Geoscience Australia has released the first isotopic maps of the Australian continent, perhaps the first for any continent. The maps are based on the samarium-neodymium (Sm-Nd) isotopic signature of felsic igneous rocks, providing a proxy which enables regional-scale mapping of the crust and crustal growth. Geoscience Australia Record 2013/44, with accompanying downloadable isotopic datasets and images, details the theory behind the methodology, the advantages and disadvantages of the technique, as well as comparing results of the isotopic map with current knowledge of Australian crustal blocks and tectonics. It also investigates the potential of the isotopic map for identifying metallogenic regions, with examples regarding nickel, volcanogenic massive sulphide, iron ore-copper-gold and porphyry copper-gold mineral systems.
The Neodymium depleted mantle model age map of Australia: explanatory notes and user guide is available as a free download.