Aj. Tulloch et al., Relationships between the Brook Street Terrane and Median Tectonic Zone (Median Batholith): evidence from Jurassic conglomerates, NZ J GEOL, 42(2), 1999, pp. 279-293
U-Pb zircon ages of 237-180 Ma and c. 280 Ma of seven granitoid clasts from
the Rainy River Conglomerate which lies within the eastern Median Tectonic
Zone (Median Batholith) in Nelson, and the Barretts Formation of the Brook
Street Terrane in Southland, constrain the depositional ages of both units
to be no older than c. 180-200 Ma (Early Jurassic). The minimum age of the
Rainy River Conglomerate is constrained by the 147 +2 -1 Ma (latest Jurass
ic) emplacement age of the One Mile Gabbronorite (new name: previously west
ern Buller Diorite). The ages and chemistry of five of the granitoid clasts
are broadly compatible with derivation from rocks that are now represented
by Triassic plutons of the Median Tectonic Zone (Median Batholith), althou
gh ages as young as 180 Ma are slightly outside the range of the latter as
currently exposed in New Zealand. The age (273-290 Ma, 237 +/- 3 Ma) and ch
emistry of the other two clasts tone each from Rainy River Conglomerate and
Barretts Formation) suggest derivation from the Brook Street Terrane. Simi
larity in stratigraphic age, depositional characteristics, granitoid clast
ages and composition between Rainy River Conglomerate and Barretts Formatio
n suggests that they are broadly correlative and collectively overlapped a
combined Brook Street Terrane - Median Batholith (MTZ) before the Late Jura
ssic (147 +2 -1 Ma). Sedimentary overlap may also have continued across to
Middle Jurassic conglomeratic strata in the Murihiku Terrane to the east of
the Brook Street Terrace. A U-Pb zircon age of 261 +/- 2 Ma is reported fo
r Pourakino Trondhjemite of the Brook Street Terrane.