Grenvillian single-grain zircon Pb age of a granitic rock from the southern island of Hesteskoholmen, Liefdefjorden, northwestern Spitsbergen, Svalbard

A N-S trending, narrow zone of crystalline basement occurs from Biscayarhalvøya to Holtedahlfonna in northwestern Spitsbergen and is composed of various metasedimentary and igneous rocks, including granites. Previous isotopic age determinations on these rocks are by the K-Ar. Rb-Sr, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and conventional zircon U-Pb method and yielded the Caledonian and Grenvillian ages. The single-grain zircon Pb evaporation method has recently been applied to solve complex problems and this is the first report by the method.
A granitic rock, syntectonically intruded into the phyllitic metasediments of the Biscayarhuken formation, which is the uppermost lithotectonic unit in the metamorphic rocks of the zone, was dated on four zircon grains, yielding a narrow age range from 955 ± 4 to 968 ± 9 Ma in average. This age of ca. 960 Ma is considered to be the age of intrusion, based on the occurrence and zircon morphology, which is roughly simultaneous with the formation of the phyllitic cleavages of the surrounding metasediments. The data obtained imply that the Caledonian events did not reset the Pb isotope system of zircon and major metamorphism occurred during the Grenvillian time in the Biscayarhuken formation, accordingly, the protolith age of the metasediments is Mesoproterozoic.     

Single-grain zircon dating of the metamorphic and granitic rocks from the Biscayarhalvøya-Holtedahlfonna zone, north-west Spitsbergen

The Biscayarhalvøya-Holtedahlfonna zone (BHZ) in north-western Spitsbergen is a north-south trending, narrow horst, with crystalline basement rocks exposed under a Devonian unconformity. Previous K-Ar, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and Rb-Sr analyses have confirmed the occurrence of Caledonian thermal events, and Grenvillian ages have been obtained by conventional zircon U-Pb and single-zircon Pb evaporation methods. A total of 55 zircon grains from three samples (an augen metagranite, a micaceous schist and a granitic neosome of migmatite) have been analysed by the single-zircon Pb evaporation method. The grains with the age range of ca. 950-1100 My (million years) are the major component in all three samples, suggesting tectono-thermal activity in that period. The detrital versus resorption orgin of the rounded shapes of these grains from the granitic neosome is not clear yet. Therefore, the ages of the migmatization and of the sedimentary protoliths are not concluded. The youngest presumed detrital grain from the granitic neosome is 1060 My old. The metagranite, cutting the Richarddalen unit, yielded grains with an age of ca. 950 Mya. A granite dyke with an age range of 955-968 My cuts the Biscayarhuken unit in the northern Liefdefjorden area. These indicate the sedimentary protoliths of the Richarddalen and Biscayarhuken units are pre-Neoproterozoic. The youngest detrital zircon ages of ca. 940 My indicate Neoproterozoic sedimentary protoliths of the Solanderfjellet micaceous schists. A significant population of zircon grains with an age range of 1600-1900 My in all three samples suggests a wide exposure of these rocks in the source areas during Meso- and Neoproterozoic times. Several Archean ages have also been obtained. The results are generally conformable with those obtained from north-western Spitsbergen.     

Rb-Sr whole rock and U-Pb zircon datings of the granitic-gabbroic rocks from the Skålfjellet Subgroup, southwest Spitsbergen

Recent remapping and new age determinations has shed light on the understanding of Precambrian rocks northwest of Hornsund, southwest Spitsbergen. The Skålfjellet Subgroup has been regarded as the eastern equivalent of the Vimsodden Subgroup, and both of these occur within the Precambrian Eimfjellet Group of southwest Spitsbergen. Although the Eimfjellet Group is considered to be older than the oldest unconformity in the area, the age of the rocks has not been known. The granitic-gabbroic rocks in the Skålfjellet Subgroup have been considered to be the products of granitisation for many years, but recent observations show that they are exotic blocks incorporated into the basic eruptive rocks which are the main constituents of the subgroup. These plutonic rocks have a wide range of compositions, from syenite via granite to gabbroic cumulates, which suggests the existence of a well-differentiated plutonic body at depth.
U-Pb zircon and Pb evaporation datings yielded magmatic ages of ca. 1,100 to 1,200 Ma, and a conformable age has been obtained by Rb-Sr whole rock dating. Detrital zircons from the micaceous schists of the Isbjørnhamna Group, which underlies the Skålfjellet Subgroup, show a poorly defined discordia with an upper intercept age of ca. 2,200 Ma and a lower intercept age of ca. 360 Ma. These dating results define the magmatic age of the granitic-gabbroic rocks as late Mesoproterozoic, early Grenvillian. This age is in broad agreement with that of the metavolcanic rock clasts of the Pyttholmen meta-pyroclastic-conglomeratic unit at Vimsodden, which is considered to be the westernmost occurrence of the Skålfjellet Subgroup.
A Rb-Sr whole rock age determination of the shaly phyllites from the Deilegga Group was performed in order to place constraints on the age of younger Precambrian event; however, no good isochron was obtained.     

