Age (c. 2.7 Ga OR c. 2.8-2.9 Ga ?) and exact locality (Upper limestone OR Lower limestone ?) of the Bulawayan Stromatolite Bul-7

[Hannu Poropudas]

Age (c. 2.7 Ga OR c. 2.8-2.9 Ga ?) and exact locality (Upper limestone OR Lower limestone ?) of the Bulawayan Stromatolite Bul-7 ???

Please, if some professional geologist like Prendergast or Wilson J. F.
could help me to solve this old proble of age of the Bulawayan stromatolite ?

Best Regards,

Hannu Poropudas
(amateur geologist)

References:

1. Schopf J. W. Oehler D. Z. Horodyski R. J. and Kvenvolden K. A. 1971.
Biogenicity and Significance of the Oldest Known Stromatolites.
Journal of Paleontology, v. 45, No. 3, p. 477-485.

(Text-fig. 1 – Map of Huntsman Limestone Quarries (approx. 28 degrees 48 seconds East, approximately 19 degrees 43 seconds South), southwestern Rhodesia, showing sample localities.
On this map there is marked dots of two dumps and one tailings pile (talus pile), p. 479.
This later locality (dot) is origin of the sample Bul-7, collected from this talus pile
by Kvenvolden K. A. Names for this same sample which exact origin locality (?) and age
(approximately 2.7 Ga OR approximately 2.8 – 2.9 Ga ?) I’ am interested here,
are Bul-7 (mentioned (1) on the p. 478), P.P.R.G 253 (Schopf’s edited book(2)) and UCLA-Bul-7 (Pannella Giorgio publication. Stromatolite’s Mode = 10-20-40 and Highest Count = 41. Astrophysics Space Science (?).)

2. Bond G. Wilson J.F. Winnall N. J. 1973.
Age of the Huntsman Limestone (Bulawayan) Stromatolites.
Nature, vol. 244, August 3, 1973, pages 275-276.

(Fig. 1. Field relations, Huntsman quarries. Map whuch shows how quarries is situated in respect of Upper limestone and banded ironstone (age approximately 2.7 Ga ?) and Lower limestone and banded ironsone (age approximately 2.8 – 2.9 Ga ?).

Sample location of Bul-7 seems to be on side
of Upper limestone and banded ironstone but Huntsman Limestone Quarries is mined or digged
possible from Lower limestone and banded ironstone. The sample Bul-7 is loose rock from talus pile as Dr. Kvenvolden said to me with his email when I asked him.

3. Schopf J. W. (Editor), 1983.
Earth’s Earliest Biosphere. Its Origin and Evolution.
Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 1983.
Printed in the United States of America. 543 pages. pages 393-394.

(Bulawayan Greenstone Belt, P.P.R.G. 253, N.A.S.A. no. Bul-7.
Black stromatolitic carbonate, locality 206: stromatolitic fabric in Photo 8-9B.)

[Hannu Poropudas]

I put reference of above mentioned Pannella G reference and
all sample knowledge of Bul-7 or Bul-6/Bul-7 etc. here:

References (of my 11.7.2019 sci.geo.geology article) continue here:

4. Pannella Giorgio, 1972.
Paleontological Evidence on the Earth´s Rotational History Since Early Precambrian.
Astrophysics and Space Science, 16, (1972), pp. 212-237.
Pages 220, 224, 229, 232, 234, 235-236, 237.
(Bul-6/Bul-7, p. 224, UCLA-Bul-7, p. 232).

Schopf J. W. Oehler D. Z. Horodyski R. J. and Kvenvolden K. A. 1971. Samples:

Bul-5, Bul-9, Bul-8, Bul-3, “stromatolite”, Bul-1, Bul-2, Bul-7.

Schopf J. W. (Editor), 1983. Samples:

P.P.G.R. 206 = N.A.S.A. no. 7-3,
P.P.G.R. 247 = N.A.S.A. no. Bul-1,
P.P.G.R. 248 = N.A.S.A. no. Bul-2,
P.P.G.R. 249 = N.A.S.A. no. Bul-3,
P.P.G.R. 250 = N.A.S.A. no. Bul-4,
P.P.G.R. 251 = N.A.S.A. no. Bul-5,
P.P.G.R. 253 = N.A.S.A. no. Bul-7,
P.P.G.R. 254 = N.A.S.A. no. Bul-9,
P.P.G.R. 255 = (J.W.S. “Zwankendaba Limestone”).

