Temagami Greenstone Belt

Temagami Greenstone Belt
Stratigraphic range: Neoarchean
Pillow lava exposed at Temagami's former garbage dump, part of the Younger Volcanic Complex.
TypeGeological formation
Unit ofAbitibi Subprovince
Sub-unitsArsenic Lake Formation, Link Lake Formation, Turtle Lake Formation
Location
Coordinates47°04′43.85″N 79°48′43.23″W / 47.0788472°N 79.8120083°W / 47.0788472; -79.8120083
Region Ontario
Country Canada
Extent32 by 25 km (20 by 16 mi)
Type section
Named forTemagami

Location of the Temagami Greenstone Belt in Ontario

The Temagami Greenstone Belt (TGB) is a small 2.7 billion year old greenstone belt in the Temagami region of Northeastern Ontario, Canada. It represents a feature of the Superior craton, an ancient and stable part of the Earth's lithosphere that forms the core of the North American continent and Canadian Shield. The belt is composed of metamorphosed volcanic rocks that range in composition from basalt to rhyolite. These form the east-northeast trend of the belt and are overlain by metamorphosed sedimentary rocks. They were created during several volcanic episodes involving a variety of eruptive styles ranging from passive lava eruptions to viscous explosive eruptions.

Part of the Canadian Shield, the TGB contains some of the oldest known rocks on Earth. The belt is made up of a number of geologic features such as batholiths, stocks, dikes, volcanic complexes, layered intrusions and deformation zones. These are situated in several geographical townships in the municipality of Temagami, including Chambers, Strathy, Strathcona, Briggs and possibly Best.