Crustal Evolution of the Albany-Fraser Orogen, Western Australia

Abstract

This thesis investigates the crustal evolution of the Albany-Fraser Orogen in Western Australia, using U-Pb geochronology, Lu-Hf and oxygen isotope geochemistry of zircon crystals in granitic rocks. The results show that compositional variability of rocks in the region is strongly in uenced by the heterogeneity in the pre-existing crustal substrate. This research therefore demonstrates that mapping spatial Hf isotopic variations in magmatic rocks does not always image deep crustal structure as previously thought.