UC Riverside

The Neoproterozoic Era, from around 1000 to 570 million years ago, witnessed the widespread deposition of Iron Formations (IFs) in close association with global glaciations. These IFs record distinct iron isotope and rare earth element patterns that allow us to reconstruct their depositional environment. The Fulu Formation of South China is a regional example of a global phenomenon. The Fulu was deposited immediately following the breakup of the Supercontinent Rodinia, which provided a restricted rift basin and contributed to an ample supply of iron. Specifically, iron isotopes and rare earth element profiles point to hydrothermally sourced iron in an oxygen-limited environment as the major driver of deposition for the Fulu Formation.