Dissertations / Theses: 'Geology, Stratigraphic Proterozoic'

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Strauss, Toby Anthony Lavery. "The geology of the Proterozoic Haveri Au-Cu deposit, Southern Finland." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015978.

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The Haveri Au-Cu deposit is located in southern Finland about 175 km north of Helsinki. It occurs on the northern edge of the continental island arc-type, volcano-sedimentary Tampere Schist Belt (TSB) within the Palaeoproterozoic Svecofennian Domain (2.0 – 1.75 Ga) of the Fennoscandian Shield. The 1.99 Ga Haveri Formation forms the base of the supracrustal stratigraphy consisting of metavolcanic pillow lavas and breccias passing upwards into intercalated metatuffs and metatuffites. There is a continuous gradation upwards from the predominantly volcaniclastic Haveri Formation into the overlying epiclastic meta-greywackes of the Osara Formation. The Haveri deposit is hosted in this contact zone. This supracrustal sequence has been intruded concordantly by quartz-feldspar porphyries. Approximately 1.89 Ga ago, high crustal heat flow led to the generation and emplacement of voluminous synkinematic, I-type, magnetite-series granitoids of the Central Finland Granitoid Complex (CFGC), resulting in coeval high-T/low-P metamorphism (hornfelsic textures), and D₁ deformation. During the crystallisation and cooling of the granitoids, a magmatic-dominated hydrothermal system caused extensive hydrothermal alteration and Cu-Au mineralisation through the late-D₁ to early-D₂ deformation. Initially, a pre-ore Na-Ca alteration phase caused albitisation of the host rock. This was closely followed by strong Ca-Fe alteration, responsible for widespread amphibolitisation and quartz veining and associated with abundant pyrrhotite, magnetite, chalcopyrite and gold mineralisation. More localised calcic-skarn alteration is also present as zoned garnetpyroxene- epidote skarn assemblages with associated pyrrhotite and minor sphalerite, centred on quartzcalcite± scapolite veinlets. Post-ore alteration includes an evolution to more K-rich alteration (biotitisation). Late D₂-retrograde chlorite began to replace the earlier high-T assemblage. Late emanations (post-D₂ and pre-D₃) from the cooling granitoids, under lower temperatures and oxidising conditions, are represented by carbonate-barite veins and epidote veinlets. Later, narrow dolerite dykes were emplaced followed by a weak D₃ deformation, resulting in shearing and structural reactivation along the carbonate-barite bands. This phase was accompanied by pyrite deposition. Both sulphides and oxides are common at Haveri, with ore types varying from massive sulphide and/or magnetite, to networks of veinlets and disseminations of oxides and/or sulphides. Cataclastites, consisting of deformed, brecciated bands of sulphide, with rounded and angular clasts of quartz vein material and altered host-rock are an economically important ore type. Ore minerals are principally pyrrhotite, magnetite and chalcopyrite with lesser amounts of pyrite, molybdenite and sphalerite. There is a general progression from early magnetite, through pyrrhotite to pyrite indicating increasing sulphidation with time. Gold is typically found as free gold within quartz veins and within intense zones of amphibolitisation. Considerable gold is also found in the cataclastite ore type either as invisible gold within the sulphides and/or as free gold within the breccia fragments. The unaltered amphibolites of the Haveri Formation can be classified as medium-K basalts of the tholeiitic trend. Trace and REE support an interpretation of formation in a back-arc basin setting. The unaltered porphyritic rocks are calc-alkaline dacites, and are interpreted, along with the granitoids as having an arc-type origin. This is consistent with the evolution from an initial back-arc basin, through a period of passive margin and/or fore-arc deposition represented by the Osara Formation greywackes and the basal stratigraphy of the TSB, prior to the onset of arc-related volcanic activity characteristic of the TSB and the Svecofennian proper. Using a combination of petrogenetic grids, mineral compositions (garnet-biotite and hornblendeplagioclase thermometers) and oxygen isotope thermometry, peak metamorphism can be constrained to a maximum of approximately 600 °C and 1.5 kbars pressure. Furthermore, the petrogenetic grids indicate that the REDOX conditions can be constrained at 600°C to log f(O₂) values of approximately - 21.0 to -26.0 and -14.5 to -17.5 for the metasedimentary rocks and mafic metavolcanic rocks respectively, thus indicating the presence of a significant REDOX boundary. Amphibole compositions from the Ca-Fe alteration phase (amphibolitisation) indicate iron enrichment with increasing alteration corresponding to higher temperatures of formation. Oxygen isotope studies combined with limited fluid inclusion studies indicate that the Ca-Fe alteration and associated quartz veins formed at high temperatures (530 – 610°C) from low CO₂, low- to moderately saline (<10 eq. wt% NaCl), magmatic-dominated fluids. Fluid inclusion decrepitation textures in the quartz veins suggest isobaric decompression. This is compatible with formation in high-T/low-P environments such as contact aureoles and island arcs. The calcic-skarn assemblage, combined with phase equilibria and sphalerite geothermometry, are indicative of formation at high temperatures (500 – 600 °C) from fluids with higher CO₂ contents and more saline compositions than those responsible for the Fe-Ca alteration. Limited fluid inclusion studies have identified hypersaline inclusions in secondary inclusion trails within quartz. The presence of calcite and scapolite also support formation from CO₂-rich saline fluids. It is suggested that the calcic-skarn alteration and the amphibolitisation evolved from the same fluids, and that P-T changes led to fluid unmixing resulting in two fluid types responsible for the observed alteration variations. Chlorite geothermometry on retrograde chlorite indicates temperatures of 309 – 368 °C. As chlorite represents the latest hydrothermal event, this can be taken as a lower temperature limit for hydrothermal alteration and mineralisation at Haveri.The gold mineralisation at Haveri is related primarily to the Ca-Fe alteration. Under such P-T-X conditions gold was transported as chloride complexes. Ore was localised by a combination of structural controls (shears and folds) and REDOX reactions along the boundary between the oxidised metavolcanics and the reduced metasediments. In addition, fluid unmixing caused an increase in pH, and thus further augmented the precipitation of Cu and Au. During the late D₂-event, temperatures fell below 400 °C, and fluids may have remobilised Au and Cu as bisulphide complexes into the shearcontrolled cataclastites and massive sulphides. The Haveri deposit has many similarities with ore deposit models that include orogenic lode-gold deposits, certain Au-skarn deposits and Fe-oxide Cu-Au deposits. However, many characteristics of the Haveri deposit, including tectonic setting, host lithologies, alteration types, proximity to I-type granitoids and P-T-X conditions of formation, compare favourably with other Early Proterozoic deposits within the TSB and Fennoscandia, as well as many of the deposits in the Cloncurry district of Australia. Consequently, the Haveri deposit can be seen to represent a high-T, Ca-rich member of the recently recognised Fe-oxide Cu-Au group of deposits.

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Li, Longming, and 李龙明. "The crustal evolutionary history of the Cathaysia Block from the paleoproterozoic to mesozoic." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2010. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B45693596.

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Baldim, Maurício Rigoni 1983. "O domo gnáissico Alto Alegre, transição embasamento-greenstone belt do Rio Itapicuru : evolução e significado tectônico." [s.n.], 2014. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/286596.

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Orientador: Elson Paiva de Oliveira
Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Geociências
Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T10:50:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Baldim_MauricioRigoni_M.pdf: 19163752 bytes, checksum: da3d83e0ed883c0984d79ed906f0528c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014
Resumo: Domos gnáissicos são estruturas que podem estar associadas tanto aos orógenos extensionais quanto aos colisionais. Em orógenos colisionais, normalmente balizam os distintos terrenos dispondo-se em corredores estruturais. Na região nordeste do Cráton São Francisco, Bloco Serrinha, localiza-se o Greenstone Belt Paleoproterozoico do Rio Itapicuru, interpretado como arco continental acrecionado a um Complexo de alto grau mesoarqueano. Mapeamento geológico realizado no segmento norte da transiçao, embasamento-greenstone, revelou a ocorrência de um domo gnáissico-migmatítico que limita dois terrenos, um arqueano e outro paleoproterozoico, que destoa litoestruturalmente de outros domos reconhecidos a sul do greenstone (e.g. domos do Ambrósio, Salgadália e Pedra Alta). Além disso, dados estruturais mostram que a evolução tectônica da área ocorreu a partir de tectônica compressiva em D1 com direção E-W, seguido de transcorrência N-S em D2, possivelmente associados a transpressão. O domo, denominado Alto Alegre, possui núcleo granito-diatexítico, sendo delineado por faixas anfibolíticas concêntricas e preserva paragênese de alto grau metamórfico. Análises de elementos maiores e traços revelam que as faixas de anfibolitos do referido domo possuem características geoquímicas semelhantes aos diques máficos que cortam o embasamento, e destoam dos basaltos toleíticos do greenstone belt. Dados geocronológicos e de campo revelam idades de ca. 3080 Ma para o embasamento arqueano e para gnaisses do domo Alto Alegre, e idades de ca. 2080 Ma para o granito que intrude a porção central do domo. Os dados mostram que o domo Alto Alegre representa o embasamento arqueano retrabalhado tectonicamente e influenciado por atividade granítica, durante colisão continente-continente em ca. 2080 Ma
Abstract: Gneiss domes are structures that may be associated with both extensional and collisional orogens. In collisional orogens typically delimit distinct land forming structural corridors. In northeastern of São Francisco craton, Serrinha Block, is located the Paleoproterozoic Rio Itapicuru Greenstone Belt which is interpreted as a continental arc acrecionado to a Mesoarqueano high degree Complex. Geological mapping carried out in the northern segment of the greenstone-basement transition, revealed the occurrence of a gneissic-migmatitic dome that limits two lands, one Archean and another Paleoproterozoic. This dome is different both on litology as structuraly when comparing with other domes recognized in a south of the greenstone (e.g., domes of Ambrose, Salgadália and Pedra Alta). Furthermore, structural data show that the tectonic evolution of the area occurred from compressive tectonics E-W in D1, followed by transcurrent N-S in D2, possibly associated with transpression. The dome, called Alto Alegre, has granite-diatexítico core being outlined by concentric amphibolitic bands that preserves high metamorphic grade paragenesis. Results of major and trace elements analyzes reveal that the amphibolites bands of dome has geochemical characteristics similar to mafic dikes that cut the basement, and differ from Rio Itapicuru greenstone belt basalts. Geochronological and field data reveal ages ca. 3080 Ma for the Archean basement and the dome Alto Alegre gneisses, and ages of ca 2080 Ma for the granite that intrude the central portion of the dome. The data show that the dome Alto Alegre represents the tectonically reworked Archean basement and influenced by granite activity during continent-continent collision at ca 2080 Ma
Mestrado
Geologia e Recursos Naturais
Mestre em Geociências

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Baghiyan-Yazd, Mohammad Hassan. "Palaeoichnology of the terminal Proterozoic-Early Cambrian transition in central Australia : interregional correlation and palaeoecology." Title page, table of contents and abstract only, 1998. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phb1445.pdf.

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Johnson, Shannon D. "Structural geology of the Usakos Dome in the Damara Belt, Namibia." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/50457.

