Neoproterozoic-Cambrian Tectonics, Global Change and Evolution

A Focus on South Western Gondwana

Claudio Gaucher, Alcides N. Sial, Galen P. Halverson, Hartwig E. Frimmel

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2009
• Print ISBN: 9780444532497
• eBook ISBN: 9780080932774
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Geology & Earth Sciences

The book deals with the record of important Neoproterozoic to Early Palaeozoic events in southwestern Gondwana, that heralded the Cambrian explosion and the dawn of modern ecosystems. It contains a detailed account of the Neoproterozoic to Cambrian geological record in a poorly-known part of the world, which is at the same time key to understand fundamental processes at the Proterozoic-Cambrian transition. The emphasis is placed on litho-, bio-, chemostratigraphy and magmatism. The palaeoclimatic, tectonic, evolutionary radiation and extinction events and associated mineralizations will be identified and discussed. A synthesis of all data is provided at the end of the book, integrating the data from all cratons and fold belts in southwestern Gondwana. The events will be individualized, their impact discussed and correlations between different successions both within and outside Gondwana proposed.The book is organized in three sections. Section one is an introduction to the neoproterozoic and Cambrian seen as a time of upheavals, extremes and innovations. Section two comprises nineteen chapters dealing with the neoproterozoic-Cambrian events in southwestern Gondwana. Section three will provide a synthesis on every major topic, and a critical assessment of the global implications of the presented data.- The book deals with the record of important Neoproterozoic to Early Palaeozoic events in southwestern Gondwana, that heralded the Cambrian explosion and the dawn of modern ecosystems- It contains a detailed account of the Neoproterozoic to Cambrian geological record in a poorly-known part of the world, which is at the same time key to understand fundamental processes at the Proterozoic-Cambrian transition- The emphasis is placed on litho-, bio-, chemostratigraphy and magmatism

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Table of Contents
• Elsevier
• Preface
• Chapter 1 The Neoproterozoic and Cambrian: A Time of Upheavals, Extremes and Innovations
• Chapter 2 The Amazonian Palaeocontinent
• Chapter 3 The São Francisco Palaeocontinent
• Extension and General Evolution of the Río de la Plata Craton
• Chapter 4.2 Lithostratigraphy
• Chapter 4.3 Biostratigraphy
• Chapter 4.4 Chemostratigraphy
• Chapter 4.5 Palaeoclimatic Events
• Chapter 4.6 Palaeogeography
• Chapter 5.1 Configuration of Pan-African Orogenic Belts in Southwestern Africa
• Chapter 5.2 Continental Rifting
• Chapter 5.3 Passive Continental Margin Evolution
• Chapter 5.4 Syn- to Late-Orogenic Sedimentary Basins of Southwestern Africa
• Chapter 5.5 Orogenic Tectono-Thermal Evolution
• Chapter 5.6 Syn- to Post-Orogenic Magmatism
• Chapter 5.7 Mineral Deposits
• Chapter 5.8 Geodynamic Synthesis of the Damara Orogen Sensu Lato
• Chapter 6 The Pampean Orogen: Ediacaran-Lower Cambrian Evolutionary History of Central and Northwest Region of Argentina
• Chapter 7.1 The Paranapanema Lithospheric Block: Its Nature and Role in the Accretion of Gondwana
• Chapter 7.2 The Evolution and Tectonic Setting of the Luis Alves Microplate of Southeastern Brazil: An Exotic Terrane during the Assembly of Western Gondwana
• Chapter 8 Tectonic Events and Palaeogeographic Evolution of Southwestern Gondwana in the Neoproterozoic and Cambrian
• Chapter 9.1 Neoproterozoic Acritarch Evolution
• Chapter 9.2 Skeletonised Metazoans and Protists
• Chapter 9.3 Trace Fossils and the Agronomic Revolution at the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian Transition in Southwest Gondwana
• Chapter 10 Neoproterozoic-Cambrian Biogeochemical Evolution
• Neoproterozoic to Cambrian Palaeoclimatic Events in Southwestern Gondwana
• Chapter 11.2 Neoproterozoic Glacial Events in Eurasia
• References