Later Proterozoic Stratigraphy of the Northern Atlantic Regions PDF
Preview Later Proterozoic Stratigraphy of the Northern Atlantic Regions
Later Proterozoic Stratigraphy of the Northern Atlantic Regions LATER PROTEROZOIC STRATIGRAPHY OF THE NORTHERN ATLANTIC REGIONS edited by J. A. WINCHESTER Lecturer in Geology University of Keele Blackie Glasgow and London Published in the USA by Chapman and Hall New York Blackie and Son Ltd Bishopbriggs, Glasgow G64 2NZ 7 Leicester PI ace, London WC2H 7BP Published in the USA by Chapman and Hall in association with Methuen, Inc. 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001~2291 © 1988 Blackie and Son Ltd. Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 1988 First published 1988 All rights reserved. No part oj this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in atry form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without prior permission oj the Publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Later Proterozoie stratigraphy of the Northern Atlantic regions. 1. Geology, Stratigraphic-Pre-Cambrian 2. North Atlantic Region I. Winchester, J. A. 551.7'15'091821 QE653 ISBN 978-1-4615-7346-3 ISBN 978-1-4615-7344-9 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-4615-7344-9 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Later Proterozoic stratigraphy of the northern Atlantic regions. Bibliography: p. Includes index. 1. Geology, Stratigraphic-Pre-Cambrian. 2. Geology-Great Britain. 3. Geology-North Atlantic Ocean Region. I. Winchester, J. A. QE653.L275 1987 551.7'12'091821 87~6333 ISBN 978-1-4615-7346-3 Photosetting by Thomson Press (India) Limited, New Delhi Preface Later Proterozoic Stratigraphy of the Northern Atlantic stimulating and their prompt submission of text and Regions aims to produce a concise and up-to-date illustrative material has enabled rapid production of synthesis of the later Proterozoic geology of those lands the book. Funding for this research has come from many bordering the North Atlantic that were once situated sources, including the Natural Environment Research north of the Iapetus Suture and the Tornquist Line. Council, the British Geological Survey, the Geological Proterozoic rocks deposited between 1150 and 650 Ma Surveys of Greenland and Newfoundland and many (the latter date marked by the Varanger glaciation) are universities. the main subject of the book, although reference is also Many of the chapters use differing and interesting made to deposits laid down at the end of the Proterozoic methods of approach, including structural analysis, in Scandinavia, Newfoundland and Greenland. The sedimentology, whole-rock trace element geochemistry, need for such a comprehensive review has become geophysics, and isotopic age dating. The scope of the increasingly apparent in recent years, because the original research was extended to include formerly introduction of many new methods of resolving pro- adjacent areas and, as a result, a number of useful blems in complex metamorphic terrains has unlocked a correlations between these regions can be made. The vast store of new information. book concludes with a somewhat speculative model for This book is not the result of a specially-convened the stratigraphic evolution of the entire region in the conference, but is a collection of specially commissioned later Proterozoic, which identifies many outstanding articles drawing upon the expertise of 23 scholars who problems. Consequently, it is hoped and expected that are all actively investigating the rocks described. The this book will provide a valuable synthesis of past co-operation of these contributors has been immensely knowledge and a basis for future research. JAW v Contents I Introduction 1 J. A. WINCHESTER 1.1 Aim of this volume I 1.2 Geographical limits I 1.3 Proterozoic time-span covered 5 1.3.1 Terminology 5 1.4 Tectonometamorphic units 6 1.4.1 The Grenville-Sveco-Norwegian event 6 1.4.2 Late Precambrian events 7 1.4.3 