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Geological Society of America Bulletin

Provenance of North American Phanerozoic sandstones in relation to tectonic

setting
WILLIAM R. DICKINSON, L. SUE BEARD, G. ROBERT BRAKENRIDGE, JAMES L. ERJAVEC, ROBERT
C. FERGUSON, KERRY F. INMAN, REX A. KNEPP, F. ALAN LINDBERG and PAUL T. RYBERG

Geological Society of America Bulletin 1983;94, no. 2;222-235

doi: 10.1130/0016-7606(1983)94<222:PONAPS>2.0.CO;2

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Notes

Geological Society of America

 Downloaded from gsabulletin.gsapubs.org on May 7, 2014
Provenance of North American Phanerozoic sandstones
in relation to tectonic setting
W I L L I A M R. D I C K I N S O N
L. S U E B E A R D
G. R O B E R T B R A K E N R I D G E
J A M E S L. E R J A V E C
Laboratory of Geotectonics,
R O B E R T C. F E R G U S O N
Arizona 85721
K E R R Y F. I N M A N
R E X A. K N E P P
F. A L A N L I N D B E R G
P A U L T. R Y B E R G
ABSTRACT
F r a m e w o r k m o d e s of terrigenous s a n d s t o n e s reflect derivation
f r o m various types of p r o v e n a n c e terranes that depend u p o n plate-
tectonic setting. T r i a n g u l a r Q F L a n d Q m F L t c o m p o s i t i o n a l dia-
g r a m s f o r plotting point c o u n t s of s a n d s t o n e s can be subdivided
into fields t h a t are characteristic of s a n d s t o n e suites derived f r o m
the different kinds of p r o v e n a n c e terranes controlled by plate tec-
tonics. T h r e e m a i n classes of p r o v e n a n c e a r e termed " c o n t i n e n t a l
blocks," " m a g m a t i c arcs," a n d "recycled o r o g e n s . " S a n d s t o n e suites
f r o m each include three variants, of which the subfields lie within
the larger subdivisions. Average m o d e s f o r s a n d s t o n e suites can be
classified provisionally a c c o r d i n g to tectonic setting using the sub-
divided Q F L and Q m F L t plots.
T o test t h e validity of t h e classification, average m o d e s f o r 233
P h a n e r o z o i c s a n d s t o n e suites f r o m N o r t h America were plotted on
the t r i a n g u l a r c o m p o s i t i o n a l d i a g r a m s a n d a c c o m p a n y i n g paleotec-
tonic m a p s . Paired m a p s and ternary d i a g r a m s were p r e p a r e d for
eight d i f f e r e n t time slices, f o r each of which the tectonic setting of
each m a j o r region within the c o n t i n e n t remained relatively
u n c h a n g e d . T i m e slices are u n e q u a l in length but are controlled by
the timing of m a j o r orogenic and rifting events that affected N o r t h
America d u r i n g the Phanerozoic. C o m p a r i s o n of the sandstone
c o m p o s i t i o n s with inferred tectonic setting t h r o u g h the P h a n e r o -
zoic indicates that t h e p r o p o s e d classification scheme is generally
valid a n d yields satisfactory results when applied on a b r o a d scale.
Its a p p l i c a t i o n , together with other a p p r o a c h e s , in regions of the
world where over-all trends of geologic history are less well known
could lead to i m p o r t a n t conclusions a b o u t the timing a n d n a t u r e of
m a j o r tectonic events.
INTRODUCTION
Relative p r o p o r t i o n s of different types of terrigenous sand
grains a r e guides t o the n a t u r e of the source rocks in the provenance
t e r r a n e f r o m which sandy detritus was derived. P r o v e n a n c e terranes
Compilations of and references for data used to construct the figures in this article are available as an appendix in tabular form by
requesting supplementary material 83-2 from Documents Secretary, Geological Society of America, P.O. B o x 9140, Boulder, Colorado
80301. There are 233 data lines and 145 references included in the data summary.
Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 94, p. 222-235, 10 figs., February 1983.
222
Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson,
a n d related basins of d e p o s i t i o n can be classified a c c o r d i n g to their
plate-tectonic settings. C o n s e q u e n t l y , detrital f r a m e w o r k m o d e s of
s a n d s t o n e suites p r o v i d e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t the tectonic setting of
basins of deposition a n d associated provenances.
This p a p e r evaluates t h e diverse c o m p o s i t i o n s of P h a n e r o z o i c
s a n d s t o n e suites f r o m N o r t h America as a f u n c t i o n of c h a n g i n g
tectonic setting. O u r c o m p i l a t i o n s generally s u p p o r t previous infer-
ences a b o u t the regional relations between s a n d s t o n e c o m p o s i t i o n s
a n d plate settings ( D i c k i n s o n a n d Suczek, 1979; D i c k i n s o n a n d
Valloni, 1980). T h e over-all f r a m e w o r k that o u r general analysis
provides can serve as a basis f o r f u r t h e r specific investigations.
In this study, we used published a n d u n p u b l i s h e d d a t a on detri-
tal m o d e s d e t e r m i n e d by point c o u n t s of s a n d s t o n e suites f r o m t h e
United States, s o u t h e r n C a n a d a , a n d n o r t h e r n Mexico. O u r t r e a t -
m e n t here is c o n f i n e d accordingly to N o r t h America exclusive of
A l a s k a , the Arctic, and M e s o a m e r i c a . A b u n d a n t d a t a f r o m coastal
Alaska a r e discussed elsewhere ( D i c k i n s o n , 1982).
FRAMEWORK MODES
T h e most significant c o m p o s i t i o n a l v a r i a t i o n s a m o n g terrige-
n o u s s a n d s t o n e s can be displayed as t e r n a r y plots on t r i a n g u l a r
d i a g r a m s . T h e three apices, or poles, represent recalculated p r o p o r -
tions of key categories of g r a i n types d e t e r m i n e d by m o d a l p o i n t
c o u n t s . T w o a l t e r n a t e sets of poles ( Q F L a n d Q m F L t ) a r e u s e f u l
( G r a h a m and others, 1976):
A. F o r Q F L d i a g r a m s , the poles are (1) total q u a r t z o s e grains
(Q), including polycrystalline lithic f r a g m e n t s such as chert a n d
quartzite; (2) m o n o c r y s t a l l i n e f e l d s p a r grains (F); a n d (3) u n s t a b l e
polycrystalline lithic f r a g m e n t s (L) of either igneous or s e d i m e n t a r y
parentage, including m e t a m o r p h i c varieties.
B. F o r Q m F L t d i a g r a m s , t h e poles are (1) q u a r t z grains ( Q m )
t h a t a r e exclusively monocrystalline; (2) feldspar grains (F), as
before; a n d (3) total polycrystalline lithic f r a g m e n t s (Lt), including
q u a r t z o s e varieties.
S u c h t e r n a r y d i a g r a m s d o not a d e q u a t e l y display t h e c o m p o s i -
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NORTH AMERICAN PHANEROZOIC SANDSTONES
PROVENANCE CATEGORIES
CRAT0N
INTERIOR
TRANSITIONAL
CONTINENTAL
BASEMENT
UPLIFT
LITHIC
% RECYCLED
UNDISSECTED ARC
tions of s a n d s t o n e s in which special kinds of grains are i m p o r t a n t
f r a m e w o r k constituents. F o r example, only the terrigenous f r a c t i o n
of hybrid s a n d s t o n e s c o n t a i n i n g b o t h c a r b o n a t e and silicate grains
can be s h o w n properly by the Q F L and Q m F L t d i a g r a m s ( Z u f f a ,
1980). In o u r study, we have t h u s ignored s a n d s t o n e s rich in lime-
clasts or other unusual grain types (for example, glauconite).
PROVENANCE TYPES
D i c k i n s o n and Suczek (1979) showed that mean compositions
of s a n d s t o n e suites derived f r o m different kinds of p r o v e n a n c e ter-
ranes controlled by plate tectonics tend to lie within discrete and
s e p a r a t e fields on Q F L a n d Q m F L t d i a g r a m s . T h e three main cate-
gories of p r o v e n a n c e terranes thus distinguished were those within
c o n t i n e n t a l blocks, m a g m a t i c arcs, and recycled orogens. Variants
of each can be related to specific plate settings.
Figure 1 is a modification of this provenance classification.
Both Q F L a n d Q m F L t d i a g r a m s are subdivided into c o m p o s i t i o n a l
223
Figure 1. Q F L (upper) and Q m F L t (lower) plots for frame-
work modes of terrigenous sandstones showing provisional subdivi-
sions according to inferred provenance type, modified after
Dickinson and Suczek (1979). Geometric symbols (filled, open, and
half-filled triangles, circles, and squares) in various compositional
fields indicate inferred provenance type on Q F L / Q m F L t plots and
on paleotectonic maps (Figs. 3 - 1 0 ) . Numbered ticks on legs of tri-
angle denote positions of empirical provenance division lines in
percentage units measured from nearest apical pole.
fields characteristic of s a n d s t o n e s derived f r o m different types of
provenances. T h e positions of the b o u n d a r y lines of subdivision are
empirical. T h e y were d e t e r m i n e d initially by inspection of the dia-
g r a m s in D i c k i n s o n a n d Suczek (1979, Figs. 1 a n d 2) and were then
a d j u s t e d slightly, so as best to a c c o m m o d a t e the a d d i t i o n a l d a t a
reported here w i t h o u t altering the assignment of a n y suites treated
originally by D i c k i n s o n and Suczek (1979). Figure 1 thus represents
a w o r k i n g d i a g r a m by means of which the a p p r o x i m a t e type of
p r o v e n a n c e can be inferred for a n y terrigenous s a n d s t o n e suite.
F u r t h e r a d j u s t m e n t s in the positions of the b o u n d a r y lines could
doubtless be m a d e as even m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n becomes available in
the f u t u r e .
Within c o n t i n e n t a l blocks, sediment sources are either on sta-
ble shields and p l a t f o r m s or in uplifts m a r k i n g plate b o u n d a r i e s and
trends of i n t r a p l a t e d e f o r m a t i o n that transect the continental
blocks. T h e basement uplifts occur a l o n g incipient rift belts, trans-
f o r m r u p t u r e s , deep-seated thrusts, and zones of wrench tectonism.
Figure 1 d e n o t e s three g r a d a t i o n a l kinds of sand f r a m e w o r k s of
which the p r o v e n a n c e s are within continental blocks. All are
q u a r t z o f e l d s p a t h i c sands pooi in lithic f r a g m e n t s , a l t h o u g h recy-
cling of cover rocks overlying basement can i n t r o d u c e a n o m a l o u s
lithic f r a g m e n t s in variable a m o u n t s locally. T h e most q u a r t z o s e
sands are derived f r o m stable c r a t o n interiors having low relief,
somewhat m o r e feldspathic sands f o r m a transitional g r o u p , a n d
the most feldspathic sands are arkoses derived f r o m basement
uplifts where erosion has cut deep into the continental crust.
Within active m a g m a t i c arcs, sediment sources are mainly in
the volcanic c a r a p a c e c a p p i n g the igneous belt and in granitic plu-
tons of the arc roots. S u b o r d i n a t e debris is derived f r o m b o u n d i n g
envelopes of m e t a m o r p h i c rock and f l a n k i n g sediment cover.
Derivative sands f o r m a s p e c t r u m of lithofeldspathic a n d feld-
spatholitic types of which the c o m p o s i t i o n s typically spread across
the central a n d lower parts of Q F L and Q m F L t plots (Fig. 1). T h e
most lithic f r a m e w o r k s are largely volcaniclastic sands derived f r o m
essentially undissected arcs, s o m e w h a t less lithic sands f o r m a t r a n -
sitional g r o u p , and the most q u a r t z o f e l d s p a t h i c f r a m e w o r k s are
v o l c a n o p l u t o n i c s a n d s derived f r o m dissected arcs where erosion
has e x p o s e d b a t h o l i t h s beneath volcanic cover. Arkosic sands
derived mainly f r o m the p l u t o n s of m a g m a t i c arcs are g r a d a t i o n a l
to similar sands derived f r o m basement uplifts that e x p o s e granite
and gneiss elsewhere within continental blocks. Where composi-
tional overlap occurs, the two kinds of arkosic suites are indistin-
guishable by p e t r o g r a p h i c methods.
Within recycled orogens, sediment sources are sedimentary
strata and s u b o r d i n a t e volcanic rocks, in p a r t m e t a m o r p h o s e d ,
exposed to erosion by t h e orogenic uplift of fold belts and thrust
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224 DICKINSON AND OTHERS

