The Precambrian period represents some 85% of the earth's evolution, during which time the early crust became stabilized and the development of sedimentary sequences began. Basic magmatism was the dominating process during this period, providing a key link between planetary accretion and lithospheric development. This volume provides an overview of basic magmatism during the Early Precambrian period, discussing the worldwide distribution and occurrence of rock types, their geochemical and mineralogical characteristics, and their relationship to mineralization and to lunar magmatism. This is a book for geologists, geochemists, petrologists and economic geologists studying early Earth evolution and planetary development. Cosmochemists and advanced students will find the work a valuable source of reference.