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Kinematics of the Guerrero terrane accretion in the

Sierra de Guanajuato, central Mexico: new insights for
the structural evolution of arccontinent collisional
zones
a b a
Michelangelo Martini , Luigi Solari & Antoni Camprub
a
Instituto de Geologa, Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mxico, Mxico D.F., 04510,
Mxico
b
Centro de Geociencias, Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mxico, Campus Juriquilla,
76230, Quertaro, Mxico
Published online: 12 Nov 2012.

To cite this article: Michelangelo Martini , Luigi Solari & Antoni Camprub (2013): Kinematics of the Guerrero terrane
accretion in the Sierra de Guanajuato, central Mexico: new insights for the structural evolution of arccontinent collisional
zones, International Geology Review, 55:5, 574-589

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 International Geology Review, 2013
Vol. 55, No. 5, 574589, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00206814.2012.729361

Kinematics of the Guerrero terrane accretion in the Sierra de Guanajuato, central Mexico: new
insights for the structural evolution of arccontinent collisional zones
Michelangelo Martinia*, Luigi Solarib and Antoni Campruba
a
Instituto de Geologa, Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mxico, Mxico D.F. 04510, Mxico; b Centro de Geociencias, Universidad
Nacional Autnoma de Mxico, Campus Juriquilla, 76230 Quertaro, Mxico
(Accepted 6 September 2012)

The Guerrero terrane comprises Middle JurassicEarly Cretaceous arc successions that were accreted to the North American
craton in the late Early Cretaceous, producing closure of the Arperos oceanic basin and the formation of an approximately
100 km-wide foldthrust belt. Such a suture is key to investigating the structural evolution related to Guerrero terrane accre-
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tion and, in general, to arccontinent collisional zones. The Sierra de Guanajuato is an exposure of the Guerrero terrane
suture belt and consists of a complex tectonic pile that formed through at least three major shortening phases: D1SG, D2SG,
and D3SG (SG, Sierra de Guanajuato). During the D1SG and D2SG phases, the Upper JurassicLower Cretaceous succes-
sions of the Arperos Basin piled up, forming a doubly vergent imbricate fan of thrust sheets that accommodated substantial
NESW shortening. Mylonite microtextures, as well as syntectonic minerals, indicate that the D1SG and D2SG deformation
events took place under low greenschist-facies metamorphic conditions. We relate these deformation phases to the progres-
sive NE migration of the Guerrero terrane, which triggered the collapse and closure of the Arperos Basin. During D3SG,
the El Paxtle arc assemblage of the Guerrero terrane was tectonically emplaced onto the previously deformed successions
of the Arperos Basin. However, D3SG structures indicate that during this deformational stage, the main shortening direc-
tion was oriented NWSE and that contraction was accommodated mostly by SE-vergent ductile thrusts formed under low
greenschist-facies metamorphic conditions. We suggest that the top-to-the-SE emplacement of the El Paxtle assemblage may
be a result of the tectonic escape of the arc produced by the continuous NE impingement of the Guerrero terrane during its
collisional addition to the Mexican mainland.
Keywords: Guerrero terrane; Arperos Basin; arccontinent collision; ductile deformation; Laramide orogeny

1. Introduction of the differences in palaeogeography, these reconstruc-

The Guerrero terrane is the second largest juvenile arc
terrane of the North American Cordillera (Campa and
Coney 1983) and comprises approximately one-third of
Mexico (Figure 1A). The origin and evolution of this litho-
tectonic belt have been intensely debated for the last three
decades. Some authors have proposed that the Guerrero
terrane is composed of a JurassicCretaceous Pacific intra-
oceanic arc or multi-arc system, which was accreted to the
Mexican craton as a result of the closure of a pre-Late
Jurassic oceanic basin, the Arperos Basin (e.g. Lapierre
et al. 1992; Tardy et al. 1994; Dickinson and Lawton 2001;
Talavera-Mendoza et al. 2007) (Figure 1B). Alternatively,
other authors have suggested that the Guerrero terrane is a
detached slice of the North American leading edge, which
drifted in the palaeo-Pacific domain during the opening
of the Late JurassicEarly Cretaceous back-arc Arperos
Basin and, subsequently, re-accreted to the Mexican main-
land (e.g. Elas-Herrera et al. 2000; Centeno-Garca et al.
2008; Martini et al. 2009, 2011) (Figure 1C). In spite
tions seem to agree that the accretion of the Guerrero
terrane was triggered by the Cretaceous collapse and clo-
sure of the Arperos Basin. As a result, the sedimentary
successions of the Arperos Basin should record the defor-
mation related to the progressive eastward migration and
final suturing of the Guerrero terrane. Nevertheless, the
kinematics and dynamics of such an accretion were not
previously analysed in detail. Remnants of the Arperos
Basin are presently exposed at Arcelia, Valle de Bravo,
Sierra de Guanajuato, Zacatecas, and Porohui (Figure 1A).
An early Late Cretaceous top-to-the-NE major shortening
event, followed by a less intense top-to-the-SW shorten-
ing phase, was recognized at Valle de Bravo and Arcelia,
in the southern Arperos Basin, and was interpreted as the
result of the NE emplacement of the Guerrero terrane onto
the Mexican mainland followed by back-thrusting (Salinas-
Prieto et al. 2000; Fitz-Daz et al. 2008). On the other hand,
structures from the central and northern exposures of the
Arperos Basin have never been studied in detail, preventing