sheets. Varied tectonic settings include the s u b d u c t i o n complexes of

a r c orogens, highlands a l o n g the s u t u r e belts of collision orogens, GEOLOGIC COLUMN MAJOR TECTONIC EVENTS
a n d thin-skinned f o r e l a n d f o l d - t h r u s t belts a l o n g the flanks of arc MYBP P E R I 0 D / TIME C0RDILLERAN APPALACHIAN
EPOCH SLICE' REGION REGION
o r collision o r o g e n s ( D i c k i n s o n a n d Suczek, 1979, Fig. 7). S a n d s
BASIN-RANGE
derived f r o m such p r o v e n a n c e s a r e generally low in feldspar PLIO^M
because igneous rocks a r e not prime sources. T h r e e g r a d a t i o n a l TERTIARY 1 L Q IG

kinds of f r a m e w o r k m o d e s a r e d e n o t e d on the Q m F L t plot (Fig. 1): 50- E0

PALEC
LARAMIDE O
q u a r t z o s e a n d lithic varieties plus a transitional variety intermediate OROGENY
in c o m p o s i t i o n . T h e three variants c a n n o t be distinguished on the !- o S
z _ | <t
Q F L plot because m a n y lithic f r a g m e n t s a r e chert grains that plot <t U_ llJ
100 CRETACEOUS _l t CE
i- LU a.
together with q u a r t z at t h e s a m e pole. Eg CO CO
T h e q u a r t z o s e variants of sands having orogenic provenances
I .
a r e doubtless recycled f r o m sediments whose ultimate sources were
150-
cratonic. C o m p o s i t i o n s of the first-cycle a n d second-cycle materials
a r e clearly g r a d a t i o n a l . Recycling of such q u a r t z o s e sands typically JURASSIC .
involves d e f o r m a t i o n and uplift of miogeoclinal successions. By
c o n t r a s t , m a n y of t h e chert-rich lithic variants had sources in
uplifted oceanic terranes of eugeosynclinal belts where radiolarian
200-

TRIASSIC
I ATLANTIC
RIFTING

cherts occur. C h e r t grains m a y also be derived, however, f r o m SONOMA

250- OROGENY
n o d u l e s in c a r b o n a t e sequences or f r o m p h o s p h a t i c shelf deposits,
to n a m e but t w o c o m m o n occurrences. PERMIAN
ANCESTRAL OUACHITA
S e d i m e n t o l o g i c a l f a c t o r s m a y locally e n h a n c e t h e q u a r t z c o n - ROCKIES AND
300- ALLEGHENIAN
tent of s a n d s such as beach-barrier deposits by selective removal of PENN OROGENIES
CARBON-
lithic grains a n d feldspars. C a u t i o n should t h u s always be exercised
IFER0US
when i n t e r p r e t i n g the p r o v e n a n c e of q u a r t z - r i c h sands. In particu- MISS I ANTLER
lar, t h e d a t a compiled here show g r a d a t i o n a l relationships between 350- I OROGENY ACADIAN
s o m e s a n d s t o n e suites interpreted as having been derived f r o m OROGENY
c r a t o n interiors a n d recycled orogenic belts. F o r such lithic-bearing DEVONIAN J
q u a r t z o s e sands, few, if any, strictly p e t r o g r a p h i c criteria are in- 400- E
fallible as p r o v e n a n c e indicators.
SILURIAN
DATA PRESENTATION 450- TACONIC
-J O
c ;z OROGENY

