Early Precambrian basic rocks of China

Abstract

Basic volcanism has been a fundamental process in the evolution of the Earth as well as other terrestrial planets of the solar system. It was particularly important in the early stages of planetary evolution. From the results of experimental and geochemical studies, it is clear that basaltic magmas can be regarded as first-order differentiation products of mantle melting, hence they (and komatiitic magmas) play an important role as probes of chemical composition, chemical evolution and physical conditions of planetary mantles. By contrast, granitic magmas may be considered as second or higher-order differentiation products and they play key roles in the study of continental development and accretion, crustal recycling, particular trace element concentration processes and mineralisation.