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The Santa Terezinha-Campos Verdes emerald district, central Brazil: Structural

and Sm-Nd data to constrain the tectonic evolution of the Neoproterozoic
Brasília belt

Article  in  Journal of South American Earth Sciences · December 2002

DOI: 10.1016/S0895-9811(02)00087-1

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 Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708
www.elsevier.com/locate/jsames

The Santa Terezinha-Campos Verdes emerald district, central Brazil:

structural and Sm– Nd data to constrain the tectonic evolution
of the Neoproterozoic Brası́lia belt
Luiz José Homem D’el-Rey Silvaa,*, Leonel de Souza Barros Netob
a
Instituto de Geociências, Universidade de Brası́lia (IG/UnB), Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, CEP 70 910-900 Brası́lia, DF, Brazil
b
PENERY Mineração, Goiânia (Go), Brazil
Received 1 June 2001; accepted 1 June 2002

Abstract
Structural analysis coupled with Sm – Nd isotope data and a detailed description of the geology of the Santa Terezinha-Campos Verdes
emerald district (Goiás State, Central Brazil) constrain the evolution of the Neoproterozoic Brası́lia belt. The area is composed of tectonic
slices of Archean – Paleoproterozoic gneiss, a Meso-Neoproterozoic metavolcanic sedimentary sequence called the Santa Terezinha
sequence, and crustal-derived intrusive rocks such as mylonitic (ortho)gneiss and a syntectonic porphyry granite. It underwent a
Neoproterozoic greenschist facies polyphase ductile deformation (D1 – D3). Structures indicate an event of rotational deformation along
a typical frontal ramp dipping gently to the west (i.e. an event of simple shear with top to ESE relative regional movement due to a
subhorizontal WNW – ESE compression). A Sm– Nd whole-rock isochron age of 577 ^ 77 Ma for the intrusive rocks constrains the timing
of at least part of the deformation/metamorphism in the area. Primary and metamorphic planar structures (mainly D1 – D2) strike SW – NE and
dip at low to moderate angles to the NW in the northern part of the area. However, they gradually rotate to SSE in the central SE part, where
the Peixe River synclinorium is developed. This synclinorium is also the nest of the D2 sheath folds that control emerald ore shoots. The Santa
Cruz dome is a basement-cored, major elliptic structure in the SW of the area. The Santa Terezinha sequence represents a back-arc basin that
received input from the Neoproterozoic Goiás magmatic arc to the west and the São Francisco ancient continental margin to the east. The
basal and upper sections of this sequence correlate, respectively, with other passive margin and back-arc sequences of the Brası́lia
belt. q 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Structural analysis; Sm–Nd data; Brası́lia belt; Brasiliano cycle; Neoproterozoic; Emeralds

1. Introduction The surroundings of the emerald district (Fig. 2) enclose

polydeformed, metamorphosed Archean – Neoproterozoic
The Santa Terezinha– Campos Verdes emerald district of rocks (mainly gneiss, tonalite, greenstone belt-like and
Goiás, discovered in 1982, occupies an area that is part of the other volcano sedimentary sequences, and granites), most of
Goiás magmatic arc (central part of the Tocantins Province, which follow a regional-scale, NE –SW-trending fold. The
hinge and eastern limb of this fold are principally
Fig. 1a) and is close to the border of Archean –Paleoproter-
constituted of seven units of a volcano sedimentary
ozoic rocks of the Brası́lia belt (Fig. 1b). The district became
sequence that Kuyumjian (1989, 1994) and Palermo
known internationally when Giuliani et al. (1990) summar-
(1999) characterized as magmatic arc-related and that has
ized the results of pioneer structural studies carried out by
been generically termed the Mara Rosa sequence (Arantes
D’el-Rey Silva and Giuliani (1988), who had described
et al., 1991; Lacerda Filho et al., 1999). Although these
the ore shoots as Brasiliano cycle, synmetamorphic, cigar-
rocks have been assigned solely to the Neoproterozoic, Sm –
shaped tubes of F2 sheath folds oriented 15 – 188/3508.
Nd data presented in this paper indicate that, in the emerald
district, sedimentation probably started in the Meso-
* Corresponding author. Tel.: þ 55-61-307-3707/2436; fax: þ 55-61-
3474062/2724286.
Neoproterozoic. The study area comprises metavolcanic
E-mail addresses: ldel-rey@unb.br (L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva), sedimentary rocks of a sequence originally termed Santa
leobrneto@uol.com.br (L.S. Barros Neto). Terezinha (Ribeiro Filho, 1981), as well as gneiss and
0895-9811/02/$ - see front matter q 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
PII: S 0 8 9 5 - 9 8 1 1 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 0 8 7 - 1
694 L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva, L.S. Barros Neto / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708

Fig. 1. (a) Simplified map displaying the major lithotectonic units of Brazil and highlighting the Tocantins Province between the São Francisco and Amazon
cratons. (b) Simplified geological map of the central part of the Province, based on Marini et al. (1984), Fuck et al. (1993, 1994) and Pimentel et al. (2000).
Vectors for maximum horizontal compression are according to D’el-Rey Silva et al. (1996, 1997), D’el-Rey Silva and Senna Filho (1998), Fonseca (1996),
Seer and Dardenne (2000), Queiroz (2000), Barros Neto (2000) and Valeriano et al. (2000), as well as a large amount of unpublished structural data from
studies carried out by D’el-Rey Silva (with Pimentel, Dardenne, Fuck, and Menezes, Brası́lia University, in the surroundings of Ipameri) in 1994, D’el-Rey
Silva, Botelho, Alvarenga, Campos, and Menezes (1995, 1997), and Botelho et al. (1999) in the area enclosing the three M–UM bodies and the towns of
Cavalcante, Terezinha de Goiás, and São Domingos (b).