O u r d a t a base consists of 233 s a n d s t o n e suites m a d e up of 0 R D 0 V I C I AN M

o z
a b o u t 7,500 individual s a m p l e s f o r which point c o u n t s are r e p o r t e d 500- T O LiJ
in 145 different references. Only a graphical s u m m a r y of this infor- ? ANADARKO-
ARDMORE
m a t i o n is presented here. We used all of the d a t a available t o us in a M O ) AULACOGEN
f o r m that allowed us t o calculate Q F L a n d Q m F L t f r a m e w o r k 5 5 0 - CAMBRIAN _
m o d e s in a reliable m a n n e r . A l t h o u g h v o l u m i n o u s , the d a t a are E
sparse in relation to the large area involved and the long time span
0LDER(?)
considered. A b o u t one-half of the d a t a used has been reported since 600- APPALACHIAN
1975, a n d nearly all of it has a p p e a r e d since 1960. F u t u r e w o r k can PRECAMBRIAN RIFTING
be expected to s h a r p e n or m o d i f y the trends a n d p a t t e r n s t h a t we R I F T I N G (? )
have detected. In s o m e respects, o u r discussion of the d a t a compiled I I I
m a y oversimplify c o m p l e x relationships that c a n n o t be perceived
Figure 2. Chart identifying eight Phanerozoic time slices for
clearly w i t h o u t additional i n f o r m a t i o n .
which paleotectonic maps are drawn with accompanying Q F L and
A d a t a - b a n k a p p e n d i x 1 includes t a b u l a t i o n s of m e a n Q F L and QmFLt diagrams (Figs. 3 - 1 0 ) . Cenozoic time scale after Berggren
Q m F L t values f o r all of the s a n d s t o n e suites considered in our and Van Couvering (1974) and Hardenbol and Berggren (1978).
analysis. Each suite constitutes a g r o u p of samples that a r e closely Pre-Cenozoic time scale modified after Armstrong (1978).
related b o t h areally a n d stratigraphically. Typically, a suite is m a d e
u p of s a m p l e s f r o m a single f o r m a t i o n or a set of associated f o r m a - n u m b e r of p o i n t s c o u n t e d in individual s a m p l e s by the v a r i o u s
tions f r o m the s a m e district, basin, or s e d i m e n t a r y province. We o p e r a t o r s was such t h a t t h e c o u n t i n g e r r o r f o r individual s a m p l e s
required that each suite be petrologically h o m o g e n e o u s to the was of t h e o r d e r of five p e r c e n t a g e p o i n t s or less when expressed as
e x t e n t t h a t suite m e a n s f o r individual Q F L a n d Q m F L t values have a s t a n d a r d d e v i a t i o n with respect to t h e grain p o p u l a t i o n present in
s t a n d a r d deviations less t h a n 10 percentage points (where the values the sample (Van der Plas a n d Tobi, 1965).
r e p o r t e d f o r individual samples are t a k e n as the p o p u l a t i o n ) . The W e had n o effective m e a n s t o evaluate o p e r a t o r variance. C o n -
sequently, t h e d a t a c o m p i l e d must include s o m e degree of scatter
' F o r free copies of this a p p e n d i x , call or write and request them f r o m t h a t stems f r o m t h e use of d i f f e r e n t criteria to distinguish relevant
the D o c u m e n t s Secretary in the Publications Department of G S A . g r a i n types. A d d i t i o n a l scatter must exist f r o m t h e partial d e p e n d -
 Downloaded from gsabulletin.gsapubs.org on May 7, 2014
NORTH AMERICAN PHANEROZOIC SANDSTONES
ence of s a n d s t o n e c o m p o s i t i o n u p o n grain size ( O d o m , 1975; Misko
and H e n d r y , 1979), which we were u n a b l e t o c o n t r o l within t h e
sand range. F r o m the systematic t r e n d s a n d p a t t e r n s that we have
detected in the data, we conclude that variances introduced by
o p e r a t o r e r r o r a n d variations in grain size were not sufficient t o
outweigh the influence of provenance type, as controlled by tectonic
setting.
Diagenetic g r o w t h of interstitial m a t r i x or cement may also
affect f r a m e w o r k constituents t h r o u g h processes of intrastratal
solution and replacement. In n o instances can the influence of
diagenetic effects on detrital modes be avoided entirely. T o insure
that diagenetic changes lay within acceptable limits, we arbitrarily
excluded f r o m o u r d a t a compilation all sandstones containing m o r e
than 25% m a t r i x or cement, or b o t h in c o m b i n a t i o n .
T h e suite means are plotted on Q F L a n d Q m F L t diagrams
using t h e c o n v e n t i o n s of Figure 1 t o subdivide the triangles a n d to
d e n o t e the inferred type of p r o v e n a n c e for each suite. Border-line
c o m p o s i t i o n s cause s o m e suites to plot in two separate but a d j a c e n t
p r o v e n a n c e fields on the Q F L a n d Q m F L t diagrams. We have plot-
ted the p o i n t s f o r such suites using the p r o v e n a n c e symbols derived
f r o m the o n e of t h e t w o t e r n a r y d i a g r a m s on which the suite in
question plots farthest within one of the t w o adjacent provenance
fields.
Given the fact of multiple o p e r a t o r s and the interdependence
of key variables, it is impossible to plot a m e a n i n g f u l halo of uncer-
tainty a b o u t a n y of t h e plotted p o i n t s f o r suite means. E a c h point
represents a n average of r e p o r t e d d a t a that cluster closely, a n d the
observed g r o u p i n g s of t h e plotted averages t h u s reflect real c o m p o -
sitional trends. C a u t i o n should be exercised, however, in c o m p a r i n g
point c o u n t s of individual samples with our plots.
T o c o m p a r e the c o m p o s i t i o n s of N o r t h A m e r i c a n sandstones
with their tectonic settings, we have prepared separate sets of Q F L
and Q m F L t d i a g r a m s f o r eight different slices of P h a n e r o z o i c time.
F o r each time period, we have also prepared a paleotectonic m a p
u p o n which the a p p r o p r i a t e p r o v e n a n c e symbol f o r each s a n d s t o n e
suite is plotted in its correct geographic position. Before discussing
the d a t a t h u s presented, we review briefly t h e reasons f o r selecting
the particular eight slices of P h a n e r o z o i c time used f o r the m a p s
and diagrams.
TIME F R A M E
Ideally, each paleotectonic m a p should represent a period of
time d u r i n g which every p a r t of the c o n t i n e n t remained in a n
u n c h a n g i n g tectonic state for its d u r a t i o n . Because some tectonic
events are d i a c h r o n o u s and others are rapid, this condition c a n n o t
be satisfied rigorously. However, it is essential to avoid mixing d a t a
representing distinctly different stages of evolution in m a j o r oro-
genic belts. F o r example, s a n d s t o n e suites representing passive
miogeoclinal a n d orogenic f o r e l a n d phases of s e d i m e n t a t i o n in the
s a m e basin at different times should be treated separately.
Figure 2 depicts graphically the eight time slices that we chose
f o r this study a n d indicates generally h o w they relate to the m a j o r
tectonic events t h a t affected the A p p a l a c h i a n and Cordilleran
regions. T h e time slices are designated simply as n u m b e r s 1 t h r o u g h
8, a n d t h e paleotectonic m a p s with their a c c o m p a n y i n g triangular
c o m p o s i t i o n a l d i a g r a m s are n u m b e r e d in sequence accordingly.
T h e time slices are of u n e q u a l length, and most divisions between
t h e m d o n o t c o r r e s p o n d to the b o u n d a r i e s of geologic periods. T h e
225
a b s o l u t e time scale s h o w n is o u r i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of the A r m s t r o n g
(1978) file of critical P h a n e r o z o i c dates a n d is provided f o r internal
consistency only. Biostratigraphic stages f o r m the basis f o r opera-
tional definitions of t h e various time slices (see below).
T h e over-all time s p a n t h a t we consider actually began at s o m e
u n k n o w n d a t e in t h e latest P r e c a m b r i a n when rifting delineated the
m a r g i n s of Paleozoic N o r t h America ( S t e w a r t , 1976). However, the
only P r e c a m b r i a n s t r a t a included in o u r s t u d y a r e t h o s e t h a t lie
c o n c o r d a n t l y b e n e a t h basal Paleozoic strata of the A p p a l a c h i a n
a n d Cordilleran miogeoclines. T h e following brief statements define
the eight time slices stratigraphically, a n d indicate their relation-
ships to key geologic events.
1. Latest P r e c a m b r i a n to m i d - O r d o v i c i a n ; p r e - T a c o n i c phases
of miogeoclinal s e d i m e n t a t i o n ; ended ~ 477.5 m.y. B.P. at Llan-
virnian-Llandeilian stage b o u n d a r y in m i d - M i d d l e Ordovician.
2. M i d - O r d o v i c i a n to m i d - D e v o n i a n ; T a c o n i c o r o g e n y a n d
f o r e l a n d , p r e - A c a d i a n and pre-Antler s e d i m e n t a t i o n ; ended ~ 382.5
m.y. B.P. at Eifelian-Givetian stage b o u n d a r y in m i d - M i d d l e
Devonian.
3. M i d - D e v o n i a n t o m i d - C a r b o n i f e r o u s ; A c a d i a n a n d Antler
orogenies and f o r e l a n d basins; ended ~ 3 2 7 . 5 m.y. B.P. at Missis-
sippian-Pennsylvanian period b o u n d a r y .
4. M i d - C a r b o n i f e r o u s to mid-Triassic; Allegheny and O u a -
chita orogenies a n d f o r e l a n d basins, Ancestral Rockies develop-
ment, post-Antler overlap sequence, and S o n o m a orogeny;
ended ~ 225 m.y. B.P. at M i d d l e - L a t e Triassic e p o c h b o u n d a r y .
5. Mid-Triassic to m i d - L a t e Jurassic; rifting of central N o r t h
Atlantic, o p e n i n g of Gulf of Mexico, initiation of C o r d i l l e r a n arc-
trench system; ended ~ 145 m.y. B.P. in m i d - K i m m e r i d g i a n Stage.
6. M i d - L a t e J u r a s s i c to latest Cretaceous; N e v a d a n and Sevier
orogenies, i n t r u s i o n of m a j o r C o r d i l l e r a n batholiths, filling of
R o c k y M o u n t a i n f o r e l a n d basin a n d C h i h u a h u a t r o u g h ; ended
a p p r o x i m a t e l y 75 m.y. B.P. in m i d - C a m p a n i a n Stage.
7. Latest C r e t a c e o u s t h r o u g h Paleogene; L a r a m i d e o r o g e n y
and mid-Tertiary Cordilleran m a g m a t i s m ; ended ~ 2 2 . 5 m.y. B.P. at
Oligocene-Miocene epoch b o u n d a r y .
8. Neogene time; C o l u m b i a River Plateau and S n a k e River
Plain volcanism, S a n A n d r e a s t r a n s f o r m system, B a s i n - a n d - R a n g e
deformation.
PALEOTECTONICS
Figures 3 t h r o u g h 10 a r e p a l e o t e c t o n i c sketch m a p s with
a c c o m p a n y i n g Q F L a n d Q m F L t d i a g r a m s f o r each of t h e time
slices of Figure 2. T h e t r i a n g u l a r d i a g r a m s are subdivided a n d
a n n o t a t e d by symbols as in Figure 1. N o t e that symbols f o r sand-
stone suites plotted geographically on paleotectonic m a p s correlate
with symbols on t r i a n g u l a r d i a g r a m s to d e n o t e general c o m p o s i -
tions by p r o v e n a n c e type. F o r s o m e suites, limitations in t h e availa-
ble d a t a allowed us t o calculate either Q F L or Q m F L t f r a m e w o r k
m o d e s , but not b o t h . C o n s e q u e n t l y , paired Q F L and Q m F L t dia-
g r a m s f o r s o m e time slices have different n u m b e r s of plotted points.
In cases where suites f r o m recycled orogenic p r o v e n a n c e s could be
plotted only on the Q F L d i a g r a m , the a p p r o p r i a t e variant could not
be d e t e r m i n e d . F o r such suites, a special symbol f o r recycled oro-
genic p r o v e n a n c e s of i n d e t e r m i n a t e c h a r a c t e r was plotted (see Figs.
1, 3-10). All suites were plotted on the paleotectonic maps, which
thus s h o w accurately the n u m b e r of suites compiled f o r each time
slice.
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226 DICKINSON AND OTHERS

