Proterozoic glaciations in eastern Brazil: A review

Earlier publications on proterozoic glaciations in eastern Brazil are reviewed and revised, based on recent investigations in the Serra do EspinhaÇo. The former “Lavras Series”, often cited as an example of an infracambrian glaciation, comprises units of different age. The older units (Sopa conglomerate in Minas Gerais, “Lavras Series” sensu strictu in Bahia) belong to the middle to early proterozoic Minas Supergroup. They show no indications of glaciation. The widespread and in part glacial MacaÚbas Group belongs to the basal SÃo Francisco Supergroup. According to stromatolites the latter has a minimum age of 950 m. y. The MacaÚbas Group might have an age of more than 1.650 m. y. An infracambrian glaciation is unknown from eastern Brazil.