Significance of monazite EPMA ages from the Quamby Conglomerate, Queensland

Evins, P.M., Wilde, A.R., Foster, D.R.W., McKnight, S.W., and Blenkinsop, T.G. (2007) Significance of monazite EPMA ages from the Quamby Conglomerate, Queensland. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 54 (1). pp. 19-26.

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Abstract

Th - U - Pb electron microprobe (EPMA) dating of mainly detrital monazite from the Quamby Conglomerate in the Eastern Succession of the Mt Isa inlier reveals three distinct monazite growth/recrystallisation events at around 1640, 1580 and 1490 Ma. These ages are particularly significant with respect to the timing of deposition, iron and gold mineralisation, and deformation in the Mt Isa inlier. The oldest age probably represents provenance from igneous rocks. In the sample, the majority of monazite growth occurred at 1580 Ma, coeval with peak metamorphism in the Eastern Succession. The low metamorphic grade of the conglomerate and wide compositional range of monazite bearing this age indicates that the monazite grew elsewhere and was later deposited in the conglomerate. Purple bands in the rock are composed mainly of coarse specular hematite with recrystallised margins that contribute to high (up to 20%) Fe2O3 contents in the conglomerate. Gold is also present in some of the samples. Some of the monazite grains contain small, younger (ca 1490 Ma) domains that may have grown/recrystallised in situ during a lower grade syn- or post-diagenetic metamorphic/hydrothermal event that may have been related to hematite (re)crystallisation. Together, these ages bracket deposition of the Quamby Conglomerate to between ca 1580 and 1490 Ma, the latter age most likely representing diagenesis. This depositional age also represents a maximum age for north - south-striking, upright folds of the Quamby Conglomerate and implies that significant ductile deformation has affected parts of the Mt Isa inlier after 1580 Ma and probably after 1490 Ma.

Item ID: 2315
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1440-0952
Keywords: electron microprobe analysis; geochronology; gold; monazite; Mt Isa; Quamby Conglomerate
Date Deposited: 07 May 2009 03:08
FoR Codes: 04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0403 Geology > 040311 Stratigraphy (incl Biostratigraphy and Sequence Stratigraphy) @ 100%
SEO Codes: 84 MINERAL RESOURCES (excl. Energy Resources) > 8499 Other Mineral Resources (excl. Energy Resources) > 849999 Mineral Resources (excl. Energy Resources) not elsewhere classified @ 100%
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