An Early Proterozoic U-Pb zircon age from an Eskolabreen Formation gneiss in southern Ny Friesland, Spitsbergen

A preliminary U/Pb zircon age determination has been carried out on a grey gneiss of the Eskolabreen Formation, the lowest observable lithostratigraphic unit of Precambrian metamorphic rocks in southern Ny Friesland, NE Spitsbergen. The obtained age, ca. 2, 400 Ma, is considered to be a metamorphic age and suggests an Early Proterozoic tectonothermal event.     

Pb-Pb single-zircon ages of granitoid boulders from the Vendian tillite of Wahlenbergfjorden, Nordaustlandet, Svalbard

There are three areas in eastern Svalbard where Vendian tillites are exposed: eastern Ny Friesland, western Nordaustlandet (north and south of Murchisonfjorden) and further east in inner Wahlenbergfjorden, near Aldousbreen. Clasts within the massive unmetamorphosed clay-mica-carbonate matrix of the tillites include carbonates, sandstones, siltstones, metavolcanics, schists and different granitoids, the metamorphic and igneous rock types being more frequent in the upper levels of the formation. Large granite boulders, up to 1 m in diameter, are known from the easternmost outcrop at Aldousbreen. Three granitoid boulders from the Aldousbreen outcrop, differing in petrography and chemistry. have been dated by the Pb-Pb singlezircon method. They yield ages of 2830 ± 5 Ma, 1802 ± 4 Ma and 1497 ± 26 Ma. These clasts also differ in petrography, chemistry and age from all known granitic rocks on Nordaustlandet, which have recently yielded Grenvillian (950-960 Ma) and Caledonian (ca. 410 Ma) ages. The concentration of large granitic clasts in the easternmost known tillite outcrops suggests derivation from the east and/or south. Possible areas include those beneath the ice of Austfonna and below the Carboniferous strata of southeastem Nordaustlandet. The apparent lack of a significant Grenvillian overprint suggests the possibility of a more distant source.     

Grenvillian U-Pb zircon ages of quartz porphyry and rhyolite clasts in a metaconglomerate at Vimsodden, southwestern Spitsbergen

Proterozoic metasupracrustal rocks form a NNW-SSE trending basement zone along the western coast of Spitsbergen. The rocks show complex structures as a result of both Caledonian and Tertiary deformation, and most of the subordinate metaigneous rocks are not suitable for isotopic age determination. Some zircon-bearing rocks were found in the southwestern part of Spitsbergen and an attempt of U-Pb dating was performed.
U-Pb dating was carried out on zircon fractions from quartz porphyry and rhyolite clasts in a metaconglomerate unit of the Pyttholmen Formation northwest of Hornsund, southwestern Spitsbergen. The Pyttholmen Formation is considered to be a lateral equivalent of the upper part of the Gulliksenfjellet quartzite and in the same time as the upper part of the Skålfjellet metavolcanites. Therefore, the obtained ages are applicable to the age of the Skålfjellet igneous activities. Some of the dated samples are strongly schistose and their magmatic origin is difficult to confirm; the interpretation of the isotopic results is not well constrained; however, some explanations are possible which refer to the known geological conditions; an igneous age of siliceous volcanic rocks of ca. 1200 Ma, inherited zircon ages of ca. 2500 Ma and a regional metamorphic age of ca. 930 Ma. The last age belongs to the Grenvillian period and is conformable with the Rb/Sr whole rock age obtained from the garnet-biotite schists of the Isbjernhamna Group underlying the Skålfjellet metavolcanites.     

