Detrital zircon record of magmatism and sediment dispersal across the North American Cordilleran arc system (28–48°N)

As zircon U-Pb geochronology has become a leading method in sediment provenance studies and basin analysis over the past 20 years, volume of detrital data made available published literature enabled researchers to go beyond source-to-sink explore increasingly complex geologic problems. In this review, we utilize growing body acquired from Jurassic-Paleocene forearc foreland strata North American Cordillera investigate Mesozoic earliest Cenozoic evolution arc its associated basins between 28°N 48°N. Our compilation includes 830 samples (101,898 individual ages) 70 2000 2020. For comparative purposes, also compile 1307 igneous ages that characterize magmatic history arc. We place primary emphasis on 251 56 Ma infer be uniquely derived sources Informed by existing knowledge magmatic, structural, sedimentological processes acted orogen, spatial temporal trends these “arc-derived zircon” establish record magmatism , relationships adjacent basins, discuss controls dispersal across orogen. review shows compilations Cordilleran systems are excellent proxies for because enriched arc-derived provide space- time-integrated records crystallization ages. The compiled support continuous throughout time, characterized low-volume Triassic-Early Jurassic time (~251–174 Ma) episodic higher-volume Middle Jurassic-Late Cretaceous (~174–66 Ma). These elucidate initiation timing events at orogen-scale corroborate our understanding cyclic behavior. Detrital distributions spatially temporally variable both within which relative topographic development orogen attendant responses systems. signal rapid transfer dominantly via fluvial . contrast, reflect presence barriers hinterland region effectively isolated parts foreland. topography turn highlights important role ash-fall delivering foreland, underscoring need consider paleodrainage reconstructions. broad regional trends, general close linkage orogenic process dispersal, emerge it averages out much local variability observed more limited geographic or extent.