Age of Cenozoic basalts

Twenty-five samples dated by the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method, a subset of a larger set of 109 samples of Tasmanian Cenozoic basalts, were selected for detailed petrological study, including major, trace element and isotopic (Sr, Nd, Pb) analysis, at Macquarie University.

All samples were analysed for major and trace element analyses at Mineral Resources Tasmania (MRT) laboratories by x-ray fluorescence (XRF) using standard techniques. Eleven samples were also analysed at Macquarie University by XRF, and one in duplicate at MRT. In each case, results are in good to excellent agreement.

Trace elements of all samples were also determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICPMS) at Macquarie University. Results are in good to excellent agreement with XRF results.

The purpose of this report is to fully document the geochronological data and supporting information for these 25 dated samples.

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