Sm–Nd, Rb–Sr and Pb–Pb dating of silicic carbonates from the early Archaean Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa
Abstract Two silicic carbonate sequences occurring in the Onverwacht Group (OG) and the overlying Fig Tree Group (FTG) of the early Archaean Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa, contain silicified dolomites with primary structures and textures. They occur with volcanic rocks dated by single zircons. The associated Onverwacht felsic volcanics have an age of ∼3440–3416 Ma, whereas the Fig Tree volcanics are ∼3225 Ma old. Therefore, the depositional age of both sequences is between 3440 and 3225 Ma. Pb-isotopic data for different parts of a single OG whole rock sample form a linear array corresponding to a Pb–Pb age of 2632±99 Ma. Sm–Nd and Rb–Sr isotopes were analysed in four whole rock s…
Sm-Nd dating of Fig Tree clay minerals of the Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa.
Sm-Nd isotopic data from carbonate-derived clay minerals of the 3.22-3.25 Ga Fig Tree Group, Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa, form a linear array corresponding to an age of 3102 +/- 64 Ma, making these minerals the oldest dated clays on Earth. The obtained age is 120-160 m.y. younger than the depositional age determined by zircon geochronology. Nd model ages for the clays range from approximately 3.39 to 3.44 Ga and almost cover the age variation of the Barberton greenstone belt rocks, consistent with independent evidence that the clay minerals are derived from material of the belt. The combined isotopic and mineralogical data provide evidence for a cryptic thermal overprint in the …