Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Irreversible evolution of tectono-magmatic processes at the Earth and Moon: Petrological data

  • Published:
Petrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The tectono-magmatic evolution of the Earth and Moon started after the solidification of their magmatic “oceans”, whose in-situ crystallization produced the primordial crusts of the planets, with the composition of these crusts depending on the depths of the “oceans”. A principally important feature of the irreversible evolution of the planetary bodies, regardless of their sizes and proportions of their metallic cores and silicate shells, was a fundamental change in the course of their tectono-magmatic processes during intermediate evolutionary stages. Early in the geological evolution of the Earth and Moon, their magmatic melts were highly magnesian and were derived from mantle sources depleted during the solidification of the magmatic “oceans”; this situation can be described in terms of plume tectonics. Later, geochemically enriched basalts with high concentrations of Fe, Ti, and incompatible elements became widespread. These rocks were typical of Phanerozoic within-plate magmatism. The style of tectonic activity has also changed: plate tectonics became widespread at the Earth, and large depressions (maria) started to develop at the Moon. The latter were characterized by a significantly thinned crust and basaltic magmatism. These events are thought to have been related to mantle superplumes of the second generation (thermochemical), which are produced (Dobretsov et al., 2001) at the boundary between the liquid core and silicate mantle owing to the accumulation of fluid at this interface. Because of their lower density, these superplumes ascended higher than their precursors did, and the spreading of their head parts resulted in active interaction with the superjacent thinned lithosphere and a change in the tectonic regime, with the replacement of the primordial crust by the secondary basaltic one. This change took place at 2.3–2.0 Ga on the Earth and at 4.2–3.9 Ga on the Moon. Analogous scenarios (with small differences) were also likely typical of Mars and Venus, whose vast basaltic plains developed during their second evolutionary stages. The change in the style of tectonic-magmatic activity was associated with important environmental changes on the surfaces of the planets, which gave rise to their secondary atmospheres. The occurrence of a fundamental change in the tectono-magmatic evolution of the planetary bodies with the transition from depleted to geochemically enriched melts implies that these planets were originally heterogeneous and had metal cores and silicate shells enriched in the material of carbonaceous chondrites. The involvement of principally different material (that had never before participated in these processes) in tectono-magmatic processes was possible only if these bodies were heated from their outer to inner levels via the passage of a heating wave (zone) with the associated cooling of the outermost shells. The early evolutionary stages of the planets, when the waves passed through their silicate mantles, were characterized by the of development of super-plumes of the first generation. The metallic cores were the last to melt, and this processes brought about the development of thermochemical super-plumes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A. M. Abdrakhimov, “Geochemical Comparison of Volcanic Rocks from Terrestrial Intraplate Oceanic Hot Spots with Venusian Surface Material,” Geokhimiya, No. 8, 806–823 (2005) [Geochem. Int. 43, 732–747 (2005)].

  2. C. Alibert, M. D. Norman, and M. T. McCulloch, “An Ancient Sm-Nd Age for a Ferroan Anorthosite Clast from Lunar Breccia 67016,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 58, 2921–2926 (1994).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Anonymous, “Penrose Field Conference on Ophiolites,” Geotimes 17, 24–25 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  4. N. T. Arndt and R. W. Nesbitt, “Geochemistry of Munro Township Basalts,” in Komatiites, Ed. by N. T. Arndt and E. G. Nisbet (Allen and Unwin, London, 1982).

    Google Scholar 

  5. E. V. Artyushkov, Physical Tectonics (Nauka, Moscow, 1993) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  6. Yu. G. Belostotskii, Fundamentals of the Universe (Nauka, St. Petersburg, 2000) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  7. O. A. Bogatikov, V. I. Kovalenko, E. V. Sharkov, and V. V. Yarmolyuk, Magmatism and Geodynamics. Terrestrial Magmatism throughout the Earth’s History (Gordon and Breach Science Publishers, Amsterdam, 2000).

    Google Scholar 

  8. K. C. Condie, “TTGs and Adakites: Are they Both Slab Melts?” Lithos 80, 33–44 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. N. L. Dobretsov, A. G. Kirdyashkin, and A. A. Kirdyashkin, Deep-Seated Geodynamics (GEO, Novosibirsk, 2001) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  10. W. F. Mc Donough, “Compositional Model for the Earth’s Core,” in The Mantle and Core, Treatise on Geochemistry 2, 547–568 (2003).

