Komatiite Barberton Greenstone Belt South Africa [59 gm ~ 3.5 Ga]

Archean Komatiite Barberton South Africa

Discover the rare beauty of komatiite, an ultramafic volcanic rock, from the renowned Barberton South Africa. This region is celebrated for its well-preserved komatiite sequences dating back to the Archean age (approximately 3.5 - 3.3 billion years ago).

About Komatiite

Komatiites are magnesium-rich volcanic rocks formed from ultramafic magma. Named after the Komati River in South Africa, where they were first described by Dr. Alexander du Toit in 1908, these rocks offer a glimpse into Earth's early history and the evolution of its crust.

Features of Barberton Greenstone Belt Komatiite

• Contains some of the best-preserved komatiite sequences in the world, with thicknesses ranging from a few meters to over 1000 meters.
• High proportion of spinifex textures, indicating rapid cooling of ultramafic magma at temperatures up to 1600°C.

Specimen Details

• Size: 66mm L x 60mm W x 7mm D
  Weight: 59 grams. Both sides are lightly coated and easily washed off.
• What is Included: This specimen ships with a Certificate of Authenticity, information about Komatiite, a tag, tag stand, and XRF analysis. Please note that the photo cube and plexiglass stand are not included.

Significance

The abundance of komatiites in the Barberton Greenstone Belt is significant due to their rarity on Earth today. Changes in the Earth's mantle over time have reduced the production of ultramafic magma, making these ancient rocks invaluable for studying the geologic processes of the Archean Eon.

Why Buy This Specimen?

Owning this exceptional komatiite specimen not only enhances your geology collection but also connects you to the ancient history of our planet. With ongoing research and exploration, these rocks continue to reveal secrets about Earth's formation and evolution.

Buy this exceptional specimen of komatiite today and make your geology collection outstanding! Free Geologic Timescale poster included.

This komatiite ships with a Certificate of Authenticity, tag, tag stand and information about the Barberton Greenstone Belt. This material was legally collected.