The Carboniferous sequence in the Gloucester‐Myall Lake area,New South Wales

The stratigraphic succession of formations in the Myall district comprises in ascending order the Bunyah Beds, Wallanbah Formation, Kataway Mudstone, Boolambayte Formation (new names), Nerong Volcanics (E'ngel, 1962), Booti Booti Sandstone, Yagon Siltstone, Koolanock Sandstone, Muirs Creek Conglomerate (new names) and Alum Mountain Volcanics (Engel, 1962). The units range in age from possibly Devonian to possibly Permian, most being Carboniferous. The Mograni (new name), Tugrabakh (Voisey, 1940) and Mayers Flat Limestones (new name) are members of the Wallanbah Formation. The Violet Hill Volcanics (new name) is a member of the Yagon Siltstone. The Burdekins Gap Basalt Member and Lakes Road Rhyolite are members of the Alum Mountain Volcanics.

Environments of deposition range from nonmarine (Nerong Volcanics, Alum Mountain Volcanics, Muirs Creek Conglomerate, upper part of Koolanock Sandstone) through shallow marine (Booti Booti Sandstone, lower part of Koolanock Sandstone, calcareous parts of Wallanbah Formation) to deep marine (most other units). Facies relationships indicate a progressive deepening of the sedimentary environment to the east throughout most of the Carboniferous sequence. The Tournaisian sequence is readily correlated with a similar sequence in the Rocky Creek and Belvue Synclines. Higher units are correlated with sequences at Gloucester (Campbell & McKelvey, 1972) and Booral (Campbell, 1962).     

Age and correlations of the Siluro‐Devonian strata in the Yass Basin,New South Wales

An early Ludlovian (early eβ1) to early Gedinnian (early eγ) age is assigned to the Cliftonwood Limestone—Elmside Formation strata of the Yass Basin, New South Wales. Several Australian sequences are correlated with the Yass Basin succession.     

Thick‐skinned folding in the eastern Lachlan Fold Belt,Shoalhaven River Gorge,New South Wales

In the Shoalhaven River Gorge, in the eastern Lachlan Fold Belt, the Ordovician quartz‐turbidite succession (Adaminaby Group) is affected by one major phase of deformation with northerly trending, gently plunging, upright, close to tight folds (F₁) characterised by a range in half wavelengths up to 3 km. Several anticlinoria and synclinoria are developed and folds occur in at least four orders; these characteristics are consistent with buckling occurring at several scales and are controlled by the thickness of competent units in the multilayered succession. F₁ folding is thick‐skinned in style with the whole crust probably having been affected by deformation. D₁ occurred during the Silurian to Middle Devonian interval and was associated with crustal thickening and the shallowing of depositional environments over time. Locally, F₁ is overprinted by south‐southeast‐trending, steeply to moderately inclined F₂ that reorients F₁ to recumbent attitudes. D₂ is of Early to Middle Carboniferous age. Both deformations are related to convergence in an intra‐arc to backarc region and occurred inboard of a subduction zone, remnants of which occur in the New England Fold Belt.     

U–Pb age and origin of gem zircon from the New England sapphire fields,New South Wales,Australia

Chemical compositions and geochronological data utilising the laser ablation ICP-MS technique are presented for zircon megacrysts found in alluvial gem corundum deposits associated with Upper Cretaceous–Cenozoic alkali basalts in the Inverell district-New England field, New South Wales, eastern Australia. Three localities, Kings Plains, Swan Brook and Mary Anne Gully, produce gem-quality transparent dark brown and yellow zircon megacrysts, mostly under 10 mm in size. Although brown zircon shows relative enrichment in Hf and REE, there are no differences in relative transition metal concentrations between the colours. Chemical homogeneity within a single crystal indicates stable crystallisation conditions. The ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of zircon megacrysts from these three localities define older and younger groups of 216–174 Ma and 45–37.7 Ma, respectively. The ?_Hf values of zircon megacrysts from Kings Plains show +7.51±0.34 in the older group and +10.72±0.31 in the younger group. Swan Brook zircons give +11.54±0.47 and +8.32±0.58, and Mary Anne Gully zircons are +13.67±0.63 and +8.50±0.48, respectively. These zircons from New England alluvial gem deposits have two main formational events around Upper Triassic–Lower Jurassic and Eocene episodes. Most originated from lithospheric mantle and all were brought-up by later host basaltic magmas.     

