Metamorphism of tectonic terranes in the eastern marginal zone of the Appalachian orogen, New England

Southeastern New England is subdivided into three major fault bounded tectonic terranes, each with a distinctive metamorphic history. The easternmost, the Avalon Terrane, has generally been metamorphosed no higher than the lower greenschist facies. Evidence for pre-Alleghanian metamorphism includes a Proterozoic Z(.) event, contact metamorphism adjacent to Ord.-Dev. alkaline plutons, and granulite facies crustal xenoliths in Mesozoic dikes. To the west the Nashoba Terrane has been deformed and polymetamorphosed to the sill. and 2nd sill. zones between approximately 415 and 450 m.y., based on ages of associated granitic and migmatitic rocks. 730 m.y. assumed basement gneisses (fish Brook) have likely experienced Late PC metamorphism. In the Merrimack Trough, here including the Massabesic Gneiss, the metamorphic grade ranges from the greenschist facies on the east to the 2nd sillimanite zones on the west toward the Massabesic. The two metamorphic events present here must predate the intrusion of the Exeter Diorite (473 m.y .), indicating one or both may be PC. To the east, the fault bounded Rye Formation has also experienced two pre- 470 m.y. metamorphisms (and -sill.) However, the terrane east of the Turtle Head Fault Zone (THFZ) has many similarities to the Boston Platform including general (Late PC.) lowermore » greenschist metamorphism. Also, the area between the Norumbega FZ and the THFZ has experienced high grade metamorphism of probable Silurian age and thus may be similar to the Nashoba Terrane.« less