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Subaerial rise of Earth's first continents took place 3.3–3.2 Ga years ago. This had significant influence on the ocean, atmosphere, and biosphere. Two important sedimentological consequences of continental emersion were (1) development of terrestrial (alluvial fan–fluvial–aeolian) depositional systems and (2) formation of shallow-marine sedimentary basins near the continental margin. Late Paleoarchean–Neoarchean terrestrial deposits, including development of an extensive paleosol around 3.2 Ga, and Meso–Neoarchean shallow-marine deposits have been reported from the Singhbhum Craton, eastern India from several localities. However, lateral and vertical changes in sedimentary facies associations and stratigraphic correlation between these terrestrial to shallow-marine sedimentary deposits have not yet been investigated. In this paper, we have reviewed the sedimentological characteristics of Late Paleoarchean to Neoarchean (3.2–2.8 Ga) stratigraphic successions of the Singhbhum Craton and have discussed sea level change and mode of stratigraphic sequence building. Our analysis shows that Singhbhum granitoid complex was emplaced around 3.3 Ga in an intracontinental setting, resulting in high continental freeboard conditions that triggered terrestrial (alluvial fan–braided fluvial) sedimentation (Dhosrapahar Formation). Continental sedimentation continued until ca. 3.0 Ga. In the eastern (Simlipal Group), western (Birtola Formation), and southwestern (the Mankarchua, Mahagiri, and Keonjhar formations) parts, shallow-marine sedimentation occurred after 3.0 Ga as a result of transgression. However, in the northern part (Dhanjori Formation), continental sedimentation prevailed throughout the Archean. These Late Paleoarchean to Neoarchean terrestrial and near-coastal successions of Singhbhum Craton should be the prime targets for intense geobiological research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)