Long-term preservation of Hadean protocrust in Earth's mantle
Jonas Tusch1, J Elis Hoffmann2, Eric Hasenstab1
1Institut für Geologie und Mineralogie, Universität zu Köln, 50674 Köln, Germany.
Summary
Ancient Earth rocks found in the mantle provide evidence of early geological processes. This discovery helps explain deep mantle anomalies and early Earth differentiation, offering insights into Hadean geodynamics.
Area of Science:
- Geochemistry
- Early Earth Science
- Isotope Geochemistry
Background:
- Earth's earliest 500 million years are not preserved due to plate tectonics.
- Geochemical data are crucial for understanding Hadean geodynamics.
- Contrasting tungsten-182 (¹⁸²W) isotope patterns exist in ancient and modern mantle rocks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a high-precision ¹⁸²W dataset for Kaapvaal Craton rocks.
- To identify Hadean protocrustal remnants in the Earth's mantle.
- To reconcile disparate ¹⁸²W isotope signatures in the mantle.
Main Methods:
- High-precision ¹⁸²W isotope analysis.
- Geochemical analysis of Kaapvaal Craton rock samples.
Main Results:
- Detection of Hadean protocrustal remnants within the Earth's mantle.
- Bridging of contrasting ¹⁸²W isotope patterns between Archean and modern mantle-derived rocks.
- Explanation for seismically and isotopically anomalous deep mantle domains.
Conclusions:
- Silicate differentiation occurred within the first 60 million years of Earth's history.
- The findings provide direct evidence for early Earth differentiation processes.
- The study enhances our understanding of Hadean geodynamics and mantle evolution.
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