File:Banded iron formation (Paleoproterozoic; west of Michigamme, Michigan, USA) (49035390058).jpg

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Banded iron formation from the Precambrian of Michigan, USA. (~14.6 centimeters across at its widest)

Banded iron formations, or BIFs, are unusual, dense sedimentary rocks consisting of alternating layers of iron-rich oxides and iron-rich silicates. Most BIFs are Proterozoic in age (although some are Late Archean), and do not form today - they're “extinct”! Many specific varieties of iron formation are known, and some are given special rock names. For example, jaspilite is an attractive reddish & silvery gray banded rock consisting of hematite, red chert (“jasper”), and specular hematite or magnetite.

Because of their age, most BIFs have been around long enough to have been subjected to one or more orogenic (mountain-building) events. As such, most BIFs are folded and/or metamorphosed to varying degrees.

BIFs are known from around the world, but some of the most famous & extensive BIF deposits are found in the vicinity of North America’s Lake Superior Basin. Many BIFs have economic concentrations of iron and are mined. BIFs are the most important variety of iron ore on Earth.

Stratigraphy: possibly the Negaunee Iron-Formation, Paleoproterozoic, 1.874 or 2.11 Ga

Locality: roadcut on the northern side of Route 41, just east of the Route 41-Beaufort Road East intersection, west of the town of Michigamme, Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA
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Source Banded iron formation (Paleoproterozoic; west of Michigamme, Michigan, USA)
Author James St. John

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This image was originally posted to Flickr by James St. John at https://flickr.com/photos/47445767@N05/49035390058. It was reviewed on 3 November 2020 by FlickreviewR 2 and was confirmed to be licensed under the terms of the cc-by-2.0.

3 November 2020

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Date/TimeThumbnailDimensionsUserComment
current03:18, 3 November 2020Thumbnail for version as of 03:18, 3 November 20203,738 × 2,483 (8.9 MB)Ser Amantio di Nicolao (talk | contribs)Transferred from Flickr via #flickr2commons

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