Barberton belt

geological region, Africa

Also known as: Barberton greenstone belt

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June 22, 2026

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The Barberton belt, located in the Kaapvaal craton of South Africa, is a geological region approximately 3.5 billion years old. It is classified as a greenstone-granite belt, which are geological formations found on most continents and are considered tectonic "slices" of oceanic and island arc crust thrust together.12

These belts typically consist of a lower volcanic group and an upper sedimentary group. The volcanic rocks are ultramafic and basaltic lavas, while the sediments are land-derived shales, sandstones, and conglomerates. The term "greenstone" comes from the presence of green metamorphic minerals like chlorite, hornblende, and epidote, formed under relatively low temperatures and pressures. Granitic rocks and gneisses are also found within and around these greenstone sequences. The structure of these belts can be complex, often showing evidence of intense deformation, thrusting, and folding, suggesting they may have been transported from elsewhere.12

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Precambrian
Precambrian life
…island arc complexes) of the Barberton craton in South Africa and in the Warrawoona Group, which are both roughly 3.5 billion years old. There are two types of these early, simple, biological structures: microfossils and stromatolites (sheetlike mats precipitated by communities of microorganisms).
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…island arc complexes) of the Barberton craton in South Africa and in the Warrawoona Group, which are both roughly 3.5 billion years old. There are two types of these early, simple, biological structures: microfossils and stromatolites (sheetlike mats precipitated by communities of microorganisms).
Read More