Evolution of a ~2.7 Ga large igneous province: A volcanological, geochemical and geochronological study of the Agnew Greenstone Belt, and new regional correlations for the Kalgoorlie Terrane (Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia)

The thick package of ~2.7 Ga mafic and ultramafic lavas and intrusions preserved among the Neoarchean of the Kalgoorlie Terrene in Western Australia provides valuable insight into geological processes controlling the most prodigious episode of growth and preservation of juvenile continental crust in Earth’s history. Limited exposure of these rocks results in uncertainty about their age, physical and chemical characteristics, and stratigraphic relationships. This in turn prevents confident correlation of regional occurrences of mafic and ultramafic successions (both intrusive and extrusive) and hinders the interpretation of tectonic setting and magmatic evolution. A recent stratigraphic drilling program of the Neoarchean stratigraphy of the Agnew Greenstone Belt in Western Australia has provided continuous exposures through a c. 7 km thick sequence of mafic and ultramafic units. In this study, we present a volcanological, lithogeochemical and chronological study of the Agnew Greenstone Belt, and provide the first pre-2690 Ma regional correlation across the Kalgoorlie Terrane. The Agnew Greenstone Belt records ~30 m.y. of episodic ultramafic-mafic magmatism that includes two cycles, each defined by a komatiite that is overlain by units that become more evolved and contaminated with time. The sequence is divided into nine conformable packages, each consisting of stacked subaqueous lava flows and comagmatic intrusions, as well as two sills without associated extrusions. Lavas, with the exception of intercalations between two units, form a layer-cake stratigraphy and were likely erupted from a system of fissures tapping the same magma source. The komatiites are not contaminated by continental crust ([La/Sm]PM ~0.7) and are of the Al-undepleted Munro-type. Crustal contamination is evident in many units (Songvang Basalt, Never Can Tell Basalt, Redeemer Basalt, and Turrett Dolerite), as judged by [La/Sm]>1, negative Nb and Ti anomalies, and geochemical mixing trends towards felsic contaminants. Crystal fractionation was also significant, with early olivine and chromite (Mg#>65) followed by plagioclase and clinopyroxene removal (Mg<65), and in the most evolved case, titanomagnetite accumulation. Three new TIMS dates on granophyric zones of mafic sills and one ICP-MS date from an interflow felsic tuff are presented and used for regional stratigraphic correlation. Cycle I magmatism began at ~2720 Ma and ended ~2705 Ma, whereas cycle II began ~2705 Ma and ended at 2690.7±1.2 Ma. Regional correlations indicate the western Kalgoorlie Terrane consists of a remarkably similar stratigraphy that can be recognised at Agnew, Ora Banda and Coolgardie, whereas the eastern part of the terrane (e.g., Kambalda Domain) does not include cycle I, but correlates well with cycle II. This research supports an autochthonous model of greenstone formation, in which one large igneous province, represented by two complete cycles, is constructed on sialic crust. New stratigraphic correlations for the Kalgoorlie Terrane indicate that many units can be traced over distances >100 km, which has implications for exploration targeting for stratigraphically hosted ultramafic Ni and VMS deposits.

Evolution of an Archean greenstone belt in the Stormy Lake - Kawashegamuk Lake area (stratigraphy, structure and geochemistry) - Western Wabigoon Subprovince, Northwest Ontario /

