Nature and evolution of the Archean crust of the São Francisco Craton

We overview the Archean tectonic framework the São Francisco craton based on geologic constraints, integrated geochronologic interpretation and isotopic-geochemical evidence of basement rocks. U–Pb provenance studies of Archean and Paleoproterozoic supracrustal sequences are also used to provide additional inferences about the geodynamic scenario. The Archean rocks crop out mainly in two large areas in the southern and northern portions of the craton, surrounded and/or in tectonic contact with Paleoproterozoic orogenic belts. The ancient substratum is essentially composed of medium- to high-grade gneissic-migmatitic rocks including TTG suites and coeval granite-greenstone associations that collectively provide an isotopic record as old as 4.1 Ga. The combined U–Pb and Sm–Nd T_DM age peaks coupled with U–Pb inherited ages in detrital zircons from the supracrustal sequences indicate that very ancient continental crust (˃3.5 Ga) exist, particularly in the northern portion of the craton. Mesoarchean events are episodic between 3.6–3.3 and 3.2–2.9 Ga, as for the Neoarchean (2.8–2.6 Ga) in both cratonic portions. This isotopic record indicates a protracted Archean history for the São Francisco craton, highlighted by peculiar tectonic-metamorphic histories of the basement rocks. From a tectonic point of view the compiled data concur with a diachronic evolution from Paleo- to Neoarchean times by means of juvenile accretion/differentiation events characterized by multiple TTG plutonism in genetic association with greenstone belts, coupled with partial melting events of earlier-formed material. All ancient basement complexes and/or continental blocks assembled diachronically during the Late Neoarchean by convergence-related processes akin to plate dynamics. Late-tectonic K-rich granitoids, mafic-ultramafic complexes and mafic dikes collectively mark the Neoarchean thickening and final cratonization of the continental crust.