Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt
| Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt | |
|---|---|
| Stratigraphic range: Eoarchean–Hadean (disputed) | |
A map showing geological formations in the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt | |
| Type | Geological formation |
| Area | Approx. 20 km2 (7.7 mi2) |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 58°17'18"N 77°36'42"W |
| Region | Northern Quebec |
| Country | Canada |
The Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt (NGB; Inuktitut: [nuv.vu.a.git.tuq]) is a sequence of metamorphosed mafic to ultramafic volcanic and associated sedimentary rocks (a greenstone belt) located on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay, 40 km southeast of Inukjuak, Quebec. These rocks have undergone extensive metamorphism, and represent some of the oldest surface rocks on Earth.
The age of the Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt is still subject to debate. One 2007 paper gave an age of c. 3,750 million years (Ma), while another in 2012 gave an age of c. 4,388 Ma. Research published in June 2025 established an age of 4157 Ma for a gabbroic dike cross-cutting the Ujaraaluk unit.
In March 2017, a published report gave evidence for fossils of microorganisms in these rocks, which would be the oldest trace of life yet discovered on Earth. However, these traces may be abiogenic.