Precambrian of the Northern Hemisphere

Principles of Precambrian Geologyis an update to the 1991 book, Precambrian Geology: The Dynamic Evolution of the Continental Crust, by the same author. The new edition covers the same topics in a more concise and accessible format and is replete with explanatory figures, tables, and illustrations. The book serves as a modern comprehensive statement on the Earth's Precambrian crust, covering the main aspects of distribution, lithiostratigraphy, age, and petrogenesis of Precambrian rocks by continent within the context of the Earth's evolving continental crust. Principles of Precambrian Geology provides a suitable framework for assessing various Earth dynamic and biospheric hypotheses, including the modern plate tectonic paradigm and the Gaian hypothesis. Despite the concise format, the new edition provides extensive updated references to support the information presented. It is designed to serve the needs of student, teacher, explorationist and general student of the continental crust. - Updated to provide more concise accessible information - Extensive illustrations, tabulations, and maps - Provides a framework for assessing recent hypothesis on Earth dynamics - Covers main aspects of distribution, lithostratigraphy, age, and protogenesis of Precambrian rocks

Focusing on the Precambrian in the central part of the Fennoscandian Shield, the book combines the results from modern geological and geophysical research into a detailed petrologic, lithologic, and structural synthesis and interpretation of the Archean and Proterozoic of Finland. It will be of value to anyone interested in the evolution of the shield in particular and in Precambrian geology in general.

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The main goal of this book is to provide a modern comprehensive statement on the Earth's Precambrian crust. It uses geographic and tectonic location, lithostratigraphy, geochronology, and petrogenesis as a basis for considering Precambrian coastal evolution--including the role of plate tectonics. Detailed consideration is given to the endogenic and exogenic processes which formed the continental crust and also to its subsequent secular evolution across Precambrian time**An essential reference volume for every Precambrian geologist.

The motivation for this volume came from the idea that thePrecambrian is the key, both to the present, and to theunderstanding of the Earth as a whole. The Precambrian constitutesabout 85% of Earth's history, and of that, about 3.75 billion yearsof Precambrian time, represented by rocks, are accessible togeoscientists. Ancient atmospheric and environmental conditions canbe traced back to the time when the Earth was only about 250million years old. Precambrian rocks supply almost 75% of importantmineral resources such as Fe, Mn, Au, Pt and Cr. Many of theseelements are associated with sedimentary rocks and some importanthydrocarbon, coal and graphite deposits are also hosted byPrecambrian rocks. This volume is aimed at geoscientists interested in Precambriansedimentary rocks and at students of Earth history. It containsreview articles discussing Precambrian conditions and case studiesfrom Precambrian shields and successions of North and SouthAmerica, Australia, Africa, Europe, Asia and India. Theintroductory papers, written by experts on Precambrianenvironments, treat comprehensively the application of actualism tothe Precambrian, the evolution and influence of life on thesedimentary rock record, the genesis of Banded Iron Formations, thePrecambrian sulphur cycle and the significance of Precambrianchemical carbonate precipitates. The case studies includedepositional settings and processes in Archean terranes, inPaleoproterozoic sequences, with some emphasis on the lack ofvegetation and weathering, and in late Proterozoic sequences, withsome emphasis on glacial deposits. The contributions demonstratethat Precambrian sedimentary deposits are commonly similar to theirPhanerozoic counterparts in terms of composition, sedimentaryprocesses, and depositional setting, but may differ significantlyas a result of lack of vegetation, climatic and biologicalconstraints, composition and circulation of seawater, and thesecular involvement of continental crust. Contains review articles discussing Precambrian conditions andcase studies from Precambrian shields and successions of North andSouth America, Australia, Africa, Europe, Asia and India. The introductory papers, written by experts on Precambrianenvironments, treat comprehensively the application of actualism tothe Precambrian, the evolution and influence of life on thesedimentary rock record, the genesis of Banded Iron Formations, thePrecambrian sulphur cycle and the significance of Precambrianchemical carbonate precipitates. Detailed case studies include depositional settings andprocesses in Archean terranes, in Paleoproterozoic sequences, withsome emphasis on the lack of vegetation and weathering, and in lateProterozoic sequences, with some emphasis on glacialdeposits. Written for geoscientists interested in Precambrian sedimentaryrocks and students of Earth history. If you are a member of the International Association ofSedimentologists (IAS), for purchasing details, please see:http://www.iasnet.org/publications/details.asp?code=SP33

Precambrian Plate Tectonics