First Results of U–Pb LA–ICP–MS Isotope Dating of Detrital Zircons from Arkose Sandstone of the Biryan Subformation of Zilmerdak Formation (Upper Riphean, South Urals)

Abstract

Detrital zircons (DZs) from arkose sandstones of the Upper Riphean Zilmerdak Formation (Southern Urals) yielded ages in the range of 3039–964 Ma. Grains with Late Karelian and Early and Middle Riphean ages compose 35, 34, and 26% of the total number of the analyzed zircons, respectively. This is similar to the age spectra of the Vendian sandstones (Asha Group), but it differs significantly from the age distribution typical of the Riphean stratotype sandstones.