Bushveld Complex
Quick Summary
The Bushveld Complex is a large geological formation in South Africa, primarily composed of layered igneous intrusions that formed nearly 2.1 billion years ago. It is the largest repository of magmatic ore deposits globally.1
The complex covers an area of 66,000 square kilometers and is 9 kilometers thick. It consists of stratiform layers of dunite, norite, anorthosite, and ferrodiorite. These layers contain significant economic deposits of chromite, iron, titanium, vanadium, nickel, and platinum. The Bushveld Complex is located in the Middleveld region of South Africa, an area characterized by Precambrian rocks. The term "bushveld" itself refers to a type of veld (open country) in Southern Africa with abundant shrubby and often thorny vegetation, including acacia and baobab trees, alongside tall grasses.1234
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anorthositeThe Bushveld Complex underlies an area of about 50,000 square km (20,000 square miles); and the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe, another layered complex, has been traced for more than 480 km (300 miles). Anorthosite is also found on the lunar surface.
Read MoreThe Bushveld Complex underlies an area of about 50,000 square km (20,000 square miles); and the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe, another layered complex, has been traced for more than 480 km (300 miles). Anorthosite is also found on the lunar surface.
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PrecambrianLayered igneous intrusions…and most famous is the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, which is 9 km (5.6 miles) thick and covers an area of 66,000 square km (about 25,500 square miles). It was intruded nearly 2.1 billion years ago and is the largest repository of magmatic ore deposits in the world. The…
Read More…and most famous is the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, which is 9 km (5.6 miles) thick and covers an area of 66,000 square km (about 25,500 square miles). It was intruded nearly 2.1 billion years ago and is the largest repository of magmatic ore deposits in the world. The…
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igneous rockIntrusive igneous rocks…are huge in size; the Bushveld intrusive complex in South Africa, for example, has an area of about 66,000 square kilometres and an exposed thickness of 8 kilometres. The Muskox intrusion, mentioned above, is another large lopolith, which is estimated to be about 80 kilometres long and 11 kilometres wide…
Read More…are huge in size; the Bushveld intrusive complex in South Africa, for example, has an area of about 66,000 square kilometres and an exposed thickness of 8 kilometres. The Muskox intrusion, mentioned above, is another large lopolith, which is estimated to be about 80 kilometres long and 11 kilometres wide…
Read More- lopolith
…a classic example is the Bushveld Igneous Complex of South Africa, which is composed of both granite and basic rocks. Many other lopoliths are either composite or differentiated. The feeder of a lopolith is assumed to be relatively small and probably is centrally located; it may connect the lopolith with…
Read More…a classic example is the Bushveld Igneous Complex of South Africa, which is composed of both granite and basic rocks. Many other lopoliths are either composite or differentiated. The feeder of a lopolith is assumed to be relatively small and probably is centrally located; it may connect the lopolith with…
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mineral depositMagmatic cumulates…dramatic example occurs in the Bushveld Igneous Complex of South Africa, where cumulus layers of chromite (iron-magnesium-chromium oxide, the only chromium ore mineral) are encased in cumulus layers of anorthite (calcium-rich feldspar).
Read More…dramatic example occurs in the Bushveld Igneous Complex of South Africa, where cumulus layers of chromite (iron-magnesium-chromium oxide, the only chromium ore mineral) are encased in cumulus layers of anorthite (calcium-rich feldspar).
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platinum groupOres…world’s largest deposit is the Bushveld Complex of South Africa. Other major deposits include the Sudbury deposit of Ontario, Canada, and the Norilsk-Talnakh deposit of Siberia in Russia. Within the United States the largest deposit is the Stillwater Complex in Montana, but this is substantially smaller than the deposits cited…
Read More…world’s largest deposit is the Bushveld Complex of South Africa. Other major deposits include the Sudbury deposit of Ontario, Canada, and the Norilsk-Talnakh deposit of Siberia in Russia. Within the United States the largest deposit is the Stillwater Complex in Montana, but this is substantially smaller than the deposits cited…
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