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Several kilometre-scale gabbroic intrusions with well-preserved cumulate textures occur over a ∼180 km northwest–southeast strike length area in the Core Zone, within the southeastern Churchill Province. These intrusions (1312–1311 Ma) are devoid of structural and metamorphic overprint and are mainly composed of olivine gabbro. Their overlapping petrographic, geochemical, and mineralogical characteristics suggest that all of these gabbroic intrusions are co-genetic and form the Soisson Intrusive Suite. The Soisson intrusions formed from basaltic parental magmas with low MgO (∼6–7 wt.%) and high Fe–Ti contents. Overall, they are similarly fractionated at the regional scale and incorporated various amounts of upper crustal material, as indicated by field (e.g., xenoliths, hybrid zones) and geochemical (e.g., high HILE/MILE, depletion in Nb±Ta) evidences. The Soisson Intrusive Suite has petrological, geochemical, and mineral chemistry similarities with the troctolite and olivine gabbro cumulates of the Voisey’s Bay and Mushuau intrusions from the ca. 1363 to 1289 Ma Nain Plutonic Suite (NPS), and appears to be contemporaneous with its younger gabbroic–troctolitic intrusion phase, suggesting that the Soisson Intrusive Suite and the gabbroic–troctolitic intrusions of the NPS were formed by similar petrological processes. Furthermore, like many gabbroic–troctolitic intrusions of the NPS (e.g., Voisey’s Bay intrusion), the Soisson intrusions contain Ni–Cu–Co magmatic sulfide mineralization. Among the Soisson intrusions, the Papavoine intrusion located in the southern part of this intrusive suite may be the most prospective intrusion as a Ni, Cu, and Co exploration target. Overall, the Soisson Intrusive Suite’s similarity with the NPS raises questions about their potential genetic link and magmatic connectivity at depth.

The geophysical data sets available for the western Churchill Province have had a bearing on the understanding of its structure, evolution and metal endowment. New data were acquired and interpreted during the Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) Program (2008-2020). Regional, high-resolution aeromagnetic, and targeted gravity and magnetotelluric surveys were collected in GEM, in conjunction with geological mapping projects, in order to provide control on bedrock features beneath widespread glacial overburden and flat-lying sedimentary basins. Quantitative estimates of three-dimensional geometry were obtained in key areas through geophysical models integrating the geophysical characteristics with local rock property measurements. These geophysical data sets contributed to new knowledge and interpretations in three related research fields: 1) location and nature of Rae cratonmp;gt;'s boundaries within the western Churchill Province; 2) definition of internal Rae architecture; and 3) identification of reactivated structures controlling gold and uranium mineralization. The new data, models and emerging tectonic and metallogenic frameworks will serve as guides for future exploration in this remote, complex, challenging region.

Archean and Paleoproterozoic cratonic rocks of Baffin Island define four stacked structural levels that are juxtaposed within the middle Paleoproterozoic Trans-Hudson Orogen. From north to south, and highest to lowest structural level, these comprise:1) the Archean Rae Craton, unconformably overlain along its southern margin by middle Paleoproterozoic supracrustal cover (Piling Group) and stratigraphically similar units of the Hoare Bay Group on Cumberland Peninsula; 2) Archean to middle Paleoproterozoic metaplutonic units and middle Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary cover (Lake Harbour Group), collectively termed the 'Meta Incognita microcontinent'; 3) middle Paleoproterozoic orthogneiss, interpreted as a deformed arc-magmatic terrane (Narsajuaq terrane) or alternatively as Narsajuaq-age intrusions emplaced in the Meta Incognita microcontinent; and 4) Archean orthogneiss, interpreted as the northern continuation of the lower-plate Superior Craton, and associated middle Paleoproterozoic continental-margin supracrustal cover (Povungnituk Group).

