Abstract
EVIDENCE accumulated in several Archaean granitoid–greenstone belts indicates that greenstones were formed on, or adjacent to, pre-existing sialic crust that now consists of granitoid gneisses disrupted by younger granitoids1–10. Structural studies reported here of the Eastern Goldfields Province, Yilgarn Block, Western Australia suggest a similar evolution for greenstone belts11–13. We discuss the two main models which can explain the evolution of such greenstone belts. The first involves development of greenstones within ensialic rift zones3,14–16, and may not have a modern analogue, whereas the second involves their development in a marginal basin environment17,19 similar to that developed behind modern arc systems.
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