Geology topics
Warren J. Nokleberg
Publications and source records attributed to Warren J. Nokleberg.
Mineral deposit and metallogenic belt maps of the Russian Far East, Alaska, and the Canadian cordillera
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Summary Circum-North Pacific Tectonostratigraphic Terrane Map
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Tectonostratigraphic terrane and overlap assemblage map of Alaska
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Geologic road guide to Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks, central Sierra Nevada, California
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Circum-North Pacific tectonostratigraphic terrane map
The companion tectonostratigraphic terrane and overlap assemblage of map the Circum-North Pacific presents a modern description of the major geologic and tectonic units of the region. The map illustrates both the onshore terranes and overlap volcanic assemblages of the region, and the major offshore geologic features. The map is the first collaborative compilation of the geology of the region at a scale of 1:5,000,000 by geologists of the Russian Far East, Japanese, Alaskan, Canadian, and U.S.A. Pacific Northwest. The map is designed to be a source of geologic information for all scientists interested in the region, and is designed to be used for several purposes, including regional tectonic analyses, mineral resource and metallogenic analyses (Nokleberg and others, 1993, 1994a), petroleum analyses, neotectonic analyses, and analyses of seismic hazards and volcanic hazards. This text contains an introduction, tectonic definitions, acknowledgments, descriptions of postaccretion stratified rock units, descriptions and stratigraphic columns for tectonostratigraphic terranes in onshore areas, and references for the companion map (Sheets 1 to 5). This map is the result of extensive geologic mapping and associated tectonic studies in the Russian Far East, Hokkaido Island of Japan, Alaska, the Canadian Cordillera, and the U.S.A. Pacific Northwest in the last few decades. Geologic mapping suggests that most of this region can be interpreted as a collage of fault-bounded tectonostratigraphic terranes that were accreted onto continental margins around the Circum- . orth Pacific mainly during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic (Fujita and ewberry, 1983; 1987; Parfenov, 1984, 1991; Howell, 1985; Watson and Fujita, 1985; Parfenov and Natal'in, 1984; Jones and others. 1987; Monger and Berg, 1987, Fujita and Cook. 1990; Zonenshain and others. 1990; Natal'in, 1991, 1993; Moore and others, 1992; Silberling and others, 1992; Nokleberg and others. 1992, 1993, 1994a; Parfenov and others. 1993; Plaflcer and Berg, 1994; Tabor, 1994). This map is the result of extensive geologic mapping and associated tectonic studies in the Russian Far East, Hokkaido Island of Japan, Alaska, the Canadian Cordillera, and the U.S.A. Pacific Northwest in the last few decades. Geologic mapping suggests that most of this region can be interpreted as a collage of fault-bounded tectonostratigraphic terranes that were accreted onto continental margins around the Circum- . orth Pacific mainly during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic (Fujita and ewberry, 1983; 1987; Parfenov, 1984, 1991; Howell, 1985; Watson and Fujita, 1985; Parfenov and Natal'in, 1984; Jones and others. 1987; Monger and Berg, 1987, Fujita and Cook. 1990; Zonenshain and others. 1990; Natal'in, 1991, 1993; Moore and others, 1992; Silberling and others, 1992; Nokleberg and others. 1992, 1993, 1994a; Parfenov and others. 1993; Plaflcer and Berg, 1994; Tabor, 1994). On the companion map and in the descriptions bel?w· terranes are interpreted according to inferred tectonic environments. These environments are (I) cratonai; (2) passive continental margin; (3) metamorphosed continental margin; (4) continental-margin arc; (5) island arc; (6) oceanic crust, seamount, and ophiolite; (7) accretionary wedge and subduction zone: (8) turbidite basin; and (9) metamorphic for terranes that are too highly-deformed and metamorphosed to de~ermine the original tectonic environment. For terranes with complex geologic histories, the chosen color indicates the tectonic environment most prevalent during this history of the terrane. The tectonic environments inf~rred for igneous rocks are both temporal and genetic. The temporal environments are preaccretion and postaccretion. The genetic environments are subduction-related, rift-related, and collisional (anatectic)- related. In addition to terranes, the map also depicts postaccretion units that include: (I) Cenozoic and Mesozoic overlap assemblages of sedimentary and volcanic rocks that are deposited across two or more terranes that formed generally after accretion of most terranes in the region; (2) Cenozoic and Mesozoic basinal deposits that occur within a terrane or on the craton; (3) plutonic rocks. The postaccretion igneous units are identified by age-lithologic abbreviations and by name. These overlap assemblages and basinal deposits formed mainly during sedimentation and magmatism that occurred after accretion of terranes to each other or to a continental margin. Overlap assemblages provide minimum ages on the timing of accretion of terranes. Some Cenozoic and Mesozoic overlap assemblages