Map m o d e s reflecting derivation f r o m stable parts of the c r a t o n . S o m e

F r o m latest P r e c a m b r i a n to mid-Ordovician time (Fig. 3), both
m a r g i n s of t h e c o n t i n e n t are s h o w n subsiding passively to receive
miogeoclinal sediments. T h e passive continental margins were delin-
eated by rifting and continental separations that occurred mostly
in the late P r e c a m b r i a n but m a y have persisted until the Late C a m -
brian in the O u a c h i t a region ( D i c k i n s o n , 1981). T h e tectonic setting
of t h e c o n t i n e n t d u r i n g this time implies that the c o m p o s i t i o n s of
s a n d s t o n e s f r o m nearly all regions should reflect provenances
within the c o n t i n e n t a l block.
T h i s inference is b o r n e o u t well by the d a t a compiled here. A
m a j o r i t y of the suites in all regions have q u a r t z o s e f r a m e w o r k
suites in each region have slightly m o r e feldspathic f r a m e w o r k
m o d e s characteristic of the t r a n s i t i o n a l g r o u p derived f r o m conti-
nental blocks. Sources f o r these latter suites p r o b a b l y had
s o m e w h a t greater relief t h a n the c r a t o n i c p r o v e n a n c e but a p p a r -
ently did not experience e n o u g h uplift to provide truly arkosic
debris. In the Cordilleran region, these t w o sand types of cratonic
and t r a n s i t i o n a l origin occur not only within t h e miogeoclinal belt
but evidently were also t r a n s p o r t e d off the edge of the c o n t i n e n t a l
block to be deposited as turbidites within the eugeoclinal belt.
In the A p p a l a c h i a n region a n d within t h e interior of t h e conti-
nent, a few suites have f r a m e w o r k s c o n t a i n i n g e n o u g h lithic f r a g -
m e n t s to plot within the p r o v e n a n c e field f o r derivation f r o m

KEY TO PROVENANCE SYMBOLS

Q CRATON INTERIOR

( J TRANSITIONAL CONTINENTAL

0 BASEMENT UPLIFT

A UNDISSECTED ARC

^ TRANSITIONAL ARC

A DISSECTED ARC

| | QUARTZOSE RECYCLED

[ J TRANSITIONAL RECYCLED

B LITHIC RECYCLED

^ INDETERMINATE RECYCLED

MAIN PROVENANCE TYPES

03f CONTINENTAL BLOCK

A A A MAGMATIC ARC

S I RECYCLED OROGENIC

(See above for key)

