Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Perovskite geochronology and petrogenesis of the Neoproterozoic Mad Gap Yards ultramafic lamprophyre dykes, East Kimberley region, Western Australia

Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Cite this article

Abstract

The Mad Gap Yards ultramafic lamprophyre (UML) dykes in the East Kimberley region of northern Western Australia form part of a widespread Neoproterozoic (~ 842–800 Ma) alkaline mafic–ultramafic magmatic province in the north, east and central regions of the Kimberley Craton of Western Australia. The NE-trending Mad Gap Yards dykes lie at the southeastern margin of the Kimberley Basin adjacent to the Greenvale Fault and intrude the Paleoproterozoic Elgee Siltstone. The dykes are classified as alnöite, and contain abundant macrocrystic olivine in a groundmass of phlogopite, perovskite, spinels, diopside, apatite, andradite–hydroandradite, serpentine, calcite, pseudomorphs after melilite and rare gittinsite. Mantle-derived olivine macrocrysts have compositions in the range Mg#91–92, similar to moderately refractory peridotite from other parts of the Kimberley Craton, whereas magmatic olivine phenocrysts have Mg#88–90. Olivine and chromian spinel were the earliest phenocrysts; they record equilibration temperatures of ~ 1030–920℃ under moderately reducing conditions with fO2 values below the fayalite-magnetite-quartz (FMQ) oxygen buffer (Δ FMQ = mostly − 0.8 to − 1.7 log units). Magnetite rims and groundmass grains crystallised at ~ 850–740℃ under more oxidising conditions with Δ FMQ ~  + 0.6 to − 0.75 log units. Perovskite is well preserved in parts of the dykes and indicates crystallisation inside this fO2 range. The perovskite yielded a SHRIMP 206Pb/238U age of 842 ± 8 Ma. The Mad Gap Yards dykes carry rare partially altered spinel-peridotite xenoliths containing olivine (Mg#86.3–90), Cr-diopside, enstatite and Al-Cr spinel, and well as mantle xenocrysts of Cr-Al spinel and Cr-diopside. Bulk rock trace-element geochemistry, Cr-diopside thermobarometry and Sr–Nd-isotopic compositions of perovskite suggest that the UML magma was derived from partial melting of a garnet-bearing asthenospheric mantle source at ~ 200 km depth. Nd depleted-mantle model ages (TDM) for perovskite range from 1106–865 Ma and broadly correlate with regional mantle metasomatism during the Yampi Orogeny (~ 1000–800 Ma). Rare evidence of mantle metasomatism by LILE and HFSE-enriched melts has been found in the form of priderite and loveringite replacing Mg-rich ilmenite in an olivine macrocryst. The timing of emplacement of the Mad Gap Yards UML dykes at ~ 842 Ma correlates with the early stages of the breakup of Rodinia.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Availability of data and materials

All data generated in this study are presented in the text of the article and the supplementary data appendices. The drill core described here is held at the Geological Survey of Western Australia Perth Core Library in Carlisle, Perth, and is available for viewing and sampling upon request.

References

  • Becker M, le Roex AP (2006) Geochemistry of South African on-and off-craton, group I and group II kimberlites: petrogenesis and source region evolution. J Pet 47(4):673–703. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egi089

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyd FR, Pokhilenko NP, Pearson DG, Mertzman SA, Sobolev NV, Finger LW (1997) Composition of the Siberian cratonic mantle: evidence from Udachnaya peridotite xenoliths. Contrib Miner Pet 128:228–246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004100050305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braunger S, Marks MAW, Wenzel T, Chmyz L, Guitarrari Azzone R, Markl G (2020) Do carbonatites and alkaline rocks reflect variable redox conditions in their upper mantle source? Earth Planet Sci Lett 533:116041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2019.116041

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brey GP, Kohler T (1990) Geothermobarometry in four-phase lherzolites II. New thermobarometers, and practical assessment of existing thermobarometers. J Pet 31(6):1353–1378. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/31.6.1353

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canil D, Bellis AJ (2007) Ferric iron in CaTiO3 perovskite as an oxygen barometer for kimberlite magmas II: applications. J Pet 48:231–252. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egl067

