Deep continental roots and cratons
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review › Research › peer-review
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Deep continental roots and cratons. / Pearson, D. Graham; Scott, James M.; Liu, Jingao; Schaeffer, Andrew; Wang, Lawrence Hongliang; Hunen, Jeroen van; Szilas, Kristoffer; Chacko, Thomas; Kelemen, Peter B.
In: Nature, Vol. 596, 12.08.2021, p. 199-210.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Deep continental roots and cratons
AU - Pearson, D. Graham
AU - Scott, James M.
AU - Liu, Jingao
AU - Schaeffer, Andrew
AU - Wang, Lawrence Hongliang
AU - Hunen, Jeroen van
AU - Szilas, Kristoffer
AU - Chacko, Thomas
AU - Kelemen, Peter B.
PY - 2021/8/12
Y1 - 2021/8/12
N2 - The formation and preservation of cratons—the oldest parts of the continents, comprising over 60 per cent of the continental landmass—remains an enduring problem. Key to craton development is how and when the thick strong mantle roots that underlie these regions formed and evolved. Peridotite melting residues forming cratonic lithospheric roots mostly originated via relatively low-pressure melting and were subsequently transported to greater depth by thickening produced by lateral accretion and compression. The longest-lived cratons were assembled during Mesoarchean and Palaeoproterozoic times, creating the stable mantle roots 150 to 250 kilometres thick that are critical to preserving Earth’s early continents and central to defining the cratons, although we extend the definition of cratons to include extensive regions of long-stable Mesoproterozoic crust also underpinned by thick lithospheric roots. The production of widespread thick and strong lithosphere via the process of orogenic thickening, possibly in several cycles, was fundamental to the eventual emergence of extensive continental landmasses—the cratons.
AB - The formation and preservation of cratons—the oldest parts of the continents, comprising over 60 per cent of the continental landmass—remains an enduring problem. Key to craton development is how and when the thick strong mantle roots that underlie these regions formed and evolved. Peridotite melting residues forming cratonic lithospheric roots mostly originated via relatively low-pressure melting and were subsequently transported to greater depth by thickening produced by lateral accretion and compression. The longest-lived cratons were assembled during Mesoarchean and Palaeoproterozoic times, creating the stable mantle roots 150 to 250 kilometres thick that are critical to preserving Earth’s early continents and central to defining the cratons, although we extend the definition of cratons to include extensive regions of long-stable Mesoproterozoic crust also underpinned by thick lithospheric roots. The production of widespread thick and strong lithosphere via the process of orogenic thickening, possibly in several cycles, was fundamental to the eventual emergence of extensive continental landmasses—the cratons.
U2 - 10.1038/s41586-021-03600-5
DO - 10.1038/s41586-021-03600-5
M3 - Review
C2 - 34381239
VL - 596
SP - 199
EP - 210
JO - Nature
JF - Nature
SN - 0028-0836
ER -
ID: 276216778