Morgan Ganerød

Middle Eocene rodents from Peruvian Amazonia reveal the pattern and timing of caviomorph origins and biogeography

The long-term isolation of South America during most of the Cenozoic produced a highly peculiar terrestrial vertebrate biota, with a wide array of mammal groups, among which caviomorph rodents and platyrrhine primates are Mid-Cenozoic immigrants. In the absence of indisputable pre-Oligocene South American rodents or primates, the mode, timing and biogeography of these extraordinary dispersals remained debated. Here, we describe South Americas oldest known rodents, based on a new diverse caviomorph assemblage from the late Middle Eocene (approx. 41 Ma) of Peru, including five small rodents with three stem caviomorphs. Instead of being tied to the Eocene/Oligocene global cooling and drying episode (approx. 34 Ma), as previously considered, the arrival of caviomorphs and their initial radiation in South America probably occurred under much warmer and wetter conditions, around the Mid-Eocene Climatic Optimum. Our phylogenetic results reaffirm the African origin of South American rodents and support a trans-Atlantic dispersal of these mammals during Middle Eocene times. This discovery further extends the gap (approx. 15 Myr) between first appearances of rodents and primates in South America.

The Tethyan Himalaya: palaeogeographical and tectonic constraints from Ordovician palaeomagnetic data

Abstract: To test whether the Tethyan Himalaya were part of the northern margin of India in the early Palaeozoic we have produced the first primary palaeomagnetic data (bedding-corrected declination 267.5°, inclination 63.0°, α95 = 10°; pole latitude 20.2°N, longitude 28.6°E) from low metamorphic grade Ordovician red beds in the Tethyan Himalaya (Shian Formation). The palaeomagnetic data are of excellent quality, and a statistically positive fold test combined with a comparison with late Cambrian–Ordovician Gondwana poles suggests a primary hematite-bearing magnetization, acquired between 470 and 500 Ma. This is in excellent agreement with stratigraphic, faunal and provenance age estimates, and the palaeomagnetic data demonstrate that the Tethyan Himalaya must have been located in proximity to the Indian craton during early Ordovician times, and are therefore consistent with a continuous margin at that time. The Shian Formation pole overlaps with 470–500 Ma Gondwana poles, but an even better fit can be obtained by invoking a post-Ordovician clockwise rotation of 13° ± 4°. Such a rotation is similar in both sense and magnitude to clockwise rotations recorded in primary Triassic sequences as well as Palaeogene palaeomagnetic overprint data from the Tethyan Himalaya: rotations of the Tethyan Himalaya compared with cratonic India are thus probably all of post late Eocene age. Triassic and Early Ordovician data do not imply any crustal shortening between Tethyan Himalaya and cratonic India. However, in the Early Ordovician, India was rotated 90° compared with its present orientation, and any enlargement of India would not be detected by palaeomagnetic data.

Palaeoposition of the Seychelles microcontinent in relation to the Deccan Traps and the Plume Generation Zone in Late Cretaceous-Early Palaeogene time

Abstract The Early Palaeogene magmatic rocks of North and Silhouette Islands in the Seychelles contain clues to the Cenozoic geodynamic puzzle of the Indian Ocean, but have so far lacked precise geochronological data and palaeomagnetic constraints. New 40Ar/39Ar and U–Pb dates demonstrate that these rocks were emplaced during magnetochron C28n; however, 40Ar/39Ar and palaeomagnetic data from Silhouette indicate that this complex experienced a protracted period of cooling. The Seychelles palaeomagnetic pole (57.55°S and 114.22°E; A9512.3°, N=14) corresponds to poles of similar ages from the Deccan Traps after being corrected for a clockwise rotation of 29.4°±12.9°. This implies that Seychelles acted as an independent microplate between the Indian and African plates during and possibly after C27r time, confirming recent results based on kinematic studies. Our reconstruction confirms that the eruption of the Deccan Traps, which affected both India and the Seychelles and triggered continental break-up, can be linked to the present active Reunion hotspot, which is being sourced as a deep plume from the Plume Generation Zone. Supplementary material: Experimental data are available at http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18482.