Sulphur‐isotope study of the massive sulphide orebody at Woodlawn,New South Wales

³⁴S/³²S ratios have been measured in a suite of samples from the stratabound, volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit at Woodlawn, N.S.W. ³⁴S values for the sulphides vary as follows: in the ore horizon, pyrite +6.7 to +9.2%. (mean +8.1‰), sphalerite +5.2 to +8.6‰. (mean +6.9‰), chalcopyrite +6.4 to +7.0‰ (mean +6.7‰) and galena +2.8 to +5.5‰ (mean +4.4‰); in the vein mineralization, the host volcanics—pyrite +8.7 to +11.4%. (mean +9.8‰), sphalerite +7.8 to + 10.3‰ (mean +9.2‰), chalcopyrite; +8.8 to +10.1‰ (mean +9.2‰) and galena +6.9 to +7.2‰ (mean +7.1‰). Barite from the upper ore horizon levels has an isotopic composition of +30.0‰, consistent with its having originated from Silurian ocean sulphate. The general order of ³⁴S enrichment in the sulphides is pyrite > chalcopyrite ～ sphalerite > galena. Isotopic fractionations in the systems galena/sphalerite/pyrite and chalcopyrite/pyrite indicate an equilibration temperature of 275–300°C. This temperature is considered to represent that of sulphide deposition.     

Zircon dating of Devonian‐Carboniferous rocks from the Bombala area,New South Wales

Zircons from two igneous and two sedimentary units in the Bombala area of southeastern New South Wales have been examined by the sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) to establish a timeframe in which to interpret these rocks. Previous studies have correlated these rocks with Late Devonian units of the south coast, solely upon the basis of stratigraphy and lithology as palaeontological evidence was absent. The two igneous units are the Hospital Porphyry and Paradise Porphyry occurring beneath the sedimentary units. Both give a Frasnian age that can be correlated with the Boyd Volcanic Complex. The sedimentary samples are from the basal and upper sections of the Rosemeath Formation, a fluvial ‘redbed’ consisting of conglomerate, coarse sandstone, and associated red siltstone and mudstone. Detrital zircons from the basal conglomeratic section at Kilbrechin indicate a dominant provenance from local Silurian granites and volcanics and a maximum depositional age that can be correlated with the Frasnian‐Famennian Merrimbula Group. However, detrital zircons from the upper coarse sandstone section of the Rosemeath Formation at Endeavour Lookout challenge the positive correlation trend with a lack of Silurian‐age grains and a presence of grains ranging from Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous in age. These results imply either that the south coast correlation is not valid for the upper sequences, or that the Merrimbula Group sequences also extend upward into the Carboniferous. The general coarseness of the Rosemeath Formation also suggests a relatively local provenance. No Early Carboniferous source is known in the immediate vicinity suggesting that Early Carboniferous igneous activity in this region of the Lachlan Orogen may have been more extensive than is currently realised.     

Potassium‐argon ages on the Cainozoic volcanic rocks of New South Wales

During the Cainozoic there was widespread volcanism, mainly basaltic, in eastern New South Wales. Numerous new K‐Ar ages, together with previously published results, provide information on the age of virtually all the main volcanic provinces, and indicate that the volcanism started about 70 m.y. ago in the Late Cretaceous, and was continuous from about 60 m.y. ago (Palaeocene) until about 10 m.y. ago (middle Miocene). There has been no volcanic activity since 10 m.y. ago.

The ages of uplift of the Eastern Highlands are estimated from the relationship of the dated basaltic flows to the topography. A major uplift is deduced some time between the mid‐Cretaceous and late Oligocene, followed by a quiescent period. A further uplift started some time after the middle Miocene, and it continues to the present day. The highland was uplifted differentially both along and transverse to the axis.     

Some potassium‐argon ages in New England,New South Wales

The results of potassium‐argon measurements are reported. Three samples from the southern end of the New England bathylith confirm its Permian age (240–245 m.y.). Two samples of the “pre‐Permian” granites are not younger than Lower Permian (Hillgrove, 270 m.y.; Barrington Tops, 260 m.y.). A sample of the analcite basalt from Spring Mountain gave an Oligocene age (34 m.y.) by measurements on two separate minerals.     

