Xenolith-bearing orthogneiss of Amazonian affinity discovered in the Dellwood quadrangle in the Blue Ridge basement complex represents the oldest crustal component of the southern Appalachians (1.33 – 1.37 Ga: Quinn, 2012). New U-Pb zircon ages for migmatitic paragneiss of the Cartoogechaye terrane exposed in the Dellwood quadrangle reveal two unique detrital zircon age signatures that indicate either a local eastern Laurentian margin source or an exotic source. Detailed mapping, whole rock geochemistry, and U-Pb zircon geochronology were conducted to determine whether this exotic crustal component extends farther south into the Hazelwood 7.5” quadrangle. Lithological similarities exist between paragneisses in the Dellwood quadrangle and those in the Hazelwood quadrangle. However, the increase in proportion of leucosome and polyphase folding prevent direct correlation of lithologies between the areas. Whole rock major element compositions overlap the composition of basement orthogneisses. Zircon ages of six paragneiss samples reveal multiple detrital zircon age modes that are dominated by two Grenville modes at ~1050 and 1150 Ma. Minor zircon populations exist at ~450 – 480, 700 – 900, and 1300 – 1500 Ma. Age distributions and compositional trends are evidence that the protolith of the paragneiss in the Hazelwood quadrangle was Neoproterozoic rift sediments with a dominant Laurentian margin source.

Thesis advisor: Christopher J. Hepburn / The Nashoba terrane in eastern Massachusetts comprises Cambrian-Ordovician mafic to felsic metavolcanic rocks and interlayered sediments metamorphosed during the mid-Paleozoic and intruded by a series of dioritic to granitic plutons during the Silurian to earliest Carboniferous. This work comprises two parts discussing the Sm-Nd isotope characteristics and major and trace element geochemistry of the Nashoba terrane: the first discusses the Cambrian-Ordovician metamorphosed units, the second discusses the Silurian-Carboniferous plutons. Part I: The Nashoba terrane in eastern Massachusetts lies between rocks of Ganderian affinity to the northwest and Avalonian affinity to the southeast. Its relationship to either domain was unclear and has been investigated. Major and trace element geochemical data indicate a mix of arc, MORB, and alkaline rift related signatures consistent with an origin of the terrane as a primitive volcanic arc-backarc complex built on thinned continental crust. Newly determined Sm-Nd isotopic data clarifies the original tectonic setting. Amphibolites of the Marlboro and Nashoba Formations have high εNd values (+4 to +7.5) consistent with formation in a primitive volcanic arc with minimal interaction between arc magmas and crust. Intermediate and felsic gneisses have moderate εNd values between +1.2 and –0.75 indicating a mixture of juvenile arc magmas and an evolved (likely basement) source. Depleted mantle model ages of 1.2 to 1.6 Ga indicate a Mesoproterozoic or older age for this source. Metasedimentary rocks have negative εNd values between –6 and –8.3 indicating derivation primarily from an isotopically evolved source (or sources). The model ages of these metasedimentary rocks (1.6 to 1.8 Ga) indicate a source area of Paleoproterozoic or older age. The εNd values and model ages of the intermediate and felsic rocks and metasedimentary rocks indicates that the basement to the Nashoba terrane is Ganderian rather than Avalonian. The Nashoba terrane therefore represents a southward continuation of Ganderian arc-backarc activity as typified by the Penobscot and/or Popelogan-Victoria arc systems and the Tetagouche-Exploits backarc basin in the northern Appalachians. Part II: Between 430 and 350 Ma the Nashoba terrane experienced episodic dioritic and granitic plutonism. Previous workers have suggested a supra-subduction zone setting for this magmatism based on the calc-alkaline nature of the diorites. Previously determined major and trace element geochemical data along with newly determined Sm-Nd isotopic data indicate that a subduction zone was active beneath the Nashoba terrane during the majority of the 430 to ca. 350 Ma magmatism (and likely throughout). Trace element geochemistry indicates a strong arc component in all magmas and suggests that the various Silurian to Carboniferous plutonic rocks of the Nashoba terrane could all have been derived by modification of a slightly enriched NMORB-type source via subduction zone input and crustal contamination. Most of the rocks from this period have intermediate εNd values consistent with contamination of juvenile magmas by an evolved source. The late Proterozoic model ages for most of these rocks suggest the Ganderian basement of the Nashoba terrane as the source of evolved material. One rhyolite from the nearby Newbury Volcanic Complex (of unknown affinity) has a moderately negative εNd value consistent with derivation by partial melting of Cambrian-Ordovician metasedimentary rocks of the Nashoba terrane. This suggests that the Newbury Volcanic Complex formed as the surface expression of mid-Paleozoic Nashoba terrane plutonism. Geochemical and isotopic similarities between the plutonic rocks of the Nashoba terrane and widespread contemporary Ganderian plutonism suggest that the Nashoba terrane remained a part of Ganderia during its transit and accretion to the Laurentian margin. Significantly younger model ages in the youngest granitic rocks indicate that Avalonian crust may have underthrust the Nashoba terrane after 400 Ma and contributed to the generation of these granites. / Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2012. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Earth and Environmental Sciences.