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carmichael ISE (1991) The redox states of basic and silicic magmas: a reflection of their source regions? Contrib Miner Pet 106:129–141. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00306429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carniel LC, Conceição RV, Klemme S, Berndt J, Jalowitzki T (2020) Origin and redox conditions of the Rosário-6 alnöite of southern Brazil: implications for the state of the mantle during Gondwana breakup. Lithos 376:105751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2020.105751

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casetta F, Asenbaum R, Ashchepkov I, Abart R, Ntaflos T (2023) Mantle-derived cargo vs liquid line of descent: reconstructing the P-T–fO2–X path of the Udachnaya-East kimberlite melts during ascent in the Siberian Sub-Cratonic Lithosphere. J Pet 64(1):1–25. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egac122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chakhmouradian AR, Mitchell RH (2000) Occurrence, alteration patterns and compositional variation of perovskite in kimberlites. Can Miner 38(4):975–994. https://doi.org/10.2113/gscanmin.38.4.975

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chakhmouradian AR, Reguir EP, Kamenetsky VS, Sharygin VV, Golovin AV (2013) Trace-element partitioning in perovskite: Implications for the geochemistry of kimberlites and other mantle-derived undersaturated rocks. Chem Geol 353:112–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2013.01.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choi E, Fiorentini ML, Giuliani A, Foley SF, Maas R, Graham S (2021) Petrogenesis of Proterozoic alkaline ultramafic rocks in the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia. Gondwana Res 93:197–217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2021.01.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Compston W, Williams IS, Meyer CE (1984) U-Pb geochronology of zircons from lunar breccia 73217 using a sensitive high-mass resolution ion microprobe. J Geophys Res 89(SO2):B525–B534. https://doi.org/10.1029/JB089iS02p0B525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dalton H, Giuliani A, O’Brien H, Phillips D, Hergt J, Maas R (2019) Petrogenesis of a hybrid cluster of evolved kimberlites and ultramafic lamprophyres in the Kuusamo area, Finland. J Pet 60(10):2025–2050. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egz062

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doroshkevich A, Prokopyev I, Kruk M, Sharygin V, Izbrodin I, Starikova A, Ponomarchuk A, Izokh A, Nugumanova Y (2022) Age and petrogenesis of ultramafic lamprophyres of the Arbarastakh alkaline-carbonatite complex, Aldan-Stanovoy shield, South of Siberian Craton (Russia): evidence for ultramafic lamprophyre-carbonatite link. J Pet 63(9):1–21. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egac073

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Downes PJ, Wartho J-A, Griffin BJ (2006) Magmatic evolution and ascent history of the Aries micaceous kimberlite, central Kimberley Basin, Western Australia: evidence from zoned phlogopite phenocrysts, and UV laser 40Ar/39Ar analysis of phlogopite–biotite. J Pet 47(9):1751–1783. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egl026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Downes PJ, Griffin BJ, Griffin WL (2007) Mineral chemistry and zircon geochronology of xenocrysts and altered mantle and crustal xenoliths from the Aries micaceous kimberlite: constraints on the composition and age of the central Kimberley Craton, Western Australia. Lithos 93(1–2):175–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2006.06.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Downes PJ, Dunkley DJ, Fletcher IR, McNaughton NJ, Rasmussen B, Jaques AL, Verrall M, Sweetapple MT (2016) Zirconolite, zircon and monazite-(Ce) U-Th-Pb age constraints on the emplacement, deformation and alteration history of the Cummins Range Carbonatite Complex, Halls Creek Orogen, Kimberley region, Western Australia. Miner Pet 110(2–3):199–222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-015-0418-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards D, Rock NM, Taylor WR, Griffin BJ, Ramsay RR (1992) Mineralogy and petrology of the Aries diamondiferous kimberlite pipe, Central Kimberley Block, Western Australia. J Pet 33(5):1157–1191. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/33.5.1157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fedortchouk Y, Canil D (2004) Intensive variables in kimberlite magmas, Lac de Gras, Canada and implications for diamond survival. J Pet 45:1725–1745. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egh031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fielding DC, Jaques AL (1989) Geology, petrology and geochemistry of the Bow Hill lamprophyre dykes, Western Australia. In: Ross J et al (eds) Kimberlites and related rocks, vol 1. Proceedings of the Fourth International Kimberlite Conference. Geological Society of Australia Special Publication, 14, pp 206–219

