U-Pb geochronology
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<div>This Record documents the efforts of Geoscience Australia (GA) in compiling a New South Wales (NSW) Uranium–Lead (U–Pb) geochronology interpreted age compilation (version 1.0), utilising the MinView data from the Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW), GA’s ‘in house’ storage of SHRIMP (Sensitive High Resolution Ion Micro Probe) ages, and other disparate publication sources e.g. academic journal articles and university theses. Here we describe both the dataset itself and the process by which it is incorporated into the continental-scale Isotopic Atlas of Australia. This initial release of the NSW geochronology compilation comprises of 1007 U–Pb ages of named and unnamed rock units in NSW. </div><div><br></div><div>The Isotopic Atlas draws together age and isotopic data from across the country and provides visualisations and tools to enable non-experts to extract maximum value from these datasets. Data is added to the Isotopic Atlas in a staged approach with priorities determined by GA- and partner-driven focus regions and research questions. This NSW U–Pb compilation represents the third in a series of compilation publications (Records and Datasets) for the southern states of Australia, which are a foundation for the second phase of the Exploring for the Future initiative over the period 2020–2024. All geochronology compilations in this series of Isotopic Atlas of Australia Records are available online from the Geochronology and Isotopes Data Portal.</div><div><br></div>
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<div>This Record presents new zircon U-Pb geochronological data, obtained via Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP), for 12 samples of igneous rocks from central and southern New South Wales, as part of an ongoing Geochronology Project conducted by the Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW) and Geoscience Australia (GA) under a National Collaborative Framework agreement. Eight samples were selected to better understand the geological evolution and mineralisation history of areas prioritised for investigation by the MinEx Co-operative Research Centre (MinEx CRC) under its National Drilling Initiative (NDI) program. Three samples are from the northern Molong Volcanic Belt east of Dubbo (‘MXDU’), and five are from the eastern Lachlan Orogen near Forbes (‘MXFO’). The remaining four samples are from the central Lachlan Orogen in southern NSW, in support of GSNSW’s East Riverina mapping program (‘ERIV’). The results herein correspond to U-Pb SHRIMP zircon analyses undertaken by the GSNSW-GA Geochronology Project during the July 2020–June 2021 reporting period. All quoted uncertainties are 95% confidence intervals.</div> <b>Bibliographic reference: </b> Jones, S.L., Bodorkos, S., Eastlake, M.A.S., Campbell, L.M., Hughes, K.S., Blevin, P.L. and Fitzherbert, J.A., 2023. <i>New SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages from the Lachlan Orogen, NSW: Dubbo, Forbes and East Riverina areas, July 2020–June 2021. </i>Record 2023/36, Geoscience Australia, Canberra. Report GS2023/0017, Geological Survey of New South Wales, Maitland. https://doi.org/10.26186/147971
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<div>This Record is the fourth of a series of reports detailing the results of U–Pb dating of samples collected during investigations of the Mary Kathleen Domain and adjacent areas of the Mount Isa Inlier in 2018–19 by the Geological Survey of Queensland and co-workers (Kositcin <em>et al</em>., 2019, 2021, Bodorkos <em>et al</em>., 2020). It presents new Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb geochronological results for five samples collected from the inlier. Two of the samples are from units in the Kalkadoon–Leichhardt Domain and the remaining three from units in the adjacent Mary Kathleen Domain (Figure i). The ages of these units are poorly constrained and various ages have been proposed for most of them by different investigators.</div><div> <b>Bibliographic Reference:</b> Kositcin, N., Bultitude, R. J., Purdy, D. J. 2023. <i>Summary of results. Joint GSQ–GA Geochronology Project: Kalkadoon–Leichhardt and Mary Kathleen Domains, 2018–2020. </i>GSQ Record 2023/04, Geological Survey of Queensland. GA Record 2023/41, Geoscience Australia, Canberra. http://dx.doi.org/10.26186/148600 https://geoscience.data.qld.gov.au/data/report/cr141810
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<div>This Record presents data collected in March 2022–February 2023 as part of the ongoing Northern Territory Geological Survey–Geoscience Australia SHRIMP geochronology project under the National Collaborative Framework agreement and Geoscience Australia’s <em>Exploring for the Future Program</em>. New U–Pb SHRIMP zircon geochronological results were derived from sedimentary rock chip samples of the Warburton Basin collected from four petroleum exploration wells (Beachcomber 1, Thomas 1, Simpson 1, Colson 1) in the southeastern corner of the Northern Territory. Geologically, this is a region in the Simpson Desert that encompasses several superimposed intracratonic sedimentary basins that are separated by regional unconformities that extend over areas of adjoining Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales. The