The timing and kinematics of terrane accretion and translation on the Paleozoic margin of Gondwana remains contentious. Multiple models exist for the accretion of the MARA and Precordillera terranes, but deviate in timing and kinematics of accretion, the nature of involved terranes, Laurentian versus Gondwanan origin, and the extent of translation along the margin. The Valle Fertil Fault Zone (VFFZ) marks the suture zone between the Pampean margin and the MARA terrane, which was accreted and translated via thrusting or transpression between 515-400 Ma. The VFFZ projects northward to the Sierra de Maz region, which is transected by ductile shear zones that lie along strike with the boundary and separate assemblages with varied magmatic and metamorphic history. Sierra de Maz is underlain by Mesoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic igneous and metamorphic units assigned to the MARA terrane, known as the Maz and El Taco Complexes, which are juxtaposed with El Zaino Complex, a clastic assemblage that has a simple metamorphic history. Ramaditas lies to the east of the main sierra, and is comprised of granulite facies units with poorly constrained origin. Characterization of Sierra de Maz and Ramaditas involved U/Pb analysis of 17 igneous zircon and 2 in-situ titanite samples by SHRIMP-RG methods, 6 igneous zircon and 8 detrital zircon samples by LA-ICP-MS methods, and trace element analyses of selected samples. Microstructural analyses and Ti-in-Zr geothermometry were used to analyze the timing of metamorphic conditions and kinematics. This collaborative study was performed in conjunction with petrologic analysis, geochronologic analyses of Lu/Hf garnet and Ar/Ar suites, and detailed structural analyses executed by two M.S. students from Western Washington University and University of California-Davis. The U/Pb data suggests that the Proterozoic basement and Maz Shear Zone experienced widespread metamorphism and deformation from ca. 430 to 420 Ma in the Maz and El Zaino Complexes, and from ca. 430-460 Ma in the Taco Complex and Ramaditas. Metamorphic assemblages and kinematic indicators suggest this took place at granulite to greenschist facies conditions in a sinistral transpressional regime, with localized dextral slip. The magmatic and metamorphic history is similar to that observed west of the VFFZ to the south, suggesting that Sierra de Maz records a complex late Ordovician to early Devonian history of convergence and translation of the MARA terrane along the Pampean margin.

