Total Fusion Ages Research Articles

High-precision microcline 40Ar/39Ar dating by combined techniques

K-feldspar is one of the most common minerals applied for 40Ar/39Ar dating because of its high K content and ubiquitous presence. Excess 40Ar in K-feldspar resulting in unreliable ages has long been reported, however, its occurrence and trapping time are still inconclusive. Combined argon extraction techniques, including laser step heating, and step crushing, as well as succedent furnace incremental heating, have been applied to six microcline samples from two hydrothermal ore deposits in South China, to address these issues. Two microcline samples (09SZ37 & 39) measured by all the above three gas extraction techniques yield flat age spectra and concordant inverse isochron ages respectively. However, one sample (09NL10) produces a flat spectrum but with abnormally low radiogenic 40Ar, and the other three samples obtain uneven age spectra, by laser heating. All six samples measured by step crushing yield quite similar age spectra characterized with declining staircases for the first several steps, and followed with very flat plateaus of high-precision plateau ages for the subsequent later crushing steps. The declining sections with abnormally old ages indicate that excess 40Ar (and obvious atmospheric argon) was trapped in the microcracks and the secondary fluid inclusions. The data points corresponding to age plateaus well define inverse isochron ages which are in consistence with their plateau ages respectively. Furthermore, the crushed powders of all six samples by further furnace step heating also yield very flat age spectra, whose plateau ages are well concordant with those obtained by the foregoing step crushing experiments. The trapped excess 40Ar caused the total fusion ages of laser heating 0.7–17.8% older than their true ages. Mineral grains of ca. 0.10 mm may effectively remove excess 40Ar in microcracks and secondary fluid inclusions, proposed for direct 40Ar/39Ar step heating. Stepwise crushing, combined with furnace heating, is not only very useful to date fluid inclusions, but also robust to remove excess 40Ar and obtain more precise true ages for K-bearing minerals, e.g., K-feldspar, amphibole, tourmaline, and so on.

The genetic link between lode and disseminated gold ores and relationship between hypozonal and mesozonal deposits: A case study of the Yanzigou orogenic gold deposit, northwestern Yangtze Craton, China

The process controlling the formation of orogenic lode and disseminated gold ores is the basis for understanding the complexity of the orogenic gold system. The mesozonal Yanzigou gold deposit, located in the Danba ore district of the northwestern Yangtze Craton, is hosted by Devonian carbonaceous slate with coexisting fault-hosted lode and strata-bound disseminated gold ores. Three types of pyrite (PyI-q, PyII-q and Pyd) were formed during two stages of hydrothermal evolution. PyII-q in quartz-polymetallic veins and the rims of Pyd in disseminated ores have the highest Au and As contents, contrasting to distal sedimentary pyrite that have low Au and As contents. This implies that the Devonian host sequences are incapable of providing ore elements to the ore fluid. Pyd and associated quartz have intermediate isotopic values (δ34S = -1.7∼+0.8 ‰; δ18OH2O = 10.6 ∼ 12.7 ‰) between the quartz-vein ores (δ34S = 8.5 ∼ 10.7 ‰; δ18OH2O = 9.0 ∼ 10.1 ‰) and wall-rocks (δ34S ≈ −5‰; δ18OH2O ≈ 12 ‰), implicating a critical role of fluid-rock reaction in the formation of the disseminated gold ores and preservation of original ore fluid characteristics in the lode gold ores. The 40Ar/39Ar dating of hydrothermal muscovite from auriferous quartz veins at Yanzigou yields a total fusion age of 118.4 ± 0.4 Ma, later than ∼ 185 Ma for the nearby hypozonal Danba gold deposit. However, both deposits have common geological, geochemical, and isotopic signatures, suggesting a multi-stage orogenic gold mineralization on the Mesozoic dome margins associated with episodic reactivation of metasomatized mantle lithosphere during the continued crustal uplift.