a granite intrusion termed São José do Alegre (at lower
points, this granite is referred to as São José). The
northward-plunging Peixe River synclinorium (Souza and
Leão Neto, 1984) rests near the hinge of the regional fold
and, as will be discussed, is a key structure for under-
standing the evolution of the area, along with a subcircular
body of crystalline rocks engulfed in the Santa Terezinha
sequence in the SW corner (Fig. 2; the Santa Cruz dome of
Barros Neto, 2000).
Biondi (1990) described the lithostratigaphy and
structures within the emerald district and demonstrated
the existence of three deformation phases. The third phase
imprinted northern-trending F3 folds and a subvertical axial
planar foliation (S3) on the F2 sheath folds that control the
emerald ore shoots. Although the third phase had not been
recognized previously, it was explained by other research-
ers (Barros Neto and D’el-Rey Silva, 1995; Barros Neto,
2000) in terms of the progressive evolution of the Peixe
River synclinorium and the implication of this latter
structure on the evolution of the whole area, in contrast
with Biondi (1990).
This paper aims to present an up-to-date synthesis of the
geology of the emerald district and bring to light the
implication for the Neoproterozoic tectonic evolution of
central Brazil. It is based on the results of recent research
(Barros Neto, 2000) carried out under the supervision of the
first author, as well as on the results of further Sm –Nd study
in the district area and structural investigation of the area
south of Santa Terezinha (Fig. 2). We introduce a summary
lithostratigraphy, then describe the main structural domains
in the area, as well as the Brasiliano deformation, and
present the results of the Sm – Nd isotope studies. We then
discuss new constraints on the evolution of the Brası́lia belt
and Tocantins Province, particularly the lithostratigraphy
and basin evolution, the timing of intrusion of the São José
granite, the evolution of the structural domains, and the age
of deformation/metamorphism. Because the emerald district
lies closer to the boundary of the Archean –Paleoproterozoic
continental block, a more detailed understanding of its
lithostructural evolution will enable us to understand the
paleogeography of the ancient continental margin and the
effects of the Brasiliano orogeny as well.
 L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva, L.S. Barros Neto / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708
Fig. 2. Simplified geological map of the Santa Terezinha/Mara Rosa area (Lacerda Filho et al., 1999; Pimentel et al., 2000; Barros Neto, 2000). The Peixe River
synclinorium of Souza and Leão Neto (1984) is highlighted in the study area.
2. Tectonic setting
The Tocantins Province lies between the Amazon and São
Francisco cratons and is bounded by the Paraná and Parnaı́ba
Phanerozoic basins (Fig. 1a). It encloses the Paraguay,
Araguaia, and Brası́lia belts. Whereas the Araguaia and
Brası́lia belts reflect the Brasiliano collision of the São
Francisco and Amazon ancient plates 650– 600 Ma ago
(Trompette, 1994; Pimentel et al., 1996a), the Paraguay belt
records a 550 –500 Ma old inversion of a rift basin opened in
the former Amazon plate and filled in 600 –550 Ma ago
(Alvarenga and Trompette, 1992; Pimentel et al., 1996b).
The Brası́lia belt comprises three lithotectonic domains
termed the Goiás magmatic arc (MA), the internal zone (IZ),
and the external zone (EZ, Fig. 1b). The EZ is in contact with
a generally undeformed Meso-Neoproterozoic sedimentary
cover of the São Francisco craton to the east (Marini et al.,
1984; Fuck et al., 1993).
Within the Brası́lia belt, the MA consists of tonalitic
orthogneiss, granites, and volcanic sedimentary sequences
(Fig. 1b; Lacerda Filho et al., 1999), but its northernmost
part remains poorly known (Pimentel et al., 2000). The MA,
IZ, and EZ trend NE north of Brası́lia but trend SE south of
Brası́lia (Fig. 1b). According to Fuck et al. (1993, 1994),
Lacerda Filho et al. (1999) and Pimentel et al. (2000), in its
NE-trending part, the IZ includes (the so-called Goiás
695
massif), an Archean– Paleoproterozoic continental block,
three mafic-ultramafic (M –UM) layered intrusions, and a
strip of metasediments. The continental block consists of
gneiss, tonalite, and greenstone-type volcanic sedimentary
sequences (Jost and Oliveira, 1991) affected by Archean,
Paleo, and Neoproterozoic tectonism (Queiroz, 2000). The
M –UM bodies are layered intrusions (metapyroxenite,
metanorite, and metagabbro) that occur in association with
metavolcano sedimentary sequences (not distinguished in
Fig. 1b) to the west and tectonic slices of Paleoproterozoic
basement rocks to the east. The strip of metasediments is
composed of rocks commonly assigned, from S to N, to the
Araxá, Paranoá, and Serra da Mesa groups (Fig. 1b). The
Araxá and Serra da Mesa groups have been recognized by
Fuck et al. (1993, 1994) and Pimentel et al. (2000). The area
correlated with the Paranoá group, according to unpublished
studies by D’el-Rey Silva and Fuck (1997), encloses low
metamorphic-grade metarhythmite, quartzite, metapelite,
and metacarbonate, similar to the Minaçu Formation
(nearby and to the NNE; Marini and Fuck, 1981), which
has been interpreted as part of a Meso-Neoproterozoic
passive margin sequence (Fuck et al., 1993, 1994; Pimentel
et al., 2000). At the south, the IZ includes the Araxá group,
which mainly comprises amphibolite – greenschist facies
metasediments and basic metavolcanics (Brod et al., 1991)
and a narrow belt of 630 Ma granulites derived from
696 L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva, L.S. Barros Neto / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708
crystalline basement rocks and Araxá supracrustals (Fischel
et al., 1998, 1999a,b).
The EZ comprises, from north to south, Archean –
Paleoproterozoic basement rocks and Meso-Neoprotero-
zoic, sub-greenschist to amphibolite facies metasediments
and metavolcanics. The younger rocks are divided into the
Araı́ (metasiliciclastics and metavolcanics), Paranoá (meta-
siliciclastic and metacarbonate sediments), and Canastra
(calc-schist, metapelite, and quartzite) groups. The EZ also
includes the Neoproterozoic Ibiá and Vazante groups
(respectively, siliciclastics and fine-grained siliciclastics
plus metacarbonates). Other Neoproterozoic siliciclastic
and carbonate sediments (the Bambuı́ group) overlie the
Paranoá group along the eastern margin of the EZ and are
present in the São Francisco craton.
The Brası́lia belt displays an eastward fold-thrust
vergence and a complex distribution of metamorphic
grade in the different zones, though a granulite to sub-
greenschist general metamorphic gradient exists toward the
margin of the São Francisco craton. Nappes of Canastra
and Araxá rocks overlie the Paranoá group in the IZ and
EZ, to the Distrito Federal (Brası́lia; Fig. 1b), which
completes the general scenario of tectonic juxtaposition
from west to east.
3. Geology of the emerald district
3.1. Overview
The emerald district comprises Archean – Paleoprotero-
zoic gneiss and other Meso-Neoproterozoic rocks (Fig. 3).
The latter enclose the Santa Terezinha sequence, a suite of
mylonitic gneiss, and the São José granite. The Archean–
Paleoproterozoic gneiss occurs in the core of the Santa Cruz
dome (SW) and the eastern part of the area. The Santa
Terezinha sequence mantles the dome and spreads toward
the NE corner of the area, across the Peixe River
synclinorium. The mylonitic gneiss (NW part of the area)
hosts the São José granite intrusion and structurally overlies
the Santa Terezinha sequence, and the sequence structurally
overlies the gneiss of the SE of the area. Emerald gems are
found in talc-bearing schists of the Santa Terezinha
sequence and have been exploited in subsurface mines
within the perimeter of Campos Verdes.
The area displays clear evidence for two tectonic events.
The older one is possibly Archean (but may be Paleoproter-
ozoic) in age and produced a pervasive amphibolite-grade
metamorphic banding (Sn) in the older gneiss. The younger is
the Neoproterozoic (Brasiliano) cycle recorded in all rock
types and characterized as D1 – D3 ductile to ductile-brittle
deformation that developed folds (F1 –F3) and axial planar
foliation (S1 – S3) in greenschist facies conditions (up to the
garnet zone). Although large-scale F3 folds (e.g. the Peixe
River synclinorium, the Santa Cruz Dome antiform; Barros
Neto, 2000) dominate the southern part of the district, they
represent a particular situation; the control of the broad
geometry in cross-sections is exerted by F2 folds and thrusts
(Fig. 3). The S2/S1 intersection lineation (L2 – 1), the fold axes
(B1 – B3), and a mineral stretching lineation (generically
termed Lx) are the key linear features in the area. Some N-
and WNW-trending shear fractures that appear in more
detailed maps of the central part of the district (Biondi, 1990)
are omitted in Fig. 3.
3.2. Lithostratigraphy
The crystalline basement generally consists of amphibo-
lite facies, well-banded gneiss, amphibolites, and an
intercalation of calc-silicate rocks and kyanite schists
somewhere in the eastern area (Biondi, 1990). The Santa
Terezinha sequence rests on the crystalline basement,
particularly around the Santa Cruz dome, but the contact
relationship has not been directly observed. It comprises
four unnamed formations (Fig. 3). The basal formation is
composed of sericite quartzite, muscovite quartzite, ser-
icite– quartz schist, garnet – sericite – chlorite – quartz schist,
and magnetite quartzite. These are overlain by a formation
of chlorite schist, chlorite –muscovite – quartz schist, iron
and iron – manganese formations, magnetite – chlorite –
quartz schist, and metarhythmite (intercalation of dm-
thick layers of quartzite and metapelite). The lower section
of the formation shows a gradual transition from the basal
quartzite around the dome. The next formation comprises
thin bodies of talc schist, carbonate –talc schist, chlorite –
talc schist, biotitite, and dolomite schist; these bodies
contain emeralds and occur in and around Campos Verdes
(Fig. 3). The uppermost formation occurs as ENE –NE
lenses of magnetite– muscovite schist (locally tourmaline-
bearing) north of Campos Verdes. However, the data do not
enable the definition of the relative position of the two upper
formations, because both occur in lenses.
The mylonitic gneiss in the NW part of the area consists of
biotite, quartz, and feldspar and is interpreted as an
orthogneiss of granitic composition, not rarely exhibiting a
subvolcanic texture in thin sections (Biondi, 1990). The
contact between the mylonitic gneiss and the Santa
Terezinha sequence has been interpreted as a low-angle
thrust fault (Fig. 3) in previous literature. A recent detailed
study (Barros Neto, 2000) did not enable direct observation
of the contact but provided new data that reinforce this
interpretation. The mylonitic gneiss (and the São José
granite) displays a pervasive S – C mylonitic foliation
dipping gently to NW, and the S –C asymmetry, along with
a down-dip stretching lineation, indicates a top to ESE
relative movement. In contrast, metasediments of the Santa
Terezinha sequence in outcrops closer to (and structurally
below) the mylonitic gneiss are affected by isoclinal (F1, F2)
folds with an axial plane dipping 15 –208 to NW and display
a down-dip stretching direction as indicated by the central
tube of the dm- to m-scale F2 sheath folds. These data
strongly suggest that the thrust fault is a WSW – NE-trending
 L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva, L.S. Barros Neto / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708 697

