Chronologic and isotopic framework for early Proterozoic crustal evolution in the eastern Mojave Desert region, SE California

Journal of Geophysical Research
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Abstract

The Early Proterozoic geologic evolution of the eastern Mojave Desert region, as defined by characteristics of its supracrustal rocks, granitoids, metamorphism, structural history, and Pb and Nd isotopic signature, contrasts sharply with other Proterozoic provinces of the southwestern United States. The oldest supracrustal rocks of the Mojave Desert region contain zircons over 2.0 Ga, corroborating Nd isotopic evidence for a much older crust here than elsewhere in the southwestern United States. Granitoids widely emplaced within these supracrustal rocks range from 1.76 to 1.64 Ga. The earlier plutons and surrounding supracrustal rocks were metamorphosed to granulite and high amphibolite facies throughout the province at about 1705 Ma in a migmatite-producing event that we term (informally) the Ivanpah orogeny. Subsequent granitoids, emplaced from 1.69 to 1.67 Ga, were voluminous along a north trending belt in the middle of the Mojave province. Younger plutons were emplaced at about 1.66 Ga in several places and at about 1.64 Ga along the extreme southern part of the province. Commonalities between the Proterozoic evolutions of the Mojave and Arizona crustal provinces do not conclusively establish the time that the provinces were juxtaposed; the data only suggest that the juxtaposition occurred between about 1.76 and 1.64 Ga.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Chronologic and isotopic framework for early Proterozoic crustal evolution in the eastern Mojave Desert region, SE California
Series title Journal of Geophysical Research
DOI 10.1029/JB095iB12p20133
Volume 95
Issue B12
Publication Date September 20, 2012
Year Published 1990
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Description 14 p.
First page 20133
Last page 20146
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