40Ar/39Ar Geochronological Constraints on the Age Progression Along the Juan Fernández Ridge, SE Pacific

Juan Fernandez Ridge (JFR) is a ca. 800 km long volcanic chain composed by seamounts, guyots and oceanic islands in the SE Pacific. JFR is thought to be related to a deep mantle plume and usually scores high in the hotspots catalogs (e.g., Anderson, 2005; Jackson et al., 2017). High 3He/4He in Robinson Crusoe is probably the most undoubted feature of lower mantle involvement. However, one of the most convincing pieces of evidence for a source rooted deep in the mantle is the age progression along a volcanic chain, which is poorly constrained for JFR. In fact, some scarce K-Ar dates in Alejandro Selkirk and Robinson Crusoe islands, and a total fusion age for O’Higgins Guyot published more than 20 years ago, is the only evidence available for such a hypothesis in previous works. Here we integrate recently published 40Ar/39Ar ages and 17 new results on groundmass step heating experiments from rocks corresponding to the late shield stage (O’Higgins Guyot: 8.4 Ma; Alpha Guyot: 4.6; Robinson Crusoe Island: 3.7 Ma; Alejandro Selkirk Island: 0.83 Ma; Friday Seamount: 0.62 Ma) to document a solid age progression which yields a long-term absolute velocity of ca. 81 mm/yr- for the Nazca Plate. This value is much higher than the velocity prescribed by plate tectonic models that assume fixed hotspots, and still somewhat higher than models that take into account hotspot drift, indicating that the Juan Fernandez hotspot is moving ca. 2 cm/yr towards East Pacific Rise. Present hotspot would be ca. 20 km west of Domingo Seamount. Merging geochronological data with our current understanding of the mantle sources and magmatic evolution, we provide a case for a hotspot possibly rooted in a weak primary plume, and discuss some causes and consequences of that.

Petrogenesis and timing of mafic magmatism, South Taimyr, Arctic Siberia: A northerly continuation of the Siberian Traps?

The Siberian large igneous province (LIP) forms the world's most extensive continental exposure of basalt and has several sub-provinces surrounding it, which may be genetically related. The Taimyr peninsula of north Siberia is one of these sub-provinces and is frequently assumed to be the northerly continuation of the basalts exposed at Noril'sk, the best-studied area of the Siberian LIP. However, the correlation is uncertain.We present new major and trace element data from 35 samples of extrusive and intrusive rocks from Taimyr, with Sr and Nd isotope data from a subset of ten. The Taimyr rocks fall into two groups with low (~7wt.%) and elevated (~9wt.%) MgO concentrations. The high-MgO rocks display a restricted range of initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.705 to 0.706) and 143Nd/144Nd (0.5122 to 0.5124) ratios, and share bulk silicate earth normalised rare earth element patterns strikingly similar to data observed in the ore-related Noril'sk intrusions. The remaining low-MgO group samples have a broader range with higher Sr and lower Nd isotope values and higher incompatible trace element ratios (e.g., Th/Ta>5.3 and La/Smn>1.7) similar to the crustally-contaminated Nadezhdinsky and Morongovsky suite basalts of the Noril'sk region. The major and trace element data for both groups are consistent with a process of fractional crystallisation coupled with small degrees of assimilation of incompatible-element-enriched lower crust involving different contaminants. Trace element model calculations indicate a process of magma formation at large degrees of partial melting and at pressures of less than 3GPa, probably within the garnet–spinel transition zone or the spinel stability field of the asthenospheric mantle. We obtained an argon plateau age of ~252 (252.7±1.5) Ma and a ~239Ma total fusion age from a Taimyr lava and intrusive sample, respectively, confirming that volcanism is only partly contemporaneous with the activity of the Siberian LIP. Although this is in agreement with previous interpretations, we argue that the age difference between both events is only ~13Ma and probably less (~5Ma) although further investigation of the relationship is required. Our data allow correlation with distinct Noril'sk members and most importantly to the ore-bearing (Ni–Cu) intrusions implying that whole rock chemistry could have value as a prospecting tool in Taimyr.

