Results of U–Pb dating of zircons from wehrlite of the platinum-bearing Feklistov massif (Shantar Archipelago, Russia)

Abstract

The compositional and isotope–geochemical features of zircons from wehrlite of the Feklistov massif, which formed platinum coastal placers, are discussed in this paper for the first time. Zircons from wehrlite of the Feklistov massif, similarly to worldwide zoned clinopyroxenite–dunite massifs, are characterized by different morphology, composition and a wide spectrum of ages (from 2.717 to 0.373 Ga). The Late Devonian age (373.2 ± 7.5 Ma) of zircons allows us to characterize the timing of the formation of wehrlite from the Feklistov massif and to correlate its emplacement with a significant superplume event, which covered the Siberia and Laurussia continents. The geological meaning of this dating refers to limiting the lower age boundary for emplacement of the Feklistov clinopyroxenite–dunite massif into the Earth’s crust, which does not contradict geological observations.