Proterozoic Evolution of the North Atlantic–Arctic Caledonides: Insights from Detrital Zircon Analysis of Metasedimentary Rocks from the Pearya Terrane, Canadian High Arctic
AbstractThe Pearya Terrane, recognized as the only exotic terrane along the Canadian Arctic margin, includes a Neoproterozoic–early Paleozoic basinal or passive-margin metasedimentary sequence that is structurally juxtaposed with arc-related Paleozoic rocks and a metamorphic basement complex containing early Neoproterozoic orthogneiss. The Neoproterozoic siliciclastic sequence is similar to other clastic sections formed at the breakup of Rodinia, but its paleogeographic origin and crustal affinity are uncertain. Detrital zircon age spectra from seven samples reveal three groups: Group A, with numerous peaks at c. 1100–1800 Ma and the youngest population at c. 1020 Ma; Group B, defined by a dominant c. 970 Ma age peak; and Group C, with dominant peaks from c. 970–1800 Ma and a small population of c. 635–710 Ma grains. Spectra from Group A resemble data from the latest Mesoproterozoic units in Svalbard, East Greenland, and the Scandinavian Caledonides, with the ubiquitous Mesoproterozoic ages observed in al...