Constraining the Metamorphism of The Schist of Sierra de Salinas and Shallow-Angle Subduction Using U-Pb Zircon Geochronology

Authors

Jillian Kirk, Macalester CollegeFollow

Document Type

Honors Project On-Campus Access Only

Abstract

The schist of Sierra de Salinas of central California originated as a sandstone deposited along the western margin of the North American continent, derived primarily from the Sierra Nevada Batholith. This body of rock was subducted along a shallow segment of the Farallon plate, bringing it in direct contact with recently emplaced granitic plutons in the upper plate, leading to high-temperature metamorphism. In this paper, age ranges of detrital and metamorphic processes are further constrained using U-Pb zircon geochronology. From this work it is clear that the schist derived from a protolith deposited no earlier than ca. 78 Ma and metamorphosed from ca. 78 to 60 Ma.

Recommended Citation

Kirk, Jillian, "Constraining the Metamorphism of The Schist of Sierra de Salinas and Shallow-Angle Subduction Using U-Pb Zircon Geochronology" (2021). Geology Honors Projects. 22.
https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/geology_honors/22