Yarrabubba - a large, deeply eroded impact structure in the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia

Macdonald, Francis A.; Bunting, J.A.; Cina, Sara E.

doi:10.1016/s0012-821x(03)00322-4

Cited by 33 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The palaeogeographic proximity of Nain craton to the Sudbury impact site on Superior craton is unknown at 1.85 Ga (Wardle et al 2002). In addition to these two largest craters, Figure 1s shows three smaller (30 km diameter) craters in the 3.0-1.2 Ga time interval: Yarrabubba at an unknown age younger than its c. 2.65 Ga target rocks (Macdonald et al 2003), Keurusselkä at an unknown age younger than its c. 1.88 Ga target rocks (Hietala et al 2004) and Shoemaker with a maximum age of 1.63 Ga (Pirajno et al 2003(Pirajno et al , 2009.…”

Section: Extra-terrestrial Influences: Bolides and Earth-moon Orbitalmentioning

confidence: 96%

Palaeoproterozoic supercontinents and global evolution: correlations from core to atmosphere

Reddy

Evans

2009

115

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The Palaeoproterozoic era was a time of profound change in Earth evolution and represented perhaps the first supercontinent cycle, from the amalgamation and dispersal of a possible Neoarchaean supercontinent to the formation of the 1.9-1.8 Ga supercontinent Nuna. This supercontinent cycle, although currently lacking in palaeogeographic detail, can in principle provide a contextual framework to investigate the relationships between deep-Earth and surface processes. In this article, we graphically summarize secular evolution from the Earth's core to its atmosphere, from the Neoarchaean to the Mesoproterozoic eras (specifically 3.0-1.2 Ga), to reveal intriguing temporal relationships across the various 'spheres' of the Earth system. At the broadest level our compilation confirms an important deep-Earth event at c. 2.7 Ga that is manifested in an abrupt increase in geodynamo palaeointensity, a peak in the global record of large igneous provinces, and a broad maximum in several mantle-depletion proxies. Temporal coincidence with juvenile continental crust production and orogenic gold, massive-sulphide and porphyry copper deposits, indicate enhanced mantle convection linked to a series of mantle plumes and/or slab avalanches. The subsequent stabilization of cratonic lithosphere, the possible development of Earth's first supercontinent and the emergence of the continents led to a changing surface environment in which voluminous banded iron-formations could accumulate on the continental margins and photosynthetic life could flourish. This in turn led to irreversible atmospheric oxidation at 2.4-2.3 Ga, extreme events in global carbon cycling, and the possible dissipation of a former methane greenhouse atmosphere that resulted in extensive Palaeoproterozoic ice ages. Following the great oxidation event, shallow marine sulphate levels rose, sediment-hosted and iron-oxide-rich metal deposits became abundant, and the transition to sulphide-stratified oceans provided the environment for early eukaryotic evolution. Recent advances in the geochronology of the global stratigraphic record have made these inferences possible. Frontiers for future research include more refined modelling of Earth's thermal and geodynamic evolution, palaeomagnetic studies of geodynamo intensity and continental motions, further geochronology and tectonic syntheses at regional levels, development of new isotopic systems to constrain geochemical cycles, and continued innovation in the search for records of early life in relation to changing palaeoenvironments.

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Section: Extra-terrestrial Influences: Bolides and Earth-moon Orbitalmentioning

confidence: 96%

Palaeoproterozoic supercontinents and global evolution: correlations from core to atmosphere

Reddy

Evans

2009

115

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“…The approximately 2 Ga Vredefort structure in South Africa has commonly been quoted as being the oldest and largest impact structure on Earth (Gibson and Reimold ), although Yarrabubba (approximately 50 km) in Western Australia may be ≤2.4 Ga (MacDonald et al. ). Setlagole in South Africa (2.79 Ga; Anhaeusser et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complete hydrothermal re‐equilibration of zircon in the Maniitsoq structure, West Greenland: A 3001 Ma minimum age of impact?

