Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/112230
Type: Thesis
Title: Geochemistry of the mafic igneous rocks found in Enorama Diapir, central Flinders Ranges, and their relationship to similar rocks found in nearby diapirs and volcanic bodies throughout the Flinders Ranges.
Author: Gum, J. C.
Issue Date: 1987
School/Discipline: School of Physical Sciences
Abstract: Throughout the northern Adelaide Geosyncline are found a series of diapirs which contain rafts of volcanic origin. The volcanic material was brought up with the diapiric breccia. Other sedimentary rafts have been correlated with the Willouran Callanna Group. The volcanics consist of amygdaloidal basalts and intrusive dolerites. The basalts usually show intersertal textures with plagioclase laths. The dolerites are coarser equivalents of the basalts. Both contain clots of large Ca-rich plagioclase phenocrysts. The only difference is that, in general, the dolerites appear to be more Ca-rich. The volcanics have been metamorphosed and severely altered with very few original minerals left. The dolerites were mainly oligoclase, augite, magnetite and rare olivine which have now been altered to actinolite, albite, chlorite and epidote. Similar alteration is seen in the basalts. This occurred during passive heating up to approximately 300 degrees by regional hydrothermal metamorphism in solutions derived from the surrounding sediments. Because of the alteration, geochemical interpretation is particularly difficult. Only P205, A1203, Y, Zr, Ti, La and Nb have remained sufficiently immobile to show good trends. Classification diagrams show the volcanics are tholeiitic continental flood basalts. Comparison with other in situ volcanics shows the diapiric volcanics to be geochemically identical to the Wooltana, Beda, Gairdner and Depot Creek volcanics. The Roopena volcanics were not similar, and appear to be related to a different stage of volcanic activity. This suggests that the Adelaide Geosyncline was the site of rifting initiated about 700 - 800 Ma. The diapiric volcanics erupted rapidly onto the surface in the late rifting stage. The rift then stopped soon after for reasons that are yet to be determined.
Dissertation Note: Thesis (B.Sc.(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Physical Sciences, 1987
Where: Adelaide Geosyncline, Flinders Ranges, South Australia
Keywords: Honours; Geology; Adelaide geosyncline; diapirism; volcanics; petrology; metamorphism; geochemistry.
Description: This item is only available electronically.
Provenance: This electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses. Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exceptions. If you are the author of this thesis and do not wish it to be made publicly available, or you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legals
Appears in Collections:School of Physical Sciences

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
01frontGeoHon.pdf187.16 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
02wholeGeoHon.pdf94.01 MBAdobe PDFView/Open


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.