and basinal deposits, as well as fragments of terranes, are extensively offset by movement along postaccretion faults. In addition, in onshore areas, the map depicts major preaccretion plutonic rocks that are limited to individual terranes. and in offshore areas. the map depicts major oceanic plates,-ocean floor magnetic lineations. oceanic spreading ridges, and seamounts. The map consists of five sheets. Sheets I and 2 depict, at a scale of I :5.000.000. the tectonostratigraphic terranes. preaccretion plutonic rocks, and postaccretion Cenozoic and Mesozoic overlap sedimentary, volcanic. and plutonic assemblages, and basinal deposits for the Circum- orth Pacific including the Russian Far East, northern Hokkaido Island of Japan, Alaska. the Canadian Cordillera, part of the U.S.A. Pacific Northwest. and adjacent offshore areas. Sheet 3 provides the list of map units for Sheets I and 2. Sheet 4 is a index map showing generalized onshore terranes and overlap assemblages for onshore parts of the Circum-North Pacific at a scale of I: I 0,000,000. Sheet 4 is a guide to the more complicated onshore features depicted on Sheets I and 2. Sheet 5 is an index map showing the major geographic regions for the Circum-North Pacific. Significant differences exist between the representation of onshore and offshore geology on Sheets I and 2. These are: (I) compared to the onshore part of the map, the offshore part is depicted in a more schematic fashion because of more limited data and because the offshore terranes and early Cenozoic and older overlap assemblages generally are obscured by extensive late Cenozoic sedimentary cover that is not shown unless thicker than two kilometers; (2) marginal contacts of offshore Cenozoic and Cretaceous sedimentary basins do not match contacts of onshore Cenozoic and Cretaceous sedimentary units because offshore basins are limited to those regions with sediment thicknesses greater than two kilometers; (3) stratigraphic columns, included at the end of this explanation. are provided only for onshore terranes because the geology of offshore terranes is generally less well-known; and (4) for simplicity, the major onshore Cenozoic sedimentary basins are generally not defined and described separately because the onshore part of the map is designed to emphasize terranes and overlap volcanic assemblages that are crucial for both for tectonic and metallogenic analyses published elsewhere (Nokleberg and others, 1993, 1994a). Several key geologic sources were used in the compilation of the map. For Alaska. the basic outcrop pattern for the map is from Beikman (1980), Gehrels and Berg (1992, 1994). Barker and others ( 1994). Brew (1994), and Moli-Stalcup and others ( 1994b). The distribution of terranes is from Jones and others (1987) and Monger and Berg (1987), with modification by Grantz and other (1991 ). Worall (199 1 ), okleberg and others (1993, 1994a), the cited references, and the Alaskan co-authors of this report. For the Canadian Cordillera. the basic outcrop pattern is from Monger and Berg ( 1987), Wheeler and other (1988). and Wheeler and McFeeley ( 1991) with modifications by the Canadian authors. For the northern part of the Russian Far East. the basic outcrop pattern is from So unov (1985) with modifications by the Russian authors. For the outhern part of the Russian Far East, the basic outcrop pattern is from Krasny (1991) and Bazhanov and Oleinik ( 1986) with modification by the Russian authors. The Russian Far East part of the map is the first attempt to define and delineate terranes in that region. In their compilation. the Russian authors utilized the methodology of U.S.A. and Canadian geologists. Because this map is the first attempt to display the terranes. Cenozoic and Mesozoic overlap assemblages. basinal deposit , and plutonic belts of the Russian Far East. the Russian author will appreciate constructive sugge tions for improving the map.
Geology of south-central Alaska
South-central Alaska is defined as the region bounded by the Kuskokwim Mountains to the northwest, the basins north of the Alaska Range to the north, the Canadian border to the east, and the Chugach Mountains to the south (Fig. 1). This region, hereafter called the study area, includes the Alaska Range, the Wrangell, Nutzotin, and Talkeetna mountains, the Copper River and the Susitna basins, the northern flank of the Chugach Mountains, the Aleutian Range, and the Alaska Peninsula. This chapter describes and interprets the bedrock geology of the region, which consists mostly of a collage of Paleozoic and Mesozoic tectonostratigraphic terranes (hereafter referred to as terranes), Mesozoic flysch basin deposits, late Paleozoic and Mesozoic plutonic rocks, and younger late Mesozoic and Cenozoic sedimentary, volcanic, and plutonic rocks. Cited published sources and new data and interpretations of the authors are utilized for the descriptions and interpretations. The terranes, flysch basin deposits, and younger Mesozoic sedimentary, volcanic, and plutonic assemblages are described first in a general northwest to southeast order. Major faults or sutures are described second. Stratigraphic linkages and structural and tectonic relations between terranes are described last. Definitions of the various stratigraphic, structural, and tectonic terms are stated at the end of this introduction.
