<p> The Archean "Loose Pebble Bay" conglomerate, Manitou Lake, northwestern Ontario, contains a variety of clast types, not all of which can be readily ascribed to local lithologies. This study was undertaken to determine the modal clast composition of the conglomerate, and investigate the origin of the clasts. The conglomerate lies near the top of a stratigraphic sequence which includes mafic and felsic volcanic rocks, iron formations, conglomerates, sandstones and argillites. The conglomerate unit itself consists of interbedded conglomerate and sandstone, and probably represents a channel-fill deposit of an ancient submarine fan.</p> <p> Modal percentages of clast types were obtained using a line-intercept method. They indicate that most of the debris in the conglomerate can be reasonably attributed to uplift and erosion of the lateral equivalents of the underlying stratigraphy, except for the granitoid clasts, which have no known origin within the area.</p> <p> Petrographic examinations of the clasts indicate that field identifications must be confirmed with thin section investigations.</p> <p> The modal composition of granitoid clasts was determined utilizing both thin sections and stained slabs. Most of the granitoid clasts are granodiorite, or lie just within the granite field, adjacent to the granodiorite field. Textural studies of the granitoid clasts suggest that gneissic and allotriomorphic-granular textured rocks may have formed by deformation or partial recrystallization along grain boundaries of previously hypidiomorphic-granular rocks. Textures generally indicate intrusive origin and slow cooling, although two granophyric samples may have solidified at relatively shallower depths than the other granitoid rocks.</p> <p> The textures and compositions of most of the granitoid clasts suggest that they were derived from one intrusive body. Intrusion of such a body into the volcanic-sedimentary belt, followed by uplift and erosion, would account for the presence in the "Loose Pebble Bay" conglomerate of granitic clasts and clasts similar to the underlying rocks. However, no evidence of such an intrusion has been found in the Manitou Lake area, and two of the granitoid clasts are noticeably different in composition from the others. The possibility of a pre-existing sialic basement cannot be ruled out.</p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Science (BSc)

No description available.

The structural lineament mapping of southern India along withgeological, geochronological datasets help in redefining the Precambrian crustal blocks.The newly proposed Kumta and Mercara suture zones welding Archean crustal blocks in western peninsular India offer critical insights into the crustal evolution of Gondwana. The Kumta suturemainly consists of schistose rocks including quartz-phengite, garnet-biotite, chlorite, fuchsite and marble, whereas the Mercara suture contains mylonitic quartzo-feldspathic gneiss, garnet-kyanite-sillimanite gneiss, calc-silicate granulite and metagabbro. Metamorphic pressure-temperature estimations (Kumta suture: 11-18 kbar at 790-550oC; Mercara suture: 13 kbar at 825oC) suggest that, the sediments have undergone subduction to greater depths. The K-Ar age of biotite, phengite and U-Pb dating of zircon yields consistent metamorphic age of 1100-1400 Ma. In situ zircon 176Lu/177Hf isotope analysis shows wide range of εHf (t) values indicating the protolith sediments were derived from Paleo-Neoarchean juvenile crust that mixed with recycled older crust. The Bondla ultramafic-gabbro complex, northwest of the Kumta suture contains basalt, dolerite, gabbro, serpentinite, chromitite, peridotite and chromian spinel chemistry suggests evolution in a supra-subduction zone arc tectonic setting.The Sirsi shelf towards east of the Kumta suture, contains weakly deformed sedimentary rocks (limestone, shale, banded iron formations, greywacke, sandstone and quartzite) unconformable on relatively high-grade ca. 2571 Ma gneisses of the Dharwar craton. The Karwar block to the west is composed of weakly metamorphosedca. 3200 Ma tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) with enclaves of amphibolite. In situ zircon 176Lu/177Hf isotope analysis and whole-rock 143Nd/144Nd isotopic analysis of TTGs show positive εHf and εNd values indicating ca. 3200 Ma juvenile crust. The Coorg block consists of ca. 3200 Ma charnockite, mafic granulites, hornblende-biotite gneiss, garnet-hornblende gabbro and anorthosite.In situ zircon 176Lu/177Hf isotope analysis indicates source as mixture of juvenile crust and older recycled crustal materials. Synthesis of the above results with published data suggests that Kumta and Mercara suture zones incorporate Paleoarchean to Mesoproterozoic sedimentssubjected to high-pressure metamorphism in the late Mesoproterozoic. Metamorphic P-T estimations of mafic granulite and U-Pb zircon geochronology of pelitic gneisses from Betsimisaraka suture zone, Madagascar suggests the rocks were underwent metamorphism at c. 24 kbar and c. 780°C during Mesoproterozoic suturing of Antongil-Masora blocks with the Antananarivo block.From the integration of above results with the new geophysical results and published data Mesoproterozoic Kumta-Mercara suture is interpreted as eastern extension of the Mesoproterozoic Betsimisaraka suture of Madagascar into western India.

