South Anyui suture: tectono-stratigraphy, deformations, and principal tectonic events

Abstract

Abstract. Geochronologic and structural data from the terranes of the South Anyui suture zone record a protracted deformational history before, during and after an Early Cretaceous collision of the passive margin of the Chukotka-Arctic Alaska continental block with the active continental margin of the North Asian continent. Preceding this collision, the island arc complexes of the Yarakvaam terrane on the northern margin of the North Asian craton record Early Carboniferous to Neocomian ages in ophiolite, sedimentary, and volcanic rocks. Triassic to Jurassic amphibolites constrain the timing of subduction and intraoceanic deformation along this margin. The protracted (Neocomian to Aptian) collision of the Chukotka passive margin with the North Asian continent is preserved in a range of structural styles including first north verging folding, then south verging folding, and finally late collisional dextral strike slip motions which likely record a change from orthogonal collision to oblique collision. Due to this collision, the southern passive margin of Chukotka was overthrust by tectonic nappes composed of tectono-stratigraphic complexes of the South Anyui terrane. Greenschists with ages of 115–119 Ma are related to the last stages of this collision. The postcollisional orogenic stage (Albian to Cenomanian) is characterized by sinistral strike slip faults and an extensional environment.