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Nd isotopic composition of cratonic rocks in the southern Death Valley region: Evidence for a substantial Archean source component in Mojavia

J.P. Calzia
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Abstract

Thirty Early Proterozoic intermediate to silicic metasedimentary and metaigneous rocks in the southern Death Valley region and vicinity show ϵ Nd values of −1.6 to −6.3 at 1.7 Ga and Nd model ages of 2.1 to 2.6 Ga. These cratonic rocks thus reveal an older signature than so far reported for Nd province 1 of the western United States; as much as 30%–40% of their mass may be Archean crustal material. The Archean component was introduced in the form of sedimentary detritus that was probably subducted and mixed with juvenile material at a convergent margin. Three younger Precambrian rocks associated with the cratonic rocks also have a Nd isotopic composition of province 1 type.

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J.P. Calzia. 1998. Nd isotopic composition of cratonic rocks in the southern Death Valley region: Evidence for a substantial Archean source component in Mojavia. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1998)026%3C0891%3Anicocr%3E2.3.co%3B2

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