Mineralogical maps showing distribution of selected ore-related minerals in the nonmagnetic, heavy-mineral-concentrate fraction of stream sediment from the Mount Hayes 1 degree by 3 degrees Quadrangle, eastern Alaska Range, Alaska
Exploratory geochemical sampling was done in 1979, 1980, and 1981. The collection of composite samples of stream sediment or glacial debris was emphasized the first 2 years; the last year was spent collecting mineralized stream pebbles, float, and outcrop samples. The stream-sediment and heavy- mineral-concentrate samples were collected at 795 sites on tributary streams having drainage basins ranging from 1 to 5 mi 2 in area. The glacial debris samples were collected at 116 sites on tributary glaciers also having drainage basins ranging from 1 to 5 mi2 in area. All of these samples were analyzed for 31 elements by six-step semiquantitative emission spectrography (Grimes and Marranzino, 1968). In addition, all samples were analyzed for zinc by an atomic absorption method (Ward and others, 1969). The spectrographic and chemical results are available in O'Leary and others (1982).
Distribution, facies, ages, and proposed tectonic associations of regionally metamorphosed rocks in east- and south-central Alaska
Most of the exposed bedrock in east- and south-central Alaska has been regionally metamorphosed and deformed during Mesozoic and early Cenozoic time. All the regionally metamorphosed rocks are assigned to metamorphic-facies units on the basis of their temperature and pressure conditions and metamorphic age. North of the McKinley and Denali faults, the crystalline rocks of the Yukon- Tanana upland and central Alaska Range compose a sequence of dynamothermally metamorphosed Paleozoic and older(?) metasedimentary rocks and metamorphosed products of a Devonian and Mississippian continental-margin magmatic arc. This sequence was extensively intruded by postmetamorphic mid-Cretaceous and younger granitoids. Many metamorphic-unit boundaries in the Yukon-Tanana upland are low-angle faults that juxtapose units of differing metamorphic grade, which indicates that metamorphism predated final emplacement of the fault-bounded units. In some places, the relation of metamorphic grade across a fault is best explained by contractional faulting; in other places, it is suggestive of extensional faulting. Near the United States-Canadian border in the central Yukon- Tanana upland, metamorphism, plutonism, and thrusting occurred during a latest Triassic and Early Jurassic event that presumably resulted from the accretion of a terrane that had affinities to the Stikinia terrane onto the continental margin of North America. Elsewhere in the Yukon-Tanana upland, metamorphic rocks give predominantly late Early Cretaceous isotopic ages. These ages are interpreted to date either the timing of a subsequent Early Cretaceous episode of crustal thickening and metamorphism or, assuming that these other areas were also originally heated during the latest Triassic to Early Jurassic and remained buried, the timing of their uplift and cooling. This uplift and cooling may have resulted from extension. South of the McKinley and Denali faults and north of the Border Ranges fault system, medium-grade metamorphism across much of the southern Peninsular and Wrangellia terranes was early to synkinematic with the intrusion of tonalitic and granodioritic plutons of primarily Early and Middle Jurassic age in the Peninsular terrane and Late Jurassic age in the Wrangellia terrane. Areas metamorphosed during the Jurassic episode that crop out near the Border Ranges fault system were subsequently retrograded and deformed in Cretaceous and early Tertiary time during accretion of younger units to the south. North of the Jurassic metamorphic and plutonic complex, low-grade metamorphism affected the rest of the Wrangellia terrane sometime during Jurassic and (or) Cretaceous time. North of the Wrangellia terrane and immediately south of the McKinley and Denali faults, flyschoid rocks, which were deposited within a basin that separated the Wrangellia terrane from the western margin of North America, form a northeastward-tapering wedge. Within the western half of the wedge, flysch and structurally interleaved tectonic fragments were highly deformed and weakly metamorphosed; much of the metamorphism and deformation probably occurred sometime during mid- to Late Cretaceous time. In the eastern half of the wedge, flyschoid rocks form an intermediate-pressure Barrovian sequence (Maclaren metamorphic belt). Metamorphism of the Maclaren metamorphic belt was synkinematic with the Late Cretaceous to earliest Tertiary intrusion of foliated plutons of intermediate composition. Isotopic data suggest metamorphism extended into the early Tertiary and was accompanied by rapid uplift and cooling. Low- to medium-grade metamorphism throughout the wedge was probably associated with the accretion of the outboard Wrangellia terrane, as has been proposed for the Maclaren metamorphic belt. South of the Border Ranges fault system lie variably metamorphosed sequences of oceanic rocks that comprise the successively accreted Chugach, Yakutat, Ghost Rocks, and Prince William