The Cartoogechaye terrane (CT) is an enigmatic migmatite terrane within the Central Blue Ridge province of the southern Appalachians. Previous work identified exotic Pb isotope compositions within the CT (Quinn, 2012). More recent studies that mapped the extent of potentially exotic metaigneous lithologies yield U-Pb zircon ages consistent with a native Laurentian margin metasedimentary origin (Larkin, 2016). This study focused on the possible extent of similar lithologies in the Clyde quadrangle and provides further constraints on the crustal affinity of the CT. The Clyde quadrangle consists of four distinct lithologic packages: the CT, Ashe metamorphic suite, Great Smoky Group, and Grenville basement. Five samples within the Clyde quadrangle and one sample from Wayah Bald quadrangle were collected for detrital zircon (DZ) U-Pb geochronology and whole rock geochemistry for comparison similar anlayses from other bedrock units in the region. Dominant DZ age modes consist of the Grenville doublet (1050 Ma and 1150 Ma) or a modified version of it. Minor age modes exist at ~450 Ma, 600-750 Ma, and 1300-1550 Ma. Zircons for all but one sample display heterogeneous external and internal cathodoluminescence morphologies, consistent with a sedimentary protolith for the paragneisses. Whole rock compositions are consistent with weathering of and derivation from a local basement source. U-Pb age data are most consistent with an eastern Laurentian sedimentary provenance for five samples. The presence of 450-460 Ma grains is most consistent with high-grade Taconian regional metamorphism. The lack of a major Shawinigan age mode and zircon morphology for ca. 980-1050 Ma metamorphic zircons indicate that sample CLY16-1 is a syn-orogenic metasediment within the Grenville basement underlying the CT.

The Wrangellia composite terrane is one of the largest fragments of juvenile crust added to the North American continent since Mesozoic time, and refining its accretionary history has important implications for understanding how continents grow. New U-Pb geochronology and Hf isotopes of detrital zircons from Late Jurassic-Late Cretaceous strata from the forearc of the Wrangellia composite terrane allows more insight on the tectonic and paleogeographic history of the terrane. Our stratigraphically oldest samples from the Late Jurassic Naknek Formation have a detrital zircon U-Pb signature dominated by Early and Late Jurassic grains (195-190 Ma; 153-147 Ma). Hf isotopic compositions of these grains are juvenile to intermediate (εHf(t)=4.5-14.7). Disconformably above the Naknek Formation are two poorly understood units Ks and Kc. The Ks unit is dominated by Early to Late Jurassic grains (159-154 Ma) with a few Paleozoic grains (347-340 Ma). Hf isotopic compositions of Carboniferous-Jurassic grains are juvenile to intermediate (εHf(t)=6.0-18.8). The overlying Kc unit has Late to Early Jurassic zircons (198-161 Ma), and an increase in Paleozoic ages (374-323 Ma). Hf isotopic compositions of these grains are juvenile to intermediate (εHf(t)=4.5-14.7). Samples from the Matanuska Formation have major Late Cretaceous grains (90-71 Ma), and minor Early Cretaceous (137-106 Ma), Late to Early Jurassic (200-153 Ma), Paleozoic (367-277 Ma), and Precambrian grains (2597-1037 Ma). Hf compositions have a wider range from both the Late Cretaceous grains (εHf(t)=-1.5-14.9) and Paleozoic-Precambrian grains (εHf(t)=-23.7-16.3). Our results suggest an evolving provenance from Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous time for the Wrangellia composite terrane forearc basin. The Late Jurassic Naknek Formation samples were dominantly derived from a juvenile to intermediate Jurassic igneous sediment source. During Early Cretaceous time, there is a slight increase in the number of Paleozoic grains in the Ks and Kc unit samples. The Early Cretaceous sediments have a mostly positive Hf isotopic compositions suggesting exhumation of Jurassic and Paleozoic juvenile igneous sediment sources. By Late Cretaceous time, our data illustrates another increase in Paleozoic grain abundances, in addition to the introduction of Precambrian grains, all with widely variable Hf isotopic compositions. We interpret this to reflect a larger sediment flux from the interior of Alaska where more evolved igneous rocks of that age are found.