Structure of the Upper Devonian Boyd Volcanic Complex,south coast New South Wales: Implications for the Devonian‐Carboniferous evolution of the Lachlan Fold Belt

Upper Devonian continental and subaqueous sedimentary rocks and bimodal volcanic rocks of the Boyd Volcanic Complex of the south coast of New South Wales were deposited in a rapidly subsiding, 330°‐trending, transtensional basin. Structural analysis of synvolcanic and synsedimentary deformational structures indicate that basin formation is related to a 330°‐orientated subhorizontal σ₁ and a 060°‐orientated subhorizontal σ₃, which account for the development of the observed intrusion and fracture orientations. Rhyolitic, basaltic and associated clastic dykes are preferentially intruded along extensional 330°‐trending fractures, subordinately along sinistral, transtensional 010°‐trending fractures and along 290°‐trending fractures. One of the implications of such a palaeotectonic reconstruction is that the so called north‐trending Eden‐Comerong‐Yalwal Late Devonian rift does not represent a simple, single palaeobasin entity, but is presently a north‐trending alignment of exposures of sedimentary and volcanic rocks probably emplaced in different basins or sub‐basins, mildly folded during the Carboniferous Kanimblan compression (which also formed the north‐trending Budawang synclinorium) and then extended to the east by the Tasman Sea opening during the Jurassic. The development of scattered, rapidly subsiding, basins characterised by bimodal volcanism during the Late Devonian throughout the Lachlan Fold Belt, can be interpreted in terms of extensional collapse of a forming mountain belt contemporaneous with a sharp decrease of compressional stress after the Middle Devonian Tabberabberan orogenic event. This would promote a reorientation of σ₃ and transition from a compressional to a transtensional tectonic environment, which could also favour block rotation and formation of release basins.     

K‐Ar dating of Permian and Tertiary igneous activity in the Southeastern Sydney Basin,New South Wales

The southern part of the Sydney Basin of New South Wales is comprised mainly of Permian and Triassic marine to freshwater clastic sedimentary rocks. Within this sequence there are six latite extrusive units, several medium‐sized monzonite intrusions and a large number of small to medium‐sized basic to intermediate intrusions. Thin basaltic flows were extruded onto the Tertiary topographic surface. All of these rocks are relatively undeformed.

Radiometric (K‐Ar) dating has previously been carried out on Mesozoic and Tertiary intrusions and flows of the southwestern portion of the Sydney Basin. However, relatively few Permian, and no post‐Permian, K‐Ar dates have been published for the southeastern portion of the basin. The present investigation provides nine K‐Ar dates from the latter area.

Four extrusive and intrusive units have been confirmed as Permian in age (238 ± 6; 241 ± 4; 245 ± 6; and 251 ± 5 m.y.). Five post‐Permian (on stratigraphic criteria) intrusions yielded Tertiary ages (26.2 ± 3.0; 47.9 ± 2.5; 49.0 ± 4.0; 49.4 ± 2.0; and 58.8 ± 3.5 m.y.). The Permian ages agree with previously published K‐Ar data from the southeastern Sydney Basin, and the Tertiary ages complement and extend the data from the southwestern portion of the basin. However, no Mesozoic K‐Ar dates were obtained from the southeastern Sydney Basin. The Tertiary intrusions may have been emplaced as a result of rifting between Australia and New Zealand, or between Australia and Antarctica, or both.     

Mineralogical and chemical Zonation around the Woodlawn Cu‐Pb‐Zn ore deposit,Southeastern New South Wales

The volcanogenic Woodlawn Cu‐Pb‐Zn sulphide mineralization occurs within a low‐grade metamorphosed sequence of Middle to Upper Silurian felsic volcanics and fine‐grained sedimentary rocks. Studies on a total of 234 rock samples from diamond drill holes have delineated zones of hydrothermally altered rocks extending more than ～500 m laterally from the main ore lens, at least ～100 m into the foot wall and up to ～200 m into the hanging wall. These altered rocks contain virtually no remnants of primary feldspars and ferromagnesian minerals, and they are variably chloritized, sericitized and silicified. Chlorite and disseminated sulphide minerals are most abundant in zone I, a restricted zone of intense alteration immediately around the main ore lens, whereas sericitic muscovite is most abundant in the relatively extensive zone II, further from the ore. Silicification is also a feature of volcanics well beyond the limits of observed phyllosilicate‐rich alteration zones. Chemical changes within the hydrothermally altered rocks include major enrichment of Fe, Mg, S, Si and H₂O, more sporadic enrichment of Ag, Ba, Bi, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Sn and Zn, and major depletion of Ca, Na and Sr. K is depleted in zone I and shows considerable variation, but no overall depletion or enrichment, in zone II.

