Refined Proterozoic evolution of the Gawler Craton, South Australia, through U-Pb zircon geochronology

Precambrian Research
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Abstract

Through the application of both conventional U-Pb zircon analyses and small-sample U-Pb isotopic analyses, the nature and timing of tectonic events leading to the formation of the Gawler Craton have been defined more precisely. Constraints on deposition of Early Proterozoic iron formation-bearing sediments have been narrowed down to the period 1960-1847 Ma. Deformed acid volcanics, including the economically important Moonta Porphyry, have zircon ages of ∼ 1790 and 1740 Ma. The voluminous acid Gawler Range Volcanics and correlatives to the east were erupted over a short interval at 1592 ± 2 Ma, and were intruded by anorogenic granites at ∼ 1575 Ma. Small-sample zircon analyses proved to be an extremely valuable adjunct to conventional analyses, generally yielding more-concordant data which forced a curved discordia through an upper intercept slightly younger than from a conventional straight-line discordia.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Refined Proterozoic evolution of the Gawler Craton, South Australia, through U-Pb zircon geochronology
Series title Precambrian Research
DOI 10.1016/0301-9268(88)90076-9
Volume 40-41
Year Published 1988
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Description 24 p.
First page 363
Last page 386
Country Australia
Other Geospatial South Australia
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