Alexander Terrane


The Alexander Terrane is a neoproterozoic continental fragment that originated far from its current location, before being transported and accreted to western North America in the Middle Jurassic.
Rocks assigned to this terrane underlie much of Southeast Alaska, the north coast of British Columbia, and the Yukon southwest.
In British Columbia, the terrane crops out primarily in the Coast Mountains, including the Kitimat Ranges, Chatham Sound, and Haida Gwaii, and continues to Klemtu.
This terrane also forms part of the composite Wrangellia Terrane.

Origin

The original location of the Alexander Terrane remains uncertain. Some evidence, including detrital zircon geochronology, suggests it may have formed along the margins of ancient Baltica or Laurentia,
however, paleomagnetic, isotopic, and fossil data indicate a possible origin near the margins of ancient Siberia or Arctic continents.

Development

The terrane developed through three distinct phases:

[Late Cambrian] through [Early Devonian]

During the initial phase, the terrane probably evolved along a convergent plate margin.

[Middle Devonian] through [Lower Permian]

The second phase is marked by strata accumulated in tectonically stable marine environments.

[Triassic]

The third phase is marked by volcanic and sedimentary rocks which are interpreted to have formed in a rift environment.