Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
Web: http://www.geosociety.org/Sections/sc/2016mtg/index.htm
Includes the following workshop:
W2. Geologic studies of the 3.5-3.2 Ga Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa
Leader: Gary Byerly (glbyer@lsu.edu)
This course will use rock samples, thin sections, field photos, and geologic maps to provide context for the evolution of this important sequence from the early Archean. Komatiites will be examined in detail, because they are only rarely found in younger rock sequences. Rock and mineral chemistry, including REE and PGE, will be examined. Dacites form the other end-member of the volcanic series, and again rock and mineral chemistry, will be examined along with U/Pb and Lu/Hf isotopic data used to determine the ages of these old rocks. This sequence includes eight layers that result from large asteroidal impacts, and we will examine some of the materials from these layers. A broad spectrum of sedimentary rocks will conclude the workshop, including well preserved sandstones, volcaniclastics, barites, banded iron formation, stromatolites, and carbonaceous cherts with microfossils.