Timeframe: ~2800–1800 Ma, Neoarchean to Palaeoproterozoic
Geological story
Oxygen accumulates in the atmosphere and oceans due to action of bacteria, oceans rust, banded iron formations deposited, stromatolite “reefs”. Cratons start to assemble in supercontinent of Nuna. 1st widespread glaciations (Huronina) recognised.
Rocks to show: how life re-made the earth – examples of Banded Iron Formations, stromatolitic rocks, glacial rocks.
Events
- 2720 Ma Tumbiana Formation – stromatolite block
- 2700 Ma Golden Mile dolerite Kalgoorlie
- 2690 Ma Kambalda Nickel
- 2610 Ma Greenbushes Lithium
- 2500 2400 Ma major phase of banded iron deposition in Pilbara
- 2400–2050 Ma Great Oxygenation Event
- 2290–2250 Huronian glaciation – Meteorite Bore Mb., Turee Creek Group – diamictites
- 2000 Ma Assembly of West Australian Craton (Johnson, 2013)
Rocks included in this theme
- Tumbiana Formation stromatolites, WA
- Brockman BIF (block 2), WA
- Boogardie orbicular granite, Yilgarn, WA
- Namban Granite, Yilgarn, WA
- Greenbushes Pegmatite, Yilgarn, WA
- Kalgoorlie Au ore, Yligarn, WA
- Kambalda Komatiite Ni ore, Yilgarn, WA
