| Title | Did plate tectonics shutdown in the Palaeoproterozoic? A view from the Siderian geologic record |
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| Author | Pehrsson, S J; Buchan, K L; Eglington, B M; Berman, R M; Rainbird, R H |
| Source | Gondwana Research vol. 26, issue 3-4, 2014 p. 803-815, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2014.06.001 |
| Image |  |
| Year | 2014 |
| Alt Series | Earth Sciences Sector, Contribution Series 20130448 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV |
| Document | serial |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper; on-line; digital |
| File format | pdf |
| Subjects | tectonics; structural geology; geochemistry; geochronology; general geology; plate tectonics; glaciation; modelling; paleomagnetism; Arrowsmith orogeny; Siderian period; Superior Province |
| Illustrations | graphs; histograms; plots; schematic diagrams |
| Program | GEM: Geo-mapping for Energy and
Minerals Uranium |
| Released | 2014 11 01 |
| Abstract | The early Proterozoic Era between 2.45-2.2 Ga is well known for a distinct minima in juvenile magmatism and detrital zircon abundance, an intriguing observation given its coincidence with many
fundamental changes in Earth processes. A recent hypothesis seeks to explain this Siderian 'quiet interval' as the result of a plate tectonic shutdown in which extended tectonic quiescence is due to widespread lithospheric stagnation in an episodic
mantle overturn regime. The model suggests this period characterizes a 'pre-modern' geodynamic style and has profound implications for many geodynamic processes.
We use spatially-linked chronostratigraphic and paleomagnetic databases to assess
the major predictions of the model and find five of its key predictions are not supported by current data. The quiet interval includes a greater extent of contractional orogenesis and a broader range of paleopressures than previously known and is
not characterized by LP-HT metamorphism related to higher upper mantle temperatures from decreased upper mantle cooling. Glacial conditions do not appear to have been triggered by the coincidence of the onset of magmatic shutdown with the end of
mass-independent sulphur isotope fractionation and oxygenation of the atmosphere, as the initial glacial episodes predate this time. The glacial record, moreover, requires four episodes of climatic amelioration duringg the proposed shutdown, for
which a mechanism appears lacking. A proposed gap in Large-Igneous-Province formation, related to decreased mantle vigour, is not apparent. Quiet interval magmatism includes juvenile, arc-type and TTG magmatism, supporting significant crustal
additions on a number of cratons. The prediction of negligible plate velocities during shutdown is not borne out by the well-constrained Superior Province paleomagnetic record. We suggest plate tectonics did not shut down but that the Siderian quiet
interval represents overall diminished tectonic activity during peripheral orogenesis, as is known for other relatively quiet periods following supercontinent or supercraton amalgamation. |
| Summary | (Plain Language Summary, not published)
Recent theories suggest that plate tectonics stopped on Earth in the early Precambrian. If true this theory has profound implications for the possible
types of mineral deposits that could form in such an usual tectonic setting. The proposed shutdown time period overlaps with a well known, 2.3 billion year old, eroded mountain belt in the Canadian shield of Nunavut and Northwest Territories. The
authors review the proposed geologic predictions of the hypothesis, using evidence from Canada and globally. They conlcude that evidence does not favour a plate tectonic shutdown but a period of decreased magmatism following assembly of a
supercontinent. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 293591 |
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