Ferrar magmatic province rocks discovered in New Zealand: Implications for Mesozoic Gondwana geology
Abstract
On the basis of similar ages, major and trace element concentrations, and Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic ratios, we correlate the Kirwans Dolerite of western New Zealand with Jurassic low-Ti tholeiites of the well-known Ferrar magmatic province of Gondwana. Field relations and preliminary paleomagnetic data also support this correlation. Although the 1 km2 Kirwans Dolerite is the first, and so far only, Ferrar correlative to be reported from New Zealand, it considerably increases the known shape and areal extent of the Ferrar province to close to the paleo-Gondwana margin. The presence of Ferrar rocks in New Zealand can be used to test several models of Ferrar magma genesis and Gondwana regional tectonics.
- Publication:
-
Geology
- Pub Date:
- February 1995
- DOI:
- 10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0185:FMPRDI>2.3.CO;2
- Bibcode:
- 1995Geo....23..185M