Single-zircon Pb-evaporation and 40Ar/39Ar dating of the metamorphic and granitic rocks in north-west Spitsbergen

North-west Spitsbergen consists of a complex of Caledonian and Grenvillian crystalline rocks, situated at the north-west corner of the Barents Shelf. The aim of this study is to understand the extent of pre-Caledonian basement rocks and their protoliths. Micas and zircon grains from six rocks from north-west Spitsbergen have been dated by the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and single-zircon Pb-evaporation methods. Two grey granites yielded Late Caledonian mica ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and zircon ages of ca. 420-430 My, with inherited zircon grains as old as 1725 My. Zircon grains from a gneissose granite xenolith in a grey granites gave crystallization ages of ca. 960 My; some grains from a migmatite neosome show similar ages. Zircon grains yielding Archean and late Palaeoproterozoic ages (1600-1800 My) are interpreted as xenocrysts of detrital origin. The youngest ages obtained from detrital zircon grains from a greenschist facies quartzite of the Signehamna unit are ca. 1800 My. Similar schists are included as xenoliths in the 960 My old gneissose granite; therefore, the sedimentary protoliths of the unit are Mesoproterozoic. The dating results suggest a significant tectonothermal event during Grenvillian time; subsequent Caledonian events had less extensive thermal effects. However, it is still a matter of debate whether Grenvillian or Caledonian metamorphism produced the majority of the migmatites. A large population of zircon grains with Late Palaeoproterozoic ages suggests a wide surface exposure of rocks of this age in the source area, with some Archean zircons.     

Newtontoppen granitoid rocks, their geology, chemistry and Rb-Sr age

A post-tectonic Caledonian granite in southern Ny Friesland has been fully mapped and the following new names are proposed: the Chydeniusbreen granitoid suite, consisting of the Raudberget granitoid body in the north; the Newtontoppen granitoid body in the middle; and the Ekkoknausane granitoid body in the south
The contact relationships, internal structures and distribution of various rock types infer an asymmetric lopolith or a harpolith-like body, a large sickle-shaped intrusion stretched in the direction of general tectonic transport, for the Newtontoppen granitoid body.
Seven rock types are described in the Newtontoppen granitoid and four emplacement stages are recognised. The major rock types seem to have an alkali-calcic to alkalic bulk rock chemistry and show a transition between I- and S-type granite derived from anatectic melting of various protoliths under relatively high temperature conditions. Possible later K₂0 introduction modified the earlier formed rock types.
A Rb-Sr whole rock age of 432 ± 10 Ma has been obtained by a seven point isochron with MSDW = 2.59 and an initial Sr isotope ratio = 0.715. This age is approximately 30 Ma older than the previously obtained K-Ar whole rock and Rb-Sr biotite ages, ca. 400 Ma, which represents the period of cooling. The high initial Sr isotope ratio supports the interpretation of an anatectic origin.     

关于拉斯曼丘陵泛非期高级变质作用时代的新限

就目前认识,拉斯曼丘陵地区的所有基底和盖层岩石都卷入到了格林威尔期和泛非期高级变质和变形作用。泛非期高峰变质的时代大致在550—530 Ma,其造山晚期的花岗质岩浆作用遍及全区。我们观察到,中山站区石榴黑 云斜长片麻岩固相变质作用过程,主要是对早期锆石的重启、改造,例如,对早期岩浆锆石环带的模糊化,对锆石棱、角的溶蚀,甚至同位素体系的重启等,难以形成变质锆石（边）,退变或重启年龄平均值为522.7±6.6 Ma。峰期变质 之后侵位的花岗岩结晶年龄为545±9 Ma,意味着峰期变质应不晚于该年龄。泛非期的变形、变质作用及花岗岩可对早期“干”岩石进行某种程度的退变质改造,从而造成高级变质岩变质结构的复杂性。这种变质作用及有关的花岗岩活动似乎缘于陆块内部的活化,而不是不同陆块间的碰撞所致。     