  11. W. F. McDonough, “Composition of the Primitive Mantle and Other Mantle Reservoirs,” in Proceedings of 29th Int. geol. Congress, Kyoto, Japan, 1992 (Kyoto, 1992).

  12. Early Precambrian of the Baltic Shield, Ed. by V. A. Glebovitsky (Nauka, St. Petersburg, 2005) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  13. R. E. Ernst, “Mafic-Ultramafic Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs): Importance of the Pre-Mesozoic Records,” Episodes 30, 108–114 (2007).

    Google Scholar 

  14. W. G. Ernst, “Subduction, Ultrahigh-Pressure Metamorphism and Regurgitation of Byont Crustal Slices—Implications for Arcs and Continental Growth,” Phys. Earth Planet. Int. 127, 253–275 (2001).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. R. Frei, A. Polat, and A. Meibom, “The Hadean Upper Mantle Conundrum: Evidence for Source Depletion and Enrichment from Sm-Nd, Re-Os, and Pb Isotopic Compositions in 3.71 Gy Boninite-Like Metabasalts from the Isua Supracrustal Belt, Greenland,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 68, 1645–1660 (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. S. J. G. Galer and S. L. Goldstein, “Early Mantle Differentiation and Its Thermal Consequences,” Geochim. Cosmochim Acta 55, 227–239 (1991).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. E. M. Galimov, “Origin of the Moon,” in Main Directions in Geochemistry. On 100th-Anniversary of Academician A. P. Vinogradova (Nauka, Moscow, 1995), pp. 8–43 [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  18. A. V. Girnis and I. D. Ryabchikov, “Experimental Petrology and Genesis of Komatiites,” in Early Precambrian Komatiites and High-Magnesian Volcanic Rocks, Ed. by O. A. Bogatikov (Nauka, Leningrad, 1988), pp. 185–192 [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  19. M. G. Green, J. P. Sylvester, and R. Buick, “Growth and Recycling of Early Archaean Continental Crust: Geochemical Evidence from the Coonterunah and Warrawoona Groups, Pilbara Craton, Australia,” Tectonophysics 322, 69–88 (2000).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. C. J. Hale, “Paleomagnetic Data Suggest Link between the Archaean-Proterozoic Boundary and Inner-Core Nucleation,” Nature 329(6136), 233–236 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. T. M. Harrison “Observations of Hadean Earth,” in European Geosciences Union General Assembly, Veinna, 2007 Geophys. Res. Abstr. 9, 10834 (2007).

  22. H. Jeffries, The Earth, (Cambridge Univ. Press, London, 1929).

    Google Scholar 

  23. H. Karason and R. D. van der Hilst, “Constraints on Mantle Convection from Seismic Tomography,” in The History and Dynamics of Global Plate Motions, Ed. by M. Richards, R. G. Gordon, and R. D. van der Hilst, Geophys. Monogr. 121, 277–289 (2000).

  24. A. S. Konopliv, A. B. Binder, L. L. Hood, et al., “Improved Gravity Field of the Moon from Lunar Prospector” Science, 281, 1476–1480 (1998).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. L. Ksanfomaliti, “Unknown Mercury,” V Mire Nauki (Scientific American), No. 2, 64–73 (2008).

  26. O. L. Kuskov and V. A. Kronrod, “The Moon: Chemical Composition and Internal Structure,” Astronomicheskii Vestnik 33(5), 437–446 (1999) [Solar Syst. Res. 33, 382–392 (1999)].

