ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Unravelling complex geologic histories using U–Pb and trace element systematics of titanite Hugo K. H. Olierook1†*, Richard J. M. Taylor1,2, Timmons M. Erickson1,3, Chris Clark1, Steven M. Reddy1, Christopher L. Kirkland1,4, Inalee Jahn1, Milo Barham1 1School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EQ, UK 3Center for Lunar and Space Exploration, Lunar and Planetary Institute – Universities Space Research Association, 3600 Bay Area Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77058, USA 4Centre for Exploration Targeting – Curtin Node; School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia *Corresponding author:
[email protected] Keywords: Sphene; Zircon; Gascoyne; Mutherbukin; geochronology; petrochronology ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Page 1 ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Abstract Unravelling the spatio-temporal evolution of orogenic terranes requires a comprehensive understanding of the duration and extent of metamorphic events and hydrothermal alteration. Commonly used minerals such as zircon and monazite may not fully record geological histories in complex tectonic settings because their elemental constituents do not react under many metamorphic and metasomatic conditions. Here, we complement the current geochronological record of the Capricorn Orogen, Western Australia, with titanite U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry of felsic intrusive rocks to draw conclusions about the use of titanite in understanding the evolution of orogenic terranes. Because titanite usually incorporates common- Pb and may be variably reset by multiple metamorphic and hydrothermal events, a workflow is provided here for the systematic and robust interpretation of titanite U–Pb data. The addition of trace element data in titanite is particularly effective for differentiating whether a grain is igneous, recrystallized or metamorphic.