The Grenville Province represents a complex, highly metamorphosed orogenic belt at the southeastern margin of the Canadian Shield that is composed of different lithotectonic domains of various ages that have all been affected by the 1.0 Ga Grenville Orogeny. The present study focuses on one of the youngest regions, the Quebecia terrane, and through reconnaissance neodymium isotope mapping, investigates the extent of an old crustal block that predates the Grenville Orogeny. The Quebecia Terrane is found within Central Quebec and is a Mesoproterozoic arc terrane that was constructed around 1.5 Ga. Utilizing the Samarium-Neodymium dating method, previous research had identified a few isolated neodymium signatures of older crustal ages, and through reconnaissance mapping, several of these Paleoproterozoic crustal blocks are suggested to represent a single fragmented crustal panel. The study focused on more detailed mapping of these blocks in the areas of Baie Comeau, Forestville, Labrieville and Pipmuacan in Central Quebec. The full extent and connection between the fragments has been mapped as a series of Paleoproterozoic crustal blocks extending longitudinally through the Quebecia terrane. These blocks are embedded within the younger terrane, suggesting that the old panel was incorporated sometime during the accretion of Quebecia to Laurentia. It is possible that the old panel broke off from older Laurentian crust and reattached during the accretion of the Quebecia terrane via strike slip tectonics, implying that the Quebecia terrane itself consists of more than one accreted unit. The present study found that the older neodymium isotope signatures were consistent with the Berthe Terrane in the Manicouagan region to the north, providing evidence for the origin of the older panel within Quebecia. However, by invoking a division of Quebecia into a north and south segment, this implies a Composite Arc Belt model for the Central Grenville Province. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

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The Morondava Basin is one of three Phanerozoic rift basins bordering the western coast of Madagascar. Sediments were first deposited in this basin during the initial stages of breakup of Gondwana in the Permian, sourced from the adjacent Precambrian basement terranes. Gondwana breakup resulted in several stages of subsidence, tilting, and uplift of Madagascar, the thermal history of which is recorded within the strata of the Morondava Basin. We have applied U-Pb detrital zircon techniques to investigating the sedimentation and transport patterns of Jurassic and Cretaceous strata. In order to reconstruct the thermal history of the Morondava Basin throughout the stages of rift basin development we have applied modelling of (U-Th)/He thermochronology data. Our models show a protracted cooling history influenced by multiple stages of uplift and subsidence occurring differentially across the basin. A furthered understanding of the Morondava Basin with respect to its development during Gondwana breakup has implications for oil exploration in the region.

Subduction zones are an important recycling center at which material from the exterior of the Earth is transported to Earth's interior. The processes that occur along subduction zones have important implications for elemental cycles, geodynamics, and material mass transport. The cold, dense subducting lithosphere experiences prograde metamorphism as it transitions from blueschist to eclogite facies resulting in the breakdown of volatile-bearing minerals and producing anhydrous minerals and a free fluid phase. Previous works attempting to understand the evolution of subducted lithologies have provided a firm foundation in which to apply field work, computational thermodynamic modeling, and geochronological techniques in order to better constraint the Pressure-Temperature-time (P-T-t) paths and dehydration of subducted lithologies. This dissertation; 1.) Explores novel approaches to modeling and predicting fluid/rock interactions during deep (>60km) subduction, and 2.) Questions what the calculated P-T-t path from eclogite lithologies reveals about early exhumation of subducted terrains. The second chapter focuses on how externally-derived hydrous fluids