Geochronologic and stratigraphic constraints on the Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic Pahrump Group, Death Valley, California: A record of the assembly, stability, and breakup of Rodinia

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2014 Geochronologic and stratigraphic constraints on the Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic Pahrump Group, Death Valley, California: A record of the assembly, stability, and breakup of Rodinia Robert C. Mahon; Robert C. Mahon 1Idaho State University Department of Geosciences, 921 S. 8th Ave., Stop 8072, Pocatello, Idaho 83209-8072, USA †Current address: University of Wyoming Department of Geology and Geophysics, Department 3006, 1000 University Ave., Laramie, Wyoming 82071, USA; e-mail: mahorobe@isu.edu; rmahon1@uwyo.edu. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Carol M. Dehler; Carol M. Dehler 2Utah State University Department of Geology, 4505 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-4505, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Paul K. Link; Paul K. Link 1Idaho State University Department of Geosciences, 921 S. 8th Ave., Stop 8072, Pocatello, Idaho 83209-8072, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Karl E. Karlstrom; Karl E. Karlstrom 3University of New Mexico Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSCO3-2040, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar George E. Gehrels George E. Gehrels 4University of Arizona Department of Geosciences, 1040 E. 4th St., Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (2014) 126 (5-6): 652–664. https://doi.org/10.1130/B30956.1 Article history received: 07 Jul 2013 rev-recd: 03 Dec 2013 accepted: 08 Jan 2014 first online: 08 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Robert C. Mahon, Carol M. Dehler, Paul K. Link, Karl E. Karlstrom, George E. Gehrels; Geochronologic and stratigraphic constraints on the Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic Pahrump Group, Death Valley, California: A record of the assembly, stability, and breakup of Rodinia. GSA Bulletin 2014;; 126 (5-6): 652–664. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B30956.1 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 SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The Pahrump Group in the Death Valley region of eastern California records a rich history of Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic tectonic, climatic, and biotic events. These include the formation, stability, and onset of rifting of the Rodinia supercontinent, two potentially low-latitude glaciations correlative with global “snowball Earth” glacial intervals, and the onset of complex microbiota (e.g., testate amoebae). Poor direct age control, however, has significantly hindered the progress of understanding of these important stratigraphic units. New LA-ICPMS (laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) detrital zircon data from clastic units directly overlying a major unconformity within the Mesoproterozoic Crystal Spring Formation provide a maximum depositional age of 787 ± 11 Ma for the upper member of the Crystal Spring Formation. This unconformity, representing a duration of ≥300 Ma, is now recognized in sedimentary successions across southwestern Laurentia. These new age data, in addition to the distinct stratigraphic style above and below the unconformity, result in the proposed formal stratigraphic revision to elevate the upper member of the Crystal Spring Formation to the Neoproterozoic Horse Thief Springs Formation and separate it from the remainder of the underlying Mesoproterozoic Crystal Spring Formation (ca. 1100 Ma). New age relations and revised stratigraphic nomenclature significantly clarify stratigraphic and tectonic correlations and imply ca. 1250–1070 Ma assembly, 1070–780 Ma stability, and 780–600 Ma breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia along the southwestern Laurentian margin. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.