40Ar/39Ar dating of microgram feldspar grains from the paired feldspathic achondrites GRA 06128 and 06129

40Ar/39Ar ages of single feldspar grains from the paired meteorites Graves Nunatak 06128 (GRA8; 8 grains) and 06129 (GRA9; 26 grains) are presented. Plateau ages (⩾70% of the 39Ar released) ranged from 4000 to 4600Ma with an average 1-σ uncertainty of ±90Ma. The most precise ages obtained were 4267±17Ma for a grain from GRA8 and 4437±19Ma and 4321±18Ma for two grains from GRA9. Isotope correlation diagrams yield less precise ages ranging from 3800 to 5200Ma with an average 1-σ uncertainty of 250Ma; they indicate a negligible trapped component. Plateau ages, integrated total fusion ages, and isochron ages are internally concordant at the 95% confidence level.The distribution of the plateau ages for GRA9 is bimodal with peaks at 4400 and 4300Ma. In contrast, the plateau age distribution for GRA8 peaks at about 4260Ma with broad wings extending toward younger and older ages. To explain the distributions of grain ages we prefer a scenario that includes a major post-formation event about 4400Ma ago and a later melt intrusion event that heated GRA8 more than some parts of GRA9.

Geochemical evolution of Ngorongoro Caldera, Northern Tanzania: Implications for crust–magma interaction

Ngorongoro Caldera is the largest and best-preserved of nine Plio-Pleistocene volcanoes that make-up the Ngorongoro Volcanic Highlands (NVH) complex situated at the southern bifurcation of Gregory Rift, part of the East African Rift system of northern Tanzania. We report here, major and trace element abundances, Sr–Nd–Pb isotope analyses and 40Ar/ 39Ar laser incremental-heating and total fusion ages on lava and tephra sampled from stratigraphic sections exposed within the Ngorongoro Caldera. Major and trace elements measured on samples collected from the Ngorongoro Caldera wall indicate a stratified magma chamber whose silicic top and basaltic bottom was inverted by sequential eruptions. Samples from the lower part of the exposed Ngorongoro Caldera wall are high in silica, alkalis and HFSE (High Field Strength Elements). The Zr, Nb and Hf concentrations are highly correlated with each other and decrease up-section, indicative of the extent of magma evolution. Modeling of major, trace as well as Sr, Nd and Pb isotope data suggests that assimilation fractional crystallization processes were essential in producing the observed geochemical variations. The Sr and Nd isotope ratios from the Ngorongoro samples are widely dispersed ( 87Sr/ 86Sr = 0.70405 to 0.70801, 143Nd/ 144Nd = 0.512205 to 0.512623) and Pb isotope ratios are consistent with previous studies: 206Pb/ 204Pb = 18.73 to 19.37, 207Pb/ 204Pb = 15.64 to 15.69, 208Pb/ 204Pb = 39.52 to 39.55. Although Sr isotopic ratios are similar to Oceanic Island Basalt (OIB), the more radiogenic samples ( 87Sr/ 86Sr > 0.705) from the lower part of the section suggest crust–magma interaction; this is supported by Ce/Pb ratios (< 25 ± 5) which are lower than those expected from primary mantle derived fluids. Moderate normalized Tb/Yb ratios (2.7–2.1) of these samples suggest lithospheric mantle melting, a finding consistent with other studies in the region. Laser incremental-heating of basalt samples and single grain total fusion of anorthoclase from tephra samples collected from the Ngorongoro Caldera wall section yield 40Ar/ 39Ar ages of 2.25 ± 0.02 Ma to 2.01 ± 0.02 Ma, constraining a duration of volcanism of the order of ~ 240 kyr. These ages suggest correlation of a normal to reverse geomagnetic polarity transition measured in the Ngorongoro Caldera wall section with the ~ 2.14 Ma C2r.1n–1r (normal to reverse) Réunion–Matuyama boundary.

