Project Details
Projekt
Facies analysis of the Mapepe Foreland Basin, Barberton Greenstone Belt, by well-to-well correlation
Applicant
Professor Dr. Christoph Heubeck
Subject Area
Palaeontology
Term
from 2014 to 2018
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 253256976
Archaean biogeochemical cycles are poorly understood yet critical to comprehend the evolution of our planet-s ecosphere. One of the key sections shedding light on the composition of the Archaean ocean and its interaction with the atmo- and biosphere lies in the Middle Archaean (ca. 3250 Ma old) Fig Tree Group, Barberton Greenstone Belt (BGB), South Africa. A substantial part of this section was recently cored in an ICDP-supported drilling project. The cored section, BARB-5, includes fine- to coarse-grained sediments and volcaniclastics; ferruginous, carbonaceous, and cherty chemical sediments; and an impact spherule bed. They were all deposited in a deepening-upward, fan-delta to ferruginous deep-marine basin. Geological mapping in the vicinity indicates a high facies variability. The core material is geochemically attractive, evidenced by 14 submitted proposals. Successful sample analysis and interpretation, however, will depend on a detailed sedimentological interpretation, requiring core-to-surface integration. The proposed project will correlate the 763 m-core with surface sections, regional trends and eventually the BARB-4 core which drilled an age-equivalent BIF section nearby. Results will constrain the interpretation of geochemical proxies from both wells and contribute to the understanding of biochemical and extra- and intrabasinals controls on lithologies and facies. Funds applied for include travel money, limited field work, and analytical expenses.
DFG Programme
Infrastructure Priority Programmes
International Connection
Netherlands, USA
Participating Persons
Professor Dr. Gary Byerly; Professor Dr. Don Lowe; Professor Paul Mason, Ph.D.
