One of today’s major geoscientific controversies centres on the origin of the Archean granite‒greenstone terranes. Is the geology of these scattered remnants of our planet’s early crust consistent with the theory that modern-style plate-tectonic processes operated from the early Archean, or does it indicate that tectonic and magmatic processes were different in the Archean? Earth has clearly evolved since its initial formation, so at what stage did its processes of crustal growth first resemble those of today? The logical place to seek answers to these intriguing and important questions is within the best-preserved early Archean crust.
The Pilbara region of northwest Australia is internationally famous for its abundant and exceptionally well-preserved fossil evidence of early life. However, until recently the area has received much less recognition for the key evidence it provides on early Archean crustal evolution. This book presents and interprets this evidence through a new stage-by-stage account of the development of the Pilbara’s geological record between 3.53 and 2.63 Ga.
The Archean Pilbara crust represents one fragment of Earth’s oldest known supercontinent Vaalbara, which also included the Kaapvaal Craton of southern Africa. Recognition of Vaalbara expands the background database for both these areas, allowing us to more fully understand each of them.
Author(s): Arthur H. Hickman
Series: Modern Approaches in Solid Earth Sciences, 24
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 500
City: Cham
Preface
Acknowledgements
About This Book
Contents
About the Author
List of Figures
List of Tables
Chapter 1: Outline of the Pilbara Craton
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 Investigations of the Pilbara Craton
1.2 Stratigraphy of the Northern Pilbara Craton
1.3 Tectonic Units
1.3.1 Terminology
1.3.2 Summary of Tectonic Units
1.4 Fragment of an Archean Continent
1.5 Vaalbara Continent?
1.6 Concept of an `Ancient Nucleus´
1.7 Concealed Pilbara Craton
References
Chapter 2: Eoarchean and Early Paleoarchean Crust of the Pilbara Craton
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Eoarchean to Early Paleoarchean Crust (3800-3530 Ma)