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Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The northeast-trending south Central Zone (sCZ) of the Pan-African Damara belt in central Namibia is structurally characterized by kilometer-scale, northeast-trending dome structures developed in Neoproterozoic rocks of the Damara Sequence. A number of different structural models have been proposed for the formation of these domes in the literature. This study describes the structural geology of the Usakos dome. The study discusses the structural evolution of the dome within the regional framework of the cSZ that represents the high-grade metamorphic axis of the Damara Belt, characterized by voluminous Pan-African granitoids. The northeastern part of the Usakos dome is developed as an upright- to northwestverging anticlinorium containing a steep southeasterly-dipping axial planar foliation. The northeast fold trend persists into the southwestern parts of the Usakos dome. However, this southwestern core of the dome is inundated by synkinematic granitic sheets. Distinct marker horizons of the Damara Sequence outcrop as screens within the granite, preserving a ghost stratigraphy. These screens illustrate the position and orientation of second-order folds. Significantly, most of the stratigraphy of the Damara Sequence is overturned in these folds. For example, some second-order anticlines developed in the northeastern parts of the Usakos dome can be followed along their axial traces into the southwestern hinge of the dome, where they appear as synformal anticlines, i.e. synformal structures cored by older strata, plunging towards the northeast. The inverted stratigraphy and northeasterly fold plunges suggest the northeast-trending folds are refolded by second-generation, northwest-trending folds, thus, forming kilometer-scale Type-2 interference folds. The resulting fold geometries are strongly non-cylindrical, approaching southwest-closing sheath folds indicating a top-to-the-southwest material transport. Lower-order folds in this overturned domain show radial fold plunges, plunging away from the centre of the dome core, as well as a shallowly-dipping schistosity. The close spatial and temporal relationship between granite intrusion and the formation of the southwest-vergent, sheath-type folds, radial distribution of fold plunges and the subhorizontal foliation confined to the southwestern hinge of the Usakos dome are interpreted to signify the rheological weakening and ensuing collapse of the developing first-order Usakos dome immediately above the synkinematic granite intrusions. Orogenparallel, southwest-vergent sheath folds and top-to-the southwest extrusion of the southwestern parts of the Usakos dome and northwest-vergent folding and thrusting characterizing the northeastern extent of the Usakos dome are both responses to the northwest-southeast- directed contractional tectonics recorded during the main collisional phase in the Damara belt. On a regional scale, the Usakos dome represents the link between the foreland-vergent northeastern part of the sCZ and the southwest-vergent, high-grade southwestern parts of the sCZ. The results of this study illustrate how dramatic variations in structural styles may be caused by the localized and transient rheological weakening of the crust during plutonic activity.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die noordoos-strekkende, suidelike Sentrale Sone (sSS) van die Pan-Afrikaanse Damara gordel in sentraal Namibië word karakteriseer deur kilometer-skaal, noordoosstrekkende koepel strukture, ontwikkel in die Neoproterozoïkum gesteentes van die Damara Opeenvolging. 'n Aantal verskillende struktuur modelle is voorgestel in die literatuur vir die vorming van hierdie koepels. Hierdie ondersoek beskryf die struktuur geologie van die Usakos koepel. Die ondersoek bespreek die strukturele ontwikkeling van die koepel in die regionale konteks van die sSS, wat die hoë graadse metamorfe magmatiese as van die Damara Gordel verteenwoordig, en karakteriseer word deur omvangryke Pan-Afrikaanse granitoïede. Die noordoostelike gedeelte van die Usakos koepel is ontwikkel as 'n antiklinorium met 'n vertikale- tot noordwestelike kantelrigting. wat 'n steil hellende, suidoostelike asvlak planêre foliasie bevat. Die noordoos-strekkende plooiing kom voor tot in die suidwestelike kern van die Usakos wat ingedring is deur sinkinematiese granitiese plate. Die posisie en oriëntasie van tweede-orde plooie is afgebeeld in die graniete deur 'n skimstratigrafie wat preserveer is deur duidelike merker horisonne van die Damara Opeenvolging. Die stratigrafie van die Damara Opeenvolging is opmerklik meestal omgekeer in hierdie plooie. Byvoorbeeld, tweede-orde antikliene ontwikkel in die noordoostelike gedeelte van die Usakos koepel kan gevolg word langs hul asvlakspore tot in die suidwestelike skarnier van die koepel, waar dit voorkom as sinforme antikliene, d.w.s. sinforme strukture met ouer strata in die kern wat na die noordooste duik. Die omgekeerde stratigrafie en noordoostelike plooi duiking impliseer dat die noordoosstrekkende plooie weer geplooi is deur tweede-generasie, noordwes-strekkende plooie, wat dus aanleiding gegee het tot die vorming van kilometer-skaal, tipe-2 interferensie plooie. Die gevolglike plooi geometrieë is uitdruklik nie-silindries, en toon 'n oorgang na skede plooie met 'n sluiting na die suidweste, wat dui op 'n bokant-na-die-suidweste materiaal vervoer. Laer-orde plooie in die omgekeerde domein vertoon radiale duiking van die plooie, weg van die middelpunt van die koepel kern, sowel as 'n vlak hellende skistositeit. Die noue ruimtelike en temporele verwantskap tussen graniet intrusie en die vorming van skede-tipe plooie met 'n kantelrigting na die suidweste, die radiale verspreiding van plooi duiking, en die subhorisontale foliasie wat beperk is tot die suidwestelike skarnier van die Usakos koepel, word interpreteer as 'n aanduiding van die reologiese verswakking en die gevolglike ineenstorting van die ontwikkelende eerste-orde Usakos koepel, onmiddellik aan die bokant van die sinkinematiese graniet intrusies. Die orogeenparalleie skede plooie met kantelrigting na die suidweste en bokant-na-die-suidweste ekstrusie van die suidwestelike gedeelte van die Usakos koepel, en plooiing met kantelrigting na die noordweste en stootverskuiwing wat kenmerkend is van die noordoostelike gedeelte van die Usakos koepel, is beide 'n reaksie op die noordwessuidoos- gerigte vernouings tektoniek opgeteken gedurende die hoof botsings fase in die Damara gordel. Op 'n regionale skaal verteenwoordig die Usakos koepel die verbinding tussen die noordoostelike gedeelte van die sSS met 'n voorland kantelrigting. en die hoë graad suidwestelike gedeelte van die sSS met 'n kantelrigting na die suidweste. Die resultate van hierdie ondersoek toon aan hoe dramatiese variasies in struktuur style veroorsaak kan word deur die gelokaliseerde en kortstondige reologiese verswakking van die kors gedurende plutoniese aktiwiteit.

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Zhao, Junhong, and 趙軍紅. "Geochemistry of neoproterozoic arc-related plutons in the Western margin of the Yangtze Block, South China." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2008. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B40203748.

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Wang, Wei, and 王伟. "Sedimentology, geochronology and geochemistry of the proterozoic sedimentary rocks in the Yangtze Block, South China." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10722/196033.

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The South China Craton comprises the Yangtze Block in the northwest and Cathaysia Block in the southeast. Located in the southeastern Yangtze Block, the Jiangnan Orogen formed through the amalgamation between the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks. The Yangtze Block has sporadically exposed Archean rocks in the north, Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic volcano-sedimentary sequences in the southwest and widespread Neoproterozoic sedimentary sequences accompanied by syn-sedimentary igneous rocks on the western and southeastern margins. The late Paleoproterozoic to early Mesoproterozoic Dongchuan, Dahongshan and Hekou groups in the southwestern Yangtze Block formed in a series of fault-controlled, rift-related basins associated with the fragmentation of the supercontinent Columbia. These sedimentary sequences were deposited between 1742 and 1503 Ma, and recorded continuous deposition from alluvial fan and fluvial sedimentation during the initial rifting to deep marine sedimentation in a passive margin setting. Sedimentation during initial rifting received felsic detritus mainly from adjacent continents, whereas sedimentation in a passive margin basin received detritus from felsic to intermediate rocks of the Yangtze Block. Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic rift basins in the southwestern Yangtze Block are remarkably similar to those of north Australia and northwestern Laurentia in their lower part (1742-1600 Ma), but significantly different after ca. 1600 Ma. The southwestern Yangtze Block was likely connected with the north Australia and northwestern Laurentia in Columbia but drifted away from these continents after ca. 1600 Ma. Traditionally thought Mesoproterozoic sedimentary sequences in the southeastern Yangtze Block are now confirmed to be Neoproterozoic in age and include the 835-830 Ma Sibao, Fanjingshan and Lengjiaxi groups, and 831-815 Ma Shuangqiaoshan and Xikou groups. These sequences are unconformably overlain by the ~810-730 Ma Danzhou, Xiajiang, Banxi, Heshangzheng, Luokedong and Likou groups. The regional unconformity likely marked the amalgamation between the Yangtze and Cathaysia Blocks and thus occurred at ~815-810 Ma. The lower sequences (835-815 Ma) received dominant Neoproterozoic (~980-820) felsic to intermediate materials in an active tectonic setting related to continental arc and orogenic collision, whereas the upper sequences represent sedimentation in an extensional setting with input of dominant Neoproterozoic granitic to dioritic materials (~740-900 Ma). The upper parts of the Shuangqiaoshan and Xikou groups, uncomfortably underlain by lower units, are molasse-type assemblages with additional input of pre-Neoproterozoic detritus, representing accumulation of sediments in a retro-arc foreland basin associated with the formation of the Jiangnan Orogen. Stratigraphic correlation, similarly low-δ18O and tectonic affinity of igneous rocks from different continents suggest that the Yangtze Block should be placed in the periphery of Rodinia probably adjacent to northern India. Paleoproterozoic (~2480 Ma and ~2000 Ma) and Early Neoproterozoic (711-997 Ma) were the most important periods of crustal and magmatic events of the southeastern Yangtze Block, but there is a lack of significant Grenvillian magmatism. Early Neoproterozoic magmatism highlights the contribution from both juvenile materials and pre-existing old crust, whereas ~2480 Ma and ~2000 Ma events are marked by reworking of pre-existing continental crust. Magmatism at 1600-1900 Ma was dominated by reworking of pre-existing crust, whereas the 1400-1600 Ma magmatic event recorded some addition of juvenile materials.
published_or_final_version
Earth Sciences
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy

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Harris, Charles William. "A sedimentological and structural analysis of the Proterozoic Uncompahgre Group, Needle Mountains, Colorado." Diss., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/79644.

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Siliciclastic sediments of the Proterozoic Uncompahgre Group can be subdivided into stratigraphic units of quartzite (Q) and pelite (P); these units include a basal, fining- and thinning-upward retrogradational sequence (Q1-P1) that records the transition from an alluvial to a shallow-marine setting. Overlying the basal sequence are three thickening- and coarsening-upward progradational sequences (P2-Q2, P3-Q3 and P4-Q4) that were influenced by tide-, storm- and wave-processes. The progradational units are subdivided into the following facies associations in a vertical sequence. Outer-to inner-shelf mudstones, Bouma sequence beds and storm beds of association A are succeeded by inner-shelf to shoreface cross-stratified sandstones of association B. Conglomerates and cross-bedded sandstones of upper association B represent alluvial braid-delta deposits. Tidal cross-bedded facies of the inner shelf/shoreface (association C) gradationally overlie association B. Interbedded within the tidal facies in upper association C are single pebble layers or <1 m-thick conglomerate beds and trough cross-bedded pebbly sandstones. Single pebble layers could be due to storm winnowing whereas conglomerates and pebbly sandstones may record shoaling to an alluvial/ shoreface setting. A temporally separated storm/alluvial and tidal shelf model best explains the origin and lateral distribution of facies in the progradational sequences. The presence of smaller progradational increments in the mudstone dominated units (P3) and the recurrence of facies associations in the thick quartzite/conglomerate units (Q2, Q3, Q4) suggests that external cyclic factors controlled sedimentation. A composite relative sea level curve integrating glacio-eustatic oscillations and long-term subsidence may account for the evolution of the thick progradational sequences of the Uncompahgre Group. Sedimentary rocks of the Uncompahgre Group have been subjected to polyphase deformation and greenschist facies metamorphism. Phase 1 structures (localized to the West Needle Mountains) include bedding-parallel deformation zones, F₁ folds and an S₁ cleavage. Phase 2 coaxial deformation resulted in the development of upright, macroscopic F₂ folds and an axial-planar crenulation cleavage, S₂. In addition basement-cover contacts were folded. Phase 3 conjugate shearing generated strike-parallel offset in stratigraphic units, a macroscopic F₃ fold, and an S₃ crenulation cleavage. In addition, oblique-slip, reverse faults were activated along basement-cover contacts. The Uncompahgre Group unconformably overlies and is inferred to be parautochthonous upon ca. 1750 Ma gneissic basement that was subjected to polyphase deformation (D_B) and amphibolite facies metamorphism. Basement was intruded by ca. 1690 Ma granitoids. Deformation of gneissic and plutonic basement together with cover (D_BC) postdates deposition of the Uncompahgre Group. The structural evolution of the Uncompahgre Group records the transition from a ductile, north-directed, fold-thrust belt to the formation of a basement involved “megamullion" structure which was subjected to conjugate strike-slip faulting to accommodate further shortening. D_BC deformation may be analogous to the deep foreland suprastructure of an orogenic belt that developed from ca. 1690 to 1600 Ma in the southwestern U.S.A ..
Ph. D.

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Hill, Robert E. (Robert Einar). "Stratigraphy and sedimentology of the Middle Proterozoic Waterton and Altyn Formations, Belt-Purcell Supergroup, southwest Alberta." Thesis, McGill University, 1985. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=63330.

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Gibson, R. G. "Structural studies in a Proterozoic gneiss complex and adjacent cover rocks, west Needle Mountains, Colorado." Diss., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/76096.

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Proterozoic rocks in the Needle Mountains include ca. 1750 Ma amphibolite-grade, metavolcanic and metaplutonic gneisses and ca. 1690 Ma granitoids that comprise the basement to the siliciclastic Uncompahgre Group. The mafic and felsic gneisses underwent synkinematic metamorphism and two phases of isoclinal folding and foliation development during D_B, prior to emplacement of the ca. 1690 Ma plutons. D_BC deformation caused folding of D_B fabrics in the gneisses, development of a subvertical, east-striking foliation in the granitoids, and generation of a macroscopic sigmoidal foliation pattern throughout the area prior to 1430 Ma. D_BC structures in the basement are correlated with macroscopic structures in the Uncompahgre Group, which was deformed into an east-trending cuspate synclinorium during this event. Gently plunging mineral lineations and asymmetric kinematic indicators in the basement record a component of dextral strike-slip shearing in domains of east-striking foliation and sinistral shearing in areas of northeast-striking foliation. A model for D_BC involving the development of conjugate strike-slip shear zones in response to north-northwest shortening is most consistent with the kinematic and fabric orientation data. A zone of phyllite, derived largely from basement, occurs everywhere along the basement-cover contact. Kinematic indicators along and near the contact record upward movement of the cover relative to the basement on each side of the synclinorium and imply that the cover rocks are parautochthonous. Stratigraphic facing of the cover rocks away from the basement supports the interpretation of this contact as an unconformity at the base of the Uncompahgre Group. Alteration of the basement rocks along this contact involved hydration and the loss of CaO, MgO, SiO₂, and Na₂O. The phyllite zone is interpreted as a metamorphosed and deformed regolith that localized out-of-synform movement while the basement and its parautochthonous cover were folded together during D_BC. Rocks in the Needle Mountains comprise part of the Colorado Province, one of several terranes that were possibly accreted to the Archean Wyoming Craton during the Proterozoic. Age constraints on the timing of deformation indicate that D_B and D_BC are representative of two regionally extensive deformational episodes. Pre-1700 Ma deformation is attributed to the assembly of volcanogenic terranes and their accretion to the Wyoming Craton along the Cheyenne Belt. Post-1700 Ma deformation resulted from regional north-northwest crustal shortening induced by tectonic interactions along the southern margin of the Colorado Province. These results support the hypothesis that terrane accretion was important in the Proterozoic crustal evolution of southwestern North America.
Ph. D.

