Emplacement of the Argyle diamond deposit into an ancient rift zone triggered by supercontinent breakup
-
Published:2023-09-19
Issue:1
Volume:14
Page:
-
ISSN:2041-1723
-
Container-title:Nature Communications
-
language:en
-
Short-container-title:Nat Commun
Author:
Olierook Hugo K. H.ORCID, Fougerouse DenisORCID, Doucet Luc S.ORCID, Liu YeboORCID, Rayner Murray J., Danišík MartinORCID, Condon Daniel J.ORCID, McInnes Brent I. A., Jaques A. Lynton, Evans Noreen J.ORCID, McDonald Bradley J., Li Zheng-Xiang, Kirkland Christopher L.ORCID, Mayers Celia, Wingate Michael T. D.ORCID
Abstract
AbstractArgyle is the world’s largest source of natural diamonds, yet one of only a few economic deposits hosted in a Paleoproterozoic orogen. The geodynamic triggers responsible for its alkaline ultramafic volcanic host are unknown. Here we show, using U-Pb and (U-Th)/He geochronology of detrital apatite and detrital zircon, and U-Pb dating of hydrothermal titanite, that emplacement of the Argyle lamproite is bracketed between 1311 ± 9 Ma and 1257 ± 15 Ma (2σ), older than previously known. To form the Argyle lamproite diatreme complex, emplacement was likely driven by lithospheric extension related to the breakup of the supercontinent Nuna. Extension facilitated production of low-degree partial melts and their migration through transcrustal corridors in the Paleoproterozoic Halls Creek Orogen, a rheologically-weak rift zone adjacent to the Kimberley Craton. Diamondiferous diatreme emplacement during (super)continental breakup may be prevalent but hitherto under-recognized in rift zones at the edges of ancient continental blocks.
Funder
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, Government of Western Australia
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
General Physics and Astronomy,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Chemistry,Multidisciplinary
Reference89 articles.
1. Pearson, D. G. et al. Deep continental roots and cratons. Nature 596, 199–210 (2021). 2. Kjarsgaard, B. A. et al. A review of the geology of global diamond mines and deposits. Rev. Mineral. Geochem. 88, 1–117 (2022). 3. Stachel, T. & Luth, R. W. Diamond formation—Where, when and how? Lithos 220, 200–220 (2015). 4. Rayner, M. J. et al. The geology of the Argyle (AK1) diamond deposit, Western Australia. In: Geoscience and Exploration of the Argyle, Bunder, Diavik, and Murowa Diamond Deposits (eds Davy A. T., Smith C. B., Helmstaedt H. H., Jaques A. L., Gurney J. J.) (Society of Economic Geologists, 2018). 5. Bulanova, G. P. et al. The unique nature of argyle fancy diamonds: internal structure, paragenesis, and reasons for color. In: Geoscience and Exploration of the Argyle, Bunder, Diavik, and Murowa Diamond Deposits) (Society of Economic Geologists, 2018).
|
|