exposed Mesozoic Eromanga Basin overlies the late Palaeozoic Pedirka Basin, which is largely restricted to the subsurface. The Warburton Basin is an early Palaeozoic pericratonic basin containing an early Cambrian and Ordovician succession (Edgoose and Munson, 2013), with possible Devonian rocks observed in some areas (Radke, 2009). As the Warburton Basin is entirely concealed beneath the Pedirka and Eromanga basins, our current understanding of the geology of the western Warburton Basin is constrained by the lack of surface exposures, the small number of well penetrations, limited biostratigraphic age control, and relatively sparse seismic data coverage. </div><div> The samples analysed herein were collected to aid in understanding the chronostratigraphy and provenance characteristics of the concealed Warburton Basin. All four sedimentary samples are dominated by Mesoproterozoic detritus (ca 1000–1300 Ma), have fewer zircons of Paleozoic age, and generally have sparse older Palaeoproterozoic–Archaean aged zircons. Samples from the two westernmost wells yielded 238U/206Pb maximum depositional ages of 469 ± 9 Ma (Colson 1) and 394 ± 6 Ma (Simpson 1). Samples from the two easternmost wells yielded older 238U/206Pb maximum depositional ages of 569 ± 10 Ma (Thomas 1) and 506 ± 5 Ma (Beachcomber 1). These data imply that known Devonian stratigraphy extends at least as far as the Simpson 1 well, but may not extend further east.</div><div><br></div><div>BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE: Kositcin N, Verdel C and Edgoose C, 2023. Summary of results. Joint NTGS–GA geochronology project: western Warburton Basin, March 2022–February 2023. <em>Northern Territory Geological Survey, Record </em>2023-006.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
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<div>This Queensland Geological Record presents ten new Sensitive High Resolution Ion MicroProbe (SHRIMP) U–Pb zircon and monazite results obtained under the auspices of the Geological Survey of Queensland–Geoscience Australia (GSQ–GA) National Collaborative Framework (NCF) geochronology project between July 2017 and June 2018. These data were collected in support of ongoing regional mapping and geoscientific programs led by the GSQ in the Mount Isa region. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>Bibliographic reference:</strong></div><div>Kositcin, N., Lewis, C. J. Withnall, I. W., Slade, A. P., Sargent, S. and Hutton, L. J. 2023. Summary of results. Joint GSQ–GA Geochronology Project: Mount Isa region, 2017–2018. GSQ Record 2023/03. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. Record 2023/32, Geological Survey of Queensland. http://dx.doi.org/10.26186/147793</div>
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<div>New SHRIMP U-Pb detrital zircon geochronology on Mesoproterozoic and Paleoproterozoic siliciclastic rocks from the South Nicholson region, in concert with recently acquired complementary regional geophysical datasets, has enabled comprehensive revision of the regional Proterozoic tectono-stratigraphy. The identification of analogous detrital zircon spectra between units deposited in half-graben hanging walls of major ENE-WSW trending extensional faults, the Benmara, Bauhinia, and Maloney-Mitchiebo faults, offers compelling evidence for regional tectono-stratigraphic correlation. Units sampled from the hanging walls of these faults are characterised by immature proximal lithofacies and host a small yet persistent population of <em>ca</em> 1640–1650 Ma aged zircon and lack Mesoproterozoic detritus, consistent with deposition coincident with extension during the River Extension event at <em>ca</em> 1640 Ma, an event previously identified from the Lawn Hill Platform in western Queensland. This finding suggests the hanging wall sequences are chrono-stratigraphically equivalent to the highly prospective sedimentary rocks of the Isa Superbasin, host to world-class sediment-hosted base metal deposits across western Queensland and north-eastern Northern Territory. Subsequent inversion of the extensional faults, resulted in development of south-verging thrusts, and exhumation of late Paleoproterozoic hanging wall siliciclastic rocks through overlying Mesoproterozoic South Nicholson Group rocks as fault propagated roll-over anticlines. These geochronology data and interpretations necessitate revision of the stratigraphy and the renaming of a number of stratigraphic units in the South Nicholson region. Accordingly, the distribution of the highly prospective late Paleoproterozoic units of the McArthur Basin, Lawn Hill Platform and Mount Isa Province is greatly expanded across the South Nicholson region. These findings imply that the previously underexplored South Nicholson region is a highly prospective greenfield for energy and mineral resources.</div> <b>Citation:</b> C. J. Carson, N. Kositcin, J. R. Anderson & P. A. Henson (2023) A revised Proterozoic tectono-stratigraphy of the South Nicholson region, Northern Territory, Australia—insights from SHRIMP U–Pb detrital zircon geochronology, <i>Australian Journal of Earth Sciences,</i> DOI: 10.1080/08120099.2023.2264355
