thumbnail

Geochronology of archean gneisses in the Lake Helen area, Southwestern Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming

Precambrian Research
By: , and 

Links

  • The Publications Warehouse does not have links to digital versions of this publication at this time
  • Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

Abstract

The RbSr and UPb methods were used to study gneisses in the 7 1 2-minute Lake Helen quadrangle of the Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming. Two episodes of magmatism, deformation and metamorphism occurred during the Archean. Trondhjemitic to tonalitic orthogneisses and amphibolite of the first episode (E-1) are cut by a trondhjemite pluton and a calc-alkaline intrusive series of the second episode (E-2). The E-2 series includes hornblende-biotite quartz diorite, biotite tonalite, biotite granodiorite and biotite granite. A RbSr whole-rock isochron for E-1 gneisses indicates an age of 3007 ?? 34 Ma (1 sigma) and an initial 87Sr/86Sr of 0.7001 ?? 0.0001. UPb determination on zircon from E-1 gneisses yield a concordia intercept age of 2947 ?? 50 Ma. The low initial ratio suggests that the gneisses had no significant crustal history prior to metamorphism, and that the magmas from which they formed had originated from a mafic source. A RbSr whole-rock isochron for E-2 gneisses gives an age of 2801 ?? 31 Ma. The 87Sr/86Sr initial ration is 0.7015 ?? 0.0002 and precludes the existence of the rocks for more than 150 Ma prior to metamorphism. The E-2 magmas may have originated from melting of E-1 gneisses or from a more mafic source. ?? 1980.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Geochronology of archean gneisses in the Lake Helen area, Southwestern Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming
Series title Precambrian Research
Volume 11
Issue 1
Year Published 1980
Language English
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Precambrian Research
First page 11
Last page 22
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details