Constraining the tectonic evolution of rifted continental margins by U-Pb calcite dating

We employ U-Pb calcite dating of structurally-controlled fracture fills within crystalline Caledonian basement in western Norway to reveal subtle large-scale tectonic events that affected this rifted continental margin. The ages (15 in total) fall into four distinct groups with ages mainly ranging from latest Cretaceous to Pleistocene. (1) The three oldest (Triassic-Jurassic) ages refine the complex faulting history of a reactivated fault strand originated from the Caledonian collapse and broadly correlate with known rifting events offshore. (2) Two ages of ca. 90-80 Ma relate to lithospheric stretching and normal fault reactivation of a major ENE-WSW trending late Caledonian shear zone. (3) We correlate five ages between ca. 70 and 60 Ma with far-field effects and dynamic uplift related to the proto-Iceland mantle plume, the effect and extent of which is highly debated. (4) The five youngest ages (< 50 Ma) from distinct NE-SW trending faults are interpreted to represent several episodes of post-breakup fracture dilation, indicating a long-lived Cenozoic deformation history. Our new U-Pb data combined with structural and isotopic data show that much larger tracts of the uplifted continental margin of western Norway have been affected by far-field tectonic stresses than previously anticipated, with deformation continuing into the late Cenozoic.

Automated summary

We utilized U-Pb calcite dating to investigate structurally-controlled fracture fills in the Caledonian basement of western Norway, revealing subtle large-scale tectonic events that impacted this rifted continental margin. The ages can be grouped into four distinct categories, ranging from the latest Cretaceous to Pleistocene. These ages provide insights into the faulting history, lithospheric stretching, far-field effects related to the proto-Iceland mantle plume, and long-lived Cenozoic deformation history of the uplifted continental margin. Overall, our findings demonstrate a larger extent of far-field tectonic stresses and ongoing deformation in the late Cenozoic than previously thought.