Modelos de reconstruções paleogeográficas envolvendo o Cráton Amazônico para 1100 Ma são motivos de controvérsia devido à carência de dados paleomagnéticos de qualidade para esta unidade geotectônica. Com intuito de contribuir para o esclarecimento da participação do Cráton Amazônico na evolução do ciclo continental, este trabalho apresenta o estudo paleomagnético realizado para o Complexo Máfico- ultramáfico Rincón del Tigre localizado na região sudeste da Bolívia, sudoeste do Cráton Amazônico. Uma recente datação U-Pb em badeleítas forneceu idade de 1110,4 ± 1,8 Ma para esta unidade. Para o estudo paleomagnético, 101 amostras cilíndricas orientadas foram coletadas de 15 sítios de composição litológica variada, compreendendo ultramáficas, ortopiroxenitos adcumuláticos, gabro noritos e serpentinitos. Um total de 359 espécimes cilíndricos de rocha de 2.2 cm de altura por 2.5 cm de diâmetro foi preparado para os tratamentos por campos magnéticos alternados (AF) e térmicos, assim como, para medidas de anisotropia de susceptibilidade magnética (ASM). As mesmas amostras foram preparadas para os experimentos de mineralogia magnética: curvas termomagnéticas, curvas de histerese e curvas de magnetização remanente isotérmica (MRI). Os resultados obtidos a partir da análise de anisotropias de suscetibilidade magnética (ASM) indicam, para boa parte das amostras analisadas, trama magnética aproximadamente horizontal coerente com a colocação de sills e lineação magnética para NW/SE, a qual indica que estas rochas sofreram influência da tectônica de deformação de direção NE-SW que as afetou durante a orogênese Sunsás. O estudo da mineralogia magnética indica magnetita como principal portador magnético presente nas rochas analisadas. Os tratamentos por campos alternados e térmico foram eficientes para separar as componentes de magnetização através da análise vetorial, sendo que direções coerentes foram obtidas para boa parte dos espécimes analisados para cada sítio. Todavia, a mesma coerência não é observada para as direções médias por sítio. Assim, correções tectônicas foram efetuadas e para um grupo de sítios obteve-se um teste de dobra positivo, com direção média Dm=327,9°, Im=53,5° (95=13,1°, K=22,6, N=7), a qual forneceu o polo paleomagnético situado em 271,7°E, 28,6°N (A95=17,6°). Supondo uma trama magnética horizontal (k3=90°) para os sills acamadados que constituem o Complexo Rincón del Tigre, a direção média (declinação e inclinação) do eixo k3 para cada sítio foi utilizada para corrigir as direções de magnetização para a situação de trama horizontal. Após a correção de ASM, outro grupo de sítios apresentou direções consistentes, cuja direção média Dm=118,6°, Im=20,7° (95=16,5°, K=12,2, N=8) forneceu o polo paleomagnético situado em 28,5°E, 30,0°S (A95=12,8). Os parâmetros estatísticos foram também significativamente melhorados após a correção de ASM. Com base nos dois polos determinados para o Complexo Rincón del Tigre e polos selecionados para o Cráton Amazônico e Laurentia são propostas paleogeografias para 1265 Ma, 1200 Ma, 1150 Ma, 1100 Ma e 1000 Ma que apoiam o modelo que propõe a ruptura do supercontinente Columbia, por volta de 1270 Ma atrás, e o posterior movimento de rotação horária do Cráton Amazônico/Oeste-África e da Báltica até estes blocos cratônicos colidirem novamente há 1000 Ma atrás com a Laurentia, ao longo do cinturão Grenville, para formar o supercontinente Rodínia. / Paleogeographic reconstructions at 1100 Ma involving the Amazonian Craton are controversial due to the absence of key paleomagnetic poles for this geotectonic unit. Trying to elucidate the participation of the Amazonian Craton in the continental cycle, this work present a paleomagnetic study of the Rincón del Tigre mafic-ultramafic complex from southeast Bolivia, southwestern Amazonian Craton. A recent U-Pb dating on baddeleyites of a rock from this complex yielded an age of 1110.4 ± 1.8 Ma for this unit. For the paleomagnetic study, 101 cylindrical cores were sampled from 15 sites with variable lithologies, comprising ultramafics, adacumulatic orthopyroxenites, gabbro norites and serpentinites. A total of 359 cylindrical specimens (2.5 cm diameter x 2.2 cm height) were prepared for the AF and thermal treatments, and for