  • Fishwick S, Rawlinson N (2012) 3-D structure of the Australian lithosphere from evolving seismic datasets. Aust J Earth Sci 59(6):809–826. https://doi.org/10.1080/08120099.2012.702319

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fitzpayne A, Giuliani A, Hergt J, Phillips D, Janney P (2018) New geochemical constraints on the origins of MARID and PIC rocks: implications for mantle metasomatism and mantle-derived potassic magmatism. Lithos 318:478–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2018.08.036

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foley SF, Andronikov AV, Melzer S (2002) Petrology of ultramafic lamprophyres from the Beaver Lake area of eastern Antarctica and their relation to the breakup of Gondwanaland. Miner Pet 74:361–384. https://doi.org/10.1007/s007100200011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foley SF, Pintér Z (2018) Primary melt compositions in the Earth’s mantle. In: Kono Y, Sanloup C (eds) Magmas under pressure. Elsevier, p 3–42 https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811301-1.00001-0.

  • Giuliani A, Pearson DG, Soltys A, Dalton H, Phillips D, Foley SF, Lim E, Goemann K, Griffin WL, Mitchell RH (2020) Kimberlite genesis from a common carbonate-rich primary melt modified by lithospheric mantle assimilation. Sci Adv 6(17):eaaz0424. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aaz0424

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graham S, Lambert DD, Shee SR, Smith CB, Reeves S (1999) Re-Os isotopic evidence for Archean lithospheric mantle beneath the Kimberley block, Western Australia. Geology 27(5):431–434. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027%3c0431:ROIEFA%3e2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grégoire M, Tinguely C, Bell DR, Le Roex AP (2005) Spinel lherzolite xenoliths from the Premier kimberlite (Kaapvaal craton, South Africa): nature and evolution of the shallow upper mantle beneath the Bushveld complex. Lithos 84(3–4):185–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2005.02.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffin WL, Ryan CG (1995) Trace elements in indicator minerals: area selection and target evaluation in diamond exploration. J Geochem Expl 53(1–3):311–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-6742(94)00015-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffin WL, Batumike JM, Greau Y, Pearson NJ, Shee SR, O’Reilly SY (2014) Emplacement ages and sources of kimberlites and related rocks in southern Africa: U-Pb ages and Sr–Nd isotopes of groundmass perovskite. Contrib Miner Pet 168(1):1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-014-1032-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hasterok D, Chapman DS (2011) Heat production and geotherms for the continental lithosphere. Earth Planet Sci Lett 307(1–2):59–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2011.04.034

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holland TJ, Powell R (2011) An improved and extended internally consistent thermodynamic dataset for phases of petrological interest, involving a new equation of state for solids. J Metamorphic Geol 29(3):333–383. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1525-1314.2010.00923.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hutchison MT (2018) Diamond exploration and prospectivity of Western Australia. Geological Survey of Western Australia, Report 179, p 70

  • Jaques AL (2016) Major and trace element variations in oxide and titanate minerals in the West Kimberley lamproites, Western Australia. Miner Pet 110(2–3):159–197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-015-0420-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaques AL, Foley SF (2018) Insights into the petrogenesis of the West Kimberley lamproites from trace elements in olivine. Miner Pet 112(2):519–537. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-018-0612-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaques AL, Milligan PR (2004) Patterns and controls on the distribution of diamondiferous intrusions in Australia. Lithos 77(1–4):783–802. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2004.03.042

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaques AL, Lewis JD, Smith CB (1986) The kimberlites and lamproites of Western Australia. Geol Surv W Aust Bull 132:268

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaques AL, O’Neill HSC, Smith CB, Moon J, Chappell BW (1990) Diamondiferous peridotite xenoliths from the Argyle (AK1) lamproite pipe, Western Australia. Contrib Miner Pet 104:255–276. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00321484

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaques AL, Haggerty SE, Lucas H, Boxer GL (1989a) Mineralogy and petrology of the Argyle (AK1) lamproite pipe, Western Australia. In: Ross J et al (eds) Kimberlites and related rocks: their composition, occurrence, origin and emplacement: Fourth International Kimberlite Conference, Perth, Australia. Geological Society of Australia Special Publication, 14 (1), p 153–169