Tectonic evolution and paleogeography of the Kırşehir Block and the Central Anatolian Ophiolites, Turkey

In Central and Western Anatolia two continent-derived massifs simultaneously underthrusted an oceanic lithosphere in the Cretaceous and ended up with very contrasting metamorphic grades: high pressure, low temperature in the Tavsanli zone and the low pressure, high temperature in the Kirsehir Block. To assess why, we reconstruct the Cretaceous paleogeography and plate configuration of Central Anatolia using structural, metamorphic, and geochronological constraints and Africa-Europe plate reconstructions. We review and provide new 40Ar/39Ar and U/Pb ages from Central Anatolian metamorphic and magmatic rocks and ophiolites and show new paleomagnetic data on the paleo-ridge orientation in a Central Anatolian Ophiolite. Intraoceanic subduction that formed within the Neotethys around 100–90 Ma along connected N-S and E-W striking segments was followed by overriding oceanic plate extension. Already during suprasubduction zone ocean spreading, continental subduction started. We show that the complex geology of central and southern Turkey can at first order be explained by a foreland-propagating thrusting of upper crustal nappes derived from a downgoing, dominantly continental lithosphere: the Kirsehir Block and Tavsanli zone accreted around 85 Ma, the Afyon zone around 65 Ma, and Taurides accretion continued until after the middle Eocene. We find no argument for Late Cretaceous subduction initiation within a conceptual “Inner Tauride Ocean” between the Kirsehir Block and the Afyon zone as widely inferred. We propose that the major contrast in metamorphic grade between the Kirsehir Block and the Tavsanli zone primarily results from a major contrast in subduction obliquity and the associated burial rates, higher temperature being reached upon higher subduction obliquity.

What was the Paleogene latitude of the Lhasa terrane? A reassessment of the geochronology and paleomagnetism of Linzizong volcanic rocks (Linzhou Basin, Tibet)

The Paleogene latitude of the Lhasa terrane (southern Tibet) can constrain the age of the onset of the India-Asia collision. Estimates for this latitude, however, vary from 5°N to 30°N, and thus here, we reassess the geochronology and paleomagnetism of Paleogene volcanic rocks from the Linzizong Group in the Linzhou Basin. The lower and upper parts of the section previously yielded particularly conflicting ages and paleolatitudes. We report consistent 40Ar/39Ar and U-Pb zircon dates of ~52 Ma for the upper Linzizong, and 40Ar/39Ar dates (~51 Ma) from the lower Linzizong are significantly younger than U-Pb zircon dates (64-63 Ma), suggesting that the lower Linzizong was thermally and/or chemically reset. Paleomagnetic results from 24 sites in lower Linzizong confirm a low apparent paleolatitude of ~5°N, compared to the upper part (~20°N) and to underlying Cretaceous strata (~20°N). Detailed rock magnetic analyses, end-member modeling of magnetic components, and petrography from the lower and upper Linzizong indicate widespread secondary hematite in the lower Linzizong, whereas hematite is rare in upper Linzizong. Volcanic rocks of the lower Linzizong have been hydrothermally chemically remagnetized, whereas the upper Linzizong retains a primary remanence. We suggest that remagnetization was induced by acquisition of chemical and thermoviscous remanent magnetizations such that the shallow inclinations are an artifact of a tilt correction applied to a secondary remanence in lower Linzizong. We estimate that the Paleogene latitude of Lhasa terrane was 20 ± 4°N, consistent with previous results suggesting that India-Asia collision likely took place by ~52 Ma at ~20°N.