The Beattie syenite is composed of a series of lenticular bodies of syenitic rocks, situated immediately north of the Porcupine-Destor fault zone in the town of Duparquet, approximately 32 km north of Rouyn-Noranda in the Abitibi Subprovince. The principal body is 3.3 km long and 470 m in width and is flanked by a series of smaller lenses to the south and northeast. The intrusion has been zircon dated at 2682±1Ma and 2682.9±1.1 Ma and hosted the major part of the Au-mineralization of the now defunct Beattie mine, which was an important producer of gold in the area from 1933 to 1956 (9.66 Mt at 4.88 g/t Au). A total of 5 petrographic units are defined here, on the basis of field relationships, macroscopic textures, petrology and mineralogy: 1- The porphyritic Beattie syenite unit is composed of 2% to 10% of tabular sub- to anhedral feldspar phenocrysts about 2 mm to 10 mm in size, set in a red feldspathic and aphanitic matrix. This unit can be strongly cataclastic with abundant hydrothermal minerals. 2- The equigranular magnetite-bearing syenite unit includes few feldspar phenocrysts, about 2 mm to 10 mm in a fine-grained matrix. It is characterized by unaltered titanite, epidote, hornblende porphyroblasts and is the only unit with actinolite replacing clinopyroxene. 3- The porphyritic Central Duparquet syenite unit contains between 2% - 25% of coarse equant euhedral feldspar phenocrysts, about 5 mm to 16 mm in size, in a red or sometimes grey aphanitic matrix. 4- The megaporphyritic syenite unit is composed of very coarse alkali feldspar phenocrysts, typically 1 cm to 6 cm across, in a red aphanitic matrix. The phenocrysts often form a glomeroporphyritic texture. 5- The lath syenite unit occurs as numerous ~m-width thin dykes, which cross-cut all other petrographic units. These dykes display a characteristic trachytic texture, as defined by the preferential alignment of alkali feldspar laths, which are typically 1 cm to 3 cm in a grey or red aphanitic matrix. Petrology and geochemistry investigations revealed that the syenite intruded into the older 2720-2718 Ma volcanic Deguisier Formation and the <2687±2 Ma sediments of the Porcupine Group. Detailed geochemical analysis revealed that the Deguisier Formation is composed of three units, forming a complete tholeiitic suite. The Deguisier Formation is proposed here to have been produced in a volcanic arc setting. Detailed petrological, mineralogical and geochemical studies indicate that, the syenite is part of the alkaline series and is metaluminous to peraluminous. The syenite intruded at shallow depths through a sequence of injections, yielding the five comagmatic units. The syenite and country rocks were then subjected to a series of hydrothermal alterations and brittle deformation events, combined with metamorphism to the greenschist facies. The Au-mineralization in this region is attributed to the hydrothermal alteration with brittle deformation.

