Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T03:47:03.824Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Significance of the Radiometric Ages of the Nchanga and Lusaka Granites, Northern Rhodesia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

A. R. Drysdall
Affiliation:
Geological Survey Department, P.O. Box RW.135, Ridgway, Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia.
P. Garrard
Affiliation:
Geological Survey Department, P.O. Box RW.135, Ridgway, Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia.

Abstract

The similarity between the “whole-rock” ages of the Nchanga and Lusaka granites, 755 m.y. and 725 m.y. respectively, is misleading. The field evidence indicates that the Lusaka granite, although syntectonic, intrudes Katanga metasediments, whereas the Nchanga granite is overlain unconformably by basal Katanga conglomerate and arkose. The age of the Lusaka granite thus sets a younger limit to the age of the Katanga metasediments of the Central Province and dates the waning phases of the Lufilian orogeny. The radiometric age of the Nchanga red granite is too young for a pre-Katanga intrusive, and it is suggested that it has been modified by subsequent metasomatism.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1964

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Brandt, R. T., 1962. Relationship of mineralization to sedimentation at Mufulira, Northern Rhodesia. Trans. Instn. Min. Metall., Lond., 71, 459–79.Google Scholar
Brock, B. B., 1940. Final report on geology and mineral deposits of Rhokana Concession. Unpublished.Google Scholar
Cahen, L. et al. , 1961. Recherches sur l'âge absolu des minéralisations uraniféres du Katanga et de Rhodésie du Nord. Ann. Mus. Afr. centr. 8°, 41, 353.Google Scholar
Darnley, A. G., 1960. Petrology of some Rhodesian Copperbelt orebodies and associated rocks. Trans. Instn Min. Metall., Lond., 69, 137–73.Google Scholar
De Swardt, A. M. J., n.d. 1962. Structural relationships in the Northern Rhodesian Copperbelt: an alternative explanation. C.C.T.A. 4th sthn reg. Comm. Geol., 1529.Google Scholar
Garlick, W. G., and Brummer, J. J., 1951. The age of the granites of the Northern Rhodesia Copperbelt. Econ. Geol., 46, 478–97.Google Scholar
Holmes, A., and Cahen, L., 1957. Géochronologie africaine 1956: resultats acquis au juillet 1956. Mém. Acad. Sci. Colon. Sci. natu. med. 8° n.s. 5 (1).Google Scholar
Jackson, G. C. A., 1932. The geology of the N'Changa district, Northern Rhodesia. Quart. J. geol. Soc. Lond., 88, 443515.Google Scholar
Mendelsohn, F. (Ed.), 1961. The geology of the Northern Rhodesian Copperbelt. London.Google Scholar
Murray-Hughes, R., and Fitch, A. A., 1929. The geology of part of north-western Rhodesia, with petrographic notes. Quart. J. geol. Soc. Lond., 85, 109–62.Google Scholar
Simpson, J. G., Drysdall, A. R., and Lambert, H. H. J., 1963. The geology and groundwater resources of the Lusaka area: explanation of Degree Sheet 1528, NE. Quarter. Rep. geol. Surv. N. Rhod., 16.Google Scholar
Snelling, N. J., Hamilton, E. I., Drysdall, A. R., and Stillman, C. J., 1963. A review of age determinations from Northern Rhodesia. Econ. Geol. (in press).Google Scholar