The Core Zone, a broad region located between the Superior and North Atlantic cratons and predominantly underlain by Archean gneiss and granitoid rocks, remained until recently one of the less well known parts of the Canadian Shield. Previously thought to form part of the Archean Rae Craton, and later referred to as the Southeastern Churchill Province, it has been regarded as an ancient continental block trapped between the Paleoproterozoic Torngat and New Quebec orogens, with its relationships to the adjacent Superior and North Atlantic cratons remaining unresolved. The geochronological data presented herein suggest that the Archean evolution of the Core Zone was distinct from that in both the Superior and North Atlantic (Nain) cratons. Moreover, the Core Zone itself consists of at least three distinct lithotectonic entities with different evolutions, referred to herein as the George River, Mistinibi-Raude and Falcoz River blocks, that are separated by steeply-dipping, crustal-scale shear zones interpreted as paleosutures. Specifically, the George River Block consists of ca. 2.70 Ga supracrustal rocks and associated ca. 2.70–2.57 Ga intrusions. The Mistinibi-Raude Block consists of remnants of a ca. 2.37 Ga volcanic arc intruded by a ca. 2.32 Ga arc plutonic suite (Pallatin) and penecontemporaneous alkali plutons (Pelland and Nekuashu suites). It also hosts a coarse clastic cover sequence (the Hutte Sauvage Group) which contains detrital zircons provided from locally-derived, ca. 2.57–2.50 Ga, 2.37–2.32 Ga, and 2.10–2.08 Ga sources, with the youngest concordant grain dated at 1987 ± 7 Ma. The Falcoz River Block consists of ca. 2.89–2.80 Ga orthogneiss intruded by ca. 2.74–2.70 granite, tonalite, and granodiorite. At the western margin of the Core Zone, the George River Block and Kuujjuaq Domain may have been proximal by ca. 1.84 Ga as both appear to have been sutured by the 1.84–1.82 Ga De Pas Batholith, whereas at its eastern margin, the determination of metamorphic ages of ca. 1.85 to 1.80 Ga in the Falcoz River Block suggests protracted interaction with the adjacent Lac Lomier Complex during their amalgamation and suturing, but with a younger, ‘New Quebec’ overprint as well. The three crustal blocks forming the Core Zone add to a growing list of ‘exotic’ Archean to earliest Paleoproterozoic microcontinents and crustal slices that extend around the Superior Craton from the Grenville Front through Hudson Strait, across Hudson Bay and into Manitoba and Saskatchewan, in what was the Manikewan Ocean realm, which closed between ca. 1.83–1.80 Ga during the formation of supercontinent Nuna.RÉSUMÉLa Zone noyau, une vaste région située entre les cratons du Supérieur et de l’Atlantique Nord et reposant principalement sur des gneiss archéens et des roches granitiques, est demeurée jusqu’à récemment l’une des parties les moins bien connues du Bouclier canadien. Considérée auparavant comme faisant partie du craton archéen de Rae, puis comme la portion sud-est de la Province de Churchill, on l’a perçue comme un ancien bloc continental piégé entre les orogènes paléoprotérozoïques des Torngat et du Nouveau-Québec, ses relations avec les cratons supérieurs adjacents et de l’Atlantique Nord demeurant nébuleuses. Les données géochronologiques présentées ici permettent de penser que l’évolution archéenne de la Zone noyau a été différente de celle des cratons du Supérieur et de l’Atlantique Nord (Nain). De plus, la Zone noyau elle-même se compose d’au moins trois entités lithotectoniques distinctes avec des évolutions différentes, appelées ici les blocs de la rivière George, de Mistinibi-Raude et de la rivière Falcoz, lesquels sont séparées par des zones de cisaillement crustales à forte inclinaison, conçues comme des paléosutures. Plus précisément, le bloc de la rivière George est constitué de roches supracrustales d'env. 2,70 Ga, et d’intrusions connexes d'env. 2,70–2,57 Ga. Le bloc Mistinibi-Raude est constitué de vestiges d’un arc volcanique d'env. 2,37 Ga, recoupé par une suite plutonique d’arc d'env. 2,32 Ga (Pallatin) et de plutons alcalins péné-contemporains (suites Pelland et Nekuashu). Il contient également une séquence de couverture clastique grossière (le groupe Hutte Sauvage) renfermant des zircons détritiques de sources locales, âgés d'env. 2,57–2,50 Ga, 2,37–2,32 Ga et 2,10–2,08 Ga, le grain concordant le plus jeune étant âgé de 1987 ± 7 Ma. Le bloc de la rivière Falcoz est formé d’un orthogneiss âgé d'env. 2,89–2,80 Ga, recoupé par des intrusions de granite, tonalite et granodiorite âgées d'env. 2,74–2,70 Ga. À la marge ouest de la Zone noyau, le bloc de la rivière George et du domaine de Kuujjuaq peuvent avoir été proximaux il y a 1,84 Ga env., car les deux semblent avoir été suturés par le batholithe De Pas il y a environ 1,84–1,82 Ga, alors qu’à sa marge est, la détermination des datations métamorphiques de 1,85 à 1,80 Ga dans le bloc de la rivière Falcoz suggère une interaction prolongée avec le complexe adjacent du lac Lomier durant leur amalgamation et leur suture, mais affecté aussi d’une surimpression « Nouveau Québec » plus jeune. Les trois blocs crustaux formant la Zone noyau s’ajoutent à une liste croissante de micro-continents et d’écailles crustales « exotiques » archéennes à paléoprotérozoïques très précoces qui s’étalent autour du craton Supérieur depuis le front de Grenville jusqu’au Manitoba, à travers le détroit d’Hudson, la baie d’Hudson jusque dans le Manitoba et la Saskatchewan, là où s’étendait l’océan Manikewan, lequel s’est refermé il y a environ 1,83–1,80 Ga, pendant la formation du supercontinent Nuna.