330 km 2 of the easter-n part of the Archean Manitou Lakes - Stormy Lake metavolcanic - metasedimentary belt have been mapped and sampled. A large number of rocks ~.vere analyzed for the major and trace constituents including the rare-earth elements (REE). The Stormy Lake - Kawashegamuk Lake area may be subdivided into four major lithological groups of supracrustal rocks 1) A north-facing mafic assemblage, consisting of pillowed tholeiitic basalts and gabbro sills characterized by flat REE profiles, is exposed in the south part of the map area and belongs to a 8000 m thick homoclinal assemblage outside the map area. Felsic pyroclastic rocks believed to have been issued from a large central vent conformably overlie the tholeiites. 2) A dominantly epiclastic group facing to the north consists of terrestrial deposits interpreted to be an alluvial fan deposit ; a submarine facies is represented by turbiditic sediments. 3) The northeastern part of the study area consists of volcanic rocks belonging to two mafic - felsic cycles facing to the southuest ; andesitic flows with fractionated REE patterns make up a large part of the upper cycle, whereas the lower cycle has a stronger chemical polarity being represented by tholeiitic flows, with flat REE, which a r e succeeded by dacitic and rhyolitic pyroclasti cs. iii 4) A thick monotonous succession of tholeiitic pillmled basalt f lows and gabbro sills with flat REE represent the youngest supracrustal rocks. TIle entire belt underwent folding, faulting and granitic plutonism during a tectono-thermal event around 2700 Ma ago. Rocks exposed in the map area were subjected to regional greenschist facies metamorphism, but higher metamorphic grades are present near late granitic intrusions. Geochemical studies have been useful in 1) distinguishing the various rock units ; 2) relating volcanic and intrusive rocks 3) studying the significance of chemical changes due to post magmatic processes 4) determining the petrogenesis of the major volcanic rock types. In doing so, two major volcanic suites have been recognized : a) a tholeiitic suite, mostly represented by mafic rocks, was derived from partial melting of upper mantle material depleted in Ti, K and the light REE ; b) a calc-alkalic suite which evolved from partial melting of amphibolite in the lower crust. The more differentiated magma types have been produced by a multistage process involving partial melting and fractional crystallization to yield a continuum of compos i t i ons ranging from basaltic andesite to rhyolite. A model for the development of the eastern part of the Manitou Lakes - Stormy Lake belt has been proposed.

A reconnaissance study of the metamorphic petrology and volcanic geochemistry of a portion of the Island Lake greenstone belt, Manitoba /

The Island Lake greenstone belt is one of the major Archean supracrustal exposures in the northwestern part of the Superior Province of the Canadian Shield. This belt is subdivided into two units: 1) a lower sequence characterised by pillowed to massive, locally pyroclastic, basalt to andesite with a thin central zone of felsic derivatives, all of which are interbedded with and overlain by thick sequences of turbidite facies rock; 2) the upper unit which consists of thick stratified conglomerate overlain by thickly bedded arkose and feldspathic greywacke. Reconnaissance sampling traverses were completed across both the strike of the belt and along its margins with adjacent granitoids. Most of the belt is within the greenschist metamorphic f acies with amphibolite facies occurring in certain areas near t he margins. A post-tectonic, low pressure thermal event may be responsible for the development of a unit of cordierite schi s t which stretches southeastwards from the east end of Cochrane Bay. Volcanism is cyclical in nature changing from tholeiitic to calc-alkaline. There is a general progression in the character of the lavas from mafic t o felsic with stratigraphic height. Chemica l d a ta sugges t that h i gh level fractionation of a mantle- derived ' dry' magma i s t he s ource of the thole i iti c lavas. Contamination of this magma with 'we t' sia l and subsequent fractionation may be r esponsi b l e for the calcalkaline phases .Observations of stratigraphic relationships (in particular the contact between the supracrustals and the granitoids) coupled with the metamorphic and chemical studies, allow the construction of a preliminary model for the evolution of the Island Lake greenstone belt. The following sequential development is suggested: 1) a platform stage characterised by the subaqueous effusion of mafic to intermediate lavas of alternating tholeiitic and calc-alkaline affinities; 2) an edifice stage marked by the eruption of felsic calc-alkaline rocks; 3) an erosional stage characterised by the deposit~on of thick sequences of turbidite facies rocks; 4) the impingement of granitic masses into the margins of the greenstone belt, which was probably related to a downward warping of the supracrustal pilei 5) the erosion of sialic massifs surrounding and within the greenstone belt and of early supracrustal piles, to give the clastic upper unit.

