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Thermobarometry in the Northern Snake Range metamorphic core complex (Nevada, USA) implies pre‐extensional burial of footwall rocks to 21–30 km depths, while geologic field relationships support 7–13 km pre‐extensional depths. This has fueled a 40‐year‐long debate, which has far‐reaching implications for how pressure data are interpreted in orogenic settings. Here, we test published models for deep burial by integrating regional cross‐section reconstructions with new (n = 95) and published (n = 132) peak temperature measurements, field relationships and published geophysical data. Burial of Neoproterozoic‐Cambrian metasedimentary footwall rocks to 21–30 km depths is incompatible with a regional seismic reflection cross‐section that interprets the top of Precambrian crystalline basement at 17–20 km depths. Two reconstructed cross‐sections define 42 km and 50–65 km of displacement on the master detachment fault and demonstrate that the higher displacement ranges (>66–94 km and >76–102 km, respectively) necessary to exhume rocks from 21 to 30 km depths are not possible without spatially overlapping Cambrian rocks preserved in its footwall and hanging wall. The 22°C/km average Late Cretaceous thermal gradient predicted by thermobarometry is incompatible with the 46 ± 10°C/km Late Cretaceous peak thermal gradient that we calculate down to 15–20 km pre‐extensional depths. Field relationships that rule out large‐magnitude shortening invalidate models for deep footwall burial via thrust or reverse faulting. We conclude that there is no scenario for deep burial that is compatible with structural/geophysical constraints, crustal thermal architecture, and field relationships. This necessitates a non‐lithostatic interpretation for pressures from the Northern Snake Range, similar to recent interpretations for other Cordilleran metamorphic core complexes. Key Points: Strain compatibility demonstrates that the detachment displacement necessary to exhume footwall rocks from 21 to 30 km depths is not possibleThe 22°C/km gradient predicted by thermobarometry is incompatible with the Late Cretaceous thermal gradient of 46 ± 10°C/km that we calculateA non‐lithostatic interpretation for pressure data from the Northern Snake Range is required, similar to other Cordilleran core complexes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete evolutionary process of orogenesis can be deciphered by studying metamorphic rocks at middle and lower crustal depths of orogens. Recent studies have suggested that granulite-facies metamorphic rocks in the Paleoproterozoic Jiao–Liao–Ji orogenic belt experienced clockwise pressure–temperature (p–T) paths. However, due to the effects of high temperature, the prograde metamorphic processes are poorly constrained. The question could be solved by studying the Barrovian series rocks, because some garnet growth zoning has been preserved in the lower grade rocks. A Barrovian series from garnet to kyanite-sillimanite zones has been recognized in the Liaodong Peninsula. Based on petrology and mineral chemistry, each metamorphic rocks in metamorphic zone are divided into prograde, peak, and retrograde metamorphic stages. Pseudosection modelling constrains the peak metamorphic conditions at ~568°C and ~5.8 kbar for the garnet zone, ~585°C and ~6 kbar for the staurolite zone, and ~670°C and ~8.2 kbar for the kyanite-sillimanite zone. All Barrovian series rocks have clockwise p–T paths, implying crustal thickening during prograde metamorphism. LA-ICP-MS monazite and zircon U–Pb dating suggest that peak Barrovian metamorphism occurred at ca. 1.92–1.91 Ga. Combining our results of the Barrovian series with studies on granulite-facies metamorphic rocks, we suggest that the Jiao–Liao–Ji belt experienced crustal thickening from 1.95 to 1.90 Ga, inducing Barrovian metamorphism and granulite-facies metamorphism in the middle and lower crust, respectively. Subsequently, rocks located at the different crustal levels were exhumed during post-orogenic extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A regional geology systematic review based on cross-sections and space–time diagrams. • The Dom Feliciano Belt orogenic cycle records pre-, syn- and post-collisional stages. • PT-paths are characteristic of hinterland and foreland tectonic domains. • Northern DFB foreland rifting contrasts with central DFB active margin in the Tonian. • The symmetric schismogenesis of West Gondwana Orogen models can be