terranes. The Chugach terrane consists of three successively accreted sequences of differing metamorphic histories. Metamorphism in all the sequences was associated with north-directed underthrusting beneath either the combined Peninsular-Wrangellia terrane or the older and inner parts of the Chugach terrane. These sequences, from innermost to outermost are: (1) intermediate- to highpressure, transitional greenschist- to blueschist-facies metabasalt and metasedimentary rocks that were metamorphosed during the Early and Middle Jurassic; (2) prehnite-pumpellyite-facies melange that was metamorphosed sometime during the Jurassic and Cretaceous; and (3) low-pressure prehnite-pumpellyite- or greenschist- facies flysch and metavolcanic rocks that were initially metamorphosed during latest Cretaceous to early Tertiary time and, in the eastern Chugach Mountains, were subsequently overprinted by low-pressure amphibolite-facies metamorphism that accompanied widespread intrusion during Eocene time. A similar low-pressure-facies series also developed within melange and flysch of the Yakutat terrane; these rocks are also intruded by Eocene plutons and are correlated with similar rocks of the Chugach terrane. Seaward of the Chugach terrane are the strongly deformed but weakly metamorphosed (prehnite-pumpellyite-facies) deep-sea metasedimentary rocks and oceanic metavolcanic rocks of the Ghost Rocks and Prince William terranes. Metamorphism and deformation occurred during underthrusting of these terranes beneath the Chugach terrane in early Tertiary time and predated, perhaps by very little, intrusion by early Tertiary granitoids.
Geologic map of the Tehipite Dome quadrangle, Fresno County, California
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Map, tables, and summary of fossil and isotopic age data, Mount Hayes Quadrangle, eastern Alaska range, Alaska
This report describes, summarizes, and interprets all known bedrock fossil and isotopic age studies for the Mount Hayes quadrangle, eastern Alaska Range, Alaska. The accompanying map shows the location of all known bedrock fossil and isotopic sample localities in the quadrangle on a generalized geologic base map. These fossil and isotopic age data are obtained from new studies, unpublished data of the U.S. Geological Survey, contributed unpublished data, and published data. This report is one result of a five-year mineral resource assessment of the quadrangle that was done during the summers of 1978 through 1982, with additional topical studiesin 1985 and 1986. This report is one part of a folio on the geological, geochemical, geophysical, and mineral-resource assessment studies of the quadrangle prepared as part of the Alaskan Mineral Resource Assessment Program (AMRAP) of the U.S. Geological Survey.
Chapter 14: Middle Cretaceous silicic metavolcanic rocks in the Kings Canyon area, central Sierra Nevada, California
Metamorphosed silicic volcanic and hypabyssal rocks of middle Cretaceous (110 to 100 Ma) age occur in two roof pendants in the Kings Canyon area of the central Sierra Nevada. The metavolcanic remnants are similar in age to or are only slightly older than the voluminous enclosing batholithic rocks. Thus, high to surface levels of the batholith are implied for this region. This is interesting considering that deep-level (∼25 km) batholithic rocks of the same age as the metavolcanic rocks occur at the southern end of the range. Apparent structural continuity between these two regions suggests that the southern half of the range offers an oblique section through young (˜100 Ma) sialic crust. The middle Cretaceous ages of the two volcanic sequences are indicated by U/Pb zircon and Rb/Sr bulk-rock isochron data. The two isotopic systems agree very closely with one another. Some of the U/Pb systems within the Boyden Cave pendant are discordant due to the inheritance or entrainment of Proterozoic zircon. This is a common phenomenon in volcanic or plutonic rocks erupted or emplaced within the Kings sequence metamorphic framework, a belt of distinct pendants with abundant continent-derived sedimentary protoliths. In conjunction with other petrochemical parameters, lavas and magmas of this framework domain are shown to be contaminated with sedimentary admixtures. The contaminated domain of the batholith reflects the bounds of the Kings sequence framework, which along its eastern margin probably represents a major pre-batholith to early batholith tectonic break. The middle Cretaceous metavolcanic sequences were apparently built on two distinctly different early Mesozoic substrates separated by a major tectonic break. In the Boyden Cave pendant, the substrate may be represented by the shallow to deep-marine Kings sequence; to the east in the Oak Creek pendant, the substrate consists of a thick silicic ignimbrite sequence. In both areas the middle Cretaceous rocks and adjacent sequences share intense ductile deformation fabrics. Earlier views that considered these fabrics as an expression of Jurassic orogenic deformation are in error. Structural and age relations indicate that the fabrics developed between 105 and 100 Ma and during the medial phases of Cretaceous composite batholith growth.