*Corresponding author. Email: mmartini@geologia.unam.mx

2013 Taylor & Francis

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Figure 1. (A) Schematic geologic map illustrating the Guerrero terrane and the Mexican mainland, as well as the location of the Arperos
Basin exposures across the Guerrero terrane suture belt. SdG, Sierra de Guanajuato. (B) and (C) Mesozoic palaeogeographic reconstruc-
tions of previous authors for the Guerrero terrane (GT) and the Mexican Pacific margin. In allochtonous scenarios (A), the Guerrero terrane
is an exotic intra-oceanic arc proceeding from the palaeo-Pacific domain. According to these models, arc magmatism was triggered by
the westward subduction of the lithospheric substrate of a wide oceanic basin, the Arperos Basin (ApB), which was closed subsequently
during the late Early Cretaceous, producing the terrane accretion. Alternatively, in a doubly vergent model, the substrate of the Arperos
Basin was also consumed partly to the east, beneath the Mexican Pacific margin. Other authors have proposed a para-autochthonous sce-
nario (C), in which the JurassicCretaceous rocks of the Guerrero terrane are detached slices of the North American leading edge, which
drifted in the palaeo-Pacific domain during the opening of the Late JurassicEarly Cretaceous back-arc Arperos Basin, and subsequently
accreted back to the Mexican mainland.

