TY - Generic T1 - The Nashoba Terrane: A new tectonostratigraphy and shared structural styles with the Merrimack belt in Massachusetts T2 - Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs Y1 - 2015 A1 - Joseph P Kopera KW - #StaffPubs KW - acadian KW - alleghenian KW - amphibolite facies KW - chlorite KW - deformation KW - eastern Massachusetts KW - fabric KW - folds KW - Harvard Conglomerate KW - Hudson KW - merrimack KW - Merrimack Belt KW - nashoba KW - Nashoba terrane KW - nashua KW - Nashua Trough KW - pin hill KW - Structural geology KW - tectonic history KW - tectonostratigraphy AB - Recent STATEMAP-sponsored geologic mapping of several 7.5' quadrangles in east-central Massachusetts describe a new tectonostratigraphy and structural history for migmatitic gneisses of the Cambro-Ordivician arc complex represented, in part, by the Nashoba Formation. While preserved sedimentary structures are absent, four discrete subunits can be mapped based on distinct lithologies. From structurally lowest to highest, they are: A felsic magnetite-bearing bt gneiss, a magnetite and silliminite rich mu-bearing bt paragneiss, gt-bearing sulfidic bt-gneisses interlayered with sulfidic schist, amphibolite, and marble, and a calc-silicate rich bt-gneiss. The Nashoba terrane exhibits near-identical early and late styles of deformation to those in the adjacent Nashua sub-belt of the Merrimack terrane: Early amphibolite-facies isoclinal folding (D1) overprinted by tight upright folding (D2) and associated thrust faults define the map-scale geometry of tectonostratigraphic units between the two terranes. D2 occurred syn-peak upper amphibolite facies metamorphism in the Nashoba terrane while defined by retrograde greenschist facies fabrics in the Merrimack terrane. These are overprinted by outcrop-scale sinistral strike-slip motion (D3) in the Nashoba terrane progressively transitioning to late chlorite-grade NW-side down oblique extension (D4) exhibited in both terranes. Correlation of the above sequence with existing geochronology, structural petrology, and tectonic studies by other workers in the area suggest that D1 in both terranes occurred prior to and/or during ~370 Ma Acadian orogenesis. Existing geochronology shows D2 fold and fabric development to be diachronous both within and across terranes: occurring both before and after ~363 Ma, with progressive development possibly as late as ~325 Ma, in the Nashoba terrane. D2 in the Nashua sub-belt of the Merrimack terrane occurs after ~330 Ma in the Carboniferous, as late at ~293 Ma in the Permian, during Alleghenian orogenesis. NW-side-down extension and associated rotation of M1 metamorphic isograds in the Merrimack Terrane, and exhumation of the Nashoba terrane, are generally accepted to have occurred during later stages of Alleghenian orogenesis in the Permian. JF - Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs PB - Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States CY - Northeastern Section - 50th Annual Meeting (23–25 March 2015), Bretton Woods, NH VL - 47 UR - https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2015NE/webprogram/Paper253009.html ER - TY - Generic T1 - A new way of looking at, and mapping, bedrock; the hydrostructural domain map of the Ayer Quadrangle, northeastern Massachusetts T2 - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America Y1 - 2006 A1 - Joseph P Kopera A1 - Stephen B Mabee KW - #StaffPubs KW - aquifers KW - Ayer Quadrangle KW - BEDROCK KW - faults KW - foliation KW - fracture zones KW - fractures KW - ground water KW - Hydrogeology 21 KW - joints KW - mapping KW - massachusetts KW - measurement KW - Merrimack Belt KW - movement KW - Nashoba terrane KW - northeastern Massachusetts KW - observations KW - orientation KW - physical properties KW - recharge KW - shear zones KW - Structural geology 16 KW - style KW - United States AB - While traditional bedrock geologic maps contain valuable information, they commonly lack data on fractures and physical properties of the rock. The increased need for better understanding of groundwater behavior in bedrock aquifers has made this data critical. Hydrostructural domain maps reclassify bedrock based on fracture systems and physical properties that may have implications for groundwater flow and recharge. These maps are constructed from detailed field observations and measurements of 2000-3000 fractures from 60-70 stations across a 7.5' quadrangle. Hydrostructural domains are displayed on the map as traditional lithologic units would be, with detailed descriptions and photos of the fracture characteristics and physical properties of each hydrostructural "unit". In the Ayer Quadrangle, such domains closely correspond with bedrock lithology and ductile structural history. Steeply dipping metasedimentary rocks of the Merrimack Belt have pervasive, closely spaced, throughgoing fractures developed parallel to foliation, and therefore provide an excellent potential for vertical recharge. Where these rocks are intensely cut by a strong subhorizontal cleavage, a parallel fracture set dominates providing an opportunity for lateral flow. Massive granites generally have a well developed, widely-spaced orthogonal network of fracture zones which may provide excellent local recharge. High-grade gneisses of the Nashoba Terrane have poorly developed fracture sets except near regional shear zones, where foliation parallel fractures and cross-joints may provide good vertical recharge and provide a strong northeast trending flow anisotropy. These maps are intended to provide a regional-scale information to assist in site-specific groundwater investigations. We believe that such maps are an example of how new types of geologic maps can, and must, be developed to address changing societal needs. JF - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America PB - Geological Society of America (GSA) : Boulder, CO, United States CY - United States VL - 38 SN - 00167592 UR - https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/abstract_116561.htm IS - 77 N1 - Accession Number: 2008-100620; Conference Name: Geological Society of America, 2006 annual meeting; Philadelphia, PA, United States; Conference Date: 20061022; Language: English; Coden: GAAPBC; Collation: 1; Collation: 166; Publication Types: Abstract Only; Serial; Conference document; Updated Code: 200816; Monograph Title: Geological Society of America, 2006 annual meeting; Monograph Author(s): Anonymous; Reviewed Item: Analytic JO - Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America ER -