Skip to main content
View expanded cover

Exposed Cross-Sections of the Continental Crust pp 137–158Cite as

Progress in Tectonic and Petrogenetic Studies in an Exposed Cross-Section of Young (~100 Ma) Continental Crust, Southern Sierra Nevada, California

  • Chapter

Part of the NATO ASI Series book series (ASIC,volume 317)

Abstract

The southern Sierra Nevada offers an oblique section through young Cordilleran-type batholith generated crust spanning surface (volcanic) to deep (granulitic) levels. Regional mapping and Pb/U zircon geochronology reveal structural continuity through this crustal section for volcanic, plutonic and metamorphic assemblages developed at ~100 Ma, making it one of the youngest sections in the world. Construction of a synthetic cross-section is well-constrained by the oblique section map pattern, abundant age data, and a published crustal structure section that was based on geophysical and lower crustal xenolith data from across the shallow levels of the batholith. The synthetic cross-section depicts the state of the sialic crustal section during its ~100 Ma petrogenesis. Critical features of the section are as follows: (1) Much of the pre-Cretaceous crust was completely reconstituted by batholith generation; (2) Major influxes of mantle-derived tonalitic to gabbroic magmas drove crustal-level melting and magma mixing; (3) Pre-existing sialic components within the batholithic magmas were contributed primarily from partial to complete melts of craton derived metasedimentary material; (4) Silicic magmas emplaced at shallow crustal levels represent moderately to well-mixed and fractionated systems, while those frozen at deeper levels appear to be more heterogeneous both lithologically and geochemically; (5) Granulite facies metamorphic assemblages in the deep crustal rocks developed primarily in a retrograde regime descending from gabbro and tonalite solidus conditions; (6) Upward rise of silicic magmas was accompanied by downward return flow of metamorphic host rocks, and locally ignimbrite sections of only slightly older age than enclosing plutons were transported to considerable depth as well; (7) Much of the upper crust responded to the intrusion of silicic magmas by large-scale extension which also promoted major ignimbrite eruptions; and (8) Within the deeper levels of the composite batholith and off its flanks, at moderate to shallow crustal levels, low-angle detachments may have developed as a primary structural feature. Each of these points as well as a number of other interesting problems form the basis for a broad spectrum of current and future research efforts.

Keywords

  • Continental Crust
  • Metamorphic Belt
  • Gneiss Complex
  • Oblique Section
  • Crustal Section

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-94-009-0675-4_6
  • Chapter length: 22 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-94-009-0675-4
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References Cited

