Decratonization by rifting enables orogenic reworking and transcurrent dispersal of old terranes in NE Brazil

Abstract Dispersion and deformation of cratonic fragments within orogens require weakening the craton margins in a process decratonization. The orogenic Borborema Province, NE Brazil, is one several Brasiliano/Pan-African late Neoproterozoic that led to amalgamation Gondwana. A common feature these period extension opening narrow oceans preceded inversion collision. For case São Francisco Craton was pulled away from its other half, Benino-Nigerian Shield, during an intermittent event between 1.0–0.92 0.9–0.82 Ga. This followed by embryonic confined oceanic basin at ca. 0.60 Ga transpressional orogeny 0.59 onwards. Here we investigate boundary region north Province demonstrate how blocks became physically involved orogeny. We combine results with wide compilation U–Pb Nd-isotopic model ages show consists up 65% strongly sheared ancient rocks affiliated Francisco/Benino-Nigerian Craton, separated major transcurrent shear zones, only ? 15% addition juvenile material evolution repeated across number orogens, significant local variations, indicate weakened regions decratonization prepared them for involvement orogenies,