U-Pb data from the Rinkian fold Belt, western Greenland, provide new constraints on provenance and timing of deposition of the Karrat Group, the emplacement interval of the Proven Igneous Complex, and the tectonic setting of west Greenland during the interval 2.03–1.83 Ga. U-Pb detrital data establish the entire Karrat Group metasedimentary succession as Paleoproterozoic in age, initiated after ca. 2029 Ma (Qeqertarssuaq Formation), with deeper water deposition after 1953 ± 31 Ma and 1905 ± 20 Ma (Nukavsak Formation). The detrital age profiles highlight a profound change in source region after ca. 1.95 Ga that we attribute to thickening, uplift, and exhumation related to collision of a juvenile magmatic arc with the northwest margin of Rae craton at ca. 1.97–1.95 Ga (Thelon Orogen). Accordingly, the Karrat Group is viewed as having initiated as an extensional rift basin(s) that received ca. 3.00–2.95 Ga detritus from local basement sources, and which evolved into a deeper water foreland-basin succession derived from the north. This foreland basin was intruded by the Proven Igneous Complex, for which new U-Pb data establish emplacement between 1.90 and 1.87 Ga in a within-(Rae) plate setting. Proven plutonism is coeval with lower-plate mantle magmatism elsewhere across NE Laurentia which may have been triggered by asthenospheric thinning due to plume-induced extension of lower-plate Rae craton at 1.95–1.92 Ga. Our data refute a direct link between the Proven Igneous Complex and the voluminous 1.86–1.845 Ga Cumberland Batholith, Baffin Island, long considered its counterpart.

There are lingering questions about how far back in geologic time plate tectonic processes began. In the Paleoproterozoic of eastern Laurentia, accretion of intra-oceanic juvenile terranes along the leading edge of the Superior craton apex (Ungava indenter) during the interval 1.87–1.83 Ga was followed by collision with the Churchill plate at ca. 1.83–1.79 Ga. Orthogonal shortening along the indenter led to early obduction of the juvenile terranes including the ca. 2.0 Ga Watts Group ophiolite, followed by out-of-sequence thrusting at ca. 1.83 Ga of granulite-facies crystalline basement of the Sugluk block (Churchill plate) along the Sugluk suture. Exhumation and erosion of the Sugluk block led to deposition of a foreland/delta fan sequence in the Hudson Bay re-entrant (Omarolluk and Loaf formations of the Belcher Group), with detritus sourced exclusively from the Sugluk block. Continued collision led to critical wedge development and orocline formation in the Hudson Bay re-entrant, forming a strongly arcuate fold-thrust belt. On the other (eastern) side of the indenter, material flow during crustal shortening was accommodated by lateral extrusion of microplates towards a then open ocean basin, in a manner similar to present-day extrusion of Indochina as a response to India – South China craton convergence. In the Churchill plate hinterland W-NW of the indenter, propagating strike-slip faults resulted in the far-field extrusion and oblique exhumation of Archean crustal slices of the Rae crustal block. The 1.83–1.79 Ga Superior-Churchill collision accommodated a minimum of 500 km of continent–continent convergence, with resulting style and mechanisms of orogenic growth and material flow similar to those observed in the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic system.