  • Ague, J.J. and Brimhall, G.H., 1988. Magmatic arc asymmetry and distribution of anomalous plutonic belts in the batholiths of California: Effects of assimilation, crustal thickness, and depth of crystallization: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 100, 912–927.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Bateman, P.C. and Clark, L.D., 1974. Stratigraphic and structural setting of the Sierra Nevada batholith: Pacific Geol., 8, 78–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bateman, P.C. and Wahrhaftig, C., 1966. Geology of the Sierra Nevada: in: Geology of Northern California (Ed. E.A. Bailey) Calif. Div. Mines and Geology Bull., 190, 107–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, J.H. and Moore, J.G., 1982. Uranium-lead isotopic ages from the Sierra Nevada batholith, California: J. Geophys. Res., 87, 4761–4784.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen, N.I. and Fountain, D.M., 1975. Constitution of the Lower continental crust based on experimental studies of seismic velocities in granulite: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 86, 227–236.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, L.D., 1964. Stratigraphy and structure of the Sierra Nevada metamorphic belt, California: U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 410, 70 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • DePaolo, D.J., 1981. A neodymium and strontium isotopic study of the Mesozoic calc-alkaline granitic batholiths of the Sierra Nevada and Peninsular Ranges, California: J. Geophys. Res., 86, 10470–10485.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson, W.R., 1981. Plate tectonics and the continental margin of California: in: The Geotectonic Development of California (Ed. W.G. Ernst), 1, 1–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dodge, F.C.W., Calk, L.C. and Kistler, R.W., 1986. Lower crustal xenoliths, Chinese Peak lava flow, central Sierra Nevada: Jour. Pet., 27, 1277–1304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dodge, F.C.W., Lockwood, J.P. and Calk, L.C., 1988. Fragments of the mantle and crust from beneath the Sierra Nevada batholith: Xenoliths in a volcanic pipe near Big Creek, California: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 100, 938–947.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Domenick, M.A., Kistler, R.W., Dodge, F.C.W. and Tatsumoto, M., 1983. Nd and Sr isotopic study of crustal and mantle inclusions from the Sierra Nevada and implications for batholith petrogenesis: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 94, 713–719.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Elan, R., 1986. High grade contact metamorphism at the Lake Isabella North Shore roof pendant, Southern Sierra Nevada, California: Ph.D. thesis, University of Southern California, 202 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evernden, J.F. and Kistler, R.W., 1970. Chronology of emplacement of Mesozoic batholithic complexes in California and western Nevada: U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 623, 67 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiske, R.S., Tobisch, O.T., Kistler, R.W., Stern, T.W. and Tatsumoto, M., 1977. Minarets caldera: A Cretaceous volcanic center in the Ritter Range pendant, central Sierra Nevada, California (abstract): Geol. Soc. Am. Abstr. with Prgms., 9, no. 7, 975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiske, R.S., Tobisch, O.T., Kistler, R.W., Stern, T.W. and Tatsumoto, M., 1977. Minarets caldera: A Cretaceous volcanic center in the Ritter Range pendant, central Sierra Nevada, California (abstract): Geol. Soc. Am. Abstr. with Prgms., 9, no. 7, 975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiske, R.S., Tobisch, O.T., Kistler, R.W., Stern, T.W. and Tatsumoto, M., 1977. Minarets caldera: A Cretaceous volcanic center in the Ritter Range pendant, central Sierra Nevada, California (abstract): Geol. Soc. Am. Abstr. with Prgms., 9, no. 7, 975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollister, L.S., 1988. The central gneiss complex near Prince Rupert, British Columbia: in: NATO Advanced Study Institutes Programme - Exposed Cross Sections of the Continental Crust (Abstract), 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hyndman, D.W., 1988. Idaho batholith magmas and tectonics: Implications for the lower continental crust of a converging margin: in: NATO Advanced Study Institutes Programme - Exposed Cross Sections of the Continental Crust (Abstract), 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanamori, H., 1986. Rupture process of subduction-zone earthquakes: Ann. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci., 14, 293–322.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Kistler, R.W. and Peterman, Z.E., 1973. Variations in Sr, Rb, K, Na and initial 87Sr/86Sr in Mesozoic granitic rocks and intruded wall rocks in central California: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 84, 3489–3512.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Kistler, R.W. and Peterman, Z.E., 1978. Reconstruction of crustal blocks of California on the basis of initial strontium isotopic compositions of Mesozoic granitic rocks: U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 1071, 17 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klemperer, S.L., Brown, L.D., Oliver, J.E., Ando, C.J., Czuchra, B.L. and Kaufman, S., 1985. Some results of COCORP seismic reflection profiling in the Grenville-age Adirondack Mountains, New York State: Can. J. Earth Sci., 22, 141–153.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Kriens B. and Wernicke, B., 1988. Characteristics of a continental margin magmatic arc with depth: The Skagit-Methow crustal section: in: NATO Advanced Study Institutes Programme - Exposed Cross Sections of the Continental Crust (Abstract), 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liggett, D.L., 1986. Geology and geochemistry of a garnet-bearing granitoid in the southwestern Sierra Nevada, Tulare County, California: Calif. State University, Northridge, M.S. thesis, 143 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mack, S., Saleeby, J.B. and Farrell, J.E., 1979. Origin and emplacement of the Academy pluton, Fresno County, California: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 90, 321–323 (Part I ), 633-694 (Part II).

