Tectonic Underplating and Dismemberment of the Maclaren‐Kluane Schist Records Late Cretaceous Terrane Accretion Polarity and ~480 km of Post‐52 Ma Dextral Displacement on the Denali Fault

Research reveals that the Maclaren-Kluane schist, spanning Alaska and Yukon Territory, records ~480 km of dextral displacement along the Denali fault since 52 million years ago (Ma), challenging assumptions about the role of this fault in Cordilleran terrane transport. The study combines bedrock geologic mapping with U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology to confirm a long-standing correlation between these metamorphic belts, providing insights into Late Cretaceous terrane accretion polarity. Findings suggest that the modern Denali fault system is distinct from its neighboring strike-slip faults, implying a poorly understood proto-Denali fault may have played a significant role in large-scale Cretaceous translation. Additionally, the study highlights the longevity and localization of the Denali fault, indicating it occupies a major lithospheric boundary. This research advances understanding of tectonic processes shaping the region's geology.

Waldien, T. S., Roeske, S. M., & Benowitz, J. A. (2021). Tectonic Underplating and Dismemberment of the Maclaren‐Kluane Schist Records Late Cretaceous Terrane Accretion Polarity and ~480 km of Post‐52 Ma Dextral Displacement on the Denali Fault. Tectonics, 40(10). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020tc006677