Structural assemblies and age of deformation in the western sector of the Anyui-Chukotka Fold System,Northeastern Asia

Indications of intense deformation in the Anyui-Chukotka Fold System and the South Anyui Suture Zone have been noted for a long time 3, 5, 19, 36]. The character and age of the deformation, however, remain a matter of debate. Using structural paragenetic and deformational kinematic analyses, we establish three deformation stages in the Anyui-Chukotka Fold System. The structural assembly comprising open folds and NW-trending axial-plane cleavage was formed during the stage of regional compression (D₁) related to the collision of the Chukotka-Arctic Alaska microcontinent with Eurasia. The assembly of the second stage in the Alyarmaut Rise is distinguished by isoclinal folds F₂, gently dipping metamorphic schistosity, and pervasive cleavage in combination with folded quartz veins and lenses. Planar structural elements of the second stage are disturbed by low-amplitude normal and reverse faults and kink folds of stage D₃. The U-Pb (SHRIMP-RG) and ^40/39Ar methods were used for determination of the isotopic age of the deformations. The Aptian-Albian zircon age (117–108 Ma) has been established for six postcollision granitic plutons of the Anyui-Chukotka Fold System and the South Anyui Suture. Syncollision deformation completed 125–117 Ma ago. The extensional tectonic stage D₂ accompanied by emplacement of the Lyupveem pluton occurred 120–105 Ma ago. The ^40/39Ar age of the biotite from the metamorphic rocks marks the age of syndeformation metamorphism (109–103 Ma). The lower limit of brittle failure and deformation D₃ is estimated at 105 Ma.