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Apatite fission track data from southeast Ireland: implications for post-Variscan burial history

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

M. L. Keeley
Affiliation:
Intera Information Technologies, Highlands Farm, Greys Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 4PS, U.K.
C. L. E. Lewis
Affiliation:
Geotrack International, 30 Upper High St, Thame, OX9 3EX, U.K., now at: Simon Robertson Petroleum Technologies, Ty'n-y-Coed, Llandudno, Gwynedd LL30 1SA, U.K.
G. D. Sevastopulo
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
G. Clayton
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland
R. Blackmore
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland

Abstract

The results of a reconnaissance apatite fission track study from southeast Ireland are compared with modelled ages and length distributions predicted using both traditional thermal histories and the thermal history indicated by the fission track age and length data. All samples have experienced total annealing during the Variscan orogeny. There is strong evidence for significant post-Variscan, pre-Mid Jurassic heating and cooling. The modelling also recognizes a third thermal event subsequent to 100 Ma. The implications of these results are examined in terms of the timing and extent of subsidence and inversion along the northern margin of the North Celtic Sea Basin.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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