Deep-crustal metasedimentary rocks support Late Cretaceous “Mojave-BC” translation

Abstract

Research Article| January 04, 2019 Deep-crustal metasedimentary rocks support Late Cretaceous “Mojave-BC” translation Kirsten B. Sauer; Kirsten B. Sauer 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Nevada–Reno, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Stacia M. Gordon; Stacia M. Gordon 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Nevada–Reno, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robert B. Miller; Robert B. Miller 2Department of Geology, San Jose State University, San Jose, California 95112, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Carl E. Jacobson; Carl E. Jacobson 3Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA4Department of Earth and Space Sciences, West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19383, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Marty Grove; Marty Grove 5Department of Geological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jeffrey D. Vervoort; Jeffrey D. Vervoort 6School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Christopher M. Fisher Christopher M. Fisher 6School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Kirsten B. Sauer 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Nevada–Reno, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA Stacia M. Gordon 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Nevada–Reno, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA Robert B. Miller 2Department of Geology, San Jose State University, San Jose, California 95112, USA Carl E. Jacobson 3Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA4Department of Earth and Space Sciences, West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19383, USA Marty Grove 5Department of Geological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA Jeffrey D. Vervoort 6School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, USA Christopher M. Fisher 6School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99163, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 04 Sep 2018 Revision Received: 11 Nov 2018 Accepted: 27 Nov 2018 First Online: 04 Jan 2019 Online Issn: 1943-2682 Print Issn: 0091-7613 © 2019 Geological Society of America Geology (2019) 47 (2): 99–102. https://doi.org/10.1130/G45554.1 Article history Received: 04 Sep 2018 Revision Received: 11 Nov 2018 Accepted: 27 Nov 2018 First Online: 04 Jan 2019 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Kirsten B. Sauer, Stacia M. Gordon, Robert B. Miller, Carl E. Jacobson, Marty Grove, Jeffrey D. Vervoort, Christopher M. Fisher; Deep-crustal metasedimentary rocks support Late Cretaceous “Mojave-BC” translation. Geology 2019;; 47 (2): 99–102. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G45554.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Metasedimentary rocks in the mid- to lower crust of exhumed continental arcs preserve information about both sedimentary provenance and metamorphic pressure-temperature paths, providing a unique perspective on the tectonic history of an arc, including margin-parallel translation and sediment-burial mechanisms. The Swakane Biotite Gneiss (Washington State, USA) and the Pelona, Orocopia, Rand, Sierra de Salinas, and related schists (PORS) (California and Arizona) represent metasedimentary rocks that were incorporated into the deep levels of North American Cordilleran arc systems. We evaluated the provenances for the sedimentary protoliths of these units by detrital zircon U-Pb and Hf-isotope analyses to assess paleogeographic reconstructions for western North America. All samples have similar Mesozoic peaks, and Proterozoic age populations (1.38 Ga and 1.6–1.8 Ga) are present in samples with maximum depositional ages younger than ca. 86 Ma. Zircon Hf-isotope results are similar for these Proterozoic populations, but the Swakane Mesozoic zircon samples reveal slight differences in comparison to PORS samples. Similar detrital zircon patterns, timing of emplacement, lithology, and structural setting suggest that these two distinct units formed at the same latitude and are consistent with recent interpretations of paleomagnetic data that indicate “moderate” (∼1600 km) northward translation for the North Cascades arc. This study provides an example of how sediment provenance signatures combined with interpreted metamorphic histories can be used to track vertical displacement and horizontal translation within a complex, long-lived, convergent-margin system. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.