Contrasting styles of Taconian, Eastern Acadian and Western Acadian metamorphism, central and western New England

The two major Early to Middle Palaeozoic tectonic/metamorphic events in the northern Appalachians were the Taconian (Middle to Late Ordovician) in central to western areas and the Acadian (Late Silurian to early Middle Devonian) in eastern to west-central areas. This paper presents a model for the Acadian orogenic event which separates the Acadian metamorphic realm into eastern and western belts based on distinctively different styles. We propose that the Acadian metamorphism in the east was the delayed consequence of Taconian back-arc lithospheric modification. East of the Taconian island arc, thick accumulations of Late Ordovician and Silurian sediments, coupled with plutons rising along a magmatic arc, produced crustal thermal conditions appropriate for anomalously high-T, low-P metamorphism accompanied by major crustal anatexis. In this zone, upward melt migration was coupled with subsequent E-W crustal shortening (possibly due to outboard collision with the Avalon terrane) to produce mechanical conditions that favoured formation of fold and thrust nappes and resultant tectonic thickening to the west (and probably to the east as well). The basis for the distinction between the Eastern and Western Acadian events lies in the contrasting styles of metamorphism accompanying each. Evidence for contrasting metamorphic styles consists of (1) estimated metamorphic field gradients (MFGs) based on thermobarometric studies, and (2) petrological evidence for contrasting P–T trajectories. West of the Acadian metamorphic front, the Taconian zone has an MFG in which peak temperatures of 400-600° C were reached at pressures of about 4–6 kbar, with both P and T increasing to the east. Near its western edge, the Western Acadian metamorphic overprint has a similar MFG to the Taconian, and is mainly discriminated by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating and microtextural evidence. East of this narrow zone, the Western Acadian overprint is characterized by progressively higher temperatures (600–725° C) and pressures (6.5–10 kbar, or more) to the east, yielding an overall MFG that lies along, or slightly above, the kyanite–sillimanite boundary on a P–T diagram. There is little or no plutonism accompanying Western Acadian metamorphism. In contrast, thermobarometry in the Eastern Acadian, east of the Bronson Hill Belt, yields high-T, intermediate-P conditions for the highest grade rocks known in New England: T= 650–750° C, P= 4.5–6.5 kbar for granulite facies assemblages which apparently formed along an ‘anticlockwise’P–T path. The Bronson Hill Belt lies geographically between the Eastern and Western Acadian zones and shows transitional petrological behaviour: anomalously high temperatures at intermediate pressures, but a ‘clockwise’ path with decompression cooling. Radiometric dating indicates peak Taconian conditions may have been achieved as early as 475 Ma in the Taconian hinterland and as late as 445 Ma in the Taconian foreland (including the Taconic allochthons). Eastern Acadian magmatism may have started as early as 425 Ma, and most nappe-stage deformation and metamorphism in the Eastern Acadian zone appears to have ended by about 410 Ma. Tectonic thickening in the Western Acadian (including the western counterparts of the nappe-stage deformation documented in the Eastern Acadian) must pre-date attainment of peak metamorphic conditions dated at 395–385 Ma. Dome-stage deformation clearly post-dates peak metamorphism and deforms metamorphic isograds. The end of Western Acadian deformation is well constrained by 370-375 Ma radiometric ages of late pegmatites and granitoids which cross-cut all structures.     

GEOLOGICAL EVOLUTION AND OROGENY OF EAST KUNLUN TERRAIN ON THE NORTHERN QINGHAI—TIBET PLATEAU

GEOLOGICAL EVOLUTION AND OROGENY OF EAST KUNLUN TERRAIN ON THE NORTHERN QINGHAI—TIBET PLATEAU1　XuZQ ,YangJS ,ZhangJX ,etal.AcomparisonbetweenthetectonicunitsonthesidesoftheAltunsinistralstrike slipfaultandthemechanismoflithosphericshearing[J] :ActaGeologicaSinica,1999,73:193～ 2 0 5(inChinesewithEnglishabstract) . 2　YangJS ,XuZQ ,LiHB ,Wu ,etal.DiscoveryofeclogiteatthenorthernmarginofQaidambasin,NWChina[J] .Chi neseScienceBulletin,1998,4 3…     

Shoal formation in the Piscataqua River,New Hampshire

The formation of a shoal was investigated in the Piscataqua River, New Hampshire, which is a well-mixed channel with low freshwater flow and tidal currents up to 2.3 m s^?1. Observations of sediment characteristics, bathymetry, and bottom current were made, and theory was used to predict bedload transport. Sediment sampling showed the bottom material to be coarse sand and gravel, and sidescan sonar revealed large sand waves directed upriver at the shoal. Bottom current measurements were made along transects upriver and downriver of the shoal and downriver of an adjacent deepwater area that was also studied for comparison. Bedload flux inferred from current measurements using the Brown-Einstein theory indicated that transport is generally directed upriver. Sediment budget calculations showed the shoal area to be depositional before, immediately after, and subsequent to a dredging operation at rates of 0.36 m yr^?1, 1.06 m yr^?1, and 0.35 m yr^?1, respectively. Predredge and subsequent rates were consistent with the historical record of removal by dredging at the shoal.     

