North American margin origin of Quesnel terrane strata in the southern Canadian Cordillera: Inferences from geochemical and Nd isotopic characteristics of Triassic metasedimentary rocks

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 2002 North American margin origin of Quesnel terrane strata in the southern Canadian Cordillera: Inferences from geochemical and Nd isotopic characteristics of Triassic metasedimentary rocks Jennifer L.E. Unterschutz; Jennifer L.E. Unterschutz 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robert A. Creaser; Robert A. Creaser 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Philippe Erdmer; Philippe Erdmer 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robert I. Thompson; Robert I. Thompson 2Pacific Division, Geological Survey of Canada, Pacific Geoscience Centre, P.O. Box 6000, 9860 West Saanich Road, Sidney, British Columbia V8L 4B2, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Kenneth L. Daughtry Kenneth L. Daughtry 3K.L. Daughtry and Associates Ltd., Box 795, Vernon, British Columbia V1T 6M7, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Jennifer L.E. Unterschutz 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada Robert A. Creaser 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada Philippe Erdmer 1Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada Robert I. Thompson 2Pacific Division, Geological Survey of Canada, Pacific Geoscience Centre, P.O. Box 6000, 9860 West Saanich Road, Sidney, British Columbia V8L 4B2, Canada Kenneth L. Daughtry 3K.L. Daughtry and Associates Ltd., Box 795, Vernon, British Columbia V1T 6M7, Canada Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 05 Feb 2001 Revision Received: 26 Nov 2001 Accepted: 29 Nov 2001 First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2002) 114 (4): 462–475. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2002)114<0462:NAMOOQ>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 05 Feb 2001 Revision Received: 26 Nov 2001 Accepted: 29 Nov 2001 First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Jennifer L.E. Unterschutz, Robert A. Creaser, Philippe Erdmer, Robert I. Thompson, Kenneth L. Daughtry; North American margin origin of Quesnel terrane strata in the southern Canadian Cordillera: Inferences from geochemical and Nd isotopic characteristics of Triassic metasedimentary rocks. GSA Bulletin 2002;; 114 (4): 462–475. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2002)114<0462:NAMOOQ>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 New geochemical and Nd isotopic data from Triassic (ca. 220 Ma) clastic metasedimentary rocks assigned to the Quesnel terrane (Quesnellia) in southeastern British Columbia show that detritus was derived from both primitive and evolved sources. Twenty-four samples yield εNd220 values between−9.1 and +5.6, independent of sample location. These samples have Eu anomalies between 0.6 and 1.0, LaN/YbN ratios between 3.8 and 11.4, La/Sc ratios ranging from 0.38 to 4.76, and Th/Sc ratios between 0.09 and 1.62. This range of isotopic and geochemical values overlaps that of samples from upper Paleozoic to Mesozoic rocks of the North American miogeocline and Upper Triassic Nicola Group volcanic rocks of the Quesnel terrane. The range in Nd isotopic and geochemical values supports the interpretation that detritus was derived from both continental North America (evolved cratonic source) and a volcanic arc (primitive source) developing on the continental margin. These data do not support previous interpretations of the Quesnel terrane as an intraoceanic arc. The inferred depositional link between North America and the Quesnel arc in Triassic time is ca. 40 Ma older than the hypothesized obduction of the Quesnel terrane onto the North American continental margin and, when combined with existing geological information, strongly supports a pericratonic, nonexotic origin for the Quesnel terrane in southeastern British Columbia. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.