Cynthia Dusel-Bacon

Petrology and tectonic significance of augen gneiss from a belt of Mississippian granitoids in the Yukon-Tanana terrane, east-central Alaska

An approximately east-west-trending belt of porphyritic peraluminous granitoids, metamorphosed and deformed to augen gneiss, is exposed for 400 km across the Yukon-Tanana terrane. This belt consists of compositionally, texturally, and isotopically similar, concordant intrusions of augen gneiss in the Big Delta, Eagle, and Tanacross quadrangles of east-central Alaska, in the Fiftymile batholith of west-central Yukon Territory, and in two batholiths in the offset part of the Yukon-Tanana terrane northeast of the Tintina fault in southeastern Yukon Territory. Chemical analyses of augen gneiss from widely separated localities within the Big Delta intrusion suggest that the various samples are related by crystal fractionation. Comparison of major- and trace-element data from concordant layers of augen-poor gneiss and aplitic gneiss with similar data from adjacent augen gneiss suggests that the layers represent co-magmatic sills of more highly differentiated filter-pressed melt. Similarities between elemental abundances, particularly those of rare-earth elements, in augen gneiss from the large bodies in the Big Delta, Eagle, and Tanacross quadrangles, Alaska, and southeastern Yukon Territory suggest a common origin for these bodies. The peraluminous composition of the gneiss, its high initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratio and high Th concentration indicate that the augen gneiss protolith contains a large component of crustal material. Geochronologic studies of augen gneiss in east-central Alaska and southeastern Yukon Territory indicate a Mississippian intrusive age and an early Proterozoic age for the crustal component. The augen gneiss bodies were intruded late in a middle Paleozoic volcanic-plutonic episode, and they may represent a deeply eroded continental magmatic arc. Regional amphibolite-facies metamorphism and mylonitization may have occurred late during the tectonic episode that resulted in intrusion of the porphyritic granitoid protoliths.

Geochronology of augen gneiss and related rocks, Yukon-Tanana terrane, east-central Alaska

Using several isotopic techniques, we have determined the ages of selected metamorphic rocks in the Yukon-Tanana terrane (YTT) of east-central Alaska. U-Pb zircon data from an augen gneiss body in the Big Delta quadrangle indicate that the granitoid protolith of the gneiss was intruded 341 ± 3 m.y. ago (lower intercept age). An upper intercept age of 2,136 ± 31 m.y. indicates an inherited early Proterozoic component in these zircons. This inheritance age is substantiated by a Sm-Nd whole-rock model age of 2.09 ± 0.08 b.y. from the Big Delta augen gneiss body. Detrital zircons from quartzitic wall rocks to this body were also derived from an early Proterozoic (∼2.1 to 2.3 b.y. old) crustal source(s). Zircons from three other augen gneisses occurring in an east-west belt which extends into the southern Yukon Territory, Canada, have similar Mississippian and early Proterozoic intercept ages. A Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron from widely separated bodies of augen gneiss has an age of 333 ± 26 m.y. and an initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratio of 0.728 ± 0.002, confirming the Mississippian intrusive age for the protolith. The high initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratio further indicates an old crustal component in these rocks. A Rb-Sr mineral isochron (115 ± 4 m.y.), K-Ar data from hornblende and micas (128 to 107 m.y.), and U-Pb data from sphene (134. m.y.) from augen gneiss and related rocks are similar to many K-Ar ages in this region and confirm the occurrence of an early Cretaceous thermal event. U-Pb ages of zircons from three metavolcanic units in the YTT suggest that extrusion of the protoliths of these rocks occurred 360–380 m.y. ago. Scatter in the data is caused by ubiquitous inheritance and multiple lead-loss events. Significant Devonian-Mississippian igneous activity (380-340 m.y.) took place in the YTT, followed by one, or possibly two, metamorphic episodes (Mississippian? and Cretaceous). As yet, no early Proterozoic source rocks for the Paleozoic magmas have been identified in the YTT, but rocks of similar early Proterozoic ages occur to the east and south in the Northwest Territories and British Columbia, Canada.

