Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/118802
Type: Conference item
Title: Apatite U-Pb and fission track mapping to date deformation: implications for mineral exploration
Author: Glorie, S.
Hall, J.
Jepson, G.
Reid, A.
Lilly, R.
Citation: Thermo 2018: 16th International Conference on Thermochronology: conference abstracts, 2018, pp.74-74
Publisher: Universität Bremen
Issue Date: 2018
Conference Name: International Conference on Thermochronology (16 Sep 2018 - 21 Sep 2018 : Quedlinburg, Germany)
Statement of
Responsibility: 
Stijn Glorie, James Hall, Gilby Jepson, Anthony Reid, Richard Lilly
Abstract: The apatite U-Pb technique has recently been developed (Chew et al. 2014) and provides a suitable thermochronometer to date thermal events within the temperature range of ~550-350°C (Chew and Spikings, 2015). In this contribution, we use apatite U-Pb (AUPb) and apatite fission track (AFT) age mapping across the roots of ancient orogens that provided fertile conditions for mineralisation along their major structures (e.g. Cu and Au mineralisation). We specifically targeted deep crustal structures (such as old suture zones) to assess the timing and extent of deformation and contemporaneous mineralisation. AUPb and AFT mapping results will be presented for Central Australia (north-eastern Gawler margin) and Central Asia (ancestral Uzbek Tian Shan). All samples for this study were taken from igneous rocks. The Gawler study area illustrates the usability of the AUPb technique as a viable alternative to Ar-Ar dating. Our AUPb results show major steps across shear zones, imaging the major structural architecture of the study area and dating the final stages of Proterozoic deformation. AFT ages for the same samples date the timing of Phanerozoic reactivation of the Karari shear zone, which has implications for the exhumation level of the mineralised crust. In vicinity of the Olympic Dam IOCG deposit, AFT data reveal a `thermal corridor` of younger ages, associated with the locations of ore deposits. In addition, we will show AUPb results obtained for the Ernest Henry IOCG deposit (Cloncurry, Australia) that dates the timing of regional deformation, associated with mineralisation. Within Uzbekistan (Central Asia), our (Carboniferous – early Permian) AUPb ages are indistinguishable from zircon U-Pb ages for samples taken away from the main structures. In vicinity of the main structures, a AUPb thermal corridor can be drawn where AUPb ages are significantly younger than associated zircon U-Pb ages. Furthermore, these younger (late Permian – early Triassic) AUPb ages match the age of a post-ore porphyry dike that crosscuts the Muruntau Au deposit, and could therefore provide vectors to mineralisation. In conclusion, our thermochronological results provide new constraints on deformation in old orogens. Given the association of ore deposits with these orogens, our maps and age data may furthermore provide useful information for the mineral exploration industry.
Rights: Copyright status unknown
Grant ID: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP150101730
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/LE150100145
Appears in Collections:Aurora harvest 8
Physics publications

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