Lithological, mineralogical and geochemical features around the Woodlawn orebody are basically similar to those associated with the younger, unmetamorphosed Kuroko deposits.     

40Ar/39Ar and K–Ar age constraints on the timing of regional deformation,south coast of New South Wales,Lachlan Fold Belt: Problems and implications

Four slate samples from subduction complex rocks exposed on the south coast of New South Wales, south of Batemans Bay, were analysed by K–Ar and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar step‐heating methods. One sample contains relatively abundant detrital muscovite flakes that are locally oblique to the regional cleavage in the rock, whereas the remaining samples appear to contain sparse detrital muscovite. Separates of detrital muscovite yielded plateau ages of 505 ± 3 Ma and 513 ± 3 Ma indicating that inheritance has not been eliminated by metamorphism and recrystallisation. Step‐heating analyses of whole‐rock chips from all four slate samples produced discordant apparent age spectra with ‘saddle shapes’ following young apparent ages at the lowest temperature increments. Elevated apparent ages associated with the highest temperature steps are attributed to the presence of variable quantities of detrital muscovite (<1–5%). Two whole‐rock slate samples yielded similar ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar integrated ages of ca 455 Ma, which are some 15–30 million years older than K–Ar ages for the same samples. These discrepancies suggest that the slates have also been affected by recoil loss/redistribution of ³⁹Ar, leading to anomalously old ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages. Two other samples, from slaty tectonic mélange and intensely cleaved slate, yielded average ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar integrated ages of ca 424 Ma, which are closer to associated mean K–Ar ages of 423 ± 4 Ma and 409 ± 16 Ma, respectively. Taking into account the potential influences of recoil loss/redistribution of ³⁹Ar and inheritance, the results from the latter samples suggest a maximum age of ca 440 Ma for deformation/metamorphism. The current results indicate that recoil and inheritance problems may also have affected whole‐rock ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data reported from other regions of the Lachlan Fold Belt. Therefore, until these effects are adequately quantified, models for the evolution of the Lachlan Fold Belt, that are based on such whole‐rock ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data, should be treated with caution.     

Dickite‐ and kaolinite‐bearing sandstones and conglomerates in Illawarra Coal Measures of the Sydney Basin,New South Wales

The recent discovery of dickite, intimately associated with ordered and disordered kaolinite, in quartzose sandstones and conglomerates of the Illawarra Coal Measures is of interest since in terms of the phase rule the co‐existence of two or more of these polytypes is evidence of either an unstable or metastable assemblage. A study has, therefore, been undertaken of the host rocks and accompanying strata in an attempt to gain insight into the mechanism of formation of the dickite and the reason for its development in preference to either of the other generally more abundant polytypes. From the results it would appear that although much still remains unresolved, the dickite is authigenic and precipitated from migrating groundwaters. Due probably to unusually low concentrations of silica in the groundwaters the rate of precipitation was inordinately slow and this apparently facilitated growth of relatively coarse crystals and development of the most stable phase.     

Magnetic fabrics of Paleozoic rocks across the Lachlan Transverse Zone from eastern New South Wales ∗

The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) was systematically measured for samples collected across the Lachlan Transverse Zone in the Eastern Subprovince of the Lachlan Orogen, New South Wales. Although the degree of anisotropy is usually moderate to low, it can be shown that the origin of the magnetic fabric is generally composite. Many localities are witness to a tectonic influence in addition to a magnetic foliation preserved from the time of rock formation (compaction). Furthermore, some localities indicate the presence of superimposed magnetic fabrics, potentially associated with a Silurian east–west direction of shortening, and a younger north–south (?) direction of shortening. Finally, the progressive southwards change in orientation of the magnetic lineation in the Molong area from north–south to east–west and then back to north–south again south of the Lyndhurst–Neville Fault suggests that the Lachlan Transverse Zone coincides with, and reflects, a major cross-structure in the Eastern Subprovince. AMS is thus a powerful tool to help map the fabric of Paleozoic rocks in the Tasmanides. Additional data will be required to help obtain a comprehensive picture of the tectonic history of the region.     

