Temporal and spatial evolution of Northern Cascade Arc magmatism revealed by LA-ICP-MS U-Pb zircon dating

Citation metadata

From: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences(Vol. 55, Issue 5)
Publisher: NRC Research Press
Document Type: Article
Length: 12,817 words
Lexile Measure: 1600L

Document controls

Main content

Abstract :

We present thirty new laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry U-Pb zircon dates for intermediate to silicic plutons of the Northern Cascade Arc with emphasis on the Chilliwack batholith--Mount Baker magmatic focus, located in southwestern British Columbia and northern Washington. Chilliwack magmatism commenced at ~35 Ma in southwestern British Columbia and the most voluminous plutons define a cluster at ~32-29 Ma, documenting an early flare-up. During the same interval, the Index, Squire Creek, and Cascade Pass intrusions were emplaced south of the Chilliwack batholith. North of the Chilliwack, maximum pluton ages become progressively younger northward, tracking the northerly migration of the edge of the Farallon-Juan de Fuca-Explorer plate system relative to North America. Chilliwack magmatism continued from ~29 Ma to 22 Ma at a slightly reduced flux, followed by a lull from 22 to 11 Ma during which magmatism shifted north to the Mount Barr batholith (18 Ma). Chilliwack magmatism resumed by 11 Ma but was intermittent and the intrusive flux was significantly lower. The temporal decrease in intrusive flux displayed by the Chilliwack batholith correlates with the declining convergence rate of the Juan de Fuca plate since arc inception. The 11 Ma-to-present magmatism extends a pattern of southwesterly migration of the magmatic focus previously identified from ~4 Ma (Hannegan caldera) to the modern Mount Baker volcanic field. Crustal rotation accounts for the rate of the first ~7 million years of migration. However, the migration rate more than doubled at ~4 Ma, coinciding with separation of the Explorer plate and initiation of Juan de Fuca plate rollback. Nous presentons trente nouvelles datations U-Pb sur zircons par LA-ICP-MS de plutons acides a intermediaires du nord de l'arc des Cascades, principalement de l'ensemble du batholithe de Chilliwack--mont Baker (sud-ouest de la Colombie-Britannique et nord de l'Etat de Washington). Ce magmatisme debute vers 35 Ma dans le sud-ouest de la Colombie-Britannique, et les plutons les plus volumineux definissent un pic d'activite precoce de ~32 Ma a ~29 Ma. Durant cette periode, les intrusions d'Index, de Squire Creek et de Cascade Pass se mettent en place au sud du batholithe de Chilliwack. Dans la partie septentrionale, les ages maximums des plutons diminuent progressivement vers le nord, suivant la migration du systeme des plaques Farallon-Juan de Fuca-Explorer par rapport a l'Amerique du Nord. Un flux magmatique reduit se poursuit de ~29 Ma a 22 Ma, suivi d'une pause de 22 Ma a 11 Ma au cours de laquelle le magmatisme se deplace vers le nord (batholithe du mont Barr, 18 Ma). Un magmatisme intermittent de moindre intensite reprend a partir de 11 Ma. Cette baisse d'intensite est correlee a une deceleration de la convergence de la plaque Juan de Fuca. Le magmatisme de 11 Ma au present prolonge la migration vers le sud-ouest a partir de ~4 Ma (caldera d'Hannegan) deja decrite vers l'actuel domaine volcanique du mont Baker. Une rotation crustale explique la vitesse de migration durant les premieres ~7 M annees, qui double vers 4 Ma, au moment de la separation de la plaque Explorer et le debut du recul de la plaque Juan de Fuca. [Traduit par la Redaction]
Get Full Access
Gale offers a variety of resources for education, lifelong learning, and academic research. Log in through your library to get access to full content and features!
Access through your library

Source Citation

Source Citation   

Gale Document Number: GALE|A539647979