Oaxaquia, a Proterozoic microcontinent accreted to North America during the late Paleozoic

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 1995 Oaxaquia, a Proterozoic microcontinent accreted to North America during the late Paleozoic Fernando Ortega-Gutierrez; Fernando Ortega-Gutierrez 1Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04150, México, D. F., México Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Joaquin Ruiz; Joaquin Ruiz 2Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Elena Centeno-Garcia Elena Centeno-Garcia 3Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Estación del Noroeste, Hermosillo, Sonora, México Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1995) 23 (12): 1127–1130. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<1127:OAPMAT>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 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 Fernando Ortega-Gutierrez, Joaquin Ruiz, Elena Centeno-Garcia; Oaxaquia, a Proterozoic microcontinent accreted to North America during the late Paleozoic. Geology 1995;; 23 (12): 1127–1130. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<1127:OAPMAT>2.3.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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Grenville-age granulite facies rocks in southern, central, and northeastern Mexico have distinctive geologic features that suggest a common tectonic evolution. The similarities include northwest-trending structural grain from Oaxaca to Tamaulipas, massif-type anorthosite-charnockite complexes, protoliths rich in sedimentary rocks of shallow-marine platform or continental rift-related facies devoid of calc-alkaline volcanic rocks, common metamorphism under granulite facies conditions, U-Pb zircon ages of about 1.0 Ga., and an apparently common history of uplift and cooling. Altogether, this evidence strongly suggests a coherent geologic history for this block. Paleontologic data from the overlying sedimentary sequences indicate that Oaxaquia was not part of Laurentia during most of the Paleozoic. This precludes emplacement of Oaxaquia in its present position by simple lateral displacement from the southern United States as well as a Taconic time of emplacement. Oaxaquia was probably emplaced to its present position during late Paleozoic time. The concept of a Mesoproterozoic "Oaxaquia" microcontinent extending for about 1000 km in Mexico needs to be considered in the reconstruction of the Grenville orogen as a whole and for the Paleozoic tectonic interactions between eastern Laurentia and western Gondwana. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.