© jHs2 Geologie en Mijnhous O016-724682610.0229 § 2.500 GEOCHRONOLOGY OF THE PRECAMBRIAN IN THE AMAZONAS RI OF SOUTHEASTERN COLOMBIA (WESTERN GUIANA SHIELD)’ HN. A. PRIEM, P. A. M. ANDRIESSEN’, N. A. I. M. BOELRUK?, H. DE BOORDER’, E. H. HEBEDA*, ‘A. HUGUETT,, E. A. TH. VERDURMEN? & R.H, VERSCHURE? ABSTRACT Priem, H.N.A..P. A. M. Andriessen, N. A. 1.M. Boclijk, H. de Boorder, E. H. Hebeds, A. Huguet, E. A. Th, Verdarmen & R.H. Verachure 1952 Geochronlogy of the Precambrian in the ‘Amazonas region of southeastern Colombia (western Guiana Shield) ~ Geol. Mijnbouw 61: 229.28, “The Amazonas region of southeastem Colémbia is underlain by the western part of the Guiana Shield. Isotopic age measurements are reported on granites and gneisses of the shield basement. malic inirusives, and 2 sequence of shyodaciic lavas overlying the shield. Rb-Sr whole-rock analysis of $6 {granites 2nd gneisses and U-Pb analysis of two sues of tcons and a monazite reveal that during is evelopment the Guiana Shield passed through at least two major orogenie episodes. The presemt basemem-was essentisly formed during the Parguazan tectonomapmatie episode by Jaige-seale _ranilepltonism and metarporphie reconstitution of older erustal material, sbout 150-1450 Ma ag. Mostof the older isotopic record was obliterated during the Parguazaa reworking, but some Rb-St sshole-rock and U-Pb zircon systems odicat relict ages of at least 1850-1800 Ma, soggesting thatthe pie-Parguazan crust may be related to the Trans-Amazonian Orogenie Cycle. Rb-Sr and K-At Analyses of 37 micas from basement rocks which ate widely distibated over the area display apes user berween shout 1380 Ma and 1280 Ma: they ae'ansibuted 10a eneral resetting ofthe isotopic ssiems by the Nickerie Metamorphic Episode about 1300 Ma apo. Evaluation of the RbSt sshole-rock data frm five maficinrusives anda site ofsx samples fom the rhyodacitic lavas sugges {ges of about 1200 Ma and 920 Ma, respectively. INTRODUCTION From 1974 to 1979 geological reconnaissance mapping was carried out in the Amazonas region of southeastern Colom- bia, south of the Rio Guaviare. The mapping formed part of PRORADAM (acronym for Proyecto Radargramétrico del Amazonas), a project initiated hy the Colombian government to conduct a reconnaissance survey of the region. This survey, ‘which consisted of the interpretation of side-ooking radar imagery and subsequent field work, was concluded in 1979 ‘with the publication of the final report (PRoRADAM, 1979). “The project atea. referred to as the Amazonas region inthis Manuscrpr received: 1981-126, Revised monvscript accepted: 1982-02-08. Z.WO. Laborsorivm voot Tsotopan-Geotosie, De Boelelaan GSS. 108 HV Amsterdam. The Netherlands Insiteut_yoor Aardwetenschappen, Rijksuniversit Bodapesilaan 4.3808 TA Utecht, The Netherlands Instoto. Nacional de Investigaciones. Geolopico-Mineras (ON: GEOMINAS). Minister. de Minas y Encigia, Apartado Aéreo 4658, Boots, Colombia. Uuecht, paper, is located in southeastern Colombia between 4°09" N. and 4°13.5'S., and between 66°50.9° W. and 75°24" W. It ‘measures approximately 380.200 square kilometres, and covers the administrative districts of Guainia. Vaupés, Guay- are and Amazonas, and parts of Caquetd and Putumayo. The region is largely covered by Amazonian rain forest and affected by deep tropical weathering. Access is difficult. The scarce exposures afe mainly confined to rivers. Before PRORADAM. the region was virtually enmapped in terms of regional geology. The geological survey conducted by PRO- RADAM was executed by geologists from the Instituto de Investigaciones -Geolégico-Mineras (INGEOMINAS) and the Centro Interamericano de Fotointerpretacién (CIAF), both in Bogors, and by 4 geological mission of The Nether Hinds. In conjunction w.th this project isotopic age studies (RoSr, K-Ar, U-Pb) were undertaken by the Z.W.O. Laboratorium voor Iso.epen-Geologie. Amsterdam. in the castern part of the PRORADAM area. roughly betscen the Rio Guaviare and the Rio Caquetd east of 73° W. (Fig. 1) ‘This paper presents the results of the geochronolopical work.GEOLOGICAL SETTING is underlain azoas region of souteastem Color Toe Atlee extenion ofthe Guiana Skis the Precam by we Mon which eovers more than 1.5 millon sgoate '~ kilometers and forms the nucleus of South America north of eehnaon basin, Outerope of Basement rocks occur mainly Meath borders with Venezuela andBraa. Mog farter to heen lange exposures ofthe Guiana Shield ar alo found fn te Andes a llochthonous fragments ‘Among the Pecamban rocks of the project area the fotowngitologeal unis are distinguished (HUGUETT ETAL, wm a Carlee Migmatcn de Mit, fee, metapettc and CLE rt ocipy the rater part tmetacarenaccous gidised and granites, Rocks that belong 0 Of the basement in the project area, The granites often form prominent inselbergs © Formaci6n Roraima, ridges of folded arenaccous sedi- rents which are specilatively correlated with the Roraima Formation which overlies large areas ofthe shield basementin Venezuela, Brazil, Guyana and Suriname. = Formacign La Pedrera, ridges of arenaccovs (meta)sedi- iments which are tentatively coftelated with the Formacién Roraima. The deposits continue into Brazilian territory as Formagio Tunui (DE MoxTatvAo, 1974). = FormaciénPiraparand. dark red arenaceous sediments and pyfoclastics, and shyodacite lavas. The sequence overlies Aiscordantly the Complejo Migmattico de Mitd = Gronéfirosde! Tijereto, granophyric granites intrusive into the Complejo Migmatitico de Mitd and tentatively correlated swith the vleanie rocks ofthe Formacién Piraparand = Diques.Diabisicns, dolerite dikes intrusive into the Com: plejo Migmattico de Mitd and the Formacign La Pedrera Towards the west parts ofthe shielé Basement are overlain by the Formacién Araracuara, 2 sequence of arensceous sedi mentary rocks which constitute a number of mesas; in the lower par fragments of trilobites have been found, indicative of a Paleozoic ge. Near San José in the northwestern part of the projec area afew isolated outcrops of nepheline syenite cai, thich has an age of bout 20Ma (riso¥ ET aL. 1962) In between the inselberg3 of the Complejo Migmattico de Mita and the ridges and mesas of the (metasedimentary sequences, the greater part of the Amazonas region is ‘occupied by various Tertiary and Quaternary deposits. ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES AND CONSTANTS, ‘The techniques utilized are Rb-St whole-rock dating, RD-St and K-Ar dating of micas, K-Ar dating of a hornblende and sieve fractions (125-250 um) of whole-rocks, and U-Pb dating of suites of stcons and : Rb and §: contents and Rb’Sr ratios of whole-rocks were freasured on pressed-pouder pelletssby Keay fluorescence specuomeny, using a Philips PW 1450’AHP autemaue spectrometer. Mass-absorption’ corrections for both sample and external standard are based upon the Compton scattering of the Mo-Ka primary beam (vERDURMEN, 1977). For micas, the Rb and Sr contents were determined by isotope dilution. ‘The isotopic composition of Sr was determined directly on uunspiked St for the whole-rocks and calculated from the isotope-dilution analyses for the micas. All Rb and Sr isotope ‘measurements were made on a computer-controlled Varin CHS mass-spectrometer with Faraday cage collector and digital output. ‘The K contents were determined by flame photometry with lithium internal standard and caesium chloride-ahuminium nitrate buffer. Argon was extracted in a bakeable glass vacuum apparatus and determined by isotope dilution under static conditions in a Reynolds-type mass-spectrometer, Zircons and monazite were recovered from ground samp. by, successively, density separation using bromoform and di-iodomethane with a large overflow centrifuge (modified after VERSCHURE & DIST, 1966), removal of the magnetic ‘opaque grains, density separation using Clerici solution with a smnall laboratory overflow centrifuge (UtsT, 1973), and mag- netic separation with a modified Frantz isodynamic separator (vensciure 4 vist, 1969). Chemical decomposition and separation of uranium and lead were essentially according to the method described by xxocH (1973), followed by puriti- cation of the lead by anodic deposition (ARDEN & Gate, 1974). U and Pb contents were determined by isotope dilution. The U and Pb isotope measurements were made on 2 computer- controlled Teledyne SS-1290 mass-spectromeser with Fara- day cage collector and digital ouput. Lead was mounted as nitrate ona single zone-efined Re filament with silica gel and phosphoric acid, and measured according TO BARNES ET AL. (0973). Uranium. was loaded asnitrate on the to zone: refined Re side-flaments of ariple filament source (SticLDs 1966). ‘The arialytical accuracy isbelieved to be within 1% for XR. RbISr, 1% for isotope dilution Rb and Sr, 0.05% for PS1i*Se 1% for K,2% for radiogenic Ar, 1% for U and Pb, and 0.5% for Pb™Pb and™Po/"*Pb. These estimated overall limits of relative érzor are the sum of the known sources of possible systematic error and the precision of the total analytical procedures, Best-fit lines through the suites of Rb-Sr data were calculated by means of a least-squares regression analysis according to York (1966, 1967). The discordia lines through the U-Pb data-points were fitted according to York (196.), using the correlation coefficients and variances: lated for each point according 10 BOELAU ET AL. (1979). The valves of the Mean Squares Weighted Deviation (MSWD} were calculated according to mesryRe FF at. (1966). ‘Throughout this paper the age ealeulations are based upon the constants °U = 1.55125.10" a". °U = 9.485.103 SUP = 137.88,2°Rb = 142.10"'a "3.0K = 0.581.109", DK = 4.962.10%3" and abundance *K = 0.0% percent total K, Where necewary, quoted age recalculated using these constantsboth sample scattering For micas, ie dilution, | directly on 26 from the nd Sx isotope olled Varian ellector and somerry with je-abureiniuen weable glass iution ender sane mples mmoform and ge (modified he, magnetic Sution witha 3), and ma mie separator position and ‘according to ed by purif- cate, 1974). dilution. The a computer- :s with Fara- « mounted as silica gel and ye two Zone ce (SHIELDS, nie tor XRF for "S51, Pb, and 0.5% eral Tits of es of possible al analytical of Rb-Sr data es regression liscordia Vines ring 10 YORK sisncescaleu- L- (199). The jon (MSWD) (1966) re based upon 1 £885.10" 0.583.102", 0.01167 atom ves have been Fig} {Geological sheich mop of southeastern Colombia between Rio Guaviare and Rio Caguetd east ef 73° W. (ehier PRORADAM, 1579), showing the locations of the investigated samp Formacion Araracuara, Paleozoic afenaceous sedimem (Geterisks). Lerend syenite (420 Mao 2, outcrops of nepheli Formacign Piaparan’, pyrovastis,shyodacite lavas and arevaceous sedimests; 4, Formacién La Pedrera {athe south) and Formacion Rorazna (i the east) atenaceous (meta)sediments speculatively eorelated Sin the Roveima Formation ovetving the easter part of the Guiana Shield: 5, basement of the Guiana Shield gronies, encase, engmaties, schist and sobordiate quartaites, taken together asthe Complejo Migmaulico de Mid and largely covered by Tertiary and Qualemary sedimentary sequences of variable thtness: Minor intnisive granites ofthe Granelires del Tijereto are not differendated from the shield basement. The numbers I through 53 correspond to sample numbers PRA 1-53 in Table L RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Isotopic investigations were made of the following rocks: 1. Gneisses, granites and pegmatitic segregates from the Complejo Migmattico de Mit8: Rb-Sr whe'e-rock analyses of 45 samples from different parts of the pioject area, U-PD analyses of two suites of separated zircons and a monazite, Rb-Sr and K-Ar analyses of 37 separated micas, and K-Ar analysis of one separated hornblende. 