The Rae craton on Melville Peninsula, Nunavut, comprises several lithotectonic domains, including a structurally and lithologically distinct yet poorly known crustal terrane, the Repulse Bay block (RBb). This study presents new lithological and petrographic observations, combined with U–Pb zircon data, to better understand the Archean and Paleoproterozoic crustal evolution of the RBb. The new data demonstrate that the central-eastern RBb consists of the following: (i) upper amphibolite- to granulite-facies, ca. 2.73–2.71 Ga intermediate granitoid gneisses and gabbroic sheets; (ii) ca. 2.69 Ga two-pyroxene charnockite to enderbite intrusions; and (iii) thin slivers of both Archean and Paleoproterozoic supracrustal rocks. Inherited zircon also attests to the presence of a Mesoarchean to Paleoarchean substrate. A semi-pelitic gneiss from one of the Paleoproterozoic supracrustal panels was deposited sometime after ca. 1.89 Ga and shows a similar detrital zircon age profile to a

Despite several decades of research on growth of the continental crust, it remains unclear whether the production of juvenile continental crust has been continuous or episodic throughout the Precambrian. Models for episodic crustal growth have gained traction recently through compilations of global U–Pb zircon age frequency distributions interpreted to delineate peaks and lulls in crustal growth through geologic time. One such apparent trough in zircon age frequency distributions between ∼2.45 and 2.22 Ga is thought to represent a pause in crustal addition, resulting from a global shutdown of magmatic and tectonic processes. The ∼2.45–2.22 Ga magmatic shutdown model envisions a causal relationship between the cessation of plate tectonics and accumulation of atmospheric oxygen over the same period. Here, we present new coupled U–Pb, Hf, and O isotope data for detrital and magmatic zircon from the western Churchill Province and Trans-Hudson orogen of Canada, covering an area of approximately 1.3 million km2, that demonstrate significant juvenile crustal production during the ∼2.45–2.22 Ga time interval, and thereby argue against the magmatic shutdown hypothesis. Our data is corroborated by literature data showing an extensive 2.22–2.45 Ga record in both detrital and magmatic rocks on every continent, and suggests that the operation of plate tectonics continued throughout the early Paleoproterozoic, while atmospheric oxygen rose over the same time interval. We argue that uninterrupted plate tectonics between ∼2.45 and 2.22 Ga would have contributed to efficient burial of organic matter and sedimentary pyrite, and the consequent rise in atmospheric oxygen documented for this time interval.

Zircon textures and composition have been used to infer magmatic processes including closed-system fractional crystallization, magma mixing or replenishment, and country-rock assimilation. Here, we propose that zircon textures and composition may also be refractory recorders of magmatic volatile evolution. We present field, whole-rock chemical, textural, mineral chemical, and U–Pb age data from evolved, fine-to-coarse-grained granite intrusions on Melville Peninsula, Nunavut, Canada. Zircon forms two main populations in these granites, Type-1 and Type-2 zircon. Type-1 zircon is present in all samples, but predominant in fine-grained granite. Crystals are euhedral and inclusion-rich and show periodic, fine-scale oscillatory zoning, comparatively low concentrations of U (

