Collisional Snowbird tectonic zone resurrected: Growth of Laurentia during the 1.9 Ga accretionary phase of the Hudsonian orogeny.

The ∼2800-km-long Snowbird tectonic zone is one of the most controversial tectonic features of the Canadian shield. Metamorphic and in situ geochronologic data reported here reveal that a 1.9 Ga medium- to high-pressure belt extends along most of this tectonic zone. In contrast to recent interpretations, a collisional origin is indicated by the length of this metamorphic belt, tectonic thickening documented in parts of it, geological contrasts across it, and subduction-type microdiamonds within it. This collisional event marks a pre—1.865 Ga phase of the Hudsonian orogeny involving microcontinent accretion that was fundamental to the growth of Laurentia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]