Modern Convergent Margins Research Articles

Fold-and-thrust belts and associated basins: a perspective on their structure, sedimentation, and dynamics

Fold-and-thrust belts are structural features that accommodate upper-crustal shortening by the growth of a series of thrust faults and folds. Recent studies show that a better understanding of the structure and sedimentation styles of fold-and-thrust belts and their associated basins can provide crucial insights for improved interpretations of the evolution of ancient and modern convergent margins and the mechanisms of intracontinental deformation. To achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the development of contractional orogenic belts, this thematic collection gathers contributions that explore different types of fold-and-thrust belts at various scales around the world, via different approaches including theory development, structural and stratigraphic observations from the field, geophysical analyses, and numerical modelling. Case studies include the northern margin of the Tibetan plateau and Pamir region, the Timanian and Caledonian orogenies in northern Norway, orogenic belts in western Laurentia, and the Andes of western South America. These studies reemphasize the importance of integrating broad datasets when documenting the distribution, geometry, and kinematics of structures in fold-and-thrust belts and their associated basins, including field-based structural observations, provenance, low-temperature thermochronologic, geomorphologic, and subsurface data, and analog and numerical models. This thematic collection aims to encourage further efforts for comparative studies of the fold-and-thrust belts around the world and proposes interdisciplinary research to address outstanding questions in the study of contractional orogens. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Fold-and-thrust belts collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/fold-and-thrust-belts-and-associated-basins

Polygenetic mélanges: a glimpse on tectonic, sedimentary and diapiric recycling in convergent margins

A significant part of mélanges recognized in exhumed convergent margins around the world has been recently documented to have chiefly originated from masse transport and subsurface remobilization and disruption (i.e. mélanges, from sedimentary and mud–serpentinite diapiric processes and from in situ fluidification–disruption). Tectonic and/or sedimentary processes occurring during subsequent multiple deformational events of convergent margin evolution commonly overprint and significantly rework the primary (sedimentary or diapiric) mélange fabric, forming polygenetic mélanges. This ultimately complicates their distinction from true tectonic mélanges, masking part of the recorded tectono-sedimentary evolution of the associated convergent margin. The contributions gathered in this thematic collection explore with different approaches (from field structural and stratigraphic observations to geophysical analyses) different types of polygenetic mélange, at various scales, around the world. These studies conclude that the understanding of this type of mélange may provide crucial insights for a more detailed interpretation of the evolution of ancient and modern convergent margins, and of processes and mechanisms triggering potential natural hazards (earthquakes and tsunamis). Case studies include the Apennines in the Central Mediterranean region, the Carpathians in Central Europe and the Nankai Prism in Japan. Thematic collection: This article is part of the ‘Polygenetic mélanges: a glimpse on tectonic sedimentary and diapiric recycling in convergent margins’ collection available at https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/polygenetic-melanges

Structural constraints on the subduction of mass-transport deposits in convergent margins

Abstract The subduction of large and heterogeneous mass-transport deposits (MTDs) is discussed to modify the structure and physical state of the plate boundary and therewith exert an influence on seismicity in convergent margins. Understanding which subduction-zone architectures and structural boundary conditions favour the subduction of MTDs, primarily deposited in oceanic trenches, is therefore highly significant. We use bathymetric and seismic reflection data from modern convergent margins to show that a large landslide volume and long runout, in concert with thin trench sediments, increase the chances for an MTD to become subducted. In regions where the plate boundary develops within the upper plate or at its base (non-accretionary margins), and in little-sedimented trenches (sediment thickness <2 km), an MTD has the highest potential to become subducted, particularly when characterized by a long runout. On the contrary, in the case of a heavily sedimented trench (sediment thickness >4 km) and short runout, an MTD will only be subducted if the thickness of subducting sediments is higher than the thickness of sediments under the MTD. The results allow identification of convergent margins where MTDs are preferentially subducted and thus potentially alter plate-boundary seismicity.