The basal Paleoproterozoic supracrustal succession of the Churchill Province in northern Canada comprises sedimentary basins overlying the Archean Rae and Hearne domains. The Rae domain supracrustal succession (e.g. Amer, Ketyet River, Chantrey and Montresor groups) comprises four lithotectonic assemblages which include, in ascending stratigraphic position: (1) shallow marine-fluvial quartzarenite with mainly Neoarchean detrital zircons of local provenance; (2) shallow marine quartzarenite with mainly local provenance that locally includes carbonates ± mafic volcanic flows; (3) abrupt but conformable transition to basinal dark shales and overlying platformal carbonates that pass upward into siltstones and sandstones that record gradual emergence of the platform. Sandstones within this assemblage display a substantially different detrital zircon provenance signature dominated by early Paleoproterozoic zircons, with grains as young as 1.95 Ga; (4) unconformably to conformably overlying immature marine sandstones, including turbidites, with a significant component of 2.0–1.9 Ga detritus probably derived from a combination of local and distal sources. The thickness and relative compositional maturity of the basal lithotectonic assemblage 1 records a protracted period of enhanced weathering on a slowly subsiding but stable supercontinent (e.g. Kenorland). This was followed by mafic volcanism and marine transgression, consistent with partial rifting of the Rae domain and crustal extension attending supercontinent break-up (lithotectonic assemblage 2). Strata of lithotectonic assemblage 3 record basin flooding and deepening followed by platformal sedimentation along the margins of extended continental blocks. Assemblage 4 is interpreted to represent deposition in foreland basins during early amalgamation of Laurentia (part of Nuna) at ca. 1.9 Ga. The stratigraphy and detrital zircon geochronology of the Hurwitz Group, which overlies the Hearne domain, is broadly similar to the supracrustal sequence of the Rae domain, but differs through the presence of basal diamictites and lack of 2.5 Ga detritus, a major local source in the Rae. Our data suggest that the Rae and Hearne domains were assembled together by max. 1.91 Ga (i.e. max. age of deposition of the uppermost Hurwitz and Amer groups). The Paleoproterozoic stratigraphic assemblage framework for the Churchill Province compares well with that of other cratons derived from break-up of Kenorland and ultimately amalgamated in Nuna. Examples from Laurentia include supracrustal rocks that overlie the southern margin of the Superior Province (Southern Province, e.g. Huron Supergroup, Animikie Group, Marquette Range Supergroup, Whitewater Group and Mistassini-Otish Group). The Paleoproterozoic assemblages of the Southern and Churchill provinces exhibit first-order stratigraphic similarities that indicate a shared history of stable continental sedimentation followed by rifting, basin opening and basin closure.

Large volume, plutonic belts, such as the ∼ 221,000 km2, ca. 1.865–1.845 Ga Cumberland batholith (CB) of the Trans-Hudson Orogen in Canada, are major components of Paleoproterozoic orogenic belts. In many cases, they have been interpreted as continental arc batholiths. The petrogenesis and tectonic context of the CB and implications for crustal growth and recycling are interpreted herein based on a 900 km geochemical-isotopic (Nd–O) transect across it and into granitoid plutons within bounding Archean cratons in central and southern Baffin Island. The mainly granulite grade CB, emplaced over an age span of between 14 and 24 Ma, consists mainly of high-K to shoshonitic monzogranite and granodiorite, but also includes low- and medium-K granitoid rocks. Metaluminous to slightly peraluminous compositions and δ18O (VSMOW) values (+ 6 to + 10‰) indicate derivation from infracrustal (I-type) sources. eNd 1.85 Ga signatures (− 12 to − 2) of both mafic and felsic units suggest a dominance of evolved sources. Isotopic signatures in the interior of the CB (− 2 to − 7) are more radiogenic than those within Archean domains in central (− 8 to − 15) and southern (− 5 to − 19) Baffin Island. The isotopic transect is interpreted as ‘imaging’ an accreted microcontinental block (Meta Incognita) and bounding Archean cratons. The CB includes granites of arc, within-plate (A-type) and post-collisional affinity and volumetrically minor mafic rocks with both arc and non-arc features. (La/Yb)CN and Sr/Y values range from 60 km), as evidenced by adakitic granites.

Electron-microprobe data were obtained from monazite along five transects within the Longstaff Bluff Formation, a thick package of Paleoproterozoic turbiditic rocks exposed on Baffin Island, northern Canada, and metamorphosed at conditions of the upper greenschist to granulite facies during the Trans-Hudson Orogeny. During prograde metamorphism, the LREE content of monazite progressively decreased, whereas the U, Th, Y and HREE content increased, with sharp changes at the transition from Sil–Kfs rocks to incipiently migmatitic rocks. In situ chemical dating of monazite yielded a range of ages from 1913 to 1741 Ma. The age data form five distinct clusters (1910, 1880, 1845, 1805, and 1765 Ma), of which at least four are interpreted to represent different episodes of monazite growth. The textural relationship and petrographic context of the grains were used to constrain the significance of the data. The two oldest grains (1910 Ma) could be detrital or metamorphic. The 1880 Ma age is interpreted to reflect monazite growth near the onset of regional deformation. The 1845 Ma age cluster is mostly found in the three southern (higher-grade) transects, the 1805 Ma event is widespread throughout the study area, and the 1765 Ma episode of monazite growth has been recognized mostly in the northern (lower-grade) part of the study area. The results suggest a northward progression of metamorphism from granulite- to lower-amphibolite-facies assemblages, with textural data suggesting that the widespread 1805 Ma event was responsible for migmatite formation in the southernmost part of the study area.