Palaeozoic events 7 1.5 Stratigraphic methods 7 1.5.1 Lithological correlation 7 1.5.2 Chemostratigraphic correlation 8 1.5.3 Isotopic age-dating methods 8 1.5.4 Geophysics in correlation 9 1.6 External links 10 References II Section 1: ROCKS PREDATING THE GRENVILLE EVENT 2 Sedlln.entary structures and sequences within a late Proterozoic tidal shelf deposit: the Upper Morar Psammite Formation of northwestern Scotland 14 N. R. W. GLENDINNING 2.1 Introduction 14 2.2 Geological setting 14 2.3 Petrography 16 2.4 Sedimentology 16 2.4.1 The Upper Psammite on the western limb of the Morar Antiform 16 2.5 Other features 19 2.5.1 Palaeocurrents 19 2.5.2 Soft-sediment deformation 20 2.5.3 Erosion surfaces 22 2.5.4 Shrinkage cracks? 22 2.5.5 Calc-silicates 23 2.5.6 Morar Striped and Pelitic Schist 24 2.6 Summary 25 2.6.1 Facies relationships 25 2.6.2 Interpretation: lateral changes 25 2.6.3 Interpretation: vertical transitions 27 2.6.4 Discussion 27 2.6.5 The Upper Psammite on the eastern limb of the Morar Antiform: a possible control on basin geometry 28 2.7 Conclusions 29 References 29 3 The Glenfinnan and Loch Eil Divisions of the Moine Assemblage 32 R. A. STRACHAN, F. MAY and D. BARR 3.1 Introduction 32 3.2 Geological setting 32 3.3 Age of the Glenfinnan and Loch Eil Divisions 34 3.4 Stratigraphy of the Glenfinnan and Loch Eil Divisions 34 3.4.1 Glenfinnan Division 34 3.4.2 Loch Eil Division 36 3.4.3 Achnacarry and Achnaconeran Striped Formations 36 3.4.4 The northern and southern parts of the Sgurr Beag Nappe 38 3.4.5 Stratigraphic nomenclature 39 3.5 Regional correlations 39 3.5.1 Correlations between the rocks of the Sgurr Beag Nappe and the Morar Division 39 3.5.2 Correlation between the rocks of the Sgurr Beag Nappe and the Sutherland Moine Assemblage 39 3.6 Sedimentology of the Glenfinnan and Loch Eil Divisions 39 3.6.1 Loch Eil Division 40 3.6.2 Glenfinnan Division 42 3.7 Depositional tectonics 42 References 43 Vll CONTENTS 4 The Central Highland Division 46 M. A. J. PIASECKI and S. TEMPERLEY 4.1 Introduction 46 4.2 Lithofacies 47 4.3 Orogenic history 47 4.3.1 Late Proterozoic history 47 4.3.2 Latest Proterozoic (Knoydartian) shearing event 49 4.3.3 Early Palaeozoic orogeny 49 4.4 Relationship between the Central Highland Division and the Grampian Group 51 4.5 Affinities and age of the Central Highland Division 51 4.6 Regional implications 51 References 52 5 The Moine Assel11blage in Sutherland 54 S. J. MOORHOUSE and VALERIE E. MOORHOUSE 5.1 Introduction: a history of speculation and controversy 54 5.2 Lithologies, tectonics and age of deposition 54 5.2.1 Structure and tectonomorphic sequence 54 5.2.2 The A'Mhoine Nappe 58 5.2.3 The Naver Nappe 60 5.2.4 The Swordly Nappe and the granite-migmatite complexes 61 5.2.5 Conclusions on the age of deposition and deformation 63 5.3 Geochemical characterization of the Sutherland Moine Assemblage 64 5.3.1 Analytical method 64 5.3.2 Geochemical results 64 5.4 Discussion and conclusions 70 References 72 6 The Moine rocks of Shetland 74 D. FLINN 6.1 Moine rocks west of the Walls Boundary Fault 74 6.l.1 The Sand Voe schuppen zone 75 6.1.2 The Eastern Gneisses 76 6.1.3 The metasediments-psammites 76 6.1.4 The metasediments-the garnet-mica schists 77 6.1.5 The correlation with Scotland 77 6.2 Moine rocks east of the Walls Boundary Fault 77 6.2.1 Lithology of the Yell Sound Division 78 6.3 The boundary zone 83 6.4 The Hascosay Slide 84 6.5 Conclusions 85 References 85 7 The KruIlll11edal supracrustal sequence in East Greenland 86 A. K. HIGGINS 7. 