Tectonic history of a Jurassic backarc-basin sequence (the Gran Cañon Formation, Cedros Island, Mexico), based on compositional modes of tuffaceous deposits

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2002 Tectonic history of a Jurassic backarc-basin sequence (the Gran Cañon Formation, Cedros Island, Mexico), based on compositional modes of tuffaceous deposits Salvatore Critelli; Salvatore Critelli 1Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi della Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Kathleen M. Marsaglia; Kathleen M. Marsaglia 2Department of Geological Sciences, California State University, Northridge, California 91330-8266, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Cathy J. Busby Cathy J. Busby 3Department of Geological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (2002) 114 (5): 515–527. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2002)114<0515:THOAJB>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 04 Aug 2000 rev-recd: 28 Sep 2001 accepted: 31 Oct 2001 first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Salvatore Critelli, Kathleen M. Marsaglia, Cathy J. Busby; Tectonic history of a Jurassic backarc-basin sequence (the Gran Cañon Formation, Cedros Island, Mexico), based on compositional modes of tuffaceous deposits. GSA Bulletin 2002;; 114 (5): 515–527. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2002)114<0515:THOAJB>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The Jurassic Gran Cañon Formation (Cedros Island, Baja California, Mexico) constitutes an unusually well preserved and exposed example of ancient backarc-basin fill. Petrofacies analysis conducted on tuffaceous sandstone and tuff samples from this formation complement and reinforce prior lithofacies interpretations, but with some modification. When temporal and spatial trends in petrographic data (detrital modes) are analyzed and compared to models based on data collected from Deep Sea Drilling Project and Ocean Drilling Program cores, the trends indicate a second, heretofore unrecognized, phase of backarc rifting. Basalt lavas interstratified with dacitic pyroclastic rocks of the primary volcanic lithofacies, previously interpreted to record the eruption of differentiated magmas at the climax of growth of the Gran Cañon island arc, are now as a result of this study considered to be the product of arc extension and rifting.Our method of modal analysis uniquely combines the quantification of textural attributes of pyroclastic and epiclastic debris that reflect eruption style and magma composition, as well as the effects of reworking and mixing in marine settings. This study demonstrates that detailed petrographic analysis is useful in the interpretation of ancient volcaniclastic deposits suspected of having formed in backarc-basin settings. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.