    Google Scholar 

  • Masi, U., O’Neil, J.R. and Kistler, R.W., 1981. Stable isotope systematics in Mesozoic granites of Central and Northern California and Southwestern Oregon: Contrib. Mineral. Petrol., 76, 116–126.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Newton, R.C., Smith, J.V. and Windley, B.F., 1980. Carbonic metamorphism, granulites and crustal growth: Nature, 288, 45–50.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Nilsen, T.H. and Clarke, S.H., Jr., 1975. Sedimentation and tectonics in the early Tertiary continental borderland of central California: U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 925, 64 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, G., 1988. Exposed cross-section of continental crust: Doubtful Sound Fiordland, New Zealand: Part One - Geophysical and geological setting: in: NATO Advanced Study Institutes Programme, International Advanced Course on Exposed Cross Sections of the Continental Crust (Abstract), 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, H.W., 1977. Gravity and magnetic investigations of the Sierra Nevada batholith, California: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 88, no. 3, 445–461.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Percival, J.A., 1988. Kapuskasing: Update and Prospectus: in: NATO Advanced Study Institutes Programme, International Advanced Course on Exposed Cross Sections of the Continental Crust (Abstract), 15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pickett, D.A. and Saleeby, J.B., 1989, Petrogenetic and isotopic studies of mid-crustal batholithic rocks of the Tehachapi Mountains, Sierra Nevada, California: Geol. Soc. Am. Abst. with Prgms., v. 21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plescia, J.B. and Calderone, G.J., 1986. Paleomagnetic constraints on the timing and extent of rotation of the Tehachapi Mountains, California: Geol. Soc. Am. Abstracts with Programs, 18, 171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, D.C., 1983. Generalized geologic map of the southern Sierra Nevada, California, showing the location of basement samples for which whole rock lsO has been determined: U.S. Geol. Surv. Open-File Report, 83, 904.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, D.C., 1983. Generalized geologic map of the southern Sierra Nevada, California, showing the location of basement samples for which whole rock lsO has been determined: U.S. Geol. Surv. Open-File Report, 83, 904.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleeby, J.B., 1976. Onset of Cretaceous magmatism, southern Sierra Nevada batholith, California: Geol. Soc. Am. Abst. with Prgms., 9, no. 7, 1084.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleeby, J.B., 1978. Kings River Ophiolite, Southwest Sierra Nevada Foothills, California: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 89, 617–636.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Saleeby, J.B., 1979. Kaweah Serpentinite Melange, Southwest Sierra Nevada Foothills, California: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 90, 29–46.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Saleeby, J.B., 1981. Ocean floor accretion and volcano-plutonic arc evolution of the Mesozoic Sierra Nevada: in: The Geotectonic Development of California, Rubey Volume 1 (Ed. W.E. Ernst), Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 132–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleeby, J.B., 1982. Polygenetic ophiolite belt of the California Sierra Nevada - geochronological and tectonostratigraphic development: J. Geophys. Res., 87, 1803–1824.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Saleeby, J.B. and Sharp, W.D., 1980. Chronology of the structural and petrologic development of the southwest Sierra Nevada Foothills, California: Summary: Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., Part I, 91, 317–320.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Saleeby, J.B. and Busby-Spera, C.V. 1986. Fieldtrip Guide to the metamorphic framework rocks of the Lake Isabella area, southern Sierra Nevada, California: Mesozoic and Cenozoic structural evolution of selected areas, east-central California: Geol. Soc. Amer. Cordilleran Section Guidebook Volume, 81–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleeby, J.B., Goodwin, S.E., Sharp, W.D. and Busby, C.J., 1978. Early Mesozoic paleotectonic-paleogeographic reconstruction of the southern Sierra Nevada region: in: Mesozoic Paleogeography of Western United States, Pacific Coast Paleogeography Symp. 2 ( Eds. D.G. Howell and K.A. McDougall), Pac. Sect., Soc. Econ. Paleontologists and Mineralogists, 311–336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleeby, J.B., Sams, D.B. and Kistler, R.W., 1987. U/Pb zircon, strontium, and oxygen isotopic and geochronological study of the southernmost Sierra Nevada batholith, California: J. Geophys. Res., 92, 10,443–10, 466.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleeby, J.B. and 12 contributors, 1986. Ocean-continent transect, Corridor C2, Monterey Bay offshore to the Colorado Plateau: Geol. Soc. Am. Map and Chart Series TRA C2, 2 sheets Scale 1:500, 000, 87 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleeby, J.B. and 12 contributors, 1986. Ocean-continent transect, Corridor C2, Monterey Bay offshore to the Colorado Plateau: Geol. Soc. Am. Map and Chart Series TRA C2, 2 sheets Scale 1:500, 000, 87 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sams, D.B., 1986. U/Pb zircon geochronology, petrology, and structural geology of the crystalline rocks of the southernmost Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi Mountains, Kern County, California: Calif. Inst. Tech. Ph.D. Thesis, 315 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sams, D.B. and Saleeby, J.B., 1988. Geology and petrotectonic significance of crystalline rocks of the southernmost Sierra Nevada, California: in: Rubey Volume on Cordilleran Metamorphism (Ed. W.G. Ernst) Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 866–893.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schenk, V., 1988. The crustal cross section of Southern Calabria (Italy): Lithology, thermal evolution and differentiation of a continental crust in the Hercynian fold belt: in: NATO Advanced Study Institutes Programme, International Advanced Course on Exposed Cross Sections of the Continental Crust (Abstract), 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharry, J., 1981. Geology of the western Tehachapi Mountains, California: Ph.D. dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 215 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smithson, S.B., 1979. Aspects of continental crustal structure and growth: targets for scientific deep drilling: Contrib. to Geol., 17, 65–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stern, T.W., Bateman, P.C., Morgan, B.A, Newell, M.F. and Peck, D.L., 1981. Isotopic U-Pb ages of zircon from granitoids of the central Sierra Nevada, California: U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 1185, 17 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tobisch, O.T., Saleeby, J.B. and Fiske, R.S., 1986. Structural history of continental volcanic arc rocks along part of the eastern Sierra Nevada, California: A case for extensional tectonics: Tectonics, 5, 65–94.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Weaver, B.L. and Tarney, J., 1981. Lewisian gneiss geochemistry and Archaean crustal development models: Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 55, 171–180.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Wyllie, P.J., 1971. The Dynamic Earth: Textbook in Geosciences: (Eds. J. Wiley and Sons, Inc. ), 416 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zoback, M.D., Westworth, C.M. and Moore, J.G., 1985. Central California seismic reflection transect: II - The eastern Great Valley and western Sierra Nevada: Amer. Geophys. Union, EOS, 65, no. 45, 1102.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences 170-25, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA

    Jason B. Saleeby

Authors
  1. Jason B. Saleeby
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Atlantic Geoscience Centre, Geological Survey of Canada Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Matthew H. Salisbury

  2. Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA

    David M. Fountain

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Saleeby, J.B. (1990). Progress in Tectonic and Petrogenetic Studies in an Exposed Cross-Section of Young (~100 Ma) Continental Crust, Southern Sierra Nevada, California. In: Salisbury, M.H., Fountain, D.M. (eds) Exposed Cross-Sections of the Continental Crust. NATO ASI Series, vol 317. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0675-4_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0675-4_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6788-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-0675-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive