The tectonic evolution of Thelon tectonic zone, Canada: a new model based on petrological modeling linked with Lu--Hf garnet and U--Pb accessory mineral geochronology

Petrological modeling and geochronology (Lu--Hf garnet, U--Pb monazite, zircon, and titanite) for seven mid-amphibolite to granulite-facies metamorphic rocks in the Thelon tectonic zone (Ttz) provide new insights into the evolution of this orogen. A Grt-Sp-Sil diatexite records 2.01-2.00 Ga garnet and monazite growth during >830 [degrees]C contact metamorphism associated with voluminous convergent margin plutonism. The most widespread, 1.96-1.90 Ga metamorphism is associated with clockwise pressure (P)--temperature (T) paths, indicating it was driven by crustal thickening. Earlier (1.96-1.92 Ga) and lower temperature (630 [degrees]C-730 [degrees]C; 6-8 kbar) metamorphism in the eastern Slave craton contrast with ~860 [degrees]C (7.5 kbar), 1.91-1.90 Ga diatexites in the central, Paleoproterozoic plutonic rock-dominated, core of the Ttz. These differences are interpreted to reflect lower vs. upper plate settings, respectively. A contribution of mantle heat is suggested by the counter-clockwise P-T path and 885 [degrees]C (5.7 kbar) conditions recorded by diatexite associated with c. 1.9 Ga peraluminous leucogranite that dominates a corridor along the Ttz--Rae craton boundary. A tectonic model is proposed wherein the Ttz evolved at an accretionary margin after rifting of Ttz microcontinent (mTtz) of the Rae craton at c. 2.2-2.1 Ga. Voluminous plutonism at 2.01-1.98 Ga formed via east-dipping subduction under mTtz. Following 1.97 Ga collision of the Slave craton and mTtz, west-dipping subduction generated 1.96-1.95 Ga plutonism in the composite mTtz-Slave upper plate. Collision of Rae craton at 1.95-1.94 Ga led to crustal thickening, widespread 1.91-1.90 Ga high-grade metamorphism and extensive crustal melting in the central Ttz. Key words: Thelon tectonic zone, Lu--Hf garnet geochronology, U--Pb accessory mineral geochronology, quantitative metamorphic petrology, thermobarometry
Introduction The Late Paleoproterozoic is marked by pan-continental orogenic belts that stitched together Earth's Archean cratons. Laurentia--one of the largest and longest lived continental collages--was in large part constructed from [...]