Granitoids and greenstones of the White Mfolozi Inlier, south-east Kaapvaal Craton

A. Hofmann, H. Xie, L. Saha, C. Reinke

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A Palaeoarchaean greenstone fragment and associated granitoid gneisses from an area south of Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal is described. The fragment consists of an association of garnetiferous amphibolite and calc-silicate that was intruded at 3388 ± 4 Ma by tonalite and at 3275 ± 4 Ma by trondhjemite. Strong ductile deformation of the greenstones and granitoids under amphibolite facies conditions (7 kbar and 600 to 650°C) took place prior to uplift and emplacement of a granite batholith at ~3.25 Ga ago in which the granitoid gneiss-greenstone domain is now found. Magmatism 3.27 to 3.25 Ga ago was a direct response to regional metamorphism and anataxis, and gave rise to stabilization of the southeastern Kaapvaal Craton at that time, earlier than other parts of the craton. Deposition of quartz-arenites on stable granitic basement took place <3.1 Ga ago. Contrasting ages in magmatic pulses and regional metamorphism reflect a different crustal growth history of the eastern and southeastern part of the Kaapvaal Craton.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)263-276
Number of pages14
JournalSouth African Journal of Geology
Volume123
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geology

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