Figure 3. Paleotectonic map 1, showing sandstone suites for latest Precambrian to mid-Ordovician time with Q F L (left) and QmFLt (right)
diagrams.
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NORTH AMERICAN PHANEROZOIC SANDSTONES 227

recycled o r o g e n s on either t h e Q F L or Q m F L t plot, or on b o t h in land basin a n d a d j a c e n t thrust sheets have quartzolithic c o m p o s i -

rare instances. In these cases, the lithic f r a g m e n t s were derived f r o m
p l a t f o r m cover overlying t h e b a s e m e n t , local volcanic fields that
may have been related to rifting events, or belts of m e t a m o r p h i c
rock associated with basement terranes.
Map 2
F r o m m i d - O r d o v i c i a n to m i d - D e v o n i a n time (Fig. 4), the C o r -
dilleran and O u a c h i t a margins c o n t i n u e d to evolve as subsiding
rifted margins, but the A p p a l a c h i a n margin is s h o w n as d e f o r m e d
by the T a c o n i c orogeny, which is inferred to reflect an arc-continent
collision ( C h a p p i e , 1973). S a n d s t o n e suites f r o m the T a c o n i c fore-
tions characteristic of the q u a r t z o s e variant of sands derived f r o m
recycled orogenic p r o v e n a n c e s . Their sources are inferred to have
been d o m i n a n t l y miogeoclinal rocks t h a t were d e f o r m e d , partly
m e t a m o r p h o s e d , and uplifted orogenically d u r i n g the T a c o n i c
event. Q u a r t z o s e miogeoclinal a n d p l a t f o r m suites f r o m the Cordil-
leran a n d O u a c h i t a regions reflect derivation f r o m the interior of
the c r a t o n .
Suites f r o m the K l a m a t h M o u n t a i n s within the Cordilleran
eugeosynclinal belt include lithic s a n d s t o n e s t h a t evidently were
derived f r o m a m a g m a t i c a r c and its associated s u b d u c t i o n c o m -
plex. Chert-rich lithic variants of sands derived f r o m recycled oro-
genic sources a r e characteristic of the latter p r o v e n a n c e ( D i c k i n s o n

KEY TO PROVENANCE SYMBOLS

O CRATON INTERIOR

( J TRANSITIONAL CONTINENTAL

0 BASEMENT UPLIFT

/ \ UNDISSECTED ARC

/K TRANSITIONAL ARC

A DISSECTED ARC

| | QUARTZOSE RECYCLED

[ J TRANSITIONAL RECYCLED

| LITHIC RECYCLED

^ INDETERMINATE RECYCLED

MAIN PROVENANCE TYPES

0t CONTINENTAL BLOCK

A A A MAGMATIC ARC

(IS) RECYCLED OROGENIC

(See above for Key)

Figure 4. Paleotectonic map 2, showing sandstone suites for mid-Ordovician to mid-Devonian time with QFL (left) and QmFLt
(right) diagrams.
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228 DICKINSON AND OTHERS

a n d Suczek, 1979). These eugeosynclinal rocks lie within a coastal
belt of t e r r a n e s f o r which the positions with respect to N o r t h A m e r -
ica are u n k n o w n f o r the Paleozoic ( C o n e y and others, 1980). We
infer t h a t they were p r o b a b l y n o t close t o t h e c o n t i n e n t a l m a r g i n at
t h a t time.
Map 3
F r o m m i d - D e v o n i a n to m i d - C a r b o n i f e r o u s time (Fig. 5), the
A p p a l a c h i a n m a r g i n is s h o w n involved within the A c a d i a n orogen.
A c a d i a n events in the n o r t h e r n A p p a l a c h i a n s p r o b a b l y reflected
collision between E u r o p e a n d N o r t h A m e r i c a , b u t the plate setting
of t h e s o u t h e r n A p p a l a c h i a n s at t h a t time is still unclear ( G r a h a m
a n d others, 1975). T h e Cordilleran m a r g i n is s h o w n overthrust by
t h e Antler orogen, of which d e v e l o p m e n t in N e v a d a p r o b a b l y
reflected a n arc-continent collision ( D i c k i n s o n , 1977), but of which
the e x t e n t a n d location t o t h e n o r t h r e m a i n uncertain (Nilsen a n d
S t e w a r t , 1980). T h e O u a c h i t a m a r g i n r e m a i n e d passive t o the west
but m a y have begun to u n d e r g o d e f o r m a t i o n on t h e east.
Sparse d a t a indicate t h a t b o t h t h e Antler a n d A c a d i a n f o r e l a n d
basins received sands u n i f o r m l y indicative of derivation f r o m
recycled orogenic sources. F r a m e w o r k m o d e s are generally transi-
tional between q u a r t z o s e a n d lithic variants. W e t h u s infer t h a t
detritus included b o t h q u a r t z o s e m e t a m o r p h i c debris of c o n t i n e n t a l
affinity a n d chert-rich lithic debris of oceanic affinity t h a t were
recycled t o g e t h e r following j o i n t uplift a l o n g s u t u r e belts. M o s t

KEY TO PROVENANCE SYMBOLS

Q CRATON INTERIOR

( J TRANSITIONAL CONTINENTAL

0 BASEMENT UPLIFT

/ \ UNDISSECTEO ARC

/ k TRANSITIONAL ARC

A DISSECTED ARC

| | QUARTZOSE RECYCLED

[ J TRANSITIONAL RECYCLED

H LITHIC RECYCLED

INDETERMINATE RECYCLED

MAIN PROVENANCE TYPES

09t CONTINENTAL BLOCK

A A A MAGMATIC ARC

[ B RECYCLED OROGENIC

(See above for key)

Figure 5. Paleotectonic map 3, showing sandstone suites for mid-Devonian to mid-Carboniferous time with Q F L (left) and Q m F L t
(right) diagrams.
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NORTH AMERICAN PHANEROZOIC SANDSTONES 229

suites in t h e O u a c h i t a region reflect continued derivation f r o m cra-
tonic parts of the a d j a c e n t continental block.
Map 4
F r o m m i d - C a r b o n i f e r o u s to mid-Triassic time (Fig. 6), several
c o m p l e x orogenic events a r e depicted. T h e western extension of the
Hercynian orogenic system in Eurasia affected b o t h the A p p a l a -
chian a n d O u a c h i t a margins of the N o r t h American continent in
Pennsylvanian a n d Early P e r m i a n time. T h e Alleghenian t h r u s t s of
the A p p a l a c h i a n region were p r o b a b l y emplaced mainly in the
Pennsylvanian, but the O u a c h i t a d e f o r m a t i o n was d i a c h r o n o u s ,
involving Pennsylvanian thrusting on the east but including thrust-
ing as late as Early P e r m i a n on t h e west ( G r a h a m and others, 1975).
Alleghenian t h r u s t i n g p r o b a b l y reflected collision between Africa
a n d N o r t h A m e r i c a , whereas the O u a c h i t a t h r u s t i n g was associated
with arc-continent or c o n t i n e n t - c o n t i n e n t collision between N o r t h
A m e r i c a a n d p a r t s of G o n d w a n a l a n d n o w located within Meso-
a m e r i c a a n d t h e C a r i b b e a n region. Basement uplifts a n d associated
basins of the i n t r a c o n t i n e n t a l Ancestral Rockies belt developed as a
result of c o m p l e x i n t r a p l a t e d e f o r m a t i o n induced by collision
o r o g e n y a l o n g t h e O u a c h i t a belt ( K l u t h a n d C o n e y , 1981). O n the
C o r d i l l e r a n m a r g i n , thrust sheets of the S o n o m a orogen were
emplaced across the older Antler orogen by s u b d u c t i o n that began
in P e r m i a n time but c o n t i n u e d until the Early Triassic. A n exten-
sive c o m p o s i t e a r c t e r r a n e was accreted to the continent d u r i n g the
S o n o m a event, which is interpreted as a n arc-continent collision
(Speed, 1979).