A geochemical and petrological study of volcanic rocks in the Beardmore-Geraldton Archaean Greenstone Belt, Northwestern Ontario

Three repetitive sequences of northward youngIng, east striking, linear, volcano-sedimentary units are found in the late Archaean BeardmoreGeraldton greenstone belt, situated within the Wabigoon subprovince of the Superior Province of northwestern Ontario. The volcanic components are characterised by basaltic flows that are pillowed at the top and underlain by variably deformed massive flows which may In part be intrusive. Petrographic examination of the volcanic units indicates regional metamorphism up to greenschist facies (T=3250 C - 4500 C, P=2kbars) overprinted by a lower amphibolite facies thermal event (T=5750 C, P=2kbars) confined to the south-eastern portion of the belt. Chemical element results suggest olivine, plagioclase and pyroxene are the main fractionating mineral phases. Mobility studies on the varIOUS chemical elements indicate that K, Ca, Na and Sr are relatively mobile, while P, Zr, Ti, Fet (total iron = Fe203) and Mg are relatively immobile. Discriminant diagrams employing immobile element suggests that the majority of the samples are of oceanic affinity with a minor proportion displaying an island arc affinity. Such a transitional tectonic setting IS also refle.cted in REE data where two groups of volcanic samples are recognised. Oceanic tholeiites are LREE depleted with [La/Sm] N = 0.65 and a relatively flat HREE profile with [Sm/Yb] N = 1.2. Island arc type basalts (calc-alkaline) are LREE enriched, with a [La/Sm] N = 1.6, and a relatively higher fractionated HREE profile with [Sm/Yb] N = 1.9. Petrogenetic modelling performed on oceanIC tholeiites suggests derivation from a depleted spinel lherzolite source which undergoes 20% partial melting. Island arc type basalts can be derived by 10% partial melting of a hypothetical amphibolitised oceanic tholeiite source. The majority of the volcanic rocks in the Beardmore-Geraldton Belt are interpreted to represent fragments of oceanic crust trapped at a consuming plate margin. Subsequent post accretionary intrusion of gabbroic rocks (sensu lato) with calc-alkaline affinity is considered to result in the apparent hybrid tectonic setting recognized for the BGB.

Geochemistry and petrogenesis of the McElroy and Larder Lake assemblages, Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Northeastern Ontario

The McElroy and Larder Lake assemblages, located in the southern Abitibi Greenstone Belt are two late Archean metavolcanic sequences having markedly contrasting physical characteristics arid are separated from one another by a regional fault. An assemblage is an informal term which describes stratified volcanic and/or sedimentary rock units built during a specific time period in a similar depositional or volcanic setting and are commonly bounded by faults, unconformities or intrusions. The petrology and petrogenesis of these assemblages have been investigated to determine if a genetic link exists between the two adjacent assemblages. The McElroy assemblage is homoclinal sequence of evolved massive and pillowed fl.ows, which except for the basal unit represents a progressively fractionated volcanic pile. From the base to the top of the assemblage the lithologies include Fe-tholeiitic, dendritic flows; komatiite basaltic, ultramafic flows; Mg-tholeiitic, leucogabbro; Mg-tholeiitic, massive flows and Fe-tholeiitic, pillowed flows. Massive flows range from coarse grained to aphanitic and are commonly plagioclase glomerophyric. The Larder Lake assemblage consists of komatiitic, Mg-rich and Fe-rich tholeiitic basalts, structurally disrupted by folds and faults. Tholeiitic rocks in the Larder Lake assemblage range from aphanitic to coarse grained massive and pillowed flows. Komatiitic flows contain both spinifex and massive textures. Geochemical variability within both assemblages is attributed to different petrogenetic histories. The lithologies of the McElroy assemblage were derived by partial melting of a primitive mantle source followed by various degrees of crystal fractionation. Partial melting of a primitive mantle source generated the ultramafic flows and possibly other flows in the assemblage. Fractionation of ultramafic flows may have also produced the more evolved McElroy lithologies. The highly evolved, basal, dendritic flow may represent the upper unit 3 of a missing volcanic pile in which continued magmatism generated the remaining McElroy lithologies. Alternatively, the dendritic flows may represent a primary lava derived from a low degree (10-15%) partial melt of a primitive mantle source which was followed by continued partial melting to generate the ultramafic flows. The Larder Lake lithologies were derived by partial melting of a komatiitic source followed by gabbroic fractionation. The tectonic environment for both assemblages is interpreted to be an oceanic arc setting. The McElroy assemblage lavas were generated in a mature back arc setting whereas the Larder Lake lithologies were produced during the early stages of komatiitc crust subduction. This setting is consistent with previous models involving plate tectonic processes for the generation of other metavolcanic assemblages in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt.

Caracterização estrutural da porção sul do greenstone belt de Guarinos, GO

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Mapeamento geológico-estrutural da Sequência Canto, porção sul do Greenstone Belt do Rio Itapirucu, Bahia

The study area is located in the southern portion of Rio Itapicuru Greenstone Belt, Bahia, where were found rocks that belongs to the Canto Sequence, that comprises felsics and intermediary rocks, beyond metasediments. The studied maps and drill holes help to recognized stratigraphy column that was divided in three mains domains, from the base to the top: andesitics to felsics lavas domain, carbonaceous and metasedimentary domains. The data obtained in mapping and petrography analysis allows classify the area in three deformational phases, Dn, Dn+1, Dn+2. The metamorphism recognized according to the mineralogical associations permitted to classify a progressive regional metamorphism (lower to medium greenchist facies) till biotite zone, falling until chlorite zone due to retrometamorphism. The auriferous mineralizations are mainly related to hydrothermal veins included in the different lithologies, mainly in carbonaceous schists

Caracterização geológica e estrutural da porção centro-norte do greenstone belt de Faina, Faina-GO

The area where the study was conducted is located in the central-western state of Goias. It geologically inserts the northern portion of the Greenstone Belt of Faina which belongs to the Archean terranes that fits in Brasília Fold Belt and Tocantins Structural Province. This region is known for its greenstone lode gold potential and it was heavily exploited by pioneers and prospectors, leaving many records for where they have been through. Preliminary work done by Orinoco Brasil Mineração in their required areas at the region showed that the environment is promising for gold mineralization and that the ore is controlled by structures. Therefore the objectives of this work were the geological and structural mapping in semi detail scale to improve geological, stratigraphic and structural controls present attributing possible ore understanding. With the development of the work there were recognized on the desktop three structural domains separated by a thrust fault. For each domain were discriminated the geological units ranging in gneisses, quartzites formed from coarse sediments arcoseanos, and schists. By mapping structures there were found five deformation phases, Dn-2, Dn-1, the Dn event that generated the main foliation (Sn) in high representation and two post-stages Dn with brittle late manifestations. The detail mapping of the Rattlesnake Gallery showed that the mineralized quartz vein is consistent with axial-plane foliation Sn-2 belonging to the oldest deformation Dn-2 phase and that the high grade is distributed in the hinge region folds of the same phase

Mapeamento geológico e petrografia do alvo T-578 - Greenstone Belt Pilar de Goiás (Pilar de Goiás - GO)

The study area is located in the geological parameters of the Pilar de Goiás Greenstone Belt (GO), it is part of the Pilar de Goias Group’s meta-volcano-sedimentary sequence. This is a homoclinal package constituted by terrigenous metassediments containing intercalations of meta-ultramafic rocks and iron formations. The units that were informally named in this work, are interpreted as belongs to the Serra do Moinho Formation. Through mineralogical associations the area’s metamorphism were classified as high greenschist facies garnet zone. Prior to this work were detected in the area, through soil samples, some auriferous anomalies. One of the objectives of this work is the detection of possibles hidrotermal alterations related to these anomalies presents in the study area

