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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Metal-silicate Partitioning at High Pressure and Temperature: Experimental Methods and a Protocol to Suppress Highly Siderophile Element Inclusions
11:50

Metal-silicate Partitioning at High Pressure and Temperature: Experimental Methods and a Protocol to Suppress Highly Siderophile Element Inclusions

Published on: June 13, 2015

Evolution of the continental crust.

C J Hawkesworth1, A I S Kemp

  • 1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queens Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, UK. c.j.hawkesworth@bristol.ac.uk

Nature
|October 20, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Continental crust formation models reveal its composition is similar to the lower crust. Crustal growth occurred in rapid pulses, with formation rates higher than previously estimated.

Area of Science:

  • Geology
  • Earth Science
  • Geochemistry

Background:

  • Continental crust covers ~30% of Earth's surface, is buoyant, and compositionally evolved.
  • It dominates Earth's budget for elements partitioning into silicate liquid during mantle melting.
  • Understanding continental crust differentiation provides insights into its formation processes and timing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To model the differentiation of continental crust.
  • To determine the composition of the basaltic protolith.
  • To estimate the rate of continental crust formation.

Main Methods:

  • Modeling crustal differentiation.
  • Analyzing the composition of the lower crust.
  • Reconciling sedimentary and igneous records.

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Last Updated: May 7, 2026

Metal-silicate Partitioning at High Pressure and Temperature: Experimental Methods and a Protocol to Suppress Highly Siderophile Element Inclusions
11:50

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  • Estimating element residence times in the upper crust.

    • Main Results:

    • The basaltic protolith to the continental crust resembles the average lower crust in composition.
    • Significant continental crust generation occurred in rapid growth pulses from the late Archaean to late Proterozoic (3-1 billion years ago).
    • Crustal formation rates are estimated to be 2-3 times higher than previously suggested.

    Conclusions:

    • Continental crust formation is a dynamic process involving rapid growth phases.
    • Element residence times and differentiation models refine estimates of crustal formation rates.
    • The study reconciles geological records to provide a more accurate picture of crustal evolution.