Bimodal magmatism in the Eastern Dharwar Craton, southern India: Implications for Neoarchean crustal evolution

Archean cratons provide windows to the crustal evolution history in the early Earth. The Dharwar Craton is one of the major cratonic blocks in Peninsular India and is composed of several ancient microcontinents where multiple continental growth and recycling occurred from 3.8 to 2.5 Ga. Here we investigate a suite of magmatic rocks (including granitoids, mafic magmatic enclaves, ultramafic inclusions and synplutonic mafic dyke) from the western margin of the Eastern Dharwar Craton which provide insights on bimodal magmatism in a subduction-related arc setting and crustal growth during Neoarchean. Field evidence and geochemical features suggest mixing and mingling of mafic and felsic magmas. Geochemical features including incompatible and high field strength element features of the enclaves indicate heterogeneous sources involving dominantly enriched mantle reservoirs with minor depleted mantle whereas the host granitoids display depleted to enriched source. We present zircon UPb age data from the various rock types and the combined results display unimodal distribution with a single peak of 207Pb/206Pb age at 2531 Ma (n = 159) suggesting a major Neoarchean bimodal magmatic pulse. The zircon UPb ages of the mafic enclaves indicate either similar ages or slightly younger ages as compared to their host granitoids implying that enclaves represent late stage injections into crystallizing host granitoid magmas. The trace and rare earth element data on zircon from these rocks are consistent with magmatic crystallization. Zircons from most of the rocks in our study display uniformly positive εHf(t) (0.3–8.6), suggesting depleted mantle (juvenile) source for the Neoarchean arc building, and formation of new crust. Some of the mafic magmatic and ultramafic enclaves, as well as the mafic dyke and charnockite display mixed positive and negative εHf(t) values (−7.0 to 3.8), implying mixed depleted mantle and reworked crustal components of Neoarchean to Mesoarchean age. Most of the Hf depleted mantle model ages (TDM; 2520–3115 Ma) and crustal residence ages (TDMC; 2507 Ma to 3452 Ma) fall within the region bounding CHUR and depleted mantle lines, suggesting that the dominant magma source involved juvenile (depleted mantle) components. Thus, latest Neoarchean marks a major phase of continent building in the Eastern Dharwar Craton, and the results presented in our study suggest that bimodal magmatism in a subduction-related setting identical to those in modern convergent margins contributed to crustal growth.

Rapid vertical motions and formation of volcanic arc gaps: Plateau collision recorded in the forearc geological evolution (Costa Rica margin)

AbstractThe collision of bathymetric features with modern convergent margins has been investigated with the full range of tools used in geosciences. Hence, a comprehensive picture exists of the characteristic effects of collision events on the evolution of convergent margins. In contrast, much less studies documented past collisions of bathymetric features with convergent margins, as colliding features were generally lost to subduction. The arc‐trench system of southern Central America provides modern and past textbook examples of active margin interaction with incoming bathymetric reliefs. Here, we propose a synthesis which combines basin and terrane analysis of the forearc of northern Costa Rica and takes up the challenge of documenting past episodes of plateau accretion to the active margin. As illustrated in modern examples, our study shows that kilometric uplift of the overriding plate and termination of the volcanic arc activity are the most profound effects of colliding/accreting oceanic plateaus. Kilometric uplift of the forearc is documented by short‐lived (ca. 3 m.y.) occurrences of shallow‐water deposits in an overall deep‐water forearc record. These shallow deposits contain material reworked from underlying sedimentary and basement lithologies. The development of spatial gaps in arc volcanism is deduced from the transition from arc‐derived turbidites to pelagic sediments. Eventually, end of the collision event is evidenced by the subsidence of the whole forearc to deep‐water environments. Basin subsidence is accompanied or followed by renewed volcanic arc activity and coeval arc‐derived sedimentation, which may occur 1–7 m.y. after plateau collision. These past episodes of plateau accretion are archetypal for the following reasons: (a) they may be studied in outcrop, whereas most of the modern collisions of plateaus largely occur underwater; (b) no tectonic or metamorphic imprint has significantly complicated the forearc geological record; (c) the colliding feature and the sedimentary response to its collision are both preserved in the forearc geology; (d) they may be used as analogues for any setting where a bathymetric feature is suspected to have caused rapid forearc uplift and cessation of the volcanic arc activity.

Dual-vergence structure from multiple migration of widely spaced OBSs

The detailed structure of the northern Cascadia basin and frontal ridge region was obtained using data from several widely spaced ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs). Mirror imaging was used in which the downgoing multiples (mirror signal) are migrated as they provide information about a much larger area than imaging with primary signal alone. Specifically, Kirchhoff time migration was applied to hydrophone and vertical geophone data. Our results indicate remarkable structures that were not observed on the northern Cascadia margin in previous single-channel or multi-channel seismic (MCS) data. Results show that, in these water depths (2.0–2.5km), an OBS can image up to 5km on either side of its position on the seafloor and hence an OBS spacing of 5km is sufficient to provide a two-fold migration stack. Results also show the top of the igneous oceanic crust at 5–6km beneath the seafloor using only a small airgun source (120in.3). Specifically, OBS migration results clearly show the continuity of reflectors which enabled the identification of frontal thrusts and a main thrust fault. These faults indicate, for the first time on this margin, the presence of a dual-vergence structure. These kinds of structures have so far been observed in <0.5% of modern convergent margins and could be related to horizontal compression associated with subduction and low basal shear stress resulting from over-pressure. Reanalysis of previous MCS data from this region augmented the OBS migration results and further suggests that the vergence switches from seaward to landward around central Vancouver Island. Furthermore, fault geometry analyses indicate that the total amount of shortening accommodated due to faulting and folding is about 3km, which suggest that thrusting would have started at least ∼ 65ky ago.