2.2.1 U-Pb Zircon Geochronology
2.2.1.1 Pre-3530 Ma Xenocrystic Zircons in Felsic Igneous Rocks
2.2.1.2 Evidence from 207Pb/206Pb Ages of Detrital Zircons
2.2.1.2.1 Specific Evidence on Provenance
2.2.1.2.2 General Evidence on Provenance
2.2.1.2.3 Statistical Analysis of Data
2.2.2 Sm-Nd Isotope Data
2.2.2.1 Depleted or Chondritic Paleoarchean Mantle?
2.2.2.2 Sm-Nd Isotope Data from the East Pilbara
2.2.2.3 Model Ages
2.2.2.4 Epsilon Nd Values
2.2.3 Lu-Hf Isotopes in Zircon
2.2.3.1 Previous Investigations
2.2.3.2 Current Zircon Lu-Hf Data
2.2.3.3 Lu-Hf Analysis of Detrital Zircons
2.2.3.4 Lu-Hf Analysis of Cognate and Inherited Zircons
2.3 Conclusions
References
Chapter 3: Warrawoona Large Igneous Province, 3530-3427 Ma
3.1 Introduction
3.1.1 Preservation of the Warrawoona Group
3.2 Stratigraphy
3.2.1 Coonterunah Subgroup
3.2.1.1 Table Top Formation
3.2.1.2 Coucal Formation
3.2.1.3 Double Bar Formation
3.2.2 Talga Talga Subgroup
3.2.2.1 North Star Basalt
3.2.2.2 Dresser Formation
3.2.2.3 McPhee Formation
3.2.3 Coongan Subgroup
3.2.3.1 Mount Ada Basalt
3.2.3.1.1 Earth´s Oldest Asteroid Impact Spherules
3.2.3.2 Duffer Formation
3.2.3.2.1 Marble Bar Chert Member
3.2.4 Salgash Subgroup
3.2.4.1 Apex Basalt
3.2.4.2 Panorama Formation
3.3 Origin of the Warrawoona Group
3.4 Evolution of the Warrawoona Group
3.5 Large Igneous Province
3.6 Granitic Supersuites of the Warrawoona LIP
3.6.1 Mulgundoona Supersuite (3530-3490 Ma)
3.6.2 Callina Supersuite (3484-3462 Ma)
3.6.3 Tambina Supersuite (3451-3416 Ma)
3.6.4 Emu Pool Supersuite (3324-3290 Ma)
3.6.5 Cleland Supersuite (3270-3223 Ma)
3.7 Tectonic Setting of the Warrawoona LIP
3.7.1 Plate Tectonic Models
3.7.2 Oceanic Plateau?
References
Chapter 4: Strelley Pool Formation: Continental Sedimentation Between Paleoarchean LIPs
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Stratigraphy
4.2.1 Stratigraphic Rank: Formation or Group?
4.2.2 Relations to the Panorama Formation
4.2.3 Unconformities
4.3 Geochronology
4.4 World´s Oldest Paleosols
4.5 Suggestion of Hydrothermal Deposition
4.6 Correlation with the Buck Reef Chert
4.7 Fossil Record
4.7.1 Stromatolites
4.7.1.1 Stromatolite Morphology
4.7.2 Microfossils
4.7.3 Microbial Mats
4.8 Significance to Crustal Evolution
4.9 Conclusions
References
Chapter 5: Kelly Large Igneous Province, 3350-3315 Ma
5.1 Introduction
5.1.1 Tectonic Setting
5.1.2 Kelly Large Igneous Province
5.2 Stratigraphy
5.2.1 Euro Basalt
5.2.2 Wyman Formation
5.2.3 Charteris Basalt
5.2.4 Unconformities within the Kelly Group
5.3 Komatiite and Komatiitic Basalt in the Kelly Group
5.4 Tholeiitic Basalt in the Kelly Group
5.5 Sm-Nd Isotope Data
5.6 Relevance to Continental Deposition of the Warrawoona Group
5.7 Granitic Rocks of the Kelly LIP
5.7.1 Emu Pool Supersuite (3324-3290 Ma)
5.7.1.1 Geochemistry
5.8 Emu Pool Event (3325-3290 Ma)
References
Chapter 6: Paleoarchean Continental Breakup of the Pilbara Craton
6.1 Introduction
6.2 East Pilbara Terrane Rifting Event
6.3 Stratigraphy
6.3.1 Sulphur Springs Group
6.3.1.1 Leilira Formation
6.3.1.2 Kunagunarrina Formation
6.3.1.3 Kangaroo Caves Formation
6.3.1.4 Analogies with the Fig Tree Group, Kaapvaal Craton
6.3.2 Roebourne Group
6.3.2.1 Ruth Well Formation
6.3.2.2 Weerianna Basalt
6.3.3 Cleland Supersuite
6.4 Continental Breakup
6.4.1 Evidence
6.4.1.1 Recognition of the Regal Basin
6.4.1.2 Passive Margin Successions
6.4.1.3 Evidence from Major Faults