can decarbonate subducted basalt, liberate carbon and transfer it to the overlying mantle wedge, where it can be incorporated into melt that forms volcanic arcs. Here, the thermodynamic response to the infiltration of external fluids assuming open system, pervasive fluid flow, is quantified. It was determined that while hotter subduction zones have more favorable P-T conditions in which to facilitate decarbonation than colder subduction, the extent of decarbonation is largely dependent on the availability of fluid from the dehydration of underlying serpentine. The third chapter constrains the P-T-t paths of subducted lithologies from Syros, Greece using a combination of thermodynamic modeling, 147Sm/144Nd garnet geochronology, and quartz-in-garnet geobarometry. This provides insight into early exhumation of subducted lithologies, and allows for the exploration of assumptions made in thermodynamic modeling and in quartz-in-garnet geobarometry. Results suggest that garnet grew over a 4.31my period from 45.71±0.98Ma to 41.4±1.7Ma, during initial exhumation from maximum subducted depths. Calculated exhumation rates are a relatively rapid, 0.4-1.7 cm/yr. Because field relationships on Syros suggest the width of the subduction channel along the slab/mantle interface is not adequate to facilitate buoyancy-driven ascension of metabasic blocks, initiation of southward retreat of the Hellenic Subduction Zone and subsequent slab rollback is proposed to have played an important role in the exhumation of subducted lithologies. The final chapter investigates the compositional controls on the P-T conditions at which dehydration due to the breakdown of hydrous minerals occur during subduction (blueschist/eclogite boundary), and the implications they have on the rheology, seismicity, and densification of the down going slab. Total Alkali Silica (TAS) diagrams reveal that eclogites are more alkali rich, implying that initial alteration of the seafloor controls the mineral evolution of subducted basalt in many cases. / Ph. D.

<p>This dataset contains two datasets:</p> <p><br></p> <p>1) 16SI166 Bedrock Sample from the Ruby Range Batholith sampled by Steve Israel while he was at the Yukon Geological Survey and was Analyzed by Jim Crowely at Boise State University. Additional sheets show progression from LA-ICPMS methods to ID-TIMS and include CL imaging for individual grains</p> <p><br></p> <p>2) 09_CONG Tephra Sample from the Eastern Alaska Range that was dated as apart of the NG1 measured section. This sample was collected by Jeffrey Benowitz and analyzed by  Joshua Davies at the Département des sciences de la Terre et de l'atmosphère, Université du Québec à Montréal </p>

A Região do Betara, objeto desta pesquisa, localiza-se a nordeste da Cidade de Curitiba, entre os Municípios de Rio Branco do Sul e Campo Largo. Inclui Rochas granito-gnáissicas proto a miloníticas (Núcleo Betara) e seqüências metavulcanossedimentares de baixo a médio grau metamórfico (Formação Betara). Esses terrenos ocorrem na porção sul da Faixa Ribeira, em meio a seqüências metavulcanossedimentares da Formação Votuverava. Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal realizar estudos geológico-geocronológicos (UPb zircão) de rochas metabásicas associadas à seqüências metavulcanossedimentares (Formação Betara), bem como dos terrenos granito-gnáissicos proto a miloníticos (Núcleo Betara). Na região centro-sul do Betara, foram reconhecidas rochas granodioríticas proto a miloníticas formadas durante o paleoproterozóico (~2200 Ma) com heranças (núcleos de zircões) arqueanas (~2800 Ma). Valores arqueanos (~3200 Ma) foram obtidos através do método Sm-Nd (TDM) indicativos da época de derivação do manto dos protolitos crustais dessas rochas. Estes terrenos são limitados a sul pela Zona de Cisalhamento Lancinha, que baliza o domínio da Faixa Apiaí (à norte) daquele pertencente ao Complexo Atuba (a sul). Neste contexto tectônico, os terrenos granodioríticos proto à miloníticos representam lascas de embasamento, possivelmente relacionadas ao cráton do Paranapanema. Tal correlação, no entanto, não é tarefa fácil, uma vez que as características geológicas acopladas ao padrão geocronológico são bastante similares às observadas para o Núcleo Setuva (Siga Júnior et al., 2006 no prelo) e para o Complexo Atuba ( Siga Júnior et al., 1995 e Sato et al., 2003). Em contato tectônico com os terrenos granodioríticos ocorrem rochas sienograníticas proto a miloníticas, intimamente associadas a rochas metabásicas (mistura de magmas ? mixing, mingling). Os valores U-Pb (zircão) obtidos para os litotipos sienograníticos referem-se ao paleoproterozóico superior (1780 ? 