U–Pb apatite geochronology shows multiple thermal overprints within the Neoarchean foreland basement of the Faroe–Shetland Terrane

Abstract

The Neoarchean foreland basement of the Faroe–Shetland terrane (FST) displays abundant evidence for isotopic resetting of U–Pb systems in apatite between c. 1800 and 200 Ma, interpreted to result from episodic heating pulses associated with regional-scale tectonic events. Major apparent age peaks of c. 1800–1600 Ma broadly correspond to the timing of Nagssugtoqidian–Laxfordian orogenesis >225 km further south. These are thought to reflect widespread heating during late- to post-orogenic delamination that affected a wide area of the orogenic foreland and resulted in a low to middle greenschist-facies static overprint, affecting much of the FST basement. Late- to post-orogenic delamination might also account for major apparent age peaks at c. 1300–1100, 800 and 500–400 Ma, corresponding to, respectively, Grenvillian, Knoydartian and Caledonian orogenic events. However, east-dipping seismic reflectors in the basement west of Shetland may represent the northward extension of the Grenvillian Outer Hebrides Thrust (Zone) and/or Caledonian thrusts and so perturbation of isotherms during west-directed thrusting could therefore also account for these apparent age peaks. Minor apparent age peaks of c. 700, 600, 350 and 200 Ma are most easily interpreted as resulting from enhanced heat flux that accompanied periods of crustal extension prior to and following the Caledonian orogeny.