Pseudostratigraphy and origin of the Early Proterozoic Payson ophiolite, central Arizona

Research Article| March 01, 1997 Pseudostratigraphy and origin of the Early Proterozoic Payson ophiolite, central Arizona Jesse C. Dann Jesse C. Dann 1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Jesse C. Dann 1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1997) 109 (3): 347–365. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1997)109<0347:PAOOTE>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Jesse C. Dann; Pseudostratigraphy and origin of the Early Proterozoic Payson ophiolite, central Arizona. GSA Bulletin 1997;; 109 (3): 347–365. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1997)109<0347:PAOOTE>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 SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The Payson ophiolite (ca. 1.73 Ga), exposed within the Early Proterozoic orogenic belt of central Arizona, is a shallow-dipping, pseudostratigraphic sequence of gabbro, sheeted dikes, and submarine volcanic rocks, partly disjointed by later intrusion and deformation. An older basement complex occurs as roof pendants in the gabbro and screens in the sheeted dike complex and was tilted and eroded prior to development of the ophiolite. Gabbro-dike mingling and mutual intrusion in the transition from gabbro to sheeted dikes indicates that the dikes are rooted in the gabbro. Analysis of detailed measured sections of well-exposed sheeted dikes (600 m) reveals 90%–100% dikes with lateral variations in the proportions of tonalitic or dacitic dikes and basement screens. The transition from sheeted dikes to submarine basalts is abrupt and marked by a stratigraphically continuous zone of intensely altered rocks. The sheeted dike complex, pseudostratigraphic structure, and synmagmatic hydrothermal alteration of the Payson ophiolite are diagnostic of a crustal section formed by sea-floor spreading.The Payson ophiolite intrudes, and is intruded by, arc granitoids and is overlain by arc-derived volcanic and sedimentary rocks. A model of an intra-arc basin formed along an arc parallel strike-slip fault is proposed to account for (1) screens of older arc crust, (2) inferred arc-parallel extension, and (3) juxtaposition of the ophiolite with a distinct arc terrane prior to regional convergent deformation and accretion of the arc to North America during the Yavapai orogeny (ca. 1.70 Ga). 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.