东南极格罗夫山地区冰碛石碎石带中高压麻粒岩和正片麻岩的锆石年代学研究及其构造意义

东南极的格罗夫山是普里兹造山带向南极内陆的延伸部分。对格罗夫山不同碎石带中收集的高压麻粒岩和正片麻岩进行锆石U-Pb年代学研究。四个高压麻粒岩的锆石多数为变质新生锆石,仅少数保留有继承核,其年龄为2633—2502 Ma。在变质锆石中获得~570 Ma和~555—545 Ma两个阶段变质年龄,锆石微量元素特征显示为重稀土亏损,结合前人研究结果,推测这两阶段年龄分别代表了变质作用过程中的进变质和高压峰期变质年龄。两个正片麻岩的锆石普遍发育核-边结构,由一个发育振荡环带的岩浆核和均匀无环带的变质边组成。正片麻岩的原岩年龄存在差异,在样品GR14-3-4的锆石核部获得了1060±40 Ma的上交点年龄,其原岩可能来自格罗夫山东南部的冰下高地,而在样品GR14-5-4的锆石核部获得的原岩年龄为917±4 Ma,与格罗夫山基岩中的基性麻粒岩和正片麻岩的原岩年龄一致。在锆石边部获得的变质年龄较为一致,为~530 Ma,与以前在高压麻粒岩中获得的退变质年龄相当。本次研究确认了高压麻粒岩在格罗夫山地区不同碎石带中分布的广泛性,表明其可能普遍存在于格罗夫山冰下高地之中。同时也进一步证明格罗夫山冰下高地并没有受到格林维尔期构造热事件的影响,而是只经历了泛非期的单相变质构造旋回。     

东南极新元古代晚期–早古生代(泛非期)花岗岩类的对比研究

东南极内部发育毛德和普里兹两条新元古代晚期-早古生代(泛非期)造山带,这两条造山带中均发育大量同-后构造花岗岩类。本文系统总结了以往东南极泛非期花岗岩类的岩石学、地球化学和年代学方面的研究成果,对不同地区岩体的岩石类型、岩浆源区及形成的构造环境进行了对比研究。结果表明：除南龙达讷山为I型花岗岩外,大部分花岗岩类表现出与碰撞造山作用相关的A型(或S型)花岗岩的特征。泛非期岩浆作用与区域高级变质作用的时代吻合(600-500 Ma)。两条造山带中泛非期岩浆作用与碰撞后岩石圈减薄、岩浆底侵以及上地壳的伸展垮塌相联系,均具有碰撞造山带的构造演化特点。所以,冈瓦纳超大陆的形成很可能是通过西冈瓦纳、印度－南极陆块和澳大利亚－南极陆块等三个陆块沿着两条造山带(毛德造山带和普里兹造山带)近于同期发生拼合碰撞的结果。     

西南极乔治王岛菲尔德斯半岛火山岩同位素年代及地层对比

以K-Ar,(39)~Ar-(40)~Ar和Rb-Sr法对菲尔德斯半岛的火山岩进行了同位素测年。实验结果表明,半岛的火山作用从晚古新世开始,可能一直延续至中中新世的早期。其间,碧玉山段的岩石分别以Rb-Sr和(39)~Ar-(40)~Ar法测定了形成年龄,年龄值为54Ma和55Ma,属于晚古新世;岛上广泛分布的玛瑙滩段熔岩的K-Ar年龄区间为45～50Ma,为早始新世;化石山段从中始新世到渐新世;而最晚形成的岩块山段的时代为中中新世的早期。这些数据,与地质和古生物证据一起,对了解该区地层的相互关系和讨论火山作用提出了正确的认识。     

Palaeomagnetic evidence for unification of the North and West Australian cratons by ca.1.7 Ga: new results from the Kimberley Basin of northwestern Australia

A palaeomagnetic study of the Elgee Formation red siltstones and shales in the Palaeoproterozoic Kimberley Basin of northwestern Australia has been carried out. All seven sampling sites revealed an extremely stable magnetic remanence carried by haematite. The age of the formation is confined by precise SHRIMP U–Pb ages of early diagenetic xenotime from rocks both above and below it to be 1704 + 7/−14 Ma, but this may represent a minimum age. The youngest detrital zircon grains in the underlying formation provide a maximum age of 1786 ± 14 Ma for the formation. The extreme stability of the remanence, the dissimilarity of the remanent direction from expected younger palaeomagnetic directions, and the lack of regional overprint in the 1790 ± 4 Ma Hart Dolerite just north of the study region support a primary origin for the remanence. A marginally positive fold test also supports a primary origin. The mean direction of D = 92.2°, I = 14.9°, α ₉₅ = 6.4° gives a palaeopole at 4.4°S, 210.0°E with dp = 3.3°, dm = 6.5°. This pole, a previously reported palaeopole from the Hart Dolerite and ca. 1700 Ma overprint poles from the Pilbara Craton all agree with palaeopoles of similar ages from the McArthur Basin of northern Australia. Palaeomagnetic results thus suggest that the North and West Australian cratons were possibly joined together by approximately 1.7 Ga.     

