CRATONAL INTERPLAYS IN THE MIRROR OF PRE-MESOZOIC ZIRCON AGE DATABASES

The number of zircon age studies being published from all regions of the planet is consistently growing. Unfortunately, a considerable amount of data of this type is often not utilized for future studies after its publication. Consequently, there is a considerable amount of underutilized data that is waiting to be discovered. An initial compilation of zircon age data (N > 5000, n > 275000) characterizes the circum-Atlantic zircon provinces present prior to, during, and following the formation of the Central and Western European Variscides and coeval processes. These provinces encompass Baltica, the West African, Congo and Kalahari Cratons, Amazonia, and further terrane assemblages including their successors. Therefore, this study aims to present an initial impression of the typical zircon age patterns found in the aforementioned areas.

Despite having collected a significant zircon age database, further effort is necessary to reach the required sample density for mapping primary sediment flux in appropriate spatial and temporal frameworks. This is, nonetheless, a primary goal that will allow for more precise reconstructions of palaeogeographic terrane configurations in conjunction with additional data. At present, the zircon age database permits the identification of the primary zircon provinces and some sub-provinces at a reasonable terrane-scale resolution. The database also identifies distinct zircon age populations that can be used as "unique identifiers", e.g. to distinguish the western and the eastern parts of Cadomia. Additionally, the presented compilation outlines the key zircon age provinces in large parts of the circum-Atlantic.