Stagnant lids and mantle overturns: Implications for Archaean tectonics, magmagenesis, crustal growth, mantle evolution, and the start of plate tectonics

The lower plate is the dominant agent in modern convergent margins characterized by active subduction, as negatively buoyant oceanic lithosphere sinks into the asthenosphere under its own weight. This is a strong plate-driving force because the slab-pull force is transmitted through the stiff sub-oceanic lithospheric mantle. As geological and geochemical data seem inconsistent with the existence of modern-style ridges and arcs in the Archaean, a periodically-destabilized stagnant-lid crust system is proposed instead. Stagnant-lid intervals may correspond to periods of layered mantle convection where efficient cooling was restricted to the upper mantle, perturbing Earth's heat generation/loss balance, eventually triggering mantle overturns. Archaean basalts were derived from fertile mantle in overturn upwelling zones (OUZOs), which were larger and longer-lived than post-Archaean plumes. Early cratons/continents probably formed above OUZOs as large volumes of basalt and komatiite were delivered for protracted periods, allowing basal crustal cannibalism, garnetiferous crustal restite delamination, and coupled development of continental crust and sub-continental lithospheric mantle. Periodic mixing and rehomogenization during overturns retarded development of isotopically depleted MORB (mid-ocean ridge basalt) mantle. Only after the start of true subduction did sequestration of subducted slabs at the core-mantle boundary lead to the development of the depleted MORB mantle source. During Archaean mantle overturns, pre-existing continents located above OUZOs would be strongly reworked; whereas OUZO-distal continents would drift in response to mantle currents. The leading edge of drifting Archaean continents would be convergent margins characterized by terrane accretion, imbrication, subcretion and anatexis of unsubductable oceanic lithosphere. As Earth cooled and the background oceanic lithosphere became denser and stiffer, there would be an increasing probability that oceanic crustal segments could founder in an organized way, producing a gradual evolution of pre-subduction convergent margins into modern-style active subduction systems around 2.5 Ga. Plate tectonics today is constituted of: (1) a continental drift system that started in the Early Archaean, driven by deep mantle currents pressing against the Archaean-age sub-continental lithospheric mantle keels that underlie Archaean cratons; (2) a subduction-driven system that started near the end of the Archaean.

Constraints on the geodynamic evolution of the southern Superior Province: U-Pb LA-ICP-MS analysis of detrital zircon in successor basins of the Archean Abitibi and Pontiac subprovinces of Ontario and Quebec, Canada

To investigate the tectonic development of the southern Superior Province, new U-Pb laser ablation inductively-coupled mass-spectrometry analysis of detrital zircon was conducted on graywacke samples from successor basins of the Abitibi and Pontiac subprovinces. The three successor basin successions investigated are the 2690–2685Ma Porcupine assemblage and the 2679–2669Ma Timiskaming assemblage of the Abitibi subprovince, and the ∼2682Ma sedimentary rocks of the Pontiac subprovince. Predominately Neoarchean zircon grains (80–95% of the total zircon population) reflect local sources in the Abitibi and Pontiac subprovinces. The successor basins were deposited within 100Ma of the majority of the detrital zircon grains primary crystallization ages, which is consistent with patterns observed at modern convergent margin settings. Porcupine assemblage samples contain ∼5% Mesoarchean zircon, while Pontiac subprovince and Timiskaming assemblage samples contain ∼18% and ∼13%, respectively. No local Mesoarchean sources exist in the Abitibi or Pontiac subprovinces, suggesting input from an adjacent hinterland. The higher proportion of Mesoarchean zircon in the Timiskaming assemblage relative to the Porcupine assemblage suggests that detritus from the hinterland was more prevalent during the later stages of collision, probably as a result of progressive uplift and denudation of the hinterland. The high proportion of Mesoarchean zircon in the Pontiac subprovince sedimentary rocks may reflect an additional Mesoarchean source. Comparison to previously published geochronology data for the Superior Province indicates that the hinterland was to the northwest and is, in part, composed of the Winnipeg River, Marmion, and Opatica subprovinces. Patterns of contractional deformation, successor basin formation, and felsic plutonism progressively young to the south in the southern Superior Province and are interpreted in terms of accretionary processes. Detrital transport across subprovince or terrane boundaries, progressive hinterland emergence, and foreland-directed propagation of the deformational front recorded by successor basins is similar to that observed in modern-style collisional or accretionary orogens.

