The structure and tectonic position of the Neoproterozoic Central Taimyr accretionary belt of northwestern Siberia is dominated by the Faddey and Mamont-Shrenk granite-gneiss terranes, ophiolites, and back-are volcanic rocks. Granites in the granite-gneiss terranes are S-type and formed between 900 and 850 Ma from 1.9 to 1.8 Ga continental crust. U-Pb and Sm-Nd isotopic studies show that the plagiogranites of the Chelyuskin ophiolite belt formed between 850 and 740 Ma. The ophiolite complex was metamorphosed to garnet amphibolite grade around 600 Ma, which is considered to be when the accretionary belt was obducted onto the Siberian continent. Comparison of principal structures of the Central Taimyr accretionary belt with similar structures in Arctic countries permits definition of the principal stages of the Neoproterozoic destruction of the supercontinent Rodinia, in the Arctic region. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
