Uranium-lead zircon and titanite ages from the northern portion of the Western Gneiss Region, south-central Norway

Abstract

The geochronologic history of the northern portion of the Western Gneiss Region, south-central Norway has been investigated by UPb analyses of zircon and titanite from various basement units and one supracrustal gneiss. A six-point (four zircon and two titanite) discordia line from a migmatite melt-pod and its host-gneiss (Åstfjord migmatite gneiss) defines upper- and lower-intercept ages of 1659.1 ± 1.8 Ma and 393.6 ± 3.6 Ma, respectively. The upper-intercept age is interpreted as a time of tonalite emplacement and migmatite formation in the region.

A seven-point (three zircon and four titanite) discordia line from the Ingdal granite gneiss has similar upper- and lower-intercept ages (1652.9 ± 1.7 Ma and 396.1 ± 4.9 Ma, respectively) and the upper-intercept age is interpreted as the time of granite crystallization. The lower-intercept age from both theÅstfjord migmatite gneiss and the Ingdal granite gneiss is interpreted as the time of regional metamorphic resetting and is evidence for Caledonian influence in the region.

Titanite from these two gneiss units, as well as from other tonalite, granite, and supracrustal gneisses throughout the Western Gneiss Region displays a remarkably uniform pattern of discordance. Titanite discordance is variable from 6% to 100% and, in general, the degree of discordance is proportional to the Caledonian metamorphic grade of nearby supracrustal schists. Episodic, diffusional lead loss from titanite during Caledonian metamorphism probably caused the discordance pattern, but a combined mechanism of mixing and diffusional lead loss cannot be ruled out. In any case, the seventeen-point titanite and zircon discordia line clearly indicates that: (1) the bulk of the granitoid terrane in this portion of the Western Gneiss Region was emplaced, migmatized, and cooled in a short time interval about 1657 Ma ago; (2) a second, short-lived thermal event that exceeded the blocking temperature of titanite occurred about 395 Ma ago; and (3) titanite and zircon in the region were not isotopically disturbed by comparable geologic events in the period from 1657 to 395 Ma, or at any time after 395 Ma.