The Beattie syenite is composed of a series of lenticular bodies of syenitic rocks, situated immediately north of the Porcupine-Destor fault zone in the town of Duparquet, approximately 32 km north of Rouyn-Noranda in the Abitibi Subprovince. The principal body is 3.3 km long and 470 m in width and is flanked by a series of smaller lenses to the south and northeast. The intrusion has been zircon dated at 2682±1Ma and 2682.9±1.1 Ma and hosted the major part of the Au-mineralization of the now defunct Beattie mine, which was an important producer of gold in the area from 1933 to 1956 (9.66 Mt at 4.88 g/t Au). A total of 5 petrographic units are defined here, on the basis of field relationships, macroscopic textures, petrology and mineralogy: 1- The porphyritic Beattie syenite unit is composed of 2% to 10% of tabular sub- to anhedral feldspar phenocrysts about 2 mm to 10 mm in size, set in a red feldspathic and aphanitic matrix. This unit can be strongly cataclastic with abundant hydrothermal minerals. 2- The equigranular magnetite-bearing syenite unit includes few feldspar phenocrysts, about 2 mm to 10 mm in a fine-grained matrix. It is characterized by unaltered titanite, epidote, hornblende porphyroblasts and is the only unit with actinolite replacing clinopyroxene. 3- The porphyritic Central Duparquet syenite unit contains between 2% - 25% of coarse equant euhedral feldspar phenocrysts, about 5 mm to 16 mm in size, in a red or sometimes grey aphanitic matrix. 4- The megaporphyritic syenite unit is composed of very coarse alkali feldspar phenocrysts, typically 1 cm to 6 cm across, in a red aphanitic matrix. The phenocrysts often form a glomeroporphyritic texture. 5- The lath syenite unit occurs as numerous ~m-width thin dykes, which cross-cut all other petrographic units. These dykes display a characteristic trachytic texture, as defined by the preferential alignment of alkali feldspar laths, which are typically 1 cm to 3 cm in a grey or red aphanitic matrix. Petrology and geochemistry investigations revealed that the syenite intruded into the older 2720-2718 Ma volcanic Deguisier Formation and the <2687±2 Ma sediments of the Porcupine Group. Detailed geochemical analysis revealed that the Deguisier Formation is composed of three units, forming a complete tholeiitic suite. The Deguisier Formation is proposed here to have been produced in a volcanic arc setting. Detailed petrological, mineralogical and geochemical studies indicate that, the syenite is part of the alkaline series and is metaluminous to peraluminous. The syenite intruded at shallow depths through a sequence of injections, yielding the five comagmatic units. The syenite and country rocks were then subjected to a series of hydrothermal alterations and brittle deformation events, combined with metamorphism to the greenschist facies. The Au-mineralization in this region is attributed to the hydrothermal alteration with brittle deformation.

Thesis (DSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Anatexis is the first step in granite genesis. Partial melting in the lower crust may produce leucoratic features of unusual chemical compositions, very different from the final products of crustal differentiation. Therefore, the links that exists between some migmatites and crustal-derived granites can be ambiguous. This study is an investigation of the anatectic history of a high-grade terrain: the Southern Marginal Zone of the Limpopo Belt (SMZ), north to the Kaapvaal Craton in South Africa. The work involved an integrated field, metamorphic, geochemical and geochronogical study of the metasedimentary granulites from two separate quarries in the northern zone of the Southern Marginal Zone, the Bandelierkop quarry and the Brakspruit quarry, where Neoarchean high-grade partial melting features can be observed. The project has aimed to address two main issues: (1) to accurately constrain the pressuretemperature conditions and the age of the metamorphic episode in the SMZ, with implication for the geodynamic processes near the end of the Archean, (2) to investigate the fluid-absent partial melting reactions that control formation of K2O-poor leucosomes and to understand the chemical relationships in the system source-leucosome-melt–S-type granite. The P-T-t record retained in the Bandelierkop Formation metapelites, constrained by phase equilibria modelling as well as zircon LA-ICP-MS geochronology, gives an insight into crustal differentiation processes in the lower crust. Rocks in both quarries indicate high-temperature metamorphism episodes with peak conditions of 840-860 oC and 9-11 kbar at c. 2.71 Ga with formation of leucosomes (L1) during the prograde path. Minor leucocratic features (L2) were produced during decompression