A new, 1:100,000 scale compilation bedrock geology map provided with this issue presents a geologic synthesis of Canada’s most prolific mining camp, the world-class Sudbury structure with total past production and current reserves of over 1.7 billion tonnes of Ni, Cu, Co, Pt, Pd, Au, Ag ore (Lydon, 2007). The polymetallic ore is hosted within one of Earth’s largest preserved impact craters. The new map of the Ni-Cu-PGE Sudbury district (after Ames et al., 2005) is included in a pocket at the back of this issue (Map 1) and is linked to mineral deposit-commodity and geochronology data in Tables 1⇓ and 2⇓ of this paper. View this table: Table 1. List of Mineral Deposits and Occurrences of the Sudbury Map Area (Map 1) View this table: Table 2. U-Pb Isotope Data Across the Map Area Since 1891, six compilation maps of the geology of Sudbury have been published (Bell, 1891; Collins, 1937; Cooke, 1946; Card, 1969; Dressler, 1984; Ames et al., 2005) (Fig. 1⇓). Some of the Ni-Cu-PGE mines have operated for over a century, whereas new ore deposits, discovered as recently as 2004, are already in production or are in the process of being developed (i.e., advanced prospects). In the last 15 years, Sudbury has been the training ground for ~60 postgraduate geoscience students in North America (Fig. 1⇓). From 1903 to 1990, only 23 graduate theses were completed on Sudbury-related topics; eight of them in the 1970s, after the discovery of shatter cones (Dietz, 1964). Fig. 1. Number of graduate theses of North American geoscientists trained on Sudbury geology per decade, showing the minor peak in training after the discovery of shatter cones and the recent “education boom,” with over 50 geoscience graduate theses completed since 1990. The dashed lines represent the regional geologic maps of the Sudbury area …

New U–Pb geochronological and Sm–Nd isotopic data establish the timing of Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic magmatic and metamorphic events in northeastern Saskatchewan, and give insight into the late Archean assembly of the central and southern Hearne domains of the western Churchill craton. Tonalite orthogneiss within a migmatite complex is 2714 ± 6 Ma in age. Foliated, tonalite gneiss, typical of tonalitic rock that intruded the migmatite complex and mafic volcanic rocks of the Ennadai Group, is 2698 ± 6 Ma in age. These and a third tonalitic gneiss are correlative with ca. 2.72–2.70 Ga volcanic and plutonic rocks previously documented in the Central Hearne supracrustal belt (CHSB). They have juvenile geochemical signatures (ɛNd > 1.43). A rhyolite dated at 2681 ± 4 Ma is consistent with the age and juvenile nature of a younger volcanic cycle in the CHSB. In contrast, a 2681 ± 3 Ma foliated granite dyke that intrudes the tonalite gneiss contains inherited zircons up to 2.99 Ga and has an ɛNd of −0.48, consistent with a melted older Mesoarchean crustal component similar to that of the southern Hearne domain. Three Paleoproterozoic granites also have Nd isotopic signatures consistent with Mesoarchean precursors. We propose that the abrupt change in geochemical signature of the ca. 2.68 Ga magmatism is due to the accretion of the CHSB onto the southern Hearne domain and a change from oceanic to continental arc magmatism. A 2571 ± 5 Ma in situ monazite age determined for porphyroclastic gneiss in the Striding–Athabasca mylonite zone is linked with latest Archean reactivation along the southeastern margin of the Rae province. The Jones Lake granite, dated at 1.86 ± 0.02 Ga, yielded metamorphic monazite ages from 1821 Ma to 1812 Ma. An amphibolitic gneiss yielded a multi-grain, TIMS, zircon age of 1823 ± 4 Ma. The latter ages agree well with the time of metamorphism determined by in situ monazite SHRIMP ages from three samples of metasedimentary gneiss (1826 ± 8 Ma, 1817 ± 42 Ma and 1809 ± 38 Ma), and coincide with the peak of Hudson granite emplacement in the Western Churchill craton. A diatexitic granodiorite crystallized at 1812 ± 4 Ma. U–Pb titanite analyses from three separate rocks yielded ages of 1778 ± 2 Ma, 1761 ± 2 Ma and 1757 ± 5 Ma, while U–Pb from rutile yielded 1751 ± 12 Ma. The 1830–1800 Ma events appear to be related to terminal collision within the Trans-Hudson Orogen, while the younger titanite and rutile ages are cooling ages coeval with emplacement of the Nueltin igneous suite.