Petrogenesis of subvolcanic rocks from the Khunik prospecting area, south of Birjand, Iran: Geochemical, Sr–Nd isotopic and U–Pb zircon constraints

The Khunik prospecting area is located 106km south of Birjand in eastern Iran, and is considered as an epithermal gold prospecting area. The mineralization is related to subvolcanic rocks. There are several outcrops of subvolcanic intrusions in the area which intruded into Paleocene–Eocene volcanic rocks (andesite, trachy-andesite and pyroclastic rocks). Petrographic studies indicate that subvolcanic rocks consist mainly of diorite, monzonite, quartz-monzonite, monzodiorite and quartz-monzodiorite. Mineralogically, these rocks contain plagioclase, K-feldspar, amphibole, pyroxene, biotite and quartz. Geochemically, they have features typical of high-K calk-alkaline to shoshonitic and are metaluminous, and also belong to magnetite granitoid series (I-type). Primitive mantle normalized trace element spider diagrams display enrichment in LILE, such as Rb, Ba, and Cs, compared to HFSE. Chondrite-normalized REE plots show moderately LREE enriched patterns (7.45<LaN/YbN<10.54), and no significant Eu anomalies. Tectonic discrimination diagrams also show affinities with modern convergent margin magmas, suggesting that magmas of Khunik area formed in volcanic arc setting related to subduction of the oceanic crust under the Lut Block plate. The initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.704196–0.704772) and εNdi values (+1.3 to +3.3) are compatible with an origin of the parental melts in a supra-subduction mantle wedge. Zircon U–Pb dating by LA-ICP-MS indicates the age of 38±1Ma (late Eocene) for subvolcanic units that are related to mineralization. A biotite granodiorite porphyry is the testimony of the youngest magmatic activity in the area, with an age of 31±1Ma (early Oligocene). The represented dates are interpreted as magmatic crystallization ages of subvolcanic intrusions.

Detrital zircon record of Neogene exhumation of the central Alaska Range: A far-field upper plate response to flat-slab subduction

Far-field deformation in the upper plate of many ancient and modern convergent margins is commonly attributed to flat-slab subduction processes. Recent studies have suggested that the high topography of the central Alaska Range (Alaska, USA), for example, is the far-field deformational response to Neogene shallow subduction processes in southern Alaska. In this study, we analyze six stratigraphically controlled detrital zircon samples from Miocene–Pliocene sandstone of the Tanana foreland basin to evaluate the temporal and spatial links between exhumation of the central Alaska Range and shallow subduction. The Tanana basin, located north of the central Alaska Range, contains ∼2 km of Neogene strata. Lower Miocene strata from the basin have detrital zircon ages with dominant Precambrian populations. These grain ages are attributed to sediment derivation from the Yukon composite terrane source area located at the northern edge and north of the Alaska Range. During the early–middle Miocene the provenance of the Tanana basin switched to a distinctly Mesozoic source signal. These Mesozoic-age grains are attributed to sediment derived from source areas within and south of the Alaska Range. The early–middle Miocene change in provenance from predominantly Precambrian to Mesozoic sediment sources, in the context of previously published basin analysis studies, is interpreted to represent the onset of Neogene uplift of the central Alaska Range. The timing of exhumation of the central Alaska Range is important not only for understanding the tectonics of the highest mountain range in North America, but additionally because recent modeling studies predict that this range is one of the first expected products of Neogene flat-slab subduction along the southern Alaska convergent plate boundary. Results of our study provide a needed chronologic framework to fully evaluate the temporal and spatial upper plate responses to shallow subduction processes.

