Isotopic age of the Nevadan Orogeny and older Plutonic and metamorphic events in the Klamath Mountains, California

GSA Bulletin
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Abstract

Several metamorphic and plutonic events have been recognized in the Klamath Mountains utilizing potassium-argon and rubidium-strontium mineral and whole-rock ages. The oldest known metamorphic event in the region produced the Abrams Mica Schist and the co-extensive Salmon Hornblende Schist. Strontium evolution diagrams indicate that the age of primary metamorphism of the Abrams Mica Schist is approximately 380 m.y. (Devonian). The Stuart Fork Formation of Davis and Lipman (1962), the schists of Condrey Mountain, and related schists were produced during a Middle and Late Jurassic metamorphic event. Granitic plutonic rocks are divided into four groups that are different in age and somewhat different in chemical characteristics. The oldest pluton, the Pit River stock, has a minimum age of 246 m.y. (Permian) and is grouped with the Castle Crags pluton. The other three plutonic groups are Middle and Late Jurassic and are characterized by the following ranges in isotopic age: 165 to 167 m.y., 145 to 155 m.y., and 127 to 140 m.y. The principal lode gold deposits in the California part of the Klamath Mountains seem to be related to the youngest group of plutons. If the Nevadan orogeny in this area is restricted to a Middle and Late Jurassic deformational, metamorphic, and plutonic event, the orogeny includes the emplacement of plutons of the three younger groups and the metamorphic development of the Stuart Fork Formation, schists of Condrey Mountain, and related schists.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Isotopic age of the Nevadan Orogeny and older Plutonic and metamorphic events in the Klamath Mountains, California
Series title GSA Bulletin
DOI 10.1130/0016-7606(1968)79[1027:IAOTNO]2.0.CO;2
Volume 79
Issue 8
Year Published 1968
Language English
Publisher Geological Society of America
Contributing office(s) Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center
Description 36 p.
First page 1027
Last page 1052
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial Klamath Mountains
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