Open AccessOverview of Cordilleran oceanic terranes and their significance for the tectonic evolution of the northern Cordillera
Author(s) -
A Zagorevski,
Cees R. van Staal,
Jean H. Bédard,
Adina Bogatu,
Dante Canil,
Max Coleman,
Martyn L. Golding,
Nancy Joyce,
C J M Lawley,
Siobhan McGoldrick,
Mitchell G. Mihalynuk,
Dejan Milidragovic,
Andrew J. Parsons,
P. Schiarizza
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.4095/326053
Subject(s) - terrane , ophiolite , geology , paleontology , tectonics , oceanic crust , continental margin , passive margin , permian , earth science , plate tectonics , subduction , rift , structural basin
Ophiolite complexes are an important component of oceanic terranes in the northern Cordillera and constitute a significant amount of juvenile crust added to the Mesozoic Laurentian continental margin during Cordilleran orogenesis. Despite their tectonicimportance, few systematic studies of these complexes have been conducted. Detailed studies of the pseudostratigraphy, age, geochemistry, and structural setting of ophiolitic rocks in the northern Cordillera indicate that ophiolites formed in Permian to Middle Triassic suprasubduction zone settingsand were obducted onto passive margin sequences. Re-evaluation of ophiolite complexes highlights fundamental gaps in the understanding of the tectonic framework of the northern Cordillera. The previous inclusion of ophiolite complexes into generic 'oceanic' terranes resulted in significantchallenges for stratigraphic nomenclature, led to incorrect terrane definitions, and resulted in flawed tectonic reconstructions.