U-Pb zircon and geochemical evidence for bimodal mid-Paleozoic magmatism and syngenetic base-metal mineralization in the Yukon-Tanana terrane, Alaska

New SHRIMP (sensitive, high-resolution ion microprobe) U-Pb zircon ages and trace element geochemical data for mafic and felsic metaigneous rocks of the pericratonic Yukon-Tanana terrane in east-central Alaska help define the tectonic setting of mid-Paleo-zoic magmatism and syngenetic hydrothermal Zn-Pb-Ag mineralization along the ancient Pacific margin of North America. We compare data from similar greenschist-facies sequences of bimodal volcanic and subvolcanic rocks associated with carbonaceous and siliciclastic marine sedimentary rocks, in the Wood River area of the Alaska Range and the Salcha River area of the Yukon-Tanana Upland, and from amphibolite-facies augen gneiss and mafic gneiss (amphibolite) in the Goodpaster River area of the upland. Allowing for analytical uncertainties, igneous crystallization age ranges of 376–353 Ma, 378–346 Ma, and 374–358 Ma are indicated by 13 new SHRIMP U-Pb dates for the Wood River, Salcha River, and Goodpaster River areas, respectively. Bimodal magmatism is indicated by Late Devonian crystallization ages for both augen gneiss (371 ± 3 and 362 ± 4 Ma) and associated orthoamphibolite (369 ± 3 Ma) in the upland and by stratigraphic interleaving of mafic and felsic rocks in the Alaska Range. Metabasites in all three study areas have elevated HFSE (high field strength element) and REE (rare earth element) contents indicative of generation in a within-plate (extensional) tectonic setting. Within-plate trace element signatures also are indicated for peralkaline metarhyolites that host the largest volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits of the Bonnifield district in the Wood River area and for metarhyolite tuff interlayered with the carbonaceous Nasina assemblage, which hosts sedimentary exhalative sulfide occurrences in the Salcha River area. Most of the other felsic metaigneous samples from the Alaska Range and the Yukon-Tanana Upland have geochemical signatures that are similar to those of both average upper continental crust and continental-margin arc rocks generated in thick continental crust. Given the absence in our study areas of intermediate-composition magmatic products generally found in most arcs, and the presence of bimodal magmatism, the alkalic within-plate chemistry of the mafic rocks and some of the felsic rocks, and the widespread occurrence of interlayered carbonaceous sedimentary rocks indicative of deposition within a restricted marine basin or submerged continental margin, we consider it most likely that this prolonged Late Devonian to Early Mississippian magmatic episode resulted from attenuation of the ancient continental margin of western North America, rather than development of an arc, as proposed by many others.

Proterozoic zircon from augen gneiss, Yukon-Tanana Upland, east-central Alaska

U-Th-Pb analyses of zircons from an ortho-augen gneiss body in the Yukon-Tanana Upland of east-central Alaska yield strong evidence for the presence of early Proterozoic material in this area. U-Pb data define a chord that intersects concordia at about 2,300 and 345 m.y. We consider two interpretations: (1) the protolith was intruded during the Proterozoic and was subsequently metamorphosed in the Paleozoic or, more likely, (2) the protolith was intruded in the Paleozoic and incorporated material of Proterozoic age. An Sm-Nd model age of about 1,900 m.y. on a whole-rock sample of augen gneiss is additional evidence for the presence of Proterozoic material in the gneiss. K-Ar and U-Th-Pb dating of mica and sphene, respectively, reveal that younger thermal events occurred at least as recently as 110 m.y. ago.

Evidence for prolonged mid-Paleozoic plutonism and ages of crustal sources in east-central Alaska from SHRIMP U–Pb dating of syn-magmatic, inherited, and detrital zircon

Sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb analyses of igneous zircons from the Lake George assemblage in the eastern Yukon–Tanana Upland (Tanacross quadrangle) indicate both Late Devonian (∼370 Ma) and Early Mississippian (∼350 Ma) magmatic pulses. The zircons occur in four textural variants of granitic orthogneiss from a large area of muscovite–biotite augen gneiss. Granitic orthogneiss from the nearby Fiftymile batholith, which straddles the Alaska–Yukon border, yielded a similar range in zircon U–Pb ages, suggesting that both the Fiftymile batholith and the Tanacross orthogneiss body consist of multiple intrusions. We interpret the overall tectonic setting for the Late Devonian and Early Mississippian magmatism as an extending continental margin (broad back-arc region) inboard of a northeast-dipping (present coordinates) subduction zone. New SHRIMP U–Pb ages of inherited zircon cores in the Tanacross orthogneisses and of detrital zircons from quartzite from the Jarvis belt in the Alaska Ra...