    Google Scholar 

  27. M. J. Le Bas, IUGS “Reclassification of the High-Mg and Picritic Volcanic Rocks,” J. Petrol. 241, 1467–1470 (2000).

    Google Scholar 

  28. L. I. Lobkovskii, A. M. Nikishin, and V. E. Khain, Modern Problems of Geotectonics and Geodynamics (Nauchnyi Mir, Moscow, 2004) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  29. M. Ya. Marov, Planets of Solar System (Nauka, Moscow, 1981) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  30. H. Martin, R. H. Smithies, R. Rapp R, et al., “An Overview of Adakite, Tonalite-Trondhjemite-Granodiorite (TTG), and Sanukitoid: Relationships and Some Implications for Crustal Evolution,” Lithos. 79, 1–24 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. V. A. Melezhik, A. E. Fallik, E. Hanski et al., “Emergence of Aerobic Biosphere during the Archean-Proterozoic Transition: Chellenges of Future Research,” GSA Today 15(11), 4–10 (2005).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. A. V. Mokhov, P. M. Kartashov, and O. A. Bogatikov, The Moon under a Microscope (Nauka, Moscow, 2007) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  33. C. R. Neal and L. A. Taylor, “Petrogenesis of Mare Basalts: A Record of Lunar Volcanism,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 56, 2177–2211 (1992).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. A. A. Nemchin, M. J. Whitehouse, R. T. Pidgeon, and C. Meyer, “Oxygen Isotopic Signature of 4.4–3.9 Ga Zircons as a Monitor of Differentiation Processes on the Moon,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 70, 1864–1872 (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. J. J. Papike, G. Ryder, and C. K. Schearer, “Lunar Samples,” in Planetary Materials, Rev. Mineral. 36, 5-1-234 (1998).

  36. A. Polat, A. W. Hofmann, C. Munker, et al., “Contrasting Geochemical Patterns in the 3.7–3.8 Ga Pillow Basalt Cores and Rims, Isua Greenstone Belt, Southwest Greenland: Implications for Postmagmatic Alteration Processes,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 67, 441–457 (2003).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. A. Polat, R. Kerrich, and D. A. Wyman, “Geochemical Diversity in Oceanic Komatiites and Basalts from the Late Archean Wawa Greenstone Belts, Superior Province, Canada: Trace Elements and Nd Isotope Evidence for a Heterogeneous Mantle,” Precambrian Res. 94, 139–173 (1999).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. A. Polat, A. W. Hofmann, and M. T. Rosing, “Boninite-Like Volcanic Rocks in the 3.7–3.8 Ga Isua Greenstone Belt, West Greenland: Geochemical Evidence for Intra-Oceanic Subduction Zone Processes in the Early Earth,” Chem. Geol. 184, 231–254 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Precambrian Geology of the USSR, Ed. by D. V. Rundkvist and F. P. Mitrofanov (Nauka, Leningrad, 1988) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  40. S. K. Rancorn, Lunar Magnetism, Nature 304(5927), 589–596 (1983).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. A. E. Ringwood, Origin of the Earth and Moon (Springer-Verlag, New York, 1979; Nedra, Moscow, 1982) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  42. A. B. Ronov, A. A. Yaroshevskii, and A. A. Migdisov, Chemical Structure of the Earth’s Crust and Geochemical Balance of Major Elements (Nauka, Moscow, 1990) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  43. S. I. Rybakov, Sulfide Ore formation in the Early Precambrian of the Baltic Shield (Nauka, Leningrad, 1987) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  44. E. V. Sharkov, “Ancient Continental Crust: Where Does It Disappear and Why (Voclanic Arc-Back Arc System),” in Proceedings of Theoretical Seminar of OGGGN RAN on Problems of Global Geodynamics, Ed. by D. V. Rundkvist (OGGGN RAN, Moscow, 2003), issue 2, pp. 276–313 [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  45. E. V. Sharkov, Formation of Layered Intrusions and. Related Mineralization (Nauchnyi Mir, Moscow, 2006) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  46. E. V. Sharkov and O. A. Bogatikov, “Early Stages of the Tectonic and Magmatic Development of the Earth and Moon: Similarities and Differences,” Petrologiya 9, 115–138 (2001) [Petrology 9, 97–118 (2001)].

    Google Scholar 

  47. E. V. Sharkov and O. A. Bogatikov, “Comparative Study of the Tectonomagmatic Evolution of the Earth and Moon: Key for Understanding the Formation and Internal Evolution of Solid Terrestrial Planets,” Geokhimiya, No. 6, 579–586 (2003),” [Geochem. Int. 41, 519–524 (2003).

