Ages of carbonatites and other alkaline rocks in Quebec

Authors:
  • RDRonald Doig
    Ronald Doig
  • JJJackson M. Barton Jr.
    Jackson M. Barton Jr.
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Abstract
Potassium-argon ages have been determined for alkaline rocks, including carbonatites, from some fifteen localities in Quebec. Nine centers of intrusion, including two previously documented localities, yield ages in the range 400 to 600 million years. All but two of these are located on or very near the northern boundary fault of the St. Lawrence graben system. Included in this group are four carbonatites with remarkably similar ages of intrusion (565 m.y.). The existence of this widespread coeval igneous activity along a 1200-mile segment of the lowland area and its westward extension supports the hypothesis that the St. Lawrence graben is a continuous structure, and indicates that the system has been active for at least 600 million years.