Isotope systematics and crustal evolution of the Archean Winnipeg River terrane, Superior Province, Canada

The Superior Province in Canada is Earth’s largest Archean craton (4.0-2.5 billion years), but its early geological history is poorly constrained. My thesis presents new radiogenic isotope data for inherited and detrital zircons from the central Winnipeg River terrane, which reveal a previously unrecognized 3.8-3.4 billion year record. The early history of the terrane overlaps with two other crustal blocks on the northern and southern edges of the province. The evidence suggests that between 3.8-2.7 billion years ago initial continental growth was followed by the breakup of crustal blocks and their subsequent reassembly.