to 6-7 kbar. The end of the metamorphic event is marked by the granulites/amphibolites facies transition (< 640 oC) at c. 2.68 Ga. The maximum deposit age for the detrital zircons in the metapelites (c. 2.73 Ga) indicates a rapid burial process ( 0.17 cm.y1). Those evidences strongly support that the Southern Marginal Zone contains sediments deposited in an active margin during convergence, and that the metapelites were metamorphosed and partially melted as a consequence of continental collision along the northern margin of the Kaapvaal Craton at c. 2.7 Ga. The leucocratic features generated along this P-T-t path display an unusual chemistry with low K2O and FeO+MgO content and high CaO content. The combination of field observations, chemical mapping and geochemical analyses leads to the conclusion the major part of the leucosomes (L1) crystallized prior to syn-peak of metamorphism concurrent with melt extraction from the source. This study documents the details of leucosomes formation using field observations in the Southern Marginal Zone and numerical modelling. This work demonstrates that the formation of K2O-poor leucosome in the metasedimentary lower crust is controlled by the difference in volume of equilibration and heterogeneities within the migmatites. The partial melting of the source coupled with melt loss and water diffusivity within the melt transfer site is a potential mechanism to explain the chemical link in the sytem residuum– melt–S-type granite. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Anateksis is die eerste stap in granietgenese. Meganismes wat in die onderste kors aan die werk is, is verantwoordelik vir korsdifferensiasie en bepaal die chemiese samestelling van die graniet. Hierdie studie het’n ondersoek behels van die anatektiese geskiedenis van ’n ho egraadse terrein: die suidelike randstreek van die Limpopo-gordel, noord van die Kaapvaal-kraton in Suid-Afrika. Die werk het ’n ge integreerde veld- , metamorfiese, geochemiese en geochronologiese studie van die metasedimentêre granuliete van twee afsonderlike groewe in die noordelike sone van die suidelike randstreek (SRS), die Bandelierkop-groef en die Brakspruit-groef, waar Neoarge iese ho egraadse gedeeltelike smeltkenmerke waargeneem kan word, ingesluit. Die projek was gerig op die ondersoek van twee belangrike kwessies: (1) om die drukâtemperatuurtoestande en die ouderdom van die metamorfiese episode in die SRS akkuraat te beheer, met implikasie vir die geodinamiese prosesse naby die einde van die Arge ikum, en (2) om die reaksies onder gedeeltelik gesmelte toestande wat die vorming van migmatiete beheer, te ondersoek en die chemiese verwantskappe in die stelsel bron - leukosoom - smelt - S-tipe graniet te begryp. Die P-T-t-rekord wat in die Bandelierkop-formasie metapeliete behoue is, ingeperk deur modellering van fase-ekwilibria asook sirkoon LA-ICP-MS-geochronologie, gee insig in korsdifferensiasieprosesse in die onderste kors. Rotse in albei groewe dui op metamorfismeepisodes teen hoë temperature met piektoestande van 840â860 oC en 9â11 kbar teen ongeveer 2.71 Ga met vorming van leukosome (L1) gedurende die progradeerpad. Geringe leukokratiese eienskappe (L2) het tydens dekompressie tot 6â7 kbar ontstaan. Die einde van die metamorfiese voorval word gekenmerk deur die fasiesoorgang van granuliete / amfiboliete (<640 oC) by ongeveer 2.68 Ga. Die maksimum afsettingsouderdom vir die detitrale sirkone in die metapeliete (ongeveer 2.73 Ga) dui op Å snelle begrawingsproses ( 0.17 cm.y1). Daardie bewyse bied sterk ondersteuning daarvoor dat die SRS sedimente bevat wat gedurende konvergensie in Å aktiewe rand afgeset is, en dat die metapeliete gemetamorfoseer en gedeeltelik gesmelt het as gevolg van kontinentbotsing langs die noordelike rand van die Kaapvaal-kraton teen ongeveer 2.7 Ga. Die leukokratiese eienskappe wat langs hierdie P-T-t-pad opgewek word, toon Å ongewone chemiese samestelling met lae K2O en FeO+MgO-inhoud en ho e CaO-inhoud. Die kombinasie van veldwaarnemings, chemiese kartering en geochemiese ontledings lei tot die gevolgtrekking dat die grootste deel van die leukosome (L1) gekristalliseer het voor die syn-piek van metamorfisme tesame met smeltekstraksie van die bron. Hierdie studie het die besonderhede van leukosoomformasie met behulp van veldwaarnemings in die SRS en numeriese modellering opgeteken. Hierdie werk toon aan dat korsdifferensiasie in die metasedimentêre onderste kors deur Å ander volume van ekwilibrasie en heterogeniteite in die migmatiete beheer word. Die gedeeltelike smelting van die bron gepaard met smeltverlies en waterdiffusiwiteit tot in die smeltoordragterrein is ’n potensiele meganisme om die chemiese skakel in die stelsel residuum-smelt-S-tipe graniet te verklaar.

