Abstract
Late Proterozoic, rift-facies dolerite dikes within Baltoscandian rocks of the Seve Nappe Complex locally underwent eclogite metamorphism during Caledonian orogenesis. Hornblende from retrograde amphibolite selvages developed around two eclogite boudins exposed at Grapesvare, Norrbotten County, Sweden, record identical 40Ar/39Ar plateau dates of 491 ± 8 Ma. Phengitic muscovite from host schists records plateau dates of 447 ± 7 Ma and 436 ± 7 Ma. Coexisting biotite yields plateau dates of 594 ± 10 Ma and 808 ± 13 Ma.
The biotite dates are interpreted to reflect the presence of extraneous argon components. The hornblende and phengitic muscovite ages are interpreted to date times of postmetamorphic cooling through argon retention temperatures. Together with previous 40Ar/39Ar mineral ages from Jämtland, Sweden, they confirm that a significant pre-Scandian tectonothermal event is recorded regionally in allochthonous sequences which originated within the Baltoscandian miogeocline. The eclogite assemblages are interpreted to have formed during westerly subduction of distal portions of the miogeocline with attendant development of an accretionary wedge. The latter was subsequently uplifted and eroded, providing a source for Middle Ordovician through Lower Silurian clastic successions which accumulated in both eastern and western basins. These, together with previously metamorphosed older portions of the miogeocline, were imbricated, folded, and variably metamorphosed during Late Silurian to Early Devonian transport onto the Baltoscandian Platform.