Intercalibration of international and domestic 40Ar/39Ar dating standards

Four international standards, Ga1550, MMhb-1, Lp-6, Bern 4M, and one domestic standard BT-1 have been intercalibrated. The repeated measurements on MMhb-1 with different mass demonstrate that MMhb-1 is inhomogeneous in age and its average age is 519.8 Ma. The results of Bern 4M and Lp-6 reflect that they have an invariable value of 40 Ar * / 39 Ar k (F) and the ages we obtained are consensus with their K-Ar age: Lp-6=127.7Ma; Bern 4M=18.2 Ma. Analyses of BT-1 age spectra, Ca/K and Cl/K spectra as well as inverse isochrons indicate that the sample is homogeneous and invariable and keeps close chemically, with its trapped argon isotope composition close to the atmosphere. The dating results show that age values are reproducible and steady, total fusion age, step-heating age, plateau age and isochron age are in accord with each other within the error range (2s). Therefore, we recommend 28.7 Ma as the calibrated age of BT-1. We also discuss the variation in neutron flux gradients of Beijing 49-2 reactor. It was found that the neutron flux gradient varies considerably, and more monitors (standard samples) are needed to fix the trend of variation. The coefficient of the 49-2 reactor that transfers the ratio of production rate of 37 Ar Ca / 39 Ar K into Ca/K ratio is 1.78. This is different from that reported earlier, 2.0, which may be caused by the reconstruction of the reactor.

40Ar/39Ar ages of blueschist facies pelitic schists from Qingshuigou in the Northern Qilian Mountains, western China

Abstract Pelitic schists from Qingshuigou in the Northern Qilian Mountains of China contain mainly glaucophane, garnet, white mica, clinozoisite, chlorite and piemontite. Isotopic age dating of these schists provides new constraints on the formation of the high‐grade blueschists at Qingshuigou. White mica 40Ar/39Ar ages range from 442.1 to 447.5 Ma (total fusion age of single grain) and from 445.7 to 453.9 Ma (integrated age of white mica concentrates). These ages (442.1–453.9 Ma) represent the peak metamorphic ages or cooling ages of the blueschists during exhumation shortly after peak metamorphism. The 40Ar/39Ar dates in the present study are similar to ages previously reported for eclogites and blueschists in the area; this suggests that both the eclogites and pelitic sediments underwent high‐grade metamorphism during the same subduction event. From this chronological evidence and the presence of well‐developed Silurian remnant‐sea flysch and Devonian molasse, it is concluded that the Northern Qilian Ocean had closed by the end of the Ordovician, and rapid orogenic uplift followed in the Devonian.

Post-collisional plutonism with adakite-like signatures: the Eocene Saraycık granodiorite (Eastern Pontides, Turkey)

The post-collisional Saraycik granodiorite intruded into a late Paleocene to early Eocene nappe pile that formed during collision of the Pontides in the North and the Anatolide-Tauride platform in the South, leading to the formation of the Izmir-Ankara-Erzincan suture. A relatively shallow pluton intrusion depth (∼5 to 8 km) was estimated from Al-in-hornblende geobarometry and contact metamorphic assemblages. The emplacement age is tightly constrained to ∼52 Ma by two Ar–Ar plateau and total fusion ages on biotite. The main mass of the pluton consists of metaluminous to peraluminous biotite granodiorite and hornblende-biotite granodiorite. In addition, up to 10-m thick dacitic and <25-cm thick aplitic dikes occur. Granodiorites and dacites show many close compositional similarities to high-silica adakites from supra-subduction zone settings, but tend to be slightly more felsic and to have a higher aluminium saturation index. Chondrite-normalized (cn) rare earth element patterns are characterized by high ratios of (La/Yb)cn, concave-upward shapes of the HREE and a lack of significant Eu anomalies. In conjunction with relatively high abundances of Ba and Sr as well as low abundances of Y, HREE and Sc, these patterns suggest a feldspar-poor, garnet ± amphibole-rich fractionating mineral assemblage (residue). All samples have very similar Nd–Sr isotopic characteristics, regardless of rock type. Initial eNd values range from −0.3 to −1.2 and initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios from 0.70491 to 0.70529. It is suggested that the magmas formed by partial melting of mafic lower crust at elevated pressures (∼1 to 2 GPa).