Surface geochemical and biogeochemical expression of base‐metal mineralization at Woodlawn,New South Wales,Australia

The presence of base‐metal mineralization at Woodlawn was first recognised early in 1968 when a roadside reconnaissance geochemical sampling survey, conducted over felsic volcanic rocks in the Goulburn‐Tarago area, encountered anomalous B horizon soils containing up to 200 ppm Cu, 800 ppm Pb and 300 ppm Zn. Regional soil thresholds have been determined at 50 ppm Cu, 90 ppm Pb and 50 ppm Zn. Chip samples from the subsequently located gossan revealed up to 2000 ppm Cu, 8000 ppm Pb and 2000 ppm Zn, 500 ppm Sn, 25 ppm Ag and 3000 ppm As.

The first grid B horizon soil geochemical survey was conducted in 1968 over the gossan and surrounding area, and repeated with closer spaced sampling in the first half of 1970. The first survey delineated strong Cu (to 1000 ppm) and Pb (to 2500 ppm) anomalies coincident with the gossan zone, and intense hydromorphic zinc anomalies (to 3000 ppm) located down slope from the gossan in residual clay‐soils derived from dolerite bedrock. Threshold values have been determined at 140 ppm Cu, 700 ppm Pb and 580 ppm Zn. Ag and Sn in B horizon soils show pronounced anomalies coincident with the gossan and are suitable metals for geochemical target definition. Of fourteen trace elements determined in 1974 from B and C horizon soils on two lines across the ore zone Cu, Pb, Zn, Se, Ba, Sn and Ag show direct correlation with the mineralization, whereas Cd and Mn show moderate hydromorphic dispersion, having accumulated principally in clay soils derived from dolerite weathering. As, Sb and Bi, whilst responding over the ore zone, show elevated values in soils over hanging‐wall units; Ni and Co show maximum levels in soils over dolerite bedrock.

Bark and leaves of Acacia mearnsii, collected from a line across the gossan, contain anomalous levels of Cu, Pb, Zn, Sn and Ti near the ore zone, and weaker, but clearly anomalous Mn and Ni levels over dolerite bedrock. Both bark and leaves of Acacia mearnsii reflect the presence of concealed mineralization. The shrub Solanum linearifolium grows preferentially over and close to the Woodlawn ore zone, where it contains up to 840 ppm Cu, 250 ppm Pb, 7300 ppm Zn, 6 ppm Sn and 250 ppm Ti in leaf ash compared with levels of 200 ppm Cu, 2 ppm Pb, 400 ppm Zn, 0.8 ppm Sn and 60 ppm Ti in plants growing 1.5 km from the ore zone. This shrub has potential as an indicator of base‐metal mineralization.     

Ground‐penetrating radar and sedimentological analysis of Holocene floodplains: Insight from the Tuross valley,New South Wales

Ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) has been used on an array of floodplain types on the lower Tuross River, in southeastern New South Wales, as part of an investigation into controls on channel‐floodplain relationships. Ground‐penetrating radar transects from two floodplains are presented, along with sedimentological detail from trenches dug along the profiles at key locations. Sedimentological investigations showed that 100 MHz antenna gave an approximation of overall bedding trends in the upper 3 m when automatic gain control processing was used. Spreading and exponential compensation processing provided insight into textural changes associated with increased silt content distal of the levee crest. One trench showed that thinning beds were responsible for onlapping reflectors. Signal attenuation at ～4 m depth below the raised floodplain surface resulted from a >50 cm‐thick bed of sandy clay. The close integration of GPR and sedimentological data produced an excellent dataset, that enabled form‐process associations and floodplain evolution to be established for these sandy floodplains. However, accurate subsurface assessment and interpretation must stem from carefully combined GPR and sedimentological datasets.     

Nature of late‐Early to Middle Devonian tectonism in the Buckambool area,Cobar, New South Wales

In the Buckambool area, Cobar, New South Wales, the boundary between dominantly shallow‐water, shelf sediments of the Winduck Group and fluviatile sediments of the Mulga Downs Group has been established as a small hiatus not resolvable by available fossil age data. Although dips are parallel over much of the area, disconformable and locally angular unconformable relations are present. This hiatus, late‐Early to Middle Devonian in age, marks a period of uplift, localised folding and erosion. These reflect movement of basement blocks along major fractures that are now revealed as lineaments.

Terminal deformation in the area, reflected by folding and re‐activation of lineaments, postdated deposition of the Mulga Downs Group, and is probably Carboniferous in age.     