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Allen, Rosemary. "Relationship of thermal evolution to tectonic processes in a proterozoic fold belt : Halls Creek Mobile Zone, East Kimberley, West Australia /." Title page, contents and introduction only, 1986. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09pha4288.pdf.

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12

Sun, Weihua, and 孙卫华. "The neoproterozoic Yanbian group and associated plutons in the westernYangtze block, SW China." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2009. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B41897158.

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13

Teitz, Martin W. "Late proterozoic Yellowhead and Astoria Carbonate Platforms, southwest of Jasper, Alberta." Thesis, McGill University, 1985. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=63371.

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14

Simpson, Edward L. "Sedimentology and tectonic implications of the Late Proterozoic to Early Cambrian Chilhowee Group in southern and central Virginia." Diss., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/53660.

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Few detailed facies analyses of rift to passive-margin transitions have been undertaken in exhumed orogenic belts. In the central Appalachians, the Chilhowee Group records such an evolution. The Unicoi and basal Hampton Formations record the transition from rifting to opening of the Iapetus Ocean. The majority of the Hampton Formation and the overlying Erwin Formation represent an overall regressive sequence punctuated by five progradational packages that accumulated along a passive margin. The rift to passive·margin phases of sedimentation in the central Appalachians reflect a continuum from fault·influenced to thermotectonic subsidence. Alluvial sediments and intercalated basalts of the lower Unicoi Formation developed in a rift setting. Paleontological data indicate that rifting continued into lower Cambrian time. The upper Unicoi Formation represents the incipient phase of passive-margin sedimentation related to a first-order, sea level rise. Differences in degree of crustal attenuation controlled the distribution of sedimentary environments during transgression. On the most attenuated crust to the east, initial transgressive facies consist of tidal sandwave and sandridge deposits intercalated with proximal and medial braid-pIain deposits. As transgression progressed cratonwards onto less attenuated crust, tidal sedimentation was supplanted by tide- and wave-influenced sedimentation characterized by sandwave complexes, tidal inlets and longshore bedforms. Drowning at the top of the Unicoi Formation is indicated by outer-shelf black mudstones. Deepening may have been enhanced by continued movement along listric faults throughout the incipient phase of passive-margin development. Examination of outcrops of the Hampton and Erwin Formations on different thrust sheets has permitted an across-strike reconstruction of the Early Cambrian Chilhowee shelf in space and time. Progradational packages developed under storm- and fair·weather wave conditions. Coarsening· and thickening-upward sequences on westerly thrust sheets were generated during progradation of shoreface, inner-shelf and outer-shelf environments. Outer-shelf facies predominate on easterly thrust sheets. Intertidal-flat deposits on the most westerly thrust sheet erosively overlie progradational shoreface sediments and developed during transgression in an embayment in which the tidal wave was amplified. More distal transgressive deposits consist of fining- and thinning·upward sequences with glauconitic horizons, and condensed sections in mudstones.
Ph. D.

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15

Swift, Peter Norton. "EARLY PROTEROZOIC TURBIDITE DEPOSITION AND MELANGE DEFORMATION, SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/187544.

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Greenschist-facies, Lower Proterozoic metasedimentary rocks of the Johnny Lyon Rills and Little Dragoon Mountains of southeastern Arizona were deposited prior to the intrusion of an approximately 1690 Ma rhyodacite pluton. Well-preserved primary structures indicate deposition by turbidity currents in an intermediate to neardistal setting. Sandstone compositions suggest derivation from either a complex, heterogeneous source or multiple source terranes that provided mature, quartzose sediment as well as lesser quantities of volcaniclastic detritus. Earliest deformation, predating both intrusion of the rhyodacite and metamorphism, produced sections of melange composed primarily of dismembered turbidite beds, but also incorporating large (up to several km long) blocks of deformed basalt. Subsequent deformation, in part post-dating intrusion of the rhyodacite and in part coinciding with metamorphism, affected both melange and coherent strata, and involved isoclinal folding and layerparallel faulting and shearing. It is proposed that turbidite deposition occurred in a trench associated with a north-dipping subduction zone or on ocean floor outboard of such a trench. Melange formed primarily by ductile disruption of unlithified sediments within the subduction zone. Basalt blocks incorporated within the melange represent fragments of oceanic crust or seamounts detached from the lower plate during subduction. Later deformation and intrusion of the rhyodacite occurred within an accretionary prism above the subduction zone. Deformation within the prism ended prior to intrusion of the 1625 ± 10 Ma posttectonic Johnny Lyon Granodiorite.

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16

Haines, Peter W. "Carbonate shelf and basin sedimentation, late Proterozoic Wonoka Formation, South Australia /." Title page, contents and summary only, 1987. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phh152.pdf.

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17

Lane, Robert Andrew. "Geologic setting and petrology of the Proterozoic Ogilvie Mountains breccia of the Coal Creek inlier, southern Ogilvie Mountains, Yukon Territory." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/29196.

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Ogilvie Mountains breccia (OMB) is in Early (?) to Late Proterozoic rocks of the Coal Creek Inlier, southern Ogilvie Mountains, Yukon Territory. Host rocks are the Wernecke Supergroup (Fairchild Lake, Quartet and Gillespie Lake groups) and lower Fifteenmile group. Distribution and cross-cutting relationships of the breccia were delineated by regional mapping. OMB was classified by clast type and matrix composition. Ogilvie Mountains breccia crops out discontinuously along two east-trending belts called the Northern Breccia Belt (NBB) and the Southern Breccia Belt (SBB). The NBB extends across approximately 40 km of the map area, and the SBB is about 15 km long. Individual bodies of OMB vary from dyke- and sill-like to pod-like. The breccia belts each coincide with a regional structure. The NBB coincides with a north side down reverse fault—an inferred ruptured anticline—called the Monster fault. The SBB coincides with a north side down fault called the Fifteenmile fault. These faults, at least in part, guided ascending breccia. The age of OMB is constrained by field relationships and galena lead isotope data. It is younger than the Gillespie Lake Group, and is at least as old as the lower Fifteenmile group because it intrudes both of these units. A galena lead isotope model age for the Hart River stratiform massive sulphide deposit that is in Gillespie Lake Group rocks is 1.45 Ga. Galena from veinlets cutting a dyke that cuts OMB in lower Fifteenmile group rocks is 0.90 Ga in age. Therefore the age of OMB formation is between 1.45 and 0.90 Ga. Ogilvie Mountains breccia (OMB) has been classified into monolithic (oligomictic) and heterolithic (polymictic) lithologies. These have been further divided by major matrix components—end members are carbonate-rich, hematite-rich and chlorite-rich. Monolithic breccias with carbonate matrices dominate the NBB. Heterolithic breccias are abundant locally in the NBB, but are prevalent in the SBB. Fragments were derived mainly from the Wernecke Supergroup. In the SBB fragments from the lower Fifteenmile group are present. Uncommon mafic igneous fragments were from local dykes. OMB are generally fragment dominated. Recognized fragments are up to several 10s of metres across and grade into matrix sized grains. Hydrothermal alteration has locally overprinted OMB and introduced silica, hematite and sulphide minerals. This mineralization has received limited attention from the mineral exploration industry. Rare earth element chemistry reflects a lack of mantle or deep-seated igneous process in the formation of OMB. However, this may be only an apparent lack because flooding by a large volume of sedimentary material could obscure a REE pattern indicative of another source. The genesis of OMB is significantly similar to modern mud diapirs. It is proposed that OMB originated from pressurized, underconsolidated fine grained limey sediments (Fairchild Lake Group). These were trapped below and loaded by turbidites (Quartet Group) and younger units. Tectonics and the initiation of major faults apparently triggered movement of the pressurized fluid-rich medium. The resulting bodies of breccia are sill-like and diapir-like sedimentary intrusions. Fluid-rich phases may have caused hydrofracturing (brittle failure) of the surrounding rocks (especially in the hanging wall). Breccia intrusion would have increased the width of the passage way while encorporating more fragments. Iron- and oxygen-rich hydrothermal fluids apparently were associated with the diapirism. Presumably these fluids are responsible for the high contents of hematite and iron carbonate in fragments, and especially, in the matrix of the breccias. Exhalation of these fluids may have formed the sedimentary iron formations that are spatially associated with the breccias.
Science, Faculty of
Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of
Graduate

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18

Stewart, Kathryn. "High temperature felsic volcanism and the role of mantle magmas in proterozoic crustal growth : the Gawler Range volcanic province /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1992. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phs8488.pdf.

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19

Crowley, James L. Carleton University Dissertation Earth Sciences. "U-Pb geochronology in Frenchman Cap dome of the Monashee complex, southern Canadian Cordillera; early Tertiary tectonic overprint of a Proterozoic history." Ottawa, 1997.

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20

Zhao, Jian-xin. "The geology, geochemistry and geochronology of the Atnarpa Igneous Complex, SE Arunta Inlier, northern Australia : implications for early to middle proterozoic tectonism and crustal evolution." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1989. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09SM/09smz63.pdf.

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21

Booth, Peter William King. "Pan-African imprint on the early mid-proterozoic Richtersveld and Bushmanland sub-provinces near Eksteenfontein, Namaqualand, Republic of South Africa." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/26232.

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The present investigation examines the relationship between the Proterozoic Richtersveld and Bushmanland Subprovinces in the westernmost part of the Namaqua Province, near Eksteenfontein, Republic of South Africa. There is a controversy about this relationship because isotopic data contrast with field evidence. On a regional scale the Richtersveld Subprovince is separated from the Bushmanland Subprovince by the northward-dipping Groothoek Thrust. North of the thrust the Richtersveld Subprovince is comprised of low grade volcano/ plutonic rocks of the Vioolsdrif Terrane and medium grade volcano sedimentary sequences of the Pella Terrane. Medium grade rocks of the Steinkopf Terrane (Bushmanland Subprovince) lie immediately south of the thrust. Late Proterozoic strata of the Stinkfontein Formation (Gariep Group) overlie the Namaqua Province in the west; Cambrian Nama Group outliers occur east of the Stinkfontein Formation. Isotopic data show that lithologies of the Richtersveld Subprovince formed between 2000 - 1730 Ma, whereas those of the Bushmanland Subprovince are younger. It is not clear whether the Namaqua metamorphic imprint (at 1200 - 1100 Ma), which is manifest in terranes south of the Groothoek Thrust, extended as far as the Vioolsdrif Terrane in the north. Early Proterozoic structural and metamorphic imprints are inferred to have been obliterated during this event. The westernmost part of the Namaqua Province was overprinted for a distance of 100 km from the coast, during the Pan-African event at 700 Ma and 500 Ma. An area measuring nearly 500 km2 , traversing the western extremity of the boundary between the Richtersveld and Bushmanland Subprovinces was mapped on a scale of 1:36,000. Field mapping was carried out with the aid of aerial photographs, whereas laboratory techniques included map compilation, structural analysis, X-ray diffractometry, geochemical (XRF) and electron microprobe analyses. Supracrustal units of the Richtersveld Subprovince are composed of quartzo-feldspathic gneisses, schists, and minor meta-pelites. Supracrustals of the Bushmanland Subprovince are less diverse than those of the Richtersveld Subprovince and have a disconformable relationship with them. Most intrusive rock-types are thick granitic sheets, except the Early Proterozoic Vioolsdrif Granodiorite which forms part of a batholithic pluton in the north. The Sabieboomrante adamellite gneiss, Kouefontein granite gneiss and Dabbieputs granite gneiss could not be correlated with lithologies commonly occurring in the Richtersveld and Bushmanland Subprovinces. They have been given the new rock names. Mafic and ultramafic rocks of the Klipbok complex occur along the strike of the Groothoek Thrust. They form part of the Richtersveld Subprovince.

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22

Moodley, Jason Anthony. "Petrogenesis of the Bysteek and Koenap Formation Migmatites, Central Namaqualand." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001574.

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The Mesoproterozoic rocks of the Bysteek and Koenap Formations of the Arribees Group are exposed within a NW-SE striking antiformal structure comprised of mafic granulites and metapelitic diatexites, and a number of marble and calc-silicate rock layers. The mafic granulites of the Bysteek Formation show a typological variety of anatectic features, including nebulitic, stromatitic mesosomes, melanosomes, quartz syenitic leucocratic vein networks and syenitic pools. Melanosomes consist of hedenbergitic to diopside-rich clinopyroxene (XMg: 0.40), anorthitic plagioclase (An90), with some quartz, minor apatite and titanite. Anatexis was caused by biotite dehydration melting and formed a melt of probably granitic composition. The leucosome composition ranges from either alkali-feldspar-granitic to plagioclase rich or granitic. This variation is interpreted as a result of variable extraction of melt from the source to granitic pools. The diatexites of the Koenap Formation are most likely of metapelitic or meta-greywacke origin. They are texturally variable but always contain high modal contents of alkali feldspar and quartz which generally form magmatic textures. Almandine-rich garnet (XMg: 0.18-0.25), cordierite (XMg: 0.71) form secondary biotite, sillimanite and magnetite during retrograde breakdown. Thermodynamic modelling of mafic granulite compositions suggests peak P-T conditions of ~865 °C and 8.6 kbar. Occasionally, garnet rich in ferric iron (XAdr: 0.55) forms by plagioclase-clinopyroxene breakdown under oxidising conditions at ~6 kilobar and ~ 800 °C. At the same stage amphibole forms in some melanosomes. P-T estimations for the diatexites based on thermodynamic modelling suggest the equilibration of the assemblage garnet, cordierite, alkali feldspar and melt at ~860 °C and 5.5 kbar. Conditions comparable to the peak pressure in the mafic granulites could not be established. However, since the diatexites and the mafic granulites are closely related in the field and no evidence of juxtaposition after the thermal peak exists, the P-T record of the diatexites might be incomplete

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23

Bendall, Betina. "Mid-Palaeozoic shear zones in the Strangways Range : a record of intracratonic tectonism in the Arunta Inlier, Central Australia." Title page, contents and introduction only, 2000. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phb458.pdf.