2. Rhyodacitic lavas from the Formacién Piraparand: Rb-St and K-Ar whole-sock analyses of asuite of ix samples froma large exposure in Rio Vaupés, 3. A pranoghsric granite from the Granéfiros del Tijereto: Rb-Sr whol sock analysis of one sample from Rio Caque- “ 4, Mafic intrusives from the Digues Diahésicos: Rb-Sr whole-rock analysis of samples from five intrusives between Rio Vaupés and Rio Apaporis. “The investigated rocks along with the sampling sites are listed in Table 1. The locations are shown in Fig. 1. In order to ‘obtain samples of unweathered material most outcrops were Diasied. The analytical data are given in Tables I-VI and plotted in the diagrams of Figs. 2-9. 1. Complejo Migmotitico de Mint ‘The samples investigated are arranged in three groups according 10 their geographical distribution (Fig. 1) — 20 samples from the are2 berween Rio Vaupés and Rio Caquets.Location (Gee also Fg. 1) Fiosa Ly rania, Rio Vaup& villge of Vaca-Yaca, Rio Vavpés PRA. 124 sillge of Minit, Rio Vaupes PRA 128, iden PRA13 * Rio Vaupés, ea 10 km upstream from confue Gio Rock pe biotite granite sliferent flows of rhyodacic lava [neissove two-mica granite {ranite pegmatite segregation franophyrie augite gadbro i PRA Sin Suefo, ca Skim $ of Mis biotite granite PRA ISA.158_IuaMondhe, Ri Negro Oe lees poet PRASAD. iden ipuitepepmaie epegation PRA te ‘Went Bank Rio Neo, fasig Ila Movche Spdoetianganie PRA12,18 —_autbash lo Guamie, 12 hn downstean fom onic Bate gocs | oa Corororo PRA19.21 Ri Corcoro, Rio Gusina biotite gos ch in thoropumnite PRA20 fast bok Rio Gusina, en 3 km downstea fom tovonige bioite preat ins carecore Praz tile of Sto Ri, Rio Gunina ote ence PRA ind facing the vilage of Catscuname, io Guninta ott ugenmness, PRA ied fcing the vile of Chauens, Rio Negro frescos formic granite PRA Silage of Gata, Rio Negro Soite pees PRA2 ca eatbank Rio Neqio, I hin W of the vile of Galea bite ges Paz Shea facing the silage of Cabeven. Rio Negro tice Enis j PRA 38 Slnd facing the vilage of Tucan bape, Roo Negro trot free PRA 29 5 Tape Rio Neg toute pis PRA 30 Site of Caranacen, Rio Tia Witte granite PRA Finan Alnidon, Ro iiide, onsely porte iste granite ! PRA3? fuany in Po intida ‘otte geante | PRA 3335 Ganen deNlvenure (nselberg), Rio Inrde costly porphyre wormien grate | Pra 36 Mav. Rio Asbapo Cenrselyporphie bioite grate PRA? Sige af Cuspaes Bo Ida Sroute ponte PRA 3s Real Coco Rio Pre Parand pte pemanite PRA 39 Réal Zhuco, Rio Pra Parand iotiende gato PRA Real Pato, Rio Pita Parand Conny porphyiebiotte granite PRadt Real La Liberad, Rio Apopors ‘anely prphgie bose pane PRA @ Réal Tene, Rio Tarara Sipie dente FRAG Rio Pap contucnce with Cao Paca sotte deere PRA 4A. 45,49. Ri apa conBucace with Cato Cayu-Cayy omblende bose ges hs PRA #f8, #6, 4 idem = trotte gress fe ° Pra so Real Et Diablo, Araracuara Rio Caquts swormicagciss pe Pra st Réal Ouinche. Rin Caquetd roves pots In Prat Rear Rereto. Rio Caguets Ermopbyre paste fo PRASS Ins del Yan, Rio Caguets aii 4 Gao, BOK: Fie, fam: sa, Islnd; Real = aud apis = 17 samples roman about 100;mTongstretchatong the Rio such a relationship can hardly be expected in the ease of ¥etio andthe RioGusinisupseamand downsrear-ofSan_ samples collected fom diferent unis over an ae of Some, Felipe. and 199000 square Kilometers. Ischron relationships are shawn, ~ §samplesfhom an about 75 km long stretch slong the Rio However, by wo suites of samples from rested aess(Fisst Inds anathe Rie Gusvare opteam and downsteam of Vand) a Pro. Inirids. ~ Asamples ofbigite erante PRA 14 from a ow inserting ‘s100p the Rb-Sr whole:rock data and the ineral_ pedi Finca La Urania: Rio Vaupes Seine te 2665 are Heated separavly 90 Ma with intl "Ser = 0.70! = O48 (0 eromp MSWD > 13) 7 + Rb:Sr mhulerock d = Teamgles of (homblend,) biotite gneiss (PRA + "i splayed by the Rb-s a forge exposore in the Rio Papuri. atthe confluence witine fromthe Rio Vaupes Rio Coquets area (Table I, Fig 2).but_ Caso Coye-Coyv, define an hochvon of 157 = 80 Sie wilesiF 238 echt TABLE IT RVAUPES/R.CAQUETA AREA [Rb-Sr shole-ock dats om granites and gocisss GRANITES, GNEISSES, = eae Semple ROY RDS FSS ———— Ne (Pm) pm) Quy 1. Rio VoupésiRio Caqueté area 0 Mini oreo, Rio Veupes PRAY 2801S) 1.888 sat a ° PRA2 7731531780870 5.22 PRA 32, 2816083955829. PRAS 238 100 -2:3M O87 6.97, PRAM 351 M2 411.0050? PRAIZA 3B 83706512897 237 PRAIZB 579 79533 Last) 293, PRA 3271720888758 8.26, io Pire-Parand PRAS) 208313 ash OAT 1.93 ie io Apaporis (La Libertad) PRAA] 244 86258108133 7.59 io Popurt ee PRAGA 166 307-0542" 074M 3.57 Plotof Rb St wholerock data of icc basement rocks from the Rio PRAB 17 30) 0.5759 0785S 1.67 VaupésiRio Caqueté area (Table II), Squares, (goeisose) granites; PRAAS 153 3539432073383 1.26 SiG, ene: wens grnkercpmatic Sepegnc crm, PRAM IB 3) Os OS at renophyrc granite from Raudal Tijseto. The numbers through 3 PRAT 166 32-0168. 073036 1.50, correspond tothe sample numbers PRA 1-53 in Table I. From the PRA 12 297” 0'5057 7485. 1.73 biotite granite PRA 4 alo # suite of zitcons was investigated, along PRAAP 201 324.6184 0.74829 1.80 with monazite (Fig, $). Isochrons are defined. by two suites of ste Emples, each from a restricted area: Bioste granites PRA 1-4 Rio Cagueté producing an age of 156) 2 90 Ma with "SiP™Sr)e= 0.704 + 0,008, PRASO 327862 3.297 O76 1.27 seasite | and (bomblende biotite gneisses PRA 4249 producing an age of PRASI 505105, 4832 3.0197 14.41 ste 18872 80Mawith("S1/S1).= 0.206£0.001Qoeron). Thedashed PRAS? 268 132.088 O82 603 | ine represens the average of both sochrons PRASS 406 68.4 S940 one 7.85, 2, Rio Negro-Rio Gusinia rite - PRAISA 240 17901339 O78 3.91 ac snrae PRAISAIPe33] 3811736 OBIADI 5.08 0.706 # 0.001 (0 errors; MSWD = 03). pRAISB 249 191 =«1301 «OSE 3.80 Both ages are indistingvishable within the limits of error PRAY6 348 '993.—««3802—«OSI97S. 10.44 land can be averaged to 1560 Ma. Of the other nine PRAI? 246 133.725 O88 .08, investigated samples, seven (four granites, one granite- PRAI® 32 907-334 Oss6mM 9D aa NibeaversgelseOMaling, PRA 249 44.709 O8DTB 5.00, lnezmatte and two gneisses) alsofitthe average 1560 Maine. PRATS 249 Mae © 1.702 OTEK S00 ‘The other two samples, a two-mica granite (PRAM) anda pRA21 293, 7 1.658 0.81300 4.85 _Wosmiea gneiss (PRA 50), lie well above this fine, which is PRA22 215 156} 3820096 .DE Snterpreted as signifying an older Rb-Sr history. PRAB 217 356 06102 074385 1.77 —1"MecsiterisbountyibeResrenalerokdatsotthe MRA 3h ime Es) Soi ae 3 PRA 2002 356 7 saraples from the Rio Negroand the Rio Guainia(Tableml, PRA2S 2} 2 bah a apected in the c28© OfFi5. 