It is the study of banded iron formations (BIFs) that provides understanding into the conditions of the Earth's oceans and atmosphere during the Archean and Early Proterozoic. The aim of this thesis is to provide a detailed mineralogical and geochemical understand of BIFs from two separate localities separated by the Archean Proterozoic boundary. Close attention is paid to their carbonate and iron oxide mineralogy.The BIFs of the 2.7 Ga Manjeri Formation, Zimbabwe and 2.4 Ga Itabira Group, Brazil were both precipitated from oxygenated mixed marine-hydrothermal fluids. This is demonstrated by the presence of nano-hematite inclusions in the chert (Itabira and Manjeri) and dolomite (Itabira only) laminae, which is interpreted as the oldest mineral phase within the samples. Additionally, focused ion beam transmission electron microscopy (FIB-TEM) reveals the presence of nano ferrihydrite platelets within the dolomitic BIFs (carbonate itabirite). The dolomite is interpreted to be a primary phase precipitated at higher temperatures (~100°C) from CO2-rich hydrothermal fluids. Positive Eu anomalies in both formations indicate a hydrothermal component, likely to be the source of the reduced iron. Facies changes in both units are the result of transgression/regression and post depositional hydrothermal events mask primary conditions. Iron-rich carbonates in both facies have different origins; diagenetic (Itabira) and post depositional hydrothermal (Manjeri). However, the iron-rich carbonates of both formations have negative ∂13C values, indicating that at least part of the carbon in the carbonates is of organic origin. Curie Balance analyses into the carbonate itabirite reveals that maghemite is the transformation product of the ferrihydrite when dolomite decomposes at ~790°C. The maghemite has a Curie temperature between 320 and 350°C and is stable up to temperatures of 925°C.FIB-TEM investigations into the martitisation process revealed two possible mechanisms from two martite samples, from Brazil and India. Depending of the cause of the martitisation, here found to be deformation and hydrothermalism, the martitisation occurs respectively via either: 1. Ordering of point defects caused by vacancies in the spinel structure of maghemite, due to the removal of excess Fe3+ ions during the oxidation of magnetite, to form twins. It is in this twinning that the martitisation mechanism occurs.2. Grain boundary migration by hematite at the expense of magnetite is due to the presence of fluid along the crystal interfaces, where maghemite forms due to excess Fe3+ produced during martitisation of the magnetite, moving towards the surface of the magnetite crystals.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A formação ferrífera do Serrote do Breu e de Alto das Pedras localiza-se no município de Campo Grande, Estado de Alagoas e está sendo pesquisada quanto ao seu potencial como minério de ferro. Ela está inserida em um domo de embasamento arqueano no interior da Faixa Sergipana, o Domo de Jirau de Ponciano. A área de estudo é caracterizada por dois altos topográficos denominados Serrote do Breu e Alto das Pedras, sustentados pela formação ferrífera, e que representam flancos opostos de um sinformal inclinado, com direção N60W e forte mergulho para sul, e extensão total de aproximadamente 2 km. A formação ferrífera ocorre em diversas camadas intercaladas em gnaisses quartzo-feldspáticos e em rochas metamáficas. Os primeiros foram agrupados na unidade de gnaisses quartzo-feldspáticos e as últimas na suíte intrusiva máfica-ultramáfica. Na porção interior do sinformal estão quartzitos e paragnaisses agrupados na unidade metassedimentar e cortando essas unidades há uma unidade de pegmatitos. A formação ferrífera é constituída por quartzo, hematita, anfibólio e magnetita. O anfibólio é em geral cummingtonita, mas riebeckita também ocorre subordinadamente. Os teores médios de SiO2, e Fe2O3t são 43,1% e 50,7%, respectivamente, e, assim como os demais elementos maiores, são compatíveis com