Best Regards,

Hannu Poropudas

[Hannu Poropudas]

Approximate locations of all Bulawayan stromatolite samples (Bul-7 etc.) H.P. 13.7.2019

Two emails (marked to my notes on sides of pages of Schopf J.W. et all 1971 paper)
From Keith A. Kvenvolden to me (Hannu Poropudas):

Email 31.7.1998:

“I collected this sample (Bul-7) (= P.P.R.G. 253 of J.W. Schopf´s collection number) From tailings of pile of the edge of Huntsman Quarry. The quarry was flooded at the time (1968). The exact coordinates were not determined. The age at the time was assumed to be 2.8 billion years. This is all the information I have. Good luck in your research. Keith A. Kvenvolden.”

Email 22.8.1998:

“Bul-7 came from one of the dumps. Keith A Kvenvolden.”

-------------------------------------------------------

I calculated approximate locations of these three locations (13.7.2019):

On the map Text-Fig.1. Map of Huntsman Limestone Quarries southwestern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), showing sample locations. 12 samples all together were collected. Two dots (two dump locations) and one dot (tailings pile) are marked. Page 479 in Schopf J.W. et all ref.

When I looked these two maps (refs: Bond G. et all 1973 and Schopf J.W. et all 1971) I identified one fixed location (easily visible at times 1968 and 1971 and 1973, this is not any of samples) on both maps. I measured this from the first mentioned ref. and I got for this my origin as about (28.798 degrees East, 19.714 degrees South). I marked this on the map mentioned in the second ref. Now starting to look these three sample locations to navigate to these locations:

MINE DUMP: start from my origin above, go 86 meters, direction (west side from north) N – 2.5 degree (plus, minus 0.5 degree).

TALUS PILES: start from my origin above, go 85 meters, direction (west side from north) N – 18 degree (plus, minus 0.5 degree).

MINE DUMP: start from my origin above, go 68 meters, direction (west side from north) N – 79 degree (plus, minus 0.5 degree) .

(about my origin above: South values are measured right side of Fig.1 (line drawn to the most right side of Fig.1 and right from the marking 19 degrees 43 seconds S). North values are measured above marking 28 degrees 48 seconds E from the line level just above “d” letter which is situated on the just left side situated word “and” this line cuts little of the Fig 1. drawn greenstone on the top of Fig 1. Small correction (0.23 centimeters above this line and this corresponds 22 meters) is needed to my orgin. So on the map this correction is 22 meters, but it corresponds 22/6378140 = 0.000003449 rad = 0.000197629 degrees. It is so small that it does not show itself with these accuracies. I have used also exact correspondence 1 yard = 0.9144 meter.)

By the way Shopf J. W et all 1971 mentioned that maximum age of these Bulawayan stromatolites could be 3100 Ma (Wassenburg, Hayden and Jensen, 1956), but in this reference the age which was mentioned was 3310 Ma.
(Wassenburg G.J. Hayden R.J. Jensen K.J. 1956.
A^40-K^40 dating of igneous rocks and sediments.
Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 10:153-165.)

(3310 Ma age mentioned for the age Potassium-Argon ratios measured a granitic boulder obtained from a conclomerate unit near the base of the Bulawayan Group at the Sebakwe River, 130 km northeast of Turk Mine.)

Best Regards,

Hannu Poropudas

Kolamäentie 9E,
90900 Kiiminki / Oulu
Finland

(my email address hanp...@luukku.com is not in use
and it has been so about one year so due heavy rubbish traffic
from the net.)

[Hannu Poropudas]

I found (15.7.2019)exact location coordinates of MY ORIGIN above
(I used Satellite Image of Google Map):

(-19.716095, 28.799043)

(28.799043 degrees E, 19.716095 degrees S)

Best Regards,

Hannu Poropudas

[Hannu Poropudas]

I found an interesting paper:

Fedo,C.M., Eriksson,K.A., 1996.
Stratigraphic framework of the ~ 3.0 Ga Buhwa Greenstone Belt:
a unique stable-shelf succession in the Zimbabwe Archean Craton.
Precambrian Research 77 (1996) 161-178.

It was mentioned in this paper that the age of the Buhwa Greenstone Belt is
between 2900 Ma - 3090 Ma.

It is interesting due this Buhwa Greenstone Belt is situated also quite
near the Bubi E belt where these Bul6/Bul-7 etc. stromatolites
originates about which I asked above ?

