Mélanges and disrupted rocks at the leading edge of the Humber Arm Allochthon, W. Newfoundland Appalachians: Deformation under high fluid pressure

Abstract

The Humber Arm Allochthon was structurally emplaced onto the Laurentian margin in western Newfoundland during Taconian (Ordovician) and Acadian (Devonian) deformation. On Port au Port Peninsula, disrupted allochthonous rocks previously mapped as mélange and scaly shale include three mappable, variably disrupted, stratigraphic units; in addition, mixed rocks constitute mélange with much smaller area than previously mapped. At outcrop scale, a qualitative assessment of disruption distinguishes broken, but coherent stratigraphy from a more disrupted and mixed mélange unit. Within coherent regions, three generations of folds are probably related to Taconian, Acadian and Carboniferous deformation events. More disrupted regions show an average of ~24% blocks to 76% matrix with block sizes 0.5–158 cm. A new sampling technique allowed recovery of oriented mélange samples for thin-section. Multiple orientations of extensional fractures suggest approximately coaxial extension. Abundant carbonate and less common bitumen-filled veins suggest that high fluid pressure played a role in the emplacement of the Allochthon. High fluid pressure was probably also responsible for dewatering structures, sandstone dykes and partially brecciated carbonate beds. Map relationships, outcrop and thin-section scale observations lead to a reinterpreted structural history for western Newfoundland in which an early, Taconian, West Bay Thrust Sheet was rapidly emplaced onto the Laurentian margin. During emplacement, debris flows initially contributed igneous blocks to the allochthon, but the majority of fragmentation took place in an environment of horizontal tectonic extension promoted by high fluid-pressure that encouraged brittle fracture. The West Bay thrust sheet was subsequently overridden by the out-of-sequence Lourdes Thrust. Parts of the allochthon were probably re-imbricated in later events, but because of previous disruption, an organized imbricated thrust belt was not developed. At the tip of an advancing thrust wedge, a clear distinction between tectonic and surficial processes of mélange formation may not be possible.