Lavrean

Lavrean is a geological term referring to a period of intense volcanism and crustal deformation in the Laurentian craton during the Archean eon. It is typically associated with the formation of greenstone belts and the emplacement of tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) suites. The Lavrean period is crucial to understanding the early development of continental crust and the processes that shaped the Earth's surface billions of years ago. It is characterized by a complex interplay of plate tectonics, mantle plumes, and magma differentiation. Key features include the development of volcano-sedimentary basins, the formation of orogenic belts, and the stabilization of continental nuclei. The exact timing and duration of the Lavrean period can vary depending on the region, but it is generally placed within the range of approximately 3.0 to 2.5 billion years ago. Its study relies on detailed geochronological, geochemical, and structural analyses of Archean rocks.