  • Jaques AL, Sun S-S, Chappell BW (1989b) Geochemistry of the Argyle (AK1) lamproite pipe, Western Australia. In: Ross J et al (eds) Kimberlites and related rocks: their composition, occurrence, origin and emplacement: Fourth International Kimberlite Conference, Perth, Australia. Geological Society of Australia Special Publication, 14 (1), pp 170–188

  • Jaques AL, Luguet A, Smith CB, Pearson DG, Yaxley GM, Kobussen A (2018) Nature of the mantle beneath the Argyle AK1 lamproite pipe: constraints from mantle xenoliths, diamonds, and lamproite geochemistry. In: Davy AT, Smith CB, Helmstaedt HH, Jaques AL, Gurney JJ (eds) Geoscience and Exploration of the Argyle, Bunder, Diavik, and Murowa Diamond Deposits. Special Publications of the Society of Economic Geologists, 20, pp 119–144. https://doi.org/10.5382/SP.20.05.

  • Kargin A, Bussweiler Y, Nosova A, Sazonova L, Berndt J, Klemme S (2021) Titanium-rich metasomatism in the lithospheric mantle beneath the Arkhangelsk Diamond Province, Russia: insights from ilmenite-bearing xenoliths and HP–HT reaction experiments. Contrib Miner Pet 176(12):1–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-021-01863-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaur G, Mitchell RH (2016) Mineralogy of the P-12 K-Ti-richterite diopside olivine lamproite from Wajrakarur, Andhra Pradesh, India: implications for subduction-related magmatism in eastern India. Miner Pet 110:223–245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-015-0402-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kinny PD, Griffin BJ, Heaman LM, Brakhfogel FF, Spetsius ZV (1997) Shrimp U-Pb ages of perovskite from Yakutian kimberlites. Russian Geol Geophys 38(1):97–105

    Google Scholar 

  • le Roex AP, Bell DR, Davis P (2003) Petrogenesis of group I kimberlites from Kimberley, South Africa: evidence from bulk-rock geochemistry. J Pet 44(12):2261–2286. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egg077

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Z-X, Bogdanova SV, Collins AS et al (2008) Assembly, configuration, and break-up history of Rodinia: a synthesis. Precamb Res 160:179–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2007.04.021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindsay MD, Occhipinti S, Aitken AR, Metelka V, Hollis J, Tyler I (2016) Proterozoic accretionary tectonics in the east Kimberley region, Australia. Precamb Res 278:265–282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2016.03.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lithoquest (2019) Lithoquest Diamonds announces early Triassic age for 1804 kimberlite. Public release by Lithoquest Resources Inc. https://lithoquest.com/2019/03/04/lithoquest-diamonds-announces-early-triassic-age-for-1804-kimberlite/. Accessed 29 July 2022

  • Ludwig KR (2003) Isoplot 3.0: a geochronological toolkit for microsoft excel. Berkeley Geochronology Center Special Publication, 4, p 70

  • Ludwig KR (2009) SQUID II, a user’s manual. Berkeley Geochronology Center Special Publication, 2, p 22

  • Luguet A, Jaques AL, Pearson DG, Smith CB, Bulanova GP, Roffey SL, Rayner MJ, Lorand JP (2009) An integrated petrological, geochemical and Re–Os isotope study of peridotite xenoliths from the Argyle lamproite, Western Australia and implications for cratonic diamond occurrences. Lithos 112:1096–1108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2009.05.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luth RW (2009) The activity of silica in kimberlites, revisited. Contrib Miner Pet 158:283–294. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-009-0383-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maidment DW, Williams IS, Hand M (2007) Testing long-term patterns of basin sedimentation by detrital zircon geochronology, Centralian Superbasin, Australia. Basin Res 19(3):335–360. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2117.2007.00326.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maidment DW, Lu Y, Phillips C, Korhonen FJ, Fielding IOH, Wingate MTD, Kirkland CL, Murphy R, Tilhac R, Poujol M, Zhao J (2022) Geochronology of metasedimentary and igneous rocks in the Lamboo Province, Kimberley region: reassessing collisional geodynamic models. Geological Survey of Western Australia, Report 215, p 82

  • McDonough WF, Sun S-S (1995) The composition of the Earth. Chem Geol 120(3–4):223–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(94)00140-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKenzie D, O’Nions R (1991) Partial melt distributions from inversion of rare earth element concentrations. J Pet 32(5):1021–1091. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/32.5.1021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell RH (1986) Kimberlites: mineralogy, geochemistry, and petrology. Plenum, New York, p 442