Lower carboniferous zones and correlations based on faunas from the Gresford‐Dungog district,New South Wales

The Jindabyne Thrust has been mapped south of Lake Eucumbene, along the eastern side of Lake Jindabyne and thence southwards to the gorge of the Snowy River in Byadbo Lands. It is marked by a crush zone and a west‐facing scarp. Structure contours on the Thrust where it enters the gorge of the Snowy River in the Byadbo region indicate an easterly dip of about 20°.

The north‐south erosional valley now occupied by Lake Jindabyne is controlled by the Thrust and the gorge below the Jindabyne Dam has been rejuvenated by recent movement.

The nature of the Jindabyne Thrust and other faults in the Jindabyne‐Berridale region can be deduced from their effects on the Silurian granitoid plutons. Where a pluton, circular or elliptical in plan and with vertical walls, is transected by a thrust, a semi‐elliptical or semi‐circular shape results; granitoid rock types cannot be matched across the fault. Wrench faults in the region either curve into or are transected by the thrusts, depending upon the geometrical relationships of both.

It is suggested that the north‐south dividing line between granitoids derived from igneous rocks (I‐types) to the east and granitoids derived from metasedimentary rocks (S‐types) to the west is a major tectonic feature of eastern Australia. The line coincides with a transition from a regime where wrench faulting predominates to one dominated by thrust faulting. These changes in both tectonics and granitoid lithology suggest that the I‐S line marks the eastern boundary of crystalline basement, possibly of Precambrian age.     

Sulfur isotope distribution in Late Silurian volcanic‐hosted massive sulfide deposits of the Hill End Trough,eastern Lachlan Fold Belt,New South Wales

Volcanic‐hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposits of the eastern Lachlan Fold Belt of New South Wales represent a VHMS district of major importance. Despite the metallogenic importance of this terrane, few data have been published for sulfur isotope distribution in the deposits, with the exception of previously published studies on Captains Flat and Woodlawn (Captains Flat‐Goulburn Trough) and Sunny Corner (Hill End Trough). Here is presented 105 new sulfur isotope analyses and collation of a further 92 analyses from unpublished sources on an additional 12 of the VHMS systems in the Hill End Trough. Measured δ³⁴S values range from ‐7.4% to 38.3%, mainly for massive and stockwork mineralisation. Sulfur isotope signatures for polymetallic sulfide mineralisation from the Lewis Ponds, Mt Bulga, Belara and Accost deposits (group 1) are all very similar and vary from ‐1.7% to 5.9%. Ore‐forming fluids for these deposits were likely to have been reducing, with sulfur derived largely from a magmatic source, either as a direct magmatic contribution accompanying felsic volcanism or indirectly through dissolution and recycling of rock sulfide in host volcanic sequences. Sulfur isotope signatures for sulfide mineralisation from the Calula, Commonwealth, Cordillera and Kempfield deposits, Peelwood mine and Sunny Corner (group 2) are similar and have average δ³⁴S values ranging from 5.4% to 8.1%. These deposits appear to have formed from ore fluids that were more oxidising than group 1 deposits, representing a mixed contribution of sulfur derived from partial reduction of seawater sulfate, in addition to sulfur from other sources. The δ³⁴S values for massive sulfides from the John Fardy deposit are the highest in the present study and have a range of 11.9–14.5%, suggesting a greater component of sulfur of seawater origin compared to other VHMS deposits in the Hill End Trough. For barite the sulfur isotope composition for samples from the Commonwealth, Stringers and Kempfield deposits ranges from 12.6% to 38.3%. More than 75% of barite samples have a sulfur isotope composition between 23.4 and 30.6%, close to the previously published estimates of the composition of seawater sulfate during Late Silurian to earliest Devonian times, providing supporting evidence that these deposits formed concurrently with the Late Silurian volcanic event. Sulfur isotope distribution appears to be independent of the host rock unit, although there appears to be a relation linking the sulfur isotope composition of different deposits to defined centres of felsic volcanism. The Mt Bulga, Lewis Ponds and Accost systems are close to coherent felsic volcanic rocks and/or intrusions and have sulfur isotope signatures with a stronger magmatic affinity than group 2 deposits. By contrast, group 2 deposits (including John Fardy) are characterised by ³⁴S‐enrichment and a lesser magmatic signature, are generally confined to clastic units and reworked volcanogenic sediments with lesser coherent volcanics in the local stratigraphy, and are interpreted to have formed distal from the magmatic source. An exception is the Belara deposit, which is hosted by reworked felsic volcanic rocks and has a more pronounced magmatic sulfur isotope signature.