Abstract
A variety of data have been compiled in eastern Nebraska and adjacent areas that are pertinent to understanding the complex Precambrian history of the Midcontinent USA. Petrographie analysis has been done for samples from wells penetrating the Precambrian surface. Chemical analysis is available for rock types such as rift basalt, carbonatites, arch metamorphic and granitic plutons. A few isotopic ages are available to weave together the physical and chemical data and construct a general framework of Precambrian history. Superior Province gneiss and related rocks of Archean age (1950-3550 Ma) are the oldest rocks present in this region. Volcanic and granitoid rocks represent the Penokean orogen (1830-1890 Ma). Depending on the interpretation, gneiss representing the Trans-Hudson orogen (1800-1910 Ma) may extend into the region. Much of the eastern Nebraska region is underlain by metamorphic rocks of the Central Plains Orogen (1630-1800 Ma). Imposed on this framework of crystalline rocks are the volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Midcontinent rift system. Both the main trend of the rift and related volcanic and plutonic outliers reflect the pre-existing tectonic framework of the older orogens. Chemically the volcanic rocks of the rift are tholeiites. Isotopic ages of 1.1 Ga document the correlation of these volcanic rocks to those in the Lake Superior region outcrops. Several cores consisting of probably cogenetic, but slightly older (1.18 Ga), gabbro occur in southeastern Nebraska marginal to the main rift system. In the same general area, the presence of the Elk Creek carbonatite (Peterman-K/Ar - 544 ± 1 Ma: Ghazi-K/Ar - 464 ± 5 Ma and 484 ± 5 Ma) may also indicate reactivation of older tectonic trends. Several structural features in the Phanerozoic rocks of the region have been interpreted as controlled by the major structures in the basement rocks and also provide clues to the relationships between the major orogenic belts. The boundary between the Penokean Orogen and later Precambrian rocks is reinterpreted.
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Carlson, M.P., Treves, S.B., Goble, R.J., Xu, A. (1999). New Data and Interpretations for the Precambrian, Midcontinent USA. In: Sinha, A.K. (eds) Basement Tectonics 13. Proceedings of the International Conferences on Basement Tectonics, vol 7. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4800-9_4
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