Best Regards,

Hannu Poropudas

[Hannu Poropudas]

I found one recent reference about geological ages of the Zimbabwe Craton:

REFERENCE:

Jelsma, H., A., Nesbitt, R., W. and Fanning, C., M., 2021.
Exploring our current understanding of the geological evolution
and mineral endowment of the Zimbabwe Craton.
South Africal Journal of Geology 124 (1): 279-310,
March 2021. 33 pages.
(Table 1./page 282. Stratigraphic nomenclature employed by
various workers for the greenstone belts of Zimbabwe:
MacGregor (1947,1951), Stagman (1978), Wilson (1979),
*Wilson et al (1995)*, Jelsma et al (1998) and this study.)

I prefer this *Wilson et al (1995)* reference and there
Lower Bulawayan L4 is marked between M Marker and K Marker
in the Table 1 (Jelsma H A et al 2021).

I prefer also that UCLA-Bul-7 stromatolite also is probably
collected from the Lower Limestone (except one DUMP is approximately
in the FAULT between Lower Limestones and Upper Limestones)
which Lower Limestones I consider to be same as Lower Greenstones,
when comparing Table 1 used names.

If this would be true, then age of the UCLA-Bul-7 stromatolite
would be according *Wilson et al (1995)* column and L4 of the Table 1,
between 2745 Ma (Manjeri Formation, Mutare tonalite 2741 Ma) and
2803 Ma - 2788 Ma (Koodoovale Formation, Somabula tonalite 2752 Ma) ?

2741Ma < age of the Bul-7 stromatolite < 2752 Ma ?


Best Regards,
Hannu Poropudas, Kolamäentie 9E, 90900 Kiiminki / Oulu, Finland.

[Hannu Poropudas]

CORRECTION: (If L4 would be correct place for UCLA-Bul-7 stromatolite ?)
2788 Ma < age of the Bul-7 stromatolite < 2803 Ma ?

>
> Best Regards,
> Hannu Poropudas, Kolamäentie 9E, 90900 Kiiminki / Oulu, Finland.

I took more close look about historical names in stratigraphy of Zimbabwe:

Macgregor 1947, 1951:
Upper Series, Shamvaian System clastic deposits
Lower Series, Bulawayan System mafic-felsic
Magnesian System, Sebakwian System

Stagman 1978:
Great Dyke
Shamvaian Group (this is same as Upper Series Shamvaian System clastic deposits )
Bulawayan Group = Upper Bulawayan + Fault ? + Lower Bulawayan ( = this is same as Lower Series, Bulawayan System mafic-felsic)
Sebakwian Group (this is same as Magnesian System, Sebakwian System)

Wilson 1979:
Great Dyke
Shamvaian Group (this is same as Upper Series Shamvaian System clastic deposits )
Upper Greenstones + Fault (Manjeri marker) + Lower Greenstones (= this is same as Lower Series, Bulawayan System mafic-felsic)
(Upper Greenstones = (Maliyami) + Cheshire + Zeederbers + Reliance + Manjeri )
(Lower Greenstones = Koodoovale + Fault (K marker) + Bend + Fault (B marker) + Hokonui )
Sebakwian Group (this is same as Magnesian System, Sebakwian System)

Foster 1979:
Great Dyke
Shamvaian Group (this is same as Upper Series Shamvaian System clastic deposits )
Bulawayan Group = Upper Greenstones + Fault (Manjeri marker) + Lower Greenstones
(Upper Greenstones = Calcalkaline + Bimodal Mixed + Basaltic + Komatic + Sedimentary )
Sebakwian Group (this is same as Magnesian System, Sebakwian System)

Wilson et al 1995:
Great Dyke
Shamvaian Supergroup = Upper Shamvaian Group + Lower Shamvaian Group ( = this is same as Upper Series Shamvaian System clastic deposits )
(Lower Shamvaian Group = H + Fault (H marker) + U6 (?) )
Bulawayan Supergroup + Fault (K marker) + Belingwean Supergroup ( = this is same as Lower Series, Bulawayan System mafic-felsic)
(Bulawayan Supergroup (?) = Upper Bulawayan Group + Fault (M marker) + Lower Bulawayan Group)
(Upper Bulawayan Group = U5 + U4W/U4E + U3 + U2 + U1 + Fault (M marker))
(Lower Bulawayan Group = Fault (M marker) + L4)
(Belingwean Supergroup = Upper Belingwean Group + Fault (B marker) + Lower Belingwean Group)
(Upper Belingwean Group = L3 + Fault (B marker))
(Lower Belingwean Group = Fault (B marker) + L2 + L1)
Sebakwian Group (this is same as Magnesian System, Sebakwian System)

