The eastern limit of Acadian high grade metamorphism in northern New England: Implications for the location of the Acadian Suture''
- Univ. of Maine, Orono, ME (United States). Dept. of Geological Sciences
Identifying the eastern limit of Acadian high grade metamorphism in New England is complicated by the presence of pre-Devonian high grade relics, locally intense Late Paleozoic thermal overprints, and post-metamorphic faults. New [sup 40]Ar/[sup 39]Ar mineral ages from along the eastern margin of high grade metamorphism in Maine and New Hampshire help delineate the eastern limit of Devonian amphibolite facies metamorphism thereby placing constraints on the location of the Acadian suture. In New Hampshire, Acadian high grade metamorphism extends southeast at least as far as the Campbell Hill fault and perhaps as far as the Flint Hill fault. New [sup 40]Ar/[sup 39]Ar hornblende ages and previously published U-Pb monazite ages from the Massabesic Gneiss Complex are Permian indicating high grade Alleghanian metamorphism. New [sup 40]Ar/[sup 39]Ar hornblende ages from the Rye Formation, although complicated by excess argon, are considerably older, indicating an earlier Pre-Silurian amphibolite facies metamorphism affected these rocks. North of Portland, [sup 40]Ar/[sup 39]Ar hornblende ages east of the Norumbega Fault Zone from high grade rocks of the Casco Bay Group have ages that range from Middle Devonian to Early Carboniferous, consistent with diachronous cooling following Acadian metamorphism. Further northeast, in upper amphibolite facies rocks of the Passagassawakeag Gneiss, new [sup 40]Ar/[sup 39]Ar hornblende ages range from 385--395 Ma suggesting that these rocks were also affected by high grade Acadian metamorphism.
- OSTI ID:
- 5579280
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9303211-; CODEN: GAAPBC
- Journal Information:
- Geological Society of America, Abstracts with Programs; (United States), Vol. 25:2; Conference: 28. annual Geological Society of America (GSA) Northeastern Section meeting, Burlington, VT (United States), 22-24 Mar 1993; ISSN 0016-7592
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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