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In-situ U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotope analyses of the Rayner Complex, east Antarctica

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Abstract

In-situ zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopic analysis via laser ablation microprobe-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LAM-ICPMS) of samples from Kemp and MacRobertson Lands, east Antarctica suggests that the Kemp Land terrane evolved separately from the rest of the Rayner Complex prior to the ca. 940 Ma Rayner Structural Episode. Several Archaean metamorphic events in rocks from western Kemp Land can be correlated with events previously reported for the adjacent Napier Complex. Recently reported ca. 1,600 Ma isotopic disturbance in rocks from the Oygarden Group may be correlated with a charnockitic intrusion in the Stillwell Hills before ca. 1,550 Ma. Despite being separated by some 200 km, T Hf DM ages indicate felsic orthogneiss from Rippon Point, the Oygarden Group, Havstein Island and the Stillwell Hills share a ca. 3,660–3,560 Ma source that is indistinguishable from that previously reported for parts of the Napier Complex. More recent additions to this crust include Proterozoic charnockite in the Stillwell Hills and the vicinity of Mawson Station. These plutons have distinct 176Hf/177Hf ratios and formed via the melting of crust generated at ca. 2,150–2,550 Ma and ca. 1,790–1,870 Ma respectively.

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Acknowledgements

Careful reviews by S. Harley and an anonymous reviewer improved the paper. This work was completed with funding from the Antarctic Science Advisory Committee (GLC: ASAC Project No. 1150). Samples were collected during the 1996/1997, 1997/1998, 1999/2000 Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions. The authors would like to thank the Australian Antarctic Division and the personal of Mawson Base for their logistic support. JAH and CLK were supported by Australian Postgraduate Awards at the University of Sydney. Norm Pearson provided considerable assistance and guidance in the analytical work and its interpretation. Nigel Kelly, Julie Hollis, Richard White, Vanessa Bennett and Joel Fitzherbert are thanked for their assistance in the collection of samples. This is contribution No. 372 from the ARC National Key Centre for Geochemical Evolution and Metallogeny of Continents (http://www.els.mq.edu.au/GEMOC/).

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  1. School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    J. A. Halpin, C. L. Gerakiteys & G. L. Clarke

  2. GEMOC ARC National Key Centre, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109, Australia

    E. A. Belousova & W. L. Griffin

  3. CSIRO Exploration and Mining, North Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia

    W. L. Griffin

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Halpin, J.A., Gerakiteys, C.L., Clarke, G.L. et al. In-situ U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotope analyses of the Rayner Complex, east Antarctica. Contrib Mineral Petrol 148, 689–706 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-004-0627-6

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