Reconnaissance Pb-Pb dating of single mineral phases by the step-leaching method: results from the Caledonides of East Greenland

Abstract

Reconnaissance Pb-Pb step-leaching analyses have been carried out on garnet and kyanite from the Krummedal supracrustal sequence in East Greenland, yielding respectively Neoproterozoic and Caledonian ages. These data support previous analyses suggesting that the Krummedal supracrustal sequence, widespread in southern parts of the East Greenland Caledonides, was affected by both an early Neoproterozoic and a Caledonian thermal event. Titanite and apatite fractions from the underlying crystalline basement rocks were analysed in order to obtain metamorphic ages, as a contrast and supplement to the numerous existing protolith ages on orthogneisses. The titanite yielded a date of 486 ± 15 Ma which, if interpreted as a true age, is older than the usual range of Caledonian ages in East Greenland. The significance of this date is uncertain, but one possibility is that it reflects extension and subsidence taking place prior to Caledonian collision. The apatite, in contrast, yielded a very young Caledonian date of 392 ± 24 Ma that may reflect the cooling of the basement gneisses to < 500°C subsequent to collision.