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24

He, Yanhong, and 何艷紅. "Ages and geochemistry of the Xiong'er volcanic rocks along the southern margin of the North China Craton: implications for the outgrowths of the paleo-mesoproterozoicsupercontinent Columbia (Nuna)." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2008. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B4163424X.

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25

Greentree, Matthew Richard. "Tectonostratigraphic analysis of the Proterozoic Kangdian iron oxide - copper province, South-West China." University of Western Australia. Tectonics Special Research Centre, 2007. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2009.0054.

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The Cenozoic Ailaoshan Red River shear zone marks the present day western margin of the South China Block. Along this margin are well preserved late Paleoproterozoic to early Neoproterozoic sedimentary and volcanic successions. This work examines the ages and tectonic environments for the formation of the successions, as well as significance of the regional tectono-magmatic events on the formation of widespread iron oxide-copper deposits. The oldest succession is the Paleoproterozoic Dahongshan Group. A new SHRIMP UPb age of 1675 ± 8 Ma for a tuffaceous schist unit confirms its Paleoproterozoic age. Detrital zircon ages of the Dahongshan Group range between Archean to Paleoproterozoic (ca. 2780 1860 Ma). They include a population of ca. 2400 2100 Ma grains, which have no known source region on the exposed Yangtze Block. Previous geochemical studies of metavolcanic rocks from the Dahongshan Group have suggested that these rocks were erupted in an oceanic setting. However, this study shows that the metavolcanics are extremely altered and cannot be used for reliable tectonic discrimination. Based on the characteristics of sedimentary rocks in the Dahongshan Group, it is suggested that these rocks were deposited in a continental setting. Overlying the Dahongshan Group is a thick sedimentary sequence which has been variably termed the Kunyang, Dongchuan, Huili or Xide Groups. In the past, these rocks have been considered as a Mesoproterozoic rift succession. However, no precise age constraints were available for the succession. In this study, this sequence is found to contain at least two separate tectonostratigraphic units. The oldest (ca.1140 Ma) is comprised of alkaline basalt with a geochemical and isotopic character similar to that of modern intracontinental rift basalts. The presence of Cathaysia-derived sediments in this unit indicates sedimentary transportation from the southerly Cathaysia Block to the northerly Yangtze Block (in present coordinates) in South China at that time, which suggests an impactogen scenario. The thick sedimentary sequence of what has traditionally been defined as the Kunyang Group has been found to have significantly younger depositional age of ca.1000 960 Ma. The composition of sedimentary rocks and the provenance of detrital zircons from the Kunyang Group are consistent with a foreland basin setting. The depositional age of this sequence coincides with the timing of Sibao Orogeny as determined elsewhere in the South China Block. Summary Page ii Numerous iron oxide - copper (gold) deposits occur within the rocks of the Dahongshan and Kunyang Groups. Previous studies have classified these deposits into two deposit styles: the Dahongshan-type Paleoproterozoic VMS mineralisation hosted within the Dahongshan Group, and the Dongchuan-type diagenetic carbonate and shale-hosted deposits hosted within the Kunyang Group. However, both deposit types share similarities with the iron oxide copper (gold) deposit class, such as stratabound disseminated and massive copper ores, abundance of iron oxide occurring mostly as low Ti - magnetite and haematite, and variable enrichments in Au, Ag, Co, F, Mo, P and REE. 40Ar/39Ar data from both deposit types indicate mineralisation ages of ca. 850 830 Ma and 780 740 Ma.

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26

Vallini, Daniela Alessandra. "The formation of authigenic xenotime in Proterozoic sedimentary basins : petrography, age and geochemistry." University of Western Australia. Geology and Geophysics Discipline Group, 2006. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2006.0070.

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[Truncated abstract] The realization in 1999 that the authigenic phosphate, xenotime, could be used in geochronological studies to place age constraints on burial events that affected sedimentary basins has opened numerous opportunities for establishing timeframes for sedimentary basin analysis. Since then, the mineral has been used to place new and novel age constraints on diagenesis, metamorphism, and hydrothermal alteration and mineralization events. Whilst these studies were successful, they identified many complexities in xenotime growth and were restricted to specific areas or single basins: they do not convey, demonstrate or explore the immense variety of geological applications in which xenotime may provide unique geochronological constraints. This thesis explores the nature of authigenic xenotime, utilizing studies in three different Proterozoic sedimentary basins: two in Australia, southwestern Australia and the Northern Territory, and the third in the United States of America. The thesis includes a number of discrete studies demonstrating different aspects of xenotime growth, elucidated from detailed petrography, geochronology and geochemistry of authigenic xenotime. An integrated textural, geochemical and geochronological study of authigenic xenotime from the Mt Barren Group, SW Australia, establishes an absolute timescale on some of the many processes involved during the diagenesis of siliciclastic units. ... positions and trends and broadly confirm the chemical discrimination criteria established for an Archaean basin. However, the Proterozoic data are shifted to lower Gd-Dy values and extend beyond the original field outlines, causing more overlap between fields intended to discriminate xenotimes of different origin. The plots were revised to encompass the new data. This study has significantly extended our knowledge of the nature of authigenic xenotime. It was found that xenotime may form in (meta)sediments in response to a large number of post-depositional processes, including early- and latediagenesis, (multiple) basinal hydrothermal events and low-grade metamorphism. A combination of detailed petrography and in situ geochronology provides the best avenue to decipher complex growth histories in xenotime. With further development, it is likely that xenotime geochemistry will also prove diagnostic of origin and can be incorporated into the interpretation of age data. The number of potential applications for xenotime geochronology has been expanded by this study.

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27

Muller, Stefan G. "The tectonic evolution and volcanism of the Lower Wyloo Group, Ashburton Province, with timing implications for giant iron-ore deposits of the Hamersley Province, Western Australia." University of Western Australia. School of Earth and Geographical Sciences, 2006. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2006.0043.

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[Truncated abstract] Banded iron formations of the ~27702405 Ma Hamersley Province of Western Australia were locally upgraded to high-grade hematite ore during the Early Palaeoproterozoic by a combination of hypogene and supergene processes after the initial rise of atmospheric oxygen. Ore genesis was associated with the stratigraphic break between Lower and Upper Wyloo Groups of the Ashburton Province, and has been variously linked to the Ophthalmian orogeny, late-orogenic extensional collapse, and anorogenic continental extension. Small spot PbPb dating of in situ baddeleyite by SHRIMP (sensitive highresolution ion-microprobe) has resolved the ages of two key suites of mafic intrusions constraining for the first time the tectonic evolution of the Ashburton Province and the age and setting of iron-ore formation. Mafic sills dated at 2208 ± 10 Ma were folded during the Ophthalmian orogeny and then cut by the unconformity at the base of the Lower Wyloo Group. A mafic dyke swarm that intrudes the Lower Wyloo Group and has close genetic relationship to iron ore is 2008 ± 16 Ma, slightly younger than a new syneruptive 2031 ± 6 Ma zircon age for the Lower Wyloo Group. These new ages constrain the Ophthalmian orogeny to the period <2210 to >2030 Ma, before Lower Wyloo Group extension, sedimentation, and flood-basalt volcanism. The ~2010 Ma dykes present a new maximum age for iron-ore genesis and deposition of the Upper Wyloo Group, thereby linking ore genesis to a ~21002000 Ma period of continental extension similarly recorded by Palaeoproterozoic terrains worldwide well after the initial oxidation of the atmosphere at ~2320 Ma. The Lower Wyloo Group contains, in ascending order, the fluvial to shallow-marine Beasley River Quartzite, the predominantly subaqueously emplaced Cheela Springs flood basalt and the Wooly Dolomite, a shelf-ramp carbonate succession. Field observations point to high subsidence of the sequence, rather than the mainly subaerial to shallow marine depositional environment-interpretation described by earlier workers. Abundant hydro-volcanic breccias, including hyaloclastite, peperite and fluidal-clast breccia all indicate quench-fragmentation processes caused by interaction of lava with water, and support the mainly subaqueous emplacement of the flood basalt which is also indicated by interlayered BIF-like chert/mudstones and below-wave-base turbiditic mass-flows.

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28

Beard, Linda Sue. "Precambrian Geology of the Cottonwood Cliffs Area, Mohave County, Arizona." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/244095.

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A belt of Early Proterozoic rocks crops out in the Cottonwood Cliffs area, northwest Arizona. The belt contains an eastern and a western assemblage separated by the Slate Mountain fault. The western assemblage consists of mafic to felsic metavolcanic rocks, metapelites, and metaconglomerates. The eastern assemblage consists of phyllites, felsic to intermediate metavolcanic rocks, metagraywackes, and metagabbro bodies. The belt is bounded to the east by foliated granodiorite. The Valentine granite intruded the belt on the west and north. Steeply-plunging lineations and fold axes, and northeast-trending vertical foliation dominate the structural fabric. The regional elongation direction is near-vertical, as indicated by mineral and pebble lineations, and is parallel to fold axes. Although only one deformational event is evident, the intensity of that event may have obliterated evidence of any earlier deformation. Tertiary basalts and the Peach Springs Tuff locally overly the metamorphic rocks. Cenozoic normal faults in the area are mostly of minor displacement.

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29

Polteau, Stéphane. "The early proterozoic Makganyene glacial event in South Africa : its implication in sequence stratigraphy interpretations, paleoenvironmental conditions and iron and manganese ore deposition." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007612.

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The Makganyene Formation forms the base of the Postmasburg Group in the Transvaal Supergroup in the Griqualand West Basin. It consists of diamictites, sandstones, banded iron-formations (BIFs), shales, siltstones and carbonates. It is generally accepted that the Makganyene Formation rests on an erosive regional unconformity throughout the Northern Cape Province. However this study demonstrates that this stratigraphic relationship is not universal, and conformable contacts have been observed. One of the principal aims of this study is to identify the nature of the Makganyene basal contact throughout the Griqualand West Basin. Intensive fieldwork was carried out from Prieska in the south, to Danielskuil in the north. In the Sishen and Hotazel areas, only borehole material was available to assess the stratigraphy. The Griquatown Fault Zone delimits the boundary between the deep basin and platform facies. The Koegas Subgroup is only present south of the Griquatown Fault Zone, where it pinches out. However, the transition Griquatown BIFs-Koegas Subgroup occurs in lacustrine deposits on the Ghaap platform (Beukes, 1983). The Griquatown Fault Zone represents the edge of the basin, which corresponds to a hinge rather than a fault zone. The Makganyene Formation rests with a conformable contact on the Koegas Subgroup south of the Griquatown Hinge Zone, and north of it the Makganyene Formation lies unconformably on the Asbestos Hills Subgroup. The Makganyene Formation displays lateral facies changes that reflect the paleogeography of the Griqualand West Basin, and the development of ice sheets/shelves. The Ghaap platform is characterised by coarse immature sand interbedded with the diamictites. The clasts in this area contain local Asbestos Hills material and no dropstones are present. Such settings are typical of sediments that are being deposited below a grounded ice mass. At the Griquatown Hinge Zone, the sandstone lenses are smaller, and the clasts consist of chert, of which a great number are striated and faceted. In the Matsap area, the presence of dropstones is strong evidence for the presence of a floating ice shelf that released its material by basal melting. Further south, the Makganyene Formation contains stromatolitic bioherms that only form if clastic contamination is minimal and therefore the ice that transported the detritus to the basin did not extend far into open sea conditions. The base of the Hotazel Formation also contains diamictite levels. Dropstones have been identified, implying a glacial origin. The Hotazel diamictites are interbedded with hyaloclastites and BIFs. The Makganyene glacial event, therefore, was not restricted to the Makganyene Formation, but also included the Ongeluk Formation, through to the base of the Hotazel Formation. Petrographic studies of the Makganyene Formation and the base of the Hotazel Formation reveal mineral assemblages that are diagnostic of early to late diagenetic crystallisation and of low-grade metamorphism not exceeding the very low green-schist facies. The facies identified display the same sense of basin deepening, from shallow high-energy Hotazel area on the Ghaap platform, to the deep basin in the Matsap area. Whole-rock geochemical analyses reveal that the elemental composition of the Makganyene Formation is very similar to that of the Asbestos Hills BIFs, which were the most important source of clastic detritus for the Makganyene Formation. However, minor amounts of carbonates of the Campbellrand Subgroup, as well as a felsic crustal input from the Archean granitoid basement, made contributions. On the Ghaap platform, the Makganyene diamictite is enriched in iron, calcium, and magnesium, while in the deeper parts of the basin the diamictites are enriched in detrital elements, such as titanium and aluminium, which occur in the fine clay component. The Hotazel diamictite displays a distinct mafic volcanic input, related to the extrusion of the Ongeluk basaltic andesites, which was incorporated in the glacial sediments. Sequence stratigraphy is based on the recognition of contacts separating the different systems tracts that compose a depositional sequence. However, because the basal contact of the Makganyene Formation has not been properly identified in previous work, no correct model has been proposed so far. Therefore correlations between the Griqualand West and the Transvaal basins, based on lithostratigraphic similarities and extrapolations of unconformities, have to be reviewed, especially since the publication of new radiometric ages contradict all previously proposed correlations. It is proposed here that the Transvaal Supergroup in the Griqualand West Basin represents a continuous depositional event that lasted about 200 Ma. The Makganyene glacial event occurred during changing conditions in the chemistries of the atmosphere and ocean, and in the continental configuration. A Snowball Earth event has been proposed as the causative process of such paleoenvironmental changes. However, evidence presented here of less dramatic glacial conditions, with areas of ice-free waters, implies an alternative to the Snowball Earth event. The paleoenvironmental changes are thought to represent a transition from an anaerobic to aerobic atmosphere, that was responsible for the global cooling of the surface of the Earth, Such a glacial event may have aided in the large-scale precipitation of iron and manganese in areas of intense upwellings.