KEY TO PROVENANCE SYMBOLS

Q CRATON INTERIOR

( J TRANSITIONAL CONTINENTAL

0 BASEMENT UPLIFT

A UNDISSECTED ARC

^ TRANSITIONAL ARC

A DISSECTED ARC

| 1 QUARTZOSE RECYCLED

[ J TRANSITIONAL RECYCLED
1 0 0 0 KM
ALLEGHENIAN
THRUST FRONT H LITHIC RECYCLED

INDETERMINATE RECYCLED

Figure 6. Paleotectonic map 4, showing sandstone suites for mid-Carboniferous to mid-Triassic time with Q F L (left) and QmFLt
(right) diagrams.
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230 DICKINSON AND OTHERS

Suites f r o m t h e A p p a l a c h i a n basin and other foreland basins
a l o n g the trend of the Alleghenian-Ouachita thrust f r o n t have
f r a m e w o r k c o m p o s i t i o n s u n i f o r m l y indicative of derivation f r o m
recycled orogenic sources. Nearly all a r e q u a r t z o s e variants that
p r o b a b l y were recycled f r o m d e f o r m e d and uplifted terranes of
d o m i n a n t l y miogeoclinal character. Similar recycled sands were
deposited within t h e Illinois basin of the c o n t i n e n t a l interior, to
which they were t r a n s p o r t e d by rivers draining a r o u n d or across the
A p p a l a c h i a n basin f r o m sources within the A p p a l a c h i a n orogenic
belt ( P o t t e r a n d P r y o r , 1961; P r y o r a n d Sable, 1974). M a n y suites
within the Illinois basin, and s o m e of those in the A p p a l a c h i a n
basin, plot within t h e field f o r c r a t o n i c p r o v e n a n c e on the Q F L
d i a g r a m , b u t their high chert c o n t e n t pulls t h e m well into the field
f o r derivation f r o m recycled orogenic p r o v e n a n c e s on the Q m F L t
d i a g r a m . S o m e of t h e chert grains m a y have been recycled f r o m
chert nodules within successions of p l a t f o r m c a r b o n a t e that had not
u n d e r g o n e intense d e f o r m a t i o n .
S a n d s t o n e s f o r which f r a m e w o r k c o m p o s i t i o n s indicate deri-
vation f r o m a recycled orogenic p r o v e n a n c e also occur within the
O u a c h i t a a l l o c h t h o n . T h e y a r e r e m n a n t - o c e a n turbidites largely
derived f r o m t h e A p p a l a c h i a n orogenic belt or f r o m s o u t h e r n
e x t e n s i o n s of it by l o n g i t u d i n a l t r a n s p o r t parallel to t h e orogenic
grain p r i o r t o final crustal collision a l o n g t h e O u a c h i t a orogenic
belt ( G r a h a m a n d others, 1975). S o m e w h a t m o r e lithic s a n d s t o n e s

KEY TO PROVENANCE SYMBOLS

Q CRATON INTERIOR

( J TRANSITIONAL CONTINENTAL

^ BASEMENT UPLIFT
i SUBDUCTION .\/ ^
ZONE
/ \ UNDISSECTED ARC

^ TRANSITIONAL ARC
/J* r P & ' / LIMIT OF
)AU OO 7 SEDIMENTATION
A DISSECTED ARC
A*

| | QUARTZOSE RECYCLED

[ J TRANSITIONAL RECYCLED
IOOO KM
V..
B LITHIC RECYCLED

M INDETERMINATE RECYCLED

MAIN PROVENANCE TYPES

O ^ t CONTINENTAL BLOCK

A A A MAGMATIC ARC

U B S RECYCLED OROGENIC

(See above for key)

Figure 7. Paleotectonic map 5, showing sandstone suites for mid-Triassic to m i d - L a t e Jurassic time with Q F L (left) and Q m F L t
(right) diagrams.
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NORTH AMERICAN PHANEROZOIC SANDSTONES 231

s h o w n within the S o n o m a orogen rest depositionally u p o n the older
A n t l e r o r o g e n a n d were o v e r t h r u s t by t h e y o u n g e r S o n o m a t h r u s t
sheets. S a n d s t o n e s f r o m sources in m a g m a t i c arcs occur f a r t h e r
west along the Pacific coast.
Suites f r o m basins within the Ancestral Rockies belt have
f r a m e w o r k c o m p o s i t i o n s that mainly reflect derivation f r o m prov-
enances within the continental block. A l t h o u g h feldspar-rich
arkosic sandstones derived f r o m rugged basement uplifts occur
locally, most representatives of this assemblage belong to the transi-
tional continental g r o u p . Sources f o r a few suites having composi-
tions indicative of recycled orogenic provenances were p r o b a b l y
cover s t r a t a eroded off the crests of s u b d u e d basement uplifts. T h e
sandstones were derived f r o m highlands within the Ancestral Rock-
ies belt but were deposited in basins a d j a c e n t to t h e periphery of the
belt as well as within it ( J o r d a n and Douglas, 1980). M a n y Pennsyl-
v a n i a n a n d P e r m i a n s t r a t a of the C o r d i l l e r a n region c o n t a i n p r o m -
inent a m o u n t s of hybrid s a n d s t o n e p r o d u c e d by mixing terrigenous
sand derived f r o m the Ancestral Rockies uplifts with calcarenites
generated on the extensive tropical shelves that occupied s u r r o u n d -
ing areas.
Map 5
F r o m mid-Triassic to m i d - L a t e J u r a s s i c time (Fig. 7), the con-
tinent assumed a m o d e r n guise for the first time. D u r i n g this period,
rifting a n d sea-floor spreading opened the central N o r t h Atlantic

KEY TO PROVENANCE SYMBOLS

Q CRATON INTERIOR

( J TRANSITIONAL CONTINENTAL

0 BASEMENT UPLIFT

/ \ UNOISSECTED ARC

/K TRANSITIONAL ARC

A DISSECTED ARC

| | QUARTZOSE RECYCLED

[ J TRANSITIONAL RECYCLED

H LITHIC RECYCLED

^ INDETERMINATE RECYCLED

Qm
MAIN PROVENANCE TYPES
0f CONTINENTAL BLOCK

A A A MAGMATIC ARC

[C3 RECYCLED OROGENIC

(See above for key)

Figure 8. Paleotectonic map 6, showing sandstone suites for m i d - L a t e Jurassic to latest Cretaceous time with Q F L (left) and QmFLt
(right) diagrams.
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232 DICKINSON AND OTHERS

and t h e Gulf of M e x i c o (Pilger, 1980). O n the Cordilleran margin,
initiation of circum-Pacific s u b d u c t i o n in Late Triassic or Early
Jurassic time generated a n arc-trench system a l o n g the edge of the
continent f o r the first time (Dickinson, 1978). In the western inte-
rior, red-bed s e d i m e n t a t i o n on the C o l o r a d o Plateau graded
n o r t h w a r d a n d westward into coeval deposits of shallow epiconti-
nental seas.
S a n d s t o n e s deposited in rift valleys of the A p p a l a c h i a n region
include a feldspathic suite derived f r o m uplifted continental base-
m e n t a n d a q u a r t z o s e suite recycled by stripping of covering s t r a t a .
Red-bed suites of the C o l o r a d o Plateau generally have q u a r t z o s e
f r a m e w o r k s indicative of p r o v e n a n c e s within the c r a t o n . A l o n g the
Pacific flank of the c o n t i n e n t , the m o s t characteristic s a n d s t o n e
suites have volcaniclastic f r a m e w o r k s indicative of derivation f r o m
undissected m a g m a t i c arcs. Varied associated suites were derived
f r o m s o m e w h a t m o r e dissected t r a n s i t i o n a l a r c t e r r a n e s , f r o m
uplifted s u b d u c t i o n complexes, a n d f r o m other recycled orogenic
p r o v e n a n c e s . S u c h a m i x t u r e of suites related t o nascent arc activity

