Metamorphism of tectonically thickened continental crust or subducted sediment wedges is likely to take place in a thermal regime where temperature increases by conductive relaxation whilst concurrently pressure decreases by erosion of the pile. The mineral facies of rocks reaching the surface do not reflect any one geotherm through the pile but lie on a locus of P–T conditions, the metamorphic geotherm, which will generally be concave towards the temperature axis. Maximum pressures on the metamorphic geotherm are significantly less than maximum pressures experienced by rocks during the early stages of recrystallization. The metamorphic geotherm is polychrome, points at lower temperatures reflecting conditions earlier in the development than those at higher temperature; crustal melts are developed after low-medium temperature metamorphism and the amount of such melts could be significant. Blueschists develop on the low temperature end of the metamorphic geotherm and are succeeded in exposure at the surface by greenschist- or amphibolite-facies rocks; the time-scale for this process is consistent with the virtual absence of Precambrian blueschists. Crust thickened by addition of hot magma is likely to yield a metamorphic geotherm convex towards the temperature axis. Recognition of differently curving metamorphic geotherms can be used to assess the part played by magmatic activity in older metamorphic terrains.

The influence of erosion upon the mineral fades of rocks from different metamorphic environments

Evidence from rock microstructures, mass transfer and isotopic exchange indicates that substantial quantities of aqueous fluids are involved in low- and medium-grade regional metamorphism. Similar conclusions are drawn from many retrograde environments, whereas high-grade metamorphic fluids may be melt dominated. The mobile fluids play essential roles in metamorphic reactions, mass transport and deformation processes. These processes are linked by the mechanical consequences of meta- morphic fluid pressures (Pr) generally being greater than or equal to the minimum principal compressive stress. Under such conditions meta- morphic porosity comprises grain boundary tubules and bubbles together with continuously generated (and healed) microfractures. Deform- ation results in significant interconnected porosity and hence enhanced permeability. Lithologically and structurally controlled perme- ability variations may cause effective fluid channelling. Simple Rayleigh-Darcy modelling of a uniformly permeable, crustal slab shows that convective instability of metamorphic fluid is expected at the permeabilities suggested for the high Pf metamorphic conditions. Complex, large- scale convective cells operating in overpressured, but capped systems may provide a satisfactory explanation for the large fluid/rock ratios and extensive mass transport demonstrated for many low- and medium-grade metamorphic environ- ments. Such large-scale fluid circulation may have important consequences for heat transfer in and the thermal evolution of metamorphic

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1525-1314.1983.tb00272.x

The role of the fluid phase during regional metamorphism and deformation

Stretching fabrics, folds and crustal shortening

Abstract Based on available tectonostratigraphic, geochronological, and structural data for northeastern Canada and western Greenland, we propose that the early, upper plate history of the Trans-Hudson orogen was characterized by a number of accretionary–tectonic events, which led to the nucleation and growth of a northern composite continent (the Churchill domain), prior to terminal collision with and indentation by the lower plate Superior craton. Between 1.96 and 1.91 Ga Palaeoproterozoic deformation and magmatism along the northern margin of the Rae craton is documented both in northeastern Canada (Ellesmere–Devon terrane) and in northern West Greenland (Etah Group–metaigneous complex). The southern margin of the craton was dominated by the accumulation of a thick continental margin sequence between c. 2.16 and 1.89 Ga, whose correlative components are recognized on Baffin Island (Piling and Hoare Bay groups) and in West Greenland (Karrat and Anap nunâ groups). Initiation of north–south convergence led to accretion of the Meta Incognita microcontinent to the southern margin of the Rae craton at c. 1.88–1.865 Ga on Baffin Island. Accretion of the Aasiaat domain (microcontinental fragment?) in West Greenland to the Rae craton resulted in formation of the Rinkian fold belt at c. 1.88 Ga. Subsequent accretion–collision of the North Atlantic craton with the southern margin of the composite Rae craton and Aasiaat domain is bracketed between c. 1.86 and 1.84 Ga (Nagssugtoqidian orogen), whereas collision of the North Atlantic craton with the eastern margin of Meta Incognita microcontinent in Labrador is constrained at c. 1.87–1.85 Ga (Torngat orogen). Accretion of the intra-oceanic Narsajuaq arc terrane of northern Quebec (no correlative in Greenland) to the southern margin of the composite Churchill domain at 1.845 Ga was followed by terminal collision between the lower plate Superior craton (no correlative in Greenland) and the composite, upper plate Churchill domain in northern and eastern Quebec at c. 1.82–1.795 Ga. Taken as a set, the accretionary–tectonic events documented in Canada and Greenland prior to collision of the lower plate Superior craton constrain the key processes of crustal accretion during the growth of northeastern Laurentia and specifically those in the upper plate Churchill domain of the Trans-Hudson orogen during the Palaeoproterozoic Era. This period of crustal amalgamation can be compared directly with that of the upper plate Asian continent prior to its collision with the lower plate Indian subcontinent in the early Eocene. In both cases, terminal continental collision was preceded by several important episodes of upper plate crustal accretion and collision, which may therefore be considered as a harbinger of collisional orogenesis and a signature of the formation of supercontinents, such as Nuna (Palaeoproterozoic Era) and Amasia (Cenozoic Era).

