NEOPROTEROZOIC SINISTRAL DISPLACEMENT ALONG THE DARLING MOBILE BELT, WESTERN-AUSTRALIA, DURING GONDWANALAND ASSEMBLY

Evidence is provided for Neoproterozoic sinistral displacement along the Darling Mobile Belt between Greater India and Precambrian terranes of Western Australia. A dilatational bend in the shear zone is thought to have controlled emplacement of alkali granites, anorthosite and mafic intrusives of the Leeuwin Complex which was deformed during progressive deformation. Faults formed in this event extend across the Albany Mobile Belt, and control the formation of the stirling Basin on the southern margin of the Yilgarn Craton. The regional extent of this event and the rotation of Mesoproterozoic trends in the Albany Mobile Belt through 90 degrees suggests that the Darling Mobile Belt may be part of a shear system of regional importance during assembly of proto-East Gondwanaland.