the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements. The same samples were prepared for magnetic experiments: thermomagnetic curves, hysteresis curves and isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) curves. The ASM results indicate nearly horizontal magnetic fabric for many of the analyzed sites, which agrees with that originated by sills emplacement, and a NW/SE magnetic lineation, which suggests that these rocks were tectonically affected by the Sunsás orogen. The magnetic mineralogy studies indicate magnetite as the main magnetic carrier in the rocks. The AF and thermal treatments were effective in isolating magnetic components through vector analysis, and coherent magnetic directions were disclosed for much of the specimens from each site. However, the same consistency was not observed for the between-site directions. Tectonic corrections were applied for the site mean directions, which yielded a positive fold test for a group of sites: mean direction Dm=327.9°, Im=53.5° (95=13.1°, K=22.6, N=7), which yielded the paleomagnetic pole at 271.7°E, 28.6°N (A95=17.6°). Supposing an horizontal magnetic fabric (k3=90°) for the layered sills that originally formed the Rincón del Tigre Complex, the mean direction (declination and inclination) of the k3 axis calculated for each site, was used to correct site mean magnetization directions for the situation of horizontal magnetic fabric. After ASM correction, another group of sites yielded consistent directions, whose mean direction Dm=118.6°, Im=20.7° (95=16.5°, K=12.2, N=8) yielded the paleomagnetic pole at 28.5°E, 30.0°S (A95=12.8). Statistical parameters were also greatly improved after ASM corrections. Paleogeographies at 1265 Ma, 1200 Ma, 1150 Ma, 1100 Ma and 1000 Ma were constructed based on the Rincón del Tigre poles and other selected poles from the Amazonian Craton and Laurentia, which support the model where soon after Columbia rupture at around 1270 Ma, the Amazonian Craton/West Africa and Baltica executed clockwise rotations until they collide again at 1000 Ma with Laurentia, along the Grenvillian belt, forming Rodinia supercontinent.

Modelos de reconstruções paleogeográficas envolvendo o Cráton Amazônico para 1100 Ma são motivos de controvérsia devido à carência de dados paleomagnéticos de qualidade para esta unidade geotectônica. Com intuito de contribuir para o esclarecimento da participação do Cráton Amazônico na evolução do ciclo continental, este trabalho apresenta o estudo paleomagnético realizado para o Complexo Máfico- ultramáfico Rincón del Tigre localizado na região sudeste da Bolívia, sudoeste do Cráton Amazônico. Uma recente datação U-Pb em badeleítas forneceu idade de 1110,4 ± 1,8 Ma para esta unidade. Para o estudo paleomagnético, 101 amostras cilíndricas orientadas foram coletadas de 15 sítios de composição litológica variada, compreendendo ultramáficas, ortopiroxenitos adcumuláticos, gabro noritos e serpentinitos. Um total de 359 espécimes cilíndricos de rocha de 2.2 cm de altura por 2.5 cm de diâmetro foi preparado para os tratamentos por campos magnéticos alternados (AF) e térmicos, assim como, para medidas de anisotropia de susceptibilidade magnética (ASM). As mesmas amostras foram preparadas para os experimentos de mineralogia magnética: curvas termomagnéticas, curvas de histerese e curvas de magnetização remanente isotérmica (MRI). Os resultados obtidos a partir da análise de anisotropias de suscetibilidade magnética (ASM) indicam, para boa parte das amostras analisadas, trama magnética aproximadamente horizontal coerente com a colocação de sills e lineação magnética para NW/SE, a qual indica que estas rochas sofreram influência da tectônica de deformação de direção NE-SW que as afetou durante a orogênese Sunsás. O estudo da mineralogia magnética indica magnetita como principal portador magnético presente nas rochas analisadas. Os tratamentos por campos alternados e térmico foram eficientes para separar as componentes de magnetização através da análise vetorial, sendo que direções coerentes foram obtidas para boa parte dos espécimes analisados para cada sítio. Todavia, a mesma coerência não é observada para as direções médias por sítio. Assim, correções tectônicas foram efetuadas e para um grupo de sítios obteve-se um