Correlation of Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic units between northeastern Canada and western Greenland: constraining the pre-collisional upper plate accretionary history of the Trans-Hudson orogen

Initial Nd isotope ratios are determined for components of 1.9-1.7 Ga age continental crust in the Ketilidian terrain of South Greenland. The Ketilidian has well-documented ages of migmatization/metamorphism (1.80 Ga) and post-tectonic granitoid intrusion (1.76-1.74 Ga) from U-Pb zircon studies. The Nd results show that: (1) metatholeiites with chondritic 147Sm/144Nd have eNd=+4 to +5 at 1.8 Ga; (2) migmatites, paragneisses and an early granitoid have eNd close to zero; (3) post-tectonic norites have eNd∼ +1.5, while spatially associated more-abundant granitoids have eNd=0 to +1. The metatholeiites show that a normal depleted mantle (eNd=+4 to +5) was present beneath this 1.9-1.7 Ga orogenic zone, as is the case in such environments today. However, metatholeiites are an insignificant part of the Ketilidian crust, and the bulk initial ratio of the whole terrain lies close to eNd=0. Rather than invoking depleted and undepleted mantle sources whose products did not mix, we infer the eNd=0 value to be caused by mixing of a component derived from depleted mantle (eNd=+ 4 to +5) with Archean crustal material (eNd=-9 to -13). As there are no proven relics of Archean crust beyond the border zone of the Ketilidian, and the eNd= 0 value appears to be a wellhomogenized feature, we propose that the Archean material was added in the form of sediments transported to the orogenic zone on oceanic crust. The Archean component comprised between 5 and 17% of the Ketilidian, and the most reasonable estimate is 10%. Thus this 1.9-1.7 Ga terrain consisted of ∼90% new mantle-derived crust.

Origin of continental crust of 1.9-1.7 Ga age defined by Nd isotopes in the Ketilidian terrain of South Greenland

The Proterozoic Nagssugtoqidian and Ketilidian mobile belts are comparable in scale with those of the Phanerozoic rather than those of the Archaean. These two Proterozoic belts differ from one another both in the tectonic displacements which gave rise to them, and in their thermal activities as expressed by igneous and metamorphic characteristics. Similar differences between modern tectonic belts have been interpreted in terms of plate tectonics. The Nagssugtoqidian is characterized by considerable crustal shortening, very limited igneous activity, and high-pressure regional metamorphism which may be related to crustal thickening resulting from both ductile and brittle overthrusting of the Nagssugtoqidian rocks over the Archaean foreland. Evidence of crustal shortening in the Ketilidian is limited, but vertical and transcurrent movements are important. Widespread igneous activity throughout the active history of the belt resulted in the formation of mainly acid volcanic supracrustal rocks and widespread granite intrusion. The appinite suite is also well represented. Metamorphism is mainly of low-pressure type. A tentative comparison can be made between the Alpine and Nagssugtoqidian belts on the one hand, and Andean and Ketilidian belts on the other.

Tectonic Displacements and Thermal Activity in Two Contrasting Proterozoic Mobile Belts from Greenland

/pdf/investigations-on-the-nagssugtoqidian-boundary-between-3yh44dgj67.pdf

D. Bridgwater

Papers

Tectonic Displacements and Thermal Activity in Two Contrasting Proterozoic Mobile Belts from Greenland

Investigations on the Nagssugtoqidian boundary between Holsteinsborg and Kangâmiut, central West Greenland