1750 Ma; Kaulfuss, 2001 e Cury et al., 2003), similar às idades aqui obtidas para as rochas metabásicas (U-PB, zircão de 1789+-22 Ma). A ocorrência de rochas sienograníticas associadas a rochas metabásicas, com características anorogências, sugestivas de regimes extencionais representa um importante marco na região, relacionado à Tafrogênese Estateriana. Acrescente-se ainda a possibilidade de haver sedimentação associada a esse magmatismo de natureza anorogênica, relacionado a bacias do tipo rift desenvolvidas nesse período. Idades desse intervalo (1800 ? 1600 Ma) ocorrem no âmbito da Faixa Apiaí, em rochas sienograníticas proto à miloníticas do Núcleo do Tigre, a sul do corpo granítico Passa Três e no setor NE do batólito granítico Três Córregos (Kaulfuss, 2001; Cury et al., 2003 e Prazeres Filho, 2005). No continente Sul-Americano são reconhecidos ao longo de grande parte de sua porção centro-oriental (Província Borborema, Sistema Espinhaço, Grupo São João Del Rei, Província Tocantins e Faixa Ribeira), conforme discutido em Brito Neves et al. (1995). Esses registros tafrogenéticos, embora relativamente sincrônicos, variam em magnitude e extensão e são na maioria das vezes, caracterizados como rifts crustais com magmatismo de natureza alcalina ou sub-alcalina e sedimentação siliciclástica associada. Devem representar importantes cicatrizes associadas à rupturas de grandes massas continentais aglutinadas durante o Paleoproterozóico (Supercontinente Atlântica ? Rogers, 1996), ou mesmo durante o Paleo-Mesoproterozóico (Supercontinente Columbia; Rogers e Santos, 2002; Zhao et al., 2004). Os estudos geológicos relativos as seqüências metavulcanossedimentares (Formação Betara), em contato tectônico com os terrenos sienograníticos e granodioríticos (Núcleo Betara), permitiram reconhecer três unidades maiores: Sequência metapsamítica (basal) representada principalmente por quartzitos, uma Sequência de mármores, calciossilicáticas e metamargas (intermediária) e uma Sequência metapelítica (superior) onde predominam filitos com metabásicas associadas. Os dados geocronológicos obtidos através do método U-Pb (zircão) referem-se a corpos de rochas metabásicas (possíveis sills ou diques), que ocorrem intercalados concordantemente com a Sequência pelítica superior. O estudo petrográficos e geoquímicos desses corpos, embora bastante preliminar indica a natureza orto derivada dessas rochas e um quimismo de basaltos subalcalinos sugestivos de ambientes tectônicos distensivos. As idades obtidas do intervalo de 1500-1450 Ma são aqui interpretadas como mínimas de deposição da Formação Betara, possivelmente próxima desta. Valores de intervalo (1500-1450 Ma.) foram recentemente obtidos para as seqüências metavulcanossedimentares das Formações Votuverava, Perau e Água Clara. O Mesoproterozóico representa portanto, um importante marco relacionado a deposição de grande parte das seqüências metavulcanossedimentares do sul da Faixa Ribeira. O padrão geológico-geocronológico aliado ao padrão estrutural observado para a região do Betara, sugere que a colocação desses terrenos a níveis crustais superiores tenha ocorrido durante o Neoproterozóico, função de uma tectônica controlada em grande parte por cisalhamentos. / The Betara region was located at nothwest of the Curitiba City between the Campo Largo and Rio Branco do Sul municipal districts. This region includes granite-gnaissic rocks, proto to milonitics (Betara Nucleous) and metavolcanossedimentary sequences with low to intermediate metamorphic grade (Betara Formation). These terrains occur at the southern portion of the Ribeira Belt, surrounded by metavolcanossedimentary sequences of the Votuverava Formation. The main objective of this work was realize geologic-geochronologic studies (U-Pb zircon) of metabasic rocks associated with the metavolcanossedimentary sequences (Betara Formation), as well the metabasic rocks associated with the proto