1 Introduction 86 7.2 General structure of the Caledonides 87 7.3 Isotopic evidence for Grenville orogenesis 89 7.4 Krummedal supracrustal sequence 90 7.4.1 Krummedal 90 7.4.2 Hinks Land 91 7.4.3 Vestfjord 91 7.4.4 Nordbugt 91 7.4.5 East Milne Land 93 7.4.6 North Liverpool Land 93 7.4.7 Kejser Franz Joseph Fjord 94 7.5 Conclusions 95 References 96 Section 2: LATE PROTEROZOIC ROCKS ON THE LAURENTIAN FORELAND 8 The Stoer Group, Scotland 97 A. D. STEWART 8.1 Introduction 97 8.2 The Stoer Group 98 8.2.1 Breccia facies 98 8.2.2 Muddy sandstone facies 99 8.2.3 Conglomeratic facies 99 8.2.4 Port Cam facies 100 8.2.5 Poll a'Mhuilt facies 100 Vlll CONTENTS 8.2.6 Bay of Stoer facies 100 8.2.7 Meal! Dearg facies 100 References 102 9 The Sleat and Torridon Groups 104 A. D. STEWART 9.1 Introduction 104 9.2 The Sleat Group 104 9.2.1 Rubha Guail Formation 104 9.2.2 Loch na Da1 Formation 104 9.2.3 Beinn na Seamraig and Kinloch Formations 105 9.2.4 Comparison of Sleat and Torridon Groups 105 9.3 The Torridon Group 106 9.3.1 Diabaig Formation 106 9.3.2 Applecross Formation 108 9.3.3 Aultbea Formation 109 9.3.4 Cailleach Head Formation 109 9.4 The provenance of the Sleat and Torridon Groups 109 References III 10 The Double Mer ForInation 113 C. F. GOWER 10.1 Introduction 113 10.2 Regional distribution 113 10.3 Characteristics of the Double Mer Formation 113 10.4 Interpretation of the age of the Double Mer Formation 117 References 118 11 The Colonsay Group 119 M. BENTLEY 11.1 Introduction 119 11.2 The Colon say Group Sequences 119 11.2.1 Lithostratigraphy 119 11.2.2 Cover~basement contacts 122 11.2.3 Sedimentology 123 11.2.4 Regional depositional environment 123 11.3 Structure 123 11.3.1 Deformation history 123 11.3.2 Structural relationships of the main igneous intrusions 125 11.4 Geochronological framework 125 11.4.1 Isotope studies 125 11.4.2 The relative timing of events within the Colonsay Group 126 11.5 Inter-regional correlation 126 11.5.1 Basement correlatives 126 11.5.2 Colonsay Group correlatives 127 11.5.3 Regional correlation of the Colonsay Group deformation 127 11.5.4 Displacement histories on the Great Glen and Loch Gruinart Faults and their bearing on Colonsay Group correlations 128 11.6 Conclusions 129 References 129 Section 3: POST-GRENVILLE ROCKS AFFECTED BY THE CALEDONIAN EVENT 12 Pre-Dalradian rocks in NW Ireland 131 J. A. WINCHESTER and M. D. MAX 12.1 Introduction 131 12.2 Northwest County Mayo inlier 131 12.2.1 Erris Complex 131 12.3 Slishwood Division 142 12.4 Northernmost Ireland 143 12.5 Other Proterozoic inliers in NW Ireland 143 References 144 13 The GraInpian Group, Scotland 146 J. A. WINCHESTER and B. W. GLOVER 13.1 Introduction 146 13.2 Stratigraphic framework 147 13.2.1 Glenshirra succession 148 13.2.2 Ord Ban Subgroup 149 13.2.3 Corrieyairack Subgroup 149 IX A' CONTENTS 13.2.4 Glen Spean Subgroup 152 13.3 Geochemistry 154 13.4 Conclusions 160 References 160 14 The Erris Group, Ireland 162 J. A. WINCHESTER, M. D. MAX and C. B. LONG 14.1 Introduction 162 14.2 Stratigraphy 163 14.2.1 Doonamo Formation 163 14.2.2 Belderg Formation 164 14.2.3 Broad Haven Formation 164 14.2.4 Benmore Formation 164 14.2.5 Srahlaghy Formation 164 14.2.6 Rocks correlated with the Erris Group 165 14.3 Geochemical studies 166 14.3.1 Psammites 166 14.3.2 Semi-pelites 171 14.3.3 Heavy-mineral bands 172 14.3.4 Amphibolites 174 14.4 Correlation with the Grampian Group 175 14.5 Conclusions 175 References 176 15 The Appin Group 177 A. E. WRIGHT 15.1 Introduction 177 15.2 Stratigraphy 177 15.2.1 Lochaber Subgroup 181 15.2.2 Ballachulish Subgroup 183 15.2.3 Blair Atholl Subgroup 184 15.3 Geochemistry 185 15.3.1 Lochaber Schists 185 15.3.2 Quartzites 186 15.3.3 Black Slates 189 15.3.4 Carbonate rocks 190 15.4 Sedimen tology 192 15.4.1 Lochaber Subgroup 192 15.4.2 Ballachulish Subgroup 193 15.4.3 Blair Atholl Subgroup 197 15.5 Conclusions 198 References 198 16 Stratigraphy of the Fleur de Lys Belt, northwest Newfoundland 200 J. HIBBARD 16.1 Introduction 200 16.2 Evolution of stratigraphic thought 200 16.3 Infrastructure 202 16.3.1 Age and correlations 205 16.4 Cover sequences 205 16.4.1 Varied sequence 206 16.4.2 Monotonous sequence 207 16.4.3 Ophiolitic rocks 207 16.4.4 Other sequences 208 16.4.5 Contact relationships 208 16.4.6 Age and correlation 209 16.5 Significance and interpretation of the Fleur de Lys Belt 209 References 210 17 The Eleonore Bay Group (central East Greenland) 212 