outras formações ferríferas do mundo. Com base na petrografia e geoquímica de elementos terras raras os gnaisses quartzo-feldspáticos foram divididos em gnaisses bandados e gnaisses com titanita. Ambos apresentam composição riolítica e trend calcio-alcalino. Já as rochas metamáficas e metaultramáficas apresentam composição basáltica a andesítica e trend toleítico completamente dissociado daquele dos gnaisses. Acredita-se que os gnaisses quartzo-feldspáticos e as rochas metamáficas e metaultramáficas tenham se formado em ambientes tectônicos totalmente distintos, com as últimas tendo se formado provavelmente intrusivas nos primeiros. / Serrote do Breu and Alto das Pedras are located in the municipality of Campo Grande, in the State of Alagoas where an iron-formation occurs. It is currently being explored for its potential for hosting an iron ore deposit. It is tectonically settled inside Jirau do Ponciano Dome, an Archean basement within Sergipano Belt. Serrote do Breu and Alto das Pedras are two topographic highs totaling 2 km in length, marked by outcrops of iron-formation which represent opposite limbs of an inclined sinformal elongated N60W and dipping steeply to the South. This iron-formation comprises of several layers intercalated with quartz-feldspathic and metamafic rocks. The former were grouped into quartz-feldspathic gneisses unit and the latter into mafic-ultramafic intrusive suite. Quartzites and paragneisses were mapped and grouped into metasedimentary unit and all units are cross-cutted by pegmatites unit. Iron-formation is constituted by quartz, hematite, amphibole and magnetite. Amphibole is commonly cummingtonite, but riebeckite also occurs. Average grades for SiO2 and Fe2O3t are 43,1% and 50,7%, respectively, and along with other major elements, are similar to other iron-formations of the world. Considering petrographical and geochemical data, quartz-feldspathic gneisses were divided into banded gneisses and sphene-bearing gneisses although both presents rhyolitic composition and calc-alkaline trends. Metamafic and metaultramafic rocks present basaltic to andesitic composition and show a tholeiitic trend completely different from that of gneisses. It is proposed here that these distinct rocks were formed in completely different tectonic settings with the latter being probably intrusive in the former.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A formação ferrífera do Serrote do Breu e de Alto das Pedras localiza-se no município de Campo Grande, Estado de Alagoas e está sendo pesquisada quanto ao seu potencial como minério de ferro. Ela está inserida em um domo de embasamento arqueano no interior da Faixa Sergipana, o Domo de Jirau de Ponciano. A área de estudo é caracterizada por dois altos topográficos denominados Serrote do Breu e Alto das Pedras, sustentados pela formação ferrífera, e que representam flancos opostos de um sinformal inclinado, com direção N60W e forte mergulho para sul, e extensão total de aproximadamente 2 km. A formação ferrífera ocorre em diversas camadas intercaladas em gnaisses quartzo-feldspáticos e em rochas metamáficas. Os primeiros foram agrupados na unidade de gnaisses quartzo-feldspáticos e as últimas na suíte intrusiva máfica-ultramáfica. Na porção interior do sinformal estão quartzitos e paragnaisses agrupados na unidade metassedimentar e cortando essas unidades há uma unidade de pegmatitos. A formação ferrífera é constituída por quartzo, hematita, anfibólio e magnetita. O anfibólio é em geral cummingtonita, mas riebeckita também ocorre subordinadamente. Os teores médios de SiO2, e Fe2O3t são 43,1% e 50,7%, respectivamente, e, assim como os demais elementos maiores, são compatíveis com outras formações ferríferas do mundo. Com base na petrografia e geoquímica de elementos terras raras os gnaisses quartzo-feldspáticos foram divididos em gnaisses bandados e gnaisses com titanita. Ambos apresentam composição riolítica e trend calcio-alcalino. Já as rochas metamáficas e metaultramáficas apresentam composição basáltica