Geochemistry and Origin of Banded Iron-Formation from the Granulitic Terrain of North Arcot District, Tamil Nadu, South India

Abstract

Banded iron formations (BIF) form an important part of the Archean supracrustal belts of South India. Major, trace and rare earth elements (REE) chemistry of the banded iron formation of Kavuthimalai-Vediyappanmalai area, North Arcot district, Tamil Nadu region are utilized to compare with other world BIF and explore that this a separate type of Tamil Nadu type. The petrographic observation and the study of REE indicates that this BIF are derived from mantle through hydrothermal solutions and fumarolic activity in submarine conditions with an age of approximately 3800 m.y. old.