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Iron formations can be divided into subdivisions known as: banded iron formations (BIFs) and granular iron formations (GIFs). [ 3 ] The above classification scheme is the most commonly used and accepted, though sometimes an older system is used which divides iron-rich sedimentary rocks into three categories: bog iron deposits , ironstones , and ...
Banded iron formation from the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa. A typical banded iron formation consists of repeated, thin layers (a few millimeters to a few centimeters in thickness) of silver to black iron oxides, either magnetite (Fe 3 O 4) or hematite (Fe 2 O 3), alternating with bands of iron-poor chert, often red in color, of similar thickness.
The iron formation rocks forming the Gogebic Range were created by iron-rich sediments laid down within a shallow sea nearly 2 billion years ago. Later, the region was uplifted to such an extent that the resulting mountains rivaled the European Alps of today.
Iron oxides are derived from mafic igneous rocks and other iron-rich rocks; bauxites are derived from granitic igneous rock and other iron-poor rocks. [15] Nickel laterites occur in zones of the earth which experienced prolonged tropical weathering of ultramafic rocks containing the ferro-magnesian minerals olivine, pyroxene, and amphibole. [10]: 3
Ironstone (sandstone with iron oxides) from the Mississippian Breathitt Formation, Mile Marker 166, I-64, Kentucky. Ironstone is a sedimentary rock, either deposited directly as a ferruginous sediment or created by chemical replacement, that contains a substantial proportion of an iron ore compound from which iron (Fe) can be smelted commercially.
Banded iron formation – Distinctive layered units of iron-rich sedimentary rock that are almost always of Precambrian age; Breccia – Rock composed of angular fragments; Calcarenite – Type of limestone that is composed predominantly of sand-size grains; Chalk – Soft carbonate rock
Iron-rich sedimentary rocks are composed of >15% iron; the most common forms are banded iron formations and ironstones. [ 6 ] Phosphatic sedimentary rocks are composed of phosphate minerals and contain more than 6.5% phosphorus ; examples include deposits of phosphate nodules , bone beds, and phosphatic mudrocks.
Banded iron formations occur exclusively in Precambrian rocks, and are commonly weakly-to-intensely metamorphosed. Banded iron formations may contain iron in carbonates (siderite or ankerite) or silicates (minnesotaite, greenalite, or grunerite), but in those mined as iron ores, oxides (magnetite or hematite) are the principal iron mineral. [7]