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Where is the Barberton Greenstone Belt, recently seen in the news, located?
  • a)
    Greenland
  • b)
    South Africa
  • c)
    Western Australia
  • d)
    Eastern Canada
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Where is the Barberton Greenstone Belt, recently seen in the news, loc...
Scientists recently found signs of some of the earliest known earthquakes at the Barberton Greenstone Belt.
About Barberton Greenstone Belt:
  • It is situated on the eastern edge of the Kaapvaal Craton in South Africa.
  • It is known for its gold mineralisation and for its komatiites, an unusual type of ultramafic volcanic rock named after the Komati River that flows through the belt. 
  • Some of the oldest exposed rocks on Earth (greater than 3.6 Ga) are located in the Barberton Greenstone Belt of the Eswatini–Barberton areas, and these contain some of the oldest traces of life on Earth, second only to the Isua Greenstone Belt of Western Greenland.
  • The Makhonjwa Mountains make up 40% of the Baberton belt.
  • Geological sampling indicates that some rock formations in these mountains are 3.2 to 3.6 billion years old.
What are ultramafic rocks?
  • Ultramafic (or ultrabasic) rocks are dark-colored igneous and meta-igneous rocks that are rich in minerals containing magnesium and iron ("mafic" minerals) and have a relatively low content of silica.
  • They are generally composed of more than 90 percent mafic minerals—that is, they have a high content of magnesium oxide (more than 18 percent MgO) and iron oxide (FeO). Their silica content is less than 45 percent, and their potassium content is low.
  • The Earth's mantle is thought to be composed of ultramafic rocks.
  • Most of the exposed ultramafic rocks have been found in orogenic (mountain-forming) belts. 
Hence option b is the correct answer.
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Community Answer
Where is the Barberton Greenstone Belt, recently seen in the news, loc...
The Barberton Greenstone Belt is located in South Africa. It is a geological formation known for its ancient rocks and is considered one of the oldest and best-preserved sequences of volcanic and sedimentary rocks on Earth.

Here is some detailed information about the location:

- **Barberton Greenstone Belt**:
- The Barberton Greenstone Belt is situated in the eastern part of South Africa, in the Mpumalanga province.
- It covers an area of approximately 6,000 square kilometers and is renowned for its geological significance.

- **Geological Significance**:
- The rocks in the Barberton Greenstone Belt are estimated to be over 3.5 billion years old, making them some of the oldest rocks on the planet.
- The belt contains evidence of early life forms, such as stromatolites, which are fossilized microbial mats that provide insights into the Earth's early ecosystems.

- **Recent News**:
- The Barberton Greenstone Belt has been in the news recently due to new research and discoveries related to the Earth's early history.
- Scientists have been studying the rocks in the belt to better understand the conditions that existed billions of years ago and the origins of life on Earth.

In conclusion, the Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa is a significant geological site that provides valuable insights into the early history of our planet. Ongoing research in this area continues to enhance our understanding of Earth's formation and the evolution of life.
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Where is the Barberton Greenstone Belt, recently seen in the news, located?a)Greenlandb)South Africac)Western Australiad)Eastern CanadaCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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