6.4.1.3.1 Tabba Tabba Shear Zone
6.4.1.3.2 Sholl Shear Zone
6.4.1.4 Mesoarchean Differences between Northwest and East Pilbara
6.4.2 Other Fragments of the Paleoarchean Plateau
References
Chapter 7: Mesoarchean Rift and Marginal Basins of the Pilbara Craton
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Basaltic Rift Basins
7.2.1 Regal Basin
7.2.1.1 Regal Formation
7.2.1.2 Regal Thrust
7.3 Early Mesoarchean Passive Margins
7.3.1 Soanesville Basin
7.3.1.1 Cardinal Formation
7.3.1.1.1 Pincunah Banded-Iron Member
7.3.1.2 Corboy Formation
7.3.1.3 Paddy Market Formation
7.3.1.4 Honeyeater Basalt
7.3.1.5 Pyramid Hill Formation
7.3.1.6 Hong Kong Chert
7.3.1.7 Empress Formation
7.3.1.8 Tectonic Setting
7.3.1.9 Geochemistry
7.3.1.10 Geochronology
7.3.2 Nickol River Basin
7.3.2.1 Nickol River Formation
7.3.2.2 Tectonic Setting
7.3.2.3 Geochronology
7.3.3 Early Mosquito Creek Basin
7.3.3.1 Coondamar Formation
7.3.3.2 Budjan Creek Formation
7.3.3.2.1 Tectonic Setting
7.3.3.2.2 Geochronology
7.3.3.3 Tectonic Setting
7.3.3.4 Kurrana Shear Zone
References
Chapter 8: Mesoarchean Subduction in the Pilbara Craton
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Sholl Terrane
8.2.1 Whundo Group
8.2.1.1 Nallana Formation
8.2.1.2 Tozer Formation
8.2.1.3 Bradley Basalt
8.2.1.4 Woodbrook Formation
8.2.1.5 Geochemistry
8.2.1.6 Sm-Nd Isotope Data
8.2.1.7 Geochronology
8.2.2 Railway Supersuite
8.2.2.1 Pinnacle Hill Gneiss
8.2.2.2 Bullock Hide Intrusion
8.2.2.3 Twin Table Monzogranite
8.2.2.4 Geochemistry
8.2.2.5 Sm-Nd Isotope Data
8.2.2.6 Geochronology
8.3 Ophiolite (3220-3165 Ma Regal Formation)
8.4 Prinsep Orogeny and Elizabeth Hill Supersuite
8.4.1 Elizabeth Hill Supersuite
8.5 Magmatic Arcs of the De Grey Superbasin
8.5.1 Orpheus Supersuite
8.5.1.1 Andover Intrusion
8.5.1.2 Black Hill Well Monzogranite
8.5.1.3 Mount Gregory Monzodiorite
8.5.1.4 Forestier Bay Granodiorite
8.5.1.5 South Whundo Monzogranite
8.5.1.6 Geochemistry
8.5.1.7 Sm-Nd Isotope Data
8.5.1.8 Geochronology
8.5.2 Maitland River Supersuite
8.5.2.1 Granodiorite and Tonalite Intrusions
8.5.2.2 Monzogranite Intrusions
8.5.2.3 Geochemistry
8.5.2.4 Sm-Nd Isotope Data
8.5.2.5 Geochronology
8.5.3 Sisters Supersuite
8.5.3.1 Indee Suite
8.5.3.1.1 Geochemistry
8.5.3.1.2 Sm-Nd Isotope Data
8.5.3.2 Portree Suite
8.5.3.3 Langenbeck Suite
8.5.3.3.1 Sherlock Intrusion
8.5.3.3.2 Opaline Well Intrusion
8.5.3.3.3 Millindinna Intrusion
8.5.3.4 Radley Suite
8.5.3.4.1 Munni Munni Intrusion
8.5.3.4.2 Radio Hill Intrusion
8.5.3.4.3 Geochemistry
8.5.3.4.4 Geochronology
References
Chapter 9: Mesoarchean Basin Evolution Inland of Magmatic Arcs
9.1 Introduction
9.2 De Grey Supergroup
9.2.1 Gorge Creek Group
9.2.1.1 Farrel Quartzite
9.2.1.1.1 Depositional Environment
9.2.1.2 Cleaverville Formation
9.2.1.2.1 Depositional Environment
9.2.1.3 Cundaline Formation
9.2.2 Regional Stratigraphic Continuity
9.2.2.1 Stratigraphic Continuity Between Greenstone Belts
9.2.3 Conclusions regarding the Gorge Creek Basin
9.2.4 Geochronology
9.2.4.1 Geochronology at Nunyerry Gap
9.2.4.2 Geochronology at Shay Gap
9.2.5 Coonieena Basalt
9.2.6 Croydon Group
9.2.6.1 Cattle Well Formation
9.2.6.2 Lalla Rookh Sandstone
9.2.6.3 Constantine Sandstone
9.2.6.4 Mallina Formation
9.2.7 Whim Creek Group
9.2.7.1 Warambie Basalt
9.2.7.2 Red Hill Volcanics
9.2.7.3 Geochronology
9.2.8 Bookingarra Group
9.2.8.1 Cistern Formation
9.2.8.2 Rushall Slate
9.2.8.3 Louden Volcanics