a comprehensive understanding of the tectonic accretionary
evolution of the Guerrero terrane.
In this article, we describe the results of our detailed
mapping and structural analysis of the Guerrero suture belt
exposed in the Sierra de Guanajuato (Figure 1A), with the
aim of generating a comprehensive model of the deforma-
tion of central Mexico and providing new insights on the
dynamics of arccontinent collision boundaries.
2. Geologic overview of the Sierra de Guanajuato
The Sierra de Guanajuato is located in central Mexico
amid the cities of Len, Guanajuato, and Lagos de Moreno
(Figures 1A and 2). It is made up of a complex tectonic pile
of thrust sheets composed of distinct lithostratigraphic suc-
cessions (Ortz-Hernandez et al. 1992; Martini et al. 2012).
In spite of its relevance in understanding the accretion pro-
cesses related to the Guerrero terrane, the architecture of
the Guanajuato tectonic pile, as well as the kinematics of
the major Mesozoic structures, has not been assessed in
detail. Previous studies have focused on the stratigraphy
and geochemistry of the volcano-sedimentary successions
exposed in this area, with the aim of defining the tectonic
settings in which these rocks were deposited (Lapierre et al.
1992; Ortz-Hernandez et al. 1992; Freydier et al. 1996;
Ortz-Hernndez et al. 2003; Martini et al. 2012). Based on
the available data, the Guanajuato tectonic pile is composed
of Upper JurassicLower Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary
successions of the Arperos Basin, which are tectoni-
cally overlain by the Upper JurassicLower Cretaceous El
Paxtle assemblage, interpreted to represent an arc of the
Guerrero terrane (Lapierre et al. 1992; Ortz-Hernandez
et al. 1992; Martini et al. 2011, 2012) (Figures 3A and
3B). The Arperos Basin in the Sierra de Guanajuato dis-
plays a marked asymmetry in terms of provenance (Martini
et al. 2011. 2012). The eastern side of this basin is com-
posed of Tithonian continent-recycled turbidites and felsic
volcanicsubvolcanic rocks of the Esperanza Formation,
which grades upward to Lower Cretaceous micrite and
shale of the Valenciana Formation (Martini et al. 2011)
(Figures 3A and 3B). Sandstone provenance indicates that
the Esperanza and Valenciana formations were fed by
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Figure 2. Schematic geologic map of the Sierra de Guanajuato
[modified by Martnez-Reyes (1992)], which shows the distribu-
tion of the main lithologies exposed in this region. A and B are
the mapped areas presented in detail in Figures 4 and 5.
sources from the Mexican mainland (Martini et al. 2011)
(Figure 3B). In contrast, the western side of the basin is
made up of Lower Cretaceous arc-recycled turbidites of
the Cuestecita Formation, as well as by Middle Oceanic
Ridge (MOR)-pillow basalts, radiolarite, and volcaniclastic
slump deposits of the Arperos Formation (Ortz-Hernandez
et al. 1992; Martini et al. 2011, 2012) (Figures 3A and
3B). Detrital zircons from sandstones of the Cuestecita
and Arperos formations yielded concordant to slightly
discordant ages from 169 Ma to 118 Ma and minor
Palaeozoic and Precambrian peaks (Martini et al. 2011,
2012), which are distinctive of the Upper JurassicLower
Cretaceous arc successions of the Guerrero terrane and its
Upper Triassic basement rocks (e.g. Bissig et al. 2008;
Centeno-Garca et al. 2008; Mortensen et al. 2008; Martini
et al. 2009) (Figure 3B). Rocks of the Arperos Basin
are overthrust by an Upper JurassicLower Cretaceous arc
assemblage made up of the Tuna Manza intrusive com-
plex and a cogenetic eruptive succession named El Paxtle
Formation (Lapierre et al. 1992; Ortz-Hernandez et al.
1992; Martini et al. 2011) (Figures 3A and 3B). The Tuna
Manza intrusive complex is composed of gabbro, dior-
ite, and tonalite, locally intruded by basaltic and doleritic
dike swarms, scarce wehrlite, and olivine clinopyroxenite,
M. Martini et al.
grading transitionally into layered clinopyroxene metagab-
bro (Lapierre et al. 1992; Ortz-Hernandez et al. 1992).
The El Paxtle Formation is composed of massive to pil-
low basalt, hyaloclastite, and tuff, interbedded with vol-
caniclastic rocks and radiolarian chert (Lapierre et al.
1992; Ortz-Hernandez et al. 1992; Martini et al. 2011).
Rocks of the Arperos Basin and El Paxtle arc assemblage
were folded and thrust, partially metamorphosed under
low-grade greenschists conditions, and unconformably
overlain by Albian neritic limestones of the La Perlita
Formation (Chiodi et al. 1988; Quintero-Legorreta 1992)
(Figure 3A). Finally, all of the Mesozoic rocks of the
Sierra de Guanajuato were intruded by the late Palaeocene
Comanja de Corona granitic batholith (Ortz-Hernandez
et al. 1992) and cut by a NWSE and NESW normal
fault (Figure 2).
3. Mesozoic structures of the Sierra de Guanajuato
The successions of the Sierra de Guanajuato area record
multiple phases of shortening during the Mesozoic. In this
section, we describe the results of a detailed mapping and
structural analysis of the Arperos and Esperanza areas,
located in the southeastern Sierra de Guanajuato (Figure 2).
Despite their similar structural evolution, we describe the
Arperos and Esperanza areas separately in order to under-
line the differences between them and provide a more
detailed history of the structural evolution of the Sierra de
Guanajuato region. Geologic maps are given in Figures 4
and 5, as well as structural sections and stereographic pro-
jections, which illustrate the geometry of the major struc-
tures. Structural columns of the Arperos and Esperanza
areas are depicted in Figure 6.
3.1. Arperos area
3.1.1. D1A: top-to-the-SW ductile shortening
The lowermost structural levels exposed in the Arperos
area are representative of the Arperos Formation (Figures 4
and 6). Rocks of this unit record a major shortening event
D1A, which is the oldest deformation event recognized in
the Arperos area. The D1A deformation phase is expressed
by T1A major thrusts that produced the imbrication of
kilometre-scale tectonic thrust sheets composed of the
Arperos Formation (Figure 6). NWSE-directed, NE mod-
erately dipping, 1020 m thick T1A shear zones are accom-
panied by an S1A mylonitic foliation (Figure 4). S1A is
highly to moderately pervasive at the submillimetre scale
in metasedimentary rocks, varying from a spaced disjunc-
tive anastomosing to rough foliation (Twiss and Moores
1992). Cleavage domains consist primarily of fine-grained
opaque minerals with some white mica and chlorite in
metasandstone, whereas microlithon domains contain elon-
gated quartz and pressure shadows of fine-grained quartz
and white mica. Such microtextural evidence indicates that
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Figure 3. Synthetic chronostratigraphic columns for each petrotectonic assemblage in the Sierra de Guanajuato (A) showing their
possible locations within the Arperos Basin (B).
S1A foliation was formed mostly by pressure solution
processes, although undulose extinction and subgrains in
quartz crystals also give evidence for crystalplastic defor-
mation. These combined microtextural features are indica-
tive of low-grade metamorphism at temperatures <400 C
(e.g. Passchier and Trouw 1996). This is also supported by
the syntectonic crystallization of white mica and chlorite,
which suggests a low greenschist or subgreenschist meta-
morphic grade. In metabasalts, S1A is a spaced anastomos-
ing foliation, pervasive from the centimetre to decimetre
scale, defined by syntectonic chlorite. NESW-trending,
NE-gently-plunging L1A mineral and stretching lineations
are represented by chlorite, white mica, and stretched
quartz (Figure 4). Submillimetre- to decimetre-scale S-C
structures and -porphyroclasts are observed in metased-
imentary rock cuts subparallel to the XZ-plane of the
finite strain ellipsoid, indicating a top-to-the-SW tectonic
transport during the D1A deformation phase (Figure 7A).
3.1.2. D2A: top-to-the-NE ductile shortening
The Arperos Formation is tectonically overlain by a
kilometre-scale thrust sheet composed of volcaniclastic
turbidites of the Cuestecita Formation (Figure 6). This
577
thrust sheet was emplaced onto the previously sheared
rocks of the Arperos Formation during the D2A deforma-
tion phase. A 710 m thick, NWSE-striking, either SW
or NE-gently-dipping T2A mylonitic shear zone represents
the contact between the Arperos and Cuestecita forma-
tions (Figure 4). The variation in the thrust dip could be
either related to the subsequent shortening phases or to the
emplacement of the Comanja de Corona batholith. In fact,
it is clear from the geologic map in Figure 4 that bed-
ding and foliation measured in the Cuestecita Formation
are arranged centripetally relative to the batholith, sug-
gesting the regional combing of the Mesozoic rocks
related to the emplacement of the Palaeocene intrusive.
Mylonites from the T2A shear zone preserve a well-
developed S2A foliation pervasive at the submillimetre
scale. In metashales, S2A is a continuous fine foliation
defined primarily by aligned neoblasts of white mica and
chlorite, as well as by slightly elongate quartz grains
and seams of opaque minerals. In metasandstones, S2A
is a spaced disjunctive rough to anastomosing foliation
that primarily consists of fine-grained opaque minerals
with some white mica and chlorite. Microlithon domains
contain elongated quartz showing pressure shadows of
fine-grained quartz and white mica, undulose extinction,
 578 M. Martini et al.
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Figure 4. Detailed geologic map of the Arperos area, with structural section and lower hemisphere stereographic projections repre-
senting the major structures recognized in the area. Structural measurements were performed in outcrops approximately 1 km in length,
positioned as indicated by arrows in the map. Cartography was carried out through several months of fieldwork, collecting data along all
existing roads, paths, and river beds. Geologic mapping was integrated with the interpretation of Landsat thematic mapper images and
1:40,000 scale aerial photographs.

