Continental growth and the crustal record

摘要: Abstract The continental crust is the archive of Earth history. spatial and temporal distribution Earth's record rock units events heterogeneous with distinctive peaks troughs in ages igneous crystallisation, metamorphism, margins mineralisation. This reflects different preservation potential rocks generated tectonic settings, rather than fundamental pulses activity, are linked to timing supercontinent assembly. In contrast there other signals, such as Sr isotope ratios seawater, mantle temperatures, redox conditions on Earth, where records regarded primary because they not sensitive numbers samples that have been analysed. New models based U–Pb, Hf O detrital zircons suggest at least ~ 60–70% present volume had by 3 Ga. growth was a continuous an episodic process, but marked decrease rate crustal ~ 3 Ga. appears significant recycling onset plate tectonics. 60–70% estimated 3 Ga, contrasts markedly