280–310 Ma rift-related basaltic magmatism in northern Baoshan, SW China: Implications for Gondwana reconstruction and mineral exploration

The temporal and spatial variations of Late Paleozoic basaltic lavas in Baoshan, the northern part of a Gondwana-derived micro-continental block called Sibumasu, are important for Gondwana reconstruction. Magmatic zircon crystals from three selected dolerite dykes in the Baoshan region yield U-Pb ages from ~295 to ~310 Ma. These new ages, together with previous zircon U-Pb ages for this type of rock, define a protracted (~30 myr) episode of...