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<div>Magmatic arcs represent a critical source of modern civilisation’s mineral wealth, with their importance only enhanced by the ongoing global transition to a low-carbon society. The ~830-495 Ma Delamerian Orogen, formed at Australia’s eastern cratonic margin, represents rocks ascribed to rift/passive-margin, convergent margin arc, orogenic, and post-orogenic settings. However, poor exposure has limited exploration activity across much of the orogen, despite demonstrated potential for numerous mineral systems. To address this issue, an orogen-wide zircon Hf-O isotope and trace element survey was performed on 55 magmatic samples to constrain the crustal architecture, evolution, and fertility of the Delamerian Orogen, and in turn map parameters that can be used as a guide to mineral potential. These new data define two broad magmatic episodes at: (1) ~585-480 Ma, related to rift/passive margin, convergent arc, orogenic, and post-orogenic activity (Delamerian Cycle); and (2) magmatism associated with the ~490-320 Ma Lachlan Orogen, with peaks at ~420 Ma (onshore, Tabberabberan Cycle) and ~370 Ma (western Tasmania). Isotopic and geochemical mapping of these events show that the ~585-480 Ma Delamerian Cycle has significant orogen-wide variation in magmatic Hf-O isotopes and oxidation-state, suggesting a spatial variation in the occurrence and type of potential mineral systems. The ~420 Ma magmatic event involved predominantly mantle-like Hf-O and oxidised magmatism, whilst the ~370 Ma magmatism shows opposing features. In general, The potential to host Cu-Au porphyry and VMS mineralisation (e.g., Stavely, Koonenberry) is present, but restricted, whereas signatures favourable for Sn-W granite-hosted systems (e.g., Tasmania), are more common. These new data constrain time-space variations in magma composition that provide a valuable geological framework for mineral system fertility assessments across the Delamerian Orogen. Furthermore, these data and associated maps can used to assess time-space mineral potential and facilitate more effective exploration targeting in this covered region.</div> <b>Citation:</b> Mole, D., Bodorkos, S., Gilmore, P.J., Fraser, G., Jagodzinski, E.A., Cheng, Y., Clark, A.D., Doublier, M., Waltenberg, K., Stern, R.A., Evans, N.J., 2023. Architecture, evolution and fertility of the Delamerian Orogen: Insights from zircon. In: Czarnota, K. (ed.) Exploring for the Future: Extended Abstracts, Geoscience Australia, Canberra, <a href+"https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/148981">https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/148981</a>
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Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future program provides precompetitive information to inform decision-making by government, community and industry on the sustainable development of Australia's mineral, energy and groundwater resources. By gathering, analysing and interpreting new and existing precompetitive geoscience data and knowledge, we are building a national picture of Australia’s geology and resource potential. This leads to a strong economy, resilient society and sustainable environment for the benefit of all Australians. This includes supporting Australia’s transition to net zero emissions, strong, sustainable resources and agriculture sectors, and economic opportunities and social benefits for Australia’s regional and remote communities. The Exploring for the Future program, which commenced in 2016, is an eight year, $225m investment by the Australian Government. This Record presents new U-Pb zircon geochronology from the Loch-Lilly Kars and Lake Wintlow (as described by Clark et al. 2024) Belts of the central Delamerian Orogen (Foden et al., 2020; Gilmore et al., 2023; Mole et al., 2023), performed on Geoscience Australia’s (GA) sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP). The eight samples presented here (three sedimentary and five igneous rocks; Table i) were collected during Geoscience Australia’s drilling campaign across the region, which consisted of 17 drill-holes (Pitt et al., 2023), using two drilling techniques (coiled-tube rotary and conventional diamond). This work was performed as part of the MinEx CRC National Drilling initiative (NDI) and Geoscience Australia’s Darling-Curnamona-Delamerian project of the Exploring for the Future program (EFTF; <a href="https://www.eftf.ga.gov.au/">https://www.eftf.ga.gov.au/</a>). The primary aims of this drilling were to (1) understand and constrain the geology of the southern Loch-Lilly Kars Belt; and (2) assess whether Cambrian magmatic rocks continued to the south-west in the Lake Wintlow Belt, marking a possible continuation of the Stavely Belt volcanic arc rocks observed in western Victoria (Bowman et al., 2019; Lewis et al., 2016; Lewis et al., 2015; Schofield, 2018; Figure i). As both these regions are covered, this new drilling and the geochronology they allow provide the first constraints on the age of these rock units. In addition, due to the lack of surface correlation and detailed geological mapping, these units currently have no officially-defined stratigraphic nomenclature and remain unnamed. For detailed information on all drill-holes completed as part of the survey, we direct readers to the summary report by Pitt et al. (2023): <a href="https://ecat.ga.gov.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/148639">eCat 148639</a>.
