Age of deformation within the Central Metasedimentary Belt boundary thrust zone, southwest Grenville Orogen: constraints on the collision of the Mid-Proterozoic Elzevir terrane

Abstract

U–Pb zircon and titanite geochronology on syntectonic intrusions from the Ontario Central Metasedimentary Belt boundary thrust zone has constrained the timing of two major periods of northwest-directed ductile thrusting on this crustal-scale shear zone. Initiation of deep-seated uppermost amphibolite facies deformation is constrained to a period before 1190 Ma, over 100 Ma earlier than previous estimates. Major reimbrication of the shear zone took place ca. 1080 – 1060 Ma and was more pronounced in the southwestern segment. The initiation of deformation within the boundary thrust zone coincides with the emplacement of the hanging wall Elzevir terrane of the Central Metasedimentary Belt onto the Mid-Proterozoic Laurentian margin. The structural nature and temporal and kinematic consistency of the reimbrication phase along the 200 km exposed length of the shear zone is thought to be due to within-plate reactivation of the existing, rheologically weak structure, a result of continent–continent collision ca. 1080–1060 Ma during the later stage of the Grenville orogenic cycle.Collision of the Elzevir terrane, interpreted to be an ensialic marginal basin, with the Laurentian margin along the Central Metasedimentary Belt boundary thrust zone is thought to potentially record closure of the marginal basin ca. 1190 Ma. A distinctive tonalitic suite of rocks preserved in the boundary thrust zone may be composed of fragments of the remnant arc to the marginal basin.