Abstract
Cherts studied from the southern Barberton greenstone belt are identified as replacement products of various pillow lavas, pyroclastic deposits, and sedimentary deposits. Silica-filled fracture systems within the cherts have been found to be associated with this silicification process. These systems include: (1) silica-filled fractures; (2) silica vein stockworks; (3) silica-cemented breccias; and (4) pseudoconglomerate bodies. Some of the silica-filled fracture systems can be shown to have formed soon after sedimentation. Silica vein stockworks can be seen to develop laterally into silica-cemented breccias, the fragments of which have sometimes become rounded within the fracture systems to form pseudoconglomerate. The cherts are interpreted as silicified hemi-pelagic sediments that overlie pillow lavas, some of which are now also cherts. Cells of convective sea water interacted with oceanic crust to produce silica-rich fluids. These fluids silicified lava and sediments on re-entering the near surface env...
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