanic rock. These roof pendants are mostly metamorphosed to greenschist metamorphic facies, but in the vicinity of Puerto Maunabo south of the porphyry, they reach amphibolite metamorphic facies; north of the porphyry, similar xenolithic lenses of metavolcanic rock appear to have been converted entirely to an oligoclase quartz felsite. The layered albitized quartz felsite has the same composition and texture as irregular veinlets in the albitized quartz diorite and as the groundmass in the porphyry. The K + ions arid basic ions of Fe +2 , Cu +2 , Mg +2 apparently were mobilized during final magmatic crystallization and then escaped as hydrothermal solutions that followed open conduits within a zone of structural weakness which also permitted the emplacement of the porphyry. The volcanic rock of Cerro Piedra Hueca, in contact with the albitized quartz diorite, and generally along strike west of the porphyry, has been altered to a quartz sericite rock entirely devoid of mafic silicates. This is the southeasternmost exposure of hydrothermally altered volcanic rock in the regional zone of northwest-trending faults that contains the principal porphyry-type copper deposits of Puerto Rico. The texture, mineralogy, and geologic environment of the porphyry at Puerto Maunabo are similar to those of the ore-bearing porphyries but differ in one important aspect. Most ore-bearing porphyries contain hydrothermal potassium feldspar and reddish-brown biotite intimately associated with the base-metal sulfides. In the porphyry of Puerto Maunabo, potassium feldspar is conspicuously absent, and only a trace of biotite is present; the only sulfide present is pyrite. The physical and chemical environment required to precipitate K + ions, either as potassium feldspar or biotite, apparently is very similar to that required to precipitate base-metal sulfides. At Puerto Maunabo, these conditions evidently did not prevail, and potassium and the base metals may have been carried in solution to a more favorable environment.

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