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<div>This Record presents data collected as part of the ongoing Northern Territory Geological Survey–Geoscience Australia SHRIMP geochronology project under the National Collaboration Framework agreement. New U-Pb SHRIMP zircon geochronological results were derived from six samples of sedimentary rocks collected from two petroleum exploration drillholes (CBM 107-001 and CBM 107-002) that intersect the Pedirka Basin in the southeastern corner of the Northern Territory.</div><div><br></div><div>Geologically, this is a region in the Simpson Desert that encompasses several superimposed intracratonic sedimentary basins, which are separated by regional unconformities extending over areas of adjoining Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales. In the southeastern corner of the Northern Territory, the Pedirka Basin is one of three stacked basins. The exposed Mesozoic Eromanga Basin overlies the late Palaeozoic to Triassic Pedirka Basin, which is largely restricted to the subsurface, and in turn overlies the Palaeozoic pericratonic Warburton Basin (Munson and Ahmad 2013).</div><div><br></div><div>As the Pedirka Basin is almost entirely concealed beneath the Eromanga Basin, our current understanding of the geology in this southeastern corner of the Northern Territory is constrained by a limited number of exploration drillholes and 2D seismic coverage (Doig 2022). The samples described herein were collected to aid in defining the chronostratigraphy and sedimentary provenance characteristics of the Pedirka Basin.</div><div><br></div><div>BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE: Jones S.L., Jarrett A.J., Verdel C.S. and Bodorkos S. 2024. Summary of results. Joint NTGS–GA geochronology project: Pedirka Basin. Northern Territory Geological Survey, Record 2024-003.</div>
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The Hera Au–Pb–Zn–Ag deposit in the southeastern Cobar Basin of central New South Wales preserves calc-silicate veins/skarn and remnant carbonate/sandstone-hosted skarn within a reduced anchizonal Siluro-Devonian turbidite sequence. The skarn orebody distribution is controlled by a long-lived, basin margin fault system, that has intersected a sedimentary horizon dominated by siliciclastic turbidite, with lesser gritstone and thick sandstone intervals, and rare carbonate-bearing stratigraphy. Foliation (S1) envelopes the orebody and is crosscut by a series of late-stage east–west and north–south trending faults. Skarn at Hera displays mineralogical zonation along strike, from southern spessartine–grossular–biotite–actinolite-rich associations, to central diopside-rich–zoisite–actinolite/tremolite–grossular-bearing associations, through to the northern most tremolite–anorthite-rich (garnet-absent) association in remnant carbonate-rich lithologies and sandstone horizons; the northern lodes also display zonation down dip to garnet present associations at depth. High-T skarn assemblages are pervasively retrogressed to actinolite/tremolite–biotite-rich skarn and this retrograde phase is associated with the main pulse of sulfide mineralisation. The dominant sulfides are high-Fe-Mn sphalerite–galena–non-magnetic high-Fe pyrrhotite–chalcopyrite; pyrite, arsenopyrite and scheelite are locally abundant. The distribution of metals in part mimics the changing gangue mineralogy, with Au concentrated in the southern and lower northern lode systems and broadly inverse concentrations for Ag–Pb–Zn. Stable isotope data (O–H–S) from skarn amphiboles and associated sulfides are consistent with magmatic/basinal water and magmatic sulfur inputs, while hydrosilicates and sulfides from the wall rocks display elevated δD and mixed δ34S consistent with progressive mixing or dilution of original basinal/magmatic waters within the Hera deposit by unexchanged waters typical of low latitude (tropical) meteoritic waters. High precision titanite (U–Pb) and biotite (Ar–Ar) geochronology reveals a manifold orebody commencing with high-T skarn and retrograde Pb–Zn-rich skarn formation at ≥403 Ma, Au–low-Fe sphalerite mineralisation at 403.4 ± 1.1 Ma, foliation development remobilisation or new mineralisation at 390 ± 0.2 Ma followed by thrusting, orebody dismemberment at (384.8 ± 1.1 Ma) and remobilization or new mineralisation at 381.0 ± 2.2 Ma. The polymetallic nature of the Hera orebody is a result of multiple mineralizing events during extension and compression and involving both magmatic and likely basinal fluid/metal sources. <b>Citation:</b> Fitzherbert, Joel A., McKinnon, Adam R., Blevin, Phillip L., Waltenberg, Kathryn., Downes, Peter M., Wall, Corey., Matchan, Erin., Huang Huiqin., The Hera orebody: A complex distal (Au–Zn–Pb–Ag–Cu) skarn in the Cobar Basin of central New South Wales, Australia <i>Resource Geology,</i> Vol 71, Iss 4, pp296-319 <b>2021</b>. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/rge.12262