a andesítica e trend toleítico completamente dissociado daquele dos gnaisses. Acredita-se que os gnaisses quartzo-feldspáticos e as rochas metamáficas e metaultramáficas tenham se formado em ambientes tectônicos totalmente distintos, com as últimas tendo se formado provavelmente intrusivas nos primeiros. / Serrote do Breu and Alto das Pedras are located in the municipality of Campo Grande, in the State of Alagoas where an iron-formation occurs. It is currently being explored for its potential for hosting an iron ore deposit. It is tectonically settled inside Jirau do Ponciano Dome, an Archean basement within Sergipano Belt. Serrote do Breu and Alto das Pedras are two topographic highs totaling 2 km in length, marked by outcrops of iron-formation which represent opposite limbs of an inclined sinformal elongated N60W and dipping steeply to the South. This iron-formation comprises of several layers intercalated with quartz-feldspathic and metamafic rocks. The former were grouped into quartz-feldspathic gneisses unit and the latter into mafic-ultramafic intrusive suite. Quartzites and paragneisses were mapped and grouped into metasedimentary unit and all units are cross-cutted by pegmatites unit. Iron-formation is constituted by quartz, hematite, amphibole and magnetite. Amphibole is commonly cummingtonite, but riebeckite also occurs. Average grades for SiO2 and Fe2O3t are 43,1% and 50,7%, respectively, and along with other major elements, are similar to other iron-formations of the world. Considering petrographical and geochemical data, quartz-feldspathic gneisses were divided into banded gneisses and sphene-bearing gneisses although both presents rhyolitic composition and calc-alkaline trends. Metamafic and metaultramafic rocks present basaltic to andesitic composition and show a tholeiitic trend completely different from that of gneisses. It is proposed here that these distinct rocks were formed in completely different tectonic settings with the latter being probably intrusive in the former.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / The Rhyacian Serra das Pipocas Greenstone Belt, is part of Archean/Proterozoic terrene of Cearà Central Domain, in the Setentrional portion of Borborema Province. It is located in Southwestern CearÃ, between the municipalities of Boa Viagem, IndependÃncia, Tauà and Pedra Branca. Geological mapping techniques, thin and polished sections petrography, mineral chemistry, lithogeochemistry, and geochronology have been useful in the distinction of the first Greenstone Belt sequence in CearÃ. The metavolcanic-sedimentary sequence is composed of metasedimentary rocks, marly psammite-pelite, containing alternation of mafic-ultramafic volcanic floods, tholeiitic and komatiitic, respectively, and meta-acidic rocks. The komatiitic meta-ultramafic floods are composed of chlorite-anthophyllite-actinolite-tremolite schist displaying acicular texture, or not, occuring discontinuously near the bottom of the sequence. The tholeiitic metamafic rocks are mainly represented by garnet amphibolites, which continuously extend 30km in length by 500m â 1km wide. Basic and acidic metatuffs, metacherts, and banded iron formation are alternated with amphibolites, which sometimes are deeply hydrotermalized. Metasedimentary rocks are mainly terrigenous, containing biotite, kyanite; however, occasional centimetric alternation of calc-silicatic rocks are observed. These lithotypes are cutted off by mafic-ultramafic intrusions, metagranodiorites and metabasic dykes. The lithological association has been developed in a extensional enviroment, probably a back-arc basin, where the komatiitic rocks Mg-Bearing schists display a transition from Munro-type to Barbeton-type, while the tholeiitic metabasalts (amphibolites) are iron-magnesium-rich. Regarding the structural geology, the area is caracterized by penetrative polyphasic strain, occurred during Brasiliano, with tight, isoclinal and recumbent folds, in addition to thrust faults and shear zones. The thrust faults