Sherlock, Sarah C. Strachan, Rob A. Jones, Kevin A. High spatial resolution <sup>40</sup>Ar/<sup>39</sup>Ar dating of pseudotachylites: geochronological evidence for multiple phases of faulting within basement gneisses of the Outer Hebrides (UK) <p>Pseudotachylites within the Neoarchaean to Palaeoproterozoic basement of the Lewisian Gneiss Complex have been analysed using the high spatial resolution <sup>40</sup>Ar/<sup>39</sup>Ar UV laserprobe technique. It has been possible to measure <sup>40</sup>Ar/<sup>39</sup>Ar age and ‘apparent' age variations that would be beyond resolution by lower spatial resolution or bulk <sup>40</sup>Ar/<sup>39</sup>Ar dating methods. We report a range of complexities including significantly younger narrow (<1 mm) margins on much older pseudotachylite veins, and heterogeneous excess argon contamination. We also report pseudotachylite veins of varying magnitudes that have been subject to later thermal reheating, whereby there is a relationship between vein thickness and extent of argon loss. In spite of these it is still possible to determine geologically meaningful <sup>40</sup>Ar/<sup>39</sup>Ar ages for pseudotachylite-forming events. In Lewis the <em>c</em>. 1900 Ma event may relate to early stages of Laxfordian reworking. In Barra and South Uist a 1300–1200 Ma event is recorded, whereas in Barra, South and North Uist a second event is recorded at <em>c</em>. 700 Ma, which is likely to be associated with NW- and west-directed thrusting, and could represent far-field effects of tectonic events recorded at this time east of the Moine Thrust in NW Scotland. </p> tectonic events;geochronological evidence;South Uist;1900 Ma event;argon loss;pseudotachylite veins;700 Ma;UV;UK;Outer Hebrides;Laxfordian reworking;basement gneisses;NW Scotland;vein thickness;age variations;argon contamination;report pseudotachylite veins;Moine Thrust;North Uist;Ar;Lewisian Gneiss Complex;Palaeoproterozoic basement;Geology 2016-06-21
    https://geolsoc.figshare.com/articles/dataset/High_spatial_resolution_sup_40_sup_Ar_sup_39_sup_Ar_dating_of_pseudotachylites_geochronological_evidence_for_multiple_phases_of_faulting_within_basement_gneisses_of_the_Outer___Hebrides_UK_/3454718
10.6084/m9.figshare.3454718.v1