The Makhonjwa Mountains, traditionally referred to as the Barberton Greenstone Belt, retain an iconic Paleoarchean archive against which numerical models of early earth geodynamics can be tested. We present new geolog...The Makhonjwa Mountains, traditionally referred to as the Barberton Greenstone Belt, retain an iconic Paleoarchean archive against which numerical models of early earth geodynamics can be tested. We present new geologic and structural maps, geochemical plots, geo- and thermo-chronology, and geophysical data from seven silicic, mafic to ultramafic complexes separated by major shear systems across the southern Makhonjwa Mountains. All reveal signs of modern oceanic back-arc crust and subductionrelated processes. We compare the rates of processes determined from this data and balance these against plate tectonic and plume related models. Robust rates of both horizontal and vertical tectonic processes derived from the Makhonjwa Mountain complexes are similar, well within an order of magnitude, to those encountered across modern oceanic and orogenic terrains flanking Western Pacific-like subduction zones. We conclude that plate tectonics and linked plate-boundary processes were well established by 3.2-3.6 Ga. Our work provides new constraints for modellers with rates of a 'basket' of processes against which to test Paleoarchean geodynamic models over a time period close to the length of the Phanerozoic.展开更多
Greenstone belts contain several clues about the evolutionary history of primitive Earth.Here,we describe the volcano-sedimentary rock association exposed along the eastern margin of the Gavião Block,named the No...Greenstone belts contain several clues about the evolutionary history of primitive Earth.Here,we describe the volcano-sedimentary rock association exposed along the eastern margin of the Gavião Block,named the Northern Mundo Novo Greenstone Belt(N-MNGB),and present data collected with different techniques,including U–Pb–Hf–O isotopes of zircon and multiple sulfur isotopes(^(32)S,^(33)S,^(34)S,and ^(36)S)of pyrite from this supracrustal sequence.A pillowed metabasalt situated in the upper section of the N-MNGB is 3337±25 Ma old and has zircon with ε_(Hf)(t)=2.47 to1.40,Hf model ages between 3.75 Ga and 3.82 Ga,and δ^(18)O=+3.6‰to+7.3‰.These isotopic data,together with compiled whole-rock trace element data,suggest that the mafic metavolcanic rocks formed in a subduction-related setting,likely a back-arc basin juxtaposed to a continental arc.In this context,the magma interacted with older Eoarchean crustal components from the Gavião Block.Detrital zircons from the overlying quartzites of the Jacobina Group are sourced from Paleoarchean rocks,in accordance with previous studies,yielding a maximum depositional age of 3353±22 Ma.These detrital zircons have ε_(Hf)(t)=5.40 to0.84,Hf model ages between 3.66 Ga and 4.30 Ga,and δ^(18)O=+4.8‰to+6.4‰.The pyrite multiple sulfur isotope investigation of the 3.3 Ga supracrustal rocks from the N-MNGB enabled a further understanding of Paleoarchean sulfur cycling.The samples have diverse isotopic compositions that indicate sulfur sourced from distinct reservoirs.Significantly,they preserve the signal of the anoxic Archean atmosphere,expressed by MIF-S signatures(Δ^(33)S between1.3‰to+1.4‰)and a Δ^(36)S/Δ^(33)S slope of0.81 that is indistinguishable from the so-called Archean array.A BIF sample has a magmatic origin of sulfur,as indicated by the limited Δ^(34)S range(0 to+2‰),Δ^(33)S~0‰,and Δ^(36)S~0‰.A carbonaceous schist shows positive Δ^(34)S(2.1‰–3.5‰)and elevated Δ^(33)S(1.2‰–1.4‰)values,with corresponding negative Δ^(36)S between1.2‰to0.2‰,which resemble the isotopic composition of Archean black shales and suggest a source from the photolytic reduction of elemental sulfur.The pillowed metabasalt displays heterogeneous Δ^(34)S,Δ^(33)S,and Δ^(36)S signatures that reflect assimilation of both magmatic sulfur and photolytic sulfate during hydrothermal seafloor alteration.Lastly,pyrite in a massive sulfide lens is isotopically similar to barite of several Paleoarchean deposits worldwide,which might indicate mass dependent sulfur processing from a global and well-mixed sulfate reservoir at this time.展开更多
Petrological,chronological and geotectonic geological analysis of Precambrian metamorphic rock in Korean Peninsula shows that the remnants(>3.4 Ga) of continental nuclei crust were formed in the Paleoarchean in the...Petrological,chronological and geotectonic geological analysis of Precambrian metamorphic rock in Korean Peninsula shows that the remnants(>3.4 Ga) of continental nuclei crust were formed in the Paleoarchean in the Rangrim Massif.In the massif,the main formation ages of continental crust range from 3.2 Ga to 2.5 Ga,its important growing period was 2.8-2.5 Ga.The subsequent expansion period of the Rangrim Massif was 2.4-2.2 Ga.The division events occurred in 1.85 Ga and in the Late Paleoproterozoic--Early Mesopro-terozoic,respectively.Since then the massif was relatively stable.However,the last division of the Rangrim Massif occurred at 793 Ma.展开更多
基金funded from 1978 by the SACUGS (South African Committee for the International Union of Geological Sciences)on behalf of the CSIR (Council for scientific and Industrial Research)funding continued through the South African FRD(Foundation for Research and Development)+7 种基金the NRF(National Research Foundation)NRF funding was largely met through the joint SA-German Inkaba yeAfrica programfunded through the Global Change Program of DST(Department of Science and Technology)funded through the Norwegian Research Councilthe Meltzer Fund(University of Bergen)funding from the Centre for Geobiology, University of Bergenfunded through Cor LangereisAndrew Biggin (University Utrecht) by the Dutch ALWNWO (Aarden Levenswetenschappen division of the Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek)
文摘The Makhonjwa Mountains, traditionally referred to as the Barberton Greenstone Belt, retain an iconic Paleoarchean archive against which numerical models of early earth geodynamics can be tested. We present new geologic and structural maps, geochemical plots, geo- and thermo-chronology, and geophysical data from seven silicic, mafic to ultramafic complexes separated by major shear systems across the southern Makhonjwa Mountains. All reveal signs of modern oceanic back-arc crust and subductionrelated processes. We compare the rates of processes determined from this data and balance these against plate tectonic and plume related models. Robust rates of both horizontal and vertical tectonic processes derived from the Makhonjwa Mountain complexes are similar, well within an order of magnitude, to those encountered across modern oceanic and orogenic terrains flanking Western Pacific-like subduction zones. We conclude that plate tectonics and linked plate-boundary processes were well established by 3.2-3.6 Ga. Our work provides new constraints for modellers with rates of a 'basket' of processes against which to test Paleoarchean geodynamic models over a time period close to the length of the Phanerozoic.