teste de dobra positivo, com direção média Dm=327,9°, Im=53,5° (95=13,1°, K=22,6, N=7), a qual forneceu o polo paleomagnético situado em 271,7°E, 28,6°N (A95=17,6°). Supondo uma trama magnética horizontal (k3=90°) para os sills acamadados que constituem o Complexo Rincón del Tigre, a direção média (declinação e inclinação) do eixo k3 para cada sítio foi utilizada para corrigir as direções de magnetização para a situação de trama horizontal. Após a correção de ASM, outro grupo de sítios apresentou direções consistentes, cuja direção média Dm=118,6°, Im=20,7° (95=16,5°, K=12,2, N=8) forneceu o polo paleomagnético situado em 28,5°E, 30,0°S (A95=12,8). Os parâmetros estatísticos foram também significativamente melhorados após a correção de ASM. Com base nos dois polos determinados para o Complexo Rincón del Tigre e polos selecionados para o Cráton Amazônico e Laurentia são propostas paleogeografias para 1265 Ma, 1200 Ma, 1150 Ma, 1100 Ma e 1000 Ma que apoiam o modelo que propõe a ruptura do supercontinente Columbia, por volta de 1270 Ma atrás, e o posterior movimento de rotação horária do Cráton Amazônico/Oeste-África e da Báltica até estes blocos cratônicos colidirem novamente há 1000 Ma atrás com a Laurentia, ao longo do cinturão Grenville, para formar o supercontinente Rodínia. / Paleogeographic reconstructions at 1100 Ma involving the Amazonian Craton are controversial due to the absence of key paleomagnetic poles for this geotectonic unit. Trying to elucidate the participation of the Amazonian Craton in the continental cycle, this work present a paleomagnetic study of the Rincón del Tigre mafic-ultramafic complex from southeast Bolivia, southwestern Amazonian Craton. A recent U-Pb dating on baddeleyites of a rock from this complex yielded an age of 1110.4 ± 1.8 Ma for this unit. For the paleomagnetic study, 101 cylindrical cores were sampled from 15 sites with variable lithologies, comprising ultramafics, adacumulatic orthopyroxenites, gabbro norites and serpentinites. A total of 359 cylindrical specimens (2.5 cm diameter x 2.2 cm height) were prepared for the AF and thermal treatments, and for the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) measurements. The same samples were prepared for magnetic experiments: thermomagnetic curves, hysteresis curves and isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) curves. The ASM results indicate nearly horizontal magnetic fabric for many of the analyzed sites, which agrees with that originated by sills emplacement, and a NW/SE magnetic lineation, which suggests that these rocks were tectonically affected by the Sunsás orogen. The magnetic mineralogy studies indicate magnetite as the main magnetic carrier in the rocks. The AF and thermal treatments were effective in isolating magnetic components through vector analysis, and coherent magnetic directions were disclosed for much of the specimens from each site. However, the same consistency was not observed for the between-site directions. Tectonic corrections were applied for the site mean directions, which yielded a positive fold test for a group of sites: mean direction Dm=327.9°, Im=53.5° (95=13.1°, K=22.6, N=7), which yielded the paleomagnetic pole at 271.7°E, 28.6°N (A95=17.6°). Supposing an horizontal magnetic fabric (k3=90°) for the layered sills that originally formed the Rincón del Tigre Complex, the mean direction (declination and inclination) of the k3 axis calculated for each site, was used to correct site mean magnetization directions for the situation of horizontal magnetic fabric. After ASM correction, another group of sites yielded consistent directions, whose mean direction Dm=118.6°, Im=20.7° (95=16.5°, K=12.2, N=8) yielded the paleomagnetic pole at 28.5°E, 30.0°S (A95=12.8). Statistical parameters were also greatly improved after ASM corrections. Paleogeographies at 1265 Ma, 1200 Ma, 1150 Ma, 1100 Ma and 1000 Ma were constructed based on the Rincón del Tigre poles and other selected poles from the Amazonian Craton and Laurentia, which support the model where soon after Columbia rupture at around 1270 Ma, the Amazonian Craton/West Africa and Baltica executed clockwise rotations until they collide again at 1000 Ma with Laurentia, along the Grenvillian belt, forming Rodinia supercontinent.

