The Gemeric S-type granites in southeastern Slovakia: Late Palaeozoic or Alpine intrusions? Evidence from electron-microprobe dating of monazite

The method of total-Pb monazite dating by means of the electron microprobe has been applied to broadly constrain the age of granite samples from the G emeric tectonic unit in southeastern Slovakia. The aim was to determine whe ther these granites intruded in the late Palaeozoic or during the Alpine or ogeny in the Cretaceous. Both views are currently held in the geological li terature. Monazites from three different localities consistently yielded Pe rmian Th-U-Pb model ages, with weighted averages for single samples at 272 +/- 11 Ma, 276 +/- 13 Ma and 273 +/- 13 Ma. The results thus suggest that t he S-type granites of the Gemericum formed essentially in mid-Permian times .