milonitic to milonitic granite-gnaissic terrains (Betara Nucleous). At the center-southern portion of the Betara Region, was recognized granodioritic rocks, proto to milonitic formed during the Paleoproterozoic (~2200 Ma) with archean inheritances (zircon nucleous ~2800 Ma). Archean values (~3200Ma) where obtained with Sm-Nd (TDM) method. This values where indicative for the mantle carries away ages for the crustal protolites of these rocks. These terrains are limited at the south by the Lancinha Shear Zone, who separates the Apiaí Domain (north) from the Atuba Complex (south). In this tectonic context, the proto to milonitc ganodioritic terrains represents peaces from the basement and possibly can be related to the Paranapanema Cratonic Region. This correlations are not a simple work and the geologic propers with the geologic patterns was to close to that observed for the Setuva Nucleous (Siga Júnior et al., 2006 no prelo) and for the Atuba Complex ( Siga Júnior et al., 1995 e Sato et al., 2003). In tectonic contact with the granodioritic terrains occurs some sienogranitic rocks proto to milonitics associated with metabasic rocks (magma mixing and/or magma mingling). The U-Pb zircon values obtained to the sienogranitic rocks was related to the Upper Paleoproterozoic (1780-1750 Ma; Kaulfuss, 2001 e Cury et al., 2003), very close to the ages obtained for the metabasic rocks (U-Pb zircon at 1789+-22 Ma). The occurrence of the sienogranitic rocks associated with metabasic rocks; with anorogenic characteristics may imply extensional systems and represents an important frame on this region, related to the Estatherian Tafrogenetic Event. Increases the possibilities to occur some sedimentation associated to this anorogenic magmatism, related to rift type basins developed during this period. Ages from this interval (1800 - 1600 Ma) occurs at the Apiaí Belt for the sienogranites proto to milonitics from the Tigre Nucleous at the south of the Passa Tres granitic body and at the nothwesthern portion of the granitic bathollite Três Córregos (Kaulfuss, 2001; Cury et al., 2003 e Prazeres Filho, 2005). In the South American Continent was recognized at a great part of this center west portion (Borborema Province, Espinhaço System, São João Del Rei Group, Tocantins Province and Ribeira Belt) according with Brito Neves et al. (1995). This tafrogenetic record was relatively synchronic, but variate in magnitude and extension and at most part of the time was related to crustal rifts with alkaline to sub alkaline magmatism associated with siliciclastic sedimentation. Might represent important scars associated with the breakage of some large continental masses agglutinated during the Paleoproterozoic (Atlantica Suercontinent, Rogers, 1996) or as same during the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic (Columbia Supercontinet; Rogers and Santos, 2002; Zhao et al., 2004). The geologic studies of the metavolcanossedimentary sequences (Betara Formation) in tectonic contact with sienogranitic-granodioritic terrains (Betara Nucleous) admit to recognize three major units: Metapsamitic sequence (lower), recognized mainly by quartzites, a marble, calciossilicatic and marly sequence (intermediary) and a metapelitic sequence (upper) where predominate phyllites associated with metabasic rocks. The geochronological data obtained from the U-Pb (zircon) method refers to metabasic rock bodies (dikes or sills) who occurs in conformity and intercalated with the upper pelitic sequence. The geochemical studies of this bodies indicates this ortho derived nature and a subalkaline chemical characteristics who suggests a distensive ambient. The ages obtained in a range between 1500-1450 Ma can be interpreted like minimal ages to deposition for the Betara Formation. Values at this same range (1450-1500 Ma) were obtained recently to the Votuverava, Perau and Água Clara Formations. The Mesoproterozoic represents an important frame related to deposition of the great part of the metavolcanossedimentary sequences of the southern Ribeira Belt. The geologic-geochronologic patterns, with the structural patterns observed to the Betara Region suggests whom the placement of this terraines at the upper crustal levels occurs at the Neoproterozoic, function of a shear-controlled tectonics.

