Fig. 1: The high gravitational potential energy of a mountain chain in southwestern North America generated deviatoric tensional stresses for extensional collapse and formation of metamorphic core complexes.
From: The role of gravitational body forces in the development of metamorphic core complexes
a The present-day surface elevation within the Basin and Range Province of southwestern North America (area surrounded by dashed line) together with present-day locality of metamorphic core complexes, shown with red dots. Gc Grouse Creek, Rr Raft River, Ru Ruby, Kn Kern, Sn Snake Range, Bu Buckskin. b The paleo-topography model at the late Eocene from ref. 40, showing a continuous highland chain, with an average elevation of ~4 km, between northern Nevada to southeast Arizona and northern Mexico. The thickened crustal welt that partly supported this mountain chain was likely a consequence of Sevier-Laramide convergence. Note that the proximity of restored locations of metamorphic core complexes along the chain of high paleotopography suggests a causal link between high topography, crustal root, and metamorphic core complex occurrence in southwestern North America. Numbers represent timing of tectonic denudation for the Snake Range, Ruby, and Buckskin metamorphic core complexes from Dickinson41. NP Nevadaplano, RM Rocky Mountains, MH Mogollon Highlands, CH Chihuahua Highlands, CP Colorado Plateau, SN Sierra Nevada, PP Pacific Plate, FP Farallon Plate, EPR East Pacific Rise. The map images were created by authors using: www.soest.hawaii.edu/gmt/.