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Sener, A. K. "Characteristics, distribution and timing of gold mineralisation in the Pine Creek Orogen, Northern Territory, Australia." University of Western Australia. Centre for Global Metallogeny, 2005. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2005.0102.

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Over the last two decades, gold occurrences in the Palaeoproterozoic Pine Creek Orogen (PCO) have been cited as type-examples of high-temperature contact-metamorphic or thermal-aureole deposits associated with granitoid magmatism. Furthermore, spatial relationships between these gold occurrences and the granitoids have led to inclusion of these deposits in the intrusion-related gold deposit group. Research on the characteristics, distribution and timing of these gold deposits tests these classifications and supports an alternative interpretation. The deposits display many similarities to well-described ‘turbidite-hosted’ orogenic gold deposits described from several Palaeozoic orogens. As in most ‘turbidite-hosted’ orogenic deposits, the gold mineralisation is dominantly epigenetic, sediment-hosted (typically greywacke and siltstone) and fold-controlled. Most gold is hosted by concordant or discordant veins, with limited alteration halos in host rocks, except where they occur in silicate-facies BIF or other Fe-rich rocks. The domal culminations of major doubly-plunging anticlines, and/or fold-limb thrust-faults, are important structural controls at the camp- and deposit-scales. Many deposits are sited in parts of the lithostratigraphy where there is significant competency and/or chemical contrast between units or sequences. In particular, the complex interdigitated stratigraphy of euxinic and transitional high-energy sedimentary rocks of the c.1900-1880Ma South Alligator Group is important for the localisation of gold deposits. The distribution of deposits is influenced further by the location and shape of granitoids and their associated contact-metamorphic aureole. Approximately 90% of gold deposits lie within the ∼2.5km wide contact-aureole, and most of these are concentrated in, and just beyond, the biotite-albite-epidote zone (0.5-1.0km from granitoid), with few deposits located in the inner hornblende-hornfels zone. At the deposit scale, gold is commonly associated with arsenopyrite-loellengite and pyrite, native-Bi and Bi-bearing minerals, and is confined to a variety of extensional quartz-sulphide ± carbonate veins. Such veins formed typically at 180-320°?C and ∼1kbar from low- to moderate salinity, two-phase aqueous fluids. Isotopic studies of the deposits are equivocal in terms of the source of hydrothermal fluid. Most δD and δ18O values fall within the range defined for contact-metamorphic and magmatic fluids, and sulphur isotopes indicate that the fluids are within the range of most regional sources. Significantly, lead isotope ratios show that the goldbearing fluid does not have a felsic magmatic-source signature, but instead suggest a homogenous regional-scale lead source. Excluding a few outliers, the relative uniformity of deposit characteristics, including host rocks, structural style, alteration, sulphide paragenesis and fluid P-T-X conditions, suggests that most deposits represent a continuum of broadly coeval mineralisation that formed under similar geological conditions

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Berger, Julien. "Les associations de roches basiques - ultrabasiques néoprotérozoïques d'Amalaoulou (Gourma, Mali), du Tassendjanet (Hoggar occidental, Algérie) et cénozoïques du Saghro (Anti-Atlas, Maroc): témoins de l'évolution géodynamique de la ceinture péri-cratonique ouest-africaine." Doctoral thesis, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2013/ULB-DIPOT:oai:dipot.ulb.ac.be:2013/210499.

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Ce travail retrace l’évolution de la suture panafricaine le long de l’axe Anti-Atlas, Hoggar occidental, Gourma, depuis l’activité tectono-magmatique néoprotérozoïque pré-panafricaine jusqu’à l’activité magmatique anorogénique cénozoïque via l’étude de quatre massifs basiques-ultrabasiques disposés à la périphérie du craton ouest-africain.

Le massif d’Amalaoulaou (Gourma, Mali) est interprété comme la racine d’un arc intra-océanique ayant enregistré la mise en place de magmas basiques (unité des métagabbros) à un stade immature de l’évolution de l’arc (subduction naissante) vers 800-790 Ma. Les gabbros quartziques (~720 Ma) et les gabbros à hornblende de l’unité supérieure ont des signatures de magmas d’arc plus franche, témoins d’une source mantellique plus enrichie par l’apport de la plaque océanique plongeante. Les métagabbros sont ensuite affectés par une recristallisation et localement par une anatexie en conditions du faciès granulitique. De nombreuses veines leucocrates se développent à ce stade, ce sont principalement des anorthosites et des tonalites (mises en place vers 660 Ma) provenant de la fusion partielle des métagabbros (850°C-1000°C, P>10 kbar). Cette fusion génère également des résidus denses à grenat-clinopyroxène-rutile, associations fréquemment présentes dans les racines d’arcs plus récents et reflétant la maturation de l’arc. L’arc d’Amalaoulaou est ensuite exhumé et charrié sur le craton ouest-africain dans des conditions de basse température et moyenne pression (550°C, 6-9 kbar), probablement au même moment que l’exhumation des éclogites du Gourma (~620 Ma).

L ‘épisode de subduction océanique est suivi par la subduction continentale dans le Gourma et le Hoggar occidental. Les éclogites/amphibolites de Tiléouine et Tin Zebbane (Hoggar occidental) sont des métabasaltes tholéiitiques enrichis et alcalins intracontinentaux ayant plongé à 60 km de profondeur (600°C, 17 kbar) lors de la subduction d’une partie du terrane du Tassendjanet. Même si la nature géochimique du protolithe est encore reconnaissable, ces métabasaltes ont subi une différenciation chimique lors de la recristallisation à haute pression par interaction avec les fluides issus de la déshydratation des métasédiments. L’exhumation (615-600 Ma) se fait relativement lentement, ce qui induit un rééquilibrage thermique (750°C, ~10 kbar) avant l’exhumation à basse température (660 °C, 7-8 kbar) précédant de peu voire synchrone à la phase collisionnelle.

L’intrusion basique-ultrabasique de Tiléouine marque la fin de la collision panafricaine dans le Hoggar occidental (600-590 Ma). C’est une ancienne chambre magmatique différenciée, mise en place entre 10 et 20 km de profondeur, et montrant une évolution magmatique depuis des cumulats ultramafiques riches en olivine, spinelle et pyroxène vers des gabbros riches en plagioclase. Le magma parental est d’affinité tholéiitique enrichie et tire probablement sa source de la lithosphère sous-continentale. La mise en place de cette intrusion est contemporaine d’un contexte tectonique transtensif induisant un amincissement lithosphérique au niveau du Tassendjanet.

Cette suture péri-cratonique est réactivée au Cénozoïque, lors de la convergence Afrique-Europe, ce qui se marque par la mise en place de laves alcalines, notamment dans l'Est de l’Anti-Atlas marocain (Saghro :10-3 Ma). Les néphélinites du Saghro sont issues de faibles taux de fusion partielle d’une source mantellique contenant un composant HIMU et localisée à la limite asthénosphère/lithosphère (70-100 km sous l’Anti-Atlas). La cristallisation fractionnée de ces magmas génère des phonolites, par fractionnement de feldspath, néphéline, apatite et sphène, principalement. L’étape finale de différenciation se marque par la formation de phases peu communes comme la hainite et la lorenzenite. Ces magmas se sont mis en place à la faveur de fentes de tension et de fractures ouvertes ayant la même orientation que la contrainte principale au Mio-Pliocène.

Doctorat en Sciences
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

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32

Land, Jarred. "Genesis of BIF-hosted hematite iron ore deposits in the central part of the Maremane anticline, Northern Cape Province, South Africa." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020905.

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The Paleoproterozoic Transvaal Supergroup in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa is host to high-grade BIF-hosted hematite iron-ore deposits and is the country’s most important source of iron to date. Previous work has failed to provide a robust and all-inclusive genetic model for such deposits in the Transvaal Supergroup; in particular, the role of hydrothermal processes in ore-genesis has not been adequately clarified. Recent studies by the author have produced evidence for hydrothermal alteration in shales (Olifantshoek Supergroup) stratigraphically overlying the iron-ore intervals; this has highlighted the need to reassess current ore-forming models which place residual supergene processes at the core of oregenesis. This thesis focuses on providing new insights into the processes responsible for the genesis of hematite iron ores in the Maremane anticline through the use of newly available exploration drill-core material from the centre of the anticline. The study involved standard mineralogical investigations using transmitted/reflected light microscopy as well as instrumental techniques (XRD, EPMA); and the employment of traditional whole-rock geochemical analysis on samples collected from two boreholes drilled in the centre of the Maremane anticline, Northern Cape Province. Rare earth element analysis (via ICP-MS) and oxygen isotope data from hematite separates complement the whole-rock data. Iron-ore mineralisation examined in this thesis is typified by the dominance of Fe-oxide (as hematite), which reaches whole-rock abundances of up to 98 wt. % Fe₂O₃. Textural and whole-rock geochemical variations in the ores likely reflect a variable protolith, from BIF to Fe-bearing shale. A standard supergene model invoking immobility and residual enrichment of iron is called into question on the basis of the relative degrees of enrichment recorded in the ores with respect to other, traditionally immobile elements during chemical weathering, such as Al₂O₃ and TiO₂. Furthermore, the apparently conservative behaviour of REE in the Fe ore (i.e. low-grade and high-grade iron ore) further emphasises the variable protolith theory. Hydrothermally-induced ferruginisation is suggested to post-date the deposition of the post-Transvaal Olifantshoek shales, and is likely to be linked to a sub-surface transgressive hydrothermal event which indiscriminately transforms both shale and BIF into Fe-ore. A revised, hydrothermal model for the formation of BIF-hosted high-grade hematite iron ore deposits in the central part of the Maremane anticline is proposed, and some ideas of the author for further follow-up research are presented.

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Zhao, Xinfu, and 赵新福. "Paleoproterozoic crustal evolution and Fe-Cu metallogeny of the western Yangtze Block, SW China." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2010. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B43572261.

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Rafuza, Sipesihle. "Carbonate petrography and geochemistry of BIF of the Transvaal supergroup : evaluating the potential of iron carbonates as proxies for palaeoproterozoic ocean chemistry." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018611.

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The subject of BIF genesis, particularly their environmental conditions and ocean chemistry at the time of deposition and their evolution through time, has been a subject of much contentiousness, generating a wealth of proposed genetic models and constant refinements thereof over the years. The prevailing paradigm within the various schools of thought, is the widespread and generally agreed upon depositional and diagenetic model(s) which advocate for BIF deposition under anoxic marine conditions. According to the prevailing models, the primary depositional environment would have involved a seawater column whereby soluble Fe²⁺ expelled by hydrothermal activity mixed with free O₂ from the shallow photic zone produced by eukaryotes, forming a high valence iron oxy-hydroxide precursor such as FeOOH or Fe(OH)₃. An alternative biological mechanism producing similar ferric precursors would have been in the form of photo-ferrotrophy, whereby oxidation of ferrous iron to the ferric form took place in the absence of biological O₂ production. Irrespective of the exact mode of primary iron precipitation (which remains contentious to date), the precipitated ferric oxy-hydroxide precursor would have reacted with co-precipitated organic matter, thus acting as a suitable electron acceptor for organic carbon remineralisation through Dissimilatory Iron Reduction (DIR), as also observed in many modern anoxic diagenetic environments. DIR-dominated diagenetic models imply a predominantly diagenetic influence in BIF mineralogy and genesis, and use as key evidence the low δ¹³C values relative to the seawater bicarbonate value of ~0 ‰, which is also thought to have been the dissolved bicarbonate isotope composition in the early Precambrian oceans. The carbon for diagenetic carbonate formation would thus have been sourced through a combination of two end-member sources: pore-fluid bicarbonate at ~0 ‰ and particulate organic carbon at circa -28 ‰, resulting in the intermediate δ¹³C values observed in BIFs today. This study targets 65 drillcore samples of the upper Kuruman and Griquatown BIF from the lower Transvaal Supergroup in the Hotazel area, Northern Cape, South Africa, and sets out to explore key aspects in BIF carbonate petrography and geochemistry that are pertinent to current debates surrounding their interpretation with regard to primary versus diagenetic processes. The focus here rests on applications of carbonate (mainly siderite and ankerite) petrography, mineral chemistry, bulk and mineral-specific carbon isotopes and speciation analyses, with a view to obtaining valuable new insights into BIF carbonates as potential records of ocean chemistry for their bulk carbonate-carbon isotope signature. Evaluation of the present results is done in light of pre-existing, widely accepted diagenetic models against a proposed water-column model for the origin of the carbonate species in BIF. The latter utilises a combination of geochemical attributes of the studied carbonates, including the conspicuous Mn enrichment and stratigraphic variability in Mn/Fe ratio of the Griquatown BIF recorded solely in the carbonate fraction of the rocks. Additionally, the carbon isotope signatures of the Griquatown BIF samples are brought into the discussion and provide insights into the potential causes and mechanisms that may have controlled these signatures in a diagenetic versus primary sedimentary environment. Ultimately, implications of the combined observations, findings and arguments presented in this thesis are presented and discussed with particular respect to the redox evolution and carbon cycle of the ocean system prior to the Great Oxidation Event (GOE). A crucial conclusion reached is that, by contrast to previously-proposed models, diagenesis cannot singularly be the major contributing factor in BIF genesis at least with respect to the carbonate fraction in BIF, as it does not readily explain the carbon isotope and mineral-chemical signatures of carbonates in the Griquatown and uppermost Kuruman BIFs. It is proposed instead that these signatures may well record water-column processes of carbon, manganese and iron cycling, and that carbonate formation in the water column and its subsequent transfer to the precursor BIF sediment constitutes a faithful record of such processes. Corollary to that interpretation is the suggestion that the evidently increasing Mn abundance in the carbonate fraction of the Griquatown BIF up-section would point to a chemically evolving depositional basin with time, from being mainly ferruginous as expressed by Mn-poor BIFs in the lower stratigraphic sections (i.e. Kuruman BF) to more manganiferous as recorded in the upper Griquatown BIF, culminating in the deposition of the abnormally enriched in Mn Hotazel BIF at the stratigraphic top of the Transvaal Supergroup. The Paleoproterozoic ocean must therefore have been characterised by long-term active cycling of organic carbon in the water column in the form of an ancient biological pump, albeit with Fe(III) and subsequently Mn(III,IV) oxy-hydroxides being the key electron acceptors within the water column. The highly reproducible stratigraphic isotope profiles for bulk δ¹³C from similar sections further afield over distances up to 20 km, further corroborate unabatedly that bulk carbonate carbon isotope signatures record water column carbon cycling processes rather than widely-proposed anaerobic diagenetic processes.