3), However, all data-points lie within an envelope PRA2 200 463 S98 re s oyer an area of S0™4,-anded by lines corespondingto agesof about }4S0Ma and PRA 28 2274681385 353 PRA? 1328173 2a elationships ae sho 789 Ma, respectively: ‘The simplest interpretation of his mestricted ar€2s Fi8S artemis that the Rb-St whole-rock systems relect Varying 3. Rig Intido-Rio Guaviare sponte of rest, of older RDS records by 2 younger ae 21 from alow inselberieramoiphic event. A minimum value of about 1780 Ma mn oan 0880 fine an isochron of 156ouidthen be indicated for the age of the original rocks by the ae sta “it = O.UG8 (20 €10%%t per boundary line, while the lower boundary line would set ee ee as | 2 i Fe es 3 enciss (PRA 44-49) 0M ference in Rb-Sr systematics is apparent between the 27 43 1 at the confluence *ithncisses on the one hend and the granites and granite- 2638908, “Average of mo analyses 1 of 1557 = 80 Ma Withecmatite on the other hand.ae R.NEGRO-R.GUAINIA, ay Te GRANITE GNEISSES, GRANITES a BIOTITE [ee Fig. Plot of Rb-Sr whole-ock data of silicic basement rocks from Rio Negro and Rio Guainia (Table M1). Squares, (gnessose) granites; GGrces, gneises: triangle, grante-peematitic tegregate, The data points satter within an envelope with boundary ines corresponding to agesof about 1450 Ma and 1760 Ma, respectively. From the biotite inciss PRA 21 aso a suite of zircons was investigated (Fig. 6). RINIRIDA-R.GUAVIARE [ror - Fig. Plot of Rb-Sr whole-rock data of granites from Rio Inirda and Rio Gusviate (Table T). Six samples (closed squares) display « lineat arrangemenicorresponding toan ape of 1485 = 35Ma with (S17), = 11.708 = 0.002 (20 errors). A line through the other to savages, PRA 31 and 36, corresponds to an ape of about 1240 Ma with (5030, = 0.708 =po/™u d 2p P/U C141 Ma a Fig. 5 Concordia diagram showing the U-Pb isotope relationships of the} ‘irene fractions (A-G) and the monazitedat2‘point (H) from biottep 30-0 yu gaaske PRA 4 (Table II). For the size and magoetis fractions 40- 50 ue Indicated by the leners, see Table Il. The best-fit ine through thep 50+ 60 ws 2ircon data-points defines upper and lower intercepts of 158234 Map > 60 ws and 14126 Ma, respectively (20). The monazite plots close to the} ~ Paiseae [cotumn t= ae krrough 5: Icotumes & Of the cight granite samples from the Riv Iniride 40d U¢etation to: Rio Guaviare, six show a linear arrangement of the Rb-S whole-rock data-points (Table Il, Fig. 4). The best-fit lind hough st corresponds to an age of 1485 + 35 Ma and inital "Si*St “htercept of 0.706 + 0,002 (26 errors; MSWD = 1.6). Two samples (PRAguey inter 31 and 36) plot above this line, which is again imerpreted at pcculation ‘betraying the presence of older radiogenic Sr: a line throug a seconc both data-poi Ma with initial *Sr7°Se 706. U-Pb zircon and monazite dora. From one of the biotithotopi. eranites along the Rio Vaupés (PRA 4) that define the Rb \while-rock isochron of 156) + 90 Ma (Fig. 2), zircon anfaien as . monazite were separated and the U-Pb systematics wer investigated (Table III, Fig. 5). All seven analyzed zitcofncercept (3 fractions (four size fractions from the magnetic portion a0}ista-points {ee from the non-magnetic one) are discordant. Thefntercept. 7 display a gather poor i Sagram ant 26Ma (ocors). Encepforthe conse mapneittacon fiche regular arrangement with respec to rein sae alone t iscordia is shown by the tmapmetic and the non maze ‘orion. The monazite (which ses ot split nt fractions “pearly concordant and plots elone tothe per intercept Sue of ziteons" Both the monazite and the ste of ae sic thus U.Pb ares concordant wih the Rb-St shole-w9p nem of th cehion age: ths a subseque afta eat Scatter ofthe zicoa data-porffcnerations about the best-fit line may reflec some isotopic disturbance Fal) daturtfe dai from icons and monsze™ ‘Weight in me. =roeP> POMP POMP POPU POPUP rsp Gee Gwe 2939 «7 oams-— omni 20s) ea tom #6 © O10 ez = 29s so tos or oie ozs tase) son 2a, 3332 wes «ONO kaos sea feat oo loses dats ar suas ue Gime Glas Ole son Too yo) 485 pn Oita aust as = mmonasie 1456 3910 one some” 3405s 2199 eS ress pra 21, of acon sic etniontigsat he 2 20em——U1.N05 353 mnsos oem oma ase 86, icon hh Oem Tht Soe Ae fe Se recon ab SOum 10288 3a osa on 2a Oaks Roeper tor Se 0 fon Ga aes bee eS Scum 120d Bs Ooms 3am) TD Ss ntercepts of 155223 M Srazte pots close 1 th Gann 1 (i, magni all ath, now magna. Column Z:sumple weightnligam for vplied and lled agian Caloame 3 though 5: measured lead isotope ratios. Columns 6 and 7: radiogenic "POF*U and ™=PL/™U ratios alter correction for common lead omnns B and 9: total uranium and lead contents, the Rio Inirida and thqaiztion to the general resetting of the Rb-Sr and K-Ar mica ngement of the Rb-Shystems in the basement about 1300 Ma ago (see below), 3.4). The bestfitlingithough such an influence is not apparent in the upper ‘3 and initial "Si*Sr =prercept of the line. The geochronological significance of the 6). Two samples (PRApwer intercept of the Suite of Zircons remai is again imerpreted 9 senie Sra line th0¥8} A second suite of zircons (five size frac > an age of about 1744 red from a biotite gneiss in the Rio Guainia (PRA 21). The css plots berween the upper and lower boundary lines of 1¢ envelope in the Rb-Sr diagram (Fig. 3). A three-stage om one of the biotitd oropie disturbance history is invoked to interpret the U-Pb 4) that defitie the Rb-Shstematics (Table II1, Fig. 6). The four finest fractions are da (Fig. 2), 2rcon andiken as defining a line with the upper intercept at 1480 =" U-Pb systematics wertta (20 errs; MSWD = 1.6), but with an ill-defined lower seven analyzed zitcOhtercept (350 + 600 Ma) becsuse ofthe small spread of the fe magnetie portion anfata-points and their