  48. E. V. Sharkov, O. A. Bogatikov, and I. S. Krassivskaya, “The Role of Mantle Plumes in the Early Precambrian Tectonics of the Eastern Baltic Shield,” Geotektonika, No. 2, 3–25 (2000) [Geotectonics 34, 85–105 (2000)].

  49. E. V. Sharkov and M. M. Bogina, “Evolution of Paleoproterozoic Magmatism: Geology, Geochemistry, and Isotopic Constraints,” Stratigrafiya. Geol. Korrel. 14(4), 3–27 (2006) [Stratigraphy. Geol. Corr. 14, 345–368 (2006).

    Google Scholar 

  50. E. V. Sharkov, K. A. Evseeva, I. S. Krassivskaya, and A. V. Chistyakov, “Magmatic Systems of the Early Paleoproterozoic Baltic Large Igneous Province of Siliceous High-Magnesian (Boninite-Like) Series,” R. Geol. Geophys. 46, 968–980 (2005).

    Google Scholar 

  51. A. A. Shchipansky, A. V. Samsonov, E. V. Bibikova, et al., “2.8 Ga Boninite-Hosting Partial Suprasubduction Zone Ophiolite Sequences from the North Karelian Greenstone Belt, NE Baltic Shield, Russia,” in Precambrian Ophiolites and Related Rocks, Ed. by T. Kusky (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2004).

    Google Scholar 

  52. G. A. Snyder, L. E. Borg, L. E. Nyquist, and L. A. Taylor, “Chronology and Isotopic Constraints on Lunar Evolution,” in The Origin of the Earth and Moon, (University Arizona Press, London, 2000).

    Google Scholar 

  53. G. A. Snyder, C. R. Neal, L. A. Taylor, and A. N. Halliday, “Processes Involved in the Formation of Magnesian-Suite Plutonic Rocks from the Highlands of the Earth’s Moon,” J. Geophys. Res. 100(E5), 9365–9388 (1995).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. G. A. Snyder, L. A. Taylor, and A. N. Halliday, “Chronology and Petrogenesis of the Lunar Highlands Alkali Suite: Cumulates from KREEP Basalts Crystallization,” Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 59, 1185–1203 (1995b).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. G. L. Wasserburg, D. A. Papanastassion, F. Tera, J. C. Huneke, “Outline of a lunar chronology,” Phil. Trans. R. Soc. London, Ser. A., 285, pp. 7–22 (1977).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. P. D. Spudis, The Once and Future Moon (Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington-London, 1996).

    Google Scholar 

  57. D. J. Stevenson, T. Spohn, and G. Schubert, “Magnetism and Thermal Evolution of the Terrestrial Planets,” Icarus 54, 466–489 (1983).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. S. R. Taylor and S. M. McLennon, The Continental Crust: Its Composition and Evolution (Blackwell Scientific Publ., London, 1985).

    Google Scholar 

  59. Types of Magmas and Their Sources in the Earth’s Evolution. Part 1. magmatism and Geodynamics as the Main Factors of the Earth’s Evolution, Ed. by O. A. Bogatikov and V. I. Kovalenko (IGEM RAN, Moscow, 2006) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

  60. J. W. Valley, W. H. Peck, E. M. King, et al., “A Cool Early Earth,” Geology 30, 351–354 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. V. Veiser, “87Sr/86Sr Evolution of Sea Water during Geological History ant Its Significance as an Index of Crustal Evolution,” in Early History of the Earth, Ed. by B. F. Windley (Wiley, New York, 1976).

    Google Scholar 

  62. V. N. Zharkov, Internal Structure of the Earth and Planets (Nauka, Moscow, 1978) [in Russian].

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of the Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry (IGEM), Russian Academy of Sciences, Staromonetnyi per. 35, Moscow, 119017, Russia

    O. A. Bogatikov & E. V. Sharkov

Authors
  1. O. A. Bogatikov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. V. Sharkov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to O. A. Bogatikov.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bogatikov, O.A., Sharkov, E.V. Irreversible evolution of tectono-magmatic processes at the Earth and Moon: Petrological data. Petrology 16, 629–651 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0869591108070011

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0869591108070011

Keywords

Search

Navigation