are best recognized, especially, in the contact between the metavolcanic-sedimentary sequence and granite-gneiss-migmatite of Cruzeta Complex; also, between the mafic-ultramafic subunits. The metamorphic grade of the lithological association varies from high greenschist facies to high amphibolite facies, contrasting with Cruzeta Complex units, which are frequently migmatized. Besides, during the Brasiliano orogenesis, leucocratic granites have been intruded along the border zones of the oldest granites (2181,4Â4.4), near the Queimadas thrust fault, there are deeply hydrotemalized rocks, displaying silicification, potassification, chloritization, and carbonation, sulphidation is also present, and they may contain some mineralisation such as copper-gold Volcanic-hosted Massive Sulfide or auriferous lodes, because this association occurs near the silicified zones and also in shear zones. / O Greenstone Belt Serra das Pipocas, de idade riaciana, està inserido no NÃcleo Arqueano/Paleoproterozoico do DomÃnio Cearà Central, na porÃÃo Setentrional da ProvÃncia Borborema. Encontra-se na porÃÃo sudoeste do Estado do CearÃ, entre os municÃpios de Boa Viagem, IndependÃncia Tauà e Pedra Branca. TÃcnicas de mapeamento geolÃgico, anÃlise petrogrÃfica, atravÃs de estudos de seÃÃes delgadas e polidas, quÃmica mineral, litogeoquÃmica e geocronologia auxiliaram para a distinÃÃo desta primeira sequÃncia do tipo Greenstone Belt no CearÃ. A sequÃncia metavulcanossedimentar à composta por rochas metassedimentares psamo-pelito-margosos, contendo intercalaÃÃes de derrames vulcÃnicos metamÃfico-ultramÃficos de natureza toleÃtica e komatiÃtica, respectivamente, e meta-Ãcidas. Os derrames metaultramÃficos komatiÃticos sÃo constituÃdos por clorita-antofilita-actinolita/tremolita xisto, com texturas aciculares ou nÃo, ocorrendo de maneira descontÃnua prÃximo à base da sequÃncia. As rochas metamÃficas de natureza toleÃticas sÃo representadas principalmente por anfibolitos granadÃferos, que se estendem, de maneira descontÃnua, por uma faixa com comprimento da ordem de 30km e largura entre 500m e 1km. Metatufos bÃsicos a Ãcidos, metacherts e formaÃÃes ferrÃferas bandadas ocorrem intercaladas a estes anfibolitos, que se encontram por vezes, fortemente hidrotermalizados. As rochas metassedimentares sÃo principalmente de natureza terrÃgena, contendo biotita, cianita, mas podem apresentar ocasionais intercalaÃÃes centimÃtricas de calcissilicÃticas. Esses litotipos sÃo recortados por intrusÃes metamÃfica-ultramÃficas, metagranodioritos e dique metabÃsico. Toda a associaÃÃo litolÃgica desenvolveu-se ambiente extensional, provavelmente do tipo retro arco, cujas rochas komatiÃticas (xistos magnesianos) encontradas apresentam transiÃÃo entre os tipos Munro e Barbeton, enquanto os metabasaltos toleÃticos (anfibolitos) exibem alto teor de ferro e magnÃsio. Estruturalmente, a Ãrea à marcada por deformaÃÃes polifÃsicas penetrativas, ocorridas no Brasiliano, com dobras isoclinais apertadas, recumbentes, alÃm de falhamentos de empurrÃo e cisalhamento dÃctil. Esses falhamentos sÃo reconhecidos, sobretudo, no contato entre esta sequÃncia metavulcanossedimentar e as rochas granito-gnÃissico-migmatÃticas do Complexo Cruzeta e entre as subunidades dominadas pelas rochas ultramÃficas e mÃficas. O grau metamÃrfico das associaÃÃes litolÃgicas à variÃvel, indo da fÃcies xisto verde alto a anfibolito alto, o que contrasta com as unidades do Complexo Cruzeta que se encontra frequentemente migmatizadas. Durante o evento Brasiliano houve tambÃm a intrusÃo dos leucogranitos. Nas bordas dos corpos intrusivos riacianos, prÃximos à zona de empurrÃo Queimadas, hà presenÃas de rochas fortemente hidrotermalizadas, marcadas por silicificaÃÃo, potassificaÃÃo, cloritizaÃÃo e carbonataÃÃo. Estas sÃo acompanhadas de sulfetaÃÃo, sendo hospedeiras de possÃveis mineralizaÃÃes de cobre e ouro do tipo Sulfetos Massivos VulcanogÃnicos ou mesmo lodes aurÃferos, uma vez que esta associaÃÃo ocorre junto Ãs zonas silicificadas ao longo de cisalhamento.