The Cenozoic Ailaoshan – Red River shear zone marks the present day western margin of the South China Block. Along this margin are well preserved late Paleoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic sedimentary and volcanic successions. This work examines the ages and tectonic environments for the formation of the successions, as well as significance of the regional tectono-magmatic events on the formation of widespread iron oxide-copper deposits. The oldest succession is the Paleoproterozoic Dahongshan Group. A new SHRIMP UPb age of 1675 ± 8 Ma for a tuffaceous schist unit confirms its Paleoproterozoic age. Detrital zircon ages of the Dahongshan Group range between Archean to Paleoproterozoic (ca. 2780 – 1860 Ma). They include a population of ca. 2400 – 2100 Ma grains, which have no known source region on the exposed Yangtze Block. Previous geochemical studies of metavolcanic rocks from the Dahongshan Group have suggested that these rocks were erupted in an oceanic setting. However, this study shows that the metavolcanics are extremely altered and cannot be used for reliable tectonic discrimination. Based on the characteristics of sedimentary rocks in the Dahongshan Group, it is suggested that these rocks were deposited in a continental setting. Overlying the Dahongshan Group is a thick sedimentary sequence which has been variably termed the Kunyang, Dongchuan, Huili or Xide Groups. In the past, these rocks have been considered as a Mesoproterozoic rift succession. However, no precise age constraints were available for the succession. In this study, this sequence is found to contain at least two separate tectonostratigraphic units. The oldest (ca.1140 Ma) is comprised of alkaline basalt with a geochemical and isotopic character similar to that of modern intracontinental rift basalts. The presence of Cathaysia-derived sediments in this unit indicates sedimentary transportation from the southerly Cathaysia Block to the northerly Yangtze Block (in present coordinates) in South China at that time, which suggests an “impactogen” scenario. The thick sedimentary sequence of what has traditionally been defined as the Kunyang Group has been found to have significantly younger depositional age of ca.1000 – 960 Ma. The composition of sedimentary rocks and the provenance of detrital zircons from the Kunyang Group are consistent with a foreland basin setting. The depositional age of this sequence coincides with the timing of Sibao Orogeny as determined elsewhere in the South China Block. Summary Page ii Numerous iron oxide - copper (gold) deposits occur within the rocks of the Dahongshan and Kunyang Groups. Previous studies have classified these deposits into two deposit styles: the Dahongshan-type Paleoproterozoic VMS mineralisation hosted within the Dahongshan Group, and the Dongchuan-type diagenetic carbonate and shale-hosted deposits hosted within the Kunyang Group. However, both deposit types share similarities with the iron oxide – copper (gold) deposit class, such as stratabound disseminated and massive copper ores, abundance of iron oxide occurring mostly as low Ti - magnetite and haematite, and variable enrichments in Au, Ag, Co, F, Mo, P and REE. 40Ar/39Ar data from both deposit types indicate mineralisation ages of ca. 850 – 830 Ma and 780 – 740 Ma.

