The structural and geochemical evolution of the continental crust: Support for the oceanic plateau model of continental growth

Reviews of Geophysics
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Abstract

The problem of the origin of the continental crust can be resolved into two fundamental questions: (1) the location and mechanisms of initial mantle extraction of the primitive crust and (2) the processes by which this primitive crust is converted into the continental crust that presently exists. We know that Archean continental crust is compositionally distinct from younger continental crust. Archean magmatism was dominantly bimodal, mafic thoeleiitic plus dacitic, heavy rare earth element depleted, in contrast to the dominantly unimodal, roughly andesitic calc‐alkaline magmatism on younger crust [Taylor and McLennan, 1985; Condie, 1989]. The problem is whether these compositional differences are primarily due to different mechanisms of crustal extraction from the mantle or to different mechanisms of differentiation and alteration of newly formed continental crust.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title The structural and geochemical evolution of the continental crust: Support for the oceanic plateau model of continental growth
Series title Reviews of Geophysics
DOI 10.1029/95RG00551
Volume 33
Issue SUPPL. 1
Year Published 1995
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Toxic Substances Hydrology Program
Description 12 p.
First page 231
Last page 242
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