R. CABY and JANINE BERT RAND-SARF A TI 17.1 Introduction 212 17.2 Alpefjord Formation 212 17.2.1 The lower member 213 17.2.2 The middle carbonate member 219 17.2.3 The upper member 220 17.3 Agardhsbjerg Formation 222 17.3.1 Agardhsbjerg Formation in Canning Land 223 17.4 Brogetdal Formation 223 17.4.1 Description of the major cycles 223 x CONTENTS 17.4.2 Description of the characteristic facies 225 17.4.3 Interpretation of the palaeoenvironments 228 17.5 N~kkefossen Formation 229 17.5.1 Description of some characteristic facies 229 17.5.2 Interpretation of the palaeoenvironments 231 17.6 The age of the Eleonore Bay Group 232 17.6.1 Geochronological data 232 17.6.2 Comparisons with the Phanerozoic 234 17.7 Conclusions 234 References 234 18 The 'sparagaDlites' of Norway 237 J. P. NYSTUEN and ANNA SIEDLECKA 18.1 Introduction 237 18.2 South Norway 237 18.2.1 Valdres and Mellsenn Groups 242 18.2.2 Engerdalen Group 243 18.3 North Norway 243 18.3.1 Vads~ Group 243 18.3.2 Tanafjord Group 244 18.3.3 Bossekop Group 245 18.3.4 Vestertana Group 246 18.3.5 Borras Group 246 18.3.6 Dividal Group 246 18.3.7 Barents Sea Group 246 18.3.8 L~kvikfjell Group 247 18.3.9 Laksefjord Group 247 18.4 Palaeogeographical environment and sedimentary evolution 248 18.5 Correlation 248 References 249 19 Later Proterozoic environDlents and tectonic evolution in the northern Atlantic lands 253 J. A. WINCHESTER 19.1 Introduction 253 19.2 Correlating Canada and West Greenland 253 19.3 Correlating West and East Greenland 255 19.4 Correlation between SE Greenland and the NW British Isles 255 19.5 Correlating East Greenland and Scandinavia 258 19.6 Correlating Scandinavia and the NW British Isles 258 19.7 Early Proterozoic mafic volcanic belts 258 19.8 Sedimentation between 1150 and 1000 Ma ago 259 19.9 Continental sedimentation 259 19.10 Marine basins 1150-1000 Ma 259 19.11 Tectonic setting and depositional patterns 260 19.12 Post-Grenville basin development 261 19.13 Early restricted basin development 261 19.14 Late Proterozoic deformation and metamorphism 261 19.15 Early widespread subsidence and deposition 261 19.16 Widespread marine transgression 264 19.17 Postglacial Proterozoic deposits 264 References 266 Index 271 Xl Contributors D. Barr J. Hibbard Britoil PLC Department of Geological Sciences 150 St Vincent Street Snee Hall Glasgow G2 5LJ Cornell University UK Ithaca, NY 14853 USA M. Bentley A. K. Higgins Shell Exploration and Production Gn/mlands Geologiske U nders~gelse Shell-Mex House (/>ster V old grade 10 The Strand DK-1350 Copenhagen K London WC2R ODX Denmark UK C. B. Long J. Bertrand-Sarfati Geological Survey of Ireland Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Beggars Bush Centre Geologique et Geophysique Haddington Road Place Eugene Bataillon Ballsbridge 34060 Montpellier Dublin 4 France Eire R. Caby M. D. Max Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Acoustics Division Centre Geologique et Geophysique Naval Research Laboratory Place Eugene Bataillon Code 5110 34060 Montpellier Washington DC 20375-5000 France USA D. Flinn F. May Department of Geology British Geological Survey University of Liverpool Murchison House Brownlow Street West Mains Road PO Box 147 Edinburgh EH9 3LA Liverpool L69 3BX UK UK S. J. Moorhouse Geological Sciences N. R. W. Glendinning School of Natural Sciences Department of Geology The Hatfield Polytechnic Royal Holloway and Bedford New College Ha tfield, Hertfordshire ALl 0 9AB (University of London) UK Egham, Surrey TW20 OEX UK Valerie E. Moorhouse Geological Sciences B. W. Glover School of Natural Sciences Department of Geology The Hatfield Polytechnic University of Keele Hatfield, Hertfordshire ALlO 9AB Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG UK UK J. P. Nystuen C. F. Gower Saga Petroleum a.s. Newfoundland Department of Mines and Energy Maries vei 20 PO Box 4750 Postboks 9 Stjohn's N-l322 H~vik Newfoundland, Canada AIC 5T7 Norway Xlll
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