Fig. 3. Simplified geological map and vertical cross-sections for the emerald district area. Based on the 1:25,000 scale geological map in Barros Neto (2000).

zone of high strain that dips shallowly to NW. The mylonitic
gneiss commonly displays biotite along the foliation planes,
and locally, needles of amphibole occur parallel to the
stretching lineation, a situation that may suggest a slightly
higher metamorphic grade than that observed in the Santa
Terezinha sequence.
The São José granite is a porphyritic rock formed by
1 –5 cm, zoned crystals of feldspar and a coarse matrix of
biotite, muscovite, sericite, and # 1 cm long flattened
crystals of quartz and feldspar. Distinctive features are the
mylonitic foliation (S1), the large amount of feldspar
phenocrystals, several m- to dam-thick enclaves of mylo-
nitic gneiss (Fig. 3), and a well-defined, penetrative mineral
stretching lineation.
4. The Brasiliano deformational event
4.1. Introduction to the structural domains
On the basis of the component asymmetry (S1), the
down-dip Lx lineation, the fold vergence, the F1 £ F2
698 L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva, L.S. Barros Neto / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708
coaxial interference, that S2 dips more than S0/S1, and the
similar metamorphic grades during D1 and D2, D’el-Rey
Silva and Giuliani (1988), Biondi (1990), Barros Neto and
D’el-Rey Silva (1995) and Barros Neto (2000) conclude that
the Santa Terezinha sequence records a D1 – D2 progressive
simple shear with a relative displacement of top to SE along
surfaces parallel to the primary layering (S0) dipping
shallowly to NW. The Peixe River synclinorium is the site
at which the F2 hinges migrated southward to form
extensive sheath folds. The D3 deformation in Biondi
(1990) was recently envisaged as another step of this
progressive event (Barros Neto and D’el-Rey Silva, 1995;
Barros Neto, 2000). In addition, Barros Neto (2000) showed
that the Brasiliano event affects all Precambrian rocks in the
emerald district and divided the area into five domains
(Fig. 4) labeled the Regional, São José, Santa Cruz,
Synclinorium, and Eastern domains. These domains differ
in their lithotype, intensity of deformation, and orientation
of F2 and/or F3 folds, as well as other associated structures.
The Regional domain includes the mylonitic gneiss and
the Santa Terezinha sequence along the thrust contact
(Fig. 4). These rocks display the same SW – NE regional
trend of the Mara Rosa area (Fig. 2). The São José domain
includes the granite and the gneiss enclaves, the field
relationships of which support a syntectonic nature of
intrusion. The Santa Cruz domain includes the basement
gneiss core and the metasedimentary cover near the dome.
The Synclinorium domain includes rock units of the Peixe
River synclinorium. The Eastern domain is represented by
the basement gneiss of the eastern part of the area. Few
outcrops were observed in this domain (mainly because of
prohibitions by local farmers), but those that were studied
show Sn affected by the same D1 – D2 regional deformation
Fig. 4. The five lithostructural domains in which the study area has been divided. Based on Barros Neto (2000). Legend as in Fig. 3. Some of the main rock units
are highlighted.
in the NE part of the area, whereas in the SE part, the regional
foliation follows the eastern limb of the synclinorium.
4.2. Summary of structural evolution for the emerald district
Pre-Brasiliano planar fabrics are Sn and S0, whereas
Brasiliano planar fabrics are S1, S2 (S2a), and S3. Only
present in the basement gneiss, Sn is generally continuous
and consists of an amphibolite facies banding defined by
cm- to dm-thick bands of quartz – feldspar intercalated with
bands of mafic minerals (mainly biotite and hornblende) and
some dm- to m-thick layers of dark brown amphibolite. S0 is
the primary layering in the metavolcano sedimentary
sequences; it is defined by intercalation of beds of different
compositions at different scales and might be found
preserved in schist of the Santa Terezinha sequence. S1,
S2, and S3 are mineral foliations that affect Sn and S0, but
mineral foliation S2a is only found in the synclinorium. The
mylonitic gneiss and the São José granite display only the
Brasiliano cycle planar structures S1, S2, and S3.
Throughout the area, S1 is a penetrative mineral foliation,
very commonly found subparallel to Sn and S0. In the older
gneiss, S1 is mostly defined by biotite and more easily
identified in the hinge zone of isoclinal F1 folds refolded by
F2 folds. In the Santa Terezinha sequence, foliation S1 is
often mylonitic, in that it always comprises one component
(C) parallel to the layering found in finely laminated
metasiliciclastics or at a very small angle (# 58) with
layering and often also comprises another component (S)
that is confined between the adjacent planes of C and
displays an obliquity of up to 308, though it rarely attains
458. The C component is commonly marked by flakes of
sericite, chlorite, white mica, and very rarely biotite, all
 L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva, L.S. Barros Neto / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708
contained within the limits of cm- to mm-thick metapelitic
layers, whereas the intervening quartz-rich layers usually
display (, 1 mm) elongated grains of quartz. In the
emerald-bearing schist, foliation S1 ¼ C is mostly marked
by talc, chlorite, sericite, and biotite, whereas S1 ¼ S is
mainly defined by chlorite and sericite. On the basis of
detailed structural observation, D’el-Rey Silva and Giuliani
(1988) demonstrated that biotite results from K-rich
metasomatic fluids infiltrated the talc schist in the early
stages of deformation. In mica schist, both components of S1
are defined by white mica, sericite, and, less commonly,
chlorite. The pair S – C ¼ S1 is commonly found in the hinge
zones of F2 folds or cross-cut by foliation S2 that affects the
Santa Terezinha sequence.
In both the São José granite and the orthogneiss, S1 is
mylonitic and commonly displays typical examples of S –C
pairs, but the angle between S and C generally varies
between 30 and 458 in the granite, whereas it is much
smaller, or nearly zero, in the orthogneiss. The C
component is a M-domain foliation that commonly consists
of , 1 mm-thick bands formed by sericite, white mica,
biotite, and chlorite, not necessarily together, as well as
very fine-grained quartz and feldspar. The S component
comprises Q and M domains: The Q domain consists of
resistant minerals such as feldspar and quartz that vary in