conciliated. The Dom Feliciano Belt evolution is reviewed based on cross-sections, space–time diagrams, P-T paths, and Sr–Nd isotopic data of pre-collisional metaigneous rocks. The belt is divided into northern, central and southern sectors, subdivided into tectonic domains, developed at Neoproterozoic pre-, syn- and post-collisional stages. The northern sector foreland pre-collisional setting represents a rift, with tholeiitic (meta)volcanic rocks (∼800 Ma) chronocorrelated to hinterland intermediate and acidic orthogneisses of high-K calc-alkaline arc signature. In contrast, the central sector records a complete section from the forearc towards the back-arc region during pre-collisional times. In the western domain, ophiolites (∼920 Ma) are associated with arc-related orthogneisses and metavolcanic rocks (880–830 Ma; 760–730 Ma). At back-arc position, continental arc-related magmatism (800–780 Ma) is registered by hinterland orthogneisses and central foreland metavolcanic rocks. Ophiolites on the hinterland opposite side comprise two compositional groups, with N-MORB and supra subduction signature, interpreted as a back-arc basin record (∼750 Ma). The pre-Neoproterozoic basement of the whole belt is correlated with the Nico Perez Terrane and Luis Alves Block (Archean to Mesoproterozoic, with Congo Craton affinity). This contrasts with the Piedra Alta Terrane (Rio de La Plata Craton, only Paleoproterozoic), westernmost Uruguay. The suture between the Piedra Alta and Nico Perez terranes is correlated with the suture zone in the westernmost central sector. Transpression affected both foreland and hinterland during collision (660–640 Ma), with high-T/low-P hinterland progressive exhumation, whilst foreland low- to medium-grade correlated sequences record underthrusting. Post-collisional processes included magmatism throughout the belt (640–580 Ma), strain partitioning along strike-slip shear zones, and foreland basin fill. Late tectono-metamorphic and magmatic processes (560–540 Ma) were attributed to the Kalahari Craton collision. Arc magmatism migration due to subduction angle variations suggests modern-style plate tectonics during Gondwana amalgamation. Diachronism and kinematic inversion are characteristic of an oblique convergent multi-plate orogenic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Three phases of deformation (D 1 -D 3) are recognized in the Langzishan Barrovian metamorphic series. • The kyanite zone rocks record a clockwise P-T-D path in the Paleoproterozoic. • Metamorphic and deformational characteristics documented by Barrovian metamorphic series in the Paleoproterozoic and Phanerozoic are comparable, possibly indicating a similar orogenic mechanism. Orogenesis always involves multiple tectonic events accompanied by metamorphic cycles. The Barrovian metamorphic series often records complicated prograde metamorphism and deformational features, which are crucial for understanding the related orogenic evolution. While Barrovian metamorphism have been widely documented in the Phanerozoic orogenic belts, limited stuides have been conducted on Paleoproterozoic Barrovian metamorphic series. In this contribution, Barrovian metamorphic series extending from biotite to kyanite zones in the middle of Jiao-Liao-Ji Orogenic Belt (JLJOB) from eastern part of North China Craton (NCC) was investigated. The current studies identified the occurrence of polyphase deformation and metamorphism within the Langzishan Barrovian metamorphic series. D 1 fabrics are characterized by the development of S 1 foliation and L 1 lineation in association with greenschist facies metamorphism (M 1) that occurrs at ca. 490 ℃ and ca. 5.7 kbar. D 2 fabrics that include different folds (F 2), S 2 crenulation cleavage, S 2 foliation and L 2 lineation, accompanied by the low amphibolite metamorphism (M 2) that occurrs at ca. 670 ℃ and 8.2–8.6 kbar. D 3 fabrics involving kink band postdate sillimanite growth that occurrs at ca. 660 ℃ and ca. 6.5 kbar, and predate chlorite occurrence. Monazite U-Pb dating suggests the peak and retrograde metamorphic ages of ca. 1.93 Ga and 1.86 Ga, respectively. Thus, a clockwise pressure–temperature-time-deformation (P-T-t-D) path is established, possibly related to the crustal thickening process. These features are very similar to those documented in Phanerozoic Barrovian metamorphic series, suggesting that a comparable orogenesis mechanism could be shared in the Paleoproterozoic and Phanerozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]