An insight into the low­temperature thermal evolution of the covered eastern Gawler Craton margin: the Stuart Shelf basement

Abstract

Multi-method thermochronology applied to the eastern Gawler Craton, beneath the Stuart Shelf cover (Olympic Dam Domain, South Australia), reveals multiple episodes of exhumation. Modelled data from Apatite Fission Track (AFT) analysis identifies four time periods where the eastern Gawler Craton basement experienced cooling into AFT closure temperatures (~60-120°C); at1050 ± 55 Ma (Mesoproterozoic), 439 ± 14 Ma (late Ordovician-Silurian), 304 ±36 Ma (mid-Carboniferous-mid Permian) and 245 ± 52 Ma (late Permian-early Jurassic). In addition, the Carboniferous and Jurassic peaks are supported by zircon (ZHe) and apatite (AHe) (U-Th-Sm)/ He results. The Ordovician peak is interpreted as resulting from the final pulses of the Delamerian Orogeny partially, mixed with the first pulses of the Alice Springs Orogeny. The Carboniferous-Permian event is linked with widespread exhumation likely due to the final pulses of the Alice Springs Orogeny (~300Ma). The preserved Mesoproterozoic event presents new AFT data in the area and coincides with some recent studies. However, it occurs only in samples obtained from the Gawler Range Volcanics and more prominent in core depth shallower than 500m. The late Permian-early Jurassic event is comparable to events believed have to stemmed from hydrothermal events. This event compliments AFT studies in the northern Flinders Ranges. The Late Ordovician-Silurian and Carboniferous-early Permian AFT pulses confirm events seen in studies of surrounding regions. Other geochronological studies around the Olympic Dam area indicate that this pulse either results from a localised hydrothermal event or distal effects of the Musgravian Orogeny. The Jurassic event suggests that the hydrothermal effect on AFT ages may be a more widespread event and not just localised to the northern Flinders Ranges as previously thought. The Ordovician event represents mixing between Delamerian and Alice Springs Orogenies. The Carboniferous-Permian event represents late distal effects of the Alice Springs Orogeny. These events match those of surrounding regions.