ZIRCON COMPOSITIONAL EVIDENCE FOR SULFUR-DEGASSING FROM ORE-FORMING ARC MAGMAS

Research Article| January 01, 2015 ZIRCON COMPOSITIONAL EVIDENCE FOR SULFUR-DEGASSING FROM ORE-FORMING ARC MAGMAS* John H. Dilles; John H. Dilles † 1College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5501 †Corresponding author: e-mail, dillesj@science.oregonstate.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Adam J.R. Kent; Adam J.R. Kent 1College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5501 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Joseph L. Wooden; Joseph L. Wooden 2School of Earth Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2210 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Richard M. Tosdal; Richard M. Tosdal 3MDRU, Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Alison Koleszar; Alison Koleszar 1College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5501 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robert G. Lee; Robert G. Lee 1College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5501 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Lucian P. Farmer Lucian P. Farmer 1College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5501 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information John H. Dilles † 1College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5501 Adam J.R. Kent 1College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5501 Joseph L. Wooden 2School of Earth Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-2210 Richard M. Tosdal 3MDRU, Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4 Alison Koleszar 1College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5501 Robert G. Lee 1College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5501 Lucian P. Farmer 1College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5501 †Corresponding author: e-mail, dillesj@science.oregonstate.edu Publisher: Society of Economic Geologists Received: 22 Aug 2013 Accepted: 15 May 2014 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1554-0774 Print ISSN: 0361-0128 © 2015 Society of Economic Geologists. Economic Geology (2015) 110 (1): 241–251. https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.110.1.241 Article history Received: 22 Aug 2013 Accepted: 15 May 2014 First Online: 09 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 John H. Dilles, Adam J.R. Kent, Joseph L. Wooden, Richard M. Tosdal, Alison Koleszar, Robert G. Lee, Lucian P. Farmer; ZIRCON COMPOSITIONAL EVIDENCE FOR SULFUR-DEGASSING FROM ORE-FORMING ARC MAGMAS. Economic Geology 2015;; 110 (1): 241–251. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.110.1.241 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 SocietyEconomic Geology Search Advanced Search Abstract Porphyry Cu (±Mo ±Au) and epithermal Au-Ag deposits are major sources of mined metals and are commonly formed by magmatic-hydrothermal fluids derived from hydrous magmas in Phanerozoic convergent margin settings. The igneous rock assemblages associated with porphyry mineral deposits are common in modern convergent margin settings, but while many have produced acidic magmatic fluids, very few, past or present, have produced sufficient metal, chlorine, and sulfur enrichments necessary to engender an ore deposit. The reasons for this remain uncertain.We report SHRIMP-RG ion microprobe analyses of hafnium, titanium and rare earth element (REE) abundances in zircon, a nearly ubiquitous and robust trace mineral in crustal magmas. Comparison of the compositions of zircons in ore-forming and barren granitic plutons indicate that ore-forming granites crystallized at relatively low temperature and have relatively small negative europium anomalies (mostly EuN/EuN* ≥0.4). We interpret these small zircon europium anomalies to indicate oxidizing magmatic conditions and hypothesize that in many cases this reflects oxidation due to SO2 degassing from magmas with a relatively low Fe/S ratio. Oxidation of europium and iron in the melt is produced by reduction of magmatic sulfate (S6+) to SO2 (S4+) upon degassing. This interpretation reinforces the important role of oxidized sulfur-rich fluids in porphyry and epithermal mineral deposit formation. Zircon compositions thus may be used to identify ancient magmas that released significant amounts of SO2-rich gases, and regional surveys of zircon composition are potentially a valuable tool for mineral exploration. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

Correlation between magmatism of the Ladakh Batholith and plate convergence rates during the India–Eurasia collision

Evidence for episodic magmatism is found within large batholiths of ancient and modern convergent margin settings and is often attributed to regional geodynamic changes such as an increase in plate convergence rate, lithospheric extension and/or delamination, and intra-crustal/lithospheric shortening. The nature and timing of collision between India and Eurasia remain contentious as many models suggest that the “hard” collision occurred during the Early Paleogene (65 to 45Ma) whereas other models suggest younger ages (~34Ma) or a diachronous collision. New zircon LA-ICPMS U/Pb ages from rocks of the Ladakh Batholith range from 47.7±0.7Ma to 57.6±0.7Ma and correspond to two main episodes of magmatism. The two major episodes of magmatism are correlative to changes in the convergence rate of the Indian and Eurasian plates. The formation of adakitic rocks within the Ladakh Batholith at 49.2±1.2Ma is facilitated by partial melting of a garnet-bearing thickened lower crust. Therefore we suggest that crustal thickening was initiated by the “hard” collision between India and Eurasia. The convergence slowdown is concurrent with an increase in magmatism within the Ladakh Batholith. Thus the collision is constrained by the decreasing convergence rates at ~52Ma and formation of the adakitic rocks at ~49Ma.

Depths and temperatures of &lt;10.5 Ma mantle melting and the lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary below southern Oregon and northern California

AbstractPlagioclase and spinel lherzolite thermometry and barometry are applied to an extensive geochemical dataset of young (&lt;10.5 Ma) primitive basaltic lavas from across Oregon's High Lava Plains, California's Modoc Plateau, and the central‐southern Cascades volcanic arc to calculate the depths and temperatures of mantle melting. This study focuses on basalts with low pre‐eruptive H2O contents that are little fractionated near‐primary melts of mantle peridotite (i.e., basalts thought to be products of anhydrous decompression mantle melting). Calculated minimum depths of nominally anhydrous melt extraction are 40–58 km below Oregon's High Lava Plains, 41–51 km below the Modoc Plateau, and 37–60 km below the central and southern Cascades arc. The calculated depths are very close to Moho depths as determined from a number of regional geophysical studies and suggest that the geophysical Moho and lithosphere‐asthenosphere boundary in this region are located in very close proximity to one another (within 5–10 km). The basalts originated at 1185–1383°C and point to a generally warm mantle beneath this area but not one hot enough to obviously require a plume contribution. Our results, combined with a range of other geologic, geophysical, and geochemical constraints, are consistent with a regional model whereby anhydrous mantle melting over the last 10.5 Ma in a modern convergent margin and back arc was driven by subduction‐induced corner flow in the mantle wedge, and to a lesser extent, toroidal flow around the southern edge of the subducting Juan de Fuca and Gorda plates, and crustal extension‐related upwelling of the shallow mantle.

Geology of an Archaean accretionary complex – The structural record of burial and return flow in the Tartoq Group of South West Greenland

This study presents structural and petrographic data from supracrustal slivers and associated TTG rocks of the Mesoarchaen Tartoq Group in southwestern Greenland that point to the burial and subsequent return flow of the mainly metamafic supracrustal and TTG rocks during subduction–accretion along an obliquely convergent margin. Locally preserved high-grade metamorphic, up to lower granulite-facies fabrics record the burial of the supracrustal rocks to depths >25km during southeast-directed subduction. Retrograde amphibolite- and regionally widespread greenschist-facies fabrics and structures indicate the subsequent exhumation of the rocks. Pro- and retrograde fabrics are largely coaxial, but retrograde fabrics record a reversal of shear and uniformly developed top-to-the east and southeast kinematics along extensional shear zones and overprinting brittle–ductile fault zones. Extensional shearing and the concomitant retrogression are interpreted to be related to the northwest-directed expulsion of the rocks in the subduction channel. Intrusive relationships between supracrustal slivers and TTG's, leucogranites and pegmatites document the synkinematic emplacement of voluminous felsic magmas throughout this structural evolution.While the structural evolution of rocks of the Tartoq Group shows the salient attributes of a modern convergent margin, high-T metamorphism, pervasive ductile strains, partial melting of the supracrustal rocks and syntectonic intrusion of voluminous granitoids are interpreted to reflect processes operating in a hotter, Archaean subduction zone. Slab melting and the formation of granitoids at relatively shallow depths in the subduction zone channel move the magmatic front to the fore-arc region of the convergent margin. The emplacement of felsic melts, low strength and progressive disintegration of the downgoing slab choke subduction. This has most likely resulted in only irregular and shortlived subduction disrupted by episodes of slab break off and subduction step back, promoting tectonomagmatic accretion of TTG–greenstones at relatively shallow levels, but preventing subduction of rocks to larger depths. This mode of shallow structural and magmatic accretion leads to lateral crustal growth, documented by the at least 80km wide accretionary complex of the Tartoq Group.

Flat versus steep subduction: Contrasting modes for the formation and exhumation of high- to ultrahigh-pressure rocks in continental collision zones

Flat and steep subduction are end-member modes of oceanic subduction zones with flat subduction occurring at about 10% of the modern convergent margins and mainly around the Pacific. Continental (margin) subduction normally follows oceanic subduction with the remarkable event of formation and exhumation of high- to ultrahigh-pressure (HP–UHP) metamorphic rocks in the continental subduction/collision zones. We used 2D thermo-mechanical numerical models to study the contrasting subduction/collision styles as well as the formation and exhumation of HP–UHP rocks in both flat and steep subduction modes. In the reference flat subduction model, the two plates are highly coupled and only HP metamorphic rocks are formed and exhumed. In contrast, the two plates are less coupled and UHP rocks are formed and exhumed in the reference steep subduction model. In addition, faster convergence of the reference flat subduction model produces extrusion of UHP rocks. Slower convergence of the reference flat subduction model results in two-sided subduction/collision. The higher/lower convergence velocities of the reference steep subduction model can both produce exhumation of UHP rocks. A comparison of our numerical results with the Himalayan collisional belt suggests two possible scenarios: (1) A spatially differential subduction/collision model, which indicates that steep subduction dominates in the western Himalaya, while flat subduction dominates in the extensional central Himalaya; and (2) A temporally differential subduction/collision model, which favors earlier continental plate (flat) subduction with high convergence velocity in the western Himalaya, and later (flat) subduction with relatively low convergence velocity in the central Himalaya.

Geochemistry, Nd isotopes and U–Pb SHRIMP zircon dating of Neoproterozoic volcanic rocks from the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt: New insights into the ∼750 Ma crust-forming event

Submarine tholeiitic and calc-alkaline basalt and andesite with subordinate dacite, metamorphosed to greenschist facies, are exposed at Wadi Kareim and Wadi El Dabbah, Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. These metavolcanic sequences are representative of early stages of Neoproterozoic crust formation in the northern part of the Arabian-Nubian Shield. The magmas were primitive to moderately fractionated, as indicated by average Mg# (54), Cr (191ppm) and Ni (69ppm). Their REE patterns are slightly fractionated [(La/Yb)N=1.3–3.9], and multi-element diagrams show Ba, Sr, K and Rb enrichments and Nb and Ta depletions, typical of modern convergent margin igneous rocks. Tectonic discrimination diagrams also show affinities with modern convergent margin magmas, suggesting that Wadi El Dabbah lavas formed in a volcanic arc that experienced cryptic crustal contamination, whereas Wadi Kareim lavas formed in a back-arc basin. Positive initial ɛNd (+5.1 to +8.9) and Nd model ages (0.64–0.79Ga) indicate that the crust is juvenile and was extracted from a depleted mantle source. Wadis Kareim and El Dabbah metavolcanic rocks are dated at ∼750Ma (U–Pb SHRIMP) but contain abundant pre-Neoproterozoic zircons which might be derived from underlying sediments or perhaps older continental crust. These results indicate that a major ∼750Ma crust-forming event involving ophiolite generation and eruption of juvenile melts was important for the formation of the crust.

Basin‐wide mass‐wasting complexes as markers of the Oligo‐Miocene foredeep‐accretionary wedge evolution in the Northern Apennines, Italy

ABSTRACTSedimentary bodies emplaced by mass‐wasting processes and exceeding tens of metres of thickness and a hundred of square kilometres in area are widespread in the Cretaceous–Pleistocene marine successions of the Northern Apennines of Italy. At least 10 such bodies are present in the stratigraphic record of the Oligo‐Miocene foredeep during the northeastern, time‐transgressive migration of the accretionary wedge‐foredeep system. The term mass‐wasting complex (MWC) is here adopted for these bodies to emphasize their multistory emplacement mechanism and polymictic composition with variously deformed slabs of different lithology, age and provenance. As one of the more intriguing features, their occurrence was associated with changes in turbidite deposition from basin plain to slope. Wide sectors of the internal margin of the basin (lobe‐fan) and even of the basin plain become a slope at the front of the accretionary wedge for a limited period of time (temporary slope). The temporary slope supplied the intrabasinal components of the MWCs, whereas the diffused extrabasinal components came from the front of the accretionary wedge. Therefore, an enhanced instability of the entire foredeep‐wedge system occurred systematically and cyclically. As a consequence, many variously consolidated sediments were transferred into the foredeep basin invading the depocentre and forcing the turbidite deposition towards the foreland, in a more northeasterly position. The presence of such MWCs therefore conditioned basin size and geometry in an analogous way as that reported for some modern convergent margins, as in the case of Costa Rica. Normal sedimentation was restored on top of the MWC only after the levelling of topographic irregularities.