La compréhension des processus orogéniques nécessite l'acquisition de données permettant de suivre les variations de pression (P), température (T) et déformation (D) au cours du temps (t). La construction de trajets P-T-D-t implique nécessairement une approche pluridisciplinaire, qui combine une analyse pétrologique et structurale à l'acquisition de données géochronologiques. Dans ce mémoire, une telle approche est appliquée à des granulites polymétamorphiques de Ultra-Hautes Températures de l'unité basique d'Andriamena (Centre-Nord Madagascar). Une attention particulière a été portée sur la corrélation entre les données pétrologiques et géochronologiques afin de discuter la signification des trajets P-T et des âges obtenus en contexte polymétamorphique. L'évolution thermomécanique de l'unité d'Andriamena est marquée par la superposition d'au moins quatre événements thermiques distincts: ~2.7 Ga, 2.52-2.54 Ga, 790-730 Ma et 530-500 Ma. Si la signification de l'événement Archéen à 2.7 Ga reste encore problématique, l'événement fini-Archéen à 2.5 Ga correspond sans ambiguïté au métamorphisme de UHT (~1050°C, 11.5 kbar). Le Néoprotérozoïque moyen (790-730 Ma) est marqué par la mise en place d'un important complexe basique-ultrabasique contemporain d'un épisode de fusion partielle et d'un métamorphisme granulitique (~850-900°C, 7 kbar). Cet événement thermique majeur, à l'échelle du Centre-Nord Madagascar, est interprété comme le témoin d'un contexte tectonique du type arc continental lié à la fermeture de l'océan Mozambique lors de la fragmentation du supercontinent Rodinia. Le dernier événement affectant l'unité d'Andriamena (530-500 Ma) est à l'origine du champ de déformation finie, qui résulte de la superposition de deux phases D1 et D2 synchrones d'un métamorphisme amphibolitique à granulitique de basse pression (650-700°C, 5-6 kbar). La déformation Cambrienne observée dans le Centre-Nord Madagascar est compatible avec un raccourcissement horizontal Est-Ouest qui résulterait de la convergence de cratons lors de la consolidation finale du Gondwana. Par leur caractère réfractaire, les Mg-granulites de UHT préservent de nombreuses textures minéralogiques permettant de retracer un trajet PT pétrographique complexe et apparemment continu. Néanmoins, les données géochronologiques obtenues par la méthode de datation in-situ sur monazite à la microsonde électronique montrent que le trajet pétrographique ne doit pas être considéré comme issu d'un seul et même événement thermique, mais plutôt comme un trajet discontinu résultant de la superposition de deux événements distincts à 2.5 Ga et 790-730 Ma. D'autre part, nous montrons qu'une partie du trajet pétrographique (décompression isotherme) correspond à un trajet apparent sans signification tectonique. Nous suggérons que cette décompression apparente résulte de l'équilibration des paragenèses réfractaires de UHT (2.5 Ga) à plus basses pressions, lors de l'événement Néoprotérozoïque moyen (790-730 Ma), sans que les conditions P-T des réactions minéralogiques observées n'aient été atteintes. La distinction qui existe entre trajet pétrographique et trajet P-T réel montre l'importance de déterminer l'âge absolu des différents assemblages et réactions métamorphiques, afin de dater différentes portions du trajet P-T. Cet objectif est atteint grâce aux méthodes de datations ponctuelles et in-situ qui permettent de dater des minéraux dans leur contexte textural et donc de corréler âge et assemblage métamorphique. Ainsi, nous avons développé une nouvelle méthode de datation in-situ U-Th-Pb sur monazite, qui utilise les méthodes chimiques (microsonde) et isotopiques conventionnelles (ID-TIMS). Par ces deux méthodes, on combine une haute résolution spatiale (~3µm - microsonde) à une haute précision analytique (ID-TIMS). La particularité de cette nouvelle approche est que la datation isotopique est réalisée sur des grains individuels extraits par micro-forage directement sur lame mince et qui ont été au préalable caractérisés à la microsonde électronique (imagerie, datation chimique...). La position texturale de chaque grain daté est ainsi retenue.