The Glacier Creek volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit is hosted within Late Triassic, oceanic back-arc or intra-arc, rift-related, bimodal volcanic rocks (Hyd or Tats Group) of the allochthonous Alexander terrane known as the Alexander Triassic Metallogenic Belt (ATMB). The deposit presently consists of four tabular massive sulfide lenses with a resource of 4.75 Mt. at 1.84% Cu, 4.57% Zn, 0.15% Pb, 0.28 g/t Au and 29.07 g/t Ag. A deposit-scale thrust fault offsets stratigraphy along the axial surface of a deposit-scale anticline. The massive sulfide lenses are barite-rich and are divided into 6 main ore-types based on mineral assemblages. There is a large range of sphalerite compositions, with low-Fe sphalerite dominant throughout the lenses and high-Fe sphalerite at the top and bottom of the lenses in pyrrhotite-rich zones. Lenses contain anomalous Sb, Hg and Tl. Gangue minerals include barite, quartz, barian-muscovite, calcite, albite, highly subordinate chlorite and locally hyalophane and celsian. Overlying massive sulfide is a tuffaceous hydrothermal sediment with anomalous REE patterns and local hyalophane. The general footwall to all four lenses is a thick unit of coherent to volcaniclastic feldspar-phyric basalt containing extensive lateral alteration. Four alteration facies are recognized based on mineral assemblages. Mass balance calculations for the footwall indicate general gains of S, Fe, Si and K with coincident loss of Ca, Na and Mg, along with trace element gains of Tl, Sb, Hg, Ba, Zn, Cu, As and loss of Sr with increased alteration intensity. Short wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectroscopy shows a general decrease in Na, K and Al content of muscovite and increase of Fe+Mg and Ba content towards ore. Integrated petrographic, mineral, chemical and sulfur-isotope data suggest a transition during deposit formation, from high-temperature, acidic, reduced hydrothermal fluids mixing with oxidized, SO4-rich seawater, to later cooler, low fO2-fS2 conditions of formation and a lack of SO4 in seawater.

Collision of the Yakutat Terrane with North America in southern Alaska has driven growth of the Chugach-St. Elias orogen. Glaciation of the St. Elias Range has periodically increased since the Miocene, but began dominating erosion and spurred enhanced exhumation since the mid-Pleistocene transition at ~1 Ma. Ice associated with this glacial intensification carved cross-shelf sea valleys that connect the St. Elias Range to the deep-sea Surveyor Fan. A newly increased terrigenous sediment flux into the fan triggered the formation and growth of the Surveyor Channel. The change in geomorphology observed throughout Fan sequences allows us to characterize the influence that a glaciated orogen can have in shaping margin processes and the sediment pathways from source to sink. Seismic data also reveal an isolated, large, short runout, mass-transport deposit (MTD) buried in the Surveyor Fan. The MTD geometry, size and location on a convergent margin lend support to recent studies suggesting seismic strengthening and infrequent sediment failure on active margins. This study provides insight into the magnitude and scope of events required to cause submarine mega-slides and overcome higher than normal sediment shear strength, including the influence of climate and sea level change. Beneath the Surveyor Fan, integrated geophysical data reveals massive intraplate shearing, and a lack of oceanic crust magnetic lineaments in regions of Pacific Plate crust. We argue that stress from the Yakutat-North America collision transferred outboard to the Pacific Plate is the major driver for the deformation causing these features. This stress would have resulted in significant strain in the NE corner of the Pacific Plate, creating pathways for sill formation in the crust and Surveyor Fan. The collision further intensified as the thickest Yakutat portion began to subduct during the Pleistocene, possibly providing the impetus for the creation of the Gulf of Alaska Shear Zone, a >200 km zone of shear extending out into the Pacific Plate. This study highlights the importance of farfield stress from complex tectonic regimes in consideration of large-scale oceanic intraplate deformation. / text

