This is an exhaustive study of greenstone belts - those regions of lava flow containing associated sedimentary rocks that have been subjected to low grade, regional metamorphism. Greenstone belts are of special significance to the early history of the Earth.

This book is the first comprehensive compilation of data and ideas relating to the origin, evolution, and significance of the world's greenstone belts, and includes contributions from over 100 experts. The book is divided into two parts. In the first, reviews are presented on broad topics relating to the geology of greenstone belts and their surroundings, covering mainly post-1980 research. These include : historical, sedimentologic, volcanic, structural, metamorphic, metallogenic, and thermal aspects, and summaries of mafic/ultramafic magnetism, strain, fluids, geophysics and deep structures, relations with associated granitoids, tectonic evolution, geochronology, and field relationships. The second part takes a more focused look at the geology of specific cratons and of individual greenstone belts worldwide, including Archaean, Proterozoic, and Phanerozoic examples. Detailed geologic maps on large and small scales of cratons and greenstone belts, extensive tabulations of data, and short written summaries of the salient features are included for all belts. This book is intended for researchers in earth science.