The structural lineament mapping of southern India along withgeological, geochronological datasets help in redefining the Precambrian crustal blocks.The newly proposed Kumta and Mercara suture zones welding Archean crustal blocks in western peninsular India offer critical insights into the crustal evolution of Gondwana. The Kumta suturemainly consists of schistose rocks including quartz-phengite, garnet-biotite, chlorite, fuchsite and marble, whereas the Mercara suture contains mylonitic quartzo-feldspathic gneiss, garnet-kyanite-sillimanite gneiss, calc-silicate granulite and metagabbro. Metamorphic pressure-temperature estimations (Kumta suture: 11-18 kbar at 790-550oC; Mercara suture: 13 kbar at 825oC) suggest that, the sediments have undergone subduction to greater depths. The K-Ar age of biotite, phengite and U-Pb dating of zircon yields consistent metamorphic age of 1100-1400 Ma. In situ zircon 176Lu/177Hf isotope analysis shows wide range of εHf (t) values indicating the protolith sediments were derived from Paleo-Neoarchean juvenile crust that mixed with recycled older crust. The Bondla ultramafic-gabbro complex, northwest of the Kumta suture contains basalt, dolerite, gabbro, serpentinite, chromitite, peridotite and chromian spinel chemistry suggests evolution in a supra-subduction zone arc tectonic setting.The Sirsi shelf towards east of the Kumta suture, contains weakly deformed sedimentary rocks (limestone, shale, banded iron formations, greywacke, sandstone and quartzite) unconformable on relatively high-grade ca. 2571 Ma gneisses of the Dharwar craton. The Karwar block to the west is composed of weakly metamorphosedca. 3200 Ma tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) with enclaves of amphibolite. In situ zircon 176Lu/177Hf isotope analysis and whole-rock 143Nd/144Nd isotopic analysis of TTGs show positive εHf and εNd values indicating ca. 3200 Ma juvenile crust. The Coorg block consists of ca. 3200 Ma charnockite, mafic granulites, hornblende-biotite gneiss, garnet-hornblende gabbro and anorthosite.In situ zircon 176Lu/177Hf isotope analysis indicates source as mixture of juvenile crust and older recycled crustal materials. Synthesis of the above results with published data suggests that Kumta and Mercara suture zones incorporate Paleoarchean to Mesoproterozoic sedimentssubjected to high-pressure metamorphism in the late Mesoproterozoic. Metamorphic P-T estimations of mafic granulite and U-Pb zircon geochronology of pelitic gneisses from Betsimisaraka suture zone, Madagascar suggests the rocks were underwent metamorphism at c. 24 kbar and c. 780°C during Mesoproterozoic suturing of Antongil-Masora blocks with the Antananarivo block.From the integration of above results with the new geophysical results and published data Mesoproterozoic Kumta-Mercara suture is interpreted as eastern extension of the Mesoproterozoic Betsimisaraka suture of Madagascar into western India.

The geological history of the Early Palaeozoic in eastern Australia is not known precisely. The eastern margin of the outcropping Precambrian Craton 'Tasman Line' is poorly understood. The Thomson Orogen, which underlies much of eastern Queensland, lies to the east of the Tasman Line. Basement to the Tasman Orogenic Zone is poorly understood, but knowledge of this basement is critical to our understanding to the processes that formed the eastern margin of the Precambrian craton. The Lolworth-Ravenswood Province lies to the east of the Tasman Line in northeast Queensland. A study of basement terranes in the Lolworth-Ravenswood Province will therefore provide some insights as to the nature of crust beneath this area, and therefore to the basement to the Thomson Orogen. The Fat Hen Creek Complex comprises para-authchthonous bodies of granitoid within middle to upper amphibolite facies metamorphic rocks. Data contained herein demonstrate that the composition and geochemistry of the granitoid are compatible with the generation of the granitoid by partial anatexis of the metamorphic rocks that are part of the Cape River Metamorphics. Temperature and pressure of anatexis is determined to be between 800-850OC and 5-9kb. Under these conditions, experimental data indicate that meta-pelite and meta-greywacke will produce between 5-10% melt coexisting with biotite, cordierite, garnet and plagioclase. The mineralogy of the granitoid bodies in the Fat Hen Creek Complex is consistent with partial anatexis of meta-greywacke at these temperatures and pressures. 