Scherstén

Garde

2013

Meteorit & Planetary Scien

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Abstract-Zircon in five samples of variably comminuted, melted, and hydrothermally altered orthogneiss from the Maniitsoq structure of southern West Greenland yield a weighted mean 207 Pb/ 206 Pb age of 3000.9 AE 1.9 Ma (ion probe data, n = 37). The age data constitute a rare example of pervasive and nearly complete isotopic resetting of zircon during a regional hydrothermal event. Many zircon grains are homogeneous or display weak flamelike patterns in backscattered electron images. Other grains show complex internal textures, where homogeneous, high-U fronts commonly cut across relict igneous-type oscillatory zonation. Inclusions of quartz, plagioclase, mica, and other Al AE Na AE Ca AE Fe-bearing silicates are very common. In two samples, selective replacement of zircon with baddeleyite occurs along concentric zones with relict igneous zonation, and as specks a few microns large within recrystallized, high-U areas. We interpret the 3000.9 AE 1.9 Ma date as the minimum age of the recently proposed impact structure at Maniitsoq. The great geographical extent and intensity of the hydrothermal event suggest massive invasion of water into the currently exposed crust, implying that the age of the hydrothermal alteration would closely approximate the age of the proposed impact at Maniitsoq. At the western margin of the Taserssuaq tonalite complex, which postdates the Maniitsoq event, a 207 Pb/ 206 Pb mean age of 2994.6 AE 3.4 Ma obtained from zircon has mostly retained igneous-type oscillatory zonation. A subsequent thermal event at approximately 2975 Ma is recorded in several samples by zircon with baddeleyite replacement textures.

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“…To date, few Early Proterozoic astroblemes have been identified, namely the giant Sudbury (Canada) and Vredefort (South Africa) structures. The recently discovered Yarrabubba structure (Australia) is presumably also of Early Proterozoic age (McDonald et al 2003). Therefore, the identification of a circular feature, described previously as ''the Suavja¨rvi structure'' and interpreted as an impact site of Early Proterozoic age Orlova 1986, Mashchak andNaumov 1996), warrants further scrutiny.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Suavjärvi impact structure, NW Russia

Mashchak

Naumov

2012

Meteorit & Planetary Scien

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Abstract-We present the geology and interpreted shock features of the Suavja¨rvi circular structure. Suavja¨rvi is a circular feature (illustrated by satellite imagery, topography, and magnetic data) located in the central part of the Karelian Craton (lat. 63°07¢N, long. 33°23¢E). To date, little information on the geologic and impact features of the Suavja¨rvi structure is available in the literature. The structure is characterized by gravity and magnetic lows and disruption of the regional magnetic fabric. In the northeastern and southwestern parts of the structure, several erosional remnants of highly disturbed rocks occur referred to as monomict and polymict megabreccia. These comprise blocks of both basement granitoids and supracrustal greenstone rocks. The impact origin of polymict megabreccia and therefore of the Suavja¨rvi structure is confirmed by observations of closely spaced planar microstructures at angles consistent with planes that have Miller indices indicative of impact shock effects, mostly of x{10 13}. The Suavja¨rvi is considered to be a remnant of a deeply eroded and metamorphosed impact structure, which has a diameter of 16 km and was formed during the Paleoproterozoic (older than 2.2 Ga); this is inferred from the age of the overlying volcanic-sedimentary Jatulian sequence. Suavja¨rvi underwent regional metamorphism that resulted in obliteration or transformation of shock metamorphic effects. Massive sulfides occur within megabreccia; originating probably from postimpact redeposition of pre-existing mineralization.

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Yarrabubba - a large, deeply eroded impact structure in the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia

Cited by 33 publications

References 21 publications

Palaeoproterozoic supercontinents and global evolution: correlations from core to atmosphere

Palaeoproterozoic supercontinents and global evolution: correlations from core to atmosphere

Complete hydrothermal re‐equilibration of zircon in the Maniitsoq structure, West Greenland: A 3001 Ma minimum age of impact?

The Suavjärvi impact structure, NW Russia

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