An Electron Backscatter Diffraction Study of Archean Impact Spherules from the Pilbara Craton, Western Australia

Abstract

This thesis describes a systematic morphological study of minerals in feldspathic impact spherules from both Dales Gorge and Bee Gorge spherule layers in the Hamersley Basin of Pilbara Craton in Western Australia. The overarching goals are to advance interpretations on spherule formation processes. The research involves the characterisation of feldspathic spherules of the two impact horizons to propose a vapor plume model to identify where various spherule types may have formed. This includes the comparison of representative optical photomicrographs with their respective electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analytical results.