5-10% melt is generally insufficient to allow efficient separation of melt and restite. The granitoids of the Fat Hen Creek Complex are interpreted as being a closed system with melt generated during high-grade metamorphism not separating from the residium. U/Pb dating of zircon from the Fat Hen Creek Complex indicate two distinct periods of zircon growth. The older episode occurred during the Late Cambrian to Early Ordovician. A second episode is dated as Middle Ordovician. This younger age coincides with the onset of regional compression, and may be related to exhumation of a mid-crustal layer during thrusting. The Lolworth Batholith is one of three granite batholiths in the Lolworth-Ravenswood Province. It comprises mainly muscovite-biotite granite, with smaller areas of hornblende-biotite granite to granodiorite. Sills and dykes of muscovite and garnet-muscovite leucogranite extensively intrude both of these types. The hornblende-biotite granite to granodiorite is metaluminous, with petrographic and geochemical characteristics similar to the adjacent Ravenswood Batholith. U-Pb SHRIMP ages also overlap with those from the Ravenswood Batholith. ENd(tc) values of ~-3 suggest a significant crustal contribution in the magma. Zircon populations determined using the SHRIMP suggest some inheritance from a Neoproterozoic source. The two-mica granites make up over 80% of the batholith and show little variation throughout. Aluminium Saturation indices range dominantly from 1-1.1, in keeping with the muscovite-bearing nature of the granites. U-Pb ages are significantly younger than the hornblende-biotite granitoids. ENd(tc) is ~-10, suggesting a greater role for crustal material in these granites than in the hornblende-bearing varieties. Previously, these granites were interpreted as S-types, mainly on the basis of the presence of muscovite. Low Na/Ca and Na greater than K are both considered as indicators of source compositions and both are characteristic of a mafic igneous rather than a meta-sedimentary source. Anatexis of mafic igneous rocks at temperatures less than~1000OC are found experimentally to produce peraluminous melts similar to those which produced the two-mica granites. The third major rock-type in the Lolworth Batholith is muscovite leucogranite, which occurs as sills and dykes intruding older granites and basement. The age of the leucogranite was not determined, but it has sharp contacts with the two-mica granite suggesting that the latter had cooled prior to intrusion of the former. The leucogranite is strongly peraluminous and is deemed to have been derived from anatexis of a supra-crustal (meta-sedimentary) source. The batholith is therefore deemed to comprise three different elements. The hornblende-biotite granitoids are the western extension of the adjacent Ravenswood Batholith. The two-mica granite and muscovite leucogranite are derived from different sources, but may be part of the same crustal anatexis event. During the Early Palaeozoic, the Lolworth-Ravenswood Province saw the intrusion of three granite batholiths into a basement of Late Neoproterozoic to Cambrian meta-sedimentary rocks. Also, Late Cambrian to Early Ordovician and Middle Ordovician high-grade metamorphism accompanied by partial anatexis is recorded at several sites across northeast Queensland. Although this metamorphism is restricted to these sites, they are widespread across the area suggestive of a widespread metamorphic event at these times. Similar metamorphism is recorded in the Arunta Inlier in Central Australia increasing the possible extent of this event. The geochemistry, isotopic characteristics and zircon populations of granites in the Lolworth-Ravenswood Province are used to characterise their source rocks; and thus the basement to the Province. Precambrian basement is indicated to underlie the entire province. However, the source rocks for the eastern part of the Province (Ravenswood and into the Lolworth Batholiths) are different to source rocks for the western part of the Province. Georgetown-type crust extends eastwards from the outcropping area, extending under the western Lolworth-Ravenswood Province. Late Mesoproterozoic rocks are recorded from the Cape River area adjacent to the Lolworth Batholith. They are also indicated as source-rocks for granites in the Ravenswood Batholith. Rocks of this age are characteristic of Grenvillian-age mobile belts in the United States. Their presence in north Qeensland has implications for the breakup of Rodinia, the Mesoproterozoic-age super continent that broke up during the Neoproterozoic.