9.2.8.4 Mount Negri Volcanics
9.2.8.5 Kialrah Rhyolite
9.2.8.6 Geochronology
9.3 Tectonic Evolution of the De Grey Superbasin
References
Chapter 10: Orogenies, Cratonization, and Post-Orogenic Granites
10.1 Introduction
10.1.1 North Pilbara Orogeny
10.1.1.1 Lalla Rookh-Western Shaw Structural Corridor
10.1.1.2 Tabba Tabba Shear Zone
10.1.1.3 Sholl Shear Zone
10.1.1.4 Loudens Fault
10.1.2 Mosquito Creek Orogeny
10.1.2.1 Kurrana Shear Zone
10.2 Cutinduna Supersuite
10.3 Split Rock Supersuite
References
Chapter 11: Mineralization in the Northern Pilbara
11.1 Paleoarchean Mineralization
11.1.1 Sediment-Hosted, Hydrothermal Massive Sulphates
11.1.2 Volcanogenic Massive Sulphides
11.1.3 Black Shale-Hosted Cu-Zn
11.1.4 Vein and Hydrothermal Base Metals
11.1.5 Copper and Molybdenum Mineralization
11.1.6 Precious Metals
11.1.6.1 Gold Mineralization during Doming
11.2 Mineralization during the EPTRE
11.2.1 Sulphur Springs Group
11.2.1.1 Hydrothermal Barite Mineralization
11.2.2 Roebourne Group
11.2.2.1 Komatiite-Hosted Ni-Cu
11.2.3 VMS Cu-Zn Mineralization, Tabba Tabba Shear Zone
11.2.4 Soanesville Group
11.2.4.1 Iron Ore: Supergene Enrichment of Banded Iron Formation
11.2.4.2 Ni-Cu and PGE Mineralization
11.2.4.3 Gold Potential of the Nickol River Formation
11.3 Mesoarchean Mineralization
11.3.1 Mineralization during Closure of the Regal Basin
11.3.1.1 Karratha Event Mineralization
11.3.1.2 Sholl Terrane VMS
11.3.1.3 Gold Mineralization
11.3.2 Gold and Copper North of the Sholl Shear Zone
11.3.3 Mineralization in the De Grey Superbasin
11.3.3.1 Iron Ore in the Gorge Creek Basin
11.3.3.2 Mallina Basin Mineralization
11.3.3.2.1 Sanukitoid-Related Gold and PGE Mineralization
11.3.3.2.2 Orogenic Lode Au and Au-Sb Deposits
11.3.3.2.3 VMS in the Whim Creek Greenstone Belt
11.3.3.2.4 V-Ti in the Sherlock Intrusion
11.3.3.2.5 Ni-Cu in the Sherlock Intrusion
11.3.3.2.6 Radley Suite Ni-Cu and PGE
11.3.3.2.7 Conglomerate-Hosted Gold Mineralization
11.3.4 Gold in the Mosquito Creek Basin
11.3.5 Post-Orogenic Mineralization (2895-2830 Ma)
11.3.5.1 Lithium-Bearing Pegmatites
11.3.5.2 Pegmatite of the 2851-2831 Ma Split Rock Supersuite
11.3.5.3 Gold Mineralization
11.4 Neoarchean Mineralization
References
Chapter 12: Fortescue Group: The Neoarchean Breakup of the Pilbara Craton
12.1 Introduction
12.1.1 Re-Definition of the Fortescue Group
12.2 Stratigraphy
12.2.1 Tectono-Stratigraphic Sequences
12.2.1.1 Sequence 1
12.2.1.1.1 Bellary Formation
12.2.1.1.2 Mount Roe Basalt
12.2.1.1.2.1 Geochronology
12.2.1.2 Sequence 2
12.2.1.2.1 Hardey Formation
12.2.1.2.1.1 Bamboo Creek Member
12.2.1.2.1.2 Koongaling Volcanic Member
12.2.1.2.1.3 Warri Warri and Tanguin Members
12.2.1.2.1.4 Lyre Creek Member
12.2.1.2.1.5 Coolajacka Member
12.2.1.2.1.6 Geochronology
12.2.1.3 Sequence 3
12.2.1.3.1 Kylena Formation
12.2.1.3.1.1 Mopoke Member
12.2.1.3.1.2 Cooya Pooya Dolerite
12.2.1.3.1.3 Kylena Formation in the Marble Bar Sub-Basin
12.2.1.3.1.4 Geochronology
12.2.1.4 Sequence 4
12.2.1.4.1 Tumbiana Formation
12.2.1.4.2 Maddina Formation
12.2.1.4.2.1 Kuruna Member
12.2.1.4.3 Pear Creek Formation
12.2.1.4.4 Geochronology
12.2.1.5 Sequence 5
12.2.1.5.1 Jeerinah Formation
12.2.1.5.1.1 Baramine Volcanic Member
12.2.1.5.1.2 Isabella Member
12.2.1.5.1.3 Woodiana Member
12.2.1.5.1.4 Warrie Member
12.2.1.5.1.5 Nallanaring Volcanic Member
12.2.1.5.1.6 Roy Hill Member
12.2.1.5.2 Geochronology
References
