Tracking changes in crustal thickness during orogenic evolution with Sr/Y: An example from the North American Cordillera

James B. Chapman; Mihai N. Ducea; Peter G. DeCelles; Lucia Profeta

doi:10.1130/G36996.1

Tracking changes in crustal thickness during orogenic evolution with Sr/Y: An example from the North American Cordillera

James B. Chapman, Mihai N. Ducea, Peter G. DeCelles, Lucia Profeta

Geosciences

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398 Scopus citations

Abstract

Global compilations indicate that the geochemistry of arc magmatism is sensitive to Moho depth. Magmatic products are prevalent throughout the history of Cordilleran orogenesis and can be employed to constrain the timing of changes in crustal thickness as well as the magnitude of those changes. We investigate temporal variations in crustal thickness in the United States Cordillera using Sr/Y from intermediate continental arc magmas. Our results suggest that crustal thickening began during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous and culminated with 55-65-km-thick crust at 85-95 Ma. Crustal thicknesses remained elevated until the mid-Eocene to Oligocene, after which time crustal thicknesses decreased to 30-40 km in the Miocene. The results are consistent with independent geologic constraints and suggest that Sr/Y is a viable method for reconstructing crustal thickness through time in convergent orogenic systems.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	919-922
Number of pages	4
Journal	Geology
Volume	43
Issue number	10
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1130/G36996.1
State	Published - Oct 1 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Geology

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abstract = "Global compilations indicate that the geochemistry of arc magmatism is sensitive to Moho depth. Magmatic products are prevalent throughout the history of Cordilleran orogenesis and can be employed to constrain the timing of changes in crustal thickness as well as the magnitude of those changes. We investigate temporal variations in crustal thickness in the United States Cordillera using Sr/Y from intermediate continental arc magmas. Our results suggest that crustal thickening began during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous and culminated with 55-65-km-thick crust at 85-95 Ma. Crustal thicknesses remained elevated until the mid-Eocene to Oligocene, after which time crustal thicknesses decreased to 30-40 km in the Miocene. The results are consistent with independent geologic constraints and suggest that Sr/Y is a viable method for reconstructing crustal thickness through time in convergent orogenic systems.",

author = "Chapman, {James B.} and Ducea, {Mihai N.} and DeCelles, {Peter G.} and Lucia Profeta",

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AU - Profeta, Lucia

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N2 - Global compilations indicate that the geochemistry of arc magmatism is sensitive to Moho depth. Magmatic products are prevalent throughout the history of Cordilleran orogenesis and can be employed to constrain the timing of changes in crustal thickness as well as the magnitude of those changes. We investigate temporal variations in crustal thickness in the United States Cordillera using Sr/Y from intermediate continental arc magmas. Our results suggest that crustal thickening began during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous and culminated with 55-65-km-thick crust at 85-95 Ma. Crustal thicknesses remained elevated until the mid-Eocene to Oligocene, after which time crustal thicknesses decreased to 30-40 km in the Miocene. The results are consistent with independent geologic constraints and suggest that Sr/Y is a viable method for reconstructing crustal thickness through time in convergent orogenic systems.

AB - Global compilations indicate that the geochemistry of arc magmatism is sensitive to Moho depth. Magmatic products are prevalent throughout the history of Cordilleran orogenesis and can be employed to constrain the timing of changes in crustal thickness as well as the magnitude of those changes. We investigate temporal variations in crustal thickness in the United States Cordillera using Sr/Y from intermediate continental arc magmas. Our results suggest that crustal thickening began during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous and culminated with 55-65-km-thick crust at 85-95 Ma. Crustal thicknesses remained elevated until the mid-Eocene to Oligocene, after which time crustal thicknesses decreased to 30-40 km in the Miocene. The results are consistent with independent geologic constraints and suggest that Sr/Y is a viable method for reconstructing crustal thickness through time in convergent orogenic systems.

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Tracking changes in crustal thickness during orogenic evolution with Sr/Y: An example from the North American Cordillera

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