Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Evidence of major sulphate evaporite deposits in the Proterozoic McArthur Group, Northern Territory, Australia

Nature volume 265, pages 526–529 (1977)Cite this article

Abstract

WE report the occurrence of extensive sulphate evaporite relicts from the McArthur Group (1,600–1,400 Myr old), Northern Territory (16° 30′S: 135° 30′ E approx), Australia. The McArthur Group comprises a sequence of carbonates, shales, siltstones and sandstones, with a minor volcanic component, of mid-Proterozoic sediments and includes the huge H.Y.C. stratiform Pb–Zn–Ag deposit1.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Murray, W. J., in Economic Geology of Australia and Papua New Guinea I. Metals. (edit. by Knight, C. L.), Australas. Inst. Min. Metall., Melbourne, (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Cloud, P. E. Jr., Science, 160, 729 (1968) Am. J. Sci., 272 (1972).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Wells, A. T., Forman, D. J., Ranford, L. C., and Cook, P. J. Bur. Miner. Res. Aust. Bull., 100, (1970).

  4. Thorsteinsson, R., and Tozer, E. T. Geol. Surv. Canada, Mem., 330, 1–85 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Stewart, A. J. Bur. Miner. Res. Aust. Record 1974/145 (1974). (unpublished).

  6. Tucker, M. E. Sed. Geol., 16, (3), 193 (1976).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Siedlecka, A. Sed. Geol., 16, (3), 161 (1976).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Hoffman, P. F. Geol. Surv. Canada, Papers 68–42, 1–93 (1968).

  9. Bell, R. T., and Jackson, G. D. Canad. J. Earth Sci., 11, 722 (1974).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. Wood, J., in Huronian Stratigraphy and Sedimentation, (edit. by Young, G. M.). Geol. Assoc. Canada, Spec. Paper, 12, 73 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bertrand-Sarfati, J. C. r. somm. Soc. geol. Fr., fasc. 3, 99–101 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Smith, J. W. Bur. Miner. Res. Aust., Explan. Notes SE/53-3, (1964).

  13. Plumb, K. A., and Rhodes, J. M. Bur. Miner. Res. Aust., Expla. Notes, SF/53-7, (1964).

  14. Cotton, R. E., in Geology of Australian Ore Deposits, 197 (edit. by McAndrew, A.), Proc. 8th Empire Min. Metall. Congr., Melbourne, (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Masson, P. H. J. Sed. Petrol., 25, 72 (1955).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Shearman, D. J. Trans. Inst. Min. Metall. (Sect. B, Appl. Earth Sci.), 75, 208 (1966).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Kinsman, D. J. J., in Proc. 2nd. Symp. on Salt, (edit. by Rau, J.) I, 302 (Cleveland Ohio, N. Ohio Geological Society, 1966).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Shearman, D. J., and Fuller, J. G. Bull. Canad. Petrol. Geol., 17, 4, 469 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Kinsman, D. J. J. Bull., Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol., 53, 830–840 (1969).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Plumb, K. A., and Brown, M. C. Bur. Miner. Res. Aust. Bull., 139, 103 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  21. Kastner, M., Am. Mineral., 55, 2128–2130 (1970).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Michel-Lévy, M., and Munier, C. C. r., Acad. Sci., Paris, 110, 649–652 (1890).

    Google Scholar 

  23. Chowns, T. M., and Elkins, J. E. J. Sed. Petrol., 44, 885 (1974).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Brown, M. C., and Plumb, K. A. Bur. Miner. Res. Aust., Record 1969/145, (1969) (unpublished).

  25. Plumb, K. A., and Derrick, G. M., in Economic Geology of Australia and Papua New Guinea. I. Metals, (edit. by Knight, C. L.), 217 (Australas. Inst. Min. Metall., Melbourne, 1975).

    Google Scholar 

  26. Croxford, N. J. W., Janecek, J., Muir, M. D., and Plumb, K. A. Nature, 245, 28 (1973).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  27. Hamilton, L. H., and Muir, M. D. Mineralium Deposita, 1, 83 (1974).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  28. Muir, M. D. Origins of Life, 5, 105 (1974); Alcheringa, 1, 149 (1976).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Bolton, B. R., Honours Thesis, Flinders University, Adelaide, (1975) (unpublished).

  30. Davidson, C. F. Econ. Geol., 60, 942 (1965).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Renfro, A. R. Econ. Geol., 69, 33 (1974).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Williams, N., Ph. D. Thesis, Yale University, (1976) (unpublished).

  33. Carpenter, A. B., Trout, M. I., Pickett, E. E., Econ. Geol., 69, 1191 (1974).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Lambert, I. B., and Scott, K. M., J. Geochem. Explor., 2, 307 (1973).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Carpentaria Exploration Company Pty Ltd, P.O. Box 7, Cloncurry, Queensland, Australia, 4824

    R. N. WALKER

  2. Geology Department, Royal School of Mines, Prince Consort Road, London, UK

    M. D. MUIR & W. L. DIVER

  3. Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, P. O. Box 4, Canberra, A.C.T., Australia, 2600

    N. WILLIAMS

  4. Carpentaria Exploration Company Pty Ltd, P. O. Box 113, Madang, Papua New Guinea

    N. WILKINS

Authors
  1. R. N. WALKER
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. D. MUIR
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. W. L. DIVER
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. N. WILLIAMS
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. N. WILKINS
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

WALKER, R., MUIR, M., DIVER, W. et al. Evidence of major sulphate evaporite deposits in the Proterozoic McArthur Group, Northern Territory, Australia. Nature 265, 526–529 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/265526a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/265526a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing