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Abstract
In-situ U-Pb secondary ion mass spectrometry (IN-SIMS) was performed on both micro-baddeleyite and micro-zircon from mafic samples of the Leeward Antilles islands of Aruba, Curaao, Bonaire, and Gran Roque in order to gain a better understanding of the temporal evolution of both the Caribbean large igneous province (CLIP) and early arc magmatism. IN-SIMS analysis of CLIP samples from Aruba, Curaao, and Gran Roque indicate a ~30 m.y. span of CLIP magmatism from the Aptian to Coniacian (ca. 115-87 Ma). The extensive duration of CLIP magmatism argues against the formation of the CLIP within a few million years (e.g. Sinton et al., 1998; Kerr et al., 2003). IN-SIMS geochronological results from Bonaire in addition to U-Pb SHRIMP data from Wright and Wyld (2010) indicate that early arc activity occurred on Bonaire from the Albian to Cenomanian (ca. 112-95 Ma).