An Overview of the Amazonian Craton Evolution: Insights for Paleocontinental Reconstruction

Abstract

The Amazonian craton major accretionary and collisional processes may be correlated to supercontinent assemblies developed at several times in the Earth history. Based on geologic, structural and paleomagnetic evidence paleocontinent reconstructions have been proposed for Archean to younger times. The oldest continent (Ur) was formed probably by five Achaean cratonic areas (Kaapvaal, Western Dhawar, Bhandara, Singhhum and Pilbara cratons). Geologic evidences suggest the participation of the Archaean rocks of the Carajás region in the Ur landmass. Supercontinental 2.45 Ga Kenorland amalgamation is indicated by paleomagnetic data including Laurentia, Baltica, Australia, and Kalahari and Kaapvaal cratons. There is no evidence indicating that Amazonian craton was part of the Kenorland supercontinent.

Geodiversity in the Amazon drainage basin

“…The cratonic rocks were formed during the early history of the Earth [94,97,98] and range in age from ca 3000 to 1000 Ma [34,[99][100][101]. The cratonic regions represent the formation, amalgamation and break-up of former supercontinents [102],…”

“…The location of all examples is indicated in figure 1 (table 2 for each location's corresponding number). For more examples of how current geological formations in the Amazon Craton relate to palaeogeology, see Cordani & Teixeira [103], who describe a host of Proterozoic accretionary belts consisting of ancient rift and suture zones, and Geraldes et al [102], who describe major accretionary and collisional processes that may be correlated to supercontinent assemblies.…”

“…The cratonic rocks were formed during the early history of the Earth [ 94 , 97 , 98 ] and range in age from ca 3000 to 1000 Ma [ 34 , 99 – 101 ]. The cratonic regions represent the formation, amalgamation and break-up of former supercontinents [ 102 ], with numerous examples of belts, complexes and suites that are a testament to the cratons' long and geologically dynamic history. Good examples of this early history are the Trincheira Complex, which is associated with the supercontinent Columbia [ 55 ], the Nova Brasilândia-Aguapeí Belt, which is related to the amalgamation of Rodinia [ 57 ], the Gurupi [ 49 ] and Araguia Belt [ 56 ], which are both related to the amalgamation of Gondwana, and the Anarí Formation, a remnant of the magmatic activity preceding the break-up of Pangea [ 54 ].…”

Paraguay Belt Lithostratigraphic and Tectonic Characterization: Implications in the Evolution of the Orogen (Mato Grosso-Brazil) / Caracterização Litoestratigráfica E Tectônica Do Cinturão Paraguay : Implicações Na Evolução Do Orógeno (Mato Grosso-Brasil)

“…Insert (AC= Amazonia Craton; AA = Arequipa-Antofala Craton; RAP = Rio de La Plata Craton; PP = Paranapanema Craton; WAF = West African Craton; SF-CNG -São Francisco-Congo Craton. Paleogeography fromGeraldes and Schmitt (2010).…”