The Orogeny in the Altaides

Studies of the deformation styles, formation types and isotopic age data indicate that the Altaides has successively experienced 5 stages of orogeny: (1) the Kanas orogeny forming the angular unconformity between the Baihaba Formation (O_3) and the Habahe Group (Z-O_2); (2) the Daqiao orogeny (S_3-D_(1-2) giving rise to the early Hercynian quasi-aulacogen extensional continental crust of the area; (3) the Altay orogeny (middle-late Hercynian) leading to the oblique intracontinentai collision and the formation of large shear arc-shaped thrust system and representing a strong orogeny stage; (4) the pan-Altay orogeny (latest Hercynian-Indosinian) resulting in the uplifting and erosion of the mountains as a whole; (5) the Himalayan movement causing the rejuvenation of fault systems and block uplift of the Aitaides since the Cenozoic.     

The Orogeny in the Altaides1

Abstract Studies of the deformation styles, formation types and isotopic age data indicate that the Altaides has successively experienced 5 stages of orogeny: (1) the Kanas orogeny forming the angular unconformity between the Baihaba Formation (O₃) and the Habahe Group (Z-O₂); (2) the Daqiao orogeny (S₃-D_1-2) giving rise to the early Hercynian quasi-aulacogen extensional continental crust of the area; (3) the Altay orogeny (middle- late Hercynian) leading to the oblique intracontinental collision and the formation of large shear arc-shaped thrust system and representing a strong orogeny stage; (4) the pan-Altay orogeny (latest Hercynian-Indosinian) resulting in the uplifting and erosion of the mountains as a whole; (5) the Himalayan movement causing the rejuvenation of fault systems and block uplift of the Altaides since the Cenozoic.     

New data on the „Indosinian“ Orogeny from Central Thailand

The main aspects of the geosynclinal and orogenic evolution of the Petchabun foldbelt in Central Thailand are described. This area was previously thought to be deformed by the Indosinian (Triassic) orogeny. The new data show that the main orogenic event in Thailand can be dated: Post Lower Permian — Pre Uppermost Permian. Evidence is given that Paleotethys closed on Thai territory during this orogenic event. The known Upper Triassic deformations in Northern Thailand are supposed to be strictly intracontinental and therefore of minor importance.

---

Zusammenfassung Die Grundzüge der geosynklinalen und orogenen Entwicklung des Faltengürtels von Petchabun werden beschrieben. Bisher wurde angenommen, daß dieses Gebiet während der Indosinischen Orogenese (Trias) deformiert wurde. Die neuen Daten belegen, daß die bedeutendste Orogenese in Thailand nach dem Unter Perm einsetzte (West-Thailand) und vor dem höchsten Perm abgeschlossen war (Petchabun). Die sog. Paleotethys wurde während dieser Orogenese hier geschlossen. Die bekannten obertriadischen Deformationen sind dagegen rein intrakontinental und somit von untergeordneter Bedeutung.

---

Résumé Les traits principaux du développement géosynclinal et orogénique de la ceinture plissée du Petchabun (Thailande) sont décrits. Jusqu'à présent on pensait que cette région avait été déformée pendant l'orogenèse «Indosinienne» (Trias). Les données nouvelles indiquent que l'orogenèse la plus importante a commencée après le Permien inférieur (dans l'Ouest de la Thailande) et qu'elle s'est terminée avant le Permien supérieur (région de Petchabun). Ici, la soi-disant «Paléotéthys» s'est fermée au cours de cette orogenèse. Les déformations bien connues du Trias supérieur sont exclusivement intracontinentales et n'ont ainsi qu'une signification subordonnée.

---

Petchabun. , (). , ( ) (Petchabun). . . .

