Chapter 9 - Paleoarchean (3.6–3.2 Ga) Mineral Systems in the Context of Continental Crust Building and the Role of Mantle Plumes

Abstract

The role of mantle dynamics in the Paleoarchean is examined in this chapter, in the context of building volcanic plateau, continental crustal growth, and the “making” of mineral systems. Mantle plume dynamics from ancient to modern Earth were discussed in some detail in the first edition of this book (Pirajno, 2007a,b). Here, we focus on Paleoarchean mantle plume activity and list large mafic–ultramafic events that may be related to the arrival of mantle plumes between 3.79 and 3.2Ga. Significantly these mantle plume events are responsible for the formation of komatiites in greenstone belts, with some of the best examples furnished by the East Pilbara Terrane (Pilbara Craton, Western Australia) and the Barberton Greenstone Belt in southern Africa. Details of East Pilbara Terrane mineralization are dealt with in the first edition (Huston et al., 2007a,b) and in this volume (Huston et al., 2018).