[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 :
8
Issue :
15452
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
European Research Council Stg ELITE FP7/308074 Fondation Francqui [BE] BELSPO IAP PLANET TOPERS F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE] ERC StG “ISoSyC” FP7/336718
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