Nuvvuagittuq greenstone belt
Quick Summary
The Nuvvuagittuq greenstone belt in Quebec, Canada, contains some of the oldest rocks on Earth, with volcanic deposits estimated at 4.28 billion years old. This geological site is part of the Archean Eon, a period characterized by the formation of Earth's crust and the emergence of early life forms.1
Greenstone-granite belts, like Nuvvuagittuq, are found on most continents and are often considered tectonic slices of oceanic and island arc crust. These belts typically consist of a lower volcanic layer and an upper sedimentary layer, with volcanic rocks including ultramafic and basaltic lavas. The term "greenstone" comes from the presence of green metamorphic minerals like chlorite, hornblende, and epidote. These belts are significant for containing valuable mineral deposits, including gold and silver.21
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Archean Eonamphibolite volcanic deposits of the Nuvvuagittuq greenstone belt in Quebec, Canada. The second oldest rocks are the 4-billion-year-old Acasta granitic gneisses in northwestern Canada, and a single relict zircon grain dated to 4.2 billion years ago was found within these gneisses. Other ancient sediments and lavas occur in the 3.85-billion-year-old…
Read Moreamphibolite volcanic deposits of the Nuvvuagittuq greenstone belt in Quebec, Canada. The second oldest rocks are the 4-billion-year-old Acasta granitic gneisses in northwestern Canada, and a single relict zircon grain dated to 4.2 billion years ago was found within these gneisses. Other ancient sediments and lavas occur in the 3.85-billion-year-old…
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PrecambrianOldest minerals and rocks…amphibolite volcanic deposits of the Nuvvuagittuq greenstone belt in Quebec, Canada; they are estimated to be 4.28 billion years old. The age of these rocks was estimated using a radiometric dating technique that measures the ratio of the rare-earth elements neodymium and samarium present in a sample.
Read More…amphibolite volcanic deposits of the Nuvvuagittuq greenstone belt in Quebec, Canada; they are estimated to be 4.28 billion years old. The age of these rocks was estimated using a radiometric dating technique that measures the ratio of the rare-earth elements neodymium and samarium present in a sample.
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