The study area extends from west of the Great Divide to the Broken Hill and Tibooburra regions of far western New South Wales, encompassing several important mining districts that not only include the famous Broken Hill lodes (Pb-Zn-Ag), but also Parkes (Cu-Au), Peak Hill (Au), Cobar (Cu-Au-Zn) and White Cliffs (opal). The area is generally semi-arid to arid undulating to flat terrain covered by sparse vegetation. ¶ During the Cretaceous, an extensive sea retreated across vast plains, with rivers draining from the south and east. After the uplift of the Great Divide associated with opening of the Tasman Sea in the Late Cretaceous, drainage swung to the west, cutting across the Darling River Lineament. The Murray-Darling Basin depression developed as a depocentre during the Paleogene. Climates also underwent dramatic change during the Cenozoic, from warm-humid to cooler, more seasonal climates, to the arid conditions prevalent today. Up until now, there has been very little temporal constraint on the development of this landscape over this time period. This study seeks to address the timing of various weathering and landscape evolution events in northwestern New South Wales. ¶ The application of various regolith dating methods was undertaken. Palaeomagnetic dating, clay δ18O dating, (U+Th)/He and U-Pb dating were all investigated. Palaeomagnetic and clay dating methods have been well established in Australian regolith studies for the last 30 years. More recently, (U+Th)/He dating has been successfully trialled both overseas and in Australia. U-Pb dating of regolith materials has not been undertaken. Each method dates different regolith forming processes and materials. Palaeomagnetic and clay dating were both successfully carried out for sites across northwestern New South Wales, providing a multi-technique approach to resolving the timing of weathering events. Although (U+Th)/He dating was unsuccessful, there is scope for further refinement of the technique, and its application to regolith dating. U-Pb dating was also unsuccessfully applied to late-stage anatase, which is a cement in many Australian silcretes. ¶ Results from this study indicate that the landscape evolution and weathering history of northwestern New South Wales dates back at least 60 million years, probably 100 million years, and perhaps even as far back as 180 million years. The results imply that northwestern New South Wales was continuously sub-aerially exposed for the last 100 Ma, indicating that marine sedimentation in the Murray-Darling and Eromanga-Surat Basins was separated by this exposed region. The ages also provide further evidence for episodic deep chemical weathering under certain climatic conditions across the region, and add to the data from across Australia for similar events. In particular, the palaeomagnetic ages, which cluster at ~60 ± 10 Ma and 15 ± 10 Ma, are recorded in other palaeomagnetic dating studies of Australian regolith. The clay ages are more continuous across the field area, but show older clays in the Eromanga Basin sediments at White Cliffs and Lightning Ridge, Eocene clays in the Cobar region, and Oligocene – Miocene clays in the Broken Hill region, indicating progressively younger clay formation from east to west across northwestern New South Wales, in broad agreement with previously published clay weathering ages from around Australia. ¶ These weathering ages can be reconciled with reconstructions of Australian climates from previously published work, which show a cooling trend over the last 40 Ma, following an extended period of high mean annual temperatures in the Paleocene and Eocene. In conjunction with this cooling, total precipitation decreased, and rainfall became more seasonal. The weathering ages fall within periods of wetness (clay formation), the onset of seasonal climate (clay formation and palaeomagnetic weathering ages) and the initiation of aridity in the late Miocene (palaeomagnetic weathering ages). ¶ This study provides initial weathering ages for northwestern New South Wales, and, a broad geochronology for the development of the landscape of the region. Building on the results of this study, there is much scope for further geochronological work in the region.