Quick Search:    advanced search

GSW Home   GeoRef Home   My GSW Alerts   Contact GSW   About GSW   Journals List   Help

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Dirks, P. H. G. M. Articles by Jelsma, H. A. Search for Related Content GeoRef GeoRef Citation

Horizontal accretion and stabilization of the Archean Zimbabwe Craton

¹ Department of Geology, University of Zimbabwe, MP167, Harare, Zimbabwe

Structural-metamorphic data and mineral ages from the northern parts of the Zimbabwe craton indicate that Archean crustal formation and stabilization evolved in two stages. In the Shamva-Bindura greenstone belt, early layer-parallel shear zones began to form at 2670 Ma and accommodated imbricate stacking of oceanic and volcanic arc material between large nappe structures with felsic gneiss cores. The resultant crustal pile of anomalously hot felsic and mafic crustal slices reached isostatic and mechanical equilibrium at a thickness of 35 km. Further shortening of this pile caused strain partitioning into vertical strike-slip zones. The subsequent establishment of an equilibrium geotherm resulted in large-scale crustal melting and diapirism between 2620 and 2600 Ma. The rise of the melt and diapirs caused a second transient metamorphic imprint and much of the strain pattern regarded as typical for the Zimbabwe craton. This diapiric stage led to cooling and stabilization of the craton.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. W. Shervais The significance of subduction-related accretionary complexes in early Earth processes Geological Society of America Special Papers, January 1, 2006; 405(0): 173 - 192. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. H.G.M. Dirks and H. A. Jelsma The structural-metamorphic evolution of the northern margin of the Zimbabwe Craton and the adjacent Zambezi belt in northeastern Zimbabwe Geological Society of America Special Papers, January 1, 2006; 405(0): 291 - 313. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M D Prendergast Contact relations between the Koodoovale- and Manjeri-type lithostratigraphic units of the late Archaean Bulawayan Supergroup at Hunters Road, central Zimbabwe South African Journal of Geology, September 1, 2004; 107(3): 325 - 332. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. D. Prendergast and M. D. Prendergast The Nickeliferous Late Archean Reliance Komatiitic Event in the Zimbabwe Craton--Magmatic Architecture, Physical Volcanology, and Ore Genesis Economic Geology, August 1, 2003; 98(5): 865 - 891. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Bolhar, J. D. Woodhead, and J. M. Hergt Continental setting inferred for emplacement of the 2.9-2.7 Ga Belingwe Greenstone Belt, Zimbabwe Geology, April 1, 2003; 31(4): 295 - 298. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Hofmann, A. Hofmann, P.H.G.M. Dirks, H.A. Jelsma, and N. Matura A tectonic origin for ironstone horizons in the Zimbabwe craton and their significance for greenstone belt geology Journal of the Geological Society, January 1, 2003; 160(1): 83 - 97. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Hofmann, A. Hofmann, O. Jagoutz, A. Kroner, P. H.G.M. Dirks, and H. A. Jelsma The Chirwa dome: granite emplacement during late Archaean thrusting along the northeastern margin of the Zimbabwe craton South African Journal of Geology, December 1, 2002; 105(4): 285 - 300. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Bleeker Archaean tectonics: a review, with illustrations from the Slave craton Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2002; 199(1): 151 - 181. [Abstract] [PDF]

				H. A. Jelsma and P. H. G. M. Dirks Neoarchaean tectonic evolution of the Zimbabwe Craton Geological Society, London, Special Publications, January 1, 2002; 199(1): 183 - 211. [Abstract] [PDF]