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell RH (1995) Kimberlites, orangeites and related rocks. Plenum, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Mohan MR, Sarma DS, McNaughton N, Fletcher IR, Wilde SA, Siddiqui MA, Rasmussen B, Krapez B, Gregory CJ, Kamo SL (2014) SHRIMP zircon and titanite U-Pb ages, Lu-Hf isotope signatures and geochemical constraints for ∼2.56 Ga granitic magmatism in Western Dharwar Craton, Southern India: evidence for short-lived Neoarchean episodic crustal growth? Precamb Res 243:197–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2013.12.017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ngwenya NS, Tappe S (2021) Diamondiferous lamproites of the Luangwa Rift in central Africa and links to remobilized cratonic lithosphere. Chem Geol 568:120019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2020.120019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nimis P, Taylor WR (2000) Single clinopyroxene thermobarometry for garnet peridotites. Part I. Calibration and testing of a Cr-in-Cpx barometer and an enstatite-in-Cpx thermometer. Contrib Miner Pet 139(5):541–554. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004100000156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nosova AA, Kopylova MG, Sazonova LV, Vozniak AA, Kargin AV, Lebedeva NM, Volkova GD, Peresetskaya EV (2021) Petrology of lamprophyre dykes in the Kola Alkaline Carbonatite Province (N Europe). Lithos 398–399:106277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2021.106277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Neill CJ, Moresi L, Jaques AL (2005) Geodynamic controls on diamond deposits: implications for Australian occurrences. Tectonophys 404(3–4):217–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2005.04.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Reilly SY, Griffin WL (2013) Mantle metasomatism. In: Metasomatism and the chemical transformation of rock. Lecture notes in earth system sciences. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, p 471–533 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-28394-9_12.

  • Occhipinti SA, Metelka V, Lindsay MD, Hollis JA, Aitken AR, Tyler IM, Miller JM, McCuaig TC (2016) Multicommodity mineral systems analysis highlighting mineral prospectivity in the Halls Creek Orogen. Ore Geol Rev 72:86–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2015.07.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olierook HK, Agangi A, Plavsa D, Reddy SM, Yao W, Clark C, Occhipinti SA, Kylander-Clark AR (2019) Neoproterozoic hydrothermal activity in the West Australian Craton related to Rodinia assembly or breakup? Gondwana Res 68:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2018.10.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palme H, O’Neill HSC (2005) Cosmochemical estimates of mantle composition. In: Carlson RW (ed) The mantle and core, vol 2. Treatise on geochemistry. Elsevier–Pergamon, Oxford, p 1–38

  • Paton C, Hellstrom J, Paul B, Woodhead J, Hergt J (2011) Iolite: freeware for the visualization and processing of mass spectrometer data. J Anal Atom Spectrom 26:2508–2518. https://doi.org/10.1039/C1JA10172B

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearson DG, Woodhead J, Janney PE (2019) Kimberlites as geochemical probes of Earth’s mantle. Elements 15(6):387–392. https://doi.org/10.2138/gselements.15.6.387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips D, Clarke W, Jaques AL (2022) Age and origin of the West Kimberley lamproites, Western Australia. Lithos 432–433:106913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2022.106913

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pidgeon RT, Smith CB, Fanning CM (1989) Kimberlite and lamproite emplacement ages in Western Australia. In: Ross J et al (eds) Kimberlites and related rocks: their composition, occurrence, origin and emplacement. Geological Society of Australia Special Publication 14(1). Blackwell, Oxford, p 369–381

  • Ramsay RR (1992) Geochemistry of diamond-indicator minerals. PhD thesis, University of Western Australia, Perth, p 131

  • Rayner MJ, Moss SW, Lorenz V, Jaques AL, Boxer GL, Smith CB, Webb K (2018) New insights into volcanic processes from deep mining of the southern diatreme within the Argyle lamproite pipe, Western Australia. Miner Pet 112(2):351–363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00710-018-0625-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reddicliffe TH, Jakimowicz J, Hell AJ, Robins JA (2003) The geology, mineralogy, and near surface characteristics of the Ashmore and Seppelt kimberlite clusters, north Kimberley Province, Australia. In: International kimberlite conference: extended abstracts, vol 8, p 5. https://doi.org/10.29173/ikc3079.