     

40Ar/39Ar Thermochronological Constraints on the Timing of Collisional Orogeny in the Mian-Lüe Collision Belt,Southern Qinling Mountains

Silurian, Devonian and Carboniferous geological bodies in the Mianxian-Lüeyang (Mian-Lüe) collisional belt (MLB) and its neighbouring areas, southern Qinling Mountains, China, show similar characteristics of having undergone deformation of two stages. The earlier one, which is inferred to be related to collisional orogeny between the Yangtze and Sino-Korean palaeocontinents based on previous geological data, is responsible for large-scale, north-verging recumbent folds and overthrusts, and associated with low greenschist facies metamorphism. 40Ar/39Ar dating of three muscovite samples taken from different localities yields plateau ages of 226.9(0.9 and 219.5(1.4 Ma and an apparent age of 194.5(3.0 Ma. Thus, the late Triassic collision between the Yangtze and Sino-Korean palaeocontinents has been constrained.     

Deep Geodynamics of the Himalaya Orogeny

DEEP GEODYNAMICS OF THE HIMALAYA OROGENYRFBR( grant 990 56 56 38)     

Minor elements in sediments of Great Bay estuary,New Hampshire

Concentrations of copper, zinc, chromium, lead, cadmium, and phosphorus were obtained from 81 samples of unconsolidated estuarine sediment from Great Bay, New Hampshire. Dispersal of aqueous chromium from localized industrial effluent is believed responsible for an increase in sediment chromium throughout the entire estuary. High phosphorus concentrations exist in sediment near the outfalls from several waste-water treatment plants. There is no evidence for any increase of copper, zinc, lead, or cadmium in this estuary, except for localized high concentrations close to industrial outfalls. Fine-grained sediments and organic carbon correlate highly with all the elements studied, except for chromium. This suggests that conventional agents of sedimentary adsorption are not adequate to explain the incorporation of chromium into sediment under the conditions of heavy industrial discharge which exist in this estuary. Sediment phosphorus correlates highly with minor elements, suggesting that it is an adsorption agent, similar to more typical sedimentary parameters such as organic matter and clay minerals. In such a capacity phosphorus may enhance the sedimentary uptake of other aqueous species, and account for higher chromium sediment concentrations. Comparative data from other sedimentary environments emphasize the environmental significance of these elements in Great Bay.     

Timing relationships between pegmatite emplacement,metamorphism and deformation during the intra‐plate Alice Springs Orogeny,central Australia

In the Harts Range (central Australia), the upper amphibolite facies to lower granulite facies, c. 480–460 Ma Harts Range Metamorphic Complex (HRMC), and the upper amphibolite facies, c. 340–320 Ma Entia Gneiss Complex are cut by numerous, generally peraluminous pegmatites and their deformed equivalents. The pegmatites have previously been interpreted as locally derived partial melts. However, SHRIMP U–Pb monazite and zircon dating of 29 pegmatites or their deformed equivalents, predominantly from the HRMC, reveal that they were emplaced episodically throughout almost the entire duration of the polyphase, c. 450–300 Ma intra‐plate Alice Springs Orogeny. Episodes of pegmatite intrusion correlate with the age of major Alice Springs‐age structures and with deposition of syn‐orogenic sedimentary rocks in the adjacent Centralian Superbasin. Similar Alice Springs ages have not been obtained from anatectic country rocks in the HRMC, suggesting that the pegmatites were not locally derived. Instead, they are interpreted as highly fractionated granites, and imply that much larger parental Alice Springs‐age granites exist at depth. The mechanism to allow repeated felsic magmatism in an intraplate setting, where all exposed rock types had a previous high‐temperature history, is enigmatic. However, we suggest that episodic underthrusting and dehydration of unmetamorphosed Centralian Superbasin sedimentary rocks allowed crustal fertility to maintained over a c. 140 Ma interval during the intra‐plate Alice Springs Orogeny.     

The Acadian thermal history of western Maine

ABSTRACT Following the Middle Devonian Acadian deformation an extensive belt of high grade metamorphism was formed in New England. In south-western Maine, at the northern end of this belt, there occurs a transition along the strike from regional low-pressure/high-temperature metamorphism to contact metamorphism in low-grade rocks. Petrological studies indicate that this transition occurs along a surface plunging to the north-east at about 3.5°, with respect to the Middle-to-Late Devonian erosion surface. In addition, detailed petrological mapping has defined a history of temporally separate, localized metamorphic events associated with plutonism and occurring at increasingly deeper levels to the south-west. Geochronological studies constrain ambient temperatures in the transition zone at the time of metamorphism to be less than 300° C in the north-east and between 350° C and 500° C in the south-west. They also establish a pattern of diachronous cooling due to differential uplift and erosion, with cooling occurring later and most rapidly to the south-west. Geophysical evidence suggests that along with this spatial variation in metamorphic style the shapes of the plutons in Maine undergo a transition from laterally extensive sheet-like bodies in the high grade terrane to more equant-shaped bodies in the low-grade terrane. Using the results of these petrological, geochronological and geophysical studies, as well as those of stratigraphical and structural studies we construct a thermal model for the transition zone. The model suggests that the Acadian metamorphism in south-western Maine is a result of deep-level contact metamorphism near laterally extensive granitic sills dipping to the north-east with respect to the present erosion surface. The plutons themselves are interpreted to be a result of lower crustal melting in response to crustal thickening in the presence of normal or slightly augmented mantle heat flux.     