and minor subgrains, which suggest that pressure solu-
tion and minor crystalplastic deformation were the main
deformation mechanisms during the D2A phase. NESW-
trending, SW-gently-plunging L2A mineral and stretching
lineations are locally preserved on S2A planes (Figure 4)
and are represented by white mica, chlorite, and stretched
quarts. S-C structures and -porphyroclasts observed in
cuts subparallel to the XZ-plane of the finite strain ellip-
soid indicate a top-to-the-NE tectonic transport during the
D2A deformation phase.
Centimetre- to kilometre-scale F2A folds in the vol-
caniclastic turbidites of the Cuestecita Formation represent
the D2A deformation phase outside the T2A shear zone.
Recumbent isoclinal to tight F2A folds (Figure 7B) display
an overturning towards the northeast, as well as towards the
southwest, as a result of the subsequent folding or combing
produced by the Comanja de Corona intrusive. NWSE-
directed, horizontal to subhorizontal F2A fold axes are sub-
orthogonal to the L2A lineations (Figure 4). S2A axial plane
foliation is a spaced disjunctive cleavage subparallel to the
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Figure 5. Detailed geologic map of the Esperanza area, with structural section and lower hemisphere stereographic projections repre-
senting the major structures recognized in the area. Structural measurements were performed in outcrops approximately 0.3 km in length,
positioned as indicated by arrows in the map.

