6 research outputs found
Reconnaissance Basement Geology and Tectonics of South Zealandia
We report new UâPb zircon ages, geochemical and isotopic data for Mesozoic igneous rocks, and new seismic interpretations of mostly submerged South Zealandia (1.5 Mkm2). We use these data, along with existing geological and geophysical data sets, to refine the extent and nature of geological units. Our new 1:25 M geological map of South Zealandia provides a regional framework to investigate the rifting and breakup that formed Zealandia, Earth's most submerged continent. Samples of prerift (preâ100 Ma) plutonic rocks can be matched with onâland New Zealand igneous suites and indicate an eastâwest strike for the subductionârelated 260 to 105âMa Median Batholith across the Campbell Plateau. The plutonic chronology of formerly contiguous plutonic rocks in West Antarctica reveals similar pulses and lulls to the Median Batholith. Contrary to previous interpretations, the Median Batholith does not coincide with the 1,600âkmâlong Campbell Magnetic Anomaly System. Instead we interpret the continental magnetic anomalies to represent a mainly mafic igneous unit, whose shape and extent is controlled by synrift structures related to Gondwana breakup. Correlatives of some of these unsampled igneous rocks may be exposed as circa 85 Ma alkalic volcanic rocks on the Chatham Islands. Extension directions varied by up to 65° from 100 to 80 Ma, and we suggest this allowed this large area to thin considerably before final rupture to form new oceanic crust. Synrift (90â80 Ma) structures cut the oroclinal bend in southern South Island and support a preâearly Late Cretaceous age of orocline formation.The work was supported by Core Research Funding to GNS Science by the New Zealand Government Ministry of Business, Employment and Innovation
Zealandia: Earthâs Hidden Continent
A 4.9 Mkm2 region of the southwest Pacific Ocean is made up of continental crust. The region has elevated bathymetry relative to surrounding oceanic crust, diverse and silica-rich rocks, and relatively thick and low-velocity crustal structure. Its isolation from Australia and large area support its definition as a continentâ Zealandia. Zealandia was formerly part of Gondwana. Today it is 94% submerged, mainly as a result of widespread Late Cretaceous crustal thinning preceding supercontinent breakup and consequent isostatic balance. The identification of Zealandia as a geological continent, rather than a collection of continental islands, fragments, and slices, more correctly represents the geology of this part of Earth. Zealandia provides a fresh context in which to investigate processes of continental rifting, thinning, and breakup
Recognition of mid-Paleozoic volcanism in New Zealand
<p>Two felsic volcanic clasts from conglomerates in Fiordland and northwest Nelson provide UâPb zircon ages of 359 and c. 362â
Ma respectively; ages that occur within the interval between voluminous Western Province plutonic S-type magmatism of the Karamea and Ridge suites. Both volcanic clasts have inherited zircon populations, and trace element signatures suggesting derivation from crustal melts. The dacitic clast from the mid-Cretaceous Seek Cove Formation in southwest Fiordland has whole-rock chemistry and an OâHfâzircon isotopic signature consistent with derivation from the Takaka Terrane. A rhyolite clast from the Pupu Conglomerate in northwest Nelson also has chemistry consistent with derivation from a Takaka Terrane source. We therefore correlate both volcanic clasts to the S-type Ridge Suite. No comparable S-type plutonic source of the same age has been recognised in the northwest Nelson section of the Takaka Terrane. These volcanic clasts represent the oldest recognised episode of S-type Ridge Suite magmatism in the Takaka Terrane.</p