Informal:
-
Shamvaian Supergroup ( = this is same as Upper Series Shamvaian System clastic deposits )
Ngezi Group (?) = Bulawayan Supergroup (?)
Fault (K marker)
Mtsingwe Group = Belingwean Supergroup
Sebakwian Group (this is same as Magnesian System, Sebakwian System)

Geochronology (Wilson et al 1995):
Great Dyke: 2574+-2 Ma, East Dyke: 2574+-2 Ma, Umvimeela (West) Dyke: 2577+-2 Ma
Upper Shamvaian Group: >2645 Ma
H: Passaford Fm: 2643 Ma (2700 Ma?)
?U6: Lake Kyle vent: 2661 Ma, Porphyries: 2677-2666 Ma
U5: Maliyami Fm: 2702 Ma
U4W/U4E: What Cheer Fm: 2683 Ma, Avalon Fm: 2696 Ma, Maparu Fm: 2697 Ma
U3: Surprise Fm: 2698 Ma, Zeederberg Fm: 2698 Ma
U2: Reliance Fm: 2745 Ma, Sills: 2740-2733 Ma (Phurombuzi, Shangani)
U1: Iron Mask Formation: 2715 Ma, Manjeri Fm: > 2745 Ma
L4: Koodoovale Fm: 2803 - 2788 Ma, Arizona Fm: 2805 Ma
L4 Fault (K marker): Eldorado Fm: 2799-2788 Ma
L3: Brooklands Fm, Buchwa quartzite
L2: Mafic Fm: 2880- 2870 Ma, Hokonui Fm: 2904 Ma
L1: Manica felsic volcanics: 2990 Ma
Sebakwian Group: > 3375 Ma.

Intrusions (not copied here due this copy would be too long):
-

REFERENCE 1:
Jelsma Hielke, 2019.
Macgregor memorial lecture.
15-17 May 2019, 61 pages. Page 30 (Current Understanding).

------------------------------------------------------------------
About location of the UCLA-Bul-7 stromatolite:

REFERENCE 2:
Bond, G., Wilson, J. F., Winnall, N. J., 1973. Age of the Huntsman Limestone (Bulawayan) Stromatolites).
Nature Vol. 244, August 3 1973. pp. 275-276.

"The Huntsman limestone was included without question in the lower part of
the "Zwankendaba Group" of the Lower Series of the Volcanic Greenstone System, which
later became the Bulawayan System (now Group)."

"The succession in descending order is:

Greenstone
(dolerite sill) (intrusive)
Greenstone
Upper limestone
Banded ironstone
Lower limestone (with stromatolites)
Quartz sericite schist."

"From Fig. 1 (Field relations, Huntsman quarries, geologic map made by Winnall, N., J.):

Zwankendaba Memember = ( Upper limestone and banded ironstone + Quartz-sericite schist +
+ Lower limestone and banded ironstone + Quartz-sericite schist)
Lower Formation = Greenstone + Zwankendabe Member
Bulawayan Group = Greenstone + Zwankendabe Member."

------------------------------------------------------------------
Stromatolite samples are collected from one TAILINGS of PILE and from two MINE DUMPS
by K. V. Kvenvolden. TEXT-Fig. 1 - Map of Huntsman Limestone Quarries, southwestern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe),
showing sample localities. p. 479, REFERENCE 3.

These all are located in Lower limestone (except possible one MINE DUMP is at fault between
Lower limestone and Upper limestone?).

REFERENCE 3.
Schopf, J., W., Oehler, D., Z., Horodyski, R., J., and Kvenvolden, K., A., 1971.
Biogenicity and significance of the oldest known stromatolites.
Journal of Paleontology, v. 45, No. 3, p. 477-485, PL. 56, 2 Text-Figs., May 1971.

------------------------------------------------------------------
This Huntsman quarries in located in the Bubi Greenstone Belt, southwest Zimbabwe:

REFERENCE 4.
MhlangA Gilbert, (Master of Science Thesis), 2002.
Data driveb predictive modelling for Archean lode gold potential,
Bubi greenstone belt, southwestern Zimbabwe.
International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation.
Enschede, The Netherlands.
95 pages.

Stratigraphy is on page 14, Figure 2.3: Lithological map of the Bubi greenstone belt., pp. 13-15.

