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Hot Cordilleran hinterland promoted lower crust mobility and decoupling of Laramide deformation

Author

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  • Dominik R. Vlaha

    (University of Nevada
    University of Nevada
    University of Nevada)

  • Andrew V. Zuza

    (University of Nevada
    University of Nevada)

  • Lin Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Matthieu Harlaux

    (BRGM - French Geological Survey)

Abstract

The Late Cretaceous to Paleogene Laramide orogen in the North American Cordillera involved deformation >1,000 km from the plate margin that has been attributed to either plate-boundary end loading or basal traction exerted on the upper plate from the subducted Farallon flat slab. Prevailing tectonic models fail to explain the relative absence of Laramide-aged (ca. 90–60 Ma) contractional deformation within the Cordillera hinterland. Based on Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material thermometry and literature data from the restored upper 15–20 km of the Cordilleran crust we reconstruct the Late Cretaceous thermal architecture of the hinterland. Interpolation of compiled temperature data (n = 200) through a vertical crustal column reveals that the hinterland experienced a continuous but regionally elevated, upper-crustal geothermal gradient of >40 °C/km during Laramide orogenesis, consistent with peak metamorphic conditions and synchronous peraluminous granitic plutonism. The hot and partially melted hinterland promoted lower crust mobility and crust-mantle decoupling during flat-slab traction.

Suggested Citation

  • Dominik R. Vlaha & Andrew V. Zuza & Lin Chen & Matthieu Harlaux, 2024. "Hot Cordilleran hinterland promoted lower crust mobility and decoupling of Laramide deformation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-48182-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48182-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard F. Katz & Marc Spiegelman & Benjamin Holtzman, 2006. "The dynamics of melt and shear localization in partially molten aggregates," Nature, Nature, vol. 442(7103), pages 676-679, August.
    2. Joshua J. Schwartz & Jade Star Lackey & Elena A. Miranda & Keith A. Klepeis & Gabriela Mora-Klepeis & Francine Robles & Jonathan D. Bixler, 2023. "Magmatic surge requires two-stage model for the Laramide orogeny," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
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