KEY TO PROVENANCE SYMBOLS

Q CRATON INTERIOR

( J TRANSITIONAL CONTINENTAL

0 BASEMENT UPLIFT

A UNDISSECTED ARC

^ TRANSITIONAL ARC

A DISSECTED ARC

| | QUARTZOSE RECYCLED

[ J TRANSITIONAL RECYCLED

| LITHIC RECYCLED

KL INDETERMINATE RECYCLED

MAIN PROVENANCE TYPES

0 3 T CONTINENTAL BLOCK

A A A MAGMATIC ARC

[ ^ RECYCLED OROGENIC

( S e e obove for key)

Figure 9. Paleotectonie map 7, showing sandstone suites for latest Cretaceous through Paleogene time with Q F L (left) and Q m F L t
(right) diagrams.
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NORTH AMERICAN PHANEROZOIC SANDSTONES 233

is p e r h a p s t o be expected a l o n g a newly activated continental m a r -
gin. T h e arc-derived suites in the Q u e e n C h a r l o t t e Islands occupy
p a r t of a t e r r a n e t h a t may have been accreted to the continental
margin d u r i n g this time or even later (Dickinson, 1976).
Map 6
F r o m m i d - L a t e Jurassic to latest Cretaceous time (Fig. 8), the
Cordilleran arc-trench system was a fully developed a r c orogen
( H a m i l t o n , 1969). T h e s u b d u c t i o n zone lay within Franciscan and
related terranes a l o n g the coastal fringe, m a j o r batholiths were
emplaced a n d u n r o o f e d within the orogen, and a back-arc thrust
system developed a l o n g the Sevier orogenic belt f a r t h e r inland. T h e
R o c k y M o u n t a i n f o r e l a n d basin lay between the t h r u s t f r o n t a n d
the interior of t h e c r a t o n . A l o n g the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, the
inland edge of a growing miogeoclinal sediment prism o n l a p p e d the
flank of the continental block.
C r a t o n i c suites derived f r o m interior p a r t s of the continental
block are d o m i n a n t in the miogeoclinal wedge a n d a l o n g the inland
side of the f o r e l a n d basin. W h e r e the sedimentary sequence in the
f o r e l a n d basin is thickest near the thrust f r o n t , s a n d s t o n e suites for
which f r a m e w o r k c o m p o s i t i o n s reflect derivation f r o m recycled

KEY TO PROVENANCE SYMBOLS

Q CRATON INTERIOR

( J TRANSITIONAL CONTINENTAL

^ BASEMENT UPLIFT

A UNDISSECTED ARC

TRANSITIONAL ARC

A DISSECTED ARC

[ | QUARTZOSE RECYCLED

[ J TRANSITIONAL RECYCLED

H LITHIC RECYCLED

^ INDETERMINATE RECYCLED

MAIN PROVENANCE TYPES Qm

O O i CONTINENTAL BLOCK

A A A MAGMATIC ARC

BCEJ RECYCLED OROGENIC

(See above for key)

