New constraints for the source characteristics, deposition and age of the 2.1–1.9 Ga metasedimentary cover at the western margin of the Karelian Province

Abstract

The Paleoproterozoic cover sequence at the 100–150 km wide western margin of the Archean Karelian Province is dominated by deep water Lower and Upper Kaleva metasediments. We present here an interpretation of Sm–Nd isotope and geochemical data on 36 samples, TIMS multi-grain U–Pb zircon analyses on nine samples, and ca. 100 SIMS analysis of detrital zircon grains from four Upper Kaleva and one Lower Kaleva samples. The Lower Kaleva is characterized by autochthonous–parautochthonous, lithologically heterogeneous metaturbidites showing common enrichment in quartz. All the analysed detrital zircons are of a local Neoarchean source but t DM variation up to 2.4 Ga combined with geochemical data indicate abundant mixing of Paleoproterozoic mafic material, presumably from 2.1 Ga plateau lavas and dykes, in most of the Lower Kaleva samples. The Upper Kaleva is dominantly allochthonous with tectonically enclosed fragments of ophiolite bodies, and it is characterized by lithological and geochemical-isotopic homogeneity. Geochemical, isotopic and detrital zircon data favour material derived from an orogenic domain, comprising both Archean and Proterozoic units, followed by effective mixing during the transport. The Archean zircon grains (25%) are mostly Neoarchean. The Paleoproterozoic grains lack zircons at 2.5–2.2 Ga and plot dominantly (92%) between 1.92 and 2.05 Ga. The indicated maximum deposition ages vary from 1.95–1.94 Ga to 1.92 Ga. The main source area proposed is the Himalaya-type Lapland-Kola orogen (now) in the northeast, which experienced mountain building and erosion at 1.95–1.91 Ga. The western margin of the Karelian Province shows evidence of rifting and lithosphere thinning from 2.1 to 1.95 Ga but it is still under debate whether the craton breakup occurred at 2.06 Ga in a volcanic or later at 1.95 Ga in a non-volcanic margin setting. One hypothesis is that the onset of collision in the northeast changed plate motion and lead to a new spreading within the pre-existing passive margin at 1.97–1.95 Ga. Thus, both a volcanic margin at 2.06 Ga and a non-volcanic margin at ca. 1.95 Ga could have been operated at the western margin of the Karelian Province.