Continental Collisions in the Appalachian-Caledonian Orogenic Belt: Variations Related to Complete and Incomplete Suturing

Research Article| November 01, 1974 Continental Collisions in the Appalachian-Caledonian Orogenic Belt: Variations Related to Complete and Incomplete Suturing J. F. Dewey; J. F. Dewey 1Department of Geological Sciences, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12222 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar W.S.F. Kidd W.S.F. Kidd 1Department of Geological Sciences, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, New York 12222 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1974) 2 (11): 543–546. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1974)2<543:CCITAO>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share MailTo Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation J. F. Dewey, W.S.F. Kidd; Continental Collisions in the Appalachian-Caledonian Orogenic Belt: Variations Related to Complete and Incomplete Suturing. Geology 1974;; 2 (11): 543–546. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1974)2<543:CCITAO>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 SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Certain oceans, whose obliteration during Paleozoic time led to climactic deformation of the Appalachian-Caledonian orogenic belt, closed at different times along the belt. Irregularity of the continental margins that collided during Late Silurian, Early Devonian, and Middle Devonian times caused great variations in structural style and igneous and metamorphic associations. The impingement of projections caused intense deformation leading to cryptic sutures and, in places, basement reactivation. Wider zones of less intense deformation are believed to represent embayments in the colliding margins. Late granite and associated high-grade metamorphic aureole rocks, are more common in the narrower, more intensely deformed regions; we suggest that they represent partial melts from lower parts of a thickened continental crust in these areas. "Granite" in embayments, floored by deformed oceanic basement, is suggested to represent the partial melting of that basement and (or) the covering sediment. In both cases, the magmatism reflects depression of crustal material to a depth below a particular critical isotherm and does not necessitate any abnormal heat input from below the crust. 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.