S2A mylonitic foliation. The variation of thickness orthog-
onal to bedding (dip isogons classification method) reveals
that F2A folds correspond to the types 1C and 3 of Ramsay
(1967) and fall very close to the type 2 field (Figure 7C).
More in detail, F2A folds developed in competent layers
are of the type 1C, whereas F2A folds developed in incom-
petent layers fall in the type 3 field (Figure 7C). Such type
1C3 pairs are typically produced by flattening of initially
buckled layers (Ramsay 1967). According to Ramsays
curves, the competent layers display values of (2 /1 )
between 0.1 and 0.5 (Figure 7C), which indicates that F2A
folds underwent varying amounts of flattening and that
flattening followed, rather than accompanied, buckling in
most instances (Hudleston 1973).
3.1.3. D3A: top-to-the-SE ductile shearing
The previously sheared rocks of the Arperos and Cuestecita
formations are tectonically overlain by the volcano-
sedimentary succession of the El Paxtle Formation, which
is in turn overthrust by gabbro and diorite of the
Tuna Manza intrusive complex (Figure 4). The volcano-
sedimentary succession, as well as the intrusive rocks, was
emplaced at the top of the tectonic pile during the D3A
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Figure 6. Structural columns of the Arperos and Esperanza areas showing possible correlations.
deformation phase. This phase is expressed by kilometre-
scale T3A shear zones and millimetre- to metre-scale
F3A folds. The contact between the Cuestecita and El
Paxtle formations is an 814 m thick T3A mylonitic shear
zone that displays a NESW direction and a SE moder-
ate dip in the southern part of the Arperos area, whereas
in the northeastern part it shows a main NS direction
and a moderate dip to the east (Figure 4). T3A mylonites
display a well-developed S3A foliation, which is subpar-
allel to bedding. In metasandstones and metatuffs, S3A
is a spaced disjunctive smooth to rough foliation highly
pervasive at the submillimetre scale. Foliation domains
are defined by neoblasts of white mica, chlorite, epi-
dote, and seams of opaque minerals. Microlithon domains
contain microfractured plagioclase and scarce elongated
quartz, which displays pressure shadows, undulose extinc-
tion, and subdomains. Metashales show a continuous fine
S3A foliation defined by iso-oriented neoblasts of white
mica, scarce chlorite, and fine-grained opaque miner-
als, whereas in metabasalts of the El Paxtle Formations
S3A is a spaced anastomosing foliation, with cleavage
domains defined by neoblasts of chlorite and epidote,
and centimetre- to decimetre-scale microlithon domains
containing microfractured plagioclase and opaque miner-
als. Based on Passchier and Trouw (1996), the coexis-
tence of plastically deformed quartz and microfractured
feldspar suggests that the D3A deformation phase took
place under low-grade metamorphic conditions at temper-
atures between 300 C and 400 C. This is also supported
by the syntectonic crystallization of white mica, chlo-
rite, and epidote, which is indicative of low-greenschist
metamorphic grade. S3A surfaces contain well-developed,
NWSE-trending, SE moderately plunging L3A min-
eral lineations (Figure 4) represented by chlorite and
white mica. Millimetre- to decimetre-scale S-C structures,
mica fishes, and -porphyroclasts are observed in cuts
subparallel to the XZ-plane of the finite strain ellipsoid,
M. Martini et al.
indicating a top-to-the-SE tectonic transport. Immediately
out of the T3A shear zone, the volcano-sedimentary strata
of the Cuestecita Formation, as well as the S2A axial plane
foliation, are folded (Figure 7D). NESW-oriented isocli-
nal to tight F3A fold axes are subperpendicular to the L3A
lineations, whereas the S3A axial plane crenulation cleav-
age is subparallel to the S3A mylonitic foliation (Figure 4).
F3A are represented by type 1C3 pairs of folds, where
type 1C geometries are characteristic of competent layers
and type 3 geometries are typically observed in incompe-
tent
layers (Figure 7C). Competent layers display values of
(2 /1 ) between 0.2 and 0.8, suggesting that F3A folds
underwent varying amounts of flattening superimposed on
initially buckled layers (Hudleston 1973).
The volcano-sedimentary succession of the El Paxtle
Formation is in turn overthrust by gabbro and diorite of
the Tuna Manza intrusive complex (Figures 4 and 6). This
T3A thrust is a NESW-directed, SE-moderately-dipping,
12 m-thick ductile shear zone that displays a well-preserved
S3A mylonitic foliation (Figure 4). S3A is a spaced dis-
junctive rough to anastomosing foliation pervasive at the
submillimetre scale and is defined by green amphibole and
scarce opaque minerals.
NWSE-directed, SE-moderately-plunging L3A min-
eral lineations are well preserved on S3A foliation planes
(Figure 4) and are represented by green amphibole and
chlorite. Submillimetre- and millimetre-scale S-C struc-
tures and plagioclase -porphiroclasts are observed in cuts
subparallel to the XZ-plane of the finite strain ellipsoid,
indicating a top-to-the-SE tectonic transport (Figure 7E).
3.1.4. D4A: top-to-the-SW brittle to brittleductile
shortening
All of the lithologic units that comprise the Guanajuato
tectonic pile are subsequently deformed together during
the D4A shortening event. This event is expressed in the
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Figure 7. Thin section and outcrop pictures representing main structures from the Arperos area as described in text. (A) Microphotograph
of a mylonitized chert from the Arperos Formation exposed along the T1A Arperos shear zone (Figure 4). A well-developed S-C
texture indicates a top-to-the-SW sense of shear. (B) Centimetre-scale, NWSE-directed, horizontal F2A folds in the volcaniclastic tur-
bidites of the Cuestecita Formation. (C) Dip isogon diagrams of Ramsay (1967) for F2A, F3A, and F4A folds in the Arperos area. (D)
Decimetre-scale, NESW-directed, horizontal F3A folds in the volcaniclastic turbidites of the Arperos Formation. (E) Microphotograph of
a mylonitized gabbro from the Tuna Manza intrusive complex. This sample was collected along the T3A El Jitomatal shear zone (Figure 4)
and displays a well-developed S-C texture indicating a top-to-the-SE sense of shear. (F) Exposure of a metre-scale, SW-vergent T4A brit-