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Anderson, Alvin D. "Geology of the Phil Pico Mountain Quadrangle, Daggett County, Utah, and Sweetwater County, Wyoming." Diss., CLICK HERE for online access, 2008. http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/ETD/image/etd2384.pdf.

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Von, Veh Mark Wolter. "The stratigraphy and structural evolution of the late Proterozoic Gariep belt in the Sendelingsdrif-Annisfontein area, northwestern Cape Province." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17695.

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Bibliography: pages 128-143.
A geological investigation of the Port Nolloth metasediments in the central external parts of the Gariep Beit has led to a re-interpretation of tbeir lithostratigraphy and Pan-African geotectonic evolution. During the rifting stage of passive continental margin evolution, the basal elastic Stinkfontein Sequence was deposited in an alluvial fan environment. Fluviatile conglomerates and quartz arenites (Lekkersing Formation) interfinger with feldspathic arenites and minor volcanics (Vredefontein Formation), and prograde into marginal marine elastics and carbonates (Gumchavib Formation). Rift faulting produced local grabens into which massflow sediments (Kaigas Formation) and volcaniclastics (Rosh Pinah Formation) were shed. During the sea-floor spreading stage, a shallow-water carbonateclastic unit, the Hilda Sequence, was deposited. Conglomerates, quartzites, and schists with resedimented gravity-flow characteristics (Wallekraal Formation) are sandwiched between lower and upper platform carbonates (Pickelhaube and Dabie River Formations). The Hilda is unconformably overlain by the Numees Sequence, consisting of a widespread glaciogenic diamictite (Sendelingsdrif Formation) and a near-basal banded iron formation (Jakkalsberg Formation). A deep-water elastic unit, the Holgat Sequence, was laid down during the early stage of the lower Nama transgression.

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Mengel, Flemming Cai. "Thermotectonic evolution of the Proterozoic-Archaean boundary in the Saglek area, northern Labrador /." 1987. http://collections.mun.ca/u?/theses,91862.

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Hill, Catherine Mary. "Experimental constraints on crustal contamination in Proterozoic anorthosite petrogenesis." Thesis, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/23584.

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A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2017.
Massif-type anorthosites formed in the Proterozoic Eon are the most voluminous anorthosite occurrences on Earth, reaching tens of thousands of square kilometers in aerial extent. While they formed throughout the Proterozoic, most formed during a 700 Ma period between 1800 and 1100 Ma. The rocks are dominated by plagioclase (typically 70 – 95 volume %) of intermediate composition (An40-65). Olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and Fe-Ti oxides make up the minor mafic proportion. While most researchers agree that the anorthosites formed from a high-alumina basaltic parental magma, there are disparate views on how that parental magma was generated. Whether the parental magma formed by partial melting of the lower crust, or by mantle melting, is a topic of much debate. The anorthosites commonly have crust-like isotopic signatures, but this could be produced by melting of the lower crust, or by crustal contamination of mantle-derived magmas. Many Proterozoic anorthosite complexes consist of both olivine-bearing and orthopyroxene-bearing anorthosites. This has been attributed to variable amounts of crustal contamination of mantle-derived magmas, based on evidence from isotopes and field relations. While geochemical and petrologic evidence for crustal contamination is plentiful, existing experimental work shows that a thermal divide exists for high-alumina basalts fractionating at lower crustal depths, casting doubts on whether fractionation of a mantle melt could produce anorthosite. Here I use high-pressure experiments to test whether the fractionation of high-alumina basalt can form anorthosites, and to what extent crustal contamination affects the fractionation sequence. The results are compared to new geochemical and petrologic data from the Kunene Anorthosite Complex (KAC), in Angola and Namibia. The KAC is one of the largest anorthosite complexes in the world, with an area of ~18 000 km2. The KAC (1438 – 1319 Ma) has an elongate shape and intruded into Palaeoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic country rocks (~2200 to 1635 Ma) at the southern margin of the Congo craton. It is associated with a suite of granitoid rocks of variable composition, which are akin to the granitoids associated with nearly all Proterozoic anorthosites. The granitoids have been shown to be coeval with the anorthosites, but were from a chemically independent magma series. The most distinctive granitoids in the KAC are the Red Granites, which outcrop around the southern margins of the complex, and also cross-cut the complex in a NE-SW linear belt, dividing the complex roughly into northern and southern domains. The rocks of the KAC are highly variable in terms of mode, mineral chemistry, and texture, but there is a general trend of more olivine-bearing anorthosites north of the granite belt, and orthopyroxene-bearing anorthosites to the south. The olivine-bearing rocks (or leucotroctolites) typically contain plagioclase and cumulus and/or intercumulus olivine, with lesser interstitial orthopyroxene and/or clinopyroxene, Fe-Ti oxides, and biotite. The orthopyroxene-bearing anorthosites (or leuconorites) contain cumulus plagioclase ± cumulus orthopyroxene, and interstitial orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, oxides and biotite. The leucotroctolites are characterized by more calcic plagioclase (An56-75), while the leuconorites contain more intermediate plagioclase (An48-56). The variability of the rocks across the complex suggests that the KAC consists of several coalesced plutons with different histories. The petrologic data and field observations in this study are consistent with the leuconorites of the complex being derived from a mantle-derived magma that experienced contamination by silica-rich rocks, crystallizing orthopyroxene rather than olivine, and less calcic plagioclase. The leucotroctolites experienced less or no contamination. To test whether the mineral dichotomy and the variations in plagioclase chemistry observed in Proterozoic anorthosites are due to variably contaminated mantle-derived magma, piston cylinder experiments were conducted on a synthetic high-alumina basalt (HAB) composition, as well as a mixture of this HAB with 30% of a Red Granite composition. Experiments were conducted at 10 kbar, to simulate the depth at which anorthosite differentiation most likely begins (based on Al-in-orthopyroxene geobarometry of highly aluminous orthopyroxene megacrysts that occur in many massifs). The uncontaminated experiments produced olivine as the first liquidus phase, followed by plagioclase (An65-68), and then by clinopyroxene, pigeonite and ilmenite at progressively lower temperatures. Residual liquids evolve towards more silica-rich compositions with decreasing temperature. The contamination experiments produced liquidus orthopyroxene, followed by plagioclase (An51-56), and then by pigeonite at lower temperatures. The experiments show that contamination of a primitive HAB magma by granitic material, most likely produced by partial melting of the lower crust during anorthosite formation, can shift the mineral assemblages of the crystallizing anorthosite from olivinebearing to orthopyroxene-bearing, and produce less calcic plagioclase than the uncontaminated HAB magma. This could explain the observation of olivine-bearing and orthopyroxene-bearing anorthosites in the KAC and many other Proterozoic anorthosites. Previous high-pressure experimental studies, using a slightly more evolved HAB composition, indicated the presence of a thermal divide, which causes liquids to evolve to more Si-poor compositions. The experimental results presented in this study however, do not show a thermal divide, indicating that small variations in experimental starting composition can cause large differences in the liquid line of descent. The results of this study indicate that partial melting of the mantle can produce anorthosite parental magmas, and that the range in mineral assemblages of the anorthosites can be accounted for by crustal contamination of a mantle-derived magma. Fractionation of the experimental starting compositions was also modeled using the MELTS algorithm. These calculations produce a close match to the experimental liquid trends. This allows for modeling of a variety of compositional and environmental variables. The MELTS modeling shows that as little as 10% contamination of HAB magma with a granitic composition may position the magma in the orthopyroxene stability field, forming orthopyroxene-bearing anorthosites. The modeling also shows that a variety of silica-rich contaminants, including granites, granodiorites and tonalities, produce similar results and liquid evolution trends, so a range of granitoid compositions may successfully produce the shift in mineral assemblages of the anorthosites. This suggests that crustal contamination of mantle-derived HAB could be a widespread process and the primary mechanism that produces the distinctive crust-like signatures in Proterozoic anorthosites. In summary, the mineralogical and chemical diversity observed in Proterozoic anorthosites can be produced by variable amounts of crustal contamination of mantle-derived, highalumina basaltic magma. The experimental results in this study combined with field observations, and geochemical and isotopic data, provide evidence for a model of massif-type anorthosite petrogenesis. Orthopyroxene-bearing rocks formed from an originally highalumina basaltic magma that experienced contamination by granitic partial melts of the lower crust, during ponding of the magma at the Moho. This process preconditioned the surrounding crust and possibly prevented further anatexis. Following emplacement of orthopyroxene-bearing anorthosites, subsequent magma pulses ponded at the Moho did not assimilate any/as much granitic material, as they were interacting with preconditioned crust, and formed olivine-bearing anorthosites. With better constraints on the parental magma composition, magma source, and crustal contamination processes, addressing aspects such as the tectonic setting and emplacement mechanisms of these massive intrusions should be prioritized. Understanding these enigmatic aspects of anorthosite petrogenesis is leading the anorthosite community towards answering the ultimate questions of why massif-type anorthosites are restricted to the Proterozoic.
XL2018

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39

Blanco, Gaucher Gonzalo Homero. "Provenance analysis of the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian Nama Group (Namibia) and the Arroyo del Soldado Group (Uruguay) : implications for the palaeogeographic reconstruction of SW Gondwana." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7257.

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D.Phil.
The amalgamation of SW Gondwana after the break-up of Rodinia supercontinent during the Neoproterozoic-early Palaeozic was one of the most active tectonic periods of the earth history and its geological evolution remains controversial. Recently, diverse hypotheses such as mantle plume activity, orthogonal continent-continent and strike-slip collisions according to different models try to explain the complex evolution of the Pan-African Brasiliano orogens and the associated sedimentary basins. In order to get insight of the SW Gondwana reconstruction, provenance analyses were performed on two Neoproterozoic-early Palaeozic sedimentary units: (1) the Arroyo del Soldado Group representing a —5000 meter thick platform succession unconformably overlying the mainly Archaean to Neoproterozoic rocks of the Rio de la Plata Craton in Uruguay and, (2) the Nama Group, a —2000 meter thick shallow marine to fluvial deposit interpreted as a foreland basin in response to tectonism in the adjacent northern Damara and western Gariep Orogenic Belts and unconformably overlying the mainly Mesoproterozoic rocks of the Kalahari Craton in Namibia. Several techniques including petrography, heavy mineral analysis, geochemistry, Sm-Nd isotope analysis and zircon dating were applied to both sedimentary basins. The petrographic, heavy mineral analyses and geochemical results from the Nama Group indicate a recycled upper crust composition characterized by metamorphic and granitic sources and minor mafic rocks. Palaeocurrent analyses of the chromian spinet bearing sandstones of the Nama Basin point to a volcanic island arc source located in the Damara Belt. Detrital zircon dating of the Nama Group display major peaks of Neoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic ages suggesting a provenance from the Damara/Gariep Belts and their basements. Palaeocurrents from the west and the dominance of Neoproterozoic-Cambrian detrital zircon ages (76%) in the "Molasse" stage of the foreland evolution probably indicate exhumation of the felsic volcanic arc root which probably occurred after the time indicated by the younger zircon dated at 531 ±9 Ma. The petrographic and geochemical results from the Arroyo del Soldado Group indicate a recycled upper crust composition characterized by source diversity composed of granite-gneissic and mafic-metamorphic rocks. On average, Nd isotopes account for negative ENd values and TDM ages in a range of variation found elsewhere within SW Gondwana. Detrital zircon dating indicate sources dominated by Palaeoproterozoic (1.7-2.0-2.2 Ga) and subordinate Archaean ages (2.5-2.9-3.5 Ga). The scarcity of Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic zircons and palaeocurrent directions towards the east indicate that the Arroyo del Soldado Group was fed by detritus from the Rio de la Plata Craton favouring a passive margin tectonic setting for their deposition. Deformation of the Arroyo del Soldado Group took place ca. 530 Ma, after strike-slip collision with an African affinity terrane. Finally, based on the palaeogeographic evaluation, the provenance of Nama foreland basin and the passive margin deposit of the Arroyo del Soldado basin suggest that continent-continent collision of the Kalahari/Congo Cratons with the Rio de la Plata Craton and the Cuchilla Dionisio Pelotas Terrane most likely occurred due to strike slip accretion related to a component of N—S shortening in the period between 530 and 495 Ma.

