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Petrographic, geochemical and age characterisation of crustal xenoliths from Coliban Dam, central Victoria, with implications for the early evolution of southeastern Australia, pre Lachlan Orogen

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posted on 2022-03-28, 19:22 authored by S. A. Allchurch
Xenoliths brought up by igneous activity provide insight into underlying geology which may otherwise be inaccessible. In this study whole rock major and trace element geochemistry, zircon U-Pb geochronology and Sr-Nd-Hf isotope data are presented for xenoliths hosted by the Newer Volcanics Spring Hill Complex (~ 3 Ma) at Upper Coliban Dam. These xenoliths provide insight into underlying basement known as the Selwyn Block. The xenolith suite includes two dominant groups: a mafic group with gabbroic texture and composition; and a felsic gneiss with granitic composition and glass bands interlayed between quartz-feldspar rich bands. Rarer xenoliths include trachyandesites, a massive quartz rich meta-sedimentary rock and basaltic icelandites from nearby Stewart Hill. Such diversity reflects the complex nature of the crust and mantle within the region. Zircons separated from the felsic gneiss were examined by backscattered imaging and found to be of the magmatic type, with narrow metamorphic overgrowths. They have a Neoproterozoic crystallisation age of 553 Ma with Hf isotope compositions representative of a mixed source with juvenile and crustal input. Geochemical data support an upper crustal signature. These findings extend on limited knowledge of the Selwyn Block, including a history of formation and deformation. The data also unleashes a potential source for the extensive Lachlan Orogen granites and regional sedimentary terrains. Five zircons from the mafic group xenoliths were also analysed and they provide a timeline of magmatic events within the region. The mafic and intermediate xenoliths share Sr isotope composition with the Newer Volcanic Province but heterogeneous trace element signatures suggest that they are not related.

History

Table of Contents

1. Introduction -- 2. Regional setting and local geology -- 3. Fieldwork and petography -- 4. Methods -- 5. Results -- 6. Discussion -- 7. Conclusion.

Notes

Bibliography: pages 164-172 Empirical thesis.

Awarding Institution

Macquarie University

Degree Type

Thesis bachelor honours

Degree

BSc (Hons), Macquarie University, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

Department, Centre or School

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

Year of Award

2008

Principal Supervisor

Nathan Daczko

Additional Supervisor 1

Ian Graham

Rights

Copyright Shelley A. Allchurch 2008. Copyright disclaimer: http://mq.edu.au/library/copyright

Language

English

Jurisdiction

Victoria

Extent

1 online resource (172 pages, colour illustrations, colour maps)

Former Identifiers

mq:70471 http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/1264570

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