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Strontium isotopic studies of alkalic rocks: Localities from Australia, Spain, and the Western United States

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Abstract

Initial Sr87/Sr86 ratios and rubidium and strontium contents have been measured in 83 specimens from 8 suites of alkalic and ultrabasic rocks. The range of initial Sr87/Sr86 ratio observed and the number of specimens (in parentheses) analysed for each suite are: West Kimberley, Australia (8), 0.7125–0.7215; Jumilla, Spain (6), 0.7136–0.7158; Bearpaw Mountains, Montana (9), 0.7062–0.7086; Highwood Mountains, Montana (10), 0.7072–0.7087; Hopi Buttes, Arizona (8), 0.7038–0.7094; Leucite Hills, Wyoming (17), 0.7055–0.7070; Montana diatremes (13), 0.7034–0.7073; Navajo Province, Arizona and New Mexico (12), 0.7052–0.7099.

The initial Sr87/Sr86 ratios of the West Kimberley and Jumilla rocks are the highest yet found in strontium-rich basic rocks. Some of the individual specimens from West Kimberley have initial ratios as high as some estimates of the present Sr87/Sr86 ratio of average crustal material. This is interpreted to mean that the West Kimberley and Jumilla rocks contain substantial amounts of radiogenic strontium, and possibly other elements, from a crustal source.

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Powell, J.L., Bell, K. Strontium isotopic studies of alkalic rocks: Localities from Australia, Spain, and the Western United States. Contr. Mineral. and Petrol. 27, 1–10 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00539537

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