Re-Os geochronology highlights widespread latest Mesoproterozoic (ca. 1090–1050 Ma) cratonic basin development on northern Laurentia

Abstract The terminal Mesoproterozoic was a period of widespread tectonic convergence globally, culminating in the amalgamation Rodinia supercontinent. However, Laurentia, long-lived orogenesis on its eastern margin punctuated by short-lived extension that generated Midcontinent Rift ca. 1110–1090 Ma. Whereas this cratonic rift basin is typically considered an isolated occurrence, series new depositional ages demonstrate multiple basins northern Laurentia originated around time. We present Re-Os isochron date 1087.1 ± 5.9 Ma from organic-rich shales Agu Bay Formation Fury and Hecla Basin, which one four closely spaced spanning northeastern Canada to northwestern Greenland known as Bylot basins. This age identical, within uncertainty, Amundsen Basin Canada. These imply late extensional episode likely linked common origin. propose significant thermal anomalies mantle upwelling related supercontinent assembly centered influenced reactivation crustal weaknesses Arctic beginning 1090 Ma, triggering formation