Iron-rich basaltic komatiites in the early Precambrian Vermilion District, Minnesota

Abstract

Pillowed basalts showing relict skeletal calcic augites, are present in several parts of the lower Precambrian Newton Lake Formation near Ely, Minnesota. Chemical analyses presented here show these rocks to be low in Al₂O₃ and SiO₂, and high in FeO compared to tholeiites, and to be similar though not identical to many basaltic komatiites reported elsewhere.