FERRAR MAGMATIC PROVINCE ROCKS DISCOVERED IN NEW-ZEALAND - IMPLICATIONS FOR MESOZOIC GONDWANA GEOLOGY

On the basis of similar ages, major and trace element concentrations, and Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic ratios, we correlate the Kirwans Dolerite of western New Zealand with Jurassic low-Ti tholeiites of the well-kno wn Ferrar magmatic province of Gondwana. Field relations and prelimina ry paleomagnetic data also support this correlation. Although the 1 km 2 Kirwans Dolerite is the first, and so far only, Ferrar correlative t o be reported from New Zealand, it considerably increases the known sh ape and areal extent of the Ferrar province to close to the paleo-Gond wana margin. The presence of Ferrar rocks in New Zealand can be used t o test several models of Ferrar magma genesis and Gondwana regional te ctonics.