scale from 1 to 2 cm (maximum size) to , 1 mm, display
asymmetric pressure shadow zones, and are involved with
fine-grained micaceous minerals of the M domain. In the
more typical cases of S1 ¼ S –C, the C component is
continuous in the scale of hand specimens and thin
sections, whereas the S component is limited within
adjacent planes of C and often bends to merge into these
planes (S-shape geometry). The outcrops of orthogneiss
and granite are generally flat lying, and their surface is
generally controlled by erosion along planes of component
C, whereas component S is observed in subvertical
surfaces oriented perpendicular to S1 and subparallel to
the direction of the stretching lineation (Lx).
F1 folds are rare, and the few reliably recognized were
coaxially refolded by F2. The F1 folds are # 1 m, isoclinal,
recumbent or shallowly inclined to NW, and with fold axes
(B1) subparallel to B2. Foliation S1 is observed everywhere
and is the main Brasiliano planar structure in the area. S2 is
penetrative but less prominent than S1. Flakes of sericite,
chlorite, muscovite, biotite, and disc-like crystals of quartz,
garnet, pyrite, magnetite, and feldspars (in gneiss and
granite) may occur along both S1 and S2. Nevertheless, S2 is
locally a slaty or crenulation cleavage and is often
associated with F2 folds, which are common structures in
the whole area.
The F2 folds vary from cm- to 10 m scale and are tight
to isoclinal. Hm- to Km-scale F2 folds may be deduced to
exist on the basis of the larger fold, in the hinge of which
the study area is inserted (Fig. 2), as well as of trains of m-
to dam-scale folds in outcrops and underground mines.
They may be drawn in vertical cross-sections to account
699
for the lithostratigraphic relationships in the emerald
district (Fig. 3). Hm- to Km-scale F2 folds have been
interpreted by Palermo (1999) on the basis of detailed
structural work and lithostratigraphy in the surroundings of
Mara Rosa (Fig. 2).
In the Regional domain, the F2 folds are SW –NE-
trending and gently to moderately inclined to NW. The
fold axis B2 and L2 – 1 plunge shallowly to either NE or
SW except where they rotated and became parallel to the
F2 sheath folds. The latter are common in the area and
define, with the stretched minerals (feldspar, garnet,
pyrite, and hornblende), a down-dip stretching direction
with an average plunge of 20 –258 toward 285– 3008
(Fig. 5a). In the Synclinorium domain, the F2 sheath folds,
Lx (stretched crystals of pyrite and garnet), and L2 – 1 all
plunge generally northward. The term (Lx) applies
because it is difficult to distinguish whether a stretched
mineral relates to D1 or D2, even if the sheath folds are
clearly F2 and associated with minerals stretched parallel
to the sheath’s central tube. This is because D2 ductile
flow acted along all previous fabrics, and the metamorphic
grade did not change from D1 to D2, so the finite
stretching should include both events.
F3 folds are open to tight, upright, of cm- to km-scale,
and may display an axial planar foliation (S3) that is
commonly a spaced or crenulation cleavage and always
subvertical. F3 fold axes (B3) may be at different positions
across the area. In the Regional and São José domains
(where F3 folds are less common), B3 may be parallel or
perpendicular to the SW –NE regional trend. B3 is parallel
to the B2 axis of sheath folds where an F2 sheath and F3
folds developed. This relationship is typical of the
Synclinorium domain, in which both B3 and B2 strike
nearly N – S, but is also observed in the Regional domain,
in which both B3 and B2 strike NW – SE. In other words,
the variation in the direction of B3 depends on whether D2
and D3 shortening remain parallel or perpendicular and fit
the interpretation that D3 records the final stages of ductile
flow in the area.
Fig. 5. Statistical distribution of the stretching lineation in the study area (a)
and to the south of Santa Terezinha (b). (a) Lower hemisphere Schmidt–
Lambert’s isocontour lines for 38 measurements of the stretching lineation
(Lx) in the Regional domain (from Barros Neto (2000)). (b) Lower
hemisphere Schmidt–Lambert’s plot of 15 measurements of Lx. The plot
and the attitude of the mean vector are shown.
700 L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva, L.S. Barros Neto / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708

Characteristically, F2 folds affect S1 in the enclaves

Fig. 6. The intense S1 mylonitic foliation of the mylonitic gneiss is tightly
folded and cut by a pervasive S2 foliation, a zonal crenulation cleavage.
Outcrop 131 in the eastern part of the São José domain.
5. Clues for understanding the structural domains
5.1. Relationship between the São José and regional
domains
Because the São José granite contains enclaves of the
mylonitic gneiss, outcrops with both rocks provided
important clues for understanding the timing of intrusion.
The enclaves are 1 – 10 m thick and hundreds of meters long
and have flake-like bodies parallel to the S1 regional
foliation in the granite (Fig. 3).
(Fig. 6) and the granite (Fig. 7). However, the gneiss is
almost a phyllonite, as S1 is a very intense foliation (Fig. 6)
in which the S and C planes are almost parallel, which
indicates strong finite ductile flow. The granite displays a
coarser S1 foliation in which the S and C planes can be
normally identified. Detailed observation of the S and C
foliation (sequence of localities A –C in outcrop 131, Fig. 7)
enables us to demonstrate that the granite’s mylonitic fabric,
S1, is folded around the hinge of dm- to dam-scale F2 folds.
The strong stretching lineation Lx, defined by magmatic and
metamorphic crystals of feldspar and quartz in the granite
(Fig. 8a), has the same orientation as Lx in the Regional
domain.
The progressive deformation is well recorded in a 10 m
enclave of gneiss found in a particular outcrop (Figs. 8b– d
and 9a). S1 has the same attitude in both granite and gneiss,
but in the latter, it is affected by dm-scale F2 folds
associated with a very strong intersection lineation L2 – 1.
Together with stretched minerals that occur in both rocks
(feldspar and quartz, mm-long needles of hornblende in the
gneiss) along the contact (Figs. 8a and 9a), F2 sheath folds
define a strong stretching lineation that plunges shallowly
to WNW. The attitude of L2 – 1 changes from 128/2708
(regional) to 78/3008 and gradually becomes parallel to Lx
and the axis of m-scale F3 folds that affect the gneiss. As
will be further discussed, these data indicate that the São
José granite intruded syn-D1.