Caracterização metamórfica do Greenstone Belt de Guarinos - GO

The study area comprises Guarinos Greenstone Belt which is located in the centralwest state of Goias and has an approximate size of 280 km2. The present work has as main objective to characterize the metamorphism of the greenstone belt and the relationship between the tectonic events and the metamorphism. For the execution of the work we used data collected in the course Geological Mapping of Crystalline Area of the geology course of UNESP, classes 2009 and 2010, the data collected by Alex Choupina Joaquim Andrade Silva in his master's thesis and the information collected in field in the study area. This compilation of data allows approximately 200 thin sections have been evaluated and allowed the construction of the metamorphic map in scale 1:125.000, also allowed the preparation of the geological map in scale 1:125.000 greestone belt, based on 1:25.000 scale maps performed by students of UNESP and the mapping conducted by Silva (2011). The study area was divided into two tectonic compartments depending on the Shear Zone Engenho Velho that longitudinally crosses study area, with direction approximately NW-SE. The west compartment is bordered by granite-gneiss complex and the east compartment, seems thicker to the south and narrows gradually towards the north and its structure is seen in general as a great monoclinal with NW-SE direction with trim to SW, this way your stack was considered as a package of rocks at the base and metaultramafic metamafic the top, with a second package in tectonic contact, which is composed of detrital and chemical metasedimentary rocks. The east compartment is represented by the intrusion of a large granitic body surrounded by amphibolites and metasediments, is bounded on the east by a granite-gneiss complexes through thrust fault, and is bounded on the west by the other compartment. The structure of the compartment is seen as a major axis oriented roughly... (Completo abstract click electronic access below)

Levantamento estrutural da porção norte do Greenstone Belt do rio Itapicuru e dos Alvos Encantado e C1W, Bahia

The study area is located in the geological context of the northern portion of the Rio Itapicuru Greenstone Belt (GBRI), located northeast of the São Francisco Craton, Bahia State. The GBRI is known for its great economic potential for gold mineralization, looking south at Fazenda Brasileiro Mine and North Mine Maria Preta, is situated in the study área. The structural pattern of the northern portion of the Greenstone, theme of this work, is of great importance to understand the mineralization present. To characterize the structural model three geologic sections (scale 1:25000) were made with NW-SE and EW directions and detailing two mineralized targets, Encantado, located northwest of the area, near the city of Nordestina, and C1W, located near Itapicuru River, west of the Maria Preta mine. Thus, field work and petrographic analysis were conducted, that allow to indicate the existence of two structural domains characterized by the existence of a main foliation, low angle dipping main foliation and another with high dip angle, both with NW, moreover, folds occur in the area Dn-1 and post-Dn folds. Dn-1 folds are observed less frequently but they occur mainly forming an oblique foliation and the Sn is present in porphyroblasts observed in petrographic analysis, whereas in relation to the folds post Dn, there are more than one type of folding in area, which differ by the orientation of their axis, a post Dn NS and EW Dn another post. Moreover, two areas of metamorphic green schist (biotite zone) and medium amphibolite, which are directly related to the structural domains found

Mapeamento geológico no alvo Morro do Corcunda - Greenstone Belt Pilar de Goiás (Santa Terezinha-GO)

The following work refers to a geologic mapping in the Morro do Corcunda target, located between the cities of Pilar of Goiás and Santa Terezinha in the northwest portion of the State of Goiás. This mapping was carried through in 1:10,000 scale and covers an area of approximately 60km2. Collections of samples had been carried through for laborarorial analysis, and from those twenty-three thin scetions have been produced in order to describe the main lithologies that occur in the area. It was possible to observe anomalous gold targets in the region through chip samples carried through during the stage of field work. The gathered field data and the ones that have been made available by the company Yamana Gold Incorporation were congregated, and a data integration was carried through. This integration made possible the correlation of the litologies found in field with the Greenstone Belt Pilar de Goiás sequence and the structural evolution of the area.