Thermochemical structure of the Superior craton and environs: Implications for the evolution and preservation of cratonic lithosphere
The Archean Superior craton was formed by the assemblage of continental and oceanic terranes at ∼2.6 Ga. The craton is surrounded by multiple Proterozoic mobile belts, including the Paleoproterozoic Trans-Hudson Orogen which brought together the Superior and Rae/Hearne cratons at ∼1.9-1.8 Ga. Despit...
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2024
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.22541/essoar.170612483.37231728/v1 |
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crwinnower:10.22541/essoar.170612483.37231728/v1 2024-06-02T08:07:54+00:00 Thermochemical structure of the Superior craton and environs: Implications for the evolution and preservation of cratonic lithosphere Dave, Riddhi Darbyshire, Fiona Ann Afonso, Juan Carlos Fomin, Ilya 2024 http://dx.doi.org/10.22541/essoar.170612483.37231728/v1 unknown Authorea, Inc. posted-content 2024 crwinnower https://doi.org/10.22541/essoar.170612483.37231728/v1 2024-05-07T14:19:23Z The Archean Superior craton was formed by the assemblage of continental and oceanic terranes at ∼2.6 Ga. The craton is surrounded by multiple Proterozoic mobile belts, including the Paleoproterozoic Trans-Hudson Orogen which brought together the Superior and Rae/Hearne cratons at ∼1.9-1.8 Ga. Despite numerous studies on Precambrian lithospheric formation and evolution, the deep thermochemical structure of the Superior craton and its surroundings remains poorly understood. Here we investigate the upper mantle beneath the region from the surface to 400 km depth by jointly inverting Rayleigh wave phase velocity dispersion data, elevation, geoid height and surface heat flow, using a probabilistic inversion to obtain a (pseudo-)3D model of composition, density and temperature. The lithospheric structure is dominated by thick cratonic roots (>300 km) beneath the eastern and western arms of the Superior craton, with a chemically depleted signature (Mg# > 92.5), consistent with independent results from mantle xenoliths. Beneath the surrounding Proterozoic and Phanerozoic orogens, the Mid-continent Rift and Hudson Strait, we observe a relatively thinner lithosphere and more fertile composition, indicating that these regions have undergone lithospheric modification and erosion. Our model supports the hypothesis that the core of the Superior craton is well-preserved and has evaded lithospheric destruction and refertilization. We propose three factors playing a critical role in the craton’s stability: (i) the presence of a mid-lithospheric discontinuity, (ii) the correct isopycnic conditions to sustain a strength contrast between the craton and the surrounding mantle, and (iii) the presence of weaker mobile belts around the craton. Other/Unknown Material Hudson Strait The Winnower Hudson Hudson Strait ENVELOPE(-70.000,-70.000,62.000,62.000) |
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The Winnower |
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description |
The Archean Superior craton was formed by the assemblage of continental and oceanic terranes at ∼2.6 Ga. The craton is surrounded by multiple Proterozoic mobile belts, including the Paleoproterozoic Trans-Hudson Orogen which brought together the Superior and Rae/Hearne cratons at ∼1.9-1.8 Ga. Despite numerous studies on Precambrian lithospheric formation and evolution, the deep thermochemical structure of the Superior craton and its surroundings remains poorly understood. Here we investigate the upper mantle beneath the region from the surface to 400 km depth by jointly inverting Rayleigh wave phase velocity dispersion data, elevation, geoid height and surface heat flow, using a probabilistic inversion to obtain a (pseudo-)3D model of composition, density and temperature. The lithospheric structure is dominated by thick cratonic roots (>300 km) beneath the eastern and western arms of the Superior craton, with a chemically depleted signature (Mg# > 92.5), consistent with independent results from mantle xenoliths. Beneath the surrounding Proterozoic and Phanerozoic orogens, the Mid-continent Rift and Hudson Strait, we observe a relatively thinner lithosphere and more fertile composition, indicating that these regions have undergone lithospheric modification and erosion. Our model supports the hypothesis that the core of the Superior craton is well-preserved and has evaded lithospheric destruction and refertilization. We propose three factors playing a critical role in the craton’s stability: (i) the presence of a mid-lithospheric discontinuity, (ii) the correct isopycnic conditions to sustain a strength contrast between the craton and the surrounding mantle, and (iii) the presence of weaker mobile belts around the craton. |
format |
Other/Unknown Material |
author |
Dave, Riddhi Darbyshire, Fiona Ann Afonso, Juan Carlos Fomin, Ilya |
spellingShingle |
Dave, Riddhi Darbyshire, Fiona Ann Afonso, Juan Carlos Fomin, Ilya Thermochemical structure of the Superior craton and environs: Implications for the evolution and preservation of cratonic lithosphere |
author_facet |
Dave, Riddhi Darbyshire, Fiona Ann Afonso, Juan Carlos Fomin, Ilya |
author_sort |
Dave, Riddhi |
title |
Thermochemical structure of the Superior craton and environs: Implications for the evolution and preservation of cratonic lithosphere |
title_short |
Thermochemical structure of the Superior craton and environs: Implications for the evolution and preservation of cratonic lithosphere |
title_full |
Thermochemical structure of the Superior craton and environs: Implications for the evolution and preservation of cratonic lithosphere |
title_fullStr |
Thermochemical structure of the Superior craton and environs: Implications for the evolution and preservation of cratonic lithosphere |
title_full_unstemmed |
Thermochemical structure of the Superior craton and environs: Implications for the evolution and preservation of cratonic lithosphere |
title_sort |
thermochemical structure of the superior craton and environs: implications for the evolution and preservation of cratonic lithosphere |
publisher |
Authorea, Inc. |
publishDate |
2024 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.22541/essoar.170612483.37231728/v1 |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(-70.000,-70.000,62.000,62.000) |
geographic |
Hudson Hudson Strait |
geographic_facet |
Hudson Hudson Strait |
genre |
Hudson Strait |
genre_facet |
Hudson Strait |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.22541/essoar.170612483.37231728/v1 |
_version_ |
1800753040289955840 |