Figure 10. Paleotectonic map 8, showing sandstone suites for Neogene time with Q F L (left) and QmFLt (right) diagrams.
 Downloaded from gsabulletin.gsapubs.org on May 7, 2014
234 DICKINSON AND OTHERS
orogenic p r o v e n a n c e s are d o m i n a n t . M o s t of these sands are transi-
tional v a r i a n t s with c o m p o s i t i o n s intermediate between recycled
q u a r t z o s e a n d lithic end members. Their sources lay within complex
t h r u s t sheets f r o m which a variety of mainly sedimentary and meta-
sedimentary detritus was recycled.
In s u b d u c t i o n c o m p l e x e s a n d f o r e a r c basins a l o n g the Pacific
m a r g i n , nearly all suites have f r a m e w o r k m o d e s indicative of deri-
v a t i o n f r o m t h e e r o s i o n of m a g m a t i c arcs. S a n d s f r o m undissected,
dissected, a n d t r a n s i t i o n a l arcs are all present in various places at
various horizons. Rarely was arc debris shed t o w a r d the continental
interior, a l t h o u g h arc-derived suites are present locally a l o n g the
orogenic f l a n k of t h e f o r e l a n d basin. Conversely, recycled debris
was rarely t r a n s p o r t e d into the f o r e a r c region, a l t h o u g h recycled
suites d o occur in t h a t setting locally.
Map 7
F r o m latest C r e t a c e o u s t h r o u g h Paleogene time (Fig. 9), the
d o m i n a n t tectonic f e a t u r e is the b r o a d L a r a m i d e orogen, which
e x p a n d e d t o w a r d t h e interior of t h e c o n t i n e n t d u r i n g a n o m a l o u s l y
shallow plate descent b e n e a t h t h e Cordillera (Dickinson and
Snyder, 1978). A r c m a g m a t i s m , as well as the L a r a m i d e d e f o r m a -
tion, shifted eastward in response to t h e shallow plate descent
( C o n e y a n d Reynolds, 1977). S e d i m e n t a t i o n c o n t i n u e d a l o n g the
passive Gulf of Mexico a n d Atlantic margins.
Craton-derived sediment continued to accumulate along much
of t h e passive m a r g i n , b u t suites indicative of recycled orogenic and
m a g m a t i c a r c p r o v e n a n c e s reached t h e western Gulf C o a s t region
f r o m t h e n e a r b y L a r a m i d e orogenic belt. Within and a d j a c e n t t o the
c o m p l e x L a r a m i d e o r o g e n itself, suites are varied. S a n d s t o n e s of
which t h e f r a m e w o r k s have a r c signatures were derived f r o m scat-
tered igneous provinces, a n d they display characteristics of undis-
sected, dissected, a n d transitional arc terranes in different instances.
M o r e c o m m o n are suites with f r a m e w o r k c o m p o s i t i o n s implying
derivation from recycled orogenic provenances within the uplifted
belt. Locally, s a n d s t o n e suites deposited n e a r f a u l t - b o u n d e d blocks
have f r a m e w o r k constituents derived f r o m uplifted continental
b a s e m e n t rocks.
In s u b d u c t i o n c o m p l e x e s a n d f o r e a r c basins a l o n g the Pacific
m a r g i n , m o s t suites were derived f r o m t h e dissected m a g m a t i c arc
of which t h e p l u t o n i c r o o t s were extensively e x p o s e d by erosion
w h e n a r c m a g m a t i s m shifted e a s t w a r d d u r i n g the L a r a m i d e event.
P l u t o n i c sources in t h e P e n i n s u l a r , Sierra N e v a d a , I d a h o , and
C o a s t R a n g e b a t h o l i t h s mostly lay west of the m a i n L a r a m i d e oro-
genic belt. W h e r e erosion cut deepest into the batholithic terrane,
all volcaniclastic c o m p o n e n t s were lost in the derivative sands.
Local suites in s o u t h e r n California t h u s reflect derivation f r o m
uplifted p l u t o n i c b a s e m e n t a n d are indistinguishable in o u r plots
f r o m o t h e r arkosic sands t h a t were derived f r o m basement uplifts in
the interior of the continental block.
Map 8
In N e o g e n e time (Fig. 10), the tectonic setting depicted is that
of t o d a y . N o t a b l e features a r e the b r o a d A p p a l a c h i a n u p l a n d s and
the rugged western Cordillera with its i n t e r m o n t a n e plateaus,
including the B a s i n - a n d - R a n g e province. T r a n s f o r m m o t i o n d o m i -
nates c u r r e n t plate interactions a l o n g the Pacific m a r g i n of t h e
c o n t i n e n t b u t was n o t so significant at the beginning of N e o g e n e
time. S u b d u c t i o n is u n d e r way n o w only in t h e Pacific N o r t h w e s t
b u t was active a l o n g m u c h of the c o n t i n e n t a l margin d u r i n g M i o -
cene time. T r a n s f o r m m o t i o n progressively s u p p l a n t e d s u b d u c t i o n
a l o n g t h e c o n t i n e n t a l m a r g i n as t h e S a n A n d r e a s system lengthened
t h r o u g h the N e o g e n e ( D i c k i n s o n a n d Snyder, 1979).
M a n y N e o g e n e suites considered here a r e u n c o n s o l i d a t e d
sands r a t h e r t h a n s a n d s t o n e s . This f a c t o r p r o b a b l y i n t r o d u c e s s o m e
bias into o u r results as p l o t t e d . F o r e x a m p l e , t h e p l o t t e d point f o r
a r k o s i c s a n d derived f r o m uplifted b a s e m e n t in t h e s o u t h e r n
A p p a l a c h i a n region is a local s t r e a m s a n d . Its constituents p r o b a b l y
will be mixed with m o r e q u a r t z o s e sands before arrival at a n y final
site of d e p o s i t i o n o f f s h o r e a l o n g the passive Atlantic c o n t i n e n t a l
m a r g i n . Similarly, the a p p a r e n t l y arc-derived sand suite f a r t h e r
n o r t h in t h e A p p a l a c h i a n region is u n c o n s o l i d a t e d Q u a t e r n a r y sand
in t h e Bay of F u n d y . Its p r o v e n a n c e includes the rocks of a dis-
sected Paleozoic a r c t e r r a n e e x p o s e d nearby, a n d its occurrence
locally a l o n g a m u c h y o u n g e r passive c o n t i n e n t a l m a r g i n is a
r e m i n d e r t h a t c a u t i o n is required in m a k i n g i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s based
o n i n d i v i d u a l suites w h e n regional d a t a are limited. O f f s h o r e sand
suites f r o m t h e A t l a n t i c shelf a n d sea f l o o r a r e m o r e characteristic
of t h e c o m p o s i t i o n of s a n d s derived f r o m m i x e d c o n t i n e n t a l
sources. T h e y all reflect d e r i v a t i o n f r o m a relatively stable
c o n t i n e n t a l block as expected. T h e a p p a r e n t d o m i n a n c e of transi-
tional suites over truly c r a t o n i c suites p r o b a b l y reflects the influ-
ence of the A p p a l a c h i a n uplift d u r i n g t h e Tertiary.
H o l o c e n e s a n d s f r o m C h e s a p e a k e Bay at t h e m o u t h of t h e
S u s q u e h a n n a River, f r o m t h e Mississippi River delta, f r o m t h e
m o u t h of the Rio G r a n d e , a n d f r o m the C o l o r a d o River delta a r e
all q u a r t z o s e v a r i a n t s of recycled orogenic sands. This c i r c u m s t a n c e
reflects the t e n d e n c y f o r m a j o r rivers t o d r a i n c o m p l e x orogenic
h i g h l a n d s w h e r e f e l d s p a r - p o o r sources are rare, but lithic f r a g m e n t s
a r e m o r e c o m m o n t h a n within c o n t i n e n t a l l o w l a n d s ( P o t t e r , 1978a,
1978b). N e o g e n e s a n d s t o n e s of b o t h recycled orogenic a n d transi-
tional c o n t i n e n t a l p r o v e n a n c e occur a l o n g the High Plains a d j a c e n t
to t h e m o d e r n R o c k y M o u n t a i n s .
A l o n g t h e Pacific m a r g i n of t h e c o n t i n e n t , t h r e e types of s a n d -
stone suites a r e d o m i n a n t in different areas. N e a r t h e S a n A n d r e a s
t r a n s f o r m in t h e s o u t h , a r k o s i c a n d t r a n s i t i o n a l c o n t i n e n t a l suites
were derived f r o m blocks of c o n t i n e n t a l b a s e m e n t uplifted a l o n g
the associated zone of w r e n c h tectonism. In the Pacific N o r t h w e s t ,
arc-derived sands of dissected a n d transitional types are characteris-
tic within t h e region w h e r e a r c volcanism continues. F a r t h e r n o r t h
in C a n a d a , varied recycled orogenic sands, partly of t h e chert-rich
lithic v a r i a n t , occur where t h e m o d e r n C a n a d i a n Cordillera rises
a d j a c e n t to t h e o f f s h o r e Q u e e n C h a r l o t t e t r a n s f o r m fault.
CONCLUSIONS
O u r results s u p p o r t t h e following inferences:
1. S t a n d a r d Q F L a n d Q m F L t d i a g r a m s f o r plotting f r a m e -
w o r k m o d e s of t e r r i g e n o u s s a n d s t o n e s can be subdivided i n t o t h r e e
m a i n fields indicative of derivation f r o m p r o v e n a n c e t e r r a n e s
within c o n t i n e n t a l blocks, m a g m a t i c arcs, a n d recycled orogens;
each of the three m a i n fields can be f u r t h e r divided i n t o three s u b -
fields representing variants of the m a i n p r o v e n a n c e classes.
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NORTH AMERICAN PHANEROZOIC
2. T h e Q F L a n d Q m F L t d i a g r a m s as t h u s p a r t i t i o n e d c a n b e
u s e d f o r p r o v i s i o n a l c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of s a n d s t o n e s u i t e s a c c o r d i n g t o
t e c t o n i c s e t t i n g ; a v e r a g e d e t r i t a l m o d e s of s a n d s t o n e s u i t e s t e n d t o
f a l l w i t h i n t h e a p p r o p r i a t e field u n l e s s s p e c i a l i n f l u e n c e s o r u n u s u a l
circumstances alter the n o r m a l patterns.
3. O u r test of t h e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s c h e m e u s i n g P h a n e r o z o i c
s a n d s t o n e s u i t e s of k n o w n c o m p o s i t i o n a n d t e c t o n i c s e t t i n g f r o m
N o r t h A m e r i c a yields g e n e r a l l y s a t i s f a c t o r y results; a v e r a g e m o d e s
f o r m o s t s a n d s t o n e s u i t e s p l o t in a p p r o p r i a t e f i e l d s a n d s u b f i e l d s o n
the triangular compositional diagrams.
4. A p p l i c a t i o n of t h e m e t h o d d e m o n s t r a t e d h e r e t o o t h e r
r e g i o n s f o r w h i c h t e c t o n i c e v o l u t i o n is less well k n o w n c o u l d yield
u s e f u l r e s u l t s ; t h e t i m i n g of m a j o r t e c t o n i c e v e n t s is r e f l e c t e d b y t h e
c o m p o s i t i o n s of s a n d s t o n e s d e r i v e d f r o m key p r o v e n a n c e t e r r a n e s .
S c h w a b (1981) h a s r e c e n t l y i l l u s t r a t e d this a p p r o a c h f o r t h e A l p s .
5. R i g o r o u s p o i n t c o u n t s of s a n d s t o n e s a r e a n i m p o r t a n t t o o l
f o r paleotectonic reconstructions a n d should be p e r f o r m e d as rou-
t i n e p r a c t i c e d u r i n g all c o m p r e h e n s i v e t e c t o n i c s t u d i e s .
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T h i s p a p e r w a s p r e p a r e d as a p r o j e c t of t h e S e d i m e n t o l o g y
S e m i n a r a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y of A r i z o n a . T h e w o r k w a s s u p p o r t e d b y
t h e L a b o r a t o r y of G e o t e c t o n i c s in t h e D e p a r t m e n t of G e o s c i e n c e s .
A p r e l i m i n a r y v e r s i o n w a s p r e s e n t e d in a p o s t e r s e s s i o n of G e o -
s c i e n c e D a z e a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y of A r i z o n a . A m e t i c u l o u s r e v i e w b y
A. R. Niem improved the final manuscript.
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M A N U S C R I P T R E C E I V E D BY T H E S O C I E T Y M A Y 15, 1981
REVISED M A N U S C R I P T RECEIVED J A N U A R Y II, 1982
M A N U S C R I P T A C C E P T E D M A R C H 3, 1982
Printed in U.S.A.