Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr dating of an Archean massive sulfide deposit: Kidd Creek, Ontario

Journal Article · Tue Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Geology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1986)14<585:SARDOA>2.0.CO;2· OSTI ID:5516151

Maas, R; McCulloch, M T; Campbell, I H; Coad, P R

Highly altered felsic metavolcanics associated with the Kidd Creek, Ontario, Cu-Zn massive sulfide deposit show a large range of Sm/Nd ratios and yield a Sm-Nd isochron of 2674 +/- 40 Ma (initial ratio epsilon/sub Nd/ = 1.55 +/- 0.30), which represents the time of rare-earth-element redistribution during intense hydrothermal alteration. That the Sm-Nd age is consistent with age constraints on ore deposition provided by precise U-Pb zircon data indicates contemporaneity of ore deposition, hydrothermal alteration, and rare-earth mobility. The age is therefore interpreted as a minimum age of ore deposition. In contrast, the Rb-Sr age of the altered rocks, as well as the metavolcanic rocks outside the alteration zone, has been reset at 2576 +/- 26 Ma, most likely as a result of widespread low-temperature metasomatism unrelated to ore deposition. The results suggest that Sm-Nd dating could be a useful tool in the study of ore deposits and, potentially, in the study of a wide range of mineralizations. Initial epsilon/sub Nd/(T) values for massive ore, altered felsic volcanics, and their weakly altered precursors are identical, indicating derivation and redistribution of light-rare-earth elements within the altered footwall volcanics. These data suggest that the footwall volcanics have also supplied part of the base metals to the stratiform ore.

• Research Organization: Australian National Univ., Canberra
• OSTI ID: 5516151
• Journal Information: Geology; (United States), Journal Name: Geology; (United States) Vol. 14:7; ISSN GLGYB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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58 GEOSCIENCES
580100* -- Geology &amp; Hydrology-- (-1989)
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CANADA
COPPER ORES
DEPOSITION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION
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ORES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RARE EARTH ISOTOPES
RARE EARTHS
ROCKS
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SILICATE MINERALS
SILICATES
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STRONTIUM ISOTOPES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
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ZINC ORES
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