University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Crustal architecture of the Capricorn Orogen, Western Australia and associated metallogeny

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 19:45 authored by Johnson, SP, Thorne, AM, Tyler, IM, Korsch, RJ, Kennett, BLN, Cutten, HN, Goodwin, J, Blay, O, Blewett, RS, Joly, A, Dentith, MC, Aitken, ARA, Holzschuh, J, Salmon, M, Anya ReadingAnya Reading, Heinson, G, Boren, G, Ross, J, Costelloe, RD, Fomin, T
A 581 km vibroseis-source, deep seismic reflection survey was acquired through the Capricorn Orogen of Western Australia and, for the first time, provides an unprecedented view of the deep crustal architecture of the West Australian Craton. The survey has imaged three principal suture zones, as well as several other lithospheric-scale faults. The suture zones separate four seismically distinct tectonic blocks, which include the Pilbara Craton, the Bandee Seismic Province (a previously unrecognised tectonic block), the Glenburgh Terrane of the Gascoyne Province and the Narryer Terrane of the Yilgarn Craton. In the upper crust, the survey imaged numerous Proterozoic granite batholiths as well as the architecture of the Mesoproterozoic Edmund and Collier basins. These features were formed during the punctuated reworking of the craton by the reactivation of the major crustal structures. The location and setting of gold, base metal and rare earth element deposits across the orogen are closely linked to the major lithospheric-scale structures, highlighting their importance to fluid flow within mineral systems by the transport of fluid and energy direct from the mantle into the upper crust.

History

Publication title

Australian Journal of Earth Sciences

Volume

60

Issue

6-7

Pagination

681-705

ISSN

0812-0099

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Place of publication

Oxfordshire, UK

Rights statement

2013 Crown Copyright

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Mineral exploration not elsewhere classified