Metamorphism of the Mullerneset Formation, St. Jonsfjorden, Svalbard

The metamorphism of upper greenschist facies metasediments exposed in the extreme southwestern portion of St. Jonsjorden, Svalbard, is described. The rocks form part of the Mullerneset Formation of the late Precambrian age Kongsvegen Group and constitute a portion of the central-western Spitsbergen Cale-donides. Four deformations (D, -D4) and two metamorphic episodes (Mi and M2) have affected the rocks of the Mullerneset area. Mi was a prograde event which was initiated prior to the onset of the Di and continued through this deformation. Pre-Dt metamorphism reached biotite grade whereas garnet grade was attained syn-Di. M2 was a lower-middle greenschist facies metamorphism associated with D2. The results of quantitative geothermometry in the pelitic rocks show that peak Mi metamorphic temperatures decrease southwards across the field area from about 540°C to 510°C. Geobarometry and estimates of depth of burial indicate that Mi pressures were in the range of 5–7 kb. The data are consistent with geothermal gradients in the range of 21 ± 4°C/km to 24 ± 5°C/km. M2 metamorphic conditions are not precisely determinable but temperatures and pressures were probably less than those attained during Mi. It is suggested that the rocks of central-western Spitsbergen were originally deposited in an aulacogen before the initiation of Caledonian diastrophism.     

U–Pb zircon and 40Ar–39Ar K-feldspar dating of syn-sedimentary volcanism of the Neoproterozoic Maricá Formation: constraining the age of foreland basin inception and inversion in the Camaquã Basin of southern Brazil

New U–Pb zircon and ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar K-feldspar data are presented for syn-sedimentary volcanogenic rocks from the Neoproterozoic Maricá Formation, located in the southern Brazilian shield. Seven (of nine) U–Pb sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe analyses of zircons from pyroclastic cobbles yield an age of 630.2±3.4 Ma (2σ), interpreted as the age of syn-sedimentary volcanism, and thus of the deposition itself. This result indicates that the Maricá Formation was deposited during the main collisional phase (640–620 Ma) of the Brasiliano II orogenic system, probably as a forebulge or back-bulge, craton-derived foreland succession. Thus, this unit is possibly correlative of younger portions of the Porongos, Brusque, Passo Feio, Abapã (Itaiacoca) and Lavalleja (Fuente del Puma) metamorphic complexes. Well-defined, step-heating ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar K-feldspar plateau ages obtained from volcanogenic beds and pyroclastic cobbles of the lower and upper successions of the Maricá Formation yielded 507.3±1.8 Ma and 506.7±1.4 Ma (2σ), respectively. These data are interpreted to reflect total isotopic resetting during deep burial and thermal effects related to magmatic events. Late Middle Cambrian cooling below ca . 200 °C, probably related to uplift, is tentatively associated with intraplate effects of the Rio Doce and/or Pampean orogenies (Brasiliano III system). In the southern Brazilian shield, these intraplate stresses are possibly related to the dominantly extensional opening of a rift or a pull-apart basin, where sedimentary rocks of the Camaquã Group (Santa Bárbara and Guaritas Formations) accumulated.     

南设得兰群岛利文斯顿岛鲍勒斯山组火山岩的~(40)Ar/~(39)Ar年龄及地质意义

采用４０Ａｒ／３９Ａｒ法和激光微区等时线方法，对南极南设得兰群岛利文斯顿岛东部产出的鲍勒斯山组火山岩重新进行了年龄测定。结果表明，４５Ｄ安山质熔岩和２６２玄武安山质熔岩的等时年龄分别为（１０５．６２±２．１１）Ｍａ和（１１１．４８±２．２３）Ｍａ，其４０Ａｒ／３９Ａｒ初始比与尼尔值相当，岩石中不含过剩氩，表明等时年龄代表岩石真正的形成年龄。脉状产出的Ａ９３５２细晶岩的４０Ａｒ／３９Ａｒ坪年龄为（９６．７±１．６）Ｍａ，计算得到等时年龄为９６．６Ｍａ，晚于熔岩喷发而形成。新的年龄数据证实了鲍勒斯山组火山岩形成于白垩纪。白垩纪火山活动曾影响了整个利文斯顿岛，在赫德半岛出露的鲍勒斯山组火山岩曾被较年轻火山岩所覆盖，构造抬升使其出露。     