tle shear zone in the volcaniclastic turbidites of the Cuestecita Formation. (G) Centimetre-scale, NWSE-directed, horizontal F4A folds
in the volcano-sedimentary succession of the El Paxtle Formation.
 582 M. Martini et al.
Arperos area by decametre- to kilometre-scale top-to-the-
SW brittle and brittleductile thrusts (Figure 7F), as well
as millimetre- to metre-scale folds that produced the crenu-
lation of the pre-existing mylonitic foliations (Figure 7G).
F4A are open to tight, symmetrical to SW-recumbent folds,
with vertical to moderately inclined axial planes and NW
SE subhorizontal axes (Figures 4 and 7G). F4A folds are
accompanied by an S4A axial plane crenulation cleavage.
S4A is defined by seams of fine-grained opaque minerals,
suggesting that pressure solution was the main deformation
mechanism during the D4A shortening event. F4A folds
are composed of competent layers with type 1C geometries
and incompetent layers with characteristic type 3 profiles
(Figure 7C). However, relative to F2A and F3A, F4A folds
display more homogeneous and higher values of (2 /1 ),
with a main trend between 0.65 and 0.75.
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3.2. Esperanza area
3.2.1. D1E: top-to the-SW ductile shortening
The lowest structural levels exposed in the Esperanza
area are composed of the Esperanza and Valenciana for-
mations (Figures 5 and 6). These rocks were intensely
sheared during the D1E shortening, which is the old-
est deformation event recognized in the Esperanza area.
D1E is represented by kilometre-scale thrusts that pro-
duced the emplacement of the Upper Jurassic quartz-rich
sandstone and shale of the Esperanza Formation onto the
Lower Cretaceous micrite of the Valenciana Formation
(Figure 6). T1E thrusts are NWSE-directed, either SW-
or NE-gently-dipping, 2540 m thick mylonitic shear
zones, which display a well-developed S1E foliation per-
vasive at the submillimetre scale (Figure 5). S1E varies
from a slaty cleavage in phyllite to a spaced disjunc-
tive smooth to anastomosing foliation in metasandstone
of the Esperanza Formation and is defined by syntectonic
fine-grained muscovite and seams of opaque minerals.
Microlithon domains contain elongate quartz grains dis-
playing pressure shadows, ondulose extinction, as well as
subdomains. In micrites of the Valenciana Formation, S1E
is a spaced disjunctive stylolithic foliation, with cleavage
domains defined by seams of fine-grained opaque minerals
and microlithon domains containing slightly elongated cal-
cite grains. Microtextures of mylonites from the T1E shear
zones indicate that pressure solution and crystalplastic
deformation were the main deformation mechanisms dur-
ing the D1E event. S1E surfaces contain NESW-directed,
NESW-moderately-plunging L1E stretching and mineral
lineation (Figure 5) represented by muscovite and stretched
calcite. Submillimetre- to centimetre-scale S-C structures,
mica fishes, and -porphyroclasts are observed in cuts
orthogonal to the S1E foliation and containing the L1E lin-
eation, indicating a top-to-the-SW tectonic transport during
the D1E deformation phase (Figures 8A and 8B).
3.2.2. D2E: top-to-the-SE ductile shortening
The previously deformed Esperanza and Valenciana for-
mations are overthrust by gabbro, diorite, and tonalite of
the Tuna Manza intrusive complex, which was emplaced
at the top of the tectonic pile during the D2E deforma-
tion phase (Figures 5 and 6). D2E is expressed in the
Esperanza area by a NESW-directed, NW-moderately-
dipping, 2570 m-thick T2E mylonitic to ultramylonitic
shear zone that preserves a well-developed S2E foliation
(Figure 5). This foliation is pervasive at the submillimetre
scale and varies from a spaced disjunctive smooth to anas-
tomosing foliation. In metatonalites of the Tuna Manza
intrusive complex, S2E is a smooth to anastomosing
foliation defined by syntectonic fine-grained muscovite and
opaque minerals, separating submillimetre- to centimetre-
scale microlithon domains containing plagioclase and elon-
gated quartz grains with undulose extinction and subgrains.
In metagabbro and metadiorite, S2E is a rough to anasto-
mosing foliation defined by rotated magmatic amphiboles
and opaque minerals. In metarhyolite and metadacite of
the Esperanza Formation, S2E is a spaced disjunctive fine
foliation defined by neoblasts of chlorite, fine-grained mus-
covite, and opaque minerals, whereas microlithon domains
contain fine-grained elongated quartz showing evidence for
crystalplastic deformation. Syntectonic minerals, as well
as the microtexture of these mylonites, suggest that the
D2E deformation phase took place under low-grade green-
schist metamorphic conditions. NWSE-directed, NW-
gently-plunging L2E mineral lineations are well preserved
on S2E planes (Figure 5) and are represented by mus-
covite and stretched quartz. Several submillimetre- to
centimetre-scale S-C structures, quartz and plagioclase
-porphiroclasts, and mica fishes are observed in cuts
subparallel to the XZ-plane of the finite strain ellipsoid
and indicate a top-to-the-SE tectonic transport (Figures 8C
and 8D).
3.2.3. D3E: top-to-the-SW brittle and brittleductile
shortening
All of the lithologic units that compose the Guanajuato
tectonic pile are subsequently deformed together during
the D3E shortening event. D3E is expressed by T3E brit-
tle to brittleductile thrusts and F3E folds that affected
the previously deformed rocks of the Esperanza and
Valenciana formations, as well as mylonitized gabbro and
tonalite of the Tuna Manza intrusive complex. T3E thrusts
are decametre- to kilometre-scale NWSE-directed, NE-
moderately-dipping brittle to brittleductile shear zones
that cut previous S1E and S2E foliations. Ramp anticlines
related to T3E thrusts planes display NWSE axes and are
consistently overturned to the southwest (Figure 5).
F3E are open to tight, SW-recumbent folds with
NWSE horizontal to subhorizontal axes (Figures 5 and
 International Geology Review 583
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Figure 8. Thin section and outcrop pictures representing main structures observed in the Esperanza area as described in text. (A) and
(B) Microphotographs of a mylonitized quartz-rich metasandstone from the Esperanza Formation exposed along the T1E Santa Ana