position rather close to the upper are. discordant. Thehiercept. The upper intercept age ofthis Hine is concordant n(MSWD = 19), with gh the lower boundary line of the envelope in the Rb-Sr 1552 34 Ma and 141 iagram and may be interpreted as approaching the age of <)arslalization of the zircon during the gneissifieation of © grain size aloog thhe rock Some loss of radiogenic lead alter the (re)erystaliz ‘and the noa-mapnetiion was responsible forthe discordia arrangement. ot split into fractions) { The coarsest fraction ( > 60 pm) plots outside the best-fit he upper intercept of thine through the four fines fractions, which is attributed to and the suite of Zircozpmificant amount of older radiogenic lead. If the U-Pb th the Rb-Sr whole-tonstem of the older zircon component has not been disturbed ing the generation ofthe subsequent events, the position of this fraction in the snand monasite. Nissfiagram can be explained in terms of mixing of two zircon ‘of the zircon data-poigencrations, the undisturbed old component and the isotopi- seisotopiedisturbancrfally disturbed young aircon.(The upper intercept of the 5) was investi- " with concordia at about 1850 Ma should then set minimum value to the age of the old zircon, Some support for the presence of such an undisturbed old component may be found in the much lower uranium-content ofthis fraction (about 1380 ppm versus about 2550 ppm for the other four fractions, Table IIT), which implies a very low uranium- Fig.6 ‘Concordid diagram showing the U-Pb sotopic teationshis of the Zircon fractions from biotite eneiss PRA 21 (Table I) Fer the ae fractionsindicatedbyleters.see Table I]. A bess ft ne through the four fines fractions (A-D) defines upper and lower intercepts of Ma and 350 + 600 Ma, respectively (20). The eosnet fraction (Ey plots outside this line, wich is anterprcied as sigealing the presence ofsome older radiogenic lead. Aline through ths point and the ether four fractions has an upper intercept which concoress 3 1826 2 95 Ma Co)| 26 TABLEIV [Rb-Sr and K-Ar mineral data from granites and gneisses Semple Miner” Tadiogenic ARB w PSS Ne WO. Or) (pm) (pm) Rio Veup&siRio Caquaid area PRA 1 bio 636 ws 1st gare 26405" 126 gg 856 PRA 4 bio 684 188 183 21755, mm 1318 PRAM bio 664 1309 219 20.695, 130 a4 PRAM mu Bas oss 1220 10.080 uy 1370 PRADA bio 537 1399 11.96 172 Bn 1320 PRADA mu ass 19 ms 1439 237 19 PRAT bio 635 sr 298 wine 1236 B29 PRA4 bio 68 wor Bat oss 1210 1198 FRAG bio 61 pe 1653 Toss? tas Br PRASB bio 733 985, 33 43931302 ps3 PRASS bio 1 a Be sama 14s 1270 PRASS bt 13. a7 PRA bio Te. 1059" 896, 2097 3.5600 1348 1258 PRAS® bio 738 966" 964 26.36 3010 ©1293 261 PRASO bio 1275 1433 10.66 349 PRASO mu B61 1250" 853 1429 607s 1389 110 PRAS! bio 659 316" 2309 1939 17.85 Be 1295 PRASI mo 8a nao 765 19.47 10.19 1323 1298, PRASS bio To7 ss 6 1678 20.409 10 1314 Rio Negro-Rio Guainls PRAISE bio 203 65" 1400) mas rie mis 20 PRAT? bio 79 989 3275 Be 93m 1264 1223 PRAIS. bio 756 99" 145 1056 19.766 126s 1258 PRAZ bio 170 952 ne —- zie 4268 1200 1230 PRA2 bio 755 m wo 49 45758 1216 1286 PRA? mu aa 1136, 20 23 3056 ©1276 1308 PRA2 bio 123 1085+ oer 38 Beis 1355 1280 PRA bio 734 1031" 135 9.60 17360 133 1291 PRA27T bio mm ‘98° nar m2 40mg 1327 PRA® = bio = 7.78 on 1062 2se 3935s 8, Rio Invida-Rio Guaviare PRA3 io 766 1033" 1446 1460 re ims 134 PRA3! bio 770 me 1003 B97 331 m0 1303 PRA32 bio 08 1050" 1945 168 17:98, 1312 1319 PRA33 Bio mm 1031" 13897 B10 18.980 Br 1303 PRA mw 893 a4 933 m8 BZ 12% B27 RASS bo 12 101s 4437 1095 26.273 1309 1333 PRA3S mu 9.03 use 1037 nan 7628 B00 ns PRA36 bio 7m mn 947 mn Tae Bo, 16.38 79051 1 Bn PRA37 io 01 1053" Bi 5 Average of wo analycs 32, Atmospheric “Ar less than 20% of total "Ar forall analysis "+ With reference to the corresponding whole tock sontent forthe. od aircon, This could incicate thatthe old Breon ihe physico-chemical stable x-phave according to sonmennvex (1976) the nonmetamigt aircon with und turded ental lice and low in forcign eleneo Tech w ‘aniums The acphise. for ceammple granule zircon, i haracerised by alosed-ystem behaviour tonardsUravars and lead, 50 that this phase usually remains more or less concordant, Ate of formation of the shield besemert. From the Rb. whole-rock and U-Pb zircon systematics nd U-Pb mons data ofthe Complejo Migmariieode Mi tisconcnded1H gg inset ks inthe ang tenor of 3 airibo (GAUDETTE 21 aly 1978) and Brazil (on sin peerens erat 1970), where they are related yrvent of granitic phutonism and me the Pargusan econ so haa yan tecionomaginai episode. Ths rode aleced large pars of te wrthwesterm and southern ana Shek, and cxicnded a5 far souh a the Guaport xis, 136 Extntouthotthe Amazon basin earn, 974; cnuberre et OBB dso been reported from BM 2 been mR 27 1399 wo be 0 1198 2 Gn “ts we ie a 2 ase 293 1261 Be sae 3 is im 3 ie nea i tae ibe te is ma | i! in | 2 ie MLL eee a) ie Sos Ro hs 1331 a i 3 fe 1 TE RS FA_IS cement, From the ROS nics and U-Pb mona Mit itis concluded hh? joprain of mineral theprade metamorPhitjion (Table IV). Lefichund Gisgonal shading, K-At apes: ght ses and migmatites 10d diagonal shading, Rb-Sr ages. M, muscovite: H, hornblende: all ‘SO Ma ago, but that Ol. broute. 