Paleoarchaean charnockite in the Ntem Complex, Congo Craton, Cameroon: insights from SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages

• DOI: 10.2465/jmps.080624
• Publication Date: 2009-02-24T06:00:49Z
• Authors: Talla TAKAM; Makoto ARIMA; Joseph KOKONYANGI; Daniel J. DUNKLEY; Emmanuel N. NSIFA
• Keywords: Charnockite

SHRIMP U-Pb analysis of zircon from charnockites and granite the Archaean Ntem Complex, southern Cameroon was conducted to clarify magmatic evolution northern part Congo craton. Zircon morphologies bulk chemistry are consistent with a origin for charnockites. Zircons collected two in complex yield differing ages 3266 ± 5 Ma 2883 11 Ma. A xenocrystic gives single grain age 3477 16 Ma, oldest ever reported craton, while majority zircons same rock 2853 12 In addition, an inherited 3399 6 obtained ~ charnockite. The present data provide evidence early Paleoarchaean activity, including charnockitic plutonism