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Hoffe, Brian H. "Deep seismic evidence of late middle Proterozoic rifting beneath the Kalahari, Western Botswana /." 1996. http://collections.mun.ca/u?/theses,35598.

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41

Bybee, Grant Michael. "High-pressure megacrysts and lower crustal contamination: probing a mantle source for Proterozoic massif-type anorthosites." Thesis, 2014.

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Abstract:

Many aspects of Proterozoic massif-type anorthosite petrogenesis have been, and remain, controversial. Mafic lower crust and depleted mantle have both been proposed as mutually exclusive sources of these near-monomineralic, temporally restricted batholiths. The debate surrounding the magma source has also led to uncertainty regarding the tectonic setting of these massifs, with a range of possibilities including convergent, divergent and anorogenic settings. The dramatic geochemical effects of crustal contamination in these massifs are well known and strong crustal signatures are evident in most, if not all, Proterozoic anorthosite massifs. The source debate, in the simplest sense, reduces to whether the ubiquitous crustal signature is derived principally from melting of a lower crust or is an effect of crustal assimilation. The origin of this crustal signature, and whether it obscures the original isotopic composition of the magmas or not, has fuelled the debate surrounding the source of the anorthosites. Using major element, trace element and isotopic compositions, as well as energyconstrained assimilation-fractional-crystallisation (EC-AFC) modelling from samples representing various stages of the polybaric crystallisation history of the magmas, including high-pressure megacrysts, anorthosites and their internal mineral phases, I remove the obfuscating effects of possible crustal contamination and probe the source of the magmas. In order to assess the effects of crustal contamination, if any, anorthosites from three massifs – the Mealy Mountains Intrusive Suite, Nain Plutonic Suite (both in eastern Canada) and Rogaland Anorthosite Province (Norway), have been analysed – all of which intrude into crust of significantly different age and chemical character. Sm-Nd geochronology of high-Al, high-pressure orthopyroxene megacrysts, as well as the comagmatic, host anorthosites, indicate that the magmatic system is long-lived, with an age difference between the megacrysts and hosts of ~110-130 million years. Isotopic compositions of primitive megacrysts qualitatively show that the magmas were derived from melting of the depleted mantle. Strong links between the isotopic offset from depleted mantle evolution and the age and composition of the surrounding crust confirm that the geochemical nature of the crustal contaminant plays a significant role in the petrogenesis of the anorthositic rocks. The geochronological indications of a long-lived magmatic system point to Proterozoic anorthosite formation in a continental magmatic arc – one of the only environments capable of supplying geographically-localised magma and heat to the base of the crust for over 100 million years. Proposed divergent or ‘anorogenic’ settings could not plausibly supply magma to the base of the crust for over 100 m.y. without initiating ocean formation or continental break-up. Anorthosite emplacement at mid-crustal levels may coincide with late- to post-orogenic events in several terranes, but evidence presented for a long-lived magmatic system is incongruent with this proposed setting. In this thesis, I propose that the petrogenesis of these intrusives must span both orogenic and post-orogenic periods. An overlap in megacryst crystallisation age with the onset of calc-alkaline orogenic magmatism in the Sveconorwegian Orogen, both occuring ~100 m.y. before anorthosite emplacement, confirms that initial magma and megacryst formation coincides with the main phase of magmatic and orogenic activity in a convergent magmatic arc. These geochronological constraints have implications for regional geodynamics in the Sveconorwegian Orogen (and the Labrador region) with the evidence providing corroboratory support for a long-lived accretionary orogen, as opposed to the widely-held view that the Sveconorwegian orogeny was predominantly collisional. Compositions of high-pressure megacrysts, anorthosites and analysis of internal isotopic disequilibrium indicates that lower crustal contamination has a significant influence on the isotopic composition of the rocks, with relatively minor contributions from the mid- to upper crust. Energy-constrained AFC modelling confirms that significant lower crustal contamination occurs during ponding of magmas at the Moho and is able to reproduce the observed isochronous isotopic compositions of the megacrysts as well as the compositions of the host anorthosites. Evidence of varying degrees of internal isotopic disequilibrium reinforces the significant role that assimilation of crust of different age and chemical nature have on the compositions of Proterozoic anorthosites. Unexpected patterns of isotopic disequilibrium show that anorthosite petrogenesis is not a “simple” case of progressive crustal contamination during polybaric ascent of viscous, partially-molten 4 magma mushes, but is more likely to involve significant differentiation and solidification at lower crust depths, followed by ascent of high-crystallinity bodies (> 50 % crystallinity) to upper crustal levels. Although the composition of the bulk continental crust is different to plagioclase-rich Proterozoic anorthosites, both are missing a mafic component. It is unclear how this missing mafic component was generated in the continental crust, because most of the evidence for these crustal differentiation processes is sequestered below or near the Moho. However, Proterozoic anorthosites, formed by viscous, plagioclase-rich mushes, entrain rare cumulate megacrysts from these depths and consequently preserve evidence of magmatic differentiation processes at the Moho. The evidence for the formation and sequestration of dense ultramafic cumulates in ponding magmas at the Moho can not only explain the missing mafic component in Proterozoic anorthosites, but also suggests that cumulate formation in crust-forming, arc environments is a significant process and should be taken into account in models dealing with evolution and differentiation of the continental crust. Sampling and petrographic and geochemical analysis of five pegmatitic segregations, or “pods”, from anorthosites of the Mealy Mountains Intrusive Suite reveal a diverse range of compositions from mafic, Fe-rich and Si-poor, to Fe-poor and Sirich felsic compositions and from monzogranite through quartz-monzodiorite and monzodiorite to Fe-P-rich gabbronorite. Each pod shows a range of noteworthy graphic, myrmekitic and symplectic textures on a variety of scales, along with distinctive mineralogical assemblages and highly-enriched trace element compositions. Derivitive minerals (e.g. apatite and zircon), high concentrations of Fe, Ti, P (and in some cases SiO2) and 10-1000 times chondrite enrichment suggest that many of the pods are highly fractionated. U-Pb zircon geochronology reveals that all the pods are the same age as the anorthositic hosts and confirms that the Mealy Mountains Intrusive Suite was emplaced between 1654 and 1628 Ma. Using the aforementioned evidence, I show that the pods represent the fluid-bearing, late-stage crystallisation products of a residual liquid in the massif anorthosite system and provide a window into the final stages of crystallisation in the anorthosite system. A range of rock types (monzonites, monzonorites, ferrodiorites and jotunites) observed in similar pod-like structures, as well as dykes and plutons, have also been documented in other Proterozoic anorthosite massifs. These have, at one time or another, controversially been interpreted as the residual liquids of anorthosite crystallisation. The observation of in-situ pods with similar compositions to all of the aforementioned rock types and displaying textures indicative of late-stage crystallisation support the notion that these associated lithologic units are comagmatic with, but residual to, the anorthosites and are not residual liquids of other crustally-derived rocks, immiscible liquids, parental magmas or cumulates. Isotopic compositions of these highly-fractionated, late-stage pods also overlap with those of anorthosites, lending further evidence to the case that upper crustal contamination plays only a minor role in developing the chemical signature of the anorthosites. With these results I propose that the nature/composition of the residual liquids of Proterozoic anorthosite magmas can vary dramatically, depending on geochemical differences in the original magma pulses and by mixing of mobilised, independently-evolved segregations of residual liquids. This process could explain why so many varied rock types associated with Proterozoic anorthosites have been suggested as residual liquids: these rocks all represent residual liquids resulting from varying degrees of differentiation, subsequent mobilisation, mixing and final solidification as plutons or dykes. Proterozoic anorthosite petrogenesis is an inherently polybaric process and so by its very nature produces a range of complicated and contradictory features which have clouded interpretation of numerous aspects of the rocks formation. In analysing crystallisation products from numerous stages of the anorthosites polybaric history, I have been able to probe the magmatic processes operating at different stages of Proterozoic anorthosite petrogenesis. In doing so I show that the magmas are derived from melting of the depleted mantle in continental-arc-like settings – two controversial aspects of Proterozoic anorthosite petrogenesis. These constraints on the source and tectonic setting will allow renewed investigation into the ultimate question surrounding Proterozoic anorthosites: why are these rock types restricted to the Proterozoic and what clues does this temporal restriction offer about Earth’s geodynamic evolution during this period? The assertion in this thesis that 5 Proterozoic anorthosites formed in arc environments dictates that subduction processes or geodynamic conditions during the Proterozoic favoured the production of voluminous masses of plagioclase, because modern-day magmatic arc terranes show no evidence of anorthosites with similar compositions. However, calcic anorthositic inclusions and xenoliths are observed in modern-day volcanic and continental arcs suggesting that anorthosites may be forming in these environments, but that conditions such as water content or style of subduction are different to the Proterozoic, producing less and compositionally different plagioclase and anorthosite. The results of this thesis shed new light on and refine the petrogenesis of Proterozoic anorthosites, but the focus of research must now shift to explaining the temporal restriction of these intrusions and the implications of this restriction for the geodynamic evolution on Earth during the Proterozoic.

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42

Wade, Benjamin P. "Unravelling the tectonic framework of the Musgrave Province, Central Australia." 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/57768.

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Abstract:

The importance of the Musgrave Province in continental reconstructions of Proterozoic Australia is only beginning to be appreciated. The Mesoproterozoic Musgrave Province sits in a geographically central location within Australia and is bounded by older and more isotopically evolved regions including the Gawler Craton of South Australia and Arunta Region of the Northern Territory. Understanding the crustal growth and deformation mechanisms involved in the formation of the Musgrave Province, and also the nature of the basement that separates these tectonic elements, allows for greater insight into defining the timing and processes responsible for the amalgamation of Proterozoic Australia. The ca. 1.60-1.54 Ga Musgravian Gneiss preserves geochemical and isotopic signatures related to ongoing arc-magmatism in an active margin between the North Australian and South Australian Cratons (NAC and SAC). Characteristic geochemical patterns of the Musgravian Gneiss include negative anomalies in Nb, Ti, and Y, and are accompanied by steep LREE patterns. Also characteristic of the Musgravian Gneiss is its juvenile Nd isotopic composition (ɛNd1.55 values from -1.2 to +0.9). The juvenile isotopic signature of the Musgravian Gneiss separates it from the bounding comparitively isotopically evolved terranes of the Arunta Region and Gawler Craton. The geochemical and isotopic signatures of these early Mesoproterozoic felsic rocks have similarities with island arc systems involving residual Ti-bearing minerals and garnet. Circa 1.40 Ga metasedimentary rocks of the eastern Musgrave Province also record vital evidence for determining Australia.s location and fit within a global plate reconstruction context during the late Mesoproterozoic. U-Pb detrital zircon and Sm-Nd isotopic data from these metasedimentary rocks suggests a component of derivation from sources outside of the presently exposed Australian crust. Best fit matches come from rocks originating from eastern Laurentia. Detrital zircon ages range from Palaeoproterozoic to late Mesoproterozoic, constraining the maximum depositional age of the metasediments to approximately 1.40 Ga, similar to that of the Belt Supergroup in western Laurentia. The 1.49-1.36 Ga detrital zircons in the Musgrave metasediments are interpreted to have been derived from the voluminous A-type suites of Laurentia, as this time period represents a “magmatic gap” in Australia, with an extreme paucity of sources this age recognized. The metasedimentary rocks exhibit a range of Nd isotopic signatures, with ɛNd(1.4 Ga) values ranging from -5.1 to 0.9, inconsistent with complete derivation from Australian sources, which are more isotopically evolved. The isotopically juvenile ca. 1.60-1.54 Ga Musgravian Gneiss is also an excellent candidate for the source of the abundant ca. 1.6-1.54 Ga detrital zircons within the lower sequences of the Belt Supergroup. If these interpretations are correct, they support a palaeogeographic reconstruction involving proximity of Australia and Laurentia during the pre-Rodinia Mesoproterozoic. This also increases the prospectivity of the eastern Musgrave Province to host a metamorphised equivalent of the massive Pb-Zn-Ag Sullivan deposit. The geochemical and isotopic signatures recorded in mafic-ultramafic rocks can divulge important information regarding the state of the sub continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). The voluminous cumulate mafic-ultramafic rocks of the ca. 1.08 Ga Giles Complex record geochemical and Nd-Sr isotopic compositions consistent with an enriched parental magma. Traverses across three layered intrusions, the Kalka, Ewarara, and Gosse Pile were geochemically and isotopically analysed. Whole rock samples display variably depleted to enriched LREE patterns when normalised to chondrite ((La/Sm)N = 0.43-4.72). Clinopyroxene separates display similar depleted to enriched LREE patterns ((La/Sm)N = 0.37-7.33) relative to a chondritic source. The cumulate rocks display isotopically evolved signatures (ɛNd ~-1.0 to .5.0 and ɛSr ~19.0 to 85.0). Using simple bulk mixing and AFC equations, the Nd-Sr data of the more radiogenic samples can be modelled by addition of ~10% average Musgrave crust to a primitive picritic source, without need for an enriched mantle signature. Shallow decompressional melting of an asthenospheric plume source beneath thinned Musgravian lithosphere is envisaged as a source for the parental picritic magma. A model involving early crustal contamination within feeder zones is favoured, and consequently explorers looking for Ni-Cu-Co sulphides should concentrate on locating these feeder zones. Few absolute age constraints exist for the timing of the intracratonic Petermann Orogeny of the Musgrave Province. The Petermann Orogeny is responsible for much of the lithospheric architecture we see today within the Musgrave Province, uplifting and exhuming large parts along crustal scale E-W trending fault/shear systems. Isotopic and geochemical analysis of a suite of stratigraphic units within the Neoproterozoic to Cambrian Officer Basin to the immediate south indicate the development of a foreland architecture at ca. 600 Ma. An excursion in ɛNd values towards increasingly less negative values at this time is interpreted as representing a large influx of Musgrave derived sediments. Understanding the nature of the basement separating the SAC from the NAC and WAC is vital in constructing models of the amalgamation of Proterozoic Australia. This region is poorly understood as it is overlain by the thick sedimentary cover of the Officer Basin. However, the Coompana Block is one place where basement is shallow enough to be intersected in drillcore. The previously geochronologically, geochemically, and isotopically uncharacterised granitic gneiss of the Coompana Block represents an important period of within-plate magmatism during a time of relative magmatic quiescence in the Australian Proterozoic. U-Pb LA-ICPMS dating of magmatic zircons provides an age of ca. 1.50 Ga, interpreted as the crystallisation age of the granite protolith. The samples have distinctive A-type chemistry characterised by high contents of Zr, Nb, Y, Ga, LREE with low Mg#, Sr, CaO and HREE. ɛNd values are high with respect to surrounding exposed crust of the Musgrave Province and Gawler Craton, and range from +1.2 to +3.3 at 1.5 Ga. The tectonic environment into which the granite was emplaced is also unclear, however one possibility is emplacement within an extensional environment represented by interlayered basalts and arenaceous sediments of the Coompana Block. Regardless, the granitic gneiss intersected in Mallabie 1 represents magmatic activity during the “Australian magmatic gap” of ca. 1.52-1.35 Ga, and is a possible source for detrital ca. 1.50 zircons found within sedimentary rocks of Tasmania and Antarctica, and metasedimentary rocks of the eastern Musgrave Province.
http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1261003
Thesis(PhD)-- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2006

