Late Cretaceous Volcanic Suite Geochemistry from Central Queensland

Geochemical and isotopic data for an alkali basalt to peralkaline rhyolite volcanic suite emplaced around 77 million years ago in central Queensland, Australia. The dataset, produced by Geoscience Australia, integrates field mapping, petrography, geochemistry, isotopic analysis, and geochronology from the Alton Downs Basalt and Mount Hedlow Trachyte units. It characterizes a widespread volcanic field formed in a failed continental rift setting during Gondwana breakup.

Use Cases

• Modeling magmatic differentiation paths using geochemical trends and isotopic compositions (e.g., Sm–Nd ƐNd values) to trace evolution from a common mafic parent.
• Identifying controls on HFSE enrichment (e.g., Zr, Nb, Ta, HREE) by analyzing trace element data relative to fractionation indicators like agpaitic (aenigmatite) versus miaskitic (zircon, monazite) mineral assemblages.
• Reconstructing paleo-tectonic settings by comparing trace element enrichment patterns in primitive basalts to mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB) compositions.
• Assessing mineral prospectivity by correlating the degree of magmatic fractionation recorded in geochemical data with observed HFSE content.

Strengths

• Integrated multi-method analysis including geochemistry, isotopic analysis, and geochronology.
• Clear temporal constraint for the volcanic suite at approximately 77 million years ago.
• Geographic focus on a defined volcanic field in central Queensland with interpreted tectonic context.

Limitations

• Sample size and specific row/column counts are not provided.
• The dataset description indicates the felsic rocks did not reach extreme fractionation, potentially limiting observed HFSE enrichment values.
• Data format and accessibility details (e.g., specific file structure) are unspecified.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Combined field mapping, petrography, geochemistry, isotopic analysis, and geochronology.

Time Range

Late Cretaceous, approximately 77 million years ago.

Freshness

null

Geography

Central Queensland, Australia (Alton Downs Basalt and Mount Hedlow Trachyte volcanic field).