基金the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development(CNPq)for financial support(grants 163459/2013-4 and 202267/2014-8 for G.S Teles and 305053/2014-0 for F.Chemale Jr.)the Australian Research Council(ARC)(grant DP140103393 for T.R.Ireland)。
文摘Greenstone belts contain several clues about the evolutionary history of primitive Earth.Here,we describe the volcano-sedimentary rock association exposed along the eastern margin of the Gavião Block,named the Northern Mundo Novo Greenstone Belt(N-MNGB),and present data collected with different techniques,including U–Pb–Hf–O isotopes of zircon and multiple sulfur isotopes(^(32)S,^(33)S,^(34)S,and ^(36)S)of pyrite from this supracrustal sequence.A pillowed metabasalt situated in the upper section of the N-MNGB is 3337±25 Ma old and has zircon with ε_(Hf)(t)=2.47 to1.40,Hf model ages between 3.75 Ga and 3.82 Ga,and δ^(18)O=+3.6‰to+7.3‰.These isotopic data,together with compiled whole-rock trace element data,suggest that the mafic metavolcanic rocks formed in a subduction-related setting,likely a back-arc basin juxtaposed to a continental arc.In this context,the magma interacted with older Eoarchean crustal components from the Gavião Block.Detrital zircons from the overlying quartzites of the Jacobina Group are sourced from Paleoarchean rocks,in accordance with previous studies,yielding a maximum depositional age of 3353±22 Ma.These detrital zircons have ε_(Hf)(t)=5.40 to0.84,Hf model ages between 3.66 Ga and 4.30 Ga,and δ^(18)O=+4.8‰to+6.4‰.The pyrite multiple sulfur isotope investigation of the 3.3 Ga supracrustal rocks from the N-MNGB enabled a further understanding of Paleoarchean sulfur cycling.The samples have diverse isotopic compositions that indicate sulfur sourced from distinct reservoirs.Significantly,they preserve the signal of the anoxic Archean atmosphere,expressed by MIF-S signatures(Δ^(33)S between1.3‰to+1.4‰)and a Δ^(36)S/Δ^(33)S slope of0.81 that is indistinguishable from the so-called Archean array.A BIF sample has a magmatic origin of sulfur,as indicated by the limited Δ^(34)S range(0 to+2‰),Δ^(33)S~0‰,and Δ^(36)S~0‰.A carbonaceous schist shows positive Δ^(34)S(2.1‰–3.5‰)and elevated Δ^(33)S(1.2‰–1.4‰)values,with corresponding negative Δ^(36)S between1.2‰to0.2‰,which resemble the isotopic composition of Archean black shales and suggest a source from the photolytic reduction of elemental sulfur.The pillowed metabasalt displays heterogeneous Δ^(34)S,Δ^(33)S,and Δ^(36)S signatures that reflect assimilation of both magmatic sulfur and photolytic sulfate during hydrothermal seafloor alteration.Lastly,pyrite in a massive sulfide lens is isotopically similar to barite of several Paleoarchean deposits worldwide,which might indicate mass dependent sulfur processing from a global and well-mixed sulfate reservoir at this time.
文摘Petrological,chronological and geotectonic geological analysis of Precambrian metamorphic rock in Korean Peninsula shows that the remnants(>3.4 Ga) of continental nuclei crust were formed in the Paleoarchean in the Rangrim Massif.In the massif,the main formation ages of continental crust range from 3.2 Ga to 2.5 Ga,its important growing period was 2.8-2.5 Ga.The subsequent expansion period of the Rangrim Massif was 2.4-2.2 Ga.The division events occurred in 1.85 Ga and in the Late Paleoproterozoic--Early Mesopro-terozoic,respectively.Since then the massif was relatively stable.However,the last division of the Rangrim Massif occurred at 793 Ma.