[ Other symbols on the map,
c: Post Archean cover
F: Felsite and quartz porphyry
D: *Dolerite*
H: Gabro
G: massive granitoids
S: Serpentinite and talc schist
yi: *Banded iron Fm*
yl: *Crystalline limestone*
x: Ndutshana Formation (greywacke and arkose)
xc: Ndutshana Formation (Conglomerate) ]

Upper Bulawayan Group,
y14: Dagmar Fm
y13: Ednovean Fm
y12: Dollar Block Fm
y11: Courtleigh volcanic Fm

Middle Bulawayan Group,
y10a: Lonely Mine Fm (sedimentary unit)
y10: Lonely Mine Fm (volcanic unit)
y9: Esinangeni Fm
y8: Ventnor Fm
y7a: Mbembesi river Fm (volcanoclastic unit)
y7: Mbembesi river Fm (volcanic unit)
y6: *Zwangendaba Fm*
y5: Sweetwater Fm
y4: Inyati Fm

Lower Bulawayan Group,
y3: Bubi source Fm
y2: Goodwood Fm
y1: Kenilworth Fm

[ Lowest,
Gm: Migmatites and gneissic granitoids]
------------------------------------------------------------------
At the end my question concerning the UCLA-Bul-7 stromatolite:
Where in stratigraphy of Zimbabwe geology does (Bond G. et al 1973) *Lower limestone (with stromatolites)* belong?
and what is the age estimation for Lower limestone (with stromatolites) ?

Best Regards,
Hannu Poropudas

[Hannu Poropudas]

If (MhlangA Gilbert, 2002 ) "Stratigraphy is on page 14, Figure 2.3: Lithological map of the Bubi greenstone belt., pp. 13-15."
is correct then
2715 Ma (age of the Iron Mask Formation) < Age of "Lower limestone (with stromatolites)" < 2788 Ma - 2803 Ma (age of the Koodoovale Formation) ?

"Lower limestone (with stromatolites), (Bond, G., Wilson, J. F., Winnall, N. J., 1973)"

It is my opinion that Bubi Greenstone Belt stratigraphy should somehow be taken into account also
in the table of "CURRENT UNDERSTANDING" ?
"(Jelsma Hielke, 2019. Macgregor memorial lecture.
15-17 May 2019, 61 pages. Page 30 (Current Understanding). )"

[Hannu Poropudas]

I calulated astronomical data given by the UCLA-Bul-7 stromatolite
(Mode = 10-20-40, Highest Count = 41) with accounting above age estimation of mine:
2715 Ma (age of the Iron Mask Formation) < Age of "Lower limestone (with stromatolites)" < 2788 Ma - 2803 Ma (age of the Koodoovale Formation) .

From my TABLE 1, TABLE 2, TABLE 3 and TABLE 4 with my drawing figures about these :

Age estimation with (Mode = 10-20-40, Highest Count = 41) is 2576.4 Ma - 2863.3 Ma which is taken from above TABLES.

From my drawing figures (above mentioned):

14.4 hours/day from period approximately 2600 Ma - 2800 Ma,
615 days/year from period approximately 2620 Ma - 2800 Ma,
41.2 days/month from period approximately 2640 Ma - 2800 Ma.

I consider that these values suits well to the period:
2715 Ma (age of the Iron Mask Formation) < Age of UCLE-Bul-7 stromatolite < 2788 Ma - 2803 Ma (age of the Koodoovale Formation) .

So calculation goes here the same way as I have calculated Moodies Group (from Barberton Greenstone Belt) case
(I posted this calculation with definitions, references and assumptions used also here earlier in
sci.geo.geology or sci.astro groups, Google Groups):

T' = 41.2
t' = 14.4
Y = 365.2422 (tropical year, this is assumed not changed significantly)

T = T'/(1+T'/Y) =41.2/(1+41.2/365.2422) = 37.02

t = t'/(1+t'/Y) = 13.85

Solar days per sideric month (P):

P = 37.02*13.85 h (present hours)= 512.727 h = 1845817.2 s (present seconds) =
= 21.36 (present solar days).

Approximate Earth-Moon distance:
(G = 6.67*10^(-11)*N*m^2/kg^2,
M = 5.974*10^24 * kg, Pi = 3.14159...)

r = (G*M*P^2/(4*Pi^2))^(1/3) = 325189287.8 m = 325189.2878 km =
= approximately 325000 km.

This seems to be good fit also to the Moodies Group (age = 3225 Ma) case with same my drawing figures and my TABLES
Earth_moon distance =
= approximately 318000 km.

So UCLA-Bul-7 stromatolite calculated astronomical data seems to be good fit my drawing figures and my TABLES testings.