Zircon (U-Th)/(He-Pb) double-dating constraints on the interplay between thrust deformation and foreland basin architecture, Sevier foreland basin, Utah

Abstract The Cretaceous Cordilleran foreland basin strata exposed in the Book Cliffs of eastern Utah and western Colorado have motivated important concepts linking thrust belt deformation evolution largely on basis sequence stratigraphy, stratal architecture, sediment provenance evolution. However, these methods approaches generally cannot provide critical insights into temporal or causal linkages between architecture deformation. This is part due to discrepancies age resolution lack evidence with which directly couple supply basin-fill unroofing. New detrital zircon (DZ) geothermochronometric data from Upper proximal distal new quantitative origin dispersal relation exhumation. Detailed DZ U-Pb (U-Th)/He double dating reveals that foredeep detritus was mainly delivered by transverse routing systems two major sources: (1) Neoproterozoic Lower Paleozoic central Sevier belt, (2) Permian–Jurassic synorogenic recycled frontal belt. A dramatic increase Sierran magmatic arc Yavapai-Mazatzal ages, as well He deeper marine portions points axial fluvial littoral input Mogollon highland sources. Both transport acted contemporaneously during eastward propagation Late depositional lag time estimates reveal three distinct exhumation pulses Cenomanian Campanian. correlate shifts provenance, style, progradation rates basin. These support conceptual models temporally causally link accelerated unroofing increases rapid clastic