Environmental geochemistry at Red Mountain, an unmined volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit in the Bonnifield district,Alaska Range, east-central Alaska

The unmined, pyrite-rich Red Mountain (Dry Creek) deposit displays a remarkable environmental footprint of natural acid generation, high metal and exceedingly high rare earth element (REE) concentrations in surface waters. The volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit exhibits well-constrained examples of acid-generating, metal-leaching, metal-precipitation and self-mitigation (via co-precipitation, dilution and neutralization) processes that occur in an undisturbed natural setting, a rare occurrence in North America. Oxidative dissolution of pyrite and associated secondary reactions under near-surface oxidizing conditions are the primary causes for the acid generation and metal leaching. The deposit is hosted in Devonian to Mississippian felsic metavolcanic rocks of the Mystic Creek Member of the Totatlanika Schist. Water samples with the lowest pH (many below 3.5), highest specific conductance (commonly >2500 μS/cm) and highest major- and trace-element concentrations are from springs and streams within the quartz–sericite–pyrite alteration zone. Aluminum, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Y, Zn and, particularly, the REEs are found in high concentrations, ranging across four orders of magnitude. Waters collected upstream from the alteration zone have near-neutral pH, lower specific conductance (370 to 830 μS/cm), lower metal concentrations and measurable alkalinities. Water samples collected downstream of the alteration zone have pH and metal concentrations intermediate between these two extremes. Stream sediments are anomalous in Zn, Pb, S, Fe, Cu, As, Co, Sb and Cd relative to local and regional background abundances. Red Mountain Creek and its tributaries do not, and probably never have, supported significant aquatic life.

The Late Cretaceous Middle Fork caldera, its resurgent intrusion, and enduring landscape stability in east-central Alaska

Dissected caldera structures expose thick intracaldera tuff and, uncommonly, cogenetic shallow plutons, while remnants of correlative outflow tuffs deposited on the pre-eruption ground surface record elements of ancient landscapes. The Middle Fork caldera encompasses a 10 km × 20 km area of rhyolite welded tuff and granite porphyry in east-central Alaska, ∼100 km west of the Yukon border. Intracaldera tuff is at least 850 m thick. The K-feldspar megacrystic granite porphyry is exposed over much of a 7 km × 12 km area having 650 m of relief within the western part of the caldera fill. Sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe with reverse geometry (SHRIMP-RG) analyses of zircon from intracaldera tuff, granite porphyry, and outflow tuff yield U-Pb ages of 70.0 ± 1.2, 69.7 ± 1.2, and 71.1 ± 0.5 Ma (95% confidence), respectively. An aeromagnetic survey indicates that the tuff is reversely magnetized, and, therefore, that the caldera-forming eruption occurred in the C31r geomagnetic polarity chron. The tuff and porphyry have arc geochemical signatures and a limited range in SiO 2 of 69 to 72 wt%. Although their phenocrysts differ in size and abundance, similar quartz + K-feldspar + plagioclase + biotite mineralogy, whole-rock geochemistry, and analytically indistinguishable ages indicate that the tuff and porphyry were comagmatic. Resorption of phenocrysts in tuff and porphyry suggests that these magmas formed by thermal rejuvenation of near-solidus or solidified crystal mush. A rare magmatic enclave (54% SiO 2 , arc geochemical signature) in the porphyry may be similar to parental magma and provides evidence of mafic magma and thermal input. The Middle Fork is a relatively well preserved caldera within a broad region of Paleozoic metamorphic rocks and Mesozoic plutons bounded by northeast-trending faults. In the relatively downdropped and less deeply exhumed crustal blocks, Cretaceous–Early Tertiary silicic volcanic rocks attest to long-term stability of the landscape. Within the Middle Fork caldera, the granite porphyry is interpreted to have been exposed by erosion of thick intracaldera tuff from an asymmetric resurgent dome. The Middle Fork of the North Fork of the Fortymile River incised an arcuate valley into and around the caldera fill on the west and north and may have cut down from within an original caldera moat. The 70 Ma land surface is preserved beneath proximal outflow tuff at the west margin of the caldera structure and beneath welded outflow tuff 16–23 km east-southeast of the caldera in a paleovalley. Within ∼50 km of the Middle Fork caldera are 14 examples of Late Cretaceous (?)–Tertiary felsic volcanic and hypabyssal intrusive rocks that range in area from 2 to ∼100 km 2 . Rhyolite dome clusters north and northwest of the caldera occupy tectonic basins associated with northeast-trending faults and are relatively little eroded. Lava of a latite complex, 12–19 km northeast of the caldera, apparently flowed into the paleovalley of the Middle Fork of the North Fork of the Fortymile River. To the northwest of the Middle Fork caldera, in the Mount Harper crustal block, mid-Cretaceous plutonic rocks are widely exposed, indicating greater total exhumation. To the southeast of the Middle Fork block, the Mount Veta block has been uplifted sufficiently to expose a ca. 68–66 Ma equigranular granitic pluton. Farther to the southeast, in the Kechumstuk block, the flat-lying outflow tuff remnant in Gold Creek and a regionally extensive high terrace indicate that the landscape there has been little modified since 70 Ma other than entrenchment of tributaries in response to post–2.7 Ma lowering of base level of the Yukon River associated with advance of the Cordilleran ice sheet.

Mesozoic magmatism and timing of epigenetic Pb-Zn-Ag mineralization in the western Fortymile mining district, east-central Alaska: Zircon U-Pb geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry, and Pb isotopes

The Mesozoic magmatic history of the North American margin records the evolution from a more segmented assemblage of parautochthonous and allochthonous terranes to the more cohesive northern Cordilleran orogenic belt. We characterize the setting of magmatism, tectonism, and epigenetic mineralization in the western Fortymile mining district, east-central Alaska, where parautochthonous and allochthonous Paleozoic tectonic assemblages are juxtaposed, using sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U-Pb zircon geochronology, whole-rock geochemistry, and feldspar Pb isotopes of Mesozoic intrusions and spatially associated mineral prospects. New SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages and published U-Pb and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages indicate four episodes of plutonism in the western Fortymile district: Late Triassic (216–208 Ma), Early Jurassic (199–181 Ma), mid-Cretaceous (112–94 Ma), and Late Cretaceous (70–66 Ma). All age groups have calc-alkalic arc compositions that became more evolved through time. Pb isotope compositions of feldspars from Late Triassic, Early Jurassic, and Late Cretaceous igneous rocks similarly became more radiogenic with time and are consistent with the magmas being mantle derived but extensively contaminated by upper crustal components with evolving Pb isotopic compositions. Feldspar Pb isotopes from mid-Cretaceous rocks have isotopic ratios that indicate magma derivation from upper crustal sources, probably thickened mid-Paleozoic basement. The origin of the mantle component in Late Cretaceous granitoids suggested by Pb isotopic ratios is uncertain, but we propose that it reflects asthenospheric upwelling following slab breakoff and sinking of an inactive inner subduction zone that delivered the previously accreted Wrangellia composite terrane to the North American continental margin, after the outer Farallon subduction zone was established. Epigenetic Pb-Zn-Ag ± Cu prospects in the western Fortymile district are spatially associated with splays of the northeast-trending Kechumstuk sinistral-normal fault zone and with ca. 68–66 Ma felsic intrusions and dikes. The similarity between Pb isotope compositions of feldspars from the Late Cretaceous igneous bodies and sulfides from the epithermal prospects suggests a Late Cretaceous age for most of the mineralization. Fluid flow along the faults undoubtedly played a major role in mineralization. We interpret displacement on the northeast-trending faults to be a far-field effect of dextral translation along Late Cretaceous plate-scale boundaries and faults that were roughly parallel to the subsequently developed Denali and Tintina fault systems, which currently bound the region.

Detrital zircon geochronology of quartzose metasedimentary rocks from parautochthonous North America, east-central Alaska

We report eight new U-Pb detrital zircon ages for quartzose metasedimentary rocks from four lithotectonic units of parautochthonous North America in east-central Alaska: the Healy schist, Keevy Peak Formation, and Sheep Creek Member of the Totatlanika Schist in the northern Alaska Range, and the Butte assemblage in the northwestern Yukon-Tanana Upland. Excepting 1 of 3 samples from the Healy schist, all have dominant detrital zircon populations of 1.9–1.8 Ga and a subordinate population of 2.7–2.6 Ga. Three zircons from Totatlanika Schist yield the youngest age of ca. 780 Ma. The anomalous Healy schist sample has abundant 1.6–0.9 Ga detrital zircon, as well as populations at 2.0–1.8 Ga and 2.7–2.5 Ga that overlap the ages from the rest of our samples; it has a minimum age population of ca. 1007 Ma. Detrital zircon age populations from all but the anomalous sample are statistically similar to those from (1) other peri-Laurentian units in east-central Alaska; (2) the Snowcap assemblage in Yukon, basement of the allochthonous Yukon-Tanana terrane; (3) Neoproterozoic to Ordovician Laurentian passive margin strata in southern British Columbia, Canada; and (4) Proterozoic Laurentian Sequence C strata of northwestern Canada. Recycling of zircon from the Paleoproterozoic Great Bear magmatic zone in the Wopmay orogen and its Archean precursors could explain both the Precambrian zircon populations and arc trace element signatures of our samples. Zircon from the anomalous Healy schist sample resembles that in Nation River Formation and Adams Argillite in eastern Alaska, suggesting recycling of detritus in those units. LITHOSPHERE; v. 9; no. 6; p. 927–952; GSA Data Repository Item 2017332 | Published online 11 October 2017 https://doi.org/10.1130/L672.1

Tectonic setting and metallogenesis of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in the Bonnifield Mining District, Northern Alaska Range: Chapter B in Recent U.S. Geological Survey studies in the Tintina Gold Province, Alaska, United States, and Yukon, Canada--results of a 5-year project

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