U-Pb Geochronology and Hf-O Isotopes of zircons from the Pennsylvanian Coastal Batholith, South-Central Chile

Abstract

The Coastal Batholith of south-central Chile between latitudes 33° and 40°S is composed of calc-alkaline granitoids emplaced in a relatively restricted time period. New SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages on eight quartzdioritic to granitic rocks collected over a distance of 800 km yielded ages between 300 and 320 Ma, Pennsylvanian (late Carboniferous). Lu-Hf isotopic analyses on the same zircon grains have initial εHf(i) values from +1.67 to -5.64. The δ18O ratios for that grains range from 6.4 to 8.6‰. These new isotopic data point to a relative homogeneous source with prominent components of the continental crust. The calculated Mesoproterozoic Depleted Mantel model ages, in addition to the short span of intrusive ages give insights to the position of the proto-Gondwana margin and the changing subduction mechanism at the end of late Paleozoic time.