Reply to the comment on: “Geochronology and geothermometry of the Laramide metamorphism in the Cambrian metabasalts from the Cerro Rajón Formation, Caborca region, northwest Mexico”

Abstract

This is a Reply to Calmus and collaborators' comment about our publication entitled: “Geochronology and geothermometry of the Laramide metamorphism in the Cambrian metabasalts from the Cerro Rajón Formation, Caborca region, northwest Mexico”. The authors reevaluate our geothermobarometry data using a different calibration reaction which yields lower metamorphic temperatures for the metabasalts in the Cerro Rajón Formation. They also reinterpret the metamorphism as regional metamorphism based on the deformation caused by the Laramide orogeny in northwestern Sonora. We consider the lower metamorphism temperatures as a suitable alternative or a lower limit for a metamorphic temperature range, although they have no effect on our interpretations. Nevertheless, we disagree with the hypothesis of an orogenic metamorphism as a viable alternative, considering that the Cerro Rajón Formation lacks any kind of schistosity and it shows, at the most, a low degree of deformation. Finally, we present re-calculations from the Cerro El Dátil laramidic intrusive to adjust the previously obtained interpretations.