Western Amazonia as a Hotspot of Mammalian Biodiversity Throughout the Cenozoic

A state-of-the-art review of the Cenozoic fossil record from Western Amazonia is provided, based on literature and new data (regarding Paleogene native ungulates). It allows summarizing the evolution and dynamics of middle Eocene–Holocene mammalian guilds, at the level of species, families, and orders. Major gaps in the Western Amazonian mammal record occur in the pre-Lutetian and early Miocene intervals, and in the Pliocene epoch. Twenty-three orders, 89 families, and 320 species are recognized in the fossil record, widely dominated by eutherians from the middle Eocene onward. Probable Allotheria (Gondwanatheria) occur only in the earliest interval, whereas Metatheria and Eutheria are conspicuous components of any assemblage. Taxonomic diversity was probably fairly constant at the ordinal level (~12–14 orders in each time slice considered) and much more variable in terms of family and species richness: if most intervals are characterized by 40–50 co-occurring species and 19–31 co-occurring families, the early Miocene period illustrates a depauperate fauna (21 species, 17 families), strongly contrasting with the late Miocene climactic guild (82 species, 38 families). Recent mammalian taxonomic diversity from Western Amazonia (12 orders, 37 families, and 286 species) is at odds with all past intervals, as it encompasses only three orders of South American origin (Didelphimorphia, Cingulata, and Pilosa) but four North American immigrant orders (Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla, Carnivora, and Lagomorpha). In terms of taxonomic diversity, recent mammalian guilds are fully dominated by small-sized taxa (Chiroptera, Rodentia, and Primates). This overview also confirms the scarcity of large mammalian flesh-eaters in ancient Neotropical mammalian assemblages. The pattern and the timing of mammalian dispersals from northern landmasses into Western Amazonia are not elucidated yet.

Resolving spatial heterogeneities in exhumation and surface uplift in Timor‐Leste: Constraints on deformation processes in young orogens

Although exhumation and surface uplift are important parameters in understanding orogenesis, the opportunity to measure both in close proximity is rare. In Timor-Leste (East Timor), deeply exhumed metamorphic rocks and piggyback deepwater synorogenic basins are only tens of kilometers apart, permitting direct relation of uplift and exhumation by comparing micropaleontology to thermochronology interpreted through one-dimensional thermal modeling. Foraminifera in two deepwater synorogenic basins suggest basin uplift from depths of 1–2 km to depths of 350–1000 m between 3.35 and 1.88 Ma. Thermochronologic sampling was conducted in the central mountain belt between these basins. Of four muscovite 40Ar/39Ar samples, one provides a reset age of 7.13 ± 0.25 Ma in the Aileu high-grade belt that suggests ~9–16 km of exhumation since that time. Eighteen zircon (U-Th)/He samples contain a group of reset ages in the Aileu Complex ranging from 4.4 to 1.5 Ma, which suggest exhumation rates of 1.0–3.1 mm/yr with 2.7–7.8 km of exhumation since these ages. Thirteen apatite (U-Th)/He ages in the Gondwana Sequence range from 5.5 to 1.4 Ma, suggesting 1–2 km of exhumation and defining a pattern of exhumation rates (ranging from 0.2 to 1.3 mm/yr) that positively correlates with average annual rainfall. Seven apatite fission track samples display varying degrees of partial resetting, with greatest resetting where apatite (U-Th)/He ages are youngest. Together, these data demonstrate extreme variability in surface uplift and exhumation over small spatial scales. We propose ongoing subsurface duplexing driven by subduction and underplating of Australian continental crust as the predominant driver for surface uplift and uplift-induced exhumation.

Middle Jurassic shear zones at Cap de Creus (eastern Pyrenees, Spain): a record of pre-drift extension of the Piemonte–Ligurian Ocean?

