Mesozoic tectono-magmatic evolution of Mexico: An overview

The Geological Framework of Mexico is formed by a mosaic of tectono-stratigraphic terranes that were assembled during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic as the result of the complex interaction between Laurentia, Gondwana, and the paleo-Pacific plate. Even though the Mexican tectono-magmatic evolution is still object of study, some main representative stages can be recognized. Determining the time span and regional distribution of magmatism throughout the geological history of Mexico is crucial for the exploration of mineral resources. This paper contains a brief description of the terranes and is focused on summarizing the main Mesozoic tectono-magmatic events, from the assembling of Pangea in Late Paleozoic time to the end of the Mesozoic. These main events are: 1) Permo-Triassic continental (submarine) arc that developed along eastern Oaxaquia and was related to a subduction zone developed along the paleo-pacific margin. 2) Magmatic activity ceased in central and southern Mexico, during Middle to Late Triassic time, and a wide submarine fan was formed along the western margin of Pangea, which apparently acted like a passive margin. Evidence of a contemporaneous intra-oceanic arc is found at Baja California. 3) Inland Early Jurassic volcanism is found in northeast and central Mexico. Whether this magmatic event evolved in a rift or arc (Nazas) tectonic setting is still undetermined. 4) By Late Jurassic, magmatism was widespread. It is the time of the breakup of Pangea, leading to the opening of the Gulf of Mexico and the Arperos Basin. Therefore, volcanism was mostly related to subduction and supra-subduction rifting. 5) The Gulf of Mexico and Arperos basins were formed by Early Cretaceous time. Igneous rocks of that age have a wide range of composition (arc, continental rift, strike slip, and oceanic rift, within plate), and are geographically widespread. 6) At the end of Early Cretaceous, volcanism moved to a more localized belt along the paleo Pacific margin; it is also the time of formation of major carbonate platforms along east Mexico. 7) Coeval to Sevier-Laramide orogeny of North America, a large fold and thrust belt developed throughout Mexico, during Late Cretaceous time. It was accompanied by arc magmatism along the pacific margin of Mexico (Tarahumara Arc). It is the first continental arc that evolved after accretion and consolidation of Guerrero and Alisitos terranes to Continental Mexico. These Mesozoic tectonic processes originated westward-eastward migrations of arc-related and rift-related volcanism, which in turn lead to the present distribution of Mesozoic mineral deposits. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.