Provenance and tectonic significance of the Palaeoproterozoic metasedimentary successions of central and northern Madagascar

De Waele, B.; Thomas, R.J.; Macey, P.H.; Horstwood, M.S.A.; Tucker, R.D.; Pitfield, P.E.J.; Schofield, D.I.; Goodenough, K.M.; Bauer, W.; Key, R.M.; Potter, C.J.; Armstrong, R.A.; Miller, J.; Randriamananjara, T.; Ralison, V.; Rafahatelo, J.M.; Bejoma, M.; Rabarimana, M.. 2011 Provenance and tectonic significance of the Palaeoproterozoic metasedimentary successions of central and northern Madagascar. Precambrian Research, 189 (1-2). 18-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2011.04.004

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Abstract/Summary

New detrital zircon U-Pb age data obtained from various quartzite units of three spatially separated supracrustal packages in central and northern Madagascar, show that these units were deposited between 1.8 and 0.8 Ga and have similar aged provenances. The distribution of detrital zircon ages indicates an overwhelming contribution of sources with ages between 2.5 and 1.8 Ga. Possible source rocks with an age of 2.5 Ga are present in abundance in the crustal segments (Antananarivo, Antongil and Masora Domains) either side of a purported Neoproterozoic suture ("Betsimisaraka Suture Zone"). Recently, possible source rocks for the 1.8 Ga age peak have been recognised in southern Madagascar. All three supracrustal successions, as well as the Archaean blocks onto which they were emplaced, are intruded by mid-Neoproterozoic magmatic suites placing a minimum age on their deposition. The similarities in detrital pattern, maximum and minimum age of deposition in the three successions, lend some support to a model in which all of Madagascar's Archaean blocks form a coherent crustal entity (the Greater Dharwar Craton), rather than an amalgamate of disparate crustal blocks brought together only during Neoproterozoic convergence. However, potential source terranes exist outside Madagascar and on either side of the Neoproterozoic sutures, so that a model including a Neoproterozoic suture in Madagascar cannot be dispelled outright.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2011.04.004
Programmes:	BGS Programmes 2010 > BGS Corporate
Additional Keywords:	U-Pb dating detrital provenance East African Orogen Gondwana Palaeoproterozoic Tectonics
NORA Subject Terms:	Earth Sciences
Date made live:	21 Jul 2011 13:51 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/14345

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