Phanerozoic Structures in the Grenvillian Northern Oaxacan Complex, Southern Mexico: Result of Thick-Skinned Tectonics

Shear zones and upright folds affecting the northern Oaxacan Complex are documented as follows: (1) SE-directed shearing dated at 479 ± 4 Ma (40Ar/39Ar biotite laser total fusion age); (2) E-directed thrusting dated at 247 ± 3 Ma (40Ar/39Ar biotite plateau age); (3) NW to NNW-trending, steeply inclined folds of mid-Triassic-Jurassic age bracketed between events (2) and (4); and (4) NNW-trending vertical shearing dated at 141 ± 9 Ma (40Ar/39Ar biotite laser total fusion age). Inasmuch as the northern Oaxacan Complex is inferred to have been exposed to conditions well above the ~300°C closure temperature for argon in biotite since it was exhumed at ~710-760 Ma, it is inferred that these ages record thermal re-equilibration associated with hot fluids flowing along active shear zones. These structural events correspond respectively with: (1) the onset of Paleozoic deposition in the Tremadocian, presumably associated with SE-directed, listric normal faulting/shearing; (2) E-vergent thrusting associated with the development of an arc along the length of Mexico; (3) folding in sympathy with the dextral shear during opening of the Gulf of Mexico; and (4) Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary, normal fault readjustments. These data indicate that the northern Oaxacan Complex was involved in thick-skinned tectonics during most Phanerozoic episodes of deformation.

Age of the metamorphic sole of the Papuan Ultramafic Belt ophiolite, Papua New Guinea

The Papuan Ultramafic Belt (PUB) ophiolite is former oceanic crust and upper mantle emplaced onto continental crust in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in a zone of general convergence between the Pacific and Australian plates. The metamorphic sole beneath the ophiolite is best exposed in the Musa–Kumusi divide and comprises a 40- to 300-m-thick body of granulite and amphibolite facies rocks. Geochronological studies on the metamorphic sole, using amphiboles from the granulites and amphibolites, yield measured K–Ar ages ranging from 65.0±0.7 to 57.2±0.6 Ma and average 40Ar– 39Ar direct total fusion ages ranging from 67.0±0.7 to 59.5±0.2 Ma. Five of the six 40Ar– 39Ar plateau ages, derived from age spectra, lie between 58.6±0.2 and 57.8±0.2 Ma, with an overall mean age of 58.3±0.4 Ma. The large spread in measured K–Ar and 40Ar– 39Ar total fusion ages is thought to be caused by the presence of variable amounts of excess argon. The mean plateau age for five samples of 58.3±0.4 Ma is interpreted to mark the time of cooling of the metamorphic sole following peak metamorphism. We suggest that the development of the metamorphic sole and emplacement of the PUB ophiolite onto the PNG crust occurred in a relatively short time interval in the Paleocene.

High‐Si phengite records the time of greenschist facies overprinting: implications for models suggesting mega‐detachments in the Aegean Sea

AbstractIn the lower main unit of the Attic‐Cycladic crystalline belt (Greece), white mica geochronology (Rb–Sr, K–Ar, 40Ar–39Ar) has established the timing of at least two metamorphic events: well‐preserved high‐pressure/low‐temperature (HP/LT) rocks yielded Eocene ages (c. 53–40 Ma) and their greenschist facies counterparts provided Oligocene–Miocene dates (c. 25–18 Ma). Marbles from Tinos Island contain high‐Si phengite with Rb–Sr (phengite–calcite) and 40Ar–39Ar white mica ages between 41 and 24 Ma. All Ar age spectra are disturbed and 40Ar–39Ar total fusion ages generally are 3–6 Ma older than corresponding Rb–Sr ages. Due to the polymetamorphic history, we consider inheritance from the HP stage as the most likely cause for the complex Ar age spectra and the older 40Ar–39Ar dates. This concept also suggests that the Rb–Sr system is more sensitive to modification during overprinting than the Ar isotope system, because resetting of the Sr isotope system can be accomplished more quickly by Sr exchange with other Ca‐rich phases, whereas lack of pervasive deformation and/or restricted availability of synmetamorphic fluids has favoured partial inheritance of the Ar isotope system. On Tinos, the lowermost part of the metamorphic succession has experienced a pervasive greenschist facies overprint. Si‐rich phengite from marbles representing this lithostratigraphic level yielded Rb–Sr ages of c. 24 Ma. If the earlier metamorphic history is not taken into account, such data sets may lead to the erroneous conclusion of Miocene HP metamorphism. This study indicates that this phengite experienced pervasive rejuvenation of the Rb–Sr isotope system during overprinting, without significant changes in Si content, due to bulk‐compositional constraints. This leads to the conclusion that in the absence of critical mineral assemblages the Si value of phengite is not a reliable indicator for metamorphic pressures in impure marbles. Recent studies have reported large displacements (&gt;100 km) for detachment faults in the Aegean Sea. A critical parameter for such models is the age of HP metamorphism as deduced from white mica dating in the basal units of the Cyclades. We question the underlying idea of Miocene HP metamorphism and suggest, instead, that this age constrains the timing of the greenschist facies overprint and that the existence of mega‐detachments in the study area requires further investigation.

Low-grade metamorphic rocks from the Pulur complex, NE Turkey: implications for the pre-Liassic evolution of the Eastern Pontides

In the Pulur complex (Sakarya Zone, Eastern Pontides, Turkey) a low-grade tectonometamorphic unit (Dogankavak) is exposed in three tectonic windows beneath a complex medium-pressure high-temperature metamorphic unit of late Carboniferous age. The thrust plane between both units is transgressively covered by Liassic conglomerates. The Dogankavak unit comprises a sequence of metabasites with MORB-type chemical compositions and phyllites, with subordinate calcareous phyllites, marbles, quarzofeldspathic schists and metacherts. This sequence is interpreted as a former accretionary complex related to the consumption of the Palaeotethys. Mineral parageneses in the metabasites allow for the distinction of two domains with slightly different peak metamorphic conditions, i.e. 375–425 °C/0.5–0.8 GPa (greenschist facies) and 400–470 °C/0.6–1.1 GPa (albite-epidote amphibolite facies). The age of metamorphism is constrained at ~ 260 Ma (early Late Permian) by two Rb-Sr mineral-whole rock ages (hornblende, phengite) and one 40Ar/39Ar single step total fusion age (phengite). In conjunction with previous data on other accretionary complexes in the Sakarya zone in Northern Turkey, the data presented in this study suggest a continuous subduction of the Palaeotethys at least from Early/Late Permian to Late Triassic and a discontinuous preservation of accretion complexes in both space and time.

Tectonic implications of magnetic fabrics and remanence in the Cooper Mountain pluton, North Cascade Mountains, Washington

Documenting the timing and kinematics of deformation in orogens is critical to unraveling their history. Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility defines the orientation of magnetic fabrics in the Eocene Cooper Mountain pluton in the North Cascade Mountains of Washington. The magnetic foliation typically has a steep dip and a northwest strike; the magnetic lineation plunges moderately to shallowly northwest or southeast. The remanent magnetization was measured to determine if the Cooper Mountain pluton has been tilted following emplacement. The remanence has two components. The characteristic remanence typically unblocks at 370 °C in most specimens, but at 580 °C in others. The two components are carried by pyrrhotite and magnetite. Mean directions of these components are indistinguishable from each other and from the North American expected Eocene direction. The paleomagnetic results and ~ 47 Ma 40Ar–39Ar total fusion ages from biotite suggest that there has been no remagnetization or significant reorientation of the pluton since emplacement. Therefore, the in situ magnetic fabrics from the pluton can be used to understand the kinematics. Discordance of the fabrics with the pluton margin and near concordance with regional structures suggests that they have a tectonic origin. Thus the Cooper Mountain pluton is syntectonic rather than posttectonic. The magmatic fabric is slightly oblique to the length of the Cascade orogen, which can be explained if it formed as a consequence of regional dextral shear during transpression.

40Ar‐39Ar Spectra of Alunite from Phreatic Craters in the Muine Volcano, Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract. 40Ar‐39Ar analyses of two alunite samples from phreatic craters in the Pliocene Muine volcano in southwest Hokkaido, Japan, were carried out. The alunite with 17.4 permil δ34SV_CDT value in hydrothermal breccia from the Nagaoyama crater and that with 14.3 permil δ34SV_CDT value in silicified andesite from the Konuma crater give total fusion ages of 1.40 ± 0.04 Ma (la uncertainty) and 1.24 ± 0.08 Ma, respectively. However, the spectra of these samples indicate they have been effected by thermal overprinting and/or the existence of excess argon. These preliminary 40Ar‐39A analyses suggest that the alunite underwent multiple hydrothermal activity by magmatic gas and vapor subsequent to the main hydrothermal activity.

The effect of chlorite interlayering on 40Ar?39Ar biotite dating: an 40Ar?39Ar laser-probe and TEM investigations of variably chloritised biotites

Biotite is one of the most common minerals dated by the 40Ar–39Ar method. It frequently shows K contents below the expected stoichiometric value, suggesting the presence of low-K impurities. The most common low-K alteration product of biotite is chlorite. Therefore, it is important to understand the effects of chlorite interlayering on 40Ar–39Ar ages in order to correctly interpret 40Ar–39Ar data. This study examines the outcome of 40Ar–39Ar dating analyses on variably chloritised biotites from Ordovician intrusive rocks. The infrared (IR) laser-probe technique and different gas extraction methods were adopted. Incremental laser-heating data on bulk samples yielded hump-shaped age profiles with meaningless young and old age steps. Both the extent of anomalous old age steps and the degree of discordance of the age spectra were much more pronounced in the more chloritised biotite samples. In contrast, in situ data on rock chips and total-fusion ages on single biotite flakes yielded ages concordant with, or younger than, the inferred emplacement ages. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to texturally characterise biotite samples at the nanometre scale. It was also used to document the complex decomposition-transformation process affecting interlayered biotite–chlorite during in-vacuo IR-laser heating to temperatures ranging from ~600 to >1,000 °C. TEM results suggest that hump-shaped age profiles result from an interplay between 39ArK redistribution by recoil during sample irradiation and differential release of argon isotopes hosted in three main reservoirs. These reservoirs are (from least to most retentive): extended defects, chlorite and biotite. The final descending age segment is attributed to the progressive release of argon with increasing temperature from large biotite domains for which 39ArK recoil loss was less important. 40Ar–39Ar data support previous findings, which suggest that 40Ar–39Ar ages when recoil effects are minimised, provide minimum estimates that approach the true biotite age, when the pristine domains are analysed. The most effective approach for obtaining meaningful 40Ar–39Ar ages was using individual total-fusion analyses on carefully selected, single flakes previously split along the basal cleavage by wet-grinding and corresponding to a sample mass of a few micrograms.

40Ar/39Ar laser probe dating of the Central European tektite‐producing impact event

Abstract— A new 40Ar/39Ar data set is presented for tektites from the Central European strewn field (moldavites). This is the only strewn field that is entirely situated in a continental environment and still characterized by scattered ages (14–15.3 Myr). The main objectives of the study were to define more precisely the moldavite formation age and provide a good calibration for a glass standard proposed for fission‐track dating.The laser total fusion ages obtained on chips from 7 individual specimens from the Southern Bohemian and Moravian subfields are restricted to a narrow interval of time, with an average of 14.34 ± 0.08 Myr relative to the 27.95 ± 0.09 Myr of the Fish Canyon Tuff biotite. This result gives a more precise age not only for the tektite field but also for its producing impact. If the genetic link between the moldavites and the Nördlinger Ries impact crater is maintained, then this new age has to be considered a reliable estimate for the Ries crater also.This new value places the formation of Central European tektites within the Lower Serravallian period in the latest geologic timescales. Evidence of their impact products, such as glass spherules or shocked minerals, can, therefore, be sought in sedimentary marine formations in a more precisely defined age interval.

40 Ar/ 39 Ar Geochronology and stable isotope geochemistry of Late-Hercynian intrusions from north-eastern Iberia with implications for argon loss in K-feldspar

The cooling history of Hercynian calc-alkalic, post-kinematic plutonic intrusions of the Montnegre massif (NE Spain) has been determined by 40Ar/39Ar analysis of two hornblendes, four biotites and eight K-feldspars (Kfs). The hornblendes have 40Ar/39Ar total fusion ages of 291±3 Ma and define the magmatic cooling of the basic and oldest structural intrusions. The biotites from the acid and intermediate rocks have 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages of 285±3 Ma, which date cooling of the intrusions through argon closure in biotite. The 40Ar/39Ar ages of the K-feldspars vary widely, ranging from 276–191 Ma. A correlation between K-feldspar 40Ar/39Ar total fusion age and several other features such as structural state, microstructures indicated by obliquity and, to some degree, optically visible perthites, is consistent with post-crystallisation partial argon loss in the K-feldspars. The δD values of the biotites also correlate with age and chlorite contents, but this is not so for the δ18O values of either feldspar or quartz. We infer that most microtextural changes occurred during cooling of the batholith, but a possibly Mesozoic, late disturbing hydrothermal event of weak intensity and with only minor fluid circulation must have occurred. This event provoked significant argon loss in the most structurally complex K-feldspars and is recorded in the hydrogen, but not oxygen, isotope data.

ArArCALC—software for 40Ar/ 39Ar age calculations

ArArCALC is a Microsoft Excel ® 97-2000-XP application for performing calculations in 40Ar/ 39Ar geochronology. It is coded in Visual Basic for Applications and can be used under the Windows ® 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP operating systems. ArArCALC provides an easy-to-use graphical interface for the calculation of age plateaus, total fusion ages and isochrons following the regression of 40Ar/ 39Ar mass spectrometry data. Results are stored in single Excel workbooks including nine different data tables and four different diagrams. Analytical, internal and external errors are calculated based on error propagation of all input parameters, analytical data and applied corrections. Finally, the age calculation results can be recalibrated with reference to the primary K–Ar standards (e.g. GA-1550, MMhb-1) in order to obtain more consistent absolute 40Ar/ 39Ar age determinations. ArArCALC is distributed as freeware.

Integrated biostratigraphic and radiometric study on the Lower Cenomanian (Cretaceous) of Hokkaido, Japan

New 4 0 Ar- 3 9 Ar total fusion ages have been obtained on sanidine from tuffs in the zone of Mantelliceras saxbii (equivalent to the same subzone of the European ammonite zonation) and the zone of Graysonites wooldridgei (equivalent to the European subzone of Neostlingoceras carcitanense). Ages of 98.98 ′0.38 Ma and 99.16′0.37 Ma, for these zones, respectively, place new constraints on the age of the Albian/Cenomanian boundary. If the base of the Cenomanian is to be defined, as currently proposed, as the FAD of the planktonic foraminifera Rotalipora globotruncanoides then the Albian/Cenomanian boundary will be at least as old as 99.2′0.4 Ma. Some 50′10m of undated sediments lie below the lowest find of R. globotruncanoides and above bono fide uppermost Albian strata.