Isotopic ages and geochemistry of Archaean acid igneous rocks from the Pilbara, Western Australia

Abstract

Lead isotopic ages were determined for seven localities of gneissic granite and granodiorite from the Pilbara Region of Western Australia. For four of the localities Rb-Sr ages were also measured. In the lead isotopic system all localities showed some evidence of post-emplacement disturbance; lead redistribution varied from very slight effects to complete equilibration of K-feldspars during metamorphism. In one case, lead and Rb-Sr ages agreed within experimental error; in two cases, Rb-Sr mineral ages were younger than Pb-Pb ages, and in one case, the Rb-Sr age was intermediate between the primary and metamorphic ages recorded by the Pb isotopic system. Four localities show evidence of metamorphism at 2950 my. It is suggested that this represents the time of formation of the granite dome structures in the southeastern Pilbara. At least two of these localities were also affected by post-tectonic metamorphism (2600–2770 my). The other three localities show a more extended history of events starting at about 2900 my and ending between 2000 and 2250 my. The younger metamorphic ages are interpreted to record a thermal event at the time of outpouring of the Proterozoic Fortescue Group which formerly overlay the Archaean rocks.