The Archaean: Geological and Geochemical Windows into the Early Earth

About this book

Archaean terrains contain a wealth of structural, stratigraphic, textural, mineralogical, geochemical and isotopic features allowing insights into the nature of the early Earth. The Archaean: Geological and Geochemical Windows into the Early Earth is based on studies during 1964-2007 of Archaean terrains in Australia and to a lesser extent in South Africa and India, as well as on visits to Archaean terrains in Canada, the US and China, as well as petrological and geochemical studies of igneous and sedimentary rock suites from a range of terrains. The book will include a range of photographic and microscopic images, geological sketch maps and diagrams illustrating the lessons derived from field and the laboratory. Also other Archaean terrains are being reviewed. The Archaean: Geological and Geochemical Windows into the Early Earth is intended for Earth scientists as well as broader intelligent readership.

Contents

- Preface
- Field features of Archaean greenstone terrains
- Archaean Volcanism
- Archaean Plutonism
- Asteroid and comet impacts.-Archaean sedimentation
- Early life forms
- Secular geochemical trends
- Global Archaean tectonics
- Archaean crustal evolution - a synthesis

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