Sedimentological and paleoenvironmental constraints of the Statherian and Stenian Espinhaço rift system, Brazil.

Abstract

The Espinhaço Basin in eastern Brazil contains depositional sequences developed in the São Francisco paleoplate and its margins. Detailed mapping was conducted and combined with U–Pb detrital zircon dating to determine the sedimentological-stratigraphic framework, provenance and minimum and maximum ages of the syn-rift-deposits. The two cycles have minimum ages of 1192 and 923 Ma and maximum ages of 1785 and 1685 Ma. The first depositional cycle, represented by the Bandeirinha and São João da Chapada formations, is marked by contributions of Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic detrital zircons. The second cycle, the diamond-bearing Sopa-Brumadinho Formation, also contains Mesoproterozoic zircons formed between 1300 and 1190 Ma, which suggests an additional external source of Grenvillian age, that was not previously recorded in the São Francisco Craton. The investigation of such Mesoproterozoic intraplate sedimentary records, provides clues to understanding the history of the Rodinia active margins and, therefore, the kinematic reconstruction of its paleoplates.