Spatial–temporal trends of Late Mesozoic plume magmatism in the Arctic during formation of the Amerasian Basin

Abstract

The spatial and temporal characteristics of magmatism caused by the Barents–Amerasian Jurassic–Cretaceous plume in conjunction with the geodynamics of destructive transformations of the lithosphere are presented here. The localities of manifestation of magmatism were concentrated mainly out of general contour of the areal occupied by the Siberian superplume, and they demonstrated certain gravitation to the Caledonide–Ellesmeride belts. This suggests an inherited position of both the J–K plume and the initial detachment zone produced by it: this led to formation of the Canadian Basin. The stages in the evolution and character of polycyclic multiphase plume magmatism are substantiated by the geochronology of magmatic provinces in the Arctic region during formation of the Amerasian Basin.