Fig. 7. Summary map of the emerald district (a) displaying a small area in the São José domain in which a sequence of outcrops of porphyry granite and
mylonitic gneiss was studied in detail and samples were collected for Sm–Nd studies. (b) Sketch map to illustrate slices of mylonitic gneiss in the São José
granite. The boundary of the actual outcrops is also shown. (c) Sketch of a WNW–ESE-trending geological profile parallel to the regional stretching lineation.
The photo in Fig. 6 was taken at locality D. Both the granite and the gneiss display a S1 mylonitic foliation that is affected by SE-verging F2 folds. A 30 cm wide
dyke of undeformed granite cuts across the mylonitic gneiss and is projected down section according to the dip of 658 to 1558.
 L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva, L.S. Barros Neto / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708 701

Fig. 8. Key structural features in the São José domain. (a) Picture of part of the outcrop of the São José granite taken at locality 129MP (Fig. 7) in which the
erosion surface coincides with the C surface of the S1 foliation (the plane of the photo). Cm-sized crystals of stretched feldspars (note the T-fractures) are
aligned parallel to a matrix of elongated quartz and feldspar, the crystals of which are as long as but narrower than the larger crystals to the left and above the
coin. (b– d) Outcrop 2 km WNW of the locality in Fig. 7. (b) Dm-scale enclave of mylonitic gneiss within the porphyry granite. The larger arrow marked with
white tape in the field indicates north. Granite and gneiss display a strong foliation (S1), and the first author looks down the dip of S1 (to WNW). Arrows 1 and 2
point to places of the outcrop where a mineral stretching lineation (Lx) and F2 sheath folds may be observed along the folded contact. Arrow 3 points to subarea
shown in detail in the next two pictures. (c and d) Arrow 1 points to the porphyry texture of the granite. The penetrative L2 – 1 intersection lineation rotates 508
from ENE to WNW in a distance of few meters in the gneiss and turns parallel to the axis of the F2 sheath folds and the m-scale F3 fold (arrow 2). See the text
and Fig. 9.

5.2. The Synclinorium domain
As found in underground mines in Campos Verdes and
key outcrops at the surface (e.g. Fig. 10, locality *Dr2,3 in
Fig. 3), in this domain, F2 sheath folds control the emerald
ore bodies. S0/S1 and S2 are subparallel to each other; dip
eastward, westward, and northward; and are affected by cm-
to km-scale, NNW-trending F3 folds. Therefore, B3 and B2
both plunge nearly 108 to the NNW. Foliation S3 strikes
northerly and is subvertical or dips steeply, either westerly
or easterly. Specific to this domain, foliation S2a is marked
mostly by iron oxide, some sericite, and very fine-grained
quartz. It dips 10– 208 south (average of 24 data); displaces
S0, S1, and S2 in a top down to the south extension; and is
crenulated by S3. In the field (e.g. locality *Dr2,3), S2a can
be identified better by observing its strong intersection
lineation (almost perpendicular to L2 – 1) on the surface of
S1/S0. The top down to the south extensional displacement
is of mm-scale and easily observed with the aid of a hand
lens or in thin sections (Barros Neto, 2000). The same
structural relationships are observed in the outcrop closer to
Campos Verdes (Fig. 10): Foliation S2a cross-cuts S0, S1,
and S2 in the hinge of a F2 sheath fold, whereas the whole set
S0 – S2a is crenulated by foliation S3 (Fig. 10c).
5.3. The Santa Cruz domain
The Santa Cruz dome is an approximately 12 £ 6 km
structure in which interior and borders F1 and coaxial F2
folds have been identified, both in the gneiss and the basal
quartzite and schist of the Santa Terezinha sequence. Key
features are the extreme flattening of F1 and F2 recumbent
folds, observed mostly but not exclusively in the gneiss, and
the S3 foliation dipping to the west, statistically parallel to
the axial plane of the main F3 fold (Fig. 11).
In the western limb, foliation Sn and F1 and F2 folds in
the gneiss are cross-cut by S3, an extensional crenulation
cleavage commonly marked by biotite and that implies in a
series of mm-scale, top down to the west displacements
(Fig. 11b and c). In the eastern part of the dome, good
outcrops display the gneiss cross-cut by S3 in locality 100
(Fig. 3) and quartzite and schist in locality 104 (Fig. 3) with
702 L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva, L.S. Barros Neto / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708

Fig. 9. Syntectonic intrusion of the São José granite. (a) Sketch of the gneiss enclave and the structures that demonstrate a single tectonism corresponding to
three deformation events (D1 – D3). Numbers 1–5 stand for the rotated lineation shown in Fig. 8d. (b and c) Sketch-like cross-sections (scale is approximate)
representing the syn-D1 intrusion of the São José granite in the mylonitic gneiss. Both rock units were lately affected by F2 folds.

F1 and F2 axial planes dipping to the east and fold vergence
pointing down along the limb (Fig. 11d and e). Moreover,
though not shown in Fig. 11, metasediments in the eastern
limb are affected by extensional shear bands dipping to the
E, so the layers are sheared top down to the same direction
(Fig. 3.6d and e in Barros Neto (2000)). These cross-cutting
relationships between S3 and all previous fabrics demon-
strate that uplift of the dome is late- or post-D 2.
Furthermore, the extensional deformation along the dome’s
limbs and the intense flattening of F1 and F2 recumbent folds
fit well with the kinematics and vertical compression
associated with the dome’s uplift.
6. Sm –Nd isotopic data
Nineteen samples were collected in outcrops for which
the structural control is known at localities representative of
the overall lithostratigraphy of the area. Sampling localities
are indicated (Fig. 3) with a star (*) and a number (e.g.

Fig. 10. Key structures in the Rio do Peixe domain. Adapted from Barros Neto (2000). (a) Outcrop located nearly 5 km south of Campos Verdes in a trench
along the eastern side of the paved road. The trench cuts across quartz–sericite schist and metapelite that overlie the basal quartzite formation. (b) Simplified
cross-section based on detailed mapping of the western wall of the trench. The older planar structures (S0/S1) are affected by m-scale F2 folds (two sheath folds
are shown in the right-hand of the section). (c) A southerly dipping extensional crenulation cleavage (S2a) cuts across S2 and S0/S1, whereas S3 crenulates the
whole set.
 L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva, L.S. Barros Neto / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708 703

quartzite), 9 from the São José domain, and 7 from the

Synclinorium domain. Within the São José domain,
5 samples are from the deformed granite, 3 from the
mylonitic gneiss, and 1 from the granite dyke (Fig. 7). The
Santa Terezinha sequence contributed with 7 samples
(lower part of Table 1), including the basal quartzite around
the Santa Cruz dome (sample 104) and other rocks from
localities in the Synclinorium and Regional domains,
including mine TN-167 and its surroundings.
The plot of the data for the 12 samples in the upper part
of Table 1 in a Cartesian diagram 1Ndð0Þ £ TDM (Fig. 12a)
has led to the following conclusions:

1. The samples from the Santa Cruz domain are in a single

Fig. 11. A sequence of sketches illustrating the structural evolution of the
Santa Cruz domain in terms of a F3 antiform. Modified from Barros Neto
(2000). (a) Simplified vertical section across the dome (not to scale).
Detailed observations on key outcrops on both fold limbs are depicted in b–
e to show the relationship between S3 and older structures.
*129 –131, *Dr-2,3), and analyses were executed in the
Laboratory of Geochronology, Brası́lia University.
Table 1 displays Sm – Nd data for the 19 samples: 3 from
the Santa Cruz domain (2 from the gneiss, 1 from the basal
Table 1
Sm–Nd data for rocks in the emerald district
array defined by 1Ndð0Þ in the (2 23 to 2 35) interval, and
TDM ages are between 2.8 and 3.0 Ga. Therefore, gneiss
and quartzite derive from Archean material. Data for
samples 100 (A and B) define a Sm – Nd whole-rock
isochron of 2560 ^ 660 Ma for the Santa Cruz gneiss;
therefore, the gneiss in the core of the dome may be
Archean or Paleoproterozoic.
2. The eight samples from the São José granite and
mylonitic gneiss fall in a single array defined by 1Nd(0)
in the (2 11 to 2 8) interval, and TDM ages are
predominantly between 1.5 and 1.7 Ga. The granite
dyke displays 1Ndð0Þ ¼ 26:32; compatible with the
interval of 1Nd(0), and a TDM age of 3.0 Ga. These
rocks derive from reworked continental crust, and the
substratum of the area includes Archean– Paleoproter-
ozoic and Meso-Neoproterozoic sources.

