Banded Iron Formations - Research Article from World of Earth Science

This encyclopedia article consists of approximately 3 pages of information about Banded Iron Formations.

Banded Iron Formations - Research Article from World of Earth Science

This encyclopedia article consists of approximately 3 pages of information about Banded Iron Formations.
This section contains 758 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Banded Iron Formations Encyclopedia Article

Banded iron formations (BIFs) are chemically precipitated sedimentary rocks. They are composed of alternating thin (millimeter to centimeter scale) red, yellow, or cream colored layers of chert or jasper and black to dark gray iron oxides (predominantly magnetite and hematite), and/or iron carbonate (siderite) layers. Banded iron formations have greater than 15% sedimentary iron content. Banded iron formations are of economic interest as they host the world's largest iron ore deposits and many gold deposits.

Algoma-type banded iron formations were deposited as chemical sediments along with other sedimentary rocks (such as greywacke and shale) and volcanics in and adjacent to volcanic arcs and spreading centers. Iron and silica were derived from hydrothermal sources associated with volcanic centres. Algoma-type iron formations are common in Archean green-stone belts, but may also occur in younger rocks.

Lake Superior-type banded iron formations were chemically precipitated on marine continental...

(read more)

This section contains 758 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Banded Iron Formations Encyclopedia Article
Copyrights
Gale
Banded Iron Formations from Gale. ©2005-2006 Thomson Gale, a part of the Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.