1. Rio Vaupés Rio Cagueté area: 2. Ruo Negro and Srand U-Pb history #f Sesins:3, Rio Ininda and Rio Guavare. Asterisks, data from this range are also wid" (2962) alte preseneeafarying proportions of older fadiogenic strontium: For the gneisses and granites along the Rio Negro and the Rio Guainga 2 minimum age of about 1780 Ma can be inferred from the Rb-Sr systematics. ponent with a possible miaimum age of about 1850 Ma was observed ia the coarsest fraction of a suite Rio Guainia, Itseems obvious to zelate this pre-Parguazan basement with the Trans-Amazon- ian Quogenie Cycle 2100-1800 Ma ago, an important episode ‘ctamomphism during which dand the Brazilian Shield were ed (uURLEY F7 AL, 1967). In Suriname, for exemple, the gxeater part of the shield atea (granitoid intrusions, silicic volcanic rocks and metamorphic rocks) has an age of 1875 + 40 Ma (ees et AL., 1971). Rb-Sr ond K-Ar mineral data. Micas sepatated from granites ‘and gneisses belonging to the Complejo Migmatitico de Mitié display a wide spread in ages (Table IV, Fig. 7). They range from 1445 Ma (K-Ar age of biotite PRA 41) down to 1152 Ma (Rb-Sr age of muscovitelwhole-rock pair PRA 35), but witha clustering between about 1350 Ma and 1250 Ma (Fig. 7). No® difference is apparent between the patterns of mica ages from the three areas, between Rio Vaupés and Rio Caquetd, along Rio Negro-Rio Guainga and along Rio Inirida-Rio Guaviare. ‘The general pattern could be explained in terms of ‘cooling n alternative interpreta tinct thermal (meta ing to a complete or magmatism and tiga is that the mica a ‘about 1309 Ma ago, characterizing the micas in basement socks along the eastern margin of the Shield in, Guyana and western Suriname are interpreted to reflect an ev designated as the Nickerie Metamorphic Episode and related rescting of mica ages has also been reported from northern AL, 1971), An approximately 1300 Ma old event of SQebltes (DE ALMEIDA EI; AL.. 1981). The same event of reselting of mica ages has thus also affected the whole shield basement of the Amazonas region in Colombia, but it is unknown whether this Phenomena such 35sis v “ive istes PRA 1,31, and) pay Rb-SeandlorKeAr agesconierbylowerthan 230Ma,Presumatly.tbeymay | RHYODACITIC LAVAS ——— 7 ike inrsion, some leaching of adiogenic sremur, ee From the Rio Guaviare, to K-Ar bot apes of abot : 1210 Ma have been reported previously (PinsoN ET AL., 1962). . quent “hey ae indaded in the histogram of ip. 7A rusher of [| %e/®%5e whe KArboste apes and one borblende age between abbut _ 1100 Me nd 1160Ma ha als boen determined in Brac east oe and south of Mi on suva memo EF aL, 197). pores ‘The investigated hornblende, from a homblende-biotite mils gneiss in Rio Papurt (PRA 43), yields a K-Ar age of about [°° compor._ $280 Me, This gees not too lar below the ROS ocho a Lr —— sone ‘exposure (Fig. 2), and may be interpreted as approximating ground the imeat which he eootng rock atthe end of the Parguazan 150-700 crise pused though the closure tompersare of hom. meow ‘endear General taken a about 350490 hawt oF AL... 1968; ANDRIESSEN, 1978). 3. Gran a po70, ais un, Cl 1s a Rb-Sr and K-Ar analyses were made on a suite of six samples a the gran from the rhyodacitic lavas exposed over an area of about 300 at slightly t whole rock ata (able V, Fig. 8) define a crude linear array Ret Vnpar ate Ogee Teese oo Oh ear ee (MSWD = 4.4). The Best line corresponds to an age of through the data point sorresponds wo acne or oihe90 Ma weg included 920+90 Ma, but with a high initial "S1/*Sr ratio of 0.73440.01 ("Sr/“Sr)e = 0.734*0.01 (20). Mitd, or G20 ers) Seve fractions (125250 ym) fon the whole 185 Me rocks produce K-Ar ages ranging from 795 Ma to 732 Ma jou (Fable V1), averaging 765 Ma Piraparans show any effects of metamomphismn the nature of SorFound The highintial "SrP*Sr ratio could be explained in terms of _the thyodacitic lavas (phenocrysts of potassium feldspar] However Sr redistribution due toa metamorphic event about 920 Ma ~ seriiized oligoclse and quarts embeded in a very fac] fO%k5 oft ago. leading toa fay high degre ofS topiceguvation grained geoundmas lnigey consang of aber feespnf EE OE through the lavas. If so, the extrusion of the lavas must be does not allow the recognition of a possible metamosphit 22 oo rrlr™rlrl CS ————s = _ rock model ages would lie between 1220 Ma and 1110 Ma, linear arrangement of the Rb-Se datapoints a8 approaching * DQ Hovcier te RbSrand Rat min sites ihe surround theapecste sors, Te gh intel “Sirs tothe py ing basement granites do not reflect a metamorphic event indicates a significant involvement of strontium derived fro: a sot 9 ao Nerd een of he ormcin leslie! robo poco HR Sve 250 rastey _ fave itn FC LUrmrt~r”~—~”r—~—C—~—SCC vars the poor Sane Rea SS TE adogene Ar amaphene*ar Ad See Ne. (Pm) (ppm) _ (uw) (5 WU) (ppb) (Se wral “Ary bodies Te mie mew _ = hon PRA 6 ims 388 Sa ‘ i eae maf ae és : 3 : rie es Ss : 3 specs PRA RS gt? at $ i wercties Peay a :sodacite vas from te ile V). A bestfit in 1 900:290 Ma wit cphisim; the natore o potassium feldspar ded in a very fine} of “ered feldspar Jossiene metamorphi Yo interptet the crud ‘oachin points as appr vial "Sx7°Sr ratio the] crontivin derived ff! hyodactie magma ba savas at Yao Yara, FY ‘peen contaminated with strontium derived from the granitic. gneisicbasement, which was already atleast some 600 Ma old fat the time of the volcanism. The scatter of the Rb-Sr ata-points about the best-fit line could be explained by a variable addition of contaminant older strontium to subse- quent lava flows, ‘Whether the K-Ar ages have any geological meaning semains a matter of speculation, ‘The rather narrow range in the ages might suggest that they date the expulsion of previously accumulated radiogenic argon, possibly due to a ‘mild thermal event about 750-700 Ma ago. However, a major ‘component ofthe rock is potassium feldspar, amineralknown, {ors poor retentivty to radiogenic argon. Loss of radiogenic argon may 2lso have taken place during devitrifcation of the igroundmass. As no other isotopir evidence for an about 750-700 Ma old event is available, it is assumed that the asvow Page 43. Grandfiros del Tijereto ‘This unit has been named after the exposure of Raudal ‘Tijerctoin the Rio Caquets. The Rb-Sr data of asample from the granophytic granite at this “type location’ (PRA 52) plot slightly below the 1560 Ma line of the Complejo Migmatitico ‘de Mini (Table Il, Fig, 2). Taking into account the limits of error, it cannot be decided whether this granite should be included in the granitic suites of the Complejo Migmatitico de Mit, or is significantly younger (model age of the sample: 1495 Ma). The latter interpretation finds support in the intrusive nature of the granophyric granite towards the surrounding gneisses of the Complejo Migmatitico de Mit However, a correlation of this granite with the silicic voleanic, rocks