Sample Domain Rocktype Sm (ppm) Nd (ppm) 147Sm/144Nd 143Nd/144Nd 1Nd(0) TDM (Ga)

100A Santa Cruz Gneiss 1.018 5.632 0.1093 0.511000 (20) 231.95 2.99
100B Santa Cruz Gneiss 8.581 52.15 0.0995 0.510834 (8) 235.19 2.95
104 Santa Cruz Sericite quartzite 3.200 14.98 0.1292 0.511476 (20) 222.67 2.83
129 São José Mylonitic gneiss 5.080 24.93 0.1232 0.512105 (18) 21.40 1.56
129D São José Granite dyke 2.014 6.91 0.1762 0.512314 (18) 26.32 3.00
129MP São José Granite 1.415 5.516 0.1551 0.512220 (20) 28.15 2.14
130 São José Granite 1.959 8.644 0.137 0.512183 (24) 28.88 1.69
130A São José Mylonitic gneiss 4.897 23.4 0.1265 0.512122 (25) 21.07 1.60
131A São José Granite 1.659 8.174 0.123 0.512129 (16) 29.93 1.52
131B São José Granite 1.942 8.543 0.137 0.512176 (22) 29.01 1.71
131C São José Granite 4.692 24.76 – – – 1.38
131D São José Mylonitic gneiss 4.481 21.44 0.126 0.512124 (8) 21.03 1.58
DR-6 Regional Chlorite schist 2.1947 7.151 0.1855 0.512799 (17) 3.14 –
DR-5 Regional Metachert 3.156 14.276 0.1336 0.512008 (34) 217.63 1.95
DR-7 Synclinorium Talc schist 3.684 15.79 0.1411 0.512334 (24) 25.9 1.47
DR-1 Synclinorium Cl–Qz schist 2.190 6.314 0.2097 0.512172 (26) 29.09 –
DR-4 Synclinorium Qz –se schist 9.1704 35.14 0.1578 0.512239 (42) 27.38 2.17
DR-2 Synclinorium Sericite quartzite 3.525 21.992 0.0969 0.511134 (20) 217.63 1.69
DR-3 Synclinorium Qz –chl–se schist 3.501 21.267 0.0995 0.511760 (35) 217.22 1.71
104 Santa Cruz Sericite quartzite 3.200 14.98 0.1292 0.511476 (20) 222.67 2.83

Error for TDM(Ga) is #1s. The upper part stands for the Santa Cruz and São José domains (Barros Neto, 2000). The lower part stands for the volcanic
sedimentary sequence in the Regional and Synclinorium domains (this work). Sample 104 (Barros Neto, 2000) is repeated in the lower part to show it with
other samples for the volcanic sedimentary sequence. These samples are organized according to the stratigraphic position of their respective layers. Sampling
localities are shown in Fig. 3. Samples DR-1,4,7 are from localities inside Campos Verdes.
704 L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva, L.S. Barros Neto / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708
Fig. 12. Plots of the Sm–Nd data from Table 1 in Cartesian diagrams
1Nd(0) £ TDM (Ga) for the São José and Santa Cruz domains (a; based on
Barros Neto (2000)) and the Santa Terezinha sequence (b). (a) The plots for
the dyke and sample 104 are indicated, whereas the plots for samples from
the São José and Santa Cruz domains define two distinct arrays separated by
the dotted polygons. (b) The plot for sample 104 (basal quartzite) is also
indicated. See the text.
3. Eight samples of the São José domain (Table 1) yield a
whole-rock isochron age of 556 ^ 77 Ma, whereas data
for the four samples of the São José granite and the dyke
provide an age of 510 ^ 110 Ma. Because the two ages
are basically within the same interval and the structural
data suggest that the eight samples may be cogenetic, the
value 556 ^ 77 Ma is accepted, which implies that part
of the deformation and metamorphism in the emerald
district relates to the Brasiliano orogeny. This interpret-
ation fits well with Pb –Pb and Rb – Sr data that define the
interval as between 700– 800 and 477 Ma, during which
the D1 deformation/metamorphism started and ultimate
cooling took place in the emerald district (Biondi and
Poidevin, 1994).
The Sm – Nd data displayed the lower part of Table 1
provide additional conclusions about the Santa Terezinha
sequence. The 1Nd(0) data fall into the (2 5.9 to 2 23)
interval, and the TDM ages span from 2.8 to 1.469 Ga
(Fig. 12b). The data indicate that sedimentation derived
from a mixed source that includes Archean – Paleoproter-
ozoic to Neoproterozoic rocks. Nevertheless, the TDM age of
2.8 Ga (sample 104) is too old to indicate contamination by
younger materials; therefore, the quartzite of the basal
formation should derive solely from an Archean source
(the Santa Cruz gneiss itself and/or other Archean rocks
nearby; Fig. 2), and the age of its sedimentation could well
be Meso-Neoproterozoic. Samples DR-3, DR-2, and DR-4
display TDM ages of 1.7 and 2.2 Ga, which indicates that
they derive from a mixture of source areas displaying,
respectively, Archean – Paleoproterozoic and Neoprotero-
zoic Sm –Nd signatures.
7. Discussion
7.1. Meso-Neoproterozoic lithostratigraphy
The structural and Sm – Nd data imply that the Santa
Terezinha sequence is sliced together with rocks of an
Archean – Paleoproterozoic to Meso-Neoproterozoic sub-
stratum and that sedimentation derived from sources of
similar age. A back-arc basin may be envisaged between the
Neoproterozoic juvenile magmatic arc to the west and an
Archean – Paleo –Mesoproterozoic source to the east, the
margin of the ancient São Francisco plate. The volume and
nature of volcanism that contribute for the lithostratigraphy
fits well with the back-arc basin interpretation.
Typical passive margin sediments in the Brası́lia belt
(Paranoá and Canastra groups, Minaçu Formation) were
deposited along the continental border during the Meso-
Neoproterozoic, most probably from 1100 to 1000 Ma,
though this process may have started as early as 1.3 Ga
(Cloud and Dardenne, 1973). After that, the initial
formation of the magmatic arc enabled the Neoproterozoic
juvenile sources to contributed with detritus to the upper
sedimentary formations, in addition to material from the
continent to the east. Therefore, one possible interpretation
is that the basal formation of the Santa Terezinha sequence
may correlate with the Paranoá group, and the younger
formations may be time and tectonic equivalents to the
Araxá group. To date, metavolcanic rocks found to the south
of Santa Terezinha (Fig. 2) display a single zircon U – Pb age
that, with Sm – Nd data, indicates that input of Neoprotero-
zoic juvenile volcanism lasted up to 660 Ma ago in the area
(Dantas et al., 2001).
7.2. The syntectonic São José granite intrusion
We conclude that the granite intruded syntectonically
with respect to D1 on the basis of the following arguments:
1. The deformation in the granite shows it to be either pre-
or early syn-D1, because foliation S1 and stretching
lineation Lx are present in both the granite and the
mylonitic gneiss (the country rock).
2. A more detailed analysis of the granite-enclave relation-
ships (Fig. 9) indicates emplacement syn-D1 rather than
pre-D1.
 L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva, L.S. Barros Neto / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708 705