Supracrustal units metamorphosed at mid-crustal conditions within the Paleoproterozoic Trans-Hudson Orogen are preserved within an obliquely exposed continental collision zone on Baffin Island (Canada). Early granulite-facies assemblages yield thermobarometric data and phase diagram information that define a steep, compressive P^T path segment.These assemblages are bracketed between ca. 1849 and 1835Ma, and are interpreted to result from (1) heat advection by an 1865þ4/^2 to 1848 2Ma Andean-type granitic batholith, and (2) a ca. 1845Ma crustal thickening event associated with accretion of an intra-oceanic arc terrane. A subsequent regional metamorphic event is characterized by the growth of retrograde, upper amphibolite-facies assemblages that define a clockwise, decompressive P^T path. Mineral growth is bracketed between 1820 1 and 1813 2Ma, and is localized within deformation zones associated with the 1820þ4/^3 to 1795 2Ma collision of the Rae and Superior cratons.The metamorphic history of Baffin Island supports a progressive change from plate-margin to intraplate processes within an evolving convergent orogen during the Paleoproterozoic that is similar to those documented in younger collisional belts.

Within the Trans-Hudson Orogen in northern Quebec and southern Baffin Island, parautochthonous Archean basement and Paleoproterozoic cover, as well as allochthonous (accreted) Paleoproterozoic units, are exposed in a series of antiformal culminations and complementary synclinoria. The parautochthonous rocks of the Superior Province margin and two assemblages of accreted Paleoproterozoic units (Ungava and Meta Incognita crustal terranes) define a basic tripartite crustal architecture which is characterized by polyphase deformation and metamorphic histories. Early structures and mineral assemblages are recognized in all three crustal components and shown to be temporally distinct. The earlier structures and assemblages are overprinted by younger elements and mineral assemblages that are related to at least three regional contraction episodes and one thermal event that are common to all crustal components of the orogen. Close correlation of regional aeromagnetic data in northern Quebec and southern Baffin Island with the three crustal components offers a first-order approximation of the distribution of basement lithological units across Hudson Strait. Continuation of the aeromagnetic domains beneath Ungava Bay to northeastern Quebec and northern Labrador allows for the southward extrapolation of the tripartite Trans-Hudson Orogen crustal architecture into the Lithoprobe Eastern Canadian Shield Onshore–Offshore Transect area.

Within the Trans-Hudson Orogen in northern Quebec and southern Baffin Island, parautochthonous Archean basement and Paleoproterozoic cover, as well as allochthonous (accreted) Paleoproterozoic units are exposed in a series of antiformal culminations and complementary synclinoria. The parautochthonous rocks and two assemblages of accreted Paleoproterozoic units (crustal terranes) are separated by major tectonic boundaries and associated deformation zones. Field, petrological, and isotopic data document an increase in the width of the deformation zones and a concomitant increase in P–T conditions of metamorphism from orogenic foreland to hinterland. Tectonostratigraphic and geochronological criteria allow footwall and hangingwall units to be consistently distinguished in spite of the changing structural and metamorphic aspect of the terrane boundaries across the width of the orogen.

