A Mid-Mesozoic Breccia from the Coast of Labrador

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences
• Main Authors: King, A. F., McMillan, N. J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1975
• Subjects: Greenland; Labrador Sea; Makkovik
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/e75-005; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/e75-005

A unique occurrence of Mesozoic breccia cut by lamprophyric-carbonatite dikelets, near Makkovik, Labrador is interpreted to relate to the opening of the Labrador Sea. The breccia has been dated by nannofossils; vitrinite reflectance studies show that some time during or after deposition the rock was heated to at least 170 °C. It is suggested that shallow seas extended westward beyond the present Labrador Marginal Trough during early Jurassic time and that the period of late alkaline igneous activity is related to the rifting between Greenland and Labrador that commenced about the middle of the Mesozoic Era.