shear zone (Figure 5). Microlithon domains contain -porphyroclasts of quartz indicating a top-to-the-SW sense of shear. Pyrite-type
porphyroclast (C) and muscovite fish (D) in an ultramylonite from the T2E Concepcin shear zone, indicating a top-to-the-SE sense
of shear. (E)(G) Centimetre- to submillimetre-scale, NWSE-directed, horizontal F3A folds in the quartz-rich metasandstone from the
Esperanza Formation. (H) Dip isogon diagrams of Ramsay (1967) for F3E folds in the Esperanza area.
 584 M. Martini et al.
8E8G). F3A folds are accompanied by an S3A axial plane
crenulation cleavage defined by seams of fine-grained
opaque minerals, which suggests that pressure solution was
the main deformation mechanism during the D3A shorten-
ing event. F3E folds are composed of competent layers with
a type 1C geometry and incompetent layers with a charac-
teristic type 3 profile (Figure 8H). Competent
layers display
relatively homogeneous values of (2 /1 ), with a main
trend between 0.65 and 0.75.
4. Discussion
In this section, we compare the deformation phases rec-
ognized in the Arperos and Esperanza areas and propose
a comprehensive model of deformation for the Sierra de
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Guanajuato area, with the aim of deciphering the structural
evolution related to the closure of the Arperos Basin and
accretion of the Guerrero terrane in central Mexico.
4.1. The structural evolution of the Sierra de
Guanajuato
Our data document that the Arperos and Esperanza areas
record an overall comparable structural evolution. A synop-
sis of the deformation events recognized in these two areas
is given in Figure 9.
Based on the similar kinematics, structural style, and
metamorphic conditions, the D1A phase recognized in the
Arperos area may be well correlated to the D1E phase
in the Esperanza area (Figure 9). Therefore, D1A and
D1E can be considered to be the expression of a major
D1SG regional shortening in the Sierra de Guanajuato
area, which produced the imbrication of kilometre-scale
thrust sheets composed of successions from the western
and central parts of the Arperos Basin (Figure 9). The
orientation of the D1SG structures and the kinematic indi-
cators observed in rocks cut parallel to the XZ-plane of the
finite strain ellipsoid consistently indicate NESW short-
ening and tectonic transport to the southwest. Based on
mylonite microtextures and the composition of syntectonic
minerals, the D1SG deformation event took place under
low greenschist or subgreenschist conditions and was
controlled mostly by pressure solution mechanisms and
crystalplastic deformation.
The D1SG event was followed by a subsequent D2SG
phase of NESW shortening, which is represented exclu-
sively in the Arperos area by a kilometre-scale T2A thrust
and F2A folds (Figure 9). During the D2SG shorten-
ing event, the volcaniclastic turbidites of the Cuestecita
Formation were tectonically transported to the northeast
and emplaced onto the previously deformed rocks of the
Arperos Formation (Figure 9). Folds related to the D2SG
shortening formed by the process of buckling and under-
went heterogeneous flattening ( (2 /1 ) = 0.10.5 for
competent layers) during a subsequent shortening event.
Also in this case, microtextures and syntectonic minerals
indicate that the deformation was dominantly controlled by
pressure solution mechanisms and crystalplastic deforma-
tion under low greenschist or subgreenschist metamorphic
conditions.
Thrusts and folds related to the D3A and D2E phases
share the same top-to-the-SE kinematics, low-grade green-
schist metamorphic conditions and are clearly superposed
to structures formed during the two previous D1SG and
D2SG shortening events (Figure 9). Thus, it is reasonable
to propose that D3A and D2E structures are the result of
a major D3SG phase of NWSE shortening that produced
the emplacement of the arc assemblage onto the previously
deformed successions of the Arperos Basin (Figure 9). The
variation of thickness orthogonal to bedding indicates that
folds related to the D3SG shortening were initially pro-
duced bybuckling and then underwent heterogeneous flat-
tening ( (2 /1 ) = 0.20.8 for competent layers) during a
subsequent deformation event.
Finally, folds and brittle to brittleductile thrusts related
to the D4A and D3E deformation phases display the
same top-to-the-SW kinematics, low-grade greenschist
metamorphic conditions, and are superposed ubiquitously
on the previous structures produced during the D1SG,
D2SG, and D3SG events. Based on these considerations,
we correlate the D4A and D3E deformation phases and
consider them to be the expression of a major D4SG
regional shortening, which produced the final deforma-
tion of the already structured Guanajuato tectonic pile
(Figure 9). Folds related to the D4SG shortening formed by
buckling
and underwent relatively homogeneous flattening
( (2 /1 ) = 0.650.75 for competent layers). Considering
that this deformation event represents the last significant
NESW shortening in the Sierra de Guanajuato area, such
a homogeneous flattening must have accompanied buck-
ling during the final stage of the D4SG phase, producing
the passive amplification of F4SG folds. Based on this
consideration, the D4SG shortening event must also be
responsible for the heterogeneous flattening recorded by
previously formed F2SG and F3SG folds, which display
significantly lower values of (2 /1 ) relative to the F4SG
fold as they accommodated higher amounts of shortening.
4.2. The closure of the Arperos Basin and collision of
the Guerrero terrane
The picture that emerges from this study is that a clear
sequence of tectonic events and processes affected the suc-
cessions of the Arperos Basin and El Paxtle arc assemblage
in the Sierra de Guanajuato area. This sequence is depicted
schematically in Figure 9.
The Late JurassicLower Early Cretaceous, at least in
this part of the Cordillera, was characterized by the depo-
sition of deep marine clastic strata in the Arperos Basin,
 International Geology Review 585
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Figure 9. Synopsis and correlation of the recognized deformation phases in the Arperos and Esperanza areas.

