The earliest evidence for modern-style plate tectonics recorded by HP–LT metamorphism in the Paleoproterozoic of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

[en] Knowing which geodynamic regimes characterised the early Earth is a fundamental question. This implies to determine when and how modern plate tectonics began. Today, the tectonic regime is dominated by mobile-lid tectonics including deep and cold subduction. However, in the early Earth (4.5 to 2 Ga) stagnant-lid tectonics may also have occurred. The study of high pressure–low temperature (HP–LT) metamorphic rocks is important, because these rocks are only produced in present-day subduction settings. Here, we characterize the oldest known HP–LT eclogite worldwide (2089 ± 13 Ma; 17–23 kbar / 500-550°C), discovered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We provide evidence that the mafic protolith of the eclogite formed at 2216 ± 26 Ma in a rift-type basin, and was then subducted to mantle depths (> 55 km) before being exhumed during a complete Wilson cycle lasting ca. 130 Ma. Our results indicate the operation of modern mobile-lid plate tectonics at 2.2–2.1 Ga.

Disciplines :

Earth sciences & physical geography

Author, co-author :

François, Camille ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Early Life Traces & Evolution-Astrobiology

Debaille, Vincianne ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Early Life Traces & Evolution-Astrobiology

Paquette, Jean-Louis

Baudet, Daniel

Javaux, Emmanuelle ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Early Life Traces & Evolution-Astrobiology

Language :

English

Title :

The earliest evidence for modern-style plate tectonics recorded by HP–LT metamorphism in the Paleoproterozoic of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Publication date :

18 October 2018

Journal title :

Scientific Reports

eISSN :

2045-2322

Publisher :

Nature Publishing Group, London, United Kingdom

Volume :

Issue :

15452

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

European Projects :

FP7 - 308074 - ELITE - Early Life Traces, Evolution, and Implications for Astrobiology
FP7 - 336718 - ISOSYC - Initial Solar System Composition and Early Planetary Differentiation

Funders :

ERC - European Research Council
Fondation Francqui
BELSPO - Belgian Federal Science Policy Office
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique
EU - European Union

Funding text :

Research funding came from the European Research Council Stg ELITE FP7/308074, and the Francqui Foundation (EJJ, CF), the BELSPO IAP PLANET TOPERS (EJJ, CF, VD) and the FNRS-FRS and the ERC StG “ISoSyC” FP7/336718 (VD).

Available on ORBi :

since 18 October 2018

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