Mineral chemistry and thermobarometry of mafic pods in the Liverpool Land Eclogite Terrane (LLET) provide insight into potential relationships with regional high-pressure (HP) and ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terranes such as the North East Greenland Eclogite Province (NEGEP), the Western Gneiss Region (WGR), and HP granulites in the East Greenland Caledonides at Payer Land. Grt-cpx thermometry and jadeite barometry performed on garnet and omphacite cores in a sequence of retrogressed eclogites give minimum and average P-T values across six samples for eclogite at 18.4 ± 3.7 kbar at 764 ± 156 °C. Granulite facies conditions based on early retrograde Opx-Plag symplectites, garnet rim compositions, and relict omphacite grains give P-T values at 12.7 ± 0.6 kbar at 860 ± 10 °C, based on grt-cpx thermometry and the opx-grt-pl-qtz equilibra. Late retrograde amphibolite facies conditions, marked by matrix plagioclase and biotite and orthopyroxene symplectite replacement by hornblende symplectites, give mean P-T values of 6.8 ± 0.4 kbar at 740 ± 150 °C, based on grt-cpx thermometry and the grt-hbl-plag-qtz equilibra. Thermometers and barometers yield a qualitative P-T path from lower eclogite facies pressures through the granulite facies via hot isothermal and static decompression, preserving symplectite textures, to amphibolite facies conditions via isobaric cooling. The path is consistent with low-pressure WGR eclogites and suggests affinities between the LLET and Baltica.

The Glacier Creek volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit is hosted within Late Triassic, oceanic back-arc or intra-arc, rift-related, bimodal volcanic rocks (Hyd or Tats Group) of the allochthonous Alexander terrane known as the Alexander Triassic Metallogenic Belt (ATMB). The deposit presently consists of four tabular massive sulfide lenses with a resource of 4.75 Mt. at 1.84% Cu, 4.57% Zn, 0.15% Pb, 0.28 g/t Au and 29.07 g/t Ag. A deposit-scale thrust fault offsets stratigraphy along the axial surface of a deposit-scale anticline. The massive sulfide lenses are barite-rich and are divided into 6 main ore-types based on mineral assemblages. There is a large range of sphalerite compositions, with low-Fe sphalerite dominant throughout the lenses and high-Fe sphalerite at the top and bottom of the lenses in pyrrhotite-rich zones. Lenses contain anomalous Sb, Hg and Tl. Gangue minerals include barite, quartz, barian-muscovite, calcite, albite, highly subordinate chlorite and locally hyalophane and celsian. Overlying massive sulfide is a tuffaceous hydrothermal sediment with anomalous REE patterns and local hyalophane. The general footwall to all four lenses is a thick unit of coherent to volcaniclastic feldspar-phyric basalt containing extensive lateral alteration. Four alteration facies are recognized based on mineral assemblages. Mass balance calculations for the footwall indicate general gains of S, Fe, Si and K with coincident loss of Ca, Na and Mg, along with trace element gains of Tl, Sb, Hg, Ba, Zn, Cu, As and loss of Sr with increased alteration intensity. Short wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectroscopy shows a general decrease in Na, K and Al content of muscovite and increase of Fe+Mg and Ba content towards ore. Integrated petrographic, mineral, chemical and sulfur-isotope data suggest a transition during deposit formation, from high-temperature, acidic, reduced hydrothermal fluids mixing with oxidized, SO4-rich seawater, to later cooler, low fO2-fS2 conditions of formation and a lack of SO4 in seawater.

The North Caribou Terrane forms the core of Superior Province and records a protracted history of crustal growth and modification. At the centre of the North Caribou Terrane, lies the North Caribou greenstone belt, which is surrounded by granitoids of diverse compositions and ages. This study reports whole-rock geochemistry, zircon and titanite geochronology, and hornblende geobarometry on these plutonic rocks. Although zircons as old as 3132 ± 7 Ma were found, the main magmatic pulse occurred between 2880 and 2830 Ma, and geobarometry indicates tectonic thickening during this period. This was followed by widespread hydrothermal alteration and limited magmatism from 2760 to 2680 Ma, and shallow, brittle-ductile intrusions at circa 2630 Ma. From 2730 to 2630 Ma, intrusions were emplaced at increasingly shallow crustal levels. All of the rocks, except for the youngest pegmatitic intrusions, show similar patterns in major and trace elements, with a general trend toward more evolved compositions through time. These patterns indicate that the granitoids record mostly reworking of early intrusions, which is also consistent with patterns observed in the geochronology.