  • Rezvukhin DI, Alifirova TA, Korsakov AV, Golovin AV (2019) A new occurrence of yimengite-hawthorneite and crichtonite-group minerals in an orthopyroxenite from kimberlite: implications for mantle metasomatism. Am Miner 104(5):761–774. https://doi.org/10.2138/am-2019-6741

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rock NMS (1986) The nature and origin of ultramafic lamprophyres: alnöites and allied rocks. J Pet 27(1):155–196. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/27.1.155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rock NMS (1991) Lamprophyres. Blackie and Son, Glasgow

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Rockett GMI (1997) Petrology and weathering of the Ashmore No. 1 pipe and Lower Bulgurri Fissure in the North Kimberley Province, Western Australia. Honours thesis, University of Western Australia, p 126

  • Roeder PL, Schulze DJ (2008) Crystallization of groundmass spinel in kimberlite. J Pet 49(8):1473–1495. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egn034

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salnikova EB, Chakhmouradian AR, Stifeeva MV, Reguir EP, Kotov AB, Gritsenko YD, Nikiforov AV (2019) Calcic garnets as a geochronological and petrogenetic tool applicable to a wide variety of rocks. Lithos 338:141–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2019.03.032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar S, Giuliani A, Ghosh S, Phillips D (2021) Petrogenesis of coeval lamproites and kimberlites from the Wajrakarur field, Southern India: New insights from olivine compositions. Lithos 406–407:106524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2021.106524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaikh AM, Patel SC, Ravi S, Behera D, Pruseth KL (2017) Mineralogy of the TK1 and TK4 ‘kimberlites’ in the Timmasamudram cluster, Wajrakarur Kimberlite Field, India: Implications for lamproite magmatism in a field of kimberlites and ultramafic lamprophyres. Chem Geol 455:208–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.10.030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith CB, Lucas H, Hall AE, Ramsay RR (1994) Diamond prospectivity and indicator mineral chemistry: a Western Australian perspective. In: Meyer HOA, Leonardos OH (eds) Diamonds: characterization, genesis and exploration. Campanhia de Pesquisa de Recursos Minerais, Special Publication 1B, p 312–318

  • Stacey JS, Kramers JD (1975) Approximation of terrestrial lead isotope evolution by a two-stage model. Earth Planet Sci Lett 26:206–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(75)90088-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sudholz ZJ, Yaxley GM, Jaques AL, Brey GP (2021) Experimental recalibration of the Cr-in-clinopyroxene geobarometer: improved precision and reliability above 4.5 GPa. Contrib Miner Pet 176:11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-020-01768-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun S-S, McDonough WF (1989) Chemical and isotopic systematics of oceanic basalts: implications for mantle composition and processes. Geological Society, London, Special Publication 42:313–345. https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.1989.042.01.19

  • Sun S-S, Jaques AL, McCulloch MT (1986) Isotopic evolution of the Kimberley block, Western Australia. In: Abstracts of 4th international kimberlite conference, Geological Society of Australia 16, Perth, 1986, p 346–348. https://doi.org/10.29173/ikc1167

  • Tappe S, Foley SF, Jenner GA, Kjarsgaard BA (2005) Integrating ultramafic lamprophyres into the IUGS classification of igneous rocks: rationale and implications. J Pet 46:1893–1900. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egi039

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tappe S, Foley SF, Jenner GA, Heaman LM, Kjarsgaard BA, Romer RL, Stracke A, Joyce N, Hoefs J (2006) Genesis of ultramafic lamprophyres and carbonatites at Aillik Bay, Labrador: a consequence of incipient lithospheric thinning beneath the North Atlantic craton. J Pet 47(7):1261–1315. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egl008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tappe S, Foley SF, Kjarsgaard BA, Romer R, Heaman LM, Stracke A, Jenner GA (2008) Between carbonatite and lamproite—Diamondiferous Torngat ultramafic lamprophyres formed by carbonate-fluxed melting of cratonic MARID-type metasomes. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 72(13):3258–3286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2008.03.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tappe S, Pearson DG, Kjarsgaard BA, Nowell G, Dowall D (2013) Mantle transition zone input to kimberlite magmatism near a subduction zone: origin of anomalous Nd–Hf isotope systematics at Lac de Gras, Canada. Earth Planet Sci Lett 371:235–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2013.03.039

