Two age populations of zircons from the Timber Creek kimberlites, Northern Territory, as determined by laser ablation ICP MS analysis

Abstract

Two populations of kimberlitic zircon are present in the Timber Creek kimberlites, Northern Territory. Laser ablation ICP MS U—Pb dating yields an age of 1483 ± 15 (2σ) Ma for the main group and an age of 179 ± 2 Ma for the other group. This distinction of two age groups is strongly supported by Hf isotope data on the same zircons. Although the trace element patterns of both populations are typical of mantle derived zircons, the ‘young’ population has slightly higher concentrations of most trace elements, but has lower Hf, Nb, Ta and Pb contents. The distinct differences in trace element contents and Hf isotopic composition of the two zircon populations indicate that they were derived from different magma sources. The dating results indicate that the emplacement age of the Timber Creek kimberlites cannot be older than the age of the ‘young’ zircon population (i.e. 179 ± 2 Ma). This clarifies the inconsistency between the previously reported SHRIMP age of the Timber Creek zircons (1462 ± 53 Ma) and the much younger age (1200 Ma) of the sediments of the Victoria River Basin into which these kimberlites have intruded. The Timber Creek kimberlites are a newly recognised extension of the widespread Jurassic kimberlite activity known in Western Australia and South Australia (Wandagee, Orroroo, Cleve and Eurelia kimberlites).