3. If the granite intruded pre-D1, it could have engulfed compression was subhorizontal and parallel to the average
either blocks of undeformed granite (precursors of direction of Lx (2908/300 – 1108/1208) and corresponded to
the mylonitic orthogneiss) or slabs of a deformed the maximum stress (s1) that acted regionally during
granitoid (the orthogneiss itself). In the first case, the D1 – D2. Moreover, the detailed structural analysis explains
Brasiliano deformation would affect intrusion and blocks in detail the evolution of the Peixe River synclinorium and
as a whole, but there is no reason for a more intense the Santa Cruz dome, thus providing a more complete and
mylonitic fabric to develop in the blocks (as in the gneiss pioneering interpretation for the district as a whole.
enclaves). It is hard to accept that the D1 ductile flow that Following D1 – D2 deformation (Fig. 13a), the thickened
affected the São José granite would become more intense crustal pile became more resistant, and further internal slip
inside the blocks, which would turn them into enclaves of was only possible because the talc schist moved to the S and
extremely foliated orthogneiss. In the second case, D1 underwent internal shearing along the S0/S1/S2 anisotropy.
would affect the blocks of orthogneiss randomly oriented This shear produced the southerly trending F2 sheath folds
in the undeformed São José granite; therefore, defor- of the Synclinorium domain while an incipient, nearly N – S-
mation would affect previous planes at different posi- striking, subvertical ductile shear zone developed. A future
tions, and this would be seen comparing the enclaves, sinistral lateral ramp was required to accommodate the
and comparing the enclaves with the surrounding granite.
strain compatible with the direction of regional compression
4. The São José granite intruded syn-D1, and the enclaves
(Fig. 13b). The intense flow to the south developed the
are remnants of a large body of granitoid that underwent
planes of the S2a extensional foliation that Barros Neto
the Brasiliano D1 deformation and became the mylonitic
(2000) described and interpreted as ductile-brittle shear
gneiss by the time the younger São José magma was
zones. These are compatible with the position of Riedel’s
ascending in the crust, thereby lubricating the defor-
shear zones that are expected to form in an area deformed
mation (Fig. 9b). The coarser texture probably prevented
the São José granite from flowing as intensively as the according to a local strain ellipsoid with an XY plane along
already foliated gneiss, but the granite acquired the S1 the S0/S1/S2 anisotropy, an axis X along the tube of the F2
foliation too. The progressive flow produced F2 folds
(Fig. 9c) locally, and during D2, some thrusts may have
developed (Fig. 7c). Phenocrystals rotated and deformed
within the plane of magmatic flow (corresponding to the
C plane) in the São José granite (outcrops 129 –131,
Fig. 7), but many remained disoriented on a plane view
(Fig. 9a). A dyke of deformation-free granite (attitude
658/1558, locality 129, Fig. 7c) lies in a position
compatible to T-fractures expected in the low-angle
shear zone responsible for the D1 –D2 deformation.

Thus, the São José granite, most probably a syntectonic

intrusion, is the likely source for the Beryl found in the
emerald gems, as previously proposed by D’el-Rey Silva
and Giuliani (1988) and Giuliani et al. (1990). This
assumption is consistent with a geochemical – geophysical
study that indicates the São José granite may be the source
of K and other elements found in fluid inclusions in the
emeralds (Calle, 1995).

