40Ar/39Ar data, Ray Mountains area, Bettles Quadrangle, Alaska
Dates
Publication Date
2014
Start Date
2012
End Date
2014
File Modification Date
2014-10-10 13:32:00
Citation
Tuzzolino, A.L., Newberry, R.J., Benowitz, J.A., Layer, P.W., and Freeman, L.K., 2014, 40Ar/39Ar data, Ray Mountains area, Bettles Quadrangle, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, http://dx.doi.org/10.14509/29124.
Summary
40Ar/39Ar analyses were performed on igneous rocks from the Ray Mountains area of west-central Alaska. The plutonic samples have ages from about 89 Ma to 109 Ma, while the volcanic samples show ranges from about 30 Ma to 64 Ma. The three volcanic samples fall into two age groups: the younger sample, a basalt, has an age of about 30 Ma, while the two older, rhyolitic samples fall between 58 Ma and 64 Ma. Analyses were performed by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geochronology Laboratory, and results were reported by Paul Layer and Jeff Benowitz. Products included in this data release are: a summary of sample collection method; the laboratory report, analytical data tables and associated metadata; and plots of the 40Ar/39Ar age spectra, [...]
Summary
40Ar/39Ar analyses were performed on igneous rocks from the Ray Mountains area of west-central Alaska. The plutonic samples have ages from about 89 Ma to 109 Ma, while the volcanic samples show ranges from about 30 Ma to 64 Ma. The three volcanic samples fall into two age groups: the younger sample, a basalt, has an age of about 30 Ma, while the two older, rhyolitic samples fall between 58 Ma and 64 Ma. Analyses were performed by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geochronology Laboratory, and results were reported by Paul Layer and Jeff Benowitz. Products included in this data release are: a summary of sample collection method; the laboratory report, analytical data tables and associated metadata; and plots of the 40Ar/39Ar age spectra, Ca/K ratios, and Cl/K ratios. All components of this data release are available for download on the DGGS website at no charge.
DGGS conducted a multi-year project from 2012 through 2013 studying the geology and economic potential of rare-earth elements (REEs) and base metals in the Ray Mountains in the Beaver, Bettles, Livengood, and Tanana quadrangles (Bachmann and others, 2013). As part of the bedrock geologic mapping, seven samples in the Bettles Quadrangle were collected for geochronologic analyses using 40Ar/39Ar techniques. These new age dates will allow us to better evaluate the geochronology of the granitic rocks that are the apparent source of the alluvial REE resources, and the geochronology of the volcanic rocks that relate to the development of the basins hosting the alluvial deposits.
