Seismological structure of the 1.8 Ga Trans-Hudson Orogen of North America
File(s)
Author(s)
Gilligan, A
Bastow, ID
Darbyshire, FA
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Precambrian tectonic processes are debated: what was the nature and scale of orogenic events on the younger, hotter, and more ductile Earth? Northern Hudson Bay records the Paleoproterozoic collision between the Western Churchill and Superior plates—the ∼1.8 Ga Trans-Hudson Orogeny (THO)—and is an ideal locality to study Precambrian tectonic structure. Integrated field, geochronological, and thermobarometric studies suggest that the THO was comparable to the present-day Himalayan-Karakoram-Tibet Orogen (HKTO). However, detailed understanding of the deep crustal architecture of the THO, and how it compares to that of the evolving HKTO, is lacking. The joint inversion of receiver functions and surface wave data provides new Moho depth estimates and shear velocity models for the crust and uppermost mantle of the THO. Most of the Archean crust is relatively thin (∼39 km) and structurally simple, with a sharp Moho; upper-crustal wave speed variations are attributed to postformation events. However, the Quebec-Baffin segment of the THO has a deeper Moho (∼45 km) and a more complex crustal structure. Observations show some similarity to recent models, computed using the same methods, of the HKTO crust. Based on Moho character, present-day crustal thickness, and metamorphic grade, we support the view that southern Baffin Island experienced thickening during the THO of a similar magnitude and width to present-day Tibet. Fast seismic velocities at >10 km below southern Baffin Island may be the result of partial eclogitization of the lower crust during the THO, as is currently thought to be happening in Tibet.
Date Issued
2016-06-24
Date Acceptance
2016-06-01
Citation
Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems, 2016, 17 (6), pp.2421-2433
ISSN
1525-2027
Publisher
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Start Page
2421
End Page
2433
Journal / Book Title
Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems
Volume
17
Issue
6
Copyright Statement
© 2016. American Geophysical Union.All Rights Reserved.
Sponsor
The Leverhulme Trust
Grant Number
RPG-2013-332
Subjects
Geochemistry & Geophysics
04 Earth Sciences
02 Physical Sciences
Publication Status
Published