Thermal history of the Cretaceous Sindong Group, Gyeongsang Basin, Korea based on fission track analysis

ABSTRACT Apatite and zircon fission track (FT) analyses were carried out to reconstruct the thermal history of the Lower Cretaceous Sindong Group, which is the lowermost stratal unit of the Gyeongsang Basin, Korea. Zircon FT central ages show a wide range from 83 ± 5 to 157 ± 18 Ma, and single-grain age spectra have multiple age populations, whereas all apatites have very consistent FT ages of c . 60 Ma, suggesting a totally reset cooling age. Co-existence of both older and younger ages compared with the depositional age and relatively short mean track length indicate that the Sindong zircons were partially annealed. The Sindong Group was heated into the zircon partial annealing zone (ZPAZ) around 80 Ma, and cooled below the apatite closure temperature at c . 60 Ma. Based on the zircon FT results combined with vitrinite reflectance data, the maximum palaeotemperature to which the Sindong Group had been subjected can be inferred to be about 260 °C. Zircon FT data from a granite body that is in contact with the Sindong Group and sandstones close to the granite body indicate that thermal influence caused by Upper Cretaceous intrusive rocks was limited in close vicinity of the intrusion and that the major heat source of the Sindong Group was burial. The thickness of uplifted and eroded section is estimated to be about 7 km.     

New ￣(40)Ar/￣(39)Ar age evidence for the Cretaceous volcanic rocks of the Mount Bowles Formation in Livingst

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南极乔治王岛晚白垩世地幔源火山岩Nd、Sr同位素和微量元素证据

对乔治王岛上白垩统半三角组火山岩样品进行了 Rb- Sr同位素等时线年龄测定 ,所获结果为 71 .3 3± 0 .3 Ma。通过 εND(T) - 14 7Sm/14 4Nd,14 3 Nd/14 4Nd- 87Sr/86 Sr,87Sr/86 Sr- Sr和 87Sr/86 Sr- K2 O/(K2 O+Na2 O)的相关性研究表明 ,该火山岩物质主要来自亏损地幔 (DMM)源区 ,基本上未受到地壳物质混染。其中 6个样品的平均 Sm- Nd模式年龄 (TNd DM)为 443 .3± 2 0 .6 Ma,可能反映了在研究地区的岩浆源区化学分异事件的时代。微量元素的特点表明 ,半三角组样品属典型的钙碱性火山岩系列 ,与长城站地区第三系火山岩相类似 ,同属于岛弧火山活动的产物。     

Petrochemical and Mineralogical Constraints on the Source and Processes of Uranium Mineralisation in the Granitoids of Zing-Monkin Area,Adamawa Massif,NE Nigeria

Zing-Monkin area, located in the northern part of Adamawa Massif, is underlain by extensive exposures of moderately radioactive granodiorites, anatectic migmatites, equigranular granites, porphyritic granites and highly radioactive fine-grained granites with minor pegmatites. Selected major and trace element petrochemical investigations of the rocks show that a progression from granodiorite through migmatite to granites is characterised by depletion of MgO, CaO, Fe₂O_3, Sr, Ba, and Zr, and enrichment of SiO₂ and Rb. This trend is associated with uranium enrichment and shows a chemical gradation from the more primitive granodiorite to the more evolved granites. Electron microprobe analysis shows that the uranium is content in uranothorite and in accessories, such as monazite, titanite, apatite, epidote and zircon. Based on petrochemical and mineralogical data, the more differentiated granitoids (e.g., fine-grained granite) bordering the Benue Trough are the immediate source of the uranium prospect in Bima Sandstone within the Trough. Uranium was derived from the granitoids by weathering and erosion. Transportation and subsequent interaction with organic matter within the Bima Sandstone led to precipitation of insoluble secondary uranium minerals in the Benue Trough.