7.3. The Peixe River synclinorium and Santa Cruz dome

Confirming previous interpretations in the literature, the
structural data presented herein (particularly the layer-
parallel S1 mylonitic foliation, the SE-verging F2 folds, the
abundant F2 sheath folds, and the elongated minerals that
indicate a down-dip stretching lineation) indicate that the
area underwent a D1 –D2 rotational deformation on a regional
scale, that is, an event of progressive simple shear that affected
original layers dipping shallowly to the NW (a tectonic regime
typical of frontal ramps) and combined inter- and intra-layer
slip. In such a situation, we may interpret the regional
Fig. 13. Not-to-scale cartoons for the structural evolution of the study area.
Modified from Barros Neto and D’el-Rey Silva (1995). The smaller black
arrow indicates actual movement. (a) The WNW– ESE regional maximum
compressive stress (s1) develops F2 folds and sheath folds that affect S0/S1.
(b) In the same stress field, part of the rocky pile escapes ductilely to SSE
and forms a tongue bounded to the E by a potential sinistral shear zone,
responsible for the F2 sheath folds pointing to the S. (c) F2 sheath folds
coaxially folded by nearly N– S-trending F3 folds of the Peixe River
synclinorium. (d) Summary map displaying the maximum compressive
stress (s1), the Peixe River synclinorium, and late-stage conjugate shears
that affect the Campos Verdes area. The W–E shear zones are local features
and show very little dextral displacement, if any.
706 L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva, L.S. Barros Neto / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708
sheaths, and an axis Z of maximum shortening perpendicu-
lar to the anisotropy (subvertical).
The evolution of the emerald district implies that a local
stress field, with a NNW –SSE-trending and subhorizontal
s1 as well as a ENE –WSW-trending and subhorizontal s2
(parallel to the S0/S1 anisotropy), operated during D2 and in
the final stages of movement to the south (D3). Never-
theless, D 3 deformation resulted in a ENE – WSW
horizontal compression responsible for the nearly N – S-
trending F3 folds that affect both the F2 sheath folds
(Fig. 13c) and foliation S2a in the synclinorium. Therefore,
D3 compression requires further explanation. During D2,
the rocky system was still highly lubricated and could flow
more freely. Therefore, s2 and s1 contributed to expand
the matter in a direction perpendicular to both, so that the
F2 sheath folds could develop the 10– 20 m long, cigar-
shaped tubes that control the emerald ore shoots. D2
resulted in a highly foliated pile in which foliation S2 (and
S0/S1) underwent further extension to the south (exten-
sional crenulation cleavage S2a). In addition, during D3, the
rock system moved to SSE, but it was already too
anisotropic and became locked to any further effect due
to s1. In contrast, the shortening effect parallel to S2 due to
compressive stress s2 was probably enhanced by the effect
of another subhorizontal stress (e.g. s2a) that acted parallel
to the anisotropy, so s2 þ s2a increased to a net value cap-
able of shortening the system in the ENW–WSW direction.
Three factors may have contributed, separately or
together, to develop s2a þ s2 and the D3-related Peixe
River synclinorium. (1) Accommodated along a subvertical
and N – S-striking sinistral shear zone (Fig. 13d), the escape
of the matter implied in that the eastern part of the tongue
moved more (therefore, faster) than did the western part
during and after D2. (2) Variable degrees of the D3 flow
occurred along planes of the D2-related anisotropy but
independent of the lateral ramp effect, in other words, due to
a local lubricant effect (as one example). (3) Together,
several decametre-long tubes may have formed a nearly
N – S-trending linear anisotropy that might be capable of
controlling the axis of the F3 folds, even if the WNW –ESE
regional compression acted alone, as in laboratory experi-
ments by Cobbold and Watkinson (1981). Factors 1 and 2
relate to differential movement during D3 and can explain
the eventual addition of stress s2a, whereas Factor 3 is
related to the linear anisotropy created by the tubes of the F2
sheath folds themselves.
The ENE –WSW compression required to explain the
dome may result from a local combination of two
subhorizontal stresses: the WNW – ESE-trending regional
compression itself, and the other one aligned E –W (or
nearly), related to the lateral effect of the mass of rocks
being extruded southward to form the synclinorium. Thus,
both the synclinorium and the dome may be interpreted as
D3 structures associated with the structural evolution of the
emerald ore shoots. They are different in that F2 folds in the
dome domain do not result from a southward-driven flow.
At the end of the flow to the south, all structures of the
Synclinorium domain were cross-cut by sets of E –W-
trending, subvertical planes of a . 1 m spaced cleavage, the
attitude of which fits that of theoretical T-fractures expected
to form according to the local strain ellipsoid previously
described. The incipient lateral ramp evolved into a N – S-
trending sinistral ductile-brittle fault (which exists in some
underground mines across Campos Verdes) that forms a
conjugate pair with other WNW – ESE-trending shear
fractures affecting the area (Fig. 13d).
7.4. Relationships with the Archean block to the south
In the area south of Santa Terezinha and east of Crixás,
across the contact with the Archean rocks (Fig. 2), several
key outcrops demonstrate that the rocks of the Santa
Terezinha ( ¼ Mara Rosa) sequence display the same
structural and metamorphic parameters and evolution as is
observed in the emerald district. The D1 – D3 deformation
can be recognized, using planar and linear structures, as the
same style and orientation found in the Regional domain. A
stereographic plot of Lx (stretched garnet, amphibole, mica,
and F2 sheath folds) provides an average attitude (3268/158,
Fig. 5b) similar to the 285– 3008/20 –258 average attitude of
Lx in the Regional domain with approximately 308 rotation.
Although not investigated thoroughly, the E – W-trending
part of the contact with the Archean block to the south
(Fig. 2) constitutes a zone of high strain that dips moderately
to steeply to the north. Along this zone, the Archean
tonalites became Brasiliano S – C mylonites because of
sinistral strike slip, as is indicated by the S – C relationship
and a feldspar stretching lineation (attitudes of 3248/20 –
308, 3388/208, 2738/238 were obtained in two outcrops
< 1 km apart from each other along strike). The regional
data and contact relationships may be explained by
combining the erosion of a basement-cover surface that
originally dipped to NW with the uplift required to expose
the Archean rocks (the southern part of the Goiás massif)
along the contact shear zone. Such uplift explains the thrust
contact of the Archean rocks with the Araxá group to the
east (Fig. 2) and fits well with the superimposition of the
Brasiliano orogeny in the Archean block to the south
(Queiroz, 2000). It also may account for the 308 of rotation
mentioned previously. The southern area also displays
westerly trending hm- to km-scale, gentle to open F3 folds
and a nearly E – W-trending mineral foliation that affect the
mylonites along the contact shear zone in the area south of
the Peixe River synclinorium. These structures may be
explained by a N – S shortening that is implied by the
movement of voluminous rocky masses to the south during
D2 –D3 deformation in the emerald district.
8. Conclusions
The Santa Terezinha-Campos Verdes emerald district,
 L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva, L.S. Barros Neto / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 15 (2002) 693–708
NW of Goiás and inserted in the Goiás magmatic arc of
the Neoproterozoic Brası́lia belt (central Brazil) is underlain
by tectonic slices of Archean – Paleoproterozoic banded
gneiss, Meso-Neoproterozoic metavolcanic sedimentary
rocks (Santa Terezinha sequence), mylonitic orthogneiss,
and early syntectonic São José porphyry granite. The whole
area was affected by three events of (mainly) ductile
progressive deformation under sub-greenschist facies meta-
morphism during the Brasiliano orogeny (D1 –D3), but the
banded gneiss also record a previous tectonic event under
amphibolite facies metamorphism and of Archean or
Paleoproterozoic age.
As a consequence of the Brasiliano orogeny, primary and
D1 – D2 tectonic planar structures strike SW – NE, dip at low
to moderate angles to NW, and record a regional event of
rotational deformation (simple shear) with top to SE relative
displacement due to a maximum subhorizontal compression
(s1) oriented 290 –3008/110 – 1208. Under this compression,
part of the thickened structural pile underwent a syn-D2
tectonic escape to the south, lubricated by emerald-bearing
talc schist, that produced a tongue of rocks affected by
several trains of NNW-plunging F2 sheath folds (the nest of
the emerald ore shoots) and a strong S0/S1/S2 anisotropy that
dipped shallowly to NNW. Late in D2, this anisotropy
underwent mm-scale, top down to the south displacement
across S2a, and an extensional crenulation cleavage devel-
oped as an accommodation to the progressive stretching to
the south.
The evolution of the tongue implied in an ENE – WSW-
trending compression (D3) that is capable of explaining the
Peixe River synclinorium and the Santa Cruz dome, two
distinctive 30 km, NNW-trending F3 folds in the southern
part of the emerald district. Compression responsible for the
synclinorium may be explained by variable amounts of post-
D2 displacement within the tongue, though the orientation
of the F3 fold axes in the synclinorium may have been
partially controlled by the SSE-trending linear anisotropy,
due to several decametre-long tubes of F2 sheath folds. The
dome, a basement-cored antiform, may be explained by the
interference of the WNW – ESE regional compression in a
nearly E –W compression related to the voluminous tongue
of rocks moving southward. However, the two structures
differ in that F2 folds in the dome do not result from a
southerly driven flow. A whole-rock Sm –Nd isochron age
of 556 ^ 77 Ma for the São José granite is interpreted to
represent the deformation and metamorphism in the area.
The Santa Terezinha sequence is likely the record of a
sedimentary basin bounded by the Neoproterozoic mag-
matic arc to the west and the Archean/Paleoproterozoic
margin of the ancient São Francisco plate to the east. Its
basal siliciclastics derive from Archean sources and may
correlate with other passive margin sequences (Paranoá
group, Minaçu Formation). Its upper formations received
input from the arc to the west and therefore may be
correlated with other back-arc basin rocks (the Araxá and
Ibiá groups) of the Brası́lia belt.
707
Acknowledgements
L.J.H. D’el-Rey Silva acknowledges PENERY MINER-
AÇÃO (Goiânia, Brazil) for assistance during research in
the study area (1986 –2000), CNPq-Brazil for scholarship
and research funds (1987 – 2001), CAPES-Brazil for post-
doctoral research Grant BEX-1922/99-8 (2001), and Prof.
K.R. McClay’s Fault Dynamics Group (Geology Depart-
ment, RHUL, 2001) for assistance during a postdoctoral
stay in Egham-UK, where the first version of this paper was
written and submitted. Leonel S. Barros Neto acknowledges
PENERY MINERAÇÃO and the Instituto de Geociências,
Universidade de Brası́lia, for supporting his endeavors to
finish his MSc dissertation. The authors thank Rudolph A.J.
Trouw and Alain Vauchez for their valuable comments on
the first version of this paper. R.A.J. Trouw helped improve
the final version. R.A. Fuck is thanked for encouraging the
first author.
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