Petrogenesis of the Kinsman Intrusive Suite: Peraluminous Granitoids of Western New Hampshire

The Kinsman Intrusive Suite occurs in six major plutons of westernNew Hampshire, covering a total area of 2240 km². It is an Acadian-agesyntectonic gneissic S-type peraluminous granitoid, rangingin composition from quartz diorite to granite. Much of the Kinsmanis characterized by very large (up to 120 mm in maximum dimension)megacrysts of alkali feldspar, but the bulk chemistry of therocks indicates that these cannot be phenocrysts crystallizedfrom initially homogeneous melts. Locally, there is abundant(20 per cent) almandine-rich garnet, and graphite is a commonaccessory.In contrast to the unannealed orthoclase in surroundingmetapelites, the alkali feldspar of the Kinsman has, for themost part, inverted to maximum microcline. The garnets havecore temperatures in the range of 800 to 900 ?C, and are pseudomorphedby, or show reaction rims to, biotite. Plagioclase commonlyshows zoning, some of it oscillatory. These features are magmaticin nature, and argue against the conclusions of previous investigatorsthat the mineralogy and textures of the rock are due to regionalmetamorphism of a previously-crystallized two-mica granitoidwhich has undergone prograde reactions such as:muse + bio +3 qtz 2 Kfs + gar + 2H₂O.The intrusives have also producedrecognizable contact-metamorphic features in the wallrocks andare probably coeval with the dominant M2 Acadian metamorphism.Majorelement analytical data for the Kinsman suite has been examinedby least squares mixing-model and extended Q-mode factor analysis.These calculations, supported by consideration of REE data,suggest that the most likely origin for the Kinsman magmas isby deep-crustal anatexis of slightly calcareous metapelites,and involves a reaction such as:bio + Al₂SiO₅ + qtz + feldspars gar + cord + Kfs + plag + melt.In non-calcareous pelites thisreaction produces a water-undersaturated peraluminous melt attemperatures above 700 ?C, and allows for the early crystallizationor recrystallization of K-feldspar, plagioclase, and garnetin a crystal-liquid mush or migma. Geochemically, garnet + plagioclaseare treated as restite, and a minimum-melt granite as the magmain the Q-mode and mixing-model calculations. The variabilityin chemistry of the Kinsman Intrusive Suite is best explainedon the basis of mixing of leucogranitic anatectic melts withgarnet-plagioclase restitic material and a quartz-feldspar-sillimanite-biotiterock, but only very slightly affected by crystal settling.     

Compressional origin of the Aegean Orogeny,Greece

The Aegean Sea area is thought to be an actively extending back-arc region, north of the present day Hellenic volcanic arc and north-dipping subduction zone in the Eastern Mediterranean. The area shows extensive normal faulting, ductile ‘extensional’ shear zones and extensional S-C fabrics throughout the islands that have previously been related to regional Aegean extension associated with slab rollback on the Hellenic Subduction Zone. In this paper, we question this interpretation, and suggest the Cenozoic geodynamic evolution of the Aegean region is associated with a Late Cretaceous–Eocene NE-dipping subduction zone that was responsible for continent-continent collision between Eurasia and Adria-Apulia/Cyclades. Exhumation of eclogite and blueschist facies rocks in the Cyclades and kyanite-sillimanite grade gneisses in the Naxos core complex have pressures that are far greater than could be accounted for purely by lithospheric extension and isostatic uplift. We identify four stages of crustal shortening that affected the region prior to regional lithospheric extension, herein called the Aegean Orogeny. This orogeny followed a classic Wilson cycle from early ophiolite obduction (ca. 74 Ma) onto a previously passive continental margin, to attempted crustal subduction with HP eclogite and blueschist facies metamorphism (ca. 54–45 ?Ma), through crustal thickening and regional kyanite – sillimanite grade Barrovian-type metamorphism (ca. 22–14 ?Ma), to orogenic collapse (<14 ?Ma). At least three periods of ‘extensional’ fabrics relate to: (1) Exhumation of blueschists and eclogite facies rocks showing tight-isoclinal folds and top-NE, base-SW fabrics, recording return flow along a subduction channel in a compressional tectonic setting (ca. 50–35 ?Ma). (2) Extensional fabrics within the core complexes formed by exhumation of kyanite- and sillimanite gneisses showing thrust-related fabrics at the base and ‘extensional’ fabrics along the top (ca. 18.5–14 ?Ma). (3) Regional ductile-brittle ‘extensional’ fabrics and low-angle normal faulting related to the North Cycladic Detachment (NCD) and the South(West) Cycladic Detachment (WCD) during regional extension along the flanks of a major NW–SE anticlinal fold along the middle of the Cyclades. Major low-angle normal faults and ductile shear zones show symmetry about the area, with the NE chain of islands (Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Ikaria) exposing the NE-dipping NCD with consistent top-NE ductile fabrics along 200 ?km of strike. In contrast, from the Greek mainland (Attica) along the SE chain of islands (Kea, Kythnos, Serifos) a SW-dipping low-angle normal fault and ductile shear zone, the WCD is inferred for at least 100 ?km along strike. Islands in the middle of the Cyclades show deeper structural levels including kyanite- and sillimanite-grade metamorphic core complexes (Naxos, Paros) as well as Variscan basement rocks (Naxos, Ios). The overall structure is an ~100 ?km wavelength NW–SE trending dome with low-angle extensional faults along each flank, dipping away from the anticline axis to the NE and SW. Many individual islands show post-extensional large-scale folding of the low-angle normal faults around the domes (Naxos, Paros, Ios, Sifnos) indicating a post-Miocene late phase of E–W shortening.     