which was located between the Mexican continental shelf
and the offshore El Paxtle arc of the Guerrero terrane
(Figure 9). During the D1SG and D2SG shortening events,
the Late Jurassicearly Early Cretaceous basinal succes-
sions detached from their basement rocks and piled up
forming an imbricate fan of thrust sheets that marked the
closure of the Arperos Basin (Figure 9). Subsequently,
the El Paxtle arc assemblage was tectonically emplaced
onto the previously deformed successions of the Arperos
Basin during the D3SG deformation phase (Figure 9).
 586 M. Martini et al.
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Figure 10. Schematic three-step model for the structural evolution related to the Guerrero terrane accretion. During the D1SG and D2SG
phases (A) and (B), the NE-progressive migration of the Guerrero terrane produced the closure of the Arperos Basin and the formation of
a doubly vergent imbricate fan of basinal thrust sheets that accommodated substantial NESW shortening. Once the Arperos Basin was
closed, the El Paxtle arc assemblage of the Guerrero terrane collided with the Mexican mainland during the D3SG phase (C) and was
tectonically emplaced at the top of the pile with a top-to-the-SE main tectonic transport.

Considering this scenario, the tectonic pile exposed in the
Sierra de Guanajuato area records the complete structural
evolution related to the closure of an oceanic basin and the
accretion of a juvenile terrane to the continental mainland.
For that reason, we consider the Guanajuato tectonic pile to
be an ideal exposure to reconstructing the processes related
to the accretion of the Guerrero terrane onto the Mexican
continental core.
The D1SG event accommodated substantial NESW
shortening in the eastern and central parts of the Arperos
Basin, which resulted in the development of an imbricate
fan of thrust sheets with consistent structural vergence to
the southwest (Figures 9 and 10A). We associate this defor-
mation phase to the collapse and initial closure of the
Arperos Basin triggered by the progressive NE migration
of the Guerrero terrane. The subsequent D2SG shorten-
ing produced the deformation of the western basinal rocks
and the ultimate closure of the Arperos Basin (Figures 9
and 10B). During the D2SG event, the main NESW
shortening direction was preserved, suggesting the persis-
tence of the NE migration of the Guerrero terrane as the
cause for the closure of the basin. However, the kinemat-
ics of the structures indicates that the structural vergence
was reverted during the D2SG shortening, resulting in the
 International Geology Review
top-to-the-NE transport of the western succession of the
Arperos Basin onto the previously stacked tectonic pile
(Figure 10B). Such a reversal in the structural vergence is
plausible if one considers that the western margin of the
Arperos Basin was constructed on top of or close to the
El Paxtle arc. In fact, this latter was a thick and resistant
volcanic massif that was unable to be accreted at the base
of the SW-vergent tectonic pile. As a result, the succes-
sions of the western Arperos Basin detached from their
substrate and were transported tectonically to the north-
east (Figure 10B). The main NESW shortening direction
recognized in the Sierra de Guanajuato for the D1SG and
D2SG phases is consistent with the NE migration and tec-
tonic transport of the Guerrero terrane documented in the
Valle de Bravo and Arcelia areas (Salinas-Prieto et al.
2000; Fitz-Daz et al. 2008). This suggests that the shorten-
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ing structures in the Sierra de Guanajuato, Valle de Bravo,
and Arcelia may be related to the same tectonic process,
and thus constitute discontinuous exposures of a single
deformation belt caused by the closure of the Arperos
Basin and collision of the Guerrero terrane (Figure 10B).
Once the Arperos Basin was closed, the El Paxtle
arc assemblage was emplaced at the top of the tec-
tonic pile during the D3SG deformation event (Figures 9
and 10C). However, D3SG structures in the Sierra de
Guanajuato area indicate that during this stage of deforma-
tion the main shortening direction was orientated NWSE
and that shortening was accommodated mostly by ductile
thrusts showing a consistent structural vergence to the
southeast. The NWSE shortening documented for the
D3SG phase is apparently inconsistent with the north-
east progressive motion of the Guerrero terrane. This
apparent inconsistency resides in the assumption that the
arccontinent collision is a tectonic process that involves
two distinct lithospheric blocks with straight and paral-
lel boundaries, and thus produces structures with a con-
sistent kinematics along the entire extent of the suture
belt. However, the present-day configuration of continen-
tal margins reveals how ragged a lithospheric boundary
can be. Therefore, assuming a more irregular and reason-
able geometry for the lithospheric margins, the distance
between an allochthonous arc massif and a continental
leading edge may vary significantly along the strike of a
collisional boundary. As a consequence, the collision may
occur diachronically and possibly will result in the differen-
tial shortening of the arc along the suture zone. Portions of
the arc that experienced the highest amount of shortening
may undergo tectonic escape as the result of the continu-
ous impingement of the volcanic massif to the continental
margin. Based on these considerations, the arccontinent
collision may result in a complex suture belt characterized
locally by sectors where thrust sheets display a different
kinematics relative to the main tectonic transport direc-
tion of the colliding arc. Applying such a scenario to the
pacific margin of Mexico, we suggest that the top-to-the-SE
587
emplacement of the El Paxtle assemblage in the study area
may be the result of the lateral extrusion of the arc pro-
duced by the continuous NE migration and impingement of
the Guerrero terrane during its collision with the Mexican
mainland (Figure 10C).
The emplacement of the arc assemblage onto the
Arperos Basin successions marks the finalization of the
arccontinent collision in the Sierra de Guanajuato area.
During the Albian, the limestone of the La Perlita
Formation was deposited unconformably on top of the
Guanajuato tectonic pile, post-dating the Guerrero terrane
accretion (Figure 9). It is worth noting that 250 km
south of the Sierra de Guanajuato, in the Arcelia area
(Figures 1A and 10C), pillow basalts from the Arperos
Basin yielded two 40 Ar/39 Ar ages of 103 Ma and 93 Ma
(Elas-Herrera et al. 2000). These ages suggest that the
accretion of the Guerrero terrane occurred diachronically
along the Mexican mainland, supporting the possibility of
the differential shortening for the El Paxtle arc assemblage.
Alternatively, these ages may also represent an Albian
Cenomanian regional thermal event that produced Ar loss
in pre-Albian basaltic rocks of the Arperos Basin.
In the Late Cretaceous or early Palaeocene, the La
Perlita Formation was folded together with the previously
deformed rocks of the Guanajuato tectonic pile during the
D4SG shortening event (Figure 9). Considering that by
this time the Guerrero terrane was already amalgamated
with the Mexican mainland, the D4SG shortening must
be related to another tectonic process. Late Cretaceous
early Cenozoic shortening structures are extensively doc-
umented in Mexico from the present-day pacific coast to
the Gulf of Mexico and were related either to the Sevier
or Laramide orogeny (e.g. Campa-Uranga 1985; Salinas-
Prieto et al. 2000; Chvez-Cabello et al. 2005; Nieto-
Samaniego et al. 2006; Chvez-Cabello et al. 2007; Fitz-
Daz et al. 2011; Martini and Ferrari 2011). Adopting such
a correlation, our data document that the structures exposed
in the Sierra de Guanajuato area record the superposition
of two distinct tectonic processes: the late Aptian accre-
tion of the Guerrero terrane and the Late Cretaceousearly
Palaeocene Sevier or Laramide orogeny. The distinction of
these two regional tectonic processes represents a task for
future researchers and remains a key for the understanding
of the geologic evolution of the Mexican Pacific margin.
5. Conclusions
Structural data from the Sierra de Guanajuato area doc-
ument that accretion of the Guerrero terrane produced a
complex tectonic pile of thrust sheets in central Mexico.
The lower structural levels of this pile consist of succes-
sions of the Arperos Basin that accommodated substantial
NESW shortening during the NE progressive migration
of the Guerrero terrane. Once the Arperos Basin was
closed, the El Paxtle arc assemblage of the Guerrero terrane
 588 M. Martini et al.
collided with the Mexican mainland and was thrust on
top of the pile, reflecting a top-to-the-SE main tectonic
transport direction. Preliminarily, we interpret that such
a change in the shortening direction may have been a
result of the tectonic escape of the arc assemblage pro-
duced by the continuous NE impingement of the Guerrero
terrane during its collision with the Mexican mainland. The
emplacement of the arc assemblage onto the Arperos Basin
successions marks the termination of arccontinent colli-
sion in the Sierra de Guanajuato area. This tectonic process
is post-dated by the Albian La Perlita limestone that was
unconformably deposited on the Guanajuato tectonic pile.
Subsequently, the La Perlita limestone, as well as the pre-
viously deformed rocks of the Guanajuato tectonic pile,
was deformed during a Late Cretaceousearly Palaeocene
NESW shortening event that may have been related to the
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Sevier or Laramide orogeny.
Acknowledgements
The research was funded by PAPIIT (Programa de Apoyo a
Proyectos de Investigacin e Innovacin Tecnolgica) grants
IN110810-3 to Antoni Camprub. Thin sections were prepared
by Joaqun Aparicio. We thank Elena Centeno-Garca and J.
Aranda-Gmez for field discussions concerning the evolution of
the Guerrero terrane.
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