There is a long-standing discrepancy for numerous Cordilleran metamorphic core complexes, USA, between geobarometric pressures recorded in the exhumed rocks and their apparent burial depths based on palinspastic reconstructions from geologic field data. In particular, metamorphic core complexes in eastern Nevada are comprised of well-documented ~12–15 km thick Neoproterozoic–Paleozoic stratigraphy of Laurentia's western passive margin, which allows for critical characterization of field relationships. In this contribution we focus on the Ruby Mountain–East Humboldt Range–Wood Hills–Pequop Mountains (REWP) metamorphic core complex of northeast Nevada to explore reported peak pressure estimates versus geologic field relationships that appear to prohibit deep burial. Relatively high pressure estimates of 6–8 kbar (23–30 km depth, if lithostatic) from the lower section of the Neoproterozoic–Paleozoic passive margin sequence require burial and or repetition of the passive margin sequence by (2–3) × stratigraphic depths. Our observations from the least migmatized and/or mylonitized parts of this complex, including field observations, a transect of peak-temperature (T_p) estimates, and critical evaluation of proposed thickening/burial mechanisms cannot account for such deep burial. From Neoproterozoic–Cambrian (Z_) rocks part of a continuous stratigraphic section that transitions ~8 km upsection to unmetamorphosed Permian strata that were not buried, we obtained new quartz-in-garnet barometry via Raman analysis that suggest pressures of ~7 kbar (~26 km). A T_p traverse starting at the same basal Z_ rocks reveals a smooth but hot geothermal gradient of ≥40 °C/km that is inconsistent with deep burial. This observation is clearly at odds with thermal gradients implied by high P-T estimates that are all ≤25 °C/km. Remarkably similar discrepancies between pressure estimates and field observations have been discussed for the northern Snake Range metamorphic core complex, ~200 km to the southeast. We argue that a possible reconciliation of long-established field observations versus pressures estimated from a variety of barometry techniques is that the rocks experienced non-lithostatic tectonic overpressure. We illustrate how proposed mechanisms to structurally bury the rocks, as have been invoked to justify published high pressure estimates, are entirely atypical of the Cordillera hinterland and unlike structures interpreted from other analogous orogenic plateau hinterlands. Proposed overpressure mechanisms are relevant in the REWP, including impacts from deviatoric/differential stress considerations, tectonic mode switching, and the autoclave effect driven by dehydration melting. Simple mechanical arguments demonstrate how this overpressure could have been achieved. This study highlights that detailed field and structural restorations of the least strained rocks in an orogen are critical to evaluate the tectonic history of more deformed rocks.

根据地质现场数据的古构造，美国发掘出的岩石中的大气压力与其表观埋藏深度之间存在着长期的差异。特别是，内华达州东部的变质岩心复合物是由劳伦西亚西部被动缘​​的约12至15 km厚的新元古代-古生代地层组成的，据此可以进行田间关系的关键描述。在本文中，我们重点研究了内华达州东北部的红宝石山–洪堡山脉–伍德山–牧马山脉（REWP）变质核心复合体，以探讨报告的峰值压力估计值与似乎禁止深埋的地质场之间的关系。相对较高的压力估计为6–8 kbar（深度23–30 km，如果是岩石静力学的，则从新元古代到古生界的被动边缘层序的下部需要埋藏和/或以（2-3）×地层深度重复被动边缘层序。我们从该复合物的最少迁移和/或淀粉化程度最低的部分进行的观察，包括现场观察，峰值温度的横断面（T _p）估计，以及对拟议的增厚/埋葬机制的严格评估不能解释这种深埋。从新元古代-寒武纪（Z_）岩石的连续地层剖面的一部分过渡到〜8 km向上的剖面到未变质的二叠纪地层，未埋藏，我们通过拉曼分析获得了新的石榴石石英气压计，表明压力约为〜7 kbar（〜 26公里）。从相同的基底Z_岩石开始的T _p横移显示≥40°C / km的光滑但热的地热梯度与深埋葬不一致。这种观察显然与高PT所暗示的热梯度不一致。估计均为≤25°C / km。对于北部蛇形变质岩心复合体（距东南约200 km），压力估计值和实地观测值之间的差异也非常相似。我们认为，长期存在的现场观测值与通过各种气压计技术估算的压力之间的可能调和是，岩石经历了非静水构造超压。我们举例说明了提出的结构性掩埋岩石的机制（已被用来证明已发表的高压估算的依据）是如何完全不属于科迪勒拉腹地的，并且不同于其他类似造山带高原腹地所解释的结构。建议的超压机制与REWP相关，包括偏斜/微分应力考虑，构造模式转换，并通过脱水熔化来驱动高压釜效果。简单的机械论证说明了如何实现这种超压。这项研究强调，造山带中应变最小的岩石的详细场和结构恢复对于评估变形较大的岩石的构造历史至关重要。