of the Formacin Piraparand, as suggested by MUGUETT ETAL. (1979), becomes highly unlikely considering the Rb-Sr data, 4, Diques Diabésicos Rb-Stinvestigaions were made on five samples of mafic rocks [four gabbroieidoleritic and one hybrid rock designated as spessartite) from five intrusions distributed over a distance of some 250 km berween Rio Vaupés and Rio Apaporis. All lnave intruded granites and gneisses of the Complejo Mig- matitica de Mitd, but for three intrusions (PRA 13.38 and 43) he poor exposure of the outcrop makes it impossible to wmphene “AP total “At) 76, 166 lecide whether they represent dikes or larger intrusive At bodies. ‘The other two (PRA 39 and 42) are clearly dikes. No _Eixinonteltionhip Ss shown by the Rb-Sr whole rock data-points (Table VII, Fig. 9). ‘An interpretation of these data remains 2 matter of ‘lation. It is possible that the intrusions are genetically Ta irelaed sod represent separate episodes of maf mazma- jm: assuming an initial 'Sr/Sr ratio of 0.705. the Rb-Sr 20 » BASIC INTRUSIVES en O70 1225 May 7 Rb / Sr > as LoS Fig. Plot of RbSr whole-rock data of mafic intrusive reeks (Table vim 1s. sions are ofthe same age. Ifs0, the scatter of the data-points may be accounted for by contamination of the intruding ‘magma with varying proportions of stront#um derived from | the Parguazan granitic-gneissie basement. All samples plot in 2 zone bounded by lines corresponding to ages of about 1180, | ‘Ma and 1225 Ma, which could be interpreted as indicating an intrusion age of about 1200 Ma with initial "Sef*Sr ranging from about 0.704 to 0.707 CHRONOLOGY AND CONCLUSIONS ‘Onithe basis ofthe isotopic age data reported in this paper. the {following generalized chronology of the Guiana Shield in | southeastern Colombia is set up: 1. Pre-Parguazan (older than about 1560 Ma) No distinct ages older than about 1560 Ma have been observed, but many granites and gneisses betray the presence TABLE VU Rost spolesoct dt tom maf nine | Soe, Roar Rae I Be Gam pm) ew } was wa | fos one ta Sa hie ost ois one oes20 of older radiogenic srontium. Also, some zircons contain Shaer radiogenic lead, possibly wth a minimam age of about $850 Ma. Froth the Rb-Sr systematics inthe graniticfgneissic basement along the Rio Negro and the Rio Gusinia @ fninimum age of about 1780 Ma may be inferred for the pre Parguazan basement. The older basement is probably elated to the Trans-Amazonian Orogenic Cycle 2100-1800 Ma ag0. 2. Parguazan high-grade metamorphism and granitic magma: ‘ism (about 1560-1450 Ma ago) U-Pb zircon and Rb-Sr whole-rock studies indicate an age of “about 1560 Ma for the granitic magmatism near Miti and the high-grade metamorphism (gneissification) along the Rio Papuri, an age of about 1480 Ma for the granitic magmatism near Puerto Infrida, and a (maximum) age of about 1450 Ma for the high-grade metamorphism (gneissification, migmati- zation) along the Rio Negro and the Rio Guainfa. The shield ‘basement in the whole region was thus principally formed during a major episode of high-grade metamorphism, migmaa- tization and granitic plutonism between about 1560 Ma and 1450 Ma ago, an episode also recognized in Venezuela and. Brazil and designated os the Parguazan tectonomagmatic event. Most of the older, pre-Parguazan age record has been obliterated by isotopic resetting during this episode. 3. Nickerie Metamorphic Episode (about 1300 Ma ago} Bioties and muscovites of the Parguazan granites and gneisses all over the region display younger Rb-Sr and K-Ar ages, clustering berween about 1350 Ma and 1250 Ma. These ages are attributed to isotopic resetting due to an event of regional low-grade metamorphism about 1300 Ma ago. The event is also recognized ip the eastern and southern Guiana Shield, where it has been designated as the Nickerie Meta ‘morphic Episode and the Jari-Balsino Episode, respective y. 4. Mofic magmatism (? about 1200 Ma ago) ‘The Rb-Sr whole-rock systematics of samples from a number of mafic intrusives are interpreted as registering an age of ‘about 1200 Ma, with inital "Se/*Sr ranging from about 0.704 t0 0.707. 5. Piraparerd voleanism (about 920 Ma ago) “The Rb-Sr wholerock systematics of a suite of rhyodacitie lavas from the Rio Vsupés suggest an extrusion age of about 920 Ma, Rhyodstitc lavas, pyroclastics and sediments of the Formacién Piraparané overlie the shield basement in a arto, about 250 km long, SSW trending zone south of Mita. From the isotopic age data reported in this paper itis thus concluded that the Guiana Shield (which underlies the ‘Amazonas region of Colombia) during its development ‘patsed through at least two major orogenic episodes. The first episode can probably be related to the Trans-Amazonian Orogenic Cycle, about 2100-1800 Ma ago. A thorough metamorphic reworking of the Trans-Amazonian basement took place during the Parguazan tectonomagmatic episode 3 about 1560-1450 Ma ago. The formation ofthe Guiana shield basement results esseatially from the highgrade metamor phism and large-scale granitic pluronism in Parguazan time. “Tis stresses again the importance of the Parguazan tctono- tmagiatic episode inthe evolution ofthe Precambrian crustal rucleus of northem South America (cf. GAUDEFTE ET AL, 78). “Tne overprising of mica ages due tothe Nickerie Meta- morphie Episode extends over a large area, from the Colom- ban Amazones region into westero Venezuels (HURLEY ET 2, 1973; eavberTe rr at., 1978) and northern Brazil (Os snuva raseo rr At. 1976; De ALMEIDA EFA 1981) Similar Cverprint ages have been reported from basement rocks fndelying the Amazonas basin (KovACI ET AL. 1976). It Scems probable that this area of Nickerie overprin ages Finks with that of westemn Suriname and Guyana (PREM ET Aly 1971), but to the authors knowledge no mica age determina tions are-avalable at the present from basement rocks bberwcen these two w ely separated areas In any case, itean scarcely be doubted thatthe Nickerie low-grade metamor- Phirm about 1300 Ma ago affeced much of the Guiana Shield “The thorough metamorphic