The Denali fault system and Alaska Range of Alaska: Evidence for underplated Mesozoic flysch from magnetotelluric surveys
Regional magnetotelluric surveys recently completed across the central and eastern Alaska Range of Alaska provide evidence for large volumes of conductive rocks beneath the core of the range. These conductive rocks may represent a formerly extensive, but now collapsed, Mesozoic flysch basin formed on the leading edge of the Talkeetna superterrane (amalgamated Wrangellia, Peninsular, and Alexander terranes). The docking of the Talkeetna superterrane caused large-scale oblique thrusting, folding, and metamorphism in the flysch basin, and formation of a megasuture along which the Cenozoic strike-slip Denali fault system developed. The deep magnetotelluric soundings and seismic reflection data suggest the possibility that the highly conductive rocks were tectonically emplaced beneath the thin crystalline sheet constituting the southern Yukon-Tanana terrane over a broad region of the Alaska Range. The conductive rocks are locally correlated with surface outcrops of Mesozoic black shales that are part of Upper Jurassic and Cretaceous flysch but may be composed of Paleozoic carbonaceous shales as well. In either case, their extremely low resistivities make them a valuable marker horizon for tectonic studies. The conductive rocks are interpreted to extend to depths of greater than 20 km and were mapped north and northeast of the Denali fault for more than 50 km. The magnetotelluric surveys represent the first large-scale surveys done in Alaska, but the structures mapped are similar to those observed in large, compressed flysch basins in the eastern Alps and Carpathian Mountains of Europe. The results of these surveys bear on several key tectonic questions, including development of the ancestral Denali fault, and collapse and possible underplating of an extensive Mesozoic flysch system and associated igneous arc.
Summary and interpretation of geochemical maps for stream sediment and heavy mineral concentrate samples, Mount Hayes Quadrangle, eastern Alaska Range, Alaska
This report and accompanying maps summarize the results of geochemical exploration studies in the Mount Hayes quadrangle, Alaska. This is one of a series of maps and reports on the geological, geochemical, and geophysical studies of the quadrangle prepared as part of the Alaskan Mineral Resource Assessment Program (AMRAP) of the U.S. Geological Survey. These maps are part of the Mount Hayes l:250,000-scale folio. The geochemical studies were made in order to identify and define mineralized areas in the quadrangle and to aid in characterizing the nature of the mineral occurrences within these areas. The studies included the collection of composite samples of stream sediment or glacial debris and preparation of these samples, as described by O'Leary and others (1982), to yield a minus-80-mesh (0.2-mm) fraction and nonmagnetic heavy-mineral-concentrate fraction consisting of mineral grains having a specific gravity greater than 2.85. Samples were collected at 911 sites either from tributary streams or tributary glaciers with drainage basins ranging from 1 to 5 sq mi in area. The samples were analyzed for 30 elements by semiquantitative emission spectrography (O'Leary and others, 1982). The stream-sediment and glacial-debris samples also were analyzed for zinc by an atomic absorption method (Ward and others, 1969), and those results were used in preparing map A. The maps in this report show drainage basins in which the stream sediment or glacial debris contained anomalously high amounts of selected metals. The geologic base map aids in showing the geologic terranes of the quadrangle. The accompanying tables give frequencies and cumulative percents of the selected metals for all major geologic terranes within the quadrangle.
Lead isotopic fingerprinting of tectono-stratigraphic terranes, east-central Alaska
Common lead isotopic compositions have been determined on feldspars from meta-igneous rocks from nine tectono-stratigraphic terranes or subterranes in east-central Alaska. Most of the terranes have distinct and well-defined signatures in terms of isotopic composition; thus, most can be distinguished on conventional lead isotopic diagrams. Lead isotopic ratios provide evidence for (1) possible sources for the igneous rocks, (2) time of metamorphism, (3) correlation of terrane fragments, and (4) delineation of juxtaposed terranes. Determination of lead isotopic ratios from igneous rocks can be useful in characterizing tectono-stratigraphic terranes (as to mantle or crustal origin) and in correlation, particularly where terrane relationships are enigmatic.
Significant metalliferous lode deposits and placer districts of Alaska
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