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43

Wade, Benjamin P. "Unravelling the tectonic framework of the Musgrave Province, Central Australia." Thesis, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/57768.

Full text

Abstract:

The importance of the Musgrave Province in continental reconstructions of Proterozoic Australia is only beginning to be appreciated. The Mesoproterozoic Musgrave Province sits in a geographically central location within Australia and is bounded by older and more isotopically evolved regions including the Gawler Craton of South Australia and Arunta Region of the Northern Territory. Understanding the crustal growth and deformation mechanisms involved in the formation of the Musgrave Province, and also the nature of the basement that separates these tectonic elements, allows for greater insight into defining the timing and processes responsible for the amalgamation of Proterozoic Australia. The ca. 1.60-1.54 Ga Musgravian Gneiss preserves geochemical and isotopic signatures related to ongoing arc-magmatism in an active margin between the North Australian and South Australian Cratons (NAC and SAC). Characteristic geochemical patterns of the Musgravian Gneiss include negative anomalies in Nb, Ti, and Y, and are accompanied by steep LREE patterns. Also characteristic of the Musgravian Gneiss is its juvenile Nd isotopic composition (ɛNd1.55 values from -1.2 to +0.9). The juvenile isotopic signature of the Musgravian Gneiss separates it from the bounding comparitively isotopically evolved terranes of the Arunta Region and Gawler Craton. The geochemical and isotopic signatures of these early Mesoproterozoic felsic rocks have similarities with island arc systems involving residual Ti-bearing minerals and garnet. Circa 1.40 Ga metasedimentary rocks of the eastern Musgrave Province also record vital evidence for determining Australia.s location and fit within a global plate reconstruction context during the late Mesoproterozoic. U-Pb detrital zircon and Sm-Nd isotopic data from these metasedimentary rocks suggests a component of derivation from sources outside of the presently exposed Australian crust. Best fit matches come from rocks originating from eastern Laurentia. Detrital zircon ages range from Palaeoproterozoic to late Mesoproterozoic, constraining the maximum depositional age of the metasediments to approximately 1.40 Ga, similar to that of the Belt Supergroup in western Laurentia. The 1.49-1.36 Ga detrital zircons in the Musgrave metasediments are interpreted to have been derived from the voluminous A-type suites of Laurentia, as this time period represents a “magmatic gap” in Australia, with an extreme paucity of sources this age recognized. The metasedimentary rocks exhibit a range of Nd isotopic signatures, with ɛNd(1.4 Ga) values ranging from -5.1 to 0.9, inconsistent with complete derivation from Australian sources, which are more isotopically evolved. The isotopically juvenile ca. 1.60-1.54 Ga Musgravian Gneiss is also an excellent candidate for the source of the abundant ca. 1.6-1.54 Ga detrital zircons within the lower sequences of the Belt Supergroup. If these interpretations are correct, they support a palaeogeographic reconstruction involving proximity of Australia and Laurentia during the pre-Rodinia Mesoproterozoic. This also increases the prospectivity of the eastern Musgrave Province to host a metamorphised equivalent of the massive Pb-Zn-Ag Sullivan deposit. The geochemical and isotopic signatures recorded in mafic-ultramafic rocks can divulge important information regarding the state of the sub continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). The voluminous cumulate mafic-ultramafic rocks of the ca. 1.08 Ga Giles Complex record geochemical and Nd-Sr isotopic compositions consistent with an enriched parental magma. Traverses across three layered intrusions, the Kalka, Ewarara, and Gosse Pile were geochemically and isotopically analysed. Whole rock samples display variably depleted to enriched LREE patterns when normalised to chondrite ((La/Sm)N = 0.43-4.72). Clinopyroxene separates display similar depleted to enriched LREE patterns ((La/Sm)N = 0.37-7.33) relative to a chondritic source. The cumulate rocks display isotopically evolved signatures (ɛNd ~-1.0 to .5.0 and ɛSr ~19.0 to 85.0). Using simple bulk mixing and AFC equations, the Nd-Sr data of the more radiogenic samples can be modelled by addition of ~10% average Musgrave crust to a primitive picritic source, without need for an enriched mantle signature. Shallow decompressional melting of an asthenospheric plume source beneath thinned Musgravian lithosphere is envisaged as a source for the parental picritic magma. A model involving early crustal contamination within feeder zones is favoured, and consequently explorers looking for Ni-Cu-Co sulphides should concentrate on locating these feeder zones. Few absolute age constraints exist for the timing of the intracratonic Petermann Orogeny of the Musgrave Province. The Petermann Orogeny is responsible for much of the lithospheric architecture we see today within the Musgrave Province, uplifting and exhuming large parts along crustal scale E-W trending fault/shear systems. Isotopic and geochemical analysis of a suite of stratigraphic units within the Neoproterozoic to Cambrian Officer Basin to the immediate south indicate the development of a foreland architecture at ca. 600 Ma. An excursion in ɛNd values towards increasingly less negative values at this time is interpreted as representing a large influx of Musgrave derived sediments. Understanding the nature of the basement separating the SAC from the NAC and WAC is vital in constructing models of the amalgamation of Proterozoic Australia. This region is poorly understood as it is overlain by the thick sedimentary cover of the Officer Basin. However, the Coompana Block is one place where basement is shallow enough to be intersected in drillcore. The previously geochronologically, geochemically, and isotopically uncharacterised granitic gneiss of the Coompana Block represents an important period of within-plate magmatism during a time of relative magmatic quiescence in the Australian Proterozoic. U-Pb LA-ICPMS dating of magmatic zircons provides an age of ca. 1.50 Ga, interpreted as the crystallisation age of the granite protolith. The samples have distinctive A-type chemistry characterised by high contents of Zr, Nb, Y, Ga, LREE with low Mg#, Sr, CaO and HREE. ɛNd values are high with respect to surrounding exposed crust of the Musgrave Province and Gawler Craton, and range from +1.2 to +3.3 at 1.5 Ga. The tectonic environment into which the granite was emplaced is also unclear, however one possibility is emplacement within an extensional environment represented by interlayered basalts and arenaceous sediments of the Coompana Block. Regardless, the granitic gneiss intersected in Mallabie 1 represents magmatic activity during the “Australian magmatic gap” of ca. 1.52-1.35 Ga, and is a possible source for detrital ca. 1.50 zircons found within sedimentary rocks of Tasmania and Antarctica, and metasedimentary rocks of the eastern Musgrave Province.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2006

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44

Baghiyan-Yazd, Mohammad Hassan. "Palaeoichnology of the terminal Proterozoic-Early Cambrian transition in central Australia : interregional correlation and palaeoecology / Mohammad Hassan Baghiyan-Yazd." Thesis, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/21668.

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45

Jones, James V. Connelly James N. "Proterozoic tectonic evolution of southern Laurentia new constraints from field studies and geochronology in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, U.S.A. /." 2005. http://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/1945/jonesiiij96843.pdf.

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46

Greyling, Lynette Natasha. "The paleoproterozoic carbonate-hosted Pering lead-zinc deposit, South Africa." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4283.

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Abstract:

M. Sc.
The Pering Pb-Zn deposit is hosted in the stromatolitic dolomites of the Campbellrand Subgroup of the Ghaap Group, Transvaal Supergroup. The deposit is situated 20 km northeast of the town Reivilo in the semi-arid region of the Northwest Province, South Africa. It has been classified as a Mississippi Valley type deposit and is, together with the Bushy Park Pb-Zn deposit and F-Pb-Zn deposits near Zeerust, the only known MVT deposit of Paleoproterozoic age. The Pering open cast mine has been operational since 1986, yielding 18 Mt at an average ore grade of 3.6 wt.% Zn and 0.6 wt.% Pb. The aim of this study is to devise a metallogenetic model by integrating core logging, petrography, fluid inclusion and stable C-0-S isotope studies. The mineralogy includes sphalerite, galena and minor chalcopyrite as ore minerals, with diagenetic pyrite, hydrothermal dolomite, quartz and calcite as gangue minerals. Sphalerite predominates over galena. Mineralisation occurs as (a) disseminated stratabound replacements sheets restricted mainly to stromatolitic zones of the Steekdorings Member of the Reivilo Formation, and as (b) open space infill in breccia bodies that cross-cut the stratigraphy. Three events of hydrothermal brecciation, resultant of prolonged pulses of fluid infiltration, and mineralisation are recognised. The first brecciation event is marked by the cementation of the dolomite host rock by sparry dolomite, closely associated with finegrained disseminated sphalerite and galena. The second brecciation event is of minor importance, and is marked by the formation of small amounts of the second sphalerite generation, while the third, and final, brecciation event is marked by the formation of euhedral sphalerite, galena, quartz, sparry dolomite, and calcite as open space fill.

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47

Schaefer, Bruce F. "Insights into proterozoic tectonics from the southern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia / Bruce F. Schaefer." Thesis, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/19291.

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Copies of author's previously published articles inserted.
Includes bibliographical references (6 leaves)
xi, 131, [71] leaves : ill., maps ; 30 cm.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, 1999

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48

MacDougall, Craig S. "A metallogenic study of polymetallic, granophile mineralization within the early Proterozoic Upper Aillik Group, Round Pond area, Central Mineral Belt, Labrador /." 1988. http://collections.mun.ca/u?/theses,124901.

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49

Clendinin, C. W. "Tectonic influence on the evolution of the Early Proterozoic Transvaal sea, southern Africa." Thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10539/16515.

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The epeiric Transvaal Sea covered the Kaapvaal Craton of southern Africa during the Early Proterozoic and its remnant strata represent one of the oldest known carbonate depositories. A genetic stratigraphic approach has been used in this research on the evolution and syndepositional tectonics of the Transvaal Sea; research also emphasized the development of basement precursors, which influenced the Transvaal Sea. Eight subfacies were initially recognized and their interrelationships through Transvaal Sea time and space were used to identify ten depositional systems. Paleogeographic reconstructions indicate that the depositional systems developed on morphological variations of a distally-steepened carbonate rarp and that the depositional character of each was simply a function of water Backstripping of the depositional systems indicates that the Transvaal Sea was compartmentalized; three compartments are preserved on the Kaapvaal Craton. Backstripping also indicates that the depositional center of the Transvaal Sea lay over the western margin of an underlying rift. Rifting had developed a major, north-south-trending structure, and its geographical interrelationships with the east-west-trending Selati Trough created the compartment architecture of the basement. Interpretation of syndepositional tectonics suggests that six stages of subsidence influenced the Transvaal Sea. Early subsidence consisted of mechanical (rift) subsidence followed by

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50

Camacho, Alfredo. "An isotopic study of deep-crustal orogenic processes : Musgrave Block, Central Australia." Phd thesis, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/146000.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Geology, Stratigraphic Proterozoic'

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