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tappe S, Brand NB, Stracke A, van Acken D, Liu CZ, Strauss H, Wu FY, Luguet A, Mitchell RH (2017a) Plates or plumes in the origin of kimberlites: U/Pb perovskite and Sr-Nd-Hf-Os-C-O isotope constraints from the Superior craton (Canada). Chem Geol 455:57–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.08.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tappe S, Romer RL, Stracke A, Steenfelt A, Smart KA, Muehlenbachs K, Torsvik TH (2017b) Sources and mobility of carbonate melts beneath cratons, with implications for deep carbon cycling, metasomatism and rift initiation. Earth Planet Sci Lett 466:152–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2017.03.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor WR (1998) An experimental test of some geothermometer and geobarometer formulations for upper mantle peridotites with application to the thermobarometry of fertile lherzolite and garnet websterite. N Jahrb Miner Abh 172:381–408. https://doi.org/10.1127/njma/172/1998/381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor WR, Kamperman M, Hamilton R (1998) New thermometer and oxygen fugacity sensor calibrations for ilmenite- and chromian spinel-bearing peridotitic assemblages. In: 7th International Kimberlite Conference, Cape Town, Extended abstracts, p 891. https://doi.org/10.29173/ikc2920.

  • Taylor WR, Richardson M, Bennett V (2000) Geochemistry of mantle xenoliths and xenocrysts from the Skerring kimberlite, Western Australia—evidence for a ∼ 800 Ma lithosphere re-fertilization event. Geological Society of Australia, Abstracts No. 59. 15th Australian Geological Convention, Sydney, July 2000

  • Taylor WR (2008) Rutile U-Pb dating in diamond exploration - application to detrital heavy mineral provenance studies and kimberlite age dating. In: 9th International kimberlite conference extended abstract no. 9IKC-A-00373. https://doi.org/10.29173/ikc3589.

  • Towie NJ (1996) Annual report, Diamin Resources NL, Perth, p 40

  • Towie NJ (1997) Mad Gap Yards Prospect, WA. Annual Report 1995–96: Geological Survey of Western Australia, Statutory mineral exploration report, A50761 (unpublished), p 280

  • Tyler IM, Hocking RM, Haines PW (2012) Geological evolution of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Episodes 35:298–306. https://doi.org/10.18814/epiiugs/2012/v35i1/029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viljoen A, Howarth GH, Giuliani A, Fitzpayne A, Costin G (2022) Correlations between olivine composition and groundmass mineralogy in Sierra Leone kimberlites provide constraints on craton-specific melt-lithosphere interactions. Lithos 430:106846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2022.106846

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walter MR, Veevers JJ, Calver CR, Grey K (1995) Neoproterozoic stratigraphy of the Centralian Superbasin, Australia. Precamb Res 73:173–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/0301-9268(94)00077-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wingate MT, Campbell IH, Compston W, Gibson GM (1998) Ion microprobe U-Pb ages for Neoproterozoic basaltic magmatism in south-central Australia and implications for the breakup of Rodinia. Precamb Res 87(3–4):135–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-9268(97)00072-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woodhead J, Hergt J, Giuliani A, Maas R, Phillips D, Pearson DG, Nowell G (2019) Kimberlites reveal 2.5-billion-year evolution of a deep, isolated mantle reservoir. Nature 573(7775):578–581. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1574-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Workman RK, Hart SR (2005) Major and trace element composition of the depleted MORB mantle (DMM). Earth Planet Sci Lett 231(1–2):53–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2004.12.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu FY, Yang YH, Mitchell RH, Li QL, Yang JH, Zhang YB (2010) In situ U-Pb age determination and Nd isotopic analysis of perovskites from kimberlites in southern Africa and Somerset Island, Canada. Lithos 115(1–4):205–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2009.12.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyatt BA (1979) Kimberlitic chromian picroilmenities with intergrowths of titanian chromite and rutile. In: Boyd FR, Meyer HOA (eds) The mantle sample: inclusions in kimberlites and other volcanics, vol 16, p 257–264 https://doi.org/10.1029/SP016p0257.

