Geochronologic and thermobarometric constraints on the metamorphic history of the Fairbanks Mining District, western Yukon-Tanana terrane, Alaska

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Main Authors: Douglas, Thomas A, Layer, Paul W, Newberry, Rainer J, Keskinen, Mary J
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2002
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Yukon; Fairbanks; Alaska
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e02-024; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/e02-024

This study presents new petrologic and thermochronologic information from the Fairbanks district of east central Alaska that indicate a complex metamorphic and structural history for the western Yukon–Tanana terrane. Garnet–biotite and garnet–pyroxene thermometry and jadeite barometry yield prograde temperatures and pressures for the Chatanika eclogite (523°C, 14–15 kbar (1 kbar = 100 MPa)). Cooling from peak eclogitization is estimated from 40 Ar/ 39 Ar single grain geochronology at ~210–180 Ma. Secondary white mica ages of 140–115 Ma along the fault contact between eclogite and underlying lower amphibolite-facies rocks constrain the age of the event that placed the Chatanika eclogite over the Fairbanks schist. Based on observations from field mapping and diamond drill samples, we interpret this structural contact as a thrust fault. Garnet–biotite mineral pairs are reset by as much as 200°C within this fault zone. Biotite and white mica ages of ~100–110 Ma, combined with Jurassic amphibole ages in Fairbanks schist samples, indicate the Fairbanks schist and Chatanika eclogite cooled through biotite and white mica argon closure temperatures in the early Cretaceous. Intrusion of mid-Cretaceous, calc-alkalic, gold-related granitic plutons in the Fairbanks district are evidenced by loss of radiogenic argon in many of the 40 Ar/ 39 Ar age fractions. Eocene basalt is visible in six widely separated localities within the eastern part of the Fairbanks district. However, the pervasiveness of a 50 Ma resetting event in samples as far as 30 km from present day basalt localities indicates the Eocene flows were either deposited throughout the Fairbanks area or are associated with large plutons at depth.