Short-lived subduction and exhumation in Western Papua (Wandamen peninsula): Co-existence of HP and HT metamorphic rocks in a young geodynamic setting

François, Camille; Sigoyer, Julia de; Pubellier, Manuel; Bailly, Vivien; Cocherie, Alain; Ringenbach, Jean‐Claude

doi:10.1016/j.lithos.2016.09.030

Cited by 15 publications

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“…In this paper, we examine a sequence of multiply deformed metamorphic rocks from the Wandamen Peninsula in western New Guinea (Figure ). Previous work in this region indicates that these rocks were metamorphosed within the last 10 million years (Bladon, ; Francois et al, ). We suspect that these multiply deformed metamorphic rocks potentially record information about the rates at which tectonic mode switches can occur on time scales of less than 10 million years.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…The uncertainty associated with the age of these sedimentary sequences explains why some workers consider that folding of the Lengguru Fold Belt began at ca. 11 Ma (e.g., Bailly et al, ; Francois et al, ) while others propose folding occurred much later at ca. 5 Ma (Decker et al, ; Dow et al, ; Moffat et al, ; Pieters et al, ; Visser & Hermes, ).…”

Section: Geologic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies of the Wandamen Peninsula focused on the regional geology (Bailly et al, ; Dow et al, ) and metamorphic history (Bladon, ; Bailly et al, ; Francois et al, ). However, these studies report differences in the timing and sequence of deformation events.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, these studies report differences in the timing and sequence of deformation events. The timing of metamorphism is limited to several K/Ar ages (Bladon, ) and a few U‐Pb ages of zircon (Francois et al, ; Figure ). Francois et al () tentatively proposed two phases of metamorphic zircon crystallization at 8–7 and 6–5 Ma.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The timing of metamorphism is limited to several K/Ar ages (Bladon, ) and a few U‐Pb ages of zircon (Francois et al, ; Figure ). Francois et al () tentatively proposed two phases of metamorphic zircon crystallization at 8–7 and 6–5 Ma. However, these ages were based on dates obtained from several zircon grains obtained from one location on the northern coastline of the Wandamen Peninsula (Figure ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tectonic Mode Switches Recorded at the Northern Edge of the Australian Plate During the Pliocene and Pleistocene

et al. 2019

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We report new data from medium-high grade metamorphic rocks found at the northern margin of the Lengguru Fold Belt in West Papua. The study involved a systematic analysis of cross-cutting structures to establish the relative timing of deformation, together with isotopic dating to define when these tectono-thermal events occurred. These data show that the region underwent multiple episodes of deformation within the last six million years. Metamorphic mineral growth was associated with the development of ductile shear zones. This episode occurred during a phase of crustal stretching associated with the formation of a metamorphic core complex. Metamorphic zircon growth at 4.9 to 5.3 Ma was documented in two of the dated samples. These data are interpreted to postdate the peak pressure and temperature conditions of the phase of regional crustal stretching. The shear fabrics associated with the metamorphic core complex were later overprinted by at least two generations of folds. The change in mode from crustal extension to shortening reflects a tectonic mode switch. A subsequent mode switch is documented by numerous brittle extensional faults that cross-cut the earlier formed ductile fabrics. We interpret ca. 0.75-1.51 Ma (U-Th)/He age data to reflect cooling associated with the later stages of crustal shortening (marked by folds) or the later extensional unroofing of the peninsula. This work demonstrates that an orogen can record multiple tectonic mode switches within several million years. These outcomes should be considered in studies of ancient orogens where analytical uncertainties associated with isotopic dating may mask short-lived mode switches.Plain Language Summary How much time is required for a mountain belt to develop? Our knowledge of mountain building is somewhat limited because many of the best-studied mountain belts are quite old and our ability to date tectonic events is less precise the farther back we look through time. The work presented here investigates a mountainous peninsula that developed at the northern margin of the Australian Plate within the last six million years. This region records multiple episodes of deformation-we show that the relatively young rocks have been stretched, then pushed together and then stretched again (much like an accordion). These cycles must occur over a period of one to two million years, which is very fast compared to numerous studies of ancient mountain belts that consider the same processes occur over tens of millions of years.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Section: Geologic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Tectonic Mode Switches Recorded at the Northern Edge of the Australian Plate During the Pliocene and Pleistocene

et al. 2019

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Successive Rifting Events in Marginal Basins: The Example of the Coral Sea Region (Papua New Guinea)

et al. 2018

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Reactivation of extensional structures is commonly inferred during rift evolution. In that context, we present original seismic interpretation to explore the geometry and interactions of three successive rifting events in the Coral Sea region, Papua New Guinea. The first event (R1), poorly documented, occurred during the Triassic along an older N‐S Permian structural fabric. During the Jurassic, extensional faults were reactivated through a second extensional episode (R2), which formed small (~10/20 km) basins bounded by N‐S, NE‐SW, and E‐W listric faults. Extension prolonged during the Lower Cretaceous with seafloor spreading in the Owen Stanley Oceanic Basin, now incorporated in the Papuan fold and thrust belts. A third Late Cretaceous extensional phase (R3) gently reactivated some of the faults with very limited landward tilt in most basins and deformation located along the present continent‐ocean transition. Seafloor spreading in the Coral Sea followed from Danian to Ypresian. This extensional system is sealed by unequally preserved Eocene strata that mark the onset of postrift thermal subsidence prior to the margin inversion from Oligocene onward. This overall evolution suggests various extensional systems that are geographically and temporarily defined the one another. The early rifting of the crust is controlled by preexisting continental features resulting in the local Pangaea breakup. In contrast, the Coral Sea propagator cuts through the rifted margin and is controlled by a subduction complex in accordance with the Tasman Sea opening. This evolution underlines the interactions existing between two extension modes in agreement with variations of the regional geodynamical setting around Australia.

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The history of Cenozoic magmatism and collision in NW New Guinea – New insights into the tectonic evolution of the northernmost margin of the Australian Plate

et al. 2020

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New biostratigraphic analyses of approximately 200 outcrop samples and reinterpretation of the biostratigraphy nearly 100 wells distributed across Indonesian western New Guinea enables reconstruction of the palaeogeography of the region from the Silurian to present day. Biostratigraphic ages and palaeodepositional environments were interpreted predominantly from occurrences of planktonic and larger benthic foraminifera. Palaeogeographic reconstructions reveal two major transgressive-regressive cycles in regional relative sea-level with peaks interpreted to occur in the Late Cretaceous and Late Miocene. During the Late Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic terrestrial deposition was prevalent across much of western New Guinea as it formed part of the northern promontory of the Australian continent, termed the Sula Spur. From the Late Jurassic the first regional transgressive event resulted in increasing water depths until the Late Cretaceous. Carinate planktonic foraminifera are widespread in sediments of this age encountered in wells and outcrop across the entire region. A regressive event from the Late Cretaceous into the Paleogene resulted in widespread shallow water carbonate platform deposition by the Middle to Late Eocene. A minor transgressive event is recorded during the Oligocene but was cut short by collision between the Australian continent and intra-Pacific island arcs in the Early Miocene causing regional uplift in the region and formation of a subaerial unconformity. Following uplift, carbonate platforms established in shallow water areas depositing youngest units of the New Guinea Limestone Group. A second transgressive event, initiating during the Middle Miocene, reached its peak in the Late Miocene this was followed by a further regression culminating in the present day topographic expression of western New Guinea.

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Short-lived subduction and exhumation in Western Papua (Wandamen peninsula): Co-existence of HP and HT metamorphic rocks in a young geodynamic setting

Cited by 15 publications

References 50 publications

Tectonic Mode Switches Recorded at the Northern Edge of the Australian Plate During the Pliocene and Pleistocene

Tectonic Mode Switches Recorded at the Northern Edge of the Australian Plate During the Pliocene and Pleistocene

Successive Rifting Events in Marginal Basins: The Example of the Coral Sea Region (Papua New Guinea)

The history of Cenozoic magmatism and collision in NW New Guinea – New insights into the tectonic evolution of the northernmost margin of the Australian Plate

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