  • Xu J, Melgarejo J, Castillo-Oliver M (2018) Styles of alteration of Ti oxides of the kimberlite groundmass: implications on the petrogenesis and classification of kimberlites and similar rocks. Minerals 8(2):51. https://doi.org/10.3390/min8020051

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoder HS Jr (1975) Relationship of melilite-bearing rocks to kimberlite: a preliminary report on the system akermanite-CO2. Phys Chem Earth 9:883–894. https://doi.org/10.1016/0079-1946(75)90058-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Drillcore from the Mad Gap Yards prospect initially was supplied to the Western Australian Museum by John Towie and Diamin Resources. U-Th-Pb analyses were conducted using a SHRIMP II ion microprobe at the Large Geometry Ionprobe Facility of the John de Laeter Center, Curtin University Perth, Australia. Research in the JdLC GeoHistory Facility is enabled by AuScope (auscope.org.au) and the Australian Government via the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). Brendan Griffin assisted with early parts of this work. Janet Dunphy and Neal McNaughton were of great assistance with SHRIMP operation and analysis. Robert Rapp (formerly ANU) is thanked for assistance with the EPMA analyses. ALJ acknowledges the support from ARC Discovery Project DP 140103841. This study used instrumentation funded by the Australian Government, Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) Systemic Infrastructure Grants, ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF), NCRIS/AuScope, Macquarie University and industry partners. This is contribution 1758 from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems (http://www.ccfs.mq.edu.au) and 1527 in the GEMOC Key Centre (http://www.gemoc.mq.edu.au). Reviews by Dante Canil, Hugh O’Brien and an anonymous reviewer helped to improve an earlier version of this manuscript.

Funding

No specific funding was received for conducting this study. However, ALJ acknowledges the support from ARC Discovery Project DP 140103841. This study used instrumentation funded by the Australian Government, Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) Systemic Infrastructure Grants, ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF), NCRIS/AuScope, Macquarie University and industry partners. This study also used instrumentation in the JdLC GeoHistory Facility that is enabled by AuScope (auscope.org.au) and the Australian Government via the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Western Australian Museum, Locked Bag 49, Welshpool DC, Perth, WA, 6986, Australia

    Peter J. Downes

  2. Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    A. Lynton Jaques

  3. John de Laeter Centre, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6945, Australia

    Cristina Talavera & Noreen J. Evans

  4. School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, The King’s Building, James Hutton Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FE, UK

    Cristina Talavera

  5. ARC Centre of Excellence for Core to Crust Fluid Systems (CCFS) and GEMOC, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia

    William L. Griffin & Sarah E. M. Gain

  6. Energy Metals Ltd, PO Box 1323, West Perth, WA, 6872, Australia

    Wayne R. Taylor

  7. CSIRO Mineral Resources, 26 Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington, WA, 6151, Australia

    Michael Verrall

Authors
  1. Peter J. Downes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Lynton Jaques
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Cristina Talavera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. William L. Griffin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Sarah E. M. Gain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Noreen J. Evans
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Wayne R. Taylor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Michael Verrall
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

PJD undertook logging and sampling of the drill core, petrography, EDS mineral analysis and wrote the main manuscript text. ALJ performed WDS mineral analysis, thermobarometry and oxygen fugacity calculations, drafted sections of the text related to these areas, and contributed to the revision and editing of the paper. CT undertook the SHRIMP U-Th-Pb perovskite geochronology and wrote the associated text. WLG processed perovskite Nd–Sr isotopic data and advised on its interpretation. SEMG performed the LA-MC-ICPMS Nd–Sr isotopic analysis of perovskite. NJE performed the LA-ICPMS trace-element analysis of perovskite and processed the analytical data. WRT provided HMC mineral analysis data, analysed this data and wrote part of the manuscript describing the spinel chemistry. MV assisted with the processing of EDS mineral analysis data. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter J. Downes.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Additional information

Communicated by Dante Canil.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Downes, P.J., Jaques, A.L., Talavera, C. et al. Perovskite geochronology and petrogenesis of the Neoproterozoic Mad Gap Yards ultramafic lamprophyre dykes, East Kimberley region, Western Australia. Contrib Mineral Petrol 178, 21 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-023-02002-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-023-02002-2

Keywords

search

Navigation