Abstract
Dredging of the Dampier Ridge recovered small fragments of granite, gabbro and sandstone. Dating of the igneous samples by the U‐Pb, K‐Ar and Rb‐Sr methods yielded precise ages mainly in the range 250 to 270 Ma, mid‐Permian. An imprecise Sm‐Nd mineral age of ∼ 310 Ma might reflect slightly earlier emplacement of the gabbro. A granitic fragment has a composition approximating that of a minimum melt. Taken together with the Late Palaeozoic emplacement ages and other geochemical and geophysical data, the evidence strongly supports the conclusion that the Dampier Ridge is a continental fragment, formerly part of eastern Australia, with its present location a consequence of continental rifting and opening of the Tasman Basin by sea‐floor spreading.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
