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When Wyoming Became Superior: Oblique Convergence Along the Southern Trans‐Hudson Orogen.

Authors :
Bedrosian, Paul A.
Finn, Carol A.
Source :
Geophysical Research Letters. 7/16/2021, Vol. 48 Issue 13, p1-10. 10p.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

The Trans‐Hudson orogen (THO) is one of the best‐preserved Proterozoic orogens on Earth, largely unaffected by subsequent tectonism, yet its southern extent lies concealed beneath the North American Central Plains. A new 3D resistivity model over the southern orogen is developed and interpreted alongside borehole, potential field, and seismic reflection data. We present the first synoptic crustal view of the southern THO and a new tectonic model of the orogen. Our model reveals high‐conductivity belts marking paleo‐subduction zones while the orogen center consists of deeply exhumed relatively dense and mostly magnetic juvenile crust preserved between the deformed margins of the Wyoming and Superior cratons. Complex structure along the western margin suggests convergence began with oblique subduction and the northward transport of severed fragments of the Wyoming Province. High‐conductivity belts are in places offset from upper‐crustal geophysical boundaries, consistent with the thrusting of accreted arcs over the Archean margins during terminal closure. Plain Language Summary: Ancient orogens, the remnants of past mountain ranges, mark the location of tectonic plate collisions. The Trans‐Hudson orogen (THO) is a particularly well preserved orogen, but much of its southern portion is concealed beneath the North American Central Plains. A new 3D resistivity model over the southern orogen is developed and interpreted alongside other geological and geophysical data. We present the first synoptic crustal view of the southern THO and a new tectonic model constrained by all existing data. Our models reveal deep‐crustal high‐conductivity belts marking the location of past subduction. The geometry of these belts suggests a previously unrecognized early stage of convergence during which fragments of the Wyoming craton were transported along the edge of the orogen. Key Points: The Trans‐Hudson orogen (THO) is bordered by two high‐conductivity belts marking paleosubduction zones of opposite polarityThe southern THO consists of deeply exhumed juvenile arc terranes and fragments of the Wyoming cratonGeophysical data indicate convergence began along a transpressive margin with considerable along‐strike transport [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00948276
Volume :
48
Issue :
13
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Geophysical Research Letters
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
153433834
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL092970