Geophysical, Geochemical, and Geodynamic Clues to Archean Craton Modification and Destruction
Abstract
While originally believed to be enduring features of the lithosphere, recent studies have revealed that Archean cratons are also susceptible to the tectonic forces that shape the planet. Through time they have been altered and modified, creating vulnerabilities that appear to allow in some cases for modification to the extent of destruction. Several well known Archean cratons have to some extent been subject to modification, including the Wyoming Craton, the eastern portion of the North China Craton, the Brazilian Craton, Tanzanian Craton, the North Atlantic Craton, and the Madagascar Craton. This synthesis of geophysical, geochemical, and geodynamic models looks at similarities and variations within these altered Archean cratons, then compares them to undeformed and stable Archean cratons. This approach reveals insights into the factors that allow for modifications to the stabilizing cratonic keels, as well as the subsequent surficial expressions of those modifications.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.T12A..01B
- Keywords:
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- 7205 Continental crust;
- SEISMOLOGY;
- 8103 Continental cratons;
- TECTONOPHYSICS;
- 8120 Dynamics of lithosphere and mantle: general;
- TECTONOPHYSICS;
- 8159 Rheology: crust and lithosphere;
- TECTONOPHYSICS