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dc.contributor.authorJourdan, Fred
dc.contributor.authorFeraud, G.
dc.contributor.authorBertrand, H.
dc.contributor.authorWatkeys, M.
dc.contributor.authorKampunzu, A.
dc.contributor.authorLeGall, B.
dc.date.accessioned2017-01-30T15:36:55Z
dc.date.available2017-01-30T15:36:55Z
dc.date.created2010-04-25T20:02:40Z
dc.date.issued2006
dc.identifier.citationJourdan, F. and Feraud, G. and Bertrand, H. and Watkeys, M. and Kampunzu, A. and LeGall, B. 2006. Basement control on dyke distribution in Large Igneous Provinces: Case study of the Karoo triple junction. Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 241 (1-2): pp. 307-322.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/48006
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.epsl.2005.10.003
dc.description.abstract

Continental flood basalts consist of vast quantities of lava, sills and giant dyke swarms that are associated with continental break-up. The commonly radiating geometry of dyke swarms in these provinces is generally interpreted as the result of the stress regime that affected the lithosphere during the initial stage of continental break-up or as the result of plume impact. On the other hand, structures in the basement may also control dyke orientations, though such control has not previously been documented. In order to test the role of pre-dyke structures, we investigated four major putative Karoo-aged dyke swarms that taken together represent a giant radiating dyke swarm (the so-called "triple-junction") ascribed to the Jurassic Karoo continental flood basalt (> 3x10 6 km2; southern Africa). One of the best tests to discriminate between neoformed and inherited dyke orientation is to detect Precambrian dykes in the Jurassic swarms. Accordingly, we efficiently distinguished between Jurassic and Precambrian dykes using abbreviated low resolution, 40Ar/39Ar incremental heating schedules. Save-Limpopo dyke swarm samples (n = 19) yield either apparent Proterozoic (728-1683 Ma) or Mesozoic (131-179 Ma) integrated ages; the Olifants River swarm (n = 20) includes only Proterozoic (851-1731 Ma) and Archaean (2470-2872 Ma) dykes. The single age obtained on one N-S striking dyke (1464 Ma) suggests that the Lebombo dyke swarm includes Proterozoic dykes in the basement as well. These dates demonstrate the existence of pre-Karoo dykes in these swarms as previously hypothesized without supporting age data.In addition, aeromagnetic and air-photo interpretations indicate that: (1) dyke emplacement was largely controlled by major discontinuities such as the Zimbabwe and Kaapvaal craton boundaries, the orientation of the Limpopo mobile belt, and other pre-dyke structures including shear zones and (2) considering its polygenetic, pre-Mesozoic origin, the Olif ants River dyke swarm cannot be considered part of the Karoo magmatic event.This study, along with previous results obtained on the Okavango dyke swarm, shows that the apparent "triple junction" formed by radiating dyke swarms is not a Jurassic structure; rather, it reflects weakened lithospheric pathways that have controlled dyke orientations over hundreds of millions of years. One consequence is that the "triple-junction" geometry can no longer be unambiguously used as a mantle plume marker as previously proposed, although it does not preclude the possible existence of a mantle plume. More generally, we suggest that most Phanerozoic dyke swarms (including triple junctions) related to continental flood basalts were probably controlled in part by pre-existing lithospheric discontinuities.

dc.publisherElsevier Science BV
dc.subjectKaroo
dc.subjectbasement control
dc.subjectdyke swarm
dc.subject40Ar/39Ar dating
dc.subjectmantle plume
dc.subjecttriple junction
dc.subjectstructural inheritance
dc.titleBasement control on dyke distribution in Large Igneous Provinces: Case study of the Karoo triple junction.
dc.typeJournal Article
dcterms.source.volume241
dcterms.source.startPage307
dcterms.source.endPage322
dcterms.source.issn0012821X
dcterms.source.titleEarth and Planetary Science Letters
curtin.note

The link to the journal’s home page is: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/503328/description#description. Copyright © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

curtin.accessStatusOpen access
curtin.facultyDepartment of Applied Geology
curtin.facultyFaculty of Science and Engineering
curtin.facultyWA School of Mines


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