Spatially overlapping episodes of deformation, metamorphism, and magmatism in the southern Omineca Belt, southeastern British Columbia

Abstract

The southeastern Omineca Belt of the Canadian Cordillera preserves a record of overlapping Barrovian and Buchan metamorphism spanning 180–50 Ma. This paper documents the timing, character, and spatial relationships that define separate domains of Middle Jurassic, Early Cretaceous, and Late Cretaceous deformation and metamorphism, and the nature of the geological interfaces that exist between them. A domain of Early Jurassic deformation (D1) and regional greenschist-facies metamorphism (M1) is cross-cut by Middle Jurassic (174–161 Ma) intrusions. Associated contact aureoles are divided into lower pressure (cordierite-dominated; ∼2.5–3.3 kbar; 1 kbar = 100 MPa) and higher pressure (staurolite-bearing; 3.5–4.2 kbar) subtypes; contact metamorphic kyanite occurs rarely in some staurolite-bearing aureoles. Jurassic structures are progressively overprinted northwards by Early Cretaceous deformation and metamorphism (D2M2), manifested in a tightening of Jurassic structures, development of more pervasive ductile fabrics, and Barrovian metamorphism. The D2M2 domain is the southerly continuation of the 600 km long Selkirk–Monashee–Cariboo metamorphic belt. Mid-Cretaceous intrusions (118–90 Ma) were emplaced throughout the D2M2 domain, the earliest of which contain D2 fabrics, but cut M2 isograds. The D2M2 domain makes a continuous, southeasterly transition into a domain of Late Cretaceous regional Barrovian metamorphism and deformation (D3M3; 94–76 Ma). The interface between these two domains is obscured by the coaxial nature of the deformation and the apparent continuity of the metamorphic zones, resulting in a complex and cryptic interface. Similarities between the D3M3 domain and the Selkirk Crest of Idaho and Washington suggest that this domain is the northerly continuation of the northward-plunging Priest River Complex.