Retrodeforming the Arabia-Eurasia collision zone: Age of collision versus magnitude of continental subduction

Research Article| March 01, 2013 Retrodeforming the Arabia-Eurasia collision zone: Age of collision versus magnitude of continental subduction Nadine McQuarrie; Nadine McQuarrie 1Department of Geology and Planetary Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Douwe J.J. van Hinsbergen Douwe J.J. van Hinsbergen 2Physics of Geological Processes, University of Oslo, Sem Sælands vei 24, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway *Current address: Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, Netherlands. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Nadine McQuarrie 1Department of Geology and Planetary Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA Douwe J.J. van Hinsbergen *Current address: Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, Budapestlaan 4, 3584 CD Utrecht, Netherlands. 2Physics of Geological Processes, University of Oslo, Sem Sælands vei 24, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 05 May 2012 Revision Received: 26 Sep 2012 Accepted: 03 Oct 2012 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2013 Geological Society of America Geology (2013) 41 (3): 315–318. https://doi.org/10.1130/G33591.1 Article history Received: 05 May 2012 Revision Received: 26 Sep 2012 Accepted: 03 Oct 2012 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Nadine McQuarrie, Douwe J.J. van Hinsbergen; Retrodeforming the Arabia-Eurasia collision zone: Age of collision versus magnitude of continental subduction. Geology 2013;; 41 (3): 315–318. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G33591.1 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 The Arabia-Eurasia collision has been linked to global cooling, the slowing of Africa, Mediterranean extension, the rifting of the Red Sea, an increase in exhumation and sedimentation on the Eurasian plate, and the slowing and deformation of the Arabian plate. Collision age estimates range from the Late Cretaceous to Pliocene, with most estimates between 35 and 20 Ma. We assess the consequences of these collision ages on the magnitude and location of continental consumption by compiling all documented shortening within the region, and integrating this with plate kinematic reconstructions. Shortening estimates across the orogen allow for ∼350 km of Neogene upper crustal contraction, necessitating collision by 20 Ma. A 35 Ma collision requires additional subduction of ∼400–600 km of Arabian continental crust. Using the Oman ophiolite as an analogue, ophiolitic fragments preserved along the Zagros suture zone permit ∼180 km of subduction of the Arabian continental margin plus overlying ophiolites. Wholesale subduction of this more dense continental margin plus ophiolites would reconstruct ∼400–500 km of postcollisional Arabia-Eurasia convergence, consistent with a ca. 27 Ma initial collision age. This younger Arabia-Eurasia collision suggests a noncollisional mechanism for the slowing of Africa, and associated extension. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.