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of volcanic rocks of the Neoarchaean Sukumaland Greenstone Belt, northwestern Tanzania

The late Archaean volcanic rocks of the Rwamagaza area in the Sukumaland Greenstone Belt consists of basalts and basaltic andesites associated with volumetrically minor rhyodacites and rhyolites. Most basalts and basaltic andesites yield nearly flat patterns (La/Sm CN = 0.89–1.34) indicating derivation by partial melting of the mantle at relatively low pressure outside the garnet stability field. On primitive mantle normalized trace element diagrams, the basalts and basaltic andesites can be subdivided into two groups. The first group is characterised by moderately negative Nb anomalies (Nb/La pm = 0.51–0.73, mean = 0.61 ± 0.08) with slight enrichment of LREE relative to both Th and HREE. The second group is characterised by nearly flat patterns with no Nb anomalies (Nb/La pm = 0.77 ± 0.39). The observed Nb and Th anomalies in the Rwamagaza basalts and basaltic andesites, cannot be explained by alteration, crustal contamination or melt–solid equilibria. Rather, the anomalies are interpreted, on the basis of Nb–Th–La–Ce systematics, as having formed by partial melting of a heterogeneous mantle consisting of variable mixtures of components derived from two distinct sources. These sources are depleted mantle similar to that generating modern MORB and an LREE-enriched and HFSE-depleted source similar to that feeding volcanism along modern convergent margins. The rhyolites are characterised by high Na 2O/K 2O ratios (>1) and Al 2O 3 (>15 wt.%), low HREE contents (Yb = 0.24–0.68 ppm) leading to highly fractionated REE patterns (La/Yb CN = 18.4–54.7) and large negative Nb anomalies (Nb/La pm = 0.11–0.20), characteristics that are typical of Cenozoic adakites and Archaean TTG which form by partial melting of the hydrated basaltic crust at pressures high enough to stabilize garnet ± amphibole. The Rwamagaza basalts and basaltic andesites are geochemically analogous to the Phanerozoic Mariana Trough Back Arc Basin Basalts and the overall geochemical diversity of Rwamagaza volcanic rocks is interpreted in terms of a geodynamic model involving the interaction of a depleted mantle, a melting subducting oceanic slab in a back arc setting.

Thermal modelling of the Laramide orogeny: testing the flat-slab subduction hypothesis

The Laramide orogeny is the Late Cretaceous to Palaeocene (80–55 Ma) orogenic event that gave rise to the Rocky Mountain fold and thrust belt in Canada, the Laramide block uplifts in the USA, and the Sierra Madre Oriental fold and thrust belt in Mexico. The leading model for driving Laramide orogenesis in the USA is flat-slab subduction, whereby stress coupling of a subhorizontal oceanic slab to the upper plate transmitted stresses eastwards, producing basement-cored block uplifts and arc magmatism in the foreland. The thermal models presented here indicate that arc magma generation at significant distances inboard of the trench (>600 km) during flat-slab subduction is problematic; this conclusion is consistent with the coincidence of volcanic gaps and flat-slab subduction at modern convergent margins. Lawsonite eclogite xenoliths erupted through the Colorado Plateau in Oligocene time are inferred to originate from the subducted Farallon slab, and indicate that the Laramide flat-slab subduction zone was characterised by a cold thermal regime. Thermal modelling indicates that this regime can be produced by flat-slab subduction of old (>∼50 Myr) oceanic lithosphere at high convergence rates. In the Canadian and Mexican portions of the Laramide orogen, the coeval development of a magmatic arc within 300 km of the trench refutes the existence of flat-slab subduction in these regions. It is proposed that subduction of an oceanic plateau/aseismic ridge may have overcome the negative buoyancy inherent in old oceanic lithosphere and resulted in a spatially restricted zone of flat-slab subduction in the USA. These findings cast doubt on the flat-slab model as a primary means of driving Laramide orogenesis along its entire length, and instead point to the need for an alternative mechanism for Cordilleran-wide Laramide orogenesis.

Record in metamorphic tourmalines of subduction-zone devolatilization and boron cycling

Boron concentrations and isotope compositions of fluids and lavas from subduction-zone settings show great potential for elucidating mass flux at Earth's modern convergent margins. However, the fluid-mineral-melt behaviorof B and its two stable isotopes remains relatively poorly understood. Boron isotope analyses of tourmaline in metasedimentary rocks subducted to 15-90 km depths (1) demonstrate the ability of this mineral to retain information regarding prograde devolatilization history in even highly retrograded rocks and (2) indicate the importance of tourmaline in affecting whole-rock B loss and B isotope evolution during subduction-zone metamorphism. The B lost from micas during metamorphism of subducting sedimentary rocks and altered oceanic crust is isotopically more enriched in 1 1 B than the B retained in the micas. Beneath forearcs and volcanic arcs, the B from micas is either removed from the subduction-zone rocks via metamorphic fluids or sequestered by growing tourmaline, in which the B can be entrained to even greater depths. Here we demonstrate that these metamorphic fluids could contribute to the relatively high 811B signatures observed in most arc lavas and the across-arc trends of decreasing δ 1 1 B observed in several arcs.