reworking ofthe whole shield basement inthe Colombian Amazonas repfon berwcen about 1560 Ma and 1450 Ma ago raises doubts about the alleged condlation of the ridges of areraccous (meta)sediments overlying the basement, designated as the Formacién Rorai- tna and the Formacién La Pedrera, with the Roraima Formaci6n in Venezuela, Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname ‘According to HUGUETT EF At. (2979), both sequences begia wrth a basal conglomerate overlying the granie-gneissc basement. These authors also report that pei layers inthe FormaciSn La Pedrera and the lower part ofthe Formaciés “Roraima dplay an incipient verylow-grade (thermal) met morphism, but thatthe higher part ofthe liter sequence 8 om metamorphic. This absence of significant metamorphi {eseting isincompotible with the migmatizavioninthe allegz4 banal eoaglomerste ofthe Formaciin Roraima repored fron] some places between the Rio Incda and the Rio Gust (COGEMA, personal communication); it seems therefor Tkely that these migmatized conglomerates 60 n0t #ep1 the basal eonslomerate of the Formacia Roraima, bat {2% pavtof the underlying basement: metaconglomerates, part Ty migmatined, have been observed at many places in Complejo Migmatitico de Mite (XUGUETT ET Ate 1979) very low-grade metamorphism or unmetamorphosed nay even by t ork torn| (quGUETTET AL, 1979) suggests that itis hardly Ukely that the sequences should have gone through the Parguazan event of High-grade metamomphism that reconstituted the underlying basement. Both sequences must therefore have been depos: j1ed afier the termination of the Parguazan episode sbout 3450 Ma ago, when the originally deep-seated Parguazan pssement was already brought to the Earth’s surface by ‘erosion Of the higher-lying erust. The very-low-grade meta- ‘morphism is probably related to the Nickerie Metamorphic Episode about 1300Ms ago, which implies that the sequences were deposited between about 1450 Ma and 1300 Ma ago. If \de_a correlation of the Formaciéa La Peder snmacién Roraima with the lithologically similar Roraima Formation that overlies the eastem Gviana the age ofthis Formation, which was d evelopme: ‘odes. The frst ns-Amazonian ‘A thoreilgh nian basement } atic episode Guiana shield J ade metamor- rpvazan time. sezan teclon0- brian crustal ‘DENTE ET Atey licketie Meta- smthe Colom- | 3000-2800 Ma old, Trans-Amezonian basement, has been, te (uumuey er | esablshed at 1655 = 18 em Brazil (DA 198" Similar sem. rocks nu, 1976) It wnt ages tink “pra BF Atos ge determina. sement rocks ny eae itean nde metamor- F the Guiana ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS sshote shield | The rocks investigated inthis study were collected during a ‘esweenabout | number of expeditions, partly in the coure of geological ‘tine alleged | mapping by one ofthe asthors (F. de B.) and partly daring special sampling tips by two other authors (H.N-AP. and Secion Rorai- | A.H.). Logistic! support during the field work was suplied the Roraima | bythe Instituto Geogratico “Agustin Codsza, Bogotd, the Ja Suriname. | Cofombian Air Force, the Comisario del Vaupés, andthe voenees begin J Comisario de! Guainia. Funds for the field work, transport and analysis ofthe samples were provided by the Direcie cta)sediments fay inthe | Internationale Technische Hulp (D.L-T.H.) of the Nether- ye Formaci6n f lands government. The Royal Netherlands Embassy in Bogo- Jermal) meta- J t4 arranged the shipment of the samples to Amsterdam. 1 sequence is } Thanks are due to the director of the Instituto de Investiga Inetamorphic | ciones Geolégico- Mineras (INGEOMINAS), Bogot4, for his {nthe alleged | continvous encouragement, and to Dr. Carlos Céceres Giséa and Ir. Aemout Weeda, managers of PRORADAM, for invaluable help in the preparation and day-to-day suppor of the field work. The expert blasting of the sampling outcrops by Sergeant José Harvey Marin, Colombian Army, is wna. but form | #¢knowledeed. Permission for publication of this repart was sites, pari | ven by the dizector of PRORADAM. The isoxopic dating slaces in the | ¥ork forms par of the research program of the Stichting voor Pn}o79). The Kotopen-Geologisch Ondergoek, supported by the Nether- lds Organization for the Advancement of Pure Research (Zwo). ‘ported from Rio Guainia ims therefore rosed nature REFERE} CES Andtiewsen, PLA. M. 1978 Isotopic age relations within the polymetamerphic complex of the island of Naxos (Cyclades, Greece) ~ Verh, nt. 3 ZWO Lab, Teot. Geol, Amsterdam 160, : ‘Auden, J. W. & N.H. Gale 1924 New electrochemical technique for the seperation of Pb trace levels from natural silicates Ana. Chem, 46:29, @ Barnes, 1.L., T-1. Murphy, J. W. Gromlich de W. R. Shields 1973 [Lead separation by anodic deposition and isotopic ratio mass spectometry of microgram and smaller samples ~ Anal. Che 25: 1881-1654 Boel, N. ATM, R. P. Kuijper & J. B. W. Wileos 1979 Expressions forthe calculation of error elles ~ Appendix 3, ‘Verh. nr. 4 ZWO Lab. Isot. Geol, Amsterdam: 82-87 Da Silva Pinheiro, $.,P- B.C. A. Femandes, E.R. Pereira, E.G, ‘Vasconcelos, A. Do Carino Piato, R. M. G. De Mon'=Ivi0, R. S. Isler. 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Bul. £2: 1667-1680. 1973 Age ofthe Preeamigian Roraima Formation in ports aii Souity Americ: evidence from isotopic dating of Rorsima _pyrodatic woeanic rocks in Surinaae ~ Geo. Sos. Am. Bull “BAS 1677-1684 ae PRORADAM 1979 La Amazonia Colombiana y sus recursos ~ Proyesto Radargramétrica del Amazonas, Bogots, 590 pP. Shields. W. . 1966 Technical Note No. 227 US. National Bureau of Standards 4 sonmeraer.5.19%6Die chemise psa Saba ‘et Zirkone und ihr U-(Th)-Pb System — Ph. D. thesis E.T-H., Zant 1) ve Pn. 977 accuray of Kray une se aE ian of Ro me concenons Fok mands ay Spe 6 ELD oe en REL i sete ntaceig See f° re eraton of bey mera = Mio Mag 3S! fess BS Attoproved asmmeiay eang wnit ort Franz | | ~— sre ap Sepcnber 19, WO Lab. ot. Gel — rr ————C ‘acpi Br Ta etn Ea Planet. 56 et 2 ABA TING aa eearstngofuanagnestteondnedero ease Seen soe