The timing and tectonic context of Pan-African gem bearing pegmatites in Malawi: Evidence from Rb–Sr and U–Pb geochronology

Abstract

The Pan-African belts of Malawi contain a largely unexplored endowment of gem bearing pegmatites. We present U–Pb in zircon (LA-ICPMS) and Rb–Sr mineral isochron geochronological and isotope data from pegmatites across Malawi. The pegmatites contain tourmaline, beryl, aquamarine, zircon, amethyst and sunstone as gemstone species. Two zircon bearing pegmatites in southern Malawi intruded early in the Pan-African orogenic cycle at 719 ± 5 Ma and 729 ± 4 Ma and are associated with the emplacement of alkaline rocks that formed during an intra-continental rifting episode in the eastern part of former Rodinia. One further zircon pegmatite containing inherited zircon of a similar age (746 ± 44 Ma) was emplaced at 598 ± 15 Ma, after the assembly of Western and Eastern Gondwana and the formation of the East African Orogen (EAO). The majority of the analysed pegmatites, however, are significantly younger.