About This Item

Share This Item

The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Special Volumes

Abstract


Pub. Id: A116 (1978)

First Page: 143

Last Page: 164

Book Title: SG 6: Contributions to the Geologic Time Scale

Article/Chapter: Isotopic Ages and Stratigraphic Control of Mesozoic Igneous Rocks in Japan

Subject Group: Geologic History and Areal Geology

Spec. Pub. Type: Studies in Geology

Pub. Year: 1978

Author(s): Ken Shibata (2), Tatsuro Matsumoto (3), Takeru Yanagi (3), Reiko Hamamoto (3)

Abstract:

Mesozoic igneous rocks from Southwest Japan are critically reviewed in terms of isotopic and stratigraphic ages, and new K-Ar and Rb-Sr age results on the Cretaceous granitic and volcanic rocks from the Kitakami Mountains and some other areas are presented and discussed. Cretaceous granites from the western half of the Inner Zone of Southwest Japan are bounded between the Albian Shimonoseki Subgroup and the Campanian and Maestrichtian Izumi Group. The K-Ar ages of the granites generally agree with the stratigraphic evidence, and indicate that the granites were uplifted and eroded soon after the intrusion. Granites and related Cretaceous formations become younger eastwards, suggesting that a site of plutonism, associated with a site of volcanism and sedimentation, migrated eastwards at a rate of 2.6 cm/year. The isotopic ages of granites from Amami-oshima and those of the Funatsu granite also indicate a rapid uplift and erosion subsequent to the granite intrusion.

The Miyako and Taro granites from the Kitakami Mountains, which are stratigraphically bracketed between the Neocomian and the upper Aptian, give Rb-Sr whole-rock isochron ages of 121 ± 6 m.y. and 128 ± 12 m.y. respectively, and agree with the stratigraphic evidence. Seven mineral samples of the Miyako granite give an average K-Ar age of 113 ± 3 m.y., suggesting that the Aptian-Albian boundary may be slightly younger than 113 m.y. Cretaceous volcanic rocks from the Kitakami Mountains give K-Ar whole rock ages of 93-119 m.y., all slightly younger than stratigraphically estimated. Ages of the Harachiyama and Kanaigaura Formations are equal to those of the Miyako granite, and indicate either the contact effect of the granite or contemporaneity with the granite. Lower ges of the Niitsuki and Yamadori Formations may be attributed to the alteration. Volcanic rocks of the Sennan acid pyroclastic rocks in Kinki and those of the Mifune Group in Kyushu yield much younger K-Ar whole rock ages than estimated. A biotite from tuff in the Middle Yezo Group in northwest Hokkaido is dated at 91.4 ± 2.4 m.y., which agrees with the stratigraphically assigned Turonian age.

Pay-Per-View Purchase Options

The article is available through a document delivery service. Explain these Purchase Options.

Watermarked PDF Document: $14
Open PDF Document: $24