Uranium-Series Ages of Travertines and Timing of the Last Glaciation in the Northern Yellowstone Area, Wyoming-Montana

Uranium-series age determinations by mass spectrometric methods were done for travertines and associated carbonate veins related to clastic deposits of the last glaciation (Pinedale) in the northern Yellowstone area. Dramatic variations in the hydrologic head are inferred from variations in the elevation of travertine deposition with time and are consistent with the expected hydrologic effects of glaciation. We determine the following chronology of the Pinedale Glaciation, with the key assumption that travertine deposits (and associated carbonate veins) perched high above present thermal springs were deposited when glaciers filled the valley below these perched deposits: (1) the early Pinedale outlet glacier advanced well downvalley between 47,000 and 34,000 yr B.P.; (2) the outlet glacier receded to an interstadial position between 34,000 and 30,000 yr B.P.; (3) an extensive Pinedale ice advance occurred between 30,000 and 22,500 yr B.P.; (4) a major recession occurred between 22,500 and 19,500 yr B.P.; (5) a minor readvance (Deckard Flats) culminated after 19,500 yr B.P.; and (6) recession from the Deckard Flats position was completed before 15,500 yr B.P. This chronology is consistent with the general trend of climatic changes in the northern hemisphere as revealed by recent high-resolution ice-core records from the Greenland ice sheet.     

青藏板块属南大陆范畴及喜马拉雅现代造山运动

从青藏板块中发现的石炭纪含砾冰水沉积与桉属植物群的分布对比研究,认为青藏板块仍属南大陆范畴.青藏板块复杂多变,活动强烈,是现代造山运动的结果.     

Observations and controls on the occurrence of inherited zircon in Concord-type granitoids,New Hampshire

U-Pb analyses of zircons separated from two Concord-type plutons near Sunapee and Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, reveal differences in the pattern and magnitude of zircon inheritance which are related to differences in melt chemistry. The Sunapee pluton contains only slightly more Zr than required to saturate the melt at the peak temperature of 700 ± 30°C. Traces of inherited zircon in this separate are inferred to be present as small, largely resorbed grains. In contrast, the Long Mountain pluton, near Dixville Notch, contains about 240% more Zr than required to saturate the melt. Thus, more than half of the Zr existed as stable, inherited zircon crystals during the partial fusion event, consistent with the observation of substantial inheritance in all grain size fractions. Ion probe intra-grain analyses of zircon from the Long Mountain pluton indicate a complex pattern of inheritance with contributions from at least two Proterozoic terrenes and caution against simple interpretations of upper and lower intercepts of chords containing an inherited component. Ion probe analyses of zircons from the Sunapee pluton reveal clear evidence of U loss which results in incorrect apparent conventional U-Pb ages. Ages of crystallization for the Long Mountain and Sunapee pluton are ~350 and 354 ± 5 Ma, respectively. A Sm/Nd measurement for the Long Mountain pluton yields a depleted mantle model age of 1.5 Ga, consistent with the observed inheritance pattern. In contrast, a Sm/Nd model age for the Sunapee pluton is improbably old due to minor monazite fractionation.