Elsevier

Precambrian Research

Volume 64, Issues 1–4, December 1993, Pages 253-271
Precambrian Research

Palaeoproterozoic glaciomarine sedimentation in an extensional tectonic setting: the Honkala Formation, Finland

https://doi.org/10.1016/0301-9268(93)90080-LGet rights and content

Abstract

The Honkala Formation of the Honkajärvi Group in the Kainuu Schist Belt of northern Finland (Central Fennoscandian Shield) provides evidence of Palaeoproterozoic glaciation on the fractured surface of the craton. The diamictites and associated rocks of the Honkala Formation are some 190 m thick in the studied area. They consist of a remnant of the glacigenic sequence deposited during an incipient stage of crustal extension. The rocks rest unconformably on the Late Archaean basement and conformably on rift-related volcanics. The volcanics were erupted during a period of general fragmentation and rifting of the Late Archaean basement ∼ 2.4-2.3 Ga ago. At this time, shallow intracratonic basins and depressions started to form on a continental scale. Subsequently, many of these basins subsided below sea level.

The lower part of the Honkala Formation consists of turbiditic, non-glacial mudstones and sandstones, up to 70 m thick. Glacial advance is indicated by ice-rafted deposits forming a succession of some 10 to 50 m. Deposition took place in a glaciomarine rift-basin extending towards the interior of the Archaean Craton. Waning glacial influence is indicated by some 70 m of sandstones. The uppermost sandstones were influenced by intermittent chemical weathering indicating that these deposits were subjected to subaerial conditions and warmer climate.

Correlation on a global scale is possible. During the early Palaeoproterozoic, the Fennoscandian and North American cratons were probably situated close together at a high latitude and both were affected by a major continental glaciation. The Fennoscandian Craton then shifted to lower latitudes, whereas the North American cratonic margin recorded further glaciations at high latitudes.

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