The tectonometamorphic histories of basement and cover units in the eastern Trans-Hudson Orogen attest to the importance of structural, geohydrological, and magmatic controls on the attainment of metamorphic conditions in a convergent-plate-margin setting. In northern Quebec, two metamorphic suites are recognized in the parautochthonous (lower-plate) Superior Province basement. An older metamorphic suite comprises arc-related, granulite-facies assemblages (less than 5 kbar and 860 to 920°C) dated at ca. 2.70 Ga. A younger, overprinting, collision-related metamorphic suite comprises amphibolite-facies assemblages (7.7 kbar at 640°C to 9.8 kbar at 715°C) dated at ca. 1.80 Ga. Within the overlying Paleoproterozoic Cape Smith Belt (lower-plate, south-verging thrust belt), thermal-peak mineral growth is syn- to post-thrusting; a relatively high-pressure, greenschist- to amphibolite-facies metamorphism (6.3 kbar at 400°C to 9.1 kbar at 575°C) is interpreted to be a result of ca. 1.80 Ga collision-related thickening. At higher structural levels, upper-plate mid-crust plutonic and metasedimentary units of the 1.86–1.82 Ga Narsajuaq arc contain granulite-facies assemblages (7–10 kbar and 800–900°C) retrograded to amphibolite-facies conditions (7–9 kbar and 700–775°C) during collision-related thrusting. At the structurally highest level, granulite-facies metamorphism of the (upper-plate) Lake Harbour Group and Blandford Bay assemblage is related to emplacement of the 1.86–1.85 Ga Cumberland batholith. Between ca. 1820 and 1795 Ma, accretion and collision-related thickening resulted in retrogression of the granulite-facies assemblages in the Narsajuaq arc, Lake Harbour Group and Blandford Bay assemblage, thermal peak metamorphism of lower-plate cover rocks, and re-equilibration of the parautochthonous Superior Province basement, all at greenschist- to amphibolite-facies conditions. The integration of field, thermobarometric and U–Pb data establishes a causal relationship between arc plutonism and development of granulite-facies assemblages in a convergent-plate-margin setting. In contrast, the attainment of greenschist- to amphibolite-facies conditions at mid-crust levels during plate collision is primarily a function of structural and geohydrological controls.

The Grenville orogenic cycle, between ∼ 1190 and 980 Ma, involved accretion of magmatic arcs and/or continental terranes to the Laurentian craton. A transect across the western Central Gneiss Belt, Georgian Bay, Ontario, which crosses the boundary between parautochthonous and allochthonous units at an inferred orogenic depth of 20–30 km, offers some insights on the thermal and mechanical behavior of the lower crust during the development of the Grenville orogen. Prior to Grenvillian metamorphism, this part of Laurentia consisted largely of Meso-proterozoic (∼ 1450 Ma) granitoid orthogneisses, granulites, and subordinate mafic and supracrustal rocks. Grenvillian convergence along the transect began with transport of the previously deformed and metamorphosed (∼ 1160 Ma) Parry Sound domain over the craton sometime between 1120 Ma and 1080 Ma. This stage of transport was followed by out-of-sequence thrusting and further convergence along successively deeper, foreland-propagating ductile thrust zones. A major episode of extension at ∼ 1020 Ma resulted in southeast directed transport of allochthonous rocks along the midcrustal Shawanaga shear zone. The final stage of convergence involved deformation and metamorphism in the Grenville Front Tectonic Zone at ∼ 1000–980 Ma. Peak metamorphism along most of the transect at 1065–1045 Ma followed initial transport of allochthonous rocks over the craton by 15–35 m.y. Regional cooling, which postdated peak metamorphism by >70 m.y., was probably delayed by the combined effects of late-stage extension and convergence. Transport of allochthons at least 100 km over the craton was accomplished along a weak, migmatitic decollement; further propagation of the orogen into the craton followed partial melting and weakening of parautochthonous rocks below this decollement. Extensional deformation was associated with distributed ductile flow, the formation of regional transverse folds with axes parallel to the stretching direction, and reactivation of the allochthon-parautochthon thrust boundary as an extensional decollement. The extensional lower crustal flow was likely the primary cause of the subhorizontal attitude of many structures and seismic reflectors in this part of the Central Gneiss Belt.

The Cartier Batholith, exposed about 50 km northwest of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, is a late Archean K-rich granitic batholith. Along with the Levack Gneiss Complex, it forms the footwall of the North Range of the Sudbury Igneous Complex. The Cartier Batholith, dominantly monzogranitic to granodioritic, is relatively homogeneous, unfoliated, and contains K-feldspar megacrysts. It shows several distinctive chemical features, including high concentrations of Zr, Th, U and LREE, and low concentrations of Nb, Ti, and HREE. Several discriminants suggest a post-orogenic tectonic environment for the batholith. This inference is consistent with a UPb age of 2642 ± 1 Ma obtained on zircon, only slightly younger than the inferred timing of high-grade metamorphism of the Levack Gneiss Complex. The Cartier Batholith could have formed as a result of approximately 33% partial melting of the Levack Gneiss Complex.