Evolution of the Guerrero composite terrane along the Mexican margin, from extensional fringing arc to contractional continental arc

Research Article| September 01, 2011 Evolution of the Guerrero composite terrane along the Mexican margin, from extensional fringing arc to contractional continental arc Elena Centeno-García; Elena Centeno-García † 1Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, México D.F. 04510, México †E-mail: centeno@servidor.unam.mx Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Cathy Busby; Cathy Busby 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9630, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael Busby; Michael Busby 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-9630, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar George Gehrels George Gehrels 3Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar GSA Bulletin (2011) 123 (9-10): 1776–1797. https://doi.org/10.1130/B30057.1 Article history received: 12 Feb 2009 rev-recd: 18 May 2010 accepted: 24 Jun 2010 first online: 08 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Elena Centeno-García, Cathy Busby, Michael Busby, George Gehrels; Evolution of the Guerrero composite terrane along the Mexican margin, from extensional fringing arc to contractional continental arc. GSA Bulletin 2011;; 123 (9-10): 1776–1797. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B30057.1 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 SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The western margin of Mexico is ideally suited for testing two opposing models for the growth of continents along convergent margins: accretion of exotic island arcs by the consumption of entire ocean basins versus accretion of fringing terranes produced by protracted extensional processes in the upper plate of a single subduction zone. We present geologic and detrital zircon evidence that the Zihuatanejo terrane of the Guerrero composite terrane originated from the latter mechanism. The evolution of the Zihuatanejo terrane can be explained by extensional and compressional processes operating entirely within the upper plate of a long-lived subduction zone that dipped east under the Mexican margin. This process controlled crustal growth by continental margin rifting and addition of new igneous and volcaniclastic material during extension, followed by accretion and thickening of the crust during contraction.Prior to this study, all Mesozoic rocks in the western part of the Guerrero composite terrane were considered to be part of a single arc. However, we divide it into four distinctive tectonostratigraphic assemblages: (1) a Triassic–Early Jurassic accretionary complex (Arteaga complex); (2) a Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous extensional volcanic arc assemblage; (3) an Early Cretaceous extensional arc assemblage; and (4) a Santonian–Maastrichtian compressional arc assemblage. (1)The Arteaga subduction complex forms the basement to the Zihuatanejo terrane and includes Grenville, Pan-African, and Permian detrital zircon suites that match the Potosi fan of the Mexican mainland. (2) The Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous extensional volcanic arc assemblage shows a Callovian–Tithonian (ca. 163–145 Ma) peak in magmatism; extensional unroofing began in this time frame and continued into through the next. (3) The Early Cretaceous extensional arc assemblage has two magmatic peaks: one in the Barremian–Aptian (ca. 129–123 Ma), and the other in the Albian (ca. 109 Ma). In some localities, rapid subsidence produced thick, mainly shallow-marine volcano-sedimentary sections, while at other localities, extensional unroofing of all older assemblages resulted in recycling of zircon from all older units (1, 2, 3). (4)For the Santonian–Maastrichtian compressional arc assemblage, our new detrital zircon dates show for the first time that arc volcanic rocks of this age are present in the coastal Zihuatanejo terrane. The contractional arc developed atop assemblages 1–3, which were shortened between Turonian and Santonian time (ca. 93 and 84 Ma). Taken together, the western Zihuatanejo terrane records a more protracted history of arc magmatism than has yet been dated in other terranes of western Mexico, but it closely matches the history of Baja California to the northwest. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.