Depositional systems, sequence stratigraphy, and sedimentary provenance of the Palaeoproterozoic Minas Supergroup and Itacolomi Group, Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Brazil

Abstract

According to previous studies, the Palaeoproterozoic Minas-Itacolomi meta-sedimentary mega-sequence in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero metallogenic province records the transition of a continental rift to passive margin to foreland basin. From the perspective of sequence stratigraphy, this article identifies five sequences summarised in the Minas-Itacolomi Basin stratigraphic chart, providing information of the Palaeoproterozoic eustatic changes, such as the Great Oxidation Event. Interpretations were based on the systematic recognition of 41 facies and their associations, the identification of nine recurring depositional systems, nine system tracts, and five sequences (in that order). The Caraça and Itabira Groups comprise the first sequence, for which three system tracts were identified. The Piracicaba Group hosts two sequences and four system tracts. The Sabará and Itacolomi Groups are the two upper sequences, both related to a foreland basin, where the underfilled and overfilled system tracts were recognised. Sedimentary provenance was determined mainly from detrital zircon U-Pb age spectra of previous authors' databases, as well as on palaeocurrent field data and thickness variations. All of the units of the Minas-Itacolomi mega-sequence share detrital zircons from Archaean sources (Rio das Velhas Supergroup and crystalline basement). Only the Sabará and Itacolomi Groups exhibited bimodal U-Pb age histograms, thus indicating both Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic (Mineiro Belt) provenances.