The Cap de Creus peninsula in NE Spain consists of greenschist- to amphibolite-facies metasediments and granitoid bodies of the Variscan Axial Zone of the Pyrenees, overprinted in the north by anastomosed greenschist-facies shear zones. Current tectonic interpretations ascribe these shear zones to the waning stages of the Variscan orogeny. We present muscovite 40Ar/39Ar data from the shear zones, yielding Middle Jurassic ages between 159.33 ± 0.43 and 175.18 ± 1.10 Ma and one Tertiary age of 58.57 ± 0.55 Ma. We suggest that the present-day structure at Cap de Creus resulted from Variscan deformation and HT–LP metamorphism, followed during the Jurassic by crustal stretching and development of ductile normal faults reflecting pre-drift continental extension related to opening of the Piemonte–Ligurian basin east of Iberia. Tilting during Alpine convergence caused steepening in the northern part of the penisula, with the ductile normal faults rotated to their present orientations appearing as dextral reverse shear zones. The shear zone yielding a Tertiary age could reflect either an Alpine structure or reactivation of an earlier, presumably Jurassic shear zone. The Cap de Creus structure may thus represent a continental margin that has undergone ductile stretching equivalent to the now-buried west Iberian or Newfoundland margin.

Geochemistry and geochronology of the volcano-plutonic rocks associated with the Glojeh epithermal gold mineralization, NW Iran

Abstract Eocene to Oligocene volcano-plutonic rocks are widespread throughout NW Iran. The Tarom-Hashtjin metallogenic province is one of the most promising epithermal-porphyry ore mineralized districts in NW Iran. The Glojeh gold deposit, located in the center of this province, is a typical high to intermediate sulfidation epithermal system, spatially and temporally associated with a granite intrusion and associated high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic volcano-plutonic rocks. The intrusive complexes of the Glojeh district are characterized by: SiO2 contents of 60.9 to 70.7 wt.%, K2O+Na2O of 7.60 to 8.92 wt.%, and K2O/Na2O ratios of 0.9 to 1.8. They are enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs), and large ion lithophile elements (LILEs), depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs), and have weak negative Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*= 0.5 to 0.9). 40Ar/39Ar geochronology applied to biotite and feldspar, separated from two intrusives (Goljin and Varmarziar), and two feldspar aliquots separated from hydrothermal veins at North Glojeh and South Glojeh, was carried out to constrain magmatic and hydrothermal events. Plagioclase (± sericite), from North Glojeh and South Glojeh produced ages (42.20±0.34 Ma, and 42.56±1.47 Ma respectively) that overlap with the age of the Goljin intrusion (41.87±1.58 Ma). Geochemical data for the volcano-plutonic rocks in the Glojeh district, that have87Sr/86Sr isotopic compositions that range from 0.706344 to 0.708331, suggest an origin involving partial melting of a depleted mantle source during Neo-Tethyan subduction.

Compilation and appraisal of geochronological data from the North Atlantic Igneous Province (NAIP)

Abstract The North Atlantic Igneous Province (NAIP), composed of volcanic sequences and intrusive rocks, occurs onshore in Greenland, the Faeroe Islands, the UK and Ireland, and offshore surrounding these areas as well as the west coast of Norway. Geochronological data have been published for Cenozoic igneous and volcanic rocks for much of the province, and provide valuable information to analyse the evolution of the province and magmatic processes more broadly. As part of the NE Atlantic Geosciences (NAG) cooperation, we examined approximately 700 dates from over 70 published studies and created a comprehensive database to facilitate ready access to this important information. This includes U–Pb, Rb–Sr, Re–Os, 40Ar/39Ar and K–Ar ages presented relative to the Geological Time Scale 2012. 40Ar/39Ar and K–Ar ages have been recalculated to a common reference. The complete database includes data that range from approximately 177 to 0.19 Ma. Our evaluation shows that variable sample quality, ambiguous data-handling methods, inadequate data reporting and data interpretation should preclude the use of data for purposes of rigorous geochronological analysis. Through a series of filtering techniques described here, we suggest excluding >500 dates as being of too poor a quality to use in age determinations. Our analysis highlights the need for published geochronological studies to include sufficient information to allow critical assessment of ages and interpretations. We present an ‘optimized’ dataset containing 130 ages that range from approximately 64 to 13 Ma. The filtered dataset emphasizes the need for firm chronological benchmarks and suggests that some sub-provinces in the NAIP would greatly benefit from renewed research attention. Supplementary material: The full NAG-TEC Geochronological Database 001 and Data Evaluation 002 are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3554472