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REGIONAL SCALE DEFORMATION PARTITIONING FROM COLORADO TO NEW MEXICO, USA

Hui Cao

First published: 2011-06-20https://doi.org/10.5593/sgem2011/s01.131View metrics

Abstract

A similar succession of Foliation Inflection/In tersection Axis trends preserved within porphyroblasts (FIAs) is present in two areas separated by 200 km along the Rocky Mountains. PreCambrian rock s in Central Colorado and Northern New Mexico were affected by deformation and metamorphism from approximately 1506 to 1370 Ma. A succession of five FIAs trending W-E, SSW-NNE, NNW-SSE, NW-SE and WSW-ENE has been distinguished in Central Colora do that have been dated at 1506В±15 Ma, 1467В±23 Ma, 1425В±18 Ma, not dated and 1366В±20 Ma, respectively. To the south in Northern New Mexico, a succession of five FIAs trending SSW-NNE, WNW-ESE, NNW-SSE, NW-SE and WSW-ENE have been distinguished dated at 1482В±48 Ma, 1448В±12 Ma, 1422В±35 Ma, not dated and 1394В±22 Ma. The excellent correlation of the sequence of FIA trends and their ages between regions reveals a six fold FIA succession across the region with the first developed FIA not being present in Northern New Mexico and the third not being present in Ce ntral Colorado. Preferential partitioning of W-E trending deformation into the Central Colorado region around 1506В±15 Ma was followed by SSW-NNE trending deformation that affected both regions at 1470В±20 Ma. However, preferential partitioning of WNW-ESE trending deformation into Northern New Mexico at 1448В±12 Ma left Central Colorado unaffected. Both regions were then affected by the three remaining periods of orogenesis, the first trending NNW-SSE at 1424В±15 Ma followed by one trending NW-SE that has not yet been dated, and then one trending WSW-ENE at 1390В±19 Ma. This suggests that the Yavapai terrain was tectonized at approximately 1506 Ma, prior to amalgamation with the Mazatzal terrain around 1470 Ma. Subseq uent orogenesis was initially par titioned preferentially into the Mazatzal terrain, but the following three periods of tectonism affected both terrains in a similar manner.

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Publication details

Title
REGIONAL SCALE DEFORMATION PARTITIONING FROM COLORADO TO NEW MEXICO, USA
Authors
Hui Cao
Proceedings
SGEM International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference EXPO Proceedings; SGEM2011 11th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference
Publisher
Stef92 Technology
Year
2011
Pages
Not available yet
ISSN
1